we are far too easily pleased

I've read C.S. Lewis' sermon "The Weight of Glory" about 3 times now, and it seems to be packed with some of the most sobering, and yet hopeful truths that I've ever been confronted with. Here is one of my favorite sections of it:

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

I find this to be such a humbling statement. To know that our earthly desires, in all their current strength and seeming importance, are pretty much a joke in comparison to what we are offered...

Honestly, could we handle the glory that we are offered if we were to be shown it in full right now? I'm not quite sure we could.

some things I cannot adequately describe with words

some things that I honestly cannot adequately describe with words:

-the profound effect that the beauty of the music of Sigur Ros and Morten Lauridsen have on my soul

-the absolute perfection that is the combination of tastes achieved when a good french pressed coffee meets my grandmother's pecan pie

-the feeling of a warm coat, hat, and scarf in the midst of bitter cold

baby, it's cold outside

I love living in Oklahoma. Here in one reason why.

Yesterday, at about 4 p.m., it was approximately 75 degrees fahrenheit. Less than 6 hours later, the temperature was approximately 25 degrees fahrenheit. Ridiculous.

I didn't grow up here, so when we moved here in 1999, I had no idea that the weather could change so rapidly. I soon learned though, and over the last 9 years, this has become commonplace. I remember when my grandma and grandpa came out here for my graduation, a huge thunderstorm blew in in about 10 mins. Perfectly blue skies to torrential downpour and huge thunder and lightning. We (my parents, siblings, and I) didn't flinch. However, my grandma acted as if the world was ending, that Jesus Christ himself was riding in on his white horse on the front edge of this storm. I've honestly never known anyone that worries more than her.

All that to say, it's amazing to me how something like weather, and peoples mindsets, can change so quickly.

oh, what a weekend

So the last 4 days have been especially great. Thanksgiving in Georgia with family for the first time in 3 years was the beginning. I can't honestly think of better food on the planet than at grandmothers house. She always has the freshest green beans, the most perfect stuffing, and sourdough bread to die for. Top that off with sweet tea, and you've created yourself a picture of heaven on earth. Oh, and we can't forget the pecan pie...

Then Friday with grandma and that side of the family. Some good mexican food and more sweet tea at Tiajuana's, followed by the Book Nook (an especially great used bookstore in downtown Dalton), then back to grandmas for some Sorry with my 7 year old cousin Gavin, who is the self proclaimed champion of Sorry. Unfortunately for him, he hadn't played me in a while, seeing as how Sorry is a game soley based on skill. Then to the Phase 10, which always ends up lasting far longer than anyone really wants it to. And finally, grandma's chili, which is absolutely the best chili known to man.

Saturday, we got back at about 9:45 after driving through the night, and I preceded back to Ada to nap in preperation for Bedlam, which turned out to be a great game as usual. I joined Jared, Jeff, and Dave for the game, and I must say it was quite a time. Jared and I brewed up some Nicaraguan fair trade coffee french press style, which, I might add, we got at the Robbie Seay show. Take that delicious coffee, add grandmothers pecan pie, and you have possibly one of the most dangerous food and drink combos that the world has ever seen. I believe that Jared will attest to its greatness.

Then, this morning, the Ten went quite well. That was followed by La Fiesta with more people than we had seats for at one table. The 12 page paper I wrote this afternoon wasn't very pleasant, but I got it done in anticipation of the Wii-fest which took place at the guys house. The house was packed once again, and it was a ton of fun.

I think I've seen a little bit of heaven the last 4 days, and it excites me.