the fabulous life...His way.

The Kiss

2009-10-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

I CANNOT wait for Adam to come home! He has been gone for 10 days, and he is returning tomorrow afternoon!!!! I just took muffins out of the oven, made especially for him and finished wrapping his welcome home present. Gosh, I love him.

Creative Halloween Costumes

2009-10-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year! There is a chill in the air, the leaves are changing (in places other than Dallas) the fall decorations are out, banana bread and pumpkin muffins are in the oven and pumpkin carving is on the brain.

Fall kinda inspires my creativity. I usually don't dress up for Halloween, but when I do I'm a big fan of the play on words costumes. They don't take much work and they are good for a laugh. Here are some great ideas I have gathered from over the years, I thought I would pass them on to you:

1. Serial Killer: Tie an empty cereal box around your neck and put a plastic knife through it.

2. Static Cling: pin a few socks and some used dryer sheets all over your clothes. (If you pin on unused dryer sheets, the smell will overwhelm you. I know from personal experience)

3. Smartie Pants: Glue rolls of smarties all over an old pair of pants.

4. Breaking News: Tape torn newspapers to your clothes

5. Stick in the Mud: Wear all brown with a stick taped onto you.

6. Gum on the bottom of shoe: Wear all pink and tape a shoe to your head.

7. Ceiling Fan: Carry a sign that say "Ceilings are #1"

If you can think of any more let me know!

I heart weddings!

2009-10-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I had my wedding to do over again. Ok maybe that's extreme. I just wish I could plan a wedding every 2 years or so! I always jump at the chance to give my two cents to my friends that are getting married. If I was having one this year my colors would be green and purple these things would be my inspiration:

the get-away "car"

Super cute birdie cake toppers!

Im feeling the Peacock feather fad.

Im a big fan of costume jewelry that makes a statement. I love these earrings from Target! I asked Adam for them for Christmas...though I have no idea where I would wear them!

A short wedding dress that would show off some killer shoes...maybe some plum pumps with some bling.

Publish Post

My bridesmaid would be rockin some cowboy boots. Maybe I've been in Texas too long, but I

L-O-V-E me some cowboy boots!

Huh?

2009-09-28T18:14:00.001-07:00

I LOVED the game Memory as a kid. I was kinda a MEMORY rockstar. When it came to tests, my memory served me well. I could just listen and take notes in class and I was ready for an exam. My mind would take little pictures of the page and then when the test came i would see the page in my minds eye and the answers just flow out. BUT when it comes to daily life, that's a different story. I sometimes wonder if I am showing the early signs of dementia...

I hear post-menopausal women saying, "Oh just wait, someday you will walk into a room and forget why you were there..." Someday? How about right now? I did that yesterday! More often than not, its my cell phone that I am asking WHERE IS THAT DANG THANG! Adam has to call it atleast 4 times a week. I hear my MmmBop ringtone and realize its somewhere I don't remember being! I had it in my hand, and then it was POOF! gone... and I have no recollection of placing it anywhere, or even having it my hand at all. Or many times its my grocery list that always seems to elude my best intentions to drag it into the grocery store. Let's just say I have my fair share of "senior moments" at the ripe old age of 24!

After memorizing almost 50 pages of script for my job, I started wondering why my memory seemed so good and so bad all at once. So I wiki'd MEMORY. What I found was a battery of theories with little cold hard facts. It made me think..err remember....what an amazing God I serve. He made me, and you, with a mind capable of memories. Memories of significance, insignificance, and even 50 pages of script. All scientists and psychologists can do is hypothesize.

I don't know why my memory seems to turn off and turn on. What I do know is that God intricately created me. Knit me together in my mother's womb. He knows my thoughts and my inner most parts. I'm glad He knows...because sometimes I have no idea!

Broccoli and Cheese Heaven In Bridge City

2009-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

In my travels across Texas I stopped in a little town called Bridge City. It is near the southern border of Texas and Louisiana surrounded by bayous and coastline. This town had been ravaged by both hurricane Rita and hurricane Ike. Many were still living in FEMA trailers that seemed more like sardine boxes. Our contact told us that if you stretch out it one you can touch either side. The people there were charming and welcoming despite all the hardships the had suffered. Our contact took us to a tiny restaurant called Remi's for a quick lunch. It was about the only non-fast food restaurant around. As we drove we saw building that had been condemned because the flood waters had risen to over 6ft! I was reminded of the home I stayed in while in Sri Lanka and remembered the pain the people had experienced. The flood line in that home was was at 6 ft as well. I had no clue what the people in MY state had gone through. No clue it was so devastating! When we walked in to Remi's the waitress greeted us with a smile and told us that there was a fresh pot of broccoli and cheese soup with our names on it! So I decided to try it! It was to die for. So smooth and creamy. I asked the waitress about it and she told me it was her grandmother's recipe. I told her I was from out of town and swore I wouldn't tell anyone in Bridge City if she passed the recipe on to me! She did... So I thought I would share it with you....I think its safe to assume none of you are from Bridge City :)

1lb broccoli

1/2lb velveeta

1 can cream of asparagus

1 can cream of mushroom

1 can cream of onion

1 can chicken broth

add water if too thick.

