Keeping the tradition of giving paper as a gift alive

Recently I have been doing some thinking about writing and our words.  How sending cards and notes in the mail has since gone by the wayside with the wave of technology.  I love technology but also am reminded that keeping some of the old fashion ways of doing things should not be forgotten.  I hear my mother in law constantly in my head about how she hates email and that my generation has lost touch with the personal touch and with communication with each other.  I have to say that I do agree with her, as much as I do love email and text the simple act of an actual phone call or a face to face meeting with someone can be so much more meaningful.  In this I have thought about how I do love to mail cards in the mail to those I may even see often as it can bring such a neat feeling to someone to know you thought of them in that way.  I think about how with each year at Christmas we get less and less Christmas cards in the mail which is something I love.  I even save them in a bag and look at them again the next year but I do know that time is something we find ourselves with less and less with each passing day.  In 2012 I want to be more proactive to make the time to incorporate the act of mailing kindness to people.  In keeping with this I decided to use facebook as a tool to bring people together in doing so to encourage one another.  Using a new means of communication with trying to keep an old one alive.  And so Mail it Mondays was created, a group created to give and receive encouragement in making Monday not JUST the beginning of the blah work week but a day you mail that card or letter to someone you feel could use a smile in their mailbox.  Over Christmas I gave a family member stationary as a gift, something her dad would always give to her which was a bitter sweet gift to her as she just lost her dad right before the holidays.  I did not know this and when she shared that with me I was understanding the urging I had to give her this gift.  As I was running around today I picked up a card that I am excited to mail this coming Monday.  I returned home to arrive at the mailbox to find mixed in with all the junk mail and bills a card from this person using the stationary I had gifted to her with such kind words in there with this sentence being my focus " thank you for this beautiful stationary and for keeping traditions of giving paper as a gift alive.  : )  How perfect..  A gesture that I am blessed and grateful for today....

More Pinterest!

So as I mentioned before I am so loving Pinterest!  I have done many projects that I have been inspired by navigating their site and was able to bring them to life by pinning all my ideas and having them in one place.  This has really helped me be able to bring these thoughts to reality and I am having so much fun with it!  My last project was a table I saw for the bottom of my steps which I already posted about.  A little secret that I did not share in that post is how I then used a photo I found at the store I was going to buy the table from and used their idea to cheat a bit if you will.  You know how you see in the clothing stores how they put outfits together and you would have never thought to do so yourself but love it. So you find yourself getting the whole outfit.  Easy right!  I say so!  I am good at many things but I do know that there are others that are even better so when I see a place to get some help I take it and in doing so that made my job so much easier.  I did not have to do anything but find the items in the picture which were all  items sold by that store ( smart concept!) and I was done!  Now this next project is not quite that way although I have taken ideas from different pics I have seen online to do this project I am not going to be getting off as easy this time with having them all in one convenient place but I also enjoy it this way because it allows my creative juices to flow.  We have a spot in our eat in kitchen area that I could really use something.  I have not known what for a while until my husband mentioned a desk which is a good choice since I could really use an area to house my laptop and provide a space for me to do some of my work while still being able to be downstairs rather than up in the office.  So after doing some looking I found this desk.  I found it on JCP.com.  I ordered it online ,which is another thing I am becoming more a fan of. Since there is a JC Penny near me I was planning on having it shipped to the store location near me to save on shipping but realized they were having a promotion on free shipping to my house at this time so it was done and I am excited for it to arrive.  I am now working on what kind of chair I would like to pair with it.  Stay tuned for a pic!  Happy pinning!!  : )

