Unfair?

"We walk without fear, full of hope and courage and strength to do His will,

waiting for the endless good which He is always giving as fast

as He can get us able to take it in."

--George MacDonald--

I don't know about you, but sometimes, my life feels like a collapsing barn. If someone were to look it, they would see a girl who struggles with holding it together some days...and one who often wishes her barn were a house on Sunset Boulevard. I have a hard time relating to people who give the appearance of having all their ducks in a row, who do not struggle with the cards they are dealt, who live an immaculate life and get everything they want...because that is unlike anything I can even imagine. It hasn't been my life for twenty-one years, and I doubt it will be twenty-one years from now.

I would be lying if I said I loved everything about my life. I don't. I wish I didn't have to pay my own way through college. I wish I didn't have to think about the financial straits my family is living in. I wish I had friends nearby and ones not relegated to e-mail and blogging. I don't understand why some of my prayers go unanswered. Like why for so many years, my family hoped and prayed for more kids and not have it happen, only to have certain families have them right and left...or why certain friends of mine have major health problems that impact their daily lives...

The older I get, the more I discover how messy and complicated life is. And with each day that goes by, I see more and more of how finite and human I am. But you know what? With every question comes a reminding answer; with every failing brings a renewed dosage of grace. Life looks different for each and every person and while mine might seem unfair to me every so often, it really isn't.

God does have endless good for me, for each and every one of us. Sometimes, it can just take a convoluted path to find its way to you. Or should I say, God wants us to walk unashamedly and courageously, boldly rolling with the punches He brings our way. And when we do that, we won't be able to keep up with the amazing things He is bound to do.

So you know what, I am thankful for that collapsing barn, for those messy bits types of days. They grow me as a person; they make me more unique (as if I wasn't unique enough ;-). So you can have the immaculate mansion....though invite me in every once and a while!

The Holiday--A Movie Review

Movie: The Holiday
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Iris (Kate Winslet) needs to get away. Her job as a "wedding reporter" for the Daily Mail in London has made her a hopeless romantic and that includes still being in love with her old boyfriend Jasper (Rufus Sewell.) Forget that he cheated on her, she still loves the guy....and yet, when she receives news that Jasper is engaged, Iris knows that she has to try to rebuild a life on her own. So, she looks up switching houses with someone--and she decides on Amanda (Cameron Diaz), a movie trailer developer in LA.

Amanda needs to get away herself. Her boyfriend just cheated on her; she is feeling burned out by her job. So she heads on over to Surrey and Iris's quaint little home. However, while both women have sworn off romance, Christmas has a way of bringing it about. For Amanda, it is in the form of Iris's brother, Graham (Jude Law). For Iris, it is in the form of Amanda's friend, Miles (Jack Black). These two women are in for quite a vacation.

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I knew practically nothing about this film a few months ago. But on the recommendation of a good friend of mine, I gave it a try. I do not have an aversion to watching wintertime movies in the middle of August. Actually, it was like I was on vacation and I could use another one of those. Some moments watching this show, I felt like I was in snowy England, curling up beside the fire. Other times, I felt like I was in sunny LA, driving down Sunset Boulevard and talking to Eli Wallach. It was such fun.

The cast was of great enjoyment to me. Kate Winslet is the type of actress that I think the likes of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford would have been proud of; she is very serious about her craft and good at it. Cameron Diaz did very well and somehow, I was able to think of her as something other than A-Rod's girlfriend ;-) Jude Law....I have added him on my "Good Looking Guy" list. Yep. I will leave it at that. And Jack Black, well, he surprised me. For a girl who had only seen him in "Nacho Libre," this was a very welcome change! There were many scenes that brought a giddy smile to my face and you honestly root for the good in all of these characters to come out. And the addition of Eli Wallach as a writer from Hollywood's Golden Age is something this girl LOVED.

However, they are human people. There is some content. No violence exists in this film. Language is quite a bit of British "curse words" and I believe one "f" word. (I didn't hear it, but every movie review site says it is in there.) Sexual content does exist in regards to Amanda and Graham. They two are very willing to have a friends with benefits type of relationship...and it happens twice. I skipped the two scenes, so I can't tell you how long they were. Sorry. I don't watch that type of junk...that being said, there is more to their relationship than meets the eye. Iris and Miles, on the other hand, have zero issues. They have a sweet, almost vintage take to the relationship; it is something quite refreshing to see.

You probably are surprised that I have this movie on here. I am taking the approach to movies that I wish many people would do. I want several opinions about a movie before I go and watch it. I want to get numerous sources on content....and so I am not going to shirk from hiding some of what I view. I have many, many standards; there is MUCH I do not watch...but this was a cute movie. Minus one or two issues, I definitely say take a holiday with The Holiday.

Fried, Anyone?

It's confession time here. In a day and age where the gluten free diet, the low calorie diet, the sugar free diet, and the no carbohydrates diet seem to reign supreme, this girl doesn't exactly fit the mold. Because one of my weaknesses is fried food.

Fried isn't synonymous with McDonald's for me anymore. If it were, I would probably swear off fried foods forever. (McDonald's leaves a terrible coating in my throat that I only want to deal with on a few, desperate for food, occasions. However, with being in the kitchen and cooking every night, I have gotten to experiment with many different recipes....and ones that involve something fried bring me back to childhood, in a way.

One of my most pronounced childhood memories is that of my Nana making her homemade fried chicken. I remember the crushing of Ritz crackers (It used to be my task), the sizzling of oil, the delectable taste that assaulted my taste buds. I recently made it on my own and I was instantly back at Nana's side. Her recipe is so much better than Kentucky Fried Chicken anyway ;-) I hope I did her proud.

Ever since my dad bought me a Fry Daddy, I have been able to fry even more things. Corn fritters have been tried multiple times, though I am still trying to find a good recipe. I fried cheese tortellini once; it was super, super yummy. I am still trying to master frying French fries (Oven ones are more my speciality at the moment), but I am getting there. And you know one of the best things fried--candy bars!!!

I don't make fried food all that often, because I do try to watch how much fat content I put into my family's diet. ;-) I know that greens are better than grease...but isn't it fun to splurge every now and then? I guess that though I am developing more of a "refined" palate, when it comes to fried goodness, I am still a kid at heart.

Tell me, do you have any weaknesses like that? You know, the ones you know you shouldn't have but you do anyway?

"Evolution" of my Style and its Icon

For some reason, style screams being a taboo word to me. Perhaps because a church I went to for a few years preached from the pulpit that wearing attractive clothes was wrong. Maybe it was because I didn't know what to think about the subject so I avoided it. Frankly, it doesn't matter where I was; it matters more how I got there and where I am going.

