Busy Busy!

 

Summer 2013 has been a busy, exciting, and totally new summer for me thus far!

 

 

In the beginning of June our Bright Lights Bible study group had a tea party, hosted at our house.  As you may very well know, I love tea parties, so it was very fun to plan and be able to spend extra time with Abby, our Bright Lights leader.  Even when it took all day for me bake the cookies, that was enjoyable too!

 

I re-did some cookies I had done for another tea party a couple years back. 

 

And the actually tea party turned out to be SO blessed too!  We were expecting about 15-20 girls, we had set the two tables, making our house look like a lovely tea room, for 18.  But the Lord blessed beyond our expectations, I started counting at 19 girls, and there was more on the way!  We ended with 24 girls in our house!!  What a wonderful time with a house bursting with joyful, beautiful girls!

Then a few weeks ago Abby emailed me, saying that she would like to have a Bright Lights retreat and she would like me to plan most of it, and this was emailed to me just a day before she left for a month in which contact would be more difficult!  :-o  But contact has ended up to be no problem, planning fun, and everything coming together smoothly so far!  I look forward to a whole day set aside to seek the Lord in late August!

Then just this past Wednesday was a super exciting day for me - I passed my driver's test to get my license!! 

 

The beginning of my test.

 

The part I was most nervous about was the parallel parking.  I had practiced a good amount before hand, but was still a little inconsistent in how close I got to the curb.  But that actually went smoothly while during the 90' back up I got a little close the cone (but thankfully no hitting!).  Over all the test was easier and faster than expected and it's such a relief to be done!  We had planned to go to Caribou afterwards, and I am happy that we went there to celebrate instead of drown my sorrows in coffee! :D

 

Now we have a busy week coming up with Anna and I helping out with VBS at our church.  Each year I enjoy this time with the kids, catching up with the other teens who come to help, and just that totally different week from any other week in the summer!

 

Well, it has felt good to be back to blog-y land!  Thank you for letting me ramble about some of the top things I have been busy with!

 

Blessings,

Amber 

40's Luncheon - Farewell Bible study

 

Last Thursday we "celebrated" our final meeting of the girl's Bible study my sister and I have been attending.  Was it a flash back to another era or the end of an era?  Probably a little bit of both... 

 

 

Anna (my sister) is second for right and I am third.

 

For the past two to three years we have been attending this Bible study, making such dear friendships and sweet memories!  Amidst the tea parties, learning to crochet, dressing up, stories, volleyball, quilting, laughter, and crafts, I have appreciated the God honoring studies of the Bible shared together!  Although there will still be opportunities to see each of these girls, this special group will be missed!

 

It was time to move on,  but first to make a few final memories!  The theme was 40's, a fun era to choose!  We dressed up as best as we could (which I think we did quite well at), listened to old records, played Clue, had burgers and fries, shared prayer requests, and made sure to take lots of pictures!

 

 

Last Scripture passage shared. 

 

 

At the end we went to an old fashioned ice cream parlor where our leader shared her engagement story over delicious ice cream!  We will truly miss her when she moves away!

 

The whole day was so much fun, along with a twinge of sadness to see a good thing end.  I praise the Lord for the time He gave us together and that this party was not a real good bye!

 

Blessings, Amber

 

 

Spring Time Preparations

 

I wanted to make a skirt, not to difficult, I had made one before, and I got inspired by this pattern - I wanted a full skirt.  So I found this lovely blue fabric (linen I think), but quickly realized how much six yards of fabric really is...

 

At the cutting counter:

 

Employee rolling out yard after yard of fabric:  "What are you making?"

 

Me: "A skirt"

 

Employee: *silence*

 

Most projects take longer than expected, and this is where my work slowed down, while trying to figure out if I should really try this pattern or not!  Am I really suppose to be able to wear six yards of fabric!? ;-)

 

I actually ended up using a pattern we already had - Simplicity pattern 2843.  I used the pieces for the petticoat, shortened it, and added an elastic waist band.  And I am quite pleased with how it turned out, with only half the amount of fabric I think it is just as full looking as the other pattern!

 

 

So along with preparing my wardrobe for spring, we have also started planting the garden.  Thus far we have only planted about half, as the weather continues to swing back and forth from hot to cold.  But when possible it has felt very good to work under the warm sunshine, sweet smelling flowers, and fresh breezes again! 

 

 

 

"Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,

We are happy now because God wills it:

No matter how barren the past may have been,

Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green:...

We may shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing

That the skies are clear and grass is growing:..."

 

Excerpts from "June"

by James Russell Lowell

 



~Amber Swanson~

Book Review: Joyfully At Home & It's Not That Complicated

A few weeks back I finished two amazing books:

 

 

 

Joyfully at Home

by Jasmine Baucham

 

Through witty writing and wonderful personal stories Jasmine shares great truths and thoughts while staying very real.  Along with covering family relations, how she has answered all the what if and why questions, and filling our days, Jasmine talks about the "six key areas that keep us from finding the value in our single years:

 

A false view of marriage

 

A fasle view of husbands

 

A false view of self

 

A false view of singleness

 

A false view of God's sovereignty

 

A false view of the bigger picture"

"Jasmine paints a beautiful picture of how young ladies can become good daughters to their fathers and mothers, good sisters to their siblings, and gain vibrant confidence, godly contentment, and purposeful joy in their ministry in and from the home."

