Thanksgiving

This is my favorite tree that is in my front yard at home...its so beautiful this time of year :)
Chaddy and I had a great time relazing with the fam over break...we ate alot, saw some movies, drank alot of apple cider, and played an awful lot of Acquire (silly Brandon ALWAYS wins). It was a such a sweet time.

Coldplay!

Over Thanksgiving break, my mom and I went to a Coldplay concert! We went with our dear
friends, Katelynn and Denise. It was a really fun night, a nice treat for us just girls!

When we got out, it was POURING rain...and we had to walk like a mile back to our car! Denise couldn't ruin her super cute suede shoes...so she walked bare foot! omg it was so much fun, here we are....soaked!

Katelynn and I's concert tradition.

Sophomore year

Yes, this is my sophomore year thus far, at least these are all the pictures I have to describe it thus far. Anyway, these were all taken at our friends' art show earlier this year, "Going Everywhere, Going Nowhere". It was quite the occasion. Its been pretty crazy this year...but I've been busy doing a lot of things that I love to do. I know I haven't been posting a lot, I'm going to try and get better. Anyways, photos are by Brooklyn Wagner...she's wonderful.

Saturday

I brought my bike to school. I ride it to Chaddy's house and to class and to the Caf. Its awesome.

My new blog title

I have a new blog title! Some might think its weird, but if you look closely there is something special about it...its a palindrome. I think palindromes are so cool, and this one is my favorite. Anyway, this is the formal introduction of my new title, I hope you can warmly welcome her into the blogging world :)

Things I've Made

These are some of the new items for Belinda and I's apartment this year. We made this red pillow and a few others for our bedding, and the bulletin board below we made out of a big picture frame. The apartment as a whole is coming along quite well, I will try and post pictures later. Anyway, thats all for now.

The Middle East

Its kind of difficult to relay to you all that happened on my trip, but overall it was an incredible cultural experience that allowed Christ to be glorified in incredible ways. I LOVED the country, people, food, and language. Every Middle Eastern culture I've been in has been one filled with incredible hospitality...but
the time it was beyond anything I've ever experienced. During my time there I befriended many locals that opened up their hearts and homes to me. So here are some faces and places that I will never forget.

Its been a long time

Wow...there is so much to catch you up on! I'm not really sure where to start so I'm just going to begin with this last weekend...my mom and I went on our 2nd annual girls weekend in Palm Springs. Because our house and life is surrounded by mostly boys, we decided last year to create NBA (No Boys Allowed) weekend. We stay at our favorite spa resort in Palm Springs and enjoy a relaxing weekend that consists of laying out by the pool, watching movies, shopping, laying out by the pool and going out to dinner. Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

Hello from the Middle East

Internet and time for it has been limited...but all is well and our work is going very well :) The people here are extremely hospitable, kind and beautiful. The food is awesome, but the tea is even better. I have been able to talk so some amazing women from all over the Middle East. We definitely stick out here like a sore thumb...but it works to our advantage to start conversation. I am having a blast here, i love it...minus the squatty pottys :) those are getting old. On a more serious note, this is a very dark place...my heart is constantly heavy. However, I find strength and joy in His word and Him alone. Not much time to talk now, sorry its so short! Ma' Salaama!

Al-Salaamu Alaykum

I am writing to say that we have arrived safely in the Middle East! I have once again fallen in love...with a Middle Eastern country :) My guess is that it is about 200 degress with about 200% humidity. The culture is vibrant and very Islamic. Last night I befriended some beautiful young married moms that are taking me and a few teammates to get henna tomorrow. Anyway, I will post more later. Not much time now.

New Hair Cut

Well, I have a lot to catch up on, and more posts will be coming but I thought I should start with posting about a recent change I've made...I chopped my hair off! This is a picture with my friend Emily, and you can see it...

Happy Birthday Daddy

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He is a man that I respect more than any other. He has taught me how to have integrity, how to work hard, and how to live a life that is Christ-like. I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished in his life. Even though he turned *cough cough* years old yesterday, he is still the biggest kid I've ever known. Here are some pictures of my family...Happy Birthday Pops :) I love you.

Things I've Made (Cont'd)

This summer my friend Emily and I have taken on several furniture projects, and this little dresser is one of them. I wish I would've taken a picture before we renovated it, but I just didn't. Anyway, this is a dresser from Ikea that I've had for years and it needed a little TLC. Emily and I sanded and painted it, and then most importantly, knobbed it! We took off the old knobs and replaced them with mismatching new ones that coordinated with my room. I hope you can see them from the picture, they're really cute.

Things I've Made

This is a picture of the bedding I made for my dorm room this year. My roommate (Belinda) and I decided to put my Singer sewing machine to some use and make matching sets of bedding. After 21 hours of sewing and 3 trips to Jo-Anns, we had created 2 twin duvet covers and 14 pillows :) This summer we will make another set of bedding for our new apartment, this project will also known as: Bedding Endeavor #2.

Starbucks

I have recently become employed at Starbucks. I know, I've become a sell-out to corporate coffee, but I really needed a job. I actually work at the same location as my little brother, Greyson. He is basically the cutest and friendliest barista you will ever receive a cup of coffee from. We have a lot of fun working together! We work at a drive-thru/walk-up location in H.B, where the sun always shines and the coffee is always fresh :)
This is a picture of Greyson outside our work.

