by Kimberly | Feb 17, 2013 | Books
I am an avid reader. Or should I say was. Then baby came. I tried to ignore the comments everyone told me of “you won’t have time to read once you have a baby” but alas they have become true. But, I can also include on the list: moving, starting new ministries, buying a home, decorating said home, ministering with my husband, and taking care of a 5 month old cutest little boy.
I’ve not finished one book cover to cover in 2013. That is so sad. It is already halfway through February. I gotta change that!
Here is what is on my READING shelf at home:
Books on Psalm 119: the Message version, a manuscript by a friend of mine on his thoughts, Zemek’s thoughts, Logsden’s thoughts
Books on Suffering: Deborah Howard, Carson, The Problem of Pain, Why O God,
Books for my two Buddies: Shepherd Leader and Future Men
Women: Secret of a Woman’s Influence
Biography: No Compromise and Bach
General: Matthew Commentary by Sproul, Comforts from Romans, Untamed Hospitality, Life in Christ (my Easter reading this year), Loving the Way Jesus Loves
by Kimberly | Feb 15, 2013 | Books
Do you ever find yourself in need of an encouraging word and something just to tell you that your life will be ok because of Jesus?
Whenever I am in need of these things I look to two people outside of my Buddy and Little Buddy: Phyllis, my mentor, and Elyse Fitzpatrick. They both bring the Word to my life when I need it.
This new book from Elyse is no different. Short chapters make it an accessible read, especially for moms who may not have an hour to themselves without toddlers wanting snack food or babies needing to be fed or changed. This book taken from the book of Romans will encourage you in the Word where the truth lies and where life finds meaning again because of our hope in Christ.
Whether you need encouragement in your:
Parenting
Emotional Life
Physical Life
Marriage
Friendships
Relationships
Church Life
Scheduling
Work Place
All the answers for these problems lie within the pages of Scripture (it is Sufficient)! And Elyse pulls together 32 daily readings (about 4 pages long each) to help you find the answers that you might need. Scripture as a whole can and should impact our lives as women and as believers. The Gospel must impact our lives in every area!
If you are looking for a book that can encourage you, convict you, and help give you practical understanding in a very indepth book of the Bible, pick up Elyse’s new one.
by Kimberly | Feb 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
Several of you have asked to see this, and we finally got it put together to the point where I was ready to show you. I’ll tell you at the end what other things we still wish to do in his little room! We are thankful for finally be in a spot, now that he is almost 5 months old, for him to actually have his own room with all of this goodies in place!
This lamp was designed by Ashley, our sweet friend in Durham. LOVE IT!
We got this in St. Augustine shortly before little guy came into the world. Buddy gave me 12$ to spend, and I found this mobile of a lighthouse for 11.95!
This is the first big book we are reading. I read a chapter to him about 3 days a week. LOVE Pooh and all of his friends!
Our little library lamp is from Eric’s nursery. It is charming and plays a little song.
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Thank you Jenn for getting LB this for a shower gift! It sits perfectly in the window sill of his library nook!
I’ve had this ulster mouse from Ireland in my collection since 3rd grade. It’s from a friend of my Dad, David. Thank you! He is still in good condition!
This door knob goes to a secret hideaway in his room – really a large storage area. Once we make sure it is safe – we will let him play in there (when he gets really old)!
LB’s life verse – as we’ve been praying for him. My friend from Flagler, Karisse, made him this! Thank you!
My adorably talented best friend, Rachael, painted a little something for Baby Campbell for his nursery. Love it, friend!
I painted these for LB while my friend Gray was over (she was cooking). It was fun to be artsy!
This was Eric’s changing table. Thank you Oma and Granddad for the new pull knobs and thanks to Heather for the bedding! We ordered a special fit pad because it is a different size than standard for today
We keep all his storage stuff in there: diaper bags, diapers, bath goodies, meds, etc. Thanks to the Elders wives at FBCD for this useful gift!
