The Nativity Story

Kinda like the Parisian Love Google search commercial... but funnier ;]





Orginally found on CNN (better quality there). Waaaatch it! It's funny :]

beautiful people

A month or two ago, I was browsing through Francis Chan's (well-known pastor from SoCal) website and blog and came upon this post under his Updates.  It made an impression on me.

 

For context, Lisa is Francis' wife and Emily Chapman is Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter!

 

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September 2010

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

 

Last week, I met some of the most beautiful people…  Lisa and I flew to Nashville to film a television show that raised awareness for the 140 million orphans in the world (www.cryoftheorphan.org).  There we met couples that had adopted several kids out of difficult situations.  Some of the children had special needs, and some had medical issues that meant they probably did not have long to live.  Their desire was to show these children as much love as possible during their time on earth.  It was an amazing picture of the love of Christ.  We were inspired.

During dinner, we were speaking to Emily Chapman.  She was telling us about their orphanage in China.  Lisa and I told her that we were going to be in China soon and would love to visit.  We also expressed our desire to adopt any child that was in need.  She proceeded to tell us about a beautiful little boy that she thought would fit perfectly into our family.  We got pretty excited.  Then she explained that the boy had a spinal injury, so his legs did not work… 

After dinner, I asked Lisa, “Did you feel what I felt?  Were you excited until she mentioned that he couldn’t walk?”  We had a long talk that night, examining our lives.  We saw that God was revealing to us our self-centeredness. God did not adopt us because we were perfect.  He loved us because He is love.  He rescued us because He saw our need.  Having His Son die was not the convenient thing to do.  It was painful, sacrificial, and an amazing display of love. 

So we are starting the process of adoption.  We don’t know how long it will take or everything it involves.  If the Lord wills, it will work out for us to take in this little boy.  We know it will mean a huge adjustment to our lifestyle, but we also believe that he will be a major blessing in our lives.  While there is so much unknown, we are at peace.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."    James 1:27
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I could totally hear his voice and the way he would've said, "Did you feel what I felt?  Were you excited until she mentioned that he couldn’t walk?”  That part, that whole paragraph resonated with me because I know I'm lazy, I know I'm self-centered, and too often I don't do thing because they are not convenient.  But to be reminded of Jesus' great love for us, even though I'm lazy and selfish, is a bucket of ice water.  Modern conveniences make life... more convenient.  But loving and serving others, whether that is your brother or sister at church, or the homeless man on the street, takes effort and is frankly, often inconvenient.  But God's love for us surpasses that, so our love for others should as well.

Christmas is a grand time.  Though often clouded by pretty light displays and presents.  But it was only the beginning.  The start of the mission Jesus was rocketed to earth for.  Fueled by love.
              

tmnt key cover!

I unintentionally ended up spending 4 hours in Hahhhvard Square!  First it was the changing the name at the bank.  Apparently California BofA has it's own system separate from the rest of the country!  Then I wandered about, buying things I shouldn't buy, going to the post office to send off some packages and cards (fastest post office experience when there was a line though!), and then discovered a store that sells European food goods (and accidently buying things there too).

But lookie what I found at Urban Outfitters!!!  :-D 

Now I'm gonna go see if it actually fits on my key and go write some more Christmas cards!

                               

TMNT anything is cool!

13 days since my last post?!  OH man!  Sorry for slacking.  Been a-busy.



Is "need" too strong a word when I say I need these?

(Source)

They're keycaps btw...  And I've been looking for keycaps!  Don't know why Donatello looks a little pink though.  o_O
                      

Thanksgiving cards

I like cards. I like sending cards.  I like receiving cards.  So naturally, I wanted to send cards for Thanksgiving.  :]  I didn't want to buy a pack and only get like 6 cards, so I made my own!  With some "3D" self-adhering stickers that were on sale at Target and some cardstock I already had.

The short-front collection

The full-front collection

And these are some of my favorites:

I think this was the best of the batch, and my mommy got it  :]

Tim actually ended up taking this one and writing me a Thanksgiving note.  :-P 

I really like the orange + grey.  I thought it was kind of... modern.

Pumpkies!  This one went to the in-laws.

I think the cousin got this cheery apple one.  :]

I started with a minimalistic look.  Then thought about printing out "Happy Thanksgiving" and slappin' it somewhere on the front.  Got lazy and went with the minimalistic look.  :-P  I have a few that I haven't sent yet.  They were suppose to be Thanksgiving cards and then it would've arrived too late so I was like "paaawsh, I'll send them later," and then Thanksgiving passed, and I still haven't sent them.  So now they will be fall-is-on-its-way-out/"Merry Christmas even though this isn't a Christmas card but I'll probably be too busy to make those" cards.  :-P

Who wants one?
                      

PSSA: Boots!

Whoo hoo!  I can load images now.  (Thanks for the tip Penga!  But I didn't care enough, went shopping instead and now it fixed itself.  haha.)

So.  Sears is not the first place I think of when I think of buying boots.  But they have boots!  For $30!  Granted they are not Grade A fancy pants boots, but if you're looking for fashion boots that won't necessarily touch snow or really need to keep you warm (ahem, Californians) and you're on a budget, give Sears a try!  I tried Target and even looked at Macys but they either had funny looks, sold out of my size, or were just too expensive.

Sear is currently have a boot sale and it seems like most of them were $30 for mid-calf boots and $25 for booties.

