Ok, Josh...Where's the Treasure?

Josh wanted to see my apartment....I was surprised how hard it was for me to draw it. The proportions here are definitely not completely accurate. I also, of course, simplified it a bit.

I've been really thinking about my place a lot lately. Now that spring is here, I keep having this longing to step out onto my balcony (the one that was off my bedroom in my apartment in Grand Rapids) and see the trees and flowers and hear all the birds. No balcony here, not even a porch. But I've been really challenged (by myself) to see all the wonderful blessings of my apartment. For example: every morning I lie in bed in a dreamy state and see the sunrise through my eastern window-it never fails to bring a smile to my face (I never get up grumpy)! I don't have a gas bill. My fridge doesn't make too many funny noises. I rarely smell the neigbors' cigarette smoke. I'm only five minutes away from the man of my dreams (!!!). It only takes an hour to clean the entire apartment because of its size. I can play music from my little cd player and hear it in every room. I don't have to walk outside to get the mail. I always know when the neighbors are home (okay...so maybe that's not a good thing...but it makes me laugh). I'm only five minutes from work. I can take the trash out whenever I want to. I have a huge closet!

Josh...I was thinking about you "stealing my treasure" from my apartment! It made me laugh, but it also made me think...what is my treasure? This was the thing that popped into my head: the sunrise. Yup. Good luck stealing that from me!

Introducing: Henry

Congratulations...

...to myself! This is the first time in two weeks that I have been able to see the surface of either of my desks.

Someone Should Write a Story About Color

Here are some random, fun pics I took of my apartment last night (for you, Josh). Um...notice I don't actually show much of the apartment! That is because it isn't especially clean : ( But I've been having fun lately...just decorating and painting and stuff. I'm really thanking God for how He has blessed me: from my old, sometimes black & white Tv, to my auction-bought kitchen-aide, to the milk in my fridge! (Actually, I had to say milk, because I'm out of everything else. Time to go to the store!) Anyway...

Everything has a story! That is what I love about life. I love stories. Whether it is the story of my relationship with Christ or the story of my 10 cent hammer that turns into a screw-driver, or the story of the little orphan boy and his flying tree. Just as I look everywhere and see "paintings," I also see stories. I think it is so awesome that God loves stories, too (at least I make that assumption based on His large collection of narratives in the Bible). This is the reason why I like old things. Each jar, tool, book, and chair has a story...whether it is the story of its history, or just the story of how I found it! This is also why I love childrens' books. I love letting my imagination go wild and...maybe be a little bit silly to make a story that nobody else can make. I love that history is one long story full of a million little stories. I love that I was saved by Jesus in order to be part of His great "love story" and that I now have my own love story to be a miniature reflection of Christ's. I guess I am just mulling over these thoughts because I've been sharing lots of my little stories with Luke; each one makes me a more complete person (or in literary terminology: a more "developed character").

Overwhelming Love

Psalm 103

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

I'll Probably Feel Guilty and Delete This Later!

I’m stretched too thin right now. Who wants to trade jobs with me before I turn into a zombie? I know I need to be thankful for work. I know God placed me here and that I really should accept that to survive in this century I have to be an efficient, uncreative, stress-loaded business woman…but…it’s not working very well. Sometimes I can’t help asking God, “since You obviously expect me to work—why didn’t You make me a little more attune to the career focused, business mania, chaotic, workaholic life?” Instead of stepping up to the plate and becoming Wonder Woman, I just want to cry. Good grief! And to think…it won’t slow down until November. I’d rather draw pictures (confession: I think I forgot to grow up). I need a big hug, a good joke, and a window in my office!

My Newest Project

Still needs a little work (???)

Once Upon a Time...

My Dear Grandma

She's my sunshine!

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled...

I was so encouraged by the sermon in church yesterday. I was reminded that everything around me may be troubling, but I am not to let trouble into my heart. I just had never heard it put like that before…and it’s so challenging! In fact, I had a chance to practice it yesterday when I received a disturbing phone call. Instead of fretting because of it, I just chose to press on in peace. I cannot begin to express the thrill at how God is teaching me to live with hope and joy, and to refuse the distractions that can disturb the calm in my heart, mind, and soul. I loved the pastor’s description of my heart as a fortress. It should be the last defense…impenetrable by Satan and his people. There has been plenty of trouble in my past, and I’m sure there will continue to be trouble…but I believe God is going to give me strength to look through and beyond the trouble, and to see God always!

