Over the last few years, my interest in missions outside of the US has grown considerably. Not only that, but my willingness to consider spending a portion (or all, I guess) of my life outside of the U.S. has also increased...and drastically. In fact, for the last several months, I've wrestled with and prayed about the possibility of teaching abroad, be it at a missionary school or otherwise. And it's honestly grown to become something that I am excited about the potential of.
But I have no idea if that is something that the Lord has in store for me, or if it's a man, er, woman made idea.
And so I've prayed. And I've researched. And I've begun talking to people. And I haven't gained any clarity. In fact, God's been [seemingly] pretty silent on the matter.
Tonight, when the opportunity arose to attend a "Night of Justice" at church and hear a representative from the International Justice Mission speak, I jumped. I really wanted to know about opportunities to get involved with loving people in tangible ways and spreading the Gospel around the world. I thought maybe hearing about the heart and passion of IJM would spark some sort of revelation for me. Alas, it did not. I was moved, of course, by the stories and by the statistics and by the outrageous injustice committed across the world, and of course, by the majority of the world's blind eye and deaf ear. But a revelation did not happen.
After the event, I had the opportunity to talk individually with the speaker from IJM. I explained briefly my situation and my desire to figure out the next step for my life. I intend to remember exactly what he said to me.
"Be faithful to the task set before you. Don't treat your current situation as merely a stepping stone."
He then told the story of a man whose primary occupation was making shoes. Sure, making shoes wasn't so glamorous, and perhaps it wasn't even desirable or enjoyable. But shoe-making is what this man had been called to do. And he did it with all his heart, serving the Lord every step of the way. He was faithful to the task set before him.
I'm not sure which part was more staggering, the fact that his words caught me so off guard, or the fact that I knew instantly that his words were so true and exactly what I needed to hear.
Immediately, I was convicted. It's not that I don't give my best to the kids that I teach. But I have been viewing this as merely a season; something to get through, but not necessarily something to prosper in. Sure, I've seen ministry opportunities woven throughout, but I haven't necessarily been treating my job as my current calling. I've totally viewed it as a stepping stone, as a means of making it from point A to point B. And that totally robs those around me from experiencing so much. So it's time for me to make a shift. It's time to zoom in on the task at hand and work at it with all my might. Period. No goals of "passing the test" or "getting through" in mind. That doesn't mean that I will discontinue praying about my future, but it does mean that it cannot be my priority. The Lord has always been so faithful, the very least I can do is be faithful to Him, even if it required making shoes.
What about you? Is there something the Lord has set before you right now? Will you be faithful to His call in your life currently, without worrying about future plans?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Going.
About a year ago, I decided I was done with ministry. I was pretty beat up and bruised, and I was more than ready to throw in the towel. At the same time, I still loved my job. I loved speaking truth, hanging out with students, and learning from some spiritually solid people. But I felt so trapped. And inadequate and so overly tired of giving endlessly...not just to people but to the Lord.
I was done.
But the Lord was not. He made it so clear to me that I needed to press on and dig deep. And so I did. Until Christmas. And then I started planning again to leave, to 'get out' of ministry. I wanted to live my own life and do my own thing without letting anyone else down and definitely without being held to a higher standard. I wanted my own way.
I began applying for jobs..endlessly, it seemed. I had a really great interview, which I thought was my ticket out, my pass on to my own path. And then I waited...3 months before I heard anything. Then there was a second interview. And then there was the rejection phone call.
Throughout the journey between the two interviews (for the same position), I constantly struggled to determine what God's will was and if I was really willing to follow it. After I didn't get the job, and didn't receive a single call from ANY other school to which I applied, I quickly understood that God did NOT want me leaving ministry. After throwing an initial temper tantrum, I dried up my tears, resolved to dig in to ministry even deeper and more wholeheartedly than I ever had before, and committed to following Christ and His will over my own. Yes, I've made this commitment a million times, but somehow, at various twists and turns along the way, it seems that I continually come to a crossroads of "my will vs. Thy will".
That was the beginning of May. May, June, and July were 3 of the best months of my life. I dove into student ministry full-force again, refreshed, renewed, and strengthened. I loved every minute of it. Project Springfield. Girls Bible Study. Summer Interns. New York. CAMP. Ecuador.
