To Be Like Jesus

Oh how frustrated I am. I just want to be like Jesus. Sounds simple, huh?! Well, it's not; and that's annoying. Annoying because being like Him is what I hold in the highest regard, what is of utmost importance-above everything else. There is absolutely nothing so perfect and worth my everything, yet so perfectly impossible. Why is this?
I want, so badly, to have my head screwed on straight, to always think the best of people, to always make people feel as special as God created them to be, to give and give and give.
But I am human. I am hopelessly flawed-I guess in a sense that is a testament to our Savior...because it is in the falling short that He makes His glorious perfection shine through.
It's amazing to me the millions of thoughts that go through my head everyday (and night); sometimes it feels like overload trying to process it all, and sometimes I'm appalled at how ugly they are - they are a reminder of my own fallenness.
God doesn't need me. But He wants relationship-He designed us for relationship with Him. And that-that unfathomable concept-makes me want to keep trying-despite my failure, I want to keep trying to be like Him.
There is nothing so sweet as Intimacy with the Almighty.
"Take my life and let it be; consecrated Lord to Thee"
I just want to be like Jesus.

Am I in Colorado? It's snowing like crazy!

ok...so this is day 3 of snow and can i just tell you that it's amazing! this is totally unheard of 'round these parts and it's making me nostalgic for home!!! it's like the best of both worlds...my home plus memories of my other home. here's some pictures of the madness.

this is what many seattlites stared at for hours..and i'm not kidding...the traffic has been a disaster with several accidents-yikes. at 11pm tonight, some blessed souls were still sitting in stand still traffic from leaving work at 5pm-others were abandoning their cars and walking home. Praise God i didn't get stuck in it!

this is Qwest Field-during the Seahawks game tonight-that's right...snow! unbelievable...it's the first time they've ever played in the snow there.

they WON, i might add, against the legendary Brett Favre-i think he should retire...he's getting old.
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earlier tonight i went to a Christmas tree gala that a friend from the magazine put on-each tree was decorated with a theme and Dale Chihuly designed one...see if you can guess which one,haha.

my friend and her sister designed this one, northwest nautical theme.

it wouldn't truly be an event in seattle if Starbucks wasn't part of it, right?!

Thanksgiving Blizzard:0)

well, thanksgiving was splendid...i went up to Lyden, WA to keep with tradition in spending the holiday with nicole's fabulous family. we had a great time and even got a big snow storm! it normally takes 2 hours to drive back but with the snow it took 5 hours -yuck-and i was so pleased to see the same storm had hit seattle!!! so we have gorgeous white snow everywhere-here's a few pictures of thanksgiving and the snow.

beautiful hand-made sign by krista-nicole's sister

cousin hailey, sister krista, nicole, cousin aleah

she's the most precocious 5 year old-adorable.

vino!!

the lovely chef-shawna (nicole's mom)

the lovebirds-nicole and james

on the drive back

starting to stick

the subaru with it's first snow :0) doesn't she look fabulous?!

HUGE flakes!!

picnic, anyone?

Sewing 101

so i finally dusted off the sewing machine i got for graduation and made a blanket that was long overdue. i got the material last Christmas and ran out of time to make it...BUT now that i have a sewing machine (thanks mom and pa) and no homework-i've finally carved out the time!!! :0) it's very warm and what's not to love about a blanket that has watermelon-colored cordouroy and celedon green fleece?!

watch out-i'm feeling the urge to sew any textile in sight....who knows what might be created-haha.

Random Fall Pictures

so these are my wonderful roommates/friends

these are from a plane flying over montana

Lucky Lady

well, i have gotten really luck on furniture the last few days...my old neighbors are moving to florida and gave me an entire outdoor set (table and four chairs) as well as a gorgeous lighted china cabinet...then i went on my usual second-hand furniture store rounds and scored a beautiful and much needed coffee table for only $6!!! i couldn't even believe it! lastly, tamra, my boss, is moving and gave me an old chair with beautifully carved legs. check them out! :0) i'm so blessed.

Living Room and Plum Vest

ok, so there's my living room-kinda messy and with props (namely: nicole and james), the lighting is a little weird and we have done no decorating aside from painting and the mirror above the couch-but there it is!!
also, i wanted to share the deep joy my soul feels at the recent aquisition of my plum-colored vest!! I LOVE IT!! very warm.

All the Colors of the Rainbow

So i keep finding things that go perfectly in my room and it's all coming together!!! i'm so pleased with it...it has LOTS OF COLOR and i love it! the newest additions you see in the photos are the pillows on my bed (silk :0) ) and the drapes-it was just the perfect touch to block out the cold, rainy weather! OH, and p.s. i'm moving the art piece down a little-all that white space is wiggin' me out...it just looks off. P.P.S. i'm also on the hunt for a bed frame...stay tuned to find out what treasure i find-it will be good...i can tell!!

Running the Race

Today I found out that I only have employment for another month. Things with Tamra have changed in such a way that she no longer can afford me or has need of me. She was gracious to give me such advanced warning and is wanting to help me as much as she can to find my next place of employment. This came as no surprise and total surprise all at the same time. I have known for about a month that there would be an end to this arrangement at some point, because of how things were moving. I did not expect it would come before the New Year.
Interestingly enough, I have utter peace about it. My heart didn't skip a beat, start racing, or glitch in any discernable fashion when she told me-for this I am thankful because I can rest in the fact that God's hand is on this.
This time with Tamra has been such a journey for me, one that the Lord specifically designed me for and allowed in my life to stretch and challenge me in my walk with Him. I have learned so much, not only on a professional level but also about life, about people and about relationship. it has been priceless. i've told some of you several times that i am 1000% certain my time with Tamra was not only God-ordained but a time to be Christ to her while she went through a major life transition. of this i have no doubt. during our conversation today, she said, "i'm really sorry i can't keep you on longer...this has nothing to do with you...things are just changing and i can't afford you/don't need you anymore...i'm sorry that i was in such upheaval while you were here." and i said to her, "that is why i was here, tamra, that's exactly why." she started crying and said, " i know and i'm so thankful" then she asked me how i was feeling and i told her i had total peace about it, and have known for a little while that my time with her would be short term, i just wasn't certain when the end would be. i said, "the Lord brought me here and i know He has something else waiting for me. I trust that." she replied by saying, "i'm sure glad you have Him right now, because a lot of people don't have Him when they go through transitions like this" so i said, "well, transition or not, life is nothing without Him."
so....i officially have a month to find a new job...i think i'll pursue one that will start on january 1st because i am gone for much of december in aspen/colorado springs. this is definitely a surprise but i, surprisingly, have total peace about it. i get overwhelmed trying to think about what i want to do next...but God is faithful and will show me.
This is all part of running the race-my prayer is that i do it in a God-honoring way being willing to be used by Him. (i thought the picture was a good visual to go with the theme :0) )