New Pieces of Heaven

My beautiful lily from Luke;
Staying up until 2 A.M. to finish a painting for someone I care about;
Dancing (yes, I LOVE IT!);
Writing something that is cherished;
Getting so tired that I can't stop giggling (a little embarrassing-but fun);
A million songs that are all "our songs" (mine and Luke's);
Knowing that Luke will read this!
Getting told that I'm beautiful;
Being part of a family at church;
Gracie saying my name;
Being encouraged to "speak life" by Valarie
Laughing at Ashley's funny ways : )
The bashful, excited feelings I get every time I see Luke (You'd think I was 13);
My phone ringing ALL THE TIME;
My space heater (I'm cold right now);
The satisfaction of having a clean apartment;
Valarie's "Sir Nate" stories;
Listening to Luke play the guitar;
Making real tea in my new tea pot;
Every time someone opens up to me about their life;
Seeing how much God loves me;
"Playing house" at my apartment;
Talking to God in my car;
When I can sing a song with my eyes closed;
Stopping outside and just soaking in nature;
Every time I pay a bill (just the fact that I can!);
Oh, there's tons more I could say...

I'm GREEN with jealousy...

Get it...GREEN (for St. Patrick's Day...ha ha).

Mom, notice my correct use of the word fun (I was still tempted to say "funner").

Kiss Me. I'm Irish.

Okay, actually, I'm more Scottish than Irish...but the friendly side of me is Irish! And don't actually try to kiss me-you might end up with a black eye. I just like saying it. : )

WooHoo!!!

I just got a raise!!! I know money shouldn't be exciting, but sometimes....

Time To Spill:

Now I believe in Fairy Tales….minus the fairies. Or maybe I just believe that God is an author of such. My world has been revolutionized. The dreams in my heart that I assumed were just fictional longings someday to be satisfied in Heaven, are actually coming to life. And yes, it seems totally unreal—like maybe I’m still just dreaming. I’ve always believed in predestination and election. I’ve always believed God had my life planned since before the world was created. But, somehow that belief has gone to a deeper level. I have met someone who I swear was created to be with me. I just hadn’t considered that possibility before. I always sortof assumed that two people had their lives planned out, then they met each other and tried to make their personalities and plans work together. But now I’m convinced that two lives have been created to blend perfectly together in one epic tale. I’d even go so far as to say that perhaps my life isn’t “complete” without his life (like watercolors: both the water and the colors are needed to make a picture).

I’ve been shocked at my own revelation in this “new tale”. I actually would give anything—I mean anything—to be with him the rest of my life. In fact, life is too short. Way too short. I’m seeing possibilities that I just never realized before. I always rather enjoyed being single, even preferred it. Now my heart stops at the idea of not facing life with him—like I said—God created him for me.

I feel like a rescued “damsel”. I feel like a princess. I feel like a loved and cherished child of God. I feel like Eve when she woke up the first time and saw Adam. Remember the story I wrote of the broken vase made into a beautiful and unique sculpture? Well, he is like the showcase: made both to protect and to light the fragile sculpture.

Do you think I am looking through “rose-colored glasses”? I’m not. I’m looking through “God-given glasses” full of joy, ready to smile at the future, and ready to face all of the hard times with a warrior!

Click on the title and then scroll down to "When the Pieces are Shattered" to read about my sculpture.

I've Been Notarized!

Now I feel important!

Washington D.C.

For English Lovers!

Did You Know...

...That a German knight by the name of Fraz von Sickingen was born on March 2 in 1481?

Yeah, me either!

Another View of Work

I've become so thankful for my job! Right from when I started, I have worked hard to be someone of integrity and kindness in the office; I think God has blessed me because of that. My office has become another family for me. I love the women I work with, and they love me. I'm just so thankful for that today, that I had to spill my guts on this post. It's so wonderful to see how God has taken care of me...even when I upped and moved from Michigan without any money, a job, a reliable car, or a network of friends. (Of course, it wasn't immediate...but God moved me right along, I just don't see any chances or "fates" in the twists and turns of my life).