Filling My Nest: February 2015

2.16.2015

A Birthday Challenge

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Byp7aK2DA&w=420&h=315]

Take My Life by Chris Tomlin

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

We had the best weekend up north at our friends' cottage on Lake Leelanau, celebrating my birthday and Valentine's Day! To say they spoiled me is an understatement. Saturday we didn't leave their cozy cottage because there was a blizzard outside and it was absolutely freezing! I was so bummed that I forgot to pack my camera, but I took this one (out the window) with my phone.

Brave Kite Surfer

As we were sitting in front of the fire sipping wine, somehow we started talking about people's priorities and how they choose to spend their money. The subject of shopping came up and uh-oh...I was nailed. I told them shopping wasn't my issue, but buying expensive, unnecessary items was definitely my problem. I know you are thinking it's the same thing, but to me it isn't. I don't like browsing just for the fun of it. I shop when I'm on a mission to buy something! Wait, maybe it is the same thing?! Anyway, I mentioned that although I recently took a lot of stuff to Salvation Army, I still have an over-abundance of clothing. I don't know if it was the wine talking or not (If I had to guess I'd admit it probably was... or maybe The Holy Spirit?), but I challenged myself to go a whole year without buying any clothes for myself. In an attempt to save and protect me from failure, my husband quickly interjected that "gifts" would not count. Isn't he just so sweet?!

I love a good challenge. If you don't know me, you might not know that I can be
~~a little~~quite competitive. I have decided that I am going to embrace this challenge and see if I can go a whole year without buying myself one stitch of clothing (not including under garments, but including shoes/jewelry/scarves). I invite you to ask me how it's going to hold me accountable, but God will know the truth!

I'm thinking that since I have this nice little spot in cyber-space, I'll come here and list some of the things I'm grateful for when I'm having the urge to buy something. If you see me here listing stuff often you'll know I'm struggling.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." ~Matthew 6:19-20

Wish me luck!

Here's to another healthy, happy, peaceful and intentional year!

All my love,

Angie

xx

2.05.2015

Colorado

Please try not to judge us when you see these photos. I know it's probably sounding like we are spoiled for being able to go on another trip this Winter. Not that I have to explain it to blog-land, but it does feel a little uncomfortable. My main goal for adding them here is because I print out my blog at the end of the year. I would like to have my favorite photos all in one place. We appreciate the fact that God has Blessed us with the ability to take a nice long weekend in Colorado. Our trip was extended two more days since we had a huge snow storm here in Michigan. We weren't snowed in, but snowed out of town. I can think of a lot worse places to be stranded for sure!

We hadn't been skiing in several years. I was planning to bring my old skis until I recently took a trip to Salvation Army to drop off some clothes. I noticed my skis were there for $15.99. and my boots were the same price! Apparently skis have changed a lot since we last hit the slopes, so we decided to rent ours in Breckenridge! Now they are short and very wide; and they turned on a dime!

Anyway, if you stopped by for a little inspiration instead of just hearing me brag about our travels, please listen to the song I posted. It's one of my all-time favorites and I thought about it several times while we were there enjoying the gorgeous scenery. I'm not sure I've ever used the word, "majestic" before, but God's artwork was everywhere!

"the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." ~Psalm 19:1

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PNgSfK5w_I&w=560&h=315]

Anything's Possible

some will look out at the ocean
but never set foot past the shore
while others set sail
never look back and go where no man's gone before
some people look at a mountain
the fear of it shadows their mind
while others look up and chart out their course
and slowly they start their long climb
anything's possible if you believe
anything's possible and can be seen
once you get past the things in your heart
that cloud what is good and true
anything's possible if you have faith
just keep your head up
stay in the race
others before have known this is true
and now it's time for you
to know anything's possible too

some people hear of a battle
walk the first road of retreat
while others will rush
to find the front line
never give thought of defeat
everyone looks in a mirror
and stares at the core of their soul
we all have the choice to get lost in fear
or gather the faith to let go
anything's possible if you believe
anythings possible and can be seen
once you get past the things in your heart
that cloud what is good and true
anything's possible if you have faith
just keep your head up; stay in the race
others before have known this is true
and now it's time for you
to know anything's possible too

others before have known this is true
and now it's time for you
to know anything's possible too

Anything's Possible... for you!