Okay, as much as it PAINS me to say this... my little blog here has come to an end... here at least. I've moved over to theashcrafters.blogspot.com.
I LOVE my little blog here, so many memories, pictures, revelations, and more.
BUT ... I cannot for the life of me figure out how to attach my new email to this blog... and so... so that I can have my blog open and be working in it without having to switch back to my old email (blugh...) I've set up shop elsewhere. And I'm sad about it for sure. I may not even be able to handle it and will have to come back over here to post sometimes just for old time's sake.
On with the new!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Journibles
I read about these the other day and I think it is a really interesting idea.
Journibles: The 17:18 series comes from a passage in Deuteronomy.
17:18-19 reads:
"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them..."
First off, I think it is interesting to think about how easily available we have the Word of God. I've come across this before on my trips to China - when I realize that believers over there often have to hid their Bibles - if they get their hands on one copy of the Scriptures, they absolutely treasure it.. all the while, I have probably 10 or 15 copies on my bookshelf! And then to think about when this Scripture was written. How they only had one copy of the instruction that YHWH had given them, and if they wanted to know it, they would have to copy it down for themselves and take it with them. How easily we have access to the Scriptures now! And how often is this something we take for granted. Not always have believers had this opportunity and even now, in some parts of the world, they still don't!
I ordered myself the Psalm 119 version to try this out. I'm really looking forward to it too - I know that one of the ways I study the best is to write things out. So I greatly look forward to doing this.
Here's an example page:
So you write out the Scriptures in the allotted space, but they also have questions to encourage thinking and understanding and then room for journaling.
Looking forward to studying God's Word in this way.
Journibles: The 17:18 series comes from a passage in Deuteronomy.
17:18-19 reads:
"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them..."
First off, I think it is interesting to think about how easily available we have the Word of God. I've come across this before on my trips to China - when I realize that believers over there often have to hid their Bibles - if they get their hands on one copy of the Scriptures, they absolutely treasure it.. all the while, I have probably 10 or 15 copies on my bookshelf! And then to think about when this Scripture was written. How they only had one copy of the instruction that YHWH had given them, and if they wanted to know it, they would have to copy it down for themselves and take it with them. How easily we have access to the Scriptures now! And how often is this something we take for granted. Not always have believers had this opportunity and even now, in some parts of the world, they still don't!
I ordered myself the Psalm 119 version to try this out. I'm really looking forward to it too - I know that one of the ways I study the best is to write things out. So I greatly look forward to doing this.
Here's an example page:
So you write out the Scriptures in the allotted space, but they also have questions to encourage thinking and understanding and then room for journaling.
Looking forward to studying God's Word in this way.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
5 Ways Wives Can Encourage their Husbands
http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2011/12/5-ways-wives-can-encourage-their.html
I really enjoyed this entry on ways wives can encourage their husbands. So much so that I had my man rate these tips. It was interesting - what would have been my number 1 way to be encouraged was not his - in fact, it was his last. So I really found this to be beneficial - I think we are all more likely to 'love' in the way that we want to be loved, but it is always helpful for the reminder that others might not 'receive' love like we do!
I really enjoyed this entry on ways wives can encourage their husbands. So much so that I had my man rate these tips. It was interesting - what would have been my number 1 way to be encouraged was not his - in fact, it was his last. So I really found this to be beneficial - I think we are all more likely to 'love' in the way that we want to be loved, but it is always helpful for the reminder that others might not 'receive' love like we do!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
a few of my favorites things :)
just a few of my favorite things, that i'm really digging lately :)
cherry m&ms - goodness, these things are yummy! ive had them at christmas before but D brought them home to me for vday this year too :) so good!
also, my line-a-day journal. I love my line a day journal, love it. I found this awhile from camille (she's one of my favorites) and decided to get them for all my bridesmaids. i have a horrible memory so i love this way to track memories, days and years. while it was great last year (my first year to write in it) i love it this year because i get to look back and remember what i was doing last year. what a great idea! published by chronicle books.
