Homemade Gifts

Just a short post to show you the things I made for Christmas this year.
If you don't know, I am big on homemade gifts. To me, giving a homemade gift shows my love for someone way more than a store bought gift, no matter the value. I just can't usually find a store bought gift that means the same.
I have given handmade gifts since I can remember- like age 3 or 4 probably. Now, my handmade gifts were pretty crummy up until, probably, high school or so. But now, I think I have definatly improved :) I also have unfortunately had to stop giving handmade gifts to about 7 family members ans 4 or 5 friends a year and narrow it down to just 2 or 3 people a year. Life is too busy right now to make much more. But, nonetheless, here's what I've done so far.


A simple, quick scarf for Cody's little sister, Echo. She is 8 now- and I thought a fluffy, soft, pink and purple scarf would be perfect. Made this one up in one night while watching a TV show on the laptop with Cody.

Thick and chunky, perfect for a cold Wisconsin winter. For Cody's Mom, Kristi. Vertical stripes in an irregular pattern.


One of my most beautiful crocheted creations to date! A scallop-y, lacy scarf for my beautiful friend, Celia. It was a fun, new pattern for me to figure out, started with a chain which ends up being in the middle, then you work down one side, building the scallops until you flip it and build the other side. Let me know if you want the pattern- it was easy to follow and quick to work up for being so complicated looking. I modified the pattern just a bit to make it longer and wider.

Doesn't she look like a perfect little doll? That is Evera, Celia's niece. In the car on the way to IKEA I decided to try to make a hat for her with some scrap yarn I had. It turned out a bit big, but she'll grow into it. Wish you could see the flower close up- its really nice!


Map Coasters- for Celia and Felix. I have never tried anything like this before, but thanks to Pintrest, I found this fun idea! Just use ceramic tiles from Home Depot, make color copies of maps from atlases checked out from the library, Modge Podge them on, and glue cork to the bottom. The 6 maps I used were of where Celia grew up, map of the college area they met at, where Felix grew up in Brazil, where they got married at, their first home/jobs, and their current home/jobs. The coasters turned out really nice- definatly will be making more of those!


Well- that's it for now. I have 2 days so I'm hoping some more homemade gifts will be happening!

December Life Summary

Ok- for the three friends out there that have now stopped checking this blog because I haven't written in a month, sorry! I've been busy doing life! But now I want to cram my last month of life into a blog post with potentially a lot of pictures. So here goes!

November 30- celebrated my 25th birthday! Can't believe I'm 25-holy moly! I was blessed with an awesome day- I got about 30 handmade cards from kids at school with really sweet things written in them, and some beautiful, heartfelt cards from close friends. Sweet husband got me really nice silver earrings, and a few friends came over for brownies and ice cream. What a great day!

Lovely ladies came to celebrate the big two-five. Husbands there too- sorry guys, didn't take a picture of you!

Dec 2- Light Up LaGrange-the choir kids that I help Celia with performed at this outdoor small-town Christmas festival. It was good times- they did great! I wish I could put a pic up of that, but I can't. I walked around with Celia's family who were in town for the occasion, and completed the night with homemade soup and hours of games, that may or may not have included one called "murder in the dark" until 2 am :)

Dec 4- My mom came into town for my 2nd annual Christmas Tea! It was super fun! This year I tried making scones and clotted cream- not as good as England but not bad. It was a blessed time with some of the very best friends a girl could ever ask for. Our time together went by too fast but we sang a few songs and were even treated with a drop in celloist :) The few who stuck around till the end even got to visit with none other than our lovely Emily Vacek!

Oh my, seriously, LOVE these girls! So glad mom got to be here to celebrate too!

Dec 5- Mom came to zumba with me!

Dec 6- our choir kids do 2 performances- one during the day time for the school and one a night for parents. Mom and Cody come to watch. The kids did great! I have really cute pictures of them signing a song (tear-jerker!) and playing recorders and xylophones, but can't post them to the blog, bummer. Whew- glad that is over though- a big weight lifted off my shoulders now that the performaces are done!

