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I do not consider myself a photographer by any means but I managed to capture a portion of the beauty in this sunrise.  Recently, one autumn morning, caught a glimpse of this beautiful sunrise as I was walking across campus. Who says 7:30 cross-country practice can’t have its perks??

I was able to finally put my amazing goodwill find to use: a frog fan. I set it on one of the old chairs I would eventually be painting.

Layer one! It was nice to have help!

 I forgot to mention that i purchased the paint at Lowes for a really good price! The exact color is called: Caruso from Oympic paint company

The painting continues:

 Fyi: don’t walk on plastic bags that have wet paint dripped on them….

 I found that painting the chairs were a much more difficult task compared to the table. Violet Eclipse is the paint I used for two of the chairs (and hopefully some future designs on the table).

Finished Product

This past week one of my roommates moved out of my apartment and left behind an end-table that she did not want. While deciding what to do with it, I had this ridiculous idea to spice it up a little…I just felt bad for it because it looked so dreary. I knew that the phrase “less is more” definitely did not apply to this piece of furniture.

Buttons and hot glue.

Recently, my great Uncle gave me a new sowing machine and a huge tin of gorgeous buttons. I think in the back of my mind I’ve been looking for a way to put these adorable, round pieces to good use. Voila!  Plain end-table + buttons = solution to all my “problems”. After brainstorming for a minute or two I decided that making a row across the top of the edge would be the most sufficient way for me to complete this project.  This way, I could use a variety of sizes and fill the next row(s) in the same way until the entire edge was covered. The bottom row was the trickiest because it was necessary to find a find a precise size but was not impossible!

Hot glue was a quick/clean way to get them to stick. I simply glued each button in the first row and let the excess string of glue hang down on each button until I completed the entire row; to which I would then gently pull off the strings.

Movin’ along

3 sides to go.

Curving Around

Essentially I have told you everything you need to know to complete this simple, yet dazzling project. It is important to make sure that on the edges of each side the buttons are aligned in order to keep the buttons from sticking out on the corners. These photos demonstrate the “curving around” process.

 Finishin’ Up

Other than hot gluing the final two sides of the table, I checked for any loose strings from the glue gun hanging off the table/buttons. I think this project was an example that a little detail can make a huge difference if you are looking for a way to make plain furniture more exciting for a low to minimum cost.

 Many times when I run alone I wear my i-pod.  I think I convinced myself that this helps me run faster and that it keeps me focused. Fearing that the potential rain would leave me with a broken i-pod, I left the music at home yesterday and ventured out for my tempo run. I was amazed at how clearly I was able to think and reflect, just from hearing the sound of my own breathing. I could recognize that every step I was taking from a gift from my Father. The silence gave me a chance to pray and thank God for all of the blessings in my life.

 I took a good, hard look and recognized that sometimes I try to hide behind music. Even if it is music that is edifying, I have noticed that I am guilty of using music as a way to stop thinking and dealing with life. It’s like I flick the power switch to off and my thoughts become empty and possibly even polluted. From yesterday’s simple run on the first day of the year I discovered that I have a greater desire to be motivated by God alone! Music can be amazing, helpful, encouraging, and powerful but I do not want to depend on it.While striving to have this attitude,  I hope to appreciate music even more.

I found this article today by Diane Montgomery. As a daughter of Christ, I believe it is important to seek the words of wisdom from older Christian women to remain humble and grow in the faith. This reminded me that striving for purity has a purpose that is so beautiful and significant!

This is from Campbell’s 1-2-3 Dinner cookbook.

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup…(I used a more generic kind and it worked fine!)

1 package (about 9 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables (mine included broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) , thawed (about 2 cups)

1 cup cubed cooked chicken (I added some garlic powder while cooking)

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose baking mix

Step 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (although I prefer 350)~cook chicken and cube.

