Biology: The Study of [REAL] Life

Today has been a studyish kinda day. 

Besides taking a break to stritzy-straighten my hair and

 watch Stranger than Fiction with my brother...

{such a good movie}

...it has been a nearly productive day. 

I have been concentrating most of my 

current energies 

on studying for my Bio test. 

eyuck right? 

[NOPE]

I have been ever so excited about this test. 

And studying for it has proved to be a thorough delight as well. 

Firstly, you really must know that 

I experience a snatch of a thrill in test-taking.

Took the SAT twice...because I could (and wanted to!!!)

Secondly...life is just such a fascinating thing to study!!!

I was working my way through my flashcards earlier 

and the distinction between the 

rough and smooth

 parts of the endoplasmic reticulum

struck my fancy. 

Although I'm sure they both serve other functions, 

the main distinction between these two parts is this:

rough ER: [noun] has ribosomes attached,

smooth ER: [noun] is ribosome-less. 

So when I think about the smooth ER, 

I just think about the fact that it has the absence of ribosomes.

In my mind, it is known for the very thing 

that it opposes-the ribosome-ful rough ER. 

Kinda depressing right? 

Than I thought about what my life might look like on a flashcard. 

You know, if someone was choosing to study me for a test.

[what does that even mean?!]

I wonder what would be written on it about me, you know?

I don't want to be known for things that I oppose, 

the things that I choose to be against 

in my life, 

in my relationships,

in my culture, 

in my world. 

These things are so very much a part of me.

But I do not want to be defined by them. 

I want to be defined by the things that are required of my life as a 

Little Christ.

I want to be known for the things that 

I work to be every day

in my life, 

in my relationships

in my culture, 

in my world. 

((Maddy: [noun]  love fully attached.))

I've Got the Joy Down in My Heart...and Exploding Through My Fingertips

Oh my goodness.

It's another one of those incredible days.

The extremely explosively joyful ones that involve a lack of ability to communicate.

I need an emotional popsicle again.

God has created to me to very much thrive off of being around people.

It has been a good day for extraverted me.

So many rich and deep and beautiful and didactic conversations.

I feel so blessed and overwhelmed and joyful and...

words fail at capturing the sheer elation.

My body is responding with a strong desire to frolic for hours.
((I am thankful for the great people in my life who let me explode
and tolerate my claims to joy every fifteen minutes....)

The morning began with a beautiful service at church 

that perfectly captured the grandness of God's word and 

the Holy Spirit's involvement in the lives of His people.

I spent a relaxing and full lunch hour with dear

friends in rich conversation

about how we relate to people

and the way that God has created and taught

us each to do that in different ways.

A pineapple pursuit brought me to the grocery store

where I had an encouraging conversation with the lady rang me up 

((who is a Christian))

and felt blessed in blessing her.

I spent a grand hour with my good friends Deb, Allison, Kelly and Alicia.

Wonderful women whom I have grown close to throughout my life.

The evening ended with a glorious time at the Cheesecake Factory

for some fabulous dessert and solid fellowship with

my Torrey group.

Dear friends who have become my family in the last LONG months.

There are like fifty synonyms for joy and none of them are sufficing. 

I feel like it's a little taste of heavenly joy...

ultimately indescribable...

so rooted in the work of Christ in my life...

and the beauty of the people he has placed in it.

((joyxplosive is this heart))

!!!Joyspired!!!

((Joyful+Insipred=Joyspired))

Today is a drop dead glorious day-

outside in the world/sky/atmosphere

and inside in my heart/mind/froliccontrolcenter.

Shoot my goodness I feel overflowful with joy!!!

This morning started with a meeting with my spiritual director Sum Yu.

It was the fourth time we've met and she is an absolute gem.

It was such a good time to reflect on the things I am learning, 

and trace the specific ways that Lord has answered 

my prayers this semester. 

I'm growlearning so much!!

:::

~God's forgiveness is stronger than my ability to fix myself~

 ((which is like negative weak in comparison))

~There is SO MUCH FREEDOM in this forgiveness~

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free you are free indeed." 

~He cares about my whole self, all of my heart, and not just the "spiritual" things~

~Relating to God special and deserves specific time~

~Intentional quiet time listening in God's presence is so fulfilling and peaceful~

The last week and a half have been a huge time of cross-reflection. 

((Pish Posh Spaghetti Squash)) I didn't spend very much time reflecting/preparing for Easter 

which makes me sad

but I am thankful for the ways the reality of Christ's death and forgiveness

 have continued to rock me post Easter. 

((WOOT WOOT halla halla))