Dec 7- Go to a beautiful orchestra and choir concert to hear Felix play cello for a church. They sounded amazing. It really helped get me in the Christmas spirit! Finished up the evening with BoomBozz, my first taste ever! It was delish pizza!

Dec 8- Zappos! Found cute boots on a great sale! yippee!

Dec 13- Christmas party afterschool for teachers and staff. Fun white elephant gift exchange.

Dec 15- Violas in town for a short visit- I get to catch up on life briefly with Jessi and Tim and hold my precious "nephew"!

Dec 16- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL praise the Lord! A fun but exhausting day with an assembly in the gym (by candelight), and Christmas parties in the afternoon.

Dec 17-18 ROAD TRIP with the Borgeses! Short little trip to Indy. We stayed in the Union Station Crowne Plaza Hotel which we got on Priceline for a great price. It was a fun hotel with old trains in it- though we were lame and didn't take any pictures on the trains. We went to the Indianapolis Children's choir concert- don't diss, they are really good. We celebrated Celia's bday by playing Nertz into the night. Fun Fun!!

For lunch on the way there we stopped in Columbus, IN (violas were out of town :( ) and ate at a cute little ice cream parlor.

Look closely at her food- I had a 2 and a 7 candles stowed in my purse the whole weekend to be used on her B-day. Yayee for blowing out candles on a sandwich, hehehe!

Dec 19- Christmas shopping- 13 stores in one day!

Dec 20- Dinner and visiting with Sarah H!

Dec 21- Buy a new car- traded in my first car. celebrate new car with Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen Date. Give Piper bath- consequently, mop bathroom. Stay up till 1 am working on homemade Christmas gifts (see following post)

Goodbye, Sunfire! You have been so good to me!

Dec 22- Spend the day with the Borgeses in Cinci- IKEA and Jungle Jims (Never been there? You should go!). Dinner at her parents', played games, laughed really hard. They got us a game for Christmas called Quelf- its pretty hilarious!

Husbands laughing hard during Quelf. Watch out with this game, you may end up doing pretty embarrassing things!


OK - whew- so you probably didn't care a lick about all that. And in between it all, fill in cooking, groceries, cleaning, working every day, Cody's final exams (all A's!), reading the Word, going to church, doing life and marriage, zumba, and more.

My December has been immensely blessed. And celebrating our Savior's birth is still yet to come!!

Rocky Mountain High!

The week of Thanksgiving, Cody and I had the great blessing of visiting a dear friend in Colorado. I have been anxiously waiting 2 1/2 years to see her and oh, was it a joy! The 5 days were spent catching up on life, talking, looking at pictures, cooking, relaxing, eating and eating lots of great food, getting to know her great family, playing with a puppy, and a bit of sightseeing around Colorado Springs. I Praise the LORD for this friendship. Let me just recount it:
We met in the summer of 2008 and worked a camp together for 2 months.
Didn't see her for 10 months, then a few days visiting her in Colorado.
Then she came to Illinois to be in my wedding.
Then she was overseas for 2 years.
5 days at her house this Thanksgiving.
Years of encouragement from her and ever-strengthened friendship!

It is SO good and an exceedingly precious thing to have a friendship with someone that extends far beyond the time that you get to hang out together, the time spent doing things. Our friendship is sisterhood in Christ Jesus- and I am ever grateful for putting us on that Fuge staff 3 years ago and for binding our hearts in Him.

Now, a few pics from the trip!







She showed me the correct way to eat the delicious Indian food she cooked for us! Yum!

Long Overdue!

Wow! I have definitely put off updating for far too long!
But with November flying by in a flurry of activity with work, Cody's classes, travel, Thanksgiving, and things with friends, writing about it all went to the back burner.