Mix it all together and simmer until smooth creamy and piping hot :)

So simple yet so delish! I will be making this VERY soon. The people in Texas are so fantastic! I think I will love meeting more of them and hearing their stories very soon!

Fall Favorites

2009-09-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

I love Fall! It is my favorite season. I love the colors and the smells and the anticipation of the holidays. I also love that I am not allergic to fall... :) I went to the mall today and loved looking at all the store fronts with coats and sweaters and pretty colors. I could almost smell the pumpkin pie! Here are some of my fall favorites:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, I make these every year and they are so so so delish!

Painting Pumpkins! I love painting....much more than carving. The pumpkins last longer and I am much better at painting than carving. And I LOVE white pumpkins!

This sweater/jacket is at Urban. Its can be dressed up or down! LOVE it.

This is Harlow Dress from J.Crew. I think it would be perfect for holiday parties.

Ruffle on BOOOOTTS! You know I love these. I heart all things ruffled and girlie!

0 to 60

2009-08-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

This month, I would describe myself as a loaf. I loafed around, laid out by the pool, watched movies, played around on the internet, picked up yoga, and took naps. A LOAF, a lump of nothingness. Looking at my schedule for September, it seems I should have enjoyed this time of loafing, but I just felt lazy. I felt like i wasn't contributing to the Adam and Katie coffer.

Today, I sat down and wrote out my schedule for September and I got very excited. A full schedule energizes me. The thought of being the "breadwinner" for Adam and I was scaring me a bit until today. Now I am just excited. I'm going from 0 to 60 and I can't wait.

For those of you who don't know, I am going to be working for a non-profit organization called Aim for Success. They are the largest Abstinence only sex-education program in the country. I will be speaking to teenagers daily, and I am so happy that I get to continue working with youth. If you want to learn more about the organization or bring it to a school near you poke around www.aimforsuccess.org and see what we are all about

My Cupcake(s)

2009-08-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Breaking News! I made my first successful cupcakes EVER! The truth is, I used a cheat recipe involving boxed devil's food cake mix, but i used butter milk instead of the water called for on the box and and extra egg.... they turned out super moist and delicious! I gave them to our two newest neighbors on the 9th floor as a welcome present! One of the couples is from Australia and in return I got to taste some traditional Australian cookies that they used to make during WWII! I love the culture in Swiss Tower.

And as a last homage to summer, I also tried out a recipe for Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting that was YUMMY! Here is the recipe:

1/2 strawberries, processed in a food processor.

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp

1 package cream cheese, softened

3-4 cups powdered sugar, depending on how sweet you like it!

I then let mine chill in the fridge for a few hours so that it would be thick enough to spread.

Here are my beautiful cupcakes ready to be sent out to the neighbors:

And just for kicks and giggles, here is my #1 cupcake leaving for the first day of his 3rd Year at DTS! I seriously want to have little ones that look just like him :) So CUTE!

Nothing Cheaper than FREE

2009-08-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

Im all about free! This week I have scored some serious freebies. Here are a few of the FREE deals I have taken advantage of (or will take advantage of) this week:

Free Victoria's Secret Pink Body Lotion (get yours here)

Free Bare Essentials Sample (Just go into a Bare Essentials Store and ask, while supplies last)

Free Aunti Anne's Pretzel (Entertainment Book)

Free small Icecream from Sonic (Entertainment Book)

2 Free Albacore Tuna Pouches (Coupled Target and Manufacturers Coupon)

Free Archer Farms Mini French Baguette, perfect size for two :) (Coupon on HotCouponWorld)

Free Carmex (web coupon expired today)

Free Ziploc Bags (high value coupon from the paper)

Free Bacon (high value coupon, found the tip here)

Free Bananas (ok, i paid 5 cents....but thats pretty darn close to Free! Coupon on HotCouponWorld)

Free Nexcare Band Aids (Trial Size, but I dont use that many band aids anyways)

I think that is it for my freebies this week.

To score some serious deals check out Hot Coupon World (you can always find a link on the right side of the page) and remember that Walmart will take competitors coupons, so any Target coupons can be used there for even bigger savings!

Also, my frugal friend Shelby of What Colors my World sent me over to Hip2save. She has some smokin' good deals for you to peruse and tips on how to get free or next to free items every week.

