Pinterest-ing

I finally caved and joined Pinterest (after I requested an invitation to join which was a little weird). I figured it would be yet another time suck (i.e. FB) but I went for it anyway. And yes, it is a time suck, but there is a value to it as well. Having been a "member" for about a week, I have already made 3 recipes I found while pinning, and executed a craft project.

The recipe thing is especially helpful to me. As a person that is creative (I refuse to call myself "a Creative"...that bugs), for some reason all vibes of creative energy magically shut down the minute I enter a room containing a stove, oven and pantry. It's almost paralyzing. Cooking is my achilles heel and I welcome all and any help in this area. Enter Pinterest and its array of recipes.

As for the crafty stuff. There is the cutest/most helpful ideas. I just need to be careful to not get wrapped up in so many of those ideas that it translates into ???.

Here's one I did that cost me almost nothing:

I used a cookie sheet I had, placed magnetic strip on my

makeup and you have an instant organizer! P.S. cute bow absolutely NOT necessary. lol

So here's my take on Pinterest. I think besides the obvious fact that is it an amazing way to organize precious gems you find on the Internet...I think it's wild popularity also goes back to the simple fact that we all like to be known. I believe to be known is one of a person's deepest desires and needs, whether we be a super outgoing person, or someone that prefers a lot of alone/down time. I also believe we like to express to others what's on our insides. Some of us use words to do that. Others create visual art. I guess the ways we do that are endless, really. And Pinterest makes that expression quite easy.

So check it out. And if you need an invitation to join, just comment below with your email and I will invite you, and send you one of these ;).

If the concept of Pinterest makes no sense to you, don't worry. We all feel that way in the beginning. Go here to get the complete scoop.

Provision

So since I last posted, my husband left the marketplace and went into full time ministry. I shared some thoughts about becoming a pastor's wife in August. I am happy to report that I can still claim the same freedom I spoke of in that post. Things have been good, really good. And more than good, the past weeks have been affirming...which is very comforting when your life changes so drastically.

First, I am convinced my hubs was made to do what he is doing. He has always been good--competent--at what he does, but for the first time in our almost 13 year marriage, there is joy there. A spring in his step. A purpose in his gait. As his wife, that is something SO special to see and experience.

Second, our little family has been provided for in ways that can only be explained as supernatural. We knew our lifestyle would be altered with this job change. I was honestly pretty nervous about it and I might have gone a little vigilant and off the charts in terms of preparing for the change. But we have been more than provided for. Our needs are more than met. And as our amazing God, who I believe not only loves us but likes us too, would have it, there are little cherries on top constantly coming our way. Things we absolutely don't need, but that make life sweet. (i.e. gift cards to restaurants just magically and anonymously show up in our mail. Including one to Pei Wei...which is I believe is the 6th love language)

So I find myself tearful a lot lately. They are tears of joy. I am humbled by what we've experienced so far. It's pretty stinking cool to get to know God in a way I really haven't.

So there's an update after my unintentional hiatus. I intend to start blogging more regularly again. Heck, I've never had more to blog about. :)

Song Crush #27

Hi. It's me and yes I know I have been MIA since August. Life got hectic and my margins simply vanished, which means so did my "blog time." But, I thought I might attempt to tend my little corner of the blog-o-sphere once again.

I am crushing big time on a group called "All Sons and Daughters." The "All" in their title is crucial or else you end up finding an altogether different group. (No offense "other" Sons and Daughters, but you aren't my cup 'o tea)

I am so in love with their music that it was difficult to narrow it down, but alas, I bring you Song Crush #27: "Brokenness Aside" by All Sons and Daughters

"You are a Savior and you take brokenness aside and make it beautiful"

Amen.

Luckily I Won't Be Hyperventilating...

It was announced today that my precious, amazing husband will be the new Associate Pastor of our church, beginning in September. I could tell you about, what I consider, the miraculous path that led us to this place. I could tell you about Provision that we have already seen that makes our existence in this place possible. I could tell you about how loved and celebrated by our Church family we already feel. I could tell you how cool it will be for Mark to integrate into a staff of people who are certain heroes to us. I could tell you how awesome-sauce it will be for Mark to work under a true man of faith for the next 4 months, and then under his insanely gifted best friend, who will take the reigns as Senior Pastor in January. All of these things could be their own blog posts, and who knows, maybe someday they will be.

But what I want to tell you about is something that is the true to miracle to me. You see, there would have been a day that if you had told me I would be the proverbial Pastor's Wife, I would have hyperventilated and hidden in a cave (because there are so many of those in Lubbock). I would have panicked that I wasn't worthy of the post and that I would surely disappoint, or worse yet embarrass my church somehow. But because of a perfectly timed journey that I have been on for months (and continue to be on) I know that it is exactly okay for me to be me. That my hope is in a Redeemer who is actively creating the very best version of me, and that is simply enough. That I don't have to pretend to be someone I am not. I don't have to act any certain way or appear to be someone who has her stuff together. All that is expected of me, is to be genuine and to be someone who seeks after Love Himself.

And because of this, I face our new life direction with excitement, hope, anticipation...

I am thankful for a God who cares more deeply about me than I could ever fathom and who has more for me than I could ever understand. And I am thankful to be shoulder to shoulder with a group of people who mirror that Love to me and my family everyday.

Let's do this!!!!

What Happens When You Are Too Busy

I have discovered when you are very busy, you finally take a breath and look up, and lots of things have seemingly just magically happened...

When you've been too busy for your own good, you look up and:

Your child has gone from a youth Medium to a youth Large. Therefore it would seem as he sports his current wardrobe, that he prefers "the midriff top."

Your car has become a POD and no longer has room for people in it.

That chipped toenail polish in no longer just chipped, but now looks like tiny swatches of splatter paint.

You have several "samples" in your home that could be the basis for your child's science fair project.

And speaking of the homefront, you can no longer just dust the furniture. Something along the lines of a chisel is now required.

Your DVR, that you thought had a capacity you would never meet, is at 99% full, thereby inducing panic..."Which shows will it decide to delete first? Should I pull an all-nighter to get caught up???"

and finally you look up and...

Find that somehow fruit snacks now routinely constitutes a fruit/vegetable serving, prompting you to consider dragging your tired self to Market Street. Hmm, how much WOULD a personal shopper cost?

I have no complaints. Life is so fun right now, but we are probably a tad too busy for our own good. So my question is, can anyone relate?