Monday Musing

Anything in your life you know you should be doing, but instead you're hesitating because of fear of the unknown?  Yeah? Me to.  So, let's take a collective deep breath and possibly a swim away from the shore today.  Without risk, how can we rely on God?

via Pinterest

Updates on Life {via Instagram}

It's been a full couple of weeks, my friends.  Full and awesome.  We ended our Daniel Fast today, and it's sort of bittersweet.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I am so happy to have the "restrictions" lifted from my diet (mainly sugar, caffeine, dairy and eggs).  But, it was also such a rich time in my life.  Much of it, I'll keep personal between me and God, but what I can say is this: If you are waiting to hear from God, or you feel like you are in a lonely place, disconnected from Him, taking the time and persistence to fast from certain things that you normally "rely" on can have an incredible, eternal impact.  Through refining things in our life, and placing more reliance on God, we open ourselves up to a clearer God-ordained communication channel.  Maybe more on this later :-)

We spent a few days in Columbus last weekend.  On Friday night, we attended a firefighter event where Brian's dad was honored to receive the title and accomplishment of becoming "Badge 1" until he retires (as he is the most senior firefighter in his unit).  He was completely in his element, socializing with everyone, showing off his family, and humbly accepting a great honor.  {Love that family!!!}.  After the event, we spent time with Katy and BJ and explored Columbus a bit (they had fun with Patagonia, to say the least!).  Wish I had gotten a pic with Katy (next time, girl).

A quick interlude to share shameless pictures of our pup, Charlie.  Readers of this blog alert, you will probably have to suffer through pictures of our pretty pup at least until we have children.  Sorry, but he is our child for now :-) 

Brian and I have both been traveling quite a bit lately, him to the east coast, and myself to Pittsburgh.  While we were both traveling this past week, we did a trial run of me taking Charlie to Pitt.  It was interesting, to say the least.  I can't imagine city living with a pup!  It was hard to find a patch of grass, and it's funny to see people's reactions when there is a goldendoodle eagerly awaiting scratches in an elevator.  Hmm, what else? I bought a pair of glasses (hopefully being delivered soon!) and I am nervous about them.  I love them, but they are definitely bigger than most.  I like them a lot though, so be nice :-).  We've done a small amount of organizing at our home.  I'm so fortunate to have married a man that doesn't mind organizing (because I hate it!!).  Lastly, if you haven't been to Lucky's in Tremont, you are missing out!  We enjoyed a great meal with incredible friends today.  So blessed to have this community in Cleveland. Thank you God!

A recent etsy find

How cute is this handmade canvas / leather carry all pouch by VellePurse? It could carry an iPad, or simply all your items, if you're on a quick trip out the door. The bonus? it's only $40! 

Monday Musing

via pinterest 

Hope you all had a lovely and refreshing weekend!  I'm looking to start off this week with a fresh perspective, and a thankful heart.  This past weekend was nourishing to my soul.  Great times with family and friends in Columbus / Cleveland.  The Daniel Fast has been refining things from my life (hence my blog hiatus) and helping me cherish the wholesome good things / people I've been blessed with. Hope you, my friends, have an awesome week filled with blessed moments.   

What makes an ordinary person extraordinary?

As I was perusing some local hot spots tonight (or really, camped out on the hotel bed browsing other blogs), I came across someone's post honoring her friend.  While I didn't know the person she was writing about, I could sense the love and admiration she held for her.  It didn't seem she had written it because of any event (you know birthday, she did something nice for her, etc.), but rather just because she simply wanted to honor her.

It got me thinking about what it means to be an honorable person, or an extraordinary friend.  This whole thought has been bubbling to the surface because of Brian's grandma's funeral which was just a few weeks back.  As I mentioned previously, the entire events surrounding her burial were very bittersweet.  She was quite literally an extraordinary woman, a woman to be honored.  She took me into their family when I first met her at Brian's graduation, and ever since she has been a shining light in my life. And to others, she was so, so much more.  During the funeral, family and friends had the opportunity to share different stories about her.  So many stood up and shared about the love she poured out, what a blessing she was, how much she gave to those around her, and how her Spirit was always dedicated to God.

Not to get dark here, but in some ways, her funeral made me think of mine.  It made me think of what legacy I would leave on this earth, what things people would say about me.  Would people say I was admirable?  Would they share stories of how I loved selflessly, and gave until it hurt? Would they share that my life wasn't really about me?

Am I the extraordinary person I wish to be?  No, of course not.  But, I hope that I have some years left on this earth to keep striving towards it. While I don't tend to make resolutions, maybe I will keep this thought in my heart and mind through 2012 (and beyond).  How might I lay my life down, to serve & glorify Jesus, and in doing so - others, through love, commitment, grace, and selflessness?

"A worthy woman, who can find? For her price is far above rubies."  Proverbs 31:10 (ASV)

Monday Musing

via pinterest 

What are you doing this week to shine in other's lives this week?  You have a fresh start this week to make a change; a fresh start to make an impact in the life of someone else this week. Go shine, my friends! 

Channeling Winter & Daniel Fast

Loving these winter looks below..would so love a pair of brown booties like those below - lovely.

   

 

via pinterest 

In other news, we are beginning the Daniel Fast today.  It's a time for the church to corporately 'fast' and seek God.  Seek Him for vision for the future, for providing a word for the church, the city, our family, and to grow in our relationship with Him.  The 'fast' portion is essentially eating vegan - anything that is natural and comes straight from the ground.  Some things we won't be eating / drinking are: sweets, white grains, caffeine, processed foods.  Ahh, Lord help me now.  It's 21 days, and I'm actually very excited.  I think this will prove to be a rich time in the lives of those who commit to this.  Hopefully I'll have a few recipes to share after this is all said and done!  

Monday Musing

......hey, it's my Monday, ok?  :-)

Hope each of you are starting out your week with grace (for yourself and others) and anticipation of good things to come.

via pinterest 

Holiday Recap: Thanksgiving, Christmas, NYE

Ahh, it's good to be back, friends.  I've missed this little internet blogland.  Our days have been filled to the brim lately, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I've had the past two weeks off of work, so I've been home and enjoying every minute of it.

I haven't shared many personal pictures lately, because, well mainly, I just haven't taken the time to upload them.  But here we are, January 2nd, and finally getting around to it!

This year for Thanksgiving, we celebrated at Brian's aunt's house.  His cousin, Rit, and her boyfriend, made an incredible meal.  I'm talking - a humongous turkey, ham, 20 sides (slight exaggeration, but not really). We had a really great time soaking up family time and just enjoying everyone's company.  This was also the last time we had the opportunity to spend quality time with Brian's grandma, who passed away Christmas day.

A few days before Christmas, Brian's family came up to our house to spend a few days and celebrate Christmas.  For the Christmas weekend, we ended up going down to Columbus to spend a few precious hours with his grandma and family. She passed Christmas day in peace and surrounded by family.  I may share more on this later - it was such a bittersweet time.  She loved Jesus, and is now in heaven, so that is the sweet part. Loss is such a hard situation, but the celebration of her life was in fact, quite beautiful. 

Ahh, we are now to NYE.. Brian and I made a fun sequin wall photobooth so that we could get pictures with friends.  I'll let the fun photos speak for themselves :-)