Terminix Man: Lord of the Ring

2009-08-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

It was a Tuesday like any other Tuesday. I was typing away at the computer when I heard a knock on the door. TERMINIX MAN!!! he shouted. Oh gosh...I'm not descent. So I hollared HANG ONNNN!!!! as I ran to throw on some pj pants. Terminix man always has a big smile

on his face and never fails to bless me as he walks out the door :) But this day had something different in store. Much more than just a smile and a blessing... He was getting ready to leave and i said "Sir, I saw two little weevil bugs in our kitchen last week (our building has issues with weevils), what can i do to make them go away?" He proceeded to say that they usually start hanging out under the stove because people dont realize how much nastiness falls under there. He bent down and shined his Terminix flashlight under the stove and asked if I would like to take a gander.... The first thing I noticed was all the crumbs but as his flash light worked its way from right to left, I saw a shimmer. I jumped up and started screaming! The Terminix man thought I was scared of weevils...I kinda am, but not bad enough to jump up and scream... NO! he was wrong. He had discoved a lost treasure!

So, back story. About 6 months into our marriage, I lost Adam's wedding ring. It was a great ring: tungsten, comfort fit, and we spent a pretty penny on it because we figured he would have to wear it the rest of his life. Anyways, I lost it. The last thing I remembered was playing with it

on my pointer finger...and then my memory went blank.

So fast forward TWO YEARS and as the Terminix man shined his light under my disgusting and crumby stove, a long lost treasure was discovered, Adam's wedding band. The Terminix man earned himself a new name: Lord of the Ring.

There it is!!! Ok, so I cleaned up the crumbs before I took the picture, because I was embarrassed at the mess :)

It once was lost, but now it's found!

Cookies from Scratch?

2009-08-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

The truth is that until I was married, I thought that making cookies from scratch meant going to the store and buying a log of pillsbury cookie dough from the refrigerated section and throwing it in the oven...I thought that was the definition of "scratch" and anything more was

only for the Amish. So a few months into our marriage when Adam asked me to make some cookies from scratch and i showed up with some ready made cookie dough, he was not so thrilled to find that he knew more about baking than his wife. Woops! I guess I should have taken home-ec instead of pottery class in High School. My bad.

I have tried my hand at cakes. The last one i made ended up a pile of crumbled cake in the middle of my stove. Ya, I suck that bad. So, what is a baking challenged girl to do? Ask a friend, who happens to be a fantastic baker for help, that's what!!!! My friend Jenna grew up cooking and she knows all the tricks to baking such as making sure all the ingredients are at room

temperature and how to make a double broiler. She is so savy that way :) She even makes her own icing! To a girl who thought pillsbury=scratch she is a regular Martha Stewart!

Sunday, I asked if she would let me bake with her and teach me her ways. She said yes!!!! She decided on Mint Chocolate Cupcakes from Martha Stewart's Cupcake Cookbook. The cupcakes were fairly simple. The mint butter cream icing, on the other hand, was about 47 steps away from being simple. The cupcakes turned out fantastic and super delish! So great in fact, that I was inspired to make some on my own!!! Wednesday I plan on making some simple chocolate cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting and heart sprinkles all by myself... I will

update you with the results!!! Here are some pictures from mine and Jenna's escapades in her kitchen:

Me looking like a newby, Jenna looking like Martha :)

I learned how to separate an egg with my bare hands!!!

Letting the milk and mint leaves "steep." Looked kinda disgusting... like a runny spinach dip! The end result was a mint infused milk that was used to flavor the Mint Butter Cream Icing.

My Belly, My god: Gluttony and Fasting

2009-08-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

"God, I don't drink, I dont chew, and I dont run around with boys who do....can't I have a piece of chocolate cake?"- my mom :) ....we are cut from the same cloth.

I have been working through some of the spiritual disciplines. I never realized how much trying to practice a spiritual discipline would bring so many sins to the surface!!! I feel like an addict. While attempting to fast, I found that I am addicted to food. I'm definitely not obese, but the way I view food is unhealthy. I let food rule me. It's so hard to say no, when something is right in front of me. I realized how how bad the problem was within the last few days when I decided to fight my urges. Dallas Willard puts it this way, "It (fasting) will certainly prove humiliating to us, as it reveals to us how much our peace depends upon the pleasures of eating." This rings so true for me. Fasting has been humiliating for me. It is not only a joy to eat something tasty, eating is also a boredom killer, a comforter, and social activity. Fasting will not only confirm my utter dependance on God, but will also aid in breaking the addiction that I have to FOOD. My goal in fasting is to develop self-discipline that will overflow into other personal issues like money management and my prayer life.

