The Digs of the Month

      It's finally warming up today!  For some this may be inconceivable, but I was cold until about 12:45 today-brrrr!  I have moved into my newest location this year--Sprucewood Lane, and it tends to not get warm in the sun until afternoon.  I'm house-sitting here until January 4th.  This neighborhood is one I'm acquainted with-the entire area is one of the safest and friendliest places I've lived at.  My Aunt lives a few blocks up and over, which is how I first got to know this neck of this woods.  The streets have block parties, neighbors talk to each other and borrow things and watch each other's children and have community garage sales together and trade furniture.  The kids play in the street in the afternoons.  Moms jog and Dads walk the dog and kids ride their bikes.  This neighborhood is truly one of those places you enjoy living-because living is actually done here.  

     So, true to form, I shot a couple of shots of the new place.  Just the exterior for now!  Take a peek.  The front door has pear wreaths-just in case you were wondering what those vivid green things were!  The palm tree is in the front yard and seems to have a swarm of bees living in it...odd...  Anyone ever hear of palm honey?  Me neither, which makes me think its pretty rare and would fetch a pretty penny if I could access any!  The back yard is sweet and feels tucked away with bushes lining the entire perimeter along with a white wood fence.  The palm trees make canopies I can see and enjoy from my bedroom upstairs.  I'm so looking forward to spending my days here this month.

     Missy, the lady of the house, has taken her three daughters on the road while she hits the trade shows.  I believe she is the co-owner/creator of a children's clothing company called "Sweet Funky Vintage."  Since her husband is a marine deployed in Iraq she has her hands full with the house and business and girls!  Whew!  She and my Aunt are now friends and have much in common with husbands overseas and creative streaks--my aunt will sew the pieces after they've been designed and orders come in.  This weekend she is making the company banner so Missy can hang it at the trade shows she'll attend.  

     This is an especially interesting place for me to rest my head as I too share in the creativity and would love to sometime figure out a way to make that a business.  So its easy to see why  its a little like Christmas for me here to see everything...  I've taken a peek in her studio and love it!  Also fun are the deliveries that happen several times a week.  The fabrics are darling and its fun to see how she designs with them.  If you're curious, I've posted a link to the company blog down below under "Design Sites."  

     *happy sigh*

     I've spent the morning going through her mail (and let me tell you there are some fun catalogues that come in for the business!).  Now comes my reality check:  Historical Theology!

Godstops!

       In our women's small group study we're reading a Beth Moore book entitled "Believing God."  It may sound pretty straight forward, but let me tell you, it packs quite the creative and thought-provoking punches!  And that pretty much has captured me-I'm loving it!  

      Beth has challenged us to 5 key faith statements to claim as our own.  She notes that there is a huge difference between believing in God (fire insurance, acknowledging that there is indeed God, etc, you can fill in the rest!) and believing God.  The 5 part statement of faith goes a little something like this:

1) God is who He says He is

2) God can do what He says He can do

3) I am who God says I am

4) I can do all things through Christ

5) God's Word is alive and active in me

      Two weeks ago, as we started off the study, we were given two challenges.  The first was to think over our sanctification, especially in light of the faith statements above.  We were encouraged to be more aware of our sanctification and were challenged to grow deeper in that process.  As a reminder, we wear blue bracelets, just as the Levites wore blue tassels attached by blue cords as a statement that they were set apart for God.  I have to say its effective.  Every time I look down at my blue ribbon on my wrist I know exactly why I'm wearing it.  That constant reminder is slowly helping my brain remember that I am set apart for God.

     To help us remember who God is, and what that might look like in our lives, we were encouraged to record Godstops.  The "stop" part is "Savoring The Observable Presence."  Don't you love that?!  I do.  So now, armed with a fresh notebook, I have decided to go gung ho into this project too.  I look for those things where I know God is active.  I look for His Presence.  I rejoice that my God is able!  I do a baby victory dance with wiggles and heel clicks as I become aware the truth that He is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, I am who He says I am, I can do all things through Christ, and yes, by golly, God's Word is alive and active in me!  Mmmmm...  That's pretty good!

Mull it over.  

Savor it.  

Long little bit of my rambling here, but to cap off my story I just have to record a fun, baby Godstop for everyone.

1) Its a beautiful morning, and that just makes drinking my cappuccino even better.

2) I spent the night in La Mirada so I didn't have to drive today (research day in the library for me...!)

