Thursday, August 1, 2013

What I Learned in July

Emily Freeman over at Chatting at the Sky, ends each month with a blog post sharing what she learned during that month.

In her words, "Sometimes it's educational and informative but usually not. Usually I've discovered a quirk I didn't know I had or a fascinating-to-me celebrity connection.  It's a mishmash of ordinary life stuff, things that may go unnoticed if I didn't decide to write them down."

I thought it would be fun to link up with her this month.

Sidenote here - Since we spent two weeks of July in New York City, a lot of what I learned this month relates to that.

1.  I learned how to purchase a Metro card, how to check the balance, how to add more money to it, and how to go through the turnstile like a boss.

photo courtesy of wikimedia.org


2.  I learned that while it is important to get on the correct subway, knowing if that correct subway is going uptown or downtown is just as important.  Remember how I looked like a boss going through the turnstile?  Well, I didn't look like much of a boss when I rode the downtown train over the Brooklyn Bridge while trying to get to the Upper West Side.
photo courtesy technobuffalo.com


3.  I learned that in a city full of people trying to "get discovered", I can entertain people in NYC simply by opening my mouth and speaking.  Evidently, my Texas accent is my special talent there.

4.  I learned that despite their reputation for being rude and impatient, every single New Yorker I encountered was kind and helpful.  You New Yorkers just want the rest of us to think you're mean but the secret is out - your bark is worse than your bite, you big softies.

5.  I learned that I love Mexican hot chocolate, especially in those big white bowl mugs.  With real whipped cream on top.  I really prefer someone to make it for me but this will do in a pinch:

photo courtesy of daytrippingmom.com

6.  I learned that when the weather is sweltering, dresses are the best thing to wear.  Unrestricted air flow is a key component to staying cool.  Sorry, fellas.

7.  After our Brooklyn Tabernacle experience and our own Austin prayer service, I am continuing to learn that my baby girl is uniting people of all faiths and denominations and causing a stir in God's kingdom - a miracle in and of itself.

8.  I learned that my longing for a simpler, slower life is not found in a certain place but rather a certain person - Jesus.

"I know of no greater simplifier for all of life.  Whatever happens is assigned... Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty?
Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good.  As I accept the given portion, other options are cancelled.  Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence, my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter.  
A quiet heart is content with what God gives."
Elisabeth Elliot


Click here to go visit Chatting at the Sky and see what others learned this past month.  I promise you're going to find some great new blogs to read and love.

Have a sweet, quiet, and content day, my friends.


11 comments:

  1. Subways are crazy! I moved to NYC at 16 with my aunt (LONG STORY) and had to take the subway to school. I made your mistake more than I care to admit. Prayers for the Bird from Idaho!

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  2. What a wonderful idea. And I just LOVE NYC.. I nailed the subway all on my own last year and New Yorkers also loved to hear our Irish accent! I want to know more about that yummy sounding Mexican Hot Chocolate...

    Great post, hope you ahd a great trip :-)

    xx Jazzy

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    1. I bet they loved your accent - I would, too! :) I'll put up a post in the near future solely dedicated to Mexican Hot Chocolate, just for you, my friend. xoxoxo

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  3. Has anyone told you lately, just how loved you are??? Well you are and not just by Jesus. :-)

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    1. I am surrounded, literally surrounded, by amazing people who love on me and bless me every single day. I am lucky, indeed! And you're pretty special yourself, Ms. Vaughn. :)

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  4. Oh, dear, you are so funny!!! I want to hear your TX accent! And does Mexican hot chocolate have cinnamon in it, if so then I know I will love it! I love to add 1 tsp of cinnamon to brownie mix and bake it up. Addicting!

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    1. Yes, my dear, Mexican hot chocolate has cinnamon and a little extra sugar in it. Mmmm.... it is heaven. And I wish you had never told me about adding it to brownies.... but I'm glad you did. And maybe one day, I'll do one of those video blog post things and all of you lucky listeners can hear my accent. :)

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  5. 1/2) "Like a boss": so funny! 4) i was amazed when I visited, too. Imho, it ain't the NYers you have to watch out for: it's the midwesterners. Those people can be super mean. Especially in cars. 7) Beautiful. Thank You, Lord.

    Pleased to make your acquaintance via Chatting at the Sky.

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    1. Hi Brandee - I'm still working my way through the Chatting at the Sky "What I l Learned" posts. I'm afraid by the time I get through July's, it'll be time to read the August ones! But I love meeting so many new people and discovering some really great blogs - not to mention what I learn from what everyone else learned. :)

      Thanks for your comment and I look forward to "meeting" you on your blog, as well.

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  6. Jesus. He's just a stand alone, make us stand up and stand together kind of guy. So thankful for His presence in my life. So so thankful.

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