Praising the Lord for:
86. A safe flight to and from Colorado!
87. Five WONDERFUL days with a sweet sister in the Lord, Kathleen, and being welcomed by her awesome family. Praise the Lord for friends that feel like family :)
88. Praise Him for the strength that sustained my husband through many late nights of studying, and for giving his mind capacity to do well on all final exams!
89. thank you Lord, for keeping my safe when I hit a deer in my car, and that hitting a deer and not getting hut was an answer to the prayer of "should we start looking at getting a new car...?"
90. Thankful for the immense Birthday love shown to me by friends and dozens of little sweet ones at school this week.
91. So thankful for Pastor Ryan and that he preaches faithfully and boldly through Scripture.
92. Thankful for a King who humbled Himself to be born in the lowliest of circumstances- reminded of this as I set out my nativity scene this year.
93. Praise Him for answered prayers- the provision of jobs for friends.
94. Thanking the Lord for the sweet blessing of getting to work with elementary school kid's choir and see the look on kids faces as they perform in front of an audience for perhaps the first time.
95. Thankful that my mom arrived here safe today from Illinois.

Hearing His Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

Something that has been on my mind recently is how closely am I really listening for the Lord's voice? If a decision were to arise, would I know how He wants me to go?

This came about even more so just over the past few days as I thought of my new job, which I started in August. I have been praising the Lord for providing a sweet new friendship through this job, and that that is, from what I can see right now, the primary reason why the Lord provided this job. But back in May, when I applied for the new position, I didn't have an overwhelming feeling from the Lord in which I knew without a doubt to apply and take the job.
I applied for worldly reasons- a shorter drive to work each day and a pay raise. When I got the job offer, I praised the Lord because it was a great blessing for sure and a surprise that I got it. I knew the Lord provided it 100%.
Now, on this side of the job change decision- I see what other great blessings have come along with it. My question to myself is- would I have taken the job back in May if the Lord would have said "Trust me, take the job. There is someone you'll work with at this school I want you to meet."? Was He leading me like this but I'm not listening to Him enough to hear? Do I need enticing with convenience and money to get me in the right place? What other things am I missing out on because I'm not walking closely enough with my God to hear His voice leading in everything?
But just think- I applied for the job for convenience and money. And through God's grace I got those things but SO much more- relationships/people/friendship/camaraderie trump money by a million. HIS GRACE is so GOOD!
I am reminded of Phillip in Acts 8:26.
"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. And he rose and went."

Lord- may I hear your voice and rise up and go- wherever you lead- knowing that your thoughts are so much higher than mine and you plan to accomplish abundantly more than I ask or imagine!

Striving to be Thankful

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The holiday, that is. But as a believer, I'm called to be thankful all the time. To exude in thanksgiving to my Lord. This month, as kids are writing reasons why they are thankful on leaves of orange, red, and brown paper, I'm finding it harder to be thankful in all things. I am so abundantly blessed, and so I wanted to make sure that I'm not just thankful in all the "high points" of my day, and just pass over the "low points" without stopping to praise the Lord for them too. Praising Him in all circumstances- that is my desired heart-attitude.

Continuing in my list- my ever failing, oh-too-narrow list of what I'm praising the Lord for today.

74. A heated house when the weather turns nippy.
75. Clothes to wear. Though I currently desire to buy some new clothes, I am so very grateful to have an abundance of good clothes to wear.
76. I am so thankful that yesterday, when my car died while driving, that I did not get in a wreck, get rear ended, that I was not on the interstate or in downtown Louisville, and that the Lord was so gracious to actually let me be able to coast into our neighborhood, so that I was close enough to walk home. Praise Him!
77. Thankful for a precious friend who served me by picking me up for work and taking me home afterwards- and that this amounts to more time to chat!
78. Praise the Lord that my identity is in Christ! I am hidden in Him- though I stumble with this, my identity is not in how I look, how I do in life, ect. It is in Christ alone! Amen!
79. Praising God for seeing fit to bring the Cantwell's back to Louisville- Praising Him that I got to see sweet Emily last Sunday!
80. I am So grateful to have felt peace with buying plane tickets to Colorado for Thanksgiving. Thankful for my husband's leadership on this decision.
81. Praising Him for providing our place to live through dear friends, and that the Gibson's came to visit last weekend. Praising Him for their encouragement and their continued generosity.
82. The blessing of getting to meet Celia's family and spend time there!
83. Praising the Father for pastor Jeff King and his preaching of the Word last Sunday.
84. Sweet potato casserole
85. Nutella

Ok, so I digressed at the end. But I AM thankful for those last two. seriously.

