Twins

So, you'd think Shelsy and I see each other every day or something...



Style in a Flash

Okay, if it's not obvious to you just by looking at it, I thought I was WAY cool in the pic above.  I specifically remember that moment, posing for the picture like that.  Isn't it weird the things we remember?  We were at Vasquez Rocks and I absolutely LOVED that dalmation outfit.

You know it sounds all self-esteemy and all that kinda junk to say that if you like what you're wearing you'll feel more confident, but I think there is some truth in that.  Maybe even a lot of truth in that.  And yes, we shouldn't be overly concerned with what we wear.  After all, God looks at the heart.  But as my friend, Mariejtie, used to tell me, "It's just as bad to stand out for being poorly dressed (and in that I mean sloppy and messy) as it is to be dressed to the nine's seeking attention.  It's better to blend in."  Obviously not in a "conformed to the world" way, but in a way that doesn't draw attention to you instead of Jesus!

(Oh and you may want to blend in with this era as well.)

Well what do you on those days where you wake up late or just can't think of what to wear?  And you know you shouldn't be caring that much or spending that much time on getting ready, but you just don't know what to do.  You can't show up to work in a mumu, but you also can't show up 20 minutes late.  And if you want to spend anytime reading your Bible in the morning than sometimes you just need some quick styling ideas.

Well, I've come up with a few in the last couple of months that have really saved my sanity in the mornings.  Here they are:

1. A little teasing never hurt anyone.

When I don't have time for a shower or I took one the night before and my hair is all flat, I fall back on this little trick, taught to me by mi madre.  (Teasing was real big back in the 60's and 70's.)  Just back comb, hairspray a bit, smooth the top and fix with a few bobby pins and you're good to go!  Teasing adds body to flat hair.

And if the front is a bit oily you can just use a bit of dry shampoo.  One of the best inventions ever!

I actually bought this little sign and keep it near my mirror just as a reminder that it's okay if my hair isn't perfect.  ;)

2. Have a file of fave outifts handy.

I don't know about you, but I save a lot of outfit ideas on Pinterest under "Style" and when I can't decide on what to wear, I open up this board and can usually find an idea fairly quickly.  Shopping your own closet can keep you from buying what you don't need.

My sister also gave me a notepad for Sister Day where I can list what I wore and draw or add a picture of a certain outif that I liked.

I haven't really used it yet, but the idea is just wonderful.  ;)

3. Accessorize!

The wonderful thing about accessorizing is that you can wear the exact same outfit two days in a row and make it look completely different.  Add a belt and some jewelry, change up the shoes and I doubt anyone would know you're wearing the same dress on Friday that you wore on Wednesday.  You know unless it's orange leopard print or something.

So those are just a few small things I do in the morning to help speed up the getting ready process.

Any of you readers have any secret tips?

Worth It

In the past week, I've thought a lot about motherhood and the relationship between a mom and her children. From the horrific details of the Casey Anthony case to the amazing account of Jacey Dugard told in her book, A Stolen Life, to a blog post I read here, one in a series of blog posts on how women balance motherhood and their careers.

"Choice" is a popular vocab term that pops up. I'd really like to do a study on this word as it appears in the Bible. I'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to find it in the context of "a woman's right to choose." Yet so many women feel this way and not just in regards to abortion, but also in whether or not they should have a career. I understand that financial hardships exist and that for a time a mother may have to work, possibly even outside of the home. But hopefully her heart lines up with Titus 2:5 and Proverbs 31 and this circumstance would exist for only a short period of time.

Too often believer's start listening to the movies or shows they watch and begin to adopt the world's view on this matter. (Just as we are prone to do on any issue.) I am obviously not a mother so some may say I have no right to speak on this or that I have no idea what I'm talking about. It's true that I may not know how hard it is to be a mom (although I have a small clue from babysitting and teaching Kindergarten.) But either way the Bible is always where we are to look for the true standard. A well known verse that's not always easy to follow is Proverbs 3:5-7, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowlege Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil."

How comforting that no matter how hard it may it be, or how confusing it might seem, if we listen and obey God's Word, we can trust that He will lead us where He wants us to go. And He is always faithful to provide for His children.

And a short word on abortion. A common argument in favor of abortion is, "Well what if a woman gets raped? She didn't choose to get pregnant!" Well read Jaycee Dugard's opinion on the matter:

"Despite years of torment, Dugard, who was kidnapped in 1991 at age 11 near her home in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., insists she would suffer it all again for the priceless reward of her beautiful, loving girls." (You can read more here.)

Did you hear that??? She would endure 18 years of rape and other tortures all over again to have her kids!!!

