twenty+21

Yesterday (July 29th), my "new" experience was being at the ER. I've been in emergency rooms many times with many different people and I used to work in a hospital, but I always wished I could be a fly on the wall and photograph families and the patients to capture once in a lifetime moments; good and bad. I tried to discretely do this last night and I think it kind of turned out cool. I didn't just go there to take pictures, I was there for a friend..just so you know I'm not THAT crazy.

Tonight I witnessed my husband build a cross and then I watched as broken teenagers nailed their struggles to it.

Love, BC

p.s. You know you're a germaphobe when you don't want to touch the hand sanitizer dispenser to sanitize your hands.

p.s.s. I'm realizing all the more how "new" things just happen naturally in my life. I don't even have to seek them out. Amazing.

all's fair in 18 and 19

Have you ever experienced that feeling of wanting to reveal everything about yourself for those who care, but not wanting to give too much to those who won't understand? Blogs make me feel that way. In my opinion a good blog is an art for the author. Don't write too much and show all your cards and don't write too little to where your reader doesn't want to take a walk with you in "real life".

I like people who like intelligent conversation and can understand exactly what I mean when I leave loose ends in my sentences. Unfortunately, I don't find these kind of people very often.

"Live your life like a blog" could be a good motto, but then again, maybe the world should see something different in a time where everyone either thinks they're going to be famous or are so gaurded they bore you to death.

Anyways, I'm not saying be gaurded at all times with everyone, I'm just simply saying if you have a blog and your "reader" is not approved by friend request then you should write about what you need to to make people see a glimpse of what you are about, but leave parts of your soul sacred for the people who love every peice of it and don't care what you look like when you wake up in the morning.

That said, this has been a very candid post, so maybe I showed too much..or maybe just enough to make you come back tomorrow.

Love, BC

p.s. Yesterday (18) was: sitting on the rooftop at the airport watching the airplanes land and take off.


Today (19) was: reading my new biography on Einstein. Can we become genuis or are we born with it?

17 again

Lots more new experiences today!
First, my outfit was very Alice In Wonderland, which I loved.

I spent the day missing my huz and laughing it out with my sister dear.

(Yes, that's a sticky note that says "I eat my boogers". We found it on a wall. People are strange.)
I listened to my Grandfather tell me war stories for a little while, one of my favorite things to do, and then went on a wild search for special candy for my Grandmother.

I ended up in a casino eating gellato and purchasing some vintagy shoes from a thrift store.

Here is a photo of my sisters yugey dog, Titus. He's just a pup and a super cutey, don't ya think?

Well, that was my day!
Thanks for reading, but caring is commenting! Atleast when it comes to blogs. Haha!

Love, BC

p.s. You should really follow me on Twitter. Just saying. @bethawho

p.s.s. Watch your hashtags.

super blog *16

Today has been a beautiful day! Because it has been so pleasant, I have dedicated a super blog to it. I did more than one "new" thing too and the day isn't even over yet! Here's what I have done so far.

Katie and I bought bubble wands.


Then made lemons into lemonade.


Then made a peanut butter and jelly pizza.


Currently nursing my mammoth tummy ache, I leave you with the promised excerpt from my personal journal.

In case you can't read it- "If my works are not enough, Lord don't make me tough, make me broken." from July 18th,2010.

Love, BC


p.s. I have chosen my "special commenter", but I have to wait till I get home to post about them! I haven't forgotten!

p.s.s. I love my readers!

alone time *15

My bffs for the night.

Today I made a trip to my parents house to spend some time with them.

When I got here the first thing I did was go to my Dad's church and get alone with God.
The silence was mesmerizing and astounding. I haven't been "alone" in what feels like forever, and to begin to try to tell you how therapeutic and lovely this was for me would be impossible and a terrible injustice.

I wrote some, prayed some, and more. We had a blast together.


Love, BC

p.s.
I hope this particular blog inspires you to discover something new in the silence of an open room and the presence of an awesome God. To quote a book I saw today, "Be still and let your nail polish dry!". Ha!

p.s.s.
If you comment I will leave a private excerpt from one of my journals in my next blog! I know you're reading, so tell me something interesting!

tea with 14

Today I enjoyed a lovely green tea with honey and fresh lemon (for the first time, of course)!
This may be boring to you, but, my word, I adored it!
I've had green tea before, but never with honey AND fresh lemon. It's a new favorite.
That's all.

Love, BC

p.s. I am going to visit my family this weekend so the next few posts are going to be super duper special! Leave your comments!

