Looking Behind, Looking Ahead

2013 Year In Review

Looking Behind (Highlights of 2013):

• Dating my best friend. This is probably a given, but it has been an incredible time, and it is so fun to look back and see how much we've grown together since January.
• Traveling to St. Croix. Getting to share God with some awesome kiddos in a beautiful place is definitely one of my favorite memories of the year.  Mmm, passion fruit.
• Expanding my sewing skills. I know I haven't posted anything here (sorry!), but I've gotten to do a lot of creative things over the past year, including designing two (three, counting the Black Eyed Peas) halloween costumes, learning how to fit a paper pattern, and continuing to work in the Costume Shop.
• Maturing. I've seen myself grow in a lot of different ways over the  last year. I think I've changed in the way I do life, and it is a good change. God has taught me a lot about myself, about others, and about relating.

Looking Ahead (Dreams and Goals for 2014)
What will 2014 be like? When I started to write this, I got rather stuck because I couldn't think of any fancy "Dreams And Goals For 2014." But then I realized, who knows what this next year will hold? How exciting is that? There are things that I am expecting to happen, and things that I am hoping will happen, and things I wish would happen. What is exciting, though, is that I don't know. God is the only one who knows what might happen this next year. That is what makes life so exciting: It is like a roller coaster ride, and you never know what is around the next bend.

Sabbath.

What is Sabbath? Isn't it a weird thing to think about? One day, out of every week, when God commanded us to not do things.

To rest.

But what does that look like? For the Pharisees, that meant doing absolutely nothing. Jesus' disciples even got in trouble for picking heads of wheat as a snack! For Jews living in present-day Israel, it means not even pushing the button on the elevator (the elevator is programmed to stop at ever floor because of this). For some of my friends, Sabbath is simply taking a break from the routine, and doing fun things for a day.

But is that all? A set of rules (or not!) of how not to work?

Sabbath is based on this: God performed the work of creation for six days, so on the seventh day, He rested.

God - the all-powerful King of the universe - needed a break. If He needs to take a break sometimes, how much more so do we, weak, human beings we are!

But how on earth do we do that? In this fast-paced, plugged-in environment we live in, it can be hard to get away for an hour, let alone a whole day.

Here's what I propose: that, rather than a set of Don't's, Sabbath should be more about the heart. Take a day to do what you find fulfilling and restful, and find God in that. For example, you can probably guess by the title of this blog that I very much enjoy sewing. To make that my Sabbath, I would set aside some time to simply sew. As I sewed, I would dwell on the good things that God has done for me, and reflect on the questions that have been on my mind.

Sabbath is a heart attitude. It is a matter of finding God in the little, fun, joyful moments that fill your day. It's a matter of taking the time to spend time with God, and glorify Him.

Sexy Gospel (Or, This Is What I Teach My Youth Kids)

I just got back from helping lead an awesome youth retreat (so if this post seems rather scattered, it's because I haven't gotten much sleep haha). The topic was sex and relationships, and we had a really amazing time talking about what a healthy relationship looks like, why we have the natural urges and desires that we do, and what sorts of things we can be doing to prepare for a God-glorifying relationship and marriage in the future. It was an awesome retreat. I was so impressed by the kinds of questions the kids were asking - they were really deep! I also learned a lot myself. There was so much great stuff brought up, and I wanted to share some of the highlights that really stuck out to me.

• Purity is not just "avoiding sex". It is way more. True purity is seeking to live out your life - and your relationships - in a way that constantly glorifies God. This definitely includes avoiding sex before marriage, but it also affects many other aspects of a relationship.
• Sex is not the point of marriage. In Christian circles, it is easy to fall into the trap of just getting to the honeymoon, but if that's all there is, then why bother getting married at all? The point of marriage is to spend your whole life growing closer to one person, allowing yourself to be totally vulnerable with them, and learning to love them unconditionally - the way God loves each and every one of us.
• It is important to be aware that other people may give and recieve love and affection differently than you. Things that you might consider totally fine (hugging your friend, for example), they might consider to be too forward or uncomfortable. Communication and openness are key.

The retreat was a really awesome, and I loved getting to talk through some of this stuff with my youth girls. They had so many profound thoughts and questions, I'm pretty sure I learned more that they did!

Let's catch up!