Praise the Lord, oh my Soul, and all that is within me, praise His holy name!

From the Squalor

Squalor- isn't that a word that provokes mental visualizations? (at work, in my 2nd/3rd grade class we've been learning about text visualizations, so that is on my mind :)

Dictionary.com defines squalid this way :
"foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy.wretched; miserable; degraded; sordid."

If you knew a hotel room was described as squalid, you'd flee from even one night there, right? Well, Christ CHOSE to come from His throne to our squalor. He came here, not for one night, not just as a baby, but stayed here, until His work on the cross was accomplished. Read the lyrics of this beautiful song, meditate on the deep Gospel truth. Allow your soul to rejoice in it today!

Verse 1
From the squalor of a borrowed stable
By the Spirit and a virgin's faith
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Savior of the human race
But the skies were filled
With the praise of heav'n
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the gift of God come down to man
At the dawning of Immanuel

Verse 2
King of heaven now the friend of sinners
Humble servant in the Father's hands
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit
Filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes He walked my road and He felt my pain
Joys and sorrows that I know so well
Yet His righteous steps give me hope again
I will follow my Immanuel

Verse 3
Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal
He was lifted on a cruel cross
He was punished for a world's transgressions
He was suffering to save the lost
He fights for breath He fights for me
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell
And with a shout our souls are free
Death defeated by Immanuel

Verse 4
Now He's standing in the place of honor
Crowned with glory on the highest throne
Interceding for His own beloved
'Til His Father calls to bring them home
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell
But the bride will run to her lover's arms
Giving glory to Immanuel

Breakfast....

My mornings usually amount to me stumbling around half asleep, going through my morning routine. I always eat breakfast, and usually get on a breakfast kick, where I eat the exact same thing every day until I'm tired of it and pick something new to eat for 2 months.
The past two weeks, my new kick has been something entirely new for me, except for this one occasion:

I know this picture is a blur but I like it- it speaks to the occasion. Which was.... the morning of Alyssa's wedding! Amidst the busyness of the morning, we all ate bagels with cream cheese and Nutella. Delicious and nutritious (HA!) but this breakfast will forever be connected in my mind to these precious Sisters of mine.
And that is what I've been eating this week.
One half of a bagel with Nutella and cream cheese. Tea. The Word. At 6:15 am.
Would LOVE to share it with my bosom friends- miss you girls!

A Few Weeks of Life

Wow- I can't believe October is already over and we're on to a very rainy start of November. I feel like I haven't had anything to write about, though I've been busy and blessed.

Since Fall Break my life has basically consisted of work for the majority of my day, with a bit of Seminary Wives class, Zumba, house work, walks with Piper, laughter with husband, and church to fill in the rest. Work has been crazy this week with Halloween parties on Monday, a field trip with Kindergarten and First graders to a pumpkin patch on Tuesday, early release day on Wednesday. Love those Punkins' but I do come home tired!

Last weekend Cody and I were blessed to have a few married couples over to share dinner, worship and games together. It was great fun! I didn't get hardly any pictures, but here are a few:



Yayee- look at my favorite, super cute newly-weds! With my favorite new-friends couple on one side and half of my favorite new-parents couple on the other :)

Cody with sweet Eli Viola, glowing from the fire!

Piper was a party animal! HA! He and Tim are close buddies.