Food, just like money and sex, can be used for good, but when over indulged can be a serious sin. I'm sick of not taking gluttony as seriously as other sins. It's time to overcome gluttony through Christ. I am victorious over gluttony because of His death. I just taught a lesson on Romans 6... now I need to practice what i preach!!!

Romans 6:11-14

¹¹In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ¹⁴For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Too Cute Not to Print

2009-08-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

So, I found these printables on http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/ whose blog i frequent on occasion. They were too cute not to share! They are from designer Erin Vale. Check out her website here. You can print these lists and fill them out yourself :) They are so super cute. I printed the grocery list already! Check out the to-do list, the blog topics list, or my personal fave the grocery list that lets you mark what items you have coupons for.

Spiritual Disciplines

2009-08-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

So I started to read Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard again. I have read this book in the past, but never have really stuck to practicing the Spiritual Disciplines discussed within its pages. So for the next few posts, I am going to write about my experiences working through these disciplines and what i learn about God and myself. This blog is mostly for myself. I find something edifying in journaling my experiences, especially ones where I encounter the Creator.

I began practicing the disciplines of solitude and silence yesterday. I set the timer on the stove for 10 minutes. Some monks are silent for years...ya well, im not a monk, so i did 10 minutes. I feel like solitude and silence are kinda like running, you have to work your way up to longer and longer periods of time. You have to develop discipline and stamina. I find that running is very mental as well. Sometimes my body can go much further than my mind allows it to. I think the same is true for silence and solitude. I guess that's why it's called a DISCIPLINE :)

So i decided to read Psalm 10 (since it was 8/10/09) and meditate on it in silence and solitude. It was crazy, and by crazy I mean a "God thing," because just before i turned off my music, Shane and Shane (my go to guys for getting my attitude and my mind adjusted Godward) were singing "Be Near"...and the first line of Psalm 10 says something like "God, why do you stand so far off?" I got on my knees and put my head to the floor. I thought to myself that Muslims really have that right. That position makes you feel like you are so small and weak, helpless and humble before an Almighty God.

My time of meditation began by asking God why he seemed so far from us, from my feelings, from our country, from poverty and sickness, and childhood cancer, and lost people, and and and... why??? God didn't speak to me audibly or write on my wall, but i did feel a sense of closeness...which i guess is an answer. God is not far off, even if we feel like He is, He isn't. He is near, he is our great high priest, our dearest friend, and our bridegroom. Shane and Shane beg God for the same thing I beg from Him: "Be near O God, Your nearness is to us our good." The rest of the ten minutes was filled with meditation. Meditation on God's perfection, His grace, His love and justice. It was sweet time, and i am excited to go to the next level in the discipline of silence and solitude.

Seminary was awesome, but i feel like that nearness left a long time ago. The void was filled with study and half-sincere prayers. I feel like I know more about God than I have ever know, but what is that worth if I dont know Him intimately and relationally. I have experienced burn out and apathy over the last few years. I didnt fight for the closeness i had experienced before. But I am fighting for it now.

This is but the first step i am taking towards devoting myself to getting to know God better through the Spiritual Disciplines. If you are feeling the same way I am, I invite you to begin practicing solitude and silence in order to know God more deeply.

Celebration(s)

2009-08-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

So many new and exciting things are happening all at once! First I landed a grown-up job BEFORE graduation, then i finished up my internship (a long process) and then I turned my very last assignment for DTS! To celebrate Adam and I and Chris and Carol went to Texas de Brazil for dinner last night. If you have never been there you have to go! But make sure you go on an empty stomach and lay off the salad bar. The shining star is the MEAT! It was so tender and delicious. They bring it out on giant swords. Lamb, pork, beef, chicken....yum-o! Here is pic, our bellies are full of deliciousness.

After dinner we went to Kroger to get my favorite icecream: GRAETERS black raspberry chocolate chip. Its totally worth it's high price tag! If you are an icecream lover you have to give it a try. If you dont have a Kroger near you, you can order online at http://www.graeters.com/sub.aspx

With ice cream in hand we headed home for the 2nd installment of Lord of the Rings. It was such a great night. I am so thankful for such a great hubbie who knows how to make his wife a very happy woman!

I wANt mY waLLs to tALk

2009-07-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

I heart fun, creative, modern wall paper...in small doses. I cant wait until i have free reign to pick out the perfect wall to dress with fantastic paper! Check out more fun wall-coverings at hyggeandwestshop.com, designyourwall.com (check out waterlillies, my personal fav) or grahamandbrown.com.