You: Oh, hey Lydia! It's been forever! How have you been??
Me: Oh, hi there, Reader!! I know, I disappeared for a bit there...sorry about that...I don't even have a good excuse! I've been good, just busy with school and stuff!
You: That's okay, I've been busy too!
Me: Thanks Reader! That is so nice of you! you're so understanding.
You: What kinds of things have you been up to?
Me: Well, school is in full swing, but I have fun classes this semester so that's good. For one of y classes, I even got to design two halloween costumes and display them in a fashion show. It was super fun. I've also continued my involvement with the Well, my church, and my other on-campus activities.
You: That sounds awesome! So, what has God been doing in your life the last few months?
Me: Well, I think He's been showing me a lot about myself and my relationship with Him. It has been a rather humbling experience (Isn't that always the case? Nobody quite likes getting a good look at their true self), but it has been really cool at the same time. Here are some things I've learned about myself:

• I struggle with actively engaging - if I am not consciously thinking about what's happening or being said, I can fall into a pattern of passivity and check out.
• I don't like being in front of large groups of people, but people tend to see me as a leader.
• I am an ISFP on the Myers-Briggs personality test - i.e. I'm pretty quiet until something needs to be done.
• I have the spiritual gift of Shepherding - i.e. I love, love, love taking care of people and guiding them.
• I am a daughter of the King, and that is the important thing. (hey look, I made a rhyme!)

You: wow, that's great! Sounds like you're doing great! Can't wait to read more of the blog  posts that you will regularly write...RIGHT?
Me: yes, yes I promise! ;)

The Fruits of the Spirit

This semester at The Well, we've been memorizing "heart verses". I.e., we're not committing them to memory, we're learning them by heart. One a week.

 I've taken to writing them on my white board so I can read them easily during the day. As I was sipping my coffee this morning, I began meditating on this week's verse: Galatians 5:22-23.

 The fruits of the Spirit.

I was familiar with the verse, of course. There isn't a PK in the world that hasn't heard it in Sunday School at some point. But I hadn't really meditated on it. For a long time, in my mind I had thought of the "fruits of the spirit" as this list of characteristics of the perfect Christian. To be a "good person" you had to be loving and have self-control. So, naturally, I tried to be better at these things. But it was hard! How do you just have more faithfulness? Seriously?

It's not up to me.

They're fruits.

By-products of growth.

If I'm growing closer to God, and seeking His face, these things will come. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives joy, peace, and patience.

That is so sweet.

How To Shower In A College Dorm

This may seem like a really random topic, but hey, it's something every freshman has to figure out, and I might as well try and save you some awkwardness.

Via

YOU WILL NEED:
-A shower caddy filled with the essentials
-a bathrobe
-flip flops
-a towel

1. While in your room, get naked. I advise doing this in your room to avoid the discomfort of trying to undress in a cramped shower stall that might be wet.
2. Put on your robe and flip flops, and grab your supplies. Arm yourself! And make your way to the bathroom. Make sure your door is unlocked!
3. In the bathroom, set your caddy outside the shower and only take in what you'll need. I keep things like my toothbrush and facewash in my caddy, and I'd rather not have them get wet every time I shower. This is also a great time to hang up your towel.
4. Take off your flip flops, climb in the shower, and hang up your robe. The flip flops are personal preference: I know many people who shower wearing them, and I know many people who don't. I just figure hey, these bathrooms get cleaned every single day. They're not that bad. Also, I don't like trying to shower while wearing shoes.
5. Have a delightful shower!
6. when you're done, towel off. I advise doing this in the shower, then wrapping the towel around your head, putting your robe and flip flops back on, and making the trek back.

Helping Hand

I am so thankful for the community at the Well. Tonight, I got to see just how much God moves through this community.

Nate spoke on Matthew 6, and he divided the chapter into two sections: the first part, which is about being real with God as you live out your faith (not performing in order to impress others), and the second part, which is about not worrying or living in fear, because God is in control. (If you'd like to listen to the message, it should be posted here very soon).

Nate challenged us to live as a community this way - not faking, and not judging others for their vulnerability. I know I needed to be reminded of that - it is so easy to fall into this trap of believing that if you don't have it all together, then you must not be a good Christian. If you'd just "pray harder" your life would be perfect.

But this is so not true. As Christians, we should be striving to be more Christ-like, but that is only possible if we allow each other to see our weaknesses and help us work through them. At the same time, we cannot judge those around us, because who wants to be judged when they are trying to be vulnerable?

