Gold, Valentines, and Bubble Baths

Hello Blogosphere!

Here I am, Saturday night, 11:00, blogging. That should be an indication of how my life has been lately. I'm here to fill you in on the gaps, but first I wanted to tell you have excited I am that it is February. Why, you may be wondering? Well, I consider February a weird month. First, look at how it is spelled. Second, it feels like summer, isn't it still winter? Third, the Superbowl is tomorrow and the Oscars are coming up soon! [And that's they exciting part] I am excited to watch and analyze the ads and critique the red carpet fashion.

So, this is what my life has looked like lately.

I am officially a Starbucks gold member! I've been working on this for 3 years. 

Bri and I finally had our craft day. We made Jade shadow boxes!

And I made some Valentines. [ I love Valentines day]

 

This is the Valentines day card I made for Pib. [Pib: My Boyfriend]

He doesn't read my blog, so it's safe to post this soon. :]

My new thing is relaxing. With bubbles, books, candles and beverages.

               Flea Marketing and Starbucking. :]

 And this has been taking up so much of my time, but I have loved every minute of it! I am helping coordinate the Hill City Polar Plunge Festival, which will take place, February 25th from 11-2pm. This is a festival full of family fun, live music and more. I have been working with my team of lovely ladies, below. I'll post more about it once the event happens! But, it has been exciting and I am so lucky to be working with the Special Olympics Virgina! 

Now I am off to bed blog world! Hopefully I will see you again sooner rather then later! I know I will want to post at least one more Valentines Day post before it passes! 

Love from,

 Hales

Before I lose Focus... AGAIN.

So, I figured something out about myself this weekend. Shocker right? When will I know everything and never make mistakes again? When people?! :] 

I cannot stay focused.

I'm not talking about ADD or ADHD [Are those the same?]. I'm talking about real focus. I know I wrote about this before, but here I am wrestling with the same thing again, self-centeredness. [Is that a word?]

My family had a family verse growing up [Pastor's kids] it was something like, "Do not be focused on your own interests, but be focused on the interests of others." I remember once this summer I tried to quote it and totally messed it up I said something like, "Only look upon your own interest not the interest of others." ....and I WISH that's what the verse said!! You would think after 22 years of one family verse, I would remember it. [I guess that's a parenting lesson in itself.]

The type of focus I am talking about has really nothing to do with that verse, but it's a good thought. :] [Insert fun family memory there.   Check.]

How often do I live a day thinking about myself? What I can accomplish, what mistakes I made, what messes I need to clean up, what relationships I need to fix, what meetings I need to attend, what wrongs I have done... and so on.

Lately I have found myself overcome by fear and worry. Why? Well, I think part of it is the phase of life I'm in, alot of things are changing. And  because I am focusing so much on ME.

But, why am I focusing on myself? Why am I depending upon myself? Why am I staring at my failures and faults? Why am I living as though God has made a mistake in planning my life? Do I really need to take ahold of my life and worry and plan and fix things because God isn't taking care of things?

I have lost focus. When I focus on ME, everything seems really scary. When I focus on my strength, everything seems impossible. When I allow my sin to slap me in the face, It begins to reign.

But, when I focus on Him. God's love, mercy, justice, grace and perfection, everything seems to be okay. Why do I worry? Why am I fearful? Because I am thinking about ME. [UGH. So self-centered.]

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ...... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." [[Matthew 6]]

And for the days you can't stop worrying: 

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober casting all your spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.  [1 Peter 5]

And: "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." [Colossians 3]

Off I go to open my planner and get my day moving. Here's for trying to stay focused and trying to be a little less self oriented. Happy Monday... and stop worrying! [In case you didn't catch it the first time... it doesn't add a single hour to your life! annnnnd you're not in control anyway :] ] 

Christmas Crafts: Make something outta nothing

Crafting is an outlet for me to unwind, relieve stress and relax at the end of a long week! I think I get a little craftier near Christmas because that's when I am stressed and also have a variety of things to craft! I picked up a bunch of random things over a week and sat down to see what I could do with them. (For some reason, I love doing that. Getting a whole bunch of cheap odds and ends.. and making something new out of them!) I had ribbon, ornaments, mason jars, other jars, card stock, stamps, paper and...TA DA!

I got the ornaments from Ollie's. Four ornaments came in a pack for .29. The Candle was from the Dollar Tree... they were four for a $1.00. The mason jar I got a the flea market for a $1.00. The front jar was a candle but I washed it out. The back right jar has been sitting around my apartment and was once filled with gumballs. I think all together these three pieces cost me: $2.12 total. 

