The funk. The mist.

Hello Fellow Friends.

It's April, can you believe it? I know, it's weird to think about how fast March went by. I literally dont remember much of it. All I remember is working and school. There was fun St. Patricks day parties and things that made me smile but none that come before the memories of school or work, lame, right?

Anyways, I write all that to say this. I'm in a funk. Not so much a "I'm depressed funk" or "My life is horrible funk" just a....funk? Is that weird that I cant describe it? Yeah well, try being in it! I think the funk all started when I heard something i've heard a million times. Are you ready?

"Your life is a vapor, a mist. Literally that fast and short."

Silly right? Silly that I would be in such a funk from that one sentence. Yet its SO true. My life literally is a mist or a vapor. Im here for one minute and gone the next. In the grand scheme of things my life is a tiny grain of sand on the beach.

--> James 4:14

"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

 

Even the bible, holy truth that is God breathed tells us what our life is. The Message, even though im not a fan of it, says we are like fog. New English Translation says we are a puff of smoke.

 

I looked up the average time vapor, smoke, fog and or mist lasts and depending on which one we are specifically talking about they last literally an average of 10 seconds. Im NOT kidding. The put me in an even deeper funk. Thinking more and more about my life and what I am doing/want to do with it. With "10 seconds"? 

 

This years goals from back in January are still the same...

 

To strive toward the gospel constantly-
In everything I do, everything I say my goal is to have a heart that is striving towards what God has done for me. I refuse to be stagnant and I never want to feel like I have been lazy.
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
Philippians 1:26-28
To fear God constantly-
Everyday I want to wake up fearing the Lord. I of course need to be in equal thought that the Lord is loving and truly cares for me. I firmly believe that we as a generation do not fear God in such a way to where we realize his power. God is such a mighty, huge creator we need to remember that he has made the plans for us and knows all of the everything.
"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."
1 Chronicles 16:24-26
To give constantly-
This coming year I want to give in more ways than previously. Not only in the financial sense, but in deed for the gospel, in giving thanks for more things and giving God everything, not just metaphorically.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:16-18
 

Spring is normally the time "New Years Resolutions" start fading, well I dont want that for me. I want my @013 goals to keep happening. Especially if my life is a vapor, mist, fog or a puff of smoke. I am reminded today how precious my time to share the gospel is with those around me and I am Thankful for this funk. In this funk I am spending time praying and seeking.

 

What are you doing with...

 

Your Life?

Your Mist?

Your Vapor?

Your Fog?

YOUR Puff of Smoke?

 

 

 

Praying you are chinging the world for the Gospel, you are keeping Christ as the foundation of your everyday and to love those around you for his glory.

 

Until next time,

 

 

Pray without ceasing.

Going through a season is hard, but it's worth it......right?

Currently dear friends I am going through a season. 

Not just a "season" but a truly life changing season. 

If I could tell you all I would, for now I am asking you bathe me in prayer. 

Please be praying for me, and my heart in this time of change. 

Daily I am reminded of this simple truth.....

If God is good when we are happy, if God is good when we are comfortable why isn't he good when we're not?  In times of trouble, unsure hearts, when we are restless is when we need to lean on the Lord. Not just lean on the Lord but truly rest at his feet and say "Lord I need you, YOU are my rock and without you I am NOTHING." Dear friends, in times of chaos, like where I am now, it is time to pray without ceasing. 

"All good leaders PRAY first and PLAN second." 

I am in a part of my walk where leaning on the Lord is ESSENTIAL.

Our God is good in times of struggle, joy and all the in between. 

My dear friends I hope this reminds you of the Lords love for us and how much we need him on a daily basis. How much we need to pray to him and lean on his understanding. 

Quiet Times are Good.

Hello. Hello. Hello. 

My dear friends, it has been a month. This blog has been quiet and it has been wonderful. 

Honestly, I feel like the first month into the new year with my 2013 goals I should have posted more. 

A lot more. 

Sometimes I say silly things like, "no one reads it so its fine." Sometimes things like "well I have other important priorities and this needs to just be forgotten." Although my dear friends, during this time of quiet I have come to some amazing conclusions. 

This blog is not for you. 

This blog is not about you. 

This blog isn't even technically about me. 

This blog is to glorify the LORD and the amazing things he has blessed me with. 

I want this blog to glorify the LORD all the time not matter what, whether it has a recipe, pictures from my weekend or a very deep thoughts. It always needs to come back to the gospel. Such as in my own life. 

  During my quiet times I have really had an amazing time, I turned 20 and have had many adventures in that month. God has been absolutely amazing and has directed me in so many new ways, it still shocks me telling you about it. 

    Currently I am learning about my identity. Learning and being refined in the idea that my identity is now how i serve, where I serve but WHO I serve. Yes, that's right I after about 7 years of being a christian I am still struggling with this. It comes and goes, but has always been deeply rooted and for the 335497465th time it has come up I am finally dealing with it. Actually filing through why I immerse myself in serving and why I have made that my identity. 

