A Year to Stay the Course

Happy New Years to everyone! Hopefully you are able to celebrate with family and friends.

I want to pose a challenge to those willing for this new year. It is a beautiful example of staying the course and I thought it fitting to share here.

My church is taking the time to read through the Bible together this year. I have done this before and found the gospel so enlightened by the things I read throughout the Old Testament. As a result of that year I actually fell in love with the Old Testament and constantly use it as a defense of God's immense love instead of the wrath so often attributed to those scriptures.

I will be posting the daily readings here in hopes that 1. someone may see it who wouldn't have otherwise and 2. that i may stay on top of these readings every day. You can print yourself a pamphlet for the entire year complete with checklist, here. (Image was also taken from this link). I will continue my regular random posts of pictures and whatnots. This will be just a little extra added =) I hope everyone has a wonderful time tonight and stays safe. God bless!

Exploring Hidden Valley

I got a new zoomy lens for my camera for Christmas and drove through Hidden Valley to play with it. However... Hidden Valley is slightly disappointing in size so I spent more time at a lake. I'm so thankful for the wonderful little Christmas I had with my family. I got a Saviour wrapped in human flesh for Christmas and despite the excitement, the family, and the presents... I will never forget that. Emmanuel God is with us ♥ And I find these pictures to be good evidence of that...

I have known this man for six years now, today.

A Thought on Love

This blog is a dreary place. I have thoroughly abused it due to the abundance of life I've been fighting through lately. I had a thought I'd like to catalog here because I don't have it all figured out just yet.

People say they are in search for love. Some don't say it at all but it's written plainly all over their actions and relationships. It is perhaps the most strong desire in the world... the want for love.

But I propose that if you indeed own this way of thinking... then you really don't understand love at all. It is not in the nature of love to be self-serving. So that thing you are searching for cannot fully be understood because you've already set out about it the wrong way... I'd argue, love finds you.

I believe humans only have the capacity to love because it is indicative of a larger truth. Surely our existence and joy cannot rest on the messy type of love humans offer. Our expectations will always be higher than any human can dare dream to fulfill. However, the love shared throughout your daily life gives glimpses into a much larger purpose. You were created to be loved... but if that were true, why do so many people strive and fight and struggle to find it? Why does society prepare you for it throughout the different stages of your life? And yet even when people believe they've found it... divorce is an ever-present threat that looms in the backs of our minds. Perhaps we aren't looking in the right place people. We've sold out for something cheap and shiny that is completely hollowed-out and holds nothing.

I know I struggle to find love... because it has already found me. It already holds me and I often refuse to take notice. Because that means I'm actually worth something... that I hold the utmost value.

How alien in a culture that demands I strive for something to receive the payoff.

Times like this I wonder how someone could find a God like that offensive.

I Run in Circles Well

This is a worship song called Running in Circles. I am celebrating being able to use my almost perfectly back to normal voice after waiting three weeks or so for this cold to pass. The remnants remain but they cannot stop me from singing =) This is a beautiful song and I will post the lyrics below so that you too may hopefully see the beauty in it.

I'm so forgetful, but You always remind me

You're the only one who brings me peace

You're the only one who bring me peace

So I come, Lord I come,

I come, Lord I come

To tell You I love You, To tell You I need You.,

To tell You there's no other place for me but in Your arms

To tell You I'm sorry, for running in circles

For placing my focus on the waves, not on Your face

You're the only one who brings me peace

Yeah You're the only one who brings me peace

Did It Myself Jewelry Hanger

Please forgive me for being absent the past couple of days. I have been subjected to the many vexations of a cold. But today I rallied and managed to finish a project that has been long overdue. It began with a want to keep my jewelry from becoming entangled in its little pink box home. I bought a picture frame at a thrift store for a dollar and borrowed some sticks off the ground in my front yard. Our birch trees fell prey to some heavy winds and I scored free sticks to play with.

I took the glass and backing off the picture frame and tied the sticks across with scrap fabric. I've had the fabric under my bed for 8 years swearing I'd use it some day =)

I hung this on the wall with a simple wiring device I made on the back and finished by displaying my jewelry. The bottom branch was a little thicker and had little nubs that made it easy to hang necklaces from. I am very happy with the way it all turned out and I'm seriously considering selling a few on my future etsy site. It was a good productive day.

A Little Smidge

A tribute to the beauty of Ojai Valley, CA.