13 for btc

Yesterday (July 22nd) was the first day of collecting donations for the charity I started, Bring The Change!
We set up shop at the FAA Conference and have collected a few dollars here and there so far.
The official launch is in September so keep a look out for us and make a donation, people!!

Love, BC

p.s. Bring The Change is a compassionate movement designed specifcally to aid families and business affected by the oil spill. Donations will be given to sponsered families/business, but events and outreaches will take place for the entire city of Pensacola. Starting in September we will launch community volunteer opportunities, free concerts, crusades with special guest speakers and more! To get involved with BTC look for us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @btcnow!

11 the halo and 12 the mold

Yesterday I made a "halo" headband for the first time.I really love "halos" so I decided to make one of my own, because they're super hard to find.
I bought some jersey material and googled how to make some fabric rosettas and bam!
The process of making it was fun! It gave me a fever to design and sew!
Ah, bliss.

Today I did something not as interesting...I've always wanted to make a jello mold..so I did.
How this is an act of worship, I'm not exactly sure, but it made me smile and I'm sure God likes that. It was histerically easy, which was good because this week has been extremely busy!Tomorrow I will show you the finished result. I can't wait to see if it works. Cross your fingers!!

Love, BC

10 reasons

Today I went to adoption class for the first time. Yes, adoption class.
I've always wanted to adopt a child and I know some people might not understand, but oh well.
In making the decision to pursue this I came across a whole lot of "practically thinking" questions and conversations. But, honestly, how do you make a list of the top 10 reasons you should and shouldn't adopt? I can't come up with 10 reasons not to.
I'm not saying it's for everyone, I'm just telling my story.
One day I will tell my son or daughter, biological or not, these are the 10 reasons why I love you. In my opinion, knowing the love I do, I just cant find any reason to not love and protect a child who needs it.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Love, BC

nine

This was my least favorite project so far.
I know that's probably a horrible way to start off a post, but I just do NOT like to draw. I'm terrible at it. I attempted to make a self portrait, which I thought would be fairly easy, but it's like you have to evaluate everything that's ever happened to you in order to make an adequate representation and even then it just looks like a mess, which might actually be an adequate representation of me after all, haha! Oh well, you be the judge.
It kind of turned into more of a creative journaling attempt, so I might try again on the self portrait thing. Maybe a photography peice would be a little better for me, I don't know.
You have no idea what I did to this little innocent paper to get it to look like this. In conclusion I have discovered I am not supposed to draw...ever. I might get into some more creative journaling tho!
I don't even want to call it a self portrait. It looks as if I see myself as confused, but I really don't I promise! Haha! I just have no idea how to draw or to make anything that comes out of a marker look nice. I didn't even want to post it, but this is supposed to be a raw and honest adventure so here it is, for all to see.
Of course, I reccomend you try it for yourself. It really does make you think. What would you say about yourself if you could only say it through a marker and a peice of paper?

Love, BC

7 to the 8

the new pirate


Today I held a parrot for the first time!
I conquered somewhat of a fear..I'm not very fond of birds. Holding one actually made me want to buy it...um, it bit me a few times, but my fingers survived, thank God.
I loved the way their little claws felt, they grip your finger like a baby, it's pretty cute. Anyways, I look like a pirate in this picture, I know...in this photo I was trying to soothe the bird with clucking noises so it wouldn't bite me because it seemed to be paniced, which is why my face looks like this. Ha.

Also, yesterday (Friday the 16th) I didn't get a chance to post because it was another crazy busy day, but I Skyped with my sisters for the first time! It was VERY fun. Here are some photos..




My first week of new experiences was pretty astounding. I loved every minute!
Can't wait for more!

Love, BC

p.s. I'm choosing a commenter next week to be the topic of one of my blog posts so COMMENT NOW to be included!! You won't regret it!

number 6

Yesterday, Schmecca Mowen and I visited a Barnes & Noble, wrote inspiring notes on index cards and stuck them randomly into soon to be purchased books/journals. It was quite fun. Maybe YOU will find a note from us if you search through the B&N in Pensacola!

Love, BC

p.s. Special thanks to Schmecca.

p.s.s. Special love to all who have commented & messaged me about this blog, it's encouraging to know you care!

party of 5

My challenge today was to walk up to a stranger in line at Panera (where Curtis and I had lunch) and purchase their meal. Sounds simple enough, and it was! Even though I was afraid they would think I was crazy..even though I got nervous at the last minute and even though it took me forever to choose who I thought needed a surprise the most! I worked up the nerve to say, "Excuse me....I'm writing this blog..".

