Sam's vs Walmart

I know this is a poor excuse to blog, but I had to share what happened tonight! I opened a Sam's Club membership account! JB was such a good sport- he went with me for the entire 2 hours I spent wandering around this awesome place. (He was really only interested in the free samples, but then again, who isn't??)

The observing/exploring part of the trip was great! It was the buying part I had complications with. Like the fact that EVERYTHING is in bulk. I thought they had some stuff that wasn't. But I was mistaken. Even the onions!! I don't need 25 onions Sam!
So we get to the checkout and I have only marked 5 things off my grocery list because everything else I needed (like sour cream and ground ginger) would not be needed in a pack of 50. Clearly, I have GOT to learn how to shop at this great place more efficiently.

So then, after we spent the better part of the afternoon (and the better part of our bank account) at the "Club" as I call it, I had to brave Walmart to finish my shopping list. Strangely, Wally World seemed so tame and cheap compared to my mega shopping earlier today! Maybe because I only bought one of everything... :)

Applique

I finished my last sewing class this morning! It was so much fun, to say the least! And got me thinking about all kinds of projects :) I really want to learn to applique, but only have a basic, standard sewing machine. As much as I would love a Silhouette Cameo and embroidery machines.. they are a little too pricey for me right now, ha! Maybe one day! So I'm asking for tips, ideas, and tricks! Any pros out there? I found this tutorial that I thought might be helpful!

http://sewlikemymom.com/applique-tutorial/

Do you agree? Have you ever tried this? I want to learn this stuff so my future kids can wear all sorts of cutesie stuff! (JB is not so crazy about dressing our boys in applique).

The Extraordinary vs. The Expected

My Bible study today spoke right to my heart. The words were balm to my frustrations in my own life- don't you just love when that happens?? Although I have read the book of Ruth, I am just now beginning to piece things together.

Today I read Ruth 4:1-6. It's getting to the good stuff here. Ruth has presented her offer to Boaz (a proposal of sorts, really!) on the scandalous threshing floor, he expresses his desire to "redeem" her, but they have to consult the nearer redeemer first because he has first"dibs" on Ruth and her late husband's family's land. Sounds crazy and a little hard to follow, but it so sounds like something that would make the soaps, don't you think? 

Boaz, being a little crafty, asked the nearer kinsman redeemer (whose name isn't even given!! hm, what a coincidence), this title coming from the word "goel", if he would redeem Noami's late husband, Elimilech's, land. The goel accepted quickly, seeing that this would add nicely to his family's estate, presumably. Then Boaz snuck in the fact that if he redeemed the land, he would have to marry Ruth.  What I think is so neat about this is that because neither redeemer was Elimilech's immediate brother, marriage was not mandatory! When the other redeemer heard that last part about marrying Ruth, he backed out of the deal. There are several reasons why he probably declined redemption, one being that if he married Ruth and they had a child, that child would inherit the redeemed land- the land that the redeemer had been tending, maintaining and watching over. So in the end, it wouldn't profit the goel after all. 

So here's where it hit home for me. The nearer redeemer, whose name is not mentioned, does the Expected thing- he declines because it won't profit him any.  This doesn't necessarily make him a bad person. He was watching out for the welfare of his own family and his own inheritance. This would be the normal thing.  No one would have judged him. 

Just like Orpah in the beginning (Noami's other daughter in law).  Orpah was going with Noami, but N said she could turn back and go on home to her family.  With Noami's advice, that's just what she did.  Orpah wasn't doing a horrible thing. She was doing the expected thing.  

On the other hand, Ruth and Boaz did extraordinary things.  They went above and beyond.  I'd be willing to bet others watching might have even said "Jeez, he is doing waaaay too much" or "Why does she always have to be so nice- people are going to run over her". Ruth sticking with Noami, working so hard to provide, going and presenting herself to Boaz.  Boaz, going out of his way to be kind to a Moabite woman, telling his men to not only leave her alone, but to leave behind EXTRA grain.  Boaz was not only willing to redeem Ruth, but marry her as well.  

Ruth and Boaz did the extraordinary. Orpah and the goel did the expected.  R and B chose sacrifice and love.  O and G chose safety.  R and B left a legacy.  O and G were never heard from again.....

