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.