Exhibit A

This weekend at my university is precisely why I no longer drink alcohol.  It is homecoming.  While I do wish I could have watched the parade and football game, I don't want to have to deal with the drunken debauchery that is the typical college homecoming experience. 

This was not always the case.  I was once the "typical" college student, back before I was saved.  I drank alcohol, I went to parties, etc.  And while I do still like to enjoy the company of friends that do still drink, I no longer partake.  This means many things: I am guaranteed to feel better in the morning, I know I am always in control of myself and my actions, my judgment is not clouded by any sort of beverage (I do not do drugs, nor have I ever done anything "stronger" than alcohol), I don't act like....an idiot (there's really no way to put that delicately).  There are so many other great benefits to no longer drinking alcohol.

According to some things we discussed in a biology class, alcohol has some very bad consequences. 

Every cell in your body that comes in contact with a molecule of alcohol is damaged.
...Repeated exposure can permanently damage cells
......brain cells
......liver
......cancer
Everything inside the cell is damaged.

Alcohol turns to sugar very quickly.
...Diabetes is linked to alcohol abuse (alcoholics)

Alcohol Dehydrogenase
...alcohol "tolerance" it takes more alcohol to "feel it" because this enzyme breaks down the alcohol in your system.

Alcohol increases urine output.
...Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH)
......when you are even slightly dehydrated, you urinate less-your body is trying to hang on to all it's water.
...Alcohol inhibits effects of ADH-so you become MORE dehydrated-hence the hangovers.

Hangover headaches are different than "ordinary" headache-because your brain is "sitting" in your skull and not floating in cerebral fluid.
...or it could be an allergy to a certain type of alcohol.

"New" clothes!

I did a little shopping today at Savers!  I got a few pretty things.  I got 2 skirts, a dress, and a sweater/poncho.  The dress is black with white polka dots-it looks very much like a 50's housewife dress, which I love!  I have to bring it in a little in the bust area-it's just a little too big there.  I also got one more denim skirt, and a white skirt with some detailing at the bottom.  And the poncho is a pretty coral/pink color.

I think I'm going to wear the dress or the skirt and a top to bowling tonight.  I'm a league with some friends at the university, and we all dress in retro outfits.  So I'm going to go now and play "dress up" and figure out what to wear and how to wear my hair.  I'll post pictures if I like the way it turns out!

Adultery

As I'm sitting here in the living room of my apartment, I'm watching some television; and it seems that whatever show is on and even commercials, there is adultery rampant.  And often it is not shown as the extremely negative sin that it is.  Most of the time it's portrayed as "funny" rather than hurtful. 

My extended family has been through that many times and it makes me so scared about my future.  I see so many cases of infidelity and I am scared.  It really makes me wonder if we as humans are actually capable of fidelity.  I can actually feel my heart aching over this. 

In my opinion, there is no excuse for cheating.  Someone at my work actually wanted to tell me that there were situations. 

There is no excuse for cheating, drinking and driving, or abuse of any kind. 

What owns me?

Church last night was so great.  I am so thankful to be a servant of Jesus!

Part of the message last night was about Live Out Loud Christians trading self-promotion for partnership; and how we need to cheer for the Timothys and not just demand the Pauls.

I really need to work on fully accepting the idea that my life is not my own, that my life belongs to Him.  It can be so hard to let go of my earthly desires.  This leads to the idea that if we think we need something in life in order to be ok, it owns me, not the other way around.  And while this is true, we are not really free.

So now I need to really think about what owns me...

Philippians 1:6 was very important last night as well.
       And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
   -It is such a comfort and relief to know that when God starts something, He ALWAYS completes it.

The summary is basically this: God started His god work in me, and He's so intent on finishing it that He's going to complete His work in me, whether I like it or not.

I am so grateful to be a Daughter in Christ!

Kitty antics

I leave my closet door open for one minute, and this is what happens.  It must be comfortable!

How much is the kitty in the window?  I put a towel in the windowsill to make it more comfy for him.

He is nice and tucked in on the couch under my t-shirt quilt from my Grandma.

Kitty nose!

Julie, we have to BAKE the brownies first!

I love doing laundry!

I was doing laundry tonight, and I just realized how much I like doing laundry.  Well, the only part that you really have to do much with is the folding, but I like all of it.  It's just so calming to me. 

Same with cleaning my apartment.  Just the simple act of tidying up calms me.  I hope this is practice for my own family and household one day.  Although that is not up to me, I must have patience in the Lord. Only He knows what is right for my life.

Even though it is Friday night in a college town, I have no desire to go party like the rest of the students, I love just staying home and putting away laundry and cleaning and organizing.  It all makes me very happy.

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