Inspired

I've been inspired. My friend Kendra has started a new job...she gets paid to blog. But not only that, she gets to go to Goodwill, buy stuff, flip it and GET PAID TO BLOG about it. Talk about an awesome job.

Needless to say that I've been making a lot of stops at Goodwill after reading her blogs (which I'm pretty sure is the purpose, lol).

Below is a plain, ordinary wicker tray. Usually I would've just walked right by this item because I didn't know what to do with it.

First, a coat (or two) of primer.

Next, the aqua. I don't think I would've ever picked this color, but I was trying to be bold.

There's a possibility that I had as much fun staging this picture as the project itself. But all that in just one day...crazy. And definitely a lot of fun.

It was a ridiculously easy project. Not to mention a perfect excuse to be crafty. Look for much more craftiness coming from this girl a lot more often.

(Click here to see the blog that inspired this craft project)

Happy crafting!

~A

Blogging.

I've said it before, but I am trying to blog more often.
I've also said before that I'm crazy.
I've started a tumblr account because it's a lot easier for me to blog from my phone with the app.
Yes, I will sill blog on blogger from time-to-time...but for now, follow me on tumbler to hear my rants more often.
Hope the rest of your summer is fantastic! =)
~AMC

So much change.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
 ¹ There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 ² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace



I have blogged about this verse more times than I can remember.
Since I have been constantly reminded about this verse for the past 4 years, you would think that I would have no issue with change.
Change, it's true, is uncomfortable, but growing up in a military family, you would think that I would have come more accustomed to it.
Wrong-o.
I'm more open to change, I think, because of my background, but I still get thrown for a loop each time.
There are so many major changes happening in my life this year. I have several friends getting married this year: 2 weddings have already happened and there are at least 5 to come, the latest in October. Friends having babies. And that is all just in the personal circuit.
At work, as of July 1, I will be a one-woman office. The last time that happened, the girl only lasted 2 months...pray for me. Not only that, but we have new people coming in the next few weeks and some people leaving after 20 years. I know that "...in all things God works for the good of those how love him who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) But, again, this doesn't make it easier.
With those people leaving at work comes added responsibility for me. Not only will I be basically doing the work of 2-3 people, but I will be the new adviser for BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) on campus.
I think I'm more nervous about that than anything else. I'm not a good public speaker...I've never claimed to be, but I'm praying that God knows what He's doing (and I have not question that He does, I just wish I knew what it was).
Wow, that's a lot to lay on after not blogging for a little over a month, but I'm sure I will be doing this way more often since I will have so much more time on my hands (haha). And as I seek advice from whoever still reads this thing.
That being said, I really should get back to work.
Thank you for those still reading, I apologize for complaining so much...that's (yet) another thing I'm still working on. Thank you for being patient with me.
I pray the Lord blesses each of you in a special and powerful way.

In Him.....
~A

Ageing? Aging?

It's been a common topic lately between various friends and myself of how many things are changing.

I was recently talking to my old youth pastor and his family...their eldest daughter, who was born on my 16th birthday, will be 10. Oh, the double-digits are so hard to believe. Their youngest will be 6 and they have another little one on the way.

My cousin, who I remember when my aunt was pregnant with him, who I held as a baby and fed him a bottle, told me in April on my trip to Ohio that he got his learner's permit....

When did all this happen? When did these little kids start growing up? When did I start getting old?

I know, I know, you're only as old as you feel, right?

I don't want to be cliche, but....it seems like just yesterday that Jack was born. Lianna and Talia too. I think part of the reason it's so weird is because I remember a time before them. A friend helped me realize that.

People get older. People get their learner's permits. They graduate high school. And college. Get married, have children. I know it's all a part of life.


"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Embrace Beauty. Love God. Live Life to the Fullest...

Today I am reminded of a quote from Pastor Kyle Lake who was killed in a freak baptism accident in 2005.


"Live. And Live Well. 
BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply.
Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. 
On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. 
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. 
Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time. If you bike, pedal HARD and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. 
If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all because soon he'll be wiping his own.
If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.
At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. 
If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke.
And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. 
And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. 
Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift"

Take some time today and this week to enjoy God's creation.  Even on a day like today when it's raining.

Have a great week! =)

~A

New Year's Resolution(s).

