Books at the moment

My daughter is home sick again so I decided to enjoy some words as a treat. Well, ok I read every day but I’m enjoying it on the comfy couch with a grandma-ish throw of the browns, mint green and bright pink colors. I found it thrifting a few weeks ago.




I just downloaded Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. I’ve read a few pages and already feel like I can breathe again. It’s been hard for me when I’m expected to be a certain way, possessing extrovert qualities I just don’t own. I own shyness, quiet, and tender. These are parts of me I can’t change and I shouldn’t want to change them. They are gifts. Loud, outgoing, and hard are not part of me. Neither set of traits are bad or wrong. I just need to learn how to embrace and use the parts of me in a positive way.

So I will breathe away today.



Jesus Calling, I already talked about but, it’s helping me abide. I chose abide as my word for the year because after learning to Trust I didn’t want to lose the lessons of Trust. I didn’t want to go back to normal living and not carry on with all that I’ve learned. I want to hold tightly to It. It’s really helping me take my thoughts captive and focus on Jesus and who He is. He walks among us and this book is helping me focus on this.



We were surprised this Christmas by relatives we haven’t seen in years, some of them we’ve never met. My cousin wrote Four Bears: The Myths of Forgiveness. Saying he’s lived a hard life is an understatement. He lived a gangster life style, as in real gangster life. It’s helped me realize once again troubled people are their hurts acting (crying) out for help. He has since changed his life around and is doing amazing things. He has passion for lost people and his life now is all about helping them. I love that part. And in case you decided to read this and your mind starts to wonder, his real dad is my uncle who I don’t remember too much. He died when I was really young.



Moving on, my community group has decided to do a studying on marriage. Dream Team is the chosen book just in time for love month and our anniversary.



My future read is going to be Erasing Hell: We can’t afford to get it wrong. I love the way Francis Chan thinks when he is reading the bible. I included the video in case you want to watch it.

Hope your day is warm and comfy!

In 2012...

So with the new year everyone talks about their one word for the year approaching.  I use to not like to make resolutions because I couldn't keep the goals up in the new year.  I think I made too many at once.  I do however like the idea of one word for the new year.  It helps me focus on how I want to grow as a person over the year.  My one word for 2012 is abide.  Because I learned to trust God like never before in 2011, I want to put my quiet time with God first everyday in 2012. 

A friend gave me Jesus Calling a couple of months ago.  I'm thinking someone initially gave her the book and then she gave it to me.  I didn't mind though because I knew what a treasure the book would be for me.  I decided to get a jump start beginning December 1st and I'm glad I did!  I absolutely love the daily devotions, so good!  A while back I gave the Jesus Calling for Kids to my daughter for her devotional and I can tell she enjoys it as much as I do.  She went in her room shut the door and I could hear her reading the devotional this morning, so sweet :)

What's your word for 2012? 

Tuesday Unwrapped -- A Reflection



As I look around the house I see glimmer on the tree. Closer I notice it's our new ornament for this year. A sliver sparkly heart. I searched the store for just the right one, meaningful for our year. Would I be able to capture our year in one single ornament? My eyes scanned the rows of shimmer and color. I reached the end and looked up to see this heart dangle above me as if to say, here I am search no more.


And so it sits hung on our tree and I'm forced to reflect of what was behind and what's before me. Literally my husband's heart comes to mind. When you are closely bound to another their experiences intertwines with yours at times. And you feel changed and new too. And then I'm struck of a deeper reflection one I know was the purpose of the glimmer from the start. The heart it's mine and ours. He has hunkered down there, stretched and said I'm here to stay. He tells me I will never leave you but instead I will lead you. I'm washed with peace and joy.

A brief flash of statement, you’re too into Jesus. And I think is there any other way? He is Redeemer, Savior, Grace, and Wonderful Counselor. He is why we landed face up. I'd rather be too into Jesus than to live life lukewarm. Deny His love, no way.

He's made His impression in our hearts and claimed them as His own. There's no turning back. Life going forward, I'm free to me and healed beyond belief. A Jesus freak if you will. Closer. I smile to myself because life is good.

(For more on Tuesday Unwrapped click here.)

Hodge Podgy Christmas

A couple of weeks ago my daughter was sick which turned out kind of nice because we were able to slow down.  I finished my Christmas decorating and even had the chance to make a wreath with the sick girl.

She was able to peel and stick the Christmas bows right onto the wreath.  They did start to come off though  and I decided to pin them in place which worked out nicely. 

My husband said he liked it better than the one on the front door. What?!

