The Schelbs

James

2012-01-27T08:19:00.002-05:00

I'm doing the new James study by Beth Moore. Would you allow me to share some quotes and insights from the past week? Hopefully something will bless you like it has me.

"We've been delivered to Jesus." without God in our lives we can forget who we are and feel identified only by what we've been delivered from. We are more than simply being delivered from our past.

John 7:4- Jesus' brothers tell him if he wants to be famous to go into the city and basically show off. Thankfully, "Jesus didn't come to be a public figure, but he came to be a personal savior!"

"the power of the resurrection means that nothing but the tomb is meant to be empty." hallelujah!! Everything we go through in life, and the feelings of emptiness we are subject to as females is intended to be filled by the grace of God!

"Trials don't get to steal from followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods." As life comes at us, we get to choose if we'll be robbed of joy or if we'll instead use the trials to develop us to be full-grown believers.

Boys Say the Darndest Things

2012-01-26T08:45:00.003-05:00

Finding out the gender of the baby is a mere 5 days away and I'm so excited. So are our students at church. Last night, they were asking if we knew yet, and several demanded that we text them "AS SOON AS" we knew about the gender. :) I told them I'd post it on Facebook and several then launched into a myriad of reasons why that wasn't good enough. So, I now have a list of teenagers to text Tuesday. It just cracks me up!

We took a mini poll and of our 9 kids present, we had 3 vote girl, 5 vote boy, and 1 undecided so they said twins. (Ps...why do people think it's funny to joke about twins?)

But not only did I get phone numbers last night of students to text, or poll results...I also lucked out and got some fantastic statements/stories including:

One kid asked if he could be the baby's Godfather. When we said no, he said what about a Goduncle, Godcousin, etc.

Same kid gave us a mini (like uber mini) guitar last week so it could be the baby's first instrument. But then he asked if I could swallow it so the baby could start playing it now. (really!?!?!?)

Another boy said I was going to have a girl, because I'm nice and his mom was mean when she was pregnant with his brother.

But the best story of all was the story W told us (notice how it's all boys??) about when his mom was pregnant with his brother (yes, the same mean mom). Apparently, if W wanted candy and his mom wouldn't give it to him, he'd talk to his mom's stomach and tell the baby and the baby would start kicking. But not just kicking - also pulling on the mom's bellybutton from the inside!!! Then when he got the candy, he'd talk to the baby again and say he could stop kicking now and the baby would.

Crazy? Yes. Bizarre? Yes. But that's why I love these kids

Don't fail

2012-01-15T17:26:00.003-05:00

This is an interesting question. I thought when I saw this, it'd be easy to answer; unfortunately, it's not so easy. I think we're so programmed to being cautious the older we get, that we stop to really think. So here's me stopping and thinking...some are ridiculous, some are serious, but here they are

1) Write a book

2) Dye my hair blonde

3) Enter a pie eating contest

4) Get my Master's

5) Work only doing my Bliss bakery - no 9-5

6) Go mountain climbing

7) Do a triathlon

So what would you do?

Unwarranted Honesty

2012-01-05T21:31:00.002-05:00

If you don't want to hear some cold hard truth about pregnancy topped with a big helping of complaining sprinkled with whine, I suggest not reading further. I mostly just need to get this out of my brain, so read at your own risk.

I am excited about this child growing within me. I couldn't be happier that God has blessed Andy and I with Baby. That being said, the actual pregnancy thing is way overrated in my opinion. I'm grateful for no morning sickness. I'm thankful that I can eat most foods. I'm happy my cravings mostly consist of fruit and salad. However, the negatives are far more numerous today.

People talk about pregnancy in generics and assumptions I'm realizing. "Exhaustion will disappear when your first trimester is over," "your brain will come back soon," "your back may hurt some", etc. It's week 16 and I'm still crazy exhausted. Baby has sucked out all of my brain cells and has left me unable to remember things for more than a few minutes at a time. My back kills me regularly. Etc. But people mean well, and they're just trying to be encouraging and that is kind.

But it's more the things they don't tell you or mention. The little things that you sometimes wonder if you're imagining because they seem so outlandish. For instance, the only time heartburn that occurs is when I go too long without eating. Various teeth which hurt randomly, but a couple days later it's all good again. The fact that it seems like these days my spleen and and kidneys are being strangled by my spinal cord. (And yes, I'm sure it only gets worse.) The fact that my legs itch like crazy every single night. These are the things that will make me go insane within these remaining 5 1/2 months.

But just a reminder, I'm excited about Baby...I'm just working out my bitterness with Eve for making it so hard on us preggos.

Curious...

2012-01-03T22:14:00.003-05:00

We don't find out Baby's gender for another month or so, but I can't help but be thinking of nursery themes :) For a girl, it's kind of a no-brainer - bakery theme of course! Fun awning curtain, cookie cutters in frames for wall art, etc. etc. Unfortunately, a boy theme just isn't as easy for us to decide on. I mean there's tons of cool stuff out there! SO, we think we've narrowed it down to Peanuts theme or Dr Seuss (both with them being kind of abstract in their design), but I want your opinion. There's a poll on the side to place your vote...And if you don't like either of those, leave me a comment with your idea. Thanks - I'm excited to hear your thoughts!

Hello, Goodbye

2011-12-31T09:40:00.002-05:00

It's New Years Eve...I've started packing away Christmas decor, realizing that the next time we unpack it we'll once again be in a new place. That'll make 4 "homes" since we got married 3 years ago. For someone who doesn't adjust quickly to change, it's been interesting.

This year was an interesting one. We cut our possessions by half and lived in an apartment half of what our first Florida apartment was. We learned that we don't like tiny apartments. We purchased a car for Andy so we are now a two car family. We saw a dream come within our reach, and then we saw that same dream leave us...I still am working out my feelings on that. This has been a year of lots of tears, but a year full of joy as well. We're expecting our first child and couldn't be more thrilled!

This new year should be interesting too. We'll move again - our lease is up the beginning of March, and we still don't know where we're moving. We'll become parents to a living, breathing human - can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl! We'll celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day this year. I'm sure we'll have far more change than I know what to do with, but I'm excited. A new year with new highs and lows, new experiences and challenges, and definitely new adventures.

I have only 2 resolutions this year... to be the best Mom I can be and to learn to trust the Lord more fully.

Happy New Year - here's to 2012 being a fantastic year!

Heartbeats and fear

2011-12-13T10:15:00.003-05:00

We heard Baby's heartbeat today!! It was so neat - strong and healthy...Thank you Jesus!!! Andy said it sounded like a pack of dogs, and that may have been slightly true :)

My pregnancy has been pretty easy. I've been tired a whole lot, but that's not anything some naps can't handle. However, irrational fears seem to abound these days thanks to little one. For instance, the other day I was walking with Andy and he had his arm around my shoulder. Well my hair is really long these days and was back in a ponytail. Apparently when he put his arm around me, it swished the ponytail over my shoulder. I looked over and out of the corner of my eye saw a furry thing on my shoulder and freaked just a bit (or maybe a lot). Then it hit me - I had freaked out over my own hair!!! I thought it was some rodent or something and all it was was my ponytail. Ridiculous...

My own version of Fill in The Blank Friday

2011-12-09T12:44:00.003-05:00

I seem to be at a loss of creative blog post ideas. Between working at my "real" job, trying to get my bakery up off the ground and filling the orders I am receiving, and being pregnant I barely have time to breathe or sleep let alone blog! Things always get crazier around Christmas time too..

Tonight is dress rehearsal for our church's Christmas program. Tomorrow is the program. It should be interesting to say the least. Want to know the theme? Lawrence Welk. Yes, you heard me...again, it should be interesting.

Next week is our student christmas party, work party, and christmas shopping!

We are currently trying to figure out where we'll live come March since our lease will be up and we simply CANNOT raise our child in our current apartment because we have zero room for the wee one. So far we have a couple apartment options to consider, a house for rent to find out more about.

The best thing about being pregnant is that I'm craving fruits and veggies and eating 5 small meals a day

The worst thing about being pregnant is being exhausted to the point of barely holding my head up at work every day. I'm told this will end soon now that I'm in my 2nd trimester - I'm not convinced, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed

I'm excited about hearing Baby's heartbeat Tuesday! Whoo-hoo!

2011-12-02T14:42:00.003-05:00

1. The holiday season is my favorite - so much fun stuff to do, everthing just feels fresh and new! I love feeling a "holiday rush" while taking time to remember the joy and peace that comes from Jesus.

2. Snow makes me excited for ...well if it snowed in Florida I would probably pee my pants I'd be so excited! Especially since everything would shut down!

3. The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is warm cookies and some hot cocoa - does that count?

4. Winter is the best time for watching movies with no lights on except the lights on the tree!!

5. I can hardly wait for work to be over for a couple weeks and just have time to relax and enjoy the season

6. When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to wrap them.. I LOVE wrapping presents. If money and time were no issue, I'd buy tons of different papers and ribbon and each gift would be meticulously wrapped as if from a picture in a magazine!

7. If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a 6 or a 7. I like the holiday season, but we've just got so much going on this year and I'm feeling so tired. I'm pregnant, so I think I get a free pass this year when it comes to doing anything over the top like I normally do.

If you haven't heard it yet

2011-11-28T08:37:00.003-05:00

There's a reason for all my lack of blogging..in addition to my loads of exhaustion, sleeping, forgetfulness and hot flashes that are coming at me with a fury. That reason is...

It's true! Sweet Baby Schelb will be making his/her appearance sometime mid June! I haven't been sick at all (thank you Jesus!!!), but I am tired and quite forgetful! We are so thankful for this precious blessing!

Fill In the Blank Friday!

2011-11-18T10:35:00.005-05:00

1. A nervous habit I have is drinking water. If I'm at a party or something and I'm guzzling water - I'm nervous.

2. Something that makes me sad is the fact that there are so many children and teenagers living in dysfunctional households. Our families and homes are supposed to be places of refuge from the world's madness, but too many times these kids miss out.

3. Today I am thankful for BOGO Starbucks this afternoon, the ability to wear jeans to work, and the fact that taco leftovers await me for lunch!!

4. My favorite room in my house is - well typically it's the kitchen, but in our current apartment the answer would be nothing. I don't like the place we currently live and can't wait for our lease to be up! But normally, its the kitchen.

