Thank you Jesus

I sometimes just feel the need to be inside my mind and wonder around there without interruption. Probably more than is healthy, but lately I've been trying to talk to people about whats going on in there and sometimes I find relief and lightness, other times, frustration and annoyance. I hate that the frustration usually comes when I'm talking to the people I love the most, somehow we've gotten the idea that just because we love people and they love us, that they should perfectly understand us, which after 6 years of marriage I know is not true. Isn't it amazing that we have a God that understands and listens even when we don't make any sense at all and that He sends His Spirit to make our prayers a thing of beauty to his ears. This blog is really just to show my gratitude to God for His enduring patience and the blessing of all the beauty that is still left in our sinful world. Thank you Jesus for your creation, it is my inspiration. These painting are a couple I started and haven't had time to finish, but will hopefully do so after school is over in December. I've been wondering what purpose God has for my art or if I've just let it become this selfish prideful thing. I would like to think He will allow me to keep it as a way of expressing my love for Him, maybe how music can be like prayer, so can a painting. These are two of my first attempts at art for His glory. If it becomes anything else, I pray He takes my desire to paint away, because I do not want anyone to the praise other than Him. If my paintings bring happiness to someone, I ask you to praise God for the gift of creativity He has given all of us. I still struggle with this some, I've never shown my art to someone other than to get praise as an artist before, so I guess we'll see how God leads. Having said all this, I believe God gave us the gift of art for a reason and that He has lead me to go to school to be an Art teacher, but I believe He is giving me a philosophy of how art is used in education and how it can be used it for His purposes. Living with God as my God, is exciting and I'll admit a little scary at times, but I wouldn't trade it for the world, even if that means nothing is what I expect it to be.

God's Call

I found this in Daughters of God by Ellen G. White and it really cut to the core. I know it's something a few of my friends and I have been talking about lately, fashion and our obsession with it. I've been struggling with letting things like this go. At this point in my life I feel that God is calling me to give up the things of this world, even if they seem to be harmless enjoyments. He seems to be telling me to focus on Him, to keep my eyes looking upward or I may slip and fall. If I don't keep that connection with Him through the Holy Spirit dwelling in me, I may never be able to get back up again. This was just a reminder to me of whats going on in my mind and realizing this world is going to end and what I should really be concerned with.

Sisters and mothers, we have a higher aim, a more noble work, than to study the latest fashion, and form garments with needless adorning to meet the standard of this modern Moloch. We may become its slave, and sacrifice upon its altars our own and the present and future happiness of our children. But what do we gain in the end? We have sown to the flesh; we shall reap corruption. Our works cannot bear the inspection of God. We shall see at last how many souls might have been blessed and redeemed from darkness and error by our influence, which, instead, encouraged them in pride and outward display, to the neglect of the inward adorning.{DG 152.2}

Summer Vacation

This blog is two-fold, 1: I wanted to post pictures from my awesome vacation to the Northwest and 2: I wanted to display my photo editing skills from a free editing program I downloaded because I don't have photoshop on my computer at the moment. The photos are backwards though, we actually went to the Grand Tetons National park first, then Yellowstone, then to Washington and on home. It was an amazing God led trip, Shane and I drove the whole way there and back with only one minor annoyance for about 20 minutes, other than that we got along great, talked, listened to sermons and gazed in awe of the beauty around us. I could post tons of pictures but I won't bore you with all the details. Camping for 3 days was fun and we wish we had friends around here that actually liked camping! Anyway, I have to say even though the beauty of the National Parks left me almost breathless, I fell in love with Idaho (who knew it was so beautiful!) and Washington. I would move there in a heart beat if it wasn't for all the people I love here in Lincoln. Seattle was amazing and seeing Liz's art was pretty sweet, but I have to say the high light of the trip was being with Angie and Randy and sharing our new found love for God with them, reading the Bible, and praying with them. It just brought a whole new level of closeness for us being able to be of one mind in our desire to know God better. Also, Connor is probably one of the cutest babies EVER! I could write on and on about how much I loved this vacation, but I won't bore you any longer. If you want to see a few more pictures, check out my facebook pics.

Randy, Connor, and Angie Stroud

Stroud's rasberry bush, yummy, I can't wait to plant one next year!

Angie and I by the rasberry bush

Space Needle

Liz in Seattle

Flowers in Pike Place Market

Artist Point Upper Falls area in Yellowstone

The Grand Tetons from a distance

Me in the tent

Grand Tetons and Lake Jackson

Some trees on a walk we went on

Tofu Curry & Grape Slushy

A while ago a friend of ours taught us how to make Tofu Curry, we put it over brown rice. I have to say, it's now one of my favorite meals. (Vegan)

Then for dessert I made a grape slushy with frozen green grapes, ice, and a little juice, I think it was orange. Then topped it off with blueberries. Yummy and healthy! (Also Vegan)

Orange Crush on Liz

Remember my post the other day, here she is wearing it, Liz wearing the orange crush t that is. My hair was so stink'n long. Photoshop Fun