bouncing bubbles!

i got this idea from a video clip i saw and had some fun with the boys.

normal bubble solution + a glove (or socks even!) = bouncing bubbles!
check it out...

several blog posts rolling around in my head...

today has been a day of accomplishments.  :o)  it feels so amazing to get things done and checked off of my to-do list!

i sent in my application to YWAM!!!  after much procrastinating, technical frustrations and some deep thoughts i was finally able to complete it and send it on it's way.  i'm sure i'll let EVERYONE know as soon as i hear back regarding whether or not i get accepted.  the next step will be raising support.  any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

the weather over the last couple days has me craving summer intensely!  yesterday's sunshine has now been hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, but i figure that editing a few pics i took while hanging out with the little ones will bring back the warm fuzzy feelings.  :o)  enjoy!

living a snapshot.

i love taking the {perfect} picture.  catching the beauty in a moment amidst the chaos of life.

do you have a picture in your mind of who you want to be?

i see a snapshot.  a still portrait of my ideals.  i envision myself in a beautifully decorated home.  content children playing peacefully as the aroma of fresh-baked homemade cookies fill the air.  paperwork is always organized and in its place.  birthdays and other momentous occasions are never forgotten and the ideas for amazing gifts flow freely.  i have no problem with priorities as God is constantly the center of my life.  my relationships are flourishing.  insightful, encouraging blog posts practically write themselves and my creativity is never stunted.

envy creeps in when i see someone who has it {all together} but i am realizing that i'm only seeing a snapshot.  mere glimpses into people's lives do not necessarily portray the work and time spent to get to that moment.  you don't always see the countless moments of discord between the smiles.

i don't have it all together.  most days there are clothes all over my room.  the smell of burnt popcorn overpowers the house.  paperwork and receipts lay in disorganized piles in my closet.  i procrastinate getting gifts because i don't know what would be the most meaningful, which results in lame gift cards or even no gift at all.  my priorities are haywire and my relationships are sometimes neglected.

forgetting yesterday's bad hair day and the fear of tomorrow's wrinkles... all i have is this moment.

what will it look like?

one word.

inspired by alece's idea, i have decided not to attempt any new year's resolutions in 2011.  i could compose quite a long list of things i would love to accomplish, but the pressure to achieve sets me up to fall short of my perfectionistic standards.

i love the idea of focusing on just one word.  it's something manageable to incorporate into life and a standard to reflect on throughout each day.  my one word for the year...joy.

{a feeling of great pleasure and happiness, delight, great pleasure, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, gladness, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss, enjoyment}

worry, stress and seriousness win the battle way too often.  i desire for this year to be remembered for the laughter and peaceful joy that comes from every day walking with Christ.

click on the joy page above to see scriptures i will be studying and links to all my updates on how choosing joy is changing me.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11

what will it take?

i just crawled into bed after a leisurely bubble bath.  even though my body is fully relaxed and eager to drift off to sleep, my mind and heart are wrestling inside of me.

i long to be passionate and fully dependent on God.  i want to be intentionally living my days seeking His will to be done in my life and those around me.  to be honest, i am no where near that.

am i ready to pay the price?

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."

Luke 9:23-24

go read this post.  seriously.  RIGHT NOW!  i cannot stress how much i want you to hear those words...

what will it take for me to have a heart that is so desperate for God?

what will i have to lose to bring me to that place?

God...bring it.

a new year...

my blog sure has been quiet lately, but life sure has not.  time keeps ticking away and my mind is racing with all the things i wish i would have time to write about.  so...without further ado and in no particular order...here is my first word vomit of the year.

Christmas was great amazing phenomenal.  :o) i invited a certain friend along, and he officially became my boyfriend on Christmas day.  God apparently decided to throw me a crazy surprise amidst the festivities of the month of December.  i will have to properly introduce you to Andrew soon with a picture, but for now you will have to wait...

God recently used a sermon to speak peace into a rocky place in my faith walk.  so excited to share about that.  for now, if you are interested in the scripture involved, read about Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19.

my heart is heavy tonight for my friend Christina.  i met her about seven years ago while working in cannon beach and was so blessed by her passion and faith.  three-ish years ago she began walking through a new season of life as doctors discovered a brain tumor.  she has fought hard and was in remission until just recently.  she will be undergoing another brain surgery on wednesday.  to catch a glimpse of how God is moving in her life, go visit her here!  i have been so blessed by her transparency and words of hope.  PLEASE PRAY!

a couple months ago, i felt God calling me to embark on a grand adventure this september and as long as i get accepted and finances are miraculously worked out, i will be heading to BELIZE!  i am working on the application these next couple weeks, and will try to keep you updated on details.  for now, go check out the YWAM website for my base.  :o)

whew!  yeah... 2011 is shaping up to be an interesting year indeed...can't wait to see what God has planned!