What we have here is a failure to communicate, on my end. I have beaucoup things going on, and they all seem to collide this weekend! The best thing is celebrating the Mr.'s birthday! Ekk! And then my Europe tour BFF, Kate from Australia will be arriving early next week to spend time with us! I'm soooooooooo excited for her to get here! So, we have to turn my office into a nice and cozy guest room for her.
I pinky promise to get back to blogging ASAP within the next week because I love blogging and I love you guys! Plus, I have to complete my 31 day blogging challenge, so yeah! Busy bee over here, living life, and I wouldn't have any other way, except to blog :)
What are you guys up to?
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Did you ever want to know?
Day 2: 20 Facts about me. This one was kinda hard. I mean, I knew the major ones about myself, but after #5, I had to get my Mr. to help.
1. I'm Cajun, something that, as I move around the world, I realize this is a unique heritage and I love it dearly.
2. I'm a Christian. I grew up Catholic, and after yearning for more, I've started going to a non-denominational church. I enjoy getting a little more bible study in my life. And now, I'm going to school to get my Theology degree and I couldn't be happier!
3. I am odd, quirky, eccentric, as pretty much all artists are. BUT, I have a heart as big as Texas, so please don't call me weird!
4. My toes must have a nice pedi at all times, but I rarely put polish on my fingers, it always seems to chip like 1 hour after drying! Anyone else had this problem?
5. I feel weird talking about myself all the time, but I have a blog...it makes no sense! I'm working on letting more of my personal life into the posts, just for ya!
6. Some say I have a dry sense of humor. I'm not sure if I agree with that! I am an odd ball, and what I find funny, some may not. Example: Will Ferrell cracks me up to no end! And once my "Giggle box" gets opened, I will laugh until I cry and can't breathe. Then, I will break out my inhaler because I will be having an asthma attack. After the attack is gone, I will commence laughing about the attack.
7. Saying this loudly and proudly, I LOVE BOOKS! Call me a nerd, call me a geek, call me a dork... I don't even care! I love books, and my favorites are Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, and all other Jane Austen books. :)
8. You could say I'm a girlie girl. I love makeup and skin care products, pink, glitter, lace; all things girlie!
9. You could also say I'm a tomboy. I love shooting guns, sloshing around in my rubber boots, hunting, fishing, and camping!
10. I love the ocean. Always have, and living in Hawaii for those few years solidified that love. I'm torn between living by the ocean, in the future, or in the woods.
Half way there folks, hang in there!
11. I was a professional photographer at one point in time. Sadly, I don't practice that craft nearly enough. (Hey, if you're ever in Illinois, and want your picture taken, let me know! I'd love to practice on folks!) One of my goals for 2015 is to practice and share my photography more on here!
12. Cooking & baking is my jam! Love to experiment with new recipes. My gumbo is also the jam, period.
13. I also love sewing. My great grandmother taught me and I have been sewing my little heart out ever since. Recently, I just bought my first embroidery machine and boyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy is that thang fun! I can't wait to embroider everything and sell all things embroidered!
14. My Mr.'s nickname for me is "Hummingbird" because, in his words, "Both for how you fly from obsession to obsession and how pretty you are." He's so cute, and so right. I do jump in excitedly when I find something new to fixate on.
15. I don't like curse words. I don't like hearing others say them, or saying them myself. But, when I'm angry, they slip out from time to time. According to my Mr., when I am that angry, me saying curse words is the least of your worries. (He's really telling you guys all my secrets here!)
16. Battlestar Galactica and Gilmore Girls are my absolute favorite shows!
17. I've had many failed relationships. It was tough, and I clung to my faith to get me through. Which, once I allowed God to lead me (and that was tough for my Type A personality) he lead me to Hawaii to meet my soul mate- my Mr!
18. I have battled Stage 4 Endometriosis for 21 years of my life, finally diagnosed at age 18. It caused me to have a hysterectomy, and we will have to adopt to have children. I was also just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and all of this causes us to deal with lots of doctors and appointments and surgeries and medicine. It also causes us to turn down a lot of plans with others even though I would love nothing better than to go out and enjoy our friends and family. When I talk about these things, I wish not for your pity, but prayers for strength for me and my Mr. to deal with the hand I was dealt. God has his reasons for all of this, and I accept that. But, if I had a healthy body, I would probably rule the world, not even kidding!
19. Pajamas = lounge wear you sleep in, or put on after your nightly shower. Lounge wear = lounge wear you wear during the day. These technically could be the same articles of clothing, but have different names if worn different times. The Mr. doesn't get this, but it's legit.
