Fall

A fun blog I read asked us to share what we love about Fall.

What I love about Fall...

The leaves changing color...there a few spots in Portland I drive through that are gorgeous- tree lined streets with every tree a different color.

I love, love, love Pumpkin and Apple Cider candles- I burn them constantly in my house!

Decorating my house for Fall- it's the only time of year I like having orange decorations.

Adding mums to my pots on the front porch.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Baking- Fall reminds me of baking Zucchini or Pumpkin bread, coffeecake on Saturdays and pie!

Pulling out my sweaters and jeans (I'm not a big fan of summer clothes- though I like summer shoes better).

Starting fresh with a new school year, new programs at church, etc.

Last year was my first year to go to the Apple Tasting Festival at Portland Nursery and it was so fun!

I like Fall fruit- apples, peaches, pears.

I really enjoy the Holidays!

What do you love about Fall?

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

I have been learning a lot about joy and peace lately. The past few months have been full of change in my life. I have been learning how joy cannot come from our circumstances alone. Most of us will always find something in our lives we wish was different...for me, I wish I was married. For some, they wish they had a better job or could have kids or better health...But I am learning and choosing to find my Joy in the Lord. HE is my strength and from him comes true Joy- joy when things don't look great with my grandma's health; joy when my little sister gets married before me; joy when my parents are going through trials; joy when finances are tight...As I choose JOY...I have found the Lord really meets me there and I actually "feel" joyful! It's hard to explain but if you have sought out joy from the Lord (or happiness as the world puts it) you might understand. It really is unexplainable joy- joy when the world tells us we should be depressed, angry or bitter. Joy when life gets hard. Joy when other people are experiencing blessings- you can be truly happy for them! Joy that comes from the Lord- in His strength. If you haven't sought out joy from the Lord yet- I invite you to. On our own we are pretty depressing people (most of us at least- I haven't met many people that naturally and without the Lord are overflowing with Joy). Ask the Lord for Joy every morning as you rise and as you face the day. Ask for Joy from the Lord when you would rather be jealous or sad or bitter. Ask for the Lord...He is faithful to meet us in that place!

Whirlwind...

Whirlwind is a good way to describe my summer. It has flown by first of all. I can't believe it's over when it seems like just yesterday the Spring flowers were blooming and the days were getting longer. Now I feel Fall in the air and the days are getting shorter again.

This summer has been crazy for me. Some pretty hard things going on with those around me. I have felt like the Lord has asked me to walk this road with those in my life and not try to shut out their pain. I have learned that I cannot be the rock for everyone...only the Lord can be that...I can only offer so much of myself. But at the same time the Lord has asked me to offer more than I normally do this summer. On many days this has brought me to the end of myself and my own strength. I have learned that only He can sustain me...He is faithful to do so...He gives me HOPE and STRENGTH in the midst of trials and pain. I feel like my relationship with Him is more intimate than it was 3 months ago. As the song "Bring the Rain" says..."Bring me joy, bring me peace, the chance to be free...bring me anything that brings you glory...and I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain...Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty". This has been a song that has spoken to my heart this Summer. Not only does it give me the perspective to see how the Lord might use trials to refine and grow us...but it reminds me to praise Him despite my (or others) circumstances.

My sister is getting married in 9 days which has meant many weeknds have been spent helping her plan. I can't believe her big day is almost here. I'll post a pic from the Bachelorette- our childhood friends and us.

As Fall begins I desire to know Him more and not let the crazyness of life distract me from worshipping him...

How do you save money?

I thought it would be fun to see how other people make their dollars stretch and share a few of my tips! Feel free to comment with your ideas or link a blog entry to mine :)

Meal planning- it is hard cooking for one person because I get really sick of eating the same thing for a week and I usually end up wasting some of it- but I am trying to plan out what I'll eat for a week and only by groceries for those meals. For me I have to have variety so I will do a similiar theme in a week...like Mexican food (so I can use up the tortillas, chips, salsa and guac) or sandwhiches, etc.

Recycle, reduce, reuse- as any good Oregonian I recycle :) I have actually "upped" my recycling habits the past 2 years by only having my garbage picked up once a month. I have found most months I can recycle enough that even with 2 people living in my home it works! I recycle anything and everything I can! I also try to avoid paper products (well I use toilet paper- good thing! and some paper towels)...but I don't use paper plates, cups and rarely paper napkins.

Clothing exchanges- seriously most of my "new" clothes are free these days! I LOVE going to clothing exchanges- also known as "Naked Lady Parties".

