Posts made in October, 2009

Looking at Today Through the Lens of the Cross

Posted by Caroline on Oct 28, 2009 in Amazing Grace | 1 comment

Chapter 16

The story continues first by backtracking.

Yesterday my car died at Sonic.  My Diet Vanilla Coke became a hero when poured on my battery cables and the kindest carhop jumpstarted my car; I later drank coconut coffee at Common Grounds and was depressed when it was gone.  I successfully held to my workout plan (oh yeah, Day One).  I got extra sleep, lit a candle, read some Crazy Love, and the sun shined brightly.

It was a wonderful day.

But back tracking a little further…

One day they led Him to Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
And one day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose; over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord forevermore!

That one day bought freedom for the lead character, releasing her chains, and wiping her debt free. That one day gave hope to the plot of my story.  The Author will write your story the same way.

My day was wonderful, but that day was glorious and altered every part of my story.

Looking forward… This coming weekend I have a phone date with my best friend in Arizona.  We’re currently debating whether or not to “meet” at Barnes and Noble or Borders.  I’m partial to Barnes and Noble with no articulate reason why.  Some day I hope to stick with a workout plan longer than a week, and in the future I hope to have a family with maybe a kid or two or three or… I better stop.  The future is intriguing, inviting, and still the future.

Those will be great days.  Live in the present Caroline, but do dwell on this:

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day my Beloved One’s bringing
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day- Todd Agnew

In my story, those two days are not merely a backdrop, an extra, or special effect. They write the story; they allow the story; they are the story now. And my story yesterday and my story to come.

I want to know that Author, sit down to a cup of coffee, but I know by then I’ll be smack down on my face and coffee will no longer be my love.

I have wonderful and great days where I laugh, rest, smile and love life.   Such days, however,  are certainly overshadowed by Glorious Days that allow them.

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Baylor Homecoming Top 10

Posted by Caroline on Oct 27, 2009 in Family | 0 comments

This past weekend was Baylor Homecoming, 100th Anniversary style.  It was a reason to celebrate tradition, heritage, college, memories, and family.  Here are the top 10:

1.  It was homecoming in the purest form.  Bonfire, parade, and costumes, yes, but home literally packed itself into the Blazer with sleeping bags, DVDs, and lots of home cooked food and came to Baylor.

Baylor Homecoming seemed like the perfect excuse to have another reunion.  Cousins, grandparents, cousins of in-laws, cousins of cousins, and brothers and more.  Home Came.

2.  Bush’s Chicken.  I live in Waco, and the only time I dare touch the greasy and oily chicken or come near the rolls caked in butter is when my cousins come this way.  When I drink the tea, it relentlessly reminds I did so all afternoon, but when you’re away from Waco, I hear you crave Bush’s.  In several years I’ll be the judge, and until then I’ll close my eyes and consider it a family thing.

3.  My closet is immaculate.  In my opinion, the most genuine way to serve is to clean one’s closet.  I’m blessed by my mother in countless ways, but one very tangible way is her drive to keep closets clean.  She enjoys my dreaded task.  If I do say so myself, we make a good team.

4.  These two pictures are my favorite.  James got his picture taken with a friend from our hometown, and then I humiliated Robert by asking the girls to take a picture with him.  Of course Robert got embarrassed though underneath I know he wants a copy to show his friends.  James openly admits he’s jealous.

5.  With lots of visitors and many eaters coming through The Mountain (my apartment), the sink built up with dishes.  My grandmother threw a towel over her Baylor attire (the outfit that was probably picked out last month) as a makeshift apron and a busted through the dishes.  My roommate Hanna thanked her, and her tender and lively response will stick for many years to come

“I’ve been helped a time or two.  Know that I don’t clean because it bothers me; sometimes things are more worthwhile than housework.  We all just help each other.  If you come to my house, I’ll put you to work too.”

I appreciate and treasure little spurts of wisdom.  Sometimes they find me when I need them.

6.  My family inspires me to become Paula Deen.  After eating from their kitchens (or from mine with their food), I desire to cook Thanksgiving dinners like it’s going out of style like they do.

This weekend the center piece of the Coke Cake went missing, and everyone was interviewed to find the culprit.  No conclusion was found, so the case was left open.  Right now, I must confess I stole the middle piece, and I am proud of myself for lying and keeping a straight face.

7.  I enjoyed defying expectations.  My brothers were the leading skeptics when they heard of Tortilla Tossing and spat out all of the normal accusations of lame fun.

Then, they loved it.  Robert threw 49 tortillas without hitting the cement block.  On the 50^th I caught his first success on video.  He was ecstatic and will never need to throw another.

8.  “I have the freedom to use my hands to reach the remote or read a book in total warmth and comfort. I can use my laptop or enjoy a snack while staying snuggily warm.”  I, Jane Caroline Gear, now own a Snuggie.  The phenomenon caught on in Missouri, and now it’s making it to the South.  Oh, and my snuggie is zebra; good choice James.

9.  Best line of the weekend:  James and I are talking to Robert about middle school.

James: Do you think the girls are pretty yet?

Robert:  Not yet, but I know that’s coming.

When I don’t see them for months, it obvious how my dear brothers are growing up.

10.  Reunion.  Robert and I went exploring through the SUB and accidently walked into a Baylor 50^th Class Reunion.  We did the math to find out everyone’s age, and I immediately envisioned myself returning to Baylor University.

