non-negotiables

I'm laying down on the couch today with my computer in my lap.  I'm drifting in & out of sleep as I type this, so excuse how direct or silly it may be.  I have developed the most severe case of right sided nasal congestion that I can remember having in a long time.  I almost fell asleep during church this morning due to the exhaustion from fighting another sickness.  Thankfully, my co-worker & her husband that I sat with were exceedingly understanding of my fog horn nose blowing throughout the service!

I've been reading a book by Kevin DeYoung called "Just Do Something," with the subtitle of "How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc."  I've found it especially enlightening in how he presents finding God's will.  He describes our generation (the 20s-30s) as a cohort of tinkering millennials.  We "tinker" with faith, with jobs & careers, with the idea of family or missions, but we lack the drive & desire to commit to something and stick with it.  I don't always agree with everything he presents, but for the most part, it is very true.  I also want to throw it in the face of about a dozen Christian men that I know who are expecting the perfect godly woman to fall into their laps without their having to take any initiative.  I would like to get up & preach that to these men, but for some reason I think my opinion would be discounted.  I have this thing that the older generation of men really need to take the younger generation under their wing and say something along the lines of, "Do you think that the Lord is leading you in the direction or given you the desire to be married and have a family?  You do?  That's great!  Now, instead of sitting on your bum, get up & start looking around you for a godly Christian woman & pursue her!"  Just saying.

That in mind, my roommate and I had a very candid conversation after I got back from a Saturday morning run (which was fabulous in the 60 degree weather we had last Saturday) about our hopes & expectations for a spouse.  (Yes, I'm still holding strong that the one who knows my innermost being & who loves me, still has a plan regarding this area of my life.)  I explained that at one point in time I had a whole list of non-negotiables.  It used to include things like "wants to run with me" and "likes going to cultural events like plays & symphonies."  However, recently the list has been narrowed down to about 3 things:
1. Loves the Lord (with all his heart, soul & mind)
2. Wants to carry out the Great Commission
3. Loves me
That's about it folks.  Amazing how that list got chopped down to 3 things as I got older.
My roommate then proceeded to share the 3 things her Mom told her to look for in a spouse:
1. Is he tall?
2. Does he love Jesus?
3. Is he in the Navy, because if he is, you better run away because he'll never be around.
Funny, my Mom never said anything about the Navy, but then again my Dad was gone all the time and he was in the Army. 

a few of my favorite things...right now

Favorite things come and go...this I know.  However, a girl's got to have a few faves at different points in her life, right?

1. Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover.  You can find it anywhere & it works great!

2. CeraVe moisturizing lotion.  My winter eczema thanks me every time I use this wonderful lotion.  It's definitely helped me rid myself of dry skin during this time of year.

3. Cocoa-Haze.  Like nutella but BETTER.  Yes, Keri, I know that's hard to believe.  But it's true!  It's a fair trade item that is deliciously scrumptious and I would eat the whole thing with a spoon if my hips wouldn't end up the size of Montana.

4. Feather pin from Ann Taylor LOFT.  This delightful feather & jewel pin makes any cardigan sweater look fun and up-to-date!

5. J.Crew Peacoat.  My first peacoat that I got in high school lasted me 10 years.  I felt it had done it's duty and that the boxy silhouette was not exactly flattering.  So I splurged and bought a new peacoat with amazing seams that make me feel feminine.  I'm sure it will last me at least another 10 years.

6. Amazon Kindle.  Need I really say more?  I've been enjoying a lot of the free or almost free reads (right now I'm reading Anne of the Island) and love that I can throw this into any bag and have several wonderful books at my fingertips!

What are some items that all of you are enjoying right now?

The Glen & A Recipe to Share

I think this place is really my favorite place in the world.  Next to Hawaii, which I think about on a daily basis this time of year.  Mostly when I'm walking to & from my car with the bitter wind whipping past me as I huddle into my red puffer coat.

 The grounds are so peaceful and inviting.  I love hiking and spending time in the glories of God's creation.  I think of Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."  Or in this case, as the mountains tower in the sky & all around.  I feel that sense of God's presence when I'm in this beautiful, tucked away valley.  I went with my roommates for an overnight to celebrate the next stage with one. 

I took a dear friend hiking there & on a tour a couple of weeks later.  This past weekend, I went to a Chronicles of Narnia themed engagement party there.  Just in case anyone was wondering, I was Ramandu's daughter (the star), from Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  I walked outside that evening in my long, flowing old high school formal (which I still fit into just fine!!) and stared up at the sky with snow falling all around me.  A gentle falling snow that keeps the night sky bright.  I wistfully thought how wonderful it would be to live in this place & be able to just sit in awe of God's might all day long.

Now for the promised recipe: Hippy Oatmeal!  I was searching for something to do with Steel Cut Oats because we have quite a bit that were left by our former roommate.  We're also trying to be exceedingly economical because we're down a roommate & have to cover rent just the two of us.  This is what I discovered: steel cut oats can be put together & cooked in the crock pot overnight!  Not only is this economical, but exceptionally healthy.  Working the long hours that I do plus the frigid cold lead me to wanting a warm breakfast a lot recently, but little time to prepare one.  Hippy Oatmeal is the answer!  Tonight I'm making some more with a pumpkin twist.  Basically you combine steel cut oats, pumpkin seeds (un-roasted of course), flax seed, craisins, raisins, or whatever dried fruit you want, water & a bit of half & half to create this delicious morning concoction.  I didn't take any pictures, because you would probably be seriously doubtful of how this could possibly taste good.  But, with a bit of brown sugar, agave or whatever you like to put in your oatmeal, it's awesome & sticks with you even on days where the high is -12 (the picture is in the morning in my car & it got colder as the day went on).  Enjoy!