Miscellany Monday & Memorial Day

1. This Memorial Day means that both Billy and I have the day off.  Which means we just woke up.  Which means the day is much shorter but also much more rested.  It also means we should all take a moment to remember the men and women in service.  They are protecting my beloved home.

via

2. My design site, bon blog designs, is undergoing a makeover.  You can grab the new button, if you'd like.<center><a href=http://www.bonblogdesigns.blogspot.com/><img src="http://i46.tinypic.com/2cj8r7.png" /></a></center>
3. This weekend, my brother graduated high school.  He's so grown up!

4. The other night, I made fresh pasta (meaning I bought it fresh) and organic chicken and roasted organic asparagus.  It was so great.  I never knew the difference between fresh and dried pasta (except that it's more expensive).  I got fettuccine from Buitoni, and it was so good.  It made more than I thought it would, and the pasta has a more doughy consistency.  

5. This Saturday, we are headed to Roca Blanca, Mexico for our mission trip.  I can't wait!  I've been all over Mexico, but not here!  Sometimes, the most fun thing for me is to watch our team on the trip and how it impacts the people around me.  Certain things don't affect me as much anymore because I've seen them so many times, but it is so refreshing to see the trip grow and change people I do life with.  I can't wait.

6. Speaking of the mission trip and my 1week absence, I have a couple of guest bloggers coming your way, and they are just lovely.  It's a secret, but I know you will adore them. 

Fascinated.

The phrase "you are afraid of what you don't understand" does not usually apply to me.  Instead, I'm fascinated by things that are different.
When I was little, my mom had to make a rule that I couldn't eat things off of Wal-Mart's floor just because I wanted to know what they were.  I know, I know, I'm anticipating a child with the same gross weird inquisitiveness as mine.
There have been some things that have pretty much fascinated me my whole life, and some that come and go:

The Amish

via

For a little while, I thought I wanted to be Amish.  Until I realized I might not be able to listen to my walkman (yes, this was a long time ago).  Then, I thought I wanted to write about the Amish, until I realized that Beverly Lewis had that down pat.  Now, their lives just blow me away.  I would love to visit them and talk to them.  Their lifestyle makes you wonder if simplicity really is the better route.  There's probably something to learn there.

Mexican Candy

Alright, well, they do have some really good caramel-y stuff.  But there is a specific candy that, when we lived on the border and spent lots of our time in Mexico, I was completely baffled by.

It's called Lucas.  It comes in all different forms.  It's main ingredient:

Chili Powder.

It's very acidic and comes in both hot and sour flavors.  I still don't get why it's so popular.

Personality Tests

I love them.  I want to take more.  If anything, these definitely fascinate me.  The poor husband has had to take so many of these.  So far, my favorite is the Meyer's-Briggs.  (I'm an ENFJ.)

 But I also think that the Birth Order book is just amazing, because it pinpoints personalities based on your position in your family.

My poor children will be analyzed to death.

What a completely random assortment.

What are you fascinated by?

Adoption

No, this is not a post about our pending adoption. We will adopt one day, but not today.  In the meantime, I have just loved following Lauren's blog, Living by Faith.  She and her hubby are adopting a little boy from Ethiopia, and this week, she's focusing on raising money to bring their boy home.
Today, they're selling books.
If you know me at all, you know that I love my books.  When I saw her list of books for sale, I was so happy to see so many that I've read, especially those by Lori Wick.  She's one of my favorite authors.  I've read all of her books.  But if you haven't, please go check out Lauren's book sale.  Maybe you can snatch this one:

Lauren is wonderful and I can't wait to see pictures of them bringing their precious son into their arms.

On another note, I'm coming down with a severe cold.  I am secretly hoping my boss will see my Rudolph nose and tell me to go home.

via

Change the World Tuesday: Falling Whistles

Thank you guys for the suggestions for Change the World Tuesdays!  I plan to look each one up and use as many as possible.  It's great to have others involved in this effort to share opportunities we all have!

This week's suggestion came from Christy at 25 before 25:

Falling Whistles

As I went to check this organization out, I was amazed at the story behind the cause.

It just goes to show how one person's effort can influence a whole community and generation to take action.

The focus of Falling Whistles is explained in this video, so please watch:

Falling Whistles - Be a Whistleblower for Peace in Congo from Falling Whistles on Vimeo.

Their goal:
To change Congo by selling whistles.

To use the money for helping war-torn children.

