Today Was Seattle

I wore this outfit just a few days ago.

The weather was beautiful and sunny that day. It was 70 degree's and had a nice golden breeze.

Today however, today was Seattle, between my melancholy mood and the dreary weather. 

Today was Seattle... Which I needed... Which I love.

I love the rain.

I love the clouds.

I love the days that just remind you that you don't have it all together and that nothing is in your control.

I love that crisp chill in the air that makes you want to hold your Starbucks Hazelnut Latte just a little closer to your chest for extra warmth. That that was the only thing that could have made you that much warmer during that moment.

Seattle is on my mind... it's on my heart... I will fill you in with the details later.

I just keep praying that God's plans are Seattle too.

I'll just have to wait and see.

Love,

Steph

Christmas In February

So since it's been a while since I've blogged.... We're going to go back in time to what would have been blog posts, but never happened for various reasons. 

Hey, I can pretend time machine's exist...

So this past Christmas, we had a Texas miracle.... Two words...

White. Christmas.

My father took these pictures and they original came out all blue and dark, so if the editing is a little funny, my apologies... These pictures don't do the outfit justice.

I got this dress thrifted but it's originally from The Limited. It reminds me of a dress that some woman would wear in the Pearl Harbor movie. The pearls are my mothers, which are always special.

What The Flu Taught Me

I'm so glad everything is back to normal (prayerfully) I guess I spoke too soon before where I said I'd be back...

It was Monday and I was sitting in an appointment in the career center getting my resume critiqued and it was like an immediate 180.

Chills, Fever, Body Aches, Head Aches, Throat Hurting.

Full. Blown. Flu.

This was the like the last thing I needed this week. I had tests coming up, a huge group project due, and a presentation.

I came back to my apartment... curled up in bed and tried to not think about how awful and continuously worse I was getting. Thankfully Full House was on, so it cheered me up for the time being.

Long story short I ended up missing the whole week of school. My parents came and picked me up and my amazing mother took care of me.

It's rare that I'm sick, but when I am, it's bad. I got to thinking though while I was sick, how many times I hear a friend of relative is sick and I blow it off as like "Ehh, oh well, I'll say a little prayer and they'll be fine eventually" or I am not as compassionate or care because it doesn't affect me.

It was the truth and I really got to see that when there were a few people who were willing to go out of there way to serve me, call me, text me, leave me encouraging voicemails, etc. Little things like that go a long way, especially when you've been on the same couch feeling helpless for days.

I encourage you all today, that if you know someone who is ill, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually to encourage them today. You don't even have to know them, visit a hospital, nursing home, soup kitchen. 

It's so easy to brush things off when they don't affect us but I hold onto this scripture that I memorized the other week.

"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." -Phil. 2:3-4

Under The Weather

Unfortunately, the one year I get the flu shot is the year I get the flu.

The flu bug hit me two days ago unexpectedly and it's been very discouraging.

It's very uncomfortable sleeping and breathing. However I think the most discouraging thing is missing class. This is my busiest semester and I'm already feeling Satan attacking me.

What if I don't graduate? What if something happens and I get behind that I do bad in my classes? What if I don't graduate with honors? What if I don't have the fruitful semester I've been praying for?

It's hard to seek His Kingdom first in the midst of sickness and school. I'm beating myself up because all I want is to be healed but I haven't really spent time in His Word the past 24 hours. I've been praying bits here and there. It's comforting to know that others are praying for me and checking on me; showing me God's love that way.

 I hope you all stay healthy and stay safe.

-Steph

Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself

I am well aware that I have been absent from my blog for 2.5 months now. 

As soon as I came back from Fall Break from Oregon, I immediately went into taking finals. Next was Christmas, then Winter-mester, then Spring Semester, with hardly any break in between.

I have dearly longed to write to you all and continue to share my life. I haven't had more than a few days absence from blogging so this was hard to deal with.

In the mean time as you can see it's a fresh and new year.

I have a new blog design thanks to a lovely and patient girl named TJ.

Life right now is pretty typical for what you would expect a college senior that's about to graduate to be.

I am working on research and my thesis, about a million projects before I graduate, growing and expanding this blog, and seeking God's wisdom for the next chapter in my life.

As far as this blog is concerned, I'm excited for what things I have envisioned:

*I will be sharing my journey as I work out (dreadfully) and eat better.

*Cooking everything I can on my Pinterest Food Board. Follow me if you haven't already!

*More outfit posts! We can never get enough of those.

*More design and travel posts.

*And continuing to share my journey with God with you.

I'm glad to be back. 

In the mean time, enjoy this preview from my trip to Oregon.

Grown Up Moments

So last week my roommate and I had 3 friends over for dinner. 

You could say it was my first "grown up" dinner party.

