Food-filled Friday

Fridays will almost certainly not continue to be "food-filled", or at least named as such, but just as Wednesday's wardrobe happened to work out, today being food-filled was fitting!

I love watching "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" on The Food Network. A few weeks ago, I saw a dive that was nearby. So today, on the first day of my boyfriend's visit, we ate there!

Fab Hot Dogs!

This is me with my Texas Burrito Dog! It was "Fabulous!" It was filled with 2 dogs, chili, cheese, and bacon (without the mustard and onions . . . because I'm picky) wrapped in a tortilla shell.

That's all for now! I know it was late and short, but it's been a busy day, and I'm getting up EARLY for a hike! :D Have a wonderful Saturday!

Thoughtful Thursday

I'm not sure Thursday's will stay "thoughtful", but right now, I don't have the time or energy to talk about "travels". So, thoughtful it is!

Thought of the Day:

"Every time that we do something we don't particularly "want" to do, out of our love for God or out of obedience, there is grace. Every time we put others' needs before our own, in humble acts of service, there is grace. Every time we endure hardship for the sake of our vocation, the gospel or Christ's Church, there is grace. ----------- Put simply, truly embracing your vocation means embracing what God wants you to do each day, not what you "feel like" doing. It means putting God first, not yourself."- Mark Hart (aka "The Bible Geek")

I remember the first time I read this. I had a great need to let go of my own desires and embrace The Father's plan. In reading this quote again today, I needed to hear it once again, but for completely different reasons. (and almost the opposite reason . . .)

The first time I read it, I was learning to let go of the future I had planned with someone. I learned to accept and embrace with joy God's plan for me to move wherever he needed me. Now, the lesson I'm constantly trying to allow God to teach me is to be patient and wait for the future I have planned with someone until it is God's time. I need to learn to accept that even though I am not where I want to be, I am where God wants me to be; and since it is where God wants me, I must make it my desire. I must learn to "embrace what God wants of me each day, not what I 'feel like' doing."

Ask anyone close to me and they'll tell you, I have not learned this lesson yet. Patience is my least favorite virtue to work on!

Wednesday's Wardrobe

I'm not sure how long Wednesday will stay a wardrobe day, but since I have actually made a dress recently, I thought I'd go with it! :)

I have had a great desire for new skirts and dresses lately, but since it is so difficult to find dresses that are modest, cute, and in my budget, I decided to put my sewing machine to good use. Sewing is such a theraputic and enjoyable activity for me. I always love the reaction when I say, "Thanks, I made it" when someone compliments my clothes. They are generally shocked that I even know how to sew!

So, this is the first of many dresses/skirts that I plan to make. The fabric is a satiny blue and white floral print. The pattern is fitted at the waist and has an A-line skirt. The process started off on a bumpy road. After pinning the pattern to the fabric, I began to cut. Only one piece into the process, I cut a pretty large chunk of my finger. I took care of this little problem and left the project for a day. The next evening, I got to work.

I started off making a size much larger than needed. It's not very easy to fit a pattern to yourself alone! I tried to make some alterations to make it fit, but it just wasn't working out. So, after sewing the whole dress, I had to rip out the whole thing and start all over. It took quite some time to rip out all of the seams, but thankfully the second round of sewing it went quickly. So, after quite a few hours, one bloody gash, and a few late nights later, the dress was finally finished! It is so comfortable, bright, and fun. It was definitely worth the work. :)

The next project will most likely be the black and white skirt. :)

A Tune for a Tuesday

Being that it is Tuesday, the project begins! :)

SLEEP SONG - Rich Dittus

May your maker grant you peace
Let all your worries disappear
I pray you sleep without tears in your eyes
If you have tears let them be joyful cause your one step closer to heaven
And when you wake a new day breaks
Rejoice and sing

Hold me, Hold me Close to your heart
Hold me, Hold me Close to your heart

All your life you lived to fight to reach heaven
Battles you lost give to the cross and plead forgiveness
But don’t give up, he love you too much

I pray He holds you, holds you close to His heart

The whisper of God contains the answer
If we are quiet enough to hear
You are chosen and I love you
Do not fear
©2005 Rich Dittus

