Absent Blogger...

Sorry I've been absent the last 3 months. School is a booger this semester, but I wanted to post a little something that might encourage you. I've been singing this song constantly the last few weeks...

Waste Not, Part 1: Handmade Home

During the last month I was determined not to waste my break from school. I wanted to make sure I spend as much time as I could doing things I loved with people I loved. So, I decided to create a little series of posts called "Waste Not".

The first one is called "Handmade Home." I decided to make the majority of my Christmas presents to family this year. It was so fun!!!! I didn't end up saving any money, but hey, it was totally worth it!

Gathering supplies:

For everyday:

For Christmas:

Before:

After:

When Christmas was over, I was lucky enough to have some left over materials. So, I broke out my new sewing machine that my parents gave me for my (cough, cough) 30th birthday a few months ago.

I have tried to learn to sew several times during my life, but never able to really stick to it. I was a little nervous but decided to use some cute handkerchiefs I found at Hobby Lobby to make pillows. I thought, "If I mess up, who cares?!"

Well, God was good and let me come up with these!

I was so thrilled, this led to more blue and brown--a color combination I have LOVED for a long time.

I found this brown pillow cover at Hobby Lobby on clearance and I made some cute little fabric flowers.

I made some smaller candlesticks and attached the little glasses on top. Everything I made was used with a gift from Heaven: Gorilla Glue Epoxy. If you've ever used it, you know what I'm talking about. That stuff rocks!

I had these bare wood frames, painted them with my Rustolium Aqua spray paint, added some cute ribbon, and viola! Aren't they cute!? (I must say, that is the best bow I have ever tied in my life! I was so excited about it.)

A friend of mine directed me to some BEEEEA-U-TI-FUL curtains at Hobby Lobby. I had no idea they sold curtains. I know they're not homemade, but if buy them at Hobby Lobby it's close isn't it?

I'm so thankful to have had this time to use my hands for something other than taking notes for the last month. Don't get me wrong, I've loved school, but there is something so sweet about creating things and then giving them away or using them to make your home more comfortable and inviting for guests (and yourself). ;)

Many of you know what I mean when I refer to "The Proverbs 31 Woman". Typically, some of us will sigh and roll our eyes, believing that she is an example of an unattainable goal. I'm right there with you, but just because it seems so far away doesn't mean we should try for it. I'm no where near being "The Proverbs 31 Woman" but I do love the verses that say:

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.... her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy....

I don't know about you, but I could definitely learn a little more about "working with eager hands" and the later verse that says she "watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness".

Lord, make my arms and my self discipline stronger and thank You for the sweet time to be creative!

Just Had to Share This

I heard this song for the first time today. I don't know how I'd missed it before.

In the words of my husband, "I love Caedmon's Call because they make me love Jesus more." I hope you'll feel the same way after hearing this song.



Lyrics:

Left His seamless robe behind
Woke up in a stable and cried
Lived and died and rose again
Savior for a guilty land

It's a story like a children's tune
It's grown familiar as the moon
So now I ride my camel high
I'm aiming for the needle's eye

I chased the wind, but I chased in vain
I chased the earth, it would not sustain

There's only One who never fails
To beckon the morning light
There's only One who set loose the gales
And ties the trees down tight
When all around my soul gives way
He is all my hope and stay
There's only One, only One Holy One

Lord, You are my Prince of Peace
But this war brings me to my knees
See, there's a table You've prepared
And all my enemies are there
But where my Shepherd leads
Where else can I go?
Who else fills my cup 'til it overflows?

There's only One who never fails
To beckon the morning light
There's only One who set loose the gales
And ties the trees down tight
To the Solid Rock I fly
Though He bids me come and die
There's only One, only One Holy One

First Semester of PTA School

Here are a few pictures of my class during our first semester. We have a good time, but don't be fooled, we know how to work VERY hard.

We get really excited about Functional Anatomy. (Eyes rolling here.)

Getting on each other's nerves...literally.

Some of our group went to dinner before an APTA meeting at a local hospital.

Me in my PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). There is a very specific way to put this on and take it off. Seriously, we were tested on it. In the process we also have to wash our hands like 27 times (OK not that many). During the first two weeks of school I woke up in the middle of the night with my hands in the air...I was washing my hands in my dream.

My sweet friend, Maria.


Learning how to provide wound care...we learn on oranges and grapefruits.


We have fun together too. After a big Functional Anatomy test we went bowling.


Jacob (a.k.a. Big Homie) and Jeff (a.k.a. Son).


Maria


Mike gets a strike!

