#OneWord365 Rearview Mirror

Wow. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I felt I would focus on the word trust. 

Without a doubt trust has been the consistent theme of my life this year. Little did I know, I would not be the one driving the journey of 2012. 

I have talked about our travel tales, my reading adventures, learning about Jesus, the writing process, cooking, other creative ventures, my little Niece, and of course random updates.

I haven't talked about the incredibly challenging time we have had with growing our family. I'm saving that story for the new year. I haven't talked about the tug that we feel to follow God wholeheartedly, because we don't yet know what that means.

We went to Portland for Anthony's birthday. While we were there, we visited Solid Rock church. Anthony and I were blown away at the number of people our age that made up the congregation. We went to spend time with Anthony's classmate. We didn't go expecting to have a flame lit. We didn't go expecting to have one passage ring through our minds for the next few months. It's funny now to think about the passage Dominic shared that night:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-8 NIV

This year I discovered worry is the antithesis of trust. Yet trust is what God has been impressing on my heart almost daily. Anthony and I have heard the Philippians passage numerous times since we first heard it in October. 

I don't know what another year will look like. I don't know if we'll have a baby or be living in this house. I don't know if I'll be working where I currently work or somewhere completely different. I don't know anything other than I know how to trust the plans of God more today than I did a year ago.

I still worry, but I've been learning how to pray instead of stewing. I've read amazing stories of people Daring Greatly and how God is consistently faithful to provide. 

When I picked the word Trust, I thought I would steer how it would influence my life. I had no idea the Holy Spirit was the One who had chosen the word.

Trust has shaped me as I have learned to rely more on God. I've seen His hand gently guiding both mine and Anthony's lives.  

As this year comes to a close, I am excited and nervous for the adventures 2013 will bring. We're planning to travel to North Carolina to visit the city of Raleigh. I'm hopeful for personal growth and more dependence on God. I'm looking forward to trusting God instead of myself. Without a doubt, 2013 will include more of this little ray of sunshine:

Linking up with One Word 365 Rearview Mirror update.

Partial Goals and How "Love Does" is Changing My Life

Me at Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, OR. October 2012.

I am really good at thinking up new ideas. I love planning out activities and goals I want to adhere to. But I get bogged down easily. I get discouraged by not seeing results I want immediately. 

A few weeks ago I told you I was going to try and lose 8 pounds by Thanksgiving. I didn't make that goal and didn't want to admit it, so I didn't say anything more about it. I was embarrassed. (maybe that's because of the donut I was caught eating!)

I've also said I would blog more, cook more, etc. I want to stick with my commitments and goals, but I fail often.

Anthony says, "A half-fulfilled goal is like a half-eaten donut. Some is better than none!"

Obviously goal completion is a good thing. I am finished beating myself up for all the goals I haven't completed or the ones I decided to stop working on halfway through.

On a plane travelling to Portland, Oregon, I was engrossed in the book Love Does (by Bob Goff). A few times on the plane, I began crying because the words touched my heart. Love Does is an encouraging, personal memoir of Bob Goff's life. He says love actually does stuff, it doesn't just sit back and watch. It engages. It dares. It gets involved.  

I've been thinking about ways to get involved. Brené Brown talks about this concept in her book Daring Greatly. People who live rich, fulfilling lives take risks. They put themselves out there and in the arena to participate, not just watch.

I'm learning that it's better to fail than to have not tried at all. I'm learning to be okay with partly-done goals because some is better than none. 

The reason I write all of this is I want to encourage you.

Are there things you've been wanting to do, but haven't done? Do you have a dream you want to pursue?

Take a step and do.

Linking up with Amanda (Royal Daughter Design) for Desire to Inspire!

When I'm 65...

Today, Donald Miller wrote about "The Failure of Twenty-Something Thinking and Why You Should Peak at 65." At the end of the post, he wrote this prompt:

Take out a sheet of paper and write down what you want to have achieved when you’re 65. Don’t think about the goals you have for tomorrow, but for forty-years from now. Think about how you’ll want to be remembered over the whole of your career.