Rich is not only a wonderful singer, songwriter, and musician. He is a man with a beautiful soul and heart for Our Lord. I was blessed to spend a week long staff retreat listening to and learning from this man's example. Though he may have been well known and semi-famous to those in the room, you would not have guessed it from his actions or attitude. It is so beautiful to see a strong model of a humble, holy man of God. After purchasing his CD, this song became my "bedtime song" (another one became my morning song). Thank you, Lord, for the gift you give us through Rich.
http://richdittus.com/

Ideas that kept me awake tonight

I've decided to do a posting for each day of the week. Based on my "teal" tendencies (a leadership style from a high school student council camp quiz) to start things with high hopes and great intentions, but eventually become disorganized and un-dedicated, I will not entertain the illusion that this will be a daily reflection. Regardless of these inclinations, I have made a resolution to do these at least a few times a week!

All of the days have not been decided as of this point, but I feel that God has put this on my heart. So, as he tells them to me, I shall make them known to the blogging world. These are my ideas thus far . . . whether they remain as such is still to be determined.

Sunday: Sunday's Saints - discovering a saint's story (whether "S" or "s", living on earth or in heaven).
Monday: Miracle Monday - I'm not sure of this one. The idea thus far is to find a miracle on Mondays. We'll see if anything else comes up!
Tuesday: A Tune for A Tuesday - This is the day that started the idea! I LOVE lyrics and what music can do for a soul. Thus, I will post lyrics to a meaningful song on Tuesdays.
Wednesday: Wednesday's Wardrobe - Probably the least thought out one thus far. If it stays, I'll report on the clothes I've been sewing, or great modest clothing, or . . . well, I just don't know yet! :)
Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday - or - Thursday's Travels - Thursdays will either be filled with quotes, bible verses, or other thoughts for the day, or by discovering new places I have or would like to travel.
Friday: Food-filled Friday - Another less than thought through idea. Possibly doing a mini "Julie and Julia" blog. Cooking something new for Fridays.
Saturday: Saturday's Strengths and Struggles - or - Saturday Scriptures - . . . looking back on the times I have been weak or strong through the week on Saturdays or reflecting on the readings for Sunday.

Any ideas or suggestions?

The Revised California Bucket List

After many suggestions, I've revised (and doubled) my list! Looks like I better get busy crossing things off. :)

The California Bucket List

1) Learn to Surf
2) Swim with the Dolphins at Sea World
3) Visit and hike Catalina Island
4) Hollywood
5) Malibu
6) Santa Barbara
7) Dodgers Statium
8) See a movie premeire
9) Hike to the Hollywood sign
10) Stay at Hotel del Coronado
11) Channel Islands Planner
12) Lake Arrowhead
13) Joshua Tree
14) Palm Springs
15) Yosemite
16) Vegas
17) Disneyland
18) Grand Canyon
19) Sequoia National Park
20) Drive Pacific Coast Highway
21) Huntington Library
22) San Francisco
23) The Missions
24) Kayaking caves at La Jolla
25) Hearst Castle
26) Sailing
27) Death Valley
28) Hollywood Bowl
29) Whale Watching
30) Grunion Runs (with my Dad)
31) San Diego Zoo
32) La Brea Tar Pits
33) The Ghetty Museum
34) Griffith Observatory
35) Universal Studios
36) Santa Monica Pier
37) Eat at Planet Hollywood
38) Venice Boardwalk
39) Santa Monica Promenade
40) Be an extra or in the studio audience of a TV show
41) LA County Museum of Art
42) Pantages Theater
43) Tommy's Burger
44) Canter's Deli
45) Philippe's French Dip Sandwich
46) Fashion District
47) Olvera Street
48) Tijuana
49) Move back to Missouri

My California Bucket List

Today, I decided to make a California bucket list. Hopefully it will help me to make the most of my time here. It will all be recorded on this blog. :) Here goes!

The California Bucket List

1) Learn to Surf
2) Swim with the Dolphins
3) Visit and hike Catalina Island
4) Hollywood
5) Malibu
6) Santa Barbara
7) Dodgers Statium
8) See a movie premeire
9) Hike to the Hollywood sign
10) Stay at Hotel del Coronado
11) Channel Islands Planner
12) Lake Arrowhead
13) Joshua Tree
14) Palm Springs
15) Yosemite
16) Vegas
17) Disneyland
18) Grand Canyon
19) Sequoia National Park
20) Drive Pacific Coast Highway
21) Huntington Library
22) San Francisco
23) The Missions

letting it out

Today, I've decided I won't be insightful or optimistic. For whatever reason, I'm just not in a good mood. I feel like I'm consistently trying to stay afloat, do my best, and keep a joyful attitude, but quite frankly, I am sick of swimming. I just want to give up for a while. There's a great deal to be said for summer vacations . . . I wish the whole world took summer vacation. I miss the days that I could do something totally different for 2 or 3 months of my life and take my mind off of my normal life to regroup and gear up for another round. Those days are over . . . and the more and more I enter into the "big kid life" the more I miss college, my friends, and my community.

