Surprise Encouragement

Believe it or not, I tend to overcommit just a tad and then end up completely stressed out. Like now, for example. I am in the midst of the busiest time of year at work, trying to finish my last class of grad school despite the raging senioritis, not to mention all of the other day-to-day things that make up life. This week seemed especially silly. Dumb things* kept happening that made me want to be really mad.

But every time I even thought about being mad, someone did something ridiculously awesome for me that made it impossible continue being angry.

Here are a few examples:

Monday night I came home to find not only a martini waiting for me in the fridge, but also a custom crossword puzzle.

These were a fantastic surprise, dropped off at my office for me.

(Except there were more of them...)

I got this in the mail from an old (not literally!) friend. Hilarious.

There seemed to be some extra kindness from co-workers this week, plus lunch with one of my besties, and let's not forget the phone call on Sunday that had me laughing so hard I was unable to speak. Either I am radiating stress and people think I'm completely on edge, or I just know some awesome folks. I'll go with the latter.

Thanks, friends. I'll do my best to pay it forward.

*Sorry, kids, not going into specifics on 'dumb things' here...

Singing My Memory Verses

I've often wondered how many songs to which I know the words. It's easily hundreds. There's something about words set to music that just makes them simple to memorize. And I have quite the repertoire - from Bon Jovi to Taylor Swift to New Kids on the Block to Shane & Shane.

But when it comes to memorizing Scripture, I am not so good. I'd say I know about 98% less Bible verses than songs. There are a couple of reasons for this: it doesn't come as easily to me and I quite honestly don't try very hard.

So when I started a new class at church this year, I wasn't too thrilled to learn that there's a weekly memory verse. Until, that is, I discovered that the book came with a CD. Yes, that's right friends, each weekly verse has been crafted into a delightfully cheesy song. The CD has taken up permanent residence in my car, and each Tuesday morning, I giddily listen to the new song/verse. And I giggle. By about Thursday morning, I am singing along, totally into it. Then it gets stuck in my head. When Monday rolls around, it's time to say it aloud. I end up having a hard time just saying it and wanting to sing it. But either way, I have successfully mastered another verse.

So here's to you, Mr. (or Ms.) Bible-verse-song-creator!