An Invitation....to a journey

I want to invite you to join me on a journey...read on to find out what I'm talking about.

Each new year brings new goals, and for years I have toyed around with trying to read through the Bible in a year....but that is about as far as it ever gets. It always seemed (and still does) like too big a challenge....and a goal I would certainly fall short of. BUT, if I have learned anything at all in 2009, it has been the necessity of discipline in studying the truths of scripture. I have learned that in the midst of trials, when everything feels chaotic and out of control, the scriptures are where I can find rest.

My feelings and circumstances will surely change, but TRUTH is always....well, true. I have been thrown into battles this year and found myself ill-equipped to war with Satan. How can I war against him in prayer and protection on my family and marriage, when I don't know the truths found in scripture? I can hardly discipline myself to 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Many weeks, I am doing well to get one day in. I am ashamed to say it.

So, if you can relate to any of this, I would like to invite you to go on this journey with me in 2010. I don't know how it will look, but I am certain it will be difficult. Another thing I am certain of is that God will indeed show up and that it may be easier if we do this together. I will be following this schedule and will post at least 3 times a week on the reading for reflection and discussion. Hopefully this will help me with my lack of posting as well! I would love for you to come along on this journey with me.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Merry Christmas Y'all!
Here's a glimpse of some of our favorite Christmas movie traditions. What are some of yours??

Potato...Pota(w)to

Warning: If you are easily grossed out by bugs, don't read this post.

So Friday night we went to our amazing landlords and friends house, just a few steps away, for dinner and gingerbread house decorating. Somehow this bug came up in conversation. Josh and Amy referred to it as an alien bug with fingers. We didn't believe them so Josh pulled it up online and.....wow! Apparently the Potato Bug is a southern California resident and usually only comes out when it has been raining. We found so many posts online from Californians who spotted one and couldn't believe how huge it was. Seriously, we saw one online that was over 2 inches long. What kind of insect has Flesh Ripping Barbs???



So......yesterday morning we were coming back from the gym and I suddenly stopped in my tracks. I spotted it. The nasty alien bug on our walkway. The very disgusting creature I had just seen online two nights ago! It was as long as our house key and just as ugly in person as it was online. It looks like a cross between a spider, a bee and a grasshopper. So sorry to gross you out, but I couldn't keep this to myself.

It's Christmas Time in the City....

In spite of the warm Southern California weather, Christmas is on it's way! After a wonderful Thanksgiving up in Big Bear with the Huxford family, we wasted no time putting up the Christmas decor. We didn't have much to decorate with, so I had to get creative to stretch the small budget we had to get a few things. Luckily, our place is small so we didn't have to do too much.



The Tree. We opt for the fake, pre-lit tree. I know. I know. But when I was young and we were still doing the real tree thing, my mom, sister and I came home to an apartment full of praying mantises. They were all over the walls, ceiling....everywhere. Apparently there was an egg in the tree and it hatched while we were out. GA-ROSS. Been doing the fake tree thing since then.

The Lights. I decided to add white lights all along the fence a few weeks before Thanksgiving. We needed more lights outside for when we hang out on the front porch. I love them and I think we'll be keeping them up year-round.



The Wreath. I love wreaths, but they are so expensive. One night I went to Target with the secret intent to blow some money on Christmas decorations. By the time I put everything in a buggy (aka "cart" if you aren't from GA) I was about to spend over $100. I couldn't do it. I remembered how creative The Nester is and challenged myself to get creative. I ended up paying $3.00 for the wreath and $1.00 for the bow. My wreath cost $4.00!





The Garland. When we were shopping for the $3.00 wreath, we found the garland for $3.00 too. We had a enough to spiral the posts on the front porch, the back railing and around 2 of our 5 doorways. I just added a cheap ribbon I had from last year to add a little flare over one of the doors.



I was sure to add some candles, picture frames, and door hangers too!

I love this time of year! My kitchen smells of baking pumpkin bread, my living room of the "firewood" scented Henry Bendel candle and my front porch of chimney smoke or burning leave piles. Well, that last part was before I moved to California....but who says you can't dream right?!