Fashion -100 Years

9.30.2011

I found this over at rockstar diaries, and thought it was super cool:

I was really diggin the 50's and 60's styles. I think you'll like it too. Plus the dancing is magical.

We have a pretty happenin weekend ahead, I get to spend some much needed time with one of my dear friends, then hiking over to go bowling with the Birthday Boy mr. Ayden.
He's Turning the big 0-5!

Then we've got our church's 15 year Birthday Party!Pretty intense.

Happy Weekend! See you in October!

Over & Out

Dear John

9.29.2011



Thanks for being the Spiritual Leader I always prayed for. You're testimony to God's goodness.



What I'm learning

9.28.2011

This question I keep asking myself :

Which person finds the gospel harder to embrace? The man who has lived his whole life trying to please God, to have it revealed it  has all been vain-in fact, has been religious self worship (bringing glory to himself masked with bringing glory to God), or the man who has lived his whole life disregarding God knowingly and has to embrace the idea that God loved him through it all?
 The first is convinced of God's love-but discovers (much to his despair and yet great hope) that God loves him not for what he had done, for he is a wretch.  While the other has to become convinced over and over again that him, being a wretch God loves.

 And what about when that man (or in this case, that Brittany) is both? I've lived enough of my life in opposition to God to be completely convinced I am a ruined soul (its an easy case to prove), but enough of my life thinking I did just alright to try and justify my own earning of salvation(in which I am also ruined). Just to realize in both situations-or rather in all- I have failed miserably, and all were acts of me spitting in God's face. In all I said " I dont need your saving"  'because its not of interest to me.' or 'I can do it myself.'

I am the diseased, and God is the only remedy-both to my self worship and to my self disdain.

And that news is the sweetest news I've ever heard. I've found the answer and it has nothing to do with my performance or lack there of, and it has everything to do His love and his faithfulness and me daily turning to that. I get to rid myself of myself and embrace the beauty of the cross and Jesus.

Thats what I've been thinking about lately.

Over and Out




What I Wore, Baxter, and Reasons why Ben continues to steal my heart.

9.27.2011

 Hey friends, 
This week has been so far pretty good. From starting it by watching Ben ROCK at playing bass (I didn't even realize he was THAT good! Tell you what, God sure does make himself a fine creation) on Sunday, to the sheer amount of laughter I've experienced these past 5 days, its been a good week. I wore this outfit yesterday and at about 10:00 at night I told Ben he had to take pictures of it since i wasn't sure if i would be feeling like dressing up tomorrow (which was a good guess- sweatshirt all day long, w00t) We've never taken pictures indoors, so it was a little fun with a flash, figuring out ISO and other goodness, 

From this: With Ben's studly shadow-Yes, he is a very tall man.
 
To the blinding flash:

  

To the suedo weird glow of all our lights on.We haven't perfected it...but at least we're making progress. One thing I can say-natural light is ALWAYS Better




In even more important news let me introduce: 


BAXTER the BETA!
We waited for a pretty long while before we went ahead and got a  new fish (We'll always love us some bruce). but we decided it was time. So, Baxter, meet blog, blog, meet baxter-We love him. He is our new baby. We will cherish him forever. P.S. If you didn't guess, Baxter is named after comic books (as was bruce) if you can guess HOW i'll probably give you something awesome. Like an eyelash, or my famous apple pie.


And to celebrate, Ben-being the incredible man that he is, decided late last night that the only proper way to finish the night was to go to sonic and order delicious creamsicle floats and oreo blizzards.




Which resulted in much rejoicing and praising the Good Lord for a) being so Great, B) Creating my husband and c) creating the fanta creamsicle. We serve a good God, my friends.

And so the story ends.

We also may or may not have created a fairly hazardous situation when  the crazy gas pump didn't turn off and gasoline came gushing out of our car-but that's a different story, and with so much celebration-doesn't need to be too elaborated upon.

Hope your tuesday was lovely, and that you have at least 5 things to praise the Lord for (my guess is there's a million, but you should at least think of 5. Like right now. Do it.)
Over  & Out.






Cranberry Fest-Girls Weekend

9.25.2011

 I just got back from an amazing weekend with my sister and mom! It was such a great time and my cheeks, belly and whole body are sore from laughing so hard, all the adventures and the great times we had. Our first 'Girls weekend' happened a bit by accident when I wanted to go to the Renegade Craft Fair in chicago, this time last year. Ben told me I should ask Bre if she would come, and when  I called her, she said we should all go. Shout out to bre for making this an annual celebration.
I plan on posting more pictures soon, but I just wanted to say this weekend was so sweet for my heart. Being around Bre and Mom, and the deep way they know me is so refreshing. Lovely weekend indeed.

Over & Out.