It's funny, the normal me would be positive right now. She'd keep her chin up, know God has her in a place for a reason, and knows that she can be happy no matter where God has her. But it seems that it is more and more difficult to keep my head up. Day by day, I wonder where that girl is. Where is the normal me? The positive me? I've been trying to keep my head up, to put on a happy face for people. Because when people ask how life is going for me, they want to hear that things are great. But the truth is, I hate being away from my boyfriend. I really don't like California that much. And my job, well, it's not what I expected.

So . . . that's that. I said it. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day, but as of now, I'd love nothing more than to be living back in the loft with the girls.

Do not deprive yourself of something so advantageous . . .

Today, this was the reading we had at a woman's prayer/study group I attended. And man, this surely kicked my butt! The things I considered most important I made bold. Read it, think about it, and amend your life as needed! May we all learn to spend quiet time reflecting on GOD! :)

The Imitation of Mary: Chapter 4, pg 110,
NECESSITY & ADANTAGES OF MEDITATION

♥ The Believer

O Cave of Bethlehem, let me experience what Mary felt when the shepherds came to adore Jesus in the manger! Or rather, do you yourself, Virgin Mother, show me the thoughts and feelings that were in your heart at that moment.


♥ Mary

My child, the deeply moving sight of God become an infant, in a manger, and wrapped in poor rags was for me a wide and inexhaustibly deep theme for my reflection. I could never weary of meditating on that great mystery. What I saw and heard was forever written in my heart and affected me profoundly. Even more than the shepherds did I wonder at the great things that were taking place; all the powers of my soul were concentrated on them. Countless tender affections sprang continuously from my heart, and I never ceased my praise and blessing of Almighty God.

My child, if you want a deeper understanding of the mysteries of faith you must take them seriously and meditate attentively on them.

Many Christians have but a weak faith because they neglect to nourish and strengthen it through meditation. The world is filled with so much crime and disorder, and the forgetfulness of the eternal truths is the reason for it. By meditating often on the perfections of God and the nothingness of things human the saints achieved detachment from creatures and were able to concentrate their affections on the Creator. Through this holy exercise they learned to value only what is great and valuable in God's eyes and their hearts were set on fire with a holy love that sought to lose itself in the bosom of God.

Therefore, let no day pass without feeding your soul on some salutary truth. That is how to learn the science of the saints. Do not excuse yourself with the claims that you have no time for meditation. What you lack is the will, not the time.

You have only one important business in life: to save your soul. Should you not think about it everyday?

You always find time to think seriously about the transitory business of this world. And yet there are no concerns closer to you or of greater importance to you than those of eternity.

Do not excuse yourself by saying you cannot meditate. You are quite able to reflect on countless matters of pure curiosity. Can you really claim that you are unable to think when it comes to reflecting on the great mysteries of faith and eternity? Admit rather that you have no great love for the Lord; admit that you are ungrateful. My child, your life will always be well ordered if you examine yourself daily in the presence of God and if you are what you ought to be in His sight.

Death will surely not take you by surprise if you learn each day how to die well. Spend just a quarter of an hour each day meditating before the altar or your crucifix on the greatness, mercy, threats, and promises of the Lord, and you will acquire a knowledge infinitely superior to that of all the philosophers whose works teach everything but the knowledge of eternal salvation.

Of what use is it for a man to have stocked in his mind with all the knowledge the world regards as practical and worthwhile if he lacks the knowledge the saints had, the knowledge that made them saints? You do not become virtuous simply by desiring it; you must seriously study and learn the means of becoming virtuous.

Never weary of asking Jesus for the grace to overcome your repugnance to an exercise from which the devil would gladly dissuade you, knowing as he does how important it is to you.

Do not deprive yourself of something so advantageous not only for yourself but for those who will be more especially entrusted to your care.