journeys

I can’t tell you how sad I am to be saying goodbye to this blog space.  I’ve really loved it over the last 5 years.  I have no idea if this space will be gone tomorrow or in the near future (or ever, really), but I will always cherish it.  I’m glad I don’t have to say goodbye to all the posts I’ve made over the years.  You can head over here to see my new dwellings.  It’s pretty nifty.

I did it.  I posted every day for an entire month.  Sure, a lot of the posts were about nothing, but I did it.  It feels good.  I picked this month because it’s also NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) where people write 50k of a new novel over the month.  I’m not really interested in participating in that but I liked the idea of writing every day.  Anyway, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and now I can check it off my bucket list as it were. :)

I’ve found a place to host my "new" blog.  Before I link it I want to make sure that everything is up to snuff.  I’ll be sharing that here as soon as it’s ready.

The major project is finally finished!  I’m so excited to share it here.  I got the inspiration for this from this blog and revamped it a lot.  I made a bag and the book that I shared here and I definitely did not spend as little as she did on her version.  I think this is my favorite project of the year.  It took a lot of work and time but it was totally worth it.  I think it’s really fun and I can’t wait to give it to my nieces and nephew.

cookie sheet before:

and after:

Unfortunately I didn’t take a real before shot, before I sanded it down.  It was pretty gnarly looking, let me tell ya.  Now it looks practically brand new!

the fabric before:

and the bag after:

close up zipper:

Jason happened to see this fabric when we were browsing and I thought it was so fun and perfect for travel games.  I wanted to preserve the panel as much as possible and I thought a long time before I actually started working on the project, making sure I was utilizing the piece as much as possible.  I really dig the colors and the whimsical nature of the drawings.  And even though I really hate working with zippers and this one was no different, it came out pretty well.  Fun and functional.

the whole shebang:

Well, except for the book.  But there are seven games, four pens, one spinner, nine dice, and a whole bunch of game pieces (including extras in case any are lost).

close up sorry spinner:

I’m really excited about how this came out.  Dad figure out how to make it look so much like the cards.  I love the vibrant colors on this too.  I had a bit of a difficult time with this sorry board.  I couldn’t really find any good pictures online so I ended up scanning the board we have.  given that the board is larger than a normal scanning area it was hard to make sure all the surface was scanned so that it would line up correctly.  It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close.

the pieces:

I love these containers.  We got them at Michaels and they are so perfect.  They have really strong magnets on the bottom and stack really well.  When placed in the front pocket they make nice weights to keep the flap down.  And there was an extra that we get to keep! :)

Like I said, I loved this project.  There were so many fun and challenging pieces to it and the end result is one I’m proud of.  Technically I could consider this to be six projects in one: the book, the bag, the cookie sheet, the game boards, the spinner, the pieces.  But that would be a lot more posts than I’d want to make.  I’m happy to report that my original new year’s goal is more than complete.  Yay!  And I have at least one more project I’m working on. :)

I am so blessed.  This list will by no means cover everything, nor will it even scratch the surface.  But here we go nonetheless.  In no particular order. . .

Family (immediate, extended, adopted):

I have a wonderful support system and I’m so grateful for everyone in it.

Nature and the changing seasons:

I am always amazed at the beauty that I find around me.  I sometimes feel like the universe is sharing a secret with me when I’m able to capture it in the simplest of things.

 Despite all its flaws, I am thankful to be born in the USA:

I have so much freedom because I was born here.  I can’t believe how simple and profound that is and I’m so thankful that it’s mine.

I’m thankful for my salvation:

While aspects of faith are still not clear (and some I suspect will never be, otherwise why would I need God?), I am so thankful for the simple message that I am saved because God decided to sacrifice His son for me.  Avoiding eternal damnation creates a strong sense of gratitude.

I love our babies:

They are crazy and frustrating and cute and cuddly and silly and and and.  They are extremely precious to me.

And I love my job.  I am so blessed to work with the people I do.  They really care about the services we provide our clients and working well with the rest of the team in the office.  My supervisor is an amazing woman: humble, gentle, kind, affirming.  She is willing to hear my questions and really work through problems with me.  I appreciate the grace she extends to me.  And I really love the other people in my unit, people who are open to help out and lend a hand or go the extra mile.  I love my clients (even if they really frustrate me at times, but really, who doesn’t?) and that I’m able to really feel like I’m making a difference in their lives.  I love getting to know them and their quirks, how I can treat them with respect and how I can best support them.  They are all beautiful individuals and I’m so blessed to get to work with them.  God is showing me the beauty in every person and it makes my work with them go that much smoother.