In that moment my day was made. Blessing a complete stranger gave me immeasurable joy. No strings attached, no gimmic, no reason other than...I have enough, so I'm giving it away.

I met two sweet ladies Sarah and Christina and put smiles on their faces. Looks of shock were also there, but I'm sure their lunch was a little sweeter because it was a gift, at least I hope it was!

I'm loving this new adventure!

Love, BC

4 Lindiwe

Today I did something I have been wanting to do for years. I sponsered my first child with World Vision!

Lindiwe is a Hope Child living in an area of Zimbabwe affected by the aids crisis.

Curtis and I were all chocked up when I pushed the button to confirm our donation and were snapping photos with our phones of her little picture on the screen. To last us until we get our picture that will take up permanent residence on our fridge, I'm sure.

Today, all day, the Lord kept whispering to me, "Do not be afraid." and to me, this means more than you may know or understand. He knows just what I need to hear and in response to hearing his voice and realizing his love and grace towards me I didn't need to feel "called" to act on it, I just did. Maybe you do know the impact of a whisper from Jesus and if you do you should never be afraid to act on it...not afraid of what people may think or say or even about how it will impact you financially. Forgiveness is the pay-off, mercy is the profit, love is the return!

I'm posting the link to World Vision's website in case this inspires you to sponser a child as well!

Love, BC

http://www.worldvision.org/

p.s. I sponsered a child from Zimbabwe because my lovely friend Rita Springer does work with World Vision and has been given the children in Zimbabwe to find sponsers for through her ministry! If you would like to do this as well here is the link to her website. http://www.ritaspringer.com/

oragami 3

deadliest catch

Let me just say, I enjoyed my 3rd project: attempting oragami! The whole process was pretty much me laughing at myself.

I made a boat, a rabbit and a life size elephant. I had to get some help from Curtis...well mostly he did the elephant..and the rabbit. Oragami will test your patience. I did complete the boat on my own, tho!!

I have discovered a fun passtime, but I can't say that it will be one of my favorites. I wasn't that good at it. I would be surprised if any one was right off the bat. But, hey, try it if you haven't before! It's surprisingly fulfilling when you complete folding a peice of paper.

I think I might decorate with them, they're pretty lovely!

Love, BC

p.s. Follow me on twitter @bethawho!

p.s.s. Have you done anything new lately?

2 letters

The first thing I thought of to do in my new gratitude and worship resolution was to write a letter to each of my Grandmothers telling them how much they mean to me and how their presence in my life has made a difference in many magnificant ways.

Recently, both of my Grandmothers have seen testing times. As I watch as they get older, their hearts physically seem to be failing and their memories are fading as well. Before the sun sets on their lifetimes I wanted to seize the opportunity to let them, and you, know that they are amazing women and I am who I am because of their love.

As I was thinking about family, I wondered how many of us just discard some members when they are of no use to us. Not that we "use" them in the first place, but I know how it is to get older and busier and suddenly disconnected in ways you vowed to never be. It's just something to think about.

Who says we can only spend time in person? Letter writing is amazing...even better: letter writing by candlelight! (The photo is a little grainy because the power went out as I was writing, which was fine by me.) An envelope with pages contains so many words that are promises, dreams, memories and secrets. It's instantly more special than any email could ever be because it carries so much with it. Mine bore tears, the scent of a burning candle and the touch of my kitchen countertops.

Lesson learned today...don't assume they know, tell them.

2 letters, first day, happy.

Love, BC

365 days of a new song

In my endless search for inspiration it finally dawned on me that I should and very well can just inspire myself. Instead of reaching for the next trendy method of living life or icon to model myself after by being fashionably obscure, why not just create my own method, my own melody and my own way of discovering the world, all the while offering up a new kind of worship to the God of creation?

This blog is dedicated to my story of 365 days of worship through acts of kindness and the expression of my creativity by experiencing new things with Jesus. This blog will chronicle, 7 days at a time, my fresh findings and challenges to myself for all the world to see.

I am inspired by the thought of offering a new song by acts of living, breathing and touching the world that the God I adore has created. In yearning to create something new inside worship as we know it, I have decided to redefine it altogether. Worship is honoring God by living, blessing the Lord by believing and sharing the beauty of His love and forgiveness with others.

This is my new song.

Tomorrow the journey officially begins!

Love, BC

p.s. Don't be a stranger: if this blog in some way inspires you, please, join in my 365 days of worship challenge and post pictures of yourself experiencing new things that honor God!