To be like Mary

This story has a build up.. I'll get to my point. Promise.


A few weeks ago I noticed my cousin, Josiah's, facebook status. Often around this time of the year you can hear the question being asked, "What's your favorite Christmas carol?" Josiah took this status a little further and  asked, "What's your favorite verse from a Christmas carol?" I could not answer the question immediately and have been listening a lot more intently to the lyrics of each Christmas song I sing rather than just belting them out in my car. Then last week I was watching Glee's Christmas episode. I was really impressed that they ended the episode by reading the Christmas story. Not frosty the snowman.. but the real "In those days Ceasar Augustus..." Christmas story. This got me thinking that I had not read the real Christmas story this year. So after the episode was over, I pulled out my Bible and decided I would read it. As I was reading it the same thought hit me.. "what is my favorite verse from the Christmas story?" It's a story I've heard all my life, but if I wanted to pinpoint just one verse that was my favorite.. what would it be?


So I started at Luke 2 and re-read the story for a second time and just focused on every line. If was after I read through the second time that I decided to back up and start at Luke 1. During Luke 1 is when the angel of the Lord comes to Mary and tells her she is going to have a son. Now, I do not know about you, but if someone told me that as a virgin I was going to have a child... I would scream? cry? freak out? throw something? hide? I am not sure what I would do, but I doubt my response would have been like Marys. And this is why I've decided that Mary's response is my favorite verse of the Christmas story: 

Luke 1:38 states "'I am the Lord's servant', Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'"

How many times in my life should I have said, God forget all my selfish, worldly desires... I am your servant. So my next step was to look up the exact definition of servant. Servant is defined as "a person in the service of another." And really, that is exactly what we are here on this earth for is to do the work and service of God. And I think it's pretty amazing that all of what we are supposed to live our lives by can be summed up into a 5 word statement. I am the Lord's servant. 


Normally, for my new year's resolution I pick a verse. This verse is one that I memorize and try and live by for the entire year. I still may do that, but I think my main new year's resolution this year is going to be to be more like Mary. To have an open and willing heart to do whatever service the Lord is asking of me. 


Merry Christmas!!
And Happy New Year!!!

Thankful Tuesday

Today I'm thankful for:


- Coffee when I need it
- Store workers willing to stay on the phone for 45 min for me
- My sisters (even if people don't believe we are sisters)
- Christmas carols
- My dad (for dealing with shopping trips with the 3 of us)
- Trail Mix
- The many blessings I am reminded of daily

Hustle and Bustle

I made it to Christmas break!! :) Luckily I jam pack the last week full of activities and so it normally flies by! I got an absurd amount of presents from my students/athletes this year. I need to go combine all my sonic and starbucks giftcards into one. (I've already put the $50 visa card in my wallet!) I have three large bags still sitting on my living room full of all my gifts because I do not know what to do with them! ha However, my favorite part of the gifts is reading what my students write on the cards. It's always so sweet and here are just a couple from this year: 


"You must be very busy teaching athletics and math. I admire you for doing all that. May God bless you and watch over you this Christmas."
"Ms. Lindstrom you've helped me through a lot of hard math problems. Thank you for wanting to help me."
"Thank you so much for investing into Austin. You make math enjoyable for him." - From a mom


This is what keeps me going into the second semester. When I received the fifty dollar gift card I immediately decided it was too much and I couldn't accept it. It's from one of my athletes that I have an awesome relationship with and I texted her after school was out and just said she was crazy and I'd keep it for her to use after the break was over. She texted me back and said, "No, it's just something to show you how much my family and I appreciate you and all you do. My dad says he's not taking it back." It's been a long three weeks since Thanksgiving due to other coworkers drama, and all these cards just help bring me back down to reality and I know why I hang out with 250 thirteen year olds every day. 


Now that I'm on Christmas break, I'm spending my time hanging out at one of my favorite places this time of year: the mall!! I had a conversation with a friend who said she just tried to avoid all malls at all costs. That was crazy to me!! I love the big trees, I love the lights, and I love the holiday spirit that everyone is... even if it's crowded. Bring on the hustle and bustle, I can fit right in. And that's where I am headed right now and I'll listen to Christmas music the whole way there!

I get a brother!!!

