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