in which: this is the art i live

It took me most of the day to decide what I wanted to write about as the art I live. The more I thought about it though, when I think of how God reveals himself in my day to day life, it's so obvious.

Sharing.

I love sharing myself with people. Especially women.

I love the build up of a great story.

Memories of the past are so vivid... it's like I'm standing in my childhood home again. Reliving the pain of this break-up or the laughter of that hilarious road trip. The skip in my spirit the day we met...

I love the instant bond a story can seal between those who share a similar experience.

For all the years I felt alone in situations with my family, ex-boyfriends, school... it was so astonishing for me to eventually discover how many people had lived, or were living the same things I did. It was like the more I shared, the more people began to come out of the woodwork in opening up about their own experiences.

Things I was once so ashamed of and didn't dare whisper... have turned out to be the things my friends have most benefited from hearing. I feel like God has set me on this mission of helping the world see,

you are not alone.

The need to share flows out of me like a songbird bursting with glorious song. 

May it never leave me.

And may the Father of Lights never cease to meet me where I am.

Where we are.

I am

Olli

*post inspired by Emily Freeman and her amazing work at Chatting At The Sky*

in which: it was a great weekend

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Costume Party

I was Grumpy Cat!

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Football Game with Corey & Amy -Texas State vs South Alabama

SUNDAY NIGHT:

I worked. MEANT to bring these in for my coworkers, but I'm bringing them tomorrow instead.

My Mom used to make these every year for Halloween!

Only instead of crushed Oreos I used Hint-O-Mint Newman-O's... my favorite...

Will definitely be writing something more substantial soon. 

Just wanted to share some of the wonderful weekend I spent with Peanut and friends.

Also, updated the header for Fall! Finally starting to stay cool during the daytime... *sigh*

I am

Olli

in which: dreams do come true

Changed the header in light of Spring around the corner. I love the peaches on there since I've picked it as my new "flavor of the season". It's something I started doing last year, and kind of own little way of getting myself to try new flavors of things I wouldn't normally pick. Last year was grapefruit and now it is peach, thanks to the inspiring and deliciously smelling new lotion I got from work! Seriously you guys, the smell of this lotion is like biting into a ripe, juicy, freshly picked peach.

Speaking of work; I got that promotion last week!! Yeeeeaaahhh!!! I also got accepted into a leadership series called Talent Bench for work aaaaannndddd *drum roll please*.....

I got accepted into the Texas Master Naturalist Certification Program!!!!

OMG!!!

It has been a life long dream to become a Naturalist: a person who studies or is an expert in the natural sciences, such as botany, mineralogy, ornithology, etc. Anyone, really, can be a self taught naturalist, as I have been. But now I will be on my way to becoming certified, meeting fellow naturalists in my area and learning about others categories of nature I am less familiar with. For the majority of my studying, I have been more or less an expert on Wildlife. Now through a series of classes over the next few weeks my knowledge will be expanded toward facts on minerals, fish, reptiles and more. 

SO. EXCITED.

This is literally one of my dreams becoming a reality.

Don't let anyone tell you you're dreams won't come true!!

From reading My Side Of The Mountain in 6th grade... to my first time getting to hold a Falcon, to learning their sport, to now... learning how to help them survive in their natural habitat & educating people on how they can help.

LIFE IS AMAZING.

I am

Olli

in which: i dare

New blog for a new year! Check 'er out!

Eucharisteo - The Joy Dare

This will continue to be my main blog; I just wanted to make you aware of my new project.
Perhaps you'd like to join me?

I am

Olli

in which: i embark on a new chapter

Decided to clean up the ole blog. Too many colors (looks good in my room; too busy on a website) and too much going on in the margins. For now, I've given up on the Book Challenge I gave myself years ago (refer to my old blog for details). I decided that I want to read because I love books and stories, not because of some pressure to get through a list or so that people will be impressed. I'm over the silliness of it. Also, I think I was putting a little too much focus on the appearance of this whole thing, rather than the content.

Anyway, today I'm moving to a new home. I'm off to live with my good friends Buck & Dori! This Summer I have been on a mission to find an apartment. It began with looking with Alycia, to looking with her & Rin & Sam. Anyway, personally, it went from fun to frustrating to... nervous? I was still on board even with my uneasiness and concerns. I told God that my life was in His hands and that until He made it obvious that He had other plans for me, I was committed to these girls.

So a couple of weeks ago, I went to have dinner at the A's house (Buck & Dori's). We were in the living room watching Storage Wars (a favorite of Buck's... not of mine lol) and they were asking how the the search was going. I've kept them updated throughout the Summer and continually things kept changing or decisions were being made for me. And I wasn't unhappy with things, just nervous about the insecurity of them. So by the end of the night, Dori took me aside, giddy with the news, and said she and Buck had discussed it and wanted to extend me the offer of coming to live with them! I of course said YES and felt it was answer my from God. He made it clear.

RARELY ON TIME, BUT NEVER TOO LATE!!

So although I have virtually nothing packed, today I will move as much as I can and perhaps by tonight I will rest my head in a new place, with a new family... in a new chapter for Olli Odom.

I am
Olli

in which: meet shaun

This is Shaun.

He's Bill & Dorothy's dog. When I worked at a vet clinic an older couple brought him in saying they'd found him on the side of the road with another puppy. He was very sweet and obedient for an 8 mo. old dog. I told B&D about him and within a couple weeks, they brought him home. He's my buddy. He loves toys and walks and cuddling and jumping (I joke that he's Italian since his hardest habit to break has been using his front paws - jumping, playing & pawing at people.) He hates his crate. He has to wear a shock collar when he gets put up or else he yodels like a demon. I'm serious.

It'll make your eardrums burst.

Shaun when I first saw him.

Found a few awesome new blogs/websites today I thought I'd share.
The photography makes my eyes drool:

• Freckles & Ivory
• Home Edit
• That Kind Of Woman

I am

Olli

Turn It Up Tuesday: Gungor

Ghosts Upon The Earth

Gungor. Heard of em? 

My love showed me this blog by band leader, Michael Gungor, the other day. IT. IS. AMAZING. He's got some great points and even responds to occasional comments (defending or agreeing depending on the issue). In his most recent post "Zombies, Wine and Christian Music" he argues the honesty of the Christian music industry. For the moment, I haven't fully put together my thoughts and feelings on it, only that it was eye opening and I am tremendously grateful for the handful of authors and musicians who are boldly standing for truth today. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this generation and movement.

"We cannot keep You in a church, we cannot keep You in a bible, Lord it's just another idol... to box You in. They could not keep You in their walls, we cannot keep You in us either... for You are so much greater..."

Cannot Keep You by Gungor

 

I am

Olli