New Blog

http://thehalffullperfumebottle.blogspot.com/

L.s.R

New Season

"They that wait upon the Lord...

....shall walk and not faint."

Is. 40:31

*

"There is no thrill in walking, it is the test of all stable qualities. The "walk and not faint" is the highest reach possible for strength......When we are in an unhealthy state physically or emotionally, we always want thrills...The reality of God's presence is not dependant on any place, but only upon the determination to set the Lord always before us. Our problems come when we refuse to bank on the reality of His presence.....At critical moments it is necessary to ask guidance, but it ought to be unnecessary to be saying always--"O Lord, direct me here and there." Of course He will! If our common-sense decisions are not His order, He will press through them and check them; then we must be quiet and wait for the direction of His presence."

~Oswald Chambers,

My Utmost For His Highest, July 20th

****
I am finishing a season in my life.

I am entering a new one.

The season I am leaving behind is one of familiarity.

I am stepping into the unknown, but I know the Lord is by my side, keeping His hand in mine, and guiding my steps.

I started this blog to document my life through my college journey, but since I have graduated those days are now behind me and it is time for a change.

So, cheers to a new season......there is a link to my new blog on the right!

It is hard to leave the past behind. The season that I just finished had its fun, easy times as well as its difficult moments. I have found myself leaving behind girlhood and embracing womanhood. I have experience many challenges, and these have brought me to a different horizon....the next phase of my life-journey that I will continue to walk hand-in-hand with my Savior.

L.s.R

A Wicked Weekend

I should work for a magazine.
Really, all the titles I come up with for this blog....I could be like one of those people that write those corny phrases on the covers of women's cooking and decorating magazines....hey, I can't help it if I am good with alliterations!

Hannah and I saw Wicked.
It was amazing!

I went to see Phantom of the Opera just a week and a year before at the same theater.
Crazy that a year has already come and gone.

I love shows.
I love musicals.
I love to see talented people perform.
I love passionate singing.
I love actors.

I remember Wicked came out the year I went to London for my high school graduation in 2006. The posters were up everywhere in the Metro and on the streets.
I have wanted to see it ever since.

L.s.R

Rooted and Grounded

My 'Q' key sticks on my laptop.
I have to hit it hard and quick.
qqqqqqqqqqq. Crud.

Anyway, I have started the process of putting all of my worldly possessions in boxes.

My sister and I bought a fabulous couch the other day.
Uber snazzy! Just for the record, I have always wanted to use 'uber' in a post. I finally have.....and no, I don't feel any cooler........kind of stupider actually.
Ha!

I will miss my puppy-dogs.

But they have become very attached to Mom and Ruby loves the blow-up bed in Hannah's old room........poor thing, she would rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven as Dad says. :)

I spent 2 glorious hours getting my hair done after work this evening. It is a darker blond, so I can save money on less touch-ups.
My next appointment is for October 3rd.
How scary is that! That is Fall!

2009 is flying by.

*
"For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father....that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3: 14, 16-21 NAS

*

The song that is playing has meant a lot to me. It is so beautiful and puts into words exactly how I have been feeling for the past weeks. Actually, it reminds me of the post about God's love that I read today on Alyssa's website. I needed that.

"The life that I have now is only the beginning."

L.s.R

0 to 60

I am so thankful for my friends......
Amazing how we are each going through different seasons in our lives, but God has brought us together to encourage, pray and laugh together.

***

I am so thankful that one of these friends is my sister.

I thank God that He gave me her......I love you!

L.s.R

:My Liberty:

For freedom Christ has set us free;

stand firm therefore,

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

~Galatians 5:1 ESV

At the Tea Party

*

For you were called to freedom, brothers.

Only do not use your freedom

as an opportunity for the flesh,

but through love serve one another.

~Galatians 5:13 ESV

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres,

being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts,

he will be blessed in his doing.

~James 1:25 ESV

Jesus Christ is the author of liberty. He is my liberty.

No matter what the laws of my country or my world say, I am free in Christ.

I am reminded of Paul, who even while chained in a dungeon still believed

"for freedom Christ has set us free."

No matter my circumstances or my place in life,

I am free in Christ.

*********

I love Diane Kruger's style.

