tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78689186676371917232024-03-14T06:25:24.345-05:00Medleyed ThoughtsThe brutally honest, analytic, sometimes unneccessary, unsensical goings-on in the mind of Lesley.Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-20509979259854607402012-03-19T20:56:00.000-05:002012-03-19T20:56:39.638-05:00For the record...<a href="http://medleyedthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/03/monday-morning-intentions.html">Today</a> was a success!<br />
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Just in case you were wondering whether or not you needed to come down on me - you don't! At least not for today!<br />
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Hoping for a successful Tuesday morning... storm or no storm :)Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-1987997499697055502012-03-18T20:34:00.001-05:002012-03-18T20:35:37.302-05:00Monday Morning IntentionsSometime I'd like to write a post about my sleep dilemma. I should do that soon.<br />
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But tonight I'm posting about how I WILL get up and work out tomorrow morning. I figure, if I'm putting it out there on my blog, I have to do it, right? I'm hoping that will keep me accountable, at least for tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s0.jrnl.ie/media/2010/11/iphone-alarm-390x285.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://s0.jrnl.ie/media/2010/11/iphone-alarm-390x285.png" width="200" /></a></div>I always have so much motivation when I'm going to bed and setting my alarm. Especially on a Sunday night. The stress from the week hasn't started to consume me yet. I'm fresh off of a relaxing, productive weekend and I have such high expectations and hope for the morning. But usually my sleepiness takes over when my alarm goes off and I snooze through a workout. Sometimes it's not even a conscious rebellion. Occasionally it is. I make excuses in my half-consciousness that I get upset about later in the day.<br />
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I have taken a week off from working out as I recovered from a bad infection last weekend. It's been long enough. I start back tomorrow. Keep me to it, ok? But with love, of course. No condemnation, just accountability and encouragement. I'm hard enough on myself :)Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-74415160951212383922012-03-16T21:25:00.002-05:002012-03-16T21:35:19.794-05:0020 ThingsIt's been a ridiculously long time since I posted anything on here. And while I can't promise that I am starting back up with any kind of consistency, I can say that I think of things to blog about every.single.day. For some reason or another (mostly because of time & the fact that I haven't made this a priority) I don't end up posting anything. I think part of it is because I tend to over analyze just about everything, which makes it hard to communicate sometimes. And for some reason, I feel like I have to get things perfectly worded before I can post them out in cyberspace. But I'm going to try to get past that last part. So if this doesn't make sense or doesn't sound like it's been filtered... too bad :)<br />
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Here are some of the things I've been thinking about/wanting to post about lately:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>I passed my last <a href="http://medleyedthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/07/hibernation.html">exam</a> (praise Jesus!) and I am about to begin studying for the next one! woo hoo!</li>
<li>Brad got into physical therapy school! This will be a major life change for us - including more student loan debt! woo hoo again!</li>
<li>I have been running more, which I like. I don't think of myself as a runner at all, but I'm hoping to get over that and really exceed my own expectations. A 10k seems a little out of reach for me, but more doable than a half marathon. I'd like to run a half marathon someday.</li>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbL5QHrrD8qn2joZVI4QA4dxzH6HOBkBgrOCOGNq-MVU-sLYecbvDVVktLmBE0Xr-Xn7TXmZVM5KZpYYdlJPNCmyuAPJnQBdEnONhpy35PBFQ1WXOBVuMneQSnT__ObUd9TugDnaWdCAV/s1600/IMG_00301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbL5QHrrD8qn2joZVI4QA4dxzH6HOBkBgrOCOGNq-MVU-sLYecbvDVVktLmBE0Xr-Xn7TXmZVM5KZpYYdlJPNCmyuAPJnQBdEnONhpy35PBFQ1WXOBVuMneQSnT__ObUd9TugDnaWdCAV/s200/IMG_00301.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<li>I really like to bake. And I'm starting to make a little more time for it. It's a Saturday morning kind of activity for me. Might be good when I study, too. But I'm trying to eat healthier, so I've found a couple of new fun recipes that have some health-guru ingredients. I'm trying a new one tomorrow :)</li>
<li>I've started the process of changing the way I think about food. It's hard. I'm seriously addicted to food and I use it as an emotional idol. It's a serious problem. But I've gotten some good tips, advice, and encouragement from various sources and I'm slowly working on my food-mentality. I'll keep ya posted.</li>
<li>I've been reading through the Old Testament. It's cool to read things you never remember reading before, even though I've read the OT several times (and grew up hearing many of the stories). I also just ordered 2 series by Francine Rivers: (1) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1414348169/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_2">Sons of Encouragement</a>, which is a fictional story based on the Biblical lives of 5 men of the Bible and (2) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0842356320/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_1">Lineage of Grace</a>, the female version of the prior. They arrive on Monday (thanks to Amazon 2-day shipping) I'm excited to read these along with my study of the OT. </li>
<li>I love Amazon 2-day shipping. And we are on the "Prime Student" edition, so haven't paid a penny yet!</li>
<li>I just downloaded an app for my phone (<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/atimelogger/id358979305?mt=8">aTimeLogger</a>) to track how much time I spend on certain things (i.e., sleep, driving, work, eating, studying...). I'm intending to use it to track my study hours, but for now it's been fun to see how my time is used. It also makes me more conscious of what activities I use in my "free" time.</li>
<li>I have several friends who are either having babies or buying houses. Several of each, actually. And it's really stirred that urge in me for "the next phase" of life. We've been in pretty much the same place since we got married and I think we are both ready for something new. God is so good and provided school for Brad as a big change. I just need to learn to be patient about the rest :) His timing is better than mine.</li>
<li>I miss photography. I capture little moments on my phone (loving Instagram, btw), but it's just not the same as taking pretty pictures with my fancy camera. Artists require time, which I don't have a lot of. I'd like to get some good pics of the bluebonnets this year (since they are actually pretty, unlike last year!). That will be my goal.</li>
<li>I miss using my artistic side in general. I weave it into my every day life, but I miss just sitting down and working on a project. My mom and I made 110 shower invitations a couple of weeks ago. We spent ALL day on them, but it was so much fun. I wish I could have a whole day every week for crafts.</li>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlzKhOeTWYkW0VKgb916zKJbg-Mk7DAY54wPZBuPykjf3jTOwGPtfY21M67TFY27Pi3UqfZiJFp4nbT8aN3oyMicReo6w97BCwF13LRwxIBoPG-IHLj3Fad5LO-Ss5dSUHBn0Xr7_JmPE/s1600/IMG_00247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlzKhOeTWYkW0VKgb916zKJbg-Mk7DAY54wPZBuPykjf3jTOwGPtfY21M67TFY27Pi3UqfZiJFp4nbT8aN3oyMicReo6w97BCwF13LRwxIBoPG-IHLj3Fad5LO-Ss5dSUHBn0Xr7_JmPE/s200/IMG_00247.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<li>Gizmo makes me so happy. Dogs don't judge. They don't care. They greet you at the door every single day and it never fails to make me happy. He is the cutest ever. I don't remember what life was like without him!</li>
