I've spent a few days alone at the house when I haven't been filling out applications and going to job interviews. Today is one of those days. I finally landed two jobs: one as a beauty adviser for Clarins in Macy's and the other at Bath and Body Works. Bring on the employee discounts and freebie's! Anyways, I start one tomorrow and the other next week so today I'm left at the farm all by my lonesome. I like it this way and days like this will be missed. Days of solitude and tranquility with nothing but the braying of a donkey and the meow of a cat. There are actually 3 donkeys and approximately 10 cats but who's counting. I've grown fond of all of them and their sounds.
I'm liking life on the farm thus far. It is an escape from day to day struggles and anxieties not to mention the stress of an upcoming wedding. I'm not stressing but I know some people who are. We are some fourteen days away from the pending nuptials of my lovely sister Jessica to the always charming Brandon Kerns. We have a few loose ends that need to be tied quickly, but never fear. It will all come together. I can't believe it is only two weeks away. So exciting.
Right now I am altering my bridesmaid dress, and enjoying the sounds of Mr. Big and Ziva stomping at the bothersome flies, and this adorable orange and white cat (whom I shall name Garfield) begging to be let inside. Just another peaceful day in my new life. God is so good!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
a new day
As some of your may have heard. I sneaked my way back into Massachusetts on Saturday night. I loved my summer in Idaho and hope to visit again one of these days, but New England was beckoning. I've been on the move for years hoping to find a place to call home. Finishing college had made that difficult. I would live in Boston for the school year and back to Florida for the summers, constantly packing up my belongings and on the go. Then when my parents moved to Philly, I really felt like I had lost my center, the place I called home. I've literally felt homeless for three years at least. When my plane started to close in on Boston Saturday night, I felt it. It felt like home. It didn't matter if I was still living out of a suitcase or still didn't have a home for my beloved books. I was at home in New England. My eyes started watering as I saw the city lights, and my heart swelled at the chaotic view below me. I love the crazy accents and moody weather. I had missed the aggressive driving and the lack of proper street signage.
My parents moved to this small town in northern Massachusetts called Groveland. The house they rented is on a farm full of animals. At first I was hesitant of being so far away from Boston and my friends and the area I knew best, but on Sunday morning I woke up to the sounds of horses outside my window. I went to the kitchen and out onto the back deck and saw the most beautiful view. I knew I would have to stay as long as possible, ha. Then of course you factor in the beginning of sweatshirt weather and changing of leaves and its near perfection. It's the perfect location to finish my book. (forgive the quality of my cell phone pic ha)
I'm loving life on the farm. I'm slowly meeting all the animals. Mr. Big, Ziva, Matilda, Swifty and Pete are the horses. I only know Randy the donkey, but there are two more. Then there are several dogs. I've met Duke. He's like a hound dog or something similar. Almost knocked me over he's so friendly and loves to give kisses. Then there was Molly the mule, may she rest in peace. It was a sad day the other day because they had to put her down. She was lame and was in so much pain. It was hard watching the other animals as they seemingly grieved the loss of their friend.
My dad took me to the beach on his day off. It was so good to see the beach and be near it again. There is something healing about the sea air and sounds of the ocean. I could sit atop those rocks all day and marvel at all the wonders of God and His creation. And lets not talk about the smell of fried fish and fritters as you drive by! Yummm! I can't wait to have some good seafood. I'm thinking lobstah!
So its a new day, a new start, a new home in New England.
My parents moved to this small town in northern Massachusetts called Groveland. The house they rented is on a farm full of animals. At first I was hesitant of being so far away from Boston and my friends and the area I knew best, but on Sunday morning I woke up to the sounds of horses outside my window. I went to the kitchen and out onto the back deck and saw the most beautiful view. I knew I would have to stay as long as possible, ha. Then of course you factor in the beginning of sweatshirt weather and changing of leaves and its near perfection. It's the perfect location to finish my book. (forgive the quality of my cell phone pic ha)
I'm loving life on the farm. I'm slowly meeting all the animals. Mr. Big, Ziva, Matilda, Swifty and Pete are the horses. I only know Randy the donkey, but there are two more. Then there are several dogs. I've met Duke. He's like a hound dog or something similar. Almost knocked me over he's so friendly and loves to give kisses. Then there was Molly the mule, may she rest in peace. It was a sad day the other day because they had to put her down. She was lame and was in so much pain. It was hard watching the other animals as they seemingly grieved the loss of their friend.
