The Buffer Zone

So, I didn't really watch Seinfeld growing up. I think my family did, or at least my brother, but I don't think I was reallly into it (and I was usually too busy playing sports). Anywho. I am watching an episode and Jerry & Kramer are at the movies. Jerry makes Kramer move over a seat, so there's a space in between them, and it's called the "buffer zone." So I was telling Bo how my best friend Sarah, and I, had a "buffer zone" at the movies when we were little, but big enough to go to movies by ourselves. Our "buffer zone" was a spare seat for a pretend boyfriends! haha Now... why the boyfriends couldn't sit on the outsides I don't know, but we needed a sit in between.

Good Times, Great People

I hosted my first Tastefully Simple party today, and it turned out great! There was a perfect number of people to fit in our quaint living/dining room area, lots of yummy food to pass, and old friends amongst new. It truely was a splendid time. Although it is funny when your "world's collide." Bo & I always talk about that about weddings. It's like you want everyone to meet everyone, and tell them all about what you love about "these people," and your history with them. Now, after the fact, I should have just done an introduction for everyone, and shared what I love about them! :) Maybe next time! Or maybe I'll blog it and then they all can read it! Ha!

Christmas Present, Future, and Past

Another Christmas, and another year has come and passed. I love Christmas. I love the tree's, the lights, the excitement of presents - giving & getting. Now it is all over, but the fun is still lingering. I got a Wii for my birthday, and some games for Christmas (Guitar Hero World Tour & Wii Fit), which has been keeping Bo & I quite entertained during the time off we have had for the holidays. God bless GreenLine (where I work)! They have us Thursday & Friday of the last 2 weeks off, and it has been fabulous. It was great to be able to spend more time at home over Christmas, and Bo & I have had a lot of fun hanging out over my little New Year's break. We have seen 2 movies - The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons, and Marley & Me. Both are good, but Mom - you can't watch Marley and Me! I have spent hours at Panera the last few days reading, and chatting with my husband. I had fun taking random pictures of Bo & I in the car as we were shopping around on Friday - pictures can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/ErinKessler246

So, I thought I would blog about my Christmas revelation, instead of putting off & never getting around to it. One Sunday morning while I was praying with some others before our church service started, I felt led to pray for what was the upcoming holiday season. I prayed that instead of parents trying to lure their children into "being a good girl or boy" to please Santa, what if children learned about the amazing gift of grace and forgiveness that Jesus bore into the world. I am not criticizing or saying it's wrong to use some seasonal motivation for the childrens, because I am not a parent and will probably do the same thing! :) This was just something that clicked in my heart this season.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

That's right, we just had our first large-flake snow of the year! It even stuck to the ground a little, and to the cars a lot! ha! As much as I don't enjoy being cold, I do like snow. There is just a certain magic, if you will, that snow ignites your childlikeness. I think I have a lot of fun childhood memories from sledding, to fort building, to snow fights, and even shoveling the drive way. All were done with family members and/or friends (except the one major snow fort I built by myself).

Although, I do recall one time when my sister and I, along with 2 of our friends, went sledding and it was not so enjoyable. We walked through a field (maybe a 1/4 of a mile) to a woods that some family friends owned, where there were big hills to sled down. It was snowing pretty bad, and neither my friend or myself wanted to walk home, and I remember my sister and her friend pulling us home on the sled through the field. I thought we would never get home, the snow was stinging my face...

But then there were all those fun times of having snow ball fights, and building snowmen! I also remember one year I thought I could ice skate on my rollerblades! There were 2 spots in the front of our yard, by the road, where the water would sit & freeze. So one year I thought it would try ice skating on it in my rollerblades - yeah, that didn't work out to well! :)

I must say, I am getting in the "Christmas spirit" a little earlier than usual this year. I think it's because Bo & I are actually going to have a bigger Christmas tree in our new apartment!! Hot chocolate, and coookie baking - it doesn't get much better! :) Yumm!

History In the Making

What a day! I will be glad when the election is over because I'm sick of the negative ads - seriously! I'm not really ecstatic about either candidate, is anyone? But McCain/Palin was my choice. My main issue this election season was in regards to the war. I just couldn't buy Obama as Commander in Chief.

As I type, a special report came on saying Obama is projected to win Ohio. Bummer! With Ohio & Pennsylvania, I think that's the ballgame. I guess we will have to see if Obama can step up to the plate. I think there are unrealistic expectations for him, because people are desparate for change.

30% Republican voter turnout??? C'mon people, highly disappointing.

Well, here's one for the history books?

Closing of Summer

Summer is rapidly coming to a close. Bo and I have had so much transition lately, but it has been a fun ride! We moved into a townhouse, are attending a different church, and just bought a car! This has been one of the most relaxing summer's Bo & I have had together, and I think it sunk my motivation in getting ready for campus activities. However, after reconnecting with the gals I "coach," and our LifeGroup, it is great!

I recently read through Romans, and Chapter 12 (see pasted below) is amazing. First, verses 9-21 stuck out to me. I thought they were great, and began reading over them often. I was going to share them at Lifegroup one night when we were speaking about desires for what our LifeGroup would be. Funny thing, Bo went first, and shared 12:3-8. So then I thought those verses were really great too. And then I decided to keep looking back, and I found that the whole chapter is really awesome! :) I actually really enjoyed reading through all of Romans. Anyways, the 2 thinks that stuck out to me the most (the first time I read it). Verse 9- Let love be genuine (ESV) & verse 10 - Outdo one another in showing honor. What a testament to the body of Christ if that was lived out those verses. Those are 2 things I want God to change in me. I want my love for people, life, everything - to be genuine. And I want to show everyone honor - not just the people I choose. Each person I encounter is a creation of God's, and I want to cherish it. Not yell at them when they cut me off. Not curse them when they annoy me, or do not do what I want them to do. But to value them always (which I know is impossible because flesh gets in the way). But let me love my neighbor (and husband, family, friends, coworkers, strangers, etc.) as myself - and may it be genuine!

Romans 12 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in porportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is eveil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Seriously - Woah! It's good huh? Tall order, but I want to gorge! :)

The Realness of God

Do you ever have those moments where you feel like the reality of God, and eternity, are so close that it makes your head hurt? That's how I am feeling. Living for God, allowing His Spirit to guide me, lead me, empower me - is living in reality. God is reality. Eternity is reality.