Time.

Time can test almost anything and undoubtedly anyone. We sometimes obey God and go where we believe He is sending us. We're not altogether certain what we expected, but after a while we ascertains, "This certainly can't be it." In fact, obeying God can initially seem to get us into a bigger mess than we left. Sometimes that's part of the test. Have you ever thought, "I may as well be an alien here"? Admittedly tongue in cheek, that may ne your first indication you're in the right place. We can be in the bull's-eye of God's will for our lives, and things make utterly no sense until that ugly, five-letter word later.
-B.M.

This pretty much sums up my sister's and my life right now. God is faithful, his time is not my time. I have different ideas and plans, and most often they do not line up. However, by trusting, I have confidence that God has big plans for my life...right where I am.

Sometimes...

you just need to be crafty.

One of my inspirations:
http://roomtoinspire.blogspot.com/

A powerful essay.

"I am baptized and I know the truth. The revelation the Lord gives is sufficient. Do I need people to tell me that I created these things? Do I need people to tell me that I am the one who can protect you? Can I give you everlasting life? Can I give you a place in heaven? Can I build a church and wash people of their sins? Can I rule over you? Don’t we already have a master and don’t we already know how we must live? Don’t we already know what to do from day to day? Are we not already mesmerized by the brilliance of creation and the wonder of our fellow man? Are not we already convinced of the truth? Do we not see how every Scripture interlocks and holds all others up? Do we not see the patterns and colour of the word? How can we improve on perfect? Do we cut off a man’s ears and sew them on his back, or take off our legs to fit in a hole. The Bible is inspired and true. My faith relies on that premise. I am an ape without it. I am an animal with no life. I can murder and rape without thought without it. The Bible makes me human. The Bible makes me real. The Bible introduces me to God."
[Referencing Proverbs 30:6]

-Storm Cox (ed. Wade Cox)

Being crafty....

My goal is to create something like this:



Here's to being crafty :-)

Jude.

I have no idea why, but when I opened my bible this morning I was drawn toward the book of Jude. The whole book is only 25 verses long so I took some time to read about the book.

Jude was written to believers who, for one reason or another, were living among false prophets. The writer of Jude wanted to warn them. He closes the book by charging them to persevere in the faith.

So often I feel that I fit in this category:
"These men are fumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires, they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." (16).
As hard as it is to admit, I fall into world desires more often than I would like.
However, the writer gives a reminder:
"...build yourselves up in your most hold faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE...".

I pray that as I go through these next few months, few days, few hours, that I can keep my heart and mind in God's love. Remembering that He is the only one that can keep me from falling. He is the only one who can present me before God without fault. He is my GREAT JOY.

This or That.

Today, I was on the hunt for light blue buttons.
Yes I did get buttons.
However, any crafter knows the danger in entering Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or Jo-Ann Fabrics when you are "on the hunt".
After some therapeutic bargin hunting this is what I found:



$16.04 bought me a plethora of items (most not needed).
-4 white pull knobs with yellow flower decor
-1 spool light blue thread
-pack of 20 needles (to sew the 4 buttons of course)
-1 "A" magnet
-1 pack of sparkly gems for scrapbooking
-2 bunches of fabric for headbands
-1 pack cut magnets
-1 vintage recipe box
-3 packs of recipe cards

Now, since I was unsuccessful at Michaels (ha!), I forged on to Jo-Ann fabric to see if they had the much needed buttons.
Alas! Buttons.



$16.04 can also buy you:
-4 large, shiny, dark blue buttons
-1 spool navy thread

Ahhhhh. . . now, if only I had gotten the light blue buttons that I had set out to purchase. . . oh well.
There's always next time :-)

My first.

I am ashamed to admit it, but tonight was my first opera.
No, ladies and gentlemen, I, a music major, have never seen an opera (live).
It was incredible!
So much drama, so much romance, so much deception.
Oh, and so many funny unplanned mishaps; such as a character who was to be blindfolded but ended up being gagged instead. Or a costume on backward.
All in all, The Magic Flute was a delight.
I laughed, [I laughed so hard] I cried, I clapped.