So its a new day, a new start, a new home in New England.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
good read
I love reading a good novel. I've already mentioned some of my favorites throughout some of my blogs. Recently, I brought up Francine Rivers' series Lineage of Grace. Excellent retellings of the Biblical accounts of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. I've also mentioned Rivers' Redeeming Love. I don't care if you are into fiction or not. That book is a MUST read. It's Rivers' statement of faith. Such a beautiful portrait of our Savior and His redemptive love for us.
Now I am also a big movie watcher. I love a good comedy or suspense/action movie. Especially when I watch those who-done-it types, I have a mental competition to try and figure it all out before anyone else. If you watch one of these with me I'd ruin it for you. That is probably why people won't go to the movies with me anymore.
I'm a big fan of the Bourne series or any other kind of high intensity action flicks that have me unknowingly biting my nails. That's what I loved about this next book on my list. It just so happens to be written by my very own cousin. You could say I am a little biased, but hey so what. That's what family is for.
The book is called Cursed Blessing by J.M. LeDuc and is the first in a trilogy. I am chomping at the bit waiting to read the next. He let me write a blurb for the book and this is the ad that showed up in Suspense Magazine.
I am so excited for him. I never knew he had such an imagination and ability to spin such an intricate story. I must say, I'm a little jealous. I tried writing a suspense once. Still have it on my flash drive. While reviewing it I realized I am just too soft to write with such edge. Maybe someday. But in the meantime read this book.
Now I am also a big movie watcher. I love a good comedy or suspense/action movie. Especially when I watch those who-done-it types, I have a mental competition to try and figure it all out before anyone else. If you watch one of these with me I'd ruin it for you. That is probably why people won't go to the movies with me anymore.
I'm a big fan of the Bourne series or any other kind of high intensity action flicks that have me unknowingly biting my nails. That's what I loved about this next book on my list. It just so happens to be written by my very own cousin. You could say I am a little biased, but hey so what. That's what family is for.
The book is called Cursed Blessing by J.M. LeDuc and is the first in a trilogy. I am chomping at the bit waiting to read the next. He let me write a blurb for the book and this is the ad that showed up in Suspense Magazine.
I am so excited for him. I never knew he had such an imagination and ability to spin such an intricate story. I must say, I'm a little jealous. I tried writing a suspense once. Still have it on my flash drive. While reviewing it I realized I am just too soft to write with such edge. Maybe someday. But in the meantime read this book.
Monday, August 29, 2011
another book
Many of you know I'm a Tim Tebow fan. He came out with a book in May, and I just got around to buying it. If you are a sports fan, you'll like the book. If you like reading inspiring books, you'll like this book as well. It is called Through My Eyes. He recounts all the events leading up to where he is today in the NFL.
I must say, I started feeling guilty sitting there reading the book as he was talking about all the work he does. I would always end up putting down the book after 20 min of reading to go do something useful ha. He really does have an amazing work ethic. It's also a very convicting read. He lives a life that puts most Christians to shame. Myself included. He talks about how just using the talents and abilities God gave us naturally isn't enough. That we are required to give our very best and to make those natural abilities even better so that it is a good reflection of our Creator. He speaks of how important his witness is and how upset he gets when people take their Christian witness lightly. That is how people see Christ, it isn't to be taken lightly.
There are parts that I feel I need a translator for when he's talking through all the big games at UF and calling out plays. I have no clue what he is talking about ha. Regardless, I highly recommend this book. Very inspiring read.
I must say, I started feeling guilty sitting there reading the book as he was talking about all the work he does. I would always end up putting down the book after 20 min of reading to go do something useful ha. He really does have an amazing work ethic. It's also a very convicting read. He lives a life that puts most Christians to shame. Myself included. He talks about how just using the talents and abilities God gave us naturally isn't enough. That we are required to give our very best and to make those natural abilities even better so that it is a good reflection of our Creator. He speaks of how important his witness is and how upset he gets when people take their Christian witness lightly. That is how people see Christ, it isn't to be taken lightly.
There are parts that I feel I need a translator for when he's talking through all the big games at UF and calling out plays. I have no clue what he is talking about ha. Regardless, I highly recommend this book. Very inspiring read.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
a highlighter worthy read
I just realized that I haven't shared with you some of my favorite books, and that is such a major flaw on my part. I LOVE reading. I'm currently sitting in a library surrounded by them and just can't decide where to start. I'm always reading. Of course, I haven't done much of that lately because #1 I've been pretty busy, but #2 I'm also working on writing my book so I don't want to clutter my mind or get sidetracked. Therefore this library is a supreme temptation to me.