5. I can't stand when unconditional love isn't given.

6. If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would go buy some clothes, and buy my Boo a present just cuz.

7. The last person I hung out with was my friend Julie - we made cookie dough, fixed tacos, and watched The Holiday! Good times

so many things!

2011-11-15T09:18:00.005-05:00

It's been a while since I last blogged, but its because so many things have been going on! So here they are in no particular order:

1)We just got back from our Thanksgivemas trip to Memphis. Every year, we do Thanksgiving and Christmas together with my parents, hence Thanksgivemas. Usually we are there the week of Thanksgiving, but this year our friends Joe and Leann were in town! They're missionaries in Argentina,but they're on furlough for a while so we got to see their little boy and meet their baby girl! So. Much. Fun!! We got to stay with our friends Maria and Alex which was a blast and their dog Dorsey may have converted Andy into a dog-lover. And if that wasn't enough, my friend Natalie got engaged while we were in town so we got to celebrate with her! Talk about God's perfect timing - so great!

2)On a different note, that ever elusive puzzle that I was so excited about back in March - well the puzzle was completed today, but instead of being a beautiful picture of a sunset or rainbow or some other happiness, the picture was a big fat "NO" sign. It's frustrating for sure, but I know God knows better than me. His thoughts are not my thoughts; His ways are not mine. Some other good stuff is happening though so that's good. More on that soon perhaps

3)We got to hang out with a student last night who is just hurting emotionally. Her parents just split, her mom who she's living with doesn't get her at all, and she is doing her best to hang on until she graduates in early June. She called us out of the blue and asked to hang out - said she didn't care what we did, she just wanted out of the house. So we got mexican food and talked for a couple hours! Andy talked "geek speak" with her about video games, and it made me thankful for a husband that knows so much about so many topics so that the can effectively minister to so many! If you think of it, keep B in your prayers!

Thats the synposis of our life right now. Hopefully, I'll keep this up to date better now

Feel like...but actually

2011-11-03T10:35:00.004-04:00

Today I feel like my outfit looks like this...

But in reality, I probably look more like a homeschool mom. Oh well...you win some, you lose some.

Fill In the Blank Friday! (Fall Edition)

2011-10-21T09:23:00.002-04:00

1. Nothing says fall like crunching acorns when you walk and a crispness in the air

2. My favorite autumnal tradition is pumpkin carving! I love it!

3. My favorite fall treat is pumpkin spice frappucino from Starbucks and Honeycrisp apples...seriously, if you've never had a Honeycrisp apple you are missing out on one of life's greatest joys!! (okay so maybe that's extreme, but they are amazing!)

4. Fall makes me think of Memphis because I used to go to Shelby Farms almost every day in the Fall and just enjoy being outside.

5. Autumn free form word association, go! crunch, acorns, trees, apples, fruit, pumpkin, Thanksgiving

6. My go-to outfit in the fall is jeans, long-sleeve t-shirt and a scarf, oh and boots

7. My favorite fall holiday is ...is Black Friday a holiday?? Seriously though, Thanksgiving/Thanksgivemas. (We do "Thanksgivemas" with my family since they live so far away...we combine Thanksgiving and Christmas into one day.) The food, getting together with family and loved ones, and having a long weekend - nothing better!

2011-10-07T13:50:00.002-04:00

1. Something popular that I can't stand/just don't "get" is jeggings - i mean really?

2. Something unpopular that I secretly love is going bowling

3. When I've had a bad day I get a hug from the hubs, and if possible go work out, bike, or chill at starbucks

4. I'd prefer hosting a party to attending a party any day.

5. Something that makes me nervous is being in new situations

6. Something worth fighting for is love/marriage

7. When people think of me, I hope they think "she loves Jesus and others. She's a good wife and a good friend and a strong person."

500

2011-10-06T11:34:00.003-04:00

So you may not hear from me for a week or so...I have a cookie order of 500 sugar cookie favors for a women's ministry event for a local church! Whoo-hoo!!!

And on that same note - if you need cookies for your next party or event, let me know! I'd love to help you out and my cookies are very competitively priced.

2011-09-30T10:18:00.002-04:00

1. My current obsession is sleep/naps. I could sleep all the time these days!

2. The thought of cold weather when we go up to Memphis make me happy.

3. My greatest strength is my ability to see what needs to happen and get it done.

4. My competitive spirit/perfectionism is my greatest weakness.

5. My life is busy, confusing, and wonderful all at once!

6. In high school I was... I don't even know how to answer this question. - we'll go with not popular, but not unpopular. I was friends with a wide variety of people for sure

7. When I'm super tired I get delusional and ridiculously silly. I can laugh at just about anything. Then shortly thereafter, I get cranky.

3 Years and Counting

2011-09-27T16:26:00.005-04:00

In 3 years we've moved 3 times, shared a car for most our marriage (and I'm thankful we no longer have to), downsized into half the apartment we once lived in, visited Disneyworld more times than I remember, cried many tears, but laughed far more than we've cried! Thank you sweet Andy for 3 amazing years of marriage! You are the one I longed for, wished for, and prayed for!

Teenagers

2011-09-27T10:16:00.005-04:00

"If we are to have significant influence of our teenage children we must have their hearts. Winning their hearts means gaining the opportunity to influence who they are, not just what they do."

This quote was found in this article that has been making a bit of buzz... good stuff in there. http://www.joshharris.com/2011/09/homeschool_blindspots.php
The article is kind of about homeschooling and more importantly about things to be cautious of doing as a parent - its not a negative towards homeschooling in my opinion. Certainly it's an article that any parent can benefit from whether homeschooling or not. But I don't have kids...so why was I reading it? The hubs sent me the link and asked me to look it over. He had gleaned some insights from it of things to be cautious of when we do become parents one day. So I read it. Good stuff. Wise words from a father who made mistakes and realized them only after his son was grown.

Anyway, back to the quote. As the wife of a Student Pastor, we work with teenagers weekly. In fact, I've been working with teenagers since I was a teenager myself. I have "kids" that I've watched grow up from middle school to now college and beyond. People can tell me I don't know what it's like to have kids of my own, and that's partly true, but I have known the heartache of trying to advise, teach, and encourage young people and seeing them reject it. I've also known the pride and joy of seeing my "kids" walk with the Lord and serve him faithfully! And in the middle of my working with teenagers the quote it true. If we don't have their hearts, all we do and say will fall silently. Until we have their heart, we will not be able to see life-change. It's hard to earn it. But it's so worth it when you can influence who they are and not just what they do. What a reminder to me to persevere with our students - to not give up and to keep working to gain their heart.

2011-09-26T16:37:00.001-04:00

ok so I posted my blog that I had initially started on Thursday - well when it posted, it posted on Thursday. So if you're interested, go back to the post on Thursday the 22nd to see what I actually posted today.

me + technology = who knows what you'll get

Coming soon

2011-09-23T13:34:00.001-04:00

Lest you think this blog has just become a Fill in the Blank Friday blog - take heart! I have a draft of a blog I'm working on, as well as several other ideas. It's just a matter of finding the time to write them. Hang in there - there will be psuedo substantial thoughts coming soon

2011-09-23T09:50:00.003-04:00

1. The best thing I did all week was giving Andy the A-OK to get internet! We have internet - at our house- that we aren't borrowing! Whoo-hoo!

2. A night with the hubs with nothing to do makes me super happy.

3. Pets are something we will never own.

4. My husband is the best thing about my life.

5. With the cooler weather I am looking forward to ... well we don't really get cooler weather, but what I love about cooler weather is sweaters, hoodies, boots, and leggings!

6. Something that's on my "wish list" right now is a lunchbox - am I 5?? :) But seriously, I need a cute one for work

7. This weekend I am going to go to a hockey game tonight, a football game tomorrow, and church Sunday - in other words This weekend I am going to die from exhaustion

Not Revealing, but a Revelation

2011-09-22T10:05:00.003-04:00

That quote was the email title from a recent Anthropolgie email I received. That title really resonated with me. When I opened the email they were selling their new cutaway tops and dresses using the tagline "unexpected glimpses". Except for one deep v-neck shirt, all the other shirts I think (don't quote me) could be worn as is - giving subtle glimpses of a shoulder or unique cutouts at the neckline. Modesty was being flaunted!

I was so encouraged and surprised to see this company encouraging women to be modest...to flaunt their femininity without selling their wares. What if more companies would do this? Could we possibly reverse the negative stigma put on women and girls to be something we were never intended to be - waifs with no curves, or women with "enhancements" - and instead embrace our femininity no matter what body type we have? I can only hope this concept will not be an isolated selling point but instead become the norm once again.

2011-09-16T08:58:00.003-04:00

1. This weekend I’m going to see Lion King in 3D, working out with Amy in the morning, and going to the USF Bulls game tomorrow night!!
2. My last vacation was I don't remember the last real vacation - I guess it was our honeymoon. We've taken trips to Memphis, but they're always so full of things to do that it's not quite a vacation.
3. My next vacation will be Memphis but also a couple days in Nashville. Neither Andy nor I have ever really explored Nashville, and what we have seen of it hasn't been together so I'm excited!
4. My favorite way to relax is going to Starbucks or a park and just writing and enjoying some quiet.
5. When vacationing one should always keep the technology to a minimum. Leave the cell phone in the hotel; don't take your laptop if you don't have to. Unplug and rest.
6. When vacationing have at least a couple things planned out to anchor your trip and give a sense of accomplishment without feeling overwhelmed by a long list of things to do or see
7. The best part about a vacation is getting to explore and experience new things that are a break from everyday routine.

Fill In the Blank Friday!

2011-09-09T16:04:00.003-04:00

1. Somewhere someone is reading this I hope :)

2. Currently, the Proverbs 31 woman is my muse. Oh to be like her!

3. It would stink if Pinterest was no more because, I would lose my source of creative ideas!

4. Snagging gift cards for a work fundraiser, my pumpkin spice frappucino, and a night to do nothing with my hubby are my favorite things about today.

5. Life is kind of like Wheel of Fortune - a fun puzzle!

6. If I could have anything I wanted I would want stability

7. A funny thing happened the other day... I was annoyed that I had to be dressed up for work (I work in a casual office typically). So I'm walking the hike from my car to my office in high heels, and am about to have to cross 4 lanes of traffic. I was waiting for one last car to pass and then I was going to cross - but the car stopped for me, in the middle of the road, so I could cross!! Apparently, dressing up has its perks :)

2011-09-06T10:05:00.002-04:00

Weary - 1. physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; fatigued; tired: weary eyes; a weary brain.
2. characterized by or causing fatigue: a weary journey.
3. impatient or dissatisfied with something (often followed by of ): weary of excuses.
4. characterized by or causing impatience or dissatisfaction; tedious; irksome: a weary wait.

