This may not be a photographic masterpiece, but I just love my silly kids! Richie and I took some of the youth group kids up to the nearby mountains to play in the snow for a few hours. We slid (rolled) off tall hills, threw snowballs, tackled each other (mostly just Richie and I got tackled), and went on short hike that ended when we all started complaining about the cold. Wimpiness aside, we are totally cool, as proven by this picture!
I think I am by nature a nostalgic person. Spending hours looking at old photos is not a waste of time, even if it means digging a heavy 5-gallon plastic box out from my mom's closet. I don't mind reading my old diaries, even with their terrible spelling and embarrassing immaturity. My 8th grade year book, along with the tons of sentimental junk I decided to keep forever when I was 13, is still neatly tucked away in a little box waiting for the day when I can show my memorabilia off to someone who will treasure it as much as I do. I love remembering the past, even the painfully dark times, and one my worst fears has always been forgetting.
The thing about nostalgia, though, is that I can't let it take over my every thought. There are times when visiting an old friend's Facebook profile, finding an old letter from a long-time pen pal, or stumbling upon an old family photo throws me into a chasm of memories of times I can't revisit no matter how much I wish I could.
And that's just the trouble: I end up wishing I could go back to that summer riding my bike around the neighborhood taking in the deep lavender of the flowering trees. I end up wishing I could experience the bond I felt with the friends I made so easily at camp, at least just for another day. I end up wishing I could go back to the time of wonder and nervousness and sweaty palms as Richie and began to date. I end up wishing for so much that I can never have and instead of enjoying the memories and the fact that I have them, I idolize them.
I have a lot of memories to be thankful to God for, but instead of thanking him for the wonderful times he's allowed me to live, I turn what he gave me into a desire stronger than my desire for him.
I found my idol. I know I have to dethrone it and let God take his rightful place again.
If I shopped like this in real life, I'd be completely broke! I never buy clothing this expensive but I guess since these are just idea boards, its ok to go overboard.
When I told Richie I want Spring to get here already he rolled his eyes and chuckled. Just a few weeks ago I was upset at the wimpy Las Vegas winter. Now that we've had our two weeks of rain and cold, though, I can't wait for Spring-time weather. What can be more Springy than bright turquoise, cardigans, and pale lace?
Cucumber Melon Cardigan: $32.99 Mod Cloth
Delicate Doily Blouse: $98.00 Anthropologie
Blue and Gold Striped Skirt: $149.00 Kate Spade
Scout Green Tights: $12.50 We Love Colors
Brown Ankle Boots: $59.00 Zappos
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16
The first $315 dollars I worked for were all spent on a two hour long trip to Target. I don't remember what I bought, but it must have been hair accessories, tank tops, and useless knick knacks. I most likely no longer own any of the things my first 40 hours of work bought me. It was a pointless waste of money.
Thankfully, the 16-year-old days of burning cash as soon as I felt it in my hands are gone. Still, I know I have a lot to learn from the way the Proverbs 31 woman makes purchases.
The word we read as considers means, in Hebrew, to plan and devise. An admirable woman, then, plans out her spending. Our purchases don't have isolated effects; other people can be blessed or harmed by them. Knowing this, we should always buy in a smart and thoughtful way to avoid racking up debt or running out of cash before all the bills are paid. A good way make sure you do this is to always know at least an approximation of how much money you have available to spend and ask yourself if you really need something before carrying it to the checkout stand.
The Proverbs 31 woman also makes purchases that are good for her family. In buying a field she plans to harvest, she is making an investment that will provide extra income for her family. She considers them when looking for a way to spend the extra money they have and decides to bless them instead of just getting something for herself.
Lets start modeling our spending after this exemplary woman's! By taking the time to think through our shopping decisions, thinking of how they will affect others, and learning to spend on things that will bless people, we can work at becoming women of virtue.
Ali's African Adventures documents Ali's life onboard a medical ship that sails the coasts of Africa. Her tenure in Togo just started and now would be a good time to start following her story.
Its a sad sign of Biblical illiteracy when church-attending women get offended at the "new" call for wives to be submissive. That's exactly what happened here.
