Pinterest and Picking

So I have a confession to make - an addiction to admit.  Well its more like addictions - I am addicted to Pinterest, Picking, and Dirt Cheap.  Pinterest just has so many wonderful ideas in one place it makes my heart smile.  By "Picking" I am not referring to my nose, but to searching the countryside for antiques that work with our decor.  There is a show on the History Channel called "American Pickers," and there are two guys that dig through other people's junk in barns, storage buildings, etc looking for antiques that they purchase and sell in their own shop.  Candace and I have turned into pickers, and I love it!  As for Dirt Cheap, I have a very difficult time paying full price for anything because chances are we can find it at Dirt Cheap.  The awful thing is that all three of these things seem to feed on each other because we something on Pinterest and immediately we are thinking if we have seen the items needed for the project at our favorite antique shops or at Dirt Cheap.

I must encourage you to check out your local discount shops and antique shops - you would be surprised what you might find.  Candace is the Dirt Cheap Keurig queen as she has found two that worked for less than $30 each - she even has a list of people to call if we find one in DC! Kind of crazy, right?  But I love it!!!

As to a little inspiration for you to begin "picking" I thought I would share 2 of our most recent projects.

 

The pictures above are of the space between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling - it was such a void that screamed for some life.  The bird picture - 5.00(left) is from Big Lots (another great discount store) as are the two pottery jars - 6.99 each (left and center).  The blue bowl - 2.00 is from an auction in the middle of nowhere Moselle as is the blue tea pot - 2.00.  The white shell thing - 1.00 on the right is from this great antique shop in Calhoun and the plate behind it was 19 cents at DC in Collins!

                                          

These pictures are from the main wall in our living room.  The big picture in the center is from DC for 3.00 - I know we thought it was a steal!!!  The wrought iron candle sconces were bought off Facebook for 20.00 for the pair!  The grass in the vase is a mixture of two different bundles - which we purchased in a clearance bag from Michaels for 2.00!  And the stool it is on is from DC and was 3.00!  Oh the burlap lamp shade was 2.00 from DC!

Finally, because Spring is here in South Mississippi and I adore flowers - I thought I would share a picture of the plant some sweet friends brought us in the 5.99 ceramic pot from Ross!!!  Isn't it amazing?!

So I hope you inspired to do a little of your own picking (not your nose - and if you do that feel free NOT to share!!!).  Oh feel free to leave a comment letting me know if you find something spectacular! 

fear

"I am afraid."  "I am scared to death."  "(Insert obscenity often screamed out when someone scares you!)"

These are phrases I must admit I hear come out of my own mouth more often that I would like.  Fear or uncertainty is one thing that has been a constant struggle for me for a very long time.  Many things frighten me - severe weather, not falling in love, taking chances, falling in love, the words - "we need to talk," cancer, failure, and the unknown - only to name a few.  As you can see fear is a big part of my life.  I don't think I have ever really liked the fact that I am so easily frightened, but I never really grasped that this might be a big deal to how my life goes and the story of my life for God.

Not until recently that is...

For the past 13ish weeks I have been working on a Bible study named How to Overcome Fear and Discouragement by Kay Arthur - a title I must admit that I really just read and let sink in.  The only thing that really interested me was that it covered the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.  The nerd in me adored the history involved in those books, but I never would have guessed that this study would penetrate to a level of a deep  stronghold in my life.

These books give a detailed account of the things the enemy will do to keep you afraid and discouraged.  Get this - the devil will go to some extreme lengths to keep you down and inactive.  Gossip, slander, physical threats - even spending money are all tactics.  Right along side of these accounts of the tactics are the detailed accounts of men and women standing confident in their God to do what He has "stirred in their heart" or "put in their heart" to do.  I have read 2 Timothy 1:7 many times, but after doing this study it has really come alive to me -

For God has not given us a  spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline.

