Morning Stroll Through the Secret Garden

April 18, 2014

Do y'all remember this story from childhood?

I felt like I was there when I went running/walking this morning. 

I have today and Monday off of work and have packed the weekend full of plans with loved ones and while it should be a time to rest and relax I woke up charged and ready to go this morning and busted out my To Do list du jour. 

It seems that my life is dominated by To Do lists and this is of my own doing. 

Deep down inside, I realized, was an anxiety that I had to accomplish so much in a given period of time. 

Maybe I am used to the work environment where performance is a hot commodity. 

This isn't a bad thing but it can be if it becomes the ultimate thing. 

Before I went walking, I read this article which calmed my soul and encouraged me. 

I still wrote out my To Do list and continued my morning as usual. 

I spent time with Jesus and prayed that He would help me be disciplined in exercising. 

Then I realized that since I prayed for discipline in exercise, I would actually have to do it. 

So I did. 

This is the beauty I encountered on my run/walk. 

When I see such beauty, I think to myself, "My savior made this!"

And then I am reminded that in Christ, I am enough because He was the perfect sacrifice for my sins. 

I am not perfect but His death and resurrection mean that when God looks at me, a sinner, He sees the perfection of Christ in my place. 

My Week in Pictures September 30, 2013 - October 6, 2013

This abandoned property is simply lovely.

I sure will miss these views  when I move out of the plex.

How fun is this? Why yes, I do take random pictures in the grocery store.

I listed to this message from the Redemption Church podcast and was very encouraged!

Thursday I went out to Yard House with some friends and then found this note on my laptop Friday morning.

Saturday I went to the beach with some friends and slept for most of the day.
It was absolutely glorious and completely worth being made fun of.

Sunday was a chambray and jewels kind of day.

My sweet sister in Christ/room mate bought this cute mug for me.

I started the morning off {right} with chocolate covered espresso beans.

After church I went to In-N-Out for lunch with a dear friend and ordered french fries!
{I rarely eat french fries, so it was definitely a momentous occasion.}

I was babysitting some of the sweetest boys and one of them downloaded a mustache app on my phone and thought it would be necessary to test it out on me.

I made the boys a salad as part of their dinner and they were thrilled . . .

I came home Sunday night to these little lanterns that were left on for me.

My Week in Pictures

I take my lunch breaks in my car and  was working on some home work when I noticed the light and shadows here.
So pretty!

I've been drinking loose leaf tea and realized that I don't have to strain the tea in a bowl and then pour it into my cup.
 I can just use the silver gadget to hold the leaves and skip a few steps
(I may have had a brunette's help in figuring this one out).
 I may or may not be turning into a tea snob. . . 

My mom sent me this adorable picture of my niece who had the opportunity to pet a pig at story time.

I had my first {and last} Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.
Not to step on any toes but there was no flavor, no pizzazz.
I don't see what the big deal is.
Sorry PSL lovers. 

My vintage Polaroid FINALLY came in the mail! I can't wait to use it!!!

The light was so beautiful so naturally, I had to stop and photograph.

Love, love, love the light!

These flowers were in a tree that I saw on my walk this morning. 

This quote is from This Momentary Marriage by John Piper.
I have been reading this in my free time and LOVE it.
Fun Fact: All of John Piper's book are available for free in PDF format.

Farmer's Market Fun

I've been trying to post this since yesterday, (well I've been trying to post for months but had to wait for the inspiration to come) but other things have been taking up my time. I also wanted the re-design to be complete before I posted anything (I may or may not be a perfectionist).  I went out to lunch with mi padre yesterday which was nice since I haven't really sat down with him and had a conversation in months due to time and distance. After lunch (which was Mexican, of course) we went to the local farmer's market so he could find some fresh ingredients for the dish he was making. I tagged along to "help" him find fresh basil and while he was looking around the store I took the liberty of snapping a few pictures. The Creative in me was captivated by the colors and textures in the market and like any normal shopper, I started snapping pictures of the items for sale. 

Bottle caps for days

I love the 'old fashioned' sense of serving soda in bottles.

These bottles are so pretty!!!! I love the geometric pattern of the glass.

It's not a grape but it's a fruit....

In my opinion, limes are the best thing that have ever happened to Mexican food.

Citrus for days
 {Fun fact: I do not like/eat/drink anything citrus}

Love the typography {and of course, I love guacamole!}

When life gives you lemons you should photograph them.
{There was no lemonade making in the creation of this blog post...}

Strawberries will ALWAYS remind me of my grandma Ree's (Marie) kitchen.

Although my family is far from perfect, I was grateful to have a date with my dad. Sometimes family {like life} is bittersweet. I have experienced much pain related to my family over the last few years but am thankful for even the smallest hints of hope that happen. I am also grateful for the trials that come in life because they are material  for sacrifice.

"God gives us material for sacrifice. Sometimes the sacrifice makes little sense to others, but when offered to Him is always accepted."

Elisabeth Elliot

Here's to keeping our fixed on our sweet savior, Jesus Christ.

Love,
Lolo