Sunday, July 27, 2008

Music of the Night

I am sitting on the couch watching Phantom of the Opera with my roommate. I think the chandelier is about to drop ... Gosh, this music just moves me! I remember when I was little, my mom had the soundtrack on cassette tape and we listened to it over and over in the car and learned the words.

This has been such a great weekend! Spending time with friends, hanging out with the roomie, working on some new challenges for work. And I did something I've never done before: get up at 6 am on Saturday to help shingle a roof. Who would have thought hammering would be so much fun!

Overall, there is something calming and peaceful the Lord has accomplished in my heart. "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:19-20

God is greater than my heart. Think about it ...God is greater than our hearts!!!! Praise the Lord for that.

Someone gave me the greatest advice awhile back. She said, "Stephanie, quit praying for what you think you need, and ask the Lord to show you what it is you actually need. I think those 2 things are really different." Turns out, she's right. God has been faithful to answer these prayers in my life.

Think about it ... when we ask that our hearts align with His will, that is a prayer He will ALWAYS answer ... it no longer becomes about us and our ambitions and desires but only Him and His glory.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Where are my keys?

I'm back in Dallas for the rest of the summer!!! I am collectively cheering, breathing a sigh of relief, and also really sad, summer is kind of over now. This morning I set my alarm early to hit the gym and pay a visit to my favorite fitness instructor, Wes. I am ready for a little booty shapin, ya know! I got up, was completely ready and as I was heading out the door could not find my house key. It's not on my key ring, and I have NO IDEA where I set it yesterday. So .. I am stuck at home for the morning.

I am paying bills, catching up on other stuff. I've been gone 3 of the past 4 weeks, and it feels good to be back home.

Here are some of my favorite pics from Spain. Sorry for the unorganized-ness of them. I really am a terrible blogger. I don't have the patience to figure it out better. But here they are:






























Thursday, July 3, 2008

My Favorites!

A friend asked me to post my top ten favorite things, so here goes:

1. ipod Nano - the perfect playlist + the perfect day = total perfection!
2. Nike Shox - this plus number 1 = perfection as well! I love to run, and it's so great that you can track your workouts using the Nike plus feature on the iPod Nano!
3. Live Concerts. Of all kinds.
4. The Beach. I don't care if I'm in Florida, California, the Mediterranean or just Texas beaches for crying out loud. I just LOVE the sand and the sea and the seagulls!
5. Iced coffee - Starbucks, Mickey D's, doesn't matter. I will drink it regardless.
6. Antoni Gaudi - my favorite artist and designer, who was born and worked in Barcelona all his life. If you' ve seen my bedroom, you know I love bright colors and this is just one more excuse! Lisa Woodard did a painting for my room patterned after his work. Gaudi will get a whole post all his own coming soon, when I get back to Texas.
7. Origins products - thanks to my roommate Amy B for introducing me. Great colors + great skin care products. I am a huge fan!
8. Community. Okay, this is such a "Village-y" response, but I have loved being a part of a tight-knit Christian community the past two years I've been involved at the Village. There have been so many tough situations I couldn't have made it through alone.
9. Post-it notes: my desk at work is FILLED with them, Hot pink is my color of choice.
10. This was a tie between cuddling and fajitas. I'll just go with fajitas to make explanation easier! :) Matt's Rancho Martinez has the best patio for lunchtime, Manny's has the best kid-sized portion of fajitas (which also makes them the cheapest) Pappasito's has the best for a large group, and Margarita Ranch has the best beef fajitas, which makes them the winner in the best all-around category. They are the jam.

Sorry for the lack of pictures to go along with the explanations, I am not at a place where that is very easy right now!! Besos y Sonrias, Steph.