Irises

Irises make me happy. Maybe because they're some of the first flowers I recall from my childhood. Wherever my family has lived, we have grown purple irises. We had a bunch of lavender irises growing along the backyard fence of our townhouse in Rockville, Maryland. I remember having to gently push aside the laden blossoms in order to open the gate on my way to the playground behind our house. Later, when my family moved to Toledo, Ohio, we planted purple irises in our new backyard. Here in Midland, Michigan, too, we have irises growing in our backyard. It's fun to see irises blooming this week around the neighborhood.

I also noticed a bunch of these pink flowers in a neighbor's front yard. I'm not sure what they're called; I keep telling myself I need to buy a field guide and start learning more about local plant life. In the meantime, though, I enjoy just admiring them....

My Cup Overflows

“My cup overflows,” declares the Psalmist, testifying of the abundance of God’s goodness, provision, and love even in the midst of adverse times (see Psalm 23:5). These days my cup is overflowing too. In my case, however, my “cup” is actually my wallet....

“How was your wallet shopping?” My friend Cara greeted me as we met in the Starbucks parking lot yesterday evening.

“Haha, you should see,” I replied. “I bought a new wallet—one of those chic, clutch styles to replace my beloved, old, bulging tri-fold one that’s been literally holding together by a thread. I was just transferring everything into it, but I have so many dollar bills and coins and gift cards that I can’t even clasp it closed! By the way, I found two Starbucks gift cards, so the frapps are my treat today!”

Stepping up to the barista to place our order, we both laughed as I pulled my over-stuffed, wide-open, new wallet out of my purse. “So much for being sleek!”

When I look at my over-filled wallet, I marvel at this tangible evidence of God’s goodness, provision and love for me in this season of my life. At the beginning of the semester I quit my job and moved home, under doctor’s orders, to recover from burnout. With graduate tuition expenses and without steady income this entire semester, I think it’s pretty amazing that these days not only am I carrying a wallet that’s bulging with cash and gift cards, but there is also more money in my checkbook now at the end of May, at the end of the semester, than there was back in January, at the beginning of the semester. Wow.

Indeed, my cup is overflowing—or should I say, my wallet seams are bursting? So, I want to know, how has God recently been causing your cup to overflow?

Scholar-Artist

I consider myself much more of an artist than a scholar. Facing multiple research projects and yet another set-back in my studies this week, I’m really needing my creative outlets. Among my favorites is going to the Dow Gardens on a photo shoot. One of the things I love about visiting a garden is that there is always something beautiful to be discovered and enjoyed. This week the rhododendron are in full bloom; as are the poppies, Japanese primroses, and dozens of other kinds of flowers. 

Style Secret: Swimsuit Season

Whenever swimsuit season rolls around, what woman doesn’t relate to Cathy?!! Especially for those of us who want to be modest yet not fuddy-duddy at the pool or beach, it’s all the more challenging to find the perfect swimwear. Last year I read this idea in one of Leslie Ludy’s books. She suggests going for a sporty look by wearing a fitness top and skirt/shorts, rather than a tankini. As she points out, a lot of fitness wear and swimwear are made of the same fabric, but the fitness tops tend to have higher necklines as well as better midriff coverage. Last summer I bought a Fila tank with a dark navy print, to coordinate with the dark navy swim skirt and swim shorts that I already had. I’m really happy with it. =)

Style Secret: Runway Modesty

Runway modesty? Yes! One of my favorite blogs that I follow is Thread Ethic, “where modesty thrives in style.” Desirae and Melody Brown, of the famed 5 Browns piano quintet, give a filtered review of runway fashion, which highlights current trends that are modest. I like how Desirae and Melody feature pictures of both cutting-edge high-end inspiration and mass-market brands’ interpretation. As legendary model Lauren Hutton says, “Fashion is what you are offered four times a year by designers--and style is what you choose.” It’s encouraging to realize how many fashionable options we modest girls really do have. =)

Memorial Day

Picture found through Google image search. Source: http://www.myspace.com/jamesconnorstone

“What has God done, that you want to remember?” Pastor Ray challenged us as we celebrate this Memorial Day weekend. Lest we think of this holiday weekend merely for cooking out with family and friends, let us remember…. Remember the more than 600,000 soldiers over the years from the American Revolution until present-day warfare in the Middle East who gave their lives to keep us free. Remember the one and only begotten Son of God who gave His life to set us free. Both political freedom and spiritual freedom come at high cost. Great is our debt of gratitude; sacred is the responsibility entrusted to us. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1).

Congratulations, Graduates!

 

What a privilege it is to be back at Verity Institute for a few days, celebrating the graduation of the class of 2011! Many blessings to each of you graduates as you continue in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ (John 1:17).