Feb 7, 2009
Feb 5, 2009
Totally Clueless
Clueless: Hi Ruth, i haven't seen you in ages
Ruth: Hi Clueless, I know, its been forever
Formalities ensue, time passes...
Clueless: So, when are you guys going to start having babies?
Ruth: Well,
Clueless: Well, you know the Bible says to be fruitful AND MULTIPLY!
Ruth:
Clueless: Cause, you know, you're not getting any younger!
Ruth: ya,
More verbal lashing follows....
Clueless: Well, it was so good to run into you. We should get together sometime!
Ruth:
I'm not sure why I don't say what I'm thinking. But if you read my last post, you'll know all that is going to change. :)
Feb 3, 2009
Not one more second...
Last night, I had a moment. Well, several to be really honest.
And because since there is no better outlet than a blog to make a declaration, here it is...
And because since there is no better outlet than a blog to make a declaration, here it is...
I fear man! (not the 'male' race, just to be clear)
I worry what people think of me.
I go over conversations & encounters over & over in my head, dissecting every word or gesture,
thinking that the other person hates me or believes the worst about me.
I have very low self esteem when it comes to others.
I'm my own worst critic, because I figure others will judge me, so I might as well be way harder than they might be.
And because of this, I have wasted years & years crippled by this fear.
I doubt friendships & put a label on myself of unworthy or failure.
I don't step out when I feel God speaking to me.
I hide my face when I know He is calling.
When Jesus saved me, He saved completely
When He healed me, He healed completely
When He restored, He restored completely
When God sent his only Son, to die in my place, so that I would never have to face the judgement of my sin, He didn't do that partially.
He said, 'It is finished' meaning, that the grip of death was no longer on me.
I AM FREE!!
And it is up to me to walk in that freedom.
I had this picture in my head of Jordie when he broke his arm. After he had his cast removed, he still carried his arm in the position it was when the cast was on. Even though his break was healed, he wouldn't use his healed arm.
When a bird that was caged for his entire life is set free, it will often fly back into the cage because its familiar & safe.
This is how I have been with my life. God has given me freedom & with that freedom He has declared my worth & my identity. So why do I run back to the cage?
Because its what I know.
The thought of walking free is terrifying.
To really have the chains cut off & to be liberated from the cage forever is the unknown! The unknown is scary. The unknown is what we can't see.
Faith is also believing in what we can't see.
Is Faith the absense of Doubt? I don't believe it is.
I believe that Doubt pushes us to Christ.
Situations when I doubt the approval of man, God wants me to run to Him and find my security there!
If you have seen the Narnia movies, you will have heard the line that resonates in my heart,
"He is not a tame lion, but he is good!"
God did not promise us that we wouldn't hurt. He never gave the promise that when we came to Him, all pain would leave us & we would never be wounded again.
This has been my misconception.
Throughout the Bible, the one disease that is mentioned many, many times is leprosy.
Last night, someone read the scripture '..and he healed their leprosy'
Reading Paul Brandts Book, 'The Gift of Pain' I have found that leprosy was not what everyone thought it was. It is a deadening of nerves, so that people cannot feel anything...including pain.
It results in people burning their hands, cutting their feet or similar things like this. Infection sets in & you have deformed hands and feet as fingers, toes, even whole legs are lost because a person could not feel pain.
God knew what leprosy was. He knew that it was the loss of the ability to feel.
And He healed their leprosy! He gave them back their ability to feel pain. Was it because He is a tyrant and He looks down at the ones He created & finds joy in them suffering???
NO!
Its because He is a loving God, who knew from the beginning that pain would bring us to Him!
He knew that we must feel pain. It is part of life. Its ok to hurt.
Whats not ok, is to let the hurt control us.
This is what I have done.
I have held to offense. I've gripped my hurt tightly, refusing to let go.
And what have I become?
Broken & Useless.
But I will not waste one more second.
He saved me, healed me & restored me completely.
I feel pain because He designed me that way.
And everytime I hurt, I will go to Him, because He made me for Himself.
And I will be secure in His arms.
And I will leave this cage & never return!!!
I worry what people think of me.
I go over conversations & encounters over & over in my head, dissecting every word or gesture,
thinking that the other person hates me or believes the worst about me.
I have very low self esteem when it comes to others.
I'm my own worst critic, because I figure others will judge me, so I might as well be way harder than they might be.
And because of this, I have wasted years & years crippled by this fear.
I doubt friendships & put a label on myself of unworthy or failure.
I don't step out when I feel God speaking to me.
I hide my face when I know He is calling.
