Gospel Truth

I've had the opportunity to read a lot lately.  A pastime that my husband has surely encouraged me in since he reads more than anyone I know.  I've been so thankful for the joy it has brought me in diving deep into theological books and letting the truth penetrate my heart.  Books such as "Everlasting Righteousness", "Gospel-minded Parenting", and the book of Romans have really stretched me lately and have reminded me of the richness and beauty of the gospel.

The truths of imputed righteousness and justification by faith have given me such joy and love for the Lord.  It has given me more hope and helped me to be faithful in a faithless world.  In the wake of earthquakes, famine, tsunamis, war, cancer and torn relationships I find myself at peace knowing that God is sovereign and for my good.  He sent his son, perfect and sinless, to take on my sin and die a death of shame on the cross.  He did this for me.  I am new and completely righteous to Him because of Christ and only because of his death on a cross.  I have nothing to bring, but repentance and a contrite heart.  What an amazingly gracious God we have!

As I take a leap into my last couple months of school, I have hope that God has great things in store for me.  He is the giver of all good things and placed me where I am right now to glorify him in all I do.  I will study and write my research paper knowing that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to and finish school glorifying in my redeemer and all that he has brought me through.

 How do I transition into what seems like mundane life in light of the Gospel :)  Well, nothing is much different in David and my life right now.  We are getting over the flu which was super nasty!  David spent a day home from work and we both layed around doing pretty much nothing......it was what we needed for sure.  We celebrated birthdays with family which was really fun!  David's mom, my dad and brother all had birthdays at the beginning of the month so celebrating is always great!  DJ turned 21 which made me feel old......fun having siblings that I consider friends being that we are all adults now.  Crazy! 

This is the baby shower invite I made!  Love birds :)

I also have the privaledge of hosting a baby shower for my good friend Ashley.  She is expecting baby Addy next month and I'm beyond thrilled to meet this sweet little one that has been growing these last 8months.  I can't wait to shower her with love and gifts!  I'm looking forward to it for sure!

March Madness has begun.....not just basketball, but Saint Patrick's craziness!  I'll admit that I hate this holiday with all of me.  I find it pointless.  It gives Irish people a chance to celebrate beer.....and gives everyone else a chance to get wasted.  Okay.....I'm sure there is more to this Holiday, but I for one don't get it.  I protest by wearing pink.  If you pinch me I will not be happy.  Who ever thought of that anyway?  Lets pinch people if they don't wear green.....sounds like someone had too much beer if you ask me :)

Modern day housewife :)

Spring break has meant spring cleaning in the Koch apartment.  I will be completely honest that this is one of my most favorite things in the whole world.  I have never liked clutter too much and always feel so refreshed when things are organizing and in their place (this is a fault as well.....the Lord is teaching me to be more flexible in this area....cough *David* cough).  I have been a busy bee organizing our pantry and closets.  The only thing I have left is going through drawers and tidying up the closet more to make things fit. 

A huge reason for doing this is because we have chosen to stay in our apartment for awhile longer.  Lots of things have brought us to this point, but most financial wisdom in feeling like we would like to pay off more debt before going forward with a house.  I'll admit my heart was not settled with this decision earlier when we made it, but this break has made me appreciate the good gifts the Lord has given us.  He gave me wisdom in how to change things up a little and make it feel more homey.  It also got me excited to organize things and make some space for the possibility of a little one.  David and I have enjoyed praying and talking about this a lot lately and are excited for what the Lord will do for us as we live here in Trappers Cove.  Also, we have two couples that we love and adore living close to us and really enjoy having community literally right next to us! (The Hulls live in the same building as us only two outside doors away and the Roths live in the same building only one outside door away).  We feel like this is the best place for us now and I'm thankful the Lord has given me a creative heart in making things my own.

There have been a couple projects that I've been working on this break.  One being our key hanger that we've had sine we got married.  It was always so plain for me and I never liked the mirror since I'm so short and the top of my head would be the only thing I could see (also I don't like a lot of mirrors since I hate that I can nitpick myself in them......not good).  Anyways it was a dull wood color with a mirror and I decided to paint the wood a easter egg blue (one of my fav colors!....shabby chic) and use chalkboard paint to make the mirror a chalkboard.  Below are pictures of the process.  I must admit I love craft projects and that yes.....I'm a Martha Stewart fan.

This is the before...you can see it hanging....not ugly by any means just wanted something new.

This is after I painted the outside.

I put down a bunch of newspaper and sprayed the back of the mirror with chalkboard paint and let it dry for a couple hours.  Warning *this stuff smells awful, I've always struggled with breathing in things and this was a whole new level of strongness! I had to take a couple puffs of the inhaler and open the patio window for a couple hours...not fun on a colder day!*

Finished!  I couldn't love it more!  So happy with how it turned out!

I don't remember where I read this quote, but I've always loved it!  My next purchase is a cross from hobby lobby to put above the key stand.

I've also been up to a couple other projects around the apartment.  It has been so fun making things feel more at home and being frugal in doing things myself.  I'm so thankful for amazing coupons to craft stores in the newspaper.  Crafting, cleaning and organizing are so cathartic for me :)  Here are pictures or more projects:

I sewed some new pillow covers!

I got the tin bird art from Hobby Lobby and used a frame and scrapping paper to make new living room art! 

New place to hang cards and such!

I added some scrapboxes on top of the shelf for all my paper and supplies and found a place for a quilt that I've had forever.  Not sure if I like the quilt yet, but for now it will stay!

Hope you enjoys all the pictures and I plan to write another post soon about quiet times and fighting to be faithful.  I've learned a lot about this over break and have enjoyed reading some books and blog sites lately.  I'll make sure to post the books as well as the blog I enjoy thoroughly about simple living and being a housewife. 

*Blessings*

My start to the morning!

Counting of the Birds!

"Feed the birds.....poppins a bag!"- Mary Poppins  David likes to sing this song to me.....he thinks I'm on my way to becoming this woman.  Our apartment is full of bird things thanks to me.  David loves me and allows me to decorate the way I feel is most homey......this happens to consist of many bird things.  He said I'm not allowed to buy anythings with birds anymore......ha!  This doesn't mean that other people can't buy me bird things though :) Wait till we have kids :) I went and counted the other day and he's a little right......I'm borderline Crazy Bird Lady.

On another note...we are doing well.  Things have been fairly normal lately.  David is still working at Auto-Owners and enjoying selling insurance.  I'm still working hard at my class and looking forward to spring break next week!  I plan to relax and start on my big paper that's due at the end of the semester.  Still trying to figure out a topic :)  I'll let you know when I decide.

My health has been okay this winter.....can't complain :)  My joints have been really painful lately though and I've been trying to exercise to help with the pain.  I usually do yoga since its low impact and lots of stretching which helps with stiffness.  The only thing about yoga that I haven't really liked is the meditation stuff.  Don't get me wrong....I love meditating.....but not on myself.  I love meditating on scripture and the Lord which leads me to this.  I came across something called "Holy Yoga."  I'm not going to lie, my first reaction was ohh no.  I figured it would be cheesy and not realistic in anyway.  I was taken back though because I felt like it was rooted in scripture and really interesting.  Take a look at this and let me know what you think.  If you feel like its like "Bibleopoly".......let me know.  Holy Yoga

*Blessings*

ps.  This is a song that I have fallen in love with.  JJ and her husband wrote it for their 1st child, Lucy.  Its so sweet.