On the Road Again...

The time has come--I am a week away from 16, and the proud possessor of a Level 1 learner's license! So far, after 3 weeks of driver's ed successfully completed and about 8 hours behind the wheel, I have learned many valuable lessons. So, without further ado, I give you Allie (or Alex, if you're my driving instructor--long story) Wood's Do's & Don'ts of Novice Driving.

• Do consider the fact that Mom & Dad will never be as laid-back as your crazy driving instructor. Plan your braking distance accordingly.
• Don't say "I know" when your mom tries to supply you with important information. Just don't.
• Do remember that this is the only time in your life where you have a legitimate excuse for driving badly. Also, do remember to mention this fact loudly and often.
• Don't sing while on the road, unless you want to get...instructed...on why that's not a good idea at this stage of your driving.
• Do try to retain as much as possible of the pointless trivia tidbits you pick up in driver's ed. This information can make for great on-road conversation when you're in the passenger's seat. In my opinion at least--my mother does not agree.
• Don't forget that as soon as you let someone drive with you, you are giving them implied consent to comment on your driving--every rolling stop, every pothole, and every traffic cone you've hit in the past.
• Do keep in mind that little siblings find the entire situation incredibly entertaining, and will perform spontaneous karaoke in the backseat. (Today, the lineup included Shut Up and Drive, Thriller, and Jesus, Take the Wheel.)

Above all, don't get discouraged if you have a few less-than-NASCAR-quality moments. It doesn't come naturally to everyone--in fact, there will be moments when you're pretty sure it's not going to come at all, naturally or otherwise. I'm just holding out hope that I'm a late bloomer.

Thoughts about Little Things...

...that I can't seem to get out of my head:

Sometimes the joy you find in the littlest things is the joy that can get you through the day. I think God made me--made all of us--to find joy in unexpected places. For example, my dad put up our Christmas lights Saturday afternoon. I can't tell you the rush I got from running out into the cold night in my socks to get a picture of our glittering house. It was one of those moments where I was pretty sure my face would crack if I smiled any bigger.

I believe in being thankful for little things too. Every year near Thanksgiving I try to take some time to think about all the things I have to be thankful for. To be honest, though, this year I'm having a hard time being thankful for big things. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful we have a house and a car and enough food to eat. But this year, I'm finding myself drawn to giving thanks for all of the little joy-giving gifts God gives me, for example:

• I'm thankful for little sisters who bring home chocolate cakes.
  
• I'm thankful for loud, stinky, obnoxious dogs who still manage to steal your heart as soon as they look at you with those big brown eyes.
  
• I'm thankful for long phone conversations with my best friend--I don't think anyone can make me laugh as hard as "Libby" does.
  
• I'm thankful for cozy blankets on cold nights and homemade hot chocolate from my mom.
• I'm thankful for snack cars on the Amtrak.
• I'm thankful for facebook wall posts from much-missed friends, reminding me that I am loved even from a distance.
• I'm thankful for singing along to the car radio...really loudly.
• I'm thankful for text messaging.
• I'm thankful for family game night--and never winning Clue.
• I'm thankful for little brothers who laugh at the exact same things you do...and help you dominate in Apples to Apples.
  
• I'm thankful for people who pass on compliments. Somehow that's just nice.
• I'm thankful for "the Ones", and how hard they make me laugh.
• I'm thankful for mixing pop to make toasts with every Thanksgiving, and the weird looks that "Rico", "Pedro", and I ("Esteban-ban") get from the rest of the family.
  

You get the point. This list could be three times as long. Thankful for the little things that bring me joy.

Of Wise Women &...Wipstick

To save my self-esteem, I will not mention (again!) that I'm an undisciplined blogger. Thank you for accomodating me:)

In my world, it's officially the Christmas season. And for those of you who I can hear grumbling about how it's "not even Thanksgiving!", I would just like to state that the commercial world agrees with me. Christmas music and decorations are out out out! So I feel my early spirit is justified. Anyway, in honor of the approaching season...


