I Belize We'll Build A High School Together!

Hey y'all!

I just wanted to pop in and let y'all know that A&M UMC has a missions team heading out today to Belize. We'll be working on continuing building the Belmopan Methodist High School this next week that we started clearing the field for last year.

You can read updates from the field daily here on our missions blog.
Please be in prayer for us as we head out and fulfill the great commission.

Reading is Ridiculous...

One of my 12 for 12 goals is that I finish every book I've started in the last few years. I could think of a few book titles at the time when I wrote that down. I had no idea what I was about to find stashed away in plain sight on bookshelves waiting for me to rediscover them - all 24 books that I never finished. I'm not even sure that the number is capped there. I read a few excerpts from Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers but I think that's going to be rain checked for next year after looking at this list.

Okay y'all, here is the ridiculous amount of books I will try to read this year:

One Month to Live - Kerry and Chris Shook
I think I got to Day 2.

Vintage Jesus - Mark Driscoll
Read most of it, lacking a few chapters at the end.
Get Uncomfortable - Todd Phillips
I'm not even sure where I stopped...

Enfrente a sus Gigantes - Max Lucado
That's Facing Your Giants for those who thought this blog was in English. Yes, I only own this book in Spanish.

Wild at Heart - John Eldredge
I got slightly past page 10...

LiT - Dave Edwards
I can not tell you how many times I've started this and stopped.

Quitting Church - Julia Duin
I actually got through over half of this if I remember correctly.
A Call to Die - David Nassar
I always end up switching to something else...

Sacred Romance - Curtis & Eldredge
I can tell you where I was when I started Chapter 1, which was the last time I ever read it.

When I Relax, I Feel Guilty - Tim Hansel
There's a poem in the beginning of the book that I've read too many times to count. I at least finally started Chapter 1 this last semester...

Breaking Free - Beth Moore
I think I actually read about half of this one semester with ASC and stopped when we had to stop for Summer.

So Long Insecurity - Beth Moore
I actually haven't started this book yet. I'm hoping to read it in its entirety this spring though.

The Grand Sweep - J. Ellswoth Kalas
My church is doing this as a read the whole Bible in the year plan together. I'm way behind. I did get the book in February and it was supposed to be started in January. Excuse? Oh, yes.

Ragamuffin Gospel - Brennan Manning
I read the first chapter in a car once. I proceeded to carry it everywhere with me for awhile and never opened it again.

The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography - National Geographic
I started this and never really got too far into the book. I need to. I think its owner is missing it...

When God Writes Your Love Story - Eric Ludy
I think I may have read three chapters in this? That is probably an overestimate though.

Forgotten God - Francis Chan
I can guarantee that I only read the first chapter.

Scared, A Novel - Tom Davis
I have no idea how far I got into reading this, but I know that I loved it!

Dangerous Wonder - Mike Yaconelli
First chapter. I'm pretty positive on that guess. There is a bookmark at least in it indicating that I would return. That's a plus, right?

Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
I read a few chapters in the back of the book. I went back and read Chapter 1 the other day. I'm not so sure about finishing this one.

Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
I read three chapters in this book! Then, I went to sleep and never went back to it again.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down, Book 2 - Neta Jackson
I loved this book! I was reading the first book in the series at the very end of my study abroad in Costa Rica last summer. I started this book when I was in the hospital right when I got back. I got to page 123/422 which isn't too bad.

Confronting the Controversy - Adam Hamilton
My kindle says I'm about 11% into this book. That's not too bad, right? That may be the Chapter 2 start page, or not, that's just how I feel...
The Dating Blook - Matt Lantz
I've actually gotten pretty far on this. I have been reading bits and pieces out of order, but with my reading history, what's to be expected?

I think I just proved that either:
A) I'm a quitter when it comes to reading.
B) I finished an extremely low number of books in college.
C) I have a lot of reading to catch up on this year.
D) I need help; AKA all of the above.

Pink, Red, Adorable.

As if all of the stores haven't thrown up pink and red hearted adorable-ness lately, here's some wedding fun for y'all to check out on this romantic holiday:

Nerdy love notes. You fog my spectacles. Genius.

Travel themed engagement photos are quickly becoming one of my faves.

There's something organically beautiful about ribbon streamers.

Cute little animated proposal.

How fun is inviting some flamingos to enjoy your big day?

Loving options for different stationary papers. So cute, elegant and fun!

Muppets + Proposals = Loving both this couple and their fun attitudes!

Super colorful and cute bachelorette party.

 Backdrops of sheer genius.

With all of the Will & Kate hype long gone, I still think this picture is pretty neat.

There's something about graphic designs on walls like graffiti that I just love.

A terrifying way to take the plunge into marriage.