Yesterday the full impact of my weariness hit me. We have been on a long, tedious, irksome, fatigue-inducing journey for over 2 years now. Yesterday, I took my frustration and spewed it - with the poor husband getting the brunt of it. It came out of nowhere and he was surprised. Poor thing. But as I woke up this morning, I was reminded that the Lord sees my weariness. He sees my pain and frustration. He knows my dissatisfaction. And He is doing something about it! As the rain started pouring on my way in to work, I was reminded that God is with me. He loves me.

I park in the cheap parking lot at the University where I work. Cheaper means walk further, which normally is ok. But today, as the rain poured and I felt ill-prepared without my rain boots, and my pant legs wouldn't stay rolled up, the rain was frustrating. My pants and sandals got soaked! I kept stepping in puddles and the rain splashed up high! By the time I made it my 3/4 mile treck into work, I was soggy and gross. But then I remembered Psalm 68:9 - "You sent abundant rain, O God,to refresh the weary land."

My heart my feel soggy and like its being dragged through puddles. But this rain that I'm looking at as overwhelming and one more miserable thing, might just be God trying to refresh my weary heart. Perhaps the very things that I am dreading over the next week or two because I'm already so tired - a 12hr "day" trip with our students, coffee tonight with a girl who's having a rough time, leading a women's Bible study, etc. - maybe those are the things being sent my way to refresh my weary heart, if only I'll let it.

So today, if you're weary and worn like I am please join with me in seeking rest from the Lord. No matter how exhausted we may be, let us be reminded "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Precious

2011-08-30T09:14:00.004-04:00

You know those people that you meet and instantly you want to be friends with them? Well Ms. Betty was one of them! I've only known her for a little under 3 years, but she impacted my life tremendously! A Sunday didn't go by that I didn't get a hug from Ms. Betty. I never heard her complain, despite her health problems. I'd ask how she was; she'd always say "I'm fine."

Last month, she went into the hospital. I started visiting with her for a few minutes before work each morning, and stopping by again after work. I'm so glad I did! I got some precious time and memories with this precious lady! I learned that she loved Wheel of Fortune, but wasn't a fan of Jeopardy because, like me, she never knew the answers :) I learned that her husband's name had been Charlie and he was why they moved to Florida. I learned about her silver Cadillac she used to drive (I never knew her when she could drive.); apparently she didn't drive bad, just fast. Her opinion was that people shouldn't play in the street so she shouldn't have to go slow in the neighborhood. Awesome lady! I learned that she loved to watch Wipeout. She told me she loved watching the people get hit; but she could never be on that show because she doesn't like getting water on her face. She LOVED her coffee, and oatmeal and mashed potatoes weren't far behind. And cake & ice cream - man she got excited when I brought her in a piece of cake one day!

After a week or so of being in the hospital, she was moved back to her assisted living apartment and given 6 months. She had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, but she kept fighting for life. She told me numerous times during this fight "I'm a tough cookie" - and she was too! But as tough as she was, she was never mean. She was kind and loving and loyal. She loved the Lord will all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She loved her friends, and was loved in return. At 91, Ms. Betty went home to be with the Lord today. She's happy, healthy, whole, and dancing on streets of gold! I'll miss her a ton, but I wouldn't want her back. I'm just jealous that she's with Jesus face to face.

A Wish Is a Dream Your Heart Makes

2011-08-23T12:44:00.002-04:00

If the blog title is true, then my heart has been dreaming in overtime! There's time when I don't like being a grownup because it means having to censor your words. As a kid, you can share whatever thoughts or feelings pop up, and people excuse it, largely, because you're a kid and don't know to not share all the family's secrets or whatever. But as an adult, and a married one at that, I have the responsibility to keep some stuff private both for my dignity and in respect of my husband.

There's so many things going on for Andy and I right now that I want to let out. So many emotions and wishes and longings that have to be censored. The question "why" has entered my heart and mind more times in the last hour than I could begin to count! There's so many frustrations in this season of life. And I'm trying to learn from them, and let the Lord mold me into His image. And He isteaching me - because He's faithful. I just wonder when the next season will come - the one where the dreams of my heart are no longer wishes. The one where I discover wishes really do come true.

The Help

2011-08-16T11:44:00.002-04:00

I went to see The Help Sunday night. AMAZING! I haven't read the book yet, because I never like the movie if I've read the book. So, now I can read the book :) Anyway, the story is phenomenal. Such a powerful movie about the importance of talking to people, truly talking, and connecting with those that may seem different regardless of race, class, or any other issue. The movie made me cry - I don't cry in movies. But I was moved: we have come so far from the 50's and 60's in so many ways, yet in other ways we still have just as much of a fear of people that we don't understand. I left with a greater heart to love others and to make it a point to be interested in people's lives.

It was weird when the movie ended. As Andy and I sat and waited for the theater to empty out, we saw people who looked like they had been bored to tears, people that looked irritated that the movie was long (2 1/2 hrs), and I heard a older teenage kid say as he walked by that the movie was absolutely ridiculous. People missed it, it seemed. They missed the point of the movie which wasn't to be entertained. The point of the movie was to stir within us the desire to look beyond ourselves and do what is right regardless of the cost!

So, please, go see the movie, but don't miss the message...

UPDATE

2011-08-11T10:30:00.002-04:00

1) My finger, Sally, is still here. Apparently, I got a cut under the skin, my body produced too much tissue in the healing process, it pushed against an artery which caused it to not clot for a while, it finally clotted but the bump stayed, and the dermatologist just annihilated said bump 2 days ago (I won't describe that process in case any of you are faint of heart or stomach.) Anyway, hopefully in a week Sally will be gone for good, but the indention in my finger (literally an indention) will probably not disappear.

2) My buddy Phil Newberry is doing great with his recovery! They were able to get all the cancer by removing the one kidney so now he just has to rest up. Thank you all for your prayers!! Continue to pray the recovery process is quick.

3) Remember way back when when I mentioned that exciting things were on the horizon. Well its beginning to seem as if that horizon was simply a mirage in a barren land. I'm clinging to the promise that God is good and He gives good gifts. Right now if feels as if we are more his red-headed step-children instead of heirs to the throne. Please continue to pray for Andy and I as we wait for an answer from the Lord and all involved. This process has been more excruciating that we could have imagined, but God is teaching us through it all!

A dear friend

2011-08-09T16:48:00.003-04:00

Newby, Blueberry, Phil Newberry. All names my first boss/youth pastor/good friend's dad goes by. Phil was over the whole 7-12th grades when I was in the Student Ministry at Bellevue. He was my specific student pastor during 11 & 12th grade years. I worked for Phil as a Student worker for 5 years and then was a summer intern for him the summer I finished my freshman year of college. He was the best boss a person could ask for. His heart for people and his love for the Lord shines through every single thing he does! Phil, and his wife Jeanne, taught me what ministry should look like. Phil has a saying that truly shaped me: "if you're early you're on time; if you're on time, you're late." Phil always asks me (even though I'm married now), "What's New" and my response was always "my name!" :) Even since moving away and getting married, Phil and Jeanne have continued to pray for, encourage, and support Andy and I as we have stepped out in ministry. They opened their home to me on countless occasions through the years, and always made me feel part of their family. Needless to say, the Newberry's have had a huge impact in my life!

Phil was told a little while back he has kidney cancer. He goes in tomorrow to have a kidney removed and they believe this will remove all of his cancer. Would you please join with me in praying for my dear friend Phil, his wife Jeanne, his kids Tyler (and wife and kids) and Natalie, and the rest of the family as they go through this journey? I know your prayers are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I've been featured!

2011-08-05T10:52:00.001-04:00

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but today I've been featured on an amazing blog called "The Preacher's Wife"!! Go check it out if you want at this link :)

A thought or two

2011-08-02T15:39:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I feel like a spiritual outcast. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and never left the Southern Baptist realm. It's not that I agree with every tiny viewpoint of the convention but I agree with it as a whole and find that it, to me, is the most in line with my understanding of scripture. But the older I get the more I feel like some of my viewpoints are overlooked and even shunned by the traditional, conservative way of thinking that has been ingrained in us for so long. Lately God has been teaching me some things along this line, and I wanted to put them out here simply so they quit swirling around my brain with no where to go.

"Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth." ~ 2 Timothy 2: 23-25

That sentence - "don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights." - well it makes me think. What are we doing, as churches and denominations, when we choose to have petty disagreements about spiritual things? Yes, we must agree on the "big" stuff - Jesus, his death and resurrection, salvation in Christ alone, etc - but does the other stuff matter so much that we must have discord and a lack of love for other denominations? Then there's the individual aspect of it. It's such a fine line of speaking truth and being verbally abusive. I realize that last sentence sounds harsh, but its true I believe. See, when you look further in this passage it says to "gently instruct" and "perhaps God will change..." "Gently instruct" does not, in my simple opinion, mean telling a homosexual with whom you have no connection that they are going to hell for their lifestyle. For you see, a homosexual is no more going to hell for their lifestyle than I once was for my lifestyle. That's not to say that homosexuality is not sin, for the Bible is rather clear on that. But the Bible also clearly states that lying, lust, overeating, stealing, killing, and putting anything above the Almighty God (along with other things) are sin. So, if you have ever lied then you are as sinful as someone living in homosexuality or addiction or as a murderer. It is only by accepting that God's grace that we are anything of value. Just as God alone had the ability to change our hearts, He alone can save others. The intensity of our words do not change a heart so we must "be patient with difficult people" - both our brothers and sisters in Christ within our denomination, outside of our denomination, and even the lost and dying of this world.

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws , and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God." ~Romans 8:5-8

Ultimately, the first part of vs 5 is saying lost people will act like lost people! We cannot hold the lost of this world to the same standards of actions and thinking that we are held to. We should not (again, in my simple opinion) get fired up and angered with lost people when they embrace sin and act as if it's not a big deal. We should be angered - but with Satan the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy from unsuspecting people who don't know what is even being stolen from them. We should not get disgusted with individuals who are caught up in sinful lifestyles and behaviors. We should be disgusted with the perversion that Satan has devised, but saddened for the individual. Saddened - not angry. For you see, just as the eunuch could not understand what he was reading until it was explained to him, a lost person cannot be expected to understand they are living in sin unless it is revealed to them by the Lord as we gently instruct. "For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

Instead of pointing out the sin of others whom we don't even know, shouldn't we instead pray for God to reveal Himself to those lost and dying? Shouldn't we instead pray for Satan to be bound and the lost to be released from the control of their sinful nature? And yes, as the Lord gives us opportunities, to teach and gently instruct so that others can experience the freedom from bondage we've experienced.

