Caret Vol.1, Ep.5

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will go strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

That's one of my favorite worship songs. Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed, I hum the tune to myself. Close my eyes and roll the words around in my mind. I lift my face to heaven and instantly feel a warmth like sunshine spread over me. It feels like Jesus is smiling at me and I automatically smile back, take a deep breath, and open my eyes, ready for anything because He's with me.

That's a really powerful idea for me. Someone on my same side. I've always been very independent. Happy to have friends near me, but just as content to be on my own. When faced with adversity, I'm not afraid to stand alone. In fact, I often come to the aid of those who are in need. I join their side. I have no stake in their argument, but I believe in a fair fight and I commit to whatever we're fighting for.

It happens, then, because I seem so strong, that many don't recognize my need and I am too proud, independent, and self-sufficient to ask. At least to ask anyone else. (I'm working on it...) When I depend only on myself, I falter and faint. Completely spent, I collapse inside myself. That's when I turn to Him. Knowing Jesus is with me. That He's going to fight for me. We're on the same side. And He's going to win! He renews my strength and I soar like eagle's wings.

It's Monday. (That's enough for me to want to toss in the towel right there.)

I don't have a job. I'm running out of money. I'm single. I live with my parents.

But I'm turning my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross scorning that shame (oh snap!) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 and a shout out to my camp timber-lee oak ridge thug thursday ladies)

Jesus is with me. He's got this.

Apostrophe Vol.26, Ep.55

My Weekend According to Instagram!

- ladies brunch decorations - Evan, the cutest baby in the world! -

- Mom driving to tree farm - hunting down the perfect tree -

- finally picking a tree - Ernie, stealing a stocking -

- organizing ornaments - tree, decorated - whew! I'm exhausted -

Apostrophe Vol.26, Ep.54

Happy Weekend!

And Merry Christmas-Preparations!

I am so excited this morning! Our church is having our annual Ladies Christmas Brunch. I've missed it the last few years because of school and work and grad school. But with none of those things in my life, I am free to attend! Yay!

We're going to have brunch and laugh, sing Christmas carols and laugh, exchange gifts and laugh, and laugh, and laugh, and laugh! This year we're also collecting items for Samaritan's Purse.

And then! After a perfectly delicious brunch, Mom and I are going to hunt down the most beautiful Christmas tree! Last year, we started looking much too close to Christmas and had a jolly good, but nearly treeless, time. If you care to peruse my twitter favorites, you can see the play-by-play.

After we bring the tree home, the rest of the day will be filled with organizing and decorating and filling the house with Christmas cheer! It's going to be awesome!

If you're in the Rochester area, you can join in the chaos and attend the Resurrected Reads bookstore open house and maybe even get some sweet (& cheap) books. Stop by from 10 am to 2 pm. (Below is the ad I designed - I'm so proud!)

Ellipses Vol.1, Ep.3

Cora

Unbeknownst to Cora, her father had just finished being interviewed by the soldiers who had recently arrived at Fort George. It wasn't often that this many officers came to Fort George during training - in fact it had never happened and the whole town was buzzing with speculation. Many of the prominent citizens had been interviewed. Most of the questions were regarding when people had moved to and from Brighton. And all of the children that had been born throughout the last 20 years.

Cora's father had been puzzled by the questions and assumed they were asking for historical or census reasons. He was genuinely surprised when they told him that they may need to see him for further questioning. Though the store was well established - Harry and his family had lived in Brighton for less than than 10 years - they had moved just after Emily was born. So Harry knew little of the town's history - except what he had gathered over the years.

Read Previous Entries Here:

Episode I

Episode II

Caret Vol.1, Ep.4

Sooner or later, I will see the BIG PICTURE God is painting in my life,

instead of just the color He is using at the moment.

Psalm 119:49-50 (ESV)

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

I cannot see all that God has planned for me.

But I must holdfast to hope.

Hope that God is going to work out my present circumstances for His glory.

Faith that God will sustain me as I wait, even though I cannot see.

"Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark."

George Iles

Ampersand, Vol.1, Ep.3

One of the common complaints I hear from friends that belong to the fairer sex is that men don't step up. Specifically, Christian men.

It seems, in general, that Christian men take all the time in the world to declare intentions to the object of their affection. Or never actually get around to doing that.

Thusly, us females tend to live in a state of complete confusion and tension. Thoughts rush around our brains like an express train on a twisted mountain ridge.

And it's so much easier to blame the guy. It's his fault for leading us on or not making a move.

