With you until the end of the age....

I have gleaned so much over the last few years by reading the blogged thoughts of wise sisters in Christ. I was reading the blog of a friends older sister and came across this quote:

"Some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future. You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade; and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times. What you are seeing is a false image, because it doesn't include Me. Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass, since My presence will be with you at all times.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of my Presence into that mental image. Say to yourself, "Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help, I can cope!"

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

A beautiful truth to take hold of as the new year approaches.

Merry Christmas!

Music

I love music. I sang in the choir in elementary school/jr high, usually have the radio or my iPod playing in the car, love concerts and generally find myself reflecting on especially praise music lyrics. This time of year, there's even more music to enjoy!
I'm planning to share a few of my favorite Christmas music as well as some anytime favorites. If you find reading lyrics boring, feel free to skip those posts hehe. I hope you may find a few new favorites if you choose to read on :)


The first new favorite actually relates to a recent post with some encouragement for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and another with sweet song about a faithful marriage.
Encouraged and excited to find out what God's best may be....

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this out home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Christian lyrics - LEAD ME LYRICS - SANCTUS REAL

Finished DIY!

Remember this project?

Here's the finished product!!
I really love the way it turned out and the ladies I got to hang out with while covering the canvases! Thank you again, Hannah and Maegen!

Bottles and Brushes

I had such a great time with some sweet friends at our first Bottles and Brushes visit. The studio offers group painting classes where an artists guides you through creating the painting of the night.
We did "Red Bird"....and gave it our own interpretation hehe. A couple of the girls I went with aren't big winter fans so they opted not to add snow to their painting. I loved the snow but decided that the painting would fit better with my decor if I left it off. We also opted to personalize the script at the top as well. We were just the class rebels haha
Mine stayed the closest. I just added the scripture reference (Be still and know that I am...)
Amanda used "Dance like no one is watching" and Hannah wrote the Chinese symbols for love and Father.

Here's a couple pics of our fun girls night!

Amen for being a man!

A Real Man

Encouragement to be a Real Woman

Wow! Amen!!
It's so encouraging to see men willing to step up and be Godly men. I'm so thankful for an earthly father and spiritual brothers who have shown me what to wait for. Praise God, Biblical manhood exists!

A few of my favorite quotes from the video:

"you should have to touch her heart and her mind first before you ever touch her body"

"your body makes a promise whether you do or not"

"start studying her heart stop studying her booty or maybe invest the same amount of time in her as you do in call of duty"

"she longs to be accepted, longs to be loved so she gives herself up to another guy's lust"

Battle

Just over a year into my current job, a few months into a new church and home, I've been asking God more earnestly to reveal more of His mission for me. This has been a prayer off and on for years but now that some changes are settling out, I've developed a stronger desire to understand where God wants me to focus. I've asked him to reveal not just interest but a passion.
The course of developing this desire has included growing pains. It's been a sweet yet trying time with all God's revealed. He's allowed me to be reminded of my daily need for His grace while also showing me that trials are so often shared. Vulnerability with sisters in Christ brings healing as we break down what the enemy uses to divide. I shared with my small group something that as cheesy as it sounds really seems to sum up this concept: a scene from Harry Potter. Harry is talking to Luna and she tells him she's not surprised the enemy has tried to isolate Harry. When he's alone he's not as much of a threat. It's this line that has stuck with me since I first heard it. Our enemy does the same thing. He breaks us down and tries to convince us we're the oddball- the only one struggling with something. There's a sweet freeing power in realizing how God has intended for the body to work together and support each other.
For me, reaching a place of understanding in the enemy's weapons of choice for me has helped me recognize the attacks and prepare for them. It's also shown me what my defender has been doing. He's training me to withstand these attacks and point others toward Him. As difficult as some battles have been, the victory in Christ is unmatched. There's nothing like knowing He's fighting for me and He's also teaching me to be strong in the battle.
Vision for my future begins to come together as I see how He's answering my prayer for a passion through allowing me to see battle and be equipped to teach my Christian siblings to do the same. Time to suite up. The General is building an army.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Mom and Dad celebrated Thanksgiving here this year. We had a great time just enjoying one another's company and doing a little shopping around town. Probably the highlight though was their first visit to the James Island County Park holiday lights! I've been a couple of times but I hadn't fully explored Santa's village so we all enjoyed seeing something new!
Here are a few pics and videos of our fun family evening.


