Snow Days and Updates

Aaaaaah...how refreshing it is to sit here in my sweats, in my JMU hoodie, with my big JMU mug filled with the most delicious and fragrant tea I have ever had in my life.  (Check out Youthberry Wild Orange Blossom Blend from Teavana). I have worship music playing and I am so grateful for the blessing of an ice day. I do wish I had been aware of the closing BEFORE I had gotten up, gotten ready, and nearly made it out the door to my car...thus why I cannot go back to sleep and am blogging and soaking in my relaxing morning.

God is so faithful in responding to our cries, and I have seen Him move powerfully and recently in my life and the lives of those I love.  From big things such as leads on job opportunities, to little things (well I still think it's a big deal...) like snow/ice days, and simply providing rest.  Right now I'm listening to "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band, and I am overwhelmed at the thought of how much he loves us.  To think that my requests, troubles, joys, questions etc. have weight and value to Him.  That He would listen and consider me, amidst the cries of billions of others.  While I have a hard time listening to each of my 50 kiddos at school all the time.  I am so glad to be His child.

Recently, I have been in much prayer over my work and the next steps I should take in that area, as I am finding that my current placement has not been a match made in heaven.  I still have a passion for teaching, and yes, I have still had some shining moments with some of my students, so I know teaching is still the profession I was called to.  But I have been in prayer about what to do for next year, and I have recently seen some doors open for me that I am very excited about. 

Furthermore, I have been in prayer over my relationship, and where that is going.  Praying for opportunities for us take the steps necessary to bring us closer together (distance-wise).  As our relationship grows stronger, and gas prices blow through the roof...we are praying for a clear path to be shown that will bring us together and get us out of this two-hour drive...back and forth every weekend, and only seeing each other on the weekends.  We are starting to see some possible doors opening in answer to those prayers as well.  For now we will continue to pray, hope, and take action as we feel lead.

On another note, I am already slacking in the scripture memorization department.  I have been stuck on the same one for over two weeks now, but perhaps it is a good one to be stuck on.  Ezekiel 36:26, check it out.  It's been a daily reminder to pray for that renewed spirit and new heart.  Another kind of fun scripture I came across last night totally warmed me because I made an immediate connection between it and C.  Song of Solomon 3:9-10 talks about the chariot King Solomon made for himself, that he rides up in to greet his beloved.  C. has had this ongoing Jeep project that has turned into what feels like a never-ending saga of things gone wrong, although now we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for this project, and I have to admit it is looking "fierce"...but I just started to chuckle because this is his chariot.  It was humbling for me too, because I know there have been a few times I've gotten a little frustrated over the hours he's been spending on this project, but this verse put it all into perspective for me.  (I can be ridiculous sometimes...but all of us gals have our "moments").  So after all this, when it's all said and done, I hope C. comes to pick me up in that Jeep and declares "Your chariot awaits you, my dear!"  ;-) (Of course then he'll probably want to head straight to the wilderness to sling mud and dirt all over it...*sigh*).

 

 The "mostly" Before Shot

 

The "nearly" After Shot

We are so excited because it looks like the Jeep is already slated to be used in a military themed "pin-up" photoshoot this summer to be used in soldier care packages!  SO COOL!  Anyway, I just have to say, that I am SO proud of him for all his hard work, and the Jeep really does look great.

Alright friends, now onto the rest of my day.  Meeting my girl for some lunch and shopping!  Much love and many blessings till next time!

Check In

Hola bloggies...bloggos....bloggaroos. (There's quite a variety of fun ways to address you all.)

So we are at the top of week two in the new year, and here are some quick updates.

I have decided what one of my first sewing projects will be...making some sort of curtain for the kitchen window in my townhouse.  I was home today, and prepping to cook up a storm in the kitchen (hooray, I cooked something new today!...well, I'd had it before, but it was my first time making it, but we'll come back to that.)  Anyway, I was in the kitchen during that late afternoon/early evening time frame...when the sun is working on setting, and it was just BEAMING through the kitchen window.  Quite blinding actually.  So I've decided that's just not going to work.  But right now, we have no blinds, nothing.  So that "need to go"!

Now back to the cooking topic.  I decided tonight with the upcoming snow days *fingers crossed* would be a great time to try out a soup recipe my mom makes that I LOVE.  Well silly me...I went out to the store, and got everything I needed EXCEPT the chicken broth.  UGH! Well I refused to make another trip to the store.  Thank goodness my roommate had some that she kindly let me use, but it wasn't enough for what the recipe called for so I compensated with water...it didn't quite taste the same as when Mom makes it, and I probably could've sauteed the veggies a little longer, but all in all, not bad.  And the recipe makes a TON!  So I'm set with food for the next week, and it will be great to have when I get *snowed in*

Onto other things I resolved to do this new year, allow me to share with you this scripture, as I decided I wanted to memorize God's word more.  A verse a week.  Last week's was this:

Psalm 22:9-10
Yet you brought me out of the womb.  You made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.  From birth I was cast upon you.  From my mother's womb, you have been my God.

(and yes, I did type that from memory.)  As I chewed on this verse over the past week and reflected on what it has to say about who God is and who I am to Him, I realized this verse packs a powerful message, and truly spotlights what it means to be a child of God.  This verse says that God's had has been at work in my life from the beginning...in the womb.  That He has an intention and purpose for me, and for everything in my life.  To discover and own His purpose in my life is a sweet adventure.

That's all for now folks.  Hopefully I'll be back soon with more recipes, adventures, and truths to share.