I had something really great in mind that I was going to blog about the other day. But I've been so busy this week, this is the first time I've had a chance to write and now I can't remember what that was.
Hmmm...yeah...whatever, maybe it will come back to me later.
In case anyone is wondering, God is ridiculously, amazingly good. He has given me so, so much in the way of support and confirmation this week. Thanksgiving was really, really hard...and as a result, I made some decisions about how I'm going to live my life from this point forward. They were hard choices to make, but the Lord has sent people (one in particular) who have said not just the things I needed to hear, but the very words my heart was longing for. Long story short, God is amazing and I don't feel as scared and alone and "an island unto myself" as I did a week ago.
So, Saturday is Princess Night. Rock on, my friends, rock on. I made a nifty little purchase at the Goodwill tonight. Part of my outfit for the Big Event. I'm excited. Stay tuned for pictures. Those of you with small children may want to view the pics when your kids are in bed. I've seen pics of past Princess Nights and Ashley does indeed look like her face got bit off by a shark.
I must sleep some...I have a full day of Starbucks meetings and Christmas decorating tomorrow.
Mmmm...Starbucks. Starbucks makes 8am worthwhile.
Look up, guys!
Hmmm...whatever I was thinking about earlier never did come back to me.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Whoa...slow down, cowboy
So, my best friend from high school...we've known each other since sixth grade, oh 1992 (holy cow, that was fourteen years ago). Really, though we've only been friends since seventh grade since we hated each other the first year. She thought I was stuck up and I, well, I was flat out jealous of her. But once our parents made us be in the same Pioneer Clubs group we were the best of friends, pretty much, until we graduated and I moved away. So, last summer she married her high school boyfriend, who, by the way, I introduced her to. (I plan to take credit for that until the day I die.) Last month they had their first baby and she just emailed me the first pics I've seen.
There was, of course, the obligatory pic of the little family in the hospital moments after the baby was born. Jacob and Elisabeth look exactly the same as they did the day I moved away after graduation. Exactly. I'm not sure why this surprises me since people still ask what grade I'm in. But something about looking at a picture of the two of them with a baby, with their baby, that made me suddenly realize maybe we aren't as old as I thought.
When Lis and I were in eighth grade, our youth pastor married a girl we adored. At the time, we never thought we would be their age or getting married or graduated from college or any of that kind of grown-up stuff. We are probably right around that age now.
So, I've been thinking lately...about boys. And I've been wondering if I'm brave enough to post what I've been thinking. I don't know if I'd call this bravery...more an act made in the stupor caused by sinus congestion and lack of sleep.
So, I've been debating with myself over the merits of making a list (not necessarily written) of the characteristics I am looking for/waiting on in a boy versus just living and seeing what God brings me. On the one hand, I feel like making a list puts God in a box. I mean, if I'm only looking for someone with those traits what great guy might I miss? But on the other hand, if I just sit back and wait for Rando Guy, I may overlook something that is important to me.
I'm still contemplating this, but the conclusion I am coming to is that God is not only the fulfiller of desires but also the giver of desires. One of my favorite aspects of God's character is that He gives a heart a passion and then makes a way to fulfill that passion. So, I figure if I have, in my heart, the desires for a certain type of guy then perhaps those desires are coming from the fulfiller in preparation to recognize who He gives as fulfillment. If that makes sense.
Any thoughts?
Look up, friends.
There was, of course, the obligatory pic of the little family in the hospital moments after the baby was born. Jacob and Elisabeth look exactly the same as they did the day I moved away after graduation. Exactly. I'm not sure why this surprises me since people still ask what grade I'm in. But something about looking at a picture of the two of them with a baby, with their baby, that made me suddenly realize maybe we aren't as old as I thought.
When Lis and I were in eighth grade, our youth pastor married a girl we adored. At the time, we never thought we would be their age or getting married or graduated from college or any of that kind of grown-up stuff. We are probably right around that age now.
So, I've been thinking lately...about boys. And I've been wondering if I'm brave enough to post what I've been thinking. I don't know if I'd call this bravery...more an act made in the stupor caused by sinus congestion and lack of sleep.
So, I've been debating with myself over the merits of making a list (not necessarily written) of the characteristics I am looking for/waiting on in a boy versus just living and seeing what God brings me. On the one hand, I feel like making a list puts God in a box. I mean, if I'm only looking for someone with those traits what great guy might I miss? But on the other hand, if I just sit back and wait for Rando Guy, I may overlook something that is important to me.
I'm still contemplating this, but the conclusion I am coming to is that God is not only the fulfiller of desires but also the giver of desires. One of my favorite aspects of God's character is that He gives a heart a passion and then makes a way to fulfill that passion. So, I figure if I have, in my heart, the desires for a certain type of guy then perhaps those desires are coming from the fulfiller in preparation to recognize who He gives as fulfillment. If that makes sense.
Any thoughts?
Look up, friends.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Take my life...
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Here I am, all of me.
Take my life; it's all for Thee.
We sang that song tonight at church. That second part, about my hands moving at the impulse of the Lord's love, was different for me tonight. I've been a writer for as long as I can remember. Even when I didn't know how to write the words in my heart, I actually enjoyed writing papers for school and stuff. This summer, after 10 days in Ecuador, I wrote my version of the story of our trip and it ended up being 26 pages long. (I may end up posting it in pieces here, let me know if you're interested.) After that, I started painting and discovered I'm actually kind of good at it. And I love it. Painting is an activity I can get completely lost in and the rest of my life disappears. And, more often than not, the picture I'm painting is the picture my heart sees when I read a particular passage of Scripture, usually with a particular person in mind.