Her flawless bohemian is impeccable.

I wish I could pull off the 'much-needed-hair-color-touch-up' look like she does.

Really, I do...imagine all the money I would save.

Well, awesome shoes help too....

L.s.R

3 is the Key

You know you need a three-day weekend when you start saying stupid things like:

"Do they sell effin-al fee grass there?"

(Translation: Do they sell ethanol free gas there?)

Yes. I am really loving this three-day weekend idea.

My mind needs a break.

*********

Started the holiday off with a bang.

(sorry, that was cheesy....and sarcastic)

Slept in.......check.

Drank coffee 'till I wanted no more.....check.

Went furniture shopping with my sister.....check, check.

Went to Target and bought a new two-piece....done.

Went tanning......yup, done.

Laid around the pool for hours......duh!

*********

Rest of the weekend will be spent celebrating my nation's birthday the best way I know how:

Going to the Capitol to drink some tea (haha),

Swimming with friends,

Eating watermelon and homemade ice-cream

(thanks Momma!),

Setting off/watching fireworks, and

Going to church.

Happy 233rd Birthday, America!

L.s.R

God's Forecast

Thoughts from Mark Driscoll's Series: Rebels Guide to Joy in Temptation
*
God wants more than a change; He wants my heart, my will, my mind, my strength to change. He wants all of me.
*
The Christian life is not so much what I need to stop doing, but more what I need to start doing. I need to replace an old affection with a new one, an old pattern with a Christ-focused one.
I need to embrace my new life through Jesus.
*
It is always a heart issue. God changes us from the inside out. If you are a Christian, God is at work in you, so work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

God wants to change my will. He wants to change my deepest desires and passions so they are for Jesus and not for sin. As a Christian, I should not want free will--but God's will.
*
God is a good God. He takes pleasure in doing good for His children. He delights in forgiving and changing people, giving people new life and a life we can be proud of--a life that is boastful of Jesus and not ourselves.


I need to stop grumbling and start learning. I need to stop questioning and start trusting.
*
Religion either results in pride or despair. Meaning, if you try really hard and are passionate you will be full of yourself or you've tried to do good things but can't stop doing bad things and end up being angry and bitter.
The gospel of Jesus Christ ends in humble joy. We are not saved because of what we do, but because of what He has done.

God will not forsake us, He will not give up on us.
*
God is willing to give a joyous, purposeful, meaningful life to those who are willing to obey Him.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my [Paul's] presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life...."

Philippians 2:12-16 ESV

L.s.R

A Post Full of Eyes

Flowers like these always make me want to put on a frilly, pink dress

and sip tea while holding a parasol......

......okay, not always but sometimes......

**********

• I got a late graduation gift from a friend this weekend. I like surprises in the mail.
• I am finally about to finish my old perfume....I am determine to use every last drop.
• I will be turning the exciting 2-1 in less than two months!
• I will be starting a new adventure in less than a month!
• I am going to start visiting the tanning salon...to gear up for the beach!
• I am excited about a 4 day weekend!
• I love my initials....I think I will get my first towels monogrammed.
• I am so glad that God is big enough to handle and help me work through my faults, my downfalls, my out-bursts, my questions and my doubts.
• I love purple and cobalt blue.
• I am so glad that God reminds me of His promises and His grace.
• I am so grateful for the family God put me in. He knew I needed them.
  

*********

"In your good times,

in your bad times,

when life is wonderful,

when life is awful....

don't fix your eyes on your life."

Fix your eyes on Jesus."

~From Anne Ortlund's "Fix Your Eyes on Jesus"

L.s.R

H-E-R-O

I love my dad:

His faith in Christ,

His personality,

His quirks,

His laugh and smile,

His stories,

His jokes,

His determination and hard-work,

His love for the Rockies,

His devotion to Mom,

His heart for me and my sister,

His strength,

His passion for traveling,

His knowledge and wisdom,

His adventurous spirit.

****

When I was little, I remember Dad telling me I was the apple of his eye.

I have always felt loved by him.

*

Thank you, Dad for drawing me closer to Christ,

and giving me a physical picture of Jesus' love for me.

You are a king among men,

and have raised the bar very high!

For now, you hold the key to my heart. Love you!