Step 2. In 9-inch pie plate (approximately!) mix soup, vegetables and chicken

Step 3. Mix milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over chicken mixture. Bake 30 minutes or until golden (took me closer to 40 minutes but could be because I baked at a lower temperature)

*Doubling the recipe is simple!

*I used three pieces of boneless chicken and it was enough for two pies.

*Also, I whipped up an extra step 3 and split the batter between the two pies for extra crusty baking mix! It baked nicely and did not overflow.

*Biscuits go really well with this recipe along with some green beans! Below are the pictures I took to capture the yummy-ness. Can’t wait to eat some left-overs later!

I find this verse to be thought-provoking. Job is crying out; asking if there is any way that a mere man can preserve his innocence. As I was reading this I wondered, do people in the current generations cry out to understand the meaning of purity? Do I even strive for true purity according to God’s standards?

What does purity mean? I really enjoy looking definitions to words up to understand their literal meanings and then compare them to my original impression(s) and thought(s) associated with them. (Silly, I know!) So I searched the definition of purity.

2. freedom from any admixture or modifying addition.

3. ceremonial or ritual cleanness.

4.freedom from guilt or evil; innocence.

5. physical chastity; virginity.

6. freedom from foreign or inappropriate elements; careful correctness: purity of expression.

(Initially my mind takes me to number five’s meaning, but obviously just from this list there are deeper roots.)

I grew up during my teenage years in a youth group atmosphere. Despite this, somehow I got the idea that purity strictly meant waiting until marriage to have sex. Of course there were warnings about too much alone time with a person of the opposite sex, yet I had no deeper drive to refrain from sprinting to that forbidden line.  Maybe it was because I didn’t want to accept a list of do’s and don’ts to “limit my life.” I have had a promise ring for many years. For a long time it was my justification to get as close to that line as possible with a “clear conscience.” All of those days left me feeling degraded. I couldn’t understand. I was following the rules, right? I never had sex. I prayed. I even dated people who professed to be christians. What more could I do? This was a question that I wrestled with for a really long time.

Through the mistakes I have made and above all, by searching the Word of God, I am beginning to understand that there is much more to purity. God wants us to protect our physical, emotional, and spiritual purity. (Which I hope to expound upon.) Psalm 119:9 summarizes how this is possible.“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

Relationships are not designed for our own selfish desires. Even though we are all sinners, relationships can be beautiful. The beauty stems from the attitude that the relationship is a way to give glory to God. (Col. 3:17) This attitude alone is a gift from God that we must seek Him for. It is not possible to stir up a true God centered attitude by our own strength.

I am learning I must not become consumed by another person but let the Holy Spirit consume me.

I must use godly wisdom.

I must have accountability with faithful, God-fearing women.

I must continue to realize that without the person I am in a relationship with I could still live; and have so much to live for, which is Christ!

I believe that purity is a vital subject whether you are in a relationship, embracing singleness, or brokenhearted. As God teaches me and convicts my heart it is my hope that I can write more on the subject.

So I thought I would start with a song that has caught my attention lately. This song entitled “Background” by Lecrae stresses…

•  we are nothing without God
•  we need to let God be in control, even though our flesh wants power
•  God is sovereign

(I bolded some lines in the verses that strongly caught my attention)

Lyrics.

I could play the background
I could play the background
‘Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 1:
It’s evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I’ll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I’m sticking to your script, and I’m reading all your signs
I don’t need my name in lights, I don’t need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I’m just going lose my soul?
And my ways ain’t purified, don’t live according to Your Word
I can’t endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dancer for a pop star
‘Cause we all play the background, but mine’s a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I’ll be stage right
Praying the whole world would start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
‘Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessin’
That I’m not that impressive, matter of fact
I’m who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

I could play the background
I could play the background
‘Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 2:
Yo, I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank
So I don’t want to take the lead, ’cause I’m prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me, goin’ end up in the wrong place
So just let me shadow you, just let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
‘Cause if I do this by myself, I’m scared that I’ll succeed
And no longer trust in You, ’cause I only trust in me
And see, that’s how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothin’
You pulled my card, I’m bluffin’, You know what’s in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust you, You cause the dice to land
I’m in control of nothing, follow You at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
And man, I’m so at ease, I’m so content
I’ll play the background, like it’s an instrument