I got to see this demonstrated in an inspiring way tonight. At the end of the sermon, Nate invited people to come up to the front, cut a piece of twine, and tie it around their wrist as a reminder to live committed to Christ. What Well leadership hadn't realized, though, is that it is very hard to tie a piece of twine around your own wrist. I was sitting in the front, and I got to witness people helping each other out left and right. One girl was struggling with it, and another girl, who I am pretty sure was a total stranger to the first girl, just walked up to her and helped her out. To me, that was a beautiful metaphor for how the Christian family is supposed to work: I may not know you that well, but we're in this together so let me love on you.

What I Love: 8/18/13

I am thankful for the gift of gratitude. It allows me to take joy in the things around me, embrace life's ups and downs, and give glory to God no matter what.

This is it! I have completed a full year of What I Love. I miss many days (ahem, the last couple. Ahem), but it really has been a great excersise in simply embracing what God has given me. It's been a fun ride!

From here on out, I will still be posting regularly. Much of it will probably still be What I Love-style, but I'm hoping to share with you guys more pictures, some of the projects I do this semester, and other exciting things in my life.

Until later!

What I Love: 8/15/13

Packing to prepare for my return to school! I've missed it, and I am excited to go back. What will this year hold?

What I Love: 8/14/13

Going camping with my family (yes, that is the reason for my absence). A lot of laughs, a lot of cookies, marshmallows, and coffee, and a lot of wonderful memory-making family time. :)

What I Love: 8/11/13

Being able to bless the people around me with food, music, fun times, and fellowship.

What I love: 8/9/13

When God answers prayer. This morning, I was really exhausted, had a headache, and didn't want to go to work. I knew this wasn't a good attitude to start the day with, so I prayed and asked God to change my view and help me have a good day. And He did! The store wasn't too busy, but it was just busy enough to keep me from getting bored. My boss was in a good mood, and I got to play with lots of pretty fabric. :) Thanks God!

What I Love: 8/7/13

Thinking, planning, and getting excited for Fall Semester! It is going to be so great.

What I Love: 8/6/13

Getting coffee with one of my best friends, and getting to chat about everything under the sun. So good. :)

What I Love: 8/5/13

Having coupons to save lots of money with when shopping. :)

What I Love: 8/4/13

Babysitting! Especially when it's a sweet seven-month-old who can't stop smiling.

What I Love: 8/3/13

That both Ben and Rachael will be home soon! It will be nice to have the whole family in one place, even if it's only for a little while.

What I Love: 7/31/13

The Gatekeeper at Cedar Point. It's a new ride that's really fun. We went yesterday (hence my lack of posting), and we got to ride it. You should try it sometime.

What I Love: 7/28/13

Introducing my boyfriend to gooseberries, card games, and kayaking. But not at the same time.

What I Love: 7/27/13

After my post about modesty yesterday, I was reminded of this fantastic resource I'd stumbled across a few years ago. It's called the Modesty Survey, and basically, it's a survey of hundreds of Christian guys who gave their input as to what they see as modest. I love this because I want to be modest and protect the guys around me, but sometimes I just don't know. I might think something is modest (or sometimes I'm afraid I just don't think), and this is a really useful guide to get an idea of how guys see the world.

What I Love: 7/26/13

This video about bikinis and modesty. I came across it here. It is so true - our culture has completely stripped away modesty, and turned the very word into some sort of idea of a frumpy old grandma wearing eight layers of clothing. But what's it given us instead? Vulgar, less-is-more, the only way to look good on the beach is to wear as little clothing as possible. But it goes deeper than that. So much of our culture revolves around sexuality and attractiveness, but the world's broken idea of that is "I have to show myself off in order to be loved and attractive". But isn't it more attractive to be a little different, a little mysterious? To simply be a reflection of God's character that He made you to be? We are made in God's image, and our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Shouldn't a temple be taken care of, kept holy, and not trashed?

Thank you to Jessica Rey for speaking truth. Also, if you are interested in her swimsuit designs, the website is here but it looks like a lot of them are sold out at the moment.

What I Love: 7/25/13

My bedroom is done! I'm so happy with how it turned out. A coat of paint, new curtains, pillows, and blankets, and it looks great! A big thank you to my mom for helping me paint, and for letting me do such a bold color.

