Looking ahead

Looking forward | Misselainious blogRecently during an evening with my parents and a couple I consider my second parents I asked them if they remembered learning to drive and what that was like.  We all started laughing hearing each others stories!  Even though I’ve known these four my whole life I’d never thought to ask that question but I’m glad I did because it was really humorous.  It was also insightful.

My mom’s parents weren’t even willing to teach her.  Instead her dad hired someone else to do it haha!  My dad’s older brother taught him on some back road and my dad almost gave him a heart attack from what I heard.  Someone else mentioned trying to learn on a gravel hill…stick shift.

I certainly remember learning to drive.  My dad took me to a parking lot and was very patient.  Then one day my mom just gave me the keys even though I’d barely driven and told me to drive home from piano lessons.  I thought she was joking but alas no.  So there I was on back winding roads trying not to kill us.  Now you see, I’d thoroughly read the pamphlet you have to read to pass drivers ed and it said you needed to check all your mirrors every few seconds.  Well I was obedient to that and it didn’t go very well.  I was having the hardest time staying in the middle of the road.  When I mentioned my frustration to the gal that lived with us she said something I’ll never forget. “Stop looking in the mirrors so frequently.  If you look straight ahead you’ll go straight.  Where you look, that’s where you’ll go.” Hello light bulb moment.

You see I was trying to drive by looking behind me in the mirrors.  But reading a pamphlet and driving are two different things.  What I really needed to do was focus on what was in front of me.  I needed to look at the road ahead of me and see where I wanted to be.

The same thing happened when I was learning to ride my bike.  I kept looking at the pedals.  Finally my brother and his friend (who were teaching me) figured out the problem and told me to look ahead.  That’s when I felt the rush that comes from the first hands-off-no-training-wheels-freedom of riding your bike all by yourself.  Again I needed to look ahead of me at where I wanted to go.

I think in life it can be so easy to look in the past.  Or you may be one of those people who can’t envision where you want to go.  Until we can look ahead and have a vision for something we want to accomplish, we will have a hard time getting there.  

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

It’s the middle of the year and many goals and visions have been cast off since January.  That’s okay.  It’s never to late to start looking ahead.  What goals do you need to refocus, scrap, adjust, plan, or surrender?  What do you want to accomplish in the next six months?  I hope today you can put aside the past six months and press on with new vigor and vision.  If you want to tell someone your goals leave a comment below and I’d love to hear about it.  Or if you’re struggling to figure out what your vision is let me know that too. 🙂  You’ve got this my friend!

{Photo by: Paige Whiting}

Posted on June 20, 2016 by |

Quotes!

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all" Quote Laura Ingalls Wilder“Human knowledge is never contained in one person.  It grows from the relationships we create between each other and the world, and still it is never complete.” ~ Paul Kalanithi

“The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they’re organized for.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“We need never be ashamed of our tears.” ~ Charles Dickens

“Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.” ~ Ann Voskamp

“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” ~ J.K. Rowling

“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” — Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh)

“Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us – and those around us – more effectively.  Look for the learning.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” ~ Christine Caine

Posted on June 17, 2016 by |

He likes you

He likes you | Misselainious blogI was sitting there scrolling through Facebook and just about to click off when I saw an article that looked interesting and I clicked through to read it.  In many ways the article had nothing to do with me but the last point struck me hard.  The author boldly proclaimed that God likes me.

Now here’s the thing.  We’ve all heard that God loves us.  It’s true, He does!  We know that He died for our sins and that He cares deeply about His people.  And wow is that ever amazing or what?!  But have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God LIKES you?  I’m not talking about a quickie Facebook like.  I’m not talking about that guy that likes all your pictures in the hopes that you’ll notice him.  I’m talking about the fact that God delights in you.

Stop and consider with me a moment.  Here’s this infinite, beautiful, all powerful, holy, perfect, satisfied God and he decided that he wanted to express all that glory and beauty as an overflow of who He is.  So He creates humans, you and me and the multitudes of ages past, present, and future, in His image to reveal it to.

When He looks at you He sings over you my friend!  “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17  (emphasis added)  Now tell me, do you sing over something you don’t like?  No, of course not!  But when you really like something you do.

God likes your personality that you sometimes think is too much or not enough.  God likes your body that He designed and handcrafted.  God likes the way you get excited over things other people find odd.  God likes the way you love your friends and family.  God likes the many ways you reflect a part of His heart, His creativity, His intelligence, His wisdom, His strength, His vision, His purpose, His grace, His love.