Coupons- nope I don't use coupons on food. I don't have the patience for it and I shop at Trader Joe's for most my food...but I do use coupons for restaurants, clothing stores, oil changes, car wash, etc. I hate buying things full price so I tend to either hit the clearance rack or use a coupon! Just use this rule of thumb: "If I wouldn't buy it full price, I probably shouldn't buy it". I used to buy cheap clothes just because they were cheap...and if I didn't really like it- or even love it I ended up wearing it a few times at most. Now I try to buy only things I love!

Keep your ear open for free stuff or just ask- I wanted to plant a flower garden this year but don't have much spending money these days. A co-worker of mine was talking about extra dahlia tubars she had...I jumped at taking some and ended up getting starts for all kinds of flowers! Then I asked my grandma if she had any extra stuff (avid gardeners usually do!). Sure enough she had bulbs that needed to be planted. So I have a much prettier yard this year and most of it was free!

Garage Sales- I am getting more into garage sales. You can find a lot better deals than at most thrift stores and you get some fresh air! No stuffy, smelly thrift stores to deal with :) I went to sales with some friends and didn't pay the asking price for almost everything. Just offer a lower price and see if they'll take it- everyone I asked did! I was amazed at how much baby stuff there was...when I have kids someday I will be getting most their stuff at garage sales!

Well those are some of my ideas- not super creative so I'd like to hear yours!

How He woos us...

I have been thinking a lot about how the Lord woos us...I finished Redeeming Love over the weekend and was captivated by the storyline...it reflects the Father's love for us...when we run away from his pursuit, fall back into our sinful ways, reject his advances...He continues to pursue and woo...

I am now back to "Captivating" which I started last summer and never finished! The chapter I read during lunch today was about the Lord as our lover. It sounds scandalous...but as John and Staci Eldridge point out He does pursue us that way in Scripture. They talked about the hole that all of us have in our heart that cannot be met by a man or a woman. It can only be met by Him...I liked their idea of the Lord romancing us. They asked- what does the Lord do to romance you? When I paused to think about it I knew immediately! FLOWERS...I smile and light up every time I see a new flower sprouting out of the ground- especially in my own garden. Mostly because the first summer or two I lived there NO flowers came up- even ones I had planted. I was convinced I would always have barren soil...but I tried again. This year I planted all types of flowers- mini roses, iris, dahlias, daisies, tulips, daffodils, lilies...and they are SO BEAUTIFUL! What was once barren is now a garden! I know the Lord delights that I enjoy my garden so much! After all He created each and every flower...He took the time to come up with all sorts of colors and varities...

How does the Lord romance you? Do you think of Him as a pursuer? Or just an old man on a throne up in Heaven condemning you for every wrong move you make?

Redeeming Love...

I am re-reading a great book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It has been so long since I've read it I barely remember it...but being about 1/5 of the way done I am starting to remember why I liked it...It has made me think about how ugly we are to the Lord...by our own efforts we could never attain perfection so we looked even a little bit presentable before our Father when we come before his throne one day...Our sin makes any amount of physical beauty hideous before the Lord...BUT He sees our ugliness and still loves us and wants a redeeming relationship with us through His Son! His Son sacrficed for US...the sinful, ugly, bitter people we are by our very nature. His Son took OUR punishment so that we could LIVE- He is perfection but took on our sin so we might be presentable before the Father. I pray that we would accept this amazing, free, undeserved gift so that we would one day be able to stand before the Father in Heaven as beautiful, presentable, forgiven people...

Summer and stillness...

Well Summer weather has arrived in Portland (or at least a teaser of it!). It has been GORGEOUS for the past couple of weeks! I thrive in this kind of weather. I have more energy, am more optimistic, get more things done...I LOVE it!

The past month was a month of rest at my church. Everything was cancelled except a new, weekly prayer service. It was really amazing. I felt the Lord calling me to Himself...to make my relationship with Him more of a priority. I find myself struggling with my Bible reading...ever since I graduated from Bible college...ironic! I think my prayer life has improved...but I am not going to get to know my Savior more without reading His love letter to us. I have also felt the Lord want me to be still before Him. This has also been hard for me as I like "noise" and think/daydream when I try to be still. But all of these things are acts of discipline...but out of a love relationship. I realize he doesn't condemn me (those thoughts are not from Him)...but He beckons me to come and knows I will be refreshed when I do.

He loves us and wants a relationship with us...not religious people who only do things out of duty or guilt...if your kids/spouse/friends/parents only spent time with you because they "had" to...would you feel loved? I am trying to remember when I spend time with Him to give Him my attention and love...He is worthy of it!!