Introducing Dagnachew!

Well, I know some of you are puzzled by the strange spelling in my post title.  Dagnachew is the newest "addition" to our family!  He is a little boy who lives in Ethopia that we are sponsoring each month through the Compassion Organization.  He's extremely cute, but apparently they don't want us taking his picture off the internet, so if you want to see him you will have to visit us!  We do have a real picture of him.

After reading "Radical", William and I both felt that we weren't really using the money God has blessed us with to glorify Him as much as we should.  Not that we've been bad with the money, we just weren't sharing it like we should.  We keep an excel spreedsheat of all that we spend (yes, I do realize we are nerds) and I noticed that everything we gave to God, whether it be tithes, buying a Bible study book, donating money, etc... it went under the miscelanous column... and God is much more important than that.  I also realized that not a lot was really under that column and we needed to fix that. 

I remembered somebody coming to speak at FCA in Clemson one time about an organization such as Compassion and I was really moved.  I didn't do anything then, probably thinking a poor college student couldn't do much... but that was wrong. 

I can promise you that a few months ago, the thought of sending of $38 each month would have made me sick on my stomach, but now it doesn't.  I know that it is helping somebody not only to live, but more importantly to hear the Gospel and grow with Christ.  I also know that God will bless us for using our resources for His glory... we are commanded to take His name to all nations.  He may not bless us with money or anything we might see on this earth, but the reward will be great.  So now you see, $38 a month is really nothing and I no longer have any hesitations about it what so ever.

I look forward to writing to Dagnachew and hearing back from him!  We will share more later!  I also look forward to seeing where God wants us to share the resources He has blessed us with next!

The Grand Finale!!

IT'S DONE!! Our bedroom redo is finally d-o-n-e, done! With the exception of making another pillow for the rocking chair and finding a white blanket for the end of the bed, it's DONE! And... I LOVE IT! It all came together just as I had in my mind and I'm very excited about it!

First, I have a couple of pictures of the new bedroom. Then, at the bottom you will find videos of the old and the new, sorry the coloring is a bit dark though in the videos.

All of my inspiration for the colors came first from the red comforter we bought with wedding money and originally had in the guest room and then scrapbook paper found at Michael's with the blue/green color.

Above: I got the "T" in the open frame from another blog that I was looking at, in which they had done a whole name in an open frame. The silhouette idea came from a tear-out "DIY" type thing from one of my magazines I get. I just took our pics and zoomed in on the computer and trace them. I don't think William was real big on doing these... but I really like how they turned out.

Above: I took just about all the empty, and some not empty, wooden frames we had around the house and painted them the red color. I liked how they were all different sizes and textures.

Above: This rocking chair was black and then we took turns painting it white. I bought the cushion for it, b/c honestly, I was tired of sewing and making things. It was just $10 and I figured it would cost me that to make it. The curtains I made from duvet covers from IKEA. I covered two photo boxes with the same fabric.

Above: This is one of my favorite things in my house now... my grandparents highboy. I moved it into our room once the painting was done and it is now my dresser. William and I both love old furniture, esp. when it has sentimental value.

Above: This picture is a little busy b/c of the two mirrows reflecting the other wall. One other project I have to do is my earring holder. I plan to take some scrapbook paper and put it behind the wiring to match the room.

Click on these to see the videos:

Old Bedroom Video #1

New Bedroom Video #1

Old Bedroom Video #2

New Bedroom Video #2

Below are a couple more pics of the old room to give you a feel for the original color.

Please leave some comments! Also, if you can tell me how to get my pictures so that you can click on them and make them larger, please let me know! I can't do it on this blog, but I can on ClassyConfections?!?!?!

Some updates...

Not too much new going on in our lives. William and I are finishing up on our room and therefore I will not post until it is completed. We have to finished the rocking chair and get a few items in their proper place and it'll be done. We have moved back in it though and I have to say that I love it! However, it does make the guest room look dark and gloomy... but I don't think I'll be talking William into redoing it anytime too soon.

I'm almost done reading Radical. I really wish I had posted more as I read, but hindsight is 20/20. I believe that ALL christian need to read this book, esp. American christians. While it speaks straight from the bible, we often tend to twist things without even realizing it and this book helped to make things more clear. Lately, I have been convicted of always trying to be a "better Christian"... I know, this sounds weird. Of course we should always learn more about Jesus and the bible in attempt to become better Christians.... but it shouldn't stop there. I am guilty of not being bold in my faith and not doing more to let others know where I stand. The main reason I do this blog is to be a witness to others. I hope and pray that things written here and even on my facebook will move in somebody's heart.

So... I bought 3 more copies of Radical just to let others borrow. I have them and plan to pass them out this week to the first three: Heather, Meredith, and Liza. Then Donna and Claire will get a turn soon after! If anybody else is interested in borrowing a copy please, please let me know! We will graciously let you borrow one... it's too worth it to not read it!

