Happy New Year!

I'm baaaaaaaack! Missed me? I know, I know...its been TWO WHOLE MONTHS since I last blogged! I bet you thought I was never coming back?


The last two months have been extremely busy for me. They've been full of sewing and crafting (Christmas presents), cooking and baking (cookies, cinnamon rolls, experimenting with new reciptes), spending time with family (Elora came home for Christmas!), and friends (Lydia's back for good!). And every thing I did, I thought of a perfect blog post (with pictures of course) to go with it. But for some reason I just never found the time...I was just too busying enjoying it all.


But don't worry. I'm here to stay. And I'm excited about the future and all the plans I have for it...you'll be hearing about it all over the next year.


I decided not to set any specific resolutions for the year, but to just spend more time doing the stuff I love and, more importantly, the stuff I need. A year from now, I really don't want to be stuck in the same place spiritually as I am now. I want to be able to look back and see how much I've grown, not look around and see what I see now.

To kick off the new year, I celebrated my first anniversary with Daniel. The past year has been one of the best years of my life, maybe THE best! Sure we had our ups an downs, but overrall we've both grown so much.

I think the one thing I've learned the most during our first year is how selfish I am. How much I make things about me, when they really have nothing to do with me at all. And I've been learning to give situations and Daniel over to God. The only thing I can really change is me, so that's what I've been trying to do. I'm sure that's a lesson I'll be learning for a long time.

I've also been trying to me a more practical, organized wife. Daniel is at his best when I am at my best, and my best is when the house is clean, dinner is cooking, and I'm feeeling creative and happy. That's been a huge challenge for me, because I am not and have never been clean or organized. But I'm getting there...just got a LOOOOONG way to go!

What about you? What have you learned over the past year? What are you hoping to learn in the new year?

Sewing!

Did I ever tell you guys how much I love blogs? I LOOOOOVE THEM! I would read them all day if I could. They’re so full of inspiration, creativity and best of all…TUTORIALS! I’m talking about tutorials for purses, jewelry skirts, dresses, and anything else you might possibly wish to make.

I have a list of things I want to make so long I could dress myself in it. (I wonder if there’s a tutorial for that!).

And it really doesn’t help that my entire wardrobe is falling apart and I desperately need new clothes. I’ve been looking for some decent work clothes for a while now, but have you seen the cost of things these days?! There’s no way I’m spending $80 on a dress that will probably not last me very long. Especially knowing I can buy the material for like $20 and make it myself.

Oh AND Christmas is coming up in just 7 weeks and I still have a million presents to buy/make!

So first on my list…Christmas presents…I won’t say what because I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

And then…clothes for me! First up (after I attempt some work clothes) is a circle skirt! I already started a simple one using elastic for a waist band, and I just found instructions for making a 50’s style version! Don’t you just love em! I’m so gonna rock this style in the New Year!






Unfortunately, my sewing machine (that’s almost old enough to be vintage lol) is giving me problems L…hopefully I can get it up and running this weekend without needing to spend $50 to get it serviced!

Chapter Five - Getting Started

YAY! This week's chapter is all about putting into practice everything we have been learning about having a quiet time!



Nancy gives us three general principles to help us establish a personal devotional life, each of which is taught in Scripture and illustrated in the life of Jesus.



The first principle is to have a consistent practice. This is not an obligation, but a huge priveledge! We get to spend time with the God of the entire Universe! He WANTS to spend time with us! Isn't that amazing!



In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to collect Manna, their food, on a daily basis. They could only collect for that day, and for themselves. This physical bread is a picture of the Bread of Life, God's Word, and our need to spend time individually each day with God.



The second principle (which is particularly hard for me), is to spend time with God in the morning. She gives numerous examples of people in the Bible rising early in the morning to pray, including David, Moses, Mary and Jesus. The Israelites also had to rise early to collect the Manna. If we do not take the time to meet with God in the morning, we are telling him that we don't need His help in making it through our day. We have to be willing to pay the price of getting out of bed if we really want to know God.



And the third principle is to find a solitary place to meet with God. Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus often "withdrew to lonely places and prayed". She says that she has found it helpful to set apart a place in her home to meet with God. We need to get away from all the people and distractions in our lives to focus on Jesus.



She concludes by saying "I know of no way to experience unbroken union and communion with our beloved Lord Jesus apart from a conscious, deliberate choise to spend time alone with Him each morning." This is coming from a woman who knows and loves God.



So my questions for this chapter are:

1. Which of these three principles is the hardest for you to follow?

2. What are the greatest barriers you encounter in maintaining a consistent time alone with the Lord in the morning?

3. What practical steps can you take in overcoming these obstacles?

Chapter Four - The Outer Walk

Two long weeks ago, in Bible study we discussed chapter four of A Place of Quiet Rest.

This chapter presented us with four more reasons why we need to spend time with God. She says "As the Holy Spirit fulfills each of these objectives in our hearts, the result will be seen in the way we live our lives toward God and others."

The first of these reasons is Submission. "As we spend time alone with God, our lives are brought into submission to God and His will." So often we find ourselves in positions we'd rather not be in. This could be anything from singleness, to the place we live, to our jobs/schools, to sickness...it could even be something small like being stuck in traffic or getting annoyed at the people around us. The problem is that God plays a huge role in bringing that situation into our lives. He wants to use that situation to change us. But so often we resist...

As we spend more time with God, He enables us to relinquish control and humbly submit to His plan for our lives.

The second reason for quiet time is Direction. In the Bible, God tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him". (James 1:5). Sometimes life just gets so overwhelming. We're presented with endless options for everything...and it can be so hard to make decisions. But God will give us direction if we ask him. The thing is, we have to get quiet enough, long enough to listen to God.