Isn't it amazing - God doesn't want us to be afraid.  He wants to have a spirit of power, love, and discipline.  Now I know that you are wondering where can this girl who has been so very fearful of everything under the sun find a spirit of power, love, and discipline.  Well, God gives us that spirit, and I must admit I am still processing how to receive that spirit on a day-to-day, minute-to-minute basis.  The past few days have been quite challenging for me on this end as things have not really went the way I want them to go.  In comes the second part of that title - discouragement.  If I am not afraid at the time, then chances are I am discouraged.  Discouragement is something I am so quite familiar with - we are practically family at this point.  That came to play the past few days as well.  I just love hearing that someone thinks I can't handle something, don't you?  But that is exactly how Satan wants us to feel - afraid to take that step of faith and that really we can't do what God expects us to do.    

Fear and discouragement can keep us sidelined - on the bench for too much of the game.  God has a plan and a purpose that He probably put into place decades before we were even thought of, and anytime spent on the bench is time that I and perhaps you are not bringing glory to God.  Now that just makes me angry - not sure if that is the case with you.  Anytime I feel like someone other than God is trying to control me and tell me I can't, I become much more determined to do exactly what it is that God has "put into my heart" and what the skeptics tell me I can't do.

So, I suppose this blog is a reminder for me of the things I have learned and a push to apply these truths in my life.  Each day I must claim the promise that God gives me a spirit of power and love and discipline.  I hope that you do the same, and that we bring glory to God with our lives.

a list, whitney, and lessons

Well... it's Sunday.  The last day of the weekend.  The time to prepare for the week ahead.  Tonight, I have so many random thoughts running through my head, and I really need to put them somewhere else other than scrambling through my thought processes.  So, get ready - here it goes...

1.  The passing of Whitney Houston breaks my heart and leaves a certain sadness.  The funeral was on tv yesterday, and every other channel is playing some sort of tribute to Whitney.  You know you have certain people or specific songs or smells associated with big moments in your life - well Whitney Houston and her music is very much associated with my adolescence.  I remember hearing the controversy behind her film - The Bodyguard.  I remember the first time I heard her duet with Mariah Carey - When You Believe.  Her voice left everyone speechless and was such an incredible gift.  I read in a book once that anything good in a person is evidence of God's image that we were created in, and I think that people, like Whitney Houston, who have such incredible gifts of music, grace or kindness have a little more of that evidence of Him in them and end up leaving this world far before we would like simply because they are not fit for it.

2.  This morning's message at church was on depending on God to use your weaknesses instead of relying on your own strengths.  This is a lesson that has been hard for me to process in the past and one that I continue to learn day by day.  I am infinitely aware of weaknesses and God's power on a daily basis at work, but for some reason I seem to leave out some areas of my life when I consider how powerful God is in my life.  *A HA MOMENT*  I have recently been very convicted for the care I take of my personal temple - my body.  This is the area that seems most daunting for me as it is an area in which I have consistently struggled.  It is a self-control issue, and biblical self-control is turning every struggle over to God.  This is something I cannot do on my own; therefore, I require God's power and discipline.  Wow, this is so incredibly freeing for me.  I feel strongly that this an area of worship for me that I am neglecting, and I have worried about it immensely.  However, it is not through my own power or for my own glory, but through His power and for His glory will I take better care of my body.

3.  Also this morning, we talked about living a good story.  I think about the life Whitney Houston lived - one of incredible success but marred by horrific struggles and a tragic finality.  I don't want a boring story, but at the same time I want my exciting story to be for something bigger than myself and my tiny part of the world.  I want it to matter.  Now I know there will be failures and tragedies along the way, but through every failure, a lesson learned and through every tragedy, grace to fight another day.  I want this story and this life to bring glory to God.

V-Day

Usually these things consist of something that has been on my mind or something that I have learned  that seems utterly profound to me; however, today this post is about that holiday coming up.  Which holiday, you ask?  That's right - Valentine's Day.  I have been known to call it "Single's Awareness Day," but I have realized a couple of things that I thought I would share with you.

1.  I am a hopeless romantic, and as such I love the idea of setting aside a day to celebrate the people you love.  Many people consider it just a stupid, cheesy day invented for florists and greeting card companies, but there is some actual history to Valentine's Day which *gasp* I won't go into.  I like to think of it as more of a bookmark for anyone to take a breath and reflect on your own personal history.  Whether that includes a spouse or not, I believe it to be of vital importance to recognize the love in your own life.  I am not married, but I do have wonderfully loving parents, an adorable niece and nephew who show so much love, two of the best sisters anyone could ask for, much more family  that I love dearly, and a legacy of love from my Grandparents. Also, I have wonderful friends and my children at work are so precious to me.  All of this does not even compare to the love of Christ which I feel is continuously poured out on me - I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love.