To spread the word so that everyone can help.

I don't know the belief behind the cause.  But I know that this follows the heartbeat of God.

I try to focus on organizations that I know have Christ as the center, but this cause is too much to ignore.  And our part is so easy.

Help those in trouble.  Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. (Isaiah 58:10)

Exhausted

1. I'm absolutely exhausted. I'm not sure why that could be except that we got new bedding and a queen size mattress (we had a double, and with my 6'2" hubby, it was a bit tight).  I love sleeping in it, and I just don't want to leave the bed!  But shouldn't that make me less tired because of the great sleep?
I convinced Billy to get a Shabby Chic comforter because we found one he didn't think was too girly.  I was so excited, because, well, I adore all things Shabby Chic (the actual brand) at Target.

2. I'm thinking about eliminating single sentence sunday. What do you think?!

3. I get really giddy on rainy days.  Maybe it stems from my 4-year stay in hot, dry, Laredo, Texas, where rain was a luxury.  Maybe it's just the mood that it puts me in.  I just want to sit on my couch and read a book.

credit

4. I'm currently taking ideas for change the world tuesdays.  If you have something to share, email it to

sarahannsbonmot@gmail.com

5. I consider myself pretty OCD about lots of things, but lately, our little apartment has been a wreck.  Okay, so maybe not a wreck, but it's not nearly as clean as I would like.  The weird thing is, I can't get motivated to get up and get things done!  Maybe I'm just in a funk.  Maybe my ultra-relaxed man has been rubbing off on me.  Maybe I'm just really busy and should give myself a break (which is highly unlikely to happen).

Single Sentence Sunday: Churchill

This week's Sentence:

We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.

-Winston Churchill

Link up your own sentence and have a Lovely Sunday!

My Birthday Man!

It's the hubby's birthday today!  I'm so blessed to have him and I can't wait to spend the rest of this day celebrating his life!

I'm dedicating this post to him and his sweetness.

But also to his manliness (covered in mud and carrying a gun makes him feel strong).

We fell for each other a long time ago when we were both a little awkward:

(We're on the left!)

I'm so grateful to have a man who does romantic/sappy things like

picnics

And a surprise carriage ride from our wedding

And a mini-trip to a B&B in Downtown Charleston

But he's also just a wonderful person all around.

And I'm just so thankful for his silliness that balances my seriousness.

I love that he chose me.

I hope I can be the wife he deserves!

He's everything I've ever hoped for.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for this year!

Change the World Tuesday: Mocha Club

This week's feature:

Mocha Club

The idea behind the Mocha Club is that you would give the money for two mochas ($7) a month to make a difference.  

This organization focuses mostly on Africa, but they give you options to support.  They have five different areas that you can choose from:

1. Child Mothers + Women at Risk

2. Clean Water

3. Education

4. HIV/AIDS + Health Care

5. Orphan Care + Vulnerable Children

It's awesome to let one of these areas line up with one of your passions and then just give $7 a month.  The illustration is so great and so true.  I definitely drink over two mochas a month.  I can give two up. 

The other cool thing about this is that you can do this in groups.  You can form your own group of friends and all of you can support the cause together.  They show you how to make a network and to involve others you know.  What an amazing way to spread the word!  And what an awesome foundations to build friendships on!

Watch this video from Mocha Club:

Now go check them out:

www.MochaClub.org

Again, please let me know if there are any organizations you would like to see featured!

breath of fresh air

I'm joining in again!

1. Check out my new blog design.  It's just lovely to do my own and I needed a change and a breath of fresh air.  Please grab my button in the sidebar!

2. This weekend was just what we needed.  I hit this morning ready to go and so rested.  Billy and I were talking about how much we enjoyed our mini-vacay, and he said, "No wonder it's a commandment!"  I totally forgot about it!  We really are supposed to be resting!

3. I have now gotten back into reading, and I'm a much happier person.  I didn't know how much that hobby released stress and relaxed me.  I love my books.

Alright, so this is short.  Please forgive me, and please grab my button!

Vacay!

Ok, so I really should have titled this mini-vacay.  This weekend, the husband and I are taking a weekend trip a couple of hours away to visit my grandparents from my mom's side.  Needless to say, I'm excited because I love them.  But you know who is really excited?  Billy.
He and my grandma just love each other.  They get along famously.  They talk and chat and it's just so cute.  I'm so thankful.  Here's them on our wedding day:

Aren't they cute?