I cannot wait for yet another operatic experience.
Here is a youtube clip of my favorite scene...

You get the idea....not quite the same as butler lyric theater, but "spell-binding" none-the-less :-)
Enjoy!
And for gosh sakes, go see an opera!!!!

2 weeks, 2 days.

In 2 weeks and 2 days I will be finished with my undergrad work.
That is just CRAZY!
2 weeks and 2 days....I just simply cannot wrap my head around those numbers.
I keep pinching myself to make sure I am not in a dream.
I also keep thinking there has to be a catch.
But, I am SO EXCITED.
After 5 years of school observations, papers, and choir concerts, it is time to move on.

Once a Bulldog...Always a Bulldog :-)

And that's how you make orange juice!

Go Butler....way to show up!
Way to fight to the end!!!
I'm proud to be a Bulldog :-)

BLUE SKY.

I love it when I find a new blog.
Especially when it has encouragement like this....



Whatever comes tomorrow,
My love is here to stay!

New House!

Austin and I officially have our 1st house!
God is good :-)

Retirement.

We all have those items that we just cannot bare to part with. For me that item is a t-shirt. In high school I received countless t-shirts for various events. For 4 years. However, 1 shirt I have worn since I got it my senior year. This shirt was for none other than Calculus AB. The class was tough. Some days I questioned why I decided to take it in the first place. But, somehow Mrs. Dean's silly "grrr" faces drawn next to stupid mistakes on tests lightened the load. 2nd semester we decided to form a group, a club if you will, so obviously we made shirts.
Over the past 4 1/2 years the shirts has endured many a sick days, many vigorous workouts, and countless hours in the spin cycle.
The other day I noticed the gaping holes in the arm pits. Even thought I really do not want to part with it, I think it is time.
"Be Studious" as the back says, will forever be in my heart.
Thanks Mrs. Dean for the songs, dances, and memories.

My Tomato :-)

I miss him and the joy he brings to my life.....


(picture from the '09 Indianapolis State Fair)

New House #2.

My family moved a few weekends ago and this was my first time in the "new house."
My favorite part (beside the HUGE creek that runs in my backyard) is this lamp:

So cool!! :-)

Smile...Laugh.

I love this picture...
I hope it makes your smile and then laugh :-)

Mass.

Sometimes I go to Mass as SJOA (St. Joan of Arc). It's a few blocks from campus and a refreshing change of pace. The service is set up much like a traditional baptist service....hyms and all! I really enjoy it.
Tonight, Father Guy (yes, that is his name) gave us a challenge....it really hit my heart:
HOW DOES MY LIFE FIT INTO THE WORD OF GOD?

Often we ask, "How does the word of God fit into my life?".
However, my thinking has been backward.

My challenge is to implement this thinking into my actions.

Haiti.

God -

Help me be like Esther. Help me to trust even if I do not know that outcome of a situation. My heart aches for the people of Haiti. Hearing the women from Save the Children speak about the 2 year old that was stuck under the rubble for 2 days, crying "Mommy, mommy" and not knowing if tomorrow that small voice would be silent, I am hurting.
God you hear the small voice, you rescue the unrescueable. God I know you are at work in Haiti, it is just so hard to see you amidst the death, the brokenness, the hurting, the crying, the silence.
God I seek your peace in my heart. I do not know how to help these people. You are a miracle worker. I am scared to ask for a miracle...I fear I will not see it.
I ask that you provide a ROCK for these people to stand on. When our world falls out from under us, provide us a sure foundation to be found upon. Watch over the Your orphans, God.
Jehovah-jirah....Haiti's provider.

Help me not forget these people.
Help me, help them. Help.

Graphic Design.

I am taking Graphic Design 1 this semester.
Why, you may ask?
I needed credits to be a "full-time student" and this sounded like fun!

My first task was to buy supplies:
ruler (green of course)
sketch book (formally called an "artist book")
tracing paper
shapie (thick and thin)

My second task was to draw my name.
I had to choose a font, print my name in that font, trace it, then put on the cover of my sketch book.
Here is how it turned out!!!




Can you guess the font?

Happy NEW Year!!

2010....a year full of new memories :-)