2.  Lately I have been truly convicted about my conduct and behavior.  Am I kind with my words?  Do I show love to both the people I love and strangers?  I think so many times it is easier to show love to strangers than to those that are closest to you.  How messed up is that?  Do I show love to my children at school?  Some of these precious little ones see me more than their own parents, and how many times do I have a bad attitude or become frustrated with them?  The past few weeks, I have really tried to take a step back, to evaluate, to think, and to be more kind with the words that come out of my mouth and to show more love to the people I love the most and to my children at work.  I am reminded of the verse in John 13:35 -

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples - that you love one another."

3.  Okay so maybe it is more than a couple.  Anyways, my attitude and showing love is all part of this conviction to love on purpose.  This may not make sense to anyone but me, but so often I feel like I am on autopilot.  I sleep, eat, work - that's it.  I wake up a week later, and wonder what I did the past week.  I feel so shameful that I did not live that week, day, moment for what they are - precious gifts from God.  I want my life to matter, to serve a purpose; therefore, I must live it on purpose.  I don't want to take anything for granted, and I want the decisions I make and the things I do to serve a greater purpose.  

So this Valentine's Day, I challenge you to look at your life and the chronicle of love in your life.  I also hope that these words are of encouragement on your own personal journey.

Have a great week on purpose!

Much Love, 

Colie

all of a sudden, i miss everyone!

Sometimes it's easy to feel like you're the only one in the world who's struggling, who's frustrated, or unsatisfied at barely getting by. But, that feeling is a lie and if you just hold on; just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something will find the way and make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes, someone to help us hear the music in the world. To remind us that it won’t always be this way. That someone is out there, and that someone will find you.


The past few days have just been kind of blah... lacking inspiration and purpose.  I am not sure what brings on these days or these feelings, but I am sure that I absolutely loathe these feelings.  It is days like these when I want one more hug from my Mamaw, one more chance to sit around the kitchen table and laugh with her and my mom and my sisters.  The past few days have felt like spring, and perhaps that is why these few days have been difficult.  Spring was her favorite time of year - she loved any and every flower and many of my fondest memories of my childhood feature a backdrop of a garden, a bowl of peas to be shelled, or a massive amount of flowers to be planted and creatively placed throughout the yard.  Looking back, hindsight is always 20/20, she always was doing something purposefully and creatively.  She cooked to show love and compassion through a meal.  She made quilts and pillow cases and table cloths because a girl would need those to start a home with and I suspect to leave us with a very special piece of her.  


It is easy to become wrapped up in  these feelings to the point that I feel very alone at times, but there are so many people that suffer these same feelings of grief, loss, and an inexplicable need for your life to matter because it mattered to her.  Most days I just miss her love, her light, and her warmth that, when combined, could make life make sense.  My mother gets more and more like her every day, and between the two of them, it is not long before I find my inspiration and purpose.  She and my Papaw would have been married 59 years when she passed, and my Mom and Dad will have been married 32 years this August.  The numbers alone make for a pretty incredible love story and there are fairy tale elements to both.  A love that lasts, a love that means work, a love that is the basis for a firm foundation.  I want to be like her, and I want a love like that.

catch my breath

Whew! I feel like I have been running these past couple of weeks at a frantic pace and nothing I need to do is getting done.  However, I am trying to take small breaks where I can and just breathe - it's difficult as I am sure most of you know.  After Christmas, it seems like the second semester starts with all gears going and doesn't stop until you wake up and realize it's time to buy the Thanksgiving Turkey again.  Okay, I digress.  I have been remiss not to share with you some of the things I have been learning lately!