Okay, now for the tour (click on the pictures to enlarge):

The view as you enter the room.

Turning to the right.

The back wall.

Turning all the way to the right.

Close up of the head of the bed. Note the Beard calendar.

Pictures on the wall.

Each of these photos/decorations was either taken by me, given to me, or found around the house.

The throw pillows I made. The yellow one is the same fabric as the curtains.

Rather dark picture of the curtains.

One last pretty shot :)

Paint: Glidden Peacock Blue

Bedspread: found

Curtains and throw pillows: Made by me with fabric from Sew-Green

Hope you liked it as much as I do! If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask them in the comments!

What I Love: 7/24/13

That God forgives. It is so crazy to know that despite my sins, despite my pride, despite my selfishness, God loves me and has forgiven me, simply because His Son thought I was worth it.

What I Love: 7/23/13

Gooseberry pie! It kind of sounds like something out of Anne of Green Gables, but it is actually very tasty. If you find yourself burdened with gooseberries, this is a great recipe to use them in. Gooseberries are very tart (the pie is similar to a sour cherry pie), but the addition of tapioca helps cut down on the tartness. A note though, the pie is pretty runny if you cut it right after pulling it out of the oven. I recommend serving it with ice cream, to help with the tartness even more.

Gooseberry Pie

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups gooseberries
1 tsp orange rind
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbsp tapioca
2 tbsp melted butter
2-layer pie crust

Soak the tapioca for about 10 minutes. Then, combine all the ingredients (except the crust, obviously). Let the filling sit for 15 minutes. Then put the bottom crust in a 9 - inch pie pan, add the filling, and finish with the top crust. Crimp the edges and cut in some vents, and the pie is ready to bake! Put it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake for 30 minutes. It should look golden and bubbly. Let it cool, and enjoy!

What I Love: 7/22/13

Today marks the birth of the Royal Baby (Congrats, Prince William and Dutchess Kate!)

Fun fact: The baby is third in line for the throne: First is Prince Charles, then Prince William, then Prince Baby. He booted Prince Henry as third.

What I Love: 7/20/13

Guys. I found the cutest thing ever. LOOK:

source

They're "Squishables" and they are like 14 inches wide and round and fuzzy and ADORABLE. 

Squeeeeee!

What I Love: 7/19/13

making pillows and curtains for my bedroom!

What I Love: 7/18/13

A recipe I tried today: Brown-Butter Snickerdoodles. And OH MY GOSH SO YUMMY! That is all I have to say.

What I Love: 7/17/13

Looking through my photos of my trip to make a scrapbook! Here's a quick overview of what I was doing:         The first week, my team participated in a prayer tour of the island, and prepared for the overnight camp. The YWAM base had planned out the lessons, but it was up to us to pick themes, games, and activities to do with the kids. The second week was the camp, and it was a blast. I was a counselor, and my cabin (the “Twinkling Tiaras”) was really sweet. My co-counselor and I had the youngest girls. We had four young ladies, who were all fun, crazy, and excited to learn. It was really inspiring to see how much they grew and learned about God during the week. It was inspiring to me to see their faith.
     Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Making crowns for decoration.

The YWAM base

Getting my hairs did by some sweet local girls.

Trying coconut water

Prayer by the water

Helping one of my campers answer study questions

My amazing cabin, the "Twinkling Tiaras"

What I Love: 7/16/13

Cleaning cleaning cleaning! It feels so good to deep-clean my bedroom and throw stuff away! (You don't want to know how much stuff I've gotten rid of. It's depressing.)

What I Love: 7/15/13

giving my (older) sister a lesson in color theory in the paint section of Home Depot.

What I Love: 7/13/13

Looking through pictures of friends' weddings. I may not have been there, but it looks beautiful.

What I Love: 7/11/13

Planning how I'm going to redecorate my room! I'm thinking peacock blue with white trim and hints of yellow, kind of like this:

Source

The real question is, should I paint it all white under the chair rail/ledge, or should I do it like the photo? Thoughts/opinions/ideas?

Random sidenote: Wow, it's been harder than I thought getting back into the swing of blogging every day.

What I Love:7/9/13

Having time to recuperate, relax, and sew.

What I Love: 7/7/13

spending the day with my family, and celebrating my sister's graduation! Congrats, Boo!

What I Love: 7/4/13

That I am free to worship, dance, and be myself. :)

Happy fourth of July!

