Enjoy your last golden day of this September.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
.goodbye september.
.goodbye september. Where did September go? I mean seriously. I feel like this month just started. I must have blinked, or fallen asleep for too long, or something because tomorrow, TOMORROW, is already October. WOW. This weeks good finds were found & inspired by September - sorry I didn't enjoy your magical moments like I should have. I will look forward to savoring your sweet fall fragrances next year. .goodbye september.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
.kristen & mathew.
.country weddings. This past weekend we went to a beautiful reception in the country for my cousin, Mathew, and his beautiful bride, Kristen. We had a ton of fun & I took a few photos, before my battery died (grrrr). Here are a couple photos. country weddings.
Congratulations Kristen & Mathew! I am so happy for you & hope that God will bless you in your marriage today and always.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
.believe.
.believe. This weeks etsy finds were found using the search word Jesus. My hope is that you may love not only these wonderful items, but also Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. .believe in Him.
"Jesus told her (talking to Martha), I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die..." John 11:25-26.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
.do not separate.
.do not separate. First I am sorry I took a week off from blogging. I needed a wee break! You may have noticed that my blog looks a little different. I had two blogs, one for my crafty favorites. And, another for my walk with God. Since, in all things we should turn to the Lord, I have decided to combine the two. They should not be separate, because God is with me in whatever I do. I don't want Him to be separate in any part of my life, so why blog different? Hope this is ok with you all. .do not separate.
.psalms 139.
"Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me on the path of everlasting life"
Psalm 139:24
Monday, September 14, 2009
.my story.
.this is my story. I grew up in a home where we attended church every Sunday, prayed before every meal, and before bed. Although this happened, I did not have the relationship with God that we are called to have. I thought I was a Christian, mearly because I went to church and knew God would forgive me of all the wrong in my life. In high school I started hanging out with people who did drugs and partied. I joined in, not a lot, but enough. I still thought I was a Christian, and living as one.
My world started to spin when I went to college. I drank a lot, I spend about 4 or 5 nights a week drinking my freshman year. I would love Jesus during the day and party at night. I would go to church still drunk, or hungover. I thought the two worlds I was living could be seperated. I thought I could have both. Christ + The world.
Sophmore year I started dating my now husband, Aaron. He went to a Christian school and had real Christian friends, many of them are well on their way to being pastors (one more year guys... your almost done)! Whenever I visited them I had to change my behavior, I had to change who I ultimitly was - a non-Christian. I started drinking less in that year. I started taking care of my drunk friends more. One night while taking care of one of them I decided to drink a lot less - I still didn't give it up completely - but I didn't want to be the one I was taking care of. I didn't want to wake up anymore without a clue as to what I did the night before. I wanted to remember, I wanted to feel good the next day.
Throughout the next few years I grew slowly, very slowly. I moved into an apartment with Christian friends who moved me to be better. Who encouraged me to live as a Christian. I slowly detatched myself from who I used to be. I still kept part of it with me, I wanted to keep part, I still wanted to have both.... God worked slowly with me, He was patient.
Towards the end of college I met a girl who changed my life. Mandie was in classes with me and was planning a trip to Liberia, Africa. I told her my husband and I would pray for her, I was married at that point to Aaron- who has also been patient with me on this journey, and has guided me a lot. I did pray for Mandie. I was so interested in her journey to help others. I had always felt love for those in Africa & always wanted to go there, so her going was a major interest. A couple months later Mandie told me to pray for someone to open their heart and go with her, she felt she needed a friend along, someone to help keep her safe, to make her parents feel safer too. I prayed and almost immediatly told her I would go. After talking with my husband, we both agreed that God was calling me to join Mandie on this journey.
Well, we went. It was amazing and that trip, that trip was more then a mission. It is where I realized God needed to be the center of my life, always. I fully understood what it was to repent. I learned that believing in God was walking in His ways, and following His word. He opened up my heart to see that....