And then I got a call from the principal with whom I'd interviewed in May. He offered me a job and said he didn't want anyone else. Initially, I didn't want to talk with him. I didn't want to hear what he had to say because I was happy. Content. Satisfied. And I didn't want anything to rock the boat. Per the advice of a wise friend, I listened to the principal's offer. And I prayed. Hard. Before I even ended that first phone call with him, I knew the Lord was stirring something in my heart. I knew He was calling me to something new. But I wasn't sure if I wanted it.
Thankfully, the lesson I learned from December through May hadn't left me yet. And this time I knew better than to go with my will. I hit my face before the Lord and asked for wisdom. I had a tough choice to make: stay or go.
The clearest message I got was that it was time for me to go. A year ago, I wanted to leave. I was running hard core. And He wouldn't let me go. As many times as I shook my fist at Him and begged for Him to let go of me, He never did. He never has. I'm convinced He never will. But in late July, He called me not to leave, but to go. See, taking a new job now was not me getting out of ministry. It wasn't running from something; it is diving deeper into the ministry that He's set before me. It's going out into the world and shining some light. It's putting on my armor and getting in the trenches. For me, it's going deeper into ministry. It's further accepting His call.
I think it's so crazy that the Lord knows the condition of our hearts at each step along the way. He knows when the right time is to move us, to stretch us, to test us, to push us.. And He doesn't act as we think He ought. He doesn't call when we see fit. He moves, acts, calls, etc., according to His timing and His plan. And He's got it worked out better than I ever could. I'm not saying that my life is perfect now, or that I feel one hundred percent satisfied, or that I don't have moments of frustration or fear--I have all of those and more. But I do know that a long time ago I placed my trust in hands much greater than my own. Those hands have not failed me yet, and so I'm continuing to place my whole life in His hands DAILY (sometimes hourly), and I'm believing that He will continue to lead me.
And that, my friends, is why I changed jobs. Not because I in my flesh wanted to, not because I was running from ministry, and certainly not because I was wounded and defeated; but, rather, because He said, "Go!"
What is the Lord calling you to right now? How will you respond?
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I was done.
But the Lord was not. He made it so clear to me that I needed to press on and dig deep. And so I did. Until Christmas. And then I started planning again to leave, to 'get out' of ministry. I wanted to live my own life and do my own thing without letting anyone else down and definitely without being held to a higher standard. I wanted my own way.
I began applying for jobs..endlessly, it seemed. I had a really great interview, which I thought was my ticket out, my pass on to my own path. And then I waited...3 months before I heard anything. Then there was a second interview. And then there was the rejection phone call.
Throughout the journey between the two interviews (for the same position), I constantly struggled to determine what God's will was and if I was really willing to follow it. After I didn't get the job, and didn't receive a single call from ANY other school to which I applied, I quickly understood that God did NOT want me leaving ministry. After throwing an initial temper tantrum, I dried up my tears, resolved to dig in to ministry even deeper and more wholeheartedly than I ever had before, and committed to following Christ and His will over my own. Yes, I've made this commitment a million times, but somehow, at various twists and turns along the way, it seems that I continually come to a crossroads of "my will vs. Thy will".
That was the beginning of May. May, June, and July were 3 of the best months of my life. I dove into student ministry full-force again, refreshed, renewed, and strengthened. I loved every minute of it. Project Springfield. Girls Bible Study. Summer Interns. New York. CAMP. Ecuador.
And then I got a call from the principal with whom I'd interviewed in May. He offered me a job and said he didn't want anyone else. Initially, I didn't want to talk with him. I didn't want to hear what he had to say because I was happy. Content. Satisfied. And I didn't want anything to rock the boat. Per the advice of a wise friend, I listened to the principal's offer. And I prayed. Hard. Before I even ended that first phone call with him, I knew the Lord was stirring something in my heart. I knew He was calling me to something new. But I wasn't sure if I wanted it.
Thankfully, the lesson I learned from December through May hadn't left me yet. And this time I knew better than to go with my will. I hit my face before the Lord and asked for wisdom. I had a tough choice to make: stay or go.
The clearest message I got was that it was time for me to go. A year ago, I wanted to leave. I was running hard core. And He wouldn't let me go. As many times as I shook my fist at Him and begged for Him to let go of me, He never did. He never has. I'm convinced He never will. But in late July, He called me not to leave, but to go. See, taking a new job now was not me getting out of ministry. It wasn't running from something; it is diving deeper into the ministry that He's set before me. It's going out into the world and shining some light. It's putting on my armor and getting in the trenches. For me, it's going deeper into ministry. It's further accepting His call.
