Nesting.

Last night my husband and I said it smelled just like Autumn. Maybe it was the neighbors fireplace smoke, or the million wet leaves in our yard, or maybe the cool crisp air stirring it all about. I'm pretty sure Autumn is the best time of the year because it is so short of a time. The leaves on every tree are bursting with color and the coolness of the air is just enough to make sure you cook chili and drink hot cider. Too much of something good isn't as interesting or exciting because it spoils it and we end up taking it for granted.

Our new home is so great and such a quiet and peaceful place. It's still a mess in certain rooms and we are still substituting certain furniture (or boxes filled with things) for uses they don't quite fit naturally but work in the mean time. I have to stop myself sometimes to just be thankful for all we have and all that God has given us. A lot of my blog posts in the past are about patience and waiting for our own home. He's given us so much and I am taken back sometimes because He's supplied us with more than we asked for.

I'm looking forward to inviting our friends and community into our little nest for dinners, (once we find some dining chairs of course; we only have one at the moment..Eek! ), putting up our first real Christmas tree as a married couple of over three years, and continue to make it an organized space.

I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Autumn weather and hope you'll consider following my blog! ;)

With Love,
Lindsay

I'm back...with a new name.

Welcome to my blog, The Bungalow Nest! With a new look and name. A name is part of the first impression after all. The Bungalow Nest is more current for me, even though I may be using the name Needle & Twine for selling any of my crafts in the future.

I couldn't stay away from blogging I guess. But I did take quite a long break from my blog and decided that when I have something important to say, writing is the perfect outlet for me. I fumble with my words in person...but give me some time to get it all out on paper or on my handy Macbook and I am there.

I cannot promise anything here. I can't promise that I'll be sharing all of the million crafts I'd like to show you how to do, or get every perfect picture of my favorite outfit of the weekend posted, or show every delicious recipe I love, or trick you into thinking my life is perfect because we all know life isn't.

I do want to share these things because they are a part of my life, but my greatest hope with this blog is to share good ideas and bring warmth into your home, your nest. My hope is to spark a fire of faith through words of encouragement and the light that is Christ. I hope to show that pushing through the not so good seasons and persevering to celebrate the good ones is a beautiful way to live.

Here's to a beautiful Autumn and Winter season and onward to 2013!

With Love,
Lindsay

Control leaves us joyless.

The more control I feel that I have by pushing forward on my own without trusting in the Lord to guide me, the less peace and joy I have. This season, as long as it has been, the Lord has been teaching me to rely on Him; to lean on Him with all my needs. I've discovered how joyless and miserable I am when I take the steering wheel. 

I think I'm getting closer to what I want, when I just end up crashing and burning. 

Everytime, Christ is there waiting for me.

Romans 8:5-8

⁵ For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

When we want something, really badly, we figure in our own brain, 

"Why can't I have my way? Don't I deserve this? I think I've waited long enough."

This has been a very long season of waiting for me. I could probably have a whole blog on it's own over this season of waiting. The harder and more difficult a season, the more the Lord can and will teach us.

Just when we think life is unfair, as believers, we have to take a moment to step back and ask ourselves, 

"Am I who I say I am? Am I living in the Spirit? 

Am I allowing Christ to dwell deeply inside of me in everyday life or am I pushing away from Christ?"

I have to admit I've grown tired and weary. I've forgotten that disobedience is sinful. 

I've learned discipline is in the Lord's favor because of His great love for us. 

   Hebrews12:7-11 

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ¹¹ All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

We may not always understand why we go through various trials or difficulties, but be reminded that God does. We may think life is unfair at times, but let us not forget the great suffering Jesus endured for our salvation and redemption. Let us not forget He holds us in His hands, and His hand is upon us, watching over us, guiding us along the way. Be awed by His mysterious works, whether too quiet to hear, or invisible to the naked eye. Away He works, when we're awake or sleeping, day in and day out.

When we are too weary to pray, remember words aren't always necessary. 
The Spirit knows our hearts;

Romans 8:26-28 tells us so.

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

How sweet it is that He carries us.

Learning patience.

It's been a while since I've written. I can honestly say I will probably never be consistent at posting, 

unless maybe it was my full time job. Dream on for me.

As for learning, yes learning...

