this season

In this season of birthdays, celebrations, and new babiezzz (6 to count since March), I have discovered a deep passion of mine: service and gift giving.  Yes, my husband knows that I go to Target twice/week (once for us, and once for all my friends!). Yes, he's noticed that I have made more consecutive homemade meals in the past 4 weeks put together than I have in the 8 months that we've been married.  All of these things (meals, wedding planning, babysitting, gifts, etc) have been wonderful, however, I have had to take a peek recently at my motives and heart. Where do my services/resources come from? Who am I really serving?

Any one who loves to give gifts/time/service knows that sometimes, the heart can get in the way of our gifts and purpose.
Ex: We start expecting thanks, reciprocation, and sadly, in the long run---We burn out, reach long standing disappointment and lots of other selfish icky things.

The Word warns us of motives and our hearts (yikes, which can be just plain ugly).
Good news! We are redeeemed and forgiven and made holy, again. Thank you, Jesus for your blood.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:17

...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17).

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:11

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

With all of these reminders (and more throughout scripture), I am so thankful for His life, blood, and Word!

I am growing friends.  I'm slowly but surely, being molded into the lady He wants me to be.  I type this as part confession, part celebration.  It is challenging sometimes to give of yourself and not receive (thanks).  However, the heart check, confession (with God and a few friends), reconciliation, and wholeness have made me question the ONE I truly serve and how, in all honesty, I deserve nothing in return.  He deserves all of our praise! 

Thank you for reading.
If you have any experiences or scriptures that have turned your heart back to Christ and His amazing love and example of giving, comment below.

Have a wonderful day!
~h

His mercy and grace

Because we must Boldy approach the throne room of grace.  How refreshing it is, that He has risen and has established a way to intercede for us and allow us to approach this throne, and find mercy and grace.  I love this verse.  (The green and yellow might have stood out to me as well :))

found via here and here

I also love the title of the tumblr account that I found this on...Corner of My Heart.  As it reads, corner is singular, and I honestly believe in my heart, there are several corners, but we won't be picky.  

I hate that I haven't written in awhile.  I could come up with my list of happenings since my last posting, but I think somethings are meant to just be...no explanation.

However, I am excited about a few things and I do want to share:

1. It's May.  The first. My birthday. Who doesn't enjoy birthdays?  Even my 90+ year olds love their birthdays.  It marks another year lived and so much to be thankful for.

2. Sarah graduates in less than a week! Friday is the big day and I am so happy for her and all of her accomplishments.  Congrats, sissy.

3. In one week from today, it's Mother's Day.  I share this, because I love celebrating my parents.  My momma is an amazing lady.  If you want a snippet of who she is, just sit with me for five minutes and I am probably going to say something about her. Anywho...we get to celebrate all mothers next Sunday, and I am so blessed to have the one that I do, and for her to bring true Joy to my life.

4. I have a precious boyfriend. :)

Well, off to get my free starbuck's. Happy Rainy Sunday.

monday = thinking day

i've called it.  monday.  it's my thinking day.  just like standing on the brink of a new endeavor.  my mondays seem to always make me think.  laundry's done. apartment's clean.  now how can i really be productive?  this topic seems to align with the many resolutions that my friends and family are and aren't making this year.  for me, i've never made them because i've never been truly passionate about my options, but as i get older and seem to appreciate more life lessons.



goals for 2011 - modish vintage



i feel this is a good year to make a few. 

 joythebaker inspired me with a few of hers. 

here are a few from my closest:

chase-to get a hobby: tutoring, teaching, giving things away (we've discouraged the game playing for money and expensive hobbies like golf and hunting)
sarah-haven't talked to her yet...my hope is to spend more time with me! :) love you, sar bear!
mom-a new talent/skill (mom's probably the only person i know to ever complete her resolutions....cooking school, weight loss, saving for vacation, remodeling the kitchen....what a record!)
dad- ?? finally clean out the garage?? (trust me, it'll take him the whole year- he's my mom's perfect match)
ana-perfect her gym routine, including squats with a bar (haha)
fern-get through and pass police academy with flying colors so he can wear one of those cool blue uniforms and carry a gun, visibly. lol
kate-her art; may it continue to grow and reflect Christ
lola, wendy, rach, maddie, morgan, and alma...haven't talked to these special ladies yet...but i know that they are all planning for a wonderful 2011.

fireworks from the unreliable girl

i am thinking of my list...it will be posted soon.  what are yours?