I guess I'm learning that just because something is normal and logical by human standards, doesn't mean that's necessarily what God wants me to do.  Reasonable is not what usually goes down in history. I choose safety often times and feel like if I've "covered all my bases", then I'm good to go.  But that is definitely not what Ruth and Boaz did.  They exceeded the quota. 

I shouldn't be so harsh when I see others doing things that appear to be foolishly nice.  Those people are talked about as though they are the doormats of the world. But really and truly, the day will come when I stand before my sweet Savior.  And I will have to give an account for the things I did and did not do here on this earth.  I want him to be pleased. Not by my expected behavior, but by my extraordinary living. 

***This Bible study was from Kelly Minter's book "The Living Room Series" Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy.  Excellent study if you are interested in diving in deeper! 

Ruth Bible Study

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to study to book of Ruth with some pretty amazing girls :). We are using Kelly Minter's book as a guide, and it is nothing short of incredible revelation. I have learned so much in these last 3 weeks about this well-known (or so I thought!) Bible character.

Currently, I am at the beach this week with my family for a blissful vacation! I woke up early this morning and as I sat on the balcony looking at the sunrise, I couldn't help but soak in today's study.  I loved it so much, I wanted to share!

Today's verses are Ruth 2:1-3, introducing Boaz.  Kelly Minter goes into the explanation of the historical context here.  I had no idea that God COMMANDED field owners to leave behind sheaves, grain, etc. so that the poor, widowed, or foreigners might come and have enough too. I find it divinely ironic that in verse 1 Naomi finds out about Boaz and that he is a relative of her husband. Then in verse 2, Ruth decides to go out and find a field in which the field owner is being obedient to God and will allow her, a Moabitess, to glean.  And then in verse 3, my Bible says "... and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of he clan of Elimelech.".  I love that the author points out that this can't just be luck. Out of all the fields, what are the odds. This encourages me to be a diligent, hard worker, like Ruth, so that the Lord may show favor to me through such blessings.  It was Ruth's work ethic and Yahweh's invisible hand that set up this "as it turned out" experience.

I love the focus at the end of today's study when it says "It is my hope that we walk away with a heightened sense of what God is doing all around us, even in the seemingly mundane; and that we remember how purposeful He is, how intently He carves our paths, authors each stroke, and weaves our courses into others' lives".

Elizabeth Barrett Browning says:

"Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, the rest sit around and pluck blackberries, and daub their natural faces unaware."

I don't want to miss the divine for the blackberries! Oh Lord, give me eyes to see!!

As I start this next year in my life (as today is my birthday!), I pray that the Lord teaches me a work ethic that leads me to God's providence. And that I SEE the things the Lord is doing around me.  One of my deepest fears is that I will be so consumed with the trivial (or seemingly important) that I do not see what HE is doing. My God cares about me!- My life, the path He has chosen for me, my relationships and family, my job and my desires. I pray that I see Him working, and not just go on thinking that those "as it turned out" situations are the natural consequence of life.  Everything in the natural is a reflection of the spiritual.

Reminiscing

I am up at 11:45. JB is sound asleep beside me and everything is so quiet.  Maybe if I get some thoughts written down and out of my head, I can fall asleep :).

I have been in a nostalgic mood all day today. This morning at 8:30, I decided to put on my wedding gown, lace bolero, and veil. Just to relive that beautiful outfit. I haven't put any of these things on since our wedding day, a year and a half ago. I don't know why I waited until now. But it was wonderful. I think I love my dress even more now than I did on our wedding day. I would love to have pictures made in it again.. Is that crazy? (I never had bridals- so maybe it's justifiable??).  Anyway, tonight I have been looking through all wedding pictures on my laptop. Well, it started out as wedding pictures, but I have gradually made my way to every single picture I have saved on my computer! My goodness, what a journey the last few years have been! The Lord has truly been gracious to me. I have had the best experiences I could have ever dreamed. Some people have passed in and out of my life, making lasting impacts. Other's I am blessed to see quite frequently.  I wish I had more pictures to capture more moments I know existed. Those will have to be pondered and secretly stashed away forever in my memory. So here are some pictures I have pulled. I know there are alot.  But I want to thank each and every person in these pictures (and LOTS who are not pictured) who shared these different occasions with me. Some of these pictures are my very favorite memories!