Last summer I visited my old high school and was almost distraught at the behavior of the kids and lack of respect.  However, with Baylor, I know I will spruce up (an old person term I will unintentionally adopt) in my green and gold, and return with warmness of heart and dearest of affection.

Happy 100th Birthday Baylor. 

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What Lucky Charms Say about Life

Posted by Caroline on Oct 21, 2009 in The Backpack | 1 comment

Chapter 14

I can proudly survive for weeks without venturing to the grocery store.  However, when the need hits, it’s with urgency and there’s no choice but to venture to the HEB by campus (fondly and justifiably referred to as the “ghetto heeb”).  Let’s just say don’t go there at night.

My brother James worked at the little grocery store by our house, and the only reason I would  drop in was to peer behind the freezers to say hi and maybe catch him singing with a broom stick.  Growing up my mom would bribe me to go grocery shopping by letting me pick out a prize.  I always picked Lucky Charms.

Between classes today I dashed to the ghetto heeb and as I maneuvered through the crowded isles, Lucky Charms called my name with flooding memories.  I would intentionally eat the toasted oats pieces first, leaving the marshmallows in all their glory at the end.  It’s the same as leaving lots of M&M’s for your last bite of your Sonic Blast.

White, puffy marshmallows from a bag, even drenched in sugar, can’t compete with the General Mill’s perfect recipe with only 25% marshmallows.  Likewise, if I only wanted M&M’s I’d buy a package, but the Sonic Blast combination is perfect.

You appreciate the sweet when mixed up among the boring, not-as-exciting-but-needed parts of life.  They have to go together; they do go together, and they will always go together.

Tonight I’m grudgingly studying, but I’m motivated to learn.  Later I’ll probably drag my feet while cleaning, but then I’ll relax to the smell of lemon Pledge and consider the fact that I, as a college student, have an apartment to live in unlike so many of the homeless of Waco.  Next time I procrastinate going to the grocery store, I’ll thank the Lord I have money to buy food.  Tomorrow I’ll face some trial but will then be reminded of the blessings that come by grace from our Provider.

Next week I’ll be glad I didn’t eat only toasted oats or merely the marshmallows.  Interwoven throughout life are the marshmallows of the day.  Seek them but don’t dismiss the oats.

The combination of experiences aren’t formed by Luck.  They purposefully tell a story– a yummy one.

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Blog: Noun. an Ongoing Narrative/Distraction

Posted by Caroline on Oct 20, 2009 in The Backpack, Uncategorized | 1 comment

Chapter 12

As of late I’ve been addicted to reading blogs.  It has even slightly interfered with studying.  Because I can realistically see blogs consuming me, I am now taking cautionary steps to prevent further hangups by closing Googlereader and sage.

Here’s what I read:  the Simple Dollar about personal finance.  A blog by SimpleRecipes because I feel like reading about cooking is almost as productive as cooking.  I daily check the Unclutterer in hopes of a solution to my desk clutter and haywire cord mess, and if ever I feel like I’m accomplishing much, I read Michael Hyatt (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers).  He subtly reminds he crams a lot more in his day than seems humanly possible and then I am again motivated to run a marathon or read a book an hour like him.

Also, I of course read the blogs of my friends (yes, I mean real life friends) as well as those acquaintances I “stalkerly” wish I knew better.  I’ve actually made one friend this way.  You should read her blog http://caitrodgers.blogspot.com.  I consider blogs like a Facebook with interesting people and less Farmville, Flair, and fewer absurd American Apparel ads.

I just counted 39 feeds in my Sage list (yes, I must admit I reopened my #1 distraction).  By no means is telling you bragging.  Rather it’s a confession and a concern.  Tonight was the brink.  I ironically found myself looking at www.failblog.org.  Simply being on the site was the ultimate study-fail but I also found a laugh that I hope is contagious.  Oh church humor.

Enjoy.  Oh, and thank you for adding my blog to your list of distractions.  I hope you laughed (if you did that’s almost like a workout.  Some researchers says laughing is equivalent to riding a stationary bike for 15 minutes.  Don’t quote me though, because I have no idea who those “some researchers” are).

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Count Down to Christmas

Posted by Caroline on Oct 18, 2009 in The Backpack | 0 comments

Chapter 11.

Christmas only comes once a year, but as I’ve advocated in the past, I am confident we would all be happier people if we celebrated throughout the year.

Lest anyone miss out on the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy this holiday, my apartment now has garland wrapped around the banister, stockings hung from the tv, and a 2-foot tree standing crookedly but ever so tall.  This is Christmas college style.  As part of Fall Break, I decorated Christmas cookies (though the red icing was more pink), sipped apple cider, and watched my favorite movie of all time:  Elf.  Of course, I did all of this wearing my Santa hat.  Oh, you mustn’t forget the Christmas music.

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Whether or not a sleigh ride is feasible or if I’m actually still wearing shorts is a non-issue.  Christmas is warming.   It’s a warming of the heart, and if Texans are still skeptical about more heat, I’m sure Missourians will cherish the warmth.

One thing I miss right now is my precious little brother Robert.  Call him Mr. Festive.  He decorates our house with such spirit that even if the icicle lighting on the mantle makes your eyes hurt or if the outdoor lighted deer loses its head, you don’t dare change a thing.  His heart is evident, his joy radiant, and it’s contagious.

We need more Roberts.

I cannot wait for him to pull the boxes from the attic and watch my mom encourage what she knows she’s going to have to put away in January.  He’ll be too depressed to help.  Until then, he’ll be all smiles.

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