plaid, check, polka dot, stripe.

plaid, check, polka dot, stripe. which is the pattern that you like?
{thank you DisneyJunior for all your inspiration}

stripe.

polka dot.

plaid. check.

i love etsy. you can always find something so cute. usually at a good price. my kind of place.

[I'm feeling much better. Thank God.]

Tuesday Thoughts

Well, first I think I should say I'm sick. I don't like being sick. I thought I was getting better. But I slept terrible. I feel terrible right now. I'm self-diagnosing a sinus infection. Seriously, I hate being sick. The fact that I ran six miles yesterday might have to do with the fact the I feel terrible today. Whatever. I barely slept last night. Dreamt I was dealing with a basketball team that couldn't figure out that you have to run up and down the court. It was very frustrating. Right before I woke up Cam Newton was coming to play for us. Now there's some hope. [Cam Newton won the Hiesman Trophy this year - he's a quarterback]. I think the worst part is that I'm pretty sure I kept Manny up all night too. I feel really bad about that. Between the coughing, tossing, turning, whining, and occasional sleeping with the water battle and spilling it all over myself [yes, I did that] I don't think he slept much either. ugh. Jackson is sick too. So at least we can be sick together. I'm not being a very good nanny. So right now I'm listening to some great music and trying not to think about how bad I feel. I feel like I have no other thoughts right now... Except I would really like to find that mirror I want for my mantle and something I can turn into an ottoman soon.

not enough words...

not enough words... to describe how much I really don't like being sick.

not enough words... to describe how I am feeling right now - about the love I have for my husband & how I kind of just miss him - when life gets too crazy and this sickness makes me fall asleep o-so-early.

not enough words... to describe how my heart is breaking for another couple. see they are youth pastors to another small youth group. they are passionate about the youth that surrounds them and want to do everything in their power to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. they serve each and every day with all that they have - for next to nothing. they are young. and sometime last week they were in a terrible car accident. I don't know the details, but Aaron has many broken bones and his wife, Catherine, was a brain injury and spinal cord injury. she is in a drug induced coma. I beg of you to lift this couple up in prayer.

not enough words... to describe how thankful I am for Alethia Church. what an incredible body of believers. passionate about changing their lives to see this world change so that all might someday call him Savior.

not enough words... to describe how full my heart was as we heard Kaci & Tyler, our worship pastor, praise God through a song they wrote!

not enough words... to describe how tired my body is. after sickness. ice skating. and a four mile run.

not enough words... to describe how confused I am that a girl - make that 2 girls - in our youth group didn't know my name... AFTER BEING IN OUR YOUTH GROUP FOR 6 MONTHS!!! Am I doing something wrong here?!?

not enough words... to describe how much I enjoyed ice skating with 7 girls from Alethia Youth. Seeing them struggle and enjoy the sport of skating on ice.

not enough words... to describe how thankful I am that I don't have work tomorrow! Yahoo!

not enough words... to describe how my heart goes out for my aunt. who lost her husband this week. but still is thankful that he is home with his Savior.

not enough words... to describe how thankful I am for this life.

"You shall be holy, as I am holy"

As I roam around "BlogWorld" I peek into the lives of many different types of bloggers. Some proclaim their relationship with Christ, others speak strictly of their families or crafts, and some question life... And at times I wonder, "Why don't I question in this way?" Is is just that my brain doesn't work that way? Or am I just dumber? Not as theological, thoughtful, analytical, or introspective... And the more I think about it the more I know my purpose is Christ.

His purpose is My purpose:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

I do not worry (Philippians 4:6) - I know that God hears my prayers & has it all figured out. Ok, really I spend a lot of time worrying... But always {in the end, when I open my eyes} God is faithful!

These days there seem to be so many questions about wives and husbands and marriage. But I know and am secure in fact that as a wife I must submit to my husband (Ephesians 5:22-24) Yes, I struggle handing over control at times... But I know my husband is seeking Christ, loving me, respecting me, and serving me (Ephesians 5:25) in each and every decision.

Church seems to be another area of questioning... But when I look at the first church of Act and the church I attend, serve, and love I know we are following God's will for His Church (Acts 2:42).

Trusting and obeying the Lord is simple (Psalm 19:7-9). And I FAIL. In major ways, often. .. But we are forgiven and set free (Philippians 1:6) and of that I am certain because I experienced the peace of God that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)

And I stand firm knowing that I lack nothing (Psalm 23), I was created with a purpose (Psalm 139:13-16), and

above everything else, all I really need to do is:

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39

KNOWING

My FUTURE is SECURE:

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Psalm 16:5

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

And there are so many others ways in which I know my purpose... I can't even comprehend them all. And yes, I back up each purpose with Scripture because I have seen and lived this Scripture true in my life.