What to Blog

2011-07-27T09:10:00.004-04:00

I feel like I should blog. There's so many things that I want to blog about but can't share with the blogging world. So instead, I share some of my recent loves from Pinterest... (If you want to see where they came from, you'll need to visit my Pinterest - sorry)

2011-07-21T13:02:00.002-04:00

We just got back Tuesday night from "Best Camp Ever". The past two years, we've combined with another, much larger, church in the area and gone to camp with them. Last year I was unable to go, but I made sure that this year I at least went to High School camp. I ADORE CAMP! Sure, the food was gross, the bunk beds felt like coffins, the mattresses were useless, it poured down rain most of the days (at the beach!!), I have the biggest bruise ever on my leg where a kayak rammed into me (seriously, a week later and it still is huge and disgusting), and I came down with a cold the last day. But all of that pales in comparison to the fact that 4 of the girls in my cabin, including one from our student ministry, got baptized the last day. 1 of my cabin girls accepted Christ, and another began the process of restoring a relationship with her parents that had been damaged because of her lifestyle of drug addiction. Lives were transformed and heaven rejoiced with us! So ready for next year!! :)

Only Rachel...

2011-07-12T11:39:00.003-04:00

Only Rachel would have a puncture wound without the puncture.

Only Rachel would have the same wound refuse to clot.

Only Rachel would have to wear the most honkin-est bandage while they try to get it to clot artificially...which will take at least 2 days.

Only Rachel.

Verdict

2011-07-05T14:54:00.003-04:00

Today Casey Anthony was found not guilty of killing her daughter. Instead she was found guilty for misleading police officers. She will be sentenced on Thursday and, since she has already spent 3 yrs in jail, will probably be free to leave. It's hard to swallow. A beautiful little girl was killed in a tragic way far, far too young and there is still no justice for Caylee. Casey alone knows what truly happened, and she will have to live with that knowledge - accident, murder, planned, spur of the moment.

However, as we celebrated freedom yesterday, I've had to think about the wonderful freedom we have in this country to a right to a trial instead of being punished based on opinion. So while I cringe that it seems like Casey has gotten off free and clear when she shouldn't have, I am thankful to live in a country where we still have the right to a fair trial. A country that seeks truth and justice, even when that truth and justice seems very skewed.

And I'm also reminded that I am like Casey. I too have lied. I also have done wrong. I have sinned, and I am no better than she is. I've never harmed a child or a loved one; I've never done anything "bad" or worthy of going to jail for, but I have sinned. And God sees all sin equal. So I am humbled. Because while my sinful flesh wants to be angry that an innocent child is left without justice and a woman who has lied repeatedly is not being held accountable, my Jesus reminds me that He alone is why I have any good in me. So I will choose prayer over outrage - prayers for Casey and her family and those involved in Caylee's death, and prayers of thankfulness that Christ saved a sinner like me.

Amen

2011-07-01T11:51:00.000-04:00

2011-06-30T22:23:00.001-04:00

Dear world...watch out! I have a to-do list and a wish-list a mile long and I will get them done before Andy comes home from camp tomorrow!!

2011-06-28T14:06:00.004-04:00

It's my new obsession - that, and Words with Friends. (Yes, I only recently got my feet wet with this newfangled technology and am now using my husband's FIRST generation iPhone - hurry up new iPhone release!!!!)

Anyway, back to Pinterest...it's delightful! Think of it as a virtual corkboard or a way to virtually dogear pages of magazines and websites and thenshare them! Go check it out!

A few things I want to try

2011-06-23T14:35:00.004-04:00

Marshmallow Frosting

Watermelon slices on a stick - genuis!
These popsicles are made with capri sun and fruit slices - again, genius!

Fresh fruit in a waffle cone - everybody join me...Genius!!

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats (can I get an Amen!?)

Rolo Brownies (glorious, delicious...amen)

On a side note, my sugar cookies came out tasty but not as cute as I'd like. Tulips and Holland's flag - bon voyage Steve! Dog treats tomorrow! Oh, and if you happen to try any of these tasty treats before me, let me know how they turned out!!

Time...

2011-06-22T11:21:00.002-04:00

Where does he go? In my head, I plan out my day and/or my week, and I have Time. Time to accomplish it all. Maybe not Free Time or Down Time...but Enough Time. And then, reality sets in. And Time goes right out the window. Time shrinks on me and the things that I thought for sure would get done - well they just don't because Time is no where to be found. Perhaps that's why I've not be sleeping well lately, and I've felt tense and anxious...I'm waiting for Time to come back to me so we can get work done.

So if you see Time, please tell him I'm frantically searching for him. I'd love to find Time....

Baking Frenzy

2011-06-17T10:20:00.002-04:00

Lately I have been having lots of fun in the kitchen and this coming week it looks like I'll be baking even more!

I made baked spaghetti the other night and even managed to get in some squash (cut up really tiny so the hubs wouldn't see it or taste it) so we could have some extra veggies thrown in! Success!

the Hubs and I attempted to make Rice Krispie Treats, but I put too much butter in with the marshmallows so it came out kinda soggy.

Next up was a bag of apples that were about to go bad - so I flipped through the handy dandy recipe book that I got at Shannon's bridesmaid dinner (love it!). I tried my hand at the apple bundt cake which just happened to be dairy free - Winner! I brought it to work and within 1 hr all that was left was a few crumbs!

Coming up in the next few days is a key lime pie for my dad-in-law, sugar cookies shaped like wooden shoes and tulips for a co-worker who's moving to the Netherlands, and the thing I'm most excited about..... homemade dog treats!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See, next Friday is "take your dog to work day", but unfortunately the university's policy is no dogs on campus so that has been called off. As a concilation prize, I'm making personalized dog treats for the dogs in our building who wanted to participate. :)

Do you want the recipe for the Apple Bundt Cake? Here it is:

2 cups chopped apples (you can leave the skin on). I used Gala apples
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Combine the apples and brown sugar in a bowl and let sit for at least 1 hr. Add it the egg and oil and mix well. Add the flour and soda and mix with a whisk or spoon - no mixer - until just mixed. Pour into a greased bundt pan and let cook at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Once cool you can eat "as is" for more of a breakfast bread, or it would be good topped with a brown sugar or cinnamon glaze for a more dessert flavor. Either way, enjoy!!!

2011-06-14T16:37:00.002-04:00

I'm going to pretend that someone out there cares what I've been up to and fill ya in :)

1) When your whole apartment is 600 square feet, you don't have much room to spare so our 2 bikes wound up in the bedroom. Add 2 bikes to a poor layout and you've got a cramped space that will drive your hubby insane! Yesterday he rearranged the room and I must say he's brilliant! the room is MUCH more spacious and we even wound up with extra wall space to hang a painting his great-uncle painted a few years ago (We miss you Uncle John!).

2) I threw my back out a week ago today, and have since become very familiar with my chiropractor. I'd never been to one before, but mine is helping me tremendously. The only terrible thing, well besides wearing a back brace 24/7, is having to take 15 enzyme supplements (to help with inflammation) and mutiple all-natural (and SMELLY!) muscle relaxers a day! Just call me Nana!

3) I love the dollar bins at Target! My recent purchases from the bins may have included plastic pink flamingos (1 for me and 1 for a friend). :)

4) The "puzzle" that we're waiting on for completion - well, lets just say that there's no new developments, good or bad and we just continue to wait. Please continue to pray for us as waiting is wearing greatly on the hubs and I.

5) And last, but not least, I've become addicted to Words with Friends! It all started when I lost my phone (which I later found) and had to use hub's first generation iPhone (which I'm still proudly using). I'm no techie so this first generation is a nice way to slowly ease me in to the current decade. The hope is when the new iPhone comes out, I'll get hubby's 4th gen. one. Anywhoo, I typically have at least 4 games going at a time and I'd love to play you...

2011-06-08T15:49:00.000-04:00

Check out this Amazing photographer - I want her to teach me how to do this!!!

2011-06-04T09:57:00.002-04:00

Please check out this video. This is one of our students, Kaila. She's a phenomenal young lady and I'm SO proud of her!!! Since the video doesn't share all the details, here they are...

Kaila is a junior in high school. In addition to her outstanding grades and extracurricular activities in ROTC, she has recently organized an amazing end-of-the-year evening for the janitor, cafeteria, and maintenance staff at her high school, Armwood. Calling it "Silent Superheros", Kaila organized, along with several other students, a night devoted entirely to honoring the "silent superheros' of Armwood. Realizing these staff members spend a lot of time cleaning up after everyone else's events, but they never have a party thrown for them, she reserved the Teacher's lounge, made signs, planned a ceremony, and worked with the Culinary students at Armwood High to make sure they had a night just for them. Kaila told the staff they could wear whatever they wanted just to be comfortable. She was surprised and excited when they all showed up in tuxs, suits, dresses, etc. Realizing that some of the staff members didnt speak or understand English very well, she worked with her Spanish teacher to get the ceremony translated into Spanish so they wouldnt miss out. Kaila placed sign-up sheets for the dinner in areas where the various janitorial, cafeteria, and maintenance staff could sign-up as well as list the number of years theyve worked at Armwood. Then, during the ceremony, she called them up by their length of service to present them a flower and thank them for being a silent superhero to the many students and faculty at the school. The flowers were artificial flowers the reason behind this was because their service never ends, they continually are there to serve Armwood. Similarly the flowers they received would never die.Kaila went back the next week and noticed that each lady in the cafeteria had their flowers attached to their station and were so excited to explain why they had them. In an age when it looks like teenagers and our entire society is focused solely on their own needs and wants, Kaila Evensen is a remarkable girl who always takes the time to notice the silent superheros and those who need extra appreciation. Once Kaila graduates next year, she hopes to attend Norwich University in Vermont, and pursue becoming a doctor with an emphasis on Pediatrics.

http://www.baynews9.com/video?clip=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.baynews9.com%2Fnewsvideo%2Fbn9%2Fweb_video%2FSilent_Superheros_63.f4v&vtitle=Students

2011-06-03T10:04:00.004-04:00

Tonicliving.com is a website I just discovered thanks to The DIY Showoff and {AKA} Design!! Based in Canada, they have beautiful, fun fabrics! The best part though is that for only $1 you can purchase a fabric swatch! I've just ordered 5 and can't wait to do some fun little projects with the swatches. Here's an idea of some of the fun stuff...

