Polka-dot Painted Flower Pot

Last Saturday was rainy and kinda cold and real nasty. So I braved the weather in my rolled-up jeans and Sperry's to run a few errands and get some lunch. I then retreated to my dry, warm house for the perfect afternoon combination of movie rest time and craft time.

Painting is one of my favorite crafts. I'm not very good at it, and things certainly don't look perfect, but it is fun and relaxing. Mixing a few colors together to create the perfect color, then adding in just a bit more of another color to make it even better. Love it. Makes me feel accomplished that I've created such a pretty color, just by swirling things around. So Saturday I painted a flower pot.

A few weeks ago in youth, Duncan passed these out to all of us as a reminder of something that we needed to work on in our lives. The world is a dark place, and it needs SON-light, and sunlight. And so do the hard parts of our lives. We were supposed to name our flower something that would remind us of what we needed to pray for in our lives. Mine was named after a friend that I've been praying about for a few months.

The growth of the plant was supposed to represent the growth of what we were praying for. And you know what? That friendship is stronger than ever. My plant has grown a lot, and so has our relationship. When we first got the plants, it was just the bulb in the dirt – and now look at it! No blooms yet, but it's a beautiful green. And I know one day the tulips will be beautiful too! As will the relationship with my friend. The friendship still has some bumps, but it's grown so much, and I know it will only continue to grow. And so will my tulip :)

And for those of you who've seen all the bottles I had painted in my St. Augustine apartment, this probably looks familiar. But it's my favorite design – I just had to use it again!

Predicament

I’ve been having some struggles this week, and I just want to write about it to get it off my chest a little bit – so, sorry for a slightly boring post…

Earlier in the week on Sunday night I said something rude to a good friend, and offended this person a whole lot. I immediately felt bad, tried to call them, and got the voicemail. I pseudo-apologized, and asked for a return call for a proper apology, but to no avail. After a few more attempts that night and the next day, I finally received my answer – “no we’re not ok, I don’t want to talk about it. Give me time.”

Not only was this NOT the answer I was hoping for, it is also NOT the way I usually handle problems. For example – a few weeks ago, a friend and I had an issue on a Saturday night. The next day after church and lunch, we met and talked about it. We ended up working everything out and we were fine. By that evening, we were laughing and sharing a pizza like nothing had happened. All good. And that’s how I like to handle my problems – talk it out, immediately.

But this time I can’t, because they don’t want to. And it’s really hard for me to actually leave it alone, and just allow time and space. It’s so opposite of what I want to do! But if this is what’s going to help our problem, then I guess that’s what I have to do. So I’m waiting. Not very patiently, but I’m trying.

And on top of this specific incident, I was told that I often say things without thinking about it first. It was a little shocking because it’s something I hadn’t been told before, but now it’s gotten me concerned that I’ve hurt others in the past, without even realizing it. So if that is true, please know that I’m sorry! I hope you all know that I would never want to hurt my friends intentionally.

So, please pray for me as I try to work on the things I say from now on, because the tongue is a difficult thing to tame. In fact, scripture tells us so. Read James 3:1-12; that’s what I’ll be working on. Here is an excerpt: “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so,” vs. 10.

Friends – please pray with me that this is a task I can accomplish, because it’s going to be hard. Love to you all.

(P.S. – if you are the person I’m referring to from Sunday, and you’re reading this, I’m still waiting. And I’m ready. So when you’re ready, I’ll still be here.)

Prayers of Praise

I just want to take a brief minute to express my praise right now! I’ve just been thinking about it a lot this morning (cuz work is real slow and I have plenty of time to think), and am so thankful for a pretty great life that I have right now. Of course things aren’t always pretty and perfect, but it’s all in the perspective of things…

ONE – I have a wonderful family. Sure – they get on my nerves pretty often, but for the most part, they’re awesome and I love them so very much. And my parents are letting me live rent free right now, and still providing so much for me, so how can I complain about that?!

