Sunday Style // Touch the Sky

o u t f i t
ye olde jean jacket / lace blouse / brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}
green tank top // thrifted {Dazzle}
purple houndstooth print circle skirt // Shabby Apple
initial necklace // gifted

It's finally warm enough to wear the gloriously purple, fantastically twirly, houndstooth circle skirt!!  As you can see, I paired it with my favorite lace blouse and jean jacket.  I think it works.

A Happy {belated} Mothers Day to all of the mothers who read my blog...and everyone else, too!  You can still have a happy Mothers Day if you're not a mom, right?  I certainly did.  Hank and I met up with his family for lunch after church, then some of us went for a bike ride by the lake.  There's a lovely trail that follows the lake (lake Coeur d'Alene this time), twisting back and forth.  I'm pleased to say that, as out of shape as I am, I made it to the top of the hill without stopping.  Hooray for me!   Everyone else made it as well, so hooray for them, too! *grin* It was a beautiful warm day, perfect for being outside enjoying each others company and God's creation.

Did you do anything with/for your mom on Mothers Day?  I want to know!

Sunday Style // Purple Zebras?

o u t f i t
cardigan // gifted
purple tank top // thrifted {Hospice}
zebra print skirt // thrifted {Dazzle}
black flats // Fred Meyer
necklace & bracelet set // gifted

I decided it was time to bring out the zebra skirt and style it a new way.  It ended up being a more dressy look with my cream cardigan.  I love the ruffles around the neck and the pearl buttons.  Have I ever mentioned that pearls are my favorite?  Which is why this necklace and bracelet set is so fabulous!  Pearl and purple - it does not get any better.  Plus, my dear friend Sarah bought them for me when she was in Belize this past February!  That makes them extra special. *smile*  I'm delighted that they complimented this outfit so perfectly!

I've been wracking my brain, trying to come up with something meaningful to share at the end of this post, but honestly...I got nothing.  And then I realized it's because I'm trying to share something.  If it's coming from me, then there's a problem.  It needs to come from the Lord.  Hank and I have been studying the books of Philippians together and this verse seems appropriate...

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Philippians 3:20

Our conversation (our words and actions) should be Christ and heaven focused.  I pray that not only would my life reflect my Saviour and His love, but that this blog - which is glimpse in to my life - would also reflect Him.  Have a blessed day, everyone!  

What have you been studying in the Bible lately?

What has God been showing you through His word?

I want to know!

Sunday Style // Cowgirl-y

o u t f i t 

blouse / ruffled tank top / skirt // thrifted {Dazzle}

cowgirl boots // Ariat brand

Who doesn't enjoy dressing up cowgirl style?  I recently realized that most of my western and western-ish style blouses were worn out, so I was delighted to find this blouse at the thrift store last week.  It may very well be the best fitting blouse I own, even including the ones I've sewn myself!  When it wears out I'm using it as a pattern, that's for sure!  It pairs perfectly with my brown eyelet skirt and my well worn, well loved, cowgirl boots.

I had a beautiful, relaxed Sunday.  After the service (we took a break from John and one of the elders shared a nice message about Moses.) there was a potluck and then a business meeting for the members.  Hank and I kept an eye on his three nieces while their parents were in the meeting, which was a lot of fun.  Love those girls! *smile*

I have so many pictures to share with you from the past week!  Hopefully I'll get most of them up this week.

How have you all been lately?  Are you enjoying the warm spring weather?  I want to know!

Linking up to...

Sunday Style // Focus

o u t f i t
ruffled sweater // gifted
peach tee / denim skirt / brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}

I kind of just grabbed things out of my closet and threw them together.  Typically I try to pick out my church outfit the night before, but it didn't happen this time.  And notice something?  No jean jacket. *wink*

This Sunday's message was so, so good!  There are some things that you know, but need to be reminded of, and this was one of those.  Our passage was John 3:22-36.  The verses that stood out to me are these...

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:25-30

The purpose of ministry is to exalt Jesus.  To turn the focus from ourselves to Christ.

John the Baptist understood this.  He knew that his purpose was to point the way to Christ.

Especially as I begin my training at Open Arms this week, I pray that the Lord would guide me, and that I would be used by Him and for Him.  I want those I come in contact with to see Christ and not me.

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Sunday in general was just wonderful.  Among other things, Hank has now seen his first two episodes of Doctor Who!!  We started with Nine and watched Rose and Dalek.  I can't wait to introduce him to Ten!! *grin*  And sometime soon, I'll tell you all about the creepy basement that, to all appearances, should have been filled with living plastic mannequins trying to kill us. *wink*

How was your Sunday?  

What was your sermon about?  

How did you spend the afternoon?

I want to know!

Sunday Style // Butterflies

o u t f i t
jean jacket / pink tee / brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}
butterfly belt // thrifted {Hospice}
floral broomstick skirt // Cabela's {shortened by me}
necklace // permanently borrowed from my mom, you might say. *wink*

Yes, the jean jacket is back again.  I told you I wear it a lot during the spring! *grin*  I really, really love the way the butterfly belt goes with this skirt, and the necklace compliments it so nicely.  And I'm so glad I shortened this skirt!  It's very full and at full length it was definitely overkill...not to mention hard to walk in.  Now, it's perfect.  Especially for twirling. *smile*

Yesterday, Pastor shared the story of Nicodemus (which would make an awesome name for one of my lambs, btw;).  Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night with some questions and becomes confused when Jesus tells him he needs to be "born again".  