When Jesus saved me, He saved completely
When He healed me, He healed completely
When He restored, He restored completely
When God sent his only Son, to die in my place, so that I would never have to face the judgement of my sin, He didn't do that partially.
He said, 'It is finished' meaning, that the grip of death was no longer on me.
I AM FREE!!
And it is up to me to walk in that freedom.
I had this picture in my head of Jordie when he broke his arm. After he had his cast removed, he still carried his arm in the position it was when the cast was on. Even though his break was healed, he wouldn't use his healed arm.
When a bird that was caged for his entire life is set free, it will often fly back into the cage because its familiar & safe.
This is how I have been with my life. God has given me freedom & with that freedom He has declared my worth & my identity. So why do I run back to the cage?
Because its what I know.
The thought of walking free is terrifying.
To really have the chains cut off & to be liberated from the cage forever is the unknown! The unknown is scary. The unknown is what we can't see.
Faith is also believing in what we can't see.
Is Faith the absense of Doubt? I don't believe it is.
I believe that Doubt pushes us to Christ.
Situations when I doubt the approval of man, God wants me to run to Him and find my security there!
If you have seen the Narnia movies, you will have heard the line that resonates in my heart,
"He is not a tame lion, but he is good!"
God did not promise us that we wouldn't hurt. He never gave the promise that when we came to Him, all pain would leave us & we would never be wounded again.
This has been my misconception.
Throughout the Bible, the one disease that is mentioned many, many times is leprosy.
Last night, someone read the scripture '..and he healed their leprosy'
Reading Paul Brandts Book, 'The Gift of Pain' I have found that leprosy was not what everyone thought it was. It is a deadening of nerves, so that people cannot feel anything...including pain.
It results in people burning their hands, cutting their feet or similar things like this. Infection sets in & you have deformed hands and feet as fingers, toes, even whole legs are lost because a person could not feel pain.
God knew what leprosy was. He knew that it was the loss of the ability to feel.
And He healed their leprosy! He gave them back their ability to feel pain. Was it because He is a tyrant and He looks down at the ones He created & finds joy in them suffering???
NO!
Its because He is a loving God, who knew from the beginning that pain would bring us to Him!
He knew that we must feel pain. It is part of life. Its ok to hurt.
Whats not ok, is to let the hurt control us.
This is what I have done.
I have held to offense. I've gripped my hurt tightly, refusing to let go.
And what have I become?
Broken & Useless.
But I will not waste one more second.
He saved me, healed me & restored me completely.
I feel pain because He designed me that way.
And everytime I hurt, I will go to Him, because He made me for Himself.
And I will be secure in His arms.
And I will leave this cage & never return!!!
Feb 2, 2009
Bog Dogs!!!
Well, I finally got my Bogs today!! I received a gift certificate for Christmas, but they had sold out instantly & so I had to wait until Feb :(
But oh, how the joy abounds now!!
I have suffered miserably with NO (and I mean no) proper winter gear. I own a fleece winter jacket (in this town? you're shaking your head I know)
3 year old knit mittens (again, in this town..i know!)
& runners for our deep snow months!!
What you should know about me is that when my feet get wet & cold, I'm not a happy person. I screech at unhuman levels & have temper tantrums.
But, all that is behind me!! And I am more than thrilled!
Bring on the slush & rain & puddles!
I am having dry feet forever...
Now I need to invest in a real jacket & mitts...:)
Side Story:
Jordie went with me to pick up my Bogs & if you know the store, you know that they have dogs there all the time.
As we were leaving, Jord says,
'I'm so glad we could visit with those Bog Dogs!!'
Jordie went with me to pick up my Bogs & if you know the store, you know that they have dogs there all the time.
As we were leaving, Jord says,
'I'm so glad we could visit with those Bog Dogs!!'
Feb 1, 2009
Jan 31, 2009
10 things that I love & that you don't already know about Mark...
1. Every single morning he kisses me good-bye & says 'Be strong in your God today!' (i'm usually incoherent)
2. He llloooovveeesss minimalist classical music (the kind that sounds like angels with very little music). It makes me feel like I'm married to such a cultured guy.
3. He randomly asks me questions like 'What is your favorite thing about God?' or 'What is your favorite redemption movie?'
4. He loves to watch me while I'm reading. I just finished 'When crickets cry' and I was weeping like crazy. I look up and he's just watching me, smiling.
5. He loves me & my body...exactly how I am.
6. He is crazy, funny & random .
7. He loves to dance with me. We slow dance alot together. At home.
8. He wore matching hoodies with me when we announced our engagement, so we could be like my parents when they first got engaged. (we wore blue & they wore green)
9. He always wants to share his revelations with me. Sometimes, they are so beyond me, but I love that he wants to experience it with me.