The last thing I want to be is considered "immodest" by general society. And the purpose of this post is not to rehash the often brought up subjects that inevitably come from posts such as these. I do not want to have debates about pants vs. skirts, long skirts vs. knee length skirts, long hair vs. short hair, etc. That is not the point of what I am doing here today. For me, it is about thanking a TV show that made me find the balance in my fashion =) And as I harp quite frequently, what I was led to do doesn't mean you have to do it that way. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

I was a person who thought I had to wear shapeless clothes to be considered modest, feminine, and God honoring. I thought that if I had an interest in fashion, I was in sin....but over the past two years, The Lord showed me that was not true. I could desire to wear more fashionable clothes and do so in a modest way. And he used "What Not to Wear" to point me in the right direction. Yes, a secular TV show taught me something ;-) I do not agree with all the choices, by any means, but there are some nuggets of grain to be gleaned.

Watching episode after episode, I discovered what my style was. I found out what things looked good on my body type. Like how I cannot really wear wide cut pants because on my petite frame, they will drown me. I learned that jewel tones are the best with my skin tone. For petite people, knee length are the best skirts to wear, as they don't cut you off proportionally. And dresses, fashionable, classically cut ones, aren't as foreign as we are made to think.

Once I figured out what worked for me, I put it all together...and everything clicked. Certain materials are better for me to wear, certain styles are better for me to wear. (I can't wear cotton shirtdresses; they just look *bad* all the way around =() And now because of What Not to Wear, my fashion icon takes on the form of a princess, HRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge....or Kate, as she will always be in my mind! =)

Rare is the occasion when you can call Kate being immodest. I think that she oozes a classic, timeless look that probably will be emulated for years to come. She knows what colors look good on her (she loves navy ;-); she knows what styles work for her. She recycles the same clothes on numerous occasions, thus making herself very approachable to the average civillian. Her best accessory is her smile; she is definitely Prince William's best asset...these are things I want to say about myself someday. And so, whenever I see things about Kate in the fashion world, I take notice...because they are often ideas that God has given me as guidelines for what I am to wear.

I know you can send a message wearing any type of clothes you want, but personally, I like showing that Christ does approve of fashionability. When a coworker compared me to Coco Chanel in my birthday card, I could hardly believe it. My hopes had paid off. I was reflecting Christ by being modest and letting inner beauty reign, while at the same time, wearing classic clothes from a bygone era. I must say, I love it!If I ever get to be in a position to walk a red carpet (which I highly, highly doubt), I plan on taking my "P's" and "Q's" from a recent outfit of Kate's. Modest, classic, timeless, fashionable...several adjectives that I love to hear. And because of What Not to Wear I do get to hear them every now and then. Christ has my heart, fashion has my clothes...that is a winning combination in my book.

From Prada to Nada--A Movie Review

Movie: From Prada to Nada
Starring: Alexa Vega, Camilla Belle, Wilmer Valderrama, Nicholas D'Agosto,
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Mary (Alexa Vega) and Nora (Camilla Belle) Dominguez live a very posh life in Beverly Hills. Nora is studying law at a great college; Mary spends her days buying Prada and driving an expensive car. But one day, their world is turned upside down. Daddy dies, the girls discover he was bankrupt, and their house is being bought by an unknown, illegitimate brother and his snooty wife. There is nothing for Mary and Nora to do but move in with their Mexican aunt in EAST Los Angeles.

It is a very different world in the Barrio. Mary fears for her life as she believes every Hispanic guy, including "rough around the edges, heart of gold" neighbor, Bruno (Wilmer Valderrama), is a drug kingpin. Nora has to quit school and go to work in a law office--but it just "happens" to be the same law office where her sister-in-law's brother, Edward, (Nicholas D'Agosto) works. A guy she finds herself very attracted to while Mary is attracted to her teacher's aide, Rodrigo.

Does this story sounds remotely familiar to you?

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I am an Austen fan. No, let me rephrase that. I am a MAJOR Austen fan. I was introduced to Jane and her world when I was fifteen and I haven't gone back since. So because I love her so much, anything that even remotely smells like an adaptation of Austen's books, I either read it or watch it. A friend recommended From Prada to Nada to me and I decided to take her word for it.

When I turn off my snobbery (you know, the kind that makes you cringe whenever ANYTHING is different from the book), I can say this movie is very, very cute. It puts a modern spin on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" in a way that is quite enjoyable. I came away with loving the same character pairing that I always do....which would Elinor and Edward. Yes, I like Edward in all of the adaptations I watch. (Because in that one with Hugh Grant, you either have him, Alan Rickman, or Greg Wise....not exactly prime pickings ;-) This Edward was positively delightful and Elinor was as well; she wasn't as stoic as she has a tendency to be played. Willoughby's character, Rodrigo, is just as despicable as always. And I do like being able to hate someone in a movie. The other thing I thought was unique: the fact that it has a Mexican twist. Yes, it does get distracting when some characters rattle on in Spanish, but I like how Nora and Mary have to embrace an entirely different culture than what they are used to.

However, because I am an Austen snob (as a friend of mine recently dubbed ourselves), there are a few things that Jane wouldn't have been too thrilled by. Language does exist in the "S" word being used a dozen times or so. Characters get drunk on occasion. There can be quite a bit of cleavage showing, tight hugging outfits. Mary does wind up in bed with Rodrigo. (We see clothes strewn on the floor and then the two of them in bed, sheets strategically placed.....but no scene or after comments, thank goodness). Several things are not explained as well as they should have been...remember the misunderstanding about Edward and Lucy? Yeah, that isn't as addressed as I would have liked it to have been. That was just one of the small issues I had ;-) It is these issues that make wonder if I should have stayed true to the original and not viewed the film.

That being said, there were still many things that made me feel happy. Namely, again, the final scene with Edward and Elinor. I love that one no matter what version of the film I am watching. No, it isn't a perfect, delectable piece of goodness. I more equate it to a lemon bar: mostly sweet with a few sour notes thrown in...but I do love lemon bars....and I did enjoy watching From Prada to Nada in the middle of the night. I guess this young woman really does love all things Jane!

Misconceptions

"It is a common misconception that the Christian's walk of faith is strewn with flowers and that when God intervenes in the lives of His people, He does so in such a wonderful way as to always lift us out of our difficult surroundings. In actual fact, however, the real experience is quite the opposite."

As you obviously noticed, my blog sat in a dormant state for quite a long time. I could say that I didn't feel "the spark" anymore...but that is far from true. There were so many times that I wanted to put down my thoughts for all to read, yet there was always a hesitation that prevented me. Thus, I remained quiet.

For the longest time, I thought a Christian young woman needed to have all the right answers, read certain books, watch certain movies...frankly, I had to live in a box of expectations and stereotypes. If I felt "contrary" to that box, I knew I had better not admit it. I had a "standard" to uphold.

Last year was a very rough year for me. I went through a lot of pulling and prying; I had so many questions and very few answers. I had some bouts of what I would call depression and if not for my family, my God, and some close friends, I can honestly say that I have no idea where I would be. I struggled with finding just where I was supposed to be going in life, especially when what I planned on (marriage and a family by age 20) wasn't staring me in the face. But as you can see, I didn't share these thoughts with you all.