I've always read a lot. My family constantly teased me about my addiction. But I learned how to ignore them. I used to have to lock myself in the bathroom, sometimes climbing into the empty tub fully clothed to read a chapter or two in silence. Then I got used to them and now I can read in the middle of a crowded room and block them all out. A couple members of my family have no interest in reading. Recently though, I have talked Shay into reading my number one favorite (to be shared later), since then she has pretty much been reading nonstop. I find it so funny to see her "addicted" like I've always been.
I want to share with you my top five fiction and non-fiction books. Then again I may not stop at five, who knows where this may go. I'll post a link to Amazon.com for each book. I'm thinking they should give me a discount or something for all this advertisement. Just a thought.
Today, I'll share with you one of the hardest yet smallest books I have ever read. Calvary Road by Roy Hession is a much needed but excruciating look in the mirror. I highly recommend this book for every Christian. I ended up highlighting most of the entire book, and cried through a majority of it. I had to read it as part of a counseling class I took a few years ago. The class was called Self Confrontation, and dealt with self counseling. This book really made me re-evaluate all I had thought about myself and my walk with Christ. It was the first of six books I had to read for the class. Each one taught me more and more. However, this book is an excellent place to start. I reread it every year now just as a reminder.
It is an old book. I think it was written about fifty years ago. But what it is teaching is timeless. I love the analogies Hession uses throughout the book. For example, Calvary Road. He explains how, as Christians, we are all traveling this road to the cross. The entrance requires you to be bent and broken before Him to get through. The road is very narrow and you run the risk of falling off. I John 1:5-7 says:
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Hession points out that this road to Calvary requires you to walk in light. The moment we allow sin to enter, we fall off the road and into darkness. I won't give away too much of the book, but I found myself thinking about how much of my life I spent thinking I was on the straight and narrow. After reading this book, I realized I've actually been walking in the ditch on the side of the road. It was humbling and eye-opening.
It definitely puts you in your place, but when it comes to things that involve my relationship with Christ I would rather be put in my place and hurting then walking ignorantly and aimlessly in the ditch.
I promise to give you a more light-hearted read after this, but I promise you won't regret reading this one even if you do find yourself in tears and covered with highlighter ink.
I've always read a lot. My family constantly teased me about my addiction. But I learned how to ignore them. I used to have to lock myself in the bathroom, sometimes climbing into the empty tub fully clothed to read a chapter or two in silence. Then I got used to them and now I can read in the middle of a crowded room and block them all out. A couple members of my family have no interest in reading. Recently though, I have talked Shay into reading my number one favorite (to be shared later), since then she has pretty much been reading nonstop. I find it so funny to see her "addicted" like I've always been.
I want to share with you my top five fiction and non-fiction books. Then again I may not stop at five, who knows where this may go. I'll post a link to Amazon.com for each book. I'm thinking they should give me a discount or something for all this advertisement. Just a thought.
Today, I'll share with you one of the hardest yet smallest books I have ever read. Calvary Road by Roy Hession is a much needed but excruciating look in the mirror. I highly recommend this book for every Christian. I ended up highlighting most of the entire book, and cried through a majority of it. I had to read it as part of a counseling class I took a few years ago. The class was called Self Confrontation, and dealt with self counseling. This book really made me re-evaluate all I had thought about myself and my walk with Christ. It was the first of six books I had to read for the class. Each one taught me more and more. However, this book is an excellent place to start. I reread it every year now just as a reminder.
It is an old book. I think it was written about fifty years ago. But what it is teaching is timeless. I love the analogies Hession uses throughout the book. For example, Calvary Road. He explains how, as Christians, we are all traveling this road to the cross. The entrance requires you to be bent and broken before Him to get through. The road is very narrow and you run the risk of falling off. I John 1:5-7 says:
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Hession points out that this road to Calvary requires you to walk in light. The moment we allow sin to enter, we fall off the road and into darkness. I won't give away too much of the book, but I found myself thinking about how much of my life I spent thinking I was on the straight and narrow. After reading this book, I realized I've actually been walking in the ditch on the side of the road. It was humbling and eye-opening.
It definitely puts you in your place, but when it comes to things that involve my relationship with Christ I would rather be put in my place and hurting then walking ignorantly and aimlessly in the ditch.
I promise to give you a more light-hearted read after this, but I promise you won't regret reading this one even if you do find yourself in tears and covered with highlighter ink.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
chocolate chronicles revived???
