the funniest thing.

Yesterday Jessie and I were walking through the Edgewood shopping center. Walking, walking, minding our own business. Suddenly we stepped over an airvent... and it blew my dress straight over my head. Just like in the movies.

It was probably my favorite moment in the history of my life.

shame.

I don't know why I choose to be so open on this thing... but bear with me. My life is truly splendid, and I thank the Lord for that. But all of that can be so boring to write about.
In conjunction with that, I've been meeting boatloads of people in the past few weeks. Maybe I'm naïve, but I really feel like I've been able to glimpse into some of their souls, and they're such beautiful creatures.

In conjunction with that, I'll tell you a story:
This past Sunday was "Health Day"* for Lazarus Ministry. It was one of the most touching things I've ever seen.
I was standing with Jason Campbell, talking about nothing in particular, when I was approached by an older man who had just eaten a hardy meal and sang a song for everyone on the karaoke machine. He was very spirited, and checked my name-tag to make sure that I was indeed Katie. He had been tipped-off by a fellow named Rob that I am a monster Tom Waits fan. Then, he launched into this uncanny impression, reciting a monologue from one of Tom's songs. I can't speak for Jason, but I was floored. A few statements were exchanged, and then for some reason we broke away.

Driving to school this morning I was listening to Mule Variations. Track 3, my favorite, "Hold On" started up. I couldn't help thinking of this dude. My heart was weighed down wishing that I had heard this guy's full story.
And so I committed in my mind that if I ever saw this man again, I would stop to talk to him.

And then, naturally, there was a fire drill during my exam. I was standing outside talking to this boy from high school that I hadn't seen in years.
And then that man walked by. By the time I realized that I was still talking to this kid, he had disappeared into the crowd. And I didn't bother looking for him. In a moment I chose to keep this typical jock kid comfortable instead of following through on a promise I had made just hours before. Maybe this guy needed to know that he's remembered. Maybe I needed to talk to someone who is truly interesting. But I didn't.

And I'm really ashamed of it.





*To make another long story short, a few blocks of Ellis Street in downtown Atlanta were blocked off so that we could have a mini-festival with the homeless. They were able to get free health screening, followed by free BBQ, tables to sit and eat while watching their friends sing karaoke, free hair cuts, free nail care, free clothing, and some live performances. It was really a site to behold.

Driving down North Avenue last night after work, I was sitting at the intersection with Peachtree St. looking at the large church to my left. There is this sort of stone mural with Jesus and a short passage being illuminated by 2 lights shining upward onto them. Just as I started to read the passage, the lights went out.

My heart burned, and I found an analogy.

"Come unto..." I'm sorry, I didn't hear the last part. Come unto what. And how?



I couldn't be more glad that tonight is my last night of work. My new life will be disciplned.

talented.

So, last night I consulted one of the top chef's at the incredible restaurant I work (soon to be "worked") at to find an easy way to make sweet potatoe casserole from scratch.
I had the sweet potatoes. I pealed them and cut them into halves. I put them on a baking sheet and stuck those bad boys in the oven. I did the fork test. They appeared ready.
I tried to mash them in a bowl with some butter. They weren't ready. I stuck them into a microwave to continue cooking...
I melted the bowl.

So, I will be cooking from cans for a while. No big deal.

School. Is. Stressing. Me. Out.