It has been about one year since I graduated from homeschool highschool, and it can be hard at times to know exactly what I should be doing.  But it has also been such a wonderful year at home, and Joyfully At Home is a very encouraging book in that area!  I have never yet regretted that I didn't go away to college!

 

 

It's (Not That) Complicated

by Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

 

Can you relate to guys in a pure way?  Or is a "it's complicated" Facebook relationship status going to be the way it is?  Anna Sofia & Elizabeth share their thoughts on a Biblical way to relate to guys.

 

Through reading their other book So Much More (which is truly another great book) I found it easy to think of them as not so real/down to earth as they seemed to be instructing only and sharing none of their own experiences, which Jasmine does so well.  But in It's (Not That) Complicated we do get more stories from their own life included with so many great truths to take away from every paragraph.  There is also comments from 14 guys to get their perspective.

 

From my reserved and quiet spirit and knowing that you do have to be careful in relationships with guys, it can be easy to choose the shunning relationship, but this book shares that you can talk to them - for the right reasons!

 

Read more praise for It's (Not That) Complicated on Anna Sofia and Elizabeth's blog.

 

Blessings, Amber

Crocheted Rosebud

 

 

 

The plants outside are just beginning to bud, but I have begun my own little garden indoors.

 

I found these two delightful little patterns for crocheted rosebuds and leaves.  Both are very easy, the leaf only took about half an hour - instant gratification with charming results!

 

 

Lovely Leaves

 

Little Rosebud

 

What to do with them now?  Well, right now they will just sit pretty in my room.  But I would someday like to make a whole crochet flower garden and then attach them to a pillow to brighten up any space!

I am also excited over a new magazine we have found..



Mollie Makes is a magazine, based in the UK, full of craft tutorials, lovely and inspiring pictures, and each issue even comes with a free gift!

I first found the magazine at Barnes & Noble bookstore, and it was nice to first look through the magazine before buying.  But if you find yourself buying every single issue, it would be cheaper to subcribe even if the $93.52 price tag seems rather steep right off the bat.

You can also find back issues on Etsy, Ebay, and Amazon, which is really nice!

Take a peek inside one.

I hope you will find time to take out your craft bag this weekend!  Enjoy!

~Amber Nicole~
 


Opening Lemons & Zesting Cans

  Last Friday evening you would have found me busy in the kitchen cooking dinner - chicken & rice and baked broccoli, which is delicious by the way! It makes boring broccoli into delicious broccoli, check out the recipe. Anyways, it's not that unusual to find me in the kitchen Friday nights, I usually try to cook dinner once a week.

  Cooking is really fun for me, I like to try out lots of new recipes - don't want it to get boring! :) And all was going well.. chicken was finishing up in the oven and it was time to put the goodies on the broccoli (lemon zest & juice and Parmesan cheese). So, quick grab the lemon, quick grab the little zester mechanism, and zest.. no zest.. try again... still nothing...

  I must have been distracted.. I am ashamed to say that I tried quite a few times, even going back to the fridge for a firmer lemon, before realizing I was trying to zest a lemon with the little can opener that makes holes in the top of cans! *forehead smack* I couldn't help but laugh at myself!

 

They kind of look alike, right? :)

Well, I do look forward to experimenting in the kitchen again, but maybe next time I won't be so distracted! :)

 

~Amber Nicole

Leading Bright Lights

 

 

"My question is, would you be interested in praying about whether the Lord might want you to become part of the leadership of the Bright Lights group?"

 

 

This was asked by a friend of our's about two months ago, February 10th.  She was in a courtship relationship, thinking about the future of her Bright Lights Bible study, and wondering if I would be willing to slowly take it over!  This came as a total surprise to me!  First off, I really hadn't had much opportunity to talk to this friend, thus I didn't know her that well, so how was she suppose to think that I might be a good person to take over her Bible Study?!

 

And before this I hadn't been thinking about starting my own Bible study, or doing any such thing.  I'm more of a reserved person and not the greatest fan of talking, sometimes I think I would like to say "Lord, use my hands, use my feet, but don't take my mouth, I don't like to talk!"  But the Lord does like to use our weaknesses and make them our strengths, so I accepted!

 

And the timing of this was also perfect, as five days earlier I had learned that the girl's Bible study I was in was going to end after this spring.  I will really miss this group of girls!  It has been so special and we have made such good friends!  But it is amazing to see God lead in new directions!

 

So March 7 found Anna and I going to our first Bright Lights meeting!  Of course going into the unknown was a little scary, but it helped to already know a good number of the girls there.  And as Anna and I continue to go, I have been so blessed by all the girls there!  We have already made special and lasting friendships and every girl has been very welcoming from the beginning!

 

I have also enjoyed the singing of hymns around the piano, the encouraging lessons, and the Christ focus and the Spiritual challenges continuing through activities!

 

Then on April 4th I lead my first study!  The whole thing from preparing to presentation was truly led by the Lord - it went so well!  Joyfulness was scheduled to be, so that is what I spoke on.  But first we sang:

Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
As The Deer
He Giveth More Grace
Rejoice In The Lord Always (round)

Considering I had never really taught a whole lesson for so many people, it went very smooth, because all glory to God, He had brought everything to me, took away most of my nerves, and really was led by Him!

After that we really enjoyed doing some Sword Drills - the girls racing to look up more verses about joyfulness, then finished up with a little hand clapping game (learning each other's names better) before having our snack and socializing time.

I look forward to seeing what comes as time goes by!  It has been really exciting to see what the Lord brings - and sometimes so quickly too!

Have a blessed Sunday!
Amber