homemade christmas gifts.

Due to inspiration in learning how to sew, I decided to make an apron for my sister, JoAnne, for Christmas. She loves to cook and most of her other gifts include unique kitchen utensils or devices for cooking, so I wanted to give her something to compliment it all.

I walked into the fabric store in town here and saw this great colorful, polka dotted fabric.

My mum helped me cut everything straight and the right length. I've always had problems cutting in straight lines, so without my mum's help, the finished product would be very crooked.

Then the sewing machine and I hung out for a while. Step by step, it started looking more and more like a real apron.

Not long after this, I had a finished product. Thankfully, the sewing machine and I didn't get into any fights and I do not have any injuries, which is surprising, especially working with my mum's ancient Singer machine that she used to use when she was a kid. It has it's distinctive smell, indeed, but I'm thankful that my mum could be my second-(wo)man hand in the completion of this project.

Now, JoAnne will look even better in the kitchen with knife in hand. I'm glad I can contribute somewhat to her delicious meals she prepares daily for our family!

Flying...

I've always been an aisle passenger in the airplane until recently.
What a strange concept flying is.
And a fascinating one at that: this hunk of metal effortlessly soars through the atmosphere, carrying hundreds of people all over the world.

Before takeoff, I realize that I am in the same place as before, but with all people I've never seen before, most of the time. (The past couple back and forth flights I've had from Seattle and Spokane, I have recognized or have run into old friends from high school or from college now. With this being a common occurrence, I am even more ready to get out of the country and serioulsy be stretched and challenged not in my comfort zone. In times of discomfort and uncomfortability, I tend to find the constants in my life -- that one constant is God. In fear of becoming numb in my life, I truly do not want to be comfortable. Thankfully, though, I will have the opportunity to study abroad, which I believe will be the most challenging experience, yet most rewarding of my life.)

On the way home for Thanksgiving, I was discussing this thought with a friend on the plane - beacuse the lives we lead as college students are so selfish, in that you only have to worry about yourself and are not necessarily anyone else, unlike living at home where there are chores and each person much pull their weight to help the house run smoothly, we get stuck in a rut. The rut is that we forget about the outside world. We get caught up so quickly in our personal problems that our minds and eyes are shut off, for the most part, to the 7 billion other people in the world.
Cool thing about not only being in a plane, but just being in the airport is that you see people you've never seen before and will most likely never see again. It has sometimes been shocking to me because it's sad how quickly we forget about others and we fall back into our routines and schedules and try to stay afloat for the next couple months until we're back in reality.
So, for me, flying is such a great time and place for reflecting. My mind begins to wander as I look out the dirty window that thousands have looked out. As soon as the word 'airborne' rings in my ears, I watch the ground beneath me, that was moments before surrounding me, become bigger and bigger. I start to feel smaller and smaller.

And no matter where I'm flying to or from, the world is so much more beautiful ful from thousands of feet above the earth.

Where do you sit?

The aisle or the window?

"Dance with me, Jen."

rain falling outside. check.

guitar playing upstairs. check.

planes flying in the sky. check.

cars driving by. check.

silence somewhere out there.

silence & serenity.

another quarter of college was officially over yesterday afternoon around 2:13pm.

which means.

another Christmas break has commenced - officially beginning yesterday at 2:13pm.

which means.

home again home again i go - back to good ol' idaho.

which means.

i have the privilege to escape the craziness and non-stop life i've been leading the past 10 weeks.

i am escaping to a world that can bring quiet.

and peace.

i am hearing this invitation now: "Dance with me, Jen."

[these words of encourage bring me to some thoughts... Dance moves are usually not always performed in the same way. In the same way, Christ reveals Himself differently to people in different ways and under certain circumstances. Likewise, Christ never teaches the Gospel in the same way.]

Apart from finishing up the quarter over the past 10 days, I have been surprised by His joy. He has worked incredibly in my friendships here at school, in that I have been able to spend quality time with special people this past week and a half and have been able to focus on these relationships (sometimes even more than studying), which is fabulous and what I live for.

And now, break has commenced. Tomorrow evening I will experience the peace and serenity I've been searching for and what I've been needing more of lately. As much as I didn't spend as much time in the Word as I would have liked the past couple weeks, I'm thankful that the Lord has not failed me in that He has provided and revealed Himself in new ways.

challenge for you: find silence. find quiet. stop talking. open your ears. open your heart. dance with Him.

listen.

let me go home

i'm less than three days away.

three days away until i return back home home.

this "home" here in seattle most definitely feels like home,

but not in a way that home is home.

in walking back from queen anne today,

i was stopped.

my mouth dropped.

the mountains today (the cascades...i'm pretty sure),

were extraordinary.

i stepped inside and my specs fogged up.

tell-tale sign that it's time for snow.

my nose and cheeks were red.

red from the brisk, fall wind.

i am continually amazed that i live in this city.

what a plethora of adventurous locations:

beach & mountains; city & residential.

parks galore (not to mention).

what a treat to live here 9 months out of the year.

yet another gift comes complimentary.

i'm blessed to have a home i look forward to returning to.

the other three months are, indeed, quite lovely, too.

with that being said, my 2 weeks left in seattle before christmas,

will be much enjoyed and soaked in -

especially with all the christmas cheer and joy.

and the family i have, thankfully, here in sea town.

yet back in good ol' idaho,

the mountains of snow are calling my name.

the home-cooked meals are patiently awaiting my stomach's dream.

that family of mine has my heart.

i'm safe.

as much as my heart is recovering and trying to understand certain life situations right now, i am happy and joyful to be reminded that i can rest in the the arms of my Creator because He will always be there when i'm in pain and heartache. i am thankful to say that i am safe in His arms.

------

Phil Wickham's SAFE:

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart

And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong he'll never let you go
oh you're not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas

These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

• Safe by Phil Wickham

More Phil Wickham music on iLike

life lately...

this has been life lately::

--colorful leaves.

--queen anne escapades.

--learning understanding.

Rabbits. Lighthouses. Fall.

South Beach Discovery Park this morning provided time for chasing rabbits, walking along the beach with the seaweed and rocks to a lighthouse, eating animal crackers, watching sea otters from far away, playing happy puppy, skipping through the raining forest, and collecting a plethora of beautiful fall-colored leaves.

All I'm trying to get at is:

THURSDAY HIKING MORNINGS HAVE COMMENCED.

And I have the privilege of adventuring with Miss Alicia Holsapple and Miss Courtney Pyle.

Thanks, ladies, for an awesome, rainy, enjoyable fall morning :)