This is the latest piece to the collection. This came in the mail from Oma and Granddad. Love it! Keepsake. They ordered it from Morgan Imports in Durham
We love the paint color and the light from this little window in his reading nook. The boat pen and ink is the mainstay in his room of the USS Constitution and thanks Mimi and Pops for the crib and Heather and Billy for all the bedding. The America map came from Peggy and Bekah – thank you! Can’t wait to start traveling with the little guy!
This sits on top and is a Scripture pic from my friend Kathy in St. Augustine. Such a beautiful reminder to pray Scripture over him!
So, what do we have left to do. I want to do more canvas art for his walls including a Calvin prayer that Mister loves for him. I want to paint the bookshelf red to match his room. And we want to get a little rug. The rug we had picked for his room doesn’t fit. So, we’ll have to use it somewhere else!
Thanks – and visit anytime, to see it in person!
by Kimberly | Feb 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Yesterday I visited my friendly neighborhood Whole Foods (I love that it is less than 2 miles from our new home) and walked out the door with this thought: “I gotta write a Danny Franks blog post”!
As I was standing in line I was casually listening to the customer in front of my interact with my cashier. The skinny jean wearing, burlap bag carrying customer was buying her very first Pacific Rose apple. She had never had it before. The cashier was telling her what kind of apples she did like and why she didn’t like red apples (the skin is too thick). The purpose of this blog isn’t to discuss apples, but to discuss how we can be like this Whole Foods cashier in our local church.
I’ve never met a rude or unfriendly Whole Foods cashier. They always want to talk to you, see how you are, they are interested in what you are buying, etc. This friendliness needs to happen in our churches as well. I’ve been in some grocery stores where the cashiers hardly speak to you, they have a scowl on their face, and just want to do their job. I’ve been in some churches where that is the case, too.
My husband and I recently visited a church in Orlando. The winning factor about this church was the friendliness of their people. We walked in and over to the Information desk to see where the nursery was in case we needed it for LB. Before we got to the desk, we were greeted by the pastor, then another person showed us where the cry room, nursing moms room, and nursery were located. Then he handed us a bulletin. We sat down in the back row, and before the service started at least 5 people came to talk with us: elders and regular members a like. While I could just claim they wanted to see baby – this was not the case. They were asking us about where we were from, why we were in Orlando, if we had been to this type of church before, how we heard of it, etc. What a great experience.
I’ve been in some churches that I was there the entire service and before and after and not one person spoke to me. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. I was greeted at the door and during the obligatory “shake hands” time a few in front of me turned around to say hi. That was it. That is a sad realization in most of our churches.
Here are some practical ways that you can make sure your church has a friendly atmosphere to those visiting, or even members.
1. Have someone at each door to greet those walking in. This may seem like a no-brainer but it doesn’t happen in every church. Even after the service starts, I would have someone in the main entrance because there are always late-comers.
2. Have a welcome time for first-time guests after the service. I say this because it is very awkward for first timers, especially unbelievers, to stand up or where a funky name tag, or wave their hands or something during the meet and greet. But, they will come to talk with some folks after the service.
3. As regular members of the church – talk to people. If you know them, if you don’t know them…talk. Say hello. Comment on a necklace. If you’ve never seen them introduce yourself and ask how long they’ve been coming to the church.
These are just a few examples. There are many more. Be creative. The church we are attending now is very good at friendliness before and after. We’ve been warmly welcomed here – even on the first Sunday we ever visited and no one knew who we were – it was great.
Make your church like a friendly, neighborhood Whole Foods: a company who loves what it offers and wants others to benefit as well!
by Kimberly | Feb 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
When your almost 5mo naps well and sleeps well at night, you have opportunity to think a lot. That is what I’ve been doing – and it isn’t easy on my heart, to say the least. The mister and I have had many conversations about discouragement in certain areas for me: good thing is he is a man who prays for his wife.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll always struggle with ________”? What that said person is saying, in my opinion because I say it too, is “the gospel isn’t big enough to cover that sin”.
Oh, how far we are from the truth when we assume that we will always sin or struggle with a certain sin – is the blood of Christ not richer and deeper than that said sin?