Dear John #15

Weekend Recap-o

9.19.2011

 This weekend was one of the first cold weekends we've had. I got to bring out all my hats and enjoy a few chai's. And got to find some more awesome hats at the local thrift store for 2 buckaroos. Hallelujah.  Ben was sick and so we stayed kind of low on Friday evening.. The cold was a nice change except I had forgotten what its like to run in it. Lungs burning, cheeks a blaze. Not fun. At least I caught this pretty stork/herring on my run and by caught i mean took a picture.just for you literal folks.  He's often there by the lake  we live by. His name is harry.  and Ben always points him out when we go on walks.
We were adventurous and made calzones this weekend which turned out awesome. And we also went to the mall and I got a few pretty t-s and Ben grabbed a good book. AND we accidentally discovered that Big Bang Theory was out. So we grabbed it bought it and laughed and cried and felt all good that we had found such delightful treasures.

It was a good weekend. On sunday was my first 'big event' for church. I'm so impressed with Ben. He kept reassuring me when things went 'wrong', or when unexpected things happened. It was such a blessing to have him by my side.
Overall everyhting was a great success and Ben is feeling fairly better. Good weekend indeed.

Hope your weekend was restful. I'm looking forward to this week! On Friday I get to spend time with my mom and sister for our 2nd annual girl's weekend.

PUMPED

Hope your weekend's were restful!

Over & Out.

sometimes i think to myself...

9.17.2011


man girl you really should blog more.

So then i do this: 

Sunday-Quiet

Monday-Weekend Recap

Tuesday-What I Wore/general post

Wednesday-Things I’m Learning

Thursday-Dear John

Friday-Funny You tube/Music/Video Blog from Ben and Brittany

Saturday-Quiet

Then i think "well brittany, why blog so much, are you just trying to busy yourself?, don't just do this stuff because the others are doing it. ['others', i really have no idea who you are-I just state this to make myself to justify my responses  and you seem to be the only plausible explanation to do it other than because i want to, i'm sure you all are dandy and well worth imitation.]"

so then i justify myself to myself and it turns into something like this:

Sunday-Quiet
Why: Because its Sunday
Monday-Weekend Recap
Why: To remember awesome stuff
Tuesday-What I Wore/general post
Why: Because I keep thinking ‘dang this outfit is awesome-it would make a great post’ and then I go to bed
Wednesday-Things I’m Learning
why:‘because if I don’t write it down-I’ll forget it’
Thursday-Dear John
why:‘because I like it. and i like him'
Friday-Funny You tube/Music/Video Blog from Ben and Brittany
why: Freebie and because ridiculous videos make me chuckle.
Saturday-Quiet
Why: Because i'm frolicking.

and then, i feel so satisfied with my plan, i feel no need to blog about anything-especially because Sunday is a 'quiet day,' Saturday too.

and while we're sharing I just thought to myself "I should really put a picture" But then i realized that would take away from Monday's weekend recap. Words will just have to do.

over and out.

P.S. my BFF Emily had a birthday today. She's been my friend since I was 12. No bigs. except she's the longest friend I've ever had and if she wasn't born I wouldn't have a longest friend. At least not her kind, you know the kind you tell your secrets too, even the ones you're scared that people will laugh at you for. And maybe she does, but in a special kind of way that makes you think 'gosh, she's such a good friend'

Emily, you make my face hurt from laughing, my heart feel good after our talks and my inappropriate side feel understood. Thanks for being the kind of friend that friends should be.and for stickin around. Even through hormones, college, and my frizzy hair days.

If you read this, happy birthday special moon pie, chicken-loving goodness. you mean the world, no more than the world. you mean the galaxy and back to me.


Truly, Over and out



Baby, you and me 40 years.

9.16.2011



Just try not to smile. or burst out laughing.

Happy weekend!

Dear John #14

When I get overwhlemed...

9.12.2011



I break down. I turn to my Savior, and by turn I mean run. And after a few minutes, sometimes a few hours of turmoil, there's peace. I found out some unexpected news today, and it left me feeling a bit helpless. And I turned to my savior and really felt his grace.

Does He see my problems?

Is He Truly Good?
Does he really care for me?

These are the questions that plague my heart, and I am reminded of God's Word, and its goodness floods my heart.

Does Paul not say " And we know that in ALL things God works for the GOOD of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

Psalms 37 
3Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.5Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Jeremiah 31:3: The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

Zephaniah 3:17  The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.


And then I sit, and I think...My problem is a dot compared to how big my God is, He can completely obliterate any problem i have, or he can show up and show me who he is through my problems. He is truly and utterly good And he cares about me. And I know that each and every struggle I face, God will work to good for me. because I do love him, and I have been called to his purpose.

I'm excited after time has passed to look back and say "Wow, Jesus you really showed up there.'" And stand in awe of how awesome he is.



I hope you find peace in Jesus.

Over & Out.






getting used to a new normal

9.09.2011


When i'm about to explode this is what i do:

You should try it. It releases tension at a rate of 10000 scary tension decibals per picture.

These are our weekdays:

Wake up, drive Ben to work, come to church, work at church, go to class, leave, pick up ben, drop ben off, come back to church, go to class/event. return home, crash
or
wake up, drive ben, go running, clean, go to church, work at church, go to class, leave, pick up ben, take ben with me, go to event/class, return home.