I had to get my "Africa" journal and share this with you all: (I have not shared this with anyone, yet... but its time). On February 18th, 2008 I wrote:
On that trip I also realized that I can not drink. I cannot be around alcohol that much. I have not gotten drunk since New Years that year (a month before the trip). I did not have a drop of alcohol from the night before that trip until about a month and a half ago. I will no longer have more then two drinks in a night, EVER. If I do I know I will get into trouble.
My journey has been long, and I have taken many dips in the road. I still find it hard to relate to many of my high school friends, to many of my college friends, to my family that believes they can have both. .this is my story.
If you want to know more about my trip to Liberia or see pictures you can go here: Liberia Mission
My world started to spin when I went to college. I drank a lot, I spend about 4 or 5 nights a week drinking my freshman year. I would love Jesus during the day and party at night. I would go to church still drunk, or hungover. I thought the two worlds I was living could be seperated. I thought I could have both. Christ + The world.
Sophmore year I started dating my now husband, Aaron. He went to a Christian school and had real Christian friends, many of them are well on their way to being pastors (one more year guys... your almost done)! Whenever I visited them I had to change my behavior, I had to change who I ultimitly was - a non-Christian. I started drinking less in that year. I started taking care of my drunk friends more. One night while taking care of one of them I decided to drink a lot less - I still didn't give it up completely - but I didn't want to be the one I was taking care of. I didn't want to wake up anymore without a clue as to what I did the night before. I wanted to remember, I wanted to feel good the next day.
Throughout the next few years I grew slowly, very slowly. I moved into an apartment with Christian friends who moved me to be better. Who encouraged me to live as a Christian. I slowly detatched myself from who I used to be. I still kept part of it with me, I wanted to keep part, I still wanted to have both.... God worked slowly with me, He was patient.
Towards the end of college I met a girl who changed my life. Mandie was in classes with me and was planning a trip to Liberia, Africa. I told her my husband and I would pray for her, I was married at that point to Aaron- who has also been patient with me on this journey, and has guided me a lot. I did pray for Mandie. I was so interested in her journey to help others. I had always felt love for those in Africa & always wanted to go there, so her going was a major interest. A couple months later Mandie told me to pray for someone to open their heart and go with her, she felt she needed a friend along, someone to help keep her safe, to make her parents feel safer too. I prayed and almost immediatly told her I would go. After talking with my husband, we both agreed that God was calling me to join Mandie on this journey.
Well, we went. It was amazing and that trip, that trip was more then a mission. It is where I realized God needed to be the center of my life, always. I fully understood what it was to repent. I learned that believing in God was walking in His ways, and following His word. He opened up my heart to see that....
I had to get my "Africa" journal and share this with you all: (I have not shared this with anyone, yet... but its time). On February 18th, 2008 I wrote:
The first couple weeks here were rought for me, Spirtually. I questioned if God even existed, and I questioned if I believe in something so big, so grand. I keep lookng at those around me who truly believe, and I wanted that with full certanty. I prayed that God would restore my faith, let me believe with my whole heart. This past week I have felt re-juvenated and spiritually alive again. I know that there is a God. I believe fully that Jesus died for the sins I have committed. How awesome God is, He loves me so much, and I need to work hard (with all my might) to praise His name and love Him too. I will not turn back, I am His, I will follow Him, always.
On that trip I also realized that I can not drink. I cannot be around alcohol that much. I have not gotten drunk since New Years that year (a month before the trip). I did not have a drop of alcohol from the night before that trip until about a month and a half ago. I will no longer have more then two drinks in a night, EVER. If I do I know I will get into trouble.
My journey has been long, and I have taken many dips in the road. I still find it hard to relate to many of my high school friends, to many of my college friends, to my family that believes they can have both. .this is my story.
If you want to know more about my trip to Liberia or see pictures you can go here: Liberia Mission
Friday, September 11, 2009
.family photos.
.family photos. Last night awesome aunt Jess came over to take family photos of us. This one is my favorite. To see more go here or click on 30 days of happiness link on left. .family photos.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
.hope in Christ.
