Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life
Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.
Source: tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest
Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest
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Source: fairy-wren.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest
I have a love-hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions.
The Type A part of me loves making lists. I love thinking over the last year and listing accomplishments and hard times and vacations and milestones. I love thinking of the new year and thinking what might be.
But a few passages of Scripture have been ringing in my ears right past the echoing fireworks this morning.
From Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
and Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
and to drive the point home further, James lays it down in James 4:13-16
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
I strongly believe one of the greatest tactics of Satan is distraction. We don’t fulfill our purpose because we are distracted by something else–and probably not something evil. Perhaps something good, even.
Maybe that thing you have resolved to do seems good, but if it isn’t aligning with what God wants for you, what good is it?
James doesn’t suggest we don’t make plans. However, many of us, myself included, are making plans on our own. We don’t consult God on what His plans are for us for 2013. Plans are fine but James is suggesting we hold them loosely and know that ultimately God is in control.
Given that, here are 5 ideas to remember when planning for 2013.
First and foremost, don’t try to conjure up your resolutions, goals or plans on your own. God certainly cares about those resolutions you’re making and he has plans far greater and more wonderful than you could on your own. Ask him to reveal what he can.
I have this nagging feeling that God isn’t going to lay out a detailed A to Z plan for you.
What I see in Scripture is God telling people to do something today and sometimes, in this moment and a lot of times it’s downright random. Something small, maybe something random but it’s probably a piece to a larger puzzle. Don’t ignore the small and random.
You may not see the puzzle come together in 2013. Small steps you take in 2013 may take longer to see impact but it could have impact not just for the year but for generations to come.
One resolution we can all add is to consult God every single day. Sure, God might have given you a long-term dream, but ask him each day what he wants you to accomplish that day to bring your goal to fruition.
For us control freaks, changes to our plans and unchecked boxes are our worst nightmare. Don’t be surprised though when God surprises you. Ultimately, as Proverbs says, the Lord’s plans prevail.
Something will happen this year you’re not expecting. It’s ok if all the checkboxes don’t get checked. Sometimes goals don’t get completed in our ways or in our timing.
One thing James was clear about is that boasting about our plans is downright evil. When we make goals, come at them with a posture of humility. If we are consulting him, they’re not our plans anyway!
If we plan with God’s help and follow through, make plans now in your heart to give God glory for what He’s done. In fact, go ahead and give God glory for what he’s going to do. Even if your plans don’t seem successful by man’s standards, perhaps God wants you to pursue something just for the journey, not for the end goal. Remember, his ways are not like ours!
Tsh over at SimpleMom has some great resources for you to think about 2013. I wish us all a very blessed year and may God lead us all into the great things He has planned!
For the last day of 2012, I thought I’d participate with the rest of the blogosphere and post a blog recap of 2012. I started ranking it simply by visitors but there were some favorites I just couldn’t leave out. So without further adieu, here are the 10 most visited and favorite posts of 2012.
Source: indulgy.com via Amy on Pinterest
After coming back from Allume, I started consistently participating in What I Wore Wednesday by pairing the photograph of my outfit with an inspiration photo from nature that matches. By far, it’s been my most popular post of the week since and my favorite post to assemble.
What I Wore Wednesday: Allume Conference Edition
Together for Our Good was one of the hardest posts I’ve ever written but it’s what blogging is all about for me…sharing the good and bad.
My first garden is one of my favorite accomplishments from 2012. My garden provided encouragement, insight and inspiration over and over and I was glad to share some in this post.
Another tough post to write, my reaction to North Carolina’s Amendment One that got shot down made it into the Top 10.
Definitely my favorite book of the year, I’m so glad my book review of Love Does made it into the top posts.
Book Review: Love Does by Bob Goff
Just as Advent season was starting, I wrote about letting go when the holiday season goes out of control.
Another What I Wore Wednesday post made it into the Top 10. Clearly everyone else was a little clueless on how to wear their royal blue shoes too.
What I Wore Wednesday: How to Wear Royal Blue Shoes
Well, I owe this popular post to Google, the eBook That Works for Me and Apple for making a crappy lock and home button on the iPhone 4. Here’s what to do to help you when your iPhone’s lock or home button quits working.
What to Do When Your iPhone Lock or Home Button Quits Working
In September, I wrote a letter to my 16 year old self. Writing to my younger self was healing and connecting.
One of my favorite and most shared post of 2012 was to my fellow mothers, handing out encouragement for when you’re just over potty training and breastfeeding.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing. Any other posts you’d like to see for 2013? Let me know!
We had such a good Christmas and I hope you did too.
Two weeks ago we spent the weekend in Maryland and Pennsylvania visiting my parents’ extended family.
We spent Friday night eating with my step-grandmother and then relaxing at her house. She’s the wife of my grandfather that died this summer. It was strange without him there even though normally he’s more of a watcher than a talker when the whole family’s together. It was a new, good time though. She had redecorated the living room and it was a nice new environment to match the new mix of people.
Saturday we had a potluck dinner with my dad’s family. We were missing one cousin and all her family as she had just given birth the day before, but we got to love on my other cousin’s new baby boy from this year. So fun having little ones around again. We played a new “left and right” Christmas game which Lexi led. Lots of laughter, just how Christmas should be.
Sunday we had dinner with my mom’s side of the family. We loved laughing with my cousin’s little toddler, the kids had a ton of fun with all the presents and it was good times with everyone.