Instead of pointing fingers, I’ll speak about some areas that I have said that:
1. Weight/Food. I’ve been overweight since I was in 4th grade. Don’t know what happened. I was thin in 3rd grade, and pudgy in 4th grade and the pounds kept coming. Puberty? Too much eating? Family dynamics change? I don’t know, but I do know when it occurred. Since then I’ve either been overweight or thin – but never able to stay either place for long. I’ve eaten too much, grown out of my clothes, been too lazy to exercise on a consisten basis – then the scale numbers have gone up and I’ve been unhappy. (Note: I really think the Spirit being grieved in a believer’s life will make us sad.) And if the scale is going down or at a point where I want it to be: I concern myself with clothes or looks too much, counting calories too often and it consumes my every thought, or I judge those who are eating too much. Do you see how many sins are wrapped up in this one area of “overeating”
2. Patience – or my lack thereof. Here is one example where this has come to light in the last few months. If I have to repeat myself or feel like I am not being listened to, I get all huffy and repeat it in a snappy tone and very unloving to the one it is said to. Since when is pride and impatience a part of love?
So, do I really believe all this talk about the truth of the gospel and how He can penetrate and change every heart that is out there because He created every heart and all things were created for Him and to Him and through Him? Do I really believe that God has a grand plan for my life and it doesn’t include these sins or any other? Then why do I allow myself to struggle with such sins?
God is bigger. God is better. As a friend of mine said today about something totally different: “I can’t do this.” You are right, M, you are right. I can’t do this. But, the power of the gospel working daily in me to make me more like Christ can (Romans 8). I am reading Elyse’s new book on Comforts from Romans and I look forward to hearing the nuggets of truth ring in my head as I am reminded about the gospel once again. I am in daily need of it.
The phrase that the Spirit put in my head today is: Your heart must be Mine. And that is the truth. I need my heart to be captivated by Something so much better and bigger than me that I no longer desire to struggle with weight and food issues, impatience, bitterness, popularity, judgment.
Is the Gospel big enough in your life
by Kimberly | Feb 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
I’ve been doing a lot of dreaming lately and living in reality. So, I was thinking of how the two of these can live in harmony with each other.
My dreams are just those: dreams. I have many ideas in my head and I want to see them come to fruition and be reality. Some of my dreams include: cards, books, clothes, stages. There are a lot of specifics behind those very vague dreams, but know some of them are just tucked away.
But how do I examine these dreams in light of my current reality – which I love?
1. Live during today. Don’t dream away your reality. I love giving kisses to my 4mo little boy. I love cooking meals for my husband. I love making our house a home. I love shooting photos with my iphone and my Rebel. I love sitting on my red couch and hearing the giggles of Little Buddy. I love getting to know our church family and practicing hospitality at Rainwood. But, I dream in the quiet times of the day.
2. Journal. I have a whole box full of journals that need to be used up. I’m doing better at it. I need to write down my dreams and what I want to do with them. For me, I’m not too specific because I think that would be discouraging. But I put down just enough info or sketch just enough to bring a little life to those dreams.
3. Pray. A lyric of a hymn says this about discouragement “take it to The Lord in prayer.” That is my husband and I have been doing. Taking some of these ideas to The Lord and seeing what He will do with them. He knows the every minutes of your day and of your life. He knows what you were designed and called to do (Eph 2.10). He will make it clear and He does care.
4. Examine. Why do you want to do those dreams that you are dreaming? Are they for your glory? Are they for His? Are they for your good or the benefit of others? Some dreams will just be for you – but others will be designed to benefit others.
5. Accomplish. While not neglecting your tasks that you need to accomplish today (housework, caring for your family, working, taking care of your body, time in the Word, etc), then make those dreams a reality. See if God will accomplish great things through for His name and glory. Design little girl’s dresses like a friend of mine did, shoot photography for a living like other friend’s of mine have done and are doing, whatever it is – work, as unto The Lord, not unto men.