Hello, my name is Allie, and I'm a professional Christmas pageant performer. I had my first role a little less than sixteen years ago, when I played Baby Jesus at just 6 days old.
But as it turned out, this was only the beginning of my Nativity career. Eight years later I would finally get the role every little girl dreams of playing--Mary, mother of Jesus. (Who doesn't want to be someone so important people think they see her in their toast?) It just so happend I was also the director of this particular presentation. I had a cast of three--my sister Lindsay, cousin Rebecca, and myself. As the director, I was also in charge of the giving the roles. The only stipulation was that there was to be no cross-gender casting. So, in the end, our list of characters ended up looking something like this:

Mary, mother of Jesus--Portrayed as a girl with a passion for very red lipstick, eyes watching the ceiling the entire play. No lines, but many whispered directions to the rest of the cast. Costumed in a toga-like garment made of a blanket with another blanket draped over her head. She should wear a very affected and pious expression, except when giving last minute direction to the other performers.

Angel--Portrayed as a slightly flustered girl who frequently asks Mary what's going on. Also has a deep love for very red lipstick, sometimes has a ring of tinsel around her head. Costumed in the Samantha nightgown she got last Christmas.

Wise Woman--Portrayed as the third member to the very red lipstick trio, performance slightly echoes angel's. Has an even smaller role than anticipated, very confused about her entrances and exits. Costumed in Angel's last Halloween costume, a gothic princess outfit. (The outfit was the main incentive for the role.) [I happen to be with the actress who originated this role. She would like me to mention her remarkably believable performance and her fabulous line delivery--"I am the Wise Woman!!!!!"]

(Note: This particular Nativity does NOT contain: God, Joseph, a real baby, shepherds, more than one "wise person", an inkeeper, or any animals.)

To put on a replica performance, you will also need:
-A scribbled over refrigerator box, for the stable
-An old "bouncy horse", for Mary's donkey
-A mini trampoline, for the Angel to stand on
-A selection of yellow plastic bowling pins, for the star
-One extra bowling pin, wrapped in a blanket, for the baby
-A decorative box full of "frankincense", for the Wise Woman
-A "supportive" audience
-Very red lipstick. Lots of it.


Of course, you will also need a very small cast of very good performers. And a good director, of course--with lots of nativity experience.

Random Post!

I don't know about you, but there are a few things in this world that make me ridiculously happy. Little things, but still, you will make my day if you give me one of the following:

My Favorite Things...

1. Green Apple Jolly Ranchers. The only problem with these is the fact that they also rank pretty high on my dad's favorite things...so I have to share.
2. Flip-flops. AKA, my feet's best friend. It's a highly unusual day when I'm not in flip-flops or barefoot.
3. The Library. I have an insanely nerdy love for the library. And that's all I'll say, because if I keep talking I'll make an even bigger nerd of myself.
4. Waffle Cones. Seriously, I make my mom buy ice cream just so I can crush a waffle cone over the top. Mmmm....
5. Classic TV. Like I said...I love Dick Van Dyke more than any fifteen year old should.
6. "Love Me Red Creme" Nail Polish. I even love to watch it as I paint my nails. It's this weird balance between red and pink, and...I don't know, it just makes me happy. It'll be a dark day when I run out.
7. Milanos Cookies. I really don't think I need to explain myself here.
8. Radiatore pasta. Look here , you'll see why.
9. Grand Pianos. I love the fact I have a piano and a keyboard, I really do. But not much else beats the sound of a grand piano. And besides, who doesn't feel awesome sitting at a grand piano.
10. Julie Andrews. Not only because I love her, but also because I couldn't think the words "Favorite Things" without immediately singing to myself, "Raindrops on rose and whiskers on kittens..."

So, just in case anyone started wondering...there was no real reason for that post. I just needed to update, and what's more fun than favorite things, right?

(Oh, and just something totally off-topic...my birthday is December 6th.)

Samantha & Me

(All right, so my post about not posting was...too long ago. I would write another apology, but that would be just a little redundant, don't you think? So instead...I'll write this.)

