Who do you think you are?

As life events in our family, and others, are unpredictable and unexplainable I feel God teaching me a humbling lesson on who I am. Could it be that God is actually in control of all the events in my life? Even the difficult ones? I see it was that way for Jesus, so who do I think I am?

I love the humbling passages in Job 38-41. When I first started reading it I thought, 'Wow, Job was such a good guy, and God let him have it!' Then after I re-read multiple times 38:v1-3, I thought, 'What did Job say to set God off like this?!' And then I saw it... Job 27, 28, 29, 30, and 30 contain Job's defense. Later, young Elihu says in Job 32:2 that 'He (Elihu) burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.' The following chapters in Job are Elihu and God's response to his defense.

This gives me chills... Who do I think I am?  I am thankful that God is merciful to hear me and hold me through all trying times. He never leaves nor forsakes. Even when I make my defense that I deserve something. His plans are OBVIOUSLY (read Job 38-14 or the whole bible for proof) higher and more perfect that I can ever know.

Who am I? I am my beloved's and He is mine (Song of Solomon 2:16) just as God loves Jesus, he loves me. Now I must abide in His love (John 15:9).

Good Greeness, it's living lettuce!

Lunch break here, eating a sandwich with 'living lettuce' and Aldi turkey lunchmeat. This is a funny combination since one is hip and pricey and the other is poor-man meat. I thought to recommend living lettuce to those who often discover their bagged lettuce had pre-maturely retired. If you can swing about $3 for a head of lettuce, it'll last you up to 18 days. My Auntie Cheryle recommended it to me years ago, and it's a perfect mate to a workday sandwich. 

Need more convincing, here's a reader's digest article with details.

You know, I think Aldi lunch meat has a pretty long shelf life too :)

Target Blues!

Truly, Target and I have the blues! I keep telling myself that once I find the perfect blue throw pillows at Target, I'm buying them! No matter what the price... well, as you can see it's blue season at Target! And now it's time to make some decisions while the blues are in stock.

One thought would be to buy either the placemat and rework it into a pillow? Or maybe get the fabric shower curtain and sew that into a pillow? As you can see, I'm definitely trying for the best price. Guess I could look at actual fabric too...

David speaks his mind

About everything and anything!

7 Month Awards

David Ruff Grant IV has passed the 7 month mark and been awarded the following:

Licensed Green Doggie Whisperer

Notorious Kitty Cornerer

First in fuzz!

Most Vain - cute and he knows it!

Suma Chewm Laud in Constitutional Studies

Highly competitive in collegiate athletic gambling

St.Patrick's day continued with McCutie

Had to share these pics from David's day with Katheryn and baby Miriam!

Happy St. Patrick's day!

David is celebrating his first St.Patrick's day decked out in a fabulous shamrock bib and rockin' shirt from friend and fellow blogger Bridget Joyce! Today, David is sharing the day with friend, and also fellow blogger Katheryn! I'm so thankful for her help today!! Our wonderful babysitter, Norma, is on vacation in beautiful warm Arizona this week. I've been so blessed to have such generous friends here in Chicago to help with David's childcare – thank you to rockstar Clare Weaver and caring nurse friend Naomi.

It has been a buuusy couple of weeks here, and I've misplaced my camera! David's 7 month awards are much overdue, but they will be up soon!

Baby trashes bar

Oh people, this is so funny I had to share! Right up there with that lady who takes pics of her sleeping baby in storybook scenes.

EASIEST italian cream soda

Thanks to SB barista and rock star friend, Clare Weaver, I've discovered a new incredible beverage. Clare suggested that I try vanilla syrup, half and half, and san pallengrino together since I had some leftovers from Clair's babyshower. In lieu of vanilla syrup and half and half we did this:

I didn't laugh at you Lord!

The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" 
The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh."  
- Genesis 18:10-15 (ESV)

God is always speaking if not audibly, in his word. He speaks promises... and I laugh at them. I laugh with worry and distrust of him. This little banter between Abraham, Sarah and God just tickeled me this morning. I can just imagine my own exchange - "Tripp, I didn't worry about next year's finances." (thinking I was hiding something from him and God) God, "No, but you did worry about next years finances." And then... just like Sarah had Isaac as promised, God will take care of next year's finances.

Trash to treasure business cards!

In looking for a diy for old business cards, I came across this DIY to make your own. BEAUTIFUL!! For a step-by-step guide go to this Think Crafts Blog. I think I may just copy...

Just keep working, just keep working, working, working...

Day 12: Working demands the comforting and nostalgic effects of coffee. Today, I brewed a 24 oz. frenchpress full of dunkin' vanilla coffee. It's the last day of a 3 day stretch at work this week. Which I hesitate to speak negatively of, since I am thankful for my job and thankful I only work 3 days. If it wasn't for David, I'd be still leaving my home 5 days a week to do the 9-5. I also really appreciate the company of my long-time coworkers and freelance buddies. They make the day feel like a day with friends.

These days away from my bud make me miss him all the more, but I am confident in the Lord's provision for us. Even if it's in the provision of coffee... which I do agree with Audrey, will probably be in heaven.

Thank you to Dori from Finding Nemo for the inspiration to keep on keepin' on even when you don't know exactly where you're going.

March wallpaper

 Change of month, change of desktop wallpaper... can you guess which one's greeting me 3 days a week here? Get your own on smashingmagazine.com