I live a charmed life.  I’ve been given so much and I only hope that at the end of the day, I’ve given all I can to make the world a better place. 

We had a group of friends over to play "Quelf" and now I’m too tired to do the thankful post.  Tomorrow.  Maybe.

I just discovered the blogsome is closing down after December 7th. This makes me really sad as I have been using them since 2006. I do want to do a “thankful” post but we’re at my in-laws’ house and I’m writing this on my phone. Also. I’m really bummed about this blog. I’ll figure something out and redirect as appropriate.

Is this going to be an annual thing?  I really hope not.  Last Thanksgiving I got really sick.  I was throwing up like crazy (lovely, right?) and all the nurses at work told me we shouldn’t go back home as planned.  We didn’t listen I was not up to eating much the whole weekend.  This year I’m not as sick but I am feeling the beginning of a cold/flu thing coming on.  I’m trying to fight it but we’re not gonna be able to leave tonight as planned.  Boo.  I hope this isn’t becoming a Thanksgiving tradition.

At least I’ve got a really cute kitty cuddling with me. :)

We went to a movie tonight with friends.  And while it was not an especially violent or sexualized movie, it was rated PG-13 and I don’t think it’s appropriate for anyone under 16 to see it.  Seriously, I think they should have a rating between PG-13 and R, that’s really a huge gap.  Anyway, it’s irritating on several different levels.  One, the kid was sitting behind me and starting kicking my seat somewhere along the line.  Also, he kept asking his parents what was going on as a lot of the dialog and such went over his head (if he could even see over the back of the chair, I didn’t check).  Also, I’m not sure children of that age should be watching those kinds of things.  And someone brought their infant into the theatre.  What is up?  You really couldn’t find a babysitter?  And if you’re child is too young to be left with a babysitter, you probably shouldn’t be taking him or her to the movies with you anyway.  It’s okay to take a break from movie going to raise your child, really.  Last time we came to this particular theatre we went to see "Cowboys and Aliens" (surprisingly okay) and I swear the same people with the baby were there.  They sat in the same spot, somewhere in the very back row over on the right.

Ranting aside, I do think it’s unhealthy to bring young children to movies.  I’m of the mind that thinks children shouldn’t even be exposed to screens until they’re at least 3, and even then pretty limited.  I know, I’m not a parent yet and the t.v. is a great way to get things done while they’re distracted.  And I’m not saying parents who do that are wrong, I just don’t agree with that philosophy.  I’ve known plenty of parents who raised their children without the help of a screen.  I myself did not really grow up with a lot of t.v.  We didn’t even have one until I was at least 7, around the time we got our first computer.  It saddens me that children these days aren’t raised outside.  I know that the world is a dangerous place and not getting any better (or so ‘they’ say) but I think it’s a tragedy for children to spend all their lives inside.  The great outdoors are just that, pretty great.  I loved spending time outside with the neighborhood kids.  That’s the kind of childhood I want for my children.  Maybe we’ll move to a farm. . .

At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has things figured out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be okay.  And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow.  I don’t think there is any better worship than wonder.

- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller : page 206 : copyright 2003

Oh, Don, you’ve hit the nail right on the head.  I feel this so much right now.  So many times I want to throw up my hands and say, "who cares?"  There’s so much squabbling within the church over really stupid issues.  And sometimes I think we’re so focused on those issues that we miss the things that really matter.  And please don’t think I don’t appreciate what churches do, the positive things they have accomplished for many people the world over.  It’s just that we get so stuck in our in-house fighting that sometimes we miss the simple things, like loving people, caring for the widowed, the orphaned, the sick, and homeless.  Jesus’ message was not complicated, it was controversial, but it was not complicated.  And my God is bigger than our little boxes we attempt to put Him in.  Thank God for that.

