Saturday, March 27, 2010

Style... and the occasional comfort day.


I would describe my style as urban chic (sometimes I try to be rebel chic, but I'm not very successful). Some of my favorite clothing items are: my dark wash jeans, long dresses, flowing tops, sweaters and cardigans, bohemian sandals... I try to be big on accessories. (I say I try because accessorizing doesn't come naturally for me, but I like the way I feel when I'm accessorized). I wear long necklaces, bangley bracelets, dangly or hoop earrings, scarves, and sometimes a sharpie tattoo on my left ankle!

And every once in a while, I have a comfort day. A couple of days ago, I wore jeans (yes, jeans are comfortable for me), running shoes, my favorite sweatshirt, no makeup, and no accessories. It was lovely.

Today I'm wearing my roommate's bathing suit and tank top, paired with cutoff shorts, pearl brecelettes and earrings. It's a beach day!

Tell me, what's your style?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

No Spending: an Update


To recap: I began a "no spending campaign" at the beginning of lent (it's hard to say I gave up spending money for lent because this is more of a personal challenge, not necessarily a sacrifice the Lord was calling me to... and I'm using the time frame of lent for my challenge). I've got a little over two weeks left and I have (brrrrrrrrm!) $1 left from my $25 budget. Yikes! This is hard.

Here's where I spent the money:
$5 on a train ticket to LA
about $6 on donations
$2 for tip at a restaurant (contributing to a group)
Hmm... $13 somewhere else. Seriously, I don't remember!

Another mini failure: I committed to not manipulating others into buying me stuff during this time, but I must confess, I did it. Sorry, Brittany. She was happy to buy me a smoothie and a doughnut, but I should have had some backbone! (Sigh) Grace covers that.

So what have I learned? I've learned that if God is not calling me to something, he won't necessarily give me the means to fulfill my own personal goal when there are other, more pressing needs around me (though I have felt his grace and his caring heart in this). I am going to finish. Not out of a stubborn place, but because in the end, I did commit this to the Lord. I have learned that not spending money makes your bank account go up. Wonderful! I actually did not think of that factor very seriously at the beginning of this endeavor, but my bank account thanks me. I have learned that when spending isn't an option, choices are much simpler. Lastly, I have learned that the desires of man will never be satisfied! I've already got a mental list of things I want to buy (present for baby Levi, paint for my room, Starbucks on Easter...). I guess I'm ever in the process of learning contentment.
I think the next item I need to delve into is coffee... when I look into my heart, I think the Lord was gently encouraging me to give up coffee for lent, but I just did not want to! So, I need to do it for a season, even if it's not lent. Giving up this little luxury could help me look toward the cross, which is what sacrificing is all about.

I feel a bit ashamed at the end of this post. Usually, I blog about a fun experience or idea, but not usually a failure. Now, I wouldn't call my fast from spending a complete failure, but I can declare that there were better things I could have given up. Nonetheless, this has been a learning experience and I intend to finish strong. I've got $1 left, no manipulation in sight, and about 90 miles of gas to go! Thank you for reading along in my self-imposed, God-assisted journey.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Now what?


God,
I care about what you're doing in the world. I care about child prostitutes. I want to see justice served. I love what I've been learning about your justice... but, now what?
I'm a student.
I'm not yet completely healed... can I really look at hurting and abused child in the eye and be strong for her?
I don't even remember what it's like to experience culture shock. I need to remember.
I want to go, I want to be used.
But I feel so often like you're telling me to stay and to rest. I know in my heart you have given me a passion for seeing unreached and hurting people hear the name of Jesus in practical and significant ways. Maybe I'm having trouble realizing that when you call me to rest, it may not be just for a weekend, or even a month. Maybe you want me to live in a lifestyle of rest until I am completely whole again.
Would you guide me, please? Thank you for listening to my questions and thank you for caring.

You're amazing, God.
You're amazing, God.
You can bear the weight of every heavy heart.
You can clean the stain.
You can heal the pain.
You can turn our tears into songs of praise.
You're amazing, God!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Things and People I Love


Love these girls! We went on our floor's spring retreat this past weekend and spent some fabulous time in Arrowhead. It was great to be in the mountains, receiving answers and truth from the Lord, all the while enjoying rest and beauty. It is so cool that God speaks to each of us in a unique way. I learned that God tends to speak to me through lists and order (which is the way my mind naturally works). Of course, God is not limited to this, but he revealed to me this weekend that he really does care about the things that make sense to me.
I also love:
-Natural peanut butter... it takes a few days to become a convert, but it really is yummy!
-Spending the weekend with my parents.
-Mission's Conference. It's a conference this week at our school. Classes are canceled and it feels like everyone is at camp for a week. Plus, it's an amazing time to think about what God's doing in the nations.
-Last night's 4:00am run to Jax Donuts. Now, this is not typically something I do, but since a 4.4 earthquake hit at 4:04am, some girls on our floor decided to do a donut run.
-My best friend, Jamie (who happens to be sitting next to me at the moment). She wears colorful clothes and always lets me dominate the conversation when I need to. She also loves "Operation World", my favorite prayer guide.
-Planning... I always look forward to Thursday nights when I assign myself homework and administrative stuff for the week.
-Sunday afternoons. They bring the best naps.
-Singing at the top of my lungs.

What things and people do you love?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

California, you rock!


The weather today has been perfect. By perfect, I do not necessarily mean favorite... my favorite weather is rainy, but today the sun was particularly charming. Here are the things I was able to enjoy in the sunshine:

-A walk/jog to the park
-Lunch with my roommate
-The usual Thursday "mystery drink" made by my friend, Marianna, at the coffee cart. Today was a decaf toffee latte (I think). Yum!

Hmm... that's not very many things. I'd better get outside before it gets dark!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Too good to pass up.


I went to an art gallery on campus yesterday and was so inspired to create something. I thought, "What can I make? What can I make?" I decided on these hanging rose "curtains". They are delicate and subtle. Ironically, these "dead" roses add a bit of life to our room.
Here's how I made them:
-I tied each rose to golden thread and suspended the opposite end of the thread from the ceiling (behind the mini blinds) with painter's tape.
-I added some craft wire in swirly shapes (hard to see in the picture) to each rose.
Ta da!
A moment of inspiration too good to pass up.