Roasting Marshmallows in the fire pits








Angel and Church









Tree and Bridge





Local schools paint/create display boards for the Winter Wonderland area. My favorite is one with the various names/characteristics of Christ



Video of the detail of the I AM board

More Than a Fairy Tale

I enjoy reading blogs. I have a list that I subscribe to but I also look at friends' subscription lists. I read one tonight that repeated some truth I've needed to be reminded of lately.

Here's an excerpt:

The Lord will do what He wants for your life that will bring HIM THE MOST GLORY. It’s not about how long or short the wait is, how much you are hurting, how obedient you are (although that’s SUPER important), etc...It’s about HIS PLAN AND HIS GLORY. [...] If I had the choice, would I change [the time I was in a trial?] My honest answer is NO! I wouldn’t. I didn’t think at the time I needed changing at all. In fact, I would have been plain mad if someone told me that. Looking back, I see just HOW MUCH the Lord needed to do in me...

[...] Don’t keep saying, “I’ll be happy when....” Because when that thing comes, there will be something else....Trust in the Lord’s plan for your life, pray for JOY everyday AND DON’T LET SATAN STEAL THAT JOY...

Jeremiah 31:3

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness

I so often struggle with this! I cry to God when I feel I'm missing something...most often what I'm missing is looking for God's hand in circumstances I don't prefer. I get so occupied when things stray from my "ideal". I forget that God's plans are perfect. When He asks me to do something difficult, He intends His Glory and my good to result. So why do I complain and cringe when He presents a trial? Why am I dreaming up a fairy tale when my Heavenly Father has named me heir to a real throne? Thankfully, His plans even make good of my reluctance to accept what will make me stronger in Him.

Praying for a love like this...

He's Walking Her Home
------Mark Schultz

Looking back, he sees it all.
It was her first date the night he came to call
And her dad said "Son, have her home on time, and promise me you'll never leave her side."
He took her to a show in town,
And he was ten feet off the ground.

(Chorus)
He was walking her home, holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled, it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road, with the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home.

Ten more years, in a waiting room.
And half-past one, was when the doctor said
"Come in and meet your son."
And his knees went weak, when he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said "He's got your eyes."
And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night.

(Chorus)

And wandered through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side.
A nursing home, at eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night.
And the nurse said "Oh, should we tell him now? Or should he wait until the morning to find out...?"
But when they checked her room that night,
He was laying by her side.

He was walking her home, holding her hand,
Oh, the way she smiled when he said "This is not the end."
Just for a while, they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything.

He was walking her home. (x2)

Looking back, he sees it all.
It was her first date the night he came to call.

More DIY....

Yep....too many ideas haha I have made some progress on a couple though! One of the awesome ladies in my small group is going to help me with the pillow cover Woo Hoo!

Here's a couple more I've come up with in the meantime Good thing a long weekend is coming up. Have a feeling I know what I'll be doing!!
I'm planning to hang these from dark green ribbon above my bed :)




I'm thinking the frame will also go in my room. It doesn't have many decorations at the moment. I'd like to fill the openings with scripture and quotes.

More fall YUM!

Apparently a renewed interest in cooking came with the DIY bug...
I tried this recipe for small group last night. The group as a whole is a fan of pumpkin. Ladies after my own heart :) Pumpkin dip was a hit! Very quick and easy. Great for holiday gatherings :)

YUMMO!

Recent discovery: dark hot chocolate mix made with milk and peppermint mocha coffee mate= YUM!!

Loving fall/winter treats!!

A finished DIY :)

I bought a cinnamon broom maybe a month or so ago. I love the smell. It reminds me of fall and Christmas at my parents house. So inviting!


I had it long enough that I couldn't really smell it anymore and it was starting to shed a bit on the floor. So when I found two great vases at the dollar store I got an idea for re-purposing the broom!


I just loosened some of the ties holding the broom together and started tearing. Messy but so quick and easy! Clean up really wasn't bad either. Just sent some nice-smelling debris through the vacuum cleaner! Not a bad side effect that my vacuum has cinnamon in it now haha.