What is in your head and in your heart? How do you dream big? How do you live off paper?
by Kimberly | Feb 1, 2013 | food
A friend and I made an impromptu stop at an Asian market here in Little Rock yesterday. She was buying bok choy for a South Beach recipe she wanted to make that night. I got on my trusty phone and looked up recipes, found one, realized I had most everything, changed a few things things, and viola! a good recipe for the hubs and I! Enjoy it.
Spicy Asian Chicken & Bok Choy
The good thing about having a well-stocked kitchen is that you can be at the store and just need fresh ingredients when making a meal like this one. If you like to cook Asain foods, or want to get more into Asian cooking, here are some of the items you should invest in and have on hand: a wok, ginger (store in freezer), chinese 5 spice powder, Asian sesame oil, natural rice vinegar, soy sauce, stir fry sauce. You can make a lot with just those ingredients always on hand.
Spicy Asian Chicken and Bok Choy
1/2 cup chicken stock *I used homemade that I had leftover from cooking down my chicken bones – this saves money and tastes so mcuh better than store bought!
3 T soy sauce
1 T sherry cooking wine
1 T sugar
1 t cornstarch dissolved in 1 T water *Cornstarch is a thickener. In a seperate small bowl, stir the cornstarch and water together, then put it in with the rest
3/4 t natural rice vinegar
3/4 t Asian sesame oil
1 t crushed red pepper
Canola oil *You use this at different times during the recipe, and I used more than the original recipe called for. Your usage will be based on you stove, pan, and how saucy you want the finished product
1 lb white button mushrooms, stem removed, washed, sliced *To wash mushrooms, just dampen a paper towel and wipe them off, otherwise the spongy fungai will obsorb too much water
1 lb chicken breasts, thinly sliced *Salt and pepper this before cooking, I used 2 pinches of each
3/4 lb bok choy, thinly sliced *I just used the white part, not including the hard end which is bitter. Mine was baby bok choy, not the bigger full-grown version
1 medium red pepper, sliced then chopped in about 3/4 in pieces *Make sure you discard of the seeds and inner white part of the pepper, otherwise the dish will be too hot
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 tsp garlic *I used Gourmet Gardens (in a tube) – Thanks Jilly – love the smell of it!
Basmati rice
Supplies needed:
Cutting Board (2, one for the raw chicken)
Zester-grater (for ginger and/or garlic)
Sharp paring knife
Whisk
2 Small bowls
Large, shallow pan
Measuring spoons
Medium pan to cook rice in
Plate
Wooden spoon
This isn’t a hard recipe, just has several steps. And I did great till the very end and then baby started fussing, made me burn some of the rice. Oh, well. It was still yummy!
1. Chop all vegetables and chicken before starting. Will make it very easy just to dump everything to the pot
2. Mix the chicken stock through the red pepper and set aside.
3. Heat a large shallow pan with some of the canola oil. Saute mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
4. Take mushrooms out and place on plate.
5. Add more oil and cook chicken until browned but not cooked all the way through – about 4 minutes. When done, remove them from the pan and put on plate with mushrooms
6. Add more oil if necessary, saute bok choy and red pepper for a few minutes, then take out and put on plate.
7. Add liquid and seasonings (ginger and garlic) and just heat to make the ginger and garlic fragrant. Garlic has a tendency to burn quickly, so you want to act fast here.
8. Add the chicken and veggies and stir until all heated through and chicken is done.
9. Cook rice sometime during this process.
10. Serve on top of rice.
11. Enjoy!
by Kimberly | Jan 30, 2013 | life together, mothering, photo shoot
Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters.
S and A and their mom Jennifer are such sweet dear people. Jennifer and I go way back (to her middle school days) and I love the fact that me and my son get to be a part of their lives. For this session we were in Palm Coast, FL at Princess Place Preserves – never been there, want to go back. It is such an old Florida place – trees, moss, water, not a bazillion tourists around! Then we trekked back to St. Augustine and had lunch at her parent’s place and played on the beach with the seagulls!
Such sweet time!
Such a lovely place for an outing – Princess Place Preserve in Palm Coast, FL
Love those lips and that pout!
