Here are some commercials I've been loving lately:
For some reason I started watching birth announcement videos on youtube.
This one is my favorite : )
And yes, I may have teared up a little : )
Hormonal much? : )
About Me
- grace
- Hi. You found me. Thanks for clicking over! Sit and stay awhile..... This is the view from my window... As I move around my little valley I call 'home,' I've had many different views & this is the one that I keep coming back to.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Lately,
I've been out of sorts;
had messed up priorities;
felt greedy,
whiney,
tired,
complainy,
hopeless,
joy-less,
dull,
funky,
all-about-me.
It hasn't been fun.
Nope. Not at all.
And a big part of it has been because I've been living like my life is about me.
But you know what? My life is NOT about me.
The last couple have weeks have been a struggle.
Although I've done fun things and filled my days really full (something that really only stresses me out).
One might think I have it all together.
Truth: I'm far from it.
The main reason why I've felt so disconnected, blah, introverted, and analytical lately:
I somehow stopped praying.
You know, really, truly praying.
One reason why is because I've felt discontented, undesired, and just plain blah.
That's going to stop. Right now.
Getting on top of it pronto.
See, I was reading my favorite book from summer and it hit me, I need to pray!
I need to be praying!
A good reminder via pinterest:
I've been out of sorts;
had messed up priorities;
felt greedy,
whiney,
tired,
complainy,
hopeless,
joy-less,
dull,
funky,
all-about-me.
It hasn't been fun.
Nope. Not at all.
And a big part of it has been because I've been living like my life is about me.
But you know what? My life is NOT about me.
The last couple have weeks have been a struggle.
Although I've done fun things and filled my days really full (something that really only stresses me out).
One might think I have it all together.
Truth: I'm far from it.
The main reason why I've felt so disconnected, blah, introverted, and analytical lately:
I somehow stopped praying.
You know, really, truly praying.
One reason why is because I've felt discontented, undesired, and just plain blah.
That's going to stop. Right now.
Getting on top of it pronto.
See, I was reading my favorite book from summer and it hit me, I need to pray!
I need to be praying!
A good reminder via pinterest:
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My sister got a teaching job yesterday.
And she starts teaching on Tuesday.
She has two.whole.days to get her classroom & everything else ready before little bodies and little eyes will show up and require teaching.
![]()
And my other sister got in a car accident earlier tonight.
A chain reaction accident.
Where she was (literally quoting my Dad), "The bologna in the sandwich."
Yep, the middle car = the front and back of her car were both squashed.
The airbag deployed and she has a sore hand and face.
And no car.
![]()
It's in times like these that I start to lose it.
I can't fix everyone's problems.
I can't be in two cities at once.
I can't give either of them a hug because I'm needed at my parent's house.
So, I'm stuck.
It's at times like these,
that all I want to do is give into
the fear.
the anger.
the frustration.
the envy.
the jealousy.
the bitterness.
the hate.
.....the sin.
![]()
When things don't go right, get messy, and I can feel the control over my life slip through my fingers,
it's easy to want to give into the sin.
To want to turn away from God and his promises.
To want to blame and make accusations.
![]()
And when I want to give into the sin, that is exactly when I pray to God,
"God, please grab a hold of these thoughts and feelings and take them away.
As far as the east is from the west.
Grab Satan by the collar and get him out of my mind and my heart.
And you, Satan, do NOT come back. Do not hang around and steal away my trust and faith in God.
Because you know what?! Although it would be easy, I am not going to put my trust or faith in you."
![]()
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And she starts teaching on Tuesday.
She has two.whole.days to get her classroom & everything else ready before little bodies and little eyes will show up and require teaching.
And my other sister got in a car accident earlier tonight.
A chain reaction accident.
Where she was (literally quoting my Dad), "The bologna in the sandwich."
Yep, the middle car = the front and back of her car were both squashed.
The airbag deployed and she has a sore hand and face.
And no car.
It's in times like these that I start to lose it.
I can't fix everyone's problems.
I can't be in two cities at once.
I can't give either of them a hug because I'm needed at my parent's house.
So, I'm stuck.
It's at times like these,
that all I want to do is give into
the fear.
the anger.
the frustration.
the envy.
the jealousy.
the bitterness.
the hate.
.....the sin.
When things don't go right, get messy, and I can feel the control over my life slip through my fingers,
it's easy to want to give into the sin.
To want to turn away from God and his promises.
To want to blame and make accusations.
And when I want to give into the sin, that is exactly when I pray to God,
"God, please grab a hold of these thoughts and feelings and take them away.