What I Love: 7/3/13

I have made it safe to St. Croix and back! I am hoping to post more pictures, but for now here's a sneak peek.

What I Love: 7/2/13

Today's prayer request: That the trip home would be smooth and uneventful.

Thank you so much for praying with me through this trip. I greatly appreciate it!

What I Love: 7/1/13

Today's prayer request: That our last full day would be spent glorifying God in a beautiful place He has created.

What I Love: 6/30/13

Today's prayer request: That God stirs the members of my team to be missionally minded and perhaps one day return to the field.

What I Love: 6/29/13

Today's prayer request: Pick one specific team member to pray for. My team is: Me, Liz, Teah, Courtney, Audrey, Mike, Emily, Morgan, Courtney, Hannah, Emily, Hope, and Shaun.

What I Love: 6/28/13

Today's prayer request: For God to move in the hearts of the local children.

What I Love: 6/27/13

Today's prayer request: That the team would see the needs of the children we are ministering to, and answer them.

What I Love: 6/26/13

Today's prayer request: That the team would stay healthy.

What I Love:6/25/13

Today's prayer request: For all of the people left at home. Because of our "technology fast", I'm sure there are a lot of moms worrying about their kids. Please pray that they would be at peace.

What I Love: 6/24/13

Today's prayer request: that the overnight camp my team will be helping out with will go smoothly.

What I Love: 6/23/13

Today's prayer request: That the churches on the island of St. Croix would become a Christ-like community filled with a desire to see people know Christ.

What I Love: 6/22/13

Today's prayer request: that the YWAM staff would be filled with God's Holy Spirit.

What I Love: 6/21/13

Today's prayer request: that the team would not be homesick.

What I Love: 6/20/13

today's prayer request: the YWAM base at St. Croix, that their ministry would be blessed.

What I Love: 6/19/13

Today's prayer request: Pray for the people of St. Croix, that their hearts would be open to the gospel.

What I Love: 6/18/13

Today's prayer request: That the team will adjust quickly to being in St. Croix.

What I Love: 6/17/13

Today's prayer request: Travel safety. My team's itinerary is thus: we depart from Columbus at 6:45 AM, and arrive in Miami at 9:25 AM. We depart Miami at 10:50 AM, and then arrive in St. Croix at 1:25 PM. Everything is in the same time zone.

What I Love: 6/16/13

Today's a big day! In less than 12 hours, I will embark on my summer missions trip. Myself and 14 other people will be travelling to the US Virgin Islands, specifically the island of St. Croix. We will be there for two weeks, helping the staff of the YWAM base prepare for and execute an overnight church camp for the local kids. I am super excited for this opportunity, and I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Because I will be practicing a technology fast, I will not be able to post updates (that means a marathon post when I get back. Har.) So, I have set this little ole blog to post one prayer request each day that I am gone. I would really appreciate it if, when you stop by here, you'd take a few moments to lift the day's prayer to God. A mission like this can only succeed on the wings of prayer.

What I Love: 6/15/13

Hiking. There's something so adventuresome about wandering the woods following this tiny path and seeing where it goes.

What I Love:6/14/13

Worshiping God with my wonderful Well friends again. It is good to be back.

What I Love:6/13/13

A good thunderstorm! Except when it wakes me up in the middle of the night. Even then, though, it's very pretty.

What I Love: 6/12/13

Bird song. I'm pretty sure that the birds are just yelling at my dog, but it still sounds nice.

What I Love: 6/11/13

Being reunited with my boyfriend :) We've been fortunate enough to only have been apart for three and a half weeks, and have access to skype, but it isn't the same as being together. Any kind of distance sucks.

What I Love: 6/10/13

Colossians 1: 9-14. Sometimes, when I feel like I need to pray for someone, but I don't know what to pray about, I start here.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What I Love: 6/9/13

Finally beginning to pack for my trip to St. Croix! I am so excited. It is going to be incredible. For more information on where I'll be, the YWAM base's website is here.

What I Love: 6/8/13

This video from CBS is so cool! It takes a look at the resurgence of automatons. Automatons are mechanical puppets that move and do things. The movie Hugo (2011) was based on one specific automaton that is the focus of this video. The Maillardet Automaton is one of the most complex machines ever. It can write and draw several different pictures, bu it had been damaged and lost until recently.