and lastly, this goodness:
vintage modern is bonnie and camille's latest line. i adore it. im loving the houndstooth. just in case anybody out there is wondering... my birthday is coming before too long, and i wouldn't mind getting this.
cherry m&ms - goodness, these things are yummy! ive had them at christmas before but D brought them home to me for vday this year too :) so good!
also, my line-a-day journal. I love my line a day journal, love it. I found this awhile from camille (she's one of my favorites) and decided to get them for all my bridesmaids. i have a horrible memory so i love this way to track memories, days and years. while it was great last year (my first year to write in it) i love it this year because i get to look back and remember what i was doing last year. what a great idea! published by chronicle books.
and lastly, this goodness:
vintage modern is bonnie and camille's latest line. i adore it. im loving the houndstooth. just in case anybody out there is wondering... my birthday is coming before too long, and i wouldn't mind getting this.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Our first year :)
Earlier I posted about our first six months together, so now I'm hoping to round out that first year with some new memories. I have a horrible memory, so I love writing these down and being able to come back and remember these sweet times together.
We celebrated the summer in full fashion: we went on an amazing trip to San Antonio (including Sea World), we went to the Houston Aquarium where David convinced me to touch a sting ray. I had been to the Aquarium before with Laura, but just couldn't bring myself to touch them. But this time, with his encouragement, and some major psyching up, I did it! I know it is a silly, small little feat, but I felt proud for conquering a fear.
I actually conquered another fear that summer as well. Many times we went swimming with Aus. They were jumping off the diving board, but as few may know, I have a major fear of jumping off the diving board. When I was a little girl, I fell off once, and cut the inside of my leg - I was hurt *and very embarrassed* and that was the end of it for me. That night there were plenty of 5 year old kids jumping off just fine, but I was too scared!!! Finally, with the encouragement of my two favorite guys, I did it. And even while it was thrilling (silly yes, I know) I still wasn't completely comfortable. I did it several more times, but everytime I was pretty petrified. All in all our swim dates were a great part of the summer.
Mom and Dad packed up and went to the "south" to visit amy for a couple weeks, so David and I moved in and played 'mom and dad' to Austin. It was a fun week - Austin was getting ready for a mission trip, we hung out, watched movies, grilled hamburgers, built a fort, watched Harry and the Hendersons, went to the chocolate bar, and David and I oohed and aahed over mom's washer and dryer (we were used to a half size one!)
David and I watched fourth of july fireworks tucked away in a quiet neighborhood- we found a great spot, with a great view, but with no crowds!We'll have to remember for next year (see??? its good that I write these things down!)
After we house sat for mom and dad, we house sat for one of our favorites profs. It was fun, playing house :) We took care of cats (which we dont really like...) jumped on the trampoline, watched movies, hosted a failed book club, and swam at their local pool. So much fun!
At the end of the summer, David and I flew (free - thanks Natalie!) to Baltimore, and then traveled to DC, met up with Meryl and J and drove to Charlottesville, VA for Ashley's wedding. What a blast we had. The guys stayed with some friends of Ashley's (and went kayaking, I believe) and Meryl and I shared a room at the Clifton Inn. Girl's night out, fun games, dedicated psalms, bouquet tutorials, catching up with Liza and Andrew, rehearsal & lunch, last minute decorations and plans, early morning, bees stinging, and then... the wedding. What great fun to celebrate with my dear friend.
We moved! Um, we love our new digs, and we feel like God was in all the details. We had planned out exactly what we needed, and our very first spot was the spot. They had everything we wanted and more, and in our price range, and in the location we wanted, and they would paint our walls, and they would waive our application fee. Um, yes please!
David started working as interim youth and children's minister. Immediately we felt loved by these sweet sweet people at this church. I love Sunday night church - singing old hymns. Feels just like when I was a little girl. What a blessing it is - you just don't find that a lot in churches anymore. I feel like I'm back at Baker, and I love it.
