Week 2: Awaiting An Advent - Luke 2:22-35

Week 1: Promises & Patience

ADVENTure

Advent starts this Sunday! Here's a great resource with readings and family devotionals for each week from our friends at The Village Church!

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/advent-at-the-village/

Givingthanks

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

Gungor - Beautiful Things

How does He make beautiful things? I saw Gungor on Sunday and as they played this song, this is what I was thinking about. Picturing each frustrating aspect of my life: work, ministry, relationships... I mourned the idea that anything beautiful would come of them. And then the answer came; simply, subtly, unexpectedly. "Faith." The key ingredient that was missing from each situation. I have been trying hard to do God's work, but God is the one with the plan. I don't consult him as often as I would if I thought He was in control. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. Faith is the material God uses to build his kingdom. He makes beautiful things out of our faith, not out of our striving or even our abilities.

eh.

time for an update. not much to say. back on the yoga kick, thought about becoming an instructor (right now i can't even touch my toes) but it motivates me. also looked up the implications of such, as it pertains to my faith. still undecided. still riding my bike to work. the other day i turned to my husband and said "have you noticed that since i started riding my bike, i haven't been crazy?" somehow i feel much less anxious and more clear-headed when i exercise. it's not something i have been able to pull off consistently before, but i guess i found my niche. if you haven't found yours, that should give you hope. i have never enjoyed exercise before.

in other news, everyone is pregnant, and i love party planning. going on my second baby shower. theme: butterflies. inspiration: see below.



how cute is that!!! more pictures to come...

"Recently"

(an idea borrowed from a dear sweet friend)

Making: These things called "Poms". So much fun. http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to

Reading: The book of Jude, and Amos. Trying to get back on track with my quiet time. Trying to finish "Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World", but I just can't get into it for some reason.

Listening To: Switchfoot (they never get old). Just realized that a song I used to console myself with actually had a lot of foreshadowing:

From the song "Golden",

"You're far from home, it's a perfect place to start."

"Like freedom in spring."

"The more we learn the less we know."

All things that I have experienced in the past year. Funny how God taps me on the shoulder sometimes and reminds me that he is faithful.

Going: To bed.

Goodnight!