Then, on Halloween night, Cody and I went to U of L School of Music's concert, which is always a fun time. They different sections of the orchestra dress up and perform skits as they come on the stage. Cody and I sat with Celia and her mom, and Celia's husband Felix played Cello in the concert. The music was great and the skits were pretty entertaining too!

Now- Halloween is over, and Thanksgiving it right around the corner!

Giving Thanks

66. A sweet and encouraging phone date with my mentor and friend Regina.
67. Hearing the sweet little voices of her two children in the background while we talked.
68. Thankful for grace when I run a bit late for work.
69. I love when kids are excited to learn to sign! I was blessed today by 26 kids practicing a Christmas song in sign language at performing arts club.
70. Thankful for the treat of a less demanding work day today and time to serve other teachers.
71. Leftovers in the fridge!
72. The Truth of God's grace, and that He constantly sanctifies me into the image of His Son.
73. I am thankful for text messaging. Sounds a bit petty? I really am thankful that I can be in contact with more friends across the world because of it.

IBC Women's Fellowship

Yesterday was the first ever Immanuel Amazing Race, planned by the women's ministry team. There was a great turn out. We all met in a parking lot on Seminary's campus and divided into car loads. There were maybe 9 or 10 teams of about 5 ladies per team.

Celia accompanied me and we were on the lovely Heather and Baylee Young's team, along with a young lady named Lynette (spelling?) who I met last night. There were various tasks at different stops along the way. I didn't get pics of all of them, but here are a few....

Our first stop was at the Hanson's house. Three team members had to score 5 goals each in a hockey net. Baylee went, then Heather, then me. Notice the teams just arriving :) We thought we were doing pretty good!
Also at the same stop, one team member had to open starburst candy with thick gloves on. Something typical to Canada, I guess?? Celia rocked it!

Build a pyramid with a Seneca Park sign visible in the photo. Ask a stranger to take it. Check.

Whole group photo in a Target shopping cart. Check. (notice we found one with two extra seats!)


Also had to recite a very interesting poem at a church member's house and then....

The whole group had to rap part of a Flame song to several of the husbands of women's ministry team leaders. sigh. Rapping is not my forte. Fun, nonetheless!

The night ended with (after coming in next to last, when we thought for sure we were first!) hot chocolate and homemade goodies and visiting with everyone together. A fun, fall night!

Fall Break in Pictures

Praise the Lord for a school district that sees fit to give us a week off in October! I thoroughly enjoyed each day, filling in the big happenings of each day with skype dates with friends, writing letters, taking Piper for walks, laundry, cooking, and journaling.

A few pics from the week:


Mom, Bethany and I searching "for color" in the trees as we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway. "Color" was the word of the day. I sat in the back seat and counted while Bethany and Mom said the word "color" 32 times in one day.

Mom and I did a spontaneous stop on our way home at Cumberland Falls. Neither of us had been there before- It is beautiful!

We had the blessing of getting to go to a U of L Football game with Celia and Felix last night. All of us had free tickets given to us by various people, which was great :) It was perfect football weather, a little nippy but not too bad. I cheered for the Band and learned lots of Portuguese phrases. Sunergos coffee (chai for me!) and Mark's Feed Store made the night complete!

Also, yesterday during the day I got to visit my old school and see the students I worked with the past two years. Unfortunately, I can't put pics of them on my blog, but they are adorable. It brings great joy to my heart to share in some big hugs with these kidos, although each time I visit I have to answer the question, (all caps means signed) "MS. ASHLEY- WHY YOU GO DIFFERENT SCHOOL?" "YOU COME BACK MONDAY?" :( No, sweet friends, I won't be back monday, but I love visiting you whenever I get the chance!

Fall Break Summary

Well I know I haven't posted in forever. My goal was to post more over Fall Break but really I haven't posted at all and now my break is basically over! Longer post and pics to come later, for any friends reading this from far away, this is what the Gardners have been up to:

• I went to Asheville to visit my sister with my mom. We went to a Titanic Museum, went to Dixie Stampede, went shopping in Pigeon Forge, ate some awesome food, drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway, saw Footloose, and visited Bethany's school.
  
