Je-sus Walks...

It is truly interesting being a musical theatre student, and a Christian as well. A few months ago I came to the decision that I was supposed to leave school. So I completely gave up my dreams of becoming a performer and put on my apron and made pizzas at Costco for eight hours a day. Right? I was so convinced that, that was exactly what God wanted me to do. But looking back now I see that what I really think what I was doing was running away. I chickened out. Being a Christian in such a secular world can be extremely daunting. And it was easier to just leave than to face the fear of changing because of the world around me.

Today I can honestly say I couldn't be happier with my decision to go back to school. I am doing what I love, and I truly believe I am glorifying God at the same time. God did not put us on earth to hide in our churches and Bible studies. He wants us to go out in the world. That's why it's so convinient that Jesus walks with us.

It's awesome the things God starts showing you when you start looking.

Cumcumber Council

If there is one thing you need to know about me, it's that I LOVE my niece. I could spend countless hours playing with her and watching her favorite movies. Example: Veggietales. Now if you didn't grow up in a home that watched Veggietales when you were little, first, I am very sorry. And second if you didn't, let me explain. Veggietales are animated Christian movies for kids that teach them about God's love and values. They feature of course, Veggetables. Larry the cucumber happens to be my favorite.

So the other day I was sitting cuddling with my niece watching one of our favorite Veggietales, "Dave and the Giant Pickle." At the end of the movie, Bob the tomato was explaining to Larry the verse found in Phillipians "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Larry then asked the question, "So does that mean if I wanna be a chicken, I can ask God and he will turn me into a chicken??!" As silly as it sounds don't we as Christians often have a Larry the cucumber mentality? So the seemingly older, wiser, and more level headed tomato explained "No, this verse means that whatever God wants us to do, we will be able to do it."

So many times we as Christians ask God to move mountains and wake up confused when we haven't turned into a chicken overnight. He will strengthen us to do His work, in accordance with His will. With His strength I can have a thankful heart, with His strength I can share with my non Christian friends about Him, with His strength I can walk away from my past into a bright new future, with His strength I can forgive.

Who knew a cucumber could be so profound?

My Son/Boyfriend?

So It's been close to a month since I last posted? Ick. Not ok. We will work on this. And those goals I've been working on...don't worry I am still working on them. I'll post more about those in the next couple of days. But tonight, I felt it was time to introduce you all to a very important person in my life...My Dog, Linus. And yes I say person on purpose. He is quite possibly my favorite person in the world.

Two years ago this little bundle of joy came into my life...

So cute it hurts, right? I know. Quickly he was deemed my "son" and our adventures began. Linus quickly won the hearts over every family member in our house. We nicknamed him my "rescue" dog. He came to me right after my divorce. I like to think that he rehabilitated me =)

I was so proud of my little boy! His name came to me one day sitting at work. I actually looked on baby name websites haha. And finally I came across Linus. I knew it was perfect for him because A. My mom grew up loving the Peanuts Gang, and B. He already was constantly wrapped up in this specific blue towel we had. It was meant to be.

After Linus started getting older, he went through a sort of "doggie puberty." Except instead of the voice change, Linus had what we call the "ear change."

The last one shows a tradition that lasted quite some time. Our neighbors had an orange tree and after every walk Linus would pick one up off of the ground and carry it all the way home. He would drop it out for me and wait patiently while I peeled it for him so he could enjoy his treat! =) This next one we call "The Trump Look."

Another variation:

Finally his head began to grow into his ears, and they seemed to take their final resting place =)

One day we got a new recliner, and moved our old rocking chair off to the side. Before we had a chance to take it outside to get rid of it, Linus realized he could easily make use of it...

No Shame.

This chair has now never left its awkard spot in our bonus room and how now been deemed "The Linus Chair". Every night this is where he goes to relax =)

As my sittuation changed, Linus went for being referred to as my son to every once in a while as "the only man I need", or "the man in my life" and finally just, "My boyfriend."

He loves to spoon. So there you have it, my son/boyfriend. The only man I need =) Who is your favorite "person?"

Happy Place

I feel like it has been way to long since I have written to still say that I have been sucessful with my goal of "Be continuing with my blogging." Buuut, I already checked that one off in my mind so, I'm keeping it you can't take it away from me!!

