Some days I wake up with hymns in my head.

Today is one of those days. I can't help but think of my sweet grandmother, playing the organ with her shoes off while light pours in through the sanctuary windows. We sit in familiar pews, singing with our coats on, waiting for the heat to kick on.

Higher.

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all your goodness
Hope to feel your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right wehre I am and hope to feel you
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But you have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you lead me Lord
Where you lead me
Where you lead me Lord

And I will be Yours
I will be Yours for all my life
So let your mercy light the path before me


    

Just a reminder.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Road Trip!

On A Collaborative Effort...

Early in the morning

I have to stop fighting it. I'm a morning person.

I love getting up with the sun and just sitting with an open heart before God while everyone is still asleep.

The house is quiet. The office is quiet. The sky is just beginning to glimmer with light and shadow. And I have hope in a new beginning...each new day is a gift, and chance to learn and grow and love. The stillness is life giving.

While I'm basking in what morning is left, I have this song on repeat.

Listen. It's amazing.

A new adventure and no shampoo

My friend, Kayla, and I have just embarked on a new adventure, and I wanted to share it with you. We call it A Collaborative Effort. You can find me writing over there about home organization, thrifting, healthy food, and more!

Speaking of A Collaborative Effort, you can find me there today talking a little about my experience going No-Poo! :)

ACollaborativeEffort.com

Day One: A little late, but still thankful.

I'm thankful for quiet Saturday mornings with a cup of tea. Today is one of those days. I'm curled up inside while the wind blows outside and makes the lights flicker. No where to be, nothing to do. My heart is quiet and full.

From Rain City

http://www.etsy.com/listing/107004212/we-shall-dance-in-the-rain-fine-art

TGIT & a random fact!

Is anyone else in love with the new single from Kings of Leon? I can't stop listening. Well, to be honest, I don't really want to stop listening. Funny thing about me, if I find a song I love I'm totally content to listen to that song on repeat for days, weeks, months on end. Rachel Pipo can attest to that...a prime example would be Jason Mraz "Remedy" on repeat in my 1991 Ford Tempo for a solid year.

Or

Hanson's Underneath album on repeat for a year.

Or

Taylor Swift's Red for a year.

That happened.

What song could you listen to on repeat for ages on end?

I'm on Blog Lovin'!

My heart is still broken from Google Reader going down earlier this year. But the good news is that there are some great alternatives out there! If you're looking for a great way to stay up to date on your daily reads check out Blog Lovin'! And while you're at it, you can follow me there! :)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

FALL DIY | Natural buggy repellent

Ok, I don't know if any of you have the same problem...but every September/October as the air gets crisper and the days get shorter, the spiders get bigger and they start to come inside. Ick, my skin's crawling just thinking about it. But, it's just part of living in the NW.

John and I live in a funky house full of character and huge heating grates that lead straight to the basement. Those little buggers have wide open access to our living space...Since I'm not really cool with that or bug bombing my house I've sought out another solution.

As an alternative to chemical repellents I've started using essential oils to keep bugs at bay. And so far it seems to be doing the job.

FACT: Spiders don't like lavender, citrus or tea tree oil.

Lets use that information for our benefit, shall we?

NATURAL SPIDER REPELLENT SPRAY:

You'll need:
1 squirt bottle
1 essential oil of your choice (I use lavender)
Water

Directions: Depending on the size of your spray bottle, use 20-40 drops of essential oil. Fill the spray bottle to the top and shake. Spray the mixture along walls, doors, under the bed, in heating grates, and anywhere else that feels necessary.

When I spray my house down, usually twice a week, I'm sure the neighbors can smell it from across the street! I'm not messin' around. But lavender is relaxing, right? This is a two in one aromatherapy project! Ha! Enjoy :)

Let me know how it works for you!

Unnecessary hair post.