****
"How long is it going to take God to free us from the morbid habit of thinking about ourselves? We must get sick unto death of ourselves, until there is no longer any surprise at anything God can tell us about ourselves. We cannot touch the depths of meanness in ourselves. There is only one place where we are right, and that is in Christ Jesus. When we are there, then we have to pour out for all we are worth in the ministry of the interior." Oswald Chambers, June 21st.
*
I love my new running shoes, and walking 9 miles on an early Saturday morning!
*
I am ticking off the days until my beach vacation!
*
I love singing in church!
*
I love my family!
*
I am excited about being able to decorate my own space!
*
I can't wait to spend time with my friends this weekend!



L.s.R

Just One of Those Days

This week was full of attorney and staff meetings, listening to hearings, learning a new computer system, balancing accounts, talking on the phone with clients and making a gazillion copies of orders and judgements.

So, I was happy when Thursday night finally rolled around and I was able kick off an early weekend by taking a little road-trip. We stayed the night in a nice hotel, slept in late, watched old black-and-whites, spent the afternoon driving around in a beautiful national wildlife reserve, talking, getting lost and listening to music. Finished up by eating at a restaurant that is pretty famous in these parts. The sweet tea, freedom fries, cheeseburgers, and cherry cobbler with homemade ice-cream was pretty amazing.....the country music in the background helped too :)



Thoughts from this week:

*I am listening to a sermon by Mark Driscoll as I write this post. It is about God's grace. God has been revealing to me what I would be like without Him. I don't deserve God's love, His forgiveness, His redemption. I am nothing without Him. Without God's salvation, I am capable of all evil. It is only because of Jesus that I am a new creation. Being shown these truths and taking the steps to believe them has not been easy, but I am thankful that God has shown them to me. Oh, to be like Christ! To show His forgiveness and selfless love to others!

*For the past year and half I have been following Amy Wenzel's photography blog: http://blog.amywenzel.com/. I have admired her talent in writing and photography, as well as the love she shares with her husband, David. I went on her blog a few days ago and found out that her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I do not try to understand why God lets these things happen.....all I know is that He does allow them to happen, and it is for purposes far higher than my intelligence. God is truly mysterious, and He is continually drawing His children closer to Him. I am learning personally that if a hardship brings you closer to Christ it is all worth it in the end. I am praying for Amy and David, and know that the Lord will be glorified.

*God is a miraculous God.

*"You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have." Oswald Chambers

*"Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing." From Jennifer Rothschild's, 'Me, Myself and Lies.' God is who defines me. My fears, my insecurities, and the lies that Satan throws at me do not. I am a new creation in Him. My old-self has died, and has been replaced with a life that is born in Christ.

*"He has made everything beautiful in its time....." Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Cheers to the start of another weekend!

L.s.R

Ho-Hum

"It is not what we say,

or what we feel that makes us what we are...

.......It is what we do, or what we fail to do".

