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| The BEST latte in town=) |
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| Our beautiful lake=) |
Friday, March 18, 2011
Back Home
I couldn't be more excited to get out of the frozen tundra that is Wisconsin and spend a few weeks in St. John, VI. But before I can do that, I had to make a little pit stop in Eagle River. I haven't been home in months, but considering the population size of about 1500 people not much changes in that amount of time. However, to my great surprise, as I drove through town I noticed a new little coffee shop in our "mall". So here I sit in the Mocha Moose (gotta love the north woods) enjoying my morning latte--and watching the clock because nothing in this town stays open later than 4 pm. But already I have been reminded why I love this tiny little town so much. Already this morning, I have run into old friends, been welcomed by name at the Post Office and grocery store, been smiled and waved at by complete strangers, and had the most genuine conversation with the sweetest old man reading his morning newspaper. Life is so much simpler here, and while it may not be the most ideal for an aspiring new graduate, it's the best place in the world to call home.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
New Beginnings
At the beginning of this new year, I was on a mission to find a daily devotional. A friend recommended The Confident Woman Devo by Joyce Meyer and it has been fabulous thus far. I wanted to share this morning's "food for thought". Enjoy!
Philippians 3:13-14 "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize to what God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."
One of the great things about a relationship with God is that He always provides new beginnings. His Word says that His mercy is new every day. Jesus chose disciples who had weaknesses and made mistakes, but He continued working with them and helping them become all they could be. He will do the same thing for you, if you let Him.
Recovering from pain or disappointment of any kind is not something that just happens to some people and not to others. It is a decision! You make a decision to let go and go on. You gather up the fragments and give them to Jesus, and He will make sure that nothing is wasted (John 6:12). You refuse to think about what you have lost, and instead you inventory what you have left and begin using it. Not only can you recover, but you can also be used to help other people recover. Be a living example of a confident woman who always recovers from setbacks no matter how difficult or frequent they are.
I know that we can all relate to a time of pain or disappointment, a time of weaknesses and mistakes. Let us remember that God's mercy is new every day, that He wants to work within us and provide those new beginnings.
Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 3:13-14 "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize to what God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."
One of the great things about a relationship with God is that He always provides new beginnings. His Word says that His mercy is new every day. Jesus chose disciples who had weaknesses and made mistakes, but He continued working with them and helping them become all they could be. He will do the same thing for you, if you let Him.
Recovering from pain or disappointment of any kind is not something that just happens to some people and not to others. It is a decision! You make a decision to let go and go on. You gather up the fragments and give them to Jesus, and He will make sure that nothing is wasted (John 6:12). You refuse to think about what you have lost, and instead you inventory what you have left and begin using it. Not only can you recover, but you can also be used to help other people recover. Be a living example of a confident woman who always recovers from setbacks no matter how difficult or frequent they are.
I know that we can all relate to a time of pain or disappointment, a time of weaknesses and mistakes. Let us remember that God's mercy is new every day, that He wants to work within us and provide those new beginnings.
Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Cupcakes and Jesus.
I have recently become super overwhelmed with all of the planning/decision-making/figuring-out-my-life ordeals of my post-grad life. So in effort to relax and de-stress (or in the words of Amanda Seyfried, simply become whelmed) I have enjoyed the following activities. I would recommend them all :)
-Following food/baking blogs and trying new recipes (Cake Pops=amazing)--my sweet tooth and roommate are happy.
-Watching TLC. Favorites include, but are not limited to: DC Cupcakes, Cake Boss, and Say Yes to the Dress) Also am a fan of Coming Home and Secret Millionaire:)
- Going through my closet and donating clothes! What a great way to give back and simplify=)
- Two words: Laughing Yoga. Take a friend, it's totally awkward, and not surprisingly, extremely funny.
- Running: Normally I hate running, or exercising in general, but have found it to be the perfect time to pray--which brings me to my final de-stressing activity.
The whole waiting game of trying to see what job God is leading me to has been much too consuming. During times of prayer, He has constantly been reminding me that He has my life in His hands and will bring me to the right job at the right time, requiring me only to trust and have faith in Him. And while at times it seems frustrating, I know God is developing the fruits of patience and faith within me. The following verses have been especially helpful and great reminders to me:
"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths" Proverbs 3:5
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" Psalm 32:8
However, this final verse is my current favorite =) .....
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass...REST IN THE LORD, and wait patiently for Him. " Psalm 37:4,7
Since graduation, I feel like I have been running around trying to find my place in this world, and instead have found myself exhausted and without direction. So the number one activity on my list of de-stressing activities: Resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him.
I'm excited.
-Following food/baking blogs and trying new recipes (Cake Pops=amazing)--my sweet tooth and roommate are happy.
-Watching TLC. Favorites include, but are not limited to: DC Cupcakes, Cake Boss, and Say Yes to the Dress) Also am a fan of Coming Home and Secret Millionaire:)
- Going through my closet and donating clothes! What a great way to give back and simplify=)
- Two words: Laughing Yoga. Take a friend, it's totally awkward, and not surprisingly, extremely funny.
- Running: Normally I hate running, or exercising in general, but have found it to be the perfect time to pray--which brings me to my final de-stressing activity.
The whole waiting game of trying to see what job God is leading me to has been much too consuming. During times of prayer, He has constantly been reminding me that He has my life in His hands and will bring me to the right job at the right time, requiring me only to trust and have faith in Him. And while at times it seems frustrating, I know God is developing the fruits of patience and faith within me. The following verses have been especially helpful and great reminders to me:
"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths" Proverbs 3:5
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" Psalm 32:8
However, this final verse is my current favorite =) .....
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass...REST IN THE LORD, and wait patiently for Him. " Psalm 37:4,7
Since graduation, I feel like I have been running around trying to find my place in this world, and instead have found myself exhausted and without direction. So the number one activity on my list of de-stressing activities: Resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him.
I'm excited.
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