Christmas Blessings!

Merry Christmas, sweet friends! I know that my family agrees with me when I say that we hope you know the peace, love, hope and joy that Christ alone brings, especially as you celebrate His birth these next few days.

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I cannot say thank you enough for making blogging so incredibly fun. The sweet comments and emails I get from y'all make my day, even if I'm a bad friend and don't get around to replying. I'm a words kind of girl, so know that I treasure each and every word you take time to type out. I can tell you right now that the Lord has done immeasurably more than I could have ever imagined or dreamed up in this little corner of my world the past four years, so I'm believing Him to do even more in 2011.

Christmas blessings to each of you! May it be a sweet, memory making, side splitting laughter kind of day. I love y'all!

Immeasurably More

Every year no matter what holiday comes around whether it be Valentine’s Day, my birthday, Thanksgiving or Christmas, my heart tends to get a little heavy. And by heavy, I mean sad.

I have to be really honest and tell you that I even hesitated typing that, because with Christmas being three days away, I know the last thing you want to hear about is a single girl complaining about her singleness. But it’s my heart, and I’m hoping more than anything I can encourage another single girl out there.

If I could ignore every feeling that came with waiting, I would. Because sometimes the feeling hurts. I hate it that at certain moments I could cry at the drop of a hat. I hate it that I LOVE getting Christmas cards from my sweet friends, but then dream one day about creating my own Christmas card with my family. I hate it that I’m so selfish and my eyes are constantly on me. And more than anything, I hate that in those times I’m dwelling on the things that I don’t have rather than spending time dwelling on the enormous blessings I do have.

And the blessings I do have are countless.

I have a wonderful, loving, very fun and hilarious family.

I have the most amazing friends in the entire world that love me very well. Younger, older and just my age.

I have a very warm, comfortable apartment that I can call my own.

I have a job that I adore and provides for me to live a very comfortable life.

I have Jesus and that means I’m changed for the better, marked and sealed for life and death.

I have a lot of scarves to keep my neck warm.

I have some pretty funny roommates.

I have plenty of Tex-Mex around me to keep me fed seven days a week, and then some.

I have, I have, I have, but I want, want, want.

I know, it’s really pitiful. It’s not about me, but I’m making it all about me and that makes me want to puke.

Sometimes I get so frustrated with my desire to have a husband and family, because every now and then I doubt that will ever come to fruition.

After 25 years, it’s yet to happen, and although I know 25 is still young, you really start to play mind games with yourself. I'm only getting older, not younger. My world is a constant mind game.

Will I get to spend my next birthday with someone I love? How about next Christmas?

It’s the fear and the doubt of the unknown that really starts to mess with you.

I have been begging the Lord more recently to fill every void in my heart I may feel.

Let’s be honest, there are thousands of people going through much tougher circumstances than I ever dream to be dealing with.

I truly believe that if we beg, He grants, but only if it brings Him the greatest glory.

It has been so amazing the peace and joy I’ve felt this month.

Even though the desire to be married is still very much exploding in my heart, I’m believing God for bigger things.

Things bigger than myself, my heart or my imaginations.

I don’t just want to be that cute girl who blogs well, dresses cute, works at a church and posts cute facebook profile pictures.

I want to be a girl that reflects Jesus everywhere I go. I want people to be drawn to me out of my love and desire to know and be loved by Him more than my cute shoes.

I don’t know a lot of girls that have walked in my shoes. Girls that have not even been asked on a date. I don’t say that in a prideful manner, I mean honestly, what girl wants to admit that? That alone can cause lots of anxiety and questions. And while my heart and mind are far from pure and perfect, I have to believe that God IS up to something greater than myself. I have to claim that.

As Beth Moore said a few ago, and something I’m still holding onto, “Blessed are you when what comes naturally to others comes supernaturally to you!” At this point, I’m claiming my man to be supernatural. Well, he may not be supernatural and perfect, but when the Lord provides I’ll consider it to be supernatural. I'll be like Mary in Luke 1:45 claiming my belief that He who said He is faithful, really is.

2011 may not be the year I meet my man. It may not be the year I get asked on a date. It will undoubtedly be a year I cry over my singleness every now and then, it’s just reality. I’m still very much a girl asking and waiting on a boy to love her. (Cue Notting Hill.)

But, it can be a year that I die to myself daily. It can be a year I get out of my comfort zone. It can be a year that Lord continues to stir my heart for a purpose greater than me. It can be a year that I challenge myself and those around me. It can be a year of trusting God to provide everything I need, not everything I want.

Let’s be honest, actions speak way louder than words. I want to intentionally find ways to live out my faith, rather than just talking about it.