A story about young marriage is something I can relate to since I got married at 18. Marrying young is seen as risky at best and stupid at worst. David Lapp shares some of the pros to marrying before 25.
Out of all the times that someone's come to me for help at a bad time (when I'm tired, moody, sick, stressed), I've probably done the right thing about 5 times. Boy was this convicting!
On a lighter note, Jon Acuff offers a few options for those times when someone apologizes for letting a bad word out in conversation with you.
Richie and I are taking the youth group out to the snowy mountains tomorrow, so expect some fun photos next week!
Not to brag or anything, but I have an amazing husband. You know, the type that seems to always gets such a perfect gift you end up crying on your birthday, anniversary, Christmas, and any other gift-giving event. Richie always beats me in the gift-giving department, but that's about to change because our 5-years-being-together anniversary is happening this summer and I'll be working on a mind-blowing project of a gift for him starting today. This year, he'll be the one crying (tears of joy, of course)!
Had to include two photos because he's just so amazingly awesome and cute :)
The most engaging conversations I have ever had have been with older people. I don't mean just a few years older or even a couple of decades older - I mean they were born in the 30's or 40's and probably used to wear hats whenever they stepped outside. Maybe its because my grandparents have always lived far away or because since I was small I wished I could crawl into the world of the historic novels I read, but hearing the elderly speak about the past is captivating.
This past Sunday, having nothing to do but wait before service started, I struck up a conversation with Gloria. Her hair is white as snow, she uses a cane to walk, and her back is hunched over. When she shares her poetry, written only for God, her blue eyes shine and she stands a little bit taller.
She told me about growing up in New York, a city I've always wanted to visit, and getting lost driving in Las Vegas. She would reach out to hold my hand when she got excited about what she had to say and smiled with every word. Although she asked for my name three times during our conversation, I really enjoyed her company.
I hope I'm like her when my hair turns white: full of life, loving God, and still glorifying his name in wonderful creative ways.
Proverbs 20:29 says that the glory of old men is their grey hair. While many, including my husband, complain about greying hair (Richie only has about 5), the Bible shows it as a sing of wisdom and being fit to give advise. The elderly members of the church are worthy of respect and honor and I hope to give more of my time to sit with them and let them talk.
PS. I can't help but wish I had taken a photo of her to share.
Its warm and sunny here in Vegas and it feels like Spring is here to stay! How could I not be in the mood for a light chambray shirt, floral skirt, and comfy flats? Its the perfect outfit for a long meandering Spring-time adventure!
Chambray shirt: $26.50 Old Navy (or $2 at a thrift store!)
Orange Floral Skirt: $24.75 Yes Style
Asymmetrical Wooden Necklace: $24.00 Newport News
Basket-Woven Flats: $59.95 DSW
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Proverbs 31:15
My husband says he hates sleeping. He sees it as a waste of time. I imagine he thinks of all he could do with six extra hours every day.
Although I love even the tiny amount of sleep I get each night, after this weekend I have to agree with him. Since I went back to school a month ago, I've use the tired student excuse to sleep almost until noon on Saturdays and Sundays (service starts at 6:30pm). Richie and I then have a long relaxed waffle breakfast, watch a movie, and then begin to wonder if we should actually get started with our day yet.
We had my dad over this weekend, though. He's always been an early bird, getting up at 5 in the morning even on Sundays. At 7, I knew he'd already been up for a couple of hours and I couldn't keep him waiting for our usual lunch-time breakfast.
I got so much more that Sunday than any other Sunday in the past 5 weeks! Who would have thought, right? Those few extra hours in bed were worth giving up because I got to spend quality time with my dad (who I rarely see), caught up on housework I'm not able to do any other time of the week, spent time doing things I like, and felt good about being so productive. It really made my Sunday so much better.
The woman described in Proverbs 31 knew the value of waking up early and getting a head start. She knew her day would be more productive if she helped even her workers get their day started instead of waiting for them to wait on her.