     This blog will be getting a beautiful update soon. Probably in like 2 or 3 months. It just needs a new face lift and am ready for a solid change. Just as the LORD is refining and changing me as a woman of God I am changing this blog. I want to look back and see those fun memories or yummy recipes but ultimately see the LORD as the center. I consider this my journal for the public. A look into my life, therefore I will start sharing a little more about my life with you. Jesus shared his life with people he knew and pointed all glory to the father.  

     As I leave you all with this little tid bit of information here is a reminder for the rest of your busy, fun, amazing, chaotic, exhausting, lovely, wonderful week......

2012 Memories and 2013 Goals

Hearing from me again dear friends, shocking this soon. I know. I wanted to do a post about some of my favorite memories of 2012 and looking forward to 2013.

Memories//
Having my first "modern" Polaroid.
Getting my new camera bag.
The many cuddles with my cat.
Snow in March.
Hunger Games and friend dates.
All the beautiful sunsets.
Easter egg fun.
Being crafty, a lot.
Ladies tea dance number.
Little Creek casino night.
Graduations galore.
My car being written on.
Many Sushi dates.
Starting my job at Starbucks.
Summer campfires.
Vacation Bible School.
Fourth of July.
Spending a week with Phoebe.
Summer camp.
Bash in the grass.
Being closer to God.
Getting a new toe ring.
Doing my first sock bun.
Halloween fun.
Monday night bible study.
Yakima Volleyball tournament.
New Christmas Music.
Finding a cool new coffee shop.
Thanksgiving fun.
Black Friday madness.
Candy making.
Decorating for Christmas.
First hockey game EVER.
Gingerbread homes.
Many needed girl nights.

        I have spent a lot of time thinking about the past and 2012 has been a year full of trials and hard times, I was SO blessed!! I love remembering the good things and the great, now it is time to look forward. Unlike many of you, my dear friends I really do not like New Years Resolutions. I think they are pointless, based solely on emotion and never really get done anyways.

       I feel like we should not wait for one pivotal night or moment to make changes for our lives, I feel like we all need to be continuously striving for life change both for the gospel and personal life change. Ambition to do something such as change how we eat, how much we read our bibles, or how we treat people is definitely a good thing, in fact it's great. Many times things like that go one of two ways. Either these things consume us and we are not letting the most important thing consume us. OR we just forget and stop caring which means we are stagnant.

So, my goals in which will alter and possibly change as I do, throughout the year look a little like this//

To strive toward the gospel constantly-
In everything I do, everything I say my goal is to have a heart that is striving towards what God has done for me. I refuse to be stagnant and I never want to feel like I have been lazy. 
      "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
Philippians 1:26-28 


To fear God constantly-
Everyday I want to wake up fearing the Lord. I of course need to be in equal thought that the Lord is loving and truly cares for me. I firmly believe that we as a generation do not fear God in such a way to where we realize his power. God is such a mighty, huge creator we need to remember that he has made the plans for us and knows all of the everything.
      "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."
1 Chronicles 16:24-26 

To give constantly-
This coming year I want to  give in more ways than previously. Not only in the financial sense, but in deed for the gospel, in giving thanks for more things and giving God everything, not just metaphorically. 
      "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:16-18

My fellow friends, from the words of Mr. Ford:
“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”
-Henry Ford

The Late Christmas Post

Hello Dear Friends. Long time no talk. 

I would like to pretend that I have had all the free time in the world, yet definitely not true. 

It has been a whirl-wind of a season, let me tell you!! 

I know I am a little late BUT Merry Christmas, hope yours was absolutely wonderful and filled with joy. 

I wanted to share some of our fun decor and our Seattle trip!!

 Normally I do them in separate posts but this time I decided to put all the Christmas fun in one post!! Prepare yourself for pictures galore, as per usual right??

First off, Christmas Decor in the Foster Household//

My Disneyland Slipper Ornament

You could say I really love blue and green!!

I like sparkly things, including trees.

Again, I like sparkly things, hello boxes.

I also may love owls, a lot.

If only you knew how many trees we have....

Hello sparkles!

Sking snowmen are always fun!

You could say my mom loves those Santas!

Clothes pins and garland!! Perfect for cards!

Vintage owls are pretty much the best!

My homemade Christmas Banner!! FUN!

Father Christmas is pretty great.

So pretty and simple.

Even the kitchen got decked out!

Now Seattle. Even though I feel like I have told this story a million and one times but I will do a quick recap for those new readers!! Every year since well, as long as I can remember. My mother, father and I would go down town to Seattle, shop around, grab a bite to eat, and take this fun carriage ride. Here are some of the fun memories from that night! We do it in memory of him every year and definitely find it something special. Hope you lve the memories as much as I did. Seattle Trip//

Favorite things ever. Christmas Lights Galore. 

 How perfectly fun and wonderful are these candies? Hello fun!

I wanted to buy this SO bad!!

 Well friends, hope you absolutely loved all my memories just as much as I loved making them. As said before, I know this was late, but never late then never....right? Until next time friends.