It is a common misconception that Christians have an always rosy, always put together life. I don't. I used to be ashamed of that.....but not any more. He revealed to me that I do not have to send a supposed image anymore. I can share when I am struggling with God's presumed silence (notice I said presumed; I know he never is), or when I feel like admitting that I do yell at a bad referee call every now and then. I am not ashamed to say that my life is rough, slightly confusing, totally heading in another direction that I didn't foresee and yet, because the Lord sits on His throne, I can be at peace. Both in knowing that He has the answers and that I can always be myself. He will give me the wisdom and mercy to know how to word what I want to say. Because why am I here if not to point to Him.

So you might get bored with some of the posts I do. You know, how I am finding joy in work situations and struggles in college ones. But that is how I put aside misconceptions.....and my closest, dearest friends know that is something I dearly love to do. =)

Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides--A Movie Review

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean 4
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffery Rush, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds his life extremely complicating. Busting his first mate, Gibbs, out of jail hasn't gone like he wanted; King George II has approached him about leading an expedition to reach the Fountain of Youth before the Spanish; he has encountered Captain Barbossa (Geoffery Rush) again and discovered that Black Pearl has fallen into enemy hands; and to top it off, someone is posing as Jack Sparrow.....and they are forgetting that "he" is a captain. Yep. Jack has a lot on his plate.

The thing most prevalent on Captain Jack Sparrow's mind is finding out who is impersonating him. Turns out it is Angelica (Penelope Cruz), an old flame of Jack's and the daughter of the dreaded pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Possessing voodoo powers, Angelica gets Jack aboard her father's ship and forces him to lead the way to the Fountain of Youth.

Why is Jack the one everyone desires to lead an expedition? Apparently, he had...or now Gibbs has it....a map leading to the destination of the Fountain of Youth. Two silver chalices and a tear from a mermaid are needed in order for the waters to reach their full effect; Jack is "instructed" to lead to those. Meanwhile, Barbossa has Gibbs in tow and the two of them follow Captain Jack, Blackbeard and the rest. Here's the kicker: Barbossa is a privateer in the Royal Navy and on a mission to kill the man who gave him a wooden leg--a man by the name of Blackbeard. As you can see, excitement, betrayal, and the whole nine yards await.

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I bought into Disney's scheme. Jerry Bruckheimer and the Disney bosses obviously made "On Stranger Tides" in the hopes that those who had watched the first three would pay and see another one. It might be missing the central characters of Will and Elizabeth, but it was still part of the franchise and most people love franchise movies. Well, I didn't see it initially; I waited several months. But I still laid down my money and lined the pockets of already well lined ones ;-)

I was one who was none too thrilled about Pirates 4. When I had read that Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley were not participating, I moaned. When I heard that the two funny pirates would be absent, I sighed. When I read that they were giving Captain Jack a love interest in the form of Penelope Cruz, I grimaced. It certainly appeared as if the magic would be absent, a magic that made me love the first one and want to see stories to come to fruition.

Now that I have seen the film, I can say that for the first hour or so, I really felt like the magic was gone; I didn't see any signs of why I enjoyed Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest, or At World's End. (I say I enjoyed them....number 1 is hands down the best one. Two isn't great; three is moderately better.) I raised my eyebrows at how unrealistic the love angle was. I barely laughed at anything. I found the plot lines even more convoluted and confusing than before. Suffice it to say, I didn't have high hopes.....but I did grow to be entertained by the movie as it went on.

The movie could have been made more enjoyable, in my opinion, if certain characters had been cut out. Blackbeard's character did work; in fact, I liked the storyline about him and Barbossa. The storyline involving a religious crew member and a mermaid was on the sweet side; it helped ease the pain of not having Will and Elizabeth (just barely though). My issue lied in Angelica. Sorry, the first three movies were all about Jack being a rogue. The thought of him even remotely having a love interest is laughable. Another thing I struggled with....the scenery. It was beautiful, but it did not seem geographically accurate. Yet I am not one to complain when I see green. The musical score, however, remained the same and let me tell you, it is one of my favorite movie scores. (I can pick it out a mile away =)

Like with every Pirates movie, this one does have some borderline content. Language is at a minimum, though nothing major is used. There is blood, shooting, some odd voodoo moments....you know, just like a normal Pirate movie. Sexual content is veiled under the guise of some off color remarks and yes, the mermaids. The mermaids have gotten a lot of exposure in reviews. Here is the deal, they are topless. From behind, we see bare backs, though it never, ever, goes too low. Their fronts are covered with long hair. Yes, everything looks transparent, but honestly, I was expecting worse. They could have been more covered, and if you have a problem with it, I don't advise watching the film, as a mermaid is in the bulk of the last half. My dad and brother weren't bothered or thought it too much (and trust me, they will tell you.) These mermaid were not your Ariel mermaids; they are evil mermaids....all except one, but I will not give the plot away.

So, am I glad I watched the movie? That depends. I mean, I was highly entertained for over two hours; I found it quite enjoyable to some degrees. But did I love it? No...nothing will compare to the first film. (Most never do)

For Good

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from it's mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from it's mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...

Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

--Wicked--

To all of my friends and cheerleaders, to my critics and the ones who have caused my scars....this song I dedicate to you. I know that if I didn't have EVERY SINGLE one of you in my life, the process God has used to shape me into who He wants me to be would probably have taken a lot longer ;-)

I have been changed for the better for knowing you. It hasn't always been easy--you all have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of me whether in person or online, and yet, my true friends have never abandoned me. I thank the Lord for you....and using you.

You Were Born for This--A Book Review

Have you ever read a book that makes you analyze how you are living your life? Or perhaps the better question might be....did you do anything about it? You were Born For This has fast become a book that I will leave on my bookshelf, and return to time and again, for it was a book that challenged and motivated me to act upon the Lord's leading in my life.

We might hope and dream for a miracle, but author Bruce Wilkinson's point is this: the Lord often uses ordinary people as a way of doing extraordinary things. In fact, we were put on this earth for such a reason. Christ wants us to live every minute of every day in a state of expectancy, trusting Him to bring the person He wants us to bless into our path. And chances are, someone will walk into our lives in search of a miracle. While we might not have ours, we have the opportunity to be "Jesus with skin on" to someone more in need.

The book offers practical tips on how to achieve a changed mindset, because after all, it isn't in our nature to place other's needs before our own. The real life stories included make You Were Born for This come alive and leave you wondering if one day, that could be YOU and another person.

I have a fire lit under me. Since I have been granted life, I want to use it to my maximum potential...and glorify God to the fullest. If it requires stepping out of my comfort zone and into faith, looking at others through Christ's eyes, doing what I am asked even if others think I am the biggest psycho....then I guess I am game. Because, to use a quote from the book (and trust me, I wrote done twenty pages worth, so that gives you some idea who good this read was), "whatever our human limitations, when we know how to partner with Heaven, we will see that we were born to accomplish by supernatural means what God wants done."

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review as part of their Blogging for Books program.