20. I have always had a bad case of wanderlust and I'm so thankful God sent me my Mr., who also has a case of the wanderlust. This is a blessing and a curse as we talk about travel and where we will eventually end up and retire. Except we can't decide on a place and will, most likely, get a tiny house and travel from state to state, seeing everything we possibly can.
DONE! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Tell me a fact about you! Comment below.
1. I'm Cajun, something that, as I move around the world, I realize this is a unique heritage and I love it dearly.
2. I'm a Christian. I grew up Catholic, and after yearning for more, I've started going to a non-denominational church. I enjoy getting a little more bible study in my life. And now, I'm going to school to get my Theology degree and I couldn't be happier!
3. I am odd, quirky, eccentric, as pretty much all artists are. BUT, I have a heart as big as Texas, so please don't call me weird!
4. My toes must have a nice pedi at all times, but I rarely put polish on my fingers, it always seems to chip like 1 hour after drying! Anyone else had this problem?
5. I feel weird talking about myself all the time, but I have a blog...it makes no sense! I'm working on letting more of my personal life into the posts, just for ya!
6. Some say I have a dry sense of humor. I'm not sure if I agree with that! I am an odd ball, and what I find funny, some may not. Example: Will Ferrell cracks me up to no end! And once my "Giggle box" gets opened, I will laugh until I cry and can't breathe. Then, I will break out my inhaler because I will be having an asthma attack. After the attack is gone, I will commence laughing about the attack.
7. Saying this loudly and proudly, I LOVE BOOKS! Call me a nerd, call me a geek, call me a dork... I don't even care! I love books, and my favorites are Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, and all other Jane Austen books. :)
8. You could say I'm a girlie girl. I love makeup and skin care products, pink, glitter, lace; all things girlie!
9. You could also say I'm a tomboy. I love shooting guns, sloshing around in my rubber boots, hunting, fishing, and camping!
10. I love the ocean. Always have, and living in Hawaii for those few years solidified that love. I'm torn between living by the ocean, in the future, or in the woods.
Half way there folks, hang in there!
11. I was a professional photographer at one point in time. Sadly, I don't practice that craft nearly enough. (Hey, if you're ever in Illinois, and want your picture taken, let me know! I'd love to practice on folks!) One of my goals for 2015 is to practice and share my photography more on here!
12. Cooking & baking is my jam! Love to experiment with new recipes. My gumbo is also the jam, period.
13. I also love sewing. My great grandmother taught me and I have been sewing my little heart out ever since. Recently, I just bought my first embroidery machine and boyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy is that thang fun! I can't wait to embroider everything and sell all things embroidered!
14. My Mr.'s nickname for me is "Hummingbird" because, in his words, "Both for how you fly from obsession to obsession and how pretty you are." He's so cute, and so right. I do jump in excitedly when I find something new to fixate on.
15. I don't like curse words. I don't like hearing others say them, or saying them myself. But, when I'm angry, they slip out from time to time. According to my Mr., when I am that angry, me saying curse words is the least of your worries. (He's really telling you guys all my secrets here!)
16. Battlestar Galactica and Gilmore Girls are my absolute favorite shows!
17. I've had many failed relationships. It was tough, and I clung to my faith to get me through. Which, once I allowed God to lead me (and that was tough for my Type A personality) he lead me to Hawaii to meet my soul mate- my Mr!
18. I have battled Stage 4 Endometriosis for 21 years of my life, finally diagnosed at age 18. It caused me to have a hysterectomy, and we will have to adopt to have children. I was also just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and all of this causes us to deal with lots of doctors and appointments and surgeries and medicine. It also causes us to turn down a lot of plans with others even though I would love nothing better than to go out and enjoy our friends and family. When I talk about these things, I wish not for your pity, but prayers for strength for me and my Mr. to deal with the hand I was dealt. God has his reasons for all of this, and I accept that. But, if I had a healthy body, I would probably rule the world, not even kidding!
19. Pajamas = lounge wear you sleep in, or put on after your nightly shower. Lounge wear = lounge wear you wear during the day. These technically could be the same articles of clothing, but have different names if worn different times. The Mr. doesn't get this, but it's legit.
20. I have always had a bad case of wanderlust and I'm so thankful God sent me my Mr., who also has a case of the wanderlust. This is a blessing and a curse as we talk about travel and where we will eventually end up and retire. Except we can't decide on a place and will, most likely, get a tiny house and travel from state to state, seeing everything we possibly can.
