Thanksgiving consists of

   Consists is a weird word, don't you think?  I mean, just look at it.  It has so much quirk!  You could also say "consists" over and over again using different intonations and accents, and draw it out until it's the longest word you've ever said in your life, and say it a bajillion times as fast as you can until it doesn't even sound like a word anymore.  Or you could just promise never to be a word-addicted weirdo like me and move on with your life.
   Now, what was this post supposed to be about?  Ah, yes. Turkey-day!  So let me tell what my Thanksgiving break has consisted of thus far:

• sleeping in. amen.
• family collaboration. resulting in broccoli and cauliflower salad and pie. mostly pie.
• painting my nails for the first time in months.
• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien.
• old VHS movies.
• seeing cousins who are old and in college and getting married and having babies and all that jazz.
• sooo. much. food. it was sooo good.
• a new lyric obsession. "I wanna be so far gone in You.." Thousand Foot Krutch. yes.
• plastering paper snowflakes all over the windows.
• not going shopping.
• inhaling leftover rolls and pie.
• clean laundry.
• teaching Jonathon that listening to music really means belting out the lyrics (and instrumentals) whenever you feel like it.
• dance parties with the 4-year-old. while frying eggs. don't try this at home.
• realizing all over again how good God is. blows my mind.

   And you?  I'm dying to hear of your fabulous holiday experience.  Any special traditions?  Yummiest food?  Hilarious moments?  What are you thankful for?  Happy fall y'all!

obsessions

Obsessions.  Of the ongoing sort.

• words.
• making people smile
• Jesus
• singing - constantly, spontaneously, passionately
• horses
• the sky ("It's so beautimous!")
• victory
• God's love
• loooong hair
• books. of course.
• Holy Spirit power!
• that confident-strong-beautiful feeling after a workout
• meeting new people
• photos
• food
• hoodies
• Jesus
• so bam.

Obsessing Over

   With a need to post on my blog, but no motivation to do any real deep and insightful writing, I give you a list.

5 Things I'm Obsessing Over

1. Jeremy Riddle.  I keep thinking I'm done listening to him all day every day, and then I realize I just clicked on the playlist again.  He is seriously so good though.  And God is seriously so great.
 
2. The fact that I'm going to Cafe 41 tomorrow.  And I'm bringing the Justice with me this time! We were hoping she could do the internship and Encounter with me, but that didn't work out, so mass introductions, here we come.  Remember this post?  Yupp.  I'm about to go see all those lovely people again.
3. His Ranch.  And the horses there.  And the people there.  And the awesomeness exuding from there.  But mostly the horses.
4. Selfies that I actually look good in.  Because I like these, I will show them to you.  That's just what you get for reading this.  Enjoy.



Oh, did I forget the part where we got a dog now?? We have a dog now. :)

 

1. 7.  It's a book, and it's super good.  I stole it off Ruth's shelf and fell in love with while I was waiting for her to get out of the shower and drive me home.  (Welcome to my life.  Beware of occasional awkward-nerdiness.)  She was cool enough to let me borrow it, and now I am knee-deep in Jen Hatmaker's wonderful, challenging, hysterical, raw story of her rebellion against excess.
    

I'm Thinking

1.) I'm so thankful for Beckah Shae and Misty Edwards.  These beautiful women are so in love with Jesus.  I wanna be like them when I grow up.  Their music helps me stay on track in my thought life - their phenomenal voices are just a plus.

 



2.) BJ Higgins was a winner.  Reading I Would Die For You, the book his parents wrote about his short but impactful life, brings me to tears.  His willingness and obedience inspire me so much.  I an learning to listen at all times, knowing that God can use me whenever, wherever, and however He pleases.  I want to live and die for His glory!  Check out prayforbj.com.





3.) I need someone to go to the movies with me.  What have y'all seen lately?  I've been told Monster's University was awesome.  What about Man of Steel?  Opinions, people



4.) Ultimate Faith Challenge is gonna be awesome.  I'm headed to Moberly to take part in the youth internship at Family Life Fellowship, where my parents went to church before they had me.  It will be a week of serving and encountering God!  I'm thinking you guys will get a glimpse of my journal entries when I get back?  I'm sho exshited. :) I'm also still trying to come up with a legit reason to take my boots with me...

 



5.) The third addition to Michaela's family of Abort73.com t-shirts has finally arrived.  They call this color Sangria.  My vocabulary is officially enlarged.  I look forward to the many opportunities Father will bring my way through this shirt.  God, end abortion and bring revival to America.