And all I can do is be thankful. Thankful for a purposeful life. With no questions. Thankful for holiness. Thankful for this purposeful life I live striving to be holy and loving everyone the best that I can.

Tuesday Thoughts

Goals:

Quite a while ago Manny and I had the weekly habit of creating weekly goals. We kind of out grew this stage and no longer write out such lists, but for what ever reason I keep thinking it is something I may need to do again... So on this Tuesday here my goals...

- For the year (maybe forever), I will not buy anything for my home, self, or husband that is not on sale or under $10

- Fill in all the dates you observed check

- Observe Aunt Billie's class {Thursday} nope

- Finish reading book. check

- Run 4 times {Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday}, Jillian twice {Monday, Thursday}

- Go to Clark's We LOVE Love Party with Jackson! check

- Find a new book to read.

- Enjoy Love Day with Manny. check

- Go Ice Skating with AlethiaYouth girls! {Sunday}

- Scrapbooking time with dear friend Autumn. {Saturday}

- Dinner with Nicole. {Thursday} check

- John's Basketball Game. {Friday}

- AlethiaYouth {Wednesday} check

- Eat a fruit & vegetable every day.

- Church Challenge.

ok. that's all for this week I think. Adios.

Loving This Mantle...

In the spirit of LOVE Day I decorated our mantle... And in my opinion it's super cute!

A View of The Whole Thing

Close-Ups

1. I tied ribbon, in various fashion around dollar store candles

2. Red Picture Frame w/ picture of Manny and I in front of the LOVE sign in New York City [already had it :)]

3. X O X O - cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby w/ TONs of glitter & ModPodge

4. Black Picture Frame w/ pink paper & {suppose to have cute v-day word art, but never got it.... maybe next year}

5. Banner - Pink & Red Ribbon with Book Paper Hearts & handmade paper and felt flowers at the tops Well, Happy Love Day!!!

Now I'll just be super sad when I have to take it down - tomorrow. Manny says so.

Day Off : Hanging with the Ferni's

We had "Lego Time," played with the lightsabers, did a sports game on the Kinect, ate fish sticks for lunch, & only had one pee accident! What a great way to spend the day! Hanging out with some of my very favorite kids!

My favorite quote of the day- While I was changing Lindley's diaper:
Noah: "Lindley's just the cutest baby in the world isn't she?"
me: "Yes, she is the cutest baby"
Noah: "But what about Baby God?"
me: "Well, I bet he was pretty cute too."
Noah: "Well, maybe Lindley and Baby God had equal cuteness..."
me: "That sounds about right"

:)
ps. No picture of Drew since he was at school most of the day, and Lindley just sleeps a lot!

Tuesday Thoughts

Well, I think my blood has finally stopped boiling... It is snowing, cold, and extremely windy here. I knew my commute to work wouldn't be too fun. What I didn't know is that I wouldn't make it out of the driveway. One snow drift just pulled me over off the driveway into another 4 ft. snow drift. I was seriously stuck and knew there was no way in heck I was gunna be able to get myself out [the car was practically tipping over- my neck hurts from sitting in the car so long trying to not fall over] So, I call my boss... Her idea- come pick me up! Really??? I can't make it down my driveway and you're gunna drive the *whatever* miles to the road so I can walk up the driveway in the -30 windchill snow and through 4 ft drifts??? Really??? Yes, really. Because that's exactly what happened. Now I'm at work. Yahoo.

Praying for Mandy today. She left last night to go back to Richland. One of her small group girls' dad passed away Sunday morning. Goodness, I can't even imagine. Praying that Mandy has just the right words and God uses her to bring some kind of understanding and peace to Dez... So hard.

Since she left yesterday, I sat at their house so Michael could go play basketball with Manny and the guys. SUCH a relaxing time. Listening to Joshua Radin w/ A Fine Frenzy Pandora Radio. Perfectly quiet house. Great book. Dreaming of the amazing road trip Manny and I will hopefully take this summer before school/student teaching start. Couldn't ask for a better hour and a half. LOVE this song-


Jackson threw the BIGGEST tantrum yesterday. Seriously he was freaking out so bad he lost his voice and has bruises on his legs from throwing himself on the floor, against furniture, etc. UGH.

BIG NEWS: I GOT 1st AT LASER TAG!!!! FIRST PLACE!!!! KIM POLLARD!!!! Seriously, like so exciting.

I'm cold.

That's all for today. Bleh.

