Every knee shall bow...

"So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth."
-Philippians 2:10

Tomorrow is a day that many of my friends and I have been waiting anxiously for... it's the day that our pastor and friend, Chris Barrett, receives a bone marrow transplant.

The miracle of modern medicine and the miracle of prayer will come together to transform the very marrow of this man.

He has a long road ahead, but after tomorrow, he will be one step closer to victory over Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

To show your support and solidarity with Chris, check out the Support for Rev. Chris Barrett Facebook page. You can even download/post a pic of this "awesome" graphic [designed by yours truly]. I'm sure Chris will take all of the prayer warriors he can.

One Little Word album...

"Getting momentum going is the most difficult part of the job, and often taking the first step is enough to prompt you to make the best of your day." 
-Robert J. McKain

Because it's so personal, I've gone back and forth about whether I wanted to post the progress of my One Little Word scrapbook. But, I'm just tickled with the results, so why not share it...

Page 1 - text from blog post on Jan 1
Page 2 - definition of momentum with vintage dictionary page

After picking my word for 2013, "momentum," I spent several days brainstorming and researching all of the different nuances of the word. I have a work-in-progress Evernote document where I have recorded all of my thoughts and then moved them around until they made logical sense. Only then did I attempt to put my creative spin on them.

Pages 3 & 4 - monthly intentions for January to December
each month includes a catchy focus, an inspirational quote, and two bucket list goals

I'm amazed by how often my word has inspired me in just the first three weeks of the year. I look to it when I'm making a tough decision or even as I choose how to spend my days. I'm also keeping a running list of ways I've embraced "momentum" so far, which I hope to include in my album each month.

Full speed ahead...

Bein' green...

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises."
-Pedro Calderon de la Barca

If you've been reading here for awhile, you might remember the awesome kitchen artwork that my mom and I constructed this summer.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might remember last month that said artwork leapt off the wall one morning while Rob and I were getting ready for work.

Apparently it didn't like hanging on the wall anymore. The hooks on the back bent out of shape and down it went. The silverware landed in pieces, the board was dented, and Rob panicked because he doesn't handle crisis very well in the moment.

After a trip to IKEA last weekend with my friend Lesa, we both committed to starting house projects this week. And, this newly blank wall in the kitchen was itching for something new...

Here's the look I'm going for...

1. Valspar City Chartreuse paint
2. 10" Raised Numbers Silver Wall Clock
3. Endless Circle Lattice Stencil
**Still haven't figured out the label/frames

Step one... paint the wall.
This afternoon while Rob was riding, I tackled the wall. Four hours and one quart of paint later... tada!

Now, I just need to commit to the rest!!

2013... momentum

"'Momentum,' she repeats. 'You can't just stand there if you want something to fly. You have to run.” 

-Lauren DeStefano, Fever

I'm beginning 2013 in a good place mentally, physically, spiritually... I have found a healthy balance between a job that I love, a home that Rob and I have built together, and even a little community where I can thrive. 

This year I want to continue moving forward, embracing more of the opportunities that life presents. This is the year to make progress on a lot of things that I've put off, felt not ready for, or been too scared to attempt before.

For the third year in a row, I am inspired by Ali Edwards's "One Little Word" concept... and this year, I've chosen the word "momentum" to ponder throughout 2013. [Previous years - 2011: gratitude | 2012: create]

Thanks to some extra Christmas cash, I've splurged on the online workshop this year as well. I'm excited to see where this year and this word takes me. If nothing else, it should be an adventure.