by Kimberly | Feb 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
I will honestly tell you in some ways this is the worst holiday: and in some ways it is the best holiday. I’ll leave it at that. But, today’s Much and Link Love is going to include things I love:
1. Brad and Lindsay Weldy (and the rest of the Weldy clan) – August 24th can’t get here soon enough
2. Phyllis and Billy Robshaw (even though its been 2 years since I’ve seen you)
3. Pencils.
4. Zac Brown Band
5. Violins/Fiddles
6. Traveling
7. Books/Journals
8. Pretty jewelry from Jess LC and Moon & Lola
9. Long meals with good friends and great food.
10. The beach.
11. Men who have discipled me in leadership/ministry/life: Tommy Warnock, Bobby Crum, David Sims, Brad O’Brien, Danny Franks, James Hilton, the entire Providence pastors’ team, Billy Robshaw (above mentioned and his wife is mentioned below), the SBTS SCM team of profs, the CBMW guys, Brad Weldy (mentioned above with his wife also mentioned below), David Nelson, Ken Coley. These men have mentored me and shepherded me and befriended me all in different ways. What I do in life would not be the same if it weren’t for them. The ones I know most well have taught me what it is to be a godly husband, and I appreciate their modeling that and for how they love their wives.
12. Coconut
13. Dark Chocolate
14. My ESV Journaling Bible
15. Anything pink.
16. Pearls
17. Jimmy Stewart
18. Women who have poured into my life and made me who I am: Dianne Davidson, Phyllis Robshaw, Clarissa Bacon, Lindsay Weldy, Tina Wright, Elizabeth Beeler.
19. Friends (this list is not exhaustive by any means): Welds, Rach, Wendy, Tasya, Sherri, Sarah S, Heather, Christina, Kristie, Kasey, Brit
20. Grace
21. Hymns
22. My couch
23. International Mission Trips
24. Baby’s toes (ok, really all new born babies)
25. The fact that I know that the Word of God will prove true in my life for the glory of God. He will see to it. His desire is to make much of Himself – and I get to be a part of it because of His grace.
I could go on, but those are my top 25. Enjoy.
by Kimberly | Feb 13, 2011 | food, restaurants, Uncategorized
Two delicious downtown restaurants: one week: one owner.
Rue Cler is about a block from First Durham, a french restaurant and bakery (I’ve heard their blueberry muffins are just excitement for your mouth).
A friend and I went. Dinner menus are daily reads, so I couldn’t plan ahead of time (ACK!). They are pre-fixe menus, but you can substitute for anything, or you can do it a la carte.
I got the salad frisee (frisee greens, croutons, vinaigrette, bacon (which I left off for meatless year) and an egg – broken down into the greens – maybe all the time from now on. Then I had a side of the pomme frites (really yummy seasoned french fries). I didn’t care for the sauce (butter/tarragon) but I refrained from asking for ketchup.
We had a great waitress who was patient in answering all of our questions because neither of us specialize in French cooking.
The other restaurant I tried this week was Pop’s Trattoria on Main Street. They recently moved buildings – into an urban/warehouse type feel with local artist’s work adorning the wall. We walked right in on V-day weekend because of reservations. They sat us right next to beautiful precious friends which made the night even more special.
Mussels with tomatoes, white wine, and red chili – AMAZING. You really want a straw to sip up all the broth – but instead you dip the bread. They come around to the tables periodically with a big basket and a set of tongs to give you as much bread as you desire. (1 1/2 for me). The olive oil they served was delicious and fruity, but it didn’t compare to the mussels’ broth, so I chose that for my dipping choice.
Those we devoured – we also got the apple brie ricotto pizza topped with a truffle oil cream. Very rich, we took leftovers.
The food was better than the service. That’s not to say the service was bad, just not STELLAR – but the food definitely made up for it. I could go back every night just to have the mussels. Will definitely be going back to Pop’s!
by Kimberly | Feb 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
I never want to be on that show.
Many of you know my love of all things ELR and Jess LC (MakeUnder My Life) – two fantastic blogs I read and love on a daily basis. Jessica did a recent post (which she has done before) on getting rid of 50 things that you don’t need. Cleaning out. Living intentionally. So…here are my 51 (I am an overachiever) things that I am taking to Goodwill today.