Mother-Daughter Workshop

2009-07-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a long long time. I have been traveling all over America the last few weeks (Denver, Michigan, and Florida) and now that I am home in Dallas, i have been working non-stop on the Mother-Daughter Workshop I am hosting at Grace Bible Church tomorrow. I think all the details are taken care of now, and they are super cute i might add! I am just needing to practice my session. It is one hour, which is the longest presentation i have ever done, but i am excited to push myself! I am talking about communicating purity in an impure world. I also am bringing in a prof from DTS. She is really cool, has her own counseling practice and is a pastor's wife. I am excited to hear what she has to say about communication throughout the teen years. I can't believe we have 35 people signed up! We are at capacity!

Here is a taste of my lesson:

Purity isnt just about not having sex until you are married, that’s just one of the doors that needs to be locked. You must find your identity in Christ alone, not your family, not your group of friends and not your boyfriend. Purity in all areas of life takes a major commitment and its one that you cant make alone. True Purity begins with wholehearted commitment to Christ and HIS will for your life. There will be many people telling you what their will for your life is, but if it doesn’t align with God’s will then it is not the right way for you. But how can you know God’s will? Well if your boyfriend is trying to get you to have sex with him you can bet thats not God’s will for your life and if you become too wrapped up in a relationship you can also bet the farm that’s not his will either or if you have a poor body image, thats not God’s will for you either. He wants you to see yourself the way He sees you, as a TREASURE! But sometimes its not that obvious right? Not so black and white. In these more ambigous areas the key is spending time with God. How would you know what your parents expect from you if you had never met them or only saw them once or twice a year? Or how would you know how to be a good friend if you had never had one? It’s the same with God, the more time you spend with Him the more you get to know Him and the more you know Him the more you begin to understand His will for your life.

My First Sewing Project

2009-05-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Ta Daa! Here is my first sewing project: a monogrammed throw pillow for the living room! The back is in a matching fabric to the B. It took me forever (1hr) to cut out the B and sew it on, but the actual pillow was a sinch (15 minutes tops). There are a few mess ups if you look close though...im working on perfecting the art! The colors look better in person. I am hoping to branch into headbands as well :) maybe i will have my own etsy shop someday... someday far away. Any ideas for a creative name for my shop?

Book Worm Chic

2009-04-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Now that im not a student (this is the ONLY time in my life i can remember being able to say this) this is what i want to do to all the craptastic books i was forced to read...

ok. so i wish i could do this :) Lisa Occhipinti is a New England-based artist and designer with an insanely gorgeous and super creative series of book mobiles. I am jealous of her designs! Check her out on etsy!

Mixed Emotions

2009-04-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

After 3 years of graduate school at Dallas Theological Seminary, I will be walking the aisle and shaking Dr. Bailey's hand to thank him for my Master's degree in Christian Education and Family Ministry. Out of all my graduations (high school, WOL, Liberty, DTS) this is BY FAR the most rewarding.... and scary. There is a big world out there... are they ready for what's about to hit them? It's Katie Bowman and she is about to take the world by storm!

May 9th here i come!

Picture courtesy of Lowry Lou on flickr.

We're Famous!

2009-04-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

ok, we are not really famous. but this fun site www.photofunia.com has lots of backgrounds you can insert your picture into. you can even be on the cover of Vogue :) I had lots of fun playing on the site, hope you do too!

Party in My Mouth!

2009-04-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

It's my Birthday week and I could NOT have a better husband in the gift giving department...ok in the all around department. I have been whining for a Sprinkles cupcake for about a month now. My super fave is chocolate with coconut cream cheese frosting...YUUUMMMMY. If you have never had a Sprinkles Cupcake, you are missing out on something special. I dont know how they do it, but they make one intense cupcake! Anyways... Adam surprised with a dozen cupcakes last night!!!! I got to try one had never tried before....the peanut butter cupcake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing and sprinkles....SOOOO GOOD. Almost as good as Adam Bowman.....but not quite :) I do love him. Gosh.

Anyways...i also want to give a shout out to Jenna Woestman who wrote me one of the single most sweetest cards ever, and the girls in my small group who made last night super special. I love you all more than you realize!

Now, go get yourself a cupcake :)

New Math

2009-03-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

I need to brush up on my math skills :) Look at the whole collection here.

Someday I will...

2009-03-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Sew! I got this amazing sewing machine for Christmas, my mom just sent it to me in the mail though( she has been holding it hostage in Florida, who knows what she has been doing with it) Anyways, she just mailed it me so i could do my sewing projects over Spring break, but alas, spring break was spent in bed :( You should feel bad for me. Now it seems I wont have time to sew until May 10th (the day after i graduate with my MASTERS!!! I'm dancing in my chair:)

Anyways, here are the fabrics I picked out. They go well with the liv

ing room color scheme, and i wanted them to bring some POP into the room. I have lived in my apt for going on two years and little changes here and there keep my life interesting.