"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:8-9
.i have hope in Christ. Today as I read the first half of 1 Peter 1, these verses stood out to me. It is amazing that although I have never seen Jesus I can love him so much. I can feel His truth working in my life. I can feel His guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit. I can trust that He alone knows what is best in my life, and yours. It says in verse 9 that the reward for trusting in him will be eternal life! How awesome! It is in comprehensible that He will give us eternal life for trusting in Him. It is wonderful to know that even though I am a sinner He still loves me and has a place prepared for me. I am excited for the day when I get to meet Jesus, I look forward to the day when I can enter into eternity with Him. Until then I will continue to love the Lord, I will continue to find my hope in Him, I will continue to live out my faith. .i have hope in Christ.
*for amazing reference & more detail on 1 & 2 Peter watch the trial series at Mars Hill Church.
1 Peter 1:8-9
.i have hope in Christ. Today as I read the first half of 1 Peter 1, these verses stood out to me. It is amazing that although I have never seen Jesus I can love him so much. I can feel His truth working in my life. I can feel His guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit. I can trust that He alone knows what is best in my life, and yours. It says in verse 9 that the reward for trusting in him will be eternal life! How awesome! It is in comprehensible that He will give us eternal life for trusting in Him. It is wonderful to know that even though I am a sinner He still loves me and has a place prepared for me. I am excited for the day when I get to meet Jesus, I look forward to the day when I can enter into eternity with Him. Until then I will continue to love the Lord, I will continue to find my hope in Him, I will continue to live out my faith. .i have hope in Christ.
*for amazing reference & more detail on 1 & 2 Peter watch the trial series at Mars Hill Church.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
.shop update.
.shop update. More tomorrow will be added tomorow. Here are some of the new items. Enjoy!
.blanket day.
.blanket days. Today is not going well for me. This week is not. Its been one of those days you stay in your pajamas, curl up in a blanket, read, maybe knit a bit, have hot tea. One of those don't go anywhere or do anything type days. Here are some great finds to match this mood. its a blanket day.
.power of prayer.
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."
James 5:16
.prayer is powerful. When I was in Liberia, Mandie said, "we have the power to move mountains, through prayer". She said that meaning we as God's people. On that same trip I saw God heal me in a miraculous way, moving a mountain so to speak. It was our third week there and I had not been feeling very well for a couple days. Earlier in the week I had a tooth infection and I was still recovering from those headaches and shooting pains. I woke up dizzy and cold, Liberia is close to the equator and really hot all the time, so we knew something else was wrong. Tammy called doctor Paul to come over and have a look at me. He decided to treat me for malaria, even though he was not 100% sure thats what I had. My symptoms fit, except for the puking - with which I am very grateful.
That day I spent my time laying on the Dunseaths couch sleeping and having the chills. I felt horrible. I wanted to leave and go home. I wanted someone to pack up my things put me on a plane so I could wake up in my bed. I just wanted to not be sick. I knew that God would heal my sickness and I wanted it to be fast. Now, malaria usually lasts a while a long while. It is not something you wake up from the next day and say wow that was rough, it usually takes at least a week to recover.
That morning, as soon as we knew what it was, Mandie sent out an email to everyone back home asking for prayer. Those who got it sent it out to others and the prayers started. People prayed that I would get better & get better fast. God answered that prayer and by that evening, after sleeping & sweating all day, I was starting to feel better. By the next morning I felt 150x better, just a bit tired. I was even well enough to walk about 8 miles to visit our Bible study girls! That is the power of prayer. God hears all prayer, when prayed in Jesus name, and has the power to produce wonderful results. How awesome He is.
Lately I feel like I have not taken prayer seriously. I feel like I easily put it off for later, later never really coming around. If prayer has such power, why do I not pray? If God is so generous in healing sickness, struggles, brokenness... why do I put it off for a later time? If God gives me so much, why do I not thank Him? If God can move mountains, why are we just fine with where they are? I need to pray and keep praying. I need to pray for others, for myself. I need to pray to thank the Lord for what I have. You and I have the chance each day to move mountains, please pray today... for yourself, for others. .prayer is powerful.