I want to use the car fabric for a boy's room one day.

Wouldn't these owls be adorable in a little girls room??

2011-06-01T14:11:00.002-04:00

A year ago this past weekend, God used two very special people to encourage Andy and I as we were going through some difficult times. I was given this passage by this sweet friend to encourage me. A year later, as we are still facing these times with God's timing yet to be revealed to us, this verse is still as poignant and fresh as it was last year. I hope it blesses you regardless of your current situations...

2011-05-27T09:57:00.003-04:00

My hope is to do a little of this...
With this guy...

Maybe here...

And I'll also get to hang out with these two crazy kids tomorrow - love them!

How are you spending your Memorial Day weekend?

Wish List - all things big and small

2011-05-23T15:17:00.003-04:00

* a clean house when i come home tonight
* a week-long vacation
* own a bakery
* to be a speaker to women - like a legit, get paid for speaking speaker
* to go back and get my masters (toying with one possibility now)
* own a home
* a bigger kitchen
* a dining room table
* a place for a dining room table
* to not feel like a nomad/transient
* more time to DIY
* a place like Shelby Farms here in Tampa
* my bike to be fixed
* to fit into my clothes from college again
* to try my new idea for a PB&J cupcake
* a stand mixer
* room to put a stand mixer (see *a bigger kitchen)
* a Jello Mousse Temptations - it's time for my afternoon snack!
* an at-home movie night
* a get together at my house
* time to plan a get together at my house
* some of life's red lights to switch to green - but thankful that 1 did and we now have TWO CARS!

What's your Monday wish list?

2011-05-19T15:10:00.001-04:00

I had a meeting today. This is how I felt when I left.

Hurry up weekend!

2011-05-16T10:42:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things about where I work is Potlucks! We always find a reason to have everyone cook or bake and get together and eat! Today's reason? Just because...

Sometimes we do have themes though - like Literacy week we had to bring in food related to a favorite book. There's also the usual holidays too. I work with some amazing bakers, and also some Italians (can we say DELICIOUS meatballs!!?!?!?!) so the food is always delightful!

How are you enjoying your Monday?

2011-05-10T09:46:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I just want to run away...not that anything in particular is horrible and thus I'm running from it. It's more of a need to break from routine and let my spirit run free and take time to be restored. If I could go anywhere right now, these are my top choices in no particular order....

Maine - I've always wanted to go

My precious Dubuque, Iowa - my most favorite summer memories are here

Seattle - just seems like a cozy place

Greece - I want to see the sea-green water and photograph the buildings

Paris - I want to go to the City of Love with my love.

Tuscany - "Under the Tuscan Sky" forever made this my dream vacation spot.

What about you? Where do you want to go?

2011-05-05T10:05:00.003-04:00

I have been working out faithfully now for a while. This week alone I've climbed 70+ floors of stairs on the stairmaster, run a mile solid on the treadmill, logged over 3 1/2 hrs on the elliptical, and over 2 hrs on the gazelle. Add to that the 300 situps, 150 crunches, 400 squats, and countless arms workouts and its been a busy week! Myfitnesspal.com has continued to help me keep track of my calorie intake.

Sadly, the scale still hates me and taunts me by either not budging or adding poundage when I specifically told it to drop the numbers on the screen. I do feel a ton better though and I received a GREAT compliment from the hubs Sunday..."You know, you don't jiggle like you used to." Whoo-hoo!!!! Less jiggle makes for a happier Rachel :)

In other news, because it's Cinco de Mayo and there is a Moe's right down the street from work, I'll be celebrating Cinco de Moes today with my good friend. A burrito, chips & salsa, and a drink for $5...heck yeah! But don't worry, I've already figured out how to make it work for my calorie allottment today :)

2011-05-02T16:23:00.001-04:00

remember that exciting puzzle that was finally being put together?? yeah...we haven't really gotten much further with the puzzle arrangement. Still trying to fit pieces together - stepping back, breathing deep, and trying again.

songs don't normally give me goosebumps, but this one did...

2011-04-27T14:41:00.000-04:00

2011-04-25T16:28:00.002-04:00

I vaguely remember this time where I had nights at home and was able to relax. I also faintly remember a time when it was easy for me to keep my apartment clean. I'd love to revist those days.

Instead, I'll probably get home, work out, grab some pizza, and then clean like the crazed girl I am in hopes that I can fold and put away 4 loads of laundry, dust for the first time in a month, vacuum, clean the kitchen and maybe - just maybe - make it through a few pages of my nook book before crashing into an abyss of sleep.

2011-04-22T10:41:00.003-04:00

Almost a year ago, my husband and I found ourselves needing godly counsel. So we met with my old youth pastor and his wife and talked and listed as they encouraged us to continue seeking the Lord. Phil and Jeanne promised to pray for us in our situation and Mrs. Jeanne told me to read Lamentations 3.

The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. ~Lamentations 3:19-26

Today, in my quiet time, I happened to read this again. Our situation hasn't changed much - God still has yet to make his plans clear to us. However, I still dare to hope! Because in this past year, I have seen mercies that have begun afresh each morning. I have seen His goodness and been able to rest in His love. So today, on this Good Friday, Jesus reminded me to continue to "wait quietly" for salvation.

My "sufferings" are nothing compared to what Jesus Christ endured for me on that cross thousands of years ago. "Jesus was perfect on my behalf" [quote from a Bible Study I'm doing called Delight or Duty] He died for me on that cross but PRAISE GOD, it doesn't end there! He rose again to conquer death, and the grave, and all my fears and sin! How deep the Father's love for me; how vast beyond all measure. That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure!

My life may still be in shambles from my earthly perspective. I'm still waiting for resolution; but our path was determined before the foundation of the earth and He is faithful! The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, so today I choose to cling to the Lord, and to wait quietly in the rest of the shadow of the cross.

It's Friday, but Sunday is coming!

2011-04-19T10:42:00.002-04:00

200 - that's how many blog posts I've done on this blog...wow!

I'm down another 1/2 pound! Whoo-hoo!

This weekend was crazy busy starting on Thursday with student's Flag Football game, then Friday after work we went over to one of our youth leader's home to watch the Passion of the Christ with some of our high school students. It was a great way to emphasize the importance of Easter, and while it's not a movie to watch over and over it was great to watch to be reminded of how deep our Savior's love is for us this Easter week!

Saturday found me working out, swimming, reading, and then heading to a TobyMac concert with my boo for his birthday a week early. It was a great concert and a little more laid back than normal (which I LOVED! - hip hop requires me to be in a certain mood to enjoy it)

Sunday was church, and then we sped off to the Women's Hospital to see our sweet friend's March and Kristy and thier new boy Hudson! This is their 3rd kid, but Hudson might be my favorite :) (shhhh) Next on the agenda was working at a Hair Cut-a-Thon benefitting my job, the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF. Despite working, I worked in getting my hair cut for the first time in 9 months and then he also straightened it - it was gorgeous! Too bad I cant make my hair look like that every day! Then it was back to church.

Overall a busy but fun weekend. What did you do?

2011-04-15T10:15:00.004-04:00

I'm still going strong on my weight loss quest. I've lost 1 1/2 pounds so that's good. I've worked out all but one day this past week and have done the ellipitcal machine, stairmaster, squats, situps, and laps in the pool. About the machines in our weight room at the complex. We have atypical ones. Our elliptical - not your typical namby-pampby one - no this one has a constant incline built in plus when you do the cross training it increases the incline so your pedaling at a good 60+degree angle! It's awesome - but intense! Our treadmill - it has a setting for 5K which is pretty awesome and a few other different setting that I've never seen a treadmill have before. And then we have what I call the Gazelle wanna-be Do you remember this guy - Tony Little? He had those wierd infomercials for the Gazelle. Well our machine is very similar...I love it! It's what I do the most - I just call it the elliptical for fear no one will know what I'm talking about :) It's zero impact to my knees so I can push myself hard and not worry about my knee popping out! In other news, I finally made a successful lemon cupcake. The other day I tried to make some and they were like lemon flavored softballs - way too dense and just ick! But after doing some research, I found out I had mixed it too much and released the gluten causing toughness...so I tried again this morning before work. I did try with a new recipe though for fear it had something to do with it. I was so excited when I peaked in and saw them rising up - no more softballs!!! Happy Friday

2011-04-11T16:04:00.003-04:00

So I managed to stay at/under my calorie goal all last week (with the exception of Saturday when I went 100 over thanks to choosing a small lemonade instead of water). I also worked out 6 days last week for about an hour/hour and a half each day. I'm not really depriving myself of foods, just trying to make wiser choices of what I eat. I've managed to eat at Tijuana Flats, McDonalds, Bob Evans and ChickFilA this past week and still stay in my calorie/fat/protein/carb limits! Not that I'm saying these places are healthy by a long shot, but its just a reminder that where you eat isn't as crucial as what you eat. All that to say I gained two pounds. I'm going to assume it's muscle and not some cruel joke.

2011-04-08T14:39:00.004-04:00

A few things...all are unrelated.

My blog is listed here! I'm excited to be listed alongside other minister's wives' blogs. Check out Lisa McKays's blog as well as the other blogs listed with mine

Myfitnesspal.com is my new favorite thing! Thank you to Savannah and Annie for suggesting this site! It's such an easy way to keep track of my calories and exercise!

I almost made cupcakes for work today. But then I realized it probably wouldn't be good - why? Because my reason for making them was "happy government shutting down day". Terrible, I know. This whole government budget issue is absurd and I truly am concerned for those who pay/jobs are directly affected by a lack of a decision. Let's pray the politicians can work together like big kids. Seriously, where's Super Nanny? We need her help!