The ornaments are from Ollie's and the mason jar is from the Flea Market! This one cost me: $1.58.

This looks prettier then it appears in the picture, I promise. Same .29 ornaments and the vase is from Micheal's. It was marked down to $1.75 and I I received it 25% off. This piece cost me: $1.60.
Looking at it here, I think I'm going to add a few candy canes in there!

These are my Christmas cards! Maybe you will be getting one in the mail! Want to know a secret about me? I've been making Christmas cards for the past 2 years.. I just never send them out! I bought the Christmas stamps two summers ago.. I finally used them! The ribbon and plaid paper is SO old. And the Christmas trees on them were from cards two years ago. I bought a really ugly, 8 pack of cards for $1.00 and just covered them with cute paper!

A couple favorites.

Here here are the envelopes... they are all a little different.

I also did a little Christmas experiment in the kitchen before I left for Thanksgiving break! I had a few Oreo's in my cupboard, white chocolate, and candy canes. So, I made white chocolate covered Oreo's sprinkled with crushed up Candy Canes. And they were pretty DANG good, even if I do say so myself!

And I wanted to stick this picture in here because my mom took me on a pre-Christmas shopping trip to this awesome store called, Simply The Best in Rochester, Michigan! Everything (well, just about) was $10.00 or less! This store was covered from front to back, with jewelery, sunglasses, clutches, scarfs and MORE. The black Friday sale was buy three scarfs get one free! And you better believe we took them up on their offer! My wonderful mother and myself are pictured here showing off our awesome new scarfs!

Happy Tuesday! Go make something!!

Discombobulated.

This week has been a strange one. Nothing really crazy out of the ordinary has happened, but it has seemed a little discombobulated. Do you ever feel like you are sitting still while everyone and everything is flying around you? Almost like you are in the eye of a hurricane, just sitting still while life whirls around ... I've felt like that this week. It has seemed like everyone is going and learning and changing and making decisions and having things happen. And I'm just watching.

If I could give my 'college years' underlining themes they would be: 

1. Even in your biggest life crisis... life will continue on, whether you want it too or not.
2. My plans are not the best and sometimes having no plans is best.

 The first three years of college, I was a go, go, girl! ( I still am to an extent) But, this semester has been SO different than any year of my life here. I work a 9-5ish job and have weeknights off. I am only taking 12 credits and next semester only 6! Now, for those of you who don't know, last year I worked full time at basically nights shift (7pm-2am) and took 22 credits, while being involved in extra things. So, this semester has sort of turned my life upside down. I love being busy, I love working; I love being dedicated to something. But, something that really sticks out in my mind when I look back to my busyness and accomplishments, something that I can't get over...back when I 'felt good' because I was doing so much, I had such a lack of focus on my spiritual aspect and my relationship with Jesus Christ.

For the years in my life when I thought, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I was accomplishing goals, I was good at something, I could pass my classes with barely studying, I received a promotion at work, I had a boyfriend, I bought a car, I moved into my first apartment... I thought I was just living the life.

I cannot get over my self-focus through all those years. 

So, back to my themes.... 

I'm only 22. What sort of crisis can a 22-year-old girl be in, right? Well, I would argue a pretty big one. Through my two short years in the '20's' I've seen myself grow the most, lose the most, immature the most, become the most defeated, mature the most, and have the most victories. I can so happily say now, I am blessed enough, to overcome a more recent trial in my life. But, I think I am all too quick to forget the growth and learning that comes with brokenness. In my crisis I thought life would stop, I was certain my life would and time felt as if it stood still... but now, here I am, months and months later, moving forward, moving on. 

I can only attest to where I am now through the grace of my Lord. As time moved on, so did I. And as time moved on, God grasped hold of my heart... He had my full attention. Wherever you are in life, remember life goes on, life will keep moving, we can't stop it! God hasn't and won't give up on you. I hope that comforts you and inspires you to get a move as well. 