I know both sets of people, those that talk about their faith and continue to live a very mediocre life, and those that when called to action, do it. I want to be the girl that does it. That leaves a legacy of action rather than just words.

Maybe if I do that, then I’ll stop crying about my singleness and dwelling on what I am without.

I’m not asking Him to remove this desire; I’m simply asking Him to make this desire a catalyst to further His kingdom.

This is my Christmas wish. I better sign off before I ask for anything crazy, you know what He says, ask and you shall receive.

I pray He alone fills each void and desire in your heart as well, sweet friends. I still believe that Jesus is better.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

A Social Network Christmas

I am sure by now you have seen this video, but if not, take four minutes to watch this really neat "Social Network Christmas". The Christmas story told through facebook. What a crazy world of technology we live in! Honestly, without Jesus Christ, Christmas would be non-existent. I know we hear it time and time again, but Jesus really is the reason for the season.

'Tis the Season

In case you were wondering, or stressing, Christmas is in approximately five days. Can you believe it? I cannot. Where, oh where, has December gone? It has been a wonderful, but pretty busy past few weeks. Doing what? Well, I'm so glad you asked.

Originally I thought I had five Christmas parties to attend, however, somehow I miscounted (math was never my strong subject) and I ended up having seven to attend. Seven Christmas parties. Let's just say that when I left my last one last night I was almost giddy. I have participated in five White Elephant gift exchanges and next time I see the White Elephant himself, I may not be very nice. Last night, however, I brought home by far the most practical gift yet, a plunger. I've been needing one for my new apartment, but just have yet to purchase one. Now I can cross that off the list!

Honestly, that many parties is just the nature of being on a church staff and working in student ministry. The parties are endless! Typically I think I have about four or five, so I'm going to go ahead and consider this year a record. Let's hope it won't be beat or I may have to file for bankruptcy on White Elephant gifts alone.

One party in particular was a tacky sweater party and that was really fun. However, I decided to make it a tacky outfit instead. And boy was I tacky. I'm pretty sure I was wearing a very large shirt that fit me like a dress. Not to mention the decade it was from. Let me tell you, it was a treasure. I actually showed up wearing a belt, but was convinced later on to take off the belt because that made it all the tackier. Although they told me I could wear that in public with the belt, I assure you, you will only see me wearing it on very special, tacky occasions.

Take a look for yourself.

Me and the roomies. In all our tackiness.

Lindsey rocked her sweater. I was actually really jealous. Everywhere she went, she glowed.

Girls! (Notice the belt!)

And the belt is forever gone. I promise, there is a figure under there somewhere.

The maroon crew.

Really not sure what was going on here. How about the elf?

My first gift in this exchange was the "As Seen on TV" Pasta Boat. Unfortunately, it was stolen.

That night we also made Ginger Bread houses. Up until this point in my life, I'd never made one. At least not to my knowledge.

It was quite the messy experience.

I don't do sticky very well.

I'm pretty sure JT is laughing hysterically here. We had WAY too much fun!

What a tacky looking group.

Our final product. We did not win.

Since we just moved into our apartment two months ago, not only do we not have it all decorated and done, but we are seriously lacking in the Christmas decor. With that said, our neighbor below us gave us this Christmas tree and I was so thankful! It was very nice of her. It's our very own little Charlie Brown tree.

We may not have a lot of Christmas decorations, but the little we do have, I absolutely adore.

Thank you, Mom, for my precious little nativity. And thank you, Round Top Collection.

Mini-Christmas Tree!

Besides the tree, this is my favorite part of our decorations. Our Christmas cards! I'm really bad about checking the mail every day, but it makes it so much sweeter when I do retrieve it and have a stack of cards just waiting to be opened. A lot of ladies on twitter told me to just hang ribbon and it has been perfect! I love it!

When I'm sitting on my couch at night, this is my view. It's very warm and the Christmas tree makes my heart so happy. It really is the little things, folks.

Five more day, friends. Five more days. Merry Christmas!

Oh, The Discipline!

Before I signed up for this Sprint Triathlon (please note that it is indeed a SPRINT Triathlon, not an Olympic or Ironman, there's a big difference), I was at Bible study talking to some folks about it, mulling over whether or not I should register, when Greg mentioned that I should do it, simply because I'd blog about it. Honestly, in the next few months I'm not sure how much I will actually blog about, and not for lack of material, but more so because my time from here on out will be spent training for said Triathlon.

I've never trained for anything even remotely close to this before, so I can imagine that come January, it is going to take over my life. Stink, it's not even January and I can't sleep well at night unless I've gotten in my run for the day.

In case you were wondering, I'm not the athletic type.

I may appear to have played sports growing up, and while I have the height to do it, I chose music over every other sport.