We celebrated in Waco with the newly engaged sis & her man at their engagement party. How much fun was this. So happy for the soon-to-be-Reynolds. And hey, we got a day with the WHOLE (there are eight of us now!) family at Salado. That's impressive.
We read (and watched) all the Harry Potters, we went shopping at our brand new HEB (right next door to us!!!), we karaoked (sp??) with the Hatchett clan in China town (ha!), we royally screwed up (i.e. I royally screwed up) our Halloween extravaganza by accidentally doubling the chili powder instead of halfing it (what a gracious husband I have), we threw a Christmas party for our college buds and played nertz for hours, we looked at Christmas lights and put up our very own Christmas tree (it was our first time to do this - so much fun!), we proctored the SATS, we bought got jobs at HBU, and I cut my head on my third day of work and had to get stitches (great...).
What a year. I can't believe it went by SO FAST. On our one year anniversary, D & I were supposed to be at a big Christmas event at church. We were sad we couldn't get away, but at least we would be together right? Wrong! I got miserably sick and was stuck in bed while my sweet man went to church. He came home to me with white roses. I burst into tears - what a blessing I've been given. I looked horrible - puffy and swollen eyes, red nose, couldn't breathe, I mean, let's face it, it wasn't pretty. And the man brings me roses. He's a keeper :)It may not have been some glamorous one year anniversary, but I saw a tangible expression of those vows (especially the 'in sickness' part) we had made one year previous, and really, I couldn't ask for anything more.
We celebrated the summer in full fashion: we went on an amazing trip to San Antonio (including Sea World), we went to the Houston Aquarium where David convinced me to touch a sting ray. I had been to the Aquarium before with Laura, but just couldn't bring myself to touch them. But this time, with his encouragement, and some major psyching up, I did it! I know it is a silly, small little feat, but I felt proud for conquering a fear.
I actually conquered another fear that summer as well. Many times we went swimming with Aus. They were jumping off the diving board, but as few may know, I have a major fear of jumping off the diving board. When I was a little girl, I fell off once, and cut the inside of my leg - I was hurt *and very embarrassed* and that was the end of it for me. That night there were plenty of 5 year old kids jumping off just fine, but I was too scared!!! Finally, with the encouragement of my two favorite guys, I did it. And even while it was thrilling (silly yes, I know) I still wasn't completely comfortable. I did it several more times, but everytime I was pretty petrified. All in all our swim dates were a great part of the summer.
Mom and Dad packed up and went to the "south" to visit amy for a couple weeks, so David and I moved in and played 'mom and dad' to Austin. It was a fun week - Austin was getting ready for a mission trip, we hung out, watched movies, grilled hamburgers, built a fort, watched Harry and the Hendersons, went to the chocolate bar, and David and I oohed and aahed over mom's washer and dryer (we were used to a half size one!)
David and I watched fourth of july fireworks tucked away in a quiet neighborhood- we found a great spot, with a great view, but with no crowds!We'll have to remember for next year (see??? its good that I write these things down!)
After we house sat for mom and dad, we house sat for one of our favorites profs. It was fun, playing house :) We took care of cats (which we dont really like...) jumped on the trampoline, watched movies, hosted a failed book club, and swam at their local pool. So much fun!
At the end of the summer, David and I flew (free - thanks Natalie!) to Baltimore, and then traveled to DC, met up with Meryl and J and drove to Charlottesville, VA for Ashley's wedding. What a blast we had. The guys stayed with some friends of Ashley's (and went kayaking, I believe) and Meryl and I shared a room at the Clifton Inn. Girl's night out, fun games, dedicated psalms, bouquet tutorials, catching up with Liza and Andrew, rehearsal & lunch, last minute decorations and plans, early morning, bees stinging, and then... the wedding. What great fun to celebrate with my dear friend.
We moved! Um, we love our new digs, and we feel like God was in all the details. We had planned out exactly what we needed, and our very first spot was the spot. They had everything we wanted and more, and in our price range, and in the location we wanted, and they would paint our walls, and they would waive our application fee. Um, yes please!
