Cool New Find!

This is totally going in my bathroom!

Got Caffeine?

'Cuz I need some

I'm Feeling It

The inevitable stress. Yup, as much as I determined I would not let anything about this wedding stress me out...I already feel like I have no time. It's not that I don't have any time to get the important things done, it's just that I don't have any time left over. And then there's the stress of following proper etiquette, keeping people's "feathers from getting ruffled", and making all those blasted phone calls (I hate phone calls). I always liked being proper and all, but sometimes I can't help feeling that the rules are just a little silly. Less is more. The more my life develops...the more strongly I believe this applies to every part of life.

On another note: Jenny helped me clean out my fridge last night. It was rather sad to see a completely overflowing fridge turn into a completely empty one (yes, I'm embarrassed to admit: all that was left after I threw out the bad stuff was canned pickles and tons of salad dressings).

Can't live on salad dressing--guess it's time to go buy groceries.

I'm still really really really really really really in love!

Oops, I mean REGRESSED

Thanks to my faithful friend, JoyAnna, I now know the meaning of two words: "digress" and "regress". Cool! I'll probably be using them a lot now just because I can.

I've Digressed...

...to cream and sugar in my coffee. I'm no longer a hard-core coffee drinker. In fact, I haven't had plain coffee since last year! (A nasty migraine is to blame for that). I have actually become a rather fanatical tea drinker. But last night I cleaned my apartment until 2 a.m. because my sister is driving out from Michigan today. So coffee is on the menu. And I have a feeling I'm going to need more caffeine than my wimpy little cup with cream and sugar has to offer. Hmmm. Drinking coffee makes me want to blog. They seem to go hand in hand. Some day when I don't have to work and I have internet at home, I'm going to make coffee and do this over again with something productive to say.

Things I've digressed in:
Drinking coffee
Reading
Washing dishes
Excercise
Living independently
Garage Saling

P.S. I'm not actually sure I know what "digress" means????

I Feel 40

It's been strange and unexpected the way God has blessed me with things (little and big) that I just never hoped for...never even asked for or wanted that bad. My future in-laws gave me and Luke some expensive furniture for the apartment. It's good furniture--the kind that I couldn't afford until I'm 40. That's why I feel 40. I'm soon to be newly wed, and have an apartment with beautiful leather couches, entertainment center, coffee table, side tables....and then a queen-size bed with matching night stand, dresser, mirror, entertainment center. I'm not exaggerating. I feel 40 when I walk into the apartment and see expensive furniture that actually matches (and is comfortable!...I had quite a few complaints about my old furniture). I can invite people over now and not feel like a poor college student with a rif-raf of garage-sale items (not that I don't like garage sale stuff...it's great and has character--people just don't like to sit on it).

Pictures to come!

God's Promises

I saw a gorgeous rainbow last night. It's the first one I've seen in years. I couldn't help thinking about the meaning of it in the Bible and in my life. First I thought how it represents a promise from God to the world. But as I stood at my window and contemplated that, I also felt as though He was giving me a special reminder. Just as He made a rainbow to tell people that He would never put them through a world-wide flood again, He sent Luke to show me that He would never allow such darkness in my life again. It's not that I won't have many trials and many heartaches, but I won't have the ones that I had over the last few years....And what I do face, I have a warrior to face with me (and to fight against them for me). What great grace God has given me!

I apologize to all my readers for all my posts regarding Luke....but I trust you understand that I'm so completely and amazingly in love, I can't help it!

July 29th....WooHOO!!!

If you can't figure out what this means....

Savour Life, Breath Deeply, Bask in God's Love

I am going to have three plaques made for my wall!

There lives....

A skunk! Yes, indeed. The small, rather cute and incredibly potent furball ran in front of the door and hid in the bushes in front of my office building about twenty feet from me. I tactfully chose to walk around to the back door! I then proceeded to call the sheriff. I hope they don't hurt the poor little critter. I should ask them to remove it's "smeller" and give it to me as a pet!

Ashley...

Just came in to my office and said it was "Happy Beth Day" and gave me a chocolate milkshake. I love Ashley!

I've been thinking about the variety of really good girl friends I have...and can't help but laugh because every single one of them is absolutely hilarious! I love quirky people!

Today's Stress Reliever...

A Few of My Favorite Things:

Raindrops on Roses (no…I’m serious), Bowls of oranges or lemons, Running in the warm rain, Making something—anything—look beautiful, Playing with little children, Moving/Estate Sales, Shooting stars, Fairy Tales, Plants that don’t die, Celtic music, This blog, The music leader at church, Tea and calligraphy, Snickerdoodles (they’re fun to roll and dip in cinnamon), Surprises, My porch swing in Michigan, My Orals notes (great reference), Anticipation, Bouquets of Peonies, Skirts (I just got a green one that reminds me of a fairy), Laying in the grass and watching the sky, New friends that become old friends, Bubble baths, Puddleglum the Marshwiggle, Personified animals, Homemade things: bread, quilts, scarves & mittens, art, Laughter while crying, Puppies, Rainbows (I haven’t seen one in years), Horses, The fact that it is 5:30 Friday and I can leave work for the weekend!

A Sortof Vague Update

I feel like it has been a while since I actually updated all my faithful readers on my life. So I’ll try (I don’t think I’m much of a pro on updates).

First and foremost: I’m more in love every day. I didn’t know anyone could be this in love. It’s pretty amazing…actually made me cry last night. Luke, if you read this…I love you! (Now everyone knows).

At the job…well…I’m surviving. My goal is to get beyond surviving and to actually excel at it—but the fact that I’ve been at it for 8 months already makes me question that one. I’m beginning to understand that my boss will always think I can be more efficient. My two good friends at work have given their notice and will be gone after tomorrow. Linda and Valarie have been such a blessing to me in the office. But I’m choosing to be thankful that I still get to see them at church.

I’m blessed to be able to spend Saturdays with my grandma. On nice days I work on her gardens and on rainy days we drink tea and talk by the fire…the most satisfying day of my week! Saturday nights I am learning how to help Luke set up the sound system for church.

I’m officially helping in the youth group at Real Life Church. This is so exciting for me as I’ve already had feedback from the girls that they are excited to have me involved. I’m thrilled to be a part of their lives, and am overflowing with ideas to build relationships with them. Pray that their hearts would hunger and thirst for a deep and satisfying relationship with God—one that does not take the “middle ground”.

I’m reading some great stuff right now. Back to Jerusalem by Paul Hattaway has been an eye-opener! I definitely recommend this to anyone who is seriously considering any form of missions or church-planting—it has some wonderful theories.

My roommate will be moving out sometime this month, and I’ve decided not to try finding a replacement. Sure, this means a much tighter budget…but I think that I can do it. There is something to be said for a “home” that is full of the Holy Spirit….and that is sortof hard when unbelievers live there. I feel like I’m graduating myself to living alone! This will be the first time ever. Wow.

I’m stretching, growing, learning, failing sometimes, but oh so thankful! God has blessed me beyond what I imagined…and I have passionate godly people praying for me! I hope and pray that you are allowing Him to stretch you as well…sure, it hurts…but it is so worth it!