DONE! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Tell me a fact about you! Comment below.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Having a Faith Shift? Build a Community?
Time for some book reviews! * I received both books complimentary in exchange for my honest review.
This first book is from Bloggingforbooks.org. They are a great company! The books are always delivered really fast, and they have an amazing selection to choose from.
OK, so this book is Faith Shift by Kathy Escobar.
Hope for spiritual refugees, church burnouts, and freedom seekers.
After years of participating in a comfortable faith tradition, many find themselves in a spiritual wilderness, feeling disillusioned with church, longing for more freedom and less religion in their lives.
If that describes you, you’re in good company. Countless men and women are in the middle of a shifting faith—and aren't sure where to turn.
What if you discovered that losing beliefs doesn't mean you have to lose your faith?
Pastor, friend, and spiritual director Kathy Escobar has journeyed with many who have experienced significant shifts in the faith they once considered unchangeable. Through their stories and her own, Kathy has discovered that growth and change are natural parts of life in our relationship with God.
Filled with honest stories and practical insights, Faith Shift gives language to what many experience as their faith evolves. With an inviting blend of vulnerability and hope, it addresses the losses that come with spiritual shifts and offers tangible practices for rebuilding a free and authentic faith after it unravels.
What feels like an ending can become a new beginning.
Includes personal reflection and group discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
My opinion:
This book rocked my core! Since leaving Catholicism, I've struggled with the guilt of leaving, and with "finding my place" in a church or a specific religion. I felt like she was writing this book specifically for me. Breaking away from one religion and trying to forge another one. She offers a sort of "roadmap" to those transitioning in their faith. I highly suggest this book for anyone who may find themselves in transition.
Next Book-
The second book under review is From Tablet to Table by Leonard Sweet. It's from Tyndale Blog Network
This first book is from Bloggingforbooks.org. They are a great company! The books are always delivered really fast, and they have an amazing selection to choose from.
OK, so this book is Faith Shift by Kathy Escobar.
Back cover:
After years of participating in a comfortable faith tradition, many find themselves in a spiritual wilderness, feeling disillusioned with church, longing for more freedom and less religion in their lives.
If that describes you, you’re in good company. Countless men and women are in the middle of a shifting faith—and aren't sure where to turn.
What if you discovered that losing beliefs doesn't mean you have to lose your faith?
Pastor, friend, and spiritual director Kathy Escobar has journeyed with many who have experienced significant shifts in the faith they once considered unchangeable. Through their stories and her own, Kathy has discovered that growth and change are natural parts of life in our relationship with God.
Filled with honest stories and practical insights, Faith Shift gives language to what many experience as their faith evolves. With an inviting blend of vulnerability and hope, it addresses the losses that come with spiritual shifts and offers tangible practices for rebuilding a free and authentic faith after it unravels.
What feels like an ending can become a new beginning.
Includes personal reflection and group discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
My opinion:
This book rocked my core! Since leaving Catholicism, I've struggled with the guilt of leaving, and with "finding my place" in a church or a specific religion. I felt like she was writing this book specifically for me. Breaking away from one religion and trying to forge another one. She offers a sort of "roadmap" to those transitioning in their faith. I highly suggest this book for anyone who may find themselves in transition.
Next Book-
The second book under review is From Tablet to Table by Leonard Sweet. It's from Tyndale Blog Network
Back Cover:
What if the Bible were seen less as a tablet of ink than as a table of food? "From Tablet to Table" invites readers to explore the importance of The Table in biblical theology, and what it might mean for us to bring back the table to our homes, our churches, and our neighborhoods. The table pictures the grace of God's provision for all aspects of our lives, a place of safe gathering, of finding identity in shared stories, of imparting food and faith, of playing host and finding satisfaction as a guest. Sweet explores how our failure to understand and appreciate "the most sacred item of furniture in every home" has created such a deficit in our fast-food, take-what-you-like-smorgasbord, together-but-separate society.
My Opinion:
The author was great at story telling and at times, I felt as if his style of writing could have easily been a dinner table discussion. His values presented in the book are solid foundations that we all could use a little more of in our lives. I would be happy to suggest this book to all ages, especially those who are just starting out on their own, or those trying to establish a community in a new location. It definitely inspires me to reach out and expand and redevelop my own community!
There you have it! I hope you guys give these books a try if you are in that particular stage in your life.
Do you have a favorite, go-to book for a faith transition or for building a community? Please comment with them below! I need to expand in these areas and would love all recommendations!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Search This Blog