~ Marianne (Sense & Sensibility)

~~~~~

I read this quote on facebook the other day and I really liked it.....I love Jane Austen.

*****

This weekend, I had two graduations to attend. One for my dear friend and my own! Since I was unable to attend the actual ceremony at the college, I was able to watch the live video-feed through the Internet. Honestly, that is the only way to watch a graduation ceremony....in your bathing suit, eating brisket and laughing with your family and friends!
It was wonderful to hear my name called during the ceremony! I am so thankful to my parents, sister and friends who supported me through this......I can't believe my last class finished only 4 months ago....it feels like it was 4 years ago.

*****
At nights I have been listening to Mark Driscoll, an associate pastor of Mars Hill Church in Washington State. I was introduced to his teaching a couple months ago. I love his relevancy, his courage of tackling unpopular subjects....and doing it all with dry humor.
*
I am going shopping with my sister tomorrow....and I am pretty excited!
*
I have the best parents.
*
I wish I was going to Spain and France with my grandparents for three weeks.
*
I tried the mango-limeade from Sonic and it was too sweet.
*
I love my old co-workers and I like my new ones.
*
I enjoy running 3 miles almost every night with Dad.

L.s.R

Newness

Jesus, loves me just the way I am.

My awkwardness, shyness, quietness.

I can be myself with Him.

He understands me.

He wants to be with me.

Jesus keeps His word to me.

I am the apple of His eye.

I am His daughter.

He takes me as I am.

He loved me before I was born, before the earth was created.

Jesus' love is greater than any human love.

He gave His life for me.

He doesn't say things He doesn't mean.

He proves His love for me everday.

He doesn't leave me hanging.

I want Him to come first in everything.

I want to love Him more than anything.

I don't know who reads this blog, how many...if anyone.

To be honest, I don't write on here for your benefit.

But for mine.

I like to write reminders of God's promises to me, that I can read over and over again.

To remind myself to take my eyes off myself, and fix them on Jesus.

*

The song by fm static is special to me.

I like to listen to it in the car with the sunroof open and the windows down :)

L.s.R

...and yet, I will JOY....

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like the deer's feet,

and He will make me walk on my high hills."

Habakkuk 3: 18-19

*

He never lets go.

*

***

These are the cakes I did my last week at the Bakery.

Feels like I never worked there.

It is amazing how fast our lives can change in such a short time.

I will forever be taught by the Lord to make plans, but to hold onto them loosely....

......God has the final say.

I will forever be taught by the Lord to trust His will and to rest in Him.

For this I am glad, He is leading me and His way is perfect.

Black and White wedding cake

Baby Shower

Sweet Sixteen
Fondant graduation figure

My last cake I decorated!

I am so excited to see where the Lord will have me, this time next year!

L.s.R

My Weekend

This weekend was busy, stressful, and fun.

Started out with being able to see one of my dear friends get married.

***

On Sunday, I helped Hannah move. I am so excited for her, and for our plans for the end of the summer.....I will miss having her next door to me though :(

On Sunday evenings I have been attending a church with a few friends. Last night the pastor spoke on Psalms 23. He gave a new, deeper perspective to the popular verses. The one that jumped out to me was in verse 3: "He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake." The Lord is my Shepherd in my immaturity and failure. He will restore my soul and lead me through the rut and into His way of righteousness. Restoration and maturity is not only for my sake, but for His. Christ's reputation is at stake. As a follower of Him, how I act, say and do represent Him.

***

A few of my jumbled, random thoughts from this weekend:

1. Working for a ministry does not make you holier.....God calls people to their own unique paths. This could mean being a pastor, politician or a farmer. This is something that has always gotten under my skin, Christians who think it is a sin or look down on other Christians for having a job in a secular field. They shy away from universities, politics, or the military because they think it is unholy. I want to follow what the Lord has for me, and if that means becoming a senator, wife/mother, secretary, or teacher, I will do it. The world is our mission field, and Christians are called to be a part of it. Christ was sent to this world to save the lost and to reach them right where they are at. I believe Christ has placed me exactly were He wants me....I just need to depend on Him and be willing to be used by Him.

2. Josh Groban's concert on PBS.

3. I cannot put my trust in a person or people. They will only let me down. Jesus Christ is the only one that I can fully trust. He is always there. He is my constant. He always keeps His word and never says anything He does not mean.

4. I need to work on my posture at work.

5. Beth Moore's summer Bible study.

6. I really want to try the new Mango Limeade at Sonic.

L.s.R

Thank God It's Friday!

For the first time in my short life I can say TGIF and really mean it, because I don't have to work on Saturdays anymore!! This entire week as been full of learning legal terms, computer systems and commands, and memorizing everything and its brother....and I only set off one alarm!!

So.....needless to say, I am very ready for this weekend.

***

It is Hannah's birthday today, so we started the celebration by going to lunch.

After lunch, I headed back to the office and went through more training.

At 4:30 I had nothing to do so I took pictures of myself in my cubicle..........that is how I roll!

(No, really I only did this for about a minute!)

After work Hannah and I got manis/pedis done.