As far as the east is from the west.
Grab Satan by the collar and get him out of my mind and my heart.
And you, Satan, do NOT come back. Do not hang around and steal away my trust and faith in God.
Because you know what?! Although it would be easy, I am not going to put my trust or faith in you."
Monday, August 15, 2011
Psalm 37:4
"Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart."
and he will give you the desires of your heart."
- Psalm 37:4 -
I listened to the end of the book, Angry Conversations With God the other day.
In the last chapter, the main character, Susan Isaacs, is in one of her last sessions of couples therapy with God, when her therapist asks her what she does that God delights in.
She responds by saying little things, but then realizes that God must delight in her when she uses her gifts and talents, and also when she is living obediently.
However, the marriage therapist made me wonder, when do I delight in God?
And when does he delight in me?
Just like Susan, I believe God must delight in me when:
I'm obedient,
I slow down and hear his still small voice,
I am struck with amazement by his creation,
I "play my note",
- use and share my gifts,
-and when I craft my talents.
I think those are the times when God delights in me.
And now I think I'll kick back and think for a few days about when I delight in Him.
: )
I slow down and hear his still small voice,
I am struck with amazement by his creation,
I "play my note",
- use and share my gifts,
-and when I craft my talents.
I think those are the times when God delights in me.
And now I think I'll kick back and think for a few days about when I delight in Him.
: )
Linking up!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Little Things That Count pt. 2
Besides the basics (more about that here),
I believe that the little things really add up to make a house (or in my case, apartment) a home.
Sidenote: I also have a few pipe dreams of wishing I could be an Anthropologie store design coordinator, interior designer, or a really awesome craft/art/design-type blogger. : )
Since I believe that God calls me to create beauty in my life, or as I call it pretty-fying my life, I like to daydream about design.
And since I've expanded my internet hopping to:
craft tutorials, crochet tutorials, the addiction of pretty things on pinterest, and enriching my blog reading life,
I've really expanded my craft/home/fashion design taste.
So, here is my end-of-summer-sale wishlist of little things that would really add up nicely in my home
(via Urban Outfitters) :
I believe that the little things really add up to make a house (or in my case, apartment) a home.
Sidenote: I also have a few pipe dreams of wishing I could be an Anthropologie store design coordinator, interior designer, or a really awesome craft/art/design-type blogger. : )
Since I believe that God calls me to create beauty in my life, or as I call it pretty-fying my life, I like to daydream about design.
And since I've expanded my internet hopping to:
craft tutorials, crochet tutorials, the addiction of pretty things on pinterest, and enriching my blog reading life,
I've really expanded my craft/home/fashion design taste.
So, here is my end-of-summer-sale wishlist of little things that would really add up nicely in my home
(via Urban Outfitters) :
 |
| picnic pennant banner |
 |
| metal wall shelf - living room |
 |
| doily coasters - coffee table |
 |
| triple bud vase - downstairs bathroom |
 |
| rug for front door |
 |
| 2 paisley pillows - couch |
 |
| serving tray |
 |
| enamel panel hook - inside front door |
 |
you are so dear to me wall art - hallway collage |
 |
| apprentice stool - bedroom |
 |
| iron strap side table -downstairs |
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Little Things That Count
I'm a firm believer that it's the little things in life that count....and sometimes they almost matter more than the big things.
But not quite for me.
I believe in creating and cultivating beauty.
Why? God calls me to do so.
God tells me (via Noah and his arky, arky) to
which is partly why I feel the need to create and cultivate beauty.
God tells me to live my life by Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
So, I strive to deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus. -Luke 9:23
To follow Jesus daily means that I
speak the truth in love.
take care of the poor and needy.
love the unloved.
put the needs of others before my own.
humble myself.
strive to produce the fruit of the spirit.
choose peace and not strife.
forgive and not hold grudges.
repent and change for the better.
spread and give joy.
and live in obedience.
daily.
A lovely lady once said that she was "the creative director of [her] surroundings."
I think that sums me up. God takes care of my environment, and then gives me the role of being creative director of my surroundings; pretty-fying my basic walls+floor+ceiling, if you will.
And if it is a goal in my life to live out and create beauty, why would I want to live in a plain (or ugly) space?
After all.....
Little things put the extra oopmh! into the essentials: four walls, ceiling, and floor.
Add:
the required furniture (bed, table, chairs)
+
+
necessary tools and accessories (plates, knives, screwdriver, hammer)
+
a closet or two (or four)
+
a closet or two (or four)
&
you have the basics.