I'm learning how important patience is. (I think I write on this topic too often)

But if we want to be content with where we are, with what we have, in what we're doing,

Patience is a necessity.

This is something I've learned and have been relearning (yes, it's true) the past 6 months since Matt transitioned into working with School to the Nations, and starting his own business.
I've been reminded of the rewards God provides for us with our trust we place in him. 

Matt's business is growing and it was a huge step for us to part ways from a regular full time job.
This is his dream, and it's coming true in so many ways.
I love seeing him motivated, happy, and content in what he loves to do.
And in seeing all of these things, I think..
 Lord, You are so good to us. So faithful. Without you, there wouldn't be. 


He is always faithful, always loving, always providing, always.

Sometimes we have to take a big step in order for our eyes to be opened to what the Lord can really do.
I trusted what the Lord was voicing to Matt months and months ago.
We know when the Holy Spirit is working;
a quiet whisper, is sometimes loud and clear to us when it feels right.

If you want Him to use you, honestly use you and you trust Him. 

Take a step, a big step.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12 

 I'm learning as a small business owner to try and let go of my fears and worry.
Be patience here and now. And take action.

 Trust the Lord, because His guidance is all-knowing.

It is and always will be.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, 

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"

Galatians 6:9

Rest.

Sometimes I think stress creeps into my life, and becomes this habit, a way of living..like it's normal. 

I don't want it to be normal. The past few days I have been off on my sleeping schedule, and have found that it's been harder to shut off my mind. I've been working everyday this week and when I don't have enough time for myself to just sit and think...all of my worry that was being drown out by other activities during the day, floats to the surface. These past few nights, I haven't been able to fall asleep right away. 

Yes, normally when my head hits the pillow I am out like a light. Lucky me, right? 

I'm not exactly sure what the point of this post is.

Maybe just that I wish I could get on a plane and fly out of the country to clear my head.

Well, I know that is not going to happen. 

But I do know Prayer is essential in these times.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28,

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

I believe He will give me rest.

"Perfect Love casts out fear.."

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love" 1 John 4:18

Tonight, as I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, I began thinking about what I'd like to be doing day to day, the things I would like to accomplish, and where the Lord is going to lead me this year. I think of the things I would like to do, but am unsure of how to do them. I think of the places I'd like to go, but I do not know how to get there. While thinking through all the possibilities and great opportunities I could have this year, I realize my thoughts are gripped by fear. I realize how much I live by fear and make my decisions based upon those fears; my insecurities, my lacking. I also realize that I don't place very much emphasis on the trials which have been overcome by the Grace of God. I've forgotten how I got to the place that I am in. I began thinking of how far I've come since I graduated from Massage Therapy School, and how my dream has always been to have my own business, with a relaxing atmosphere; a place for comfort, build relationships, and add simple little touches that made my business special. I've accomplished the things which I thought I could never do. I know the Lord is teaching me to rejoice, to look towards the future with hope in Him and not fear.


I know without a doubt that I am weaker vessel without Christ in my life. I have a hard time each morning choosing to sit down and reading His word. It is one of the many things I've always had trouble with. I claim to love the God who I worship, but do I really know Him? If I want my life to reflect Christ, I need to spend my time relishing in who the Lord is through His Word. I know my fleshly desires are strong and the only thing that can overcome my sin is seeking the truth of His word, day in and day out. I cannot do the things I wish to do without Him. I know that I have a hard time not believing these fears and failures every single day. 

I choose this year to not live by fear, but by the Lord's truth about the new creation I am through only Him. He has washed us clean. Isn't it time we delight in the fact He has done this for us? To choose to think on the things that are holy, pure, blameless, righteous, true. Clinging to scripture and deep in prayer. I will think upon these things and live by the Hope the Lord has given me as His daughter. Only He has washed me clean. Only He casts out fear and darkness. 

For He is Light.  

Come and behold him, come fall in love again.

His desire is for you.


All He wants is you.

"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline."  2 Timothy 1:7

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

With much Love,

Lindsay

Lemon Sugar Scrub. Homemade.

I love handmade gifts. It's amazing how much cheaper it can be to make a batch of something for several different people rather than spending $20-$30 on one person..depending on what you're making of course. When you haven't got the money to spare, and/or you're saving, 

(like us) this makes a lovely gift for the lovely ladies in your life.

