Monday, September 30, 2013

Happy Birthday darling

Dearest Nathan,

Today is your birthday. 21. Seems kind of old, =P but we have so many years in front of us and our future is bright! The most exciting thing about today is that I get to spend it with you! And enjoy another adventure; yay for going to the zoo!

It seems so long ago that I came to your 16th birthday party. Things have changed so much! And we have come through many milestones. I am so thankful for all the years I have known you and am looking forward to many years to come.

So, love, happy birthday! You truly are my other half, my soulmate, my sweetheart. I hope you that enjoy this day and that God blesses us with another amazing year! 



Well, I'm gonna go spend time with my honey now! I'll be at the zoo if you need me ;)

Until next time...



Sunday, September 29, 2013

Musical Monday//4 {A day early}


Recently I've been thinking a lot about how God provides. It seems as if everytime I've spent money on something, God has provided that money back. Especially when I've bought something for someone else. Those have been small ways, but very personal and important to me. He's also provided in big ways! Like providing a new, better job for Nathan so that he can better prepare for our future life together. And in a non-financial way, making it so that Nathan's jury duty is a day late so that we can celebrate his birthday. Isn't God great?? 
The Lord Will Provide
John Newton/Matthew Smith

"Though troubles assail and dangers affright, 
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite; 
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, 
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide 

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed, 
From them let us learn to trust for our bread: 
His saints, what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied, 
So long as it's written, the Lord will provide 

We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed 
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost. 
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide, 
The promise engages, the Lord will provide. 

His call we obey, like Abram of old, 
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold; 
For though we are strangers we have a good Guide, 
And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide 

When Satan appears to stop up our path, 
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith; 
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, 
This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide 

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain, 
The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain, 
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied, 
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide 

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim, 
Yet since we have known the Savior's great name; 
In this our strong tower for safety we hide, 
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide 

When life sinks apace and death is in view, 
This word of his grace shall comfort us through: 
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side, 
We hope to die shouting the Lord will provide"

Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[g] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Until next time...

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Mirror Chalkboard

Okay, chalkboards are super popular! And I think I'm a little late jumping on the bandwagon... Oh well, I'm on now! That said, I am so excited about this DIY. 


My inspiration really came from two places. First, our (Jaquelyn and I) craft fair that is this Saturday (eeek!). We are sharing one booth, but we are two different shops. I was brainstorming for so long trying to think of a creative, cute way to display both our names. Then, I kept seeing pictures everywhere of people turning mirrors into chalkboards and saying it worked great, (my sister Jennifer just so happened to be getting rid of one). Ummm... Can I say, perfect?? Time to get to work. These are so simple! If you are a thrifter/garage saler, I'm sure you'll be able to find a cheap old mirror. This DIY just gives it a new life! 

What you'll need:
~ A mirror. As I said, this is an old one that we've had for a long time and it was time for a makeover!
 ~ Spray paint: You can get crazy with this if you want; but I needed mine to be a good neutral color since Jaquelyn and I have different colors for our shop themes. (I got mine for about $4 at Walmart)
~ Painters tape: Easy peasy, found pretty much anywhere. =) (I got mine at Walmart, can't remember how much.. A few dollars.)
~ Chalkboard paint: Any kind will do. I have never tried the spray paint, so I can't recommend it, but feel free if you're feeling brave! (Michael's for $6)
~ Foam brush: These are great because they put on a smooth coat and won't leave hairs. (Michael's for $0.99)
~ And Newspaper: (Found at my local newspaper box.)


1. First step is to make that mirror frame new. Best place for spray paint is outside. Lay out some newspaper, (unless you want a pretty driveway/lawn ;) ), to put your mirror on. Then you need to use more newspaper to tape off the mirror part. Not too hard. I put the paper almost to the edge and then used the painters tape to cover the rest and keep the paper down.



2. Pull out that spray paint and simply follow the directions on the back. I ended up needing to do about 3 coats to cover all of the gold.



Let the paint dry and then pull off the paper. Almost done!

Photo bombed by my cute puppy Nora ;)
3. Break out the chalkboard paint. =) Again, you can find good instructions on the back of the bottle. I used three coats to make sure I had a good thick chalkboard. =) You have to let the coats dry at least an hour in-between and then cure for 24 hours after you're done.

1st coat

Second coat

And third coat =)
{Here's a closeup of the board and frame}

4. After letting it cure, all you have to do is use some chalk and rub a light coating all over the chalkboard and it is ready to be used! 



This is a trick I am definitely going to use again; especially once I'm married and have my own house. ;) I'd love to know if you try it yourself!
Until next time...





Monday, September 23, 2013

Musical Monday//3


Lord, I need you
Matt Maher

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Whatever good you see in me, is only because I have Jesus inside me. He is my one and only possible defense and because of Him, God sees me as Righteous...

Happy Monday! Remember, I'd love to see your own Musical Monday, either below in the comments or by linking up!
Until next time...





Friday, September 20, 2013

C25K update - Week 2

Well, Nathan and I are well into week 2 of the Couch to 5K program. So far, so good I think. =)
Week 1, day 2
With this program (at least the specific podcast we're using, there are different versions.), you always have a 5 minute warm up and cool down walk at the beginning and end. Then, depending on the week you have different intervals of running and walking. Last week, week 1, was 4 intervals of running 2 minutes, then walking 3. By the end both Nathan and I felt pretty good and ready to take on week 2.