10. He oozes compassion. I tend to be quite the emotional basket case. I can fly off the handle or fall to pieces at a drop of a hat. He doesn't lose his cool or get uncomfortable with my emotions. He wraps his arms around me, presses his lips against my temple (this must be some trick) and will gently talk to me, sing (yes he sings. 'You are my wholeness' is always the song. It speaks to me like no other song.) or pray for me.
I love him so much!
2. He llloooovveeesss minimalist classical music (the kind that sounds like angels with very little music). It makes me feel like I'm married to such a cultured guy.
3. He randomly asks me questions like 'What is your favorite thing about God?' or 'What is your favorite redemption movie?'
4. He loves to watch me while I'm reading. I just finished 'When crickets cry' and I was weeping like crazy. I look up and he's just watching me, smiling.
5. He loves me & my body...exactly how I am.
6. He is crazy, funny & random .
7. He loves to dance with me. We slow dance alot together. At home.
8. He wore matching hoodies with me when we announced our engagement, so we could be like my parents when they first got engaged. (we wore blue & they wore green)
9. He always wants to share his revelations with me. Sometimes, they are so beyond me, but I love that he wants to experience it with me.
10. He oozes compassion. I tend to be quite the emotional basket case. I can fly off the handle or fall to pieces at a drop of a hat. He doesn't lose his cool or get uncomfortable with my emotions. He wraps his arms around me, presses his lips against my temple (this must be some trick) and will gently talk to me, sing (yes he sings. 'You are my wholeness' is always the song. It speaks to me like no other song.) or pray for me.
I love him so much!
Jan 30, 2009
Older...
Lately I've been thinking of my age. I'm not sure why. Maybe because Mark & my Mom celebrate birthdays this month, but I suddenly feel old. Ok, I'm not trying to make those in their 30's, 40's & up feel awful, but I really do feel this way. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel at 28, but I don't think this is it.
I came before the camcorder , DNA fingerprinting & the artificial heart.
I was born before Thriller & Liposuction & Nintendo
I'm older than Natalie Portman, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Lee, Jake Gyllenhall & Ryan Gosling.
Maybe because I'm not a mom yet, and my physical body feels like time is running out. Or because I'm on the road to fit, but not there yet.
I'm not sure why, but this is me, at 28, feeling 45. :(
I came before the camcorder , DNA fingerprinting & the artificial heart.
I was born before Thriller & Liposuction & Nintendo
I'm older than Natalie Portman, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Lee, Jake Gyllenhall & Ryan Gosling.
Maybe because I'm not a mom yet, and my physical body feels like time is running out. Or because I'm on the road to fit, but not there yet.
I'm not sure why, but this is me, at 28, feeling 45. :(
Jan 27, 2009
Miracles!!!
I cannot contain myself!!! I am finally getting a camera! It has been too long without one! I was praying that God would provide a great deal for me! And he did! A friend of mine sent me a message on facebook asking if I was interested in buying her old camera kit (she is just upgrading hers) and would sell it all to me for $800! Its in perfect condition!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!
This is what I'm getting:
Nikon D70 with 18-70 mm lens
55-200 mm lens
Tripod
And I will slowly start buying these things to add to my kit:
SB 800 flash
50mm lens
70-300mm lens
This is what I'm getting:
Nikon D70 with 18-70 mm lens
55-200 mm lens
Tripod
And I will slowly start buying these things to add to my kit:
SB 800 flash
50mm lens
70-300mm lens
Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II Camera Backpack
Jan 26, 2009
Quotes...
These are the quotes that can be found on our Fridge & Bathroom Mirror...
'You stir man to take pleasure in praising You. For you have made us for Yourself & man is restless until he is resting in Your arms.' St. Francis of Assisi
'Love is loving the unlovely or it is no virtue at all'- G.K. Chesterton
'The interior journey of man from the wilds of sin into the enjoyed presence of God is beautiful. Ransomed men no longer need to pause in fear to the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His presence & live our whole lives there.'- A.W. Tozer
'Art is a reflection of God's creativity, evidence that we are made in His image'- Francis Schaeffer
Jan 23, 2009
New blog!
Ok, this might be a little crazy on my part, but I've started another blog. My goal is to be able to post on different blogs depending on subject & content. It is not to see how 'multi-task' i can become. I just want my main blog to be about regular life events, my kitchen one is my vent & rejoice about health & fitness struggle & victory, my song one is a devotional (which I might delete since I post that stuff on here. And my photography blog..well thats self explanatory. But the new one?