Anyway, we are really excited about the break, too.  Weekends are workdays for us, as Billy leads worship for one of our student services on Saturday nights and all of Sunday morning.  We love it, but it's nice to have some time off.

PS:  I can't get enough of this video.  You will either think it is funny or I am super cheesy for loving it.  Either way, enjoy!

PPS:  Be on the look out Monday for my new blog design!  I'm super excited because my favorite kit designer is allowing me to use one of her kits for my personal design, and she's pretty picky with web-use.  I'm super thankful!

Happy weekend!

Out of Control

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way." (C.S. Lewis)

One of my habits is worrying.  I am a pro at it.
Because of this and my personality, I'm also a pro at telling God what to do.  I always know what should happen.  I would really like everything to work out this way, or that way.
And then I remember who I am.  And how human my desires are.  And how much I really don't want my own way.  Really.
My ultimate goal today:  Trust.  Believe HE is who he says he is.  Remember that I never had control in the first place.  It's not even mine to relinquish.  It's just my place to acknowledge, understand, and rest.
What freedom there is in this trust.  I can breathe easily knowing that I don't have any control over the way that things turn out.
The best part of this though, is that my God, the one in control, knows me personally and has the best plan.  When I worry, he takes me in his arms.  He doesn't tell me to perk up.  He simply comforts me.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalms 56:8) 

 

Join me today in casting our worries on him.  My God's arms are spread wide enough to hold you, too.

Pickings

If I could pick anything to eat for lunch, I would pick:

Sushi!

I have recently fallen in love with this delectable stuff.  I'm craving it all of the time (poor hubby).

If I could use any pen today, I would pick:

Pentel RSVP Fine Tip

These are my long time favorite pens.  They write really clearly,and they don't blot.  Plus, they just look clean.

If I could do anything at work today, I would pick:

Shredding Paper

This is so fun.  If there is a shredder nearby, go try it.  I might be silly and childish, but it's the small things in life, right?

If I could watch any movie today, I would pick:

Casablanca

Not because it's my favorite... because I've never seen it.  I know, it's insane.  This hopeless romantic, old movie lover has not seen this movie.  It's ok if you are appalled.  I'm appalled myself.

If I could meet anyone today, I would pick:

S. Truett Cathy's Wife

Because, guess what?  I met Mr. Truett Cathy himself last weekend!  He was such a sweet old man, and he didn't seem snobby at all.  He signed his book for me and said "You all are my friends" (it was me and a few others) and then he gave us a coupon.

We're practically best friends now.

So I'd like to meet his wife, because when we heard him speak, he talked about how they met at 8 years old. So sweet.

Change the World Tuesday 1.0

Billy and I are always finding new organizations and ideas that I feel everyone should know about.  He is always saying, "You should blog about this one!"  I never know which ones to choose, so you just get a spattering here and there of some cool opportunities.  I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks now and decided to just feature one organization/idea/opportunity a week.  As of right now, this is only for me to share with you some awesome ways for you to help change the world, one step at a time.

This week's feature:

Noah's Mugs

They sell mugs (and t-shirts) with cute hand-drawn pictures on them like:

&

Sure, you could have these made anywhere, but these mugs are not just any mugs.

Buying one mug can help change the world.

The profits of just one mug is enough to give a person clean water for a lifetime! It’s not that much and the impact you can make is crazy good. (from the website)

 I wish that I had done this in time for Mother's day, but no worries!  This makes a great gift or even purchase for yourself.  Whether you drink coffee or tea or water or Diet Dr. Pepper, this is a great idea.  Can you imagine that just one of these can effectively change one person's entire life!?

It's crazy.

It's amazing.

Even if you just can't purchase them, spread the word.  Chances are, somebody you know will catch on.

Don't you want to be a part of this?

PS - I don't mean to take away from Lauren's meme (To love their husbands Tuesdays).  It's awesome. Check her's out here.

PPS - I am open to any of your ideas.  Email me with any organizations you would like me to share, and I will definitely check them out.

Miscellany Monday: Linking Up!

1. Mothers Day made me more than hopeful and a little jealous.  I want everything in God's timing. But I also want a cute little baby belly.  And then a cute little baby.
2. Goody's Spin Pins are all the rave.  I have gone to four different stores and they were sold out everywhere.  Needless to say, I will be checking again tonight.  It would make the messy bun so much lovelier. 

