Undeserving

So I know I haven't blogged in a long time, but with school being so hectic on top of an already hectic life, any spare time that I did have, I found other things to occupy me :/

In order to write about something (same as crafting, lol) you must first have an inspiration. Today, I have just that.

This topic is near and dear to my heart for many reasons. Sadly the names of the individuals I will be referring to will remain unanimous, and we'll just make up alias names instead, just to make it interesting.

In this story, there are 3 people. I will cheat and tell you that I am one of them. As for the other 2, we will call the adult "Jeremy" and the child "Emily".

So story goes...
    The other day, I was speaking about the upcoming Christmas holiday, prying my way into knowing what presents "Jeremy" had gotten for everyone, "Emily" in particular. He disclosed to me a few of the items that he had purchased for the child and then stated. "It's really more than she deserves; she should be lucky that I got her anything at all."
    Obviously, there has been contention between these two individuals. The relationship was at a point of exhaustion, and both were merely burnt out on one another.

    It was with Jeremy's statement that a similar scenario came to my mind.

    Aren't we all just like Emily? All undeserving of what our Heavenly Father has given us.
    We have all done things to the Lord that would deem us "undeserving" of any blessings or gifts that He has given us, but yet, He still willingly gave His only Son, Jesus to die for us.
     I know that I myself am definitely guilty of undervaluing that precious gift but just take a few moments of your busy lives to think about that. Even if you don't have children, imagine someone very close to you, maybe a sibling, younger cousin, niece, nephew, you get the idea. Imagine giving that person up to people that did you wrong, who were disrespectful to you, who didn't appreciate you, and allowing that person to die for those "undeserving" individuals, so that they might receive the ultimate gift, eternal life.
     How truly amazing our Savior is.
 
In the busyness of the Christmas season, lets not forget how the story ends.

We know that a baby came to earth, was born in a manger, etc., but let us not neglect to recognize that the story doesn't end there. That precious baby was sent here for a purpose... To give us the ultimate gift.

We are all "the undeserving"

easy crafting

So I haven't crafted (or blogged : / ) for quite some time now, and so I a small thing that was pretty basic to start off with. I saw this on a blog and fell in love.
     Side Note: if you are looking for crafting ideas.. ever, look at other blogs! I have found SO many fun ideas on other people's blogs.
Anyways, so this is a "rick rack Rosette" that I made. I can't tell you what it's for but I can show u what it looks like at least :)

The original site that I got this from I got this from is : http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/03/rick-rack-rosettes.html 

Java

Behold! My birthday present at work.

Mom got me this for my birthday and it is Perfect!

It's a single cup coffee maker, for college students, and although I don't live in a dorm, this is still helpful, plus whenever Kyle and I eventually do move out, I'm the only one that drinks the sweet nectar, so there's no need for more than a single cup to be brewed at a time. 

<3

James has got to be one of my all time favorite books to read. I think I get something new out of it every single time that I go through it. And if you know me at all, you will know that I am a visual person. I like to imagine what is really going on in a scenario.

I am going to share with you my "mental image" of what's happening here.

James 1: 2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Now when I first read this, the image the popped into my mind was a soldier. A soldier that knows he's about to go into battle, but instead of being scared and afraid, he lets out a giant fist pump and yells "Bring It On" and then runs out against the enemy, ready for whatever lies ahead.

This can be us. Who doesn't want to be proven steadfast. So if you're like me, you may have heard a word a thousand times, and even used it. You know generally what it means, and can use it in a sentence, but sometimes it's good to be reminded of it's true definition.

stead·fast

  [sted-fast]

adjective

1.

fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.

2.

firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as aperson: a steadfast friend.

3.

unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

4.

firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

5.

firmly fixed in place or position.

I listened to a podcast message today about the cost of your faith. This is a prime example of those "trials of various kinds". You may lose friends, or popularity, but in the end, you will be proven steadfast, to the Friend, that sticks closer than a brother.

A ray of sunlight

The start of a VERY long organization project.

This box represents the only part of the entire closet that is not in utter chaos. In order for Abigail to not absolutely hate cleaning, I had to present it in a way that would make it sound less like work, and more fun. Right now the "in" thing for her age group is the "My Littlest Pet Shop" toys, so I told her it would be a good idea to make a place for all of her "LPS" stuff to go, that way she wouldn't lose any of them! We found a box at the Christmas Tree Shop here on Cape Cod for $4 and it fit everything in there perfectly. Best part was that she wanted blue over pink. That fact alone made me more giddy than I probably should have been. So here it is. The start of a long project. Honestly, I don't think it'll ever look perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try :)

Projects Galore!

Over the past week I've been dying to do some crafting and the day has finally arrived. It was so jam packed of chaotic projects that I was almost in heaven. Here are some pix of the finished products, Enjoy!

This is a coaster made out of an energy drink can, $0.16 coaster, some felt padding for the bottom, and some glossy varnish coated over the top to give it a more "finished" look.

This is a flower hair accessory that I made out of ric-rac with a felt bottom, and a pearl button accent.

Lastly, this is something I made to hold books. I usually carry around a book with me in my purse, and this is just to prevent any damage that could come about. The top is drawstring so it's not left completely open. 

Ta-Da! I'm so excited.. 

If you have any craft ideas that you'd like to shoot over my way PLEASE do! Especially while i'm on summer vacation from school. I like to fill my free time with projects while I can. 

Peace out girl (boy) scouts ;)

Saying Nothing At All

A few times in my lifetime I have been accused of talking too much. Who me? Talk too much? Are you kidding?
ooooh boy.
Well you know those things that you've always listened to people tell you, but you've never really heard? I think it's one of those things.
Like: "you're turning into your mother"
You don't really wanna hear it, but you know it's true.
Well I have taken an interest in a new hobby of, listening! - woah!
Listening, and being quiet. It's harder than you think. Well, for me at least.
What makes me think that anyone else really wants to hear every little detail there is to know about me? Chances are, they probably don't, and they're just sitting there listening to avoid being rude. To an extent. But let's all be honest, do we really care what your crazy aunt did when she was a teenager, or what type of cereal you ate for breakfast. No, well, unless it's really that funny. 
I look at it this way. All the time that I spend rattling on about myself, that's less time that I get to learn about someone else. What makes me more interesting than them? They go through the same 24hr/7day week schedule that I do, and who am I to decide that what they've spent their time doing, isn't note-worthy.

Well I've come across this book:
1,000 Ways to be a "slightly" better woman

This is the title to one of the segments.

"Times to Just Say NOTHING"

(some of them are comical, and some are "fo real")

1. When the crazy guy on the train is trying to talk to you.

2. When they ask for volunteers to organize the neighborhood bake sale.

3. When your best friend asks whether that dress makes her look fat.

4. When the cop is giving you a lecture instead of writing you a ticket.

5. When there's 2 minutes left in the game, his team is 6 points down, they have the ball, and the clock is running.

6. When you have the urge to tell someone about the really weird dream you had last night.

7. When someone you admire is giving you advice.

8. When you're fighting, and it's his turn to rant.

9. When the interviewer asks you why you left your last job, and the reason is that you thought your boss was a jerk.

10. When you hate the food, but love the hostess.

Hope you got a kick out of at least some of those. 

And you know I'll never completely shut up...

Who am I kidding.