I tend to do these long posts on all the new baby, eco, accessory, gadget stuff I find. All that will now be on my new blog!
Please don't feel you have to follow those too. Its more for my own sanity! ha!
Here is the list:
www.ruthssong.blogspot.com
www.ruthskitchen.blogspot.com
www.gloriousgear.blogspot.com
www.lifeinmomentsphotography.blogspot.com
I tend to do these long posts on all the new baby, eco, accessory, gadget stuff I find. All that will now be on my new blog!
Please don't feel you have to follow those too. Its more for my own sanity! ha!
Here is the list:
www.ruthssong.blogspot.com
www.ruthskitchen.blogspot.com
www.gloriousgear.blogspot.com
www.lifeinmomentsphotography.blogspot.com
Jan 21, 2009
How can I save them?
I am so grieved by friends that I see, choosing to live their lives vacant of Him.
I want to wave my arms, yell at the top of my lungs, 'WHY?!'
What is more important than Him?
How can you know peace or have hope without Him?
There is a knot in the pit of my stomach lately because I don't know how to save them.
I don't know what words will make them see.
What will turn them back?
And then I remember...I am not God.
I am not the one that can rescue & restore.
I cannot ransom, redeem or renew a life from the grave.
Only He can.
And He hears this heart breaking.
He sees His Prodigals.
And He will call them home.
I only have to believe!
I want to wave my arms, yell at the top of my lungs, 'WHY?!'
What is more important than Him?
How can you know peace or have hope without Him?
There is a knot in the pit of my stomach lately because I don't know how to save them.
I don't know what words will make them see.
What will turn them back?
And then I remember...I am not God.
I am not the one that can rescue & restore.
I cannot ransom, redeem or renew a life from the grave.
Only He can.
And He hears this heart breaking.
He sees His Prodigals.
And He will call them home.
I only have to believe!
Jan 18, 2009
Esssentials...
#1 Winner of the BEST PRODUCT EVER!!!!!!
-if you've seen my facebook, you probably know all about this product, but if you haven't,
this product rocks!!!!!!! I wear it with & without makeup!! I love it!!
It has been compared to 'Smashbox photo finish makeup primer' and most people prefer it! It is also a heck of a lot cheaper than smashbox too! Mine cost me around $11.00
Here are some things to know:
· Dries to a powder finish.
· Creates a matte surface so makeup glides on and stays on.
· Smooths out large pores, uneven skin tone and blemishes.
· Prevents breakouts.
· Allows for much smoother for eye shadow application on mature skin.
· Keeps make-up looking fresh by locking it in.
· Makes your face look youthful and dewy.
· Helps concealer glide on.
· Doesn't feel greasy.
· Helps mineral make up last longer and look less cakey.
· Makeup stays on for 8+ hours, looking as good as when first applied.
· Excellent mattifier on top of any cream/lotion/sunscreen.
· Fragrance free.
· Non-irritating.
· Non-toxic.
· Non-staining
· Smooths skin texture which reflects light and eliminates
shadows (so you look younger)
· Tasteless (if someone kisses your cheek)
· Non-pore-clogging (non-comedogenic)
· Keeps your makeup fresh in 100+ degree heat (great for summer)
· Gentle enough to use every day.
· Softens appearance of fine lines.
Blistex Silk & Shine- I love love love this stuff!
Well, anyone who knows me, knows my addiction to my eyelash curler! And yes, I do heat it up when I use it!
Sally Hansen Concealer Wheel!!! Any color wheel will do...but the essential colors you need are green, yellow and a foundation-ish color!
Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Duo...just started using this....unbelievable!!!
When I do wear foundation..i use this...
Covergirl Smoothers...i like it cause its really light and not oily
Bonne Bell Blend n' Glow...I have 'sunkissed...it comes in more pink tones & dark bronzing colors.
Its a great alternative to blush...its shimmery & makes your skin glowy.
Well, I have forever been a Maybelline mascara girl & have recently been converted to 'Avon Astonishing Lengths'. Its awesome...especially for people consumed with their eyelashes..like me! Ha!Ha!
Kitchen Aid 3.5 quart roaster...i cook everything in here!!! I just made my first roast chicken...yumm-o!!
Norwex Antibac Microfiber cloths...ok, I haven't actually got them yet, but they are on their way & they will immediately go to the top of my list!!!
We won these at Marks christmas staff party...they are actually incredible knives...even miraculous!!
Pizza baking stone...I don't make a whole lot of pizza, but I use this stone for all my baking!
My favorite scents:
My all time favorite book:
Favorite Magazines:
People, Womens Health, Parents Special Issue (Baby Products), Real Simple & any organization mags.