We hung it on her bedroom door for fun.

And, I joined the yarn wreath ban wagon and like it!  I was able to use the same wreath for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I pinned felt roses I made out of fall colors and switched the roses for sparkly poinsettias for Christmas.  I'm frugal like that :)

The one thing I noticed about my Christmas decorating is nothing matches at all and I like it!  I would have never chosen the stockings we have this year.  Our past stockings were a bit scorched by the fire last year so I let my daughter choose the stocking she wanted and well, she chose a giraffe stocking (her favorite animal).  The pickings were slim and I just went with it and selected some elf stockings to go along with hers.

Night picture before I hung the wreath over the fireplace.

I like them even though it's mismatched and random.  The imperfection feels like home to me. 

Guess who decorated all by herself?  Maybe random will feel like home to her too.

I have this poster hanging all year round but really isn't this what Christmas is all about?  It helps me extend the season.

She is home sick again but it looks more like this

with puke bowl in tow.

Hopefully she will feel better for all the Christmas activities starting this weekend through next week!

For other Christmas house tours click here and here

Merry Christmas!

Embrace the Camera - Christmas Style

I'm doing another embrace the camera because Emily's words spoke to me today :) 

And because I happen to have pictures of ourselves, double chin and all.

I have clear normal pictures but I like this one the best because were are all laughing.  To read Emily's words click here.

Little Favorites

I decided to join Nester's linky party sharing all my favorite things because why not.  We all have our little favorites, right?

I have to admit I've been coveting my hair brush.  It's true and I don't want to remember life before the hair brush. 

This brush has been such a time saver for me and it has protected my hair against dryness.  This brush is ceramic coated which means it straightens your hair while you dry it.  Since the brush is round you curl your hair as well.  Run and don't walk to buy this brush if you have thick unruly hair!  It's called Ceramic + Ion Thermal Brush by Olivia Garden

Next up is the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scented soap from Bath & Body Works.  I know it's now December but I'm still loving this scent.  I go into my daughter's bathroom just to wash my hands.  Love it!

And last but definitely not least...this book is amazing!





I only share books on here that I'm passionate about and this one is on the top of the list with out a doubt!  I've been wanting to share it but couldn't find the words to do so.  I wanted to read this book but hesitated for a while because I thought well, I'm really not a good girl so this book isn't for me until I read this blog post and I just knew I needed to read this book.  I'm the good girl #2.  Growing up not going to church as a little girl I didn't have Jesus in my life until I was 25.  Living a completely worldly life and stepping into the Christian life was tough...is tough.  I began to strive and want to perform.  I wanted to be perfect.  I wanted to fit in with all the other 'good Christian women'.  What would they think of me and my worldly past...gasp!  I've been rejected by a few.  I have good girls around me where I don't live up to up to their expectations.  I tried.  Then came Grace for the Good Girl and Peace settled into my soul.  I am me.  No excuses and no explanations needed.  This is my favorite quote from the book,

Grace is not Jesus helping you live up to the law.  This keeps us focused on the law.  Jesus came to fulfill the law so we don't have to look at it anymore.  I no more listen to what the law is saying, I listen to what Jesus is saying. - Dudley Hall

To learn more about the book click here.

Awesome!

I first saw this here and had to share.

Found It

It's been one of those weeks where things just mesh together for you.  A friend on facebook one day had this status 'Don't tell your problems to anyone because 80% won't care and 20% are glad it's happening to you.'  Now, don't get me wrong this statement is very negative and I would normally not like it on facebook but, I did.   It's confession time...don't judge ;)

But, God is good and He always turns things around for me.  I know I post things that may sound a little down but, I don't walk around in the dumps everyday...I just have my moments.  And, through those dumpy, messy times I draw closer to Jesus.  He always brings me to a place of peace, hope, and utter goodness! 

This week I ran across two post that are life shaking.  Life shaking, peeps.  When you have the time these are really great reads!  They tie into the facebook statement above...really good...keeps you thinking. 

The first one is from Melody Ross and the post is called We Must See Past What It Seems. 

(picture from Brave Girls Club)

You've probably heard of her.  She and her sister started the Brave Girls Club.  Her story might just rock your little world! I've been getting the Daily Truth recently and it's like they have a peep hole into my life.  I decided to take their Soul Restoration 2 class.  It's starting next week and I'm really excited!

The second one I found via Flowerpatch Farmgirl.  Let me just say Shannon's blog is a life shaking read anyway.  Love that she shares her life with the world!  Anyhoo, here is the life shaking post I was talking about. It's called A Call To Action.



