We're having a food drive at church this weekend. Below is the design work I've been doing for the event.
check out this crazy monster they call architecture...
Already we are able to see Mason's personality. When Carter, my other nephew arrived, we knew had some definite "character". In the same way Mason's character is beginning to show itself. Where Carter is more jovial and quirky, Mason seems to be more thoughtful and calm. Of course it may be too early to tell, but it seemed to be right with Carter.
(Those of you from Austin, take note of the STUBBS poster behind me. No, I'm not secretly hiding out in Austin!)
Mason Julius Twist8lbs10ozs
cookie monster...carter looks like he's ready to be a big brother and a whole lot of trouble
This is the last photo of my sister pregnant with Mason. She's at the hospital as I type this blog...Let me just say, Thursday (today) was the day I guessed she would go into labor; looks like sis knows best. Say a prayer for a quick, safe delivery!
This is a test for any readers or watchers of the Chronicles of Narnia. There are two objects in this scene from which CS Lewis drew inspiration. Do you know what they are?
(I tried to give you a hint by altering the picture.)
This is an alleyway leading to the Bodleian Library and The Radcliffe Camera, behind which I now sit at Blackwell's Books in the only air conditioned WiFi spot I have been able to find. We are so spoiled in the States!ANSWERS: the gold figure above the doorway inspired Tumnusthe lampost
Here's the first of many pictures to come. Little is showing of "Mason" here, but if my sister turned sideways you could tell he's not too far away!
My posts have taken the back seat lately...all my time has been spent preparing for a long trip to England [June 28-July 21] and with those I will miss while I'm gone. My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew have been living there for the past year. There will be plenty of exciting news to share in the next few weeks...A second nephew will be making his rounds on the blog circuit very soon. [Mason Julius Twist is due in July!]
It's official, my first pair of cowboots have been broken in. My feet are in pain but I am getting closer to being a true Texan, so it must be worth it. 
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Often I catch myself falling asleep, spiritually. It usually happens slowly, by being "too busy", easily distracted, or living inside my head instead of my heart. Inevitably, it happens. My spirit hibernates. This weekend I went on a retreat with some friends from Austin. Though I may still be on a "high" from intense conversation and making new friends, I feel God has stirred my soul. He has given me a nudge and reminded me to stay awake. To be present. And to seek Him. My life has more to do with him than it does me.
"...at the rate you live at, the Bible might never have been written, and Christ might never have died, the Apostles were foolish, the New Testament Christians madmen, and the salvation of the Gospel a needless thing. Oh, awake! and sleep no more." J.C. Ryle
In the times my soul is asleep something else takes over: sin. It's tough sometimes to figure out sins in my life that are preventing deeper relationship with Him. It's hard to pinpoint the sins that are not superficial or evident to the world. We all have things in our minds that keep us from God; I have a tendancy to just be nice, just to please those around me. But in my mind there is a battle being fought not many can see. A battle of perfection, of never being up to standard, of never being enough. I tell myself lies and in the end all it does is keep me from truly and openly loving others; being inwardly focused is blinding.
"I yield to none in wishes for your happiness, and my best wish is that you may be made a new creature in Christ Jesus. This is a better thing than riches, or health, or honour, or learning. A man may get to heaven without these, but he cannot get there without conversion. Verily if you die without having been born again you had far better never have been born at all. No man really lives till he lives unto God." J.C. Ryle
This is true community: to bear your soul to another with faith that love and grace will abound.
just playin'
you know who you are.
My brother-in-law likes to threaten he will set me up with the man I marry. Erik, if you promise the real deal will not be blue and 7" tall, yes he grew from 1" to 7" in four days, I might agree out of desperation.
If you look close enough you might be able to see my recently planted zinneas sprouting in the background. Hopefully they grow as quickly as my boyfriend, Mr. Beefcake.
Here's the update on Mr. B:
"bloom" business card
My attempt to get my real work outside of work (the day job) has begun. It started by purchasing a new laptop and now this blog. Hopefully it will inspire me to continue my search for things of beauty. Also, to challenge myself to write and draw more often. Something easily done while overseas, but not so easy in the past two years since being back in the states. "Italy is never too far away," I continue to remind myself. Verbal communication has never been easy for me. I sometimes lack the ability to express myself well. Creativity is the only way I feel that part of me is heard. At this point in my life that means not being heard at all. It is no one's fault but my own. If you wish, feel free to listen in as I try to put bring that voice into focus.
It's time to get out there and try out my skills. This is just a baby step towards my ultimate goal. Hopefully, in the next couple of months I will add a link on this website to my own personal site! Thanks to many of you who have encouraged me to follow my true passion, graphic design.
We'll see where the next step takes me...I'll keep you posted.