We all sat on the floor because I don't own a coffee table

(Well I do, but I took it apart and it's sitting in our laundry closet because it cuts up the room)

We cooked Chicken Burgers, Baked Potatoes, and Broccoli and Cheese.

For appetizers I had cheese and crackers and plums (don't ask me where those came in... I guess I had a lot to get rid of)

We decided to invite two people from our church that we don't know as well and that our new to our fellowship and we really just wanted to get to know them.

It was a great time. We asked each other the funniest questions and laughed the whole night. We all definitely got to know each other better and to finish off the night we all went around the circle and prayed.

This night reminded me of this scripture:

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:13

I recommend that if you are just an acquaintance with someone and would like to get to know them, invite them over for dinner! 

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."- Hebrews 13:2

"You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 19:34

I Will Not Be Getting The "I Voted" Sticker This Election

 

So I thought that I would touch on the touchy issue that seems to be all people are talking about...

POLITICS! 

Since the hype about the big election coming up I wanted to give my insight, which may surprise you.

If you would have asked me a few years ago about politics I would have talked with you till the death. Told you how I thought the opposing candidate to who I wanted was this, this, oh AND that.... and how I thought you were an idiot for considering them.

I hosted and attended debate watch parties, read up on many articles, watched a lot of news, and really educated myself about each candidate, usually priding myself on being a moderate but usually leaning toward the left.

Well then Jesus came into the picture and I read this verse:

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." - 1 Timothy 1:2-12

“Makes Jesus your Lord proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of fools... Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” 

-1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message Translation) 

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." -Romans 13:1

After much prayer, biblical wisdom, and observation of politics I have decided that for the presidency, I will vote for neither Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

My reasons for not voting are many but the main few are these:

1) No matter who you vote for, if Congress cannot learn to work and pass legislation in a bi-partisan manner, it doens't matter if the President wants to give us all unicorns and gum drops, it's not going to happen unless Congress can learn to work together (which is why I vote for my senators, governors, representatives, etc.)

2) I don't agree fully with either party at this point to vote for one or the other.

3) If a third party would ever get into office, I would vote for them, but unfortunately Americans' and politics care more about parties than about the betterment of our country. It's time to move on from the two party system.

Stating my opinion is in no way disregarding anyone else's. I know the cost that the price that was paid to have our freedom and rights and I exercise them regularly and in other such elections. I believe it is powerful as a nation for all of us to join in on the discussion, respectfully debate, and to not let this become the main focus of our lives. There are still mouths to feed, bodies to clothe, and love to be given.

A Backwoods Weekend

Hello!

So this past weekend was a little different.

Usually my Saturdays I work from 10-6, but I took off work so I could go to Diana, TX 

(3 hours from where I live) with some friends. David's family lives in Diana and lives on a beautiful piece of property in a log house with trees everywhere and a perfect pond to complete the setting.

I am definitely not one who has much experience out in the country but it was so nice to get away and to literally be forced not to use my phone since this area didn't get service.

The day started with BBQ Brisket Sandwhiches from a little hole in the wall place.

Then the fun came aka skeet shooting. It's not my first time skeet shooting but I don't have much expierence with a 12 guage... let's just say the kick back is a lot different from a 20 

(points to bruise on arm)

After a while of goofing around and laughing we got to ride four wheelers through the country side. It was probably my favorite part. I have never been on a four wheeler and all we saw were hills and pine tree farms, animals.
It was golden hour so the sun was perfect (which distracted me from my face that was freezing off)

I also had the opportunity to make so delicious homemade fudge with David's mother. The recipe will come in a later post.

We ended the day with a beautiful dinner of baked potatoes,chicken, and pork chops.

How was your weekend?

Better Late Than Never.... State Fair Edition

 If your tractor doesn't have 80" rims, you're not talking about 'nothin.

The lovely Dallas skyline.

I went for the "Sweet" and "Chola" look.

 About to fall of the tractor.

 It was Stephanie's first time at the fair but she's a native Texan.

 Both of our first Ferris Wheel ride. Let's just say we hadn't even gotten off the ground and I was terrified.

 Lies. This is when I was terrified...

....And then I calmed down.

 Fun House Fun!

 Stephanie having fun in the Fun House and no I am not talking in the 3rd person, Stephanie is my roommate, best friend, sister in Christ with the same name. Yaya for same-named best friends!

 I've heard some say we look alike.... I'm hoping the younger Cher because the 60 year old Cher would be a little insulting *raises forehead to see if my face can still move*

 These little babies were amazing.

 It was like a hand held "Brisket Pot Pie/Hot Pocket.... 

A lifetime supply would be an understatement.

And we ended the night off with a minature pony which I have added to the list of animals I want: 

Holland Lop Bunny, Flamingo (I found out were illegal to keep as pets, but I'm sure I can adopt one somewhere), Sea Horses, a White Teacup Persian Cat, and a Mame Shiba Inu.