That, my friends, is why I'm obsessive over it.

Can I do it? Yes. Can I finish it? Yes. Will I win it? Probably not. Is my goal to win? No. My goal is to finish. And finish well.

In order to finish well, however, I need to be prepared.

There are so many reasons why I'm excited about this challenge. First off, I don't challenge myself near enough. If I'm not challenging myself to grow whether it be mentally, spiritually or physically, am I really changing, or am I just continuing to stay the same?

Secondly, I have a goal to do this race and to finish well and I'm really looking forward to accomplishing that goal. I know that crossing that finish line will be so sweet.

Thirdly, I am looking forward to some self-discipline. Quite frankly, this does not come naturally to me. It's something I have to really work at, and now I have no excuse but to be disciplined.

What will this look like? For me, it will be less time on facebook, twitter, blogging, TV, sleeping, going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, eating healthier and so on a so forth. A little balance can be a very good thing.

I've heard before that those that train for a marathon or half-marathon often are built up spiritually as well, because of said discipline, and if that's the truth, sign me up! Although no discipline is fun at the time, it is only for our good.

Here's the deal, if a contestant on Biggest Loser can run a marathon after being obese, I can certainly finish a 500 meter swim, a 12.5 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. It's doable, but how well I do is determined by my training and self-discipline.

Already, not even two weeks into it, I can see how much I'm going to have to die to myself and my selfish ways in order to do this, and although it sounds weird, I'm already looking forward to it.

Although I don't see this being the start of something new, or the catalyst to being a triathlete, I want to change. I want to grow. To grow and change we need to be challenged. Let's all challenge ourselves in something this coming year. Maybe it will be reading a book a month. Maybe it will be memorizing scripture. Maybe it will be going to bed earlier. I'm personally challenging myself to all of those.

Who knows, by April 9th, I may be a completely different person.

It's amazing what one goal will do to you. Or how one goal can change you.

Scarves: The Winter Accessory

Confession: I am a hoarder.

Okay, so I’m not the girl that has piles and piles of trash everywhere that can’t move without stepping on an old cheeto, but there is a certain pile in my room that keeps growing.

I never considered myself a collector of items until recently. And by recently I mean last year.

When I moved to Claire’s house, I realized that there was a certain pile in my room that was uncontrollable and it was really stressing me out. I try to be organized, and this pile was far from it.

That was my pile of scarves.

And it kept growing, and growing, and growing.

One day I was at IKEA and found this nifty holder with a bunch of holes in it.

Sometimes I find things like that at IKEA and have not a fat clue what it could be used for, but this day was different. Immediately, each and every scarf I own came flooding to mind and I purchased it right away. Duh, it was made to be my scarf organizer!

It goes without saying that the minute I got home, I loaded that bad boy up and hung it on our laundry room door so that each scarf was accessible to not only me, but to my roommates as well.

I don’t know if Claire misses me now that I’m gone, but I’m certain she misses my scarves.

I’m partly ashamed and yet partly proud of my scarf collection. It’s pretty ridiculous.

But do you know the joy a scarf brings? During our frigid winter months here in Houston, I like to consider the scarf the perfect accessory. It keeps you warm. It’s cute. It’s removable if you get to warm, it’s colorful and so on and so forth.

With that said, I now present to you my scarf collection.

I know you’re judging me right now, but I just really need you to love me in this moment.

I don’t think I’ve spent more than $10 on a scarf. I find them cheap, cheap, cheap. It’s the way to go.

Anyone, and I repeat, anyone, can rock the scarf.

I dare you to try it.

It will do your neck some good.

While we're at it, I'll go ahead a be a bit more vain to show you my necklace holder. It was an old piece I found in my parent's garage, and then painted it black. I love it! But really, what's better than your necklaces being so nicely organized? There's no time for tangled necklaces in my life. There are more to be had, but I won't show you those.


Need a scarf? Need a necklace? Lindsee's Accessories are here for you.

A Weekend of Giving Thanks

It’s been a week since Thanksgiving and I still have a very thankful heart. Can’t we have a thankful attitude all year long? I suspect that if we don’t, we’ll get really crabby. And I don’t like to be around crabby people. Nor do I like to be crabby myself.

Anyway, I had a wonderful, long weekend of giving thanks with some of my very favorite people. I realize that because there are so many pictures and events, I should blog about each of them separately, but I just don’t have the energy, or willpower, to do that. So this is the unabridged version of my Thanksgiving week.