I got these:

Canyon River Blues Women's Taylor - Smooth Slouch Boot in Black

They also have this style, also called "Taylor" in suede.  I actually liked the style a lot better.  However even though they seem to be the "same boot" with different material, the smooth "leather"-esque one was more comfortable.  Here's the suede one in grey:

Canyon River Blues Women's Taylor in Grey Suede

The guy who helped me get shoes from the back was really nice, friendly and helpful.  The first pair of the smooth Taylor's he gave me had this "mark" on it (looked like a pencil mark) so like a good Chinese person, I asked if they had another pair in the back.  He kindly brought me another mark-free pair.

Canyon River Blues Women's Dylan

I really liked these.  A lot.  They were suede and had some buckle strap things going on.  My favorite part actually the print lined inside!  But I think they ran a little long for my feet.  Like if it not squishy in the front, I could feel the heel lifting when I walked.  So I had to pass.  {sadface}

Then I found this pair!  Even though I normally would say I don't do "furrry," they looked really comfortable.

Canyon River Blues Women's Riley

So I tried them on and they were SUPER comfortable!  However, they were scuffed all over!  They were super busy so I felt bad asking him to bring me another pair just because of some scuffs.  Like one pair yes.  A second pair, I can think of some names to call myself.  :-P  If they weren't so busy I would've definitely done it but eh.  This pair, especially since it's brown and I don't seem to own too many things that go with brown anymore, would be the "casual," shove my feet into when going out pair.  It was also $30 and seemed more "cold-weather" capable.  The scuffs did make me think about how they might last since they would get even more scuffed up in the real world!  Like if they were getting that scuffed up being tried on in the store, would they survive the outdoors?!  But they were comfy.  *sigh*  Perhaps I will get it the next time I go.  I also contemplated getting Costco-"Uggs" instead (which are also $30 and would be better quality) but my husband think those are ugly and I'm not a huge fan of the look.   Heard they're comfy though.

But finally some boots!  Though they seem more on the "formal" end and casual ones would be more useful on the daily basis.  :]

Old Navy Perfect Khakis

Then I used this Old Navy 30% off coupon and got some grey khakis for $14!  :-D  I didn't actually want them in this light grey [aka earl grey] but it was the only pair on the entire shelf in my size in short!  :(  I think the bootcut khakis are $30 and the flares are $20 but I asked and they just gave me the khakis for $20, then plus the 30%!  Sweet deal.  :]

                    

broken blogger!

I've been trying to share my Thanksgiving cards, but I can't seem to post images!! :( This is been the case since yesterday :( I wonder if it's just my account since other people have been posting!

So... I will just wish Kevin a wonderful birthday and happy Friday to everyone!! And share this new comedian I just discovered, Joe Wong:



Strong accent, slightly awkward, but super funny :]  Also found out he's from the Boston area, so hopefully we can catch a show sometime!

Who has awesome weekend plans? Or non-awesome ones?

ACDC's annual report

Besides the slow posting due to Thanksgiving last week, this has also been what has been keeping me busy at work for the past month of my life.  :] 

Well... the front and back cover of a 24 page annual report at least!  You might be bored to death if I posted the entire thing.  :-P  (Unless you are interested in real estate development in affordable housing and what we've done this past year!)  But if you insist on reading it (or at least looking at the pictures) I can email you the PDF!  It was definitely the biggest design project I've worked on... that wasn't just for my own entertainment.  If I had more time and such, I would make it cooler.  hahah.  But as it is, I do stuff and other people approve.  And there was the whole deadline thing of getting it in time for our annual meeting & dinner last night.  (Where I finally got to hold it in my hands in print!)  The report is nothing spectacular, design wise, but I'm pretty proud of it.  Perhaps that is the case with anything you spend a month nursing!

Now I'm off to edit a bunch of pictures I took from said annual meeting.  How do you fix too-bright flash?!

Ah!  I still have to post about my Thanksgiving/Fall cards!  And of course, I was going to go boot shopping today but the sky decided to rain.  {shakes head}  And my Gmail background decided to show it's SNOWING.  (Which is not true.)

                   

the costco way!

Tim and I joke I was more excited to get our Costco membership than getting married.  Which by the way, we have been for SIX MONTHS as of yesterday!  :]  Married that is.  It's kind of crazy that it has seemed so long (in a good way! haha) yet so short.  :]

Anyway, last weekend (after Thanksgiving) Costco gave away complimentary copies of their annual cookbook!  There are a ton of recipes under the categories of breafast, appetizers, beverages, salads and soups, side dishes, Chef's choice, entrees, and desserts!  All the ingrediants are things you can find at Costco!

Smart Cooking The Costco Way 2010

My dad texted me about the free book like... Friday evening and we were too busy lazy to go to Costco that weekend.  He said I could have their copy.  :-P  BUT!  It is also ONLINE!  In a handy dandy PDF!  As well as their past NINE years of cookbooks.  :]

Here is the link to past Costco cookbooks PDFS  (Scroll down a little, to the left)

For some reason, the links on that page get all scrunched up at the bottom so the last cookbook I'm able to click on is 2004.  So incase you also have this problem and want 2002 and 2003, here is the link to some person's blog that has them all!  (Scroll to bottom of post)

Your recipe collection has now expanded a bajillion fold.  :]