I find myself breathing deep a lot. I can't imagine how Jesus did it. Coming, going, barely sleeping, ministering. But what encourages me, is that I see the disciples and I see that even when Jesus left, they kept up their new normal.

And so. Thats been our life lately. Its been so good, just not our normal.

Pray for us, that we adjust well. that we dont just 'survive' this year but thrive.

Thanks.

over and out.
Brittany

Dear John #13: Library Style

Best. Weekend. Ever

9.06.2011

This weekend we

* Went to the farmers market, and bought the mother load of fruits (although there is no fruit in these pictures-we took home peaches, grapes, plums, and strawberries!) 10 dollars my friends.

* went on a several walks (my excitement with walks is displayed proportionately with the size of my neck when this picture was taken: aka. ALOT)


* made cookies
*ate good food
*Went to the Renaissance Festival 

*Rode an Elephant! ( I tear up every time I say it. this makes me so happy)
*Went to comic book stores
* Hung out a the Guthrie


* Went down an escalator backwards. (Which may have gotten us in trouble with a guy telling us that there were "escalators going down for a reason"...it was still worth it. Way to act like we're 14 again.)
*Went Thrifting on 1/2 off Day
*Ate Chinese
*Found things that made us think of Ireland

*Watched 2 good movies
*Went to a crazy church that is totally this:


*Slept in every day

*And we even ate salad a few times. And ate ice cream multiple times

Good times. Indeed.

If you're chasing, it wont stop running.

9.03.2011


When I was a wee girl, I remember there was a boy who would chase me around and say mean things. This was no fun. One day I told my dad about said boy. and my dad was awesome. A part from him telling the boy "So YOURE the one being mean to my daughter?" which scared the boy away forever,  he also told me some awesome advise which is the premise of this entire post. "If you stop running, he'll stop chasing you." I didn't believe him. Soon later, yet another bully came into the scene (I had frizzy hair, freckles and very large front teeth-this seemed to make boys make fun of me, (or have the hotts for me-the world will never know)) and this new boy would do just as boy 1 did.. Except this time I stopped running and what do you know, He started chasing someone else.

It was magic.

Years later, I catch myself being the chaser. No, I am not chasing boys, already got me one of those. I'm chasing all sorts one thing:contentment. At First it was "good grades' then it was 'boyfriend, then it was 'college degree' then it was 'boyfriend/husband.' These things promised a sort of contentment that I had yet to experience. Yes, if I just had that-while it wouldn't fill me ENTIRELY, boy it sure would make this life just dandy.

I've found that no matter what station in life, there is still something I chase after. All you single ladies, sorry to tell you this-it doesn't go away.

I think all agree that the thinking "if i just had THIS [insert think we really want here] then I would be COMPLETELY happy" is a lie.  but I'm not so sure I'm convinced that this isn't true"If i just had this, then I'd be a wee bit more happy. " So what do I do? I chase it.

Why does it get me every time? Probably because there's some truth to it. Part of the joys of life are the exciting new things. Going to college, getting that first job, buying that first car, adjusting to marriage, buying a home, moving to some new places, all of these are exciting and new and I've tasted some of these as have you. And I've felt it the excitement.

Knowing this 'wee-bit' happy think  is at least somewhat true-I  choose to sit and think of all the great things that would be oh-so-exciting if I just had them now.. And BAM I'm stuck in discontentment land.

In fact, (here's a little silliness for you) I was actually pretty bummed for an entire week over a target wicker chest. Yeah. Lame. I know. And yet, I was convinced, if i just had that,  my home would be a little more complete, and thus I'd be a little more happy. Did i really let something wicker steal my joy? Yes. Yes i did.

And here's the real reason why:

I am still convinced that the stuff in this world will make me more happy than Jesus does. If I had my home look like Pier 1, if I had a better body, nicer wardrobe, more followers, a sweeter resume, better education, closer friends, maybe even a baby on the way! Boy then, then I'll arrive, just a bit more.

What is crazy to me is just how age old my heart problem is. 3000 years ago, Solomon wrote about this same thing:

All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:7-9



So whats a girl to do?

To be honest, I think a lot of it is actually admiting to God just how much I don't trust him to be enough. And actually tell him whats going on in my heart. "You know, I dont think you satisfy, I know you do in my mind, yet my heart goes against that. I don't get why I keep doing it and I'm sorry. I need you to change me."  I think the other part, is actually focusing on all God is doing in my life.

I can look through this whole blog and see how blessed I am. I can look through the whole BIBLE and see how blessed I am. Who Am I that God would set up a plan to invite me into his presence? But He loves and has spent all of time communicating that to his people. He owns everything I have and yet he's loaned it to me. He's given me life. He's given me salvation. Whats crazy is you are blessed with the exact same thing as I am. We are a blessed people, chosen by a Holy God, who wants to have a relationship with us and declare his awesomeness. And I get to join him by just believing?! We got it good.

I want to flood my mind with verses like this:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Hebrews 13:5

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”Luke 12:15

And become convinced of this:

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.  Habakkuk 3:16-18
I dont want to chase anymore. And I think today's a good day to stop running.


Over and Out
Britt


Dear John #12