A sweet friend/fellow nerd - Shelly Reid and I have been doing a Bible Study on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.  Just let me tell you, it has rocked my world.  As you all know by now, the nerdy things in life and in the Bible just really excite me because sometimes it feels like God has kinda thrown in all these things just for me to try to figure out.  I know that's completely off and self-centered; however, it is nice to learn through all this study that He created me this way and understands how my head works.  Okay back to the point - the things I have learned.  There are so many, and I know I will leave some out but here it goes.

1. God stirs the heart of those He chooses to use to accomplish His goals and plans.  AND as I have found out  that person may not even know that God is the one doing that!  Don't believe me, go check out what Isaiah says about Cyrus! Blew my mind!  Don't miss this - HE STIRS YOUR HEART!  Those things that you just feel like you must do or burst could possibly be God stirring your heart!  Isn't that amazing?  

2.  When, not if, you do these things that God is stirring your heart to do you must know a few things - pray.  The past few weeks we have been in Nehemiah and throughout Nehemiah you find his prayers scattered through.  And it's not grand, lengthy prayers - it's short, one sentence like a breath out of his heart.  Also this is a big one - the enemy will try to stop you!  The enemy may take several forms but it's always the same tactics so know them and know  the Truth!  It will save you quite a bit of heartache!

3.  Oh I can't forget - Nehemiah's stirring is to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  Guess what, we all have walls we need to return to, to rebuild, and to restore (I borrowed that from Shelly).  Your wall effects everything - it's your faith, your prayers, knowing the Truth, everything! If that wall is not in tact then those tactics of the enemy will penetrate and possible cause some destruction.

4.  God has been stirring my heart to do something quite outside my comfort zone and big!  It's in the works as I type and you read, but I can't tell you much right now!  Hopefully I will be sharing more about this in the future!  I would appreciate your prayers!

5.  Finally, my life has been so very blessed doing this one-on-one Bible study.  I encourage you to find someone perhaps older (physically or spiritually or both) to do Bible Study with.  It's amazing how encouraging it is, AND in Titus 2 we are actually commanded to always be learning so that we may be able to teach those who are younger!

So as always I pray this encouraged you and thank you for allowing me to take a breath to organize my thoughts a little bit!  Have a wonderful day!

twenty - eight

So this past December, I turned 28.  I know all the jokes – in my late 20’s, getting really close to the big 30, etc!  Well I have decided to celebrate this getting older thing as I don’t see it as a bad thing.  Unless you know something about this aging process that I don’t, most people get older!  Most people say to look at a girl’s mother to see what she will be like when she gets older, and if that is true then I am truly blessed.  I believe that my mom has only continued to become more beautiful inside and out the older she gets.  So in honor of this milestone – I have made a list because I so love lists! 

28 Things To Do While I am 28 

(in no particular order)

1.        Go on a road trip – preferably up the east coast

2.       Live a RADICAL life for Christ!

3.       Tithe RADICALLY

4.       Be a better steward of what I have been given.

5.       Be more hospitable – we have been blessed with a great apartment and I feel like we need to share!

6.       Make a quilt! Or two or three.

7.       Open my heart again and maybe fall in love.

8.       Go on a mission trip!

9.       Design something new for A Daisy A Day.

10.   Grow our business.

11.   Plant a balcony sized vegetable/herb/flower pot garden!

12.   Read a few classic novels that I have never read, such as the ones on this list!

13.   Buy a sewing machine!

14.   Use the sewing machine and complete a project!

15.   Go to Blue Mountain College (my alma mater) for Homecoming – I haven’t been back since I graduated in 2007.

16.   Get a second tattoo.

17.   Become healthier – seriously!

18.   Take care of student loans!  One I can already mark off! Yes!

19.   Go with Candace to get her first tattoo!

20.   Subscribe to the local paper and read it!

21.   Continue to grow in my faith – more discipline!

22.   Get a free, natural tan!

23.   Spend some quality time with old friends!

24.   Make a DIY project for our apartment at least once a month!

25.   Apply again for a teaching job!

26.   Get rid of things I don’t need in order to live a simpler life!

27.   Go to the beach for at least a week this summer!

28.   Stop biting my nails!

Okay so you can follow me on Pinterest - I have a board dedicated to ideas surrounding this list! Or you can stay tuned here and I will try to update often concerning the status!