• On the way back to KY, mom and I stopped at Cumberland Falls- beautiful!
  
• Took mom to 32 degrees for the first time- she loved it!
  
• Spent a whole day emptying out closets and trying to organize them. Trying is the key word there.
  
• Visited my cousin who is due to have twins in the next few weeks. Had the joy of opening the Word with her and talking of the glorious Gospel!
  
• Cooked food and visited a coworker after a surgery
• Cooked my husband some meals
• Went to chapel, Spiritual Disciplines class, and Systematic Theology class with Cody. What a great privilege to hear from these professors for even one day! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a glimpse into my husband's day.
  
• Visited with my friends from South Korea.
  
• Seminary Wives Institute class- a Thursday night norm
• organized random other places around the house
• lots of nights of goofing off and being silly with husband. Seriously- we've been in a silly mood lately, I guess something about not working ever day does that to me?
  
• This weekend- U of L Game, Woman's fellowship at church, and church on Sunday! Can't wait!
  

A family whirlwind weekend!

Echo and Jake loving on Piper

Cody and I went to Illinois last weekend and had an awesome time! We got to visit a lot of family, a lot more than are usually in Illinois when we go home.

We drove Friday right after work. We got stuck in the bridge detour/rush hour traffic which was a bummer, and added time onto our drive, but it was okay.
When we finally got there, we went straight to Carterville (Cody's hometown and where his grandparents, Nani and Pop, still live). Staying at Nani and Pop's house for several weeks were Cody's Mom, brother, sister, Aunt, and 6 cousins. So, in this house (with one bathroom, mind you) were 4 adults and 8 kids! What fun! I love walking into this! Hugs and kisses abound- scampering feet running to greet us, kids being picked up and squeezed and Piper was running around it all, having never been around so much excitement before!

After hanging out some there Friday night, we went back to my parents' house in Johnston City, my hometown. We ate Mom's delicious Apple Cake and headed to bed.
Saturday morning, my mom made us one of her famous, awesome meals. That morning it was super good french toast and sausage-apple balls. My grandma Pat came to eat with us and we got to visit with her for a few hours.
Then we headed out to be with Cody's fam for the day. (note, his mom, siblings, aunt and cousins live in northern Wisconsin and we only see them about twice a year- so this weekend visit was extra special!) We played frisbee and other games and then had a taco lunch (big kids eat first, clean off the table, then little kids, then moms and grandparents! Three rounds around the table!) After ice cream cake to celebrate two birthdays, we went to Castle Park.

Cody with his brother exploring the Castle

Castle Park is this amazing wooden castle-playground that a man built in memory of his son. It is filled with swinging bridges and ladders, dark crawl-through-only tunnels and throne rooms, turrets and dungeons. Its really amazing and a favorite for this group of kids. They go to it a few times with each visit to Nani and Pops.

Echo and I in a tower at the Castle

So we went on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon- and so did everyone else in Southern Illinois! There were HUNDREDS of people there- birthday parties, the whole shebang. Usually, the park is empty, and the castle makes for a terrific game of hide and seek or tag, especially with 10 kids (counting me and Cody). But today we had to use the buddy system, one big kid to each of the little ones (Daniel-4, Jake-6, David-6, Echo-8). It wasn't nearly as fun being crammed in all these mysterious passageways with 15 other grimy kids. So we didn't stick around long.

Whole group picture at Castle Park

Saturday afternoon- brief shopping trip with my mom, I got dropped back off at Nani and Pop's. The afternoon consisted of homerun derby, frisbee, watching the little boys catch bugs, chatting with Cody's Mom and Aunt, and ended with spaghetti dinner, all the kids getting something from an ice cream truck (it was his lucky day!), and watching "Megamind".