I don't normally have a New Year's Resolution.  Simply because I think they are kind of lame, to be completely honest.  I don't think that they are taken seriously because people (myself included) have already set in their minds that they will break them.

Instead, here are my goals for 2011:
Love harder. Live fuller. Laugh louder. Be nicer. Be intentional. Get reconnected.
Basically, be the best me.

I've become a little too complacent. I've been a bit lazy. I'm not as intentional as I once was. I don't feel like I show people how much I love and appreciate them as I used to.

I don't like that I've become this way and I wish I would have admitted it earlier to myself and not been in denial.

I pray that each of you have a blessed New Year. May the Lord continue to bless & keep you. =)

~A

An update 3 months in the making.

I realized today that haven't posted in about 3 months. So for all you readers out there--here's an update on the life of AMC:


October was a pretty great month.  It started out with the wedding of my childhood best friend to one of my classmates from 3rd-10th grades in GA. Such a beautiful wedding and I also got to spend time with my brother and his girlfriend. The 30th was my 25th birthday, so I tried to celebrate all month long (of course). The weekend started with a Friday night Halloween party (I was Ursula from The Little Mermaid). Saturday, I went to Charleston with my best friend and spent the day.  We walked around all day, stopped at a sport's bar to watch my GAMECOCKS beat Tennessee and went on a ghost tour (which was pretty lame, sadly). Sunday was Halloween and I went with my church's youth group to a corn maze, which was pretty hilarious.  The van I was in sang "Happy Birthday" to me on the way....which reminded me why I love them so much =). The month ended with a Halloween party (I was a flamingo this time because the Ursula costume was just a bit much) at one of my friend's house that I hadn't spent time with in a very long time.  Such a perfect month October was.


November was slightly less eventful, but a big new chapter started half way through. Something I didn't mention about October was that I interviewed for a job (within the university [[side note: if I've never mentioned it before I was an Admissions Counselor]] ). Basically an office switch and a pay increase.  On November 4th I found out that I got the job...the kicker? I was to start the new job on the 15th of that same month. A few things to note about my (at the time) current job.  I had a laptop that was work provided, as well as a cell phone.  I hadn't paid a cell phone bill in 3 1/2 years. As if that weren't enough to worry about, I had to also not share this information until I was "officially" offered the job. Which didn't happen until the 10th. My (then) boss knew about it, but I couldn't share it with the others in my office or anywhere else on campus. It was a rough week & a half.  So when I finally got to tell everyone, it was such a relief, but the I had to finish tying up some loose ends and pack everything up. I still had a few commitments the week of the 15th that I finished out with the Admissions Office, so it was a crazy and VERY tiring week. That Saturday (11/20) was the one year anniversary of my Grandfather's death; I still miss him a lot and think of him all the time. The next week was Thanksgiving, which I spent with some close friend and their HUGE family (when I say HUGE, that's no exaggeration...there were about 60+ people there and that was a DECREASE from the previous year when there was 125+).


That brings us to December...oh December. Although not much has occured, it's been a good month so far. I will be leaving on Thursday to visit my parents in OH & going to IL to see family for the Christmas holiday season. I'm looking forward to some crazy fun times; as is normal when my family is involved. I know that I have a hockey game to look forward to next Monday....a legit NHL team (Go Columbus Blue Jackets!!). I will be continuing my preparation after work with some more packing and a load or two of laundry. 


Tomorrow is the last day of work for the year and not a moment to soon. I need a break from this crazy records stuff.
At 13 minutes until the work day is over, I finish this blog....listing to episodes of LOST in the background. 
Happy Tuesday afternoon to everyone. Merry Christmas to you and yours & a Happy New Year (just in case it takes me 3 months to post again).


Until next time....
~A

Mr. Raccoon

As a result of drinking an entire cup of (Starbucks) coffee last night around 10ish, I was unable to sleep. The only upside to this situation is that I am currently at Ocean Isle Beach, NC, for a Youth Leaders Retreat. So after not getting to sleep by 2 o'clock, I went down to the second floor to sleep on the couch.

I slept for about an hour and woke up again, wide awake. The house we are staying in it is practically on the beach (meaning there are no houses directly in front of ours, but we are still not directly on the beach). So I decided to go sit on the porch to listen to the ocean.

After about 20 minutes of just sitting, I walked back inside to grab some almonds from the kitchen and went back to sit on the porch.

