You are the light of the world...

'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'
Matthew 5:14-16

In church last week, we heard about being the light of Christ in this world. I feel like I need to read this passage every morning when I wake up. I should probably have a cheat sheet written on my arm, to remind me throughout the day. Every choice I make, every word I say, every reaction I have- is a reflection of Christ. I feel like there has been so much darkness recently. Not especially in MY little world, but people around me that I love- have been going through some tough stuff. Cancer. Ugh, I can't stand it. Kids with cancer. No. Suicide. No. Our country is so divided- just stop. War- innocent people dying, scared. And on and on. Really, the thing that has helped me deal with all the hurt people are dealing with, is knowing that it is my responsibility to be a light- the light- in this dark world. I'm trying.

Brian and I love having people over...love entertaining and especially making food and feeding friends. But we have been pretty lame in that department since getting married. First it was the moving thing...boxes everywhere, organizing- the house was in no order to have guests. And then we got the kittens, and that certainly caused some chaos in our little home. And school made it tough. Finally, we have had the chance to have a few people over...in the last week and a half we watched a movie with friends at the house, had friends over for football, invited NEW friends over (exciting- new friends!), and had a friend over for some Fall tv. We really need to get a regular movie night going again. I hope we can keep it up.It makes me happy!

These two are little lights too. Snuggling on a Sonics blanket together.

Three days of Dave

Ohhh, I love all the first-day-of-school pictures up on Facebook! I actually think those pictures- the excitement and anticipation of a brand new year- put me in the mood for Fall. The thunder and rain helps too (while I'm not looking forward to a constant grey drizzle- I do LOVE a good rainstorm). Starting September 2nd, I have switched to the tastes of the upcoming season. I enjoyed a pumpkin spice latte, an apple spice donut (!), I have had Starbucks' new chocolate chai latte (it wasn't too sweet- I was surprised)...I am okay with the season change, I think.

Another thing that helped me make the transition was a throwback Labor Day weekend. We spent three days at the Gorge enjoying DMB...with a little VIP treatment. One of my friends does some work on the tour and was able to get us awesome tickets to the shows- and passes into a lounge with free snacks and

beverages. Brian hadn't ever been to the Gorge- what a treat to show him!, and had never seen Dave before. We left later than we had hoped on Friday afternoon, so got to there just as the band was going on. As we walked through the parking lot into the venue, there were multiple couples fighting, crying, break ups happening...I told Brian- this is the drama of Dave weekend- breakups, makeups, hookups...all over the course of one evening. And sure enough, once we were inside, and the music was playing- people making out all over the place. I'm sure the glass of wine I had without any food had something to do with it, but once we got there, were hanging out with Jessica and Luke, listening/watching the show, being able to share all that with Brian- I was so overwhelmed with happiness. (and we also met Colin Farrell...so pretty!)

I really needed a good throwback weekend, because a big piece of myself officially ended on Friday. KMTT The Mountain changed formats...it is now HOT 103.7. The Mountain had been going downhill for a long time- it wasn't even on my dial anymore...but I still had a little bit of hope that somehow it would turn around...someone would come in and bring back the magic. And now it is over. The news was a little bit devastating to me. I started at the station my junior year of college- because they played Howie Day and I was embarrassingly obsessed with Howie Day. I had no idea I would meet my best friends there, I would find such a mentor, the COOL stuff I would get to be a part of (Mexico with listeners and Carbon Leaf, driving various amazing musicians around, running meet & greets and music lounges- Patty Griffin,
Damien Rice, Matt Nathanson, Flight of the Conchords, Jack Johnson, G.Love, John Butler Trio, Brett Dennen, RYAN ADAMS, David Gray, Amos Lee, Ben Lee, and of course, Howie Day, etc etc etc...I could go on and on). I went to concerts twice a week, I made more lanyards than you might think possible....sigh, I could go on and on. I loved that station. It was my home for a good six years. In that, it also taught me about the importance of work boundaries. All over. But, I was able to celebrate with three days of Dave! :)

In kitten news...Frank seems to be doing better! The prescription food seems to be what he needed to calm his tummy. We have started transitioning back to regular food...and I was talked into doing some wet food. Gross...that was my one thing when we got the kittens 'I will NOT do wet food'...it's so gross. But, as I was researching food to give them, I just kept reading how important it is for them to have the wet food...apparently domestic cats come from desert cats- so they lack a thirst mechanism- they depend on getting water from their food sources...without wet food, cats are generally always dehydrated. Besides being gross, canned food is also expensive- so we are doing a mixture of both. The first time I gave them the canned food, it was like they didn't know life could be SO GOOD. I have never seen Millie sit in front of her food for so long. They love it. Millie went through a growth spurt last week- she is still svelte, but she got way longer...and when we got home from the weekend- her little meow deepened! It seems she has hit puberty. Ha.

Okay...I have a list of things to get done today (the family I nanny for is on vacation- I have picked up some hours with another family, but have some extra time off...it has been nice!)...must get on with my day!