I could play the background
I could play the background
‘Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Bridge:
I know I’m safest when I’m in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I’m dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain’t got no time to play life’s foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?
And it’s a shame, the way I want to do these things for You, yet
Don’t even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You
It seems like You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it’s ’cause she never heard of this

I could play the background
I could play the background
‘Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

I could play the background
I could play the background
‘Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHnZRZiCYHE

//

It would be difficult for me to not share about my Welsh-corgi puppy Willow (even though she may not technically be a pup anymore!). My family brought her home about one year ago to the date. July 6th 2009 to be exact! I was in utter shock that she was actually home with us. I planned it out so that my cousin Brooke and two aunts were at our house (because they thought we were going for an evening walk), right before we brought her home. It was so exciting when they saw her little pointy ears and fox-like face. The markings on her face were so distinct when she was little, she literally could be mistaken for a tiny fox!

Last summer we found out that Willow’s brother RJ was bought by a family that lives near us. In fact they own a local mini-golf course. So we took Willow down to see her bro! It was so cute. They ran around for an hour without stopping. It was as though you could tell they were related because they were in their own little competitive world! (And I think my brother Jake and I enter that world often!)

My family has always been crazy about dogs! Or at least it seems that way. When my mom was close to my age and still living at home, she convinced my grandparents to let her bring home a dog from a shelter. His name was Bandit. Over the years my mom moved out and left Bandit at home. (Which I’m sure is going to happen with me and Willow.) My grandfather fell in love with Bandit and I’m pretty sure they were best friends. There are pictures of my brother, Cousin Brooke, and me playing with Bandit as little kids. It’s an amazing thought to think Willow could know my future children! Wow! Bandit lived to be 16 years old and had a wonderful life until the very end when he got sick. It was easy to see how much my grandparents loved Bandit by the way they struggled to say goodbye to him. Now my grandparents have Buddy. Oh Buddy! He is such a fun, silly dog! I’m pretty sure he has anxiety disorder because he frequently lets out a long piercing yelp, which I have to admit at times is pretty hilarious! Our family is full of loving creatures. My Aunt Kathy and Uncle Frank had Buffy for 13 years! She was part poodle, part schnauzer. I feel like I grew up with her! I was the same age as her. So today she would be 20! She would love hiking and running around the yard as a spraying hose would splash us kids in the summertime. Now they have little Max. I used to go work with my Mom and Aunt in the summer. They would clean for the family that owned Max. Poor thing was so neglected and dirty. I didn’t seem to mind his smelly-ness! I loved playing with him for hours; neglecting the work I was supposed to be doing. Years later, Aunt Kathy ended up adopting him! Now I didn’t have to wait every month to see him, and most importantly he got a wonderful home! I can’t leave out my Aunt Linda and Brooke’s doggy, lil’ angel. Okay, so many over the past 10+ years I’ve made jokes about how I don’t like Angel that much. I think I’m just putting on a hoax for fun! When I was a little kid, I was over Brooke’s house and had a brand-new, sparkling hair clip. I dropped it on the ground for TWO SECONDS! Angel swooped down like a hawk and swallowed it whole! It took a little while, but I think I forgive her now! I have to admit, the family would not be the same without Angie around.

One of the most difficult things about having Willow is that I don’t get to see her the majority of the year. I’m usually off to college down in Pittsburgh. It is really tough to make a trip home with cross-country and track all year long! I suppose it just makes our reunions all the sweeter. I think it helps mom and dad to have her around. (Although my mom may have replaced her with me haha) I am thankful that God designed such wonderful creatures as dogs. Willow reminds me of God’s blessings. She makes me smile so much. So thank you God for the blessings of doggies!