This perspective can be anyone's if they trust in the love and sovereignty of God.

Ten Reasons Why My Grandpa Was the Coolest

(Can I just say how much I love this picture? I think it's so funny the way my Grandpa is holding my arm.)

10. He always wore turquoise. Whether it was a ring, a string tie, or a belt buckle. He couldn't get enough of the stuff.

9. He used the word paw instead of hand, claws instead of fingers and fangs instead of teeth.

8. He drove this rad retro yellow van with only one seat in the back. The rest was open and so we got to sit on the floor whenever we went anywhere, which is super fun for a kid.

7. He was a fly fisherman and he tied his own flies. He had a room in his basement with a desk where he tied the flies and there were tons of little compartments all over the room that stored them. He and my Grandma retired to Bozeman, Montana because of the fly fishing.

6. He always wore cowboy boots.

5. He would write me letters. And I loved his handwriting. He often put a P.S. that would say, "When you come visit us, I will rock you to sleep."

4. He loved kids. He was really good with Em, Jeremy and me. He even drove a school bus for awhile when he was older.

3. He had good taste in music. He liked a lot of the big band stuff.

2. After he got saved, (which was late in life but before I was born), he treated my Grandma like an angel. My mom said he used to embarrass her when people came over because he would just stare at my Grandma and say, "Isn't Frances wonderful?"

1. He was just so loving and loveable. One time, after my Grandma died and when his health had really declined, we went to Montana and Em, Jeremy and me were at his neighbor's house playing with their dog. The owner's were gone but they let us go in the back. My parents and aunt and uncle were all gone so my Grandpa was the only one at home. Jeremy decided to hang from the door frame and I copied him and fell and landed on my back on the raised door jam on the ground. It hurt really bad and I was crying when we got back. My Grandpa felt so bad for me but didn't really know what to do. He was almost in tears as he lay me down on the couch and put a blanket over me. For some reason I will never forget that. He died when I was in 9th grade but I love him so much and can't wait to see him in Heaven!

Oh and one more thing, his name was Jack! I love that name!

That's Life...(that's what all the people say)

I figured it's high time to bump down that picture of the virus attacker. Thankfully, my cold is just about over. In fact, I think this morning was the first one where I didn't wake up with...well...you know. That reminds me of Runaway Bride, the morning show, "Wake up with Flem". Haha. Okay...anyways...

So, because I have nothing to write about and yet I still need to post something, I am going to answer a random question: "What traditions do you carry on during your day, consciously or otherwise?"

Hmmm...more than I thought when I thought about it. It's funny that most of my traditions center somewhat around mealtimes.

In the morning, I always wake up around 5:45 and 6:00. I stumble to the bathroom to take my shower. My mom ALWAYS says "Good morning!" in the brightest, cheeriest voice that makes me want to...well...scream. But I usually grumble back, good morning, and turn on the hot water. It's funny the things a shower can do for your mood. After that I always go and make coffe. Three cups, one spoonful for each cup. While that's gurgling up I eat my cereal. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Best. Cereal. Ever. Lately I've been eating it on the couch, cuz it's cozier. And my dad has recently taken to eating his breakfast at the same time at the table with his laptop and there is just not enough room for what I would like. Plus it's colder at the table near the open window. After the coffee is poured, I dry and straighten my hair. Then I go and pick out something to wear. I ALWAYS tell myself that for now on I will pick out my outfit the night before. But this never happens. And this is 99.9% reason why I never make it out the door at the time I would like. Usually, if I've forgotten to make my lunch after the cereal, I frantically make it now. Then I frantically do my make-up, than I frantically run out the door, sometimes having to put on mascara or something in the car. In this I am well-skilled.

If I don't listen and sing to my music on the way to work, I am in grave danger of falling asleep at the wheel. There have been some close calls lately. I don't have an i-pod thingy in my car, but I'm glad...anyone can just listen to a shuffle mix of their songs. I am a big fan of making mixes myself. I like to have certain themes...road trip...mellow...fun and peppy. I pull in, drop off my lunch at the fridge, enter my office, and turn on my computer. Here is where the morning tradition ends. Who knows what I will find at work???

I ALWAYS have lunch at 12:30 on Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. Well, pretty much always. On Wed. I eat at 1:00. This is because I eat with Emily and on Wednesday's she likes to eat later because she comes in later and it breaks up her day more. Em and I ALWAYS eat on this one particular bench. We get made fun of for always eating on this bench.

I leave work at 4:30. Again, I am in danger of falling asleep on the way home if I'm not singing. I have recently been trying to pray though while I drive. It works out being a really good time to pray and think.