I know it’s not over yet, but the weekends go by way too quickly.  We had our girls/guys sleepovers and I didn’t get nearly enough sleep (but you never do at sleepovers, they’re not very well named) so I’m thinking of taking a nap because I have to babysit in two hours.  Also, we had to take our boy kitty to the vet to get his vaccines.  He was so happy with us!  Not.  Anyway, I just think our weekends need to be at least three days long on a regular basis.  I had Veteran’s Day off last Friday and I really enjoyed having that extra day.  And this week I only have to work three days!  I really love Thanksgiving, and it’s not just because I have two paid holidays back-to-back (though that certainly helps).  I really love the family time, the good food, and the reminders of how blessed I am.  I mean, it’s pretty obvious on a daily basis how much God has given me, but it’s nice to have a day where we really dig deep in our thankfulness.  I love sitting around the table with family and being able to celebrate each other with each other.  It’s a really warm, wonderful feeling.  I really do love this time of year.

Oh, man.  So much stuff going on right now.  I’m currently making chili, rice, and bread.  (Also.  I’m writing this post.)  I shredded a butt-load of cheese earlier and I’m about to work on the "major project" that I’ve been talking about.  I should also make a phone call but I’m thinking I’ll let that sit until tomorrow.  Don’t want to overdo it too much.  My body does not move nearly as fast as my brain wishes it would.  Bummer, dude.

I’ve been furiously reading "Blue Like Jazz" and yes, I know, I’m super behind the times.  Everyone and their mom told me to read it and I wish I had already.  I’m borrowing it from a friend but I definitely need to own it.  If I had read it earlier, I would probably have read it about 4 times by now.  Seriously, I love it that much.

Another thing I love?  This.  Jason bought one last year and while it’s technically his, I’m definitely taking advantage of it.  I’ve loaded a ton of classic literature on it and I’ve already read Dracula (which I LOVED btw, wasn’t expecting that).  My friend pointed this out to me, totally amazing and awesome.  I’m so glad we’re Prime members.

And tomorrow is the girls’ sleep over.  Ah, life is sweet.

As much as I can’t wait to live closer to our families, I’m so in love with the community we’ve created here.  We’re in two different life groups, one which has been meeting for over two and a half years.  These people have become my extended family.  As crazy and tragic as life is sometimes, those nights are my oasis.  I love sharing our lives together, I love laughing, crying, celebrating the Sabbath, eating together (we just had a fondue party :).  On Friday we’re having a girls and guys sleep over.  This will be our third time doing this.  The guys will probably play video games all night and we’ll probably stay up way too late talking about anything and everything.  The first time we did it a few of us ended up staying up until four in the morning.  I really love these people and I’m thankful everyday that God chose to bring us together.

this was taken over a year ago and we’re missing Dave, Holly, and Laura

I’m a self-righteous, lustful, sinful, hateful, angry, depressed jerk…I’m jealous.  I’m deceitful. I’m impatient.  I’m judgmental.  I’m selfish.  I’m all this and more.  I’m a human who needs You.  Badly.

I am perfect.  I love you.  I created you.  You are beautiful.  You may be sinful, but through me, you are perfect.

Feb 15, 2004

*******

I wrote this when I was 16. . .8 years ago.  Weird.  It’s interesting seeing how much I’ve changed over the years, and how much has remained the same.  Obviously some of those qualities are ones I wish weren’t still part of me, but really, who’s completely satisfied with themselves?

Bed calls.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the "Christian experience."  It seems that most people have negative connotations surrounding the word "Christian."  But when speaking about Jesus, most people have very positive things to say, how he loved people and showed mercy and grace.  Unfortunately most Christians are a poor reflection of Jesus and the way he lived his life.  Of course, we are only human and we make all kinds of blunders of the simplest things, but sometimes there’s no excuse.  I find it so ironic that many non-Christian people I’ve met seem like they really are Christians.  I’ve recently made a friend who says he’s an Atheist because he hasn’t had an encounter with God yet.  But apparently a lot of people who talk to him say he’s an anonymous Christian, one who believes but just doesn’t know it yet.  I feel like I meet a lot of people like that.  I know there are people out there who are anti-theists, they believe that religion is actually harmful to society.  I can totally see where they are coming from.  Like I said, as humans we make a mess of things more often than not and those are the things that are highlighted.  I wish we were known for all the good we’ve done, all the positive things that Christ-followers have done for society and individuals.  Unfortunately what sticks out in most people’s minds are the negative things.  sigh

It is discouraging to me when I see how people like to pick and choose what their religion is, it’s like a buffet.  I’m on the fence about the whole "one destination, many paths."  I’d like to believe that God is loving and understanding enough that even those who don’t say they are Christians will, you know, not be eternally damned.  But I’m not totally sure.