Giving Him Glory

Things have been going really well lately. Do you ever have one of those days when you realize that you really don't have much to complain about? (By the way, thank you all for your kind words of sympathy and encouragement while I was grieving the loss of my make up. You got me through a tough time, and, I know this is hard to believe, but I sometimes forget it happened. Isn't it crazy how you can just bounce back like that?).

My house is spotless right now. My closet is clean and organized. I've cooked dinner the last two nights and it has turned out quite delicious. The dishes are washed and put away. I've spent time in the Word everyday. I have been getting to bed at a decent hour. I'm in the middle of a good book. Sunday we started going to a new Sunday school class that seems like a great fit for us. I am fully prepared for all of the things on my to-do list this week. This weekend we are going to New Orleans for a long over-due visit to see Grant's family and I am so excited. Things are going well.

And ya know what? That whole paragraph that I just typed up there..... it is because of all of those things that I KNOW there is a God. Believe it or not, I wasn't trying to be funny when I just said that. I mean it.

It is because of God that I am capable of doing anything. I can't do anything on my own. I am unmotivated, lethargic, and a procrastinator. But because of His grace, He gives me the fuel to keep going. It would be really easy for me to look around my house and see everything clean and in its place and credit it to myself. I could say, "Wow, look what I did. I'm pretty good". But that is so not the case. I know that anything good that I do comes from Him.

That is how I know He is there. That is how I know He is with me. When I find myself doing a kind deed for someone, I choose to see the truth in the action. The truth is not "I'm such a nice person". The truth is, "Jesus, thank You for showing me that there is someone with a need. I am Your vessel and You can use me to love others". All glory goes to HIM. He is the giver. NOT ME.
He has given me a joyful heart. He has given me motivation and endurance. He has given me rest and peace.

Thank You, Jesus.

Tragedy

As I was leaving my sister's house last night, I stopped to check my purse to make sure I had my cellphone. My make up bag fell out onto the concrete driveway and I heard a loud pop. It wasn't until I unzipped my bag that I saw the catastrophic outcome of the fall: my foundation bottle shattered. Glass and foundation were everywhere, covering the bag and my hands. Below is a photo of the after affect.

This morning before church I had to run to Walgreens and buy a new Loreal True Match Foundation in the "Casper the Friendly Ghost" shade. It's the whitest one there is. Unfortunately, the cute make up bag that Katie gave me for Christmas (as pictured above, turned inside out) is ruined, and I had to throw away my eyeshadow. They are just 2 of the casualties from this horrific accident. I am currently trying to survive with storing my make up in a ziplock bag.

Your prayers are much appreciated.

Thoughts in Traffic

Things are pretty slow-movin around these parts. Houston, Texas, a city of 4 million people, hasn't moved at this slow of a pace since the day it was established. Hurricane Ike has come and gone, but the after effects are still very much here.

The traffic has been the worst I've ever seen in this city, largely due to the fact that many stoplights are blinking, turning each intersection into a four-way stop sign. You are moving rush hour traffic through one car at a time. In the evenings, it usually takes Grant about 25 minutes to get home from work because we live so close. This week, it has been taking him about 2 hours to get home.

There is a part of me that is so over it, it's not even funny. I am ready for things to be back up and running. I am ready for Houston to get back to its usual hustle and bustle where we move so fast that we are breathing like a chain smoker by the time we get home from work.

But there is another part of me that has learned alot in the past few weeks. Pastor Gregg said it best Sunday morning when he said that "to most Houstonians, they will look back on Ike and see it as nothing more than a big hassle. We can choose to see it as more than that". And I have to say, we really have learned alot. We have come together as a city, as neighbors, as families, as friends. Churches are reaching out to other churches. We are talking to the people in our grocery store, asking them if they have power, or if their kids are back in school yet. I met a woman the other day who told me that she had no electricity and had 3 small children at home under the age of five. And I found myself asking this woman if she would like for me to bring her family a hot meal. I had never met this woman before in my life, and she didn't know me from Adam, but she hugged me and told me thank you, but that her mom was taking care of their food.

God really is showing us how to "love your neighbor as yourself". I am so thankful for the Lord and His constant reminder of how good we actually have it. All of these things, A/C, electricity, hot water, they are luxuries and things that we really should not take for granted.

This morning, as I was kissing Grant goodbye as we headed off to work, knowing that some awful traffic was waiting for us, I said to him "Let's have a good attitude today!". We both kinda chuckled, but he knew what I meant. We can CHOOSE to be positive about this situation, no matter how inconvenient it may be.

My heart hurts for those who lost their homes entirely. I think we can all learn to deal with some traffic for a few more weeks. Atleast we have somewhere to go home too...

I know not all my readers are in the Houston area, but everyone goes through things that make you wanna scream. We have to deal with some really aggravating, frustrating stuff sometimes. However, keeping your thoughts on things ABOVE and not on things of this world will suddenly put everything in perfect perspective. All that we are going through is a blessing. Praise Him even in the difficult times. The Lord gave me this thought this morning as I was on my way to work: We are not worthy of all that He has given us, and He is so much more than worthy of everything we have to give.

I may cross-stitch that on a pillow. Who am I kidding, I can't cross-stitch. I can't even stitch. Maybe I'll have Lindsee write it on a plate...

Best and Worst

For the record, everything that was on my to-do list in my previous post was accomplished this weekend. But let's get to the heart of this post, the really important things. Any by "important things", I mean Jen's Best and Worst Dressed- Emmy's 2008. This is serious stuff people.

Let's get right to it. And if you disagree with me then that is fine but this is my blog. So there.

Kyra Sedgwick: Best

I think she is just adorable and looks altogether lovely. I love her hair. She is also very age appropriate and I always wonder if she and her husband Kevin Bacon do the dance from Footloose when they are bored at home.

Marcia Cross: Worst

No, no, no. Typically Marcia Cross understands that red heads need to wear jewel tones and not pale pinks that wash you out. The length of this dress is wrong. The color is wrong. I did not know she was a ballerina.

Christina Applegate: Best

I don't know that I would wear this dress, but I really think it is gorgeous and looks very Hollywood glamorous. I can't decide though if the fabric looks like curtains. In any case, I like it.

Debra Messing: Best

The dress isn't all that jaw dropping, but I just love her. Love her, love her, love her.

Eva Longoria Parker: Worst
Eva usually looks awesome. But last night, there was just something off. I don't think it is the dress that I dislike so much, it is the hair and makeup. The slicked back raccoon look does nothing for her. Loving the shoes though.

Hayden Panetierre: Best

This girl is just a bit too pretty for me. She is absolutely gorgeous and I LOVE the beading on this gown. Hard to believe she was that cutie patootie from "Remember the Titans".

Jenna Fischer: My Favorite
For many reasons. First of all because I love her and I love Pam Beesley ( her character). I love her hair and I want mine to look like that. I LOVE the colors in her dress (I couldn't find a full length pic to show you) but it was full length and fun and pretty. Love her.

Sadly, I really didn't enjoy the actual Emmy awards this year. I got annoyed that every single speech included a political message of some kind. Annoying. I did, however, enjoy Josh Groban's performance. He is mega talented and he was a nice break from all the references to the election.

Please comment, even if you disagree with some of my best and worst. :)