This post however, I decided would have nothing really to do with my goals. This is just something that was on my mind. Yesterday, I woke up in the worst mood. Not a crabby I don't wanna talk to you mood. I was depressed. Really depressed. I was missing someone. And the hard thing is, is when you are missing someone, you can't really do anything about it. Calling them doesn't work cuz the conversation won't go the way you planned it to in your head. (I suddenly think of a certain scene in "500 Days of Summer"...if you havent seen it, stop everything and go watch it now!) And you can't take out pictures of them cuz well, that just makes it worse. But enough about missing someone, what about just being depressed in general? I noticed something yesterday as I plummented in my mood quickly ending with Ben and Jerry's and too much wine. We as humans revel in our bad moods. We love to be unhappy. I know, that sounds crazy. But look at what we do when we are sad. (or at least what I did yesterday) I thought about the specific thing that was making me sad. I dwelled upon it, I remembered details, and inspected it. Not once did I say, "This is unhealthy, let's think about something else, or at least try to." Nope, I thought. Then, as soon as I got in the car I turned on that one song that I knew would make me even more sad. And when the song was done and had completed its job of successfully making me feel worse...I hit repeat. WHY do we do this to ourselves?? We feed off of problems and phobias and broken relationships and memories that will never be. Luckily for me a revelation came, disguised as a small childrens' choir. I walked in to teach, and couldn't help but feed off of their energy. I left feeling slightly better, still sad, but I wasn't crying into my spudnuts coffee anymore. It was a start. The radio turned on. Sound waves of saddness, sweatpants, overeating, and facebook stalking came rushing out of the speakers. SO I changed it. Did I feel like singing my heart out to Ke$ha at the time? Not really. But within a minute, my foot was at least feeling up to tapping along. My point is, maybe we would be a whole lot more happy with our lives, if we actually put some effort into being happy. Chosing to be. Are my extended feelings any changed because of my mood turn around yesterday? No. Of course not. You will have ups and downs. But my immidiate feelings definitely changed. I was able to put away the sad for a little while and enjoy some good. You know Dennis Prager says that we have a moral obligation to be happy because our attitude so greatly effects the people around us. Now I don't think you should go so far as being a total poser and faking happiness all the time. But, let a little kid make you laugh, turn on some Ke$ha, tap that foot.

Rachel, Party for One

Alright. So I am supposed to be on this new journey of "finding myself" , being "ok" with being single, and doing all these new projects and goals to keep me ocupied. I am occupied. Thats great. I've got a new job that I am very thankful for, which I hope I will be able to keep when school starts. Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...I'M GOING BACK TO SCHOOOOOOLL! I am beyond happy about that. But I am am less than satisfied with the single status than I was two months ago. I'm starting to loose steam. I think it sets you back about ten steps when you are watching other people move on when your still standing in the exact same place. It's just a little daunting. People meeting people, everyone getting married around you. People having babies. It's just a lot to handle. I think I'm gonna cuddle Linus now.

Two things crossed off? YEAH BABY!

Alright folks! We are only a little bit into this and I have TWO that's right TWO items completely crossed off of my list! First off...Three recipes (Yes that is how you spell that word...odd) to make and have my family try. My first was the out of the box pasta pie. YUM! And thanks to my mom's birthday party...we got two more!! My sister and I made bacon wrapped smokies. OMG. Super easy, but I have never made them before so it counts!! Get some cocktail wieners, wrap them in some raw bacon, throw em on a pan, sprinkle some brown sugar, and bake at 350 for about 20. These were definitely the hit of the night! The next thing we made was my Mom's cake. From scratch ladies and gentlemen...mno boxing it here! Although it tasted like it was from a box if I do say so myself. And it looked so pretty too! =)

Fun isn't it?? This was a lemon cake with homemade buttercream frosting. With a little food coloring, and a lot of patience, we were able to make it just the right shade of lavender! If you want a great lemon cake recipe, go on to http://www.marthastewart.com/ and type in "Ruffle Tower Cake" into the recipe finder. It will show you the recipe for the cake, and for the frosting.

And next on the list....The DIY arbor my mom and I wanted for the backyard. I did it!! Well....with a looot of my dad's help. The thing is this could have been something I did on my own and gotten done, however it would have fallen over with the first slight breeze. I love my dad, cuz he never wants to do anything half way. I think this project could be a 100-110 dollar project, but with him involved (haha) it ended up being about 150. Which I am actually glad for, I probably would've chosen the cheapest wood there and then all the bugs would have eaten it alive! And screws...scrap metal? Sure why not? Lol...no. My dads choice were "Not just any old screws." So with his amazing help, a beautiful arbor was made.. The wood before it was stained... After it was stained...

I'm a serious stainer...

And I was planning on showing step by step, but I kinda forgot to take picture of that, so...basically cut the wood so you can make three "ladders, and then put them together...hahah and VIOLA!!

A beautiful arbor for your backyard!! Seriously guys...ANYONE could do this. So fun, so easy, and so pretty! It feels SO good to have two items off of my list!!

DIY

I am the type of person who loves to do it MYSELF! I would much rather fix up something old instead of buying it new. Hence, almost every single piece of furniture in my room was used previously and repainted (multiple times=) by me. Sooo...

A few months ago I saw this picture in the inside of my Damien Rice cd cover, and I fell in love with her. I immediately began planning in my head how I could blow the picture up somehow and get in printed on a canvas. However that of course involves CAAASH. Although the new job is goin pretty well, I'm no high roller. So I decided to just try and paint her myself. So here it is, my third grader art haha. She doesn't look exactly like the print of course, and one day I really would love to get an actual print enlarged, but for now, I really like her. And I'm just proud that I did her...MYSELF!! And that's what I love about art...it's abstract, it's interpretive, it can look any way you want! What DIY projects do you have laying around to do. Roll up your sleeves and give it a try!