I find this so fascinating...I bet there are very few people who would be able to make something like this by hand nowadays. Thanks to Epbot for the link!

What I Love: 6/7/13

A good cup of tea in the evening. Mmmm, just right.

What I Love: 6/6/13

gardening. I used to really hate helping my parents keep up with our flower beds and garden plots, but this year I have found myself enjoying being out in the sun, and getting dirty, and making the yard beautiful.

What I Love: 6/5/13

random human-interest projects like this video. It's the little things like this that make me smile and restore my faith in humanity.

What I Love: 6/4/13

My incredible parents! On this day, 30 years ago, they were married. It is such an inspiration to see their marriage still going strong. I hope my future husband and I can love each other half as well!

Look how precious!

What I Love:6/2/13

Well, the Blog Every Day in May challenge is over. It was really fun! I did miss a few days though, oh well. Now it will be back to the regular What I Love posts, at least for a while.

So today, I love the hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness". We sang it in church today, and it is just so moving and beautiful and TRUE.

What I Love: 5/31/13

Today's topic: A vivid memory.

One of my clearest memories of my mission trip to Africa was when my team visited Mumena. It was a tiny village, but the people there really burrowed into my heart. The poverty there was so heart-wrenching and to know that it was just one of millions of villages in Africa just as stricken broke my heart. One woman was living in a house the size of a twin bed. It was simply made of straw, and just like the tree little pigs story, I'm sure a strong wind would blow it over. The roof was so low that I'm sure she could not stand up straight, and she wasn't that tall to begin with. She was probably in her sixties. The sight of her standing next to that tiny shed will be with me forever, and I hope it will always break my heart, not because I like having my heart broken but because then I will be moved to change it.

Our guide showing us the hut. Someone LIVES here.

The owner of the house

What I Love: 5/30/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: React to the phrase "Letting go".

Letting Go.

This brings to mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions...resistance, acceptance, people I've had to say goodbye to, songs with the phrase, but most of all, the realization that even if I don't like it, it has to be done.

Several months ago, Cory, Annie, and I bid farewell to a good friend. They were both closer to him than I was, so they were discussing their different styles of saying goodbye to someone close to them. For example, Cory dislikes saying goodbye, so his preferred method is to get it over with quickly and act as though he'll see them tomorrow. At the time, I really had never had to say goodbye to someone incredibly close to me, so I really wasn't sure what my method if goodbye was. After this semester, and all that has happened, that is something I've learned about myself.

I've learned that if I have to say goodbye to someone, I cling to the last few precious moments I have with them. I try to make those moments last, and I store them up in my memory, so I can shake them out on a rainy day and admire them, smiling over sweet thoughts of times past.

But maybe, just maybe, clinging to the past isn't the wisest way to say goodbye. Maybe, as much as it hurts, the best thing is letting go, and knowing that there will be beautiful memories yet to be made.

What I Love: 5/29/13

Today's topic is: 5 songs that bring back a memory/feeling. Yay! (Links go to Youtube.)

1. Prettiest Friend by Jason Mraz. This song was on a mix that Cory made me right before we started dating.    He sometimes called me his "prettiest friend", but I'd never heard the song, so when I listened to the mix I was amazed at how accurate it was to our situation.

2. 22 by Taylor Swift. Yes, I know this is a Taylor Swift song. Still, it brings back memories of hanging out with my roommates this past year. Annie turned 22 in November, and we always joked that this was "her song".

3. Bohemian Rahpsody by Queen. This song reminds me of the road trip Cory and I took, particularly when we busted out singing along (and singing all the different parts, of course). Good times.

4. My Evil Plan To Save The World by Five Iron Frenzy. This is a totally random song, but it reminds me of my totally random family and the crazy things we do together. Growing up, I listened to a lot if Five Iron Frenzy, because it was one of my brother's favorite bands.

5. Jesus Paid it All This old hymn/new praise song is one of my absolute favorites. It brings to mind memories of worship at The Well. I love this song. If I ever got a tattoo, I've often thought I'd like the line "All to Him I owe".

This is a totally random playlist...but hey, continuity wasn't the idea. ;)

What I Love: 5/27/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: A letter to your readers.

My dear readers,

Thank you. Thank you for coming back, day after day, to see what I have to say. It is very humbling to think that you actually care enough about me and my words to take time to read this little blog. Without you, I would have stopped writing a long time ago. But seeing the number of hits on my posts grow month after month is encouragement like no other. Maybe someday I'll even get a comment! You, dear readers, make this blog what it is. It would be just another domain name taking up space in the blogosphere without you.

