jars...

Don't you love the title? It's all I could think of...

In order to aid in my pursual to utilize all of the glass jars I've recently come into ownership of, I found some really neat and different ideas from others.

{via how about orange}

LOVE this! Wouldn't this be a great way to recieve a little gift?!

{via}

This makes me long for summer.....its coming, slowly but surely.

{via ruffled}

Great idea for a party or reception, except I would nix the old rusty vintage ones and go for the clean new ones like these :)

Ooooo...

{via}

Awhhh.

{via}

A jar snuggie?

{via}

{via funky junk interiors}

{via}

Candles! Always a good idea, especially with these beautiful aqua jars.

{via}

Um, I couldn't help but post this. But I probably wouldn't do this myself, it looks like a jail cell for fish.

{via}

pantry style, love it.

{via}

Okay, I take it back this could be another favorite. LOVE the peonies.

{via ruffled}

I may or may not be saying 'love' way too much in this post.

LOVE LOVE LOVE all of these, I hope you enjoyed them. Now I'm off to tackle my paper for class...

Ball, Kerr, Atlas, Knox...Gangs all here!

First, name that movie. If you're a girl, you should know that reformed quotation from that one movie....such a good chick flick!

Secondly, we had a little bit of ice in the area a few weeks ago which meant no class, no commuting, and staying in my p.j.'s. perfect.

Well I got bored and had wanted to take a picture of the loads of jars I brought home from my great-grandmother's house. I literally did not make a dent in her collection. I just couldn't keep everyone waiting on me as I sifted through all the jars.

So again, I just wanted to take a picture. a picture.



But she had some really great different brands....




But I was really bored and needed to get out of the house, even if for only a few minutes.


So then it went into a few more minutes....But aren't these jars pretty?!




Oopsies. The crazy wind blew this one away. And you can see that not much is going on outside...



I think we're channeling a little Andy Goldsworthy now, kind of. But I thought it needed more color.....so much ice and snow! and so bored.

Keep an eye out because now I have to find places and purpose for each of these jars.
Some will go to my sisters and some will find their places with me.

I'm finding a lot of inspiring ideas so I'll be sure to share them with you soon!

And then...


Right when my hands and face were going numb, the flower that was in the middle flew off into pieces all the way from the front yard to the back. I'm sure my neighbor thought I looked ridiculous running around the house after pieces of pink...
A good day.

resiliency

I sit here completely unable to fathom why I haven't been around my blog in the past few weeks. I think life is catching up to me. And when that happens sometimes I have to prioritize, which is a good thing, of course.

Earlier this week we welcomed a sweet, little addition to our family. My nephew (oh that's strange to say) is the first little man of the family, and we are all so very excited to finally meet him.

I've been able to help around here and there with my nieces while my sister was busy having her baby. Watching these two girls (both under the age of 3 and a half) deal with their dad leaving for weeks, and figuring out why mom isn't home, is quite and experience to be apart of. Taking them to the hospital to meet their very own brother was one of the most priceless experiences I've ever been able to be apart of.

Pure excitement. Life changing in moments. Complete gentleness.

Then after a few minutes my oldest niece said, 'mom can I have a snack?'

It's been hard and still is for them. You see it in the way they talk and the different needs that change, like being held more or wanting to be completely independent. They might not completely grasp the great shifts in their family or know what will come of this new tiny person, but they adjust. And they turn out just fine. There might be moments where they need to cry or might act out of frustration or confusion, but they'll be okay. They are small but mighty. And with a little help from others who love them, they'll keep adjusting and then it will become more natural.

I'm so proud, just to watch the way they show complete trust and reliance in their parents. And let me tell you, these girls go through more changes and strange schedules and structure than most little girls. So it is even more incredible to watch them now, on top of everything else.

Talk about resiliency.

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I think so much change and adjustment has happened lately in my own personal life that I've almost naturally stopped pursuing, stopped living life in the way I was before. Sometimes there are moments of weakness or frustration in every one's life when you almost make life come to a halt and think, 'I cannot adjust, I just can't find the means in myself to continue certain matters of life, I cannot do it'.

Sometimes I need to be still for a time, that's also just part of the type of person I am, I guess. And there are moments in life, especially now when I fight against frustrations, ignoring the completely unignorable (is that a word?), and try to continue with life. Being in seminary adds a whole other complexity and adjustment to this part of life. Its unreal and completely wonderful to be there but sometimes I question my abilities.

Then I get knocked back down to my knees in prayer and am reminded that I didn't get myself there, I didn't even have going there on my radar months before I pursued it. But it happened and is wonderful and a complete blessing. I could not be more thankful.

Sometimes there are things unexpected that happen without real preparation of the heart. Those things are always such bitter yet sweet things. They hurt, literally and emotionally, but they remind you of how little you are compared to the Father, who actually heals those hurts. These things can also compromise other parts of your life, rendering you unwillingly dependent at times. But they only last for a moment, they only last for a moment.

These moments in life, moments of adjusting to newness and change, can naturally have its frustrations. And not knowing what lies ahead of them is, for me, more nerve-wrecking than anything else. But then I'm reminded again that, that's actually the point. While I can't see what lies ahead, I pursue with blind faith that my God, who sees and knows absolutely everything, cares for me and is leading me.

I just hope that I will be obedient no matter what's required of me or the circumstance.

And I hope to be as resilient and patient as my little nieces.

Do you not know?

'Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increase in power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.' - Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

Keep Calm & Love on.

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

This month is supposed to be one reminding us of the ones we love and telling them so.

Although, we should do that every month, no?

However, the past few days have been tragic. Not on a personal level, but from people who have informed me and been asking for strong prayers. It's almost unreal how many people I've heard about who are severely injured, in critical condition, or even some who are no longer with us.

This has to be tragic in the least for those who love and care for those who are suffering or for those who are grieving their loss.

So today this is not about how you can cover your house in paper hearts or how to make a wreath out of all things red. Today is a reminder that for those of you who are either suffering, mourning a loss, or trying to persevere through prayer for the sake of someone you love, please be mindful that you are probably being lifted up in prayer more than you even realize.

And better yet, the God who created you, knows exactly how much you're hurting, and is sufficient in being the ultimate Comforter and Healer. He knows you inside and out. And whatever is currently happening to you or someone else, it will be used for His glory and for good.

Be comforted in the fact that God has you completely in his hands. Nothing is out of His control, even though it might feel like it is.

As I write this, I am truly overwhelmed by nothing but the gusting, mighty wind outside. It's constant, it never ceases. Even throughout the night, it blew and blew. And its reminding me of one, so very important thing; God never slumbers nor sleeps. He doesn't peace out, He never tires. (Psalm 121) And His understanding no one can truly fathom (Isaiah 40:28).

And He is strong and mighty!

I think this week, I'll continue on this just because I feel like...

So maybe this week, let's be mindful of those around us who are really hurting... And maybe even to be mindful of those who don't show their hurt and how deep it runs. Let's show them a little love and let them know they are cared for.

{via tatertots and jello}

Romans 5:3-5 says this:

'...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does NOT put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.'

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If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior who died on the cross for your sins, so that you can have life, and follow Him in life, and have a personal relationship with Him, then you're missing out on the greatest sacrificial gift.

And if you're hurting and don't know Him, then searching for that perseverance and hope is not lost. It's only found through Christ. And only through Him can you truly be fulfilled and satisfied in that.

He created you. He loves you. And He is for you.