Not sure where I am on the long vs. short wedding dress debate, but I would say 'I do' to the skirt of this dress.

Happy Birthday To Us!

Happy Birthday To Lori & I!
Enjoy this birthday video. It kind of cracks me up:

Cardboard

For years, I've loved cardboard. There's something about the texture and the endless possibilities. It must have started in my childhood with Mrs. Powers' classroom being turned into an airport with a huge life-size cardboard airplane. Best Teacher Ever!

My friend, Hanna, sent me this video a few days ago and I finally got the chance to watch it just now. I love it. These short testimonies written on cardboard say so much with so few words.

Fashion Venture

My friend, Sarah, told me out of the blue the other day that I should start a fashion blog. She had no idea I was already a blogger which is totally okay. I'm taking her advice though and letting y'all see what I'm wearing. It can be part of my 12 for 12 as it goes under Blog and Create. (Hey Sarah, thanks for the fabulous idea!)

This is actually the outfit I wore the day that Sarah let me know what new venture I would be starting with. Sorry about the picture quality - the lighting in my house is not exactly that great which explains why the first two pictures are so blah.

 

Keep in mind that some of these items as well as future items have been in my closet for awhile and I may not always know where they are from. :)

Denim Shirt: TJ Maxx?

Sweater: TJ Maxx

Belted Skirt: Dillard's

Leggings: Target

Boots: Shoe Rack?

Pocket Watch Necklace: Urban Outfitters

12 for 12 January Update

Twelve for Twelve

1. Books.

I started an online book which is kind of in opposition to finishing books. I'm working on compiling a list of all the books I need to read this year. I'm starting to realize this is going to be quite the list.

2. 5K.

I ran once with TeeJay. I walked into 24 hour fitness to download an app on an Ipad. That's not the same as walking in to actually work out though. I have done some resistance training, which really just means that I fight with Clyde to wipe off his paws on his way inside. He is my size though so it's not easy. On the plus side, I am signed up for the Color 5K in Austin this weekend though!

3. Quotes.

I found the quote book! Now to write!

4. Blog.

I have a few blog posts in the work so even though January didn't look that great blog-wise. On the bright side, there is a bunch of promise for February!

5. Create. This month was about shopping and organizing supplies more than putting it all into practice. I bought a few things that I'll show y'all whenever I get them created in the future. I did make this great pumpkin fluff recipe and even though it caused a lot of confusion, it was delicious and will be made again in the future. I also made a few things out of a t-shirt including this scarf which has been commandeered by Clyde:

6. Learn.

I've learned a lot about myself. That wasn't really the intention when I was thinking about learning, however, it has become that way. One thing I've learned this last much is how much God has really blessed me with a few friends specifically that are paving the way and encouraging me in possible future endeavors which is awesome.

7. Minimize.

This is probably the one that I've worked on the most so far. I've gone through a ton of stuff from my childhood through college. I threw away (and shredded) a stack of papers just an hour or two ago. It feels good, but I still have a long way to go. Keeping papers is my weakness though. Also, does any one have a great way for storing possibly every card you've received in your life? Please share if you do!

8. Gratefulness.

I finally sat down after all the Christmas and New Year hustle and bustle and wrote a few grad thank yous. That's not the same though as getting to send random notes. I need more addresses though. Email me your address if you'd like to randomly receive a Have a Great Day letter at some point this year. The catch? You'll never know when you'll receive the snail mail.

9. Handmade.

I haven't given any gifts this month, although I did figure out what to give my Dad for his birthday on the 7th. He may be getting it as an early gift though. We'll see. Lori and I will be celebrating our birthday but because of a dumb mishap on my part, I've had her birthday gift since before Christmas. She'll love it though.

10. Intentionality.

No one has really had to run errands with me while I get stuff done. I've gotten to see a few friends here and there but with the recent college graduate status, it's kind of difficult to pursue friendships that are far away. I miss being able to watch TV or grab coffee with certain friends. I feel like when I'm in CS now, I'm always on the run trying to see people and I still wasn't able to really see some friends that I really have desired to meet up with.

11. No.

Number 11 was blank for most of the month. I decided this was necessary to be on the retreat at Counselor Retreat. So far, so good? We'll see how it goes in February...

12. Word.

I started a new reading plan and stopped it. I decided to do a different one instead, but never got the book for it. A&M UMC is doing The Grand Sweep which is the whole Bible in the year. They were waiting for new books to come in when I was in town. I did buy a Beth Moore book online to work through though with my WILgroup. I may never get to see those girls again, but I will do the book from afar. I need something more than a reading plan so I'm hoping this study can help me out. In other news, I have thoroughly been enjoying Pastor Darrin's series on How People Change. I suggest you take some time out to listen.