Love and hurt

As I dive into chapter 3 of The fitting room I am brought to a sentence that really speaks to something I am going through right now.  It is something Dallas Willard preaches: that loving others is about giving them that which is for their good, not necessarily what they desire.  This is hard to do but is at the core of defining a true friendship or relationship.  I find this hard to do not only in my marriage as a wife but as a sister, daughter and a friend.  We want so badly to give everyone what they want all the time but when we realize that it is not healthy for them or ourselves, that it may be the very thing that drives a wedge between you  and doing the right thing can be hard to do for them, whatever it may be.  It most times may make them hurt or angry, leave them not understanding.  Trying to do it in a loving way is key but sometimes when things become so messy by allowing yourself to get so off course in the first place getting yourself back on track may mean making a very bold, harsh decision that can leave them feeling very unloved by you.  That is when you need to know your heart.  Be very honest and know why you are doing what you are doing.  Pray that if you really feel that there is something you are suppose to do that is weighing heavy on your heart but may mean you loose popularity or cool points but that is what is best for everyone, you find the strength to do it.  I encourage you to take the steps you feel you need to take, find the most loving way to do it and know that if you do the best you can that God knows your heart.  He loves you and you can give it to him and let things be what they need to be.  God does not want for us to be unhealthy, he wants us to love each other but not at the expense of having things built on the wrong foundation rather he wants it to be on the right, strong foundation and that sometimes things need to completely crumble before they can be rebuilt.  We find that so often too in our lives.  That is why I find such beauty in the dark times because that is when the most transformation can be made, in ourselves, our character and in those around us.  Being the light does not always mean making everyone happy all the time.  It means doing hard things sometimes for the sake of those we love.  Praying that if you are in a situation right now that you find peace and the answers you need from God to help guide you along your way while not forgetting that change never happens without action.  : )

Reading list

Reading is something that I really enjoy doing.  I am always interested in what others are reading and what they take from the book which I think is why I love the book club that I am involved in.  I have added many books recently and thought I would share my reading list.


*The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter (Part of Bloom Book Club)
*Managing your moods by Women of Faith
*The Diary of Anne Frank 
*What Women Fear by Angie Smith 
*Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
* The Twilight Series ( I have recently become really into the movies and have heard the books are better)
*Heaven is for real by Todd Burpo ( a friend HIGHLY suggested me reading this)


I just finished One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp, also another bloom book club book.  So glad I read it.  I really took a lot from this book.  I like to have a variety of  Fiction and non fiction books.  It is nice to really dive into a book and let it transform you but also nice to dive into a book and allow it to take you away to another place just for fun...  I hope my list is helpful. 


Happy reading!  : )  

Pinterest and Pier One...

I am still loving the site Pinterest.. I keep seeing so many neat ideas for the house. My latest project was at the bottom of my steps. I saw the table and pinned it and from there Pier One helped me with the rest. I got the table, a lamp, baskets and a picture for above the table there and I am really happy with it! Online shopping is very nice. I went on to the website, found the table and did in store pickup for it. Thinking about what will be next! So for all you pinterest users- Happy Pinning! : )

Thoughts on life and friendships...

Don't confuse pushing someone away from them walking away.. when it comes to friendships and relationships true friendship means you do not have to chase after someone but rather loving them enough to let them go while having faith that if its meant to be it will be... We often find ourselves chasing after what we think is or rather want so bad to be true and in the meantime we miss the true person that was walking right beside us the whole time..

Happy New Year!!

‎"We will open the book. Its pages will be blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Years Day."

--Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Joy

The secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is...

Reading this morning and this sentence hit me for some reason.. remembering to keep seeking him to continue to discover the joy in my current situation whether it be in the big things or just the small things.. seeking him to see how he will use the current situation you have found yourself in even in the smallest of ways to bring joy and change and maybe even restoration...

Merry Christmas!

Well Christmas came and went so fast. All that work and it is over in one big poof! I am very blessed again this year to have had a busy and fun holiday with family. Lot's of good food, laughs and memories made. I look forward to what next Christmas will bring and I will continue to hold onto hope and have faith..

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and here's to a GREAT 2012!

blasphemer

You would be very ashamed if you knew what the experiences you call setbacks, upheavals, pointless disturbances, and tedious annoyances really are. You would realize that your complaints about them are nothing more nor less than blasphemies-though that never occurs to you. Nothing happens to you except by the will of God, and yet [God's] beloved children curse it because they do not know it for what it is..