David started working as interim youth and children's minister. Immediately we felt loved by these sweet sweet people at this church. I love Sunday night church - singing old hymns. Feels just like when I was a little girl. What a blessing it is - you just don't find that a lot in churches anymore. I feel like I'm back at Baker, and I love it.
We celebrated in Waco with the newly engaged sis & her man at their engagement party. How much fun was this. So happy for the soon-to-be-Reynolds. And hey, we got a day with the WHOLE (there are eight of us now!) family at Salado. That's impressive.
We read (and watched) all the Harry Potters, we went shopping at our brand new HEB (right next door to us!!!), we karaoked (sp??) with the Hatchett clan in China town (ha!), we royally screwed up (i.e. I royally screwed up) our Halloween extravaganza by accidentally doubling the chili powder instead of halfing it (what a gracious husband I have), we threw a Christmas party for our college buds and played nertz for hours, we looked at Christmas lights and put up our very own Christmas tree (it was our first time to do this - so much fun!), we proctored the SATS, we bought got jobs at HBU, and I cut my head on my third day of work and had to get stitches (great...).
What a year. I can't believe it went by SO FAST. On our one year anniversary, D & I were supposed to be at a big Christmas event at church. We were sad we couldn't get away, but at least we would be together right? Wrong! I got miserably sick and was stuck in bed while my sweet man went to church. He came home to me with white roses. I burst into tears - what a blessing I've been given. I looked horrible - puffy and swollen eyes, red nose, couldn't breathe, I mean, let's face it, it wasn't pretty. And the man brings me roses. He's a keeper :)It may not have been some glamorous one year anniversary, but I saw a tangible expression of those vows (especially the 'in sickness' part) we had made one year previous, and really, I couldn't ask for anything more.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Chronicles of Narnia
I was immediately scarred by the BBC version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I saw it for the first time. I was just a young girl, and I did not like anything I saw. The scary witch, the talking animals... none of it settled with me right, and I, unfortunately, declared myself not a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Nothing much happened or mattered in this regard until Austin got a little older and had read the books. "They are SO good," he told me. "They are about JESUS," he tried to convince me. But still, I would not relent. I somehow just couldn't be convinced...
David entered the picture, and he too, tried to convice me to read them. I still wasn't ready, though I was finding myself willing to give the new movies a try. Maybe they wouldn't be so scary... On Christmas Day, David and I were on our honeymoon in NYC and we wanted to go see a movie at the AMC in Times Square. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader had just come out. I knew he wanted to see this so badly... and I was okay with it. I was just happy to be seeing a movie in Times Square... that was enough fun for me! But as I watched the movie, I became less hard-hearted... I really liked some of the movie I saw. I loved when Aslan talked to Lucy and told her that their knowing each other in Narnia was just a glimpse of knowing each other in real life, in a real way. Lucy asked Aslan if they will ever meet in her world. And he says yes. When she asks how, he says, "Because there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
I don't know why, but it struck me. The idea of catching a glimpse of him, of knowing him 'a little' so that one day we may know him more fully...it's beautiful.
Okay, so by this time, I'm feeling a little silly...realizing maybe there is something to these stories, maybe they are worth reading. So when David asked me if I wanted to read through them together with him, I said 'yes.'
And let me tell you, it has been such a blessing. I've enjoyed reading in the evenings with David... that has been blessing enough, but the stories we are reading are so incredible. I love how Lewis sees things, how he has told this story. It really is beautiful. Clearly I'm not the first to notice this, in fact, I'm apparently very far behind the rest of the world, but I admit, I shouldn't have let the scary british witch scare me so much as a child.
So thank you Austin - for planting the seed in me to read them. And thank you David for helping to bring it about.
Nothing much happened or mattered in this regard until Austin got a little older and had read the books. "They are SO good," he told me. "They are about JESUS," he tried to convince me. But still, I would not relent. I somehow just couldn't be convinced...
