Photo Frame Memo Board

Here's a quick post about a recent project. One of our friends/neighbors uses a picture frame as a weekly calendar. I loved the dry erase idea, and happened to have an unused collage frame (kinda like this one) laying around. I put a picture in one of the frames, and scrap-booking paper in the others. Now it's our memo board/ notepad, and occasionally we try out new dry erase hairdos and facial hair on the pictures. ;]

Retrospect

Well I was reminded last night that I was overdue for a blog post, and I've been meaning to write one, but waiting for the right place, emotionally and physically. So now, I'm coming to you from a place of retrospection, and from a little coffee shop in downtown Portland.

I don't have anything profound to say, but maybe God will still speak something profound into your life through what He's been doing in mine. 

One week ago, on last Monday night, my aunt Rosann passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. She had been in a lot of pain for several months prior, and we are thankful that she is no longer suffering.

On Tuesday night, the students of the school where she was principal held a candlelight vigil in her honor.

photo copyright Miami Herald

All you have to do is google Dr Rosann Sidener to see the incredible impact she had on so many lives. Here's an article detailing just a small portion of her accomplishments. She lives on here through the changes she brought to Miami and to so many lives.

But she lives on in a way that is so much more than that. Because of her trust in Jesus as her Savior, death has no hold over her, nor over anyone who trusts their life to Him. Our family can find comfort in the fact that the next time we see her, she will not be in pain, but in the joy of spending eternity in the presence of God.  

Death is a weird subject that makes a lot of people feel awkward. It's hard to respond to. Yes, it's hard for the loved ones left behind, and there is still grief in loss. But there is joy in the death of Christ that put our death in His grave. Here's a song with some great lyrics about what Jesus did through the cross. 

"He has cheated

Hell and seated

Us above the fall.

In desperate places

He paid our wages

One time once and for all."

I highly encourage you to watch that and think about it. 

I've also, once again, been able to see God's timing clearly through hindsight, and once again His providence. Maybe in my next post I will detail those things. 

Thanks once again for reading, and for being in my life. I appreciate you. =]

April Showers

Well it's April. But no, it's not raining. In fact, it's cold enough for snow. Fortunately it's not snowing either. Anyway, like I said from the beginning, I'm not the greatest at this consistent blogging thing. But I do have a bit of an update.

I've been working as an office administrator for the past few weeks, and starting next week, they've asked me to go full time. That means I'm going from three days a week to four, but the ultimate goal is for me to move to five as the current administrator phases out. It's a good job, but has its stressful days. It's fast paced, and there's a total of five other people in the office, so one person's bad mood can really affect the atmosphere. I'm enjoying getting to know the others in the office, and surprisingly, I even enjoy my bus/train/another bus ride there.

Tom is in the midst of midterms right now, so he's next to me with books all spread out, studying away. He's also applied for a security job on campus. We've decided to stay in Chicago for the summer, so hopefully he can find a job to fund some summer courses. As an international student, he's only allowed to work on campus, but hopefully with the amount of students going home for the summer, some positions will open up.

As of today, I am the excited holder of a plane ticket to Portland! (And back, of course.) I had a trip that got canceled last year, so this flight credit has been waiting to be used. So, in two weeks, I am Portland bound to see my friend Karena. Portland is one of my most favorite places, and is up there on my "live here someday" list. Karena is pretty rad too. =] Unfortunately, Tom won't be able to join me on this trip, but after hearing me talk up the place so much, he's eager to visit sometime too.

That's all I have for now. I'm off to enjoy an Americano at Eva's, our favorite little coffee place in Chicago.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here's some pictures from our first St. Pat's in Chicago! I made green punch with shamrock straws, Baileys chocolate cupcakes, mint brownies, green mustache lollipops, and we had green peppers with ranch. Our lovely friends Chris and Kelsey joined us in Chicago, and we went down to see the famous green river and do some exploring. 

St. Patty's Rag Wreath!

Welcome to March, everyone! I was hoping March would bring some spring weather, but not so, as we had a big snowfall last night. At least March bring something to look forward to... Saint Patrick's Day! So, as I've shared, I use every holiday as an excuse to decorate. I've been seeing a lot of these rag wreaths on pinterest, so I thought I'd give it a go. I think the point is to use scraps you already have, but I haven't used much green fabric lately, so I got some fabric quarters in various green floral prints.

These were 18 inches by 21 inches, so I cut my strips 6 inches by 1 inch, yielding 63 strips per quarter. I had five prints, and only used about half of the strips for a 14 inch diameter wreath.

Then I used floral wire to make a base, and tied the strips on. Add a ribbon to hang it, and voila!

This is our first St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, so I'm looking forward to the whole shebang- dyeing the river, the big parade, etc. Do any of you celebrate or have any St. Pat's traditions?

Playing Catch Up

Hello friends. As you can see, I've already fallen behind in my regular posting schedule, but I'm back with some updates!

So, Thursday was Valentines Day, and Thomas and I celebrated our first as a married couple by going for brunch at Yolk, and checking out this sweet new non-profit bookstore in our area that supports literacy programs.  We had a lovely day, and I was glad to share it with my best friend.

Because Valentines Day has been turned into something pink and fluffy aimed towards girls, I thought I'd man-up Tom's gift with some DIY wrapping paper.

I carved an eraser into a mustache stamp, and transformed some classy floral paper into wrapping paper fit for a gentleman:

"Valentine Fit for a Gentleman" was actually my theme for the gift, and I substituted the usual chocolates for beef jerky and Altoids, and other manly things. 

I made the card using some awesome free fonts featured on this cute little blog, and played around with my watercolor pencils. 

Thomas did the whole shebang with flowers, chocolate, and a beautiful day together. I hope you all enjoyed Valentines Day (or the 50% off valentines chocolate the day afterward).

Seeking First

One of the biggest pursuits in my life lately has been the hunt for a new job. I have a business selling vintage and designer clothing online, but it's not regular enough to be dependable for income. I have applied and applied and applied at countless places, and found that the job market is not so hot here in Chicago right now.

I've been praying that God would just show me which job He wants me to have so I can 100% go for it. And then He convicted me, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33). I know what I am supposed to be seeking... Christ. Yet I have not been "100% going for it." I have all this time right now to be investing in furthering my relationship with Him and serving Him, first and foremost. That is my priority. Yes, my job hunt is important. But it still falls second. 

I did get a call today from one of the places I applied, letting me know they'll call me back in a few days to schedule an interview. Hopefully this one will go somewhere!

Another event of today was some Valentines Day decorating. I love holidays because I love themes. If it is a day important enough to make it on the calendar, it is an excuse to decorate! (Although I have to confess, I skipped Groundhog Day.) Here's the garland I made, based on something similar I saw made out of paper, and hung in our window. This one is made out of felt, pom-poms, and embroidery floss:

I hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day, should you choose to celebrate it. If not, you can still enjoy all of the chocolate!