James 5:16
.prayer is powerful. When I was in Liberia, Mandie said, "we have the power to move mountains, through prayer". She said that meaning we as God's people. On that same trip I saw God heal me in a miraculous way, moving a mountain so to speak. It was our third week there and I had not been feeling very well for a couple days. Earlier in the week I had a tooth infection and I was still recovering from those headaches and shooting pains. I woke up dizzy and cold, Liberia is close to the equator and really hot all the time, so we knew something else was wrong. Tammy called doctor Paul to come over and have a look at me. He decided to treat me for malaria, even though he was not 100% sure thats what I had. My symptoms fit, except for the puking - with which I am very grateful.
That day I spent my time laying on the Dunseaths couch sleeping and having the chills. I felt horrible. I wanted to leave and go home. I wanted someone to pack up my things put me on a plane so I could wake up in my bed. I just wanted to not be sick. I knew that God would heal my sickness and I wanted it to be fast. Now, malaria usually lasts a while a long while. It is not something you wake up from the next day and say wow that was rough, it usually takes at least a week to recover.
That morning, as soon as we knew what it was, Mandie sent out an email to everyone back home asking for prayer. Those who got it sent it out to others and the prayers started. People prayed that I would get better & get better fast. God answered that prayer and by that evening, after sleeping & sweating all day, I was starting to feel better. By the next morning I felt 150x better, just a bit tired. I was even well enough to walk about 8 miles to visit our Bible study girls! That is the power of prayer. God hears all prayer, when prayed in Jesus name, and has the power to produce wonderful results. How awesome He is.
Lately I feel like I have not taken prayer seriously. I feel like I easily put it off for later, later never really coming around. If prayer has such power, why do I not pray? If God is so generous in healing sickness, struggles, brokenness... why do I put it off for a later time? If God gives me so much, why do I not thank Him? If God can move mountains, why are we just fine with where they are? I need to pray and keep praying. I need to pray for others, for myself. I need to pray to thank the Lord for what I have. You and I have the chance each day to move mountains, please pray today... for yourself, for others. .prayer is powerful.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
.drawing close to God.
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
James 4:7-10
James 4:7-10
read more at: faith.hope.love.
.drawing close to God.
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
James 4:7-10
.drawing close to God. This passage tell us how we can get close to God. James gives us five ways to get closer to God and have a relationship with Him. First, we need to submit to His authority. Second, we need to resist the devil and his temptation in our lives. Third, we need to live a pure life. Fourth, we need to be truly sorry for the sins we have committed. And lastly, we need to humble ourselves before the Lord. Are you growing closer to God? Try these to have a true relationship with Him. .submit yourself to Him and draw closer to God.
James 4:7-10
.drawing close to God. This passage tell us how we can get close to God. James gives us five ways to get closer to God and have a relationship with Him. First, we need to submit to His authority. Second, we need to resist the devil and his temptation in our lives. Third, we need to live a pure life. Fourth, we need to be truly sorry for the sins we have committed. And lastly, we need to humble ourselves before the Lord. Are you growing closer to God? Try these to have a true relationship with Him. .submit yourself to Him and draw closer to God.
Friday, September 4, 2009
.be careful of what you say.
.be careful of what you say. I could not pick one verse to focus on in James 3. I couldn't. Half of the chapter talks about controlling our tongues. We have to, we must be careful what we say & when we say it. What we say has destructive power. James compares our tongues wickedness to a raging fire. When our speech is motivated by Satan it is full of destruction, it is jealous, full of self ambition, it is nonspiritual, we have disorder, and evil. When we have God's wisdom in our speech it is full of purity, peace, consideration, compassion, submission, mercy, goodness.