Christmas party after our finals.

My friend Ashley brought her husband who was home for two weeks from serving in the military overseas. Thank you, Josh, for what you do!

(Back:) Brad, Heidi, Jamie (Front:) Ashley, Effie, Jacob, and Guadalupe

We had a "White Elephant" gift exchange (silly gifts). Jacob was lucky enough to pick mine.

I'm so thankful for my new little family.

A Few of My Favorite Christmas Songs

Here are a few videos of the songs I absolutely have to listen to over and over around Christmas. Only one is an "official" video and the others are the least cheesy that I could find. I hope you'll take some time to listen to the words.

The next song is probably my favorite.

I think these songs in particular speak to my heart the most because they don't leave Jesus as a baby. In each song a different aspect of His life's purpose or mission is shoved into the forefront.

The first song praises God for sending our Savior, our Rescuer, our Hero. He is the One who has come in and offered "freedom for the captives" (Isaiah 61:1). To bring freedom automatically means that there was a previous state of captivity. We are all captives.

You disagree?

Have you ever felt pain?
Have you ever been angry?
Have you ever been frustrated?
Have you ever lied?
Have you ever been rejected?
Have you ever been devastated?
Have you ever hurt someone else?
Have you ever hated anyone?
Have you ever been selfish?

Yes?
I have.

We are all captives.

The second song is a reminder that Jesus chose to leave His throne in Heaven. Have you ever really thought about that? Heaven???!!! It's the place of

perfection
beauty
peace
ever increasing joy
adventure
contentment
wholeness

and where Jesus was adored and praised at all times. He left knowing when He came here He would experience everything we do:

pain
sorrow
sickness
rejection
temptation
even death

The residents of Heaven must have been dumbfounded. They must have been heartbroken...the Light of Heaven would be wrapped in flesh and (in a way) hidden from their eyes. The King was riding out to war.

I recently listened to a talk by one of my favorite teachers (Ben Stuart) in which he discussed the ultimate reason Jesus came to earth. He said when he thinks of Christmas one word comes to mind: "Destruction". He came to do war.

Not war on people.

He came to do war on sin, pain, disease, hate, selfishness, pride...the list goes on. He came to destroy the one who is the father of all these things. 1 John 3:8 says this, "...The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." He is as real as that list and he is the one who holds us captive.

The third song tells the whole Story...even the part that has not yet come. It tells of His choice to die our death (Romans 6:23) so that we could live with Him in Freedom. It sings of the glorious day that He rose from the grave and had Victory over His Enemy. Death is the most powerful thing the Enemy can dish out and Jesus took it and overcame it!!! And it foretells of the beautiful day He will come back. I can barely listen to this song without crying. I can't believe He did this for me and for you! He loves us so much!

If you haven't received His love, I hope and pray you will now.

He loves you.
This is real.
This is true.

He doesn't promise us an easy life, but He promised us that He'd never leave us. Praise God for His great Faithfulness.

Merry Christmas!

First Trip to the Dentist

Well, today marked the first trip to the dentist for my kiddos. I know it's kinda late, especially for Josie (cousin Sarah, please don't be mad), so judge me as a slacker mom but it is what it is.

I was really nervous about how they would do but we talked a lot about it before and what to expect. I think one of the things that helped was that we go to church with our dentist and his kids are about the same age as Josie and Caleb.

When we went in Josie went first to show Caleb how easy it was. When asked what music she wanted to listen to she said, "David Crowder". Ahhhh, that's my girl! Anywhoo, she did very well and the hygienist and Dr. Chad both boasted what beautiful and healthy teeth she had.

Caleb went next and to no one's surprise was the comedian of the office. When Dr. Chad came in Caleb informed him (very confidently) that he had two teeth--one on top and one on the bottom then he kindly wished him a "happy burfday." That got a laugh out of everyone--even the ladies in the office.

He had a little buildup in a couple of places around his gums, but overall did very well for a 3 year old. His absolute favorite part was the suction straw. It became our form of leverage to keep him still. He loved making all kinds of funny noises with it and would just sit there looking like a fish with it in his mouth.

I was so proud of my babies and praising God for giving them 30 minutes of self control!

Birthday Weekend

Here's a little video of our big birthday weekend in early December. I decided to do this instead of posting a bajillion pictures on our blog.

(Disclaimer: While I LOVE the fact my daughter desires to be modest, I did not like the faded gaucho pants that she chose to wear over her leotard. But since it was her birthday and I don't want to discourage her efforts to be demure, I let her have her way.)