Timing

When I was younger we sang this song in church all the time that sounded like something straight out of a Southern Baptist Church. The song was called "On Time God." I struggled with this song, not only because it was a corny song but because, I didn't like to think time was out of my control. If you know me at all you know I'm a little bit of a control freak... Admitting the problem it the first step...

I didn't like waiting and trusting that the waiting was necessary. If something good was coming I wanted it then and if I was in the middle of something bad I wanted it to hurry up and end. The truth is God is in control and He has a perfect time for every thing. This is one of the many things that God has been teaching me down in SC. It's a concept that has been brought up many times this week and then this morning at church the message seemed to solidify every thing that has been going on. If you have a spare hour this week I would highly encourage you to check out this week's sermon, it's a message for everyone. (It's the one dated 1/29/11)

The first verse we looked at, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, has actually inspired many pop culture references including this song that has been stuck in my head all day. Usually this verse is used as an encouragement to say that good things will come and that the bad things are only for a time and while that is true it also means the God has divinely placed each season in your life for a reason. Not really something I wanted to hear... Truth be told, moving down here has not been easy and I have faced many trials and struggles and have continually asked God, "WHY???" but it's all for His glory and his purpose. I don't need to know why, I just need to trust that He sees the full picture and I should be praising Him for using me in His plan. James tells it like it is chapter 1:2-4. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I read that and think, "Dang, ok... Your will, not mine."

There are a lot of things coming up in my life, new possibilities and directions. I have no idea where they will lead or even when they will come but I am trying as hard as I can to stay where I am and wait for God to say, "Go."

If you think to pray for me this week pray that I have the patience for and the certainty of God direction. I miss you and love you all. Many blessings!

P.S. When I refer to church "this morning" I wrote this on Sunday,just hadn't posted it yet. :)

Home Decorating

Now that Christmas is over (and most of the presents are done) I figured I could make something for myself. The idea originated from this pin on pinterest, but I took some creative freedom and used a map instead of a poster as an ode to my love of travel.

I bought an antique style map from Barnes and Noble and headed over to A.C. Moore (not my usual craft store but I had a gift card). Due to a misinterpreted sign I was able to get canvases that were already on sale for an extra 50% off so each 11x14 canvas cost me $1.50. (Hooray for poorly worded signs!)

I cut the map up and began to mod podge it onto the canvases. I started with a homemade version of Mod Podge but the consistency wasn't right so I ended up going back to A.C. Moore. I bought to many canvases so I returned two and bought the real Mod Podge to complete the project.

I painted the edge of the canvases to blend in with the map. I would highly suggest doing this part first, it's a pain to do it after the paper is on there.

I think it came out splendid and once I take my Christmas tree out of my living room I will be hanging it. All together is cost me less than $20, if you were to find something similar in a store you could expect to spend anywhere from $50-$100 and besides, this is way more fun!

Christmas Crafting Fun!

Ok, so now that I have given everyone their Christmas presents I can show you all what I have been up to for the past few weeks (similar to what my sister-in-law did on her blog). Crafting!

If you haven't heard of it yet you should all check out Pinterest. I'm obsessed. Here are a few of the wonderful ideas I have found on there.

This is the change holder I made for my mom. We are planning a trip to Greece in a few years and have been saving change but Mom has only had a peanut jar to keep hers in.

I took a shadow box and drilled a slit in the top (with some assistance) and found a wonderful picture of the Greece shore to put in it for inspiration. You could find one pre-made online for about $25 but I find making them is more fun and about half the cost.

The next thing I made were wreaths. I made one for the Tinsley's and one for the Scruggs.

I found the inspiration on Pinerest but there was not one specific tutorial I could point you to. I bought pipe insulation at Home Depot for $0.98 and duct taped it in a circle. One, six foot piece was enough for two wreaths. I then wrapped the foam in yarn then took ribbon I found at the Dollar Store and ruffled it around and attached with pins. It took two spools of yarn for one wreath. I then took bells I also found at the Dollar Store and pinned them on and to complete the look I took ornaments that I found at... guess where... and hung them in the middle. The effect was wonderful. So all together each wreath ended up costing me $4.50. (I would now like to apologize to the people I made these for. They look more expensive than they actually were.)

Another project I thoroughly enjoyed was making this necklace.

I bought an ugly tie from Goodwill (the uglier the tie the cuter the necklace) and took it apart with my dear friend, the seam ripper. I then sewed it back together in a thin tube. I placed large plastic beads inside and tied a not in between each bead. A more in depth tutorial can be found here.

I bought the beads at Hobby Lobby and if you shop at Hobby Lobby and ever pay full price you are crazy. They have 50% off sales each week on different items. If what you want is not currently on sale, go back next week and it most likely will. If it can't wait they have 40% off coupons on their website every week and if you have a smart phone you can pull it up on your phone and don't need to print it off. Well that was my aside to Hobby Lobby. Moral of the story, I got the beads on sale and the cost of the necklace ended up being $2.50.

There are still other projects going on but until they are delivered to their final destinations I can not put them on here. If you have a spare minute (and I can tell you do since you are reading this) check out Pinterest but beware... it's addicting!

