Back in the city

I have left small town Delaware behind me and am now in the big city of New York where I shall reside for the month of December. I am happy to be here-- a realization that struck me as I wandered around the streets last night with my best girlfriend in tow. Delaware, it seems, was beginning to weigh me down, and I am so looking forward to a month spent with some of my favorite people in the world. It promises to be a busy month, what with me working with a new agency, and holiday parties, and catering on the side (I'm trying to pick up some extra cash this holiday season-- aren't we all?!?).

Me and my best friend, Corrie.

I got my first Christmas present of the season last night from Corrie, my bestie. About a month ago, she quizzed me with a ton of questions about my personal style, hobbies, and preferences. She wouldn't tell me why she wanted to know, but now it has all become clear: she has had a perfume created especially for me. It is called Por Tous Jours, which is old French for "For Always," a reference to a poesy ring that we both sport, and boasts scents of honeydew, melonade, and surf. It's quite a combination, and reminds me of one of my favorite bath products-- Bath and Body Works' Cucumber Melon bodywash, but in this case, it's "Cucumber Melon spends a day at the beach." I quite like it and the surf smell reminds me of my recent adventures in California, where I tried surfing. I really do love the scent, mostly because it has memories associated with it.

Me at the beach + Cucumber Melon = my new perfume

The 15th century reproduction poesy rings that Corrie and I share. The original can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

Trust Me

The big message that I've been getting from God of late is "Trust Me." It seems that I've been trying to run the show, and God keeps telling me to take it easy and rely on Him.

I'm reading The Hiding Place, which is the story of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who risks her life to put Jews into hiding during World War II. She's very courageous, putting an inordinate amount of trust in God as she comes to the aid of hundreds of Jews and leads the underground resistance in Holland. I'm still in the beginning of the book, but from what I understand, she finds herself in a concentration camp, where she loses both father and sister, but at the end of the day, she still loves the Lord her God. She's able to pray for and forgive her captors. It's a pretty amazing story.

Below is an anecdote from the novel that really inspires me and speaks to my heart. It takes place when Corrie is a little girl, asking her father lots of questions about life. It struck me as I am like the little girl, confused and wondering, asking too many questions.

At last he (Father) stood up, lifting his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.

"Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?" he said.

I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning.

"It's too heavy," I said.

"Yes," he said. "And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It's the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you."

I pray that I will trust Him to carry it for me.