Whole wheat tortilla

I bought whole wheat tortillas. I didn't want to buy them. It's what I thought I should do. Mark is currently making me a whole wheat quesadila and I have to admit, I'm slightly pained by it.

That's all.

I FELL

On Sunday morning I fell down the stairs at my house. It was so ugly. Imagine a tornado of hair, jcrew sundress, and toe nails. I had a fleeting wish to have had one of those alarms around my neck so that I could notify someone of the spill. I cannot overstress the drama of my tumble. I was going to take pictures of my bruised and begraggled self but now that I'm healing up they would not do the injury justice. Some things are left best to the imagination.

One of my loftiest disappointments is that I am now thrust into a premature wearing of espresso fall O.P.I toe polish. I had fully intended to carry out my french pedi set through the end of Sept. Now, the bruising must be banished with darkness. This is especially disheartening in light of an upcoming wedding where I planned to wear an organza overlay white and black dress. The gothic, garish polish will ruin the whole ensemble! This is all so disturbing, indeed.

If everything is just perfect for you today, you may need a visual to spark that imagination of yours. Please know that this is but a sliver of what is available on google images for "bruised toe".

Enjoy!

say cheese

Reece had a birthday party at Chuckecheese this past Sat. Fun times.

me, myself, and I

I wrote this little poem today. Mark is prepping for his sermon this weekend. The title is "the I in community" and it is all about our selfish approach toward community in church. We have all found ourselves in this poem at one time or another. Remember... this is a poem and hyperbole. I want to be sure that I give credit to Hotlantahaus frau for her brilliant phrasing "triune me". GET BLOGGING HAUS FRAU!!

Me Myself and I
The three of us together have fellowship with one another.
A trifecta of perfection,
That’s what I see when I behold
The Triune Me

What’s that you say? There are people to meet?
What night is that?
Sorry, that really doesn’t suit me.
I must protect my precious time and schedule.
Afterall, my kids do come first,
So another night out doesn’t fit into my timetable.
But while I have your attention, would you mind offering me an ear?
I have some suggestions, which you really ought to hear.
I think you should offer programming that would meet more of my needs.
I’d like them to happen when and where I say so, please.

See, me, myself and I know best.
We prefer to operate independent from the rest.
But, as for you, please don’t neglect
The Biblical mandates which you ought to respect.
If I’m in trouble, you should come to my aid.
I have prayer requests that need to be prayed!
If I’m in a rough patch, I’d like to discover
that you have coordinated meals, which people will deliver.
Because, after all, this church isn’t healthy until I feel served.
I need to be fed, helped, and heard.

While you do all that, I’ll be faithful to introspection
It’s a character quality for which I strive!
My alone time is my priority, and I think that’s wise.
This is just a season I’m in right now; it’s a special time.
I need time to think and reflect on me, myself, and I.

Don’t worry I’ll still come to church.
With that, I hold no reservations.
I surely wouldn’t want to hurt my public reputation.
And you know what?
I feel church attendance is already asking a lot.
There are plenty of things I’d like to do on Sundays
that sacrificially I do not.

Just so you know,
I realize what a loss not having me is to this organization.
But, don’t worry-
others will “know and be known” within this congregation.
What I don’t do shouldn’t affect you.
If community is your thing, well then good for you!
Right now, in my life, it really isn’t working for me.
I have issues that I’m dealing with that you don’t need to see.

I’m walking in sin, so you claim!!
You should listen up!
I have something profound to say.
If I’m the one walking in sin, it’s a good indication, that you really haven’t invested much in my sanctification.

Ugh
I’m really having trouble connecting with ya’ll.
I think I’d be better off doin’ my own thing after all.

Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about me.
And, honestly…
I’m afraid you aren’t mature enough to handle the real me.
There may be darkness still left in my soul, and I shouldn’t burden you with knowing any of that, you know?

So, I’ll just keep it all private, appropriately remain quiet.
I’m sure I can manage it all if I try.
After all, I’m not alone.
I’ve got me, myself and I.

Cheers to community, ya'll,

James

make mine MOXIE

For all my cville readers, I'd like to alert you to 1/2 off HIGHLIGHTS with Leslie during the month of August at MOXIE hair salon and body lounge. Yes! I really don't care for the terminology "body lounge" btw. It sounds kind of brothel-ish doesn't it? Anyways, I really feel that despite that, the 1/2 off is a gift from the Lord. Seriously. Several weeks ago, I began to call into question my loyalty to "the Reed". The Reed was cheap, but her technique was always just a little off. Our budget is not unlimited, so I was willing to pain the not so great coverage and slightly brassy tones for the price. Praise His name, now I don't have to compromise!

It did not take much convincing to garner Mark's support. He even admitted to the improvement. This is huge because usually he just says "it looks fine". Besides, Moxie is literally right around the corner from our new church building. I shall now consider my highlight apts. as opportunities to engage in missional conversation with a primarily lost salon staff.