I think it's so crazy that the Lord knows the condition of our hearts at each step along the way. He knows when the right time is to move us, to stretch us, to test us, to push us.. And He doesn't act as we think He ought. He doesn't call when we see fit. He moves, acts, calls, etc., according to His timing and His plan. And He's got it worked out better than I ever could. I'm not saying that my life is perfect now, or that I feel one hundred percent satisfied, or that I don't have moments of frustration or fear--I have all of those and more. But I do know that a long time ago I placed my trust in hands much greater than my own. Those hands have not failed me yet, and so I'm continuing to place my whole life in His hands DAILY (sometimes hourly), and I'm believing that He will continue to lead me.
And that, my friends, is why I changed jobs. Not because I in my flesh wanted to, not because I was running from ministry, and certainly not because I was wounded and defeated; but, rather, because He said, "Go!"
What is the Lord calling you to right now? How will you respond?
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tick-Tock vs. Trust
I've finally accepted the fact that I'm a haphazard blogger. And by haphazard I mean completely sporadic and quite often overly dramatic. Since I'm accepting that fact, I'm relinquishing myself from guilt and unnecessary introductions on each new post...beginning next time. This time, I just have to say that I hate that I don't make time to write. I hate how my writing seems to deteriorate when I don't do it. And I hate that it's such an outlet for me, yet when I don't write for long periods of time, the act becomes so laborious. Ugh. And so I'm forcing myself to write...hopefully it won't be a complete disaster.
They say, "Timing is everything."
Jesus is everything. Duh. But part of the brilliance of Jesus being everything is that He holds time in His hand. I have a horrible tendency to pray for God's plan, and then to obsess over it every step of the way. "Is this the right door?" "Is this the right time?" Ugh, I obsess over knowing the right thing and doing the right thing, at the right time. Sometimes it feels as if a perpetual alarm clock resides inside my head/heart: "Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock!" Talk about inducing anxiety. My continual struggle is whether or not to give in to the clock and become alarmed (ha) about my quickly passing time and opportunities, or to trust that it's all going to work out. Can you guess which one I give in to more often? Erg. Anyway, I've been learning a little bit about timing lately, both from experience and conversations with people much wiser than myself.
Two lessons I've been learning lately about timing and God's will.
1) Seeking His perfect timing or will or plan or whatever must not replace seeking Him.
and
2) His timing really is perfect.
Time for a story. Recently I found myself annoyed on a Wednesday night. A student's ride was abnormally late and I was abnormally irritable, tired, and altogether ready to be home. (None of that is the fault of the student, by the way.) I was antsy, to say the least. When, at last, it came time to go home, as I pulled onto Republic Road, I spotted what seemed to be a teenage girl walking along the road, carrying multiple bags. As I got closer, I recognized her. I drove past and immediately felt compelled to stop. Notice I said I drove past... After only a few seconds of arguing with myself--I was tired, it was late, I wasn't completely positive that I knew who she was--I made a u-turn, swung my Jeep into the Catholic church parking lot, and called out to her. Thankfully, she recognized me too. I would've hated to be a creeper. I offered her a ride and she accepted. I was so excited to chat with her. She's attended RBC only twice, by "happenstance." And, ironically (ha), I'd been thinking of her just recently. I would never have dreamt that I'd unexpectedly run into her late one Wednesday night, particularly on an evening that I was so eager to be home.
I wonder how often I get so eager about my plans and miss out on His plans, on Him. Just a thought...
I wonder how often I get so eager about my plans and miss out on His plans, on Him. Just a thought...
The good news, in my struggle for figuring out timing and plans and such is that I don't really have to figure out any of it. Because He's got it together, I don't have to worry about it. The waiting isn't going to be too long. I'm not going to miss out on Him. I'm not going to miss out on His plans. But I am going to miss out on a lot of beauty by continually obsessing over the details.
I've found that my obsession with figuring out everything in my life is really rooted in fear... There's quite a bit to be said about that, but we'll elaborate another time. For now, I'm finding comfort in these words:
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." 1 John 4:18
And so it's time to say goodbye to the obsession and planning and the fear that triggers it all; time to throw it all out the door and give into Him.
Perhaps you've got a plan to throw out the window too. Perhaps you need to stop obsessing and planning and worrying as well. Don't be afraid; just step out in faith.
