Simplify: Round 3

I know I am way behind in getting this post up but here is our 3rd round of items for our Simplify project:

14.

I own WAY too many scarves for a girl who lives in Alabama. This pile also includes a few winter hats and a belt or two.

15.

This shelf has been sitting in a corner since we removed it upon moving into our house almost 2 years ago.

16.

Old backpacks and duffle bags.

17.

Matt's old chin up bar. Our 1920s home does not accommodate this equipment....

18.

Our old printer...the ink cartridge refills were more expensive than the printer itself. I'm hoping to recycle this one.

19.

Old work bag and traveler's passport/money holder thing (it's true, we had at least 3 of these...)

20.

We cleared out our DVD collection. Many of these were duplicates or things we have since bought on Blu-Ray. I'm embarrassed by how many of these were sitting on our shelf collecting dust.

21.

Old pillows. Our bed has 4, the guest bed has 6, and we still had 3 left over.....hmmmm....

I must admit that the hardest part for me hasn't been the getting rid of items rather it's been the rules created about shopping. I don't think I realized how much I like to shop/buy casually until taking on this challenge. I really miss being able to buy new clothes and shoes here and there.

Ordination

On Sunday March 11, I was ordained by Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Tx. It was a beautiful service in which I felt affirmed, supported, and loved. I am so thankful that my journey in ministry brought me around full circle--the church that first opened my eyes to my call is also the church that sent me out into the world.

The flowers sent from First Church Birmingham! (they also put together a stack full of letters and cards of support from church members--what a wonderful surprise!)

Matt and I sharing the Benediction.

High School Friends!

Baylor besties.

And of course the fam.

I received the robe and stole I am wearing in many of these pictures as a gift for my ordination and I am in LOVE with them! I am so thankful for the community of friends, family, and might as well be family that has surrounded me along the journey and will continue to support and love me through the joys and sorrows of ministry.

Simplify: Round 2

I'm a little bit late this week but we did move on to round 2 of our simplify project. This week was still relatively easy to find items to give away.

8.

We've kept this old comforter around in a bag since we finished seminary. I think it's time for it to go since that's almost been 3 years now.

9.

Books. We have SO. MANY. BOOKS.

10.

A chopper that we've not used much because we have other electric ones around the kitchen.

11.

Cups & Margarita glasses...some of which I've had since college....

12.

We have LOTS of old magazines. These will be finding their way to our local recycling facility.

13.

Matt's old shoes.

Here is the pile of all of our "stuff" from this week. I am looking forward to actually getting it out of the house as it's now starting to pile up!

This week I think we just realized how much "stuff" we keep around the house. Not necessarily bad things but things that are just in the way and taking up space. Do we do this to make us feel more important? To make it seem like we have more stuff when people come to the house? I don't really know why we hang on to so much so often but I think this is a reminder that we need to do a regular clean out of our "stuff."

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)