Ironing Wrinkles

As I am smoothing out some wrinkles in my ideas for this blog... I figured I might share a pic or two each day of something that has somehow grasped my attention. I have recently (two days ago) been introduced to this wonderful site Pinterest, that I cannot get enough of. Among the delightful DIY projects and beauty tips, there are some astounding pictures of beautiful things on there.

This picture makes me want to do a large spectrum of things all the way from reading a book to getting married under these beauties.

When my eyes aren't glued to pinterest, they are scanning google earth maps in a new hobby I suppose I shall call virtual sight seeing. It started out in a feeble attempt to locate small lakes around my house that have not yet been deemed private by local rich home owner associations and the like. My brother and I are on a quest to exacerbate our fishing licenses before they expire in December. One thing led to the next and I was glancing at pictures adventurous people have taken in remote areas of Northern Canada. I figure I can't afford to get my body there but why not let the brain feast?

This first is a picture of Trout Lake, Canada.

This second is from an inlet northeast of Great Slave Lake... also in northern Canada. Praise the Lord for technology.

After the Rain

"The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or a word;

their voice is silent in the skies;

yet their message has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens

where God placed it.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom

after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete

eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens

and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat."

- Psalm 19:1-6

These photos do not even do Sunday night's sunset justice. It came out after a day of rain and made me jump for joy at the beautiful creativity and majesty of God. So good. It is hard for me to comprehend how this could all happen by chance. For me, it is one sign (in an untold amount), that I am loved.

Penguin Pair

Hello little box. I just wanted to briefly share some cute little earrings I handcrafted today. I am beginning to solidify my idea for an etsy shop as I pump out these things. It shall have clay and wire jewelry along with vintage clothing. I have been trying to think of a name for the past couple of days. My friend suggested "Aycayia" which means "she with a lovely voice". It's a name sailors gave to mermaids. I think it sounds beautiful. I'm excited to get everything started and running. Hopefully soon.

Santa Barbara Bound

I'm not bound for Santa Barbara... I'm bound to it. I went up last weekend to visit my wonderful friends and we spent time driving through the hills and visiting the old Goleta train station. I think I captured something pretty beautiful and I'm so thankful I have a camera to do so.

I don't have an iphone but I have been following my friend's instagrams on the web. I found a nice little website that let me put pretty filters on my pictas.

Oh and I fixed my comp. If ever your fan goes on and runs as if in a marathon... please check and make sure your print manager is not using up 99% of your CPU. It saved me.

Rain is coming. Thank the Lord for rain. I no longer have to bike two miles through it to get to school anymore. =)

My lovely and angelic friend Carissa. She has a blog, Fountain of Youth. Check it out.

Just north of Goleta

My beautiful friend, Alyssa. I consider her a primary photography teacher.

If only every day could be this way.

Baking Pork

I've been using my computer less and less because I fear it will soon die on me. The fan turns on after about 5 minutes and incessantly reminds me of the impending doom of its absence. For some reason I think using it less will prolong the inevitable.

It seems I'm making excuses.... Today I made some pig. Some piggie earrings actually and I'm rather fond of them.

Perhaps I shall name them. I got into clay jewelry making yesterday and I must say they didn't turn out half bad.

In other news, I am still waiting patiently for a job. Some day I know I will get one. Until then... I suppose making piggies are not a bad alternative.

Pumpkin Patch

I went to the pumpkin patch a few days ago with a friend in what I think was a small attempt to hold on to my childhood and celebrate Halloween in the tiniest of ways. It's strange being at home for halloween for once. It's a much different atmosphere than the one I've grown used to at college.

My friend and I went to a small farm that is open year round. You can go there and pay to pick whatever is in season. For halloween they go big and have a harvest festival with several different activities, like pig races and hay rides. I used to go there when I was little when it was still a little quaint farm without all the "pay two tickets" activities and shows. I used to run down the rows of strawberries and remember the wonderful taste as they warmed in the sun.

Although I am not a fan of fall overall, I do enjoy all the colors. So I pass these pictures along to you as a celebration of the beautiful things that come about this time of year. I cannot help but believe that a beautiful and creative mind was behind the making of it all.

The roof of a pumpkin house.

As if sunflowers weren't beautiful enough...

I've never seen four colors of cauliflower before.

Mums.

They had a plethora of animals there as well and i'm thinking about dedicating a post to them as well. And now I'm going to go enjoy (probably the only other reason I like fall)... a large mug of hot chocolate.

A Quick Reflection

I originally began this post with a negative... I have gone back and restarted.

What I do want...

