Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Famous in a Small Town

One more semester down... one semester to go. I can hardly believe that I will be graduating, Lord willing, in less than 6 months. Even more exciting than that is the fact that I will be changing my name to Mrs. Musser, Lord willing, in somewhere around 198 days. Just an estimate I assure you... :) But for now I am on winter break in the small town of Bassett Wisconsin and loving every minute of it. 

Today I started making crafts for our wedding... hairpieces for the bridesmaids. Minus the fact that I was all alone while crafting and not with my craft partner of Room 216, I had a good time not thinking about all the homework I should be doing instead of making crafts. Not bad for the first attempt. 


Speaking of wedding... my brother finished our engagement pictures. And can I just show you the man I get to marry? 

Straight up stud! If you want to see more or check out my brother's awesome website click here!

I saw this the other day and it really made me think.


There are so many things I am thankful for in my life but how often do I really take time to express them all to the One who made them all possible. How often do I complain about things that I should be thankful for...like exams or school in general, going to the dentist, or waiting in line at the store. There are so many people in the world who never get those opportunities we complain about.

So today, BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THINGS… and tell your Father that you are.

One of the things today I am thankful for is my small town.




Thursday, November 3, 2011

Feels Like Home


I want to start by saying I like all of my roommates, actually one of them even inspired my post today. Courtney started her own blog and wrote today about how many times we are always on the go and rushing around trying to cross another thing off our do to list. She encouraged herself to slow down and take a breath of fresh air. So thanks Court for that reminder...look at her blog here.
I live with five other girls and rarely do I ever get the place to myself. Tonight for about twenty minutes I got exactly that. I took full advantage of it. I shut and locked the door, closed the blinds, and turned off those annoying florescent lights. I turned on my Mrs. Musser play list, some softer mood lighting, and the stove to make a “great American dish.” (Movie reference anyone?) Once my wheat mac and cheese was finished I sat down and simply enjoyed it. I didn’t eat it while watching television, going on the computer, or even picking up my phone. I sat alone, in very dim lighting, perfectly quiet eating. Now I know that sounds so silly, and sitting here writing this I am contemplating posting this for others to read, but it was my breath of fresh air. It was something I needed, to shut out (literally) the world around me and just enjoy time. 
As my music changed the song “Feels Like Home” came on. It got me thinking…here at school our room mates sometimes call our room “home.” But this really isn’t our home. Then I thought about my cozy, extremely red house in the great state of Wisconsin, but you know that really isn’t home either. We as Christians have never actually been to our home. While reading in Peter this week I came across this phrase where he calls us “foreigners in the land.” This world is not our permanent home…God has prepared a place for us for greater than we can imagine. How great is that? So we don’t really know what home feels like exactly, but I truly believe that there are times when God shows us glimpses of what is to come.

So today while you are busy crossing things off your to do list and running all over, take a few minutes as Courtney suggested to take a breath, this world can wait…it’s not like it’s your permanent home anyway.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Just to See you Smile


I can’t believe that it is November 2nd already. Today marks two very special things in history, well the history of my life anyway. First and foremost is it my mom’s birthday! A few fun facts about my mom…
1.    She is one of the BEST deal finders around!
2.    She prefers Duncan coffee over Starbucks any day!
3.    She could name you all nine Brewers starters and their positions. (Which I might add makes me extremely proud!)
4.    She enjoys blasting the heat in the car, no matter the season.
5.    She is the strongest woman I know! 

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!
 A year ago today after a home volleyball game my family went to my sister’s house where we got some very exciting news. We found out (thanks to the blue colored frosted cupcakes) that Jeana and Jason were having a baby boy! 

I can’t believe that little boy is here and is almost 7 months old! I know that I am biased but he seriously is the coolest kid (I didn’t say baby Jason) in the world. Watching him change and grow these past months has been so amazing to me. I love when God shows you in little ways how powerful he is and how much he loves us. I am reminded of that time and time again when I hold Kole.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.                     –Psalm 139:13-14

 God created your inmost being and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I hope you feel that way today!
The song Just To See you Smile seemed fitting for the day! (It really is amusing to me what things make Kole smile, and the crazy things my dad does just to see him smile!) Enjoy the song and today, for it is a gift from you heavenly Father! Listen Here!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Great Escape


I must have a recorded version of the song The Great Escape on my itunes because before it plays you hear a man’s voice talking about the song. I wish I could find it on youtube but here’s what he says…

“It is about being young and moving on and growing up. Not leaving it all behind but kinda feeling like you’re moving on to a new place. You’re ready to break free and get out but you’re going to do it up for one more night with your best friends."