This time, there are 5 intervals of running 2 and 1/2 minutes, then walking 2 and 1/2 minutes. 
As you can tell, it was kind of rough...
But, we did it! Didn't he take such a good picture??
Yesterday was better. =) Although I think Ice skating on Wednesday took it's toll. My legs hurt the whole time! But the rest of me felt pretty good. =) I didn't feel like I was dying like I did on the 1st day. We'll see what happens as we go on.


Great job Nathan! Proud of you for doing it and helping me!

Until next time...






Thursday, September 19, 2013

Day out with the sisters

Yesterday, the four of us still at home got to head down to Sarasota and hang out with Jaquelyn. It's been a while since just the 5 sisters have gotten together and done something fun, so it was a blast! We wanted one last time before Jennifer heads to the army and Jaquelyn's belly gets huge, ;) (if I haven't mentioned it, her and Hayden are having a baby!).

We decided to go ice skating. There's an ice rink not too far from Jaquelyn, so it's perfect to go to. Plus, then we could bundle up and pretend it feels like fall here in sunny FL. =)









Yes, yes, we're slightly crazy ;)
After lots of fun, a couple falls (All by Katheryn), cold hands, red cheeks and noses, it was time for lunch! We all decided on Chick-Fil-A since Katheryn didn't want anything gross, i.e. Tacobell and Chipotles. It was delicious! Although I did find a normal fry in my meal... ;)

We spent time at Jaquelyn's house too. We got to play with Lucy. =D


And I lost horribly at Mexican Train. =) I am so thankful for the sisters God has given me, even if sometimes it doesn't seem that way.

Until next time...











Monday, September 16, 2013

Musical Monday//2

Happy Monday, everyone! I usually always have a song (or two, or three...) running through my mind. I am subject to fits of random singing, as my family will tell you. ;) So, this Musical Monday came with some decisions! I think though, I can finally narrow it down to one song that has really impacted me this past week. Plus, unless Jesus comes back or takes me home, I should have plenty of Mondays to share on. ;)

God my rock
Brenton Brown/Paul Baloche

When my heart is overwhelmedI will look to You alone
God my rock, God my rock, God my rock
You will stand when others fall, You are faithful through it all
God my rock, God my rock, God my rock

In the blessing, in the pain
through it all You’ve never failed me

You are the strength of my heart, You are the strength of my heart
I can rely on You, I can rely on You
You are the joy of my life, You are my song in the night
There is no one as true
Jesus I trust in You

When I’ve struggled to believe, You have not let go of me
God my rock, God my rock, God my rock
Carried through the darkest stormsYou have held me in Your arms
God my rock, God my rock, God my rock

A few months or so back, my Dad (who asides from being Elder/Youth pastor), the music leader at our church, introduced this song to our team. I instantly fell in love. I love how music puts into words what my heart is feeling. I love how God leads others to write those words that mean so much. I encourage you to look the song up on Youtube, sing along as a cry to our awesome Rock.
Psalm 61:2
"From the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I..."

{Remember to link up your own "Musical Monday" post. Include the picture and make sure to link back to here! I'd love to read how God is using music in your life

Until next time...





Friday, September 13, 2013

Simpler, slower, better

The past 9 years of my life have been... Busy. I've "done" a lot of things. Serving with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) throughout the summer and also some through the fall. Being on the Music Ministry at my church. Teaching the kids at my church, etc. etc. etc.

This past spring and summer was especially busy because I served as the Summer Ministries Coordinator for my CEF chapter. I will admit that at times I was completely overwhelmed, stressed, and felt like giving up. If it wasn't for my God and my love, I probably would have. Through His grace and lots of encouragement, I made it through the Summer. That experience made me realize something. I was so busy "doing" things, I had forgotten to work on my relationship with Jesus. I knew that I had to slow down or I would burn out. 

Part of this new lifestyle for me is being able to create. That's the main reason I am starting up Oodles of Zoottles. To be able to express myself and have an outlet to do so, hopefully blessing others along the way. This blog is also a way for me to express myself. 

I was so excited to be able to order Business cards and postcards for my little shop! {Front}

{Back}
Most importantly, a part of my new way of doing things, is to make spending time with Jesus the #1 priority. Yesterday, "Jesus calling" by Sarah Young, talked about making sure to rest in God's presence. And even if the world looks at you and sees you doing "nothing" to know that you are really doing the most important thing in the world. That is soooo true! My days are always better if I start them resting with the Lord. 


Now, I've also had time to do other fun things!

I got Nathan to start Couch to 5K with me this week! {Read here}

Re-doing an old mirror, DIY coming soon! ;)
As I said last time, I get to do a craft fair soon! Something I would have never been able to do; no time!




The nice thing about crocheting is that I can take it pretty much anywhere! 

What my work station usual looks like ;)
So, this coming "year" (Fall, Spring, Summer) my goal is to live simpler and slower, be more of a homebody and work on being "quiet before my God". I'm still figuring out exactly how that looks and of course I still want to serve in ministry; we'll see where God leads. 

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear them!

Until next time...