Loving Friday

I woke up this morning with a rare desire to go running. I've not been regularly exercising and have been praying about starting something that I would stick with consistently. Today, I just up and woke with the desire to get going. I started an exercise log and wrote down three clear goals right at the top of the first page.

1. Exercise three days a week. (full body lifting with cardio)

2. Tighten the abs and thighs. (it's time)

3. Increase my energy all day long. 

I figure I'll stick with these goals for 3 weeks, assess my progress, and go from there.

When James and I got married there were a few items of his I wasn't all that fond of. Definitely not the case with these bowflex weights. I LOVE them.

Other things I'm loving?

1. This yellow travel mug for my green tea.

 

2. This adorable skirt I found in my closet that I haven't worn in a whole year. Yikes!

3. My BSF study in the book of Acts.

4. My plan of memorizing Scripture. I've chosen my book. You might've guess it. It's the book of James though I promise I have always loved that passage in the Bible even before I married a man by the same name. 

My goal for next week is to have the first eight verses down. They go like this:

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man shall not think he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

Hope you have a blessed weekend. 

Love,

Practice With Me?

My recital is just a month away. I've been playing the piano and studying privately since I was six but still struggle with making myself sit down and practice. Some days it's wonderfully enjoyable and other days it is the last thing I feel like doing. Today was one of the latter. 

So I decided I would make a recording, invite ya'll in and make myself feel not quite so alone as I prepare. This is the first half of the first piece of my program. 

Anyone else struggle with certain tasks they know they must complete?

Daring to Obey

In case you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats wondering how I did on my exam last night, you'll be relieved to know that it went very well though caused much unneeded stress due to my procrastination. Never again...

On quite another topic, God has been showing me some neat things recently and I'm so excited about them I can't resist the urge to share. I will intersperse my wordy sharing with some cool photos we took in Switzerland last summer to hopefully keep you engaged. These shots remind me of the things I know to be true of God.

I mentioned in September that I was starting up Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). We've been meeting for four weeks now and are studying the book of Acts. It's incredible to read about all the signs and wonders the apostles performed and their boldness in sharing the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. I have been reminded that as a Christian I also received the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and have the potential to be equally as bold if I would but allow God to move me and obey.

 

So here goes my first big act of obedience. And it comes in the form of a commitment to Scripture memory. Did you know that Spirit-filled believers devote themselves to the things that grow their faith? And God's Word is number one on that list? Acts 2:42 points out all four things on the list:

1.The Word of God

2. Fellowship with other Christians

3. Breaking of Bread (The Lord's Supper)

4. Prayer

I am still in the planning stages of this commitment but am hoping to have it all set up by this weekend. I read on my dear friend Abigail's blog about her own goal of memorizing an entire book of the Bible. How wonderful to know I am not alone in this endeavor.

 

And just so you know if you ever have questions about any of the content here please know that I welcome your emails. I know that faith topics can be touchy and sometimes I'm not the best at explaining myself. So, yes, please do ask away!

feminineuniquenew(at)gmail.com

Lots of love,

Studiously Studying

I have a music history listening exam tonight. In two hours to be exact and I admit I am squeezing in some last minute cramming. Yes, it hurts a bit, but still I press on. 

Source

I think the strangest piece I have to learn about is The Banshee by Henry Cowell. It requires two performers. One relaxes on the piano bench (I would volunteer for that!) and does all the pedalling, the other as you can see stands in the nook of the piano creating these unearthly sounds. This was written in 1925 and I can only imagine what they must've thought of it back then. Cowell describes a banshee as "a woman of the Inner World...who is charged with the duty of taking your soul into the Inner World when you die...She has to come to the outer plane for this purpose, and she finds the outer plane very uncomfortable and unpleasant, so you will hear her wailing at the time of a death in your family." Strange no?

On a much lighter and very contrasting note, I also am studying Duke Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got that Swing. Love Ella's voice!

Thanks for joining me in my study of music in the 20th and 21st centuries. Hope you're all having a wonderful week. I wish you all God's love and no wailing banshees.

Weekend Wonderfulness

We celebrated my hubby's birthday over the weekend and had some of his family and one of his friends over for lunch, lots of yummy desserts, and some incredibly invigorating time outdoors. We got to visit a local (my first this year!) apple orchard, and then explored some beautiful trails in the woods. Lots of trees were starting to change and mostly to golden hues.

 

The sunshine was spectacular!

 

I did spot this one and only ruby colored tree along the path.

Halfway through the hike, we got to rest and take in this glorious sunset. I love his family and felt so blessed by everyone's presence. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and I was left with this incredible feeling of overwhelming gratitude for the wonderful things in life.