I’m not sure I could express yesterday as well as that quote does, grammatically yes, but you know what I mean. Last night was our volleyball senior night. Hayley and I are the only seniors on the team this year. I can’t believe that we have been here for four years. It seems like only yesterday that we met and moved into Ohio hall as sweet mates. Both of us scared out of our minds to go to our first pre-season practice. Now we will never go through another preseason, we will never again run through the “blue crew cave” of high fives after a home game, or play on another competitive team after this season. As sad as that sounds I am so blessed to have had an opportunity to do all those things. 

       Sure I have learned a lot about volleyball over the years…but those aren’t the things I will take with me when I step off the court for the last time. I will remember the more important things that I have learned. A team is a place where you can feel at home. Other people may believe in you, but you have to believe in yourself too. Work hard when people are watching, and even harder when they aren’t. Encouragement is about the best gift you can give someone. Never underestimate the power of prayer.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23

 To all my past teammates thank you for everything you have given me, it was a pleasure to play with you. To my team this year, thank you for everything you did for Hayley and I. You seriously made last night a day we will never forget. Thank you for all the encouragement and love you have shown me. I am truly so proud to call you all teammates and more importantly my sisters in Christ. I love you all! Skitterpop! Thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me over the years!  Lastly, to my mom…thank you for being my biggest fan!
A few more games to go…let’s go get some!
To the way Hayley and I felt yesterday and because I really like her I leave you with Famous in a Small Town by Miranda Lambert…

 

 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Time


After watching a pointless and very lame movie tonight I was again reminded how precious time is. I also realized why Matt and I have a rotation of about three movies….The Sandlot, Marley & Me, and The Blindeside. All great films that I would recommend to anyone and don’t feel as though I wasted time after watching them. On the positive side my roommate and I got to have some time together just the two of us that we haven’t been able to do in a long time. However, I think I had more fun driving to Jewel with her to pick out the movie. We stood in line for a good seven minutes listening to this man talk on his blue tooth (which let’s face it people it looks like you are talking to yourself) to his wife going through what seemed like every movie in the box! It provided good entertainment to say the least.
In hopes to make up for the time lost I decided to write another post. I still don’t have a complete vision for the blog, but tonight I need to show myself what can be accomplished when I don’t waste time. Therefore, I give you my first craft post…(many more to follow I hope.)

I purchased this canvas at The Community Thrift store in Elgin for $.44. Not the prettiest picture I have seen but I saw the potential it carried with a little work and some paint. My cousins Liz and Sarah introduced me to Curly Girl Design a while back and I really enjoy her creations, not so much her prices. So I decided to try make my own, really I only had $.44 to lose.

Check out Curly Girl’s website!
I guess when you think about it, God probably thinks the same way about us. While many people don’t give us a second look or second chance, God sees our potential. He knows what we are capable of and the best part is he created us all for a purpose. Maybe we know exactly what that looks like right now or maybe we are on the path to finding it out, but rest assured that your Heavenly Father knows what the end result looks like (even if it does take some time). He thinks you are a masterpiece.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10

In hopes to always end with a song I will leave you with a song shown to me by a friend and part time roommate Rachel Whitarce. Francesca Battistelli’s Time Inbetween, I hope to spend mine more wisely. 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Beginning

I have recently become slightly obsessed with blogs. I think it has a great deal to do with finding inspiration for my wedding, nevertheless I decided to create my own. I don’t know what it will entail entirely, how disciplined I will be in updating it, or how entertaining it will be but if you wish to join my blogging journey I welcome you to “The Beginning.”
Sometimes I really wish I could go back to the days when your biggest worry was what color your cup was going to be at meal time. The days when you didn’t have to-do lists that seem to be never ending and homework that could be more accurately named busywork. I like the quote “Some days it would be nice to go back to life in the sandbox.” Minus the sand in your hair and underwear, it doesn’t sound like a bad gig. 

Other days I wish I could fast forward, not high speed but a little. I want to be graduated, married, and teaching. I want to have already worn that ugly robe and funny hat. I want to be Matthew’s wife and make meals for him. (Yes mother I will cook!) I want to be the one giving out the homework and making the classroom rules. Minus the paying bills, this doesn’t seem that terrible either.
But God didn’t create me, or any of us to “live” in the past or in the mindset of the future for that matter. The bible tells us that “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This day, not ten years ago, not five years from now, but TODAY. I enjoy the book Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, particularly the entry called “On Waiting.” She says “I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold.

So here’s to my blog, may it allow me to find and share with the you the tiny shards of gold I find in everyday in my life and may it encourage you to find your own gold in yours.
The Beginning by Alice Peacock. (I like this song, not so much the cheesy video)