Several years ago, a book caught my attention, "Secrets of An Irresistible Woman." Ooh I wanted to be that! I bought it and subsequently highlighted the heck out of it. Turned out to be the continuation to a book titled "What To Do Until Love Finds You." Bought that one too. I was in and out of relationships at the time and they really helped me gain perspective, pointing my focus away from lovey dovey relationships to my relationship with God. I remember thinking to myself I want to write like this woman! But I was too insecure in my inexperience and lack of knowledge.
Years passed by and the desire to help young people find a Biblical perspective on dating still sat in the back of my mind but my insecurities were always greater. I needed motivation...fuel. That fuel came a little over two years ago. I was was so fired up about a conversation that had taken over all the common areas of the college I was at. It worked its way into the dorms, and a lot of people were heated up about it. People were stating opinions openly and things were being revealed about how people really viewed dating.
See dating isn't Biblical. You can search and search but you will not find it. There are many things that can be applied to a dating relationship but there is no Biblical mandate for how it should be done. Because of this, the Christian dating scene is in crisis.
At that moment two years ago when I realized all of this, I started unofficially blogging on my Facebook page in the Notes section, calling it Chocolate Chronicles. I started doing what God had planted in my mind years ago, but again I began to feel unqualified. I wanted to study it more and become more knowledgeable before I wrote anymore. But life happened and soon it was put on the back back burner of a house I had long since moved out of, completely forgotten.
This week I was scanning my news feed on Facebook and noticed someone posted a link to a blog called "How to Live Your Great Love Story." Curious, I clicked on it and read. I thoroughly enjoyed all the points the author made and finished it thinking I'm going to share this with every young and single person I know. They need to know this stuff. So I did. I posted the link on my Facebook wall and went back to the blog to post a comment (I liked it that much). That's when I noticed the amount of controversy this blog had generated. It floored me. I got so worked up I posted a reply to one of the negative comments, giving her a little piece of my mind.
The next day I checked back and realized the blog post had been deleted. The author explained that he did not realize how offensive some people had taken it so to not further offend anyone he was removing it to give it more thought and consideration before reposting it later on down the road.
Why was this blog on dating so controversial to so many Christians? Why does talking about it get so many riled up and create so many volatile reactions from so many people? Why is it that our current state of dating within the Christian bubble causes so many broken people filled with regret? And why do we continue in this destructive manner?
So the Bible doesn't have a mandate to follow to the letter. Does that mean we follow what society dictates? What is the solution? This has once again stirred up so much within me. Ok so I'm inexperienced. Ok so I'm not an expert in this area. I don't think I care any more. I'm sick of this current state and I want answers. I'm determined to find them. Nancy Drew move over!
How's a woman to act? Do you play hard to get? Or is that a game of manipulation? Do you be honest and forth coming but not too honest lest you scare him away? How important of a role does attraction play? Should it be more important than what is on the inside or be even? What are the physical boundaries? Do they differ with each couple? What are the emotional boundaries? What does it really mean to guard your heart and who's responsibility is that?
I know I am not the only single girl who thinks about these very questions. I may over think everything, but hey someone has to.
Years passed by and the desire to help young people find a Biblical perspective on dating still sat in the back of my mind but my insecurities were always greater. I needed motivation...fuel. That fuel came a little over two years ago. I was was so fired up about a conversation that had taken over all the common areas of the college I was at. It worked its way into the dorms, and a lot of people were heated up about it. People were stating opinions openly and things were being revealed about how people really viewed dating.
See dating isn't Biblical. You can search and search but you will not find it. There are many things that can be applied to a dating relationship but there is no Biblical mandate for how it should be done. Because of this, the Christian dating scene is in crisis.
At that moment two years ago when I realized all of this, I started unofficially blogging on my Facebook page in the Notes section, calling it Chocolate Chronicles. I started doing what God had planted in my mind years ago, but again I began to feel unqualified. I wanted to study it more and become more knowledgeable before I wrote anymore. But life happened and soon it was put on the back back burner of a house I had long since moved out of, completely forgotten.
This week I was scanning my news feed on Facebook and noticed someone posted a link to a blog called "How to Live Your Great Love Story." Curious, I clicked on it and read. I thoroughly enjoyed all the points the author made and finished it thinking I'm going to share this with every young and single person I know. They need to know this stuff. So I did. I posted the link on my Facebook wall and went back to the blog to post a comment (I liked it that much). That's when I noticed the amount of controversy this blog had generated. It floored me. I got so worked up I posted a reply to one of the negative comments, giving her a little piece of my mind.
