Show and Tell

I recently heard an amazing sermon that I believe everyone could benefit from. The basic premise of the sermon was how our life is just like a kindergarten "show and tell." From early on we are comforted by material things. For the rest of our adolescence, through adulthood, we use our possessions (the show) to express our identity (the tell).  The speaker told of his excitement of taking his Knight Rider Big Wheel to his first grad show and tell. He told of how his persona changed when he was on his Big Wheel. 

In today's society we bring our houses, cars and jobs to our friends, coworkers and acquaintances in our own version of show and tell.   We show how fancy our material belongings are and let that tell society how successful we are. Every person no matter their skill set or social circle has been sucked in to this habitual show and tell pattern.  Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 6: "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. "

 

So how do we get ourselves out of this pattern of self righteousness?  This speaker pointed out 3 steps. 

 

1. Embrace humility over pride by following the example of Christ.  

2. Eliminate the competition by allowing Jesus to transform the way we see the world and how we fit in it. 

3. Embrace people over possessions. 

 

I encourage you to listen to this sermon via the website at this link. It is a great message. 

http://www.worthingtoncc.org/site2/archives/sermons/sermondoc.php?date=20090315&lvl=A

    

Exploring Columbus

I was very thankful that Melissa came up to visit me for the weekend. We had a fabulous time. We went all over the city finding fun things to do. After I picked Liss up from the airport we came home for a quick "freshen up." After an hour or so of catching up, we headed over to one of my favorite Columbus areas. Easton Town Center.  This place has everything from good shopping to great restaurants to a huge movie theater. It also has a very cute fountain out front.  

Through their website, I also found a sketch comedy club which is in the mall. I have never thought of myself as a huge fan of comedy clubs, but this place was hilarious. The actors were also the waiters. There was singing, dancing and short skits. At some point throughout the performance, Melissa and I both had tears in our eyes from laughing so hard. The dessert, Mt. Shadowbox, was definitely worth a mention. It was a large fudge brownie topped with 3 scoops of ice cream, fudge, caramel and whip cream. Ummmmmmmmm.    

                                          

On Saturday we spent the day riding around trying to find hidden treasures. We went to a shopping area called the Short North, this area is known for it's art galleries and murals, but also has great shopping and fun restaurants. 

This was one of the many murals that were painted on the sides of buildings. 

One of our favorite places was a store called Three Dog Bakery.  This store was unbelievable. I thought Atlantians were crazy about their pets until I moved up here. There are dogs everywhere!! The store owner had two HUGE great danes in the store. Everyone was welcome to bring in their pets.  To me, it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen to me. At the front of the store was a doggie buffet. You can buy different flavored doggie biscuits by the pound. At the back of the store was the bakery. While we were there one of the employees was making a

 happy birthday cake for a customer's dog. It was just too much for words so here are some pics. 

We also drove around through the German Village.  German immigrants settled in the area during the 1800s. The area was mostly evacuated during WWI due to anti-German hostilities. In 1960 the German Village Society was formed and the neighborhood became a historic society. The neighborhood has historic churches, parks and statues. 

  

Our tour continued to the campus of OSU. We drove around to all the different buildings and to the stadium. 

 

 

Sunday we went to the Columbus zoo. We had a fabulous time. The zoo was huge. It has 4 different sections. North America, Asia, Africa and Australlia. It also had an aquarium. We started in North America and were a bit disapointed. There were a lot of wolves and goats. Our first thought was, "We can see this in our parent's backyard." As we continued to jump continents, the variety of animals was amazing. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the day. 

and a few good videos...

 

Those were the main highlights of the weekend. We had lots of fun and went to very interesting places.  Let me know if anyone is interested in visiting after seeing all the cool stuff and fun places!!!!!!!

Melissa comes to Columbus

Just some pics of the weekend. More later............

Pics here

Add some spice to your night.