Have a great weekend!

I love You too

On the quest of discovering my beauty full life I ended up finding God’s love for me. I always knew it was there but what I didn’t know was the intensity of His love for us.

I remember a time when I lived alone but didn’t feel alone. I had this indescribable Peace within me. I remember when I would drive home in the evenings, the scene was beautiful. Twinkling lights all looking back on the town. The gorgeous sunsets couldn’t be missed. I loved the morning air and being on my own. Loneliness wasn’t to be found. It didn’t really cross my mind. I was content.

I’ve always loved the sky. Sunrises, colors ever changing, blue with clouds brings a smile anytime. I knew He made them for me, for you. But, a few weeks ago I spied Beth Moore’s audio devotions while checking out for only $2 and thought this would be nice to listen to on the drive to work. On day #6 this is what I heard. You really have to listen to her story or parts of this post just doesn’t make much sense and I know I wouldn’t do her story any justice.  If you click on the link & then click on 6 - Love comes from God, you can hear the devotion.

It’s something we may all know but it awakened my insides. I realized a deeper Love when I needed it the most. He talks to me, to you. Are you listening?



I’m learning about His breath-taking love. It’s overwhelming in a good way. It’s amazing and jaw dropping. It refreshes my soul. It’s lovely and gentle and fierce and strong. It moves me if I dare.

He loves me today in the hue of orange in the breeze of day. He loves me in a stranger’s compliment after I balled my eyes out and beauty full I was not. He loves me with the ease of conversation with some sweet ladies. He loves me today with kisses and hugs. He loves me with change if I take Him up on it. He loves me today by making Himself known.



These days I can be surrounded with people but still feel alone. Things have been stripped away one by one. Have you ever felt you had nothing left, a little exposed and all you could do was cling to Him? I hear Him saying I’m all you need. My love you cannot find in anyone else. Don’t you see? Why are you searching as if I’m not enough?

I’m right where I’m supposed to be, learning to rely solely on Him. This is where He wants me to be. It’s comforting and painful in one big gulp.

till those places are healed

I love You too

I love to see He was preparing my heart in advance for what was to come.



Turns out my search is over. He is all I need.

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:16-19

Also linked up with Heart to Heart with Holley.

Hair Brush

I was trying to write another post for Brag on God Friday, but couldn't finish the post. 

In doing so I ran across this video.  Hysterical!  It had me rolling and tearful.  Obviously Beth Moore has a way with words and you got to love her stories.  This one had me thinking, wouldn't you love to be moved in such a way?  I probably hear the Whisper but I'm positive I've chalked it up to craziness. 

This video is well worth 8.25 minutes of your day...Happy Friday!

Surrender

(Just some thoughts and random pics from the weekend)

When I was involved in a step study group a question was asked a few times during the lessons.



What are you still holding onto that you have not surrendered to God?

Well the last time this question was ask in the study, I thought about something I needed to surrender. The blue chip immediately popped in my mind. My reaction was to dismiss the idea. I thought

‘Oh, I don’t need a blue chip to surrender this to God. I can do it on my own.’

Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe you can surrender to God when you talk to Him when and where ever the need strikes your fancy.

I think for me I really just didn’t want to get up and walk down the aisle in front of everyone and admit I’m weak. Think of it as an alter call of sorts. I mean I’m a Christian for heaven sakes. I know I need God and He can help me through this and goodness I might appear like I don’t have it all together.

However, the next thing that came to mind was what I learned when I decided to get baptized. You see I discovered what being baptized meant to me. It wasn’t about my salvation because I believe once you ask God for forgiveness of your sins and ask Jesus into your heart & life and believe He died on the cross for you, your sins – you.are.saved. (Romans 10:9)

It was more about my love for Him and what He has done in my life.

It was about telling the world I am His and I will follow His ways.

It was about being obedient because He asked me to do it.

So, I started to look at the blue chip in the same way. It was a symbol of how serious I was to lay this at His feet. It was about how I needed to step aside and allow Him to take over. I realized…

I.am.weak.

And I’m in need of a King.



I’m in need of a Savior.



I’m in need of a Redeemer.



I’m in need of a Healer and Comforter.



I’m in need of His mercy and grace daily.



Weak.



I can’t do this on my own. I need His strength, courage, and love to take over me. My focus started to shift. It no longer was about me and everyone else in the room.



It was about me and Him.



I stood up and walked down the aisle for a blue chip but, received so much more.



A changed life.

I've linking up to Brag on God Friday's over at Beholding Glory.