kind of a poem, kind of not

things are not always right

a lot the worst person ends up on the top 

and we all fall off the deep end

and try to live but don't know how

it's good

because hard things make better people

and suffering allows for greater joy

from smaller things.

and we find humility

and realize that we are really not that important

but just part of a field of grass

and it all blows grows and lives and dies.

we weren't created for here

and the joy is but fleeting.

we can find though in hope and love

and the love is all that matters

we ask God for things we know will hurt a lot

and we live in ways without counting the cost

but the days just keep coming

and the shepherd is always watching over the flock

i think i don't know anything

but that the wisdom of the world is complete shit

but we know how to hope and we know how to pray

so we should be fine for today

Taking it Easy

Whenever I think about life too much I always come back to the same general conclusions.  I think my highest quality of life is a simple one, and I think that living comfortably is not really living at all.

"There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil."

Ecclesiastes 2:12

In Ecclesiastes the writer says much knowledge is much vexation, but in Philippians, Paul writes that wisdom increases love. At first I was confused, but now I love this idea.  I think it means that seeking power and knowledge from the world will only make us more miserable, but that trusting and accepting the lessons from God will allow us to discern Truth and love what is worth loving.

Simple joys from the week:

picking up some farm raised eggs and veggies from ZJ farms in Solon, IA.

Drinking some fresh squeezed carrot apple ginger juice from Wake Up Iowa City. 

Getting excited about all types of summer shindigs:

-Opportunities to race in New York and Austin!

-Planning a minimalist 2 week camping road trip to the WEST

-Making homemade nutella, homemade dish soap, homemade everything

-reading lots of cs lewis and the good word

-preparing for a 2 week trip to China

-spending my last couple months with the best friends I have ever had!

 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

And as long as we are delighting in the Lord, we should do whatever we want! Because that is also what He wants.

Amen to that!

Home

Sometimes when I go home I get all excited to go to Trader Joe's or the Art Center or East Village. 

But this time I just went home for the people.

And when you don't feel anxious about always getting somewhere, its nice to just enjoy small things.

making a summer fire with best friends from home and laughing about old memories

Going on walks and getting to see beautiful flowers planted by THIS GIRL

Going for a run through endless dirt trails and finishing with a nice swing session

And of course hula hooping and frolicking around with these two

And so this trip home was a new type of home! And I liked it! And it can happen anywhere wherever you are because it's not the things but the people and experiences that really matter 

Although I can't say I minded getting a brand new car

;)

Madison

It wasn't until my third trip to Madison that I actually SAW Madison.  It was the most amazing place, and I thrived on the opportunity to make a track meet into a vacation.

My favorite things:

The local gem, Michelangelo's coffee that was recommended by the hotel shuttle driver.

The hotel shuttle driver: What an inspiring man! He was a musician from Madison that drove the shuttle around to earn enough money to follow his dreams.  He travels around the world to play music and just do what he really loves.  I want to be like him.

Downtown Madison. a wonderful time!

The jean studded shorts I splurged on at Urban Outfitters. They may be worn every day of summer.

And the track meet was lots of fun too! And great to finally feel like myself again. being patient was just turning into being depressed! This is what the sky looked like before the 10k.

I would be really okay with going back there.

No Fear

Since I have now officially graduate college and still have no idea what I am doing or where I am going, I have found myself anxiously trying to grasp for something certain or force something that feels unnatural. I know that this is because I am a human, but being anxious is not a good thing.

Jesus said, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I think this is really a beautiful thing.  I always laugh at how simple things are and how I can find about forty million other things to do some days before just simply going to God.  I have often found myself spinning around in circles and running away from Him in order to pursue my own passions, but recently I have a discovered a really beautiful truth.  God has put certain passions within us as a gift and He asks us not to neglect them.  What we truly desire is also what God desires, and when we are closest to Him we can know this.

This is such good news! There is nothing for me to be afraid of! Even if I have to wander around aimlessly for some time, I feel confident and certain that God has a plan and, sometimes it is only through suffering that the plan is most wonderfully accomplished!

i love iowa city.

it's been really good to me. And saying bye will be hard.

Normally I am the kind of person that never wins anything, but lately I have been much more lucky! Now that I have said this my luck will probably be gone forever, but it's been good while it's lasted!

Finding my first ever four leaf clover was such an excitement!

Then Yda found one only minutes later.

Earlier this year I won a gift card to this restaurant: Chef's Table I would never have been able to afford anything on the menu, so guiltless dining with Megs was awesome.

Earlier this week, I won a drawing at a local coffee shop! My prize was a drawing of a dragon. Similar to the ones below : Pretty cool.

I also went to Brueggers several weeks ago and they gave me twelve bagels for free since the day was ending! Maybe I just notice all these good things because I feel I am unlucky, but it's so exciting when unexpected goodness occurs!