Today is my 26th birthday. I have a tendency to celebrate for a drawn out period of time. It's just more fun that way. On Saturday, Craig and his parents took me on a surprise adventure to Warwick Castle. It was so much fun! I've wanted to go there for some time now. Afterwards, we came home and ordered Chinese Takeaway from our favorite, King's Kitchen. Craig's parents spent the night and came with us to church on Sunday morning. The plan was that we were going to have a BBQ after church.

The frustrating thing is, I woke up on Sunday morning with throat pain—it hurt to swallow. That's always a bad sign with me. That's how I know I am getting sick. I tried to ignore it. After all, we were having a BBQ to celebrate my birthday and English Mother's Day! But by the early evening, I was slowly going down. I started getting hot shivers and cold sweats. We measured my temperature and it was a whopping 101ºF. WHY does this have to happen to me the day before my birthday?! My husband and mother-in-law took such good care of me though, covering me with blankets and bringing me everything I asked for. I felt guilty making my mother-in-law do things for me on Mother's Day but she assured me it wasn't a problem. I am so blessed. I am so loved and taken care of. My husband even woke up early to go to Tesco to buy my some Powerade.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me such an incredible family. 

I saw this on Pinterest this morning and I don't know if all of this is true, but I can only hope. I don't drink nearly as much coffee as some people, but I have a hard time functioning without it!

I have a board on pinterest called Lust List. Occasionally, I pin things I want.

Today, I decided to do something a little different. My birthday is in 5 days...so I thought I'd make a little compilation. Just in case you wanted to buy me something, but weren't sure what to buy, I've made it very easy for you.

This is one of my most favorite logos I have ever seen.

There's a new photo challenge going around these days. The purpose is to make people feel happy. The claim is that taking pictures for a hundred days in a row of things that make you feel happy will actually keep you feeling happy. The idea is genuine, but something is missing.

What is happiness apart from the Lord?

"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." -James 4:13-14

You are a mist. Your life is a mist. Basically, we are nothing apart from the Lord—and that goes the same for our happiness. But "do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).

All that to say, I am not slamming this photo challenge. Go ahead, take pictures for a hundred days in a row. But don't be surprised when you don't find fulfillment through it.

I have a reputation among my family and friends of being a rabbit. I love snacking on raw vegetables!

Today, I experienced something strange. I bought some string beans from Tesco with the intention of eating them raw (as I often do with veggies). I happened to glance at the label and read, "Caution: Do not eat raw." I was confused why it was so dramatic sounding and proceeded to google it. Now, I'm scared. This is what I found.

Raw beans are poisonous because they contain prussic (hydrocyanic) acid, which is rendered not dangerous only by cooking. It was only in 1957 that prussic acid protein was discovered in string beans. A few hours after eating raw beans or bean seeds, some individuals become sick from low blood pressure, vomiting, stomach ache, circulation problems, convulsions, or heart palpitations. These poison symptoms are possible with all beans. The susceptibility to these reactions to beans is heriditary. Because they contain protein - Phasin?, raw beans can result in nausea and vomiting in sensitive people, which can be disrupted by heat. String beans nourish the blood and strengthen the nerves and bones. They help reduce high blood pressure and improve the function of insulin. However, they cannot replace medical treatments for diabetes. They are prophylactic/preventive. Correct preparation: Always eat green beans cooked or steamed -- as a side dish or a salad. Careful: raw beans are poisonous. Plant poisonings are the most common cause of calls to the poison control center. Poisonous plants include arnica, Aronstab, henbane, raw string beans, holly, dieffenbachia, yew, monkshood, foxglove (digitalis), laburnum, autumn crocus, cactus with poisonous spines, lupine, cockchafer, narcissus, oleander, castor, poppy, hemlock, thornapple, deadly nightshade, Christmas star, meadow hogweed, bryony, green and unripe potatoes, green pieces of grown potato tubers lying on the ground, and also green, unripe tomatoes and many other flowers and berries.

Doctor friends, what do you think?

"Maybe you shouldn't go to Creationfest...that's where all your drama starts!"
Those words came out of a friend's mouth tonight. My initial reaction was defensiveness, but then I thought, is God trying to tell me something. Is it strange that all my drama (which always deals with my biggest struggle) begins on a missions trip? Is Satan attacking me to weaken my ministry?

The funny thing is, I typed this on November 4th, 2011. I don't even remember which friend it was that told me that, but I definitely remember the drama that she was talking about. Ironically, this was the same year I met my husband. In fact, we stated dating about 3 weeks after I typed this out. God sure has a sense of humor! He teaches me time and time again how His plans are wayyyyy better than mine. Hopefully someday I'll learn to trust the Lord FULLY with my dreams and desires.

Thank You, Lord, for constantly blessing me even though I have such little faith and am so undeserving. 

I just can't do it.

I always either burn them or have oil splatters all over my kitchen.

What's the secret, people? Medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes per side?

PLEASE HELP ME.

Something so simple shouldn't be so difficult.

We all make mistakes, no? Then how can you look at someone so harshly and ridicule them for apologizing for their mistakes? Jesus said to take the plank out of your own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's eye (Luke 6:41-42). Isn't your very condemnation of someone's apology the plank in your eye? You say that this person has done their fair share of judging in their lifetime and that they should leave the judging to God...but in saying that, aren't you judging them? You claim  that you are praying that they "move forward and out of this," but are you actually praying for them? Why do you have so much ammunition against this person? Why have you researched so much that you know all the faults of this person you aren't even a fan of? 1 Thessalonians 5 says to encourage and build each other up, but everything I have heard from you thus far has been tearing down not building up. Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy. Love is not proud or rude. Love is not self-seeking and is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13.) Rather than holding on to our anger and hate, we as Christians should be loving towards one another. We should love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34). As the old song says, "And they'll know we are Christians by our love." Satan will have a harder time attacking when there is a united front.