my slacker side...

what what what?? it is 9:27 pm...and i'm just starting on the blogs...both blogs...sheesh...talk about the slacker in me =)...truth be told...i may not have a lot of time alotted to this lovely blog i love to post to...there is just not enough hours in the day lately...and i don't want to write...just to write...kind of like i'm doing right now...but really...i'm trying to explain my slackiness...

grand opening of my store tomorrow morning...i.am.so.excited...this last week has been cah-ray-zee...and in that...i'm talking manual labor! but...the boutique is ready...and i need to get a good nite's sleep...so i can be refreshed to welcome all my customers to the grand opening...

so...if i'm not here everyday...please know...it is not from not wanting to...just need to pick and choose at this point what "needs" to get done...and what can wait...

when did i get here?

seems like the last month or so has just flow by...these last few weeks have been pretty grueling...but exciting...so many new things happening in my business...some scary...some risky...but all falling into place...that is God...no two ways about it...

and although the days are long...and the future is really unknown...the doors have been opening up...and i am choosing to walk through them by faith...knowing that He is leading me...and all i need to do is trust Him...and continue on my path...

my friends have been amazing...encouraging...praying...cheering me on...it keeps me going...it keeps me grounded...

i am excited & nervous of my new ventures...yes...plural...ventures...all happening at the same time...but excited as a child...for the wonderful opportunities God has in store...

how yah feeling?

therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." matthew: 7:24-27

do you know what amazes me about those verses above? both the person doing right and the person doing wrong experienced hard times...in both cases the rains came...the streams rose...and the wind blew and beat against the house...

just because we're christians living out God's principles for life...does not mean we won't face difficult circumstances...the difference being a christian makes is how the difficulties affect us...if we are hearing and heeding God through our prayer time and reading His word...then we will be able to stand strong in the storms of life...our faith will not be shaken and our identity will not be rattled...

have you ever felt as a friend, wife, mother, daughter...whatever your position in life is...that sometimes you feel only as good as your last interaction with someone close to you? a friend tells you that you hurt her feelings and suddenly you feel like a bad friend....you forget to take the cookies you signed up to bring to the church nursery and suddenly you feel unreliable and disorganized...or maybe you are looking for some important papers...and when you can't find the file...suddenly you feel like you can't be trusted with important paperwork...

what would your normal reaction be in this situation? would it be to get frustrated...short tempered...and beat yourself up while tearing the house apart looking for the missing papers?

how about this approach? going from defining yourself as a failure to being a praying woman (or man) who can face a hardship in a godly way...the frustration can be diffused and determined to look at any situation from God's perspective...

when hard times come and beat against our stability...we must be determined to hear God's words and put them into practice...then nothing can topple our peace...security...or true identity...

beautiful, beautiful...

i am so in love with this song...everytime it comes on...i stop whatever it is i am doing...just to listen and grasp every word...may it resonate with you today...may you realize that by His grace...your life is beautiful, beautiful...

enjoy the weekend!

"beautiful, beautiful"
francesca battistelli

don't know how it is You looked at me
and saw the person that i could be
awakening my heart, breaking through the dark
suddenly Your grace

like sunlight burning at midnight
making my life something so beautiful, beautiful
mercy reaching to save me, all that i need
You are so beautiful, beautiful

now there's a joy inside i can't contain
but even perfect days can end in rain
and though it's pouring down, i see You through the clouds
shining on my face

like sunlight burning at midnight
making my life something so beautiful, beautiful
mercy reaching to save me, all that i need
You are so beautiful, beautiful

i have come undone
but i have just begun
changng by Your grace

beautiful, beautiful

listen here...sorry...unable to embed it...

the judgment of others...

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble..." 1 peter 5:5

how differently might our lives be if we didn't have to fear the harsh criticisms of other people? might we be willing to step out a little bolder for Jesus? might we be willing to be a little more vulnerable? might we live our lives a little less guarded?

people judging other people must absolutely break God's heart...the crazy thing is when we judge others...we elevate ourselves past the ability to recognize our own propensity to sin in the very area we are criticizing...show me a person who is leveling a judgment against another person...and i will show you a person who is wrapped in sin themseves...

if it's not the very same sin they are criticizing...it will be a sin just as dangerous...pride...

it is a subtle shift that satan invites us into...voicing criticisms against others will coat the eyes of our soul with smut so thick...we become blinded to our own sin...pride and self-righteousness will detour us from God's best path and lead us on a treacherous journey of denial...we'll deny our own sinfulness...we'll deny our own need for grace...

those who can't see their own desperate need for grace...refuse to freely give grace to others...

now...if you're like me...you may be tempted to start making a mental list of those who you have felt judged by and you started praying a few sentences back: "please let so and so hear this message...oh i hope they see themselves in this and get a whammy of conviction..." ever thought those thoughts during a great sermon??

but...let's stop making that mental list and receive this message personally...even if we aren't naturally critical people...this is an area we can all grow in...

i recently read a wonderful quote outlining a beautiful plan when we feel tempted to judge someone else...francis frangipane in his book "holiness, truth, and the presence of God" says, "anyone can pass judgment - but can they lay down their lives in love, intercession and faith for the one judged? can they target an area of need and rather than criticizing, fast and pray, asking God to supply the very virtue they feel lacking? and then persevere in that love - motivated prayer until that fallen area blooms in godliness? such is the life Christ commands we follow!" (pg.11)

i know just posting this post will not suddenly make the world tip on it's axis and shake all of us people into breaking the cycle of criticisms and judgment...however...maybe...it will be a start...if it causes even one of us to fall in front of Jesus in repentance and allow Him to wipe the smut of pride and self-righteousness from our spiritual eyes...it will be a great start...now...let it start with me...

ever wonder?

vs...



Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking of you!

clothing of the future...

i had posted this clip originally on my business blog...fabulous finds...and although it has to do with fashion...i thought i would post it here...this is where a group of designers in the 1930's were asked what they thought fashion would look like in the year 2000...some of it was pretty spot on...the commentator cracks me up...so stern and professional...and what is with the "candy for cuties"?

Jesus loves me...this i know...

do you ever feel lonely?

recently...i was at an event full of people...everyone else seemed gabby and like they were effortlessly making easy connections with others...normally...i welcome events such as this...as i love meeting people...but this nite in particular...i just felt out of sorts...no particular reason...nothing bad had happened...just felt a bit off kilter...it was one of those, “i would really like to be at home alone...in a bubble bath...eating something chocolate” kind of nites...but i had to go to this outing...so here i was – feeling lonely...

my shifting emotions caused me to get in such a down state...i even started wondering if God cared about me...

i politely smiled my way through the evening...and finally got to go home...as i crawled into bed that night...i asked Jesus, “why am i letting some weird emotions affect me like this?”

there was no deep explanation...there was no bible verse that instantly popped into my head...there was no sudden rush of peace through my heart...only a very gentle reminder in the depths of my soul that Jesus loves me - insecurities and all...

Jesus loves me...that simple little song i learned all those years ago...very simple...yet so powerfully profound...that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says i am...friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time...accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure...having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely...and chocolate...while it is deliciously distracting...is just a little too temporary...

so...i turn to the One who is everlasting...Prince of Peace...Emmanuel - God with us...i draw close to Him so He can help me separate solid truth from shifting emotion...

see if you can identify with any of the shifting emotions listed below...then...as you read God’s solid truths...focus on the firm place we are able to stand on...and a sure place to park our feelings...

shifting emotion:

i don’t always feel noticed by other people...everyone just seems to be wrapped up in their own lives...sometimes i even wonder if God notices me...

the truth:

God not only notices us...He is with us at all times...we are to keep ourselves in God’s love whether we feel Him or not...by praying...and filling our minds with God’s truth...His love will grow in us and through us...then we won’t be so consumed with wanting others to notice us...we will become people who notice others and let God’s love shine on them...
jude 1:20-21 “but you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

shifting emotion:

i don’t feel very loved...therefore...i don’t feel like being very loving towards others...

the truth:

we are dearly loved by God...His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it...
colossians 3:12, “therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

shifting emotion:

does God really care about this situation i’m in?

the truth:

God is with us...as we cry out to Him...we are reminded of His help...
proverbs 61:1-4, “hear my cry, o God; listen to my prayer. from the ends of the earth i call to you, i call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than i. for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. i long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”

my prayer is that the Lord helps me rid my mind and heart of the doubts shifting emotions cause...and to be filled with only His solid truths...

a good woman...

to my women readers...men...feel free to forward this to the woman in your life!

enjoy your weekend!

walking a thin line...

or maybe i should say...walking a bit close to the line...

when tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” james 1:13-15

as i sat in the gas station...this scenario took place with a women, her husband...and her van...

“impossible!! how can this be? why, i’m certain i never crossed the line!”

out tumbled the words from this woman's disbelieving mouth...i knew of what she was talking about...because the street was clearly marked as to where to drive...due to the road markers being re-painted...she and her husband stood staring at the two left wheel wells on their family mini-van that now sat spattered with bright yellow paint...while driving through the street...it seemed that she had traveled a little too close to the freshly painted yellow line that separates traffic...

while she was keenly aware that the workers had just finished placing the sunny stripes on the pitch-black pavement...she was positive that she had driven in a manner that...although closely hugged the lines...had not crossed them...much to her dismay...when the van’s tires rolled to a halt at the gas station...the truth was revealed...crossed the line? no...she actually hadn’t...there was no paint on the actual tires...however...her getting ever so close was enough to cause the wet paint to stick itself stubbornly to her vehicle’s wheel wells resulting in a nearly neon public display of her too close behavior...

alas...could it be? was God showing me a lesson in this action packed scene? =)

sometimes we do the same thing with sin...oh...we make sure we don’t actually cross the line...but we dangle dangerously close to it...we toy with temptation...we wink at seduction...we let bad behavior beckon us...