Finished! Love it! Accented with a green dollar store runner and a small grocery store pumpkin :)

Left over fabric?? must be destined for another DIY!

As shown in the last post, I bought 3 different fabrics and only have a purpose for 1.....Yea...that lasted all of an hr! haha
Here's what I'm planning for the other two! :)

I bought this pillow on sale at Target with other supplies for the new place. I love that its big and fluffy so great for stretching out on the floor for a movie or project. My parents have one at their house (my grandparents actually had one too!) I really wanted one for my place. Problem is, they didn't have one that matched my living room decor.... enter excess (decor matching!) fabric!!

The paisley print is a little busier than the rest of my decor but isolated on the papasan it goes really well with the olive and chocolate color pallet. I didn't get enough paisley to cover the whole pillow but that actually works out well. I don't think I'd want a whole paisley pillow! The chocolate fabric (on the left side of the chair) will be one side of the pillow. I'm hoping I can get some help from a some of the ladies in my small group to sew it together with a zipper for washing. The small pillows are also from Target. They're dual colored as well so I figured everything would go together nicely! (the large pillow has been on the floor in a corner until now)
Love how everything is coming together!!

DIY in progress!

Thanks to my new obsession with Pinterest....I caught a Do-It-Yourself bug!
For my next project....wall art!!
Inspiration: (no I didnt do this one Its a googled example ;) )



Here's my version!
First, the supplies:


3 fabrics totaling 4 1/2 yds for $23


I went to Big Lots to get some inexpensive canvases ($5 each!) to wrap in the new fabrics. I found the three on top to wrap but I LOVED the one on the bottom so .....my design changed!


Close-up of the one I want to use-as is.



New design plan: wrap the three canvases in the olive green and use the 4th as the print.



Placement: The current plan is for the new collage to go above the tv....still playing with that idea though...

The empty space on the left is another option. Any suggestions??

DIY!

I recently joined Pinterest... wasn't sure I'd ever join or if I'd like it but there are definitely some great advantages! Do-it-yourself tips are huge categories!

I had been looking for a storage solution to the typical bag of bags in my pantry. So I decided to try THIS

Here's what the process looked like....

The supplies... I took the wipes out of the container and put them into a plastic bag (storage issue driving me too crazy to wait! The spatulas were originally to evenly spread glue on the container if I need to but I just ended up putting it on the scrapbook paper (I changed up the supply list a bit from the original but it seems to be working!)


First steps...flatten a bag, fold in half, line up.

starting to line them up.

All the bags ready to be rolled!

Rolling was the hardest part... I had a hard time keeping the air out!

Bags rolled and in the container!

Last step! Decorating :)

Finished product!


And with the rest of the bags (yes....I have A LOT even after recycling some!)
I tried THIS

With this result...I'll definitely makes use of this again!

They're ALIVE!!!

In case you were worried having not heard much about my leafy green roommates, rest assured, they've survived! (at least so far!) Special thanks to the wonderful Amanda who gave me some very valuable tips in caring for the peace lilly! It's grown bigger and stronger because of your expert touch!

It's been a great, productive weekend pulling some organizational touches together. I've definitely loved all the little things that have made my new place homey and very "me".

A new favorite...

Your Love Never Fails
by Jesus Culture

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good

...the greatest of these is love

I just finished watching some 10 yr anniversary 9/11 coverage.... I really hadn't planned on saying much in person or online about the anniversary today. I'll admit I am incredibly blessed not to have known anyone directly affected by the tragedy. I suppose I feel a little unqualified to say much. And yet, watching the coverage, I'm reminded that we're all affected in some way or another. Freedom and our way of life as a nation was attacked that day.

There have been many wars before this one and I recognize that I grew up in a post-world wars and Vietnam war era that my grandparents lived through. There are memorials in DC that I've visited but have no real connection to. I've never visited New York but I'll forever remember the day the towers came down and now the building of the memorial.