He sees you, He likes you, and He knows you better than you do yourself and He’s calling you to embrace the way He’s made you.  When we embrace the way God has crafted us we give thanks for who HE is.  When we see that God likes us it should turn our hearts in praise to Him.  How amazing that He likes and loves messy people.  He likes and loves the sinner and the tax collector and the prostitute.  He shocked everyone when He picked Zacchaeus’s home to go eat at.  He stopped and engaged in a conversation with a blind beggar.  He let a prostitute touch him and praised her for her gift to Him.  He’s a God of mercy and grace.  He’s a God that doesn’t throw out broken people but heals them and makes them whole in who He is.  If you’re longing for a God that likes you then come to Jesus just as you are.  As we say in our family, “I love you and I like you.”  It’s the same for God’s family, He loves you and He likes you.

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Posted on June 15, 2016 by |

A reminder

A reminder | Misselainious blogRecently I had one of those weeks where you just feel so frustrated you want to explode.  It wasn’t like everything was terrible.  In fact my life is pretty awesome.  Yet there I was with all this pent up irritation.  Some of it was directed towards this blog, a lot of it was directed at myself.  Can I be honest?  (I know I can because you all are so wonderful.)  Sometimes I wonder why I’m blogging.  I loose sight of the goal.

And then I got a note from a reader.  Actually I got a few all within 24 hours.  That rarely happens so to get three was a wake up call.  Each of those notes was like a breath of fresh air.  One girl spoke the words back to me that have been a theme on this blog and that I needed.  I needed someone to remind me of all the things I long to remind you of on here.  Because most everything I say on here is really a letter to myself to remind me of who God is and who I am in him.  I’m on here writing because I love God and I love people.  I’m on here writing because you matter.  I’m on here writing because just like a sweet reader reminded me “bloom where you’re planted.”

Here’s the thing.  I’m actually a pretty weak person.  I need to be reminded of the truth daily.  I need to refocus and feel refreshed just as much as the next person.  So the next time you don’t think you have something to offer someone remember that you do.  Please remember that even if you feel cracked and broken and useless that that just isn’t true.  You’re still a vessel and while you might not be being used the way you want to it doesn’t mean you’re not being used at all.

Years ago I was very sick.  During that time I had a mental picture given to me.  There was a a clay jar with a simple design, full with large gracefully curved sides and a small opening with a little lip on it.  It was in a dark room and it was badly cracked.  In fact it was quite broken.  Yet it was held together by some unseen force.  And shooting out of every crack was shimmering, radiant, glowing beams of light.  You could see the translucent shine coming out in rays in every direction.  The brokenness of the vessel allowed for the light to be revealed.  In that moment God reminded me that that’s what we are like.  The more broken we are the more his power and light has the opportunity to shine out of us.  And let me tell you it’s crazy beautiful.  I’ve carried this picture with me for almost ten years now.

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Cor. 4:5-7

So my friends if you are feeling useless and broken I want to tell you that you do have a purpose.  I want you to know that you’re so loved and valued.  I want you to know that your faithfulness to keep on matters.  When we are weak Christ makes us strong.  When we’re broken let’s allow the light to seep out.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by |

Have a great weekend!

Link Love 6-10-16 | Misselainious blogHope you all are doing well and ready to enjoy the weekend. 🙂  Here’s some link love for you.

To my fellow single friends, this one is for us and it’s really good!

I really want to learn how to do this…have for years…I think I may have finally found someone to teach me. 🙂

This song on repeat.

As a piano teacher this is so cute!

This cake is gorgeous and looks like a piece of art. <3

Such a clever dress/artist smock.

Time to do this for summer…

Yum!  I want to eat this all summer.

Found out these are definitely harder than I first thought they would be.

Posted on June 10, 2016 by |

DIY embroidered quote shirt

DIY embroidered quote shirt | Misselainious blogHello lovely friends!  Years ago I saw a picture with a shirt embroidered with this quote and ever since I’ve wanted to make one.  I should have done this embroidery a long time ago because it was so easy!  So today I’m going to quickly walk you through the steps.  I think there’s something delightful about writing words on your clothing that have a special meaning to you.  When you walk by a mirror and see it, it’s like a little reminder to make you smile.  I especially love this quote “Do small things with great love.”  (I can’t find out who it’s actually by…)