I need some help however. What is the proper protocol for salon sell-out behavior? Should I contact the Reed to thank her for two years of faithful (albeit fault-finding) highlighting? I hate to just up and disappear, but loathe contacting her and alerting her to my loss of allegiance. My gregarious personality dislikes such complexity and conflict of relationship. What do ya'll think??

forever in debt

Even so hypocrites find their trust and hope within themselves; their anchor was forged on their own anvil, and their cable twisted by their own hands. They lay their own foundation, and hew out the pillars of their own house, disdaining to be debtors to the sovereign grace of God. But a spider's web is very frail. It is curiously wrought, but not enduringly manufactured. It is no match for the servant's broom, or the traveller's staff. The hypocrite needs no battery of Armstrongs to blow his hope to pieces, a mere puff of wind will do it. Hypocritical cobwebs will soon come down when the besom of destruction begins its purifying work. Spurgeon

I'm wondering who else out there has experienced a "mere puff of wind" to the cobwebs of their own Pharisaical ways. The gospel, praise His name, does that on the life. PUFF! May I always sink my roots deep into THE pillar, the rock of God, Jesus Christ. We must never get over being debtors to the sovereign grace of God. His saving is more real and secure than any emotion of mine, and effort of will, any achievement or ambition. His grace reigns and rules over my sin. Forgiveness belongs to our God.

I am so very thankful for the puffs, the besom of destruction in my life. God is faithful to place, remove, sand off from us that which is necessary for our enjoyment of Him. How could we know His comfort if never grieved? How would we cherish His mending, if never broken? How would we realize the expanse of our self-reliance if not for the great waves and storms of life? I do not begrudge the purifying work of God. His ways are always right. If I gain Christ, I've gained it all.

CLEAN UP! ISLE 7!

I hate throw up. Gracie decided that getting sick in Target was a good idea this afternoon, and she puked all over the toy isle. Thankfully, there were new jammies and wipes in my cart already. I looked around, and of course, no one in a red shirt was anywhere in sight. I was glad that we were in Waynesboro, where the people are friendly, because a woman and her daughter came to the rescue and managed to call an associate over to clean it up. I stripped Gracie down, and changed her into the jammies, and then covered the puke pile with wipes. Nice.

YUCK!!! It was soooo disgusting!! Once we were on our way home, Gracie threw up again, this time all over her and her car seat. Cleaning out a car seat full of throw up should be a prerequisite of all expectant parents. There should be SOMETHING that trains and equips you to better deal with it. I was at a loss. I had to smell it the entire way over Afton mountain and OF COURSE Mark wasn't answering any of his phones.

The washing machine is going, Grace is curled up watching a movie, Daddy went back to his workout, and I am attempting to ventilate my nostrils and get some blog-o-therapy.

Bless you for reading this heinous post.

uncommon grace

I had no idea that Mark took these pictures. Last night while scrolling though his iphone I came across them. My heart immediately, and unexpectedly swelled with gratitude and a bittersweet longing. I am absolutely crazy about my dear friend Michelle and rejoice and celebrate with her the miracle of her little boy, Micah (now about 3 weeks old). Isn't he precious? Some of you may know why these pictures were especially sensitive to my heart. May we never take lightly the miracle of God in creation, and His goodness that always wins on our behalf. Here is a blessing and prayer just for little Micah...

Baby Micah,

May God be your fortress and your stronghold all the days of your life. May you rest in His sovereignty and His mighty strength in keeping and sustaining you. I pray that you would be bold in the Lord, and proclaim and preach His gospel of grace. I pray that you would rest and trust God with all that you are all the days of your life. No matter what befalls, I pray that you would know that God is your resting place, and He makes all well with your soul. May He be your comforter and Your great joy. You are a light, little Micah, and a delight. I love you already!

Love always,

Auntie Jaime

study the Word girlfriend

Gracie told me she was "doing her Bible study". Indeed. That thing that looks like a blanket is a dish towel. Of course. Please don't miss her curlers. Auntie Liz pioneered the overnight curler wearing, and I give her full credit for Gracie's willingness to sleep on the things.

A STEAL!

Rejoice with those who rejoice!

Exhibit A:

Nine West Original price $89.00 SIESTA STEAL $26.39



Exhibit B:

Cole Haan Original price $195.00 SIESTA STEAL $28.79



I would like to draw your attention to Exhibit B. Please note that these are perfect for fall jeans and sweaters. At first wearing, the shoes and I were almost immediately humbled. I was preparing a black bean something or other and a black bean splatter (AH!!) occured on the top of the left mule. I told you the Lord is funny. I shall wear the shoe now with fear and trembling, knowing it was intended to keep me in step with the Spirit, while walking with Jesus in true Cole Haan humility. I don't suppose any of you know how to remove black bean splatter from suede???

the rundown

Since Tuesday I have:

1. Kept Oscar 28 hours

2. Spent the afternoon and evening with my FANTASTIC sister in law and her sweet girls

3. Bought Mark suit pants at Banana Republic 15 min after closing

4. Made a cuff link out of two buttons and fishing line

5. Shopped at the Dollar General

6. Conducted a tour of Crozet, Cville, our new church building, for my also FANTASTIC mom, brother, sister and niece

7. Unpacked boxes from Pottery Barn kids (see visual)

8. Got a full foil at a new salon at 50% off and I'm practically platinum now

9. Searched for trash cans and soap dispensers for hours

10. Prayed