Thank you!!!

Lydia

What I Love: 5/26/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: Something you read online. Link & discuss.

Adoption. To most of us, that word seems so romantic and special. It brings to mind thoughts of welcoming an abandoned child into your arms, loving them and giving them a home. That is certainly how I thought of it. Then I discovered Nancy's blog, Ordinary Miracles and the Crazy 9, and her stories of adoption and the journey she's been on with her three kiddos opened my eyes to what adoption really can be like. This post was a very raw look at how heart-wrenching, wonderful, awful, and beautiful adoption can be. It made me stop and take a deep look at myself to ask whether I would actually be willing to go through with that. Honestly, I don't know if I could. I still think adoption is a beautiful thing, and it is an incredible opportunity to share God's love, but it is not all sunshine and rainbows. I hope that I would trust God enough to be okay with that.

(If you want more info, Nancy has a post with links to her further posts about adoption here.)

What I Love: 5/25/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: Something that someone told you about yourself that you will never forget.

I've had a couple of people give me this complement, but the first time was definitely the most entertaining. It was on my mission trip to Zambia in 2010. I believe we were eating dinner, and one of my teammates announces: "Can I say something weird? I wouldn't mind if Lydia were my mom." She then went on to explain that I will someday make a good mom due to my sewing, knitting, and hair-braiding abilities. I hope I will be a good mom for more reasons than just that, but it was a great complement and I'll never forget it.

Myself and a young friend.

What I Love: 5/24/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: your top 3 worst traits.

Oh this'll be fun...

The first "worst" that comes to mind is I don't know how to say no. In some cases this could be a good thing, but it almost always results in me double-booking or over-working myself, which results in stress, which then sometimes gets taken out on other people. And that's not okay.

The second, I would say, is that I'm messy. I don't like this about myself, because it also means that I am lazy...I'm just to lazy to clean up after myself. I try to be better about this, but some days I am just too lazy to get up and put something away.

The last (on this list, anyway) is that I jump to conclusions. I assume people mean one thing, when they may mean something completely different. Sometimes, when I'm talking to someone, if I don't quite hear them I will make a guess as to what they said. And I am not always right. Also, I've caught myself making judgments or assumptions about someone based on how they look or act, without getting to know them.

I guess the point of this is, I'm a broken, imperfect human being. I want to be loving and Christ-like, but sometimes I fail. I want to overcome these things, but I cannot do it alone. I desperately need God by my side.

What I Love: 5/23/12

Today's topic: Things you've learned that school won't teach you.

This is slightly different for me, due to the fact that I was homeschooled so I have very little idea what a public school actually teaches. But here are some things I've learned along the way that I didn't learn in a "school setting"

People are nice. In general, people are friendly, willing to help you out, and often just as nervous as you are. A smile can go a long way.

Life is short. Eat dessert first. Now, I don't necessarily agree with this statement, but I love the sentiment behind it. Don't waste time worrying about your weight or looks or what others think. Be healthy, but that does not mean you have to be the calorie police. If you like a little chocolate with dinner, go for it.

God really is in control. He's got everything taken care of. It may not always feel this way, but it's true. Even in the crazy seasons when it does not feel like it, He's there.

I guess the overarching theme of these things is don't worry. About anything.

What I Love: 5/22/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: Rant about something.

Okay, here's my pet peeve: When people leave safety pins open. This drives me nuts because the point (no pun intended) of a safety pin is that the point is protected and so you can't be stabbed when you're around them. If they are left open, then that totally nullifies their purpose. Would you like to have your purpose nullified? Close the pins, people!

Just the way they should be!

What I Love: 5/21/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives.

This one is my favorite recipe post. I don't post many recipes, but this cake is too amazing to pass up.

This one is one of my most popular posts. It's a tutorial on how to hand-sew jersey knit fabric.

This one was the most fun to write. It's all the things I've learned in two years of college, and it was a fun post.

