Monday, May 14, 2007

What are you doing this Summer?



white hem


no more long pants!

Well, school is over. Let the summer activities begin! I love summer because it is such a great opportunity to actually DO the things on those long-term To-Do lists that you enjoy doing, but otherwise seem like tasks if they are too rushed. Thus, 'lazy days' can become the most productive of them all. =)

Today, I began this trend by pulling out the sewing machine and transforming a pair of long, sky blue Abercrombie & Fitch pants that I bought back in 9th grade. Yes, I still have them! They were in such good condition, I simply couldn't get rid of them. However, I never really wore them anymore, so I decided to cut them into Bermuda shorts. For an hour of sewing, it really is worth the $20 I would have spent on a new pair!

Other plans for this summer:
*Cook dinner 1 night a week
*Learn how to bake homemade bread

*Finish reading the Bible (I have 1 Samuel through Nehemiah left!)

*Memorize Scripture on a weekly basis (Romans, Proverbs, James)

*Take advantage of working in DC by walking outside during lunch hour and getting acquainted with the area
*Try out new and original recipes for my homemade ice cream maker
*Host Firepit & S'mores nights with friends

*Make the most of my summer class, "Shakespeare: Power & Justice" by enjoying the reading and supplementing it with the corresponding movies: MacBeth, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet...feel free to come over and watch it with me!

*Trips: New Attitude, Michigan, Arizona/San Diego

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Jardin




Here are some pictures from the side-yard Wisteria this year...it is so beautiful! Nora, enjoy =)

And a little story below...





I have never been much of a gardener. What's the use? The Jansens have Dad and Nora for that. =) Nonetheless, I decided to plant Wheatgrass two weeks ago, because supposedly the extracted juice has essential vitamin and minerals in it that is good for you...so, I am happy to say that I planted the Wheatgrass seeds, made sure they got plenty of sunlight and water, and lo and behold, the grass grew! (The Wheatgrass in this picture is a little floppy because it needs some more water, but don't worry, I'm on it!) This little experiment has boosted my confidence that perhaps I can grow other things, too. I wonder what I'll do next?

Thursday, May 03, 2007

There is a River

13 days till the long, 21-credit semester is over. God has been faithful, He is being faithful, and I know He will be faithful as I take multiple tests and write papers during the next two weeks. I don't think I have ever felt as weak as I have this Spring, yet there is this pure joy I am finding in the fact that God's power is being made perfect in my weakness. He is writing my story. As the author, He is even perfecting my faith! What a mystery. What a divine mercy. To be wholly refined in His blaze of fire is not easy, but it is so satisfying. I found Psalm 46 to be so comforting this morning.

"God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear...There is a river whose streams make GLAD the city of God,the holy place where the Most High dwells.God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day...Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.The Lord Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Spurgeon said of verse 4,
"Divine grace, like a smoothly flowing, fertilizing, full, and never-failing river, yields refreshment and consolation to believers. This is the river of the water of life...The streams...shall make glad the city of God, by assuring the citizens that Zion's Lord will unfailingly supply all their needs. The streams are clear, cool, fresh, abundant, and gladdening. In seasons of trial all-sufficient grace will be enable us to endure to the end."