Picking Favorites

I love Donald Miller.

I read his book Blue Like Jazz
a number of years  ago, and while I was at school, it was the book I read when I didn't have to study. Unfortunately, that meant I never really go to read it.

Before I left, my SMC, Kelsey, told me to read Searching For God Knows What by none other than Donald Miller.

I laughed, because the books that I've been told to read the most, I own, but haven't read,  Searching For God Knows What being one of them. I decided that it would be one of my winter break books.

I started it a few days ago, and honestly, I've been really bad at setting aside time to sit and read. However, every single page has me stopping to think and digest what I've just read. Most often, I find myself asking, "Is that me?" when he describes his frustrations with the church, or what his small-minded view of God used to be. It's making me rethink and reevaluate what I believe (in a positive way). Most of the time, when someone describes a 'before/after' situation, especially dealing with faith, we identify with the 'after' version. We think of the author, Well of course God is like this or that, I'm so glad you're finally on the same page as the rest of us here sitting on our thrones of wisdom. In the process of reading this book, I'm learning to stop and see where I am. Is he talking about me? Is he trying to show me a new idea or view of God? Yes. He is.

What I love about Donald Miller is that he does open you up to new ideas. Even if they're not new, he puts them in a way that all of a sudden makes sense. Things click when I read his books. He also never ever ever claims to be on some throne of wisdom. He's not writing to instruct, teach, or preach, he writes to share where he's been, and where's he's heading to. He writes his testimonies, and hopes that if the reader identifies with him, that he'll be able to offer words of advice, encouragement, and truth. He's writing to a friend. It actually reminds me a lot of John the Evangelist and the letters he wrote. Miller writes of a loving father, who loves so differently than anything we've ever experience, and whose existence cannot be denied.

I've been looking for one stand-out quote to include in a blog post or facebook status, but it's impossible. Simply impossible. If I find one in the rest of my reading, I'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, I seriously recommend borrowing/renting/buying/stealing any of Donald Miller's books.

What a great tool to help us slow down and reconnect during this crazy, wonderful season.

Happy reading!

Sweet Tea

When I moved to Seattle, I assumed that everyone would drink coffee. I mean, obviously! It's Seattle!

Nope.

{{{tea}}}

everyone drinks tea

I have adjusted :)

One of my favorite places is the Tea Cup in Queen Anne, Seattle

 When my friends (R to L) Lindsey, Alicia, Ondi, and Maddie came to visit, I took them there and we spent over two hours sipping on tea and catching up on the past two months. It was absolutely lovely.

I've decided that tea parties are my new favorite thing. They're something special, elegant, girly, and super duper fun. 

So of course, what did we have to do when I got home?

 

{A tea party}

Complete with my grandmother's wacky tea pots, Christmas mugs, and a variety of teas. Some delicious, some, well, not so delicious we figured out.

 I love my friends. So freaking much.