Next, my plans are not the best plans. They are not. Really, they are not! Since July I have been trying to plan for what will happen in May. [You can laugh at that, I know it is ridiculous] But, you know what, I have recently become okay with not knowing. Today I applied for Grad School at Liberty and I'm prayerfully considering many other options over the next few months. But, bottom line- I do not know what is going to happen, I have no idea, so what good is worrying about it?! Seriously, what good is that? It's not. I'm doing my utmost best, to wake up, and actively give God my day, because I know that is all I have. Why do I worry about my next rent bill? Or if my car breaks down? Or when I will get married? I've found enjoy every day, every moment, serve the Lord and he will bring you the next 'thing.' I did a good job of this last week, but this week I have been slowly taking each day back.. I recently became overwhelmed with decisions and choices and the next thing, I realized these thoughts are not for me to worry about. Serving Christ in the moment he has given us, in the situation where he put us in, matters. Someone said, I don't remember who, but, if we are faithful to God in the little things, he can trust us with the bigger things. So, while I am craving something new, something different, a new chapter, a job with more esteem, I need to remain faithful now to build habits for faithfulness later. And not having a plan causes me have faith God will provide the next thing. 

I've been saying the past couple of weeks, I feel like I am actually becoming a woman! :] I’ve started cooking more, cleaning more, and enjoying baking! But, with growth comes growing pains, and dealing with my immaturity and habitually sin filled lifestyle hurts. But understanding value in brokenness, I think is a sign of a woman. 

And I've noticed, I cry alot more. So, Fergie, you are so not right.. Big girls do cry. 

I hope some of this rambling encourages other twenty-something women out there, you don't have to have it all together, you don't have to have a plan, remain faithful now, serve the Lord now, and the next thing will fall into place. 

P.S. -- I recommend this book for all twenty something women...  'The Mature Woman.'  

Happy Almost Friday!

No time to write!

This weekend was a BLAST! Friday night was a quadruple dinner date with a movie to follow! And then the flea market on Saturday morning! I am starting to LOVE the flea market, but every time I go it makes me want a house! There was an antique sewing machine and ceder chest there this Saturday and I wanted to pick them up SO BADLY.... but, I have no where to put them. *Sigh....

This Saturday I bought a spoon ring (which I have been looking for since I was at least 17!)  and some mason jars! (The mason jars should be featured soon!) The ring is pictured below along with this awesome fall nail polish I found a Wal-Mart for $1.50!

My boyfriend and I doubled with my roommate and her boyfriend to the flea market and also shot some guns! Check us out! Then on Sunday I COOKED DINNER. Chicken Alfredo. That was a proud moment.

I hope you had a great weekend! My Monday has been super productive... and that makes me happy! What did you buy this weekend?

I start things. But, today I finished!

I am not a finisher. In fact, I am the opposite, I am a starter. I love thinking of awesome ideas and thinking of creative ways to do them, and then I get excited about them, and then I start them! But then, after I start my 'brillant' idea, a lot of the time, I realize the idea probably wasn't that awesome to begin with, and it is much harder then I thought it would be, so I stop. Not finish, stop. 

I write, every morning. I have to. (I have many thoughts, so sometimes writing them down actually makes my mind stop and think a little more in depth about them.) And this morning I finished my summer journal!  I finished! YAY! I went back and read my first entry and then I finished my last. I started on May 30th and I finished September 19th. I finished. Yay. There is something about finishing a journal and finishing reading a book that just makes me feel super accomplished. 

The one aspect of writing I love the most, is seeing how my life has changed over a time period of one journal. I can honestly say, my life has taken a drastic shift from May 30th to September 19. I can gladly say finishing this journal is an encouragement to me because this 'journal of my life' is over. I will never have to experience that time of my life again. But through the pages I can see the knowledge and wisdom I have acquired through those times. I've kept a journal since 2nd grade, and let me tell you, it is so funny to go back and read about things I worried over in elementary school, especially in comparison to now. I can only imagine I will be saying the same thing about my college journals a few years down the road.

Anyway, I guess I am just writing to let you know, I think you should journal. And I'll share my last thoughts in my journal with you...

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3: 13-14.

I think this verse is a great start for my next 'journal life' and really, every day. Happy Monday, now go finish something!

Who should tell me I'm a Christian?

This summer I have really been struggling with the idea of Christianity. Yes, I am a 'Christian' but No, I don't want to be associated with most Churches, and Christian movements across the United States.