Lastly, yesterday I was walking around KMart (and embarassingly, I really like this store) and I had found a blanket to go at the end of our bed. I was excited b/c the one we had was cream and I didnt' think about it before hand, but now it doesn't match. While walking around, I come to a section of dorm stuff and one of KMart's brands, Cannon, now has a branch called, "Coexist". At first, I was pretty mad about it. The more I thought though, I was saddened by this. How sad is it that our society promotes this "coexisting" of all religions. Christians, myself included, aren't doing our part to bring others to Christ. So many people believe that all religions lead to the same place and that would be heaven b/c many wouldn't even think hell. Oprah is one of these people and she's such an influence in our society. It breaks my heart that this is what so many today believe. So, with that being said, I took my blanket and put it back where I'd found it b/c it too was made by Cannon. I couldn't stomach giving money to a company that promoted this. It even makes me second think shopping there.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" ~John 14:6

Our Home on Wheels!

Well, we finally bought a pop-up! Since going on the mission trip earlier this summer, we've really wanted to get our own camper. Mr. George and Ms. Nancy from the Trammell's church in Clinton sold us theirs. It's in prestine condition and it's so nice knowing the previous owners (whom I absolutely adore!). We had a great time visiting with them when we went to pick the camper up. Take a quick visual tour:
We are excited to start planning some weekend trips in our camper (which is yet to be named... one will come though!) Let us know if you ever want to go on a road trip with us!!

Lastly, the painting has begun!! And I LOVE it!!! This is just a sneak peek of the paint going up... the rest will come later! My husband is doing a great job, don't you think?! I promise that I did offer to help and this is the response I got, "I got it under control." William refuses to use blue tape and therefore doesn't let me paint... trust me, I'm not complaining! haha!

Katie Gets Her Masters!!

Yesterday, Katie (my sis) graduated from Clemson with her masters in Ag. Ed. and I am so proud of her!! I have never been so proud of somebody in my life in all honesty. Katie came through a pretty rough year quite beautifully. She has grown so much in many different ways and it's been so awesome to witness. Many prayers have been answered in this past year and I can't wait to see the road that God has laid for her.

Here are a few pics of us with her before she walked and then one of her walking, though blurry. If you take careful notice, you will see that her hair is a bit damp... you see, my sister is a bit of a carefree person when it comes to certain things in life. She tells us Friday that she doesn't know what time she's suppose to be there and hasn't received anything. I get online on Sat. morning and discover that she's suppose to arrive my 9:45... she had just woken up at 9:50... a good 25 minutes away! We were quite stressed, but she pulled it off somehow... thanks to Clint I believe!


She is currently looking for a job either teaching ag ed or somehow involved with agriculture... so if you know of anything let us know!! haha! She will be doing a long-term sub for the first 8 weeks of school for a biology class (yuck). It's hard to imagine her teaching teenagers, but I know she will do a great job. It's hard for me be believe that she's actually 23 year old!!! I can't get it out of my head that she's not 16... haha.

Pictured below are a few shots from the celebration we had at our house. We enjoyed a low country boil (which William did an outstanding job of boiling!) and of course, a Classy Confections cake!! Click here if you want to see more pics of the cake!

Below is Katie with her new GPS and milk bucket from mama and daddy!

One last funny story:

Katie also didn't open her cap and gown until she arrived at Clemson. She went to put her gown on and quickly discovered that her arms were sewn up... or so she thought. She didn't realized that this was just part of the gown and there was another hole for her arms to actually come out of. She was quite upset and had no clue what she was going to do about it at first... this just cracked me up! At least she'd aready obtained her degree! And here is the reenactment:

Gotta love her!

Giving

So I'm a little behind in the Radical book, about 2-3 chapters behind actually, but what's new with that?! The other week we discussed the chapter about giving to the needy and poor and it really hit a spot in me. I'm currently reading that same chapter in the book right now and feeling very convicted.

William and I are very good with our money. I don't say that to boast, but I know that we save and budget wisely. But I'm learning that isn't enough. I know that I said "our money" both we both know that it is really God's money... but when it comes to giving I sometimes forget this. We save for the future, we buy smartly... see a pattern... we, we, we. I want to really start praying and seeing where God wants us to give His money. I put this out there because I want to be held accountable for this. I think if I write it for others to see, then I will be more determined to do it.

For a long time, I've felt strongly about helping the poor, but I rarely do it. This past July in DC, a man need 60 something cents to get his metro card paid to go where ever it was he was going. I didn't do anything and I felt totally guilty. I know people say you shouldn't give money b/c they might buy drugs, alcohol, etc with it, but there are times when we just have to trust others with not our money, but God's money. If they spend it on that crap, then it's on their hands and not ours. Of course we should pray about what they do with the money we give them. Yesterday, while checking out at BiLo, the cashier asked me if I'd like to buy a meal for the homeless. Once again, I didn't do it and I felt guilty afterwards. There I was buying food to make meals for the next two weeks and I couldn't buy ONE meal for the homeless. Now, I do like to know for sure where and how the money I give is being spent, but I could have just trusted God to use it for His glory.

