Jonah 2:8

This verse popped up on my "Daily Bible Verse" feed the other day, and I have not been able to get it out of my mind ever since:

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

Jonah 2:8

How often am I guilty of clinging to worthless idols? I am ashamed to say that it is a daily battle for me. Thankfully, our God is a God of grace.

I once heard that as Christians (most of us spoiled Christians) we like to hold on to our blessings tightly, with closed fists. When God gives us something good, we want to keep it! This is a natural response, but not necessarily a healthy one. Sometimes we are only meant to hold onto things for a season and then let them go.

For example: if you know me at all you know that I have had the worst luck dating. It was my own fault. I was ignorant and selfish, and I am not afraid to admit that anymore. Time after time God took away the man who was causing me to self destruct, and time after time I would get dragged back down into the same empty pit.  It was a hollow life of building and clinging to false idols.

When I finally decided that I wanted a change, I wasn't entirely sure if God would even want me back, but He did! I decided to put dating on the shelf for a while and let God pursue me. I spent a glorious two years basking in His wonderful grace. He brought me some of the closest, Godliest, friends I have ever had. He repaired the damage I had done to my old friendships and family relationships. I got smarter, I developed talents, I became humble, I worked harder. I learned to live with open hands.

Now, I am blessed to have a wonderful boyfriend whom I am grateful for and amazed by every day. Now I feel like I can be a better girlfriend because I am not clinging to him like an idol, but rather cherishing him as a valued partner in grace. Now I can live with open hands because I know that God can and will get me through anything. Now I feel peace.

Oh...so, that's why I wanted to be a teacher.

My poor mentor teacher was ill today and called in at the last minute, so guess who got to fill in? That's right, yours truly! It served as a much needed reminder of why I want to teach. The students were so wonderful and well-behaved (a remarkable thing for juniors and seniors). I got to spend a lot of one-on-one time with them working on their thesies and just talking about life and their futures. I was amazed how even the toughest kids opened up and shared their insecurities and anxieties with me, and was overjoyed to be able to help them. We laughed, we shared, and we got good work done...what could be better?!

The Opal Engagement Ring

If you know me at all you know that I love vintage. So, it was not unusual that I spent the majority of my Saturday afternoon at the 23rd Street Antique mall. There were many treasures to be found there, but what really caught my eye was a case of antique wedding and engagement rings near the front. I was dazzled by the diamonds cut like I had never seen. I cannot describe their beauty accurately. Here is a picture of something similar to the ones I am thinking of:

Gorgeous, huh?!



And the best thing of all was that they had a diamond and opal one. The opals looked like little dew drops on a rose-gold branch. Now, I like diamonds, but I ADORE opals. When I saw this ring my mind went berserk! I started thinking crazy things. Like: "I wish I had a man that would buy me something like that!" ha ha, do all girls think this way? Maybe not super-feminist women. They probably would think "Forget men, I am going to buy this for myself! I deserve it!" And friends...I think I am almost there. I simply must have one.

Here is a picture of a ring that was very similar to the one I saw:

*swoon*

These are lovely too:



Mi Casa Es Su Casa.

People often tell me "I wish I had your life." I usually laugh and tell them that they really don't, but they have set in their minds some glamourous bohemian lifestyle free of worry and focused on the creative side of things. It often, and I hope I'm not shattering anyon'es dreams, isn't that way. However, I would like to introduce you to a new part of my blog that invites you to see a snapshot into the brighter side of things. Here it goes:

I truly believe that home is where the heart so, here's a sneek peek into mine-


My Reading Corner

I love bright colors and quirky vintage items. My style is above all whimsical. I like to think that I leave a little whimsy wherever I go :)
Most everything in my apartment is begged, borrowed, thrifted or crafted.

Things I'd Buy if I had $

A cool backpack
A telescope
Craft supplies (yes, MORE)
More vintage jewelry
A case of Peace Tea
A steering wheel cover
A facial
27 Dresses (the movie)
A boatload of sushi (literally…one of the sushi boats)
A pencil case
Another book shelf
Books
Another pair of Sanuks.

A Day in the Life

A Day In The Life

Today I:

- Determined that I did in fact lose my GPS.

-Locked my keys in the car

-Wore 2 different kinds of shoes on accident

and…

“Liz: Why is there a pair of your shorts under the sink?

Me: huh?

Liz: In with the towels that YOU obviously folded there is a pair of shorts.

Me: I put my shorts under the sink?

Liz: Apparently.

Me: oh no! I really am going crazy!”