...and here are some of the cute pillows by meringue designs that have inspired my thinking. Mine wont be quite as bright and prob wont be quite as cute either. Maybe i will supplement my work with one of their little beauts!

and so I will probably be starting these soon....I hope to atleast have one or two done before May when mom comes out(Note: i was exaggerating about not sewing until May, but only a little). I want to be able to show them off to her and Nanna :)

Now off to finish up some Amish friendship bread!

Death to Pollen

2009-03-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen: Spring is here. My eyes, lungs and nose are telling me loud and clear. The above picture is my arch enemy: pollen. I am so mad that I am allergic to Spring. Its my favorite season :( I wish i was allergic to winter. I hate cold weather. And I especially hate ice, snow, freezing rain and anything that resembles any mixture of those. I am a Florida girl through and through in that respect.

So something has been bothering me lately: Ok, i am going to vent. I know....everyone has some allergy or another, but people, seriously. Zyrtec doesnt work for me, neither does Clariten or Allegra or nasal sprays or any other garden variety drug... so stop trying to shove them down my throat! You might have mild allergies but you dont have allergies like i have allergies....so step off! And i know its just allergies and not some life threatening disease and for that i am eternally grateful. I wish this didn't put me in such a grumpy mood....

Ok, im done. And im starting my glorious and wonderful shots on March 31st! I cant wait! But until then i will be trapped in my apartment looking outside wishing i could throw a frisbee or read on a blanket or take an evening stroll. Right now the walk to the car sets me off. On March 31st I will begin to fight back and take pollen down....i hope!

Gospel For Asia

2009-02-27T09:40:00.000-08:00

During my freshman year of college i had the privilege of being handed my one the greatest books i have ever read. Since that time I have read that book at least four times. My husband has recently rediscovered this jewel and it has prompted me to pick it up once more. The book is Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. You can get your FREE copy here. If you are like me, it will change your paradigm on missions forever. Take a few minutes to watch K.P. as he shares his heart.

If you want to be apart of the mission of Gospel for Asia click here. 100% of the money donated is sent to the mission field. You can also sign up to be a prayer partner and receive emails about pressing prayer needs. In 2005 I had the honor of working with some of the GFA missionaries in Sri Lanka. I got to see first hand how these men are working to make the name of Jesus famous in their own country. It was an experience I will never forget.

**Adam is trying to raise money to build a church though Gospel for Asia. The cost to build a church is somewhere between $10-12,000. If you want to contribute to that specific cause please let me know. **

Matt 26:19-20 "Go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

I Need This & By Need I Mean Want

2009-02-26T17:32:00.001-08:00

Holy Cuteness. I saw this on another blog and my heart melted. Sometimes I feel sad that stuff makes me so happy. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O WHY!!!!!!!!!! It's $98 so i know i will never get it...let alone the fact the I have no wall space for such a beautiful masterpiece. BUT i can look at it in admiration and share it with others who might be a greater means than I. Check it out for yourself at Dutch By Design.

I Want To Be a Ruth

2009-02-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

One of the many things that draws me to the Bible day in and day out is that no matter how much someone has learned about it, there is always something more---much much more--- to discover. Even the greatest of the Biblical Scholars have but scratched the surface of what we can learn about Yahweh through His Word.

I just started to study Ruth again. I've always had a bit of a hard time fully understanding the book...for example im not so sure why Ruth uncovered Boaz' feet and slept there all night...seems shady to me. But I always get caught up in the unique character development and perfect story telling that the book offers. I also really enjoy that I get to see God from a woman's point of view. I think men really underestimate how important it is to know that God loves women and has a plan for their life.

For the first time, I am trying not to get caught up in the characters themselves. Sure, Naomi was a strong woman who withstood intense pain, Ruth was a courageous woman who gave up her desires in order to love Naomi, and Boaz is the Christ-figure of the book worthy of admiration and praise. BUT I want my top priority in this study... and all others for that matter, to focus on what I can discover about God through Ruth and Naomi's story.

I am reading the Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James and am excited to share what I learn about God through these amazing women.

What I have learned so far is that God's desire is for us to walk in obedience to Him no matter what the cost--even when our husband dies, our children marry someone who we dont approve of, our sons die tragically, or we dont know where our next meal is coming from. When we have no other place to go, God wants us to run to Him.

Some Recent Etsy Favs

2009-02-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Here are the Links to Check them out for yourself:

1. Dark Purple Collar

2. Frou Frou Top

3. Two Are Better Print

4."Flower" Headband

5. Baby Beanie

My Picks for Best Dressed

2009-02-23T10:07:00.001-08:00

I wanted to boycott the Oscars because I wanted to do my part in letting Hollywood know I dont care about their veiled...and not so veiled political opinions, but alas, i got sucked into the world of bright shiny things!