It all started Wednesday evening for my mom’s birthday! We celebrated that night as a family at a fun Mexican restaurant called Juan and Lefty’s. If anything, the name is just really fun to say! Actually, that day I had Mexican food twice. I had it for lunch as well with some college students that were back in town. But honestly, it’s only appropriate to eat Mexican twice before Thanksgiving. What else would you eat? After dinner we opened gifts at home. We got my mom a Shark. Have you heard of that? My mom is the queen of all things cleaning items, and more importantly, vacuums. Her Dyson is her prized possession. I’m not even exaggerating.

I actually hadn’t been feeling super great, so I administered drugs to myself a few nights in the form of NyQuil. Needless to say, I slept like a baby. I think my body needed it after a really busy previous week.

Our family of five.

We have a divided household.

I woke up Thanksgiving morning to a very quiet, empty apartment and although typically I wouldn’t like that, I actually really it. I took my time getting ready, watched the parade, cleaned a little bit, rested and was just still. It was SO great and unexpected!

After a quiet morning, I headed over our dear friends, the Snow’s house, where we would spend the rest of our afternoon stuffing our faces, laughing, talking, solving the world’s problems, watching football and just relaxing. We spend every holiday with them that we’re not in Colorado and it’s wonderful. It’s so great to have “family” away from family. The A&M and UT game was also a big highlight, especially since we have a divided household. We also watched the temperature drop from about 80 degrees to 40 degrees in a matter of hours, and we wonder why we’re all sick! It was a wonderful, wonderful day that I am so thankful for.

Our family with sweet Jessie, our Katrina friend. She's basically our sixth family member. We love her!

Kevyn and I planed our matching stripes. ; )

I am a lucky girl with two brother's like these ones!

The "Snow" sisters. Aren't they precious? And look at the precious pregnant bellies. I think they are so cute!

Friday I had a jam packed day as well. I met Jen for a Chinese food lunch, and then very sporadically, we hopped in the car and headed downtown to the Aquarium with her entire family. I had never been there so it was really fun! There is definitely a lot to gaze over. We didn’t eat there, but rather enjoyed the animals, creatures, rides, games and train rides. I consider them my second family, so it was so great.

Who knew Starfish could relax like this?

Grace had a lot of fun looking at everything!

She was so brave!

And scary!

I love this one of Jack.

Jen and I. We're intimidating at best.

Who's excited about the train ride?!

Getting pictures in the tunnel where you are surrounded by creatures is tough. This was the best we could do!

After some time, Grace really came to love the Carousel. She even rode it twice!

We clearly enjoyed our ride.

I came home an hour before some of my old girls were scheduled to come over for dinner, so I hightailed my rear to the HEB, bought some taco soup ingredients, then ran home to get ready for the company. Thankfully, I had already cleaned, so it wasn’t as stressful as I expected. I LOVED having them at my home for dinner. Need I even tell you that all we did was chat? For six hours! It was so great! They were there past midnight and I loved every minute of it. I don’t think we’ve ever had a better conversation than that night. God is working in each of them, and to hear the details of that makes my heart overflow with thankfulness. I love them!

Saturday was a pretty calm, but steady moving day. I had praise team rehearsal that morning, went to lunch with my parents at SmashBurger, came home and watched an episode of Biggest Loser (duh!) and then a bunch of us celebrated my roommate, Michaela’s, birthday a little early down by the Galleria that night. We started out the evening right by buying a few cupcakes to go from Sprinkles, ate dinner at Grand Luxe, and then finished our evening off at Starbucks sipping some hot coffee while enjoying our cupcakes. I’d consider it a very successful birthday celebration! Add the Christmas tree pictures and I’d consider it perfect. I think was made it even better was the fact that it was cold!

Sprinkles is a blessing. And a curse.

Michaela with the boys.

My sweet roommates! We've had some fun times together that may or may not include dance parties.

Happy, happy birthday!

This is what a guy does when the population of the evening is mainly girls.

Now for the Christmas Tree fun...

Lindsey and Molly! Pretty girls!

We took about 1897 pictures by the tree. Who knows what we're doing in any of them...

The next morning I was to be at church at 7:15 for praise team, and on top of that I had to pick up my friend Courtney on the way, so imagine my shock when I woke up at 6:40. I should have been leaving my house at 6:55. Never in my entire life have I rushed like I did that morning! Actually, I ended up finishing my make-up at church after our 8:15 service. How’s that for classy?

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. How many times can I use the term wonderful? A lot. It was that great! Now my mind is fully engaged on Christmas and I am so excited. Christmas music has been a staple in my life and I couldn’t be happier.

I hope you all had an equally fabulous Thanksgiving. Either way, I hope that you know how much Christ loves you and delights in you despite any circumstance. He is good!

And that, my sweet friends, is the longest Thanksgiving post ever. Thank you for staying with me until the end!