Last Wednesday night I received one of the most important phone calls of my entire life. It was from Hannah's boyfriend, Ben. We've been talking rather often lately since he has applied and been accepted to Teach For America (teaching math!!). So after a long day at school I answered. He asked me what I was doing this weekend? I said I had my tournament for basketball and he replied with well, how long will that last? It was at this moment.. I knew it was going to be a special phone call. He then said, "I'm going to propose to your sister on Saturday night." ... I screamed. ha (he told me later I got the award for best reaction!) I think I said a couple are you for real? are you serious? and he said, "Yes, Mollie." (in his ever so logical and serious voice) Then I'm pretty sure I said, "I'm gonna cry" and he let me have my little moment and just sat and waited for me to collect myself! :) 


Ben proposed at the site where he first told Hannah he loved her. It's a beautiful cliff in Cameron Park (Waco) that most people don't even know exists. They had their moment (recorded on secret video tape which is perfect) and then continued hiking up the hill. When they reached the top (and climbed over a fence) we were there waiting. The ring is seriously gorgeous and looks phenomenal on Hannah's hand. I was super sick (like made a bed in the back seat and slept the whole way there and back), but the day was perfect. My favorite part of the day was calling everyone to tell them. So. Much. Fun. 

I was so excited for both of them. These two have literally grown up together and it's been fun to watch how they've changed and how their walks with God have changed and grown. Out of the sisters, Hannah is probably the most emotional of the three (i.e. Caroline's asked for a new soul for Christmas because she's the least emotional/has no emotions at all). I think Ben is the perfect balance for Hannah with his rational thinking and level head. I cannot wait to see how their relationship grows even further.


Hannah comes home this weekend for Christmas and I'm sure our house will be dominated with wedding planning. I am so excited and can't wait to help her make decisions!! I have never been wedding dress shopping with anyone and I'm glad the first time is going to be with my beautiful, red-headed sister. This next semester is going to be crazy, but I'm ready and I definitely wouldn't have it any other way. She is going to be the most breath-taking bride ever. I love her so much. I can't believe she's starting this next chapter in her life.. but I plan on being by her side every step of the way. 


I'm not sure if Ben is ready for 2 crazy sisters... but we're definitely ready for a brother. Welcome to the family Ben! 

Favorite project yet!!

Ok. This is the easiest project I have tackled so far!! It can change a room so much and yet it's such a small, simple task! What is this magnificent project I've discovered, you ask?? Covering your outlets and light switches!! It's cheap, easy, and super fun! All you need is scrapbook paper, an exacto knife, mod-podge, and 20 minutes of your time. After I completed my first one, I knew I'd never have dull, boring light-switches again!

I've done several more since I took these pictures (I've been meaning to post this blog for a while!)... and I love them all! They help my little apartment look a lot home-y-er.. That's right - I just made that word up. I love mod-podge and scrapbook paper. That should be the real point of this blog. Love it.

Transforming

I am a huge fan of Christmas time. 


No, seriously. I love it. I'm totally one of those people who 1. listens to Christmas music all year round and 2. Start listening constantly after Oct. 31st. Now I've had some talks with coworkers at school who don't like people who start Christmas early for the reason that they feel people just "skip" Thanksgiving. So just to clarify, I do not ever just skip over Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving.... but I just don't feel like celebrating Christmas in December is enough!!! So the Sunday after Thanksgiving I decided to go get everything to transform my small apartment into an acceptable Christmas atmosphere. Not a lot of people come to my apartment and I do not intend on having any big Christmas party.... the decorations are for me! I have loved this whole week of having zero lights on except for my Christmas lights! I turn them on in the morning while I'm getting ready for school and it just starts my day off right! I still have more to do and am waiting on Caroline to come home so we can do some projects, but for now I love my Christmas apartment!!!

I moved my chair to my room for this season.

Oh gosh. The box. At this point I was feeling anxious about trying to assemble the tree by myself.

A pre-lit, 7 1/2 foot tree! Go big or go home!! 

I went will all silver ornaments, bows, and beads! I love it!

Ta-duhhh

Then I added lights up top in my kitchen!

Next transformation will be the kitchen table. I want red place-mats, garland, and the project with Caroline! Stay tuned for that entry!  

Always, Sometimes, Never

I ran across this idea from a blog I was looking at a little a while ago. It is personal I always, I sometimes, I never statements. So this week, I spent my time thinking about these statements that would define me. Some are important and some are not so important. There's really no purpose other than that! :) What statements do you think would define you?


I always: 
- procrastinate

- feel like I’m too tall

- love being tall

- have at least 2 uncompleted projects

- try to be extra kind to restaurant people

- have a song stuck in my head

I sometimes:

- tell my students a ninja is going to appear and kick them

- wish I could be a hermit and never leave my apartment

- sit in my car just to finish a good song

- let my guard down

- forget to text/call people back

- make situations awkward on purpose

- forget not everyone can sing in tune

I never: 

- forget how blessed I am

- say shut up in my classroom

- go somewhere important without my hair being teased and high

- lower my standards

- want to be ungrateful

- will not be a Texas girl at heart