Superbowl Chili

For Superbowl we watched the game with a ton of friends at a Sam & Amber's House. It was super great. Enjoyed the food, game, and time spent with one another. On the menu: Chili! Amber made the Red & I made the White. Both were completely consumed! Many people asked for my recipe so I thought I would post it here. Seriously, was so good! It was the first time I had tried it and I was quite impressed. Recipe found here.


Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken
2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans navy beans
1 (15 ounce) can hominy or 1 (15 ounce) can white corn
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped green chilies
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
chopped green onion (optional)
Monterrey jack cheese (optional)
Change Measurements: US Metric

Directions:
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 1/2 day
1 Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
2 Top with beans and corn.
3 In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot.
4 Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
5 Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken, then stir in the sour cream.
6 Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese, if desired

YUM!

Finally!!! All the Crafty Goodness

Ok, so as I promised here are all the fun crafts I've been doing lately...
Mostly just an assortment of fabric and paper flowers. But it's still fun!

Here are those flowers: Fabric, paper, and felt!



A big flower to be added to a pillow for the living room:

Awesome book marks {Love These}

Made this fun flower to add to a pillow on the guest bed:

Yea! So fun!

Tuesday Thoughts

First of all,
I have successfully completed Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30 days, 30 workouts. Done. 9.8 lbs lost!
Seriously, so excited about this one!!!!!

Secondly, pretty perturbed... So I started reading The Hunger Games Trilogy. I finished the first book in 1 day. Yes, 1 day. I really liked the book. Super interesting. When I was trying to determine what book came next in the trilogy I was confused and my brother very confidently informed me it was Mockingjay so I willingly began reading that book. Got about 75% of the way done and realized on the front cover of Mockingjay it says "The Final Book of The Hunger Games." REALLY?!?!?! SERIOUSLY???? No wonder I was so freaking confused!!!! So I put that book down and have started reading "The Second Book of The Hunger Games," Catching Fire. And it's good, but not near as good as it would have been if I hadn't read the majority of the last book before it. UGH.

In other news, I'm absolutely freezing. Seriously, the windchill today is -45. seriously. And yea, I know I live in Colorado blah blah blah but this is just plain RIDICULOUS.

I can't wait to go grocery shopping tonight. Yes, I love grocery shopping.

If you want a really amazing story of a really amazing four year old, please read this. Filled my heart this morning.

"And my prayer is this: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in depth of insight." Philippians 1:9. memorized Scripture as part of our 11 series. heck yes.

Alright, now I'm going to read more the book. when I already know what happens. jimmy.

Radical

So like thousands of other Christians I've just finished reading the book Radical by David Platt. I was interested to see how I would feel about the book considering two of my closest friends gave two very opposite reviews. One was challenged, changed, and questioning while the other didn't even finish the book because he thought it just offered up more of the same as far as inspirational Christian literature. But I will have to agree with my dear friend Dani, for I was challenged, changed, and left questioning a lot.

If you don't know what this book is about it is about "Taking back your faith from the American Dream." An interesting concept. One I honestly struggle with daily; how to live a life devoted to God and ministry while surrounded by a money-, power-, and material- possessed society.

In the end, much of my life was confirmed: that Manny and I are doing exactly what God wants us to be doing by working full-time and being full-time committed to Alethia Church, the life we live is radical for Christ every day, Alethia Church is 100% Biblical- exactly what we want to be, God desires for "good" in our lives, etc.
But I was also convicted... To give more: I don't know what this means but I think it might have to do with my new crafty side and some charity {I don't know which one or how}... To be more devoted: Recently I feel like I am more desperate, hungry, and dedicated to the Word of God than ever before, but this must continue, even stronger... To know more: Platt asks the question What is the purpose of Christianity? And to be honest I didn't know... He explains it as "Enjoy His Grace, Extend His Glory." So simple, so poignant, how I want to live my life... Also, To Suffer More: a concept that has been very heavy on my heart in recent months...

Radical explored these claims:
"Real success is found in radical sacrifice. Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God. The purposes of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live. Meaning is found in community, no individualism; joy is found in generosity, no materialism; and truth is found in Christ, no universalism. Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy." pg. 183
Such poignant truths of the Bible, many Christians often ignore...

In the end, he offers a "Radical Experiment"
1. pray for the entire world
2. read through the entire Word
3. sacrifice your money fro a specific purpose
4. spend your time in another concept
5. commit your life to a multiplying community

I don't really know how to end this post, except to say that this book truly challenged me and I highly recommend it if you are into knowing Christ more, being more like Christ, enjoying His grace, extending His glory, and living radically for Him...