How great is the Father's love for us...

I am taking a class right now on the book of John. It is a great class and I am grasping all over again the love of the Father for me. I can't explain it exactly...I wish I could record the exact words of our teacher who explained it so well...

What I'm learning is His love for us is the same love He has for His Son- Jesus. I guess I have a hard time accepting this because I am a sinner and Jesus is not. I don't think I am worthy of the same love. Knowing He loves me this deeply, purely, completely is so humbling and makes me want to share that love with everyone around me. In John 17 we are invited into the love and unity the Trinity share. This is supposed to be the example unbelievers see and want a part of. But how many times have I (and other believers) not shown the world our love or unity? I am looking inwardly at my own heart that doesn't love or stand united with other believers and am trying to change it- asking the Lord to change it. I am praying other believers would do the same. Can you imagine what the world would say about Christians if we all did this? Most people see us as hypocritcal, judgmental and anything but loving. "Oh, Lord, may we grasp your LOVE so we can love those around us! May they see our unity and want to be apart of it. In spite of ourselves would your draw the lost to you?"

Cousins

That's right I'm an auntie! Nope, not of the human kind. Maggie now has a kitten cousin. Harlow came up to visit this weekend. We wanted to make sure she met Maggie before she was too big so they can be friends. They loved each other! Maggie like to follow Harlow around and wished she could fit in the tight corners like Harlow could. Harlow loved playing with Maggie's tail. By the end of the weekend they were cuddling with me on the couch. It was heaven! Maggie knows the name "kitty" now. It's fun being an auntie!

Giveaways...

I'm determined at some point to win something...anything! I have never had good "luck" with contests/drawings but I figure at some point I might be the recipient of a giveaway. Maybe it will be this one.

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!