Weird Amber Quirk

So one of the weird quirks of my personality is that I feel the need to make use of things I have. For example, if an ingredient is in our pantry/fridge for too long without use, I will cook a meal that uses that ingredient.

Upon my return from Texas, we had some sandwich rounds, home-grown tomatoes, cucumber garlic dip, some lettuce that was going bad, blueberries, and black beans. So tonight for dinner, I made falafel. This used up the sandwich rounds, home-grown tomatoes, cucumber garlic dip, and lettuce. I don't know why, but I get an extreme sense of satisfaction when I can use up random ingredients and create an awesome meal.

I still need to figure something out for the black beans and blueberries...

Today, I also...

• checked out a potential job
• had lunch with some friends
• went to the grocery store
• tweaked a resume and sent it off
• talked to my Nonnie about dates she is going to visit
• found 3 new recipes to try, and tried them all!
• cut up fresh veggies: carrots, green peppers, broccoli
• cleaned out the fridge
• and now I am going to watch a movie.

I believe I have an equally long to-do list for tomorrow, but if feels so good to get things done! It's a strange addiction.

Recent Happenings

Chilling in Suwanee

3 of the kids I watch during the week.

We like to go to the park.

Still recovering from my first case of poison ivy.

I don't suggest getting it--it hasn't been very fun.

The boys from one of my nanny jobs in the spring.

This picture pretty much captures them.

Celebrating Stacey's birthday and

visiting with some friends from Rose Creek.

My 3 youngest housemates. They are lots of fun.

Becca is one my housemates,

the mother of the 3 adorable children above

and a HUGE blessing in my life.

Celebrating my 28th birthday by eating Korean food.

Breaking the Silence

Since moving to Georgia I have been quite silent--both on my blog and through e-mail.

It was just time for a break. I enjoy blogging and keeping in touch with people in this manner, however, at times, I think it is easy to share things here that I don't necessarily share face to face. I didn't want that to be the case. I hope that I am as open in person as I am via blog.

This is nothing I have intentionally done. There are a few reasons for this.

#1-- I happen to really enjoy writing, so blogging is a great outlet.

#2--Blogging has been a great way to stay in touch with people long distance.

#3--I also love to share my thoughts, but in person, am much more the, wait for someone to ask my thoughts and then I share them. Therefore, people don't always know my thoughts because they don't ask. Whereas on my blog, I just share my thoughts--whether you want to hear them or not.

So this year, I have been trying to focus on sharing my thoughts with people in conversation. Does this make any sense?

Anyhow, I am missing writing...

so I am taking blogging up again.

I will try not to "mass blog" in order to catch up as that would be impossible.

Regardless, I am looking forward to "being in touch" once again.

28 Years

Today marks my 28th year on Earth. It was a good day. I am blessed by wonderful family and friends who remembered me and made my day special.

The song of my heart today, is the same song that has been in my heart this past month, Pure and Holy Passion.

I have a unique testimony in that I have always known the Lord. I was raised by parents who love the Lord and some of my earliest memories are of conversations with the Lord. I cannot remember a time where I did not know the Lord in a personal way. It was never just my parents faith--it has always been my own.

He is one of the first people I have turned to with questions, the one who I process my day with, and He is the only person that has truly always been there for me.

As the years have gone by, I have come to know Him more and our relationship has matured and deepened. What a privilege it is to know God and to be known by Him.

If I have any obsession in life, any ambition--it is to know Him more fully. All other things this world has to offer pail in comparison to Him. There have been/are times when I have turned to things of this world--but they always disappoint. I have found Him to be the only source of true life, and life abundant.

As I have gone through this day, I have just been overwhelmed by the fact that I have known Him for 28 years now. I have no idea why He has allowed me to know Him for this long. Why I did not have to go through a season on not knowing Him to turn to Him. I have learned not to question His plans for my life, but am grateful that He has called me to Himself.

So today I celebrate 28 years of knowing Him and being known by Him.

Lord,

Give me one pure and holy passion.

Give me one magnificent obsession.

Give me one glorious ambition for my life--

To know and follow hard after You.

To know and follow hard after You.

To grow as Your disciple in the Truth.

This world is empty, pale, and poor;

Compared to knowing you my Lord.

Lead me on.

I will run after You.

Beautiful.