So, I wrote out what I want to have achieved when I'm 65. I will be happy to have:

• Been a loving, supportive wife of 43 years. My love and respect growing daily for Anthony
• Been a parent who is firm and consistent, but constantly expresses love and shows acceptance
• Modeled for others what a life fully surrendered to Christ looks like, having laid down my rights over and over and over
• Been a published author of a few books that tell my story and glorify Christ
• Been a true friend to whomever God has brought into my life
• Taken the gospel to many places by visiting other cities and countries
• Encouraged fellow believers to keep on running the race with perseverance and consistency
• Been available for others when they need me, no matter how it might have "interrupted" my life or plans
• As an employee, my bosses and coworkers lives would have been better after working with me
• As a manager, my employees would know I care and support them in their careers and personal lives. I would be known for fairness and consistency
• As a business owner, I would have done the right thing by my employees and governing agencies. Helped the community and made a difference in each life
• Learned to truly trust God. My heart would be tender to the things of God. My reactions and heart would be like Jesus
• Been debt free and money would not control my heart
• Given thousands of dollars and minutes to others
• Learned the secret of contentment: to live in the strength of Jesus

What would you like to look like when your 65?

What I'm Into (November Edition)

I can't believe another month has flown by. I love when bloggers share the things they've been reading, doing, or watching lately. Anne inspired me to write my own What I'm Into today.

Reading

I've had lots of fun reading books recommended by Shelia (Deliberate Reader) and Anne (Modern Mrs. Darcy). I am still raving about Love Does by Bob Goff.

I finished reading An Invisible Thread and I have Lived a Thousand Years. Both were thought-provoking, inspiring reads. 

I skimmed Dinner: A Love Story, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, French Women Don't Get Fat, and An Everlasting Meal

I'm in the middle of reading Bringing up bébé by Pamela Druckerman and really like the ideas and concepts she presents.

Listening

New music and me don't normally go together. I have been loving 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. I bought Carl Goes Up from the Up Soundtrack. Other than that, I listen to what Anthony turns on.

Crafting

Since Olivia (my niece) was due on December 5th, we had a Ready to Pop baby shower in the middle of November. I made a breastfeeding survival kit for Heidi. It included handmade burp cloths and a nursing cover.

(Heidi at her shower)

I also made Olivia a hooded towel and washcloth set and a few more blankets. 

I made two table runners and have Christmas fabric ready for a pennant to decorate our front room.

I started knitting again last night and am making a little mauve and purple beanie for guess who? Olivia! She just can't wear something that isn't handmade by her Auntie.

Cooking

Last weekend I made a small Thanksgiving dinner. I successfully made a turkey and it was delicious!

(photo credit)

I've been making lots of red sauce using Jessica's recipe. And I've made 3 batches of brownies over the course of 3 days. Maybe that's why my clothes aren't fitting?

Blogging

The most popular post was Homemade Vanilla Extract. My personal favorites were A Simpler Season and the DIY Natural Laundry Soap.

Blogger Love

Nearly every post has spoken to me in some way from Donald Miller's Storyline Blog. My personal favorites were:

• The Painful Truth About the Situation in Israel
• What’s the Danger in Categorizing People?

Nikki (Christian By Association) wrote an insightful post called "Why Christians Should Say Happy Holidays." It's worth the time to read it. 

PC Walker (Ragamuffin PC) always writes posts that cut to the heart. "When you say, "I don't want to gossip, but ..." has helped me stop a few times. 

Anthony told me about Diane's blog, He Speaks in the Silence, and this Sunday Scripture was food for my soul.

Buying

I took a big leap and bought Michael Hyatt's Get Published while it was on sale last week. I haven't started the program, but I have high hopes for it helping me with my writing. 

I bought some earrings from Hannah, a necklace from Tricia, and fun cards to put on my sewing projects from Lindsay.

(Sewing projects with cards)

Watching

We went to the movies and saw Lincoln with Heidi and Caleb. It was a great movie and I thought the casting of Daniel Day-Lewis was perfect. I enjoyed the filming and appreciated the way the cameras recorded a scene from the ground.

