My 100 Things

In honor of my 500th post, I present to you “My 100 Things.”

1. I had my plans of “success,” money and a high-powered job. So I definitely would have thought you were joking if you told me I would be a Christian.

2. Let alone a Christian who loves missions

3. And left everything to come to Africa

4. Where I found my heart and my Jesus for real

5. Where I would be baptized (check out the new picture I updated on this post!)

6. To celebrate being a new creation and fully surrendering and trusting my everything to Jesus

7. After living in Africa for a year, I can “kind of” tolerate certain bugs

8. But not snakes or big spiders. I am not a fan.

9. Who knew I would love getting up early to watch the African sunrise from my window

10. Or that running in circles in fields to make extra distance would make my heart extra happy

11. Nature captures my heart

12. Everything from meteor showers to shooting stars to sunsets and sunrises to the moon to stars to waterfalls to snowflakes to rainy days to green grass to mountains connects to my heart and fills me up while reminding me of God

13. Flowers (though, NOT roses…I do not like getting roses) and gifts make my heart soar

14. As does picking people up from the airport and getting picked up

15. I love finding secret places outside and exploring

16. Sitting on a rock or on top of a mountain fills me up with awe

17. I loathe fake Christmas trees and love to cut down the real ones

18. And I love Christmas lights

19. Mittens not gloves—they’re useful for carrying things like keys

20. Barefoot not shoes

21. No socks. Ew…..I hardly ever wear socks, they’re so constraining and not happy

22. I used to always have short hair because I didn’t like it touching my neck when it was up in a pony tail while playing tennis

23. I love that my hair is extra long now.

24. I go in streaks of hairstyles…my current one is braids

25. My room is covered in quotes, bible verses, pictures, and happy things

26. I am a pack rat to the t.  Give me anything and I will keep it.

27. I also have a tendency to wear things out until I find that most of my shirts have holes…but I’m still wearing them…I have a hard time throwing things away, did I say that already?

28. Oddly, I hate wearing jeans.  They’re not comfortable. Give me dress pants, sweat pants, gauchos or anything else.

29. Skirts and dresses are especially nice

30. For clothes and life bright, happy colors and pastels are my favorites

31. I recently bought paints in “happy” pastel colors because I recently found out I love painting

32. I wish I was more crafty, but I try

33. Ceramics makes a nice balance.  I could make bowls all day long

34. Happy.  Is not just a feeling, but also a way to describe clothing, music, food and flip-flops among other things.

35. Things must be “happy” in order for me to justify spending money

36. I don’t spend money easily

37. But that comes back to being indecisive

38. I weigh out all the options and play it back and forth in my head.  I see so many potentials.

39. But some decisions are easy….like how I would take all the kids from Hope House home with me if I could and how I would stay here in a second

40. Another thing I am not indecisive about is my preference for vanilla/white over chocolate.  Vanilla milkshakes, white chocolate, white cake. Yum.

41. Except I do love better than sex cake and I have a new found appreciation for brownies, but I still prefer vanilla.

42. I pretty much always carry the book I’m reading and my bible in my purse

43. I have 4 bookshelves in my room at my parents house and I still have more books than that

44. I dislike not having all my books in one spot

45. I so want a huge library in my house someday

46. Also, I so want a huge, white fluffy dog someday

47. And a godly husband who pursues God first, avidly protects purity and holiness, and really lives out 1 Corinthians 13

48. 1 Corinthians 13 in the amplified version gets my heart both giddy and weighted with how amazing love really is and that God truly loves us like that

49. I used to think that knowledge meant gathering all the information and being able to get that “A” on the test

50. I was a bit of a perfectionist when it came to school….

51. Nothing less than an “A” was acceptable

52. I realize now that for me I NEED to put things into action and practice to actually “know.”  I need the application step.

53. Which is hard for me since I love to gather information and often don’t take the next step.

54. I knew about Jesus and the list of things Christians do, but I didn’t “know” Him or recognize the connection between loving Him and obeying Him

55. When you trust Him, He brings such sweet freedom into your life

56. And He helps me stand on those promises that I am beloved, the Lord’s, complete, that there is no condemnation, that I am a new creation, that He delights in me, that I am born of God, I am God’s child, and that He fulfills ALL my needs, He is my all in all

57. I write all over my bible

58. I used to hate writing in books because it makes them look messy.

59. Now, I love adding that personal touch in certain books, not all.

60. I am a huge fan of words and the meanings of words and the root words connected to the word

61. Yet I don’t really like playing scrabble…maybe I’ll keep giving it a try

62. And you’ll find all sorts of references in my bible to Hebrew and Greek words and meanings

63. Even my blog is titled after a Hebrew word

64. B’ahava means “with love”

65. I want to do everything “with love”

66. And to show others that I believe in them and that I see their potential

67. Because Jesus loves and sees us that way

68. I don’t know if I’ll ever get a tattoo

69. But if I do and I might then I want a Hebrew word

70. Maybe even the word “Hephzibah”

71. Because then every time I looked at it, I would be reminded that I am enough in Him because He delights in me.

72. Writing makes my heart happy

73. Editing too.

74. Though, I am not a fan of the serial comma and I firmly think that commas are overused.  They make things look messy and cluttered.