I've found that my obsession with figuring out everything in my life is really rooted in fear... There's quite a bit to be said about that, but we'll elaborate another time. For now, I'm finding comfort in these words:
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." 1 John 4:18
And so it's time to say goodbye to the obsession and planning and the fear that triggers it all; time to throw it all out the door and give into Him.
Perhaps you've got a plan to throw out the window too. Perhaps you need to stop obsessing and planning and worrying as well. Don't be afraid; just step out in faith.
Monday, March 19, 2012
21 years ago today
...my existence as an only child completely shattered. Yep, that's right: my sister was born. And today she turns 21. Holy moley, where has the time gone?! Since this is her big day, I thought I'd dedicate a blog post to her. I'm sure she'll be so thrilled. (HA!) :)
My sister is definitely one of my favorite people. Let's be honest, I don't say that about a lot of people. And if I'm being even more honest, she might just be my favorite person. Yes, I'm seeping total sister sap.
From her beauty, to her poise, to her persistence, my sister is someone I maintain utmost respect for. Despite the fact that we couldn't be more different in a some ways, she is someone I admire so much. No matter the cost, my sister stands her ground. When other people pressure her to sway, sway she does not. Simply said, she is who she is, no matter the crowd.
Growing up, there was rarely a dull moment as long as my sister was around. Between babysitting kids running around, me throwing an emotional teenage tyrade, and dad cheering heart and soul for losing teams, my sister has always provided a source of laughter. Barbie photo shoots. Steve Urkel impressions. Imaginary friend phone calls, sleepovers, and Dairy Queen trips. She's never been shy and she's never hesitated to put herself on the line in the name of comedy.
We've had some crazy times together, and I know we'll have plenty more. We've fought and screamed and exchanged our share of hurtful words. We've also laughed and shared secrets that we don't share with others. Ever. If I know anything, I know that nothing will change our relationship.
Happy 21, LA. I'm really proud to call you my sister.
My sister is definitely one of my favorite people. Let's be honest, I don't say that about a lot of people. And if I'm being even more honest, she might just be my favorite person. Yes, I'm seeping total sister sap.
From her beauty, to her poise, to her persistence, my sister is someone I maintain utmost respect for. Despite the fact that we couldn't be more different in a some ways, she is someone I admire so much. No matter the cost, my sister stands her ground. When other people pressure her to sway, sway she does not. Simply said, she is who she is, no matter the crowd.
Growing up, there was rarely a dull moment as long as my sister was around. Between babysitting kids running around, me throwing an emotional teenage tyrade, and dad cheering heart and soul for losing teams, my sister has always provided a source of laughter. Barbie photo shoots. Steve Urkel impressions. Imaginary friend phone calls, sleepovers, and Dairy Queen trips. She's never been shy and she's never hesitated to put herself on the line in the name of comedy.
We've had some crazy times together, and I know we'll have plenty more. We've fought and screamed and exchanged our share of hurtful words. We've also laughed and shared secrets that we don't share with others. Ever. If I know anything, I know that nothing will change our relationship.
Happy 21, LA. I'm really proud to call you my sister.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
learning to listen
I love getting new music. LOVE it. But I'm not always so great at seeking out new jams. Therefore, I thoroughly appreciate the fact that the guys I work with are nearly constantly playing new tunes. Today my boss shared Bethel's newest album with me in preparation for a roadtrip that I ended up not endeavoring...
I had planned to take off for good ol' Nebraska this afternoon with my mom for a quick trip to visit Grandma. And take off we did. However, my digestive system seemed to have other plans, and thus I did not last long at all on the road. In all honesty, I made it to the McDonald's not even 2 miles from my house, at which point I realized I had no business attempting a 6 hour car ride today. I was feeling overly stressed about making the trek and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was making the wrong choice. From the moment my mom mentioned the idea to me a couple of weeks ago, I knew I shouldn't go, but I let my desire and logic win and proceeded accordingly. Over the last couple of weeks, I've sensed the Lord calling to me, inviting me to Himself.
And what have I done?
Nothing. Well, actually, that's a lie. I've done the opposite of nothing. I've continued about scurrying here and there, working, meeting with students, running errands, painting cabinet doors, fitting in extra workouts, cooking unnecessarily...
...and NOT meeting with the Lord.
Confession: I have a listening problem.
It took the wrath of some wicked stomach pains for me to finally listen to--not just hear--the Lord.
"Come away."