About 4:30AM I felt something brush against my foot. Not really thinking anything of it, I looked down to see what it was. I didn't scream because I thought it was a cat, but after a few seconds I realized that it was actually a raccoon.

That's right, a raccoon at my feet.

The funny thing is he was definitely not scared in the least bit. He looked at me as if saying, "Alright lady, give me some almonds."

After unsuccessfully "shooing" him and even trying to throw a few almonds away from me I ended up hopping up on the bench I was sitting on to try to get him away.

I ran to the door, quickly checked behind me to make sure he wasn't following and jumped in the house.

I watched from the window while he walked around a bit, knocked down a coffee mug that was left outside and casually walked down the stairs.

Definitely the strangest thing that's happened to me in a while.

I hope you enjoyed the story and got a laugh out of it. I also hope you enjoy the picture below of the beautiful Ocean Isle sunrise this AM.

Happy Friday & Happy weekend!

Much love,

A

It's FINALLY here!!

The first day of Fall classes! It may not officially be Fall yet, especially since it's 79 degrees outside, muggy, and FEELS like 85. Even so, school is back in the air.
So, today, I have 2 things for you readers out there.
First, a picture for your viewing pleasure. I confess, I took this last October in Illinois, but it makes me feel good on a day like today...

Second, a song. Same Fall theme...and back-to-school. I especially like the Jack Johnson version of the song, naturally.

Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are going to be friends
Yes I can tell that we are going to be friends
Walk with me Suzy Lee
Through the park and by the tree
We can rest upon the ground
And look at all the bugs we've found
Safely walk to school without a sound
We safely walk to school without a sound
Well here we are no one else
We walk to school all by ourselves
There's dirt on our uniforms
From chasing all the ants and worms
We clean up and now it's time to learn
We clean up and now it's time to learn
Numbers letters learn to spell
Nouns and books and show and tell
Play time we will throw the ball
Then back to class through the hall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
And we don't notice any time pass
Because we don't notice anything
And we sit side by side in every class
The teacher thinks that I sound funny
But she likes it when you sing
Tonight I'll dream in my bed
While silly thoughts run through my head
Of the bugs and alphabet
And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
That you and I will walk together again
Because I can tell that we are going to be friends
I can tell that we are going to be friends

Happy Thursday to you all and have a great school year to all you educators and students out there! =)

Puerto Rico: Day 7

Friday...:

That morning we got up early to clean the church and get everything packed up to head home.

We spent the morning walking around Old San Juan...which is definitely a different experience in the day than at night. We had an opportunity to just walk around and enjoy PR a little more and get souvenirs...which I must say, I didn't really buy many...with intention...I wanted my souvenirs to be my pictures. Hope noone hates me for that. Oh well.

But we got to the airport and almost missed our plane. It was crazy...but the San Juan airport is definitely different from any airport I've been to in the states.

In the end, it was very strange when we landed in Charlotte to think that we had been walking around in Old San Juan that morning.

I wanted to do a blog for each day and tomorrow I'll probably post after our sharing service at church more about how God worked in my life and share the group video and some other experiences....so that's all for now =)

Puerto Rico: Day 6

Thursday...:

Thursday was our last full day in PR and our last day of ministry....

I forgot to say that I didn't have coffee AT ALL on Sunday, Monday OR Tuesday...I know, I know...I'm surprised too, but it happened. The ladies that cooked lunch for us all week were amazing and they made some BANGIN' cafe!!! =) It was so amazing!! It definitely made up for not having any for 3 days =)

We did VBS again...which was even more fun than Wednesday's. You could definitely tell the kids were willing to listen to what we had to say and were willing to listen as well. And it was very hard leaving the kids after lunch...we even had one kid who asked us not to leave and to come to his house. It was so adorable.

Thursday was also somewhat of a free afternoon. We went and took team pictures on the beach and gave the youth the option of going back to the sports camp our hanging out at the beach. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the amount that stayed the whole time at the sports camp. Everyone else went to the beach for about an hour and then went to the camp for the second hour.

The church we worked at also had kind of like a thank you service for us Thursday night. It was very sweet and they even had someone in the church who has a "reggaeton" group come and sing a couple of songs....you can see there myspace page by clicking here. And I have to say that even though we couldn't understand the lyrics, you could tell that they loved the Lord and the lyrics glorified Him.

*stay tuned for the last installment of PRMT2010....