Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pinterest and Inspiration!

I have recently discovered Pinterest. I had heard people talk about it but I wasn't really that excited about it...until I started searching and getting ideas.

Chance and I will be moving into a new house in a few months and hopefully someday renovating an older house. I LOVE ideas on decorating and paint colors and design and clever kitchen ideas and craft ideas! Pinterest was an ingenious idea.

I was reading on a dance website the other day and came across this paragraph:

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

So Thought for the day: "Work like you don’t need money, Love like you’ve never bee hurt, And dance like no one’s watching.”

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Crossing- A Must Read!

The Crossing by Serita Jakes was far better than I expected. After the first chapter I wasn't convinced it was going to be interesting but the story took off from there. An excellent book that leaves you guessing. I couldn't put the book down, as Jakes created many twists in the story.
This book has a few different story lines, so it could be confusing to figure out at first. Jakes did a wonderful job in weaving God's love into a story so full of pain. I will advise that this isn't a lighthearted novel in the least and does have some graphic parts to it. I will be interested in reading more from Serita Jakes in the future!
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

This Week

Well I sure am not living up to my blogging new year resolution. It's so hard to find the time! This week has gone by so fast. College and working three jobs leaves little room for much of anything else!

I started a health class this past week and will probably report about it on here. I have come up with a healthy goal to accomplish in the next couple of months.

I made homemade bread this week but still need to experiment with the recipe. I also made Shrimp Scampi which actually turned out pretty good! I think that I need to visit Corpus Christi, TX again for real shrimp though!


Bible study this week was very interesting and thought provoking. Chance really got a lot out of this week and made him think a lot. We had a few discussions about it throughout the week, which I am so blessed to be able to do that with my husband.

I will no longer be working nights at the hotel, I gave my notice this week. The graveyard shift has been a learning experience but I do not wish to pursue it in a career. I have another opportunity with a coffee shop which was an answer to prayer.

That was pretty much my week, not exciting but very busy!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

H20 Bible Study



During the past few months, Chance and I have been a part of a Bible study that we started with my boss and her husband. We meet once a week, and it has been such a blessing. This past week we started a new series that is made by City On a Hill Productions called H20. It is a video series, each are about 30 minutes long, and Kyle Idleman, the speaker is also a pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

The first video is called "Thirsty" and talks about being thirsty for something more in life, it's like a longing for God. Idleman tells a story, in this case it was about a wedding ring, and relates it to his message.
 I really enjoyed the first study we did this past week and I think it is something that really makes you think.I will post more through the weeks as we go through them.

There also a video series called "Not a Fan" which we will start after the H20 videos.

Check it out! H20 Video

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What Am I Doing?

 I have recently been thinking about what I am doing with my life and wondering about what God has planned for me. I have constant thoughts about what I am doing with my life for Him.  I have always believed that God puts us right where we need to be, but the patience to try and understand "why?" is difficult. This question goes far beyond " I don't know what I want to be when I grow up". This is so much more important to me.
We are here in this place (wherever that may be) for a reason.God doesn't make mistakes. He has my entire life planned out for a reason. This fact astounds me. This fact keeps me going. This fact is humbling.  I often feel like I'm not doing anything significant with my life. I'm continuing my education, I'm working hard, I adore my husband, I am a friend. Do you ever feel like there must be something else that God wants you to see in your life but you feel so blind? Perhaps these are the things God wants me to focus on right now but what if I am missing something?
The other day I was talking with Chance and I said, " We have lived about quarter of the average life. What in the world have we done with that much time? What have I done with my life that is for God?"
I want to live each day for Him and not for my selfish reasons.
This is difficult but something to think about none the less.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Christmas Pictures- A Little Late



These pictures were on our Christmas cards this year and I really think they turned out nicely. Many don't know this but we do have a dog, the one that is in the picture. Her name is Missy.  We can't keep it at our place now but when we move she will be officially ours.

Something Many People Don't Realize

The other night I started to think about my job and the many other people who do the same type of job every day. I work the night shift at a hotel and my hours are 11pm to 7am. I had never done this type of shift before so it has been quite the experience. Does anyone realize how many people pull off working the night shift all week? It seems so convenient when your traveling and need a snack at a gas station at 2am or when your driving late and staying at a hotel and don't check in until 3am. There are so many things that we take for granted and don't really think about. The person who is working at that gas station probably has a family, but when can people see there family when they are sleeping the majority of the day? How do people cope with being awake when everyone else is asleep?

When I'm driving to work it's completely dead, everything is closed and no one is around. (Yes, I know it's Kansas but this goes for any small town). When do these people go grocery shopping? Do they socialize much? Their eating habits are completely different and it's a fact that the majority of people who work a night shift end up eating junk because there isn't anything else available at that time. I speak from experience, even though I take food from home. Its difficult to eat a meal in the middle of the night- the stomach doesn't like it much.

The EMT, jails, prisons, dispatchers, truck drivers, 24/7 Wal-mart workers, and a million others all work this shift and no one really notices. These people are not recognized and they should be. Yes, it is their choice to work the shift but the bills need to be paid.

They give up a lot to make our lives easier. Appreciate them.

Monday, January 2, 2012

2012

 I have no idea what will happen this upcoming year but I am looking forward to some events this year.

  • April 14 marks the 100th anniversary since the Titanic sank in 1912. I love any history involving the Titanic so this is a big deal to me. ALSO! I discovered that one of my favorite authors, Deeanne Gist, will be hosting a Titanic Tea Party in Denver, CO on June 23rd in honor of the 100th anniversary. This means I get to wear a period dress and shoes AND hopefully meet Deeanne!
  • I will graduate with an Associates of Arts degree and Chance will graduate with an Associates of Applied Science degree. 
  • My best friend is having her first baby in February! 
  • We will move once again to a place we will hopefully live for longer than a year. 
  • I will hopefully find a full time job that does not involve working nights.
That is all I can think of that I am really looking forward to. Things always change and happen differently than expected so who knows what this year will bring!

I did make a few resolutions because there are a few things I want to start but I usually do that throughout the year. Things like praying each day with my husband and cooking more diverse foods are what I am aiming for this year.

We are back in the mountains this week so I won't be writing much, but I thought I should post this now since I have a computer and time.