3) I'm DRINKING my CAPPUCCINO IN THE LIBRARY!  

     Ha!  If that's not worth celebrating

 this morning, well...  I don't know.  There's lots to celebrate, but this one makes me giddy this morning!

Strength

Even though I am worn out, I'm glad God never gets tired.  That there is nothing God cannot do.  

That He is able.  

That He is loving.  

That He is wise.  

That He is the Great Physician.

That He is the perfect provider.

That He knows me intimately.

That He does not give me more than I can handle.

That He does not give peace as the world gives.

That the Holy Spirit has sealed me and indwells me.  Me!  

That Timmery Layne Clark is a temple for the the God of the universe!

I'm glad, because I  know I am frail and human and weak.  

What a great treasure we house in our fragile clay jars...

Thank you Jesus! (Jesus hands are waving right about now!)

School days

Today is one of the first times this semester I've spent any real length of time in the library.  Lest you fear that I'm slacking (I might be) let me tell you about last semester's library visits...

It all started with Hermeneutics where I wrote about 7-8 papers roughly 7-8 pages each.  Nice little bit of writing and research there-exactly the sort of thing that a library comes in handy for.  Next we'll move on to New Testament Survey where I compiled a resource notebook about 40 pages long.  Mmmm, Theology 2 wasn't too noteworthy in the library, instead we just plowed through the books we purchased for class-that four inch book by Shedd was plenty.  

I'm really not all that academic, I enjoy playing when I can.  But it seems I've used up all my "play" passes and the library has beckoned once again.  Research papers and special projects are coming due.  It's just that time of year.  Yes, that's right.  The time of year to hustle with one's research and documentation because finals will be smack dab around the corner after that!  

Thoughts I Think

Right now I'm sitting at Panera after finishing a late lunch.  I'm doing a quick little daydream session before homework calls me back.  Here's the randomness that comes to mind at any given time (Sometimes.  Never in the middle of class though.  Especially Historical Theology.  That would nearly be a sin.  Pity.).

1.  Looking at the Panera banner that says: 

Give     Receive     Rejoice.  Share A Moment.  Celebrate The Season.  I like the pretty crimson that dominates the banner.  I like that it makes me think of Jesus, even if that wasn't necessarily the intent (maybe it was though...).  I like that this year I'm excited for Christmas-the whole thing!  (Usually I just like the Jesus being born part, not so much the rest:  the hastle, the expectation, the family, the loneliness...  This year, not the case!  Hooray!!)

2.  I like that these days I'm a lot more sensitive to God's Presence in my life.  Still need to work on that yielding control to the Holy Spirit though.  This becomes especially evident when I drive home on the freeway.  But I like that I'm now so much more aware that I need God's Presence continually, and that (*glory*) He lets me feel His Presence these days!

3.  I've got ideas of Christmas presents I'd like to make.  I think I have to modify them so as to make them actually affordable, but hey!  I love that the creative juices are flowing!  Mmmm mm mmmmmm!  I never know if people like the weird things I make, but I have fun :)

4.  For the first time this semester I don't feel like I'm drowning.  I might be able to make it through, intact!  This in part is because of Psalm 126.  Read it.  Oh yeah, its good.  It's a rejoicing psalm of ascents that talks about the Israelites receiving blessing after returning from the exile.  Go study it.  I've got a special significance with this Psalm, but that's a story for another post...

5.  Gas prices are lower than they were last week, last month, last quarter...  I'm a commuter... So I say:  Hallelujah!

6.  God provides for me in ways I don't understand.  I feel spoiled.  I'm going to say I'm blessed.  It's true.  More than I give Him credit for.  Food, shelter, love, growth, school, satisfaction, health, community, and on and on it goes!

7.  I am loved.  Here's a little sampling:  Tiffany always makes sure I am hugged up and feel that I am loved.  The Redifer's make sure I am taken care of.  My Mom sends me money for school along with crazy care packages (including those clear plastic bowling shoes I wore for Halloween!).  Yesterday Nadia sent me a text:  "I prayed 4 u today.  Hope u r feeling better in ur new place!  I love u."  Cherryl prays for me and offers me support whether I'm up or down.  Sharon calls me and drops me a note every month I'm in school.  My Aunt lets me store things in her garage and closet, even when her life is crazy on its own.  Maria and Lissa send me emails or texts.  

What a great little community I've got!  Praise God!

8.  

Well, I almost got to ten, but now I've thought of more homework things to do.  Daydream session is done for now!