~Ann V (one thousand gifts)

This is so hard for me right now.. How do I do this with my fight and struggle with infertility? But isn't this what everyone going through pain and suffering would ask? With so much pain, so many loosing battles, fighting battles and with such brokenness in this world how do we truly do this? This for me is where TRUE faith steps in. The faith to hold onto this truth that we do not know and that God is good and that nothing happens without a reason and a purpose. But we need to remember that is up to us though. To not let go, to take the circumstance no matter what it is and allow the light to shine through it. But gosh this is so hard! But as I am challenged to be thankful, to each day count my blessing even in the small things like my warm coffee.. by writing it down it has really been helping me. The book one thousand gifts has really been opening my eyes. The blessing of community has been huge for me because some days all you have is for someone to understand and just help you walk it out. There are woman that I do not even know or never have met that have impacted me beyond belief and I thank them for being open and not being silent or ashamed. I challenge myself to do this each day so that in the end it is not for nothing at my choosing and remembering that my job is to continue to let the light shine while remembering that God is good and I just need to be strong enough to walk it out.. Some days though I will be honest I lay down. I grow so tired. But I thank God today for those who drag me, give me that piggy back in life that I need. Remember today if you are struggling.. one day at a time. Everything is going to be ok. Stop.. breath and try to find something good.. Something that will allow you to hold on just one more day. xoxo

What really matters...

As I sit and really think about Christmas and what is suppose to mean while all the noise and stress of the holidays fills my mind I am reminded that the little details dont matter. Its the big things that matter. As I remember those that have lost loved ones who will no longer be with them this Christmas I am thankful that we have everyone special to us this year. As we try to make all the little details perfect which allows us all to be crazy and at each other wanting things our way let us remember that we would miss those we are bickering with if they were not around so maybe just maybe we should take the gloves off and step out of the ring.. Hoping everyone is having a good holiday so far. Dustin and I had some fun getting our tree this weekend! Many blessings this holiday..

Knowing who you are allows you to hold on in the dark times..

Remembering today to be a proverbs 31:25 woman. As I wake up feeling down, tired and discouraged I need to remember that I may not determine my circumstances but I do determine who I am and it allows me to stand strong in defining who I really am. It is easy to be you in the easy times, but being you in the hard times brings on true character. For today, I am a wife to a wonderful man. I live a beautiful life, I have wonderful friends and family and although I may not hear the pitter patter of those little feet running around my home I would never trade what I dream of for what I have right now. The love of my life that I still get butterflies thinking about, the way his smile makes me feel when he comes home, the way he always knows just what I need and loves me even in all my many imperfect ways. Yes, I want more and I will never allow anyone to make me feel selfish for that.. but I also know where I am now, and I am blessed for this storm as I know that it is only preparing me for what lies ahead.. what that is I do not know but I am willing to walk it out and find out. What I have learned is as your storm goes on for what feels like forever. Find ways to remind yourself of the truth of the matter when you have those days that you have a hard time holding on. The pictures I create, the quotes that I display are all ways I do this because it is hard... so hard to some days not just allow the lies to swallow you up. Find ways to allow the light to shine in always..

Thank you for reading and taking the time to share in my journey as I continue to Walk tall while leaving my bold footprint on this thing called life one day at a time...

Pinterest

Loving the site Pinterest! It is so addicting.. I have been pinning so many new idea's and even tried some. Here are some of the things I did today. Kind of loving the crafty side that I am discovering..

Painted glass.. peace..

Painted glass.. Love..

Wreath with chalkboard paint board behind

Joy...

The lens we choose..

I think at times we struggle with the real life emotions that we have. Life seems to go by so fast. Each day we carry heavy burdens. It is hard to slow life down and really be present in moments that we often look back on and wish we could do different. Times we are quick to anger or to just miss an opportunity to be nice. I had one of those moments the other day. I woke up not feeling well and in a funk. One of those days you just don't want to see anyone or talk because you know you can not be the version of you that people want you to be. I felt stretched, stressed and just worn thin. One task I had to get done was to go to the post office which I was dreading. As I pull up to the post office even too tired to have washed my face or put on any make up I think, I will just go in and out real quick as to avoid as many people as possible. As I pull into the parking lot I see it is very full and lots of people with packages. I sigh with frustration. I see an older couple, a very cute couple with many packages I am guessing for loved ones, maybe grandchildren.. As I get out of the car seeing them in front of me, consumed with myself and my funk wrapping around me squeezing me tightly I begin to move quickly as to get in front of them so to enter the post office before them to avoid waiting in line behind them. You know, my quick get in and get out plan. As I am doing this I find myself called to slow down, think this through, (Eucharisteo). As I do this I begin to grab for the post office door while looking over my shoulder at the cute older couple with packages overflowing in each of their arms and I, at this moment have the opportunity to get over myself or continue on as I may have done so many other times before. I choose to continue to slow down, take a deep breath while I open the door for this couple that I could not help but smile at when I see them. I help them in the door with their packages. As I do this the older man looks at me and tells me what a big help this was and today I was Santa's little helper. I am thankful for this as I find my funk, which was squeezing me so tight that I could not breath ,releasing. I found myself smiling. As we stood in line the older man reminded his wife that I was before them but took the time to help them out so I should go ahead of them as I only had one package. Wow, this man, who thought I was such a blessing to them that day was to me. I am thankful for him and the little ways he helped me realize what I was about to miss that day. I kindly told them thank you but that I am in no hurry. As I really was not. So that day my gift was the act of slowing down and embracing the joy of another and the view I had on the difference one small decision can make.