And so this afternoon, I snuggled into my bed, opened my window, and just breathed in the presence of the Lord, just listened to Him. No TV. No music. No distractions. It was exactly what I needed.
I'm learning to listen. He knows exactly what I need, and He tells us, if we'll only listen. And speaking of listening... That music that Nate shared with me earlier today made its way onto my iPod and into my ears and heart this evening. I really can't even begin to express how life-changing the lyrics on this album are. You should definitely check it out. Also, you should listen. Take time today to stop and allow the Lord to quiet you. In that quiet, see what He has, what He says. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Listen to this message, friends, and come to Him.
I had planned to take off for good ol' Nebraska this afternoon with my mom for a quick trip to visit Grandma. And take off we did. However, my digestive system seemed to have other plans, and thus I did not last long at all on the road. In all honesty, I made it to the McDonald's not even 2 miles from my house, at which point I realized I had no business attempting a 6 hour car ride today. I was feeling overly stressed about making the trek and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was making the wrong choice. From the moment my mom mentioned the idea to me a couple of weeks ago, I knew I shouldn't go, but I let my desire and logic win and proceeded accordingly. Over the last couple of weeks, I've sensed the Lord calling to me, inviting me to Himself.
And what have I done?
Nothing. Well, actually, that's a lie. I've done the opposite of nothing. I've continued about scurrying here and there, working, meeting with students, running errands, painting cabinet doors, fitting in extra workouts, cooking unnecessarily...
...and NOT meeting with the Lord.
Confession: I have a listening problem.
It took the wrath of some wicked stomach pains for me to finally listen to--not just hear--the Lord.
"Come away."
And so this afternoon, I snuggled into my bed, opened my window, and just breathed in the presence of the Lord, just listened to Him. No TV. No music. No distractions. It was exactly what I needed.
I'm learning to listen. He knows exactly what I need, and He tells us, if we'll only listen. And speaking of listening... That music that Nate shared with me earlier today made its way onto my iPod and into my ears and heart this evening. I really can't even begin to express how life-changing the lyrics on this album are. You should definitely check it out. Also, you should listen. Take time today to stop and allow the Lord to quiet you. In that quiet, see what He has, what He says. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Listen to this message, friends, and come to Him.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
once again
I find myself feeling remorseful over my lack of blogging of late. As seems to be the trend lately, it's not that I have nothing to say, it just seems that I don't have the words to say it. In fact, I'm not really sure why I'm writing currently, other than the fact that I had the urge to at least get some words on the screen.
So, here I am... attempting to blog.
And failing...ha.
I guess I could update you on my current situation in life.
It seems I've hit my midlife brain breakdown rather early in life. I've been forgetting/losing/misplacing things left and right lately. Seriously, that's not okay for an OCDer like myself. I find it rather difficult to rest at night when I have loose ends left untied. Example: my glasses. I set them down at church on Sunday afternoon, but I can't remember where. And I can't find them anywhere. Nor has anyone on staff, any of our students, or any of the cleaning crew stumbled upon them.
All of this leads me to believe one thing: there is a mouse out there looking quite intelligent and studious in my specs.
Thankfully, I had just visited the optometrist last Friday and ordered a new pair of frames. Then Sunday happened... Can we say ironic? Gratefully, my new glasses arrived yesterday and I am so so so loving them!
Let me take a minute to draw a spiritual application from this situation.
For some reason, the Lord seems to use lesson after lesson in my life to show me His faithfulness. The glasses situation is yet another reminder that He is faithful and He is in control. People say that God doesn't care about the details, the little things--that He has way bigger things to worry about; but I refuse to give into that idea. I KNOW, based on irrefutable evidence time and time again in my own life, that He does care. That even the "silly little things" are not out of His reach, nor His focus.
This week, a friend reminded me of an entirely necessary passage.
1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
It's my understanding that God's care doesn't just stop after the cut off of "big things"--illness, financial issues, family stress, death, etc. Rather than specifying these things, Scripture says, "He cares for YOU." I find such comfort in that. I will definitely attest to the humbling that is mentioned in the first part of verse 6. Feeling like I'm losing my mind definitely has a way of humbling me. But that's exactly the point. When I get to the spot of being humbled, and understanding that I can't find it/figure it out/make it happen, that's when I finally cry out to the Lord. And He's right there, ready to take my junk and show His care for me.
That is amazing grace, my friends. And that is a small taste of what I've been experiencing lately, even in the midst of losing my mind.
He cares.
And He is faithful.