My First Food Critique

Here I am trying my hand on how it would be in the food critic world. No, I am not submitting it anywhere....on the advice of a well respected food writer, I am just honing my craft. I am trying to focus on all aspects of the meal, rather than on how full I become. Practice, observation, and a love of food....those are the starting blocks. Let's see how this works.

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You view a restaurant differently when you look at it through a food critic’s eyes. One does not just focus on if they had enough food to eat: you focus on the quality of it, the taste of it, the portion to price ratio. And because atmosphere can make or break your dining experience, you pay attention to those tiny details as well. It is these things I did at Copper Canyon, one of Nampa’s contemporary fine dining restaurants.

When I hear the phrase fine dining, my mind instantly thinks of cloth tablecloths and napkins, instrumental music, lots of suits and dressier attire. Perhaps that is what happens on the East Coast; the West is an entirely different ball game. While Copper Canyon did have cloth linens, the music and décor left much to be desired. Tao Cruz and Alana Morrisette don’t exactly cut it for me, nor does a tea light in a votive holder. I expect a little bit more classier of an arrangement. Dress code is predominantly jeans in the West—and indeed that is what my brother and I were wearing. However, something better than a t-shirt would be more appropriate. That being said, it is a comfortable atmosphere for someone who might be underdressed.

So while my opinion might be less than stellar as to the atmosphere, the food exceeded my expectations. As I waited on my dinner to be prepared, I enjoyed the salad with house dressing—a combination of soy, ginger, and peanut vinaigrette. I haven’t had a good house dressing in a long time, but this is an exception. It is definitely worth trying to recreate the recipe, as I think one would be prone to eat salads more often. And who could have guessed that homemade French bread and whipped butter to be such a delectable treat. Hot and steaming, my family of four ate three baskets. Thankfully, the wait staff was very attentive and kept providing us with refills.

Because I do not eat much red meat at home, I decided on the New York strip steak as my entrée, leaving the rest of my family to try the chicken dishes. My meal came, much larger than I anticipated (due to both the economy and the stereotype that all chef prepared food is the portion size for a bird.) My fork instantly went to the garlic mashed potatoes and oh, what a sensation awaited me! Creamy garlic goodness did a happy dance on my palate as I took forkful after forkful, unable to leave them alone. My steak, topped with sautéed portabella mushrooms was a bit on the tougher side initially. (I ordered it medium, but it seemed to be medium well-ish) However, the flavor was incredible---mushrooms and a wine like cream sauce are one of my favorite combinations in the world…and the meat did become more juicy as I progressed through the strip. My vegetables—carrots, broccoli, and haricot veres were also refreshingly crisp tender. Have you ever had vegetables that are soggy and rather brown looking? These were the exact opposite. The bright greens and orange seemed to pop on the plate, making them appealing to eat and appetizing to the palate.

So while I was enjoying my dinner, the rest of my family was thus occupied. My mother and brother both had the Chicken Almondine—two breasts of chicken pan fried with almonds and tops with an orange glaze. I haven’t had chicken that tender in quite a long time. The same is true of my dad’s chicken, Chicken Marsala.” We all didn’t talk much during the meal; we were quite busy stuffing our faces with the delicious food. Now, we didn’t like our plates, but we came quite close.

It is more of an expensive restaurant, though with the Groupon we had, costs were certainly more manageable. However, I am fat discovering that the more you pay, the better quality of the food. So, while the ambiance and décor left a few things to be improved upon, I would highly recommend Copper Canyon for anyone in the Treasure Valley hunting for a good meal.

Soul Surfer--A Movie Review

Soul Surfer
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood
Rating: PG

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

True passion is something that is not easily found. It usually exists in the moment and then, when another interest becomes more appealing, passion is transferred from one object to the next. Rare is it to find someone that is passionate and driven enough to let it shape their lives; most give up when the going gets tough. But Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is so passionate and in love with surfing, she is going to let nothing stand in her way.

Living in Hawaii, Bethany’s life is all about the ocean. Her parents (played by Dennis Quaid) and her two brothers, Noah and Timmy, are just as much “fish” as she is. They all play a huge part in getting Bethany sponsored and on to the next level. Days are spent gauging wave charts and attending competitions. It certainly appears as if Bethany and her best friend, Alana Blanchard, are going places…until an early morning surf session turns disastrous. In a remote stretch of beach, Bethany’s left arm is bitten off by a fourteen foot tiger shark; nothing will ever be the same again.

It is a miracle that Bethany lives, but the challenge is yet to come. It takes enough strength to learn how to tie your bathing suit, cut a tomato, or even put your hair up in a pony tail….it is another matter to go back out on the waves again. Like any normal human being, Bethany has her moments of feeling sorry for herself. IN these moments, she turns to her Bible study teacher, Sarah, (Carrie Underwood), who reminds her that something good is going to come out of this. And with her family and friend’s support, Bethany is determined to surf competitively again. However, all good things take a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and a character lesson or two) in order to reach their full potential.
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I remember reading about Bethany Hamilton’s story—she and I were both the same age and yet, our lives couldn’t be more different. She lived in Hawaii; I didn’t. She had been involved in a shark attack, survived, and yet continued to do so…..I can’t stand to even look at a shark, they give me the creeps. But I remember that I admired her passion, her tenacity, and her strength, so when I heard that they were making a movie, I wondered how it was going to be.

Bethany has said all along that her faith in Jesus Christ is what got her through that really rough time. Believe it or not, the film does not shy away from that. There was much debate when the film was being made about how much religious content was to be in the film, but the Hamilton family, Carrie Underwood, and Dennis Quaid said that the movie needed to remain true to the actual story—bible verses and all. It isn’t preachy, think of it along the lines of “The Blind Side” but only a little more “Facing the Giants”

There is absolutely no content in the film. No language, no sexual elements, you don’t even see much of the shark attack. Because it takes place in Hawaii, bikinis are the common dress code, and I know several people offended by this. You have to make the call on if you are or not. The acting is well done by AnnaSophia in particular, same with Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid. Carrie Underwood can sing, and you hear her do so in a scene, but I am the first to admit that her acting left a little to be desired.

Soul Surfer is a very inspiring movie. It made me think about how passionate I am about my interests and how I use them for God’s glory. Bethany did it right…makes me hope I can say the same.

Really No Big Deal

Have you ever had those moments where the Lord impresses something greatly upon your heart? You know, the moments where you might try to ignore it, but He keeps bringing them back to you again and again, with each time growing in veracity? God has used working in a secular environment to show me that listening to those "heart stirrings" offers one of the best opportunities to show Him to others.