I may miss my four lost hours of sleep in the next few weeks, but I know waking up a bit earlier will pay off as long as I don't deprive myself.
I feel terrible about skipping this week's journal entry, but I'm in the middle of midterm week and freaking out about a paper I have due tomorrow. I'll make up for it with this extra special photo:
My dad lives in Los Angeles but is coming over to Las Vegas, where I live, this weekend just to help me out around the house. I think this photo has always been my favorite one of him. Even though it was taken before I was born, it brings back memories the beach-side bike rides, backyard water wars, and random day trips he would take us on.
I'm trying to squeeze in some thrifting time this weekend, so I might share some photos and tips on thrift shopping over the weekend. Stay tuned!
Instead of wearing red and green for Christmas, I go for the more subtle silvers or golds. For the fourth of July, I prefer baby blues instead of navy combined with red. This Valentine Day outfit follows the same rule: it makes use of the holiday's trademark hue (in this case, red) in different tones than the usually prescribed one. Instead of fire-engine red and bright pink, go for magenta, burgundy, and blush. The colors have the Valentine feel without looking like they were pulled out of a Hallmark card!
*Wine-colored Tights: $15.00 Banana Republic
V-neck Sweater: $25.49 Blue Fly
Black Rosette Necklace: $50.00 Etsy
Monet Skirt: $46.00 LuLu's
*Wine-colored Booties: $79.99 Piperlime
*Matching shoes and tights idea thanks to Jessica Schroeder!
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:14
At first reading, this verse might be thought to mean that a Proverbs 31 woman cannot drive down to the nearest store but must trek a minimum amount of miles to get her groceries. History and cultural context is obviously key to interpreting this verse.
The Bible makes it pretty clear that ancient Israel was an agricultural society. How many times are wheat, harvest, fields, and herds mentioned? The Israelites were largely self-dependent in the sense that they provided their own food without relying on trade with other nations. The people farmed for their own needs and provided for their own families.
This doesn't mean, though, that Israel didn't do any trading at all. Merchant ships exported grains, olive products, and wine. What they brought back was exotic and luxurious; usually reserved for the upper class.
The exemplary woman's grocery buying habits did not have to do with the distance she traveled, but with the quality she provided for her family. She wanted to give them the best she possibly could and that meant traveling long distances to buy foreign goods. It's important to keep in mind that she didn't do this irresponsibly, wasting all her grocery money on an ounce of fancy cheese. She did the best she could within her means.
What does this verse teach us, a generation in which the world is increasingly smaller? Should we travel to Japan to buy fresh fish or hop on a plane to Italy to fetch a bottle of olive oil? Although I would personally love to, it would be impossible to shop this way! What this verse really teaches is to provide the best you can for the people you serve, whether that is your husband and children, your brothers and sisters, or a home group you're hosting. Try to always provide the best you can instead of taking the cheap way out and be willing to make reasonable sacrifices in order to do so. Its well worth it.
These photos of beautiful curved stairs and houses cut into stone have forever convinced me that architecture is art. Kudos to photographers, too, who capture these breathtaking images in such unique ways.
Looking for a sweet simple Valentine's gift? This heart-shaped box of flowers is a cute DIY project you can give to co-workers and friends. It looks super easy to pull together.
Jon Acuff of Stuff Christians Like always makes me laugh. This week, he posted the things he wishes he'd been told when he got married. They're here and they're hilarious!
Kevin DeYoung writes about the mistakes we make when we consider the Holy Spirit.
Boundless featured an article on the female struggle with pornography titled Its Not Just A Guy Problem.
Tim Challies writes beautifully about every Christian's calling in Called by Name.
Although its far from our minds now, Haiti is far from recovery. These photos capture the country three weeks after disaster struck.