About a Bajillion Ways to Have Fun

   Remember this post where I said there were "about a bajillion ways I could have fun - without dating a single boy"?  Well, I figured I should probably prove that to you... so, here goes!  About a bajillion ways to have fun (not boyfriend required).

1. Bake cookies.
2. Bake cookies with a friend.
3. Give cookies away.
4. Go for a run.
5. Keep a journal.
6. Read your Bible every. single. day. of your life.
7. Sing loudly.
8. Write a letter.
9. Call a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a long time.
10. Read an article on Abort73.com.
11. Take a loooottt of selfies on someone else's iPod/phone.
12. Help me go to Peru. (Ask me how!)
13. Write something encouraging on your bathroom mirror.
14. Be confident in your no make-up, baggy sweatshirt self.
15. Go through your closet and give away or sell all the clothes you don't want anymore.
16. Have a photoshoot with a friend.
17. Watch VeggieTales.
18. Recycle.
19. Make a list of characteristics you want your future husband to have.
20. Play spoons.
21. Play solitaire.
22. Study for the ACT.
23. Learn how to weld.
24. Learn a new language.
25. Learn how to spell your name in sign language.
26. Find out where your ancestors are from.
27. Ask your parents to tell you stories about when they were kids.
28. Ask your parents how they met and fell in love.
29. Make a list of things you like about yourself.
30. Go to the park.
31. Visit a museum.
32. Visit a zoo.
33. Look through old pictures.
34. Go to a sporting event.
35. Cheer excessively for your school's team.
36. Give random compliments.
37. Volunteer at your local food bank.
38. Learn about the history of your town.
39. Play ninja.
40. Learn ballroom or swing or square dancing.
41. Get a partner to dance with.
42. Play catch.
43. Play "Duck, Duck, Goose."
44. Eat food.
45. Watch Kid History and Kid Snippets.
46. Learn a magic trick.
47. Perform a magic trick.
48. Go on a picnic.
49. Join a club.
50. Ride a horse.
51. Visit a nursing home with some friends.
52. Read a romance novel.
53. Watch chick flicks.
54. Fly a kite.
55. Go fishing.
56. Go to youth group.
57. Take a friend/multiple friends to youth group.
58. Organize a closet, drawer, or garage.
59. Paint something.
60. Redecorate you room.
61. Watch Les Miserables even if you already have because it is amazing.
62. Host a game night.
63. Learn a new game.
64. Teach someone a game.
65. Shoot a gun.
66. Shoot a bow.
67. Act out a Bible story with friends or siblings.
68. Play a musical instrument.
69. Learn a new word.
70. Use your expanded vocabulary in conversation.
71. Shoot some baskets.
72. Pick flowers.
73. Grow flowers.
74. Grow food.
75. House-sit.
76. Baby-sit.
77. Pet-sit.
78. Start a business.
79. Teach a kids' class at your church.
80. Go to the beach.
81. Write a story.
82. Dress up and have a party with your girls.
83. Give yourself a manicure.
84. Go on a mission trip.
85. Take a class.
86. Set a goal.
87. Cook supper for your family.
88. Write an encouraging note.
89. Read a book to your little sister or brother.
90. Sleep under the stars.
91. Memorize scripture.
92. Make your own bubbles to blow.
93. Write with chalk on your driveway or sidewalk.
94. Go camping.
95. Get some people together to pray outside an abortion center.
96. Go one day without shoes on April 16th.
97. Share your testimony.
98. Start a smash book.
99. Meet someone new.
100. Go to church camp.
101. Visit IHOP (the Jesus one) or stream the live feed from the prayer room.
102. Drink goat milk.
103. Spend time with your family.
104. Daydream.
105. Praise God.
106. Dress modestly.
107. Learn how to yodel.
108. Read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot.
109. Go on a Daddy-Daughter date.

   So there.  You can have fun - with or without a boyfriend.  Know that you are loved by the King of kings, and He says you are beautiful.  And go ahead and pretend that 109 is close a bajillion.



 

 

 

 

 

I hope.

I hope for:
   unwavering courage
    life for the unborn
     Holy Spirit fire
    whole families
   a horse
    more of Him each day
     revival in my school
      like-minded friends
     healing for my baby cousin Josiah
    King Jesus' return
   victory for our football team
    a man to love me
     realization of value, worth, and beauty
      unconditional love
       stylish modesty
      overwhelming peace
     prophecy and miracles
    unity
   empty notebooks to fill
    soft hearts
     empathy
      purity
       snow days
        passion
       renewal.
I hope for more hope.