All you need is a boat neck shirt, some black embroidery floss (or crochet lace yarn), a big eye needle, a pen, and some scissors.  I got my shirt at a thrift store so it only cost me $1.50.  Embroidery floss is really inexpensive too so this project doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Step 1:  Make sure to wash your shirt/preshrink it.
Step 2:  Find a quote/word you like. (I put some links below for inspiration)
Step 3:  Take a pen (I used a fine point sharpie) and lightly script out the words you want on one side of the collar of the shirt.  You want it to be off center to look right.
Step 4:  Thread your needle with the string and knot one end.
Step 5: Go up through the fabric on the underside of your shirt (so the knot wont show) and make a stitch.  Make a stitch to the front of that one (there should be a little space).  Insert the needle at the beginning of the previous stitch.  Repeat until you’re done!  Make sure not to pull to tightly on the thread otherwise your shirt will bunch.  For dotting the i’s I just made a knot on the top side as close to the shirt as possible and then brought my needle back down to the underside of the shirt directly under the knot.  Once you’re done finish on the underside and knot off your piece!

If you’ve never done hand stitching you may want to try on a scrap piece of fabric first but it’s quite easy to get the hang of.

Here are some quote ideas for you:
grace upon grace
every moment matters
collect moments not things
i will fear no evil (Psalms 23:4)
have courage and be kind (Cinderella)
creativity is intelligence having fun (Albert Einstein)

Posted on June 8, 2016 by |

Easy chignon

Easy low chignon hair | Misselainious blogLadies, this easy chignon is a good one to know because it literally works for any type of event/day.  Bonus: You can do this on dirty hair or freshly washed hair!  Thanks to my beautiful friend Michelle for modeling this for me! 🙂

Step 1: Part your hair to one side and bobby pin back a portion of the side with more hair.
Step 2: Pull all your hair into a very low ponytail at the nape of your neck and don’t pull all the hair through on the last loop through.
Step 3:  Take the ends sticking out and wrap them around the base of the ponytail.
Step 4: Give it a little hairspray, put a flower in it, and you’re good to go!  (It’s okay if some of the ends stick out since it helps make the look softer.)

We used a fresh dogwood flower but feel free to throw a fake flower in your hair!

Posted on June 6, 2016 by |

Quotes!

"I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains." Anne Frank quote“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit still and trust the engineer.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

“…food is not simply organic fuel to keep body and soul together, it is a perishable art that must be savoured at the peak of perfection.” ~ Bucchianeri

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly site harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.  We are like eggs at present.  And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.  We must be hatched or go bad.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” ~ Leonard Bernstein

“Competitions are for horses, not artists.” ~ Béla Bartók

“Choose a suitable time for recollection and frequently consider the loving kindness of God.” ~ Thomas a Kempis

“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'” ~ Esther 4:13-16

Posted on June 3, 2016 by |

Given

Given - birthday post 2016 | Misselainious blogThe best things in life can’t be bought, many in fact are given.  Haven’t you been given something before that made your day?  Maybe someone gave you something as simple but as needed as a smile.

The best moments come in the form of an “I love you” that’s been whispered to you by anther person not just with words but with every time they faithfully helped you even if it wasn’t fun.  It comes in the moment you hear a street musician playing their heart out and a child dancing along beside them.  The best moments come when you’re crying your eyes out and someone gives you a tissue and the warmest hug.  The best moments come when you hear a baby share their laughter with you.  I could go on and on but I do know that some of the best moments in my life have been because someone gave me something (time, energy, resources, love, care…) and when I was able to do the same for someone else.

When we give freely it’s an act of recognizing that we’ve been given much.  It shows that things are meant to be shared to be fully enjoyed.

In just a few days I’ll be turning 28 (June 5th) and for the past few years I’ve wanted to share my birthday with people I love.  That’s only natural right?  Well some of the people I love are my kiddos in India.  I don’t get to be there with them this year but I’m hoping you’ll help me “share” my birthday by giving a small gift of love in the form of a donation.  Can you help my birthday wish come true?  I’d love to raise $250 for my kiddos in India.  That means if just 10 of you give $25 then my wish will come true! 🙂  (But any amount is a good amount!)  Thanks in advance sweet friends. <3  You all are some of the most generous people I’ve had the gift of knowing.

You can donate here! 🙂

EDIT:  If the link doesn’t work please email me at misselaini [@] gmail.com (remove spaces and brackets).

Posted on June 1, 2016 by |

Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2016 | Misselainious blogThis is for those who gave their very lives for the sake of freedom.  This is to those who made the greatest sacrifice.  Memorial day isn’t about BBQ’s.  Memorial day is for remembering those who died for our country.

“We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.”

~ Moina Michael  

So today I just want to honor those who have died in service to the United States of America.  There really aren’t words enough to express my gratitude.

Posted on May 30, 2016 by |

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