<li>I've started listening to audio books in the car while I drive to work. It's been a great way to pass the time! Right now I'm listening to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilgrim's_Progress">The Pilgrim's Progress</a> by John Bunyan. It's a good one :)</li>
<li>I do too many things. I'd really like to simplify my life a little bit. Commit to less. Enjoy more.</li>
<li>I seem to have lost the ability to correctly handle stress. Or my life is more stressful than I ever remember it being. Either way, I'm not doing a good job of it. I need to work on that. Trust God more, trust me less. </li>
<li>Brad is an amazing chef. He cooks dinner for me several times a week and I have no idea what I'm going to do when he's off at school most of the week! So thankful for a wonderful husband!</li>
<li>Brad and I started our own small group at church and it's going really well. It's always a little bit scary putting yourself out there and building those relationships from scratch, but it is so worth it. We are really working on shaping our group into Biblical Christian community.</li>
<li>I require more sleep than I get. I think this one will always be true.</li>
<li>I am going to see the <a href="http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/">Hunger Games</a> at midnight next Thursday night... I haven't done a midnight showing in about 6 years. And I didn't handle it too well then. Hopefully the excitement will overpower the urge to sleep!</li>
<li>I love mountain laurels. I think I've devoted more than one <a href="http://medleyedthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/03/that-sweet-aroma.html">blog post</a> to this beloved plant. Is it a tree? Is it a bush? Who cares! It smells amazing! However... sidenote... it is just WAY TOO HOT for March. Even for Texas. I'm not a fan of these 80*, muggy days. The rain has been nice, though.</li>
</ol><br />
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I could write tons more, but I'm sleepy at the moment (see #19). It's been a long week. Hopefully it won't be too long before my next post... we'll see :)Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-68637955408798443002011-11-17T20:00:00.001-06:002011-11-17T20:00:51.175-06:00Gizmo {Now}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As requested, here are some recent pictures of the Giz... isn't he just the cutest?! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Niv1ERJNigp_Zj-e55jjaOhW6OXs_m0ZtTIf2tdpOfyla9gIxtehD763KegWYVQFZHPWa2AJ9z-jJWgqqZ8IgObmKAuBJPSNQnMYo4VzhLiaPLM5Gg3niB5jvV_QdsbguU4H9nh8TrHt/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Niv1ERJNigp_Zj-e55jjaOhW6OXs_m0ZtTIf2tdpOfyla9gIxtehD763KegWYVQFZHPWa2AJ9z-jJWgqqZ8IgObmKAuBJPSNQnMYo4VzhLiaPLM5Gg3niB5jvV_QdsbguU4H9nh8TrHt/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-8452980823109678102011-10-15T20:35:00.001-05:002011-11-17T20:01:05.300-06:00Gizmo {Then}Today marks one year since we brought home the cutest puppy in the world! He has brought so much joy and spunk to our lives... I can't believe how much a little dog can change your life :)<br />
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Here are some pics from a year ago! He looks so little!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3LDnoUlcdNTUaAGLjJDmJxEm_jKkfDFi86W-RpHBS5cQsUldgY1Emt32hRTC2RjvlSIwgqpL9YXVWvio2WR0Aw_uvv7asuD3OE5kNZ6WyjQ8F25hpfPkCzgmfs8z8V2L0tikoivx36EK/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3LDnoUlcdNTUaAGLjJDmJxEm_jKkfDFi86W-RpHBS5cQsUldgY1Emt32hRTC2RjvlSIwgqpL9YXVWvio2WR0Aw_uvv7asuD3OE5kNZ6WyjQ8F25hpfPkCzgmfs8z8V2L0tikoivx36EK/s320/IMG_3817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU381cTNstyUzRRxSWNevHzD2X4BIUsVLc7_Zbtqsl5ChgwS1gcocEpjstVtftqKSjXFsgrQY6XIi3U__m1b-0JtTsnRB7LptN6pSA14fKQzygMe3pDNOrKOZH4wMwrI1k05rC20Tcp3y/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU381cTNstyUzRRxSWNevHzD2X4BIUsVLc7_Zbtqsl5ChgwS1gcocEpjstVtftqKSjXFsgrQY6XIi3U__m1b-0JtTsnRB7LptN6pSA14fKQzygMe3pDNOrKOZH4wMwrI1k05rC20Tcp3y/s320/IMG_3824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Tonight he is keeping me company as I am battling a cold - he's been like my shadow! Dogs really are the best :)Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-37635734301515660752011-08-27T11:52:00.000-05:002011-08-27T11:52:53.100-05:00August in TexasOh blog, how I've neglected you! Guess studying has really taken over! I don't really even have time for a post now, but {confession} I didn't want August to be a completely blog-free month. So, I thought I'd comment on this Texas heat... (sidenote: does talking about the weather on a blog have the same sort of awkward-nothingtotalkabout-boring connotation as having a conversation with someone about the weather?!)<br />
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Anyway, it has been HOT and DRY. This week we broke the record (set in 1925) for highest number of 100+ degree days in a year... and it's still only August! The record was 69, by the way. And so far, this has been the worst one-year drought in Texas history (there have been worse ones based solely on longevity). In general, this doesn't really affect me on a day to day basis since I'm inside working during the week and inside studying on the weekends - plus I have no yard to water. But it is definitely affecting many many people every day, and has severe long-term implications.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_B7uLdlxFLC8HrJEEf5m24sRfXeMvFNYJ73KnUl3zpkNfcJ3Q7RJfE1ZXhDeelrbLtYMfcvBSaOzuOw_0kiRNtPrNWJLoRqOjYG_EjU6lbvw-9VuIXKBtMhxcWA9eDT5ukhssZXPrXG_/s1600/map_hitmpf_day2_3ussc_enus_600x405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_B7uLdlxFLC8HrJEEf5m24sRfXeMvFNYJ73KnUl3zpkNfcJ3Q7RJfE1ZXhDeelrbLtYMfcvBSaOzuOw_0kiRNtPrNWJLoRqOjYG_EjU6lbvw-9VuIXKBtMhxcWA9eDT5ukhssZXPrXG_/s400/map_hitmpf_day2_3ussc_enus_600x405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And in the mean time, I have been ready for fall to arrive for about a month now. The weather, the clothes, the decor... I'm just ready for change. I crave the change of seasons! Especially from summer into fall and winter into spring, which, in Texas, happen in the blink of an eye. Actually, we usually skip straight from summer in to winter and vice versa. So I have told myself that if I can just make it through August, then I will let myself pretend that it's fall come September - at least the decor and yummy fall scents. The heat may be around well into November.<br />
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Let's leave it at that. Enough talk of weather - and enough to suffice as an August post. Keep cool, pray for thunderstorms, and see you in September!Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-79386031448961415642011-07-15T22:51:00.000-05:002011-07-15T22:51:23.253-05:00Over the WallI love <a href="http://www.holleygerth.com/">Holley's blog</a>... she is amazing with words and she always seems to be speaking directly to me. Or rather, God speaks directly to me through her words. Today was no different. My wall = my exam. No, I didn't pass on the first try... or the second. But I will not give up until I do. And with God, it WILL happen :)<br />