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:3

It was a really good message!  The main point I came away with was something that Pastor said...

"Eternal life starts now."

As soon as we accept Jesus as our Savior and are born again, our eternal life is secured.  That is a comforting and reassuring thought!  No matter what happens to our body in this life, we have hope of life eternal with the Lord.

So much happened yesterday.  Something I've been hoping and praying for happened, and I still can't quite believe it.  I can't give any details at this time, but suffice to say that the Lord is so good to me!

What was your sermon about?  I want to know!

Linking up to...

Sunday Style // all of space and time

o u t f i t

skirt / jacket / lace blouse // thrifted {Goodwill}

tank top // thrifted {Dazzle}

black flats // Fred Meyer

TARDIS Starry Night necklace // Doomsday Studios

I found this fabulous denim skirt while thrifting with Kellie last Friday.  Normally I prefer full skirts but I'm really loving this look!  Plus, it's got pockets and belt loops.  Perfection.  I also bought the green tank top the same day and decided to come up with an outfit pairing them both.  My TARDIS necklace really pulls the ensemble together.  Topping it all with the jean jacket made it perfect for a sunny spring day. 

At church, we read about Jesus driving out the money lenders in the temple in John 2:13-21.  

And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

But he spake of the temple of his body.

Pastor applied it to our lives by asking us what do we have in our "temple".

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God. and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Are we filling our mind and heart with things that bring Him glory?  Very thought provoking.  I didn't feel particularly convicted about anything in my life that I need to change, but it's good to be reminded to be careful what we watch, read, and do.  Can't be reminded to often or be too careful!

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After church we stopped by a friend's farm to buy some raw cows milk for my bottle lamb.  It was so wonderful walking around the farm in the sunshine and seeing their baby goats and lambs!  And even cuter are little girls in dresses holding those baby goats.  So adorable!  If we'd been thinking, we could have got some awesome outfit photos while we were there.  Oh well. :) When we got home, Kellie and I made mini pineapple upside down cakes (we used this recipe) and watched Psych.  It was the perfect day!

What was your sermon about?

Was the sun shining where you live?

What did you do yesterday?

I want to know!

Linking up to...

Sunday Style // How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Listen while you look...

This beautiful hymn has been uplifting me this week and I hope you are blessed by it, too.

o u t f i t

purple bow slouch hat // Wool & Whatnot

purple flower brooch // gifted

jean jacket // thrifted {Goodwill}

lace blouse // thrifted {Goodwill}

tank top // thrifted {Dazzle}

belt // thrifted {Hospice}

blue gingham skirt // made by me

brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}

I built today's outfit around the perfectly lovely purple flower brooch that dear Winnie sent me for my birthday.  Thank you so much, Winnie!  I can't wait to share the rest of your wonderful birthday package with my readers. *smile*  I knew I had to wear the brooch to church, but what to wear with it?  I rummaged through my closet, did some mixing and matching, and came up with my new favorite outfit.  It's perfect for the weather we've been having here lately - wet and rainy, but about 55*F during the day - plus I get to wear my purple bow hat with goes perfectly with the brooch! 

Today at church we began chapter 2 of the book of John.  It's the account of Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.  We'll actually be spending two Sunday's on this topic.  Pastor shared about the history of wine in the Bible.  Because we have a huge diversity of opinion on this topic at our church, he broke us down into three groups.

1. Those who drink wine/alcoholic beverages and don't mind if others do.

2. Those who don't drink any kind of alcoholic beverages, but don't mind if others do.

3. And those who don't drink and don't think anyone else should either.

I fall into the second category.  I've never had alcohol and I don't intend to try it, but as far as my understanding of God's Word goes I don't believe it's a sin to drink, so long as you don't become drunk.  If you wish to drink that's your decision, and I certainly won't judge you for it.

Pastor then shared what his research had turned up on the different kinds of wine mentioned in the Bible, some fermented and some not.  It was interesting to hear a bit about the different methods they used in ancient times for preserving grape juice and keeping it from fermenting.  Very interesting, indeed.

As far as Jesus' miracle goes, I really can't say whether the water he turned into wine was or was not fermented.  I've always been more inclined to think it was, since that seems like a much more powerful miracle, turning water into something that would normally take time to ferment.  However, Pastor questioned the fact that Jesus would choose to make something that could potentially cause people to become drunk as His first miracle.  Which is a very good point, which I have been mulling over in my head.  I guess turning water into juice is pretty miraculous all on it's own, too.  I am still undecided on this though, and honestly, it's not a very important question to me.  Whether it was fermented or not, Jesus still performed a miracle, and I still don't have a problem with other people drinking wine.  So there's my thoughts on the subject.

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 Daylight savings.  I kind of hate it...although I don't hate having extra daylight in the evening, I'll admit that!

You can check out my bro's latest Monaco Files vlog and hear Jack's opinion on Daylight Savings!
And now, I'm heading out to feed the animals.  A little over a week and there should be little lambs running around!

What are your thoughts on Daylight Savings?
What song or Bible passage has been blessing you lately?
I want to know!

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