Going/Travelling

This month we went to Disneyland with Anthony's family and had a great time. But seriously, how could we not have a great time at Disneyland?

My favorite part of our whole trip was the conversations we had while standing in line for rides and driving in the car. Because of the trip, we have nicknames: inlaws (Anthony, Donna, Brianna) & outlaws (Scott, Chad & me)!

I loved recapping this month!

What have you been up to lately?

Linking up with Leigh for What I'm Into.

Five Minute Friday: Wonder

Today I sit in sheer wonder because of the event that happened on Wednesday. 

My sweet niece, Olivia Madison was born (8 pounds, 19.5 inches long)!

A week ago we sat around my parents' kitchen table and wrote down everyone's guesses for when she would be born. My brother Josh said November 26th and we all said that wasn't going to happen. He changed his guess to November 30th. When he said the date, my brother-in-law Caleb looked shocked. He said, that's next week. Oh my gosh, that's next Friday! 

Well, Little Miss began her journey on Tuesday.

(The sisters: Me, Heidi, & Heather)

Heidi was a champion. The whole time she was in labor she was worried about how I was doing. I wondered how it was actually possible for a baby to come out of the womb and into the world. I no longer wonder. I now know. There is significant pain in the birthing process. There is discomfort. There is a struggle. But there is also great triumph and victory.

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world - John 16:21 (ESV)

I have a new found respect and admiration for Heidi.

(The Couchman family: Caleb, Heidi, & Olivia)

Congratulations Cal and Heid! You two are already amazing parents. 

Linking up with Lisa-Jo for 5 Minute Friday.

P.S. Here's one of Auntie M and Olivia on her first day home with the little blankie I made her!

A Simpler Season

I've had a few days off because of Thanksgiving. Lots of time was spent with family and friends. Anthony was off most of the time with me too! I had a lot of time to think about gratitude and the holidays.

We watched part one of The Dust Bowl series with my dad on Friday night. Talk about simple times, the 1930's were most definitely simple. I was struck by the sadness and despair that drought and failed crops brought to the farmers. You could see the farmers' crushed spirits as portraits of the men were shown on the film. These families didn't have much, but what the did have was determination and hope. 

As we enter the Christmas season, I want simplicity. I want freedom from frenzied shopping. I don't want to add to the frustration of the frazzled employees while I search for the best deal. 

I want peace to envelop my mind, words, and most importantly our home. I'm purposefully keeping our Christmas decorations to a minimum. 

I'm focusing on being present when I'm in a conversation with another person. I want to spend time looking at people in their eyes and hearing what they're saying. I want to read their nonverbal cues too. I don't want to be worried about my endless list of chores and things I must do. Gifts will be kept to a minimum. Food will be simple, maybe even store bought. 

I'm making myself available to interact and engage with the people in my life. 

How are you doing this week? What things would help you know someone cared about you?

DIY Natural Laundry Soap

I'm happy to welcome my friend Amber Glatz to share a do-it-yourself project. Amber is the queen of DIY and has lots of tutorials up her sleeve from her recent wedding. When she tweeted she was making laundry soap, I asked her to share her recipe with all of you.

I forgot I had asked her and began making my own laundry soap about 3 weeks ago! I used nearly the same recipe. I made a smaller batch and didn't use Baking Soda, hence the photo with slightly different ingredients. I found that Walmart had the best prices, just like Amber. I am loving this new soap too!

Amber's simple tutorial: 

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Have you ever moved and had to buy a lot of cleaning supplies all at once? Do you have kids and have to do laundry multiple times a week?

I recently got married so our laundry doubled and I began buying more cleaning supplies. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way to clean the house and do laundry with basic cleaning solutions instead of buying the new and improved cleaning solution (aka expensive chemicals).

What happened to the good’ol natural cleaning supplies like vinegar and baking soda? 

I did a bit of research and found this simple, affordable and fresh smelling laundry soap.  I have now been using it for about 2 months and love it! 