Why is it that during summer we long for winter and during winter we can't wait for summer? In December I complained that Las Vegas takes too long to cool down, this week I've been wanting warmer weather. My nostalgia for summer took me to the day this photo was taken. My husband and I drove our youth group kids down to Amargosa Valley even though we were scared they'd just end up bored. I'm glad we took the risk because they loved it! At one point during the trip, we stopped at one of the reservoirs in the area, kicked off out shoes and ran toward the water only to find the ground was actually just a sticky pile of mud that caved under the weight of your feet. This poor kid was one of the ones that got stuck in it and had a good time trying to get out,
Although my husband and I officially moved into our house about six months ago, everything is still mostly a mess. Our office in particular looks like it just held a vicious match between two WWF wrestlers, which isn't too far from the truth since my husband and brother wrestle in there every weekend.
I was in said office trying to write a paper in under an hour when I got side tracked (of course) looking at the knick knacks we have sprawled out all over the desk. Among those things I found a program a few years old saved from a young youth pastor's funeral. He was a 22-year-old newlywed when he died; his church and his youth group had a hard time coping with the loss. As I looked at the smiling photo on the cover, something struck me as strange: right under the young man's joyful portrait was written, "The Greatest Man to Ever Live."
I think we have the tendency to focus on a person's good qualities after they die, and there's nothing wrong with that. Its not wrong to remember the good times spent and honor the person's life and great things they did, specially if it was a life lived for the glory of God.
Reading John 1:51 today made me think of something, though: why does Jesus call himself the Son of Man? "Son of God" is complex, but still relatively easy to understand. What's with the "Son of Man" title?
The gist of it is that he is the greatest man to ever live. There has never been and never will be a greater man than Christ. He is the only one who could live a life perfect before the eyes of God, the only one who never sinned and never failed, the only one who could provide salvation from sin and its eternal punishment. He is God in the flesh, manifested in a human body without giving up his godhood. Who could ever be greater than him?
We have to be careful to always keep our focus on Christ. No matter how wonderful a person is or was, they are no comparison to Jesus. I love my husband with all my heart and think I'm the luckiest girl for being his wife, but I know he can't compete with Jesus in the greatness department. I have to remember that about myself too. I'm in no way even close to being as great as my Savior, no matter what good things I do. Only he can claim to be the best person to ever lay foot on this planet.
Since this week is my birthday week, I thought it would be ok to be completely self-indulgent and make an outfit entirely of things I wish I could buy myself as a birthday gifts! I've been in love with this green Mod Cloth dress forever now, have been looking for a vintage clasp belt for ages, need basic black pumps, and would love a crazy print coat now that I have my basics down. Oh, and the peacock necklace is just beautiful! In a perfect universe, I would be able to afford all this and have it shipped on time to wear to the birthday dinner my husband is secretly planning.
Green Grecian Dress: $89.99 Mod Cloth
Vintage Peacock Necklace: $25.00 Etsy
Retro Clasp Belt: $17.99 Mod Cloth
Black Pumps: $77.00 Zappos
Leopard Print Coat: $69.00 Newport News
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
Proverbs 31:13
Us 21st century girls are used to one item of clothing being made out of polyester, nylon, and even a small percentage of spandex. Our clothes come ready to wear from the store and we never see them being made. Even if you're the admirable kind of lady that sews her own clothing, chances are you buy the fabric instead of making it yourself.
The woman described in Proverbs 31 had the choice of buying her clothing or making it. She chose to make it literally from scratch. Flax, like wool, is a fiber that takes hours to spin into thread which you can weave and then sew into garments. This lady chose to spend endless hours collecting the raw material she needed and going through the tedious process of making her family their clothes from it. Instead of taking the easy way by buying her clothes from the merchants, she happily took on the work necessary to provide her family with the best possible clothing.
This is what the woman of Proverbs 31 did, but what does it mean for us? Certainly, we're not expected to spin thread and weave in order to be godly women! The point of telling about how this woman provided clothes for her family is to show that she was willing to do hard work for them. The clothing she could make her family was much better than anything she could buy them, so she willingly did it. She wasn't the type of person that takes the easy road, no matter the cost. If the more difficult way was better for her and her family, that was the road she chose.
Short cuts can be helpful and practical. Many times, taking a short cut is a great idea. There are times, though, when shortcuts negatively affect the results of your work and the service you offer others. What is an area where you are taking harmful shortcuts? Could taking the hard way out be better?
