Packing for NYC

Ten days and counting... decided it was time to pull out the winter clothes.  I have been working to make sure I fit into last years clothes by cutting out sugars and carbs for the past month.  This has worked tremendously well to trim a little so that I "comfortably" fit into my clothes.  However trying on sweaters, jackets, and scarfs when it is 80+ degrees is not comfortable.

Anyway started packing a weeks worth of clothes plus gifts for the hosts.  Normally I could care less what I look like when I travel... in my min comfort counts.  However this is NEW YORK CITY we're talking about.  Can we do cute, stylish, and comfortable???  Oh and maybe warmth is something else to take into consideration....

Well now that the majority of the sweaters are packed... I guess it is time to figure out a carry on...

Hunger for eternity

Last night I really was struggling with anxiety over the future.  Something happened that didn't line up with what I thought should be happening and to be honest it rocked me a bit.  That is until I hit my knees and cried out to the God of the Universe.  I was quickly reminded that there are going to be times of dissatisfaction to make me hunger for the things of eternity.  If I am truly seeking His will for my life than who do I expect Him to do things my way.  Again a chance to trust and obey.

An American freedom

Today is Election Day... the day that decides 4 years of our countries leadership.  For many this is a momentous day when their candidate wins... for others whose candidate loses it can be disheartening but either way the course of history can be changed by one vote. 

This post is not going to be about who you should vote for... your opinion is your opinion... but that you should VOTE!  We are blessed to live in a democratic nation that allows our voices to be heard.  We have the freedom of speech.  If we don't like the way our country is going WE have the right to change it!!

 After traveling to many other countries throughout the years, I have realized that many of the freedoms that I have taken for granted are not FREE for others to experience.  Simple things that even in our country haven't been free for all to do for very long... like women voting.  We have the right to express our opinions... we have the right to worship freely without the fear of persecution... we have the right to education, land ownership, a just judicial system, ... and the list could go on!  This is all because we live in a place called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and our constitutional rights!

Before anyone starts thinking I am being cocky and taking these freedoms for granted... my heart is heavy for all those men and women that have given their lives so that I may have these freedoms.  For these men and women my heart is filled with gratitude!!  It urks me that there are people out there that won't vote today but want to honor the veterans next week.  Honor your veterans by voting.  A non-voter has no right to complain if they are not letting their voice be heard in the manner that counts.

So on this day... no excuses... JUST GO VOTE!!

Living Intentionally

The goal for this year has been to live each day intentionally.  Basically meaning when an opportunity is given by God... to take it and run with it.  So begins this trip...

During fall break, I received an email from Hawaiian Airlines telling of these $465 RT flights to JFK from HNL.  These were too good to pass up, so I posted on facebook to see if anyone else would be interested.  Within minutes, Kim, a friend from grad school replied that she was interested and had a sister that lived an hour outside the city.

So long story short the night before having my wisdom teeth pulled we bought our tickets.  So super excited!!!  Anyone that really knows me knows I am a planner.  Spur of the moment actions rarely happen.  Well mark this down in history as one of my rare spur of the moment actions.

Pumpkin time!!

 Fall break officially began for me an hour and a half ago after finishing parent-teacher conferences and mounds of paperwork.  Kicked my fall break off with a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a few items and headed home to work on a couple of pinterest recipes!!! 

Have been tagging pumpkin recipes for the past few weeks just waiting for fall to officially get here...  needless to say I REALLY LIKE PUMPKIN!!! 

Found a pumpkin pie dip recipe that would be perfect for our women's fellowship brunch in the morning so I thought I would try it.  The recipe calls for caramel so my first step is to try "Crockpot Caramel"  . 

Should that work according to how it should.  It will go in the Pumpkin Pie Dip that I will put together and serve with ginger snaps in the morning.

 

Let the pumpkin festivities (and cooking) begin!!!

Moments

It is moments like this that I really struggle with God's realness...

Yes He is God of love but tangibly I want to feel it...
Yes He is God of direction but sometimes I want a hand to hold while going through a difficult situation...
Yes He is God of peace but I need to hear an audible voice saying "It is going to be ok"...
Yes He is the perfect bridegroom but when push comes to shove I want a husband following the LORD that I can follow. 

I was reminded again today by my pastor's wife that I am on this journey "alone"....

Yes I have God providing directions along the way but it is really hard when family and friends aren't being supportive or have their own ideas of what you "should" do.

What peace!

This morning as I was trying to get up to prepare for church and potluck afterward... it was a battle.  Not only was I tired but my head was pounding and my emotions were everywhere.  Throughout the morning I tried to suppress the emotions to get the needed things done until I realized I needed to spend my quiet time with Jesus.  As I was on my knees I admitted I couldn't do what God is calling me to do in my own strength.  I have so often failed when I try to do it on my own.  I realized how grateful I am that His mercies are new every morning.  As I prayed, I asked for His joy and peace in the midst of what He is calling me to do.  Not sure what all that calling looks like at this point but I do know that it is bigger than what I can handle on my own.  I was reminded that no matter what happens in the future God knows what it is and as long as I trust Him He will make it clear.  Along with that comes His joy and peace.

"What joy... what joy for those who's hope is in the name of the LORD.  What peace... what peace..."