Missionary Papar

I am sitting at home today and I am just so happy. Let me explain...
I wasn't feeling too good this morning, so Jared went to church and left me home to sleep. After sleeping until 8:45 ( I am rapidly loosing my ability to sleep in late), I arose fully awake and lazily made my way down to eat a sweet red grapefruit. After I was finished, I built myself a little nest on our papazan chair consisting of 2 pillows under my back, one under my head, and a cozy soft blanket tucking me in. Added to this nest of comfort is the joy of the oscillating heater sitting on the coffee table in front of me, and the sunshine pouring in the bay window on three sides of me. To further this already heavenly situation, I just finished listening to the greatest pastor of all times, Gregg Heinsch. I downloaded a sermon off the Celebration Communty Church website where he now preaches. And here I sit, typing away to all my fans. Life is good.

On a more serious note, my father is one of the people from Faith that went to India this week. Please pray for him, and the rest of the team. I hear of people going to India every day and just get excited for them and never think twice about it. But when it is my own father, my mind reels with all the possiblities of danger he could be put in. I know that God is watching over him constantly, and will keep him safe, but Satan has a way of making the mind wander. So, if you have a moment today, please say a little prayer for me too. I want to capture my mind and trust God fully to bring my Daddy safely home to me.

Boredom = Creativity

So I had the entire day to myself, completely alone. Which, at the beginning of the day sounded pretty nice. However, after scrubbing the house from top to bottom, vaccuuming every piece of carpet, changing the kitty litter, fixing myself a delicious lunch, running 3 miles, going to Festival, and flipping through the channels endlessly and finding nothing but Seabiscuit, I ran completely out of things to do. And the sun was still up. I had a lot of hours to burn. Jared was away for the evening, so I could not turn to him for entertainment. I had to get creative.

SO....

I gave myself a virtual makeover... or 15.
And to further my excitement, I am making a game of it! I numbered each Naomi and want you to vote on your favorite...











Sometimes the creativity that originates from a bored woman is fascinating.

Someone Will Always Be Prettier

"Someone will always be prettier. They will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things.

So let it go. Love you and your circumstances.

Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have sorrow in her heart. The most highly favored woman at your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know- with the perfect car, house, clothes- might be lonely. The Word says 'If I have not love, I am nothing.' So again, love you. Love who you are right now and let God be your barometer. Mirror Him. Look in the mirror in the morning and see how much of God you see. He's the only standard and even when you come up short, He will not leave or forsake you."

God-Sent Strength

Yesterday I got a call from my brother, Andy, which is always a very exciting thing. As time goes on, I see less and less of him. The news he had to share, however, created a mixture of joy and immediate sadness within me. First, let me explain his situation...
He just graduated in May from Rhode Island School of Design-- a pretty well-known art grad school. Since then, he has been applying for jobs across the country, hoping to find a good job in a related field. As you know, the upper mid-west, is not bursting forth with art culture. Sure, there are a few art museums and galleries, but NOTHING in comparison to the East Coast. So obviously, he had a much better chance of getting a "good" job in some art capital like New York. (Score one for the East Coast.) But secretly, I have been hoping for some amazing opportunity to open up here in the farmfields of the upper midwest. Anyways, since graduation, Andy has also taken on a fiance! Her family all lives in New Jersey. (Score two for the East Coast.) The situation was looking pretty grim from my standpoint, and I began to prepare myself for the worst. Yesterday, the worst came. Andy had an interview at his alma mater in Rhode Island, and got the job(!) The instant reaction that flooded my body was a deep, sad, sinking feeling. But I put aside my selfish desires and feelings, and let Andy shine for that moment. I knew this was a job he wanted very much, and that it would provide a wonderful life for him and his new bride. So I rejoiced with him through my hurt and disapointment. The strength it took to put aside my feelings is not something I could have ever conjured on my own. My God was with me yesterday for those minutes on the phone. So I thank God for the strength He provided me that I may let another shine, and I thank Him for providing Andy with this dream job, which I know he will excel at and enjoy.

Decisions, Decisions

I am incredibly bad at making quick decisions... as many of you found out at the Lia Sophia party this week. Decisions have always been a weak point for me. My mind reels with the benefits and joys of each option I have, and thus, I have a very difficult time narrowing down my options. Eventually though, I do somehow narrow them down. But I am afraid I am stuck in a rut at this point in the process. For some reason, my lucky number is 3 (or rather, my unlucky number). I always narrow down my options to 3, get stuck and cannot narrow any further, and then just get frustrated trying to choose from there. Then, my mind starts playing tricks on me. I finally think that I have made up my mind and just as I am gearing up to take action, the other two options pop back into my head and torment me until my resolve is broken into pieces. Now these decisions of which I speak, are usually the frivolous, trivial things of life, such as: Should I wear my dark gray sweater, my light gray sweater, or my white button-up shirt with this purple tank top? Or, should I buy these earrings, this braclet, or that anklet? Get the gist? Rarely is the war within me over important issues, because I just hand those directly over to Jared who has an amazingly logical and analytical brain. He helps me see the wisest choice so crystal clear that it makes me question why there were even other options in my head. Silly though it may be, I fear I shall never rid myself of this weakness.

Classic Cream

We made this creamy alcohol beverage for New Year's and it is SO YUMMY! I loved it so much I want to share it with all of you! *We only put 1/3 cup of whiskey in, and it was delicious! Enjoy!

Classic Cream (Irish Cream)

4 eggs
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. coconut extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. intant coffee granules
1 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 cup half 'n half
1 cup whiskey*

Mix all ingredients in a blender until well blended. Serve over ice.