Deciding whether or not to grow my hair out is one of those constant, deep seated, life altering questions. I get hair envy quite easily. If you have long, thick, shiny hair, I want to be you. But I've been gifted with thin, dirty blonde hair that cooperates with whatever I ask it to do...on most days. I shouldn't complain.

I have an awesome hair stylist. I don't know how she does it, but I can sit down in her chair, and say "um...shorter, with a little angle in the back?" And she knows exactly what I want. She's a mind reader, that one. Im starting to think that maybe I should just give her free reign to do whatever she thinks is best. The woman can do no wrong.

Here's the after, people:

What can I say? I'm in love! As much I struggle with whether or not I should try to grow it out, it's hard to deny how much I feel like myself after sitting in Ashley's chair for an hour.

it will not always be raining

it won't always go how you want it to go 
but the flower needs the rain 
just as it needs the sun to grow 
there will always be something 
that's beyond your control 
but you'll never live 'til you let it go 

don't you give up on me now, we've got too far to go 
and your life isn't over 
until you say it's so 
there will always be someone 
who will love you, then lay you low 
but you'll never live 'til you let it go 

no, it won't always go how you want it to go 
the rain will surely find you 
and the sun will come and go 
but it will not always be raining 
seasons change, people grow 
and you'll never live 'til you let it go 


pain and heartache 
all your doubts, all your worries 
all your fear and apathy 
your hate and jealousy 
you've gotta lay them down 
gotta bury them in the ground 
'cause you'll never live 'til you let it go 

you'll never live 'til you let it go

Always thankful.

I feel as if, by the grace of God, I've truly turned a corner. Even as I sit here trying to organize my thoughts I can't help but notice how alive I feel.

This is a new thing. A recent development.

The layers are coming off slowly and surely, just like I was told they would. I'm waking up every morning with energy and excitement to start my day...I can't remember the last time I felt like that. Maybe years ago? It's a small sign that I'm headed in the right direction. And for that I am so deeply grateful. Thank you, Jesus.

I cut my hair, another layer shed, and it makes me feel like Val. I would put up a picture, but I don't have one suitable for the internetz. :)

What else? I'm having fun with people, not hiding behind anxiety and fear. Allowing me to just by myself, and more importantly showing myself grace.

I'm learning how to take care of myself and set healthy boundaries. Even the smallest ones make a difference.

Yes, I'm so thankful for these things.

found here >>> http://shannonicole.tumblr.com/

Last week's thoughts. Do I dare?

Some days I don't pick up my phone. I intentionally bury my phone in the bottom of my purse I won't hear it ringing while I'm running errands. I leave it there when I get home in a place out of reach. The missed call messages and voice mails start to pile up. Messages I don't ever get around to listening to. Some days I cancel my plans at the last minute - texting an apology with a made up conflict. I might be working late. I might be coming down with something. But I'm really just avoiding. I'm buried in worry and doubt. I'm overwhelmed by trying to live life on my own.

For the longest time I had no idea what lies behind my outward behavior. No one's ever really called me out. There aren't any "Where've you been's?" or "We miss you's!" or "Is everything ok's?" I'm so good at pretending to be normal...not ever being really known...that even I don't suspect a thing on most days.

I've started to imagine all of this pent up-smooshed up stuff like the ultimate muffin top. It's all there, years and years of ignoring what I feel, and it's starting to spill over the top! All that stuff you don't get to process through, for whatever reason, doesn't go away. But I just suck it in and zip it up. By now you can bet it all comes naturally, automatically... And yet, it doesn't feel quite right.

There is good news. I'm learning that {it's ok to not be ok.} Ultimately, there's a purpose in hardship. I'm not in control and I can't fix myself. But I have a God who knows me, loves me, stays close to me, and is big enough for all of my problems. He died for my freedom, and so toward it, baby step by baby step, I will walk.

28. Solid Gold.

On your birthday it's inevitable that someone asks whether you feel wiser, more distinguished...

All I can say is that, by this time in my life I've finally figured out how to do my hair and how to procrastinate effectively. And I can't ask for much more.