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<h2 class="title" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><a class="journal-entry-navigation-current" href="http://www.holleygerth.com/heart-to-heart-with-holley/2011/7/15/youre-going-to-make-it-over-that-wall.html" style="font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">You're going to make it over that wall...</span></a></h2><div class="body" style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable" style="color: #626262; float: right; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span><a href="http://store.dayspring.com/enmaxlunoisi.html" style="color: #a20000; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="http://www.holleygerth.com/storage/Impossible%20-%20Max%20Lucado%20with%20DaySpring.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1310755278472" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 225px;" /></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Hey you,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">staring at that wall, wondering, "Is there a way over this thing?"</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Oh, <em>yes</em>.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><em><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/19-26.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">With God all things are possible. Matthew 9:26</span></a></em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">He'll make a way.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">And He'll help you climb, jump, knock-down, <em>whatever it takes</em>.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">It may not happen in the timing you want. Or how you imagine.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">But it <em>will</em> happen.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">In the meantime, don't let that wall fool you.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">It can't hold you back, keep you down, make you stuck.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Nope,<em> walls don't have that much power.</em></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">And it's just a matter of time before your</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/joshua/6.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Jericho</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> happens--</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">when the trumpet sounds and deliverance is yours.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">There's no wall too tall.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">No situation too difficult.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">No challenge too great.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">So press in, press on, and <em>never give up</em></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">until that wall comes <em>tumbling down</em>.</span></div></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-63110073684383645162011-07-11T08:44:00.002-05:002011-07-11T08:44:01.867-05:00Birthday Quiz<strong>Quiz:</strong><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Question 1: When taking a big intimidating exam on Tuesday, November 8th, which day is the worst possible day for your birthday to fall?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Answer 1: Monday, November 7th</span></blockquote><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">You may have been tricked into answering "November 8th", but you would have been wrong. Though the exam may fall on the 8th, it's at 8:30 in the morning, over by 1, and therefore, celebration can commence immediately following. Especially if you decide to take the rest of the day off work due to "brain fatigue" :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">So November 7th is the correct answer. It will consist of work, frantic studying, and panic. No time for birthdays on this day.</span><br />
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<blockquote><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Question 2: What day does my birthday NORMALLY fall on?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Answer 2: November 7th.</span></blockquote><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Yep, that's right. Answer 1 and Answer 2 are the same. Yay. Which leads to...</span><br />
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<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Question 3: What day will my birthday fall on this year?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Answer 3: Friday, November 11th (unless you believe in celebrating a week-long birthday, in which case, mine will begin around 1:00pm on November 8th and end at 12:59pm on November 15th)</span></blockquote><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Trixy, huh? I have decided to change by birthday this year. Why did I choose November 11th? Well, the obvious reasons include: (1) it's AFTER my exam, not before or during (2) it's on a FRIDAY! (3) it's still pretty close to my actual birthday. The dorkier reasons include: (4) I have a thing for primes (my favorites being 7 and 11, go figure!) and (5) 11-11-11. enough said. coolest day ever!</span><br />
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So... 11-11-11, happy birthday to me.Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-82702740551093305762011-07-09T13:24:00.000-05:002011-07-09T13:24:20.386-05:00Day 1 = SuccessStudying was extremely successful this morning! I set up an area to study in our office, where I wouldn't be distracted. Then I made myself a homemade caramel latte and got to work! Take that, Starbucks! I even got a load of laundry done, too. I averaged a short break (less than 2 minutes) every half hour and a long break (5-10 minutes) every hour. I tried using the stop-watch feature on my phone to keep time and it really kept me accountable to the actual amount of time spent studying. Oh, and the fun supplies really helped!<br />
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This afternoon, I have a fun outing with a good friend planned :) And I won't be feeling guilty, because I met my quota for the day!<br />
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I'm hoping day one's success is an indication of how the next 4 months will go! Yay!Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-15642808483256746242011-07-05T07:18:00.000-05:002011-07-05T07:18:34.820-05:00Time of my LifeI think back to 3 years ago all. the. time. And especially lately, with so many of my friends getting married. I just think back to how perfect it was for me. July 5th, 2008 was absolutely, hands-down, the best day of my life. And I'm not just saying that because it sounds good or because you're <i>supposed</i> to say that about your wedding day. It really was.<br />
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And the weeks surrounding it are right up there too. The week before the big day was full of hanging out with friends and family. Literally, just hanging out on our back porch.<br />
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And the week after was my first week as Brad's wife. Our honeymoon was our first big adventure as husband and wife.<br />
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It was all so sweet and I find myself thinking back to that time so often - wishing I could go back and do it all over again.<br />
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Unlike many brides I know, I absolutely LOVED planning my wedding. Sure, it was stressful at times, but only because I was trying to juggle wedding planning, working, going to school and graduating, finding a full time job, and finding a place to live all at the same time. But really... REALLY... I loved the planning. I'd do it all again and again if I could (back up career choice, maybe?!).<br />
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Also unlike many brides, I don't remember feeling stressed or nervous leading up to the wedding. I only remember a little bit of family drama, but what family doesn't have that surround something like a wedding?! All I can remember is having fun! Maybe 5 and a half years coming helped a little with that?!<br />
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And then the wedding day came. And it was all I had hoped for!<br />
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We had a little rain shower scare right before the ceremony, but I think it was just good luck! The ceremony was beautiful! The perfect representation of Brad and I coming together as best friends, husband and wife, one before God. I love that man. I really do. I love him more now than I did then. And I'm sure it will just get better.<br />