Me and my summer sisters- Birmingham AL

Lindsey and I enjoying halloween (and cookies of course) with our boyfriends

The morning after our wedding

The night my sis, B, was crowned Lady in Waiting

Sweet E.E. with me in a hardware store, getting supplies for an infamous project

Our best "couple friends"! :)

Thankful for the chance to get to know this wonderful lady of the Lord! 

UM intramurals

Some of my favorite boys

The day JB proposed

Dinner and game night at my house

UM formal

A great memory from an epic road trip to PA! 

Roughin' it (camping) with my favorite friend, L. 

This was during the week of my 21st bday. Spending a summer night on the porch.

Sushi! 

Date night at La Pizzeria with my love

Me and my beautiful sissy

These girls were so influential! Blessed to have had them as bridesmaids!

Honeymoonin' in Gatlinburg

Graduation day! 

JB and I graduated on the same day! From 2 different universities. 

Engagement session with a fabulous photographer, Neal. 

When we first saw each other on our wedding day.  What a sweet moment.

At the alter. 

I love this man!!! 

Our first dance- "Easy to Love"

JB in the hospital for knee surgery

Dorm life! 

Vandalism? Na.. just a little prank! 

Such a fun night with "my boys"

Sweet Michelle! Met at SDEA 

Mud fight at youth camp! One of many many youth camp memories.

I guess one of the great things about memories is that you will always have them. And you can always make more. I pray the next 4 years are as happy as the last 4. Thank you, God, for the blessings (people!) you have placed in my life!! 

New Recipe!

I have a new recipe (pinterest recipe- thanks to me! ha!)  to share! I tried it out on my sweet Bible study girls and it was voted a winner!

Blueberry Banana Bread! YUM!
I did add a little cinnamon to mine though. And pecans would
have been good too, had I thought of that! There's always
next time! :)

Other than that, I haven't completed any projects today. I have been so wrapped up in my new sewing skills! Well, I can't really call it an official "skill" yet, but I do know how to thread the machine and reload a bobbin! And I can make straight and zigzag stitches! I know it's not very impressive, but I'll get there! Today I practiced stitching on scrap fabric and practicing the other things we learned at last night's class. It was so much fun! Too bad the classes are $50 per class :/. Looks like I'll have to learn via pinterest! :)

Sewing Class Anticipation!

I am so excited today! I have my first sewing class scheduled for tonight! I know how to sew (just basics) on my mom's Singer, but I have inherited a Bernina and don't even know how to thread the needle! I'm super pumped though about learning about my machine tonight and get to work on some projects!

Despite my excitement, however, I did get a couple of things done today! I painted my front door- something that I have been meaning to do since we moved in :/ . Earlier this year we painted the shutters and trim on the porch, but the door seemed more daunting, so I procrastinated. But enough is enough and I accomplished it this morning! Take a look! I think it looks sharp!

I sanded the door with a rough grade sandpaper, then sanded it again with a finer grade. With a damp cloth, I wiped it all down to remove all the excess debris. I taped it off with 3M blue painters tape, then painted 2 coats! Time consuming, but not hard at all! 

A few weeks ago I found this awesome vanity chair for my bathroom for $15. But it had this not so pretty fabric- fuzzy leopard print.. You can see it peeking through in this picture (I forgot to take a before picture). 

Cute huh... 

Here are the tools I used! 

The seat cushion was very soft though and plush, so I didn't have to add foam or batting! I unscrewed the seat off the base- 

I turned the seat right side down on the wrong side of the fabric and stapled the taut fabric on each side once to make sure secure it's position. When I finished the rest of the stapling, I focused on the corners. 

Here's the unfinished corner. 

I thought of it like I was wrapping a present. (I stapled these corners just like my bench in last week's blog post).  

Step 1: I tucked in the edge, and folded it
forward, securing with a staple.

Step 2: I folded the edge of the left
side and pulled it over, then stapled.

Step 3: I repeated step #2 on the right side. Here's the finished corner.
 If it is too bulky, you can always trip away
some fabric and fold/staple again.

I forgot about the screw holes... so I had to make some
ugly cuts in the fabric so I could screw it into the base. 

This is the finished back with the screws in place. 

I attached the cushion back onto the base and here's how it turned out! I love it!