Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. ~Charles Spurgeon

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Going Green...I mean Orange

So I have this event coming up...it's a Moroccan themed event and I have been trying to plan out my outfit and make-up.  I have not bought make-up in a LONG time since I have soooo much.  Last night I decided to go see what the new trends are and see if I could get some make-up to go with the colors I am wearing for the evening...dark gray and orange.  This is how the night went down.  I will just share with you some of my conversation I had last night with my cousin.....

me texting her..."got talked into buying orange lipstick tonight!!!  I am such a sucker! 'oh u look so beautiful in that color' "really, ok, I'll take it"  ugh!!

my cousin..."Oh no!! Can u return it?  Someone tells us we look beautiful and we're sold!  I've bought lovely orange tones before too...not so good!!

me..."no no, it's not orange tones...IT'S ORANGE!!!  She said it's so in and it looks so good with my eyes.  and yes, i can return it.  Oh and did i tell u i bought the orange blush to go with it???  i'm a desperate mom who never gets out and now when i do go out i will look like an orange!!

I then sent her a picture so I will give you one too...



her response..."HAHA!! Oh that's just terrible Jeni! So awful and orange! But trust me I can relate!  My big outting was Target yesterday (by myself) and it felt like a vacation."



I never thought about this, but we are prey.  Stay at home moms, who have no clue as to what is going on out there (not that that's a bad thing!!).  I never thought me, the use to be make-up artist, would be in this predicament.  Kind of funny, kind of humbling, and I'm kind of okay with it.  

Anyway, I gave the orange a test, what do you think???


It kind of looks red.  Believe me when I say...IT'S ORANGE! 


BTW...Jaime, it looks so much better on you! 





Be apart of the Blessing in bringing Elijah home


Friday, February 18, 2011

A little Home Decor Fun

So I have been having fun doing some decorating.  I found a really cool mirror and yes I am a dork, I forgot to take a before picture but I do have the after shot.  If you can imagine a run down, dirty,  creamy in color mirror.  Add a little gray glossy spray paint and waa laa  (sorry the pic came out a little blurry)


Then, I found a really cool Hollywood Regency style screen in gold.  I love some of the glam found in Hollywood Regency so I thought I would try to bring some of that in with the contemporary stuff we have.

Of course I was not going to keep it gold!!  So I spray painted it a lime green to bring more of the green out in that crazy chair I have.  I am hanging the screen in my dinning room for now but not sure if that is where it's going to stay.
I am now on a mission to find a really cool door for my storage room, the room off of the living room.  We want the door to glide open like a barn door along the wall.  I want it to be a hanging piece of art.  Here is a picture of the room off to the left.  And to the left of that you can see I painted the new door that goes to the outside in chalk board paint.   The kids love it!  Now I want to collect cool magnets.

Anyway, I found some pictures of doors that I absolute love for the gliding door.  Now I just have to find them and at an affordable price.  Totally down for refinishing the door too if that makes it cheaper.



My favorite one is the last one.  If anyone knows where in the world I could find a door like these, maybe a place that sells antique doors, please let me know!


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

If this does not make your jaw drop, I don't know what will!!!!

If you can stomach it, watch the whole thing.  Not sure why I am shocked???  Not shocked, just really really heartbroken.   LORD PLEEEEASE COME SOON!!!




If for some reason you cannot view the video...go HERE

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Recognize anyone in this Photo?

http://www.booninc.com/catalog.php

YAY!  Go to page 33.  I have to say though after all the cute ones they took and this is the one they chose?  Oh well, it was a fun experience! 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

So Guilty

When we wrestle with out-of-control emotions, it is easy to conclude that emotions are inherently sinful or wrong and should be suppressed.  We need to remember that being created in the image of God means we have the capacity to experience and express a variety of emotions.  God exhibits a spectrum of pure emotions, including joy, delight, anger, jealousy, and sorrow.  And He has designed us to be able to feel and express many different emotions in a why that reflects His heart and brings glory to Him.
The problem is not that we have emotions-they are a gift from God.  The problem is that our emotions (unlike God’s) are tainted by the Fall.  The challenge is to let the Spirit of God sanctify us in the realm of our emotions so that they can be expressed in godly ways.
I know of no tool that the Enemy uses more effectively to lead us as women into bondage than our emotions.  He does so by causing us to believe things about our emotions that just aren’t true.
The Truth is that, due to our fallen condition, our feelings often have little to do with reality.  In many instances, feelings are simply not a reliable gauge of what is actually true.  When we allow them to be tied to our circumstances-which are constantly changing-rather than to the unchangeable realities of God and His Truth, our emotions are prone to fluctuate wildly.
If we want to walk in freedom, we must realize that our emotions are not necessarily trustworthy and be willing to reject any feelings that are not consistent with the Truth. ~Nancy Leigh Demoss

Monday, February 7, 2011

Wow, Isn't that the Truth!

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. ~ C.S. Lewis 

 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Just a Thought...

Recently I heard another believer say..."after all I did for so and so and this is how I get treated."  