-if you've seen my facebook, you probably know all about this product, but if you haven't,
this product rocks!!!!!!! I wear it with & without makeup!! I love it!!
It has been compared to 'Smashbox photo finish makeup primer' and most people prefer it! It is also a heck of a lot cheaper than smashbox too! Mine cost me around $11.00
Here are some things to know:
· Dries to a powder finish.
· Creates a matte surface so makeup glides on and stays on.
· Smooths out large pores, uneven skin tone and blemishes.
· Prevents breakouts.
· Allows for much smoother for eye shadow application on mature skin.
· Keeps make-up looking fresh by locking it in.
· Makes your face look youthful and dewy.
· Helps concealer glide on.
· Doesn't feel greasy.
· Helps mineral make up last longer and look less cakey.
· Makeup stays on for 8+ hours, looking as good as when first applied.
· Excellent mattifier on top of any cream/lotion/sunscreen.
· Fragrance free.
· Non-irritating.
· Non-toxic.
· Non-staining
· Smooths skin texture which reflects light and eliminates
shadows (so you look younger)
· Tasteless (if someone kisses your cheek)
· Non-pore-clogging (non-comedogenic)
· Keeps your makeup fresh in 100+ degree heat (great for summer)
· Gentle enough to use every day.
· Softens appearance of fine lines.
Blistex Silk & Shine- I love love love this stuff!
Well, anyone who knows me, knows my addiction to my eyelash curler! And yes, I do heat it up when I use it!
Sally Hansen Concealer Wheel!!! Any color wheel will do...but the essential colors you need are green, yellow and a foundation-ish color!
Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Duo...just started using this....unbelievable!!!
When I do wear foundation..i use this...
Covergirl Smoothers...i like it cause its really light and not oily
Bonne Bell Blend n' Glow...I have 'sunkissed...it comes in more pink tones & dark bronzing colors.
Its a great alternative to blush...its shimmery & makes your skin glowy.
Well, I have forever been a Maybelline mascara girl & have recently been converted to 'Avon Astonishing Lengths'. Its awesome...especially for people consumed with their eyelashes..like me! Ha!Ha!
Kitchen Aid 3.5 quart roaster...i cook everything in here!!! I just made my first roast chicken...yumm-o!!
Norwex Antibac Microfiber cloths...ok, I haven't actually got them yet, but they are on their way & they will immediately go to the top of my list!!!
We won these at Marks christmas staff party...they are actually incredible knives...even miraculous!!
Pizza baking stone...I don't make a whole lot of pizza, but I use this stone for all my baking!
My favorite scents:
My all time favorite book:
Favorite Magazines:
People, Womens Health, Parents Special Issue (Baby Products), Real Simple & any organization mags.
Jan 15, 2009
In my eco/storage/decor dreams...
This is one project I want to do very very soon! I have some free time coming up, so I will be gutting my cupboards and revamping them!! Yahoo!!
I love the layout of this kitchen & the cool open shelf & counter
I love this crafty diddy!
Ok, I love love love this layout for a house...the open kitchen, dining room, living room!!!
And I love the bright turquoise chairs
(starla, click here and then click on 'hear'...lol!!!! I love you!)
Old sweater purse(Thrift Store Glory), will be my first purse attempt
Vintage wallpaper animal silhouettes
This is the color I want for my room...and we desperately need a shelf like this
(we have a chocolate brown duvet & brown accents...and we have the fantastic paintings that christy did for my birthday gift! So that will be the theme)
I really want to have a successfull herb garden this summer
I love love love this...Multi-use shelf made from apple cartons
(minus the random extend-a-lamp)
I love this corkboard made from real corks...I've begun collecting corks...so if you have any, send 'em my way!!
Staircase made from wood reclaimed from castle
I love the layout of this kitchen & the cool open shelf & counter
I love this crafty diddy!
Ok, I love love love this layout for a house...the open kitchen, dining room, living room!!!
And I love the bright turquoise chairs
(starla, click here and then click on 'hear'...lol!!!! I love you!)
Old sweater purse(Thrift Store Glory), will be my first purse attempt
Vintage wallpaper animal silhouettes
This is the color I want for my room...and we desperately need a shelf like this
(we have a chocolate brown duvet & brown accents...and we have the fantastic paintings that christy did for my birthday gift! So that will be the theme)
I really want to have a successfull herb garden this summer
I love love love this...Multi-use shelf made from apple cartons
(minus the random extend-a-lamp)
I love this corkboard made from real corks...I've begun collecting corks...so if you have any, send 'em my way!!
Staircase made from wood reclaimed from castle
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