75. I am a vegetarian.  Sounds funny, but I’ve been one since February.

76. I don’t miss meat.  I have never craved it either.

77. Baking fills my heart up and I love trying new recipes

78. But banana bread holds a special place in my heart

79. Whenever I go to the grocery store, I totally fall for the “new” or random things

80. My iTunes has 48.6 days of songs and I am SO that person that listens to a song on repeat for like 30 plays and yes, I keep track of my plays.

81. Except I’m in a process of eliminating songs that are not uplifting

82. I strive to make all of my words those that build up and speak life

83. I often fail

84. But Jesus is refining me

85. I used to not sing out loud because someone told me once I didn’t sing well

86. But I don’t really care anymore because I love singing to God

87. And I love singing Hakuna Matata with Lindo and giving him big hugs

88. And music moves me

89. Touches my heart and can instantly bring me into the presence of God

90. Which is why I need to get rid of the music that doesn’t do that

91. Along with that, I absolutely LOVE playing music loud with the windows down in the car

92. And dancing in my room or the bathroom or the shower or anywhere really

93. I confess I bring my computer into the bathroom to play music while I take a shower–I’m sure that’s not good for my computer, but that’s okay

94. In the end, I want my life to be about letting everyone know about God

95. And the abundant life that is found in Him

96. By living to glorify Him

97. Through following Him

98. Speaking words of life and

99. Coming alive

100. To do everything with love that overwhelms, empowers and transforms

White Chocolate Deliciousness

I spent the night baking!  Finally!  I haven’t been in the mood to bake for so long and I definitely missed it.  I am so glad and my heart is happy that this part of me can be expressed with joy instead of sadness/heartache at remembering times of baking with others.  I love baking, baking with people and giving food to others. I made some brownies for those who watched Titanic and then I made banana bread with white chocolate and brown sugar from the States (woot! the brown sugar here is different…and you can’t get white chocolate in “chip” form here).  I included the recipe for the banana bread below since I think it’s the best and super delicious especially with white chocolate chips.  Enjoy!  Any recipes that you recommend?

—

Banana Bread

5 T butter

½ cup sugar

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, 2 egg whites or egg replacer works fabulously!

1 t. whites

1 t. vanilla

1 ½ cup mashed bananas

1 ¾ cup flour

1 t. soda

½ t. salt

¼ t. baking powder

½ cup heavy cream or soy milk

NOTE: These are REALLY good with white chocolate and many people like them with chocolate too, but I like white chocolate.  Estimate how much you want in there.

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray the bottom of the loaf pans (2 reg. or 4 small).
2. Beat butter in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add sugar and brown sugar.  Beat well.  Add egg, egg whites, and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.  Add mashed bananas.  Beat on high 30 sec.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.  Add this flour mixture to butter mixture alternately w/cream.  End with flour mixture.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the loaf pan.  Bake until brown, toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.  Baking times: Larger Loaf pan—1 hour 15 minutes.  Smaller Loaf pan—45 minutes.  (I don’t know if I buy these times…each oven is different and I usually find it needs more time.  Just stick a knife in it and when it comes out clean then it’s ready!!).
5. Cool on wire rack in pan.  Remove from pan after 10 minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack.  (Nah, go ahead and eat some after the first 10 minutes…YUM!)

The Year Through Pictures

So…I’m a copy cat.  Annie had this awesome post and so I wanted to do the same:

January: Ringing in the New Year–ready for a fresh start

February: A little salsa dancing fun before “real life” aka full-time job-ness sets in.

March: No homework means time to make fun recipes like Cheesecake pops, read lots of books, take a ceramics course, and work out

April: “ 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

May: I said hello to love at first sight

June: Summer nights with friends and  enjoying our sweet deck

July: There were a few crashes along the way this year.  A few rough spots, but in the end the plastic pops right out and the head lights are millimeters away from being smashed.

August: Spent some time with family.  Said “Look at the bull ship,” which was interpreted as “Look at all this bull shi*” (say that 3 times fast and your family will think you are NOT having fun when really you are)

September: Life may be a little messy, but at the end of the day I can always turn to my “church family” for anything I need.  I’m going to miss them…

October: “Ransomed” God, theology, podcasts, blogging, life, and everything in between could always be found in our conversations.  I miss her already!

November: “But if the bright lights don’t receive you, you should turn yourself around and come on home.”

December: Stay warm with a puppy, lots of blankets and hot chocolate while looking forward to a New Year. 

Good-bye 2008. Hello 2009.