My children and grandchildren may someday ask me what I remember about the day that American life as I knew it changed. I'll tell them that I was in a high school English class. Our teacher took us to an assembly in the gym where the principle told us what had happened. I think at that point, both planes had hit. The teacher had us journal our thoughts and record where we were. We spent the rest of the day watching the classroom tv's and on the computers gathering information as it unfolded. In our last class of the day, the teacher (who had been at home that morning as she was part time) brought in a vhs of the coverage she'd recorded. She talked to us about Bin Laden and the seriousness that our world just changed forever.

It's amazing to me to think that there are children alive today who do not remember the events of September 11, 2001. In a way, this is evidence of our nation's resiliency and growth despite opposition. We will not back down, we will not succumb to the pure evil intentions of the enemy. In other ways though, its so much more sobering. These children do not remember a pre-9/11 world. All they know is our nation at war against those who would gladly take our freedom and consider us unworthy to co-habitate the planet.

In church this morning, we saw a video commemorating the anniversary. The main idea was centered around one of my favorite concepts: Faith, Hope and Love. Faith in God, Hope in Him, sharing His love with a hurting wold. It also addressed the resolution of the country: to never forget. Our challenge then is what we wish to remember. The terrorists' plot? The number of lives lost? Disdain for another nation?

Don't get me wrong, I fully support our troops and am thankful every day for the sacrifices they make so I can live such a privileged life. But real healing is never in retaliation. Its in the hands of Jesus. As we continue to rebuild structures and lives in our nation, let us focus on the master architect and supreme healer.

Even though so many spent the hours, days and weeks following the tragedy wondering where God was, His hands, feet, words and tears were on display even at Ground Zero. The firemen that rushed in, the countless Good Samaritans who helped others to safety, the relief workers, those who comforted and provided for grieving friends and family members....

How, in the face of such devastating grief and turmoil, did so much gentleness, compassion and sacrifice arise? Only because Christ first loved us, are we capable of loving, serving and sacrificing for one another. I'm not assuming that every act of grace or love that day or in the years following was enacted with the intention of being Christ's hands and feet but the evidence of what our Creator empowers us to share is there.

So instead of remembering why the enemy began this crusade against our freedoms (including those of religion) or the devastation that was inflicted, I want to remember how God's love was displayed and how His strength continues to sustain.

Mr. and Mrs. Hassell!

On Aug 13, I had the privilege to serve as a bridesmaid for my sweet friend, Meredith. God's love, identification with our struggles and heart for what is best for us are so evidently seen in her relationship with her now husband, Aaron. God truly is faithful. Their romance is a beautiful story of God's faithfulness. I enjoyed walking through the college and some post college season with Meredith watching her continually turn to the Lord and how He has blessed her life. Looking forward to what God has planned for these faithful servants.

Nesting

Has it really been almost 2 months since I've posted??? Oh dear...
There are a few very good reasons! (and perhaps a little forgetfulness/lack of anything to say somewhere in there as well)
The first good reason is that I've been in a month long training course for work. Another class is on the horizon! I usually end up coming home from work and wanting to find anything but a computer screen! Some of what I've been studying/working with is actually rather interesting but but that doesn't typically translate to blogging Ask me in person or give me a call if you want to know about that :)
The other big reason I've been occupied outside the blogging world is that I moved! My new place is quite cute and becoming more homey each day! I spent a good bit of the last few weeks idea searching, shopping and otherwise focused on home details. Its been fun but I'm also excited to see the whole thing put together! Through this, I've become convinced that you don't have to be pregnant to nest! I've been most excited lately about the little details. One such adventure includes plants!Peace Lily
Moth Orchid
Greenery to bring some color to the light walls.


**The disclaimers: I'm not a green thumb....in fact, it could be considered rather brown.
I picked out attractive but also at the least, "tolerant" small potted plants
If you hear nothing further about my new home residents you may infer that I have merely forgotten to post an update or that you should observe a moment of silence for the poor things and do not expect to hear anything further about green living things in my care**
All in all nothing terribly exciting to report. Moreso thankful to be settled and enjoying a little downtime before new assignments and training at work to be followed up by the holidays with fall football throughout.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

Antics from the Cube Farm

One of our teams in the office keeps quite busy testing systems for compliance. Its often hard to keep track of where they are with so much travel! One of the leads created this ....relaxation aid...for them the other day...