God's Decree

I have been on a journey the past two years.  The journey has had many seasons.  Each one different, and completely necessary.

I must be honest and say that I am tired of journeying.  My spirit is exhausted.  I beg God to simply resolve my heart to be whole again.  But He doesn't.  Not yet.

I am ready to be better.  But the problem is, I'm not actually better yet.

The yet to be seen, still not revealed "purpose in the pain" has been my lifeline.

But it's hard because I am not the one painting the picture.  He is.

And it might take Him a really. long. time.

Ironically, healing is painful.  At times the pain is unbearably numbing.  I'm not sure which is worse - the pain or the numbness.

I remember vividly the God breathed moments in the beginning.  He spoke to me and prepared me for the journey I was about to begin.  His voice brought security.  He allowed this.  His Words were clear and loud.  His Words sustained me.

His Words:

Isolation.

Armor of God.  

Obedience.   

But now there's only silence.

"My" verse is Jeremiah 29:11: 

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not abandon  you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.  When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. 

God's Decree.  

I'll turn things around for you.  

I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you.  

God's Decree 

I will bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile.  You can count on it."

True Beauty

My 5 year old loves to look at herself in the mirror.

She sneaks peeks at herself while sitting on her bed talking to me.  She stops when she walks by the hall mirror, looks, flips her hair, and keeps on going.  She will stand in the bathroom for long periods of time, dancing & looking, singing & looking, talking & looking.

In my eyes she is one of the most beautiful little girls in the whole.wide.world.
(It's a three-way tie.)

But I must confess,

I worry about the years to come. What will this beauty bring?

Will she always look in the mirror and see beauty?

Will she glorify her beauty at the expense of something more valuable ....
  Like patience, joy, peace, or kindness?

Or, perhaps, will she detest her beauty, and long for something else ....
For sleek black hair and dark ember eyes?

These are just some of the things that worry me about raising this little mirror-kissing-goddess.


Needing to feel beautiful is a God-given desire which distinguishes our feminine heart.  We don't want to be admired exclusively for our outer beauty, nor do we want it dismissed.  One without the other is not really who we are.

What we really long for is for someone to be enchanted with our entire being, our very essence.

I wonder if there is a way to help her find the real meaning of beauty,

long before the years of angst begin.

Before fashion magazines and teen peers and self-image woes.

Can I show her by the way I live, that
beauty is much more than a pretty face and designer clothes?

(Before she is much too cool for me)

Can I show her that beauty is all around....

in the tiny ladybug and the cloudless day.

in the smallest snowflake and the tallest trees.

in a multitude of words and the refuge of silence.

I will try to show her that beauty is...
in the loving way you hold the hurting.
in the loyalty of friendship.
in a smile to the discouraged.
in friendship to the friendless.

in the warm acceptance of differences.

I pray she always knows, she is treasured, she is sacred, she is His.  She is beautiful!

Cuffs and Cardigans

It happens every time.

Without fail, whenever I am packing to go away, I end up bringing entirely too much.  I can't help it though.  What if we go to a fancy restaurant?  What if it gets cold?  What if it rains? What if I spill something and need a backup?  What if Justin Timberlake is staying at our hotel? I'll need to look beee--yoooo-teee-fulllll!

Sometimes I feel like an Oscar Awards host with all my wardrobe options.

So I perused the internet and came up with some fabulous basic mix and match pieces that are a must have on your next trip, and in your closet.  Quality not quantity.

1.  A neutral tee.  White is flexible, but black, gray, or light pink are great too.  Make sure it covers your rear when you sit down.  Please.   Here is a great option from J Crew.

2.  A cardigan.  Liven it up a bit with some color. Something that will work with a pair of jeans but also a spring skirt.  Here are a few style ideas incorporating the cardigan by JCrew.

3.  A cute non-tee.  A blouse or top that is a little more polished and feminine.  Look for pieces that can stand on their own or go under your jacket - something dressier than a tshirt.  Love this little ensemble by Ann Taylor.

4.  A sundress that can double as a pool/beach cover-up.  Something cute and feminine and not too clingy.  You don't want to have to "suck-in" the tummy all day long. 

5.  A great pair of jeans.  My fave pair is from Gap.  Gotta have comfy jeans, skinny jeans, and a nice tailored pair. 

6.  A pencil skirt.  Love this one from Banana Republic.

7.  A killer pair of heels.  You might feel like detaching your feet before the night is over, but rest assured, you looked fabulous!  Check out some fab shoes from DSW.  (I couldn't choose just one!)

I think these are simple and stunning.

These are equally fabulous and springy!

LOVE these!

And last but not least...check out this hot little pair.

8.  You need a great pair of sandals ... the right pair will work great with jeans, shorts, skirt, dress ... you name it.  This is a super cute pair from Gap. 

9.  Accessorize. Add a bracelet or chunky necklace to any basic piece and it's instant glam.  I love this cuff bracelet from Piperlime.  It's only $36!

10.  A great handbag can totally rescue you from blahville.  I LOVE THIS handbag from Urban Outfitters.