And of course, this one which was written on the day my boyfriend and I started dating. :)

What I Love: 5/20/13

Today's Blog Every Day in May challenge: Get real, and share something you are struggling with right now.
um.
okay.
I guess what I'm struggling with is the transition back into my life at home. When I'm at school, I'm on my own, I'm my own person taking care of myself and growing, maturing, and reaching out. But when I'm at home, I am my parents' daughter. Don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful thing. I love my parents, and their guidance has gotten me through many tough things both at home and at school. But to go from the outgoing, in-charge adult to the nineteen-year-old who has to ask permission to borrow the car is a difficult change. It doesn't help that I feel like I'll be going back to school in a few days. It hasn't set in for me yet that I am home for the next three months. Yes, there will be awesome and wonderful things to experience during that time, but it's going to take me a week or two to adjust.

What I Love: 5/19/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is: Your five favorite blogs and what you love about them.

Okey dokey, in no particular order, here goes:

1. Ordinary Miracles and the Crazy 9. I love this blog because Nancy is so real and raw about her journey raising 7 kids, 3 of whom are adopted. Her reliance on God is an inspiration to me. I have learned so much from her, and it has made me seriously consider adoption and whether I'd be willing to make that commitment. She also has an incredible talent with photography.

2. Much Love, Illy. Illy is so sweet. Her style is cheery and fun, and the things she writes about are always interesting and encouraging. She's given me a lot of topic ideas for this blog. She is another blogger who's faith is so evident and encouraging.

3. EPBOT. Jen is hilarious. I love EPBOT because it is so unashamedly goofy, geeky, and fun. Jen posts about everything from going to cons to creating steampunk jewelry. And she does it with such a friendly air that it is fun to read.

4. Craftiness is Not Optional. This is a great blog for sewing inspiration. Jess is constantly posting tutorials for things she's made for her daughters, and each pattern is hand-drafted and perfectly executed. She also posts about awesome parties she's planned. I don't know how she does it, all of that AND caring for three toddlers.

5. Ruffles and Stuff. This blog makes me smile every time I visit it. For one thing, it's pink and orange. For another, Disney and her daughter Paige are super cute, and the things she posts about are always fun. I think my favorite, though is when Paige writes a post. Disney blogs about sewing and crafts, but she also shares about her life homeschooling Paige.

These blogs are all fun, and I enjoy them all. I've got a lot more I could share about but these five are definitely my favorite go-to's!

What I Love: 5/17/13

Today's topic: A favorite photo of yourself and why.

That's pretty easy. This one:

I love this picture. It was taken when I was in Zambia, Africa and it was completely candid. One of the other girls on the team took it as I was studying this sweet boy. This picture is so special to me because it reminds me of the incredible children I met there, and their desperate need. Just look at his eyes. They pierce your soul.

What I Love: 5/16/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you are working to over come it.

What come to mind when I think about this topic is the fact that in a matter of days, I will return home to New York for the summer. I am excited about this, and this is a good thing, but it will also mean leaving behind my boyfriend. This is going to be hard. There are many reasons for that, but a big one is that we have been together so much that to even be apart for two days leaves me missing him. Going several weeks without being with him is going to be a huge challenge.

I know, however, that we will overcome this. We will have to opportunity to be with people and build relationships that we would not have gotten to experience otherwise. We have worked out times to see each other. We have communicated ways to stay connected to each other, and what we need from each other. They say that absence makes the heart grow stronger, and in this case I know we will be reunited better people, and a better couple, than when we left.

What I Love: 5/15/12

Today's topic: A day in the life.

This is not my normal day, because I am on a retreat and not on my normal schedule. However, today I got to spend most of the day hiking around Mohican, a beautiful area about half an hour from Ashland that is known for it's hiking trails. It was fun, and nobody had to go to the hospital, so it was a good day overall.

Photo credit: Amanda Roberts

What I Love: 5/14/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is 10 things that make you really happy.

1. silky fabric.
2. tea.
3.smiles.
4. having a good conversation.
5. Reese's cups.
6. snuggling.
7. strawberry pie.
8. hiking.
9. being surrounded by people I love.
10. Cory.

Yup. :)

What I Love: 5/13/12

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is to issue a public apology. How appropriate...

Dear Readers,

I formally apologize for neglecting this blog. I had said I would post a blog every day this month, and I have missed several days. I do not want to make excuses, but I in my defense I have had some long days lately. I am currently at a leadership retreat for The Well, and that has been occupying my time. It has been really good, and I hope to tell you more about it later. However, that does not excuse my neglect of this site. I am sorry.

Sincerely,
Lydia