3. My new job rocks my socks off.  I've really enjoyed buying cute desk supplies.  I like to be organized, and there are so many cute things that just make desks adorable.  My favorite thing so far is my rubber band ball.

(I have the green one!)

4. Lenka has got one of the cutest voices.  Her happy songs have been playing in my head and I sing them in the shower!  

5. Today I linked up to my friend Carissa's meme and you should, too!  Plus, her blog is just awesome, and deserves to be read! 

Single Sentence Sunday: Love

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.

Morrie Schwartz

Link up your own sentence:

William & Mercy

When I read Kelly's topic for this week's Show Us Your Life Friday, I had to participate!  We are sharing the names we want for our future children!
I make the poor husband talk about this all of the time, so we've finally settled on at least two.
I like abnormal names, and I want them to have lots of meaning.

Boy:

Billy is one in a long line of Williams, so it must be continued.  So far, none of them have been called Will, so I'm super excited.

We like Judah because it has Biblical meaning:

-It means "Praised"

-Judah was chosen to be in the line of Jesus (Genesis 49:10)

Plus, I love this verse:

Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has conquered.

(Revelation 5:5)

Girl:

We love Mercy because, well, it means Mercy, and we believe in a name being a legacy.

My dad had a little sister named Carmen who died from cancer when she was eight.  I was the first granddaughter, and have been told I look like she did (or would have, since nobody knows for sure).  Whether I truly do or not, my grandparents mean a lot to me, and so does preserving her memory.

It's also a really beautiful name.

Of course, none of this is set in stone.  We're just dreaming.

Wordless Wednesday: Light Up

I have candles on my mind today.  I think I might finally spend my Peir 1 gift card.
Wish I had an Etsy gift card to buy these, though:

from Revisions

from TeacupDesign

from Gamiworks

Etsy is my fav.

Long Division

Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your arguments, dear brothers and sisters.  Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter, " or "I follow only Christ."  Can Christ be divided into pieces?  (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

For a couple of years, these verses have come up to my heart and mind constantly.  Going to a Christian university and, well, pure growing up have both revealed to me all of the factions and divisions in the body of Christ.  Just yesterday, I was talking to a friend about this church pitted against that church, and I have to admit, it broke my heart.
In these verses, Paul is speaking straight to us.  What if he said, "Some of you are saying, "I am Baptist,"  or "I am Methodist," or "I am Calvinist," or "I am non-denominational"?
I understand that sometimes we legitimately believe differently.  But is our Jesus different?  Is our small understanding of truth that important to throw it in the face of our brothers and sisters?
I sit in religion classes where people viciously argue over Calvinism and Arminianism as if their lives depended on it.  I'm not even going to tell you what I believe.  Not that I don't think it's important... I just can't help but wonder if Christ wants us to argue about it?  If he wants us to hate each other over it?  If he somehow, under these circumstances, all of the sudden allows us to gossip about one church or one way and put down those who are in relationship with him?

I'm so interested to hear your thoughts.

I really don't believe that we should be fighting.  Sin is one thing.  But different ideas?  Are they worth the division? 

What would it be like if we lived and worked harmoniously, to be

"of one mind, united in thought and purpose?"

Mantra #5

This week I'm starting my new job!  I'm getting to work at my church as a secretary/administrative position.  The best part is that I work under my grandpa, who is one of my favorite people!

I believe that Christ can change lives.  Period.  When I talk to people in dire or extreme or crazy situations, that's the only advice and information I can offer.  But I think that it's pretty sufficient.

I'm addicted to reading.  I can't tell you what a freedom it has been to be able to read for fun lately, and not for school!  I'm just so happy!  When I was little, books were my friends (yeah, I was one of those kids).  My two best book friends were:

Elsie Dinsmore

Somewhere along the line, these books were lost.  I want them back.  Seriously.  I'm going to buy the whole set for my (someday) little girl.

&

Mandie

I read all of these books.  They were just wonderful.

Thank goodness for imaginary book friends, right?  (What a nerdy childhood I led!)

I wish I knew how to sew.  My mom has taught me only a few basics.  My goal is to learn more before I have a baby.  She's so talented and I really should take advantage of her knowledge!  I just need to go ahead and get a machine.

I'm jealous of people with super-nice cameras.  I think I want one for my birthday.  I just know that there are so many other things that I could get that we actually need.  Just in case I do get one - which one do you all prefer?  What is the best brand?  Best buy for your money?

Soundtrack/Mantra for the Week:  What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing.  (C.S. Lewis)