I plan to really start praying about where I can give or what I can give up in my life so that I can give more to the poor. I once heard a speaker say that for every time salvation is mentioned in the bible, helping the poor is mentioned 3 times!! God so desires for us to help the needy and I don't do a good job... at all! This has really been on my heart lately. This past week, I donated clothes, books, stuff that we didn't want anymore to a thrift store called SOS. I researched and found out that they support some missionaries and homeless places. I felt much better giving my items to them and knowing how the money that they make would be spent.

Giving money isn't easy for me, I'll admit it. It's something I need to and will pray about. We tithe like we're suppose to but we've already factored that into our budget and therefore it doesn't really hurt. When I do give more money, it's often from our "excess" and that isn't right. In Radical, David Platt states, "We are fine with thinking of affluence, comfort, and material possessions as blessings... Jesus tells us they can be dangerous obstacles." This really hit home with me... how often do I think I've been blessed when I may be spending money on things I don't need instead of on things somebody does need!? Too often honestly. Even though I'm not working and we already live on William's salary, we live in complete luxury when compared to the rest of the world. Platt states that we live in the top 15% of the world's wealth... and trust me, we don't have a huge budget. We already live without things, but we could do more. I've come to a place where I'm content with our house, all 1100 square feet of it. We could be here another 5-10 years with two children and still be okay. Our society might not think so, but I'm not living to impress them.

Another thing I struggle with is always wanting to make more money so that I can do things like crafts, decorate my house, etc. We have the necessaties, and while it's not wrong to want to do these things, I focus too much on how I could use the money for me. Why not babysit and give the money to the poor... that idea hurts me big time and I'll admit it.

I also struggle with wanting to save money. This can be as sinful as spending money on stuff. If it's in our savings account, I feel like it's "untouchable". That is unless we need a car or a dishwasher or something to improve our living style. We aren't entrusted with God's money to hoard it up. I know we are to save and that we need to, but there just might be a time with God calls us to dip into that fund for Him. Who better to trust our next car or children's college education to than God??

Now, once again this has been quite the post. I hope and pray that you will hold me accountable to giving to the needy. I also hope you might be inspired as well.

New Perspective

I have really meant to be much better about posting, but it just doesn't always happen. It's amazing how busy I've been even though I haven't been working. The room is coming together slowly, but nicely. I think (hope) that we can paint next week and then put everything into it's proper place. I will have before and after pics for you!

This summer I have spent a lot of time reading too. Now, it's not uncommon for me to read a lot during the summer but it is uncommon for me to be reading nonfiction. I have only read one fiction book this summer. I have had to restrain from reading fiction b/c I know I won't read my other books if I don't. This summer I have finished the Bible study "Experiencing God" and am currently doing a Bible study with the book titled "How People Change". I am also reading "Radical" with my church at the moment. (And in two weekends, I start another study on the New Testament). I hope I'm not overdoing it, but my need and want to learn more about God and the Bible has really increased over the past few months.

I highly recommend all of the books mentioned above, but I especially recomment "Radical". It really speaks to the heart and has changed me. Or rather, God has changed me through reading it. It's about how we as Christian Americans have put a Christian twist on the "American Dream". I'll admit that I used to want this so called dream of a nice house, a few children, couple cars, and maybe a boat. After reading this book though, my perspective and desires has totally changed.

All of the books have really had a major influence on my new perspective. I have also prayed, asking God to change my perspective to be more like His. I should advise you that if you do pray this, it will happen. To be honest, it's really a scary thing to me. While I know God has given me this new prespective to see things how He does and to glorify Him through me, it also means that He expects me to use it. This is scary to me. I know I shouldn't be afraid to talk to somebody about Christ or to confront a bro/sis in Christ about something, but it is! I know this is the Lord's command for my life, our lives really. It is also extremely exciting to thing that He is using me and wants to use me! No matter how smooth or rough life is, I will always have this and that is really unfathomable!

This new prespective God has given me breaks my heart many times b/c I know what I see breaks His. You can't turn on the tv without seeing something that is unbiblical. Our generation accepts waaaaay too much and it's really heartbreaking. We've become a generation that is accepting of homesexuality, sex/living together before marriage, and much more ... these are even often accepting within the church. There is so much that the Bible specifically says not to do, but we do it or allow others to do it anyways. Now don't think I don't have my share of sin. I struggle everyday with sin, as we all do and always will. I've done things that I really regret and pray didn't cause another to stumble.

I know this is a looong blog and I know I may step on a few feet, but I'm just expressing what's on my mind/heart lately. Anyways, I hope to keep better updates on my thoughts, studies, and randomness in our life!