perhaps it is with our tongues as we say just enough that it borders on gossip and gets our point across...while still technically remaining innocent...maybe it is fudging a slight bit on our taxes or other financial papers...what about the books we read...the shows we watch or the sites we visit? how about “innocent” but bantering relationships forged with members of the opposite sex...do we reason and reckon that some of these behaviors aren’t “that bad,” but in reality they come so close to the line that they drag us away from God...and once the dragging starts...we’re hooked...then we just might find ourselves standing in a very public way with sin spattered all over us...

i've been there...more times then i'd like to admit...

instead of asking ourselves how close we can get to the line...perhaps the opposite approach is best...we must remind ourselves just how desperately near we must stay to the Lord Jesus...so near that wandering even slightly away feels foreign...not familiar...let’s vow together to stick safely by our Savior and a world away from that nasty line of sin...

i want to be in the place that my heart is pricked when i begin to veer from His perfect path and wander dangerously close to the line of sin...at those times...i want to obey His commanding voice...however still and small it may be...and rush back safely to His side...

project runway & fashion week...

so...as i had mentioned...my very good friend margaret's hubby planned this incredible trip to new york city for her (and me!!!!)...the trip was all about fashion week...and the project runway fashion show...

if you'd like to see pics...and read about my adventure...come on over to my business blog...fabulous finds...

it truly was a trip of a lifetime for this fashion girl...

reunion weekend...

this last weekend was my 30th high school reunion from burlingame high school...being on the planning committee...i have to say...we had some hilarious moments...and most of the planning happened within the last 10 minutes of our meetings...all the other time was spent hanging out with friends...reminiscing...laughing...and continuing to grow relationships that had lasted for the last 30 years...

with so little planning...a part of me is amazed at how the weekend really worked itself out...it all started friday evening with a football game at the school...and during half-time - the players of our year who had gotten incredible recognition for their playing...were honored...i unfortunately was flying back from new york...and missed the festivities...but i heard a fun time was had by all...

class picture

saturday afternoon...we decided as the class of 1980 - we wanted to plant a tree at the school...it was bittersweet...as the last time we planted a tree at the school...it was senior year...and it was for my good friend sigi...who had died in a car accident that senior year...that tree...now 30 years later stands strong on the campus of the school...



the finished result...


saturday nite...the festivities continued...as the burlingame panthers gathered together at the pacific athletic club in redwood city...what a fun fun nite...i don't remember the last time i danced so much in one nite...it was amazing to see some faces from so long ago...to reconnect with some i had lost touch with...and to hear how everyone's life had ended up...

the four of us were inseparable in high school
from l-r lauretta, susanne (my best friend), irene & me

sunday - the festivities ended with a picnic at washington park...just a glorious day in the sun...catching up with old friends & their families...

it doesn't seem like it has been 30 years...i have to admit...but i guess it just goes to show...that it truly is just a number...and it is all in your attitude about life...and what you make of it...

looking forward to the 40th!

back to reality...

wow...what a whirlwind week i've had...now trying to get back into a regular routine is somehow not happening...i was sitting thinking...i haven't blogged in a week...how do i get back to my schedule?

after a wild trip to nyc...attending fashion week...coming home to a weekend of high school reunion activities...this girl is pooped! so i won't say much now about my trip....but stay tuned for stories & pics...i need to get myself oriented again... =)

for today...i leave you with my most favorite spot in central park new york...which i was able to go back to on this trip...

such serenity...

new york...new york...

first off...how crazy is this...it is my 500th post...sheesh...have i got a lot to say or what?? who knew random thoughts about nothing and everything could go on so long...

so...now for the exciting part...sigh...take a deep breath...i am going to new york!! for someone who at one time was going at least one a year...it has been a few too many years that i have missed it...and the best part?? all expense paid trip! yep!!

one of my closest friend's husband has arranged the whole trip! and it gets even better...as if that wasn't already enough...are you ready????????

we are going to be there during fashion week! hello? do you know what that even means to this fashion loving girl??? be still my heart...

but wait...even more! we are going to be at the actual "project runway" fashion show during fashion week...can you believe it?? that means that she & i will see all the designers final looks before everyone in tv land does!

i.cannot.tell.you.how.excited.i.am!!!

God is seriously so good...what a blessing...and i know it came from Him and only Him...

so...on other news...to completely enjoy my trip...i will be taking a week off of blogging...so enjoy your LONG weekend...and all of next week...i'll be back with pictures...i'm sure!

time flies...

wow...september 2nd...where did august go? for that matter...where has this year gone? we will celebrating thanksgiving in 3 months...christmas in 4 months...didn't we just have christmas like 6 months ago?

it is times like these...when i sit down and really think about how the time is flying by...to reflect...what is going on in my life? am i making a difference? am i acomplishing things i want to? am i pursuing my dreams? and most importantly...am i living a life pleasing to the Lord?

time flies...we are not promised tomorrow...are we making the most of each and every day?

philosophy of charles schultz...

received an email from my girlfriend yesterday...i just had to share it...enjoy!



The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies..

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.



Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.



Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials...the most money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most.



'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia !'



''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"