There's not many nightly traditions I carry on. I like having SOME part of my day unpredictable. I do generally hang out with Megan and Amber at least once if not more during the week. Amber and I just started a hip hop class at the gym. THAT'S interesting considering I am TERRIBLE AT DANCING. Amber just happens to be the best in the class.

Before bed I ALWAYS brush my teeth and wash my face. That's one of my least favorite parts of the day. :0( However, I LOVE the part where I turn off my light and hit the pillow. :0)

Changes

***I wrote part of this post the other day, but I don't want to change it, so I'll leave the beginning as is. Part of it is from right now though.***

6/30/08
Well, I just got back from my lunch break at my new job, Grace School Receptionist/Secretary. Yes, that is the official title. To tell you the truth, I don't even exactly know the difference between a receptionist and a secretary, but I am both apparently. Anyway, before I left for lunch I had a general idea of what this post would be about, now, due to unforseen circumstances it will be changed a bit, oh...there's the title of the post again...but I'll get to that later.
I've been struck recently by all the changes that are happening in my life. There are big things and then there are all these small things too that didn't immediately come to my mind, but nonetheless, they are changes.
One big change is obviously my job. I was working the last five months as a teacher aid in a second grade classroom, now I am at a different school working as what I stated above. I've always somewhat enjoyed when the unexpected happens, at least for the most part, and I definitely didn't expect to become a recep./sec. (My own little made up abbreviation there.) I thought I might have my own classroom this year, but, so far, God had a different plan for me.
***Actually, it's kind of funny. When I was little Emily and I sometimes pretended that we were secretaries in a doctor's office. She hated the game after five minutes, but I loved pretending to schedule patients for doctor's visits. I was telling some people last night that I was making some appointments for people the other day at work, and it was like a dream come true. :0) ***
Anyway, another big change is that I left Crossroads. My old roomie (another change that I will get to in a minute) and I are checking out different fellowship groups at church. People keep asking me why I am leaving...to tell you the truth I could have stayed in Crossroads, there's no exact reason necessarily, it just seemed like time to move on since I've been there for six years. I guess a part of the reason is another change, my Bible study leader and his wife, Eric and Leslie Davis moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to plant a church, (eventually) and they took a group of people with them from the Bible study. My old roommate, Melissa, is one of them. Which leads to another recent change. I moved back to my parents house.
Melissa went to Jackson and at the time we found out that she would move, Megan wasn't sure if she might move back to Minnesota (thankfully she didn't). Jen heard about the possiblity of both of them moving and she decided to move in with some girls from her Bible study. I decided to move back home and save some money.
All of these changes have happened within the last week, although I was anticipating a couple of them for awhile now. For the last three weeks we have had some South Africans staying with us. Clint and Kim Archer came as well, primarily because Clint was asked to teach at the Junior High Summer camp this year. They were able to come early enough to go to the Resolved Conference and a group of people from their church in Hillcrest decided to come too. We met Jen, Warren, Vicky, Liz and Lyle when we went on our trip to South Africa last year. Jen and Warren are staying with us. Because of all the busyness of the last couple of weeks, all these changes haven't really hit me yet. And it's weird. I haven't really had time to contemplate anything that is going on. While I often enjoy the unexpected, change normally freaks me out a bit at the beginning. But not yet...so I'm waiting...

7/2/08
After lunch I was thinking about a completely different change that one day we as believers will experience. While Emily and I were eating, a man named John, who used to be one of the ushers at Grace, approached us on his wheelchair and proceeded to proclaim the excellencies of God to us for about twenty minutes. The thing he kept coming back to the most was that we will be changed when we see God. "We will sin no more" as he put it. I was greatly encouraged and convicted by this man as I was sitting there listening to him. I have never seen John without hearing about how wonderful God is. Not a single time. I remember every Sunday morning, waiting to walk around the corner of the church and hear him say something along the lines of "Praise the Lord, our King!" He was telling us on Monday how he is at the church almost every day with the purpose of reminding seminary students and anyone else he sees about how we need to keep our focus on things above and not on the earth because it is so easy to be distracted by things of this world. He was saying how we have a mission to tell others about Him until He returns, and I think that it is so cool that he doesn't stay at home, which he could easily do, and probably no one would think the less of him. But instead he is out being faithful to encourage other believers, reminding them of the gospel and what we have to look forward to! I want to be like that someday, only it has to start today. My prayer is that God will help me to understand how glorious He is and that He would make me faithful to proclaim His excellencies as well.
We have a huge change coming and it's not that far away!