- a life with meaning to more people than just myself

- therefore sometimes people won't understand the decisions i make

- to be defined by where my heart and head is at

What I do not want..

- a job just for money

- to be judged if I have not lived out "the American dream"

- to fit in a niche where my identity becomes my position at work

I am frustrated right now by so many expectations and pressures that rest on me at this point in my life... However I am excited to do something with my life that I know will make some people uncomfortable. It's almost like I have a goal of making my life into something that's so different than the norm that it makes people uncomfortable. Obviously that is not my ultimate goal but I feel it would be a nice indication that I was doing something right. I'm in a mood where I would just like to be alone for a little bit. I am grateful because I am going to say good morning to the ocean tomorrow. We shall have a long chat before I turn around to say good afternoon to the rush of people and places and schedules and demands I call the norm. But in the mean time... I look forward to the ocean.

Projects

I have been living in a whirlwind as of late. It has tousled my hair and invited me to play in some of life's more serious quests. So in the mean time I have come up with little projects to help distract myself from the chaos in the other room.

I am in the midst of forming a band. I am learning the mandolin for said band and think it sings so beautifully. I have always loved singing and so I'm trying to teach my fingers how to keep up with my voice so I have a matching instrument partner. I have wanted to be in a band and travel around since I knew what both of those were. We've got five songs together and I'm praying it all falls into place nicely.

I have also devoted myself to two new crafts. The first... knitting... which is honestly something to do while watching tv. And the second... wire jewelry making. I am thinking of selling them online somewhere for a few extra bucks that will most likely go towards four new beautiful tires for my little honda.

These are little (unfinished) treble clef earrings that I did freehand (without a jig). They were my third little project I attempted.

This is a sword pendant I made for a friend's birthday. I've been planning/working on it for two months and did it completely freehand as well. This was my second project. The first was a little ring for my thumb. I may look into doing little three dimensional figures at some point. It's amazing the things you can come up with when try out new things.

A Pause

I've gone almost 2 weeks with the perfect intentions of updating this... but intentions don't get things done. In the mean time I've been taking pictures and interviewing for jobs. I have to make a life decision today and it is frightening me... threatening to rip away my freedom. I don't want to work so I can live... just to work more. I want to work to change something.

In other news I believe I am getting a more focused vision for what I'd like this to be. This little box that random people can see if they please. I want to capture beauty. And I want to pool it into this little journal of sorts. Be it photos, thoughts, or memories. So I give to you a snippet of a photoshoot I did last week. One of my dearest friends in the world was kind enough to let me take these.

I love smiles

Feels Like Fall

It is beginning to feel like Fall. There's a crispness in the air and the sun hangs lower in the sky at noon. I don't particularly like Fall but it does encourage the drinking of more hot chocolate.

On another completely different note in my head...

I want to know what it means when someone says to you that you deserve better or someone who's worthy of who you are in reference to your dating experiences. I'm no better than the next person and certainly don't believe there is some elevated standard that must be met in order to be with me. Should not the basis for being with someone be based on pure and unconditional love and not a person's past? The minute you start to count a person's mistakes, the minute you lose the ability to love. Not to say there are not extreme cases of love being betrayed... but I'm speaking of the essence of a person. What makes them. I'm not inclined to dismiss a man because he does not raise his hands in worship. Who am I to say that is the true way... the "good" way of doing things. For while I may be raising my hands in worship out of fear that a lack of enthusiasm may be noticed by the others in the room if I had not done so... the man next to me sitting awkwardly in his seat silently may be praying that God meets him there... in a way this woman with her self conscience hands may never know.

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love."

-Ephesians 4:2

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."

- 1 Peter 4:8

"We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us."

- 1 John 3:16

I could go on and on. If Jesus loves me... a broken, wretched, failure of a woman... then who am I to say I deserve someone better to love?

The Golden Hour

Yesterday I went on a photo excursion in the Santa Monica mountains during a time of day that has been deemed the "golden hour". I have enjoyed learning the ins and outs of my camera a little bit more and having friends to shoot anything that looks pretty or eye catching with me. I thought I'd share a few shots for those who couldn't be outside... or for myself if I'm alive in forty years and just happen to wonder what I made of the afternoon of monday, september 26th 2011. I hate wasting things and photographic evidence of my galavanting about in nature helps me to think yesterday was not wasted.

These are little beetles that made their home on the only flowers in the field.

Stand Alone

This is my friend Albert... He's awesome.

If nothing else... I am thankful I got to be alive yesterday... and I got to wear boots doing it.