David entered the picture, and he too, tried to convice me to read them. I still wasn't ready, though I was finding myself willing to give the new movies a try. Maybe they wouldn't be so scary... On Christmas Day, David and I were on our honeymoon in NYC and we wanted to go see a movie at the AMC in Times Square. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader had just come out. I knew he wanted to see this so badly... and I was okay with it. I was just happy to be seeing a movie in Times Square... that was enough fun for me! But as I watched the movie, I became less hard-hearted... I really liked some of the movie I saw. I loved when Aslan talked to Lucy and told her that their knowing each other in Narnia was just a glimpse of knowing each other in real life, in a real way. Lucy asked Aslan if they will ever meet in her world. And he says yes. When she asks how, he says, "Because there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
I don't know why, but it struck me. The idea of catching a glimpse of him, of knowing him 'a little' so that one day we may know him more fully...it's beautiful.
Okay, so by this time, I'm feeling a little silly...realizing maybe there is something to these stories, maybe they are worth reading. So when David asked me if I wanted to read through them together with him, I said 'yes.'
And let me tell you, it has been such a blessing. I've enjoyed reading in the evenings with David... that has been blessing enough, but the stories we are reading are so incredible. I love how Lewis sees things, how he has told this story. It really is beautiful. Clearly I'm not the first to notice this, in fact, I'm apparently very far behind the rest of the world, but I admit, I shouldn't have let the scary british witch scare me so much as a child.
So thank you Austin - for planting the seed in me to read them. And thank you David for helping to bring it about.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Summer GetAway 2011
My wonderful sweets surprised me last week with plans for a quick trip to San Antonio and SeaWorld! We're both working most everyday all day so getting away for a vacation just seemed like it wasn't going to happen... but D worked it out!
We left Sunday afternoon and arrived in San Antonio just in time for a sundown walk along the riverwalk. It was wonderful. The riverwalk has always been one of my favorite places :) And I've never been there with the mister, so it was wonderful to share in this with him!
Monday morning we headed out to seaworld! I was SO excited to see Shamu. I went to seaworld as a kid and have never forgotten it... I was so giddy - we sat in the splash zone, right in the middle and had a GREAT view of shamu and all his tricks. We rode the Journey to atlantis, saw the AZUL show (some of the most amazing diving I have ever seen!), petted dolphins, saw sharks and penguins, went to a 4D show, saw a sea lion play, and ate at rositas! And probably more, that I have already forgotten! As we were leaving, David bought me a baby shamu as a souvenir. I love my sweetie.
I was planning on taking pictures with my ipod, but unfortunately, I didnt plan well enough and it was out of battery, so I didn't get any pictures, which makes me really sad, but I still know I will remember this getaway. It was such a surprise, such a gift, and such a blessing.
Side note - as more and more time goes on, I am more and more amazed by David. He is such a gift to me. He is my friend and encourager. His love is so selfless and he is an example to me.
We left Sunday afternoon and arrived in San Antonio just in time for a sundown walk along the riverwalk. It was wonderful. The riverwalk has always been one of my favorite places :) And I've never been there with the mister, so it was wonderful to share in this with him!
Monday morning we headed out to seaworld! I was SO excited to see Shamu. I went to seaworld as a kid and have never forgotten it... I was so giddy - we sat in the splash zone, right in the middle and had a GREAT view of shamu and all his tricks. We rode the Journey to atlantis, saw the AZUL show (some of the most amazing diving I have ever seen!), petted dolphins, saw sharks and penguins, went to a 4D show, saw a sea lion play, and ate at rositas! And probably more, that I have already forgotten! As we were leaving, David bought me a baby shamu as a souvenir. I love my sweetie.
I was planning on taking pictures with my ipod, but unfortunately, I didnt plan well enough and it was out of battery, so I didn't get any pictures, which makes me really sad, but I still know I will remember this getaway. It was such a surprise, such a gift, and such a blessing.
Side note - as more and more time goes on, I am more and more amazed by David. He is such a gift to me. He is my friend and encourager. His love is so selfless and he is an example to me.
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