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And after we were pronounced man and wife, it was time for the party to begin. And begin, it did. It was the best party I can ever remember attending. And again, I'm serious. It's not just because it was <i>my </i>party or because I'm supposed to say that. It really was amazing having all of my friends and family there dancing, eating, and having a splendid time. I didn't want it to end!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcGy_Wwk4S5TJRIdrS_S5X7NlQn1WUuTgHUMxCCOeqJ_CfPkxnSySnlPekbJESl6UsE2vxP_5PaZ9lgILhbN3xpoXWniwnrDyIF7uyLZmJTWADzy1e775KlC6ZCxzBt-b5-LCimZHdoxE/s1600/P7050121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcGy_Wwk4S5TJRIdrS_S5X7NlQn1WUuTgHUMxCCOeqJ_CfPkxnSySnlPekbJESl6UsE2vxP_5PaZ9lgILhbN3xpoXWniwnrDyIF7uyLZmJTWADzy1e775KlC6ZCxzBt-b5-LCimZHdoxE/s200/P7050121.jpg" width="156" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z1HoRPIcjVL65Vz0BoUT9RLrLxQU6b036Uta5BsFlV_iJ7kn93k16BbEHLgFkmVn2_1KXUl3eQOjAYNNdFj9OfbwuIahw8cbuDuGfrH_EotWsn8uVIFzEA5XgBmuqPPjuYYDdfzbvvQr/s1600/sunset3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z1HoRPIcjVL65Vz0BoUT9RLrLxQU6b036Uta5BsFlV_iJ7kn93k16BbEHLgFkmVn2_1KXUl3eQOjAYNNdFj9OfbwuIahw8cbuDuGfrH_EotWsn8uVIFzEA5XgBmuqPPjuYYDdfzbvvQr/s200/sunset3.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So here's to memories. The good kind. The BEST kind. And to making many more with him :)Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-77528279047331970062011-07-01T22:17:00.000-05:002011-07-01T22:17:51.990-05:00HibernationI decided on "<a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hibernate">hibernation</a>" as the title of my time of studying this summer/fall. Originally I was calling it death (as in... death is coming) but decided that was a little too harsh and may end up setting a negative tone on the whole studying thing. And I need all the positive I can get!<br />
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So hibernation it is. And it is coming. I have a week left to prepare and then my nose will be stuck in the books until November. And prepare, I have. Preparations have included:<br />
<ul><li>gathering study materials</li>
<li>picking a new color scheme for materials (the last 2 attempts have been green, but that obviously wasn't working out, so I picked PASSING PINK this time around. I think it is a winning color)</li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFjMCcm3BgBe0CieJsMWcNQQ0AF1i0LDrlqaeMajugvPjAm2WyoiA0G6UY2-WbHS4oj85bzs9OVE4Y0t9ArlxV1wFGz2_6xVKwgQmKrtKC9BqT2W_K374vllps_IUEaS2srLNqNJFXdqi/s1600/study-stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFjMCcm3BgBe0CieJsMWcNQQ0AF1i0LDrlqaeMajugvPjAm2WyoiA0G6UY2-WbHS4oj85bzs9OVE4Y0t9ArlxV1wFGz2_6xVKwgQmKrtKC9BqT2W_K374vllps_IUEaS2srLNqNJFXdqi/s320/study-stuff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><li>setting up a study schedule</li>
<li>purchasing pink & white polka dot notebook</li>
<li>ordering pink Japanese pens (theirs are better) and pink pencil lead</li>
<li>borrowing (or taking) colored notebook paper from a lovely friend</li>
<li>cleaning the apartment, as it will be neglected once hibernation sets in</li>
<li>saying farewell to friends - or at least warning them of my hibernation</li>
<li>stepping down from unnecessary activities (yay for saying no to things!)</li>
<li>trying to get my "creativity fix" in and most of all...</li>
<li>praying... lots and lots of praying that God would prepare my heart for this.</li>
</ul><br />
Because, if you haven't noticed, I am determined to PASS this <a href="http://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/edu-exam-m-detail.aspx">exam</a> now. I didn't give it my all the last 2 attempts and pretty much wasted 6-8 months on studying and stressing. But not this time. God has set out this task in front of me and He has given me everything I need to pass it. I just need to rely on Him for perserverance, motivation, energy and sanity. Because it is going to be hard.<br />
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I'm not quite sure what the effect of hibernation on blogging will look like. I don't feel comfortable in saying that I will be cutting out blogging completely. It may turn out that I need this as an outlet. But I'm guessing it's fair to say that I won't be blogging daily (have I ever?!)<br />
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Things that will not cease due to studying (in fact, MUST NOT cease BECAUSE I'm studying) include: <br />
<ul><li>exercise! every morning, I hope</li>
<li>sleep! I need it</li>
<li>work... the reason I'm doing all this!</li>
<li>food - hopefully not too much of it</li>
<li>time with Brad and Gizmo - they help keep me sane</li>
<li>church on Sundays</li>
<li>Bible study on Wednesdays (shout out to PROOF!)</li>
<li>time with God</li>
<li>a one week vacation half-way through</li>
<li>occasional, necessary breaks to come up for air :)</li>
</ul><br />
So... here we go! T-minus seven days (or less, if I so choose). Will you pray for me?Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-39357210836508755222011-06-20T21:46:00.002-05:002011-06-20T21:47:01.817-05:00REPOST about why I neglect to post...<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Is it saying something that I'm resorting to REposting old blog posts about not posting? It just so happens that this is still how I feel:</span></i><br />
<br />
So it's been awhile since my last post. And that's been bothering me. Not that I think I could be one of those people who posts daily (at least not right now in my life) but it is a goal of mine to make time to post what's on my mind. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sometimes I neglect to post because of lack of words. literally. sometimes I just have nothing to say.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sometimes I neglect to post because I'm just way too busy. which is often. but if I didn't post for the simple reason that I'm too busy, then I would never post...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZkY6VQ-xg-Yo1n-iFbB3-qSvLNv53Ke9108MQUE_nPDOc3Buh9ptcMuDRRdTeXIgzM3yNjlSd_0jpnn5PZ7gKUboW5yulWMyxQG8CEu_5J2KrscegY1vQ2F4Bx5bXDWoKd2dylBUEEZ3/s1600/1-Too_Many_Words_by_Payana-DEV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZkY6VQ-xg-Yo1n-iFbB3-qSvLNv53Ke9108MQUE_nPDOc3Buh9ptcMuDRRdTeXIgzM3yNjlSd_0jpnn5PZ7gKUboW5yulWMyxQG8CEu_5J2KrscegY1vQ2F4Bx5bXDWoKd2dylBUEEZ3/s320/1-Too_Many_Words_by_Payana-DEV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sometimes I neglect to post because I have way too many things to say and I can't narrow my train of thought <strong>{this is the most common reason}.</strong> I mean seriously. sometimes I just can't make sense of everything going on in this mind of mine. I get ideas for blog posts all. the. time. but it's hard for me to focus on one at a time. I get overwhelmed. kinda like lorelai.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sometimes I neglect to post because my words/ideas seem insignificant. I'll come up with something I want to say, but by the time I sit down at the computer to type, it seems ridiculous. it seems silly, because this is my blog. my space. and it should reflect me - no matter how insignificant I may feel. yet the self critic inside of me finds a way to talk me out of posting things that in no way stand up to the kinds of posts I read from others.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So there it is. That's what's on my mind right now. :)<br />
<br />
</div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-37670304564346676442011-06-05T20:43:00.000-05:002011-06-05T20:43:53.472-05:00Boston - Gilmore Girls StyleOkay, so I know I promised I would write a blog post for every day of our trip, but the couple weeks following our trip have been busy with catching up with, well... life! And now that I've waited so long, I've sort of run out of steam. <br />
<br />