Taking the time to stop, breath and allow our powers to release us of our chains bonding us to the darkness so that there in that moment there can be light.

Beauty of the season

The beauty of Christmas is such a gift.. one I am enjoying to open up this year..

Holding onto Hope, opening up to love and finding Joy this holiday season.. Wishing the same for you.

Child like joy...

I am blessed to have a wonderful family. My cousin and her husband are ones we have been very close to for some time. She now has a 2 1/2 year old that I adore. I have been watching him since he was a little baby and now at the fun age of 2 1/2- boy is he such a little person that makes me smile so big. As I spend time with him I realize that I want some of his child like joy! Some of that child like faith. As the years of our lives press on and people change and our hearts get hurt, with each passing day faith can loose its luster and we can become hardened. I see him as he experiences the christmas decorations this year. The joy in his face and the faith that everything is going to be alright. I think about how as I sit rubbing my sore toe he stopped what he was doing and with such love asked me "what's wrong. I told him my toe is hurting and I am rubbing it. He put his hand on me so gentle and said, it's alright. And in that moment I felt God speaking to me. Through this kind young child.. I found myself really believing him. That everything was really going to be ok. With not only my hurting toe but my hurting heart, my broken spirit at times and my shattered faith. I found myself that night praying for his child like faith. I also find myself thinking about how as we sat at the table together, as a family, that he took the time to stop and smile and express ( in his 2 1/2 year old way) how we were to notice that we were all there at the table together. The look on his face I can not even express the joy he was feeling as we ate our enchiladas and he ate his fruit snacks. About something that we all to often take for granted in our busy, hectic, painful lives. Gosh how children are such a blessing and while we are teaching them about life and helping them grow how they can too be teaching us. Thank you to Mr Z for teaching me last night about the importance of joy.. true joy and faith that it is all going to be alright...

Gamble on faith..

As I think through my fear of a decision I have been faced with making I realize that the biggest thing in my way is money. Don't we all say this? We never have enough even at all levels. The more we have the more we spend. If only there was a money tree. I find myself always saying but then I realize that this very thing is stopping me from truly having faith.. True faith in God. I don't mean this to say that we are to be unwise with the use of our money as we should be thankful and careful with our spending and not be greedy but that we also can not put so much focus on it. So I am reminded of this verse.

Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

This is hard for me but I am embracing my faith in the lord with our finances. Gambling a bit on faith if you will. Praying that if you too are in a place were you find money being the one thing that is stopping you from really moving forward to a place you feel burning in your heart that you too may take the gamble.

Rolling the dice and giving it all up to HIM...

words to remember..

Rise and go; your faith has made you well. (Luke 17:17-19 NIV)

The giving of thanks is what makes us well.. Even in the dark, ugly times. We are being given a gift.. look for it.. find it.. allow it to be seen..

Eucharisteo - Thanksgiving - always precedes the miracle..

Life in between..

....It's the life in between, the days of walking lifeless, the years calloused and simply going through the hollow motions, the self protecting by self-distracting, the body never waking, that's lost all capacity to fully feel- this is the life in between that makes us the wild walking dead....

Ann Voskamp

One Thousand Gifts...

So what do YOU believe in?

I believe that it is the ugliest of places that can make us the most beautiful..

and I believe that making the ugly places shine with our beauty is a blessing because it allows us to show the world who we really are and what we are truly made of because the places we are determined to get to will be all that more beautiful once we arrive...

~ams~