May you experience His care and faithfulness today.
So, here I am... attempting to blog.
And failing...ha.
I guess I could update you on my current situation in life.
It seems I've hit my midlife brain breakdown rather early in life. I've been forgetting/losing/misplacing things left and right lately. Seriously, that's not okay for an OCDer like myself. I find it rather difficult to rest at night when I have loose ends left untied. Example: my glasses. I set them down at church on Sunday afternoon, but I can't remember where. And I can't find them anywhere. Nor has anyone on staff, any of our students, or any of the cleaning crew stumbled upon them.
All of this leads me to believe one thing: there is a mouse out there looking quite intelligent and studious in my specs.
Thankfully, I had just visited the optometrist last Friday and ordered a new pair of frames. Then Sunday happened... Can we say ironic? Gratefully, my new glasses arrived yesterday and I am so so so loving them!
Let me take a minute to draw a spiritual application from this situation.
For some reason, the Lord seems to use lesson after lesson in my life to show me His faithfulness. The glasses situation is yet another reminder that He is faithful and He is in control. People say that God doesn't care about the details, the little things--that He has way bigger things to worry about; but I refuse to give into that idea. I KNOW, based on irrefutable evidence time and time again in my own life, that He does care. That even the "silly little things" are not out of His reach, nor His focus.
This week, a friend reminded me of an entirely necessary passage.
1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
It's my understanding that God's care doesn't just stop after the cut off of "big things"--illness, financial issues, family stress, death, etc. Rather than specifying these things, Scripture says, "He cares for YOU." I find such comfort in that. I will definitely attest to the humbling that is mentioned in the first part of verse 6. Feeling like I'm losing my mind definitely has a way of humbling me. But that's exactly the point. When I get to the spot of being humbled, and understanding that I can't find it/figure it out/make it happen, that's when I finally cry out to the Lord. And He's right there, ready to take my junk and show His care for me.
That is amazing grace, my friends. And that is a small taste of what I've been experiencing lately, even in the midst of losing my mind.
He cares.
And He is faithful.
May you experience His care and faithfulness today.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
hair and relationships
So my friend Lindsay texted me last night, asking if I could help with some wedding hair today. And of course I said yes. Really, who's gonna say no at a chance to play beauty salon?! Seriously, it was so much fun! The girls were great to work with and the bride was so laid back. All beauties.
As I was pinning one girl's hair, we started talking about the correlation between hair and relationships. First it was accidental. Here's how our conversation transpired (more or less):
Me: "So what are we thinking style-wise?"
Emily: "I don't really care. Just something laid back and loose."
Me: "Ok, I'm thinking...[whilst pinning]I want you to come over here...There we go."
Emily: "What? Oh I thought you were saying that was the hairstyle we were going for."
And so we began talking about various styles of hair and their messages.
Ahem..without further a-'do, our hairstyle communication
The "I want you to come over here" style.
Loosely pinned up with delicate and unpretentious wisps pulled down around the face.
The "Please stay" style.
Similar to the "I want you to come over here" style, only including some sort of twirling of the hair around
the fingers.
The "I want you to stay there" style.
Hair is tightly pulled back, either all up, or half-up, causing tension through the brow and temple, creating
a tense, unwelcoming look.
The "I really hate what you're doing right now" style.
Much like the "I want you to stay there" style, but somewhere along the way, a hair flip is completed,
perhaps in conjunction with an eye roll.
The "I am completely oblivious to anyone around me...or at least I want you to think that" style.
Hair is down and tousled or up in a messy-ish bun. Totally unassuming appearing.
And there ya have it. Communication through hairstyles. Now that I know it's so easy, I'm going to begin communicating this way. Be aware. Also, I'm sure there are many, many more styles that could clearly and accurately convey specific messages; however, my creativity is exhausted at this point.
And so I'll close with some pics from my hairstyling escapade today. Enjoy.
As I was pinning one girl's hair, we started talking about the correlation between hair and relationships. First it was accidental. Here's how our conversation transpired (more or less):
Me: "So what are we thinking style-wise?"
Emily: "I don't really care. Just something laid back and loose."
Me: "Ok, I'm thinking...[whilst pinning]I want you to come over here...There we go."
Emily: "What? Oh I thought you were saying that was the hairstyle we were going for."
And so we began talking about various styles of hair and their messages.
Ahem..without further a-'do, our hairstyle communication
The "I want you to come over here" style.