Since I'm currently watching Gilmore Girls (and am obviously obsessed) I thought a Gilmore Girls Boston post would suffice. I had some lovely Lorelai/Rory moments on our trip that I'd love to share:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">(1) CHILTON</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLIkzh5ysmAvqzqLef3NkghGouAzr_oUm7SNKXTZbyH5QXotFb-dLDunMbPtolQ8_jZziDpwu0th66W-tnIT5CS3TbAui4VtraXjWESDsXguBp1jBykdSBlMcxYSQUoV9fxmIX1-sBPT3/s1600/IMG_4784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLIkzh5ysmAvqzqLef3NkghGouAzr_oUm7SNKXTZbyH5QXotFb-dLDunMbPtolQ8_jZziDpwu0th66W-tnIT5CS3TbAui4VtraXjWESDsXguBp1jBykdSBlMcxYSQUoV9fxmIX1-sBPT3/s320/IMG_4784.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were walking through Newton (the suburb of Boston we stayed in) we passed this school and I decided that it was Chilton... what do you think? Could be, huh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/gilmoregirls/images/d/d5/Chilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.wikia.com/gilmoregirls/images/d/d5/Chilton.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual Chilton in Gilmore Girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">(2) HARVARD</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TPysCBe8FdwKD28Zkadw6gtjtSEMHwAC6dxA9sm2qxLd_-trXPeNeqch9ahPaLg7iW0qpv8AnQ7xpslU8rnMa-b8X0Vi4xPex2U0FEyQhRI0W9NkTvMRcy6fYujRF9XCPgJQdASlwOId/s1600/IMG_5057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TPysCBe8FdwKD28Zkadw6gtjtSEMHwAC6dxA9sm2qxLd_-trXPeNeqch9ahPaLg7iW0qpv8AnQ7xpslU8rnMa-b8X0Vi4xPex2U0FEyQhRI0W9NkTvMRcy6fYujRF9XCPgJQdASlwOId/s320/IMG_5057.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Johnston Gate! Not the prettiest weather :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.deseretnews.com/images/article/sidebar/590110222/Lauren-Graham-and-Alexis-Bledel-in-Gilmore-Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static.deseretnews.com/images/article/sidebar/590110222/Lauren-Graham-and-Alexis-Bledel-in-Gilmore-Girls.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttOPpgdQGCD5xhXmgSAn6wAkqw9QdWjcNQ3GTW0RGlnGUawH1fvFJDVAJO4kDNWvbMsVLae709Lu5wePQUHFtiOfSySmwAtnjkxaPd2JAKrnJTR5ptoCXYuvR0787VuzGK7ckxB-IM52J/s1600/IMG_5039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttOPpgdQGCD5xhXmgSAn6wAkqw9QdWjcNQ3GTW0RGlnGUawH1fvFJDVAJO4kDNWvbMsVLae709Lu5wePQUHFtiOfSySmwAtnjkxaPd2JAKrnJTR5ptoCXYuvR0787VuzGK7ckxB-IM52J/s320/IMG_5039.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvard Squirrel! (Lorelai and Rory take a picture of one too... theirs is probably similar in quality)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">(3) THE RENOIR GIRL</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FHF5EoF3iPJFLUnIWueHFBwq7b6y1gQmxPrjdOPijO7FFOHm8MtAFreP6axfp8lVyI-RiaN86jqz76wFkLPz_Nu6jPmoQNDsQJ7oIfMgzH_AsGvgCAIGFJaojBvLCBsuWG_-ChKTvHgc/s1600/IMG_5221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FHF5EoF3iPJFLUnIWueHFBwq7b6y1gQmxPrjdOPijO7FFOHm8MtAFreP6axfp8lVyI-RiaN86jqz76wFkLPz_Nu6jPmoQNDsQJ7oIfMgzH_AsGvgCAIGFJaojBvLCBsuWG_-ChKTvHgc/s320/IMG_5221.JPG" t8="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Dance at Bougival</em>, 1883<br />
Pierre-Auguste Renoir<br />
Boston Museum of Fine Arts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2009/09/gilmore-girls-festival-living-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2009/09/gilmore-girls-festival-living-2.jpg" t8="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorelai playing "Renoir Girl" in the Festival of Living Pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">(4) B&B</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic95EPJ7jFQ2yTNjQwNSmKCtwrviNbTDjiMnlBRIgNI_DlBOVzer00NPkIcAWSkQKLPvvwJo2o1uyefgvdh_GCqg0Uf00OtURWTxpqSQBZX2BLrU4uXsQiS4htaQieLZIgxY2rriu7l27G/s1600/IMG_5314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic95EPJ7jFQ2yTNjQwNSmKCtwrviNbTDjiMnlBRIgNI_DlBOVzer00NPkIcAWSkQKLPvvwJo2o1uyefgvdh_GCqg0Uf00OtURWTxpqSQBZX2BLrU4uXsQiS4htaQieLZIgxY2rriu7l27G/s320/IMG_5314.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room at our B&B in Provincetown. Not as over the top as Lorelai and Rory's room in the Cheshire Cat :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">(5) CAPE COD</span><br />
<br />
We didn't actually make it to Martha's Vineyard like Lorelai and Rory, but we did experience the Cape, which still reminded me of the Gilmore trip. I can't embed this clip for some reason, but click here if you want Lorelai's lovely dialogue involving lighthouses, ferries, spermaceti and gay head: <a href="http://youtu.be/kxQ68rw-RFQ">YouTube</a><br />
<br />
And to conclude, here's a picture of Brad and I at a lighthouse!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tv32F_ziTNO2RXPjOlLJoWOpqh4-BRNdNfEaJQkAlV_sJGR-aRah6ZCXbgd_1oMrTs_mSQ51ka_0XvFJg91ASmEY8tvRHO9vxkndHhiTLUIna0SJw0WjcLSGJuT2IUdAeYUBvJ-PiRpS/s1600/IMG_00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tv32F_ziTNO2RXPjOlLJoWOpqh4-BRNdNfEaJQkAlV_sJGR-aRah6ZCXbgd_1oMrTs_mSQ51ka_0XvFJg91ASmEY8tvRHO9vxkndHhiTLUIna0SJw0WjcLSGJuT2IUdAeYUBvJ-PiRpS/s320/IMG_00083.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For TONS more pictures, visit our Shutterfly account: <a href="http://beviladventures.shutterfly.com/">Bevil Adventures</a></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-5388755098306958082011-05-22T20:52:00.000-05:002011-05-22T20:52:59.052-05:00BOSTONThis year, Brad and I decided to take a trip to Boston - just for fun. This was the first trip we've taken where we have been tourists. And we planned it ALL ourselves - flights, rental car, hotels, itinerary. We had an absolute blast. We did about as much as you can do in the amount of time we were there!<br />
<br />
Here was our basic itinerary:<br />
<br />
Saturday - Travel (got to Boston around midnight)<br />
Sunday - Freedom Trail, Boston sites<br />
Monday - Fenway Park Tour, Harvard/Cambridge, Red Sox Game<br />
Tuesday - Museum Day: Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts<br />
Wednesday - Sam Adams Brewery, Plymouth, travel to Provincetown (tip of the cape)<br />
Thursday - Provincetown, bike trails on the Cape<br />
Friday - Lighthouse, more of the Cape, back to Boston, Prudential Tower<br />
Saturday - return to Texas!<br />
<br />
We did a lot... and I took TONS of pictures (over 700! no exaggeration!) So, I am going to devote a blog post for each day of our trip. Obviously, I won't put all 700 pictures on here - but most of them are on our Shutterfly account: <a href="http://beviladventures.shutterfly.com/">Bevil Adventures</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Here are a few pics from last Saturday (our travel day):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65bP8wIfwgD7vdENWrRVmGP0hg8CfNp8anvNt3U9o0jqs-S-5S_NO1i0vVmc-6OJc57SRyEWeclp8DYU5OZ4WAZsrH9DA0uVj_QjtXCFATmL-YhfHJ3f1VnPqBo1aRQT8jlymLSimMMQ/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65bP8wIfwgD7vdENWrRVmGP0hg8CfNp8anvNt3U9o0jqs-S-5S_NO1i0vVmc-6OJc57SRyEWeclp8DYU5OZ4WAZsrH9DA0uVj_QjtXCFATmL-YhfHJ3f1VnPqBo1aRQT8jlymLSimMMQ/s320/IMG_4770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting at the airport - our flight was delayed 30 minutes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLTbj3vefNVuSjHVPSgA2sXusAn7P4YAdLTKaH8GfZc0OZS6xJ0fZYM7_YzapNXUW_sVvnM0MUjFb3eHv-FUbKEfnTgx7N9DtGw5BCUKGjzjSsM_57_AxU-UaNfthOG6ZqR_z86t49Koo/s1600/IMG_00054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLTbj3vefNVuSjHVPSgA2sXusAn7P4YAdLTKaH8GfZc0OZS6xJ0fZYM7_YzapNXUW_sVvnM0MUjFb3eHv-FUbKEfnTgx7N9DtGw5BCUKGjzjSsM_57_AxU-UaNfthOG6ZqR_z86t49Koo/s320/IMG_00054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to the rental car place and the guy helping us was so nice - knowing it was our first trip to Beantown, he let us pick any car on the lot! Brad chose a 2011 Dodge Charger!! Talk about sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbtHP1HIRx6NqOhXdEVWNhfFg7JcuFCK_zqpNXHmmMTyGCr2CEqakIL6MGZDc_wdr0C1GH8E0cPFhx96C98YF3bsJ8pU3eoG3ESqS_gN7j1On7YBUEr3WAY31QwLGX-U-lqITw8Ym1cy5/s1600/IMG_4783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbtHP1HIRx6NqOhXdEVWNhfFg7JcuFCK_zqpNXHmmMTyGCr2CEqakIL6MGZDc_wdr0C1GH8E0cPFhx96C98YF3bsJ8pU3eoG3ESqS_gN7j1On7YBUEr3WAY31QwLGX-U-lqITw8Ym1cy5/s320/IMG_4783.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from our hotel room (sorry kinda blurry!) - we stayed in Newton, a suburb of Boston</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Stay tuned for Day 1: Freedom Trail!Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-56685542371908622092011-05-11T20:47:00.000-05:002011-05-13T08:10:13.658-05:00BlessingsUmm... heard this song by Laura Story for the first time this morning as I was driving to work through the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{wanna be}</span> rain. With so many friends around me going through some tough stuff, it just really made my heart smile. PS- I made my favorite parts blue :)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1CSVqHcdhXQ?rel=0" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
