I have always liked Halloween. It is a fun time to dress up, eat some candy, and enjoy time with friends and family. Costumes are always exciting and for a while, my family owned a novelty store that had some awesome rental costumes that were a lot of fun to wear!
Over the years, one Halloween memory sticks out in my mind. When I was young, I was a dedicated reader of American Girl Magazine. One year, they featured a host of awesome Halloween costume ideas and there was one that I just had to try for my own trick or treating: a bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans. My very artistic father recreated the logo for me...I hunted down a giant, clear trash bag to fill with colorful balloons the perfect size so as to not fall out of the perfectly cut leg and arm holes...I found brightly colored tights...and I painted my face with bright, jelly bean shapes. I was ready! Off I went with my dad and some neighborhood girls to trick or treat. It was a lot of fun until the sixth house, when I noticed that the leg holes of my jelly bean sack started to tear a bit and I was loosing a jelly bean (balloon) each time I took a step. Uh oh! I walked more carefully, trying to save my super cute costume! But, alas, the further we walked, the more balloons escaped from my costume. I was so mad and so upset: why would a magazine promote a costume that had so many flaws? By the time I got home, I had no balloons left in my costume. Instead of looking like a bag of Jelly Bellys I looked like a garbage sack-wearing girl with a rainbow of colors on her face.
Looking back on this story, I laugh. It was a funny experience, although I didn't think that at the time! What I am most grateful for when I think about this trick or treat adventure is that I remember it so well. I remember my dad's dedication to making my costume and my trick or treating fun; my mom's help pulling my dream Halloween look together. I was a lucky girl to have a family who wanted to have as much fun as I did.
This year for Halloween N and I were part of a Trunk or Treat at church. There were a lot of refugee children who came to the event and I could not help but wonder what they were thinking about us...adults dressed in crazy outfits handing out free candy?!? A little weird to an outsider, I am sure! But, no matter what they thought, everyone left with something sweet and it was a great way to reach out to the community around us and show them that we care.
Have a blissful Halloween!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Today's Bliss: Old School Entertainment
I've had a pretty stressful time at work the last couple of weeks. Not awful, just crazy. Tonight my head was spinning when I got home and I needed some distraction. So, N and I got down to our roots and played board games: Sorry and Jenga. It was so fun and a welcome activity to get my mind off of my stress. This led to discussion about some classic games that we loved when we were kids: Guess Who? and Chutes and Ladders! I can't tell you how many hours I spent playing Guess Who?...what a great game!
I have found that problems and stress are always much worse when I am in my own head. Thinking, thinking, thinking. The best thing for me to do is stop, focus on the people around me who want to enjoy my company, and take time to enjoy my life instead of worry it away.
Thank God for N and for a quiet evening. The perfect, blissful solution to a disquieted mind.
I have found that problems and stress are always much worse when I am in my own head. Thinking, thinking, thinking. The best thing for me to do is stop, focus on the people around me who want to enjoy my company, and take time to enjoy my life instead of worry it away.
Thank God for N and for a quiet evening. The perfect, blissful solution to a disquieted mind.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Today's Bliss: Humor
At work last week I recieved an email with a link that told me I should "click here." Seeing as the email was from my boss, I decided that I better do what she said. So I clicked. And was so glad that I did.
I don't want to ruin anything for you...just see for yourself:
Click here to see what I am talking about!
Humor is such a blessing to all of us. In the midst of a busy day (or a busy life for that matter), humor can lighten our hearts and minds a bit. I also know, thanks to my very intelligent mother, that humor can be medically beneficial, too. So enjoy your laughter, look for humor around you today, and cherish the life you've been given.
I don't want to ruin anything for you...just see for yourself:
Click here to see what I am talking about!
Humor is such a blessing to all of us. In the midst of a busy day (or a busy life for that matter), humor can lighten our hearts and minds a bit. I also know, thanks to my very intelligent mother, that humor can be medically beneficial, too. So enjoy your laughter, look for humor around you today, and cherish the life you've been given.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Today's Bliss: Friday
There is one great thing that happens every week (but it is especially sweet after a long, stressful week at work): Friday evening arrives. Tonight I am working a bit late, but afterwards I plan on hanging out with my husband, eating lots of leftover pizza, pouring a glass of wine, and watching a funny movie. This definitely describes bliss to me!
When I have a rough day or a rough week, there is always something that I look forward to: the end of it. I am able to see an end. Some people are having difficult seasons of their lives. Instead of rough days, they have rough years or rough decades. But for me, it's a much shorter time period and I am can look ahead, optimistic that things will get better soon. I can survive a challenging day because I know that my loving family will help me overcome it. And the next day will begin fresh. For that I am very blessed.
I pray for people who can see no light at the end of their tunnel. For those whose difficult circumstances seem to be never-ending. For people who need hope. May we all step up and show those around us the Light of Christ and the comfort He offers us every moment of each and every day.
When I have a rough day or a rough week, there is always something that I look forward to: the end of it. I am able to see an end. Some people are having difficult seasons of their lives. Instead of rough days, they have rough years or rough decades. But for me, it's a much shorter time period and I am can look ahead, optimistic that things will get better soon. I can survive a challenging day because I know that my loving family will help me overcome it. And the next day will begin fresh. For that I am very blessed.
I pray for people who can see no light at the end of their tunnel. For those whose difficult circumstances seem to be never-ending. For people who need hope. May we all step up and show those around us the Light of Christ and the comfort He offers us every moment of each and every day.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Today's Bliss: Marriage
I have had a rough week at work. Nothing is horribly wrong, but nothing is quite right either. Everything is just so hard. Everything that should be easy and even a little fun just feels difficult. Every morning, I have woken up and hoped for a better, easier day. So far, I haven't really gotten it.
