Oh be careful little mouth what you say

So clear and aplicable to an area I can always grow in, the following is from Pat Ennis' blog:

(http://www.masters.edu/Blogs/unfadingbeauty/)

Pat is a writer, and professor at the Master's College.

5 Questions (and then some) to ask yourself before you speak:

·                     Is it kind?

·                     Is it necessary?

·                     Is it true?

·                     Is it gossip?  (Sharing private information with those who are not a part of the solution)

·                     Am I defending my own opinion rather than listening to the individual?

 The Multi-tasked Woman who speaks graciously exhibits some specific qualities . . .

·                     She uses good judgment and discretion (Colossians 4:6). 

·                     Rather than being too aggressive or bossy, gentleness (Proverbs 15:1) and compassion characterize her words (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14). 

·                     She possesses the ability to be kind, yet very firm, as well as the ability to maintain confidences. 

·                     Truthfulness is evident in her relationships with others (Ephesians 4:15).

·                     She realizes that what she meditates upon will emerge in her speech (Psalm 19:14; Luke 6:45).

·                     Within her family relationships, she refuses to discredit her husband’s character and speaks with firmness, balanced with kindness and gentleness, when disciplining her children. 

Having placed her speech through the characteristics for gracious speech, the Multi-tasked Woman chooses to make encouragement a part of her lifestyle—especially since it is a spiritual directive (Hebrews 10:25).  She understands that the act of biblical encouragement inspires others with renewed courage, spirit, and hope and affirms individuals for who they are rather than what they do and knows the value of graciously spoken words (Proverbs 25:11).  Realizing that encouragement does not thrive in a negative atmosphere, she chooses to memorize and meditate upon the portions of God’s Word that can contribute to her words being filled with blessing, graciousness, and sweetness (many of these verses are included in the Scriptures at the conclusion of this chapter).  And, she acknowledges that if gracious speech is not a natural temperament attribute that it will undoubtedly take time for it to become an automatic reflex!

            What type of speech emerges from your lips?  As you multi-task will you purpose to ask your heavenly Father to assist you in learning to speak graciously so that your words are—“like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11)?

baltimore etc.

krista's b-day part at our apartment!

we learned how to make tiramisu- her favorite desert.

the gang  -  mostly students fomr LSU

i love this pic of erin matching the fish in the tank at the baltimore aquarium

baltimore team :) me, erin, krista and josh

so, i'm giving up on detailing the last 3 months of adventure on here ,in chronological order with full renditions of expeditions... instead i'm putting a few pictures taken along the way.   so here's philly:

there happened to be a building on fire in historic Philly the day we went. it was amazing to watch the firefighters.

mmmmm - we had to get a philly-cheese-steak  (krista is in the foreground and erin, my roomie, is in the background)

left: the line up: krista, erin, jane and josh (jared was taking the pic)  right: capturing a beautiful moment

philly at night!  cool picture josh. yes, we were really in the middle of the road! hahaa. there was a median.

thank You for the thorn

 it's been a while since i posted here, and so much has happened.  lots of stories and pictures to follow!  for now though, i just want to share a poem with you that a dear friend sent me...  it has been an encouragement to me and brings my heart to glorify God, even for the thorns...

"I stood a Mendicant of God, before His royal throne, and begged Him for one priceless gift which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out of His hand, and as I would depart, I cried, 'but Lord, this is a thorn, and it has pierced my heart. This is a strange and hurtful gift which Thou hast given me.' He said, 'My child, I give good gifts, and I gave my best to thee.' 

 I took it home, and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore, as long years past I learned at last to love it more and more. I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,

 He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face."

-martha nichilson

winter picture.  snap a picture almost any day of the week and it will look just like this. :)

a capitol experience.....

i am continually amazed and humbled by the opportunities He has given me here in DC.... i'm taking a class focused on case studies of buildings in the area. somehow, our professor has gotten us tours of places i never would have dreamed of reaching. one such place: deep beneath the United States Capitol building: the new visitor's center.  currently under construction, this massive addition to the capitol is set to open next year.

the old with the new

classmates and the prof

craftsman view of capitol dome through skylight... stunning!