Fast-forward to this week on Christmas Eve. Mom fixed us dinner, Lexi regaled us with the Christmas story to the tune of Twas the Night Before Christmas and then we had a nice time opening presents.
Christmas morning I had the winter wonderland ready for the kids like last year. They made sure I did it again and even helped with the snowflakes this year. The girls loved all their presents. There were no complaints or meltdowns, just lots of smiles. Their favorite was a doctor kit with personalized lab coats. Scott and I just exchanged one present. I got him a watch and he got me new headphones for my computer.
And finally, for Christmas lunch we had steaks over at Scott’s parents. I even managed to pull together a gluten-free Happy Birthday, Jesus cake for dessert thanks to a little help from Mom at the last minute when I iced it before the cakes were cool. Again, we had a great time opening presents and it was a nice afternoon.
All in all, a wonderful Christmas season. We are so, so blessed with lots of wonderful family.
I couldn’t help but continually think about people in Newtown and many other people who had so much else to worry about this season. In stressful times, I remembered it could have been much worse and gave thanks for all we did have.
I was able to save a week of time off for this week and I’ve put my house in a head lock and am waiting for it to cry uncle. Just a few minutes ago, I finished repainting the hall and bathroom. Lots of much needed maintenance happening as well as family time.
Hard to believe we’ll be saying goodbye to 2012 in just a few days. Goes faster and faster, doesn’t it?
Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas! Very excited to start mixing in some pieces I got for Christmas!
This one is the same outfit from last week except I paired it with leggings instead of my dress pants. Perfect example of your wardrobe serving double-duty.
Source: manolescent.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest
Source: ibc.lynxeds.com via Amy on Pinterest
Is this matching photo not amazing? I really thought I’d struggle to find a picture to go with my red and green from our Christmas Eve service Monday but wow! Fungus to the rescue!
Source: steveaxford.smugmug.com via Amy on Pinterest
Source: fungiphoto.com via Amy on Pinterest
More beautiful fungus among us!
Hope you love these posts as much as I do! Even the girls are getting into it. Lexi especially loves finding just the right one! God is so good and His creations are beautiful—which means you are too!
I’m sitting up Christmas Eve. I’ve finished our Winter Wonderland decorations with lights and snowflakes in the living room. I’m done wrapping presents, sitting out cookies and milk and just waiting on Scott to come in from Walgreens after picking up last minute stocking stuffers. Yep, we’re those people.
I’m feeling so, so blessed this Christmas. My kids are 8 and 10 and maybe I’m crazy, but it just seems like quintessential ages for Christmas. I mean, they’re all special years but there’s something about these ages I’m loving so much.
We made snowflakes together before they went to bed and they’re scheming some sort of plans tonight that make them giggle.
Their stacks of presents are knee high. I’d be embarrassed at the amount I spent but I’m just not. I can’t wait for them to open every single one.
Today while I was thinking about Christ’s birth something became so real about how we’re celebrating an actual historical event. Like, in the same way we celebrate July 4th, this event was every bit as real. Of course, I’ve known that but something special happened, like a little window opened and I got to see it from a different perspective in my heart. A little Christmas Eve gift from God.
Yes, feeling ever so blessed and grateful.
A very Merry Christmas to you all!
Go see more outtakes on the Facebook page.
Christmas 2012 has been our first gluten-free. So far we’ve managed well but desserts are always hard to sift through. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you or someone you’re serving is gluten-free rest-assured there are very simple substitutions.
For our small group gathering, I served Udi’s Snicker doodle cookies right along with the rest of the desserts. No one was the wiser and ya’ll, they are GOOD. So chewy and soft. Yum.
Today I tried my hand at bread pudding. With a simple substitution of the bread with Udi’s Gluten-free bread, it’s safe for gluten lovers and haters alike.
And as we should with all desserts, I substituted the raisins for chocolate chips and made my own Chocolate Bread Pudding.
8 slices of Udi’s Gluten-free bread, cubed
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar + enough to sprinkle
4 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cinnamon, for sprinkling
Grease a 2-quart baking dish. Place cubed bread and chocolate chips in the bottom.
Beat eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla in bowl
and pour over bread cubes.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
If you have any questions about serving for your gluten-free family and friends, please let me know!
Udi’s provided me with the products for this post. All opinions are my own.
OK so I missed The Nester’s Favorite Things 2012 Link-Up but I’m still going for it! Maybe you’ll find something for that last-minute gift or you’ll know what to spend all those gift cards on next week!
Please, please, please dump those metal travel mugs and pick up one of these. Tastes so much better!
I went on the hunt for the perfect neutral lipstick from Mary Kay and Whisper won hands down. It’s my go-to color for everyday.
I fell in love with the folks of Bluebell this year. Hart of Dixie Season 2 has been a little sketchy but Season 1 is DVD repeat-worthy.
I started using this during the summer when I didn’t want thick makeup on and I loved it so much I just keep using it.
Unfortunately the exact blue suede shoes I bought from Nine West are no longer available but they do have similar ones available. I thought I’d only have one or two outfits to wear with these but it turns out they’re extremely versatile. Who knew?
And on that note, my leopard print shoes have gotten more wear than almost any shoe I own this fall. They work as a neutral and give just about any outfit some extra interest.
Love Does just might be my favorite book not just this year, but of all time. Totally inspiring, worthy of multiple reads, applicable to anyone, this is a must-read book. (My detailed review)
Alrighty, that’s a few of my new favorites from this year. Would love to hear one of your favorite finds from 2012!