Cody batting during "homerun derby" with cousins, Abraham and Gideon

Sunday= church, chicken and dumplings at Nani and Pop's for lunch, playing with kids, talking with cousins, reading with Echo (my sister-in-law), and getting enough hugs and kisses to last until the next wonderful time we see them all.

Jake and Daniel looking at their bugs

After leaving Carterville, we had another awesome meal by my momma and got on the road to Louisville. We stopped at my other grandma's nursing home on the way out of town, but she was already asleep. We woke her up to talk but she was so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open! It was good to see her anyway.

Drove back, listened to music, sang Christmas songs, Piper and I napped, and made it to Louisville at midnight. Cody and I counted- since last August, 2010, this makes our 18th trip out of Louisville! 18 trips, 14 months, some as close as Indianapolis, some as far at London, all wonderful memories!

Arise My Soul

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Why do I feel this way? When I step back and really evaluate my life, I am uber-blessed, and yet too often I am pouty and ungrateful."

Okay, so maybe you don't talk to yourself exactly like that, but really, do you ever come along those lines?

'Cause I do. I did this morning. Though pouty wasn't big deal this morning- it was listening to lies from Satan. Lies that I'm not good enough, that I don't "have it all together enough". (BTW, PRAISE THE LORD that I don't have it all together, this is the very reason why Christ came to die and did so, and saved me, and now stands as my righteousness... )

And so I found myself searching on my phone (while at a stop light, is that illegal...?) for the lyrics to a song we sing in church. It is similar to what the Psalmist says in Psalm 42:11

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."

In this song, lyrics written by Charles Wesley, set to a modern tune by Kevin Twit, (piano and guitar music found here) the worshiper tells him/herself " come on, soul, don't listen to fear, doubt, past sins plaguing you! Trust in Christ- in His work on the cross! It's powerful! So rise up and believe it!"

Arise, My Soul, Arise

1. Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice,
in my behalf appears;
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

Chorus: Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

2. He ever lives above,
for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood, to plead;
His blood atoned for every race,
His blood atoned for every race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

3. Five bleeding wounds He bears;
received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers;
they strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

4. The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
the presence of His Son;
The Spirit answers to the blood,
The Spirit answers to the blood
And tells me I am born of God.

5. My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

A Visual Thanksgiving- people and experiences (part 2)

59. My beloved D Group- my mentor Regina and all the girls

60. Pic taken: in a place of many memories, my college apartment: 1530 S 2nd Street, Apt 2

61: Sarah: a friend whose heart is connected to mine in so many ways

62. pic taken: at my last Derby, May 2009- in celebration of many marching band memories with Sarah!

63. Kathleen- my dear friend across many miles

64. pic taken: two nights before my wedding at about 1 am, when I couldn't wait until the wedding day to show her my dress...

65: My bosom friends, my roommates! Oh how the Lord has blessed me through these ladies!

66. Pic taken: on our Colorado road trip after college graduation, May 2009


(more to come, I promise! I couldn't overload my blog with more pics!)

A Visual Thanksgiving- people and experiences (part 1)

Thankful For:

51:My handsome, Godly, humble, precious husband!
52:pic taken: Thankful for our 2 year anniversary spent in Milwaukee, WI

53:My sweet and selfless Mom
54:pic taken: trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown with Mom, spring 2010

55: My loving Dad
56: pic taken: dancing with my daddy to "My Girl" on my wedding day!

57: My fun, caring, and thoughtful sister58: pic taken: in Rome on our backpacking trip through Europe, 2007

D Now weekend

Well I've just got the lasagna in the oven and dishes washed up so I thought I'd write a quick life update. It is a BEAUTIFUL October day. The skies are that awesome shade of blue that I picked for my bridesmaid dresses. Can't picture the blue I'm talking about? Here's a visual...



There- now, the sky comes no where near to being as beautiful as my lovely maidens :) but the color is the same.
On with my post... The sky is gorgeous, I came home from work to a husband refreshed from his Fall break and mowing the yard. I got to lay in our own little backyard sanctuary and read in our hammock for a few chapters. After a game of fetch with a Piper whose new trick is dropping the ball on command (finally!), and after dinner in the oven, I get to reflect a bit on the weekend.

