A Very Lucky Girl

Orange is the New Black. Let's all thank Netflix for this beautiful show they offer.  *moment of silence* Seriously, I started watching this show one Friday evening this semester and finished it the immediate following Saturday evening. I watched 13 one hour episodes in a 24 hour period. Part of the beauty of this series is the real-ness of the women. I don't think anyone was asked to "slim down" for this role. I think the actresses came into filming, just as they are, and were chosen because of who they are. Because that's how you get to prison. Because of how you're behaving. Or because of how the justice system has failed. Prison is an imperfect place filled with imperfect people. And the world itself is an imperfect place with imperfect people who commit crimes against humanity daily. They just aren't illegal. Pride, envy, gluttony--those are some of mine. But my talent doesn't come from me, though I'd like to think so. I have wonderful ble...

I left this draft blank for several weeks because I think this is one of the hardest tributes for me to write. One of the most difficult things this year has been seeing the imperfections in my own parents. It was silly of me to hold them so high in my mind, but I think it's a natural instinct for any child. I love my dad a lot. He has disappointed me in 2013. But at the same time I'm very proud of him for facing struggles honestly. I've talked to him as an equal adult more this year than any other and I like to think he's listened to me sometimes.   He's been my storyteller, my coach, and my biggest fan. He's been my enemy, my provider, and my companion. I wouldn't trade him for any other father.  I learned in Sociology of Family last semester that fathers are usually the parent who encourages their kids to take risks. Paul has done that for me. Sometimes without a choice; moving is always a risk and I've done it several times. But with those...

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."-Winston Churchill What a brilliant guy. During their series "At the Movies", Craig Groeschel used the movie "Moneyball", starring the ever-handsome Brad Pitt to illustrate a sermon. I really liked Craig's points, some of the verses he highlighted for the congregation, and the close-ups of Brad's face.  "For though a righteous man falls seven time, he rises again..."-Proverbs 24:16 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."-Galatians 6:9  I remember the first time I failed a test in school. I was in 6th grade in Ms. Newsome's history class and we were learning the African countries and capitals. Well, the rest of the class was learning them. I didn't, as evidenced by my failing grade on the quiz. This previously straight A student was DEVASTATED. Think hiccuping ...