Fiddler on the Roof

So this is definitely a little overdue, but better late than never! This is a picture of my dear boyfriend Chad, as the star in "Fiddler on the Roof" (that's why he looks like an old man). He played the role of Tevya, and did an AMAZING job! I am so proud of him :)

Family

Ok, so I definitely wouldn't consider myself an accomplished blogger, I'm actually quite the opposite...an amateur. However, I have learned one thing about blogging from my fellow bloggers: you really aren't an accomplished blogger unless you're posting pictures. So, here you are, dear internet and fellow bloggers, my first picture post. And by the way, this is my beautiful family (+ our dear family friend on the left, Donna Rea).

photo by Belinda Shirley aka "Roomie" :)

Go Big or Go Home!

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted my out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."
Psalm 40:1-3

This verse is an incredible reminder to me of the ugliness of my sin. Christ has redeemed my life and given me a fresh start. You might be thinking that I'm sounding really cheese-ballish (yes, this is a technical, theological term) but today I have been blown away by this truth and wanted to share.

P.S.
If you're wondering how the title of this post connects with the content, no worries...it just doesn't.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

My mom Roxanna is my hero. My mom is a beautiful survivor. She is a graceful, smart, nurturing, and Godly woman that has set a wonderful example, not only to me, but to many other women as well. She teaches me on a daily basis what it means to be a loving wife and an awesome mom. Not only does she manage to keep our home beautiful, but she also somehow manages to be the most beautiful 50 year old woman I know (my father agrees). Throughout her life she has not only been transparent to those around her, but she has allowed Christ to redeem her hurts, holes and habits. She has never been afraid to get dirty when it comes to helping people out of their pain and into the arms of Christ. She is in love with my father, but even more importantly, deeply in love with Christ. She is amazing, and that's why she is my hero.

It's Summer!

My To-Do List for the Summer:

-drink tea & have talks with mom
-sand & paint my dresser with emily
-go to the beach
-bake cakes
-ride my bike at the beach
-enjoy chad's wonderful cooking
-get a job (blah)
-complete shadow boxes with hayley
-scrapbook (finally!)
-read...alot!
-go to breakfast with my stud little brother
-go to the Middle East
-go fishing with my dad
-paint
-go hiking

wow...i LOVE summer.

its definitely friday

Four days a week I work as a nanny for three wonderful kids. Though they have all tried to kill eachother at one time or another, they really are a joy to be around. And eventhough im supposed to be an adult now, I dont feel like one, so it is nice to be able to be a kid with them. We do homework, ride razor scooters, watch Spongebob, bake cookies, play alot of basketball, and I make ALOT of quesadillas. It was humbling when 10 year old Noah reminded me of Phillipians chapter 4 the other day. He said it was his favorite part of the Bible, and I decided that if he told me to read it again, then I definitely needed to. This is what I discovered:

"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no oppertunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and ever situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:10-13

I fail miserably every time I attempt to handle things on my own. It is only when I get on my knees that I can survive difficulties. It is Him who gives me strength and in Him I can place my trust.

put in my place

Yesterday was quite an unproductive day. To put in persepective the seriousness of this statement, let me just say that I wrote one "Thank You" note and I felt very accomplished. Anyway, last night I was venting to a close and precious friend of mine about a decision I have to make in the near future. This conversation included me giving her an explanation of all my thoughts concerning the conflict ive been having within myself to make this particular decision. It has really taken over my mind recently and it has seemed to be so important. As I continued talking, the voice of a third party who had been listening suddenly joined in and said, "It's ok Gab. Its really not that big of a deal in the big picture. It's gonna be alright, its just not that big of a deal". Though im pretty positive that the third party was unaware of the impact and significance of their statement, it actually hit me pretty hard. Its just not that big of a deal, im pretty sure that life will go on and that I will somehow survive :) Though I DO wish I knew what the big picture looked like, I rest knowing that I have complete trust in the One who paints it.

Any other ideas?

So Ive been thinking a lot recently about the issue of abortion. Ive been thinking about the fact that I am pro-life, along with many other Christians that I know. So when I think about women who are debating having an abortion, my first response is, "Well they do have another option - they can put the child up for adoption". Actually, I would probably go as far as to say that many Christians have this same response, because it is kind of considered "the other option". However, there is an issue with the option of adoption...there aren't enough people to adopt. Especially if all the women in the world started putting their unwanted children up for adoption, as opposed to aborting them...there would definitely not be enough people to adopt.


In view of all this, the Lord has laid something on my heart. I feel quite strongly about the issue that we have today with abortion. I have seen abortion effect peoples lives in a deep and traumatic way. So i have asked God what i could ever do or say that could help prevent women from making the decision to abort. While I'm not quite sure that I have fully received an answer to this question, I do know that the Lord has laid one specific thing on my heart. Someday im going to be a supporter of "the other option"by adopting children who might of otherwise been aborted. If we as Christians are going to tell women not to abort, but to put their child up for adoption, I think we should be a supporter of those adoptions. I would hope that some would at least consider the idea. Though i am not sure who they are, im sure that others have had this same idea and have probably written something way more insightful on the subject. It just seems that there must be something we can do...any other ideas?

Weekends @ Home

So i have just spent the last hour of my life creating blogs with my mom. She wanted one, needed me to show her how to create it, and finally sucked me into having one myself. So here i am. An official blog-owner.

10 Reasons to come home from college on weekends:

1. apple crisp
2. quilts from the family room
3. non-caf food
4. legal candle burning
5. my own room
6. my little brother
7. hot tea is always ready
8. a full house
9. permanent toiletries in my shower
10. mason jars for drinking glasses