She had fun doodling in the sand
sweet back seat hugs
I wanna go to the beach mommy!
Thoise eyes!
What is all this white stuff?
Love that belly laugh!
So sweet little girl!
This is the “Mommy it is bright, I don’t want to look” face!
Such sisterly love!
Reading already! She’s brilliant!
Chasing seagulls
by Kimberly | Jan 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
Love her Valentine’s Day line of cards
Out of Central Florida
Oh cards just make me happy!
While i was in Orlando this past week, I was able to take the LB and get a quick peek into the exciting-to-me world of letterpressing. As most of you know, I love cards, make my own with my photography, and keep the post office in business by the amount of snail mail I still send out in an electronic world.
Pull up a seat in their store
9th Letter Press was introduced to me by a friend of the owner/designer, Isabel. She is creative and loves to doodle. How cool that she makes a living and blesses other people with her DOODLING! Sheli, the other runner of the show, seemed to handle the business side of affairs and handles the wholesale side of things – which they do a lot of right now.
For all the food lovers in your life? Color cards: red, yellow, green, and orange – coming your way soon!
These pens cards – I could by a whole slew of them!
I can’t show you a picture of the Valentine’s Day card I picked up for the Mister, but trust me, it is cute and he will love it (he also reads this blog sometimes, and I still want it to be a surprise. I could have dropped some serious money in there because everything I saw I could have found a purpose for and made your day by you receiving something so cute in the mail. They had feminine cards, generic cards, or cards that could be masculine in nature (cards to send to men are very difficult to find): fountain pens card and her nautical cards were among my favorite.
Wouldn’t you love to give this card to a certain Mister or Mrs? Or just get one in the mail from a friend?
I’m sponsoring a giveaway. One card that most people receive is a birthday card. So, there is a set of feminine gray and pink birthday cards (8 in total) ready to be sent out to the winner of this giveaway. Here are some ways you can enter – with each way giving you another chance for your name to be drawn:
These cards could be yours!
1. Leave a comment here and include which one of Isabel’s cards you would like to receive (visit her website).
2. Like KD316 on Facebook
3. Follow KD316 and Isabel9thLP on Twitter (and come back and leave your @handle on a comment)
4. Share this blog on your facebook page and tag me or KD316 in it.
This giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday, February 3 (for all you Super Bowl watchers) and I’ll announce the winner on Monday morning, February 4.
Thanks to Isabel and Sheli for allowing me to come and photograph their shop and get the scoop of letterpressing!
Pretty ribbons…makes all packages lovely
Monograms are all the rage – even in letterpressing.
by Kimberly | Jan 28, 2013 | Books
One of my favorite types of books is sermons-made-into-books. I can’t be in every church on Sundays or every chapel service (in this case) in every good education location in the country. I don’t have to take notes to hectically when they make the sermons into books – just take a pen and do some underlining.
Phil Ryken is one of my favorite thinkers and writers right now – gospel-based writing and life-application that can be put to use by almost anyone.
He charged these sermons to his students at Wheaton College where he serves as President. What better place to pray a series of sermons on grace than a college, right? Well, I found a new place: mommy-hood!
I never knew the demands of being a wife and mom could make you crave grace as much as it does. And in this world of social media – we live under scrutiny of so many others, if we allow ourselves. Do you eat organic? Do you have a weekly date night? Do your kids sleep through the night at 2 weeks old? Have you gotten back in your skinny jeans yet? Is your house like the latest style blog or lifestyle blog out there? The list continues into every realm of life.
I need grace. I loved these sermons by Ryken to remind me of the fact that I can do nothing without the grace of Christ! In his first chapter, he says that we must come to a humble conclusion that we absolutely NEED grace. We can’t do it all. Grace is all-sufficient though.
Grace is also sanctifying – but we will never be perfect in this life. We daily are being sanctified (Romans 8) but are daily in need of more sanctification. Grace does that.
Where do you need grace? This book might apply to whatever need you have – and supply it with the Truth that God offers you grace! And it far exceeds our performance!