The next day I checked back and realized the blog post had been deleted. The author explained that he did not realize how offensive some people had taken it so to not further offend anyone he was removing it to give it more thought and consideration before reposting it later on down the road.
Why was this blog on dating so controversial to so many Christians? Why does talking about it get so many riled up and create so many volatile reactions from so many people? Why is it that our current state of dating within the Christian bubble causes so many broken people filled with regret? And why do we continue in this destructive manner?
So the Bible doesn't have a mandate to follow to the letter. Does that mean we follow what society dictates? What is the solution? This has once again stirred up so much within me. Ok so I'm inexperienced. Ok so I'm not an expert in this area. I don't think I care any more. I'm sick of this current state and I want answers. I'm determined to find them. Nancy Drew move over!
How's a woman to act? Do you play hard to get? Or is that a game of manipulation? Do you be honest and forth coming but not too honest lest you scare him away? How important of a role does attraction play? Should it be more important than what is on the inside or be even? What are the physical boundaries? Do they differ with each couple? What are the emotional boundaries? What does it really mean to guard your heart and who's responsibility is that?
I know I am not the only single girl who thinks about these very questions. I may over think everything, but hey someone has to.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
grace
I've started a new Bible study this week. It's by Beth Moore which means that it is excellent. It doesn't matter what the topic is, she always does an excellent job digging into the Bible and highlighting things that cause me to think harder and push myself more than any other author has before. She teaches me that nothing compares to spending time in the Word of God, and that is the way it should be. This particular devotional is on the life of David. It's called David: 90 Days With A Heart Like His.
I'm only on day two so far, but I love it already. Moore points out how David was not a random choice for the throne in I Samuel 16, but was a planned and orchestrated choice by God. She speaks of his prominent role in the lineage of Christ. She says, "I never fail to be encouraged by Christ's heritage. How do you respond to the fact that the only perfect person in Christ's genealogy is Christ Himself? To me, Christ's flawed family history serves as a continual reminder of the grace of God in my life. In my human desire for perfection, I want to be so good that I need no one and no thing....But whenever my perfectionism kicks in, I run back to Scripture--to the only source of perfection (Rom. 3:23-24)."
God's grace is so astonishing to me. It is unfathomable. When I think of myself and all of my flaws and weaknesses, I get consumed with my own uselessness. It is so refreshing and encouraging to be reminded that God uses people in spite of their flaws and weaknesses.
There is a series written by Francine Rivers called Lineage of Grace. It's the stories of the five most unlikely women who were divinely placed within the lineage of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. To read about these women and their lives and see how God used them in such a mighty way is a great reminder that He can use any of us as long as we are willing. I highly recommend these books. They are each quick reads and its now been published in one volume unlike the five individual books I originally bought.
So today I ask you to think about what is holding you back. Is it fear? As Beth Moore says, "What's been the cost of not letting the Holy Spirit be in total control of your life?" How can you change that?
Let yourself be taken away by His grace. As it says in my favorite song "If grace were an ocean, we'd be sinking." So find hope in that and let go of all the rest. Who knows what God has in store for you.
I'm only on day two so far, but I love it already. Moore points out how David was not a random choice for the throne in I Samuel 16, but was a planned and orchestrated choice by God. She speaks of his prominent role in the lineage of Christ. She says, "I never fail to be encouraged by Christ's heritage. How do you respond to the fact that the only perfect person in Christ's genealogy is Christ Himself? To me, Christ's flawed family history serves as a continual reminder of the grace of God in my life. In my human desire for perfection, I want to be so good that I need no one and no thing....But whenever my perfectionism kicks in, I run back to Scripture--to the only source of perfection (Rom. 3:23-24)."
God's grace is so astonishing to me. It is unfathomable. When I think of myself and all of my flaws and weaknesses, I get consumed with my own uselessness. It is so refreshing and encouraging to be reminded that God uses people in spite of their flaws and weaknesses.
There is a series written by Francine Rivers called Lineage of Grace. It's the stories of the five most unlikely women who were divinely placed within the lineage of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. To read about these women and their lives and see how God used them in such a mighty way is a great reminder that He can use any of us as long as we are willing. I highly recommend these books. They are each quick reads and its now been published in one volume unlike the five individual books I originally bought.
So today I ask you to think about what is holding you back. Is it fear? As Beth Moore says, "What's been the cost of not letting the Holy Spirit be in total control of your life?" How can you change that?
Let yourself be taken away by His grace. As it says in my favorite song "If grace were an ocean, we'd be sinking." So find hope in that and let go of all the rest. Who knows what God has in store for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)