2011-04-07T16:04:00.002-04:00

Church can be crazy for the hubs and I sometimes. Even though his primary role is a Student Pastor, in a small church he has had lots of jobs added to that plate. One of those jobs is to look after all the children and students after church during choir until the bus can take them home. (Most of our students and kids come through our bus ministry.) Last night, in the midst of chaos trying to help the hubs watch the kids, I had a window of opportunity to talk to one of our sophomore students. This student is the most precious girl but since she's very soft-spoken it can be hard to get her to open up. I was so thankful for this short conversation! We talked about school and spring break plans and such. But then we talked about where all the kids came from (the children have only been coming for several months). I explained the chain of influence that has led to 10-15 children/students coming weekly by bus. It started with a student who is now in college...she invited a friend, who invited some friends, who invited their friend, who brought all her neighbors. And my precious student's response? "Wow! I want to do that!" How exciting to think of the impact one girl has had on our ministry and the upcoming generations! In the midst of our frustration with doing things Andy hadn't orginally signed up for, it was nice to be reminded that God is working in big ways!

2011-04-05T10:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a good first day of my Healthy Start. I ate healthy all day and stayed within my calorie goal. In addition I had lots of fresh veggies yesterday including green beans, broccoli, corn and carrots. I also squeezed in a hearty work out! I worked out for about an hour doing the gazelle, squats, stairclimber, situps and crunches. I then cleaned house for about 45 minutes. Combine all of that and I burned between 400-500 calories! Today is shaping up to be another good day. I'm not really able to get up much earlier than I already do without being completely grumpy, so my workouts will be in the evening. Tonight is dinner with Andy's parents, so it will be an even later workout than normal (probably won't start until 9:30!) Thanks to Renee and Maria for their encouragement! I'm definitely relying on the Lord to help me have self-control and not turn to food when I'm stressed.

2011-04-04T09:08:00.002-04:00

Ever have one of those epiphany moments? I had that this morning. Life has been a crazy roller coaster since we got married and I have developed a habit of stress eating. When I'm overwhelmed, I eat. When I'm stressed out, I eat. When I'm tired, I eat. When I'm happy and carefree eating is the furthest from my mind though! So, I'm taking control of this out of control eating I've been doing. It's taken the weight 2.5 years to come, and hopefully it won't take nearly that long to leave! Today is a new day. Today, I start trying to lose weight - no more talking about it along with my other dreams. Nope. Today I become the manager of my kitchen and tell my stress eating to hit the road. I'm not keeping track of my actual weight. I'll be keeping track of how my clothes fit. I want to be a size 8 again which would put me probably around 140ish pounds. I'll be keeping a food/calorie diet and will work out either in our weight room or by riding my bicycle 6 days a week. Here's hoping I succeed!

2011-03-29T14:58:00.002-04:00

2011-03-28T12:38:00.003-04:00

To remedy this I feel like I need the following things (in Sam's Club size quantities)...

How's your Monday?

2011-03-24T09:59:00.003-04:00

Ok, I need help! Our new apartment has the work "funk" ever! Seriously, the clothes in our closet smell funny now and the overall "funk" overpowers any candle we try to burn to mask the smell. I never really have bough air fresheners because they always seem more expensive than they're worth - but I have to do something!! So here's my questions...what kind works best? What brand, what's your favorite scent, what's a good price to spend - please help this smelly girl out :)

2011-03-22T13:13:00.003-04:00

So I got some exciting news this morning. (No. I'm not having a baby.) I can't share it unfortunately as I'm still waiting more details, but I'm about to burst with enthusiasm. The best way I can articulate this situation is to imagine that you have the most amazing puzzle handed to you in a box. You start working on it, trying piece after piece to get them to fit together. Months go by and you just cant seem to get the border completed, let alone any of the middle pieces of the puzzle! You get frustrated. You put the puzzle away for awhile or let out a big "UGH" and "harumph" because it just isn't working together as you thought for sure this pretty puzzle would! Well, today the border is put together! The "innerds" of the puzzle aren't anywhere close to looking like the puzzle box's image, but at least the border seems to be in place!

2011-03-16T11:13:00.003-04:00

My heart is broken today. I've been trying to keep up with the news without becoming consumed by it. But in watching the news, I can't keep from being consumed - by sympathy and love.

I watched today (didn't realize how intense it would be) a video of government "police" in Bahrain shoot protestors at point blank range with rifles. I saw a guy shot in the head while he was begging for mercy. I've seen, along with the rest of the world, the videos of the destruction in Japan and I've followed the threat of nuclear meltdowns. I've read of Israel shooting at men trying to smuggle in weapons from Iran into Gaza. [Pray for peace in Jersualem. May all who love this city prosper. Ps 122:6 - do you love these people?] I've read and watched some interviews with Rob Bell as he seems to be denying the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone without coming out and being so blunt. Closer to home I heard on the radio of 6 teenagers who in 2 separate car accidents lost their lives in the past 3 days in the city. I see our students that Andy and I interact with weekly suffer in dysfunctional homes and carry burdens far too big for their small shoulders. And my heart is consumed. I am consumed with compassion and love and sympathy. I am overwhelmed at the condition of this world and humanity.

But praise God, I have hope! And this hope is available to all!
"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." (Ps 29:11)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14)

Please join me in prayer:

Pray for the newly orphaned and widowed in Japan ("Religion that God our Father accepts is as pure and faultless as this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27)
Pray for those who need the hope and salvation across the world
Pray for the men and women standing up to the harsh goverments across the world even when their lives are at stake for seeking justice.
Pray for Rob Bell and other men and women of influence in the Church to have the courage to be either hot or cold instead of taking people on a lukewarm ride
Pray for the generations beneath us and yet to come - that they will have hope and that revival will break out

Above all, pray as the Lord leads but pray fervently. "The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16b

When hearts are breaking, He is the Healer. When grief overwhelms, He is the Lifter of our Heads.

2011-03-10T09:28:00.004-05:00

Hi, my name is Rachel and I'm a photography blog stalker. Whew...feels good to get that off my chest. Seriously! I LOVE looking at photography and I love photography blogs. Here are a few of my favorites...

Kyle Kurlick

Ava Grace Photography

Followell Fotography

Javen Photography

AmyDale Photography

J. Malahy Photography

Simply Photo

That's Just It Photo

Abby Try Again

Do you have ones that you stalk? Please share them with me..

2011-03-08T16:32:00.002-05:00

Today is Fat Tuesday. Ironically, I'm also having a bit of a fat day :/ However, that's not the point.

If today is Fat Tuedsay then tomorrow is the beginning of Lent. Going to a Catholic university during my college years, and working for the Campus Ministry office at the same time, allowed me to learn and observe a lot. As Baptists, Lent wasn't really something observed and I must admit I knew very little of its purpose until I went to college. Since that freshman year, I've tried to observe Lent annually.

Lent is about preparing yourself for Easter. Easter is such an exciting time of acknowledging the amazing love of our Savior who came to die on a cross and conquered death and the grave by rising again just for us!!! How beautiful that the Creator chose to sacrifice His only Son so that we would all, the entire world, have the opportunity to live eternally!

People typically give up something in their life so that as they crave that "something" they are reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. These sacrifices can also be given replacements such as foregoing novels and instead spending more time reading the Bible or eating less and helping at a soup kitchen. This year, i'm going to be doing something a little unconventional in a way, but something I feel is necessary. I will only be checking Facebook once a week...not one day a week, but literally only once each week of Lent. In place of Facebook, I will send out notes of encouragement each day to someone(s) who God lays on my heart. Its so easy for me to be consumed with people, but forget to love them. Hopefully this shift from "stalking people" on Facebook to taking the time to encourage them will help me love more like Jesus.

What about you? Do you practice Lent? If so, what are you giving up?

2011-02-25T15:37:00.002-05:00

So I'm breaking out of my shell! With some birthday money I received, I bought these 2 items on sale at Urban Outfitters online. I love the store, but often I feel to "uncool" to purchase stuff there... NO MORE! Here's what I purchased for $20 each (The pants orginally were $79!!!!)

This is a maxi skirt that I'm hoping will come down a tad lower on my leg (due to my short stature) - however, I didn't go for the boring grey stripes. Instead I went with "bright abstract" which reminds me of gawdy painted pottery with lots of bright colors - reds, turquoise, yellows, you name it!! Look at me busting out of my shell :)

I also bough these wide leg trousers! Super excited! I ADORE wide leg trousers but HATE spending money on pants...somehow saving $60 on a pair helped me be ok with making this purchase :) I'm sure I'll have to hem them a tad, but I can't wait to wear them!

2011-02-23T16:20:00.002-05:00

I have writers block I believe. I've got nothing creative, witty, fun, exciting, or even mundane to share. Perhaps this is because I am sick, we are moving, and then we head out of town a week from today for wedding. Perhaps it's because my brain is filled with dust from the cleaning of our place and the spring cleaning taking place at work. But for whatever reason, I have writers block. And I apologize. Be patient with me and I will be back!!

2011-02-14T09:38:00.005-05:00

Grow old with me. The best is yet to be!
~Robert Browning

I love you Andy Schelb! Thank you for being the most amazing husband, man of God,and best friend a girl could ever dream of having!
You make me a better person and I'm blessed to have you in my life!

2011-02-04T15:45:00.002-05:00

It's Friday. And for that I'm thankful.
I have a roof over my head. And for that I'm thankful.
I have food to eat at my house (albeit not much since I haven't shopped in a while. And for that I'm thankful
I can go grocery shopping to get more food. And for that I am thankful.
My Savior loves me unconditionally. And for that I am thankful.
I have the best husband! And for that I am thankful.
I have wonderful friends! And for that I am thankful.
I have been given the opportunity to impact teenage girls' lives. And for that I am thankful.
I have hope for the future. And for that I am thankful.
My Jesus fights for me daily. And for that I am thankful.
I have a great job with great co-workers. And for that I am thankful
Someone has brought me a cupcake 7 out of the past 10 days at work. And for that I am thankful!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God; It is He who made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Psalm 100

Even though I am weary. Yet will I praise Him.
Even though I am tired. Yet will I praise Him.
Even though I don't understand. Yet will I praise Him.
Even though His ways don't make sense right now. Yet will I praise Him
Even though we move in a month and we haven't signed a new lease anywhere. Yet I will praise Him
Even though we only have one car - still. Yet will I praise Him
Even though my house is a disaster. Yet will I praise Him
Even though I feel my dreams slipping away. Yet will I praise Him.
Even though I can't change my circumstances. Yet will I praise Him
Even though I can't change who I am, though I wish I could. Yet will I praise Him.
Even though...Yet will I praise Him

Even though the fig trees have no blossom, and there are no grapes on the vines; Even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
~Habakkuk 3:17-19

2011-01-31T15:04:00.002-05:00

This weekend was hard. The past week before that was crazy. I feel sleep deprived and overwhelmed. Spent is a good word for it. So instead of thinking about the past craziness and ongoing stress, I'm gonna talk about something different.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. It's always a funky holiday to me. Too much pink and red (neither color am I crazy about) and mushy-gushy stuff. It's wierd to pick one day to tell your spouse or girl/boyfriend how much they mean to you. Then there's the picking out a gift...

