Oxymoron?

I was reading John 13 earlier this week partly because Patti wanted it read at her memorial service (which was amazing and deserves its own post) and also because it's one of my favorite passages in the Bible. 
This time I was struck by verse 3 and the first part of verse 4.  Its says, "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper."
I don't have too much to say about it, but look at it!  Read it again.  Verse 3 says some amazing things about Jesus.  It point out His diety and it talks about where He came from and the place He was returning to shortly.  It tells us that Jesus is God and that everything belongs to Him!  My measly words can't even begin to explain it, my little mind can't even comprehend what that place is like. 
And then it says that He "rose from supper."  Such a mundane thing compared to the profound truth right before.  It's something you and I do every day.  We get up after we eat a meal. 
I don't know, it just reminded me again of the amazing truth that Jesus is God and man.  And that He became a man so that we can one day be with Him in that amazing place. 
So thankful!

Receptionist Duty

I really like covering for the receptionist at work. 

And I really don't like the quality of camera on my new(ish) phone.

Two seemingly unrelated things, I know.

When Michelle is gone sometimes I cover for her and that means I can arrive at work an hour later because I normally stay an hour longer in such cases.  Last Thursday (and tomorrow!) was just such a day, so I decided to use that hour and go to Starbucks to read.  I sat outside by the fountain and it was so nice!

(Here is where the sadness of my camera phone comes in.  I really miss the camera on my old one, but a smartphone was just really impractical for me.)

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the morning.

While I was looking at the fountain a hummingbird came by and flittered around, drank some water then zoomed off.  I just can't get over God's creation.  The speed on that little bird!  Amazing!  It's just so sweet to think of how God cares for and provides water for these little creatures.  Then we know He can definitely take care of us!

A breeze came by and I got a face full of jasmine scent!  Mmmm...is any smell better?

A classic short soy chai.  Say it three times fast.  C'mon!  The barista's can't do it most of the time.  ;)

Anna is letting me borrow Martin Lloyd Jone's commentary on Ephesians 1.  So good!  It's the first time I've read anything by him and he is so readable!  Even his commentary which you would think would tend to be more academic.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning!

This made my day...

If you know me well, (I feel like I start a lot of my blog posts off like that) you know that I DO NOT like garden gnomes.  Ew.  Seriously.  Years ago, my family (including Grandma) and I went on vacation to Ephraim, Wisconsin.  My grandma insisted that we stay at a little inn called the Trollhagen.  Trolls...gnomes...they're all the same.  Anyway, it was my worst nightmare come to life!  Somehow, I survived.

I soon found that I was not alone in my fear.  There was a commercial a few years ago that highlighted this phobia.  It was amazing.  I tried finding it on youtube to no avail which is probably a good thing.  Then today, I stumbled across this book on Amazon!

See??!  I'm not crazy!

DIY: Refrigerator Word Magnets

Almost a year ago now, I'm guessing, I pondered over the idea of joining the Etsy world.  I came up with a few things I might sell, some better than others.  One of the not so good ideas was making and selling refrigerator word magnets.  I actually followed through on making these.  I made a TON.  And then I decided not to sell them, so they are still covering our fridge.

I just think these are so fun!  People come up with random, funny sentences or phrases.  So I thought I would give a simple DIY on the ol' blog today.

First I bought magnet sheets at Office Max.

Avery Ink Jet magnet paper to be exact.

Then I got out some Mod Podge...

and some sponge on a stick thingy's...

and then I cut out a ton of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs from magazines that had fun fonts or crazy words and I mod podged them onto the magnet paper with the sponge on a stick.

The most tedious part comes after the mod podge dries...cutting out each individual word!

As I cut out the words I separated them into little baggies by type of word such as, adjectives, nouns, verbs, conjunctions...etc.  You don't need to do this if you're just going to keep them yourself.  Unless you want to know how many you have of each type of word.

Don't forget to cut out lots of a's, and's, the's, in's, for's, to's, you know...those kinds of words that you use a lot.

That's it!  Pretty simple.  It just takes a long time.

Have fun making crazy sentences!

A Reading Nook

One of my favorite things to do after a long day at work is to come home and read.

I like to sit on my bed, grab a pillow, lean against the window sill and ever so often look out at the pretty view.  Framed by my little plants.

Right now I'm trying to read through the Bible quickly.  I know a couple people, yes more than two, that have read the whole Bible in a month!

I don't know if I'll make it that fast...but I'd love to read it in maybe just 3 months.

It's so cool to see the different things God teaches you as you reread a passage you've read many times before.  His Word is living and active!

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

What are you reading right now?  I want to know!  :)