Yay for Creativity!

Ever since Andrew and I got engaged I have been reading up on different "house-wifey" things such as cooking, budgeting, cleaning, etc. The biggest thing that I have learned about over the past nine months however, is being "environmentally friendly" as a Christian. Now, before this past year, whenever I heard those words I thought of crazy tree hugging vegans who loved little muskrats up in Alaska more than they care about people's lives.

But I am finding out that there is more to being environmentally friendly than saving whales and such. That is a whole other post (or 10), but I will suffice it to say that Andrew and I will be recycling, composting, bringing our own bags to grocery stores, growing our own vegetables, eating homemade granola bars instead of pre-packaged twinkies, eating non-hormone fed meat, and cleaning with environmentally friendly housecleaning products (vinegar and baking soda), among other things. The biggest reason we are doing most of this is for financial reasons, but it's also for health reasons and for the fact that as Christians, we do have a responsibility to do our part to be good stewards of the land God has given us. I have much more to say on this whole subject, but I'll move on to my spurt of creativity...

Many people who know me, know that I don't sew. My mom considers herself an epic failure as my home economics teacher because everyday was a fight to get me to go down to the sewing room and learn about 'right sides together' and 'basting'. (Still don't see the point of basting and barely remember what it is...) However, I scored very highly in the cooking part of home ec, so you may all rest assured that Andrew will not starve to death.

I can't sew clothes. Let me rephrase that- I hate sewing clothes. Patterns make me break out in hives. But I love to sew pillowcases, cute bags, and other random things that I don't need a pattern for. Which brings me to my newest creation: cloth napkins.

While doing various blog reading this morning (a really bad habit of mine- I'm addicted to blogs), I came across a way to be environmentally friendly, frugal, and have a cute house all at the same time by making my own napkins. We all use cloth napkins for special occasions, but why not use them for everyday? Less waste- just throw them in the washer with your other clothes. They look way too cute- you can get fabric for any occasion/season/theme. And you're saving money by not buying a package of napkins every two weeks or so.

So, drumroll please....my first attempt at sewing napkins:

Snowed In

We got lots and lots and lots of snow this weekend. It started snowing around 9:30 on Friday morning, and by the time our office closed early due to the bad weather my car was covered in 4 inches of snow. The drive home was definitely slippery, but the only issue that I really had was getting in my driveway!

After I got home I switched my work shoes for snow boots and ventured out to feed the dogs, get the mail, and replant the driveway stake that I ran into with my car (oops).

We got an inch per hour along the Route 70 corridor all day Friday, and when I woke up Saturday morning- the view out the front door looked like this...14 + inches

It's been a long time since I was really snowed in, and I had a wonderful time just lounging around the house- getting lots done as well. And I don't think my car was up to going anywhere anyway...

I get the best of both worlds because along with all this snow, you will notice that our driveway is neatly plowed by our wonderful neighbor Chad. He has a snow plow attachment on his tractor, which means every house in a 3 driveway radius gets a nicely plowed driveway! Confession: I have never shoveled snow.

Church was canceled this morning- leaving us snowed in for a little while longer and enjoying the slow pace of no place to go. And I must say, as horrible as it is to drive in the snow, I love how beautiful the snow makes our landscape. I leave all you folks with no snow (or who live in the city where you can't enjoy it nearly as much as we do) a picture of our lovely countryside...

No Words to Say

A friend of mine called me this afternoon with life-altering, devastating news.

And I had no words.

I could only stand there holding the phone...in silence.

Has that ever happened to you?

I sat in church tonight and I must admit that I was not listening very closely to the message. I sat in my pew with my heart breaking, fighting back tears, and listened to all the phrases in my head that I wish I could have said.

"I know how you feel."

"I'm sorry."

"It will be okay."

"God works all things for good."

"God is still good."

The truth? I have no idea how she feels- I've never been in that situation before. I am sorry- but that doesn't change a thing. I don't know if everything will be okay again- right now the future looks impossibly hard. Of course God works everything for good, and He is still good- but how do you say that without sounding trite and unfeeling??

What do you say to a friend when life hurts? We're all grown up now. Life's hurts aren't just that a friend stole our baby doll. Life's hurts affect the rest of our lives. So many times I have no words to say to that person. If I was there beside my friend, I would wrap my arms around her and let her cry, and then just listen while she poured her heart out. But I'm hours away.

All I could do was tell her that I'm here if she needs to talk and that I love her and that I am praying. Such little words.

What do you say when you have no words to say?

What's Your Definition of Freedom?

So… I’ve been listening to and reading about all the controversy surrounding the Tim and Pam Tebow/Focus on the Family Super Bowl advertisement over the past few days, and something occurred to me. (It isn’t every day that I have moments of brilliance, so please bear with me.) The Christian, pro-life community is all for this advertisement, and I am as well. But the pro-choice side is widely protesting against the airing of this commercial.

You know, I’d have to say that if Planned Parenthood were sponsoring an ad, I’d be against it. Be honest- if you are pro-life you would be against the ad too. But I’ve changed my mind over the past couple of days. If Planned Parenthood wanted to sponsor a pro-choice commercial, I’d say, “Go for it.”

Now, I will pause while you pick yourself off the floor after fainting dead away in shock.