 

a few of my favourites this christmas...

diamonds, for christmas?  why yes, yes he did.

pretty sure dad was happy with his stocking. i believe those are his fave- pb m&m's.
this was probably after mom told him he didn't really need them.

so happy for sar bear and her own apt! lots of housewarming gifts...

emma loves christmas.

beautiful time of year.

It truly is one of my favourite times of the year.  This photo, I couldn't resist saving.  Then I decided to blog it....I really enjoy sitting in a boat, relaxing, observing nature, enjoying the sounds of animals and fish jump up out of the water...I think this picture is quite lovely, in its own earthy/woodsy sort-of-way.  Found it here.
(a beautiful, inspiring blog)  Hope you are enjoying this beautiful time of year.  ~~

image by polly wreford
reblogged here florals and stripes blog





reflecting this December

festive reflections by shutter sisters

It's truly been a wonderful year!  This morning I was in awe of how much God has truly blessed me (and you!). I have too much to be thankful for to ever list them on a silly blog or mention the times, happenings and people, ...so if you are reading this, you are probably one of the ones. Thank you.  You're a blessing and delight.  This Christmas- only 3 days away btw, I hope to spend time giving to others, sharing with others, and remembering how Christ has enabled me to be a light to the world around me by living, dying and raising again- enabling me to have life, and live it abundantly. Happy Christmas. ~~

(If you'd like, add a comment on what you are reflecting on this season...)

PS. I love your comments.

even closer....

it's the monday before christmas.  truly can't wait to spend time away from my usual routine, rest, and enjoy the people I love the most.  thought this was a beautiful picture.  i love real trees, even though mine is not...and not this big  - however, just thinking about it makes me smile.  hope you find little bits of beautiful in your day today. ~happy monday, hannah

borrowed from {this is glamorous} blog

my sociology lesson

last night we traveled to granbury on a mission to see one of chase's properties.  as we drove and drove...and drove some more, trying to fight my stomach growling and sleepiness that had set in from riding in the backseat of his dad's lexus, i looked out the window and saw an amazing sunset.  shades of orange, yellow, light blue, and the darkening of the sky to the east...all on country road over a pasture full of hay, tall grass and trees losing their leaves.  i haven't uploaded my pics, yet, but will.  see my sample below.  i refrained from interrupting chase's story to say, "look outside everyone!"  but soon enough, he finished and said, "look at that amazing sunset", and took ownership of claiming he saw it first.  however, i knew better. :)

*taken from wikimedia- just a visual to what i saw*

we arrrived at his "close to granbury lake" property.  pitch black outside.  using his htc phone flashlight and the car headlights, chase, his mom, dad, and i walked into the house wondering what we'd walk into.  nothing creepier than cob webs. thank goodness.  as we continued to walk through the property, i imagined myself living there and how different life would be in these kind of conditions.  (did i mention it was on a travel trailor lot?)

on the way home, i intended to discuss sociology with chase...whom "clept" out of it in college.  so the conversation didn't get very far, but all i kept rehearsing in my head was a video from my sociology class at UTA that talked about the differences between socioeconomic classes in the US.  the video changed my perspective for a bit on how i view others, their status', morals, family life, and beliefs. but that "bit of time" should have lasted a little longer.  i saw a glimpse of it again last night, as we drove through so many low income homes, lots, and trailors and saw the people living in them.  i was challenged.  i am still being challenged.  God reminded me again of how blessed i am and the things that have been given to me.  nothing's my own.  it's all His.  i thanked the Lord for showing me his view on life last evening as we rode away in a comfortable, working car to go eat out at a restaurant.  things that not all people get to do.  whether any of us have any monetary things that make us seem "rich" on earth, i am here to say, we aren't.  the only wealth we have is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  no matter what we strive for in life- a family, a good job, a nice place to live, retirement, etc, we must never forget that we have a greater wealth than any of those things.

my motion-not-so-lookalike