Life is for Saturdays such as these.

It has been the most wonderful sort of day.

Actually, if you had asked me what sort of day it is at around four this afternoon, I probably would not have given you such an emphatic reply. But it is ending in such a delightful way, that the whole day will now be remembered with a violet-colored lens.

I woke up at 11:09, which is almost exactly eleven hours after I went to bed. Yesterday was thoroughly chaotic, and I had operated on but one hour of sleep. This day, in contrast, was all loveliness and serenity. I began it in an empty house, which was not unwelcomed. One bowl of porridge later, (actually, it was steel-cut oats.... but porridge sounds much more British, and I am feeling British in my head tonight) I decided to head out to take care of some business affairs. I finished my errands, and returned home to my dear father. I cooked dinner early, since Mom is out of town, which I am told was sensational (I myself did not get to partake, as I was at work during dinnertime.) I decided to take the risk (the weather forecast said rain) and ride the bike to work, which ended up being a good idea. Upon arriving at Plymouth, I remembered a conversation with Dad that involved "wouldn't it be nice to watch a movie and sip wine tonight..." and picked up a superb bottle of Merlot at the local wine bar (which I now vow to return to on some night... it's very cute inside.) Work went well, awkward conversations included. Sometimes we need a bit of awkwardness to let us know that life is either mortifying or hilarious-- it's all about perspective. I was slightly crestfallen to find my stirfry gone, as the house still smelled like ginger and curry. However, I decided to make the best of it, and began cooking a mean salad. It was reminiscent of something I used to buy at the cafe at Schoolcraft, and turned out beautifully. When Dad and Liz came home, we put on "Julie and Julia" and we DID sip the Merlot as we watched. The bottle is now completely empty, and I, for some reason, have the inescapable urge to blog and cook (I settled on blogging for the night, since I've already cooked two dinners today.)

Speaking of Julia, my mother received her cook book for her birthday. I am seriously happy about this. I have never been more ready to master the art of French cooking, and I have already poached two eggs. Successfully.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and I have a new dress to wear. I also have the day off. Can it be? Is it a REAL Sabbath? It makes me sad to know that, had I lived in Old Testament times, I would have already been killed around two hundred times. And that's for breaking Sabbath alone.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.... it all comes back to you. Read through Exodus this past week, and have decided to skip Leviticus after much prayer. My heart is in utter jubilation. It didn't seem appropriate for the season. What I thoroughly DID enjoy, however, was reading second Corinthians along with Exodus 34. I love that, in the middle of the regulations in Exodus, there is this AMAZING piece about Moses fellowshipping with God and coming off the mountain with a radiant face. But what I love even more is the link in Corinthians that brings the whole Exodus passage to life and applicable for us today. It is such a heavy, beautiful thing, to shine with the radiance of God. To be transformed into His likeness, in ever-increasing glory! What else is there? What could there possibly be that would one-up that? This passage has completely given me encouragement and a greater self-awareness of who we are, and what we are to the world. The veil has been torn away. What a mighty blessing.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.