Provision

Wow, God is amazing. I'm once again floored at how perfect His timing is and how He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Levi has a job. A full-time, paid-vacation, benefits-included kind of job...and I will still get to see him most of the time. Yes, God knows what we need. What is even cooler is that his boss is a Christian, but the work environment is not. He is going to have a lot of opportunities to just talk to people coming through the office and possibly share the Gospel with them if the doors are opened. We are so excited for this opportunity! Pray that Levi is both bold and hardworking/dedicated to the tasks at hand when he starts June 1st. God is so good:)

We are still waiting on the whole moving thing...we should find out this week if we have a two bedroom apartment over at Glenn Royal Mills. We hope so...it would be so amazing (washer, dryer, dishwasher, lots more room, roughly equivalent rent...). We are also excited to possibly have more contact with unbelievers. It is so easy to just be complacent at seminary, since the majority of people are Christians here. We are getting rusty at sharing the Gospel, and that realization is both convicting and scary. We hope to be able to be a light at this apartment complex, if it is God's will for us to move there, and to grow in our faith as well as in building relationships with people around us, believers and unbelievers alike.

The baby seems to be doing fine--at least, that's what I think since I'm still sick most days. I have had a couple days this weekend that were definitely a gift from God as I was mostly free from all feelings of nausea, so that is a praise. This should be week 15, so we are praying that the morning sickness will wind down soon, but, more importantly, that Levi and I would be able to be content and rejoice and be patient despite feeling yucky or tired, and that we would focus on Christ and His greatness rather than our temporary discomfort. Let me tell you, it hasn't been easy. The baby isn't even born yet, and we are discovering just how much more growing up we both have to do to be halfway decent parents. Yikes. But God is gracious (I am so glad!).

In light of all these praises and blessings, we are also finding ourselves in need. A small thing for God, but a large thing for us, as we don't really have any money to spare thanks to all the bills we had to pay last month. We need a car. Or a motorcycle. Or a scooter. Or a moped. Or a horse-drawn carriage. lol. Levi starts work June 1st, and I am still planning on working up through October. So, after we move (most likely at the end of June or beginning of July), I will still need a way to get to work for the next 4 months. We are willing to borrow, rent, carpool, etc., and I know people in our church who have already said that they would help us out when/if they can, so we know we will be taken care of, we just aren't quite sure of the details yet. But, as I said at the beginning of this post, God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. So no worries. But we would appreciate your prayers on this matter, that's for sure:)

What else is going on? Not much really. Levi is trying to wrap up this semester. He still has a little over a week, week and a half I think. I'm starting to feel like doing a little more around the house...cleaning, packing, organizing. I kinda had the urge to crochet a little today as well...maybe I will finish up some baby gifts after all. I really need to go to the share shop...I'm running out of decent clothing options lol. Especially pants...apparantly I'm not showing very much yet, but I have gained about 7 to 10 pounds, so a lot of things don't really fit me anymore. I've been eating a little better this last week...a lot more salad and fruit, and Levi has been very good at reminding me to drink my water and milk. Hopefully this will continue to be the trend, especially after my nausea goes away. I miss cooking, or at least being able to come up with yummy/healthier things rather than going and grabbing a cheeseburger or something. Levi and I stayed up really late last night...and the resulting sluggishness this morning has definitely strenthened my resolve to try to not take naps in the afternoon (at least not 3 hour naps. maybe like 30 minutes if I'm dying or something).

I need the Gospel. I need it every day. I NEED it...I really was hit by that realization this morning when my department got together for a short time of prayer in my boss's office. Just feeling God's presence there, knowing that He hears us and cares for us and loves it when we worship and praise Him was amazing. I felt freshly convicted about my complacent attitude of late, yet not burdened by the guilt of it as I typically am, but rather inspired and renewed and ready to fight the good fight. Wanting to seek Christ and be a light in the darkness...to be close to my Savior and to worship God just for Who He is. To proclaim the Gospel to the nations, starting with myself and my family, and going out from there. To be a productive and strong woman of God who honors her husband and strives to make her home a place of comfort and love. To not be a complainer, but an encourager. To seek after Christ wholeheartedly. Yes, I desperately need the Gospel. Every single day. What a fool I am when I think I can make it through the day without saturating myself in the Word of Truth and conversing with my Lord. A poor, miserable fool.