Loosely pinned up with delicate and unpretentious wisps pulled down around the face.
The "Please stay" style.
Similar to the "I want you to come over here" style, only including some sort of twirling of the hair around
the fingers.
The "I want you to stay there" style.
Hair is tightly pulled back, either all up, or half-up, causing tension through the brow and temple, creating
a tense, unwelcoming look.
The "I really hate what you're doing right now" style.
Much like the "I want you to stay there" style, but somewhere along the way, a hair flip is completed,
perhaps in conjunction with an eye roll.
The "I am completely oblivious to anyone around me...or at least I want you to think that" style.
Hair is down and tousled or up in a messy-ish bun. Totally unassuming appearing.
And there ya have it. Communication through hairstyles. Now that I know it's so easy, I'm going to begin communicating this way. Be aware. Also, I'm sure there are many, many more styles that could clearly and accurately convey specific messages; however, my creativity is exhausted at this point.
And so I'll close with some pics from my hairstyling escapade today. Enjoy.
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| The lovely bridesmaids |
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| Their hairs |
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| Lindsay, me, Amber. I'm lacking an LBD ;) |
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
holiday recap
This holiday season was probably one of my favorite in recent history. Our family established some new traditions and shared way too many laughs together along the way. (Is that actually possible, to laugh too much? Hmm..) We stayed in town for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, hitting up our Christmas Eve service at church, followed by the Stone family extended family gathering out in Sparta. Christmas day was full of cooking breakfast together, opening gifts, and then heading over to our Aunt and Uncle's house for a glorious Christmas feast and lots of family game time. Also, the weather was INCREDIBLE! I can't remember a Christmas that we've enjoyed dinner outside on the deck. Crazy, but so beautiful!
Two days after Christmas we headed to Nebraska to spend time with my mom's family. Seriously, this was probably one of my favorite trips to the Neb. My sis and I roadtripped separately from our parents, which allowed us a lot of freedom in visiting with cousins, Grandma, etc. SO MUCH FUN. Then after returning from the Neb, the kitchen remodel fell into full force. Whoa. Lots going on for sure.
Needless to say, it was a busy holiday break, but I honestly enjoyed it thoroughly, which I can't always say. Normally breaking out of my routine isn't always at the top of my list. Type A much? :) This time, however, it was pretty refreshing.
Some photos from the holidays...
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| Christmas Eve |
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| Mom & Pops on Christmas |
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| FAVE Christmas gift: Keen boots. |
Monday, January 2, 2012
coping with chaos
I can’t believe the holidays have come and gone already. And it’s 2012?! When did that happen? Sheesh.
To begin the year, we decided to refinish our kitchen cabinets. So excited for the update; however, not so excited about the current chaotic state of our kitchen and adjacent areas.
Here’s proof of the current chaos:
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| Our office currently holds all of our kitchen ware and pantry contents. Yikes. |
My latest bomb: feeling in a rut of sorts in my relationship with the Lord. It’s one of those times that I know I should be pursuing Him regularly, but I also know my heart isn’t completely in it. And I don’t like that. I don’t want to seek Him merely out of obligation or duty; I want to seek Him because I WANT to seek Him. It so bothers me to know that my heart isn’t where it should be, isn’t where I want it to be. Overall, it feels like chaos in my soul. And that wears on me.
So we were discussing this current situation and the desire to jump into the cycle of spiritual growth, yet not knowing exactly where/how to begin. It was then that my lovely friend shared some advice I found to be so wise. She explained that when she encounters those situations of not knowing where to begin or what to do next, she goes back to the last thing the Lord told her to do, the last thing she discerned Him saying.
It didn’t take me long at all to remember the last thing I heard Him say. It’s the same thing He’s been saying for quite awhile now: “Wait.”
“Wait.”
Four simple letters that drive this girl crazy. But if that’s what He’s said, then that’s what I’ll do. Despite the internal chaos I feel and despite the fact that I often have no idea what waiting looks like, what I’m waiting for, or how long I’m to wait, I will wait. Period. Again, my friend interjected some valuable advice. In the midst of this chaos, perhaps the Lord is merely asking me to trust Him. It seems easy to trust when things are clearly outlined, when answers are easy to come by; but in the obscure, in the unknown, in the undetermined, that’s when trusting is difficult. But perhaps that’s when it counts the most.
And so I’ll wait…until I’m given different instructions. And I’ll make the most of this chaos in the meantime.
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