I believe that Americans have developed an awful habit. We think that freedom of speech is great…as long as we’re free to say what we want. The instant someone we don’t agree with stands up to talk, we try to muzzle them. The same holds true with freedom of religion. Sure, you don’t want someone to shut down your place of worship, but when laws are made against another religion, you stand up and cheer. Did it ever occur to you that your church might be next to be legislated against?

Freedom of speech and freedom to practice religion are two of the most precious rights that we have. They are also two of the most abused freedoms that we have.

Next time someone in public says something that you don’t agree with, before you start to roll your eyes and make a comment about wishing someone would shut them up just remember- they have the same freedom you have to speak for what they believe in. And I sure don’t want that freedom taken away.

"if the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." –George Washington

Christmas in Chicago

Yes, I am aware that Christmas was over a month ago. And for a month I've been meaning to blog about my amazing trip to Chi-town, but alas, other random little things like work and wedding planning has been in my way. So here, finally, is a summary of my trip to visit Andrew and his family for Christmas.

A couple of new experiences happened on my trip: it was the first time I saw snow coming down from the air (the view from my window made it look like the snow was coming down sideways), I chased a sunset- you know-you take off at sunset and watch as darkness chases you westward and the sun is straight ahead. I've always wanted to see that.), I had 25 hours of Christmas from gaining an hour en route (I love flying from Columbus to Chicago- it was 5pm when I left and 5pm when I landed!).

I arrived at the Minion's house after a great flight, and spent a wonderful evening with my future in-laws and a friend of theirs. It was amazing to watch all of the kids playing their string instruments together- 3 violins, 2 violas, and a cello=amazing. I have the most talented in-laws ever.

On Saturday, Andrew, his sister Katie, and I left for a great day in downtown Chicago.

It was snowing a little (ok, so we ended up with seven inches), so Katie and I needed to stop at Kohl's and get some boots. We managed to find matching, sensible, and oh-so-cute brown furry ones.

These boots were made for walking...and walking...and walking...

Our first stop was the famed Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower). We went all the way to the top of the 103 stories. Even though it was snowing we had a great view. Andrew and Katie stepped out on the sky-view thingys (cubes of glass craziness suspended way too high over the ground). This cowardly Ohioan stayed firmly on the concrete floor.

After leaving the tower, we walked to Millennium Park where we attempted to ice skate. Katie brought skates with her, so she was able to skate, but after Andrew and I waited in line for close to an hour in the freezing snow to rent some we decided to cut out of line and grab some lunch at a local cafe.

My favorite part of the day was browsing in the giant Macy's department store. Not only were we warm, but hello- it's shopping! We had way too much fun there...

Finally, we headed back toward Union Station to catch our ride home after a terrific day in an amazing city. I can't wait to return!

Sunday, I was able to go to Andrew's church with the family. That was a wee bit intimidating. The last time I was in a church that big was when I was traveling with a musical group from the college and I was supposed to be in front of everyone. I'm not big on meeting new people- especially all at once. I kinda creep into shy mode and withdraw. So I felt like I was walking around wide-eyed and looking like a 12 year old. But everyone was very nice and it was amazing to meet the people Andrew has known for years. Their new pastor is a great guy- so it was great to hear him as well.

I flew back to snowy Ohio on Monday...already missing my man and his great family. I cannot wait to go back to Chicago!

Proudly Pro-Life

Today is the 37^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Everyday more babies are still murdered…

Psalm 119:126:

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.”

• “10 Things You Can Say and Do To Make Abortion Unwanted Today and Unthinkable for Future Generations”: http://heartbeatinternational.org/10Things/index.htm

• Join the Virtual March for Life: http://www.virtualmarchforlife.com/

Aren't you glad that your mom was pro-life??

I Give You This Day

Everyday at Heartbeat, we meet for prayer at 9:15am. As we close our prayer time, inevitably whoever closes in prayer prays, "Lord, we give You this day." It is a wonderful mental reminder to every one of us that whatever we do that day, we do to the glory of God. It is something that I now try to repeat in my life everyday, regardless of where I am.

This is a year with many changes ahead of me- I'm getting married, moving out of my parents' house, leaving my 'comfort zone' in many ways. As I grow older and experience new things I am constantly struck with how young I feel. I remember being the grade school girl who thought college girls were so grown up and cool. I also remember being in high school attending weddings and looking forward to the day that I would be the one in the beautiful white dress walking down the aisle.

Now I am that older girl, but in so many ways I still feel like a ten year old watching someone else's life unfold. And because I can vividly recall watching those the older girls in my life, I know that little eyes are on me as well.

As I walk down the aisle on May 15, many other people will be watching. They will watch the ceremony which will reflect the glory of God. They will watch with love and prayers as Andrew and I begin our life together.

Because of all these eyes on my life, I am reminded anew of the verse in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Everyday, as I give that day to God, I need to also remember that I need to be an example of what a Christian should be. I need to be an example to my family, my coworkers, my friends, my church family, strangers in the store, and anyone else that my life touches.

A new year began today with 365 days ahead of us to fill with appointments, dates, meetings, classes, and so many more things crowding our schedule. Let's make it a point to give each of those days to God, to be an example in every area of our lives.