We pray for blessings<br />
We pray for peace<br />
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep<br />
We pray for healing, for prosperity<br />
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering<br />
All the while, You hear each spoken need<br />
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise<br />
<br />
We pray for wisdom<br />
Your voice to hear<br />
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near<br />
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love<br />
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough<br />
All the while, You hear each desperate plea<br />
And long that we'd have faith to believe<br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
What if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise<br />
<br />
When friends betray us<br />
When darkness seems to win<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">We know the pain reminds this heart</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">That this is not, this is not our home</span></b><br />
<br />
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops<br />
What if Your healing comes through tears<br />
And what if a thousand sleepless nights<br />
Are what it takes to know You’re near<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">What if my greatest disappointments</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Or the aching of this life</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy</span></b><br />
And what if trials of this life<br />
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights<br />
Are Your mercies in disguiseFreckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-56238048610409143952011-04-25T21:33:00.000-05:002011-04-25T21:33:52.682-05:00Oh Glorious Day!I meant to post this yesterday, but I got busy celebrating EASTER and the resurrected JESUS! But the Gospel is just as much a celebration today! It's the most beautiful, important story of all time!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">This video is a little longer than most, but it is so unbelievably powerful. We must not forget why we are here and what God has commissioned us for! Take ten to watch... I promise, it is worth it!</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nPIOkdNL-QQ?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">Lord, I pray that I would become less and that You would become more. Help me not to get in the way. Jesus, live through me!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">And now for a little Casting Crowns...</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GTBnCCreO5M?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Death could not hold Him! The grave could not keep Him from rising again! Oh Glorious Day!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I hope your Easter was glorious!</span>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-27475017058910255132011-04-22T14:16:00.002-05:002011-04-22T14:18:04.172-05:00The Beauty of the CrossIt was planned ahead of time. Jesus was there - before the creation of the world. God planned it perfectly. Jesus went willingly. He's known all along how it would end. He did it for us. He suffered for us. He loves us.<br />
<blockquote><b><u>Isaiah 53</u></b> </blockquote><blockquote>Who has believed our message<br />
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?<br />
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,<br />
and like a root out of dry ground.<br />
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,<br />
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.<br />
He was despised and rejected by mankind,<br />
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.<br />
Like one from whom people hide their faces<br />
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.</blockquote><blockquote>Surely he took up our pain<br />
and bore our suffering,<br />
yet we considered him punished by God,<br />
stricken by him, and afflicted.<br />
But he was pierced for our transgressions,<br />
he was crushed for our iniquities;<br />
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,<br />
and by his wounds we are healed.<br />
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,<br />
each of us has turned to our own way;<br />
and the LORD has laid on him<br />
the iniquity of us all. </blockquote><blockquote>He was oppressed and afflicted,<br />
yet he did not open his mouth;<br />
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,<br />
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,<br />
so he did not open his mouth.<br />
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.<br />
Yet who of his generation protested?<br />
For he was cut off from the land of the living;<br />
for the transgression of my people he was punished.<br />
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,<br />
and with the rich in his death,<br />
though he had done no violence,<br />
nor was any deceit in his mouth. </blockquote><blockquote>Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,<br />
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,<br />
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,<br />
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.<br />
After he has suffered,<br />
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;<br />
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,<br />
and he will bear their iniquities.<br />
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,<br />
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,<br />
because he poured out his life unto death,<br />
and was numbered with the transgressors.<br />
For he bore the sin of many,<br />
and made intercession for the transgressors.</blockquote><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xoEoPkmVkVs?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-5752426444882366672011-04-21T06:32:00.001-05:002011-04-21T12:46:57.641-05:00Far Greater TruthsThere's a lot of hurt out there right now. A lot of sadness. A lot of difficulty and tough situations. So many people I know are angry, worried, stressed, exhausted. <br />
<br />
But we have to remember... GOD IS GOOD.<br />
<br />
He is good and He is in control. No matter what it looks like from our perspective, <strong>that's the Truth.</strong> And we can choose to dwell on the facts of our situation and the way it makes us feel (far lessor truths, as Pastor Kyle would say) or we can shift to dwelling on far greater Truths: God is good. God is in control. God loves me. God is sovereign. Oh how many there are! And oh how much greater they are!<br />
<blockquote>Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,<br />
for his steadfast love endures forever! -Psalm 107:1 </blockquote>We may not understand. And His ways may not <em>seem</em> right or good. BUT THEY ARE. The Bible says they are and we have to believe that. God is infinitely greater than me. I have to trust that He knows better than I do what is good. <br />