Here are a few of my favorites:

I did think it was odd that so many people wore WHITE! Maybe that's why Natalie Portman stood out so beautifully. I didn't love the dress itself, but the color was stunning.

I think this is the girl from the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I LOVE the necklace and her hair is adorable! The red purse is such a cute touch!

I think Miley's dress is my favorite! The belt puts it over the top for me :)

And i also loved Nicole Kidman's dress, but i couldnt find a pic to share with you :(

I Want the Gold!

2009-02-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

HA! I just bought this awesome shirt and it made me go back and watch the you tube video which inspired the design. That video makes me buckle over laughing over and over again! I love this video. Watch it and laugh out loud! "Im gonna run a back-hoe and uproot that tree. I wanna know where the Gold is."

Perfect Pear

2009-02-12T11:01:00.001-08:00

TARGET! Why do you have such cute stuff! The Orla Kiely Collection at Target rocks my socks. I love the colors, I love the design. I think we would make the perfect pear!

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

I am more excited about this Valentines Day than even our first as a married couple! Tonight I am making a lovely dinner with a yumm-o dessert! Tomorrow night we have the Oldie Wed Game at the church which will be fun, then Adam and I are headed straight for the Gaylord Texan for the Family Life Marriage Weekend! I am so excited to see how God uses this weekend to build and enrich our marriage!

Here is the recipe i am making tonight:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies!

Click here for the recipe

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

2009-01-29T12:56:00.001-08:00

Today I found myself engrossed in a semi-lengthy article by Tom Wolfe called "Sorry, But Your Soul Just Died." It is a witty and borderline scary take on the state of American Science esp Neuro-science...the even scarier thing is that it was actually fun to read.

The title is taken from Nietzche's declaration that "God is dead." Wolfe argues that the next step away from God is to proclaim that the soul is dead which will lead to immorality and moral relevance like never seen before.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles/WolfeSoulDied.php

Sola fide, Sola gratia

2009-01-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

I just got the new Shane and Shane CD with my itunes gift cards i got from Christmas. Shane and Shane have been vessels that the Spirit has used over and over in my life to teach me things in Scripture that I was too dense to figure out on my own. This new CD is no exception!

The past week or so I have been pounded over the head with GRACE. It is by GRACE we are save not by works. I know that but i still live like my works matter. Sometimes i see myself trying to earn favor with a God who already loves me beyond comparison. My obedience should be out of love, deep seated love, not out of fear or a need for God to see me as better than someone else. It's all about Grace! Should i go on sinning so that Grace may abound? may it NEVER be! Salvation is about grace but grace causes love and love causes obedience. There is no other way.

Satan is soooooo talented at propagating LAW. Shane and Shane call him out in their new song Embracing Accusations and i do the same. Satan is only proclaiming one part of the truth... those who try to abide by the LAW are CURSED, because of that curse Jesus gave HIS LIFE. I no longer am a prisoner to the law i find freedom in grace. FREEDOM!

Embracing Accusations:

Father of lies, coming to steal kill and destroy

All my hopes of being good enough

I hear him saying "cursed are the ones who cant abide"

He's right, hallelujah, he's right

The devil is preaching the song of the redeemed

That I am cursed and gone astray

I cannot gain salvation

Embracing Accusation

Could the father of lies be telling the truth of

God to me tonight?

That if the penalty of sin is death, then death is mine

I hear him saying, "cursed are the ones who cant abide"

The devil's singing over me an age old song

That I am cursed and gone astray

Singing the first verse so conveniently over me

He's forgotten the refrain

JESUS SAVES!!!

Thanksgiving Maui Style

2008-12-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in Maui, not a bad way to spend turkey day. Though not too traditional, i think it was worth the diversion! I am no stranger to the non-traditional. One year I spent Thanksgiving at a rest stop....i was not a happy camper. But eventually I do want to establish some traditions of my own! This year was all about relaxation though. And it was wonderful....to bad Maui cant become a Thanksgiving tradition! lol. Here are some pics of our journey across the Pacific.

Family Comes to Dallas

2008-11-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

The in-laws were in town and we had a great time at the Fort Worth Zoo, Stockyards, The Dallas World Aquarium and just horsing around at home. Now we have 3 days to get everything ready for a Maui Thanksgiving! :) Here are some pics from this past week:

Vegas Vacation

2008-11-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Vegas Vacation is such a great movie. I love Chevy Chase. I usually watch Christmas Vacation around Christmas each year. It makes me laugh so hard! Well Adam and I along with Mom and Jes had our own little Vegas Vacation this past weekend. We went to a show, shopped, ate at the finest establishments (my fav was in and out, their burgers were amazing!) and played a little in the casino. My sister has most of the good shots :( but here are some from the weekend....