The only thing I am replacing it with is a lamp for beside my bed so I can read at night without getting up out of my warm coziness!
What do you have in your house that you don’t need or use anymore and how can you live your life with intentionality – even in your possessions?
For where your treasure is – there your heart will be also! – Jesus
by Kimberly | Feb 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
Thursdays will be a random shuffle of what is in my brain. As I was thinking last night about what to write, this was not on the list. It was just in my head. I was going to jot down some observations about humility and leadership; but I am going a different route this morning.
I want to talk a few minutes about protection. Not learning taekwondo, not using condoms, not carrying pepper spray, but protection of a different kind.
1. Protection of the one you love. CJ Mahaney has had a series on his blog about the pastor and personal criticism. I have enjoyed reading his posts and the one I just read had to do about the wife of the pastor who is personally criticized. I hope you find use in his writing as well.
2. Protection of other people’s reputation. Above reproach is a phrase that has been in my head recently. Integrity. Sometimes, doing life differently then you would to spare any one else an opportunity to consider ill of you. I’m not talking about being fake. I’m talking about: interactions with others that might be different in one sphere than the other; speaking well of them at all times. I’ve often heard it said that a wife should never speak ill of her husband (don’t ask me why I’m speaking in Austen English this morning). That is what I want. I always want (Lord-willing) to speak the best of my husband to others. For two reasons: it will protect his character and reputation. 2. If I speak high things of him, then I will hopefully believe those things of him and have greatest respect and actions toward him. One of the things I’ve learned over the last 10 years or so is that one of the things Scripture tells a wife (for her husband) is that she is to respect him (Ephesians 5). Speaking complimentary things of him helps with this respect. Don’t lie by any means – but why do others need an opportunity to belittle your husband. You need to be your husbands chief cheerleaders.
3. Protection of your time. I know many of you will laugh when you read this: I can’t do everything. I can’t be everywhere. So, I am protective of my time. My boss has taught me that, and slowly, but surely it is sinking in. There are definitely things I say no to: for now, most of those are group social events. I seldom go to one. (I am excited about one coming up though: my first Hurricanes game – Pro-hockey). One recent time that I loved was watching the Super Bowl with friends – such a blessing and a fun 5 hours of my time. I digress…but, when you realize you can’t do everything, you focus on things that are important to you. I really likve investing in friendships: so I make time for one on one times together so we can get to know each other better – and we all have to eat – and I want to improve my food photography skills – so those three things are usually together. What do you NOT do so you can do what you DO? My friend Lara asked this question a few weeks ago and it continues to be stuck in my head. We shall see the train of thought continue in the future.
4. Protect your heart. Here comes wisdom from the Preacher: Protect your heart above all else because out of it flows the VERY LIFE. (slightly KDV – Kim Davidson version). What a journey this has been for me over the last 12 years. I consider the time from 95 till now the most influential, not formative, just influential in my life. That is when I graduated high school and started making more of my own decisions, hopefully many of those based on the Truth of the Word. I prayed a prayed about 9 years ago now that I shared with a friend over dinner last night. It is a prayer that I pray usually at least once a month to remind myself, and also not to lose hope. My hope is in Christ for all things. He is my deepest need. He is gracious to me in all things.
What do you need to protect? How are you allowing our Almighty Warrior to be your Protector?
“Holiness is the most beautiful, most attractive way of life for a Christian.” – Dr. Andy Davis, Pastor of First Durham.
by Kimberly | Feb 9, 2011 | Worship
There are some hymns, new or old, that just stick with you. I can read a word and a song will start playing in my head. This is when I’m glad I have my own office because I can sing as loud as I want and no one will ever know the difference.
This is the one I started singing today. Thankful for the Sojourn Church where we sang this often during my time there. I first was introduced to this song back in the day by Caedmon’s Call. Sandra McCracken (wife of then CC singer, Derek Webb sings it mostly now). You can watch a video of her singing it here (remind me I need to get this CD)
1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.
2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made mestill keeps me alive.
3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.
4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And thecovenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).