And for some people that's enough.you have the basics.
But not quite for me.
I believe in creating and cultivating beauty.
Why? God calls me to do so.
God tells me (via Noah and his arky, arky) to
which is partly why I feel the need to create and cultivate beauty.
God tells me to live my life by Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
So, I strive to deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus. -Luke 9:23
To follow Jesus daily means that I
speak the truth in love.
take care of the poor and needy.
love the unloved.
put the needs of others before my own.
humble myself.
strive to produce the fruit of the spirit.
choose peace and not strife.
forgive and not hold grudges.
repent and change for the better.
spread and give joy.
and live in obedience.
daily.
And you know what that creates?
Beauty.
Me, being fully alive in Christ.
Having ashes exchanged for beauty.
And glorifying God by my very existence and salvation in Him.
Therefore, beauty is a call.
Beauty.
Me, being fully alive in Christ.
Having ashes exchanged for beauty.
And glorifying God by my very existence and salvation in Him.
Therefore, beauty is a call.
And creating beauty in my surroundings, life, and space is a natural flow from that lifestyle.
To play my note, live out my gifts and talents, and create beauty, I feel compelled to have beauty around me.
A lovely lady once said that she was "the creative director of [her] surroundings."
I think that sums me up. God takes care of my environment, and then gives me the role of being creative director of my surroundings; pretty-fying my basic walls+floor+ceiling, if you will.
And if it is a goal in my life to live out and create beauty, why would I want to live in a plain (or ugly) space?
After all.....
part two coming soon....
Any thoughts?
What does God call you to do with your life?
Any thoughts?
What does God call you to do with your life?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Because I Can
Tonight I'm going to....
...write those notecards I forgot about three days ago.
...watch NCIS to get the last creepy show I watched out of my head.
...eat Cheerios at 9:30 pm.
...blog hop for awhile.
...think about love stories and this interesting blog post.
...give myself a pat on the back for resisting the HUGE urge & temptation to get frozen yogurt after church.
...and then I'll go eat the ice cream sandwhich I've been thinking about for 4 days now.
...and then maybe I'll even have some Lemon Ginger Snap ice cream.
...while I think of this:
![]()
...but then read this:
Don’t feel guilty for eating 3 peanut butter cups. Or 8 slices of habanero cheddar. Or anything that’s your Favorite Thing Ever.
And why will I do all of this tonight?
Well,
because I can.
: )
And here's a song that makes me feel yummy inside : )
Ought To Be -Audrey Assad
I love you more than a slow-falling summer rain
More than a silence that only the snow leaves behind
I love you more
And I love you better than the gray of the autumn air
Better than spring in its blooming against the sky
I love you more
It may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be
Your love is steady and sure as the mountains high
Moving my heart like a river that gently bends
Your love is sure
Your love is wide open spaces where I can run
And yet, we're tangled up roots in the warm broken earth
Yeah, our love is sure
And it may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea but
Love given freely becomes what it ought to be
It may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea
And it may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to and
Hearts given freely becomes what they ought to
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be
What it ought to be
...write those notecards I forgot about three days ago.
...watch NCIS to get the last creepy show I watched out of my head.
...eat Cheerios at 9:30 pm.
...blog hop for awhile.
...think about love stories and this interesting blog post.
...give myself a pat on the back for resisting the HUGE urge & temptation to get frozen yogurt after church.
...and then I'll go eat the ice cream sandwhich I've been thinking about for 4 days now.
...and then maybe I'll even have some Lemon Ginger Snap ice cream.
...while I think of this:
...but then read this:
Don’t feel guilty for eating 3 peanut butter cups. Or 8 slices of habanero cheddar. Or anything that’s your Favorite Thing Ever.
And why will I do all of this tonight?
Well,
because I can.
: )
And here's a song that makes me feel yummy inside : )
Ought To Be -Audrey Assad
I love you more than a slow-falling summer rain
More than a silence that only the snow leaves behind
I love you more
And I love you better than the gray of the autumn air
Better than spring in its blooming against the sky
I love you more
It may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be
Your love is steady and sure as the mountains high
Moving my heart like a river that gently bends
Your love is sure
Your love is wide open spaces where I can run
And yet, we're tangled up roots in the warm broken earth
Yeah, our love is sure
And it may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea but
Love given freely becomes what it ought to be
It may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea
And it may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to and
Hearts given freely becomes what they ought to
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be
What it ought to be
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