TWO – I am making some truly amazing friends here now. When I first moved back home last May, I left an amazing community of friends and believers behind in St. Augustine, and I miss them dearly. But God is placing people in my life right now who are quickly becoming awesome friends! I love hanging out with these people, and am so excited to continue to grow our friendships.

THREE – I have a job. Granted, it’s not one that I love and want to be at forever, but God is providing, and that’s all I need right now! I should just be grateful that I’m at least getting a great paycheck.

FOUR – I have lived another pretty fantastic year. My year as a 22-year-old had some pretty great memories: graduating with honors from college, vacation to NYC with three great women, an amazing road trip with eight of my best friends for two weeks, a new job, a new laptop, making new friends, reconnecting with old friends, fun at FSU football games again, and so many other wonderful blessings. Thank you Lord for a great year! And now I’m ready to see what’s in store for my life as a 23-year-old, in just a few days!

So God – bring it on. With you by my side, a circle of support around me, and my heart tuned into you – I’m ready for another great year.

Love you friends.

Paperback & Hardcover

So last night while I was playing on my new computer, I was finally able to spend some time on the internet – which is abnormal for me usually. Over New Year’s weekend at the farm, my good friend Kaley Grant had told me about this cool website called Shelfari, and that I should join it, and that I should be her friend there. So last night I did. And it is pretty awesome.

It’s an online book shelf. And it actually even looks like a cute little bookshelf. You add titles of books, and a little icon of the book shows up on your shelf. Then you click whether you’ve already read it, if you’re currently reading it, or if you plan to read it. And then it kind of works like Twitter, where you can ‘follow’ other friends, and see their ratings of books.

I’m thinking this website is only cool if you’re a bookworm like me, but I really like it so far. And I’m excited to explore it a little further. I mean, I already have a GIANT list of books I want to read (I mean really giant – like over 60 books), but I’m looking forward to adding some more, based on stuff I find on Shelfari!

So, if you also like books and reading, then you should join it too. And we can share book recommendations together. Join, and then search for me, (by clicking this) and we can be friends in yet another online realm : )

Love to you all.

Potential Pianist

So I usually don't make New Year's Resolutions, well, because I think they're kinda dumb and pointless. I mean, who actually ends up keeping them all? And why can we only decide to do these things at the start of the New Year? Well, despite all that, I did actually do it this year - kinda. But instead of resolutions, I'm calling them GOALS. There are some serious things, and some fun things. But it's basically just a year-long To-Do List. Which I'm totally fine with - as anyone who knows my love for lists can attest to I'm sure. So I'm going to share them here, (a little late, yes, but at least it's happening!) And feel free to call me out if some of things don't get accomplished in the next 11-ish months!

1. Start practicing the piano again - and get good at it again!


2. Read 30 'fun' books - totally lost my zeal for reading this year


3. Read 20 'spiritual'/'helpful' books - totally lost my zeal for reading this year


4. Watch one movie a week (aka - keep up with Netflix) - CHECK


5. Cook dinner for my family twice a month - CHECK


6. Make a decision about Seminary - CHECK (not going for a least another couple of years)


7. Find a new job - one that could actually turn into a career


8. Weigh under ___ pounds - CHECK! (as of March 24-ish)


9. Get back into the habit of reading my Bible regularly


10. Learn to play the guitar - at least a little bit


11. Buy a new computer - CHECK!


12. Buy a 'big girl' camera - putting this off, cuz I got an iPhone instead!


13. Visit Bridget in Ohio


14. Blog twice a month - CHECK


15. Maintain both checking and savings accounts at $_,000 - CHECK


16. Go on another vacation with friends!

Seems like kind of a long list, but I think that I'm totally capable of these 16 things. Especially over the entire year. In fact, I'm pretty pumped about some of them. And I've already done one of them - I'm typing this on my new computer right now!!

I ask that you pray with me on the hard ones (#'s 6 & 7 especially please), and join with me on the fun ones. Wish me luck! Love yall.