Tonight, I reached my limit. I burned my thumb on the oven rack and that was it. The edge that had been looming closer all day? I went over it. Hello, tears that were not really necessary. Hello, ridiculous reasoning that didn't make sense even to myself. Hello, uncalled for whining. It was a bit much.
But you know who stood by and never said anything negative to me? Who picked up the chore I was doing and pitched in to get it done quicker? My sweet husband N. He truly makes my life bliss. I am grateful for the time I had to learn some real-world navigation on my own as a single girl, but I am so so grateful for this wonderful time of marriage. Always spending time with someone who accepts and loves you...hanging out with your best friend who will always laugh at your jokes even when they are not funny...relaxing in your life because for the first time, you can just be you.
Thank God for N. Someone who loves me just as I am, even when I cry over a teeny, tiny burn on my thumb.
Tonight, I reached my limit. I burned my thumb on the oven rack and that was it. The edge that had been looming closer all day? I went over it. Hello, tears that were not really necessary. Hello, ridiculous reasoning that didn't make sense even to myself. Hello, uncalled for whining. It was a bit much.
But you know who stood by and never said anything negative to me? Who picked up the chore I was doing and pitched in to get it done quicker? My sweet husband N. He truly makes my life bliss. I am grateful for the time I had to learn some real-world navigation on my own as a single girl, but I am so so grateful for this wonderful time of marriage. Always spending time with someone who accepts and loves you...hanging out with your best friend who will always laugh at your jokes even when they are not funny...relaxing in your life because for the first time, you can just be you.
Thank God for N. Someone who loves me just as I am, even when I cry over a teeny, tiny burn on my thumb.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Today's Bliss: Cake Wrecks
Everyone needs to smile each and every day. Laughter is even better. So, every single day, I check out my favorite blog: Cake Wrecks.This blog focuses on badly decorated cakes. It may sound silly (and it is), but you are guaranteed a laugh when you read through the posts and see the horrendous cakes that bakeries think are perfectly fine, sell-able merchandise.
One of the things that I am most grateful for in my life is laughter. God wants us to enjoy ourselves, have fun in the lives he has given us, and spread cheer to others. My mother has deeply instilled in me a profound respect and appreciation for humor. When I was in middle school, I was less than appreciative of this humor, but now, I like it. I get it. I am blessed by it.
So, take a moment for blissful fun and a laugh on Cake Wrecks. Click here to see how awesome it is!
One of the things that I am most grateful for in my life is laughter. God wants us to enjoy ourselves, have fun in the lives he has given us, and spread cheer to others. My mother has deeply instilled in me a profound respect and appreciation for humor. When I was in middle school, I was less than appreciative of this humor, but now, I like it. I get it. I am blessed by it.
So, take a moment for blissful fun and a laugh on Cake Wrecks. Click here to see how awesome it is!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Today's Bliss: Music
Last night, N and I went to a Christian concert downtown. Lindsay McCaul, The Afters, Sanctus Real, and Casting Crowns all led us in worship, telling their stories and lending their voices to inspire us and remind us of God's love.
I have always loved contemporary Christian music. DC Talk started my fandom, followed by Third Day, my all-time favorite! But lately, I have lost touch with that music genre. I will try to blame it on the extreme repetition on our local Christian radio stations, but really, I just quit listening. And I am trying to remedy this. I have been listening to more Christian radio in the car and it helps me focus on God as I drive. This is especially helpful in rush hour traffic!
We are so blessed that we have the ability to hear music that can uplift us so much. God has given people the gift of creativity so that they can turn their life stories into songs that can teach us, lift us up, and help us be better people.
Casting Crowns has a new cd called Come to the Well. The album was inspired by Mark Hall's (the lead singer) study of the story of the woman at the well. As he read the story, he realized something: he was not taking the lessons of the story and applying them in his life. He was not going to the well to refuel himself...he was going to people, books, places. This was a powerful point for me. So much of my life, I have worried about what other people think, how my actions will be interpreted by those around me; Mark is saying not to dwell on this at all...other people are not the well, Jesus is.
Mark has written a new book called The Well also and I am planning on reading it to get more insight into how I can avoid getting distracted by the things around me and focus on Jesus. If I am getting my energy, insight, value, vision, and purpose from Him, my life will have even more bliss.
I have always loved contemporary Christian music. DC Talk started my fandom, followed by Third Day, my all-time favorite! But lately, I have lost touch with that music genre. I will try to blame it on the extreme repetition on our local Christian radio stations, but really, I just quit listening. And I am trying to remedy this. I have been listening to more Christian radio in the car and it helps me focus on God as I drive. This is especially helpful in rush hour traffic!
We are so blessed that we have the ability to hear music that can uplift us so much. God has given people the gift of creativity so that they can turn their life stories into songs that can teach us, lift us up, and help us be better people.
Casting Crowns has a new cd called Come to the Well. The album was inspired by Mark Hall's (the lead singer) study of the story of the woman at the well. As he read the story, he realized something: he was not taking the lessons of the story and applying them in his life. He was not going to the well to refuel himself...he was going to people, books, places. This was a powerful point for me. So much of my life, I have worried about what other people think, how my actions will be interpreted by those around me; Mark is saying not to dwell on this at all...other people are not the well, Jesus is.
Mark has written a new book called The Well also and I am planning on reading it to get more insight into how I can avoid getting distracted by the things around me and focus on Jesus. If I am getting my energy, insight, value, vision, and purpose from Him, my life will have even more bliss.
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