I need to watch what I say. My words can do damage, real damage, hurtful damage. This is a hard lesson for me to take on. This is a hard change that I need to make. I have never been good, EVER, at thinking before I talk. I let my tongue say what it wants and I am often correcting what I say later. I have to learn to think before I start talking. I have to learn to speak with Godly wisdom in mind. I do not want to destroy, I don't want my words to hurt. I need to work on this everyday. How do you control your tongue? Is it hard for you, like me? be careful of what you say.
I need to watch what I say. My words can do damage, real damage, hurtful damage. This is a hard lesson for me to take on. This is a hard change that I need to make. I have never been good, EVER, at thinking before I talk. I let my tongue say what it wants and I am often correcting what I say later. I have to learn to think before I start talking. I have to learn to speak with Godly wisdom in mind. I do not want to destroy, I don't want my words to hurt. I need to work on this everyday. How do you control your tongue? Is it hard for you, like me? be careful of what you say.
.first meal.
.rice cereal. Lydia turns 6 months on Tuesday - big girl. She has been watching us eat and has taken interest for about a month now. So, we decided this was the week to start eating solids. She had her first meal on Monday and loved it, absolutely loved it. She knew exactly what to do and leans in for more. Awesome & amazing - I thought I was going to have to force it down somehow. Congrats little girl - you are growing up. even if it is just rice cereal.
PS: to check out my posts for the thirty days journey click the link on the left!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
.good deeds show true faith.
"You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?"
James 2: 19-20
.saying you have faith is not enough. Even the demons believe God exists. So how then do we actually show God that we believe? that we are faithful? that we know He came to save? that He loves? We show him! We have to show the Lord with our deeds that we are faithful.
Let me clarify why we should show Him - because it is not by our deeds we get to heaven it is through our faith. We do not do good in order to earn salvation, we don't do good to get on the Lords good side, we can't work hard to get to heaven. We should do good deeds in order to show the Lord that we are truly faithful. We do them in order to show Him that we believe. Our good actions and good works are showing the Lord that we are transformed through Him alone. Our actions are showing God that we have faith. what are you showing the Lord through your actions?
James 2: 19-20
.saying you have faith is not enough. Even the demons believe God exists. So how then do we actually show God that we believe? that we are faithful? that we know He came to save? that He loves? We show him! We have to show the Lord with our deeds that we are faithful.
Let me clarify why we should show Him - because it is not by our deeds we get to heaven it is through our faith. We do not do good in order to earn salvation, we don't do good to get on the Lords good side, we can't work hard to get to heaven. We should do good deeds in order to show the Lord that we are truly faithful. We do them in order to show Him that we believe. Our good actions and good works are showing the Lord that we are transformed through Him alone. Our actions are showing God that we have faith. what are you showing the Lord through your actions?
.winner.
.we have a winner. First, I want to say thank you all for playing along. I love that you all took the time to come to this site. Thank you! Drum roll please, the envelope journal goes to....
Kylydia said, "she loved the style of the journal". Please take time to go to her site, here, and congratulate her. Don't be too disappointed if you didn't win, there are plenty for sale in my etsy shop. stop on by & grab one!
.september version.
.it is September already. I can't believe we are already entering September, I felt like this summer zoomed past at lightning speed. September means fall, it means cool crisp weather, it means pumpkins, orange, red, yellow. September is the beginning of awesome - for those of you, like me, who absolutely love fall. This week I found the items through etsy, of course, searching in "September". I loved all the fall like colors through there, they are beautiful. These are a list of items that truly caught my eye. I love them.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
.a walk to the park.
For the envelope journal give away go here... you have until midnight!
happiness surrounds. I have have a good day today. Many things have made me happy - everywhere I went. From morning time with Lydia, to a birthday party at church, to cooking dinner at home - we have had a good day. The best part of my day came when we went for a walk tonight. We walked to a park that is near our home - it was our first time actually going to the park, we usually just walk right on past it. ... continue reading here (or click link on left sidebar) at 30 days of happiness.
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