I love classic TV. Seriously. I know that as a fifteen-year-old I'm supposed to like Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill, but...not much beats out Dick Van Dyke or I Love Lucy. Another one of my favorites has always been Bewitched. (see here)For those of you not familiar, Bewitched is about a "witch", Samantha Stevens, and her non-magical husband, Darrin. Sam promises Darrin when they get married not to use her witchcraft, but without fail, every episode involves Sam breaking her promise. With a twitch of her nose and some really awesome chiming music, Sam can do just about everything, whether that's make a copy of a designer dress or turn a won't-take-no-for-an-answer creep into a schnauzer.
I envy Samantha, I really do. When she doesn't like something, all she has to do is wrinkle her nose, and, hey, if that doesn't work out, everything seems to resolve itself in thirty minutes, plus commercials, anyway. And it's not just Samantha, either. There's Lucy Ricardo, Laura Petrie, Agent 99, even Marcia-Marcia-Marcia Brady. No matter how much they seem to accidentally mess things up (in the case of the first two, because Agent 99 never messes up) or how obnoxious you are (in the case of Marcia...), everything gets worked out for you within the half hour. Not fair.
Sometimes I feel like maybe I'm the only plain Jane in a sea of Samanthas. So many others seem to have life all figured out while I'm still sitting here going "What just happened?" Truth be told, life's taken me a little by surprise lately. And sometimes it looks like everyone else has a perfect black-and-white life. But that's not really true. I'm not the only person out there who is having a hard time living in technicolor. And sometimes I need to realize that most things just don't work out just like that. But I have one advantage Sam never had--I am surrounded by the grace of God and the love of my friends and family, no matter what life throws at me. And if living in messy technicolor is the price I pay to see that, I'll pay it gladly. I'm learning to be content in whatever circumstance, even if it's not TV Land-worthy. Besides...the constant laugh track could get pretty annoying after a while.

I'm Not As Good At This As I Thought I Would Be...

I'm not exactly sure how long ago I started this thing. What I am sure about is that as deceptively effortless as it may seem, blogging actually requires work. Hence, my recent neglect of this site. Apparently blogs actually have to be kept up and require a measure of (gasp) responsibility. (As if schoolwork wasn't enough...) At any rate, responsibility is not exactly my spiritual gift. However, since I am a fallen human and therefore excellent at passing the blame, allow me to offer some excuses:

• My life is not incredibly conducive to blogging. I don't have adorable children I can post pictures of, and neither do I have an incredibly exciting life.
• Lately, my life has been extremely non-conducive to blogging. To all of you who have expressed care and/or added to the supply of endless food in our house, thank you so very very much.
• I am the type to easily fall into the "Moses trap". By the "Moses trap", I mean that my thinking usually ends up being comparative instead of creative. I decide I'm not good enough to do something and try to get out of it.
• At four bullets, I am already out of ideas for this list. Maybe not good, seeing as I was hoping for five excuses...

...As you can see above, either I'm really not cut out for this or I just have lame excuses. Either way, hopefully in coming days I will whip myself back into shape about this thing and actually blog on my blog. Radical, eh?

IDEA!!!

OK, let me just say, thank God for friends who make you a better person! I have so many...but one of them just totally gave me a really simple idea that I think might work...and be basically one of the sweetest ideas I've had in a while. It's like this: so often, I think "wow, I am so thankful for them" or "Gosh, I'm so lucky to have him/her for my friend"...but I never actually tell them. Which if you think about is very lazy on my part, because if I'm lucky enough to have them for my friend, they deserve to know that!! So this is my plan:
1. Go through my Facebook friends list
2. See all my wonderful friends
3. Write on their walls and tell them how wonderful they and how blessed I count myself.
4. That's it. That's how simple it is. I'm excited. (Who knows? Maybe it'll catch on:) )