Baby Linville and Job Updates

Well, we went in for our first ultrasound last week, and found out that everything is 100% okay with Little Linville:) We also found out that I am due on November 11, which is a bit earlier than we were anticipating originally--hooray! I don't mind:)

Levi is still on the job hunt, with a very possible opportuniy with Allied Barton Security. We are also looking at a few other options that may work out--it is all in God's hands. It really is hard to be wise though...do you get a job that provides for your family, even though you would very rarely get to SEE said family, or do you hold out for a job that is better suited to life in general? Lots of questions and unknowns...but, once again, God knows, so we are trusting in Him to provide for us and to lead us in the way we should go.

Changes coming up: we will have to move out of our current apartment by the end of May. Thankfully, we have found apartments that are pretty close to the school, actually cheaper/same price as where we are now, and just as neat-looking. Oh, and did I mention that that includes a second bedroom, dishwasher, and room for a washer/dryer...???!!!???!!!! I'm just a little excited here:)

Well, that's it for now...I'm going to go eat my second lunch now:)

Guess what?!?!?!

Levi and I are going to have a baby in about 8 months:) November something, most likely. What a surprise! And what a blessing! We are so excited:D We found out a week ago on Thursday night, and just had my first "appointment" yesterday afternoon. They said that I was probably right around 4 weeks, so they are going to wait to do the ultrasound in 2 more weeks on April 1st. We are giddy. So many changes are coming...we will have to move out of our little apartment because it is for single married folks with no kids...Levi is looking extra hard for a full-time job...I am dealing with raging hormones right now that generally make me feel a)tired all the time, b)nauseated most of the time, and c)crampy some of the time. However, I have been very encouraged by all the wonderful ladies in small group who have already been there and done that, and by all of their words of wisdom. Overall, it is pretty amazing and awesome...and I know it will only get better from here:) God is so good to us!

Okay...let's get organized...

I have decided to organize...my thoughts and projects, anyway. These are my top 3 priorities in each category.

Sewing:
1. Levi's Hippie Pants
2. Tie Dress and Plaid Cloak thingie
3. Fixing a few shirts/dresses so they fit me (and a few for Levi too)

Crochet:
1. Finish 3 more animals for upcoming babyshowers
2. Make baby/child animal hats for the Craft & Bake Sale
3. Make stuffed animals for the Craft & Bake Sale

Decorating:
1. Figure out how to make/find cheap yet cool looking moroccan lanterns/lights for the bedroom
2. Figure out what to do about the nails in the livingroom walls above the doors.
3. Make a rug for the living room.

Gardening:
1. Buy soil and plant flower seeds in windowboxes
2. Don't forget to water.
3. Pray they get enough sunshine!

Painting:
1. Finish the "tree" series
2. Get mom's pic and ideas and get started
3. Paint something with music/guitars/Levi involved...:D

Cooking:
1. Figure out this whole coupon thing.
2. Cook healthier meals...at least twice a week.
3. Have more people over for dinner/dessert/lunch/whatever.

Phew! Well, that was helpful...now I know why I feel like I haven't gotten anything done! I just have so much I want to do lol. Anyway, I should be busy for a while...goodness gracious. This is enough to keep me occupied the rest of the year, I think. Which reminds me...I should add Christmas presents to the list!!!! It is never too early to get started...especially when you are making it all yourself...

Christmas Presents:
1. Get ideas for everybody on my list
2. Get supplies and make everything BEFORE December
3. Wrap and feel relaxed as everybody else runs around like a crazy person getting last minute gifts. Yay!


Okay...now to start;P

Let me show you something fabulous....

Okay, people, I have one word for you-- ModCloth.

Oh. My. Word.

So cute!!! I am absolutely in LOVE with these dresses...I love the general simplicity, elegance, and whimsy that each piece brings to mind. Check out a few of my favorites:)
Aren't these amazing? I hope to try to figure out how to make my own versions (since I can't dish out the $$$ to buy even one of these amazing creations)

...hmmm....I seriously think that I could live in dresses in the spring/summer. Yeah...pretty much. I am not a huge shorts fan, so dresses seem the best way to go. Plus, they are so ADORABLE! Which one should I try to make first?

