...Honestly, I don't know why I am doing this exactly. It will no doubt bring me nothing but grief. Cheers to mocking me!

Dani, pick yourself up off the floor. I can hear you laughing all the way from here. ;)

Lately in my life...

...I've celebrated the nuptials of two friends.

...I have enjoyed evenings eating delicious sweet things (i.e. uber yummy homemade chocolate cake!) while curled up on a couch with friends watching favorite television episodes.

...I ran into two former co-workers, not just once but twice in one weekend.

...I'm loving the fact that I can wear sunglasses again. Life without contacts can not only leave you squinty-eyed (which leads to more wrinkles, but who really cares?), but rather bored with your lack of facial fashion too. Yes, that's shallow, I know.

...I've enjoyed conversations with dear friends over my lunch break.

...I am trying to make it a habit to move more during my eight hours of potential stillness at work. I've had to get creative: lunges to and from my boss' office, thirty minute walks over my lunch break, etc.

...my brain has been hurting as I attempt to organize vacation Bible school for my chapel. Even with the handy "director's guide" some decisions still aren't that easy to make. VBS is even invading my dreams at night. :)

...(Speaking of dreams) I've been dreaming of planting cucumbers, bell peppers, herbs, squash, lettuce, kale...in my future backyard. I'm a wee bit intimidated by the sandy soil and my total lack of experience, but I can't seem to resist the temptation to have soil embedded under my nails and sweat running down my back from real work.

...Caught a Rays game with my dad. Good times.

...I'm learning that my word of the year ::RISK:: is challenging me various areas that I thought I didn't particularly struggle with...mainly the fear of man. I take other's opinions into consideration a little too much. More on this later.

Hope you have a blessed weekend remember the death, burial and RESURRECTION of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

To move or not to move...that is the question of the month! Life has certainly not been dull, to put it mildly. It's a long story, and perhaps someday I will detail the events on this blog, but basically there are certain circumstances outside of my control (i.e. home is for sale, and the parents are down-sizing) that are making it a necessity to find a new residence.

I'm in the process of moving out...and what a process this has proved to be. It's not necessarily the boxes, or the cleaning, or even the adjustment to new surroundings and habits (goodness knows I've had plenty of experience with all that while growing up) but it's the up and down roller coaster of not knowing when I'll move exactly that has been a bit stressful.

Learning to rely on God's grace for the stressful loose ends, unfinished projects, piles of boxes and stuff scatter around, and all-the-while keeping up with myriad of usual commitments has been stretching and surprisingly refreshing. In the midst of the craziness, I'm finding that the key is prayer...real prayer, taking quiet moments with God (I liken it to a spiritual "deep breath"), and emotionally detaching myself from what is simply out of my control, letting Him know and have everything. Not always at the forefront of my mind, but I've tied a mental piece of string to assist me.

"It is good for me to be afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:71

God is so good. So faithful.

On a side note: I can't wait to introduce you to my new abode. This cozy home on Overlea street has history, location and hints of charm that aren't exactly what one would expect...pictures coming soon!

I don't like to focus on being single. It's not because I can't cope with not having a significant other right now...quite the contrary. I've come to realize that it shouldn't be my focus, plain and simple. Because of Christ my single status {or anything else in this world} honestly doesn't define me, make me who I am or what I do. Christ, and Him alone does!

{I must remind myself of this frequently}

Thanks to my carnality, some days are easier than others to deal with singleness...and true to form, I was having such a day not too long ago when I stumbled upon this video.

Coming from the Passion for Christ Ministries, and one of their Lyricts Lounge contributors is Janette on waiting on Christ and delighting in Him during singleness.

Leap a dozen timezones, cross an ocean or two, climb a few mountains and fly over a jungle and you'll find a Nagi village celebrating the life of a set of twins.

Part 1

Part 2

The celebration wasn't to commemorate their birth so much as it was to rejoice that both got to live.

For the missionaries endeavoring to share the Truth to these people, this birthday party held particular significance. Definitely one happy occasion! Even from the confines of my stuffy office thousands of miles away I was celebrating too, jumping for joy over the courage of one Nagi family taking in the unwanted newborn.

These two precious newborns are a testimony to the power of our Mighty God, and the prayers of faithful saints. "Its only space that separates us!" P. Bonhoeffer

:: Risk ::

That's "my" word for 2011.

Not a resolution, mind you. I'm not a big fan of feeling like a failure. Just a my own one syllable cheerleader, of sorts.

It will be nearby, ready to pull out when there is decisions to make and steps to take. Keeping it in mind to challenge and inspire me.

A powerful little word to steer my focus and bolster my resolve.

I'm not looking to add reckless stupidity to my life...heaven knows I have plenty of that already. Rather, I desire the word "risk" to nudge me out of my comfort zone, push me beyond my self-inflicted limits, especially when it comes to a certain relationship I have with my Creator and Savior.

He requires radical devotion. Nothing less. Sadly, I've been giving less.

It's time to risk reputation, longings, aspirations, time, energy

mind

body

and soul...for Him.


P.S. This "one word" idea came from Alece over at Grit&Glory :)

Sneaky, sneaky...

Christmas really snuck up on me this year (side note: don't you find it odd when people say this? I mean, Christmas is at the same time EVERY year lol). And my house is proof. Not one Christmas decoration is displayed yet...instead, you'll still find all the autumn decor adorning various places of the house. Leaves on the mantle, pumpkin scented candles on the tables, harvest potpourri, pumpkins at the door, a pot of forlorn mums...and what is today? December 17th. I find this mildly amusing and vastly pathetic.

::Happy sigh:: This is life, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because this is the way we roll.


This Sunday afternoon has been designated "Owen girls baking day" by our matriarch. Thus all our holiday traditions will commence with one giant leap. With us four ladies in the kitchen there's sure to be a chaotic explosion of flour, sugar and everything chocolaty. Not sure how the goodies will turn out, but we'll make some memories in the process. And that's what counts.



I love this time of year. The lights, the music, the smells, the traditions and the giving. Besides the fact that it beautifully reminds me of my Savior's birth, it brings our family together for quality (hopefully lol) time...even though we tend to do everything last minute when it comes to this particular holiday (our tree doesn't even go up till Christmas Eve!)

We're all supposed to go grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon...and I think I'll try and make each of us wear either a severely outdated sweater or an ugly holiday one for our trek to the store. ::evil laugh:: Good times!

There's only a week left till Christmas...let's get this party started!