what can you do with a frozen hot dog?

Last night were the first two of my three Christmas parties of the weekend.  They were both a success!  

The first was the Phileo Social at which I played some Christmas carols, and as most of my friends would say, I 'brought it!'  It was interesting because I was praying ahead of time asking Jesus what He wanted me to do and kept feeling like I should just worship Him.  But sometimes its awkward to get up in front of a group of people who are expecting you to perform and invite them to worship.  But, Jesus said it, so I did it (and just to clarify, that's not always how our relationship functions. . . I usually do some bossing around before listening).  

I stood up and invited all of the Phileos, who I like to think of as dear mature brothers and sisters, to engage in the worship of their Savior with me as we prepare our hearts for this Christmas season.  They all looked slightly unsure, but they nodded in agreement and we dove into singing 'O, Come All Ye Faithful.'  After a few songs, I looked up and I could see that the Holy Spirit was ministering to some of them in a very sweet way.  It was just so special.  I am in awe that I could bless my brothers and sisters who have walked through so much more than I and that Jesus is just so sweet to us.  I was absolutely delightful!  

Okay. . . party number two--a strange transition and almost culture shock coming from the Phileo social.  I showed up to the 'House of Flies' where I spend a lot of time because 8 of my good guy friends live there.  Don't ask me why they call it the House of Flies, they just do.  Well, I walk in an hour late because I was double booked, and one of my friends, DP, walks into the house just before me (it's strange, but I really do call my friends by their initials a lot. . . I never thought of that).  DP was feeling a little self-conscious that he came so late, so he asked if I'd like to go to the kitchen with him and get some hot chocolate.  I was MORE than happy because (a) he is an attractive young man and (b) I was very proud of my hot chocolate bar design.  So we each had our own custom made hot chocolate and after grabbing a few pieces of fudge and english toffee, we went into the backyard and sat next to the fire to have some friendly conversation.  

I don't really remember what we were talking about, but in the middle of it, DP took a bite of the fudge I had made (it was topped with crushed candycanes. . . very tasty).  His eyes got big and he complimented my fudge-making abilities with enthusiasm.  We continued to talk about whatever and then picked up the piece of english toffee that he had on his napkin and took a bite of it.  The conversation about that went something like this. . . 

DP: Wow, did you make the toffee too? (Big smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes)

C: Yep, its one of my favorites, it tastes like Christmas to me.  (Way too excited about getting this much attention for making food)

DP: Hey, um, what do you think about getting married this week?  

C: Thinking. . . did he just ask me to marry him?!  I should make English Toffee more often!!

You can be sure that if we do elope this week, you'll be seeing the pictures here on my blog.  

So the party festivities carried on through the evening, white elephant gift exchange, some good telephone pictionary, and LOTS of hot chocolate.  I was in the kitchen around 10pm serving myself some excellent hot cider and Adam comes over to me and quietly says, 'Its time for truth or dare.'  The look on his face was much to mischievous for the evening to end in 'heavenly peace.'  This was about to get really good!  He looked at me and clarified, 'Well, I don't really care about the truth part, but I'm gonna dare JB to drink this!'  In his hand was a concoction of eggnog, whipped cream, coffee grounds, some chopped up pieces of a habanero chili, and who knows what else.  I walked outside a few minutes later and there was JB, chugging this nasty eggnog.  He downed it in five seconds!  

Needless to say, since JB did it, he was more than willing to dare all of the other guys to do all sorts of crazy stuff too!  Before the night ended, two guys had eaten raw eggs, a few people tried to eat a spoonful of cinnamon, all the guys had a contest of who could shoot marshmallows the farthest using their noses, Dan snorted a teaspoon or so of black pepper, and we had more funny quotes to fill the quote book than any other event in SMU history.  I had a sore throat at the end of it just because I had laughed so hard and so loud.  

I usually try not to get involved in these types of 'dare' games.  It's just not worth it.  I just sit there and remind myself that my identity is in Jesus, not in my ability to eat an egg or swallow a spoonful of cinnamon.  Everyone tries to pressure me into it every time, but I'm strong!  Well, last night, I caved.  Luke and Matty (the sweetest couple in SMU) wanted to have a contest against one another.  Someone walked into the backyard with a pack of frozen hot dogs and said, 'What can we do with some frozen hot dogs?'  Good question!  They had a contest in which they held these frozen hot dogs under their armpits to see who could do it with the straightest face.  It was really cute because you could tell their arm pits were both so cold!  Well, they almost completely thawed all four of the hot dogs that they had under their arms. . . ready to eat.  Enter Caitlin.  I figured that if I was going to participate in the festivities of the evening, this would be the safest one to do.  Plus, Matty is a clean girl, so she handed me her hot dog and I ate it!  

I have to admit this wasn't exactly how I anticipated the evening ending, especially in contrast to where it started.  But maybe next year all of the Phileos should hold hot dogs under their armpits and see who can keep the straightest face.  It might be fun!