Ingredients you'll need:

• 1 box of Borax (4lbs 12 oz) 
• 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (55 oz) 
• 1 box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (4 lbs) or Oxy-Clean (3 lbs)
• 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap

Supplies:

• 5 gallon Bucket
• 1 garbage Bag
• Cheese grater (or food processor if you have an HE washer)
• 2 gallon Glass Jar with lid (or 2 smaller jars)
• 1 tablespoon Scoop

After shopping around, I found Walmart had the best prices for the ingredients and supplies. If you do not have a Walmart near you, Amazon.com also has all of these ingredients (with an Amazon prime account you get free shipping).

Simple steps:

1. Grate the 3 bars of soap. It will look like a pile of cheese.
2. Place the garbage bag in the 5 gal. bucket and mix all the ingredients: borax, super washing soda, baking soda, grated fels-naptha soap and oxy clean.
3. Pour mix into the 2 gal glass jar. It should all fit in the glass jar.
4. Enjoy using your natural laundry soap!

Notes:

Use about 1-2 tablespoons per load. I also add white vinegar to each load for a natural softener. I buy it by the gallon. It is a very inexpensive way of keeping your clothes free from smell,  keeping them soft and stain free. If you have sensitive skin, I have found this mix is perfect for this.

You can use in HE washers but instead of grating the soap you will need to use a food processor. Whether you wash your clothes in hot, warm or cold water the laundry soap dissolves great! My clothes come out fresh smelling, clean, and stay the colors stay bright. My towels are so soft. This mix will probably last us at least a year. I do about 3-4 loads a week.  

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Amber Glatz is an event planner who just got married. She loves crafts, decorating, traveling and the outdoors. A native of San Jose, California, she relocated to Sacramento. Amber grew up in a family who was always on outdoor adventures, hosting gatherings in the family home, cooking, decorating or crafting for the holidays has shaped who she is today. Lately she's hooked on making natural cleaning products for her home, building her Christmas décor inventory for the upcoming season, and finding new budget friendly meals.

No Excuses November

I've joined a few other blogging friends for a month-long writing exercise called No Excuses November. It's a spin off of the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

My personal goal is to write my life's story for 30 minutes each day this entire month. Hence the lack of posts here. To date I have written 8,818 words! There's a discussion about me possibly publishing the book. In case you're curious, my working title is Getting Church, Missing Jesus.

I can't believe November is halfway over. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and spending lots of time with family and friends!

How is November treating you?

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am grateful for:

The option to express my opinion about who governs my city, state, and country.

No matter what the election outcome is, God is sovereign and in control of all people.

New friends and older friends.

Food, food, and more food on our recent trip to Disneyland with our family.

Laughter.

Celebrating my sister Heidi's birthday and getting to see her pregnant belly.

People that listen to me and people I can listen to.

Memories of a recent trip to Portland where we heard about needs in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Options.

The opportunity to share my story.

Mostly I am grateful that my husband was born. God's hand was on him from even before birth to guard him and allow me to be a part of his amazing story.

Rainy Portland. Photo credit: Bryce Hoffman

Thank you, Micha for the Thankful Tuesday inspiration!

Five Minute Friday: Roots

(California Adventure, June 2011)

Many images come to mind when I think of the word roots.

Because I'm a little vain, I think about hair roots first. They are pretty much the bain of my existence. It's shallow, I know, but I do love a fresh color and highlight.

The next thing I think about is taking root. Like a tree that has its roots firmly in the ground. Roots that go down deep into the earth because it is old and established.

The other thing is family roots. Tonight I'm driving down to Disneyland with my hubster and his family. We began watching the Jungle Book and the memories I have of my own family viewing it made me smile. I vividly remember my dad loving this movie and watching it with us. At the time, he seemed like Baloo to me. Back to the drive though, some roots are growing deeper. I love that we have the opportunity to water them with time and presence.

Roots also make me think of growing deeper in my faith. This year has been full of opportunities for faith roots to increase. I am thankful God is faithful and has given me the chance to trust him more in all areas of my life (more on that later).

Linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday!