Please Don't Go Without Me

I like sitting here. I feel like someone I'm not, but it's a good sort of feeling.

At times like these I become ridiculously thankful for the German's. That sounds weird, but I swear this is the best coffee shop to sit in and read and type words onto screens. And it wouldn't be the same with out these sweet German ladies.

And let me just tell you about listening to The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers, and Mumford & Sons, I mean...their all great. But that's just what I mean.

I don't feel like that's me.

I don't really know what "me" is, but it's not the Toms wearing, music-snobbing, coffee drinking, artist thinking, book reading person that is sitting on this leather couch. Those are all the things that I know about myself. But that's not me.....is it?

This is why people don't like me, I wouldn't like me either. I am always pondering what makes up the self.

I know that statistically it's probably my parents fault that I don't know science so well, since I'm not a boy.

I know that observationally speaking most women are territorial over parking spaces they are leaving.

I know that technically speaking I have no money for England, but that if I work hard, and keep praying, that I will make it there.

I know that this summer I will be getting to share so much about the God who saved me, and I will be meeting so many new people, and doing so many new things. I know that I am sitting here scared.

Let me tell you something sad and ridiculous. Something which will not surprise you and you may have heard it before.

I've fractured my foot, and I have been marching around campus like a limping toy soldier in a very silly boot. I just about dove off the bus earlier too. The ground looks so much further away when you're trying to figure out just how to reach. And then on the stairs, my nose decided that it would really like to meet that second one from the top. I had to stop her you, she's already pretty squished and getting involved with someone like that stair fellow was really going to get her in trouble.

Also, I think that my true calling is to sneak into people's houses and bake them muffins and make them coffee in the morning, and then leave before I get sat on. But you know I think it would be fun to be the traveling muffin maker. I know it would be fun.

Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

As my college career slowly comes to an end, I have had a calling to overseas missions. I have been praying and asking for the Lord’s direction in this matter. I know that I am to share Christ’s merciful and unfailing love with everyone around me. However, I felt especially led towards a ministry with children and teens. I am excited to say that I have been given the opportunity to serve as an intern with Mission to the World to do just that. This internship is to Gateshead Presbyterian Church in Gateshead, England from the end of May to the end of July.

I have had the opportunity to work with youth groups in the past, locally and on mission’s trips. I normally lead a small group for the girls, and we study God’s word while getting to know one another. I have been given the chance to do something very similar to this while in Gateshead. I will be getting to know the girls whom attend Gateshead Presbyterian; we will discuss Scripture, and put our hands to work. I will be encouraging their endeavors with arts and crafts, and exploring the Bible further. I am blessed to be able to do this, and I would like to ask for your support through prayer.

During this time I will need constant prayer, for the girls, the church I will be going to, and for myself. I ask that you consider praying for me as I prepare to make this trip. I want to do what is God’s will, and I pray that God would prepare the hearts of the girls with whom I will be in contact.

I will also be raising support so that I will be able to go England and live there for two months. MTW is estimating that I will need about $7,000; this includes travel, lodging, food and ministry supplies. I cannot do this on my own, and I hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting me by becoming a part of my team both prayerfully and financially. Attached is a pledge form. Please send your tax deductible gift to Mission to the World PO BOX 116284 Atlanta, GA 30368-6284. I am so happy to have this opportunity and be able to share it with you. I hope that you will consider supporting this ministry in any way you can. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

In Christ,

Melissa Duncan

You can donate by going to MTW's website and clicking on donations (I have directly linked it)...and typing in my account number: 11862

Bragging Rights are for the Silly People

I just have to say that feeling accomplished is not a feeling I have very often. As I often say, I have been keeping it average since 1989. I don't try to out do myself. Just get by, and no one will be disappointed. This may sound sad to you, but I have been entirely happy for...all of my life. Some people would say too happy at times. I think those people are ridiculous, in a very rude way.

Let me just tell you though, I have been on top of it. By it, I mean life. Yeah, I have been on top of life. I mean, obviously I couldn't get any of what I have done, done without constantly praying. I must give credit where credit is due. And if I am going to do that, I really have to give credit to my family and friends for being so awfully kind, understanding, encouraging, and ever so slightly rude to me. Have you ever noticed that when people are rude with some love...it gets things done? Or at least it does in my world.

Lemme just tell you about the things I have been doing: Got the Internship to Gateshead Presbyterian, applied for my passport, got a planner (and listed, AND am actually using the planner and the lists - I almost don't know what to do with myself), started a new Bible study, ordered my text books (well, all but one - I don't feel like paying $70.00 for a book, ironically enough it is for my Psychology of Learning class), ordered fun books (I haven't done that in a very long time), got taught how to knit by Bekah (and I must say, it's rather fun), I made my little sister some of Joy the Baker's Shrimp and Grits, they were pretty dang delicious, if I do say so myself. I also made her my own recipe of some AMAZING Tiramisu. I don't mind bragging when I know it really was that good. And to top it all off, I just ordered my ticket to see The Civil Wars .