I hope all of you had a wonderful and joyous Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Updates

It was brought to my attention recently that I have not updated my blog in quite some time. Well, I'm sorry. Here is what is going on in my life:

I am loving my new job. It has its times of stress like any job but I fully enjoy it and I work with some amazing people.

I have had some visitors recently. The lovely Miss Robin MacIntosh stopped by on her way to her new adventure in Florida. We found ourselves in "interesting" situations as always but it was great to see her. I know God is going to do mighty things though her down in Florida.

My next visitor was my dad. It was a wonderful visit and I had so much fun. I think he may have fallen in love with the Greenville area as I have.

And this just in, my mom is coming to visit me for Thanksgiving! I have missed my mom so much and I can not wait to see her again. On the schedule so far is Cirque Du Soleil!

And next summer, on their way home from Arizona, my brother, sister-in-law, and favorite nephew are coming to see me!!!

Not only and I blessed with the people who have come to see me but also with the people I have come to know here. The Scruggs family has "adopted" me and I love spending Sunday evenings with them. My new church family is also a huge joy in my life. This past Wednesday I went to a women's get together at one of the lady's home. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with great Christian women.

Fall is officially upon us down here. (I would like to take this moment to laugh at those up north that experienced snow last weekend. After I leave Starbucks I plan on sitting on my deck and reading a book.) The trees, although not as glorious as up north, have started to change color and the leaves are falling.

In a few weeks I will be joining another woman from my church and volunteering at the local children's home. I am excited to get involved with this ministry.

I will be driving home for Christmas and will be back in Vermont for five days. I hope to see as many of you as possible.

My experience in Greenville has been nothing like what I expected but I would not change it for anything. I have learned so much about myself and God and I have grown in so many ways.

I only ask for continued strength in the Lord and faith in his direction.

Prayers of blessings to you all!

All the glory to Him

Since I moved, and even before then, I had been searching for a job. That was my main focus for the past three months. It consumed my thoughts daily and I was constantly worried about not finding work. I knew God was testing me but how far was He going to go? It seemed to me that our clocks were not synced. I was ready for work and God was telling me to wait. I came to a point of complete surrender. I had sent out over 50 applications to jobs related and unrelated to my field and I had heard nothing. I thought that I was fully qualified. I had an education, I had experience, I was a pleasant person, and yet... nothing.

Last Friday I gave up. (Ask my mom, it wasn't pretty) I couldn't handle the stress anymore. A new round of bills were coming and there was no way that I could pay them and no one was calling me for interviews and I was out of ideas. I gave it all up on Friday. I cried out to God and handed everything over.

On Sunday, a friend from church asked if I was still looking for a job and offered me the info for a position that she had interviewed for but did not want. I sent off my resume that night at midnight. At 9am Monday morning (they woke me up) I got a call to come in for an interview at 2pm. By 2:15 they offered me the job and I started Tuesday morning at 9am.

God is good! (A complete understatement) He was waiting for me to hand the situation over to Him and in His perfect timing everything fell into place. And to add a cherry to the top, I got to work on Tuesday and they had Green Mountain Coffee. :)

Yes, the bills are still and issue but I know He will work it all out.

I want to thank you all for the prayers and thoughts. You all mean so much to me.

I will keep you updated on the adventures of being a receptionist in a psychiatrist's office. It had been eventful so far. :D

Interview!

I got an interview for a Special Grants Coordinator position! I have no idea what that entails but how bad can it be? Right?

Other happenings:

I found a pub last night that was playing the Patriots game and I wasn't the only one cheering for them!

I'm amused that Starbucks is already advertising their fall drinks considering it is currently a scorching 90 degrees outside.

I have watched every movie I own since moving here. Time to start back at the beginning?

Yesterday, while sitting on a bench downtown, a homeless man sat next to me and started talking to me about his first night living on the street. I felt bad for the man and normally I would have listened to him but I was worried, so Katie ever so promptly responded to my text of "Call me know!" and rescued me.

I made cookies. I love to bake and cook. I would invite random people over just so I could cook for them... but then I might be in the same position I was with the poor, homeless man.

Not much else going on. I just thought I would update you all. As much as I like being busy and working, I am enjoying the time I have right now to spend reading my Bible and praying. I am learning to entirely depend on God and I wouldn't trade that for any job. I know He will bring me one when the time is right. All is good down here and I think of you all often. :)

Kickin' it Old School

I like old fashioned things and traditions. I like that at one time, all men held the door for women. I like the idea of having formal dances to certain songs instead of just an orgy on the dance floor. I like that people went to each other's homes to visit and have coffee instead of sending a text or a facebook post.

Maybe I have been reading to many books from the "good ol' days." I decided to take my own trip down memory lane and bust out my dad's old film camera and go to the downtown park.

I had originally had this camera for a black and white photography class I took in college but I have not touched it since then even though it had been my favorite class. Here are some of the results of my recent walk through the park.

I don't pretend to be any type of photography expert but I had fun.

Take some time and do something a little old fashioned today.