Adam being a ham before dinner at Emeril's Table 10.

Adam, Jess, and I snuggled up in bed ready to watch a movie.

The hotels out there are ridiculously awesome. My favorite thing was the dancing fountains at the Bellagio. They are breathtaking, everytime we walked or drove by i would gawk! On the last day Adam and I decided we would try our hand at the slots. We spent all of ten bucks and came away up $140!!!! Pretty awesome.

In the lap of luxury at Trump Tower Las Vegas. There was even a TV inset into the mirror in the bathroom! It was palatial :)

Mine and Adam's first cashout vouchers! We were high-fiving so much people thought we had hit the jackpot :)

Dying to be thin, Dating to be loved

2008-10-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

My good friend Emily Toles called me today while I was in the Library working on a paper for my Discipleship Elective. She said that she wants to fly to Alabama to co-lead a youth conference for young girls. "HOLY MOLY- YES!" i said.

I really have a heart for young women. Working with them everyday at Grace Bible Church has cemented that passion in me. Our culture teaches us that beauty is skin deep, our culture teaches us that how we present ourselves to the world is what creates our identity, our culture teaches us that dating proves you are worth loving. I would be a liar if i said I haven't been wrapped up in these lies at different points in my life. It is a daily struggle to find your identity in Christ, not a one time "oh i found it and now i will always have a wonderful view of God and myself." I am so excited to begin preparing for the conference and searching God's Word to bring truth where there are lies and light where there is darkness.

"And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will set you FREE." John 8:32

Easy Cookie Techniques

2008-10-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Im no gormet baker that is for sure, but i found these really cute and time saving ideas in an old issue of Blueprint magazine, which has now been shutdown :( very sad.

I am a big slice and bake fan. To make them more unique roll the log in some crushed nuts (top left) or colored sugar (left below the nuts) then slice it into disks and throw them in the oven. For added flair place half a pecan on top before baking or sandwich some melted chocolate between two cookies after they are done (bottom left). The results are just adorable!

I am also excited to try out my cookie press this season. I think April got it for me last Christmas :) now i can make all sorts of fun shapes! (Right column)

Baby Girl Bowman

2008-10-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Again, not preggo :) But if it's a girl.... she will be chillin in her "New Creation" nursery full of fun butterflies....not just any old butterflies though, here are some of the cute ideas i found!

I am definitely not ready for a bambino, but the idea of it is super fun!

Baby Boy Bowman

2008-10-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

NO! I am not preggo....but since I love decorating I can't help but think ahead to all the adorableness that comes along with baby. My Baby Boy Bowman

is going to be surrounded by sheep in his "the Lord is my shepherd" nursery :)

Legacy of Faith

2008-09-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

I went away on a women's retreat with my church this weekend. It's so important to get away from seminary and really take a step back and ask myself "Why am I at DTS?" Refocusing on my relationship with Christ is a must. The daily grind takes away some of the wonderment of a personal relationship with the God of the universe!

I have resolved to be more intentional about journaling. I have come to the realization that just sitting down and praying does not work for me. I have to write it or my mind is suddenly wandering to what I will do for dinner or how much homework I have to get done.

Leaving a legacy of faith for my children to read is important to me too. I want my children to be able to read about the truths God teaches me and my journey of faith. I want them to know my doubts and fears and God's amazing provisions for our family through the years. How incredible would it be to have your love story with God passed on to future generations?!?!

Apartment Life Dilemma

2008-09-26T08:44:00.001-07:00

No Painting :( how sad. Living in an apartment has its perks, especially when you have an amazing view of downtown Dallas and are just steps away from campus.

But the interior decorator inside of me longs for the day when I can do whatever I want to my home. I have been looking at alternatives

because I want color! Here are some of the cool decals I found at www.etsy.com- my favorite site for all things inspiring and creative! You can get

these in a variety of colors. The sellers are Dali Decals and TastySuite. What do you think?

Autumnal Inspirations

2008-09-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for some cooler weather here. This summer was record setting for Dallas. Carving Pumpkins is one of my favorite ways to ring in the season. Here are a few really cute ideas I am going to try my hand at this year.I love the modern flair!

Decadence

2008-09-25T19:44:00.001-07:00

Adam found this cheesecake while looking for pictures of chocolate to torture the pregnant women in the HR department. He sent me the picture and I cant stop looking at it. It looks amazing! So even though I am on WeightWatchers I am going to find a special occasion to make this! It will just have to be the only thing i eat for the day :) If you want the recipe go to www.cpbgallery.com and search Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Bottom Cheesecake....oh even the name is mouth watering.

New to This

2008-09-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am thinking this will be a fun way to keep everyone updated since we feel so far from the people we love!