Working in a public library definitely has its challenges. While the Director and several other coworkers are believers, it isn't exactly somewhere that you can proselytize. After all, the public is there to pick up books on many subjects, not get hit over the head with "you're going to hell" types of messages. So, at the library, we have to be more politically correct and mainstream than I would like....and I didn't think my first job would be in a place like that. Don't get me wrong, it is the greatest first job one can have...you know what I mean ;-)

However, from the beginning, the Lord has used little rays of sunshine to show me that He is bigger than secular institutions. I have a dear Christian coworker (who I call my pseudo-mom) that takes me to lunch quite frequently. We are always on top of the hottest new releases in Christian fiction and non-fiction...and let me tell you, there is nothing quite like seeing moms holding Karen Kingsbury in their hands =)

Yet the Lord has called me to be a witness, even if it is just by the way I dress, act, speak, etc. I do not hide my light and relationship with him under a bushel. It plays a huge part in who I am and frankly, I don't think I could hide it anyway. So, what my coworkers see, it is "the real me"; I am not trying to play "kiss-up" or anything like that. What is funny, most people don't get that.

A coworker of mine just had a major surgery in her family. As you might imagine, it has been weighing on her mind quite frequently and quite heavily. One day, I just felt the need to give her a big hug and tell her I was praying for her. (She is one of those people at work that I can mention "prayer" and "God" and not worry about it coming back to bite me in my personnel file!) Another day, I sent her an e-card, telling her the same thing. Remember, I didn't think anything of what I was doing--it was just something that the Lord impressed upon me...

After the fact, I got the sweetest response from her, thanking me up and down, how she appreciated me, etc. etc. Her words do mean a lot to me, but they weren't neccessary in the least. I know what it feels like to receive a kind word; I was just paying it forward. Goodness, I wonder what she is going to think about the campaign I "spearheaded" to being meals to her once her husband gets home from the hospital?! Again, it was all God--he was only using me.

I don't mean this post as a way of tooting my own horn. I mean it was a challenge to all of you. The next time you feel the Lord tell you to do something, listen and heed immediately. Don't question it, or wonder how it will look to others, or analyze it to death. Trust me, by doing so, you are going to richly bless another person and in turn, you will feel blessed yourself--regardless if you get thanked or not--because you know you did the right thing. You showed HIM and what he will do with that will exceed your wildest dreams

Charity's Tude

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I am so excited to be able to share this with y'all. I write for a magazine entitled "Charity's Tude"--all about film, the fashions, etc. It is the first article of mine to be published in there.....and you can download the free e-zine for yourself and read it!

I loved how my article turned out, I am not going to lie to you. And I won't tell you which one is mine anyway. I have posted the beginnings of the magazine so it can whet your appetite. I bet you will fall in love with the magazine as I have!

Beastly--A Movie Review

The Movie: Beastly

The Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary-Kate Olsen

The Rating: PG-13

My Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

****************************************************

The world views success in how popular you are, how beautiful you look, how much many money you have...Kyle Kingston (Alex Pettyfer) was no exception. He had a low opinion of most everyone at school, especially those he perceived as ugly. And boy, does he love to express his rude thoughts! His father and local news anchor doesn't discourage his son's behavior; rather, he does the exact opposite. One can only put up with their actions and attitude for so long.

It happens on the evening of a school celebration. Kyle puts on airs with most everyone he knows, although he has glimmers of niceness while around schoolmate Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens), even though the two of them have barely spoken in the three years of being in the same school. However, Kyle is horribly rude to Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), one of the oddest dressed people in school. Little does he know that Kendra is a witch in disguise. Pronouncing a spell on him, Kyle has one year to have someone say "I Love You" or else he is going to remain in his altered, ugly state forever.

Dad can't abide what his son looks like, so he sends Kyle off to a home of his own across the city. He hires a blind tutor (played by Neil Patrick Harris) and a housemaid and pretty much, he leaves Kyle to his own advices. The main of which is Kyle observing, and falling in love with, Lindy from afar. When he observes her drug addict of a dad kill somebody, he demands that he protect Lindy from harm in exchange for his silence. The deed is done. Under the guise of someone named "Hunter," Kyle takes Lindy into his home......what follows is the story that we all know so very well.

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Beastly was not something I originally thought I would love. As a friend of mine so aptly put it, it was "the teen thing," and I don't usually go for those types of movies. However, upon the recommendation of a friend, I decided to try the movie. After all, it was a modern retelling of my girlhood favorite Disney story (and who doesn't like those?!) I will say that the movie totally exceeded my expectations; I really, really liked it. I laughed, I got teary eyed, my heart fluttered the tiniest bit, and I received inspiration for another blog post. You cannot go wrong with that!

It wasn't as clean as the animated tale of Belle and the Beast was, however. There is language consisting of s***, h***, d***, and the Lord's name in vain. When Kyle is rude, he is rude! It makes you cringe. That being said, there was NO sexual content, which made it predominantly clean in my eyes. (You see, sexual content and nudity bugs me more than language; that is me being honest with you) Violence is kept to a brief minimum. However, some of you might take offense with two things: 1.) the fact that Kyle goes around quite frequently with his shirt off and 2.) the movie does hinge on a spell. If you can get overlook those, I don't see anything else that will offend.

I see why people initially watched the movie. Its leads are "teen heartthrobs"; it was based on a best selling book. I tend to steer clear of fads until after the fervor has died down. But now, I found a place for it in my own heart--it reminds me of my childhood, just in a reenergized, slightly more grown up, way. I don't think it would be a beastly thing in the least if you did decide to watch it yourself.

Still Very Much Belle

The innocence of youth is a precious thing. Life is much simpler, colors are brighter, everything is seen through rose color glasses. No one has an angle, "happily ever after" is very real to them--in fact, nothing ends in a manner that isn't happy and in one piece.

But as we get older, the innocence fades. In its place, cynicism takes root. Where we once saw only the rose, we now see the thorn. Because of past hurts, we have a tendency to view every new acquaintance as having an angle or some ulterior motive. It is harder to see the good in situations. Suffice it to say, the fairy tales we used to love are no longer accepted with blind faith; instead, we analyze, explain away, and doubt their existence. After all, they were only fiction and we know that non-fiction is what constitutes life.

News and media speak volumes and add to those truths. We hear tales of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mark Sanford cheating on their wives. Rape and sexual abuse rates are through the roof. The family unit is a dwindling occurrence in present society.....frankly, the boy meets girl, boys fights for girl no matter the cost, boy and girl live happily ever.....it is a dying breed. This young woman, who is a self described hopeless romantic, even has her moments of doubt sometimes.

And then, I watched Beastly. I discovered that despite everything the world might tell me about romance, I am still very much Belle (or Lindy, if you are talking the movie I just watched). I do still believe that there is a prince out there for me, perhaps hidden right now in a form that I do not notice. I do still trust that he will care about me more than he does about himself, that I will build him up, and that no "spell" can keep us apart if it is what God wills.

Belle/Lindy was a girl who did have some naivety, at least some could have interpreted it that way. I like to think of Belle as a girl who looked beyond appearances and saw the true heart of a person. She believed that the heart and character could be disguised in a beastly looking exterior...and when focusing on that, it made the other look like George Clooney. =) I would like to hope that I am someone who still believes in people, that they aren't as evil and self-centered as we have come to expect.

