Simplify: Round 1

This week we gathered together our 1st set of 7 things to simplify our lives. Here is the run down with some reflection scattered in:

1.

I started with some purses and bags that I never use anymore. I may eventually have more in this category to give away but we started with 3 this time.

2.

Shoes. I have WAY too many.

3.

At first I thought this might be a cop out category but then I realized just how many boxes we were keeping around the house. All of these made their way to the recycling bin.

4.

As I started to clean out, I realized that our dog has more "clothes" and toys than some children I know...and I'm not exaggerating. She had three of those ropes you see pictured.

5.

We have way too many extra sets of sheets....that we have never needed even in the "just in case" moments I've been saving them for.

6.

See above except replace sheets with towels.

7.

We bought this bed skirt to go with our King size bed and then realized we don't need a bed skirt. I don't think we need to keep it anymore.

And as the grand finale here is all of our "stuff" from the first week.

Honestly I didn't expect this first round to be as difficult as it was. There are several items we know we are ready to give up but that's only 3 or 4 out of 40 (and they are still to come)! I felt most challenged this week by the amount of stuff we have even just for our dog. I cleaned 1 of her baskets...that didn't count the one she got for Christmas or her treats, or medicine, or shampoos....

Lent 2012

That is this year's Lenten theme in our house.

In Manna & Mercy, a retelling of the biblical story, Daniel Erlander talks about lessons learned during the "Wilderness School" (aka the Exodus). One of the lessons is that when we hoard the manna that God provides, it rots and stinks.

Our house and lives are filled with things that we don't use or need. Even though pop culture defines hoarding by what it sees on TLC's "Hoarders," I think it's only fair that we too accept that label.

We have too much.

So...

This year we are agreeing to give up 40 items, 1 for each day of Lent. This can include anything on our property but can't just be petty things. For instance, 1 magazine does not count. A grouping of magazines, however, does count for 1 item. The things that are in good condition will be donated and items in bad condition will be thrown away. In addition, we will not be spending extra money on things like clothes, DVDs, shoes, jewelry, etc. We will only be spending money for necessities like our mortgage, bills, and groceries.

Follow us on the journey as we work to simplify our life.

The Revs.

I have been in the process for several months now of pursuing ordination through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. For us, that means going through a local church congregation. After many months of conversation and after meeting with my ordination council last week, I have been approved for ordination on March 11 at Wilshire Baptist Church!

This is an exciting step in my ministry career as it offers affirmation of my call from the community of faith that helped me to begin this journey.

Here are some answers to the FAQ about my ordination:

1. Does this mean you are leaving First Church?

No. Other than being a Rev. and being able to wear stoles, this won't change a whole lot about the ministry position I am in currently.

2. Why CBF and not the Methodists?

Because CBF is my denominational home and is where I plan to serve in the future.

3. Why now?

I put off ordination after graduating from seminary because I wasn't really sure I wanted to work in the local church. In order to be true to what I believe ordination means, I decided to wait until I was more certain of my call. My work at First Church has affirmed my desire to serve in and through the local church.

4. So you and Matt will both be Revs?

You better believe it!

The Mags

I found these pictures and realized I never shared them here. This crocheted hat (in case you're wondering, no way...I didn't make it myself) was Maggie's Christmas present.

I'd seen another Boston wearing one on Pinterest and felt like Maggie Mae had to have one too! I don't think she loves it as much as Matt and I do but it's the funniest thing you have ever seen and keeps her little head warm in the cold.

(also, we discovered that Maggie has a small head for a Boston...the hat is the smallest you can buy but won't really stay on)

Scrabble Coasters

With the arrival of new nightstands, we needed new coasters (obviously). I showed Matt some Scrabble (go ahead and make fun of us for liking to play Scrabble...) coasters I'd seen on Pinterest and he was bound and determined for us to make our own! It turned out to be a fun little DIT (that would be do-it-together) project.

We spent several days with tiles scattered everywhere trying to figure out what we wanted to spell out. Once we'd decided, Matt hot glued them onto some cork board:

And voila! New coasters. This one is mine. And I love it!

Happy 2012!

I know I am very late but Happy New Year!

We drove home on New Year's Eve so we basically welcomed 2012 with a good night's rest in our new bed because neither of us could keep our eyes open til midnight. But we have a lot of exciting things to look forward to in 2012 and I can't wait to see where all of our adventures take us.

As for our goals in 2012?

-decrease our debt

-add in a new core class to the workout routine (ok, that might just be MY resolution but I keep telling Matt to come along too!)

-read more, watch TV less (hello reading nights, where have you been?)

-find another fun adventure to take together

-cook more food, buy less pre-packaged stuff

Christmas 2011

Although we weren't able to be together on ACTUAL Christmas day, it was fun to be together the week after Christmas. Just like the good old days, we loaded up in the car (me, Matt, mom, dad, & Maggie Mae) and drove up to Richmond, VA to be with my sister and brother-in-law. The drive stinks but I am always thankful for time together.

(it's nice to have a picture of the 3 of us w/o someone in a wedding dress!)

We spent lots of time catching up, eating, shopping, playing games, and just plain enjoying family time. And the best part of it was that we were able to attend my mom's family's annual Christmas gathering. We haven't been in almost 4 years and there were relatives (I'm talking like cousins) that Matt had never met before.

Although, of course, our time together went by too fast, I am so thankful that we were all able to pull off a whole week!