I also feel pretty cool for linking all of those things. I know you probably won't click them, but I was cool enough to do it.

Now to go pay my car insurance and get an inspection ticker. I am just too goal oriented for words...today. I don't promise this for the rest of my life....remember the average thing from above. I actually like that reputation.

Oh, and this is the second time this month that I have updated my blog. WHOO! Be proud, my friends!!

Cobbler Nights

Well, I’ve done it again. I know, it’s horrible. I really should consider looking before I step, especially when it is dark outside. Now I am sitting here with a swollen foot. Had I not been carrying a huge blanket, I may have been able to catch myself with something other than my knee and right foot. But seeing as I cannot change what has already been done, I suppose that I can sit here and catch up on my online shopping. Or perhaps I could read a book, but since my online shopping consists of me looking for new and exciting books, I suppose that I must find something else to do. Judy Garland is rather tempting me into watching one of her more famous films, in which she follows a Yellow Brick Road to find herself a wizard. However, I just don’t feel like doing those things. I should be purchasing my textbooks, and I really could use a new notebook or two, and pens. I think that I could even attempt to hobble out to my car to get my planner, that way I could plan out each day of my life until May. I am so nervous about May. I don’t know if you know yet (how silly of me, of course you do, but I am still going to say it), but I am going to Gateshead, England in May, to intern at a Presbyterian church there. I don’t know anything. I have no idea where I am going to live, how much money I will need, and I never have taken the time to learn their measurement system. I feel like vomiting.

For now though, just for now, I sit in contentment, listening to The Chronicles of Narnia radio drama and sipping Earl Grey, and wasting time playing some ridiculous game of cards on my computer. I am a professional Time-Waster, really I am.

Oh, Yawn. Ok, Now be Happy!

Well, here I sit in Psychology of Gender. Last day of classes. My excitement was stolen by failing my Statistics exam, but hey, my day will improve. This semester was possibly the fastest of my entire life. I think I enjoyed. I don't know, I cannot really tell at this point.

However, in much more happy news, I am now Mission to the World (MTW) intern! I have no idea where I am going yet, but I passed the application and interview processes! I am pretty proud of myself, I'm not gonna lie. More so, I know that God was totally in all of it because stuff like this doesn't normally happen so smoothly for me.

However, I still feel so blah, and I shouldn't.

I just hope that this feeling of "blah" goes away soon though. Finals have got me down, I don't even feel like crying anymore, just sitting and staring off in the distance until maybe something crazy happens.

I mean, crazy things have happened. I guess I just need to remove myself from this stupid rut.

Well, I Think You're Weird Too.

I just typed out a long ranty blog about the Male gender, then I felt it was too cliche and deleted it.

However, I feel bad for not updating this...so. Yeah.

I have nothing interesting to tell you.

You are wasting your time....just sitting there. Reading. Words.

I'm really sleepy. Sleep is such an odd thing. I think I'm always sleepy. I fall asleep at the stupidest times, like during movies. And TV shows. And while I'm reading. And while I'm being read to. And sometimes when I'm on the phone. I really need to work on this. Oh goodness, bedtime.

Your Fingers Hit the Ceiling, Now there's Glitter Everywhere

So, what's all this about?

I don't know. I'm sure you don't either. I know very few things for absolute truth. Those things that I know for sure, I hold onto very tightly.

I don't know though.

I wish I did.

What if I were French? Or made sense? Or what would happen if just once I got excited over something and did NOT make the most ridiculous sound you've ever hear?

I mean...these are things to ponder. These are not very interesting things to ponder, but they are ponderable nonetheless.

I get into stupid conversations, and I've been told I'm blunt. People seem to tolerate me still though, so I suppose that I'm not doing too poorly.

You know, I confuse myself quite a bit. I say things that I don't mean to, I say things that make less than no sense. I wonder if maybe I was slipped some drugs that completely damaged my brain. But really, my brain is probably my own fault. I wish it weren't so, but I think it is.

I'm really crazy, dears. It's true.

College made me this way. Society has ruined me.

Had they just let me live in the country with sheep and goats and chickens and pigs and cats and cows and vegetables and my Bible....

I may not be acting like this.

I have my Bible, so I am functioning.

But really, I feel like I could be a case study that you will be analyzing soon. I've just about cracked.

Gone mad.

But I can still pretend to dance, and pretend to do useful things. However, in reality I am just wondering what is going.

I know what is going on, but what is really going on?

Ok, this is getting way more than ridiculous. I'm off to bed. If I can remember where I put it.