You Are My Strong Tower, Fortress When I’m Weak

” …people are haunted by the idea from the intellectual heights that life is, in reality, absurd.” p. 10 The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Loving this book and definitely have felt like that before.  Like life is boring, not purposeful, the same thing over and over.  But not today and for that I’m thankful.  I’m thankful for dreaming, realistic planning, being able to run 5 miles, a camera, good talks after Core Team (even if I went to bed WAY too late), exciting plans, achieving goals, friends home from Australia (above! with yummy fruit), biking, Kutless (I love their songs “Strong Tower” and “Take Me In”–can we say, repeat), and that tomorrow is Friday!

Cheesefries

This fun little article informed me that the FDA has no definition of “all natural.”  So, when you hear on that advertisement that the chicken or beef or what have you is “all natural” run.  They might be lying!  I’ve heard the book contains fun, disappointing little facts about what menu items may be deceiving and appear to be healthy when in fact they can be over 1000 calories.  Yikes, kind of makes me not want to eat out ever again!  But…let’s be honest, that won’t happen.  Eating out can be fun.  I’ll just make sure not to order the Outback Aussie Cheesefries coming in at 2,900 calories

Ragamuffintop Week 7

Sunday, June 6, 2008

Bike: 15 miles at 57 minutes

Walk: 20-30 minutes

Monday, June 7, 2008

Bike: 10.2 miles at 40 minutes

Run: 25 minutes

–yay, these were right after one another!

Tuesday, June 8th, 2008

Walked: 1 hour 15 minutes

Wednesday, June 9th, 2008

I need more hours of daylight.  Went to dinner right after work and chatted with some lovely ladies and then went straight to Core Team and then to bed.

Thursday, June 10th, 2008

Lazy day. I took a nap and finished my book and went on a short bike ride to get chocolate chips to make white/chocolate molten cake–we made both!

Friday, June 11th, 2008

Dinner and game night

Saturday, June 12th 2008

Drove home for the big bike race tomorrow!

 

p.s. Sorry for no video.  No time  Enjoy the picture though!

Cooking versus Baking

I have yet to get really into cooking.  I love to bake.  I love feeding people.  I love how making something and eating something yummy makes people happy when life is hard.  Although, I don’t measure things.  I throw a bit of this and a bit of that and estimate on pretty much everything.  Soooooo, wouldn’t you think I’d like to cook more since baking requires more precision??  Beats me.  Maybe I need to start making big meals for lots of people instead of making them dessert.  

p.s. I made white chocolate molten cake and chocolate molten cake with the roomie tonight.  Yeah, we’re pretty neat.  Plus, we’re master “fix-it” people hence why the toilet and garage are now in working order!

Daring Bakers–YAY!

Yay!  I’m so happy this month actually turned out and was edible!  Here are the pictures:

The “fountain” that proceeded to literally fountain over shortly afterward.  Next time, I’ll use a bowl!  Live and learn on this one.  (I didn’t know what a fountain was until I “googled” it)

Waving while baking

Yay for super cute braided-ness

Finished product!!!  1 1/2 with apple filling and one with raspberry.  Delicious.  I definitely did not have to bake these as long as suggested–I must have a super powerful oven or something.

Sunday Nights

 

The Next Food Network Star = my new Sunday evening routine? 

Ragamuffintop Challenge Week 1

With the official start of June 2 minutes ago, I’m completely up for a new challenge.  I’ve been reading Ragamuffin Soul for a while now and decided this could be a fun little thing to participate in.  Here are the rules:

1. You must have a measurable goal.

2. You must place a photo or video on your blog each weekend and give us the scoop on how you did.
3. You must link back here so that the readers of your blog get to see how the rest of us are failing or succeeding.
4. You fill out the linky thing below and then people can get to your blog from my front page and we can cheer each other on.

 

 

I don’t own a scale nor do I necessarily want to…(I’m a bit obsessive sometimes–not good).  So I won’t be going that route.  Instead, I’ve got a few measurable things that I’m going to work on.  

 

Now in the pictures these pants look fine, but let me tell you…they are a bit tight–too tight to wear for 8 hours at work.  I’m a BIG fan of comfy clothes so simply put I don’t wear uncomfortable things pretty much ever.  So the main goal will be to be able to fit comfortably in these again  Along with this goal I want to be able to participate in a triathlon if I decided to do so toward the end of summer.  I haven’t figured out a way to train for the swimming part yet.  The rest is measurable.  13 miles of biking and 3.1 miles of running.  Lastly, another subset goal is to complete the Biggest Loser 6 week program.  I have gone through 4 weeks of cardio and just gave in and bought the power sculpt dvd as well.  So I want to do the cardio 4 times a week and the power sculpt 3 times a week.  Yikes, who knew there could be so many things to do!  Here we go!  

p.s. I’m planning on posting a “why am I doing this” blog soon