If you're dating someone for just a few months when it rolls around you're in the position of one of my friends who is walking that line of getting the "right" gift without saying too much...in other words finding that "I'm glad we're dating but we're not ready to say I love you yet" gift.

Or if it's me, trying to find a nice sweet "I love you hubby" gift when I'm not the romantical type at all... poor hubs. Then V-Day is also my birthday so the poor hubs has to acknowledge both occasions separately without killing our account.

I have a vague idea of what I'm doing for Andy, but with Valentine's Day being just a few weeks away, us downsizing/moving in just less than a month, and unexpected expenses this weekend, I just don't even know what to do!

See? It's a funky holiday! So, I want to hear your thoughts. What do you like or not like about Valentine's Day? What is the best gift you received for V-day? What is the best one you've given?

2011-01-23T23:04:00.001-05:00

This image sums up my last week. Hoping this week has answers to all the questions!

Instead of...

2011-01-18T16:43:00.002-05:00

Instead of having to send out tons of letters asking for auction donations, I wish they would just appear in my office

Instead of having to go grocery shopping, I wish my pantry was self-replinishing

Instead of washing clothes, I wish a new outfit would just appear everyday in my size

Instead of having to work out, I wish my metabolism was that of someone with a tapeworm

Instead of having to drive, I wish I could bike everywhere (but get there quicker)

Instead of eating vegetables for nutrition, I wish chocolate chip cookies and brownies were just as nutritional

Instead of people calling the office phone, I wish people could just text everyone

Instead of cleaning the house every few days, I wish I could just buy a multi-purpose Roomba that would dust, vacuum, mop and sweep on its own.

Instead of ever being self-centered and oblivious, I wish I could remember above all to love

Instead of being frustrated by crazy days at work, I wish I could have a constant attitude of gratitude for my income

Instead of being miffed by having to downsize to an apartment half our current size in 6 weeks, I wish I could remember to be thrilled that this might be a second car very soon for us!

What are you instead of/I wish thoughts today??

2011-01-13T15:48:00.002-05:00

Orders keep consistently streaming in for my baked goods - next feat to tackle:

a 2-3 tier neon/zebra birthday cake for one of our students... it'll be for her birthday party which is just 3 weeks away! meeting with the mom soon to talk about details, pricing, etc. Excited but terrified all the same :)

On a competely different note, I wanted to talk about contentment.

Certain things can make me "content" for moments - a quiet night at home, a good book, a long bike ride on a pretty day, my favorite song on the radio. Those things, those moments make it easy to breathe a sigh of relief and contentment wash over me. However, I've been questioning as of late how content I truly am and what that means.

2010 was an incredibly tough year for Andy and I. There have been some major situations in which I would say I've struggled to remain content. I view contentment as not a satisfaction with where I am, but more of a peace that the current circumstances will be ok for a season. As these difficult situations have yet to fully resolve themselves, I find myself more and more agitated that an answer isn't visible on the horizon.

For instance, Andy and I got married in 2008. A couple days after we returned from the honeymoon, Andy was involved in a wreck that destroyed my car. We became a one car family. Now, 2 + years later, we are still a one car family. We don't have the money to make payments on two cars right now, so for the time being we share. That's not bad in and of itself, but Andy and I work about 40 minutes away from each other making sharing cars and figuring out each other's schedules tricky at times. It's hard to always be content in that circumstance.

Someone told Andy the other night, regarding a very difficult situation that we are in, that "you (Andy) just need to be content where you are." This was a hurtful thing to hear, since we are trying to remain content in all things. So we sat and talked about that - are we content? In this present situation are we at peace where we are? No. Not entirely - but we're trying. I'm not sure consistent contentment is plausible for me on this earth, but I certainly do desire to be content in all things. So I'll keep striving for that goal, and seeking the Lord's help to teach me contentment.

I do know one thing for sure, I'm very content with the fact that I'm getting paid to bake these days!!! :)

2011-01-05T14:29:00.004-05:00

I have a fan page for my sugar cookie/cupcake "business"!!!

Please hop on over to facebook, find my "Bliss" page (or just click on the picture above), then "like" it and spread the word!!

I can do cookies for any occassion, theme, etc. I can also do cookies or cupcakes in gift baskets, as favors, or for parties...

Cookies typically run between $1.75 - $2.00 each and gourmet cupcakes are about $1.50 each

The cookies can be customized however you want! Email me at purecupcakebliss@gmail.com to place an order or ask questions!

Marine Sgt. Garrett Misener

2011-01-03T11:06:00.003-05:00

Two days after Christmas I found out that Garrett, a guy I had known from my youth group, was killed in Afghanistan by an IED. I knew him a little through other friends. One of my good friend's husband was Garrett's childhood best friend. I know many others also who are profoundly shaken up by the death of this amazing guy. Please keep the family and friends of Garrett in your prayers today and all this week.

A memorial service is being held today at 2, then his body will be laid to rest in New Mexico at the end of this week.

Read the article here from today's Commerical Appeal in Memphis, TN

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T20:33:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is a new year, and I couldn't be happier. It's not that it has been a bad year necessarily, but it's been a very rough year. Lots has happened - heartache, tears, laughter, and questions.

I'm hoping 2011 will be a year of answers. A year with more answers than questions, more laughter than tears...

Praying the Lord's blessing on you this new year!

Frost Yourself

2010-12-16T09:38:00.003-05:00

The title is referencing a scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Major props to you if you already knew this.

My dear friend Maria asked for tips on frosting sugar cookies, so I thought I would do my first ever blog tutorial! This was a tad nerve-wracking but I think it turned out ok. Tip #1 though is never frost cookies at 5:30 in the morning. Yes, that's when these pictures were taken! But it's all for you, sweet readers :)

First, you need to have a good recipe for the dough. You don't want cookies that lose their shape, but you still want them to be slightly sugary. Here's my recipe.

1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter softened (do not microwave to soften)
3 cups flour
a dash of vanilla extract

Beat the egg and sugar until mixed. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until creamy. Slowly add the flour. Chill for at least 1 hr. Roll out the dough to 1/4" thickness and shape using cookie cutters. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. (Tip #2 - do not bake longer than 8 minutes and let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. The cookies will continue to bake on the pan. I'm serious about this one!)

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies - so double up!

This is what they should look like.
Next, make up the frosting. We'll use two types of frosting, base and royal. The base icing consists of:

1/4 stick butter softened (not in the microwave)
2 cups powdered sugars
3 tbs milk

Mix until completely smooth.

The texture of the base icing should be very smooth and should be glossy. Add food coloring if you want.

Use a knife or spatula to frost the cookie, leaving a little room around the edges for the royal icing. You don't want to put too much on and have it slide down the edges of the cookie.

This is the finished product of the base frosting. You can leave the cookies like this if you choose. The frosting is thin, but sugary so perfect for serving. However, continue on if you want to make the cookies look magazine quality - or you just like frosting.

Meringue Powder is the best for royal icing! Instead of using egg whites and having to ensure not getting yolk mixed in, etc, just use meringue powder. You can buy it at craft stores like Michaels, but also Walmart has it in their baking/party stuff with the Wilton products. It's a tad pricy -about $6 a bottle, but worth it!

To make the royal frosting:

3 tbs meringue powder

4 cups powdered sugar

6-7 tbs warm water

(Tip #3 -this makes enough to frost about 30 cookies so if you doubled the cookie recipe, don't double this!)

Beat for about 7-10 minutes until stiff peaks form. Usually I get impatient and beat until semi-stiff peaks form. When it looks like this you're good to go

To edge the cookies with royal icing I've found that a #3 Wilton tip works best. This is size of the opening...

In case you're a visual learner, Wilton #3..

You can use whatever size you like, but this is perfect for me.

Place the frosting into a piping bag (Tip#4 - only fill the bag about half full to ensure that you won't have icing oozing out the top end - it's very distracting when you're trying to pipe a straight line)

Twist the bag and push down with the hand holding the top of the bag. Think of it like squeezing a tube of toothpaste. If you squeeze in the middle it's more difficult to get a steady stream ont he toothbrush. If you start from one end and squeeze, the pressure make it easier for a steady stream of frosting.

Don't directly touch the tip to the cookie. Let the icing almost just lay on the cookie. There may be a sligh delay from where you move the piping bag and when the icing lands in that spot. It's ok. Just keep even pressure on the piping bag and make steady lines.

If you do mess up though, the frosting is thick enough to simply lift up and start again without messing any other frosting up.

Decorate the cookies however you choose! When you finish, they should look something like this!

Now I'm off to share these treats at our staff Holiday Party! If you have questions, let me know. Oh and thanks for joining me for my first tutorial - how'd I do?

Nom Nom Nom

2010-12-09T12:32:00.004-05:00

By Tuesday I need to have made about 4 batches or 100 sugar cookies. Why Tuesday? Well Tuesday night the students are coming over to our house to decorate some of the cookies (about 50 of them) for the local firestations. Wednesday night we'll split into several groups and go and deliver them as a way to thank the men and women for their service. We did this last year and the kids LOVED it! The firestations we went to last year were completely thrown off - no one had ever done that for them before. Here's hoping this year makes that big of an impact.

Then Thursday is our department-wide Christmas potluck at work. Rather than make something different, I'll stick with the sugar cookie theme and decorate them really pretty - hopefully they'll look as nice as the pictures below! I LOVE Christmas baking - how about you?

Oh and if anyone needs any sugar cookies or cupcakes for any showers, birthdays, or other type of celebrations, let me know. I'd love to help you out!

2010-12-07T08:51:00.003-05:00

Candace seems to be the only one reading my blog, so since she asked, here's info about my half marathon. Hopefully I'll be back to blogging regularly soon...

The race started at sunrise. Amy was my amazing race buddy and we made matching shirts. The front said "this is my first half"

The back of mine said "this is my last half" (and boy is it!!!) and Amy's said "so cheer me on (yay me!)"