Life happens...and then you're with Jesus

Well, it looks like we are going to SC this weekend to celebrate the passing of Jessica Weir from this world into the arms of Jesus. I have to say, although it is a strange ordeal (suddenly not being able to see or talk to a person again whenever you want)in that it happens so fast sometimes that it seems surreal, it is rather comforting to know that she is laughing and contra-dancing up a storm in heaven with Jesus right now (that's what I would guess, anyway!) and that it is no sad happening on her part. I guess this means I need to re-size that black dress I got at the shareshop though. Is it weird that I like going to funerals where the person was a Christian? I might cry, especially if it was somebody close to me, but it is a joyful time as well. I don't think I will mind what people wear to my funeral. I like black, just because it is simple and reverent and it doesn't draw attention to yourself, and because it is good to respect the mourning time. However, I wouldn't care if people really dressed up snazzy and colorful for my funeral. I mean, I won't be there, so they can do whatever they want, but seriously--I know that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and I'm gonna be having the most wonderful time of my life (no pun intended), so why not let everybody else party too? Eh, I'm probably a little odd, I don't know. Anyway...that's it for me.

Ciao.

If you can't afford it, make it!

Good morning, all! I must say, it is a beautiful Monday today. Sunshine and lollypops. Anyway, I thought that I would outline a few of my upcoming/pending projects that I am dying to make! A lot of my inspiration has come from the up-cyling clothing world out there, so all of these things that I hope to make are actually being recyled into something new and totally amazing (I hope haha). To start:

1) A tie dress.
No, not a tie dye dress. A Tie Dress. As in "men's neck tie". I have found quite a few of these (surprisingly) online, but this one by a Ms. Hermes on Craftster.org (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=319164.0) really takes the cake. I am planning on modifying it a little bit to better fit my personality...and hips...but it really is so adorable!

2) A capelet/wrap thingie.
Yeah, this one is still in progress. I found a large, floor-length skirt in blue, grey, and black plaid that I really liked. It also has this really cute pleat detail in the back. Anyway, I was thinking about turning it into a dress, when all of a sudden I realized that the plaid was perfect for a hooded cape/wrap! I've seen some cute ones online, but none of them exactly what I was looking for, so I have opted to create my own. Granted, it is turning out to look kinda Victorian/Irish peasant girl (beats me how those two mesh...I guess it's the plaid haha), but I think I'll love it. Perfect timing too, as we are finally inching into spring. It will really be great in the fall too, I think...perhaps a bit more so due to the darker colors. Anyhoo, definitely an adventure!

3)Hippie pants.
This one is actually for Levi. I am going to attempt to cut up a bunch of old green, grey, and brown t-shirts into various shapes of square and rectangle patches, then sew them together to make my "fabric". The idea is to use tshirt material that doesn't really need to be hemmed, to create some spiffy, lightweight hippie pants for my hubby to hang out in. Another adventure, I'm sure.

4)An apron.
Yeah, I know this may not sound like a huge deal, but I have wanted a cute apron for ages, and now it is simply waiting to be created. I found 2 good sized, very cute striped pillowcases at the shareshop last week, and I think they want to be my apron. Yep, I'm pretty sure they do. The plan is to use one and a half of them to create a full, slightly ruffly, "skirt" bottom, and the rest of it to make the top part. Martha Stewart, step aside;)

Well, I do have TONS of more ideas...but I think this is a good start for now. If I finish these projects, then maybe I can start letting myself think about what to do next. So many ideas, and so little time!

Oh, this week's accomplishment, by the way, involved zero sewing (sad, I know...). I cleaned out the kitchen, said goodbye to the lovely paper snowflakes and the rest of the winter/Christmas decor (in the kitchen, at least...there is still that string of lights in the living room that I have yet to take down, as well as the greenery/red berry/pinecone swags over the doors...Levi won't let me take them down until I find something to replace them due to the rather large, unsightly nails we had to use to put them up in the first place. *sigh* I have a few ideas, but mostly I'm drawing a blank. I'm not huge into stuff over doorways throughout the year. Maybe I'll just fill in the holes and do a little touching up...? Any ideas would be great), created spring-y yellow tissue paper flowers for my wonderful vases-full-of-sticks-atop-my-kitchen-cabinets (sounds weird, I know, but they are really pretty darn cute), and bought seeds to plant in my window boxes. Yay! And the dollar store is selling decent sized bags of potting soil...hmmmmm:D

Peace out!