One of my facebook friends posted a fun note that said to google "(your name) likes to " and to post the top 10 hits (responses). I did my name, but didn't find it very humorous. Then I did John's which are a lot funnier. See below 

  1. Brittany likes to play extreme ping pong with her friends.

  2. Brittany likes to act as though she were the sickest person in the entire treatment center.

  3. Brittany likes to watch videos, sort and string beads, and create things with toy building sets.

  4. Brittany likes to roam.

  5. Brittany likes to draw and play board and computer games

  6. Brittany likes to do gymnastics. (How appropriate)

  7. Brittany likes to write about her life at home and her feelings and expressions on how her situations at home made her feel.

  8. Brittany likes to watch videos, sort and string beads

  9. Brittany likes to do field hockey and LAX

10. Brittany likes to travel. 

  1. John likes to take advantage of people

  2. John likes to sign autographs with different people’s names on them. 

  3. John likes to do all his communicating via carrier pigeon. 

  4. John likes to be a pain in the a**.

  5.  John likes to play with our minds.

  6. John Likes to surf.

  7. John likes to click a shutter.

  8. John likes to spend his time chatting.

  9.  John likes to hear himself talk.

10.  John likes to partake in marijuana, as they found a small amount of pot and a pipe in his car.

hahahahahahahahahaha

Do yours and let me know the results!!!!

Brittany 

You're up and you're down

Hello all. I haven't forgotten about you. Sorry it has been a while since my last post. I would like to say that I have just been so completely busy that I haven't had time to write, but that would be a lie. I have been going through some emotional ups and downs lately. Since I have last blogged I went back home and had a wonderful visit with my family and friends. Several people have asked me over the past few weeks if my body has started to acclimate to this dreadfully cold climate. Just at the time I thought my body was getting used to it, the temperature would descend below the freezing point and I would realize that I was wrong.  Not until my trip home did I realize the difference. As soon as I stepped out of the good ol' Hartsfield Jackson International, I started sweating and anyone who knows me knows that I do not sweat. I love hot weather. I long to live in a tropical climate. This was a dramatic change for me.  I did not feel uncomfortable or too hot, but I definite noticed a difference.  

Amy, Bill and Marty picked me up at the airport. I was so happy to see them (btw, Marty is Amy's new puppy). I was grateful for the time to catch up with my old friend. It made me miss home even more. Being part of someone's life is much harder to do from hundreds of miles away. We met up with Mom, Dad, Mindy and Justin for dinner. I know I had to be glowing the whole night because I was so happy.  We ate at my favorite place, Cracker Barrel, where I had some deliciously, southern brewed sweet tea. 

The rest of the weekend I spent with my family. Mindy and I went shopping for her birthday. Joan and I had lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant. We had an amazing family dinner for Mindy's birthday. I was grateful to see everyone. We had a fabulous time eating, talking and especially playing rook (warning, next time India and I are going to wipe the table with all of you).  Sunday I went to church with Mom and Dad. I realize that you take a lot of things for granted when you have them everyday. I didn't realize how much I missed the people and services at church. I consider myself very lucky to have grown up in such a wonderful church. After Sunday lunch with the fam, Mom and Dad drove me back to the airport. I have the best parents in the world. No matter what they are always there for me when I need them. I have been continuously blessed in my life.  

Returning to Columbus was harder than I thought it would be. Although I have had friends warn me about going home and having to leave again, I didn’t think I would be so greatly emotionally affected by my return. For several days I was very sad and lonely.  I am once again adapting to being here alone.

As you all know I have been scoping out churches and trying to get up the courage to attend one by myself. I am happy to report that I attended an amazing service this morning. I really feel that God directed me to that particular church this particular morning. The worship service was very uplifting and the sermon was equally fulfilling. Today my cup runneth over.  I am very excited about the opportunities that are here to be involved in the church and community as well as the opportunity and guidance to grow in Christ.    

I know this is a long read. I will try to do better about posting more frequently. Hope all is well with you. I would love to hear from everyone.  Comments or emails are welcome!  

Quote of the day

Me: So what type of swallowing difficulties are you having?

Patient: I always choke when I try to breath or talk while I am swallowing. 

Me thinking to myself: Seriously?

Working girl

After several weeks I finally got my buisness cards and professional head shots. I officially feel like a career woman.