There were TONS of women running! I think it was about 7,000 running all over downtown St Petersburg. It might be the most beautiful place to subject yourself to the torture of a half. :)

We finished! We did really well until about mile 10. Then Amy started really having trouble - we think she was dehydrated. I found out later that I was dehydrated as well. But we finished! It wasn't pretty and we pretty much walked the entire thing, but we finished. Can you tell I'm excited that we finished??

My medal! This is what I did it for. For the shiny bling at the end of the 13.1 miles! It has a detachable charm that I wear frequently. From now on, I'll stick with 5k's, but I can cross this off my bucket list. I'm glad I did it.

2010-11-19T13:16:00.003-05:00

Sunday morning I'm "running" in this...
I wish I were going to look like this crossing the finish line,

But this is much closer to reality...

Either way, I walk away with this delightful medal with removable charm to wear as a necklace!

Yay for crossing something off my bucket list! Not only will this be my first half, but I believe it will be my last as well. I'm thinking it'll take me about 3 hrs and 15 or 20 minutes to complete. I'll let you know...

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T13:49:00.005-05:00

2010-11-06T21:59:00.002-04:00

These little babies are my new hobby! Headbands, pins, hairpieces... LOVE! They're so simple to make too! It just takes the $1 squares of fabric that Walmart has, scissors, hot glue gun, beads, a needle and thread, and whatever type of backing you want. Seriously, I made one of these in about 5 minutes! The ones below were made for 2 of my friends per their request. Excited to make some for me soon! What do ya think?

2010-10-24T23:27:00.002-04:00

A lot on my mind these days. This past week I wasn't home one single night. A fun week, a meaningful week as I poured into several women, a full week. And now I'm looking forward to this week. Only Monday and next Sunday have plans and I'm keeping it that way.

When I was in college, I made Tuesday night "My Night". I made no plans, I kept it free. It was my personal time to rejuvinate myself before worrying about the rest of my week. Why Tuesday? Because it worked. :) So now, I'm planning seriously to make "My Night" a reality again. I need it. So many things in my life right now that are pulling at me. So many things causing my heart and mind heartache these days. So I need to remember what helped during my college years and take a night to restore my spent introverted self.

...On a separate note, my heart is aching for a dear friend. She has and is going through so much that is a direct result of the sins of her parents. Please keep her in your prayers. It's hard at a time like this to understand how God has a plan for good and not for harm...please pray for clarity and healing that can only be supernatural. Thanks.

2010-10-19T09:24:00.002-04:00

Cute cupcake giveaway. These little beauties are entirely faux but look like the real thing! The folks at DIY Showoff are giving away this little gem. Visit their blog for more details!

2010-10-18T18:35:00.002-04:00

Thoughts on this Monday...

Starbucks is kept far too cold!!!!!

Matthew West's new album "Story of Your Life" is going to be the first CD I buy in over a year! SOOOOO Good!

A student called me last night, sobbing - she had self-harmed just hours before. Please Lord Jesus, allow her to see no resolution, no peace, can come from self-harm - only from you!

I walked out of church during last night's sermon. I was somehow able to walk back in and sit through the rest of it.

About to meet a friend, who's also a new believer, to discuss the Bible! Tonight's topic: Worship.

Incredibly proud of my husband and cannot wait to hear him preach Sunday!!!!

My half-marathon is just 5 weeks away!!!

We are considering downsizing our apartment when our lease is up - that means going from about 1200 sq ft to about 700...excited for the decorating change-up that will ensue!

A little something.

2010-10-14T21:20:00.002-04:00

Tonight I took it easy, so while Andy was watching the USF game, I painted this little number. It hangs up high above our entryway. I'll do a new canvas for each season I think..

2010-10-13T15:09:00.002-04:00

I need to start having more time at home. More time to work on crafty projects. More time to at least be in the apartment at the same time as my husband. So dear blog friends, I'm setting out to create a way to keep me accountable to this.

Once every 2 weeks, I will post a craft/art project or a new recipe tried by yours truly. The idea is that as I take the time to post these projects, recipes, etc I will have forced myself to stay at home, take some "me" time and enjoy my life without all the busy-ness that is currently consuming me.

The first craft post should be posted within 2 weeks of today. Please help me. If you notice that it's more than 2 weeks post a comment asking what's up. Thanks blog friends!!

2010-10-05T17:18:00.004-04:00

Fall weather has hit Florida and I'm oh so glad!!! I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt today, I have the door to the patio that's part of my office open, and I'm feeling this surge of energy that just inspires me to keep checking things off my list! How wonderful!

The past month and a half has been crazy. Helped a friend plan a wedding shower for a girl I'd only met once, baked goodies for said shower, am in the middle of planning a shower for a friend of whom I'm the matron of honor, baked goodies for our bake sale fundraiser, but possibly the best news is that I finally switched my meds so I'm back to my old self!

For the past year and 1/2 I've been depressed, out of sorts, irritable, lethargic, etc. At first I chalked it up to moving to Florida, then to not having friends, then to being restless in our apartment, then to being cranky about having to work full-time, then...well, by that time I had run out of excuses! So it came down to staying baby-free or changing my meds for the 6th time in 2 years and hoping that this change would work. And it HAS!

Last night I went for walk/run with a friend and running was no longer an unbearable chore that got the best of me. No! I felt like I was gliding an inch about the sidewalk...I felt unstoppable! Before a load of laundry seemed the same as climbing Mt. Everest in terms of exertion - now, I get the dishwasher emptied and reloaded, counters wiped down, a new load of laundry started, my quiet time, breakfast, and shower all in an hour! Holy Moses it feels good to be back! I'm back to the girl my sweet Andy dated and I'm so thrilled.

2010-09-27T11:59:00.002-04:00

2 Years ago today...

I was in St Pete Beach Fl, at Grand Plaza Hotel

I was having my hair curled by Maria and Natalie

I had my makeup done by Shannon

I had pictures taken with family & friends in the hot Florida sun

I stepped on lots of sand spurs and acted very unladylike as they poked my feet and got stuck to my lace dress

The amazing groomsmen sprung to action and were more dainty than imaginable as they freed me from the spurs without tearing my dress

I looked out over the balcony and saw the finishing floral touches being put onto the archway

Our entire wedding party sat around eating mcdonald's happy meals and relaxed before 2pm

I walked down the aisle to "At Last" and with great joy met my sweetheart at the archway, underneath the palmtrees

I became a wife and he became my husband!

We hugged and kissed and then headed off to the reception

We cut the cake and talked with every single person in attendance - thank you Andy for making sure we took notice of every person there!

We changed clothes and headed out the doors to the car

We drove off to start our lives as Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Andy, these past 2 years with you have been full of unexpected situations, some wonderful, some trying, but I wouldn't trade life with you for anything! You love me unconditionally. You make me want to be a better woman and a better wife. I love you so much! Thank you for honoring me. Thank you for being my comic relief, my shoulder to cry on, my biggest fan, and so much more! Here's to 102 more years!

Day 14: 30 days of Insight

2010-09-14T09:33:00.002-04:00

Day 14: Name the best mashup you've ever heard.

Seeing as how I'm completely not a music, youtube, or technology-conscious person, this days' blog topic means nothing to me, and I have no answer. So instead, I'll blog about something else entirely...

I'm very super excited about the opportunities God is placing in front of me. While they don't take away the specific desires of my heart that I've been praying about for over a year, they do help make the waiting much easier!

One of these opportunities is that I'm going to start, next week, discipling a brand new Christian. It's a mom of one of our students, who accepted Christ the same night, and I'm thrilled that we've connected. I can't wait to help her explore the Bible, address questions she has, and disciple her to be a passionate follower of Christ. I'm thrilled to see how God will use Kim in amazing ways!

Also, I'm going to get to share my testimony with one of the ladies' Sunday School classes in 2 weeks; the class is taught by the pastor's wife which is a little scary, but exciting nonetheless. Who knows how God will once again use my story of His mercy!

So what's God doing in your life? How is He using you?

Day 13: 30 Days of Insight

2010-09-13T21:48:00.002-04:00

I've gotten behind on this due in large part to taking our students to Night of Joy this weekend - it took a while to recover. Instead of catching up and doing several, I'm just starting back with today.

Day 13: Name a memory that never fails to make you laugh.

I have so many! Andy elbowing me in the eye at a TobyMac concert, and not realizing it. Making silly music videos with Andy when we were just newly dating. Lots of fun memories with Natalie and Maria at TCBY for girls night. But for now I'll tell you about the most awkward funny memory...

I was on a choir tour to Colorado. It was 7th-12th graders and it was a ridiculous trip...never ever take 8 bus loads of kids halfway across the country! Anyway, while I Texas I saw a bumper sticker that said "I go nuts for Wrangler butts." Well I thought this was hysterical and was telling my friends, when all of the sudden our fearless leader, Jamie Parker, walks by - and he was wearing Wrangler jeans. My friends of course felt the need to inform Jamie that "I go nuts for Wrangler butts".

Random memory I know...but thats what makes me laugh :)

What about you?

This image...

2010-09-10T11:16:00.001-04:00

makes me want to don a 50's style dress, heels, and pearls and eat a pronto pup all at the same time.

Happy Friday!

Day 10: 30 Days of Insight

2010-09-10T09:05:00.003-04:00

Day 10: Describe a dream you had this past week in detail.

Well, I don't really dream all that much. Or if I do, I rarely remember it. So here we go - what I dreamt last night (the bits and pieces I remember that is)

I was in my childhood neighborhood, although the houses looked nothing like my childhood neighborhood. I was walking up and down the streets with one of our youth leaders going house to house looking for a baseball. One house had a concession style window instead of a garage.

As we were walking back to my parents house, we saw Andy's grandmother had come to surprise us - why I'm not sure. But it wasn't any of Andy's actual g-ma's. Instead it was the wife of Andy's former pastor. That was weird.

Then Andy's aunt and cousin were on the carport of my parent's house, and Andy's aunt said she wasn't allowed to tell us how much she had already had to drink, and then told us it was 15 bottles of beer. Andy's cousin looked nothing like she actually does! In real life C is really skinny, short blonde hair, very reserved and shy, etc. In the dream she had long straight dark hair and was kind of tramp-y. Again...weird.

And that ladies and gents is the only dream I remember from the week. Who wants to analyze!?!

What's one of your recent dreams?