You know when you say something and it doesn't sound as bad as to when you hear someone else say it?   Cause I am pretty sure I have said something like that in the past.  We are probably just so self deceived into thinking we aren't as bad.  

Anyway, when I heard this come from that persons mouth this verse came to mind... Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23,24


I understand, especially as a mother, when we pour so much time, effort, money, etc. etc. into a person or persons and then when things don't go as planned it stings.  I totally get it.


I wonder...if our motivation was different, would it sting as much?

You know what will sting even more...when our works are tested.

...each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.  1 Corinthians 3:13


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Daily Letting Go

Once again I am reminded it is the Lord who protects my children.  As much as I try and try I might, I will always fail.  They are not mine, they are His.  They come with a plan and a purpose.  And in the short time I have with these little blessings I am reminded that my sole responsibility is to point them in His direction in every way possible.

Last night was no exception.  I am always reminding our oldest that she is not in control well last night it was God reminded me I am not in control.  Our littlest was found with an empty bottle of benadryl in her hand and the smell in her mouth.  We have NO CLUE where she got it from since all of our medication is kept up high in a kitchen cabinet, a cabinet I myself cannot reach.  It was a busy night, a lot of rushing around but this definitely stop us in our tracks.  I called poison control and the fact that we did not know how much was in the bottle to begin with and now that it was empty, they told us we had no option but to have her observed at the ER.  They of course had to tell me every scary thing that could possible happen!!   So off to the ER we went.  After four hours of observation, Madi being diagnosed with RSV (doc didn't like the sound of her cough) and a lot of prayer and meditation we were home safe and sound.

After she was all tucked away in her bed and sleeping like baby I told my husband that I could not imagine living the hospital life.  I also know too that it could easily be us.  So many sick kids out there.  So much pain, so much hardship.  A trip to the ER turns into a weeks, months or years in and out of the hospital.  I am so thankful that yesterday He let us go home and was reminded once again of His sovereignty.  

God has been pounding me lately with a constant reminder of His sovereignty and I know well that there will come a day where that will be the only truth that will bring comfort.  Our family is about to embark on a very scary road ahead of us, something we have all been trying (and I say that with weakness) to prepare for for a long time and no matter what I do, God reminds me that He already did the planing and preparing.  He set forth the path, Isaiah 25:1 and I am not in control. There is nothing I can personally do to prepare myself except to decide to keep my eyes focused on the One guarantee, the One we can ALWAYS depend on, the First and the Last, the One who is perfect in Faithfulness Isaiah 25:1. 

Increase my weak faith Lord and increase Your Glory...however that looks?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Help Bring Baby Johnson Home

                    http://gatheredfromafar.com


Capturing My Thoughts... In Writing

This whole 'thinking the best of others' is really hard, don't you think?

You know those certain people in your life that make you wonder if they just creatively says things to get under your skin?  Or, forget the creative part, they just blatantly say things because they know it will get under your skin (of course only if you let it.) 

Ever feel like there are some who are always trying to prove themselves or prove you wrong?  They try to sound so intellectual when disagreeing with you, only to make you feel stupid, but inside you just want to say, seriously, get your head out of your bootie!  And it would totally kill them to agree with you.


There's an itch there but it never gets scratched.  A big fat elephant in the room that is constantly ignored.  And you always wonder if this time will be the straw that will break the camels back?  Will it ever be rooted out?  

Is it me, or am I just crazy??? (don't answer that.)  Honestly I try hard to not think too much about this stuff because it could drive a person mad.  And really, it's so petty and a waist of the mind.  So, now if my mind does go there (which I guess is right now, since I am writing about it) I try to remember to pray for that persons heart, my heart and recite Hebrews 4:6 (thanks to our amazing Pastor who has repeatedly gone over this verse)....But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

Because you know what I mentioned above, it's all rooted in that icky poo poo pride.  And I do trust, that in time, God will root it out.


Definitely not saying for one single second that I am above all of this, cause I most certainly am NOT!!!  Just saying, it is on my mind. So....I am pondering, meditating, praying and soaking up truth....instead of letting my mind "go there".


We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...  2 Corinthians 10:5

When writing this a certain person, who is totally opposite of what I just wrote, came to mind.  We get a long really well, we enjoy each others company and I know for a fact we do not agree on everything but for some reason, it works.  We have no problem discussing the things we disagree on.  We ask each other questions about the things we disagree on and try to understand each other better.  We laugh about our disagreements or maybe cry.  We challenge each other in love.  It's authentic.  She laughs at me when I make a complete butt of myself.  And I with her.  There is no competition, no insecurity in our friendship... a true sign of her security in Christ.  It is so refreshing to be with her.  

It really takes two, who are secure in Christ, to have a great relationship because with each others short comings and pride etc. etc. without Christ, one is usually working harder than the other.  Which is sometimes Gods plan too, for a season.  

We are just called to love and of course search our own hearts and then let God do the work...because without a shadow of a doubt I know He will!