So, while the world might tell me that pure and happy love stories can only be found in books, I am going to believe in my Lord--who is bigger and and of more infinite powerful than mere humans--can and will give me my own fairy tale. No, it isn't going to be perfect; even Beauty and the Beast isn't perfect when you think of it. However, love doesn't only have to be associated with the words: cheating, divorce, friends with benefits, etc. With God, there is still good; the glass is always half full in his eyes.

I guess I still have some innocence. I still do believe in happily ever after. After all, I am still very much Belle....and I pray I always stay that way.

Book Review: Through My Eyes

I might be a summer season type of gal, but fall does have a hold on me in one particular area. I can hardly wait for college football season to roll around! My dearest friends know me well (although they have never seen just how much I transform ;-)--they know that every time Boise State plays, I will either be tuned in via TV or phone...and if they call, well, I will just have to call them back.

I don't get the opportunity to go to games all that often. A friend of the family usually enables my dad and me to go to one game a year, out of the kindness of his heart. I have to tell you, there is nothing like going to a game in Bronco Stadium--the atmosphere is electric, the fans are frenzied (yes, including me), and you feel as if your yelling has the ability to sway the game in your team's favor...plus, our blue turf is amazing ;-)

Tim Tebow isn't from my team--he played for Florida (and I do hold that against him, but I won't go into my reasons now.) Not only is he an amazing quarterback, he also has an incredible story to share. It is a story that a lot of people know and they don't hold it against him. IN fact, the media respects him for it. He was dubbed by doctors as being a risky pregnancy, but his mother had him anyway. He is a Christian and proudly, unashamedly, shares his convictions with the world. He also was homeschooled....and no one asks him the inevitable socialization question ;-)

This story is a look into his life, from birth until his going into the NFL draft. If I can tell you a little secret, I have this little crush on Tim Tebow. Everything I read and know about him mirrors everything I desire in a future husband someday. This book didn't help matters, as I found out he hates to fly and ride roller coasters (both of which I hate) and loves country music.

"Through My Eyes" isn't only about fun anecdotes. There are a few profound messages in it. He encourages young people to use the platform God has given them NOW to serve Him mightily--doesn't have to be when we are rich or famous. I wish I could remember some of the quotes; I had to return the library book today =( Let me just tell you, I felt like numerous pages were written by me. Finally someone has words in print that I have been saying all along!

I highly encouage you to read this book for yourself. Okay, okay, it is heavy on the football and most of you probably might not like that. But even if you skim it, you will undoubtedly find a nugget of "something" that God will use to speak to you. For me, God used the bulk of the book....and that is why it is at the top of my wish list.

Gearing Up For Change

As you can tell, I have gone through a drastic makeover. I felt it was time to do so. Perhaps it was a fresh cover to the same general message. Sometimes, you just need that or else you grow stagnant and bored.

So, why change the title of my blog? It was on vacation that I really felt the Lord leading me to do so. You see, I have been on quite a journey--one where He is showing me that life looks different for each individual. While there are some black and white issues lined out in Scripture NOT to be argued with, there is a lot of gray. It is those gray areas where there is some wiggle room.

A lot of people don't understand that. There are plenty of stereotypes about Christian, homeschooled young women, and frankly, they drive me up the wall. I feel like the Lord has, as a result, given me the desire to share what He has taught me about being boxed in. I am a young woman who finds enjoyment in food, family, friends, film, and football; I try to let my fashion speak volumes and my faith is the starting point, and the ending point, for who I am...

Yes, I am still here all because of His grace. I just felt it was time to go in a different direction. That being said, you will still see the Lord magnified and glorified--even if the title and several, but not all, of my posts be more on the "fun" side.

So, I am getting ready to change my URL (AKA, where you will find me). I don't have it quite up yet, but I shall be going away from here and transferring over to http://www.fromfaithtofootball.blogspot.com/ It will come without warning, so have that address stored away somewhere safe, as I want to take all of you along with me.

Are you ready for the ride? Here we go!!

A Renewed Zeal

What is that saying---"absence makes the heart grow fonder?" I find that to be true of many things: your favorite book, long neglected and collecting dust on the bookshelf; an old friend that you haven't seen in quite a while; or writing, something that you thought you had lost the passion for.

I never completely lost the passion for writing. I just put way too many other commitments ahead of posting on here. Life has been consumed with working nineteens hours a week at the library and getting eighteen college credits in three months. So you see, I do have some decent and reasonable excuses. But I do not strive to be a person who lives by excuses and apologies.

However, a recent article that I wrote seemed to light the fire anew in me. Finally, it was something that I felt was well written, expressed adequately....and just plain enjoyable. I decided it was high time to use my God-given talents, at least that is how I see them, once more.

So, what do I plan on writing? Let me tell you, I have a lot to say ;-) I feel lead to talk about everything from faith to football--and plenty in between. God has been teaching me a lot through the trials and the triumphs at work and school; I want a place that has them recorded. I read plenty and watch plenty; why not give my opinion in the form of reviews. I love red carpet award shows and college football--I think I need to pass that love onto you ;-)

Bear with me as I get back into blogging mode. Regardless if many read this....or none at all. I have my passion back and that matters more than any success.

The Wedding the World Waited For

It was a day like no other. I managed to stay up the entire night with my tea and scones, feeling rather British. I do know that some people could have care less about the events happening "across the pond, but I am not one of them. I anxiously awaited to see this wedding unfold....and I am going to share my highlights with you.

THE DRESS!!!!! For two hours, that was all that the news circuits were talking about. What would Kate wear? Who would be the lucky designer? All of the questions were answered when Kate finally emerged from her car......and what a dress it was!! In my opinion, it was stately and elegant, classic and perfect for a princess. The Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen design seemed to channel Grace Kelly's gorgeous gown and yet, it had a life all its own.

Probably because this dress is from my decade....and I will be able to tell my daughters about watching this wedding, I think I prefer Kate's dress over Grace's. The more fitted version just suits me better, as does the lower neckline. I might be into modesty, but I do like showing a little skin.

Kate was, and deservedly so, the center of attention.


THE CEREMONY!!! Yes, the ceremony had a lot of tradition and ceremony connected with it, but for me, it was the little things that captured my attention most. Kate looked positively radiant walking up the aisle on her father's arm. A little nervous, but mostly at ease and confidence...True to speculation, William did not see Kate in her dress until she met him at the alter.

But brother Harry did. And in one of my favorite moments, we see him take a look back at Kate, grin, and whisper "wait until you see her" to his brother. That part just made me smile; I only could have wished to have seen William's reaction.

Standing together at the alter, we see William whisper to his bride "you look beautiful" once or twice. My heart seriously melts. How could it not have? Truly, these two looked so in love. That was evidenced as they walked back up the aisle. Both had smiles, yes, but William appeared like he wanted to break into the largest grin in the world.

I know the British have traditions and are known for their stoicness, but I wish he had.

THE BRIDAL PARTY!! What is a bride and groom without some attendants. The little bridesmaids and page boys were positively adorable. And they performed their duty perfectly, which is always a good thing. But aside from the bride and groom, Pippa Middleton (Kate's sister and maid of honor) and Prince Harry stole the show. Pippa looks positively radiant herself--and I usually am TOTALLY adverse to anyone besides the bride in white. Harry looked as handsome as ever; you could tell he was enjoying the ceremony just as much as his brother was. Those two boys mean the world to each other.