My mind has been filling up with so many questions towards 'Christian People' the past summer, I'm surprised my head has not exploded. Being highly involved in Christians circles for most of my little 21 years of existence, I have made a few observations. One is:

 Christianity is turning into a mere 'checklist' today. 
It's like this:

1. Did I pray and ask Jesus to come into my life? Yes. (CHECK!)
2. Do I pray before I eat? Yes. (Check)
3. Do I read my Bible? Yes. (Check)
4. Do I have the physical appearance that is required of a Christian? Yes. (CHECK)
5. Do I go to youth group and sing in the praise band? Yes. (CHECK!)
6. Have I gone on a short term mission trip? Yes. (CHECK)
7. Am I going to a Christian College? Yes. (CHECK)
8. Will I be involved in some sort of Christan leadership? Yes. (Check)
9. I'm SO going to be in heaven. (Check)

When will this list stop? And do those things truly make someone a 'Christian'?

I would like to think that God is so much more concerned with our lifestyle, and hearts. What our motives are, and what type of character we have. Instead of getting caught up in this idea of following the Christian 'checklist' that has been created by Christians- why don't we take the time to focus on our lifestyles? 

When looking at Christians I feel like so many people claim the name simply because its what they always have done, its what their parents did, and most of the time- its easy. And sure, when following a checklist, and having everyone around you pleased with the choices you are making- that's easy.

Stop. Right there. Get a stamp and place it on my forehead because 

I' M G U I L T Y . 

The other night I was sharing my thoughts with my dad. I was venting and going on and on about my frustration with Christians and the church, and how we always have to be so polite, and not cause conflict or make people uncomfortable. And the more we started talking, and the deeper the conversation became, I realized:

 I'm living in Fear of other people. 

 I grew up in a church, in a Christian Highschool, and now attend a Christian University, all of those institutions attract people caught up in the 'checklist'. Stepping back and reevaluating when i matured the most in my relationship with the Lord was when I could care less about what people thought about me. 

See? The checklist makes other's people opinions and thoughts about you determine where you are in your relationship with the Lord. When in fact, the Lord is the only one who knows your heart, and character.

My dad said this-- "You live out of fear of God, not fear of men."

I would argue there is no cookie cutter way to be a Christian. Of course, understanding and believing the Gospel is essential for anyone truly having a relationship with Christ. After that, its about the lifestyle in which a person lives. As Christians we have a 'law' to follow, and we have convictions we live by.
My Dad put it like this [he's better with these types of phrases]

'It's not my responsibly to obey God with what he said, its my responsibly to please God with my obedience..'

He also further explained the idea that, we will want to follow the commands and standards God has for us, but after you grow, you will want to go beyond merely following the law to please the Lord's heart. 

Instead of having a check list, instead of comparing ourselves to other Christians, instead of having our basses covered by not committing the 'big sins'- Live for one person. At the end of the day, when everyone is asleep, and i finally get into my car, roll my windows down, and listen to some over played pop song, I have started to ask myself this question:

What did I do today that attributed to the life of God?

That one question, asked every day, will evoke a lifestyle change and maintain the focus on the only person's opinion who matters. 

Goodness, glad I finally got all that off my chest. 

Happy Wednesday! :] 

My Beach Weekend.

 Being reunited with Liz this weekend was one of the major highlights of my summer! This summer forced us to be in completely different time zones! Being able to talk face to face, laugh, sing, drive, and get coffee together was WONDERFUL! Liz and I like to think we are known for the adventures we partake on. Now, what we call adventures some may call unwise. We embarked on our first adventure of the semester within the first 3 hours of Liz's arrival back in town. She drove 9 hours back to the burg from NY to only get here and get back in the car and drive 4 more hours to the Beach. :]]].


On our way back to the burg we sat in the car, talking, laughing, reminiscing, and just mentally preparing for the semester ahead. One week from today my classes will be starting!!! {[CRAZYYY}] We couldn't believe how unbelievably fast the summer went by!! 

When we talked over our summers together I couldn't help but think how blessed my life has been. Watching the sunset, in a working car, with my yummy coke, just finshing up a a day at the beach... heading back to my apartment, and waking up to go a job the next morning. I felt overwhelmed realizing how much I have. Its the little things I thought about. Like having my nails painted, and being capable to make a cup of coffee, or to drive 4 hours to a beach. Being able to go the beach, and having the money to pay to get to the beach. Having the eyes to watch the sunset, or the nose to smell the ocean. I know, it seems almost silly thinking about these things, but I guess most people don't think about them until they are gone or not so easy anymore. I'm not sure where you are, or whats happening in your life but I pray that you will remember the little things the Lord has given you, and you can find joy in the small gifts of life. Whatever happens this semester, no matter how stressed I get, how much I hate my classes, or get frustrated with my job. I am going to try to take the time to remember the little things in life I am blessed with, and be thankful for them.