In God we trust

http://tinyurl.com/yz69leb

Watch the video.

This is why I work here. This is what we are fighting for.
Take heart America there are still great men fighting for this country.

"The Lord blesses each nation that worships only him. He blesses his chosen ones."
Psalm 33:12

::Autumn::

There is just something marvelously wonderful about the change of season from summer to fall.


Fall is probably my favorite season. I can remember having an odd fondness for fall growing up. In the Isaacson household, we were big on make-believe play outdoors. We would make forts or become domestic and have forest “houses.” If we were feeling extra adventurous we would explore the wooded areas, (this is when 2 acres of land was “uncharted” territory and felt like 200,) or we would turn on some music and choreograph trampoline circus routines. I can remember four-wheeler hide-and-go seek games, horseback rides, and rollerblading up and down the one paved street in our area. Being homeschooled was fabulous because there were so many opportunities to finish our work quickly so that we could spend the day playing catch with Puppy outside.

I was never enthusiastic about summer days in Alabama. We were always in the pool and while that was fun, it was the nip of the autumn air that sparked in me a passion for God’s great outside creation.

My strong affinity for sports was also satisfied by football-filled Saturdays. Growing up in Auburn/ Opelika, I have been around SEC football for the majority of my life. Currently I am experiencing serious withdrawals that incite strong arguments about teams of which I care nothing about. I am venturing today to Knoxville to finally see my Tigers play, and I couldn’t be more excited! War Eagle!
Autumn also brings the need for long sleeve shirts, turtle-necks and sweaters. There is something delightful about cuddling up in a hammock with a good book and beautiful bronze and ruby leaves creating a canopy above that rustle with the cool wind interrupting the silence of the country. Oh how I wish I could be on Sedgefield Lane.

One of the other things I feel with the coming of autumn is the desire for school. I enjoy reading and learning, and I liked “school” growing up as long as I had some say in what I was learning. After a summer break, I can recall the excitement upon discovering a box arrived in the mail, all the kids would gather around to claim the books that were to become our teachers for the upcoming year. I would much rather be in school in the fall than any other time of the year. The weather inspires me to think deeper thoughts, and truly desire to retain the information I encounter; new books, new hopes for good grades and new interesting subjects to discover.This may be why I have been interested in grad schools the past few weeks, even though I can't fathom going back to school anytime soon.
In the AO area, we always had fun fall festivals, hayrides, corn mazes, etc., and all the memories of those activities makes me long for home and yet so thankful that I will actually get four seasons in D.C.

So it is with that same childish fascination of the weather patterns and biological change in the landscape that I am clinging to the hope of bottling up the weather here in DC and having some to enjoy year round. God is so creative to design a consistent pattern by which our agricultural cycles follow.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

Daniel 2: 20-21

Andy Griffith

Guilty confessions:

Apt 930 is addicted to the Andy Griffith show. It is true. We enjoy the antics of Barney and the comments from Gomer, and the sweetness of Opie.
There is even an appeal of the slow peaceful life of Mayberry. After going to my boss' district this past week, one of the guys from our Leg staff said he forgot that people lived such different lives. In D.C. it is easy to get caught up in the sexy world of politics and power and it sometimes takes a jolt of reality in the world of, "normal middle class America" to remind us of real life. Life is starkly different outside of D.C. Even the simple detail of clothing choice; we stopped at one locality and a woman looked at the gentleman she was with and commented that, "they must be from D.C." He inquired as to why she would presume this, and she informed him that just as we were, everyone in D.C. wears black.

Time and time again, I have found Andy to be so wise, and his profound comments and solutions always strike a chord with the true values that I align with. Each episode, he takes problems and solves them with real world, common sense solutions. Maybe he should be president!
I would be quite satisfied if God gave me an Andy Griffith to marry and an Opie for a son.

Travels

Whew. I just got home from a tour of my boss' district. It was exhausting! Very very beneficial and eye opening, but socially draining. I really enjoy just listening to the rest of our staff and soaking up their exorbitant amounts of knowledge. There is much more to the legislative process than most people understand.

I feel like I'm constantly traveling these days, and my pocket book is proof as I buy plane tickets home to Alabama once a month if not more. When at home recently, I went out to meet up with a friend one night and realized that I felt SO out of place. Auburn seemed so foreign, it was like a dream in which I was searching to find a glimpse of normality and it was no where to be found. The faces were different, the buildings new, I kept trying to get comfortable, but I even found myself socially awkward. When my friend told people where I lived, they then asked what school I graduated from...doesn't take long to be forgotten. And as soon as I started talking about my job they glazed over, and I lost their attention almost instantly. I have forgotten how to small talk with anyone outside of D.C.!

