a few words...

here were just a few of the words that have been running around my head today. some are completely serious and are heart-felt, while others are just some of my silliness needing to come out. but they are all part of me-so here they are.

lit-er-al-ly (lit'erete'ly)- in a literal manner, or sense, exactly
so this word is the ONE word that i think deserves to be said with an english accent. americans pronounce the 'er' quite distinctly, but it rolls so smoothly otherwise. last night, i was lying in bed, trying to think of this word. it was bothering me all day, because i could not conjure up the singule word that warrants an accent. tonight martha said it, no accent, and i was quite pleased. when i hear it, i often practice saying it under my breath, with an english accent of course.

cheese (ch-ez)- a food made from the pressed curds of milk
last night, jenny created bubbles of thought on a photo of the four of us in hawaii. mine, since i appeared the most happy of all of us, contained the phrase, "cheese." as i looked at the picture, i realized that it was one of the most ironic things for me to be "thinking" since i don't think i have ever in my life uttered that word when my picture is being taken. while i am often compliant, there are certain things i am stubborn about, and this was one of them. i have always thought it silly to say this word in order to produce a smile. so i would quietly and stubbornly refuse each time.

gen-u-ine ('jenyooin)- truly what something is said to be; authentic
today's chapel speaker told his story. there were tears and harsh truth, but it was his story. he offered it with all the pain and joy that came with it, hoping that God would use it to help one of us. our staff went again tonight to hear him. it was what i needed to hear. even when people let you down and aren't all that you need, God is.
and then martha told her life story. this was the third time i'd heard it, but it was by far the best. even in the year i've known her, God has been working on her. there were tears and harsh truth, but it was her story. it was beautiful to see her genuine before us-her junk laid bare.
i think this will be a good year for our staff.