But hopeless romantic that I am, I love the thought of Pippa and Harry as a couple. No, they aren't one, but if you watched, you couldn't help but see that they appear to be friends. And such a striking couple too! Yes, Harry has his on and off again girlfriend, Chelsy, but I can still hold out hope for this romance, can't I?

THE KISS!!!! And what is a wedding without a kiss?! The Church of England does not do it the way we in America do--we had to wait about another 90 minutes before we saw their first kiss as man and wife. It is tradition and it was as sweet as could be. Now, there was a part of me that wanted a Hollywood kiss. You know the kind: William take Kate in his arms, dip her, the whole nine yards.....but that is a bit over the top for the Monarchy.

So instead we got two, rather chaste kisses. One was a bit short and had everyone clammering for more. The second kiss was a surprise and totally unexpected, by both the viewing audience and even the People themselves. I'm sure more romantic kissing was done in private, away from the ever present camera, but at least we got this.

It's bitter sweet, the wedding being over. But I think I shall begin praying for William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I have such a love and interest in this couple. I want them to be an example to the world of what a faithful marriage looks like.

Wedding of My Generation

Being an American Girl, naturally I love the United States best. But there is one thing that we consequently miss out on. In other countries, about once a generation, there takes place an event--the Royal Wedding. Such a momentous occasion is one that most people follow with anticipation and excitement...almost as much as the real countrymen and women do.

My grandma's generation had Princess Grace Kelly. Her storybook romance to Prince Ranier of Monaco captured the hearts of many in the 1950s. Leaving behind an Oscar winning career in Hollywood to marry into one of Europe's smallest principalities was something only most girls dreamed of. But Grace lived it--and to this day, her wedding dress is considered one of the most iconic and copied designs. Her romance was truly for happily ever after; Ranier and Grace had three beautiful children together and remained married until her untimely death.

My mom's generation had the wedding of Diana Spencer, to Charles, Crown Prince of England. Diana was a very young bride, just twenty when she walked down the HUGE aisle at Westminster Abbey. The crowd, and indeed the entire world, was uproarious when Diana emerged from the carriage that would carry her into a new life--for now we got to see her wedding dress...and its twenty-five foot long train. Sadly, what appeared to be a love story did not have a happy ending. Charles and Diana did have two beautiful boys, but their marriage ended in divorce. And of course, we all know about her tragic death.


But the British monarchy gets another try this go around. Diana's son, William, is about to be married--TOMORROW!!!! His bride is girlfriend of eight years, and one of my fashion icons, Kate Middleton. The two met in college and have been (mostly) together ever since. Their story has a twist; no aristocratic blood flows through Kate's veins. William is the first member of British royalty to marry "a commoner." True love does come in all forms, does it not?

The world has been waiting for the nuptials for years and I include myself in that number. I was beyond excited when in November of 2010, William finally proposed marriage. It meant that in my lifetime, I would get a royal wedding of my very own. Well, figuratively, not literally ;-)

So, now, we wait to see just what Kate and William's legacy will be. No one knows the designer of Kate's dress; William won't even see it until she walks down the aisle. Everyone sits and waits to see if she will fumble over her vows--as Diana did. And of course, will they appear just in love as ever, much like their pictures do? Will their love story follow that of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier? Or will it go the path of William's mother and father? I believe the whole world is rooting for the former.

Because I have zero connection to the royal couple, I was not invited to the wedding. But I will be there in spirit as will several friends of mine. I am pulling an all-nighter, others are getting up at the crack of dawn, to watch these two say "I do." We are sipping tea--I am making scones--others are wearing hats or tiaras. We want to soak up this experience...because it only happens once a generation.

Worshipping His Ressurection

This was the order of worship service today at my church. It sums up all of my emotions so perfectly--singing could have gone on forever in my book.

You could feel Christ's presence in that place. Yes, it is there every week, but today.....with the guitars and drums, the vocalists, everyone seemed to be feeling the Lord in an amazing and real way. I know I was.

Listen to the songs and remember......HE IS RISEN!!! DEATH HAS BEEN DEFEATED!!! HE REIGNS FOREVERMORE!!!

By His Wounds

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/mac_powell/by_his_wounds.html ]
He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Thank you, Abba Father--for remaining silent, for bearing my cross, for being willing to have the weight of the world upon Your shoulders. Your grace and mercy that was so visible all those years ago still amazes me.

And this was only the beginning of the story.

A Father's Devotion

Dressed in the cutest black and pink party dress, with a string of pearls around her neck, she had my undivided attention as we waited for a dinner reservation. She and I talked about her dress, what she was going to have for dinner, what grade she was in school....and how she wishes she was homeschooled so she could go to school in her pajamas. ;-) This little girl reminded me of another little girl so very close to my heart. She was perky and happy....and so excited to be on a father/daughter date.

I watched the dad. He had eyes only for his little girl. You could tell that he was so happy to be spending a "fancy" evening out with his youngest. He was dressed in a suit to match her dress. He taught her a few dance steps as they waited for their reservation. And when we saw them at their table, he wasn't content to sit across from her--he pulled out her chair and sat next to his seven year old. Dinner was only the beginning; the two were on their way to a Valentine's Day dance.

Being the center of attention with a parent is a wonderful feeling. I love when Dad surprises me with going to to breakfast or yes, even going to a Boise State game. I feel like it is just him and me, that there is no one else in the whole wide world he would rather spend time with. I also feel this emotion with my mom. Today, the two of us spent the morning at the spa; it was a time for just us girls, talking and relaxing. Nothing else mattered. I could share anything I wanted and I had their undivided attention.

And when I came home from my wonderful dinner, I was reminded of something. I always have someone's devotion and attention. I have my Father, my King, who despite being the Lord of Heaven, takes every moment of every day to listen to my prayers, to wipe away my tears, to calm my fears. I know that He cares about making me happy and content, just like that father at the Olive Garden.

I have been blessed with a wonderful earthly daddy--so has Sadie (that little girl who so captivated me). I hope one day she will have the privilege and blessing of knowing that she has a Heavenly Father who is even crazier about her.......just like I do.

Being Elizabeth Bennett

When reading, I discover an aspect of myself in literary heroines. Sometimes, a character seems so much like myself, I wonder if the author didn't "gaze into a crystal ball" and see how I live. Other times, I notice that the heroine's negative traits are the same negative ones I have in my life.

My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. I was introduced to the works of Jane Austen several years ago and I was immediately hooked. Into the world of Regency England I entered; I dreamed my dreams of finding a Mr. Darcy of my own. The first line of the novel is one I know by heart ("It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a great fortune must be in want of a wife".......see ;-) And Elizabeth became one of my favorite characters in all of literature.