However the trip was wonderful and it was great to see the family. My brothers are precious and growing by the day. And I was SO SO excited that Landrum chose to be a diamond sister with me in ADPI. I am very excited about all the experiences she is about to embark on. I will have to admit, that as beautiful as the country roads were in our district, and as refreshing as my trip home might have been, I realized each time I left, I was yearning for D.C. I look forward to the place where I fit in and live a comfortable life and also to come back to my roommate and my cosy grown-up apartment with the luxuries of a big city.
So tonight, for now, I'm back in what is my sweet home D.C.

Bodega

Reported by some friends in Auburn:

Robert Gibbs, the current White House Press Secretary, who seems to get more flustered than any secretary I can recall ever seeing or hearing about, was in Auburn a few weeks ago for his high school reunion.
Reliable sources have informed me that Mr. Gibbs was seen being thrown out of Bodega, a common late night watering hole after making a scene.
The bouncers were shutting down the bar when Mr. Gibbs who thought it was a little too early for this, insisted on getting in their face and asking repeatedly, "DO you know who I am???"
The bouncer then took the beer from his hand and chunked it in the trash saying," I don't care who the **** you are, GET OUT."

Washington has a habit of blowing up people's ego...but I'm justing being trying to be understanding. :)

War Damn.

Successfully Lost

I just had one of the toughest workouts. Kickboxing at Gold's Gym on Capitol Hill with Jen. She sounds nice, the experience sounds normal, but I am in PAIN! She kicked my butt. After our initial meeting I came to the conclusion that this Jen is NOT nice...or maybe she's simply sharing a tough love, because I will feel better about my caloric intake while I limp to work tomorrow. After an an hour and a half of hell, I ran home, and decided to head up to the roof for an evening swim. It was so relaxing to be back in the water, especially on a warm summer night with the glow of the Nationals stadium to my left and the Capitol and Washington Monument to my right. I then made a much needed call to a best friend in Auburn. What a blessing to have such good "bosom friends" as Anne of Green Gables referred to them. I don't know what I would do without the consistency of a wonderful roommate, an incredible family, and circle of friends and mentors who truly care for me.

These past two months have been a balance between managing a new work life and finding new friends. It's actually not been that difficult, God has laid everything in my lap. I have no complaints, it's just an odd reality that my friends and family in Auburn or elsewhere in the world have no idea about my life here. It's completely different and separate from the last 21 years of my life. The majority of my friends are new, a new church, new scenery, new apartment, a new world. No one back home can relate to the experiences I'm having. And yet in a way I feel like they should because they know me.

There are endless interesting things to do and people to meet in DC. I feel as though my weekly activities are constantly changing and I'm collecting new emails from acquaintances all the time. (We don't really do facebook, or cell phone numbers, correspondance is all through email. This is the downside of everyone having a Blackberry.) One weekend I spontaneously went to New York City to the US Open with a friend from Auburn who was interning in NYC. So a few hours after deciding to go I got on a bus and made a friend at 8 am on the way there, and another at 3 am on the way back. Both women were incredibly accomplished and so interesting! I had a truly eye opening week with the wide variety of people that I encountered. I now keep in touch with both women and have been touched by their different experiences. After living in Auburn, Alabama for 17 years of my life I have broken out of my sheltered bubble. Even with the multiple trips and conferences I went to, I did not have the depth of relationships with people who were really much different than me.

Then the realization hit me, there are a lot of generally confused people who are hungry for answers. They are unsure of what is going to happen in a sinking economy and a world filled with war, depression, hate, and hopeless discontentment and greed. DC is a prime location for hurting people. The "successful" ones just know how to cover it up. I want to make a difference on this planet in the short life I'm given. And even if it pulls me away from my family and friends, I want to be in the place where I can be best used by God. I want to serve as an open sounding board for anyone who needs a friend; to be able to implement the many ideals and values imprinted on me throughout my life. So here I am. A displaced southerner who seeks fulfillment in the daily joys of life with a passion to make even the smallest difference in the world around me. Why do I consistently chose to be silent and ignore opportunities when I have been blessed with the answers? As Christians WE have been given the answers!!!! Speak up and act out, for our reward is not on earth, but in heaven and we do not answer to men, but to the Creator of the universe.

14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[a]; do not be frightened."[b] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.1 Peter 3:14-16

Next. Next.

