Saturday

This week has been so sweet.  Definitely not a normal week for me.  Lots of relaxing, Varner humor, and catching up on laundry and cooking.  It's nice to feel like I'm only responsible for myself for a little while.  Random, but I took this test that places you in an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert category, and I placed almost right in the middle with 59 points.  Most of the time I think these tests are silly, but I think this one was pretty accurate, especially for us people who didn't think they fit into either an introvert or extrovert category.  I enjoy being adventures, spontaneous, flexible, and living life to the fullest. On the contrary, if I go for a couple of days without time alone whether that be driving alone in the car, reading, writing, or taking a walk, I get really exhausted and frazzled.  I thrive on being social, but recuperate from being alone.  I used to think that to serve to the best of my ability in my different roles as daughter, sister, friend, roommate, RA, I had to constantly be interacting with people, but I've learned that I need time to myself in order to serve and love others to the best of my ability.  Do you all consider yourself and introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, like me?  I think it shows so much about people and I often have that "Aha!" moment when I realize things about their personality. 

Have a great weekend!

Photo Credit: Abbey Deer Photography 

Snow-Globe DIY!

It's that time of year.  The time to show off your crafty side and make them Christmas decorations.  Christmas crafts are something some love and some hate.  I'm actually usually the latter, but with very specific directions and an organized work space, I actually enjoyed making these bad boys.

This was probably one of the easiest things I have ever done though.  It was so fun to make, because you can really do whatever you want with it.  Play around with what you put inside of it and make it something you really like.

  
Make sure to put down a towel when you do this!  The epoxy that you use to glue on your figurines and to seal the lid sticks to EVERYTHING.  And yes, I am speaking from experience.


To start, simply fill your jar almost to the top with water and add a few dashes of glycerin and however much glitter you want.  When you glue the figurines, let them dry to the lid before you stick them in the water (common sense, but my friend Em's ended with just a floating tree, present, and snowman).  Also, don't shake your globe hard for a few days... made that mistake too.

If you all try this let me know and send me a picture!  I might try it again soon.  Obviously I am quite impatient and just wanted to see my little deer get snowed on.  Now he is getting attacked by the evergreen tree.  Oh well.  It's artsy, right? 

Tofurkey and Traditions!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to share a few things I am thankful for.  I don't think I could ever list everything though! (I have a portion of the list in a journal already... typical).  I hadn't really thought about just how blessed I am until I started to make that list.  And yes, it totally changed my perspective on many things in life.  And yes, some of the things are random or weird, but hey, I like cemeteries, okay?

Besides the food, I love spending time with my family on Thanksgiving.  We do all the traditional yummies at our house, turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, roles, mashed potatoes, etc.  I am so thankful for the laughs, tears, and memories that we have made (and will make) around the table during this time.  I'm going to always try to celebrate Thanksgiving, even when I live in another country.

I can't wait to start making traditions with my own family someday.  When I was younger, we would always go to the "rocks" (Belle Isle in RVA) and explore after we stuffed ourselves.  I loved being outside, exploring, and just talking about the things we were thankful for.  I hope to carry this tradition on somehow when I have a family of my own, because I think it's important to take time to really think about what you are thankful, because we have been blessed with much.  It will be fun to see what traditions arise in a family of my own one day.  What are some of your all favorite traditions around Thanksgiving time?

Sweet potatoes will be my main dish since this is my first Thanksgiving as a vegetarian.

I've also been looking for health/food blogs lately, so let me know of any that you all enjoy.  Have the best of Thanksgivings, friends! 

Things Thrifted // Hobo Necessities

These treasures are some of my favorite recent thrift finds.  Less then thirty dollars well spent, I'd say.  I've decided if I ever become a hobo by choice, these items (plus knitting needles) are all I will need with me.  Suitcase for the few articles of clothing and pictures I'll have, the ukelele to play on the street to buy dinner, the yarn to knit myself things to keep warm, and the mason jar to drink water and sweet tea out of.  For now, I'll utilize them in my room until I become a traveling, homeless hobo. 

Can't stop, won't stop...

I am obsessed.

I have become a knitting fiend.
It has not interfered with my work... yet.
This is subject to change as I discover new knits and try new designs.
All of my family and friends knows what they're getting for Christmas, but oh well!

Would anybody actually buy scarves, headbands, etc?
I'm thinking about selling them, but I'm not sure if people would actually buy my knits or not.

Tossing Around Some Thoughts

Life is crazy and always changing.  On the contrary, God is good and constant.  It's true.  Your belief in that Truth despite your circumstances shows really just how much you trust God.  No doubt I often fail in fully trusting and relying on the Lord for the present and future, but thankfully he is ALWAYS faithful to me, even when I fail him.

It's been a while, but I wanted to look at some Scripture in 2 Peter that I have been meditating on lately.  God has been blowing my mind with Truth and challenges through this book.  Maybe it will do the same for you.

v. 16 - Peter didn't make up some this story, but saw the Lord's majesty with his own eyes.
v. 17 - He heard God say, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
v. 18 - He was with the Lord on the holy mountain.
v. 19 - He have a sure sign of the Lord's promises... His very Word!
v. 20 - No Scripture comes from a humans own interpretation (thank goodness!)
v. 21 - Men spoke from God as they were carried by the Holy Spirit.

So to sum it up, the Lord speaks to us clearly through his Word.  Wowza.

Those who are searching for God's guidance, look no further then His very Word.  If you aren't, why?

I don't want to, nor can I, give you the answers to all of life's questions, but instead I want to point you straight to the only one who can comfort, heal, and save.  I don't want any person to miss God's clear direction when He made it so easily accessible to many of us.  On the other hand, how dare we take this beautiful gift for granted when many people in other countries don't have the Bible in their language or can't read it?

What is it in our generation that keeps us from sharing the Gospel?  Is it because we have not taken the Word and its message for the beautiful, priceless gift that it really is?

First, we are selfish.  Sharing the Gospel is certainly not an easy task, and when you are glued to your calender and only looking at your to-do list for the day, you will miss out on those chance moments that He provides us with.  We are innately selfish, and if something throws off our plans, we freak out, throw a fit, and sometimes get bitter.

Also, we like to decide who hears this Good News.  We look at others and judge them based on their actions, looks, or status in society and decide if they are good enough for us to share the love and grace that we have received with them.

Getting out of our comfort zone is where I found that the Lord has taught me most.  I believe it's times that we feel inadequate, awkward, and unprepared that God teaches us the most if we are willing to be taught.   When presented with opportunities to minister, we will stick to what we are most comfortable and good and, and how easily pride can creep in if we continue on in this pattern.  If you find yourself in an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation, think about how much the Lord can grow you during that time.  Though it may be painful and unpleasant in the moment, it will be worth it in the long run.