She is the character I get when I take those personality quizzes. I admire her strength and resolve to marry for love, especially when her mother pushes her towards security. Elizabeth Bennett is not without her faults--she is far too honest, blunt, and open. I share these attributes.

Yes, they can be good qualities. Ask any of my friends and they know that I say the absolute truth, that they can always count on my to give my opinion when they ask....and sometimes when they don't ;-) I cannot stand the air to be tainted by anything; I will dig to the ends of the earth to get it cleared up if need be.

But, sometimes, I am way too vocal. So far, I haven't said anything to get myself into trouble. Yet I know it is a distinct possibility. As much as I would like my thoughts to be known, sometimes they don't have to be. I cannot begin to tell you how hard it is for me to keep my mouth shut sometimes.....I am learning.

This past week at work, I have been faced with a choice. Do I open my mouth....and promptly insert my foot as well as get into trouble? Or do I bite my tongue and keep moving forward. By God's grace, I have managed to do the later. It hasn't been easy; one or two days I was so close to launching into a tirade (like Elizabeth does so many times to Mr. Darcy), but I caught myself.

I don't apologize for being Elizabeth Bennett. The Lord put those aspects inside me for a reason. But I am resolved to keep on tempering it, at least at work, with a bit of her sister, Jane. Being strong and independent is necessary to some degree (and believe me, I embrace it)....but if my being a little quieter, a little meeker in the face of adversity causes the light of Christ to shine forth....then I am all for it!

Through it All

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are"~~Unknown

Just when I think I have healed from past scars, something always arises that reminds me of just how human I am, of just how much growth I still have yet to do. It is a painful thing to admit; in fact, I wish I could lie and say that I am perfect....that while I have many sin issues, I have finally gotten past this one.

I think I should add pride to the list. For who am I to think I am perfect? There is only One who is perfect....and He loves to show that I am not.

This past week, I have had a torrent of emotions sweep over me. My teenage years are fraught with memories of being dumped by girls who wanted to hang with the "cooler crowd," or of friends who wanted "famous people" for their peers. Journal entry after journal entry have tear stains as I poured out my heart to the Lord, asking what was wrong with me....

The answer came. There was nothing wrong with me. I was being who He wanted me to be. He only had those individuals in my life for the purpose of shaping me into the person who writes this entry today. The tears, the pain, the scars....they all had a purpose. And I thought that was enough for me to be at peace.

In a two day span, memories that had been dormant came flooding back as I felt that incidents were being repeated. I believed that, once again, there was something wrong with me. I wasn't cool enough or famous enough or even legalistic enough; I felt like I was headed back in the direction I had walked five years earlier.

It isn't easy to all of a sudden not care about what man think of you. Especially for this girl whose primary love language is that of "quality time" and "encouraging words." Sadly, I dub myself as high maintenance; I need those reminders that people do still love me. That they aren't going to dump me, despite my past history seeming otherwise.

But in the same two day span, I have been reminded by my Father and by others that the above quote holds true. They don't hold my past against me--they are standing beside me as I begin some new paths in the coming days--and they love me today, for infinity and beyond, faults and all. That is a measure of a true friend.

True friends are ones who instead of dumping me when I have my "off days," they pray me through them. They keep reminding me of the truth--the Voice of Truth I know in my head. The same Voice of Truth that says "this is for God's glory." Just as winning the battle of a particular sin issue glorifies Him, so does falling flat on my face and saying "I have taken a few steps backward; I need Your help."

With Christ's help, I am going to make it through this mess. And yes, some of those friends are going to help me too.

Golden Globes Fashion

I have come a long way. There was a time when I could never have imagined doing a post like this. It was a time in which I believed modesty carried a definition of "No Curves Must Show--Shoulders Must Be Covered--Shape is Out, Shapeless is In"...the list could go on and on.

Now I have standards and convictions on what a woman should and should not wear. (Like I really have a problem with women exploiting their bodies in Victoria Secret commericals and in skimpy bikinis) But when it comes to events such as the Golden Globes, I feel a freedom to admit that I can like a one-shoulder dress....or even something strapless. Doesn't mean I will wear it, but it means that I am not legalistic anymore.

For the first time, I am doing a post with some of my favorite fashions that hit the Red Carpet last night at the Golden Globe Awards. I am very different in what I like from bloggers and fashionistas...but hey, I don't have a problem with that. I might not be familiar with the actress' works, I might not have even know who they are....it is still fun anyway.

**An Important Note** Please do not think I condone showing cleavage and flaunting your body. Because I don't. The sole purpose of this post is to have fun =)

Above is Julia Stiles in a one-shouldered black dress. I have come to the realization that I like the mermaid style (fitted at the top, flared at the bottom) I appreciate no clevage is showing. Trust me, there was enough of THAT yesterday.



I would say my favorite looks were worn by Hailee Stienfeld and Carrie Underwood. Hailee is new to Hollywood--her first role was in the remake of "True Grit" (which is fabulous, by the way)--yet she looks like she belongs. It is so refreshing to see someone who dresses her age and is modest....yet fashionable.

Carrie, in my opinion, always looks good. I am not a fan of the sweetheart neckline (like what she is wearing) but the dress itself is FAB! Classiness is a common accessory Carrie wears....and I think she made country music proud last night (even though she didn't win for Best Original Song).

Color was only semi-prevalant last night. Green was a common color, though I wasn't crazy about any of the dresses. (Well, Catherine Zeta Jones's was really nice, but I didn't post it.) I like the color to be found on Emma Stone's dress--she is the one in the peach. (Although her movie, "Easy A", you wouldn't catch me watching at ALL. And I found Jenna Ushkowitz (from "Glee" fame) in the blue super cute as well. I love when curls cover up the fact that someone is wearing strapless--it is deceptively modest ;-) Emma, I can tell, has a bare back--which I would never do, but no cleavage ;-)







More Below...............

Okay, two of the most controversial of ones I liked. Eva Longoria (in the black) is for obvious reasons--I am a cleavage hater. But I love the shape of the dress, the flared skirt with its train.....oh, if only the top would be higher up.

And Christina Hendricks (of "Mad Men"--which I don't watch either) is in red. Red is one of those statement colors. It used to be considered a "fast" color. Which is a shame....because I wear it all the time. I hate the hair--would have been prettier in an up-do--but in the midst of creams and blacks, this is a perfect pop of much needed color.

Lastly, there are the two dresses that channeled Old Hollywood. And if you didn't know it before, I LOVE the Golden Era of Film. Dianna Argon (of "Glee") is one of my absolutely favorites....maybe even more than Hailee and Carrie. There is just something about this dress I love. On me, I would have had MUCH higher strapless and a different color that wouldn't wash me out.....but that is me.

The last outfit is Milia Jocovich (of whom I have no idea). I do know that I love the hair swept to the side and the style of the dress. It just screams classy at me.

You might have thought it stupid, a fashion post on a blog that mainly wants to talk about what God is teaching me. Yet in a way, it is........the Lord is reminding me yet again of how I am letting legalism go while still managing to keep standards high. I didn't get to this place on my own......but by God's grace!