Yummy Yummy

Yesterday was the first day in months (minus my trip home to Michigan) that I ate three sufficient meals.

Breakfast- Bacon and tomato biscuit

Lunch- Spaghetti

Dinner- Chicken salad

And now in my fridge sits 6 small containers of leftovers to ensure that I will not go hungry this week. I haven't enjoyed that convenience in years! Needless to say I was spoiled this weekend. I was taken care of in a way that I haven't felt since living at home. It was a very comforting sense of security knowing that someone was willing to make sure that not only was I warmed when the weather got chilly, given sandals when my heels began to hurt, and also fed enough to keep my energy. All the while picking my brain apart to know exactly how I felt about different topics and ideas. Not settling with a simple answer. Not to mention making sure that my feet never stood still while there was music playing in the background.

Being around positive, sincere people ultimately draws me closer to God. I'm continually amazed by people striving to stand out in a crowd simply by being pleasant. Smiling to strangers and holding the doors for each other. It's the little things that mean the most and are the most contagious to pass along. And each time I'm given a little gift like that, it makes me say "Thank you, Savior" because they show me a glimpse of His goodness. How easy is it to share God's grace with each other... you really don't have to say a word. Just smile. Or choose to forgive in a conflict. It's really not that difficult, and man, it feels so so sweet!

Now I'm back to the "real world" and ready to take on the day. I'm thankful for my job and the people I work with. I'm thankful for the car, and its full tank of gas, that got me to work today. I'm thankful for the provision that I had to choose between multiple items of clothing to wear today. I'm thankful for the messages I've gotten today on my phone just checking to make sure I am having a good day. And I'm thankful for the, now 5, meals in my fridge... and the one who prepared them for me.

Have a great day! :)

The week of Mandy

I am woman, hear me roar.

In the past two weeks, I have decided that I am going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and with whoever I want to do it with. Fortunately, I'm not a HUGE risk taker, I still have my priorities, and have never really been tempted by psychos. But, I must admit that during these last couple of weeks I have had the best experiences since moving to Virginia. I have met new people, had incredibly deep and challenging conversations with friends, and seen Lynchburg in a whole different light. Who knew there was so much to do here? Apparently there are live bands, museums, wineries, amazing restaurants... oh, and the views in this town. Siiiigh, I fell in love with this place all over again.

A couple of downsides to the Week of Mandy...

Mandy doesn't like to sleep. I know, totally shocked me too. I haven't gone to bed before 12 at all in the last 5 days. I'm not "out on the town" or doing anything wild and crazy, just engaging in great conversation. My work life has somewhat suffered as a side effect- whoops. I'm finding myself checking the clock every half an hour expecting it to be 5:00 before I've even had lunch. Just excited to get out and do, well, whatever I feel like doing.

And... being single isn't all it's cracked up to be. I truly have enjoyed these past 2 weeks, however, it's still lonely. Not a pathetic kind of lonely, just a dull loneliness. You go full force all day to fill your time with people and things and places, and then at the end of the night you're still by yourself. Ugh. In the words of my older sister (in 1995), "Gag me with a spoon".

How do people get through life w/o God?

I suppose I can share more details later down the road... for now I'll just say that I am happy. I am joyful (thank you, Jesus), and I am content with my life.