I don't think I have many blog readers. That's ok. I'm sure when I took a year long "break" from my blog, anyone that was reading gave up on me. Since I gave up Facebook for Lent, this blog has become therapeutic to me. One thing I realized was happening with facebook is jealousy. You would see pictures of people on vacation, or showing off a new car. Facebook is a narcissistic haven. You can show off all the good things and hide the bad.
That is the number one reason I do NOT miss Facebook. If we can't be honest, then what are we doing? I hope this break from Facebook will give me time to relax and stop comparing myself with other people.
I want to be happy and satisfied with exactly what God has given me: i.e: These 2 guys :)
Ben and I had the pleasure of going on a double date with the Breedloves on Friday night! We went to our very first coffee cupping! We had no idea what to expect, but it was a lot of fun :) A coffee cupping is sort of like a wine tasting, but with coffee. The best part is that it's totally acceptable to spit...haha. Paula and I really liked that option!
My coffee cupping chart-before we started
Ben just LOVES having his picture taken...can't you tell??
Paula and I really wanted a picture with the pretty background :)
My chart completed: It was a "blind cupping" so we didn't know what we were tasting until the end. Turns out Light Roast was my preference and that's what I already have at home! :)
Maybe the best part from the night...chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting! YUMMY!!
We had a great night with great friends. Thanks, Paula & Cody, for joining us!!
If you want to check out some wonderful fair trade locally (in Tyler) roasted coffee, check out Porch Culture Coffee.
If you want to check out some delicious fair trade treats, check out Sweet Hope Cafe!
I have friends that are gay. I love them. Every single one of them. I don't understand the hatred that comes from so many Christians. I also don't know why anyone has to be defined by their sexuality. Is that really what you're known for? I'm not an eloquent speaker, but Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call) has become someone I look up to, because he doesn't care what people think. He knows this simple thing: God is LOVE. That's right-LOVE.
He makes some incredible points in this interview (3 parts-all worth listening to):
He wrote a song a few years ago called "What Matters More". I'm sorry (ok, I'm actually not sorry...) if you're offended by this, but I think these lyrics are so fitting:
If I can see what's in your heart By what comes out of your mouth Then it sure looks to me like being straight Is all it's about It looks like being hated For all the wrong things Like chasing the wind While the pendulum swings
'Cause we can talk and debate Till we're blue in the face About the language and tradition That He's coming to save And meanwhile we sit Just like we don't have give a shit about Fifty thousand people who are dying today
I was watching the above videos and just thought they needed to be shared. Since this is my blog, I'm allowed to post them. :)
I love you all--every single one of you. Even the ones that don't agree with this post ;)
Side note: Derek is happily married with 2 kids. He isn't speaking about this to support his own agenda. He just loves Jesus and wants others to know that Jesus loves them, too. :)
I really love blogging right now. Maybe I'll keep it up after my return to facebook...we shall see.
I wanted to tell you guys about someone I admire. Her name is Suzette Munson. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her face-to-face, but I can absolutely see the love of Jesus pouring out of her life. She loves other people so much and you can't help but see that in her.
I found this interview from a few years ago and it sums up who she is and what she is passionate about pretty well:
If you are looking for a unique gift for someone, you should check out Love 41. All of the profits go to help others. She does not make a single dime on this company. She loves Jesus and wants to share it with others.
If you're looking for some awesome leather gifts, you should check out Saddleback Leather, too. This is the company that her and her husband run together. Ben is mildly obsessed with all their leather goods :)
Five years ago, a cute guy named Ben asked me to go to lunch with him. I knew him well. We had dated in the past and remained friends through it all. I wondered to myself "Does he even realize he's asking me to go to lunch on Valentine's Day??". We started dating a month later on March 14th. Exactly one year later, we were married...I still can't believe it some days.
This is probably my favorite picture from our wedding day :)
(This picture was taken in April 2011. Little tiny Noah was in there already!!) :)
One of my favorite songs is "God gave me you" by Dave Barnes. And just for the record, I have liked and listened to Dave Barnes for a long time--way before he was cool ;) (I was a music snob in my former life.)
These words are just perfect:
On my own, I'm only half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could never undo
And for fun, here's the video :)
Bonus: KLOVE is giving this song away for free today!
http://www.klove.com/music/store.aspx
