It is well...

"That is what beauty says, All shall be well.
And this is what it's like to be with a woman at rest, a woman comfortable in her feminine beauty. She is enjoyable to be with. She is lovely. In her presence your heart stops holding its breath. You relax and believe once again that all will be well. And this is also why a woman who is striving is so disturbing, for a woman who is not at rest in her heart says to the world, 'All is not well. Things are not going to turn out all right.' 'Like a fountain troubled,' as Shakespeare said, ' muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty.' We need what Beauty speaks. What it says is hard to put into words. But part of it's message is that all is well. All will be well."

Captivating by: John & Stasi Eldredge pg. 38

The words It is Well has sent me to look at the words of the familiar hymn:

"It is Well with my Soul"
By: Spafford, music by Bliss

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)

Anyone ever considered this Beauty?

As I write this post in deep thoughts. It is a beautiful, foggy morning and I am sitting in my favorite spot at home sipping a cup of coffee. I am still. Relaxed. My heart has room to breathe. In the background, I have Pandora.com playing from one of my favorite mixes, and the following song came on:

"At the Foot of the Cross"
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down
Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott© 2003 Vertical Worship SongsCCLI# 4157353

A big sigh and smile... God is so good.

The answer to my desperation cry

A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a cry for an encouraging book for the feminine heart. Well, I did pick up Captivating (again) by John & Staci Elderedge and it's been great. But my sister sent me another recommendation of From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife by: Marla Taviano. I only read the forward and I am excited and encouraged! For any new bride, I'd encourage you to check it out here.

I will give a more thorough review after it's completed.

Photo Booth

On Sunday night, hubs and I went on a double date with a couple friend of ours. Our friends had a babysitter in town for the week, and they were making every minute count. Well, after a great dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. We took them to the Penny Arcade... and laughed the night away. We were kids again, hooting and hollering trying to win tickets for... what?... a plastic toy? We played skee ball, derby, Deal or No Deal (this game we won 108 tickets), but our favorite was the photo booth.

I know you all remember taking your BFF to the photo booth and cherishing the 4 (well 2, because you had to share) black and white pictures FOREVER! Well we were BFF couples that night and now you get 8 pictures (so do the math... 4 pictures when you share) that our proudly displayed on our refrigerator. They are hilarious, and bring a smile to my face every time I look at them.

The night wasn't over after the Penny Arcade. Afterwards, we walked across the street to an old Victorian hotel in the area to "take a look around". Well, when we were about ready to leave, our husbands decided it would be fun to start a game of hide and seek. We had the front desk clerks helping us locate them as they gave us clues via text or cell phone. We did end up finding them in "the dark room by the kitchen" hiding under the table. Laughs all around.

My challenge to you all, is go out and be a kid for the night (or day) with other adults, for we are all kids at heart.

In need of some recommendations.

Hello Women,

I am in need of a good, nurturing book for the feminine heart. It's been a day feeling overwhelmed by all the roles I feel I need to fulfill by being a wife, having a career, and keeping up a home. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks from a desperate soul.

My Biggest Cheerleader

We are training for a half-marathon in June and a several Saturday ago we were to run a 8 miler. We started off from home, with our water and gel packs ready for the challenge...


Running is more of a mental and physical challenge for me than my husband. My husband can just take off with strides of gracefulness and speed making running look like walking. I, on the other hand, start off with the first mile gasping for air, concentrating on the miles, strides, breathing, and my own running rhythm. After that first mile or so, I start to feel the endorphins quick in and I begin to enjoy the exercise and beauty around me.


Being that my husband is a natural runner and I am not, we have found a great way to "run" together. We will start at the same point and usually run in a opposite directions around the course/circle. This way, he can keep an eye on me and I can see his wonderful smile and high-five as we pass each other. It works well.



The story goes like this.. Several weeks ago, I was .5 miles away from the "finish" line, and I twisted my ankle... badly! I started limping home and called my husband to come and pick me up. Of course, he came and got me with the biggest grin on his face and several praises of doing such a great job and how he was so proud of me. He instantly put me on the couch for a little TLC/RICE (tender, loving, care/rest, ice, compress, elevate).



Well, this injury has put me out of commission for the last several weeks. I thought that I would be ready for a run this past Saturday, yet with my husband's gentle direction, encouraged me to just rest and make sure that it truly ready for the run. I was so discouraged, because I felt ready to run and try to pick up the mileage again. As I moped around the home because I couldn't run, guess who came along side and said... "babe, I am still so proud of you!"...My husband!

He has been truly wonderful throughout this entire injury. It is not been an option to help me around the house, "ground me to the couch" while he does housework, etc. In another week or so, I hope to have my running shoes on and continue training. In the meantime, I am listening to the best coach and cheerleader of the year!

A Fresh Coat of Paint...

I took it upon myself to paint the bedroom before I started work. It was something that was placed upon my heart after several discussions with my sister, prayers, and readings. I wanted to create a place of warmth and intimacy for our marriage, a room that is guarded and protected from the outside stresses of the world.

I was ready to paint when I took these pictures...

My goal was to complete the project before my husband came home from work. It was such an enjoyable day, to pray, sing, dance, think, and... paint our bedroom. When my hubby came home, the room was finished except for the bedding on the bed. My hubby was sooo pleased. I heard praises for days regarding the room.

The colors our are wedding colors: blue and brown...very sentimental.

It is amazing how older, free furniture looks great in a newly painted room. My husband and I are determined not to purchase any new furniture until we are able to pay cash, and at this time it is not high on the priority list. But the fresh coat of paint and new duvet has created my hopes and desires of a peaceful, more intimate ambiance.

Now the challenge is to keep this room protected and guarded from the stresses of the outside world, and to only bring items into the room that will enhance this environment and motive.

The Rest of the Cake Class...

Week Three... Cupcakes:




The Grand Finale...

On top is the "Wilton Rose"... Who knew I could make a rose out of frosting! The cake is currently in my freezing waiting to come out for Mother's Day brunch.