We get so upset/irate/frustrated that we can react negatively/strangely. {We were going to walk in and she was going to say "sit down"}

However, we females are responsible for our decision to get on the erratic thought train, the rushing to and fro between "he loves me" and "he hates me." Get off the train! Even express trains have to stop sometimes. When you get the opportunity, gather your belongings and quickly exit through the nearest door.

If you're a guy and you like a girl, let her know. If you do not like a girl, let her know. Define the relationship either way. Do not lie, please. Do not try to soften the blow.

No more playing games, be honest, be truthful, be upfront, be kind, and believe your brother/sister in Christ. If you feel his/her words contradict his/her behavior, tell him/her! He/she may not realize how he/she comes across. He/she may have noticed some contradicting words/behaviors of yours as well. (Raise your hand if you are now completely on the "english needs a gender inclusive singular personal pronoun" bus after reading that paragraph. I nominate "slash.")

So, whether the object of your desire is moving too slow (i.e. not at all) or an acquaintance is, oddly enough, moving too fast and freaking you out. Take a deep breath, get off the train, and pray. Pray, pray, pray! Then tell him/her where you're at in the emotion arena and ask if he/she is in the same place, too.

Please, do not give ultimatums. Ask the question and while you wait for the answer, pray.

Life never goes the way you think it will. Pray, depend completely on God, and be patient.

In my experience, men need other good Christian men around them to talk about relationships, and encourage them to make a move, declare, and start a relationship with the right woman. Women need other good Christian women around them to talk about relationships, and encourage them to get off the erratic thoughts train and be patient while waiting for a relationship with the right man to start.

Friends, any sage words of advice? Thoughts? Please comment below or tweet me: @livehappilyever. Thanks!

Asterisk Vol.1, Ep.2

Christmas Cheer!

If you're not on pinterest and you love beautiful things, get on over to the website to request an invite. You can even follow me! (u: cebella) Below are a few of my favorite christmas things that I pinned today! I love things that sparkle, homemade ornaments, poofy wreaths, and sassy sayings! Enjoy!

I adore this decorating idea! A large crystal bowl filled with spray painted pine cones and glitter! Lots of glitter! So easy and produces a stunning result! And it can turn into such a lovely conversation piece to fill those long pauses between estranged family members around the christmas feast.

Spray paint pine cones with base color, let dry, then use spray glitter for a bit of sparkle. Let dry and then pop in large decorative bowl. See?

Easy as store-bought-pie! (If you've ever made a homemade pie, you know it's not easy!) Love!

Homemade ornaments are, in my opinion, the best thing to hang on your christmas tree. They are unique and always treasured!

These are a genuine treasure! Especially with old photos of family, such as grandparents or young children. And what a great way to repurpose old cookie cutters that produced cookies that were too easy to burn and even harder to decorate without breaking.

Glue, fancy paper, ribbon, and bam! Awesome ornaments to treasure for a lifetime of christmas seasons. Love!

These peppermint snowflake ornaments are bound to be fun to make, if only because of the dynamic combination of peppermint and cinnamon that will blast your tongue as you sneak a few nibbles.

Martha Stewart recommends frosting to secure candy together, I say, glue is longer lasting and much more effective in deterring the hungry from eating decorations straight off the tree. (The hungry includes children, surly uncles, sneaky dogs, and stray boyfriends.)

Lay five peppermints in a circle to form a wreath, use frosting [glue] to secure, top with cinnamon candies [red hots] or anything else festive you find lying around the house. Attach a holiday ribbon or string and you're good to go. For an extra punch of Christmas cheer, spray glitter that bad boy. Love!

This wreath is AMAZING! And you can make it! I believe in you!

Check out one of my fellow blogger's posts for awesomely thorough instructions: Little Miss Momma

It is NOT for the faint of heart, Little Miss Momma says you'll need to use 350-375 coffee filters to make this loveliness. That's right! I said coffee filters! I know! I didn't believe it either!

Personally, I'd use a red ribbon to hang the wreath, after bedazzling it with some silver spray glitter. (I'm addicted!) Love!

Not feeling crafty? Feeling sassy? Hit up this etsy store: The Country Workshop, and discover pure awesomeness!

If you're cheap like me, get a wood board, sand it along the grain, (wipe it off), spray paint it, (print off a sassy saying in the font and format of your choice), trace or create a stencil from print, paint on lettering, use stickers or GLITTER to pop on some stars, and BAM! You've

got yourself a sassy sign! Love!