Why I Love

-Why I love my sister-

She got me this for Christmas:

It's a ribbon and craft accessories center!!! And I LOVE it! Not only is it super cute, but it's also a helpful solution to my ever-expanding hobby in a 10x10 ish room. :)

Here it is next to my desk (I may put it up on the wall, but for now, it's sitting on a little bookshelf.)

-Why I love dogs-

They look so cute when they curl up on the pillows of a freshly made human bed.

And when they curl up in the newly stripped sheets. What a good boy. Sleep in the dirty sheets, not the clean ones!!

Crafty Christmas

I've developed a new crafty streak (it's in my blood, I think) and have found that doing crafts really fills up my tank. So, I've been exploring all kinds of crafts and crafty things I can do.

I got a sewing machine this year and am teaching myself how to use it. ;) So, I decided that my Christmas presents to my neighborhood friends would be as close to handmade as possible. So without any delay...here are my creations!

These are kitchen towels that I appliqued (using my sewing machine, which was faster, but very difficult to control!). Each couple will recieve a set of two (they are paired accordingly in the photo).

This next item is a desk calendar that I purchased from littlebrownpen on Etsy. It is super cute and I love it! (visit Etsy.com for many handmade wonders!)

I also found directions for this paper snowflake from Wikihow, and it turned out really festive. I'll use them as decorations on the wrapping.

And here are some photos of the final creations. The gift tags also came from littlebrownpen on Etsy. And the ribbon and tissue paper was on sale!! :)

(do you see little Banjo at the door? so cute!)

(do you also see the Snowflake scheme??)

So, there you have it. I'll be delivering these gifts today since we'll be leaving tomorrow for California.

Solitude

I love people. I really do. God has called me to love and serve people for the rest of my life. I spend hours every week working with people. (even more this next year!)

But, I'll be honest. People drain me. It seems almost ironic that God asks us to reach the World and give of our time and hearts to share the Good News of Jesus with people but then made me to be totally wiped out by people.

The top of my list of things that refill my spiritual tank, that give me the energy and strength to keep going, is solitude. Ah, just thinking about it makes me happy.

Give me a book, a cup of a hot beverage, and maybe a little sunshine :) and I am good. I don't need to talk outloud, I don't need music on, any other noises, just me, God, and my ever moving brain. So, today, during my solitude, I sat in front of the heater with a book, in my PJs for about 3 hours and then made biscuits that were gross. Oh well, at least I tried, right? And I just enjoyed the fact that this is how God made me, that I'm the most like "me" when it's just me and Him enjoying a nice day.

And now that I'm refueled, I'm going to enjoy some fellowship with my favorite 2 people: Janae and baby (whom I love, even though we won't get to meet him/her for a few more months!).

My sad biscuits!