But how can we hear God? He doesn't exactly speak audibly into our ears...instead, He directs us through His Word, as we read and meditate on it. Nancy Leigh DeMoss says "I often claim the promise of Proverbs 16:3, "Commit they works unto the lord, and they thoughts shall be established". As I am praying regarding a specific decision or issue, I will sometimes symbolically place that concern in my hands, then lift my cupped hands to the Lord and say, "lord, I am committing this matter to You. I am your servant; I want to do what You want me to do. Please establish my thoughts and use Your Word to guide me to a wise decision that will please You".

That is something I am planning on putting into practice in my own life!

The third reason for having quiet time is for Intercession. We need to pray for our friends and families. That should be our first inclination, instead of trying to fix problems on our own and turning to God when we fail.

"O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All beacuse we do not carry
Everything to Go in prayer!
- Joseph M. Scriven

And the final reason she gives us is Transformation. "For as we linger in His presence, we are transformed into His likeness". The more time we spend with people, the more we become lik them. "How important it is, then, that we fix our eyes on the One whose image we wish to bear."

I don't know about you guys, but I want to be like Jesus. I long for his quiet and gentle spirit, and the love he has for others. I think I need to spend some serious time reflecting on him!

So my questions for this chapter...

1. Are there any areas of your life where you are struggling with submission, particularly submission to God?
2. Do you ever consult God before making plans or commitments? If you do, do you wait for an answer?
3. Have you seen any evidence of your transformation in becoming more like God as a result of your quiet time?

Costumes

Here's something to make you smile...

Aren't these just the cutest/funniest Halloween constumes ever! I am so in love with the lobster baby! Do you see the juicyness of those cheeks!

There's more pictures too where I got them from... http://twitchvintage.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-love-you-baby.html

Happy Reformation Day!

As Christians, we always question how we should celebrate Halloween. It's a day considered evil, when trouble reigns. Right now, if I were to go outside there would be hundreds of people wondering around causing trouble. Cheap, dangerous fireworks are going off every second, probably being shot at people. Somewhere someone is throwing eggs at people's cars, and possibly toilet papering someone's house.

If you didn't know how Halloween came to be, the myth is that today is the end of the witch's calendar. November 1st marks the first day of the new year, with winter right abour the corner bringing death with it. Its supposedly a day when the gates of evil open up and the dead can come back to wander the earth. Then one day the Catholic church decided to take this day over, make it "Christian". November 1st was designated as All Saints Day, or All Hallows Day, a day to remember the saints. The day before become All Hallows Eve, eventually Halloween.

For me, Halloween means nothing. I'm home cooking and cleaning and blogging as usual. It's just another day. But this day does have special meaning for another reason. On this day, in 1517 Martin Luther published his 95 Theses on a Catholic church door. This is recognized as the catalyst for the Protestand Reformation. Before this day, all Bibles were written in Latin, and the average person had no access to God's Word. The Church kept the people in ignorance, making laws they had to follow in order for them and their loved ones to get to heaven. The reformation changed all of that! Eventually the Bible was translated into English and the common man, that's me and you, could read and meditate on God's Word.

I don't know about you, but for me, I'm very grateful for this day in History. I'm grateful that I can have a personal relationship with Jesus, without needing a pope or priest. I'm grateful God accepts my confessions anytime, anywhere! And I'm especially grateful I don't have to obey laws that say I need to give the church all my money so that my loved ones can get into heaven!

Happy Reformation Day Everyone! To celebrate, read your Bibles and give God thanks!

MIA

Hey everyone!

I know, I know...I've been missing for a looooong time! I am so sorry. Please forgive me!

You're probably wondering where I've been...

And the answer is, right here living life as usual. I've been extremely busy lately. I think Daniel and I finally have a rhythm to our week and its pretty grueling. Monday nights is Bible study, Tuesdays I've committed to spending time with my sister, Wednesdays we have small group with some people from church, Thursday is date night, and of course the weekends are always busy with different stuff. Somewhere among all that I still have to (more like attempt to) keep my house clean and feed my husband.

I know my schedule is probably tame compared to some of you but for me its pretty crazy. I don't think I could keep it up for life. But for now, we have no kids so we can manage!

In addition to all that, I got a new toy that's really distracting. I'm not sure if i told you guys, but I got a promotion at work! I'm now officially a Senior Auditor! Whoo Hoo! lol...just kidding! It's a decent position, with a whole lot more responsibility, so I will probably have to add working overtime to my schedule soon. Thankfully it came with a small raise, so I bought myself a promotion/birthday gift. An Ipod Touch...It's great! I can do anything on that thing! Except Blog...that would take forever. I'll try not to let it get in the way again.

Also, last week I read an amazing book. A friend of mine lent me Prague Counterpoint by the Thoines. It was a touching story about Austria in World War Two, and a few people who were willing to take a stand for goodness and for God. It's amazing how much you can learn from historical fiction! For instance, did you know Hitler took prayer and Bibles out of schools in the Third Reich (his territory) and replaced them with prayer to Him and a book he wrote while in prison?? And he took over a ridiculous amount of countries, while England and France looked the other way because they didn't want to get involved in a war and were basically just completely complacent? If they had taken a stand for what was right at the very beginning there never would have been a WWII and those hundreds of thousands of people who died would have been left to live and leave legacies behind. It's so sad. A real lesson in doing the right thing right away. If you guys are looking for something good to read, and have exhausted all Francine Rivers books, I would recommend checking out some of their books. They're pretty decent.

So that's where I've been. Again, I apologize...I'll try to be more present!

Oh P.S....updates on my goals...quiet time is going much better for the most part. But everything else is a complete failure. I'm still working on it...but I could use some encouragement!