I got solar nails for the first time...I love the click-clackety sound when I type! My poor little feet had gotten pretty beat up from the marathon last month and were in need of some TLC, and thankfully I didn't get any grassy decor this time either!! ***

Tomorrow I am doing my friend's make-up for her wedding...I am so happy for her.

I like the black and white dress that I bought for the wedding.

***

I hate to be a broken record, but in the mornings, as a part of my quiet times, I have been reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, and I always love what he says. Most of his insights have been relevant to my life right now:

"There may be any number of things dark to your understanding, but they do not come in between your heart and God. "And in that day you shall ask Me no question" (John 16:23)--you do not need to, you are so certain that God will bring things out in accordance with His will. "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1) This verse has become the real state of your heart, and there are no more questions to be asked. If anything is a mystery to you and it is coming in between you and God, never look for the explanation in your intellect, look for it in your disposition, it is that which is wrong. When once your disposition is willing to submit to the life of Jesus, the understanding will be perfectly clear, and you will get to the place where there is no distance between the Father and His child because the Lord has made you one, and "in that day you shall ask Me no question." "

L.s.R

Hurdles

Yesterday was my first day of my new job.

After the day was over, my head hurt from looking at computer screens and taking in all the new information.

I think I will like it though.

After work, I went to my hair appointment and was able to relax a little. My hairstylist gives killer head massages.

****

Been reading a lot of Oswald Chambers this past week:

"God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properly--"By my God have I leaped over a wall." God will never shield you from any of the requirements of a son or daughter of His."

"Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer, He had the boundless certainty that prayer is always answered. Have we by the Spirit the unspeakable certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when God does not seem to have answered prayer.....God answers prayer in the best way, not sometimes, but every time, although the immediate manifestation of the answer in the domain in which we want it may not always follow."

"It is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost which changes men, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into men's lives by the Holy Ghost that changes them....The baptism of the Holy Ghost does no make you think of Time or Eternity, it is one amazing glorious NOW. "This is life eternal that they might know Thee." Begin to know Him now, and finish never."

L.s.R

Oceans and Suns

"The ability of God is beyond our prayers, beyond our largest prayers!

I have been thinking of some of the petitions that have entered into my supplication innumerable times.

What have I asked for?

I have asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains!

I have asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides!

My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's giving: it is beyond that we can ask."

--J. H. Jowett

I read this on a blog today.

God is so good, I am finding that out more and more everday.

L.s.R

All Grist for the Mill

Well, it has been awhile.
*

I am a college graduate.
I have a new job.
*

At the start of 2009, I had this gut instinct that this year was going to be big for me and I have not been disappointed! God has been so good!

*
I have gone through and am going through circumstances that I have never experienced before.

*
God is my constant through it all.

*
Life may be happy, I may be content, everything may fall into place, dreams may come true, and God is always there for me.

His love does not change.
Circumstances may change, people may let me down, expectations may falter, goals may not be reached, dreams may not come true, and God is always there for me.

His love does not change.

I am learning daily to always go to Christ, in the good and bad times, to surrender my will and expectations to Him. To accept His perfect will.

*
I have started to memorize scripture more. Awhile back I bought a yellow, index card holder from Target and have started to write down verses that pop out at me during my quiet time. I have slowly started to memorize them. Memorizing scripture has always been hard for me, I’ll commit it to memory but then completely draw a blank a week later. It is retaining that I have issues with, but practice makes perfect.

*

I am excited for summer, starting my new job, 4th of July (I really don't know why? Kind of random), a friend's wedding, coming of fall, Christmas, seeing Wicked, buying things for my cubical at work, visiting new places, meeting new people, being with my family, and having my hair grow longer (its seems to be stuck!).

L.s.R

Crossing it Off the List

Well, Dad and I did it!
We completed 26.2 miles in 5 hours, 36 minutes.
Here are some pictures of our journey, which started in January.

This morning, the day of the marathon!

The final last stretch before the finish line.

Finish line. Dad and I raced each other over it. I will never forget that feeling!

Getting our tracking chips removed from our shoes.

The End!

****

Training has taught me so much! It is no wondering that the Apostle Paul liked to use running as an analogy of how we journey through this hard world.

*
Running a race well takes determination, discipline and energy.

*

In all things, whether it is running a marathon, working at my job, or going through the mundane, daily activities of my life, I want to glorify Christ in how I accomplish and finish them.

*

I am very happy that I can check 'Walk a Marathon' off my list of goals to finish before I die. I am even more happy, because my dad pushed me one step further and helped me run half of it. Thanks Dad! I love you!

*

I wonder which goal will be crossed off next?

L.s.R