<blockquote>A great many things in God's divine providences do not look like goodness to the eye... But faith sits down before mysteries such as these, and says, "The Lord is good, therefore all that He does must be good, no matter how it looks, and I can wait for His explanations." - Hannah Whitall Smith</blockquote>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-43132365849451500002011-04-10T20:53:00.000-05:002011-04-10T20:53:42.660-05:00Beautiful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">The days will come when you don't have the strength </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>When all you hear is you're not worth anything </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Wondering if you ever could be loved </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are made so much more than all of this </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">I'm praying that you have the heart to find </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>For all the lies you've held inside so long </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are made so much more than all of this </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Before you ever took a breath </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Long before the world began </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Of all the wonders He possessed </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">There was one more precious </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">Of all the earth and skys above </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're the one He madly loves </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">Enough to die </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">In His eyes </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You were meant for so much more than all of this </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're meant for so much more than all of this </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You're beautiful, You're beautiful </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: inherit;">You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1vh7-RSPuAA?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-66296854927790691442011-03-18T12:40:00.000-05:002011-03-18T12:40:41.493-05:00That Sweet Aroma!<div align="center"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">{warning: this is a</span> <a href="http://medleyedthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/ode-to-mountain-laurel.html">re-post</a></span><span style="color: #d9d2e9;">!... I just love the Mountain Laurel so much!}</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ff99ff;">"See! The winter is past; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">the rains are over and gone. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Flowers appear on the earth; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">the season of singing has come, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">the cooing of doves is heard in our land. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">The fig tree forms its early fruit; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Arise, come, my darling; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">my beautiful one, come with me."</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #9999ff;">-Song of Solomon 2:11-13</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #9999ff;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #9999ff;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/plantguide/images/mountain_laurel_a.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #9999ff;">In the midst of all the hustle bustle busy-ness of life, a wonderfully poignant aroma catches my attention and reminds me to appreciate the gift of spring. How many days have I been down or frustrated or tired and then this amazing little flower has turned my entire day around? I can't tell you how often God uses the Mountain Laurel to get my attention. It never fails to get capture my senses and shift my attention to the beauty of creation. This scent says, "Look how simple and beautiful I am. None of that other stuff matters. You make things too hard. Just come away with me. Follow me and I will show you what it means to live." </span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #ff99ff;">Thank you, Lord, for the Mountain Laurel.</span></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-25291839465930740272011-03-17T09:55:00.000-05:002011-03-17T09:55:57.118-05:00I Arise TodayIn honor of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick">Saint Patrick</a>, here is a prayer, often referred to as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Breastplate">The Breastplate of Saint Patrick</a> because of its shielding lyrics - for protection on a journey.<span style="color: #93c47d;"></span><br />
<dl style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;"></span> </dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">I arise today </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through the belief in the threeness, </span></dd> <dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through confession of the oneness </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Of the Creator of Creation. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I arise today </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">I arise today </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through the strength of the love of Cherubim, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In obedience of angels, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In the service of archangels, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In hope of resurrection to meet with reward, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In prayers of patriarchs, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In predictions of prophets, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In preaching of apostles, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">In faith of confessors, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In innocence of holy virgins, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">In deeds of righteous men. </span></dd></dl><dl style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.acdn.us/image/A9635/963573/470_963573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://i.acdn.us/image/A9635/963573/470_963573.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legend says that Saint Patrick would teach the <br />
Irish about the Trinity through the Shamrock. <br />
He would use the shape to help illustrate the <br />
concept of God being three persons in one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I arise today </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through the strength of heaven: </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Light of sun, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Radiance of moon, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Splendor of fire, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Speed of lightning, </span></dd> <dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Swiftness of wind, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Depth of sea, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Stability of earth, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Firmness of rock. </span></dd></dl><dl style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">I arise today </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through God's strength to pilot me: </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's might to uphold me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's wisdom to guide me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's eye to look before me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's ear to hear me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's word to speak for me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's hand to guard me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's way to lie before me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's shield to protect me, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">God's host to save me </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">From snares of devils, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">From temptations of vices, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">From everyone who shall wish me ill, </span></dd><dd style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Afar and anear, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Alone and in multitude. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I summon today all these powers between me and those evils, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against incantations of false prophets, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against black laws of pagandom </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against false laws of heretics, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against craft of idolatry, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Christ to shield me today </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Against poison, against burning, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Against drowning, against wounding, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">So that there may come to me abundance of reward. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ on my right, Christ on my left, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ in every eye that sees me, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ in every ear that hears me. </span></dd></dl><dl><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">I arise today </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through belief in the threeness, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Through confession of the oneness, </span></dd><dd><span style="color: #93c47d;">Of the Creator of Creation. </span></dd></dl><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-83430714562313994302011-03-09T07:03:00.001-06:002011-03-09T07:05:56.049-06:00Temporary HomeSome Scripture pertaining to <a href="http://medleyedthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/03/shedding.html">Lent...</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel%202:12-17&version=ESV">Joel 2:12-17</a></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">"Yet even now," declares the LORD,<br />
"return to me with all your heart,<br />
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;<br />
and rend your hearts and not your garments.<br />
Return to the LORD your God,<br />
for he is gracious and merciful,<br />
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;<br />
and he relents over disaster.<br />
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,<br />
and leave a blessing behind him,<br />
a grain offering and a drink offering<br />
for the LORD your God?</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">Blow the trumpet in Zion;<br />
consecrate a fast;<br />
call a solemn assembly;<br />
gather the people.<br />
Consecrate the congregation;<br />
assemble the elders;<br />
gather the children,<br />
even nursing infants.<br />
Let the bridegroom leave his room,<br />
and the bride her chamber.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">Between the vestibule and the altar<br />
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep<br />
and say, "Spare your people, O LORD,<br />
and make not your heritage a reproach,<br />
a byword among the nations.<br />
Why should they say among the peoples,<br />
'Where is their God?'</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%206:16-21&version=ESV">Matthew 6:16-21</a></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."</span></blockquote><br />
<br />
Remember... we are sojourners in this land. It is our temporary home.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:15-17&version=ESV">1 John 2:15-17</a></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.</span></blockquote><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LraOiHUltak?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-35007500048825443862011-03-08T21:10:00.003-06:002011-03-08T21:15:23.555-06:00SheddingTomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Years ago, I dreaded Lent. All I got from it when I was younger was that I had to give up something I loved and fast from eating meat on Fridays. And for a girl who hated fish, it was not much fun.<br />
<br />
As I got older and my relationship with the Lord grew, I came to understand the sacrifice a little more.<br />
{click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent">here</a> to learn more about what wiki says about Lent}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mikebreen.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/lent_desktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://mikebreen.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/lent_desktop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But now, after not having really celebrated the season of Lent in a few years (besides the general reflection on my sin and Jesus's sacrifice during Sunday services), I am <i>choosing</i> to celebrate it this year. I don't even know if celebrate is the right term, though Jesus's resurrection is definitely something to celebrate! I have a different outlook on it this year...<br />
<br />
We are strangers here on this earth. This is not our eternal home - it's where God has us for now. But sometimes we get so entwined, even enslaved, to it that we absolutely forget who we are and why we are here. And I think the Lenten season is the perfect time to reflect on that and allow God to strip us back down to the creation He intended us to be. And, layer by layer, as He frees us from this world, we see more and more the depravity of our sin and, by comparison, the greatness of our God.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-2&version=ESV">Hebrews 12:1-2</a></blockquote><br />
I have some shedding to do. I have grown so astoundingly dependent on the things of this world, and it's time for repentance, renewal, and some good quality time with my Father. I am going to take a break from social networking (namely, facebook) and spend much more time digging through His Word and letting Him dig through my heart.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LartL77Nuqs?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-77886801655388759742011-03-03T21:11:00.000-06:002011-03-03T21:11:47.460-06:00FaithfulThis week's song is a little more serious... a true expression of the heart.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Faithful </span>- Brooke Fraser<br />
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There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave<br />
I wave my arms round about me and blow with all my might<br />
I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here<br />
But the comfort of you near is what I long for<br />
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When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same<br />
When I can't hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray<br />
And I want you more than I want to live another day<br />
And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful<br />
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All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone<br />
I still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right<br />
So I whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tounge,<br />
knowing you're the only one who knows me<br />
You know me<br />
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When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same<br />
When I can't hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray<br />
And I want you more than I want to live another day<br />
And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful<br />
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Show me how I should live this<br />
Show me where I should walk<br />
I count this world as loss to me<br />
You are all I want<br />
You are all I wantFreckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868918667637191723.post-60978221857757945372011-02-24T22:01:00.000-06:002011-02-24T22:01:20.240-06:00Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?!This is my current favorite song... it hasn't failed to make me smile yet :) Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px; text-align: center; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.cmt.com/videos/thompson-square/557313/are-you-gonna-kiss-me-or-not.jhtml" style="color: #439cd8;" target="_blank">Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not</a> - <a href="http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/thompson_square/artist.jhtml" style="color: #439cd8;" target="_blank">Thompson Square</a> - <a href="http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/thompson_square/videos.jhtml" style="color: #439cd8;" target="_blank">Thompson Square Videos</a></div>Freckleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01521235204091111365noreply@blogger.com0