Psalm 91

Life is not easy. I am learning this the hard way. But just because life is not easy does not mean life can't be good. In a way, the hardest times in life can be the best. God keeps knocking my feet out from under me so that I'm forced to fall back on Him. And finally, I am. I was reading last week in the Psalms, when I came across something I've probably read dozens of times. But this time it was different. I'll explain in a minute, but first...well, see what I'm talking about here. ( I mean it. Actually read it) It was like God took me by the shoulders and made me look at him and He said again what He's been saying all along (obviously, I'm paraphrasing Psalm 91 here):

"My precious child, I love you so much. When you rest in Me, you will find shelter in the best way possible. I am One you can trust, One in whom you can take refuge. Trust me, my child. I will save you from every evil imagined, every circumstance gone wrong. I will shield you and protect you and hold you close to My heart. I am faithful, and in that you can rejoice. You don't have to be afraid of things you don't understand, or of anyone who may ever try to hurt you. Things may go wrong around you, but you never have anyting to fear. If you will trust me and make Me your refuge, I will send my angels to take special care of you, they will lift you up and protect you. In Me, you will have the strength to overcome whatever befalls you. Because you love Me, I will rescue you. I will protect you, because you know me and do not hide the fact. When you call My name, I will always answer. I will be with you whatever trouble may come, and I will deliver you from it. I will lift you up. In Me you will be satisfied, in Me you have found salvation. Don't give up, Allie! I'm here. I'm not simply watching from above, or delegating the work. I'm here...I'm here. And I love you far beyond your imagination. Let me hold you, my child. Stop fighting and worrying and just trust Me. I love you...I love you so much..."

"He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust'..."

"Candid Camera"

Is anyone else like me in that you really, really, really like Facebook? If so...maybe this post on Tim Stevens's (yes, Heather's dad) blog is something you should read too. For those of you too lazy to just click and read it, I'll summarize.
Facebook (myspace, twitter, etc.) is awesome. But there's one thing I hadn't really thought about--whatever you write on Facebook, stays on Facebook. There's no "take backs". And apparently some people are wising up to this. Employers are checking out people's profiles, blogs, walls. This thought scares me. I'm sure I've written stuff that I wouldn't want some people to see. I mean, don't we say always say things we wish we hadn't five seconds later? The thing is...people forget about what you say. Facebook never does. Mr. Stevens put it this way--we should live online like we're on Candid Camera. Because we are. There's a huge temptation online to be someone we're not, to write things we might never say out loud, look around at stuff we probably shouldn't. Resist that! Not only will it mess you up in general (being tow different people usually does) but it could mess up people's perception of you. I'm not innocent either, believe me. Maybe we all just need to be reminded to be careful.

"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should
not be. Can both fresh water and salt
water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a
grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh
water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it
by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."

~James 3: 10-13

Enough

Most people who know me are probably about to be a little surprised. The few who really know me...understand me enough that I've admitted this to, won't be surprised one bit. See, the problem is, I have ridiculously high expectations for myself. In fact, in most areas I expect perfection, and this makes me massively insecure on many occasions. I actually spend more time worrying about myself--whether I look good, whether I fit in, whether people like me--than I do about anything else. It's pathetic, really. And many times, these expectations contradict each other. I want people to think I am a "good little Christian" (I am the pastor's daughter) and I want others to think I'm not "too churchy". I want to do well in school, and I don't want people stereotype me as the "little nerdy girl". I want to be an individual, and I want to blend in. I expect impossible things of myself, and secretly I know I can't do it. That frustrates me more than anything. It often makes me defensive, too. I can't accept correction because it's "one more thing" I don't think I can handle. So I don't respond well--which makes it all worse, which makes me even more frustrated with myself.
I had a long talk with my dad last night. (He's my hero.) He listened to all of it, and he showed me what was wrong with it, how it really doesn't honor God. God made me just like He wanted me and I should strive to please Him--no more, no less. If I focus on God and who He wants me to be, I don't have to get frustrated when I don't meet my own expectations. I don't have to be perfect. The most enormous feeling of release washed over me when I realized this. I don't have to be perfect. I can just be who I am and who God made me to be, and that is enough. I am enough. He is enough. I don't need outside approval, I don't even need my own approval. He is enough.