"Coming up next" is the ending phrase of almost every commercial break on TV. The producers create an appealing can't miss preview of the next show. And after this I find myself often bored with the current show and just waiting for the next rather than enjoy the mindless experience. I'm beginning to see how easy it is to live life in that phrase as well.

When I was a child I wanted to be in high school because it had to be just as cool as I saw on Saved by the Bell. When I was in High School I longed for the college years which I cut short into three to be able to live the glamorous life of a poor young professional.

And now I sit here and am perfectly content, but wonder what it would be like to be in the next phase. My friends have to often remind me that I am only 21. So young. Although I think the independent culture of DC is further provoking my own independence; the other night a man proposed at Screen on the Green, (a movie shown in front of the Capitol on the Mall,) I spoke too loudly in a careless moment, "Say no, you have your whole life ahead of you!"
I didn't really mean to say it, it kind of came out without my thinking. But it leads me to wonder, am I really becoming disenchanted with the idea of relationships?

Flashback

http://www.lutherstrange.com/node/86

Whoever thought this was a good idea, should reconsider their career in campaigns...the first thing I thought about was Big Jim's campaign in 1946 in which the musical creativity of slogans was unleashed with the melodies that introduced the famous phrase, "Y'all come."
Bad idea Strange.

Suing history

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2009/July/Lawmakers-Speak-Out-Against-In-God-We-Trust-Suit/


Can you believe this is what our nation is coming to? That we are suing the Federal Government for posting a phrase and a document on which our country was founded? Absolutely ABSURD!

House shopping

As soon as I find my camera, I'll post pictures from my current D.C. abode. But in the meantime, here is the gem of an apartment that Lauren and I searched all over the city to find. The building is actually visible from my current front door. Ha! BE Jealous!
http://www.jeffersoncapitolyards.com/photo_gallery/

Can you tell I'm trying to entice visitors??

Unemployed for a day.

Literally, I was unemployed for one day in D.C.
I think most everyone knows how God abundantly provided, but I like to tell the story about how God so richly blesses those that He loves.

Dad and Benjamin moved me up to D.C. on Saturday June 1, (I just loved having some time alone with those two.) Poor B-Man was so sweet even though we stuck him in the backseat without any leg room and more luggage in his lap.
By Monday morning I had two interviews scheduled by people who had heard of me through friends. By Monday afternoon, I had one more. Tuesday, I had three call backs.

Now I'll stop and say that it was quite a surprise to many people that I was moving without a job and the more I heard the shock in their response, the more nervous I became. However, I knew that I needed to step out in faith and if I really believed the Lord had placed these passions in my heart, I had to follow the nudge to reach true satisfaction in fulfilling my life's calling.

As I made my way through Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday night to join Dad and B-man for the Marine Corps' Sunset Parade; I received a call from the Hill and had my first official job offer in a span of 24 hours. The very next day,I was also offered two of the other positions.
(Picture of the Marines at Iwo Jima)

I couldn't believe it, in a country with 10% + unemployment, the Lord had proven that He was much bigger then the numbers. And even though it feels more like a stipend than a paycheck, I have a job, in a great office with wonderful staff and an incredible boss. And even more I was reassured of His faithfulness.
WHY do I EVER doubt? And why is it always so hard to trust in His voice? Go in faith and be encouraged.

(the top picture is Rayburn, my office building)

Sweat and smiles.

Not much makes me homesick, especially in a city that I love like D.C. But whenever you get a War Eagle moment in the gym like I did tonight, I can't help but swell with love for Auburn and have a pang of sadness for the life I've left behind.

As fate would have it, on the run back home I heard sweet Matt Wertz voice in my ear whispering confirmation of my calling to DC;

Listen close
The monuments are whispering your name
I'm standing strong
Knowing that we'll never be the same
It's getting hard to fake

But as you go your own way
Remember, do not be afraid
because you're right where you should be
In Capitol City
Yeah, I know
There's better things right now for you than me
You're growing up
Those squinty eyes are just starting to see
Everything you need

Say the word
It's all I'd need
To catch a plane
Make you believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOySJS-xoiE

finally a local

Tonight on one of my nightly runs through the city I decided to go long distance and visit my favorite monument, the Jefferson. As I was running down the path I saw a couple taking pictures of each other so I stopped and offered to take one of them together. As they were thanking me, they mentioned they were just enjoying every aspect of my city. All I could say in response was, "I do too every day." And that couldn't be more true.

my prayer for life in DC

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

-St. Francis of Assisi