That's what I did this afternoon. I spent the afternoon painting and framing a picture of a Bible verse (I can't tell you which one 'cause it's a Christmas present for someone and I'm afraid it would be too obvious); then went to church.
Buddy talked about not knowing what part of his life today would make a difference 100 years from now...I thought about that, too, and for the first time I really do feel like I am investing in lives and making a difference.
So, we sang that song and I realized that is how I feel when I paint. That my hands, my paintbrush is moving at the impulse of His love. His Word is His love letter to us and my art is my response to that. And at the same time, those lines became my prayer for my art. That people who view my art will see His love and that His heart will be the very essence of what I paint.
Look up, friends.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Here I am, all of me.
Take my life; it's all for Thee.
We sang that song tonight at church. That second part, about my hands moving at the impulse of the Lord's love, was different for me tonight. I've been a writer for as long as I can remember. Even when I didn't know how to write the words in my heart, I actually enjoyed writing papers for school and stuff. This summer, after 10 days in Ecuador, I wrote my version of the story of our trip and it ended up being 26 pages long. (I may end up posting it in pieces here, let me know if you're interested.) After that, I started painting and discovered I'm actually kind of good at it. And I love it. Painting is an activity I can get completely lost in and the rest of my life disappears. And, more often than not, the picture I'm painting is the picture my heart sees when I read a particular passage of Scripture, usually with a particular person in mind.
That's what I did this afternoon. I spent the afternoon painting and framing a picture of a Bible verse (I can't tell you which one 'cause it's a Christmas present for someone and I'm afraid it would be too obvious); then went to church.
Buddy talked about not knowing what part of his life today would make a difference 100 years from now...I thought about that, too, and for the first time I really do feel like I am investing in lives and making a difference.
So, we sang that song and I realized that is how I feel when I paint. That my hands, my paintbrush is moving at the impulse of His love. His Word is His love letter to us and my art is my response to that. And at the same time, those lines became my prayer for my art. That people who view my art will see His love and that His heart will be the very essence of what I paint.
Look up, friends.
Christmas is coming...
I'm pretty much over this working-retail-at-Christmas thing. I love my job, I really do. But, the Christmas season pretty much started for us this week. We're already busy and the day after Thanksgiving is yet to come.
Pray for my sanity.
Other than that...yeah, I've been sick all weekend. Allergy, sinusy stuff, nothing serious but my throat was so sore last night it hurt to talk. I stayed with my family last night (pretty much on accident b/c I fell asleep watching a movie and nobody woke me up) and stayed home from church this morning. I'm gonna' go stir crazy soon...especially since I feel so much better.
I think I'll paint today...Christmas is coming. :)
Look up, guys.
Pray for my sanity.
Other than that...yeah, I've been sick all weekend. Allergy, sinusy stuff, nothing serious but my throat was so sore last night it hurt to talk. I stayed with my family last night (pretty much on accident b/c I fell asleep watching a movie and nobody woke me up) and stayed home from church this morning. I'm gonna' go stir crazy soon...especially since I feel so much better.
I think I'll paint today...Christmas is coming. :)
Look up, guys.
Monday, November 13, 2006
My Debut
Yeah, so, I really only signed up for this so I could leave a comment on Summer's blog. But, now, here I am so let's see what becomes of this...hopefully I won't forget I did this and I'll keep up with it. :)
I guess I could have just emailed Summer and not had the pressure of a blog with my name on it to keep up with.
But, then, I wouldn't be me if I didn't commit to more than I can handle. :)
So, Rob and Abby got married this weekend. That was weird. Not necessarily 'cause they got married...more just because Rob did. He's been one of my best friends/brother for six and a half years and now he's married and that relationship will never be the same. Sad, sort of, but I am happy for him. Rob has a huge smile and a great laugh but his smile has never been bigger than when he saw Abby heading down the aisle to him. And I did get the first hug as they came out the back doors of the auditorium. :)
I directed the wedding and I LOVED it! It was so fun to be involved in all of that and to be a part of these people's most important day. I love running events and stuff. I guess I just like being in charge...I guess that makes me bossy. :) Either way, I think I'll look into getting involved in events planning and wedding coordinating and stuff. Pray about it...we'll see where it goes. :)
Night, all.
I guess I could have just emailed Summer and not had the pressure of a blog with my name on it to keep up with.
But, then, I wouldn't be me if I didn't commit to more than I can handle. :)
So, Rob and Abby got married this weekend. That was weird. Not necessarily 'cause they got married...more just because Rob did. He's been one of my best friends/brother for six and a half years and now he's married and that relationship will never be the same. Sad, sort of, but I am happy for him. Rob has a huge smile and a great laugh but his smile has never been bigger than when he saw Abby heading down the aisle to him. And I did get the first hug as they came out the back doors of the auditorium. :)
I directed the wedding and I LOVED it! It was so fun to be involved in all of that and to be a part of these people's most important day. I love running events and stuff. I guess I just like being in charge...I guess that makes me bossy. :) Either way, I think I'll look into getting involved in events planning and wedding coordinating and stuff. Pray about it...we'll see where it goes. :)
Night, all.
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