This past weekend, Cody and I got the privilege of teaching the Word to a youth group in Greenfield, Indiana. The youth minister and pastor of the church (wife and husband) met Cody at Union Fuge in 2010. They contacted us a while back and invited us to do this weekend with them.
It was GREAT to get to teach the Word again. If anyone knows me, they know that I love teaching the Word but don't practice that gift as much as I should. They provided materials for us, and with quite a bit of added topics, Scripture, and insight from the Lord I set out to teach as much as humanly possible in 5 short teaching sessions packed into one and a half busy days!

Now, let me tell you, I think I've forgotten what middle school girls are like :) They are delightful, for sure, but I hadn't reminded myself of two things, the immense amount of energy (even after midnight!) and that the main topic of discussion chosen would always be "boys!".

The main topic of MY choosing (and the youth minister's!) was holiness, studying from Daniel, and talking about how to be set apart from our culture for Christ. From there we talked about purity, modesty, salvation (of course!) through grace alone and not through works, sanctification (far too little on this topic, ran out of time), picking your close friends wisely, prayer, their time in the Word, ect. Looking back now, I know that I probably talked way too fast and would have been helpful to them had I typed up an outline of my notes, when I strayed from their book. But I trust in the promise of God that "His Word does not depart from His mouth void, but accomplished what He wills." (Isaiah 55)

The Lord also sustained me greatly through sickness during the weekend. I had just a bad cold with terrible congestion and throat gunk (sorry for that description) that impaired my speaking- the very thing I would be doing the most of! But His grace was sufficient and I pray that my sickness and terrible sounding voice didn't cause too much of a distraction.

The best part of the weekend I think was having a short one-on-one with each girl. Some girls didn't care for this time, I could tell. Like they had an image to uphold, they couldn't be "real" with me and wanted out of there as quick as possible. But others, I was able to see a quick glimpse into their heart and got the blessing of praying with each one of them. What a great opportunity!

Of course the weekend had "youth group brand fun" also- a video scavenger hunt and late night games of "murder in the dark" and talking about boys. Cody and I are too old for this kind of staying up late and after my sweet husband safely drove us home (while I slept) we both crashed at 6 pm!

Praise the Lord for a fun/tiring/great weekend of teaching and getting to know some fun teenagers!

My week...

has been great and fairly busy. Thus I have had no time to ponder a blog post. Just wanted to let you know of the going-ons this week and what I've been thankful for:

41. Thankful to go ballroom dancing with a new friend and her husband last weekend- fun times had by all!

42. for Immanuel's Biblical Womanhood class last weekend and the women who taught it- wow! Praise the Lord for the encouragement and teaching by the Lord that day!

43. for my Gospel Community Group and the fellowship of our cookout last Sunday afternoon- praising Him for the babies in our group especially.

44. For a week of work- though i haven't felt well all week the Lord sustained me and I didn't have to take a sick day.

45. I'm thankful that my dad's knee scope surgery went well

46. Zumba! (have I already used that one ? Still thankful!)

47. For random kids who come up to me in the hallway and sign something random to me (0r try to)

48. For the opportunity to be a "musician" again- teaching performing arts club with the music teacher at my school has been a blessing and treat. Lots of memories have come flooding back!

49. Thankful for the opportunity to teach a youth group's D Now this weekend in Indiana! What a privilege to teach the Word to students! I'm SO excited for it!

50. Tortellini soup on the stove right now. Praise the Lord for His constant provision of our meals!

so, I've reached 50 things I'm thankful for this week. Not to say I didn't complain and fight comparison or envy this week as well. Just keeping it real- I'm not writing these lists because I'm perfect in this thanksgiving thing. I'm writing them to remind myself that everything comes from the Lord- He provides for our needs and so much more- and He sustains us each day. Join me - what have you been thankful for this week??