I found this recipe here on her website.

Supplies you will need:

2.5 cups of sugar (bag of sugar-$3.00 Walmart)

1 cup EV Olive oil. (liter-$7.00 Walmart)

4 Tablespoons of lemon juice. (pre-squeezed and packaged-$2.50 Walmart)

Glass jars with sealed lids. (Kerr 12 pk. 8 oz. $9.00 Walmart)

Pretty Ribbon (3 spools-$6.00 Michaels)

Metal spoons. (2 4 pk.-$2.00 Walmart)

About $30.00 total..gifts for at least 8 people.

Directions:

I bought all my supplies at Walmart and Michaels. 

The recipe is for 12 oz. jars, but you can use any size jar you'd like. 

Mix 2 1/2 Cups of Sugar with 1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add in 4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice.

You can use scented essential oils if you'd like instead or along with.

Mix well until a gritty paste forms and spoon into a glass container with a lid that seals.

The Sugar may settle once it sits for a while, so be sure to stir before using. 

Pair your glass jar with a little metal spoon tied with some lovely lovely ribbon!

This scrub is great to use after any craft projects that leave your hands sticky or gummy...including paint!

Perfect in time for Christmas!

Will post photos of my own creations soon.

Love,

Lindsay

His Nest.

Some of you may not know that Matt and I have been living with Matt's family for about a year and a half now saving our money and building our careers. Sometimes sacrifices are made when you marry young, and having our own home was one of them after moving back from Cali after a year.
I cannot express how thankful I am for Tom and Bobetta.
We are truly blessed by their patience and giving hearts.
This has humbled us, as God has placed us here to wait patiently. I'd like to say that Marriage looks different practically for a lot of couples. It is true that God has given us a perfect picture of what marriage should be and He has been teaching me a lot about this. It's been difficult to wait for our own home...

to have our own Christmas tree, our own kitchen to cook together, complete privacy and freedom. 

But that is just it. It isn't going to be our own when we do end up moving out.

It is and always will and should be in Christ's hands. I am in consistent need to be reminded all that we think is ours, is the Lord's.

I wouldn't have it any other way. Pushing my husband to feel like he needs to work at a place where he feels useless just to pay our rent doesn't feel like a good idea to me...I can't say I have never been tempted, but I believe the Lord has placed us right where He wants us the past year and a half.
I am not saying that couples who are working in places they dislike to provide for their families are in the wrong. And I can't say that working for minimum wage to provide is perfect. We all have our differences and God places us, as believers, in the right work place to further His Kingdom.
Life is after all to glorifying Him, right?
I've started realizing how quickly life is moving, and it is moving faster and the days feel shorter.
Do something you love, that moves you, and gives God the Glory. Whatever you do, do for His glory.
The Lord calls us to take action. Not just speak and think, but to take action by His guidance; to use our gifts.

"There's a unique sense of fulfillment that comes when we submit our gifts to God's use, and ask Him to energize them in a supernatural way-and then step back to watch what He does. It can be a difference between merely existing in black and white and living a life in full brilliant color." Lee Strobel


I have learned a lot about encouraging my husband. I know I have had difficulty doing so here and there, and it is clear to me that lifting him up in the work he is passionate about is essential; working for a non-profit doing media, taking part in showing God's word through photo and video to be shown to the Nations. I am so proud of Him. We have been blessed to see more and more support come in from friends and family and we are so thankful! I have seen so much growth in Him as he's worked with School to the Nations. Though this has been part of us waiting for our nest, I wouldn't do this any other way because of Matt's growth and passion to see the Good news reach the nations.
Praise God for His plan. Praise God for His provision and guidance. 

Sometimes we think we know everything...where to go, what to do, how to do this or that. 

If I hadn't trusted God with where He was leading Matt, 

I don't think I would have seen this growth. I wouldn't trust the Lord for my strength as I have now.

 In my mind, I will know...our nest will be His.

Seeking to have Joy this morning.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16:11

"Fear not..."

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you,

O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, 

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your stead."

Isaiah 43:1-3

It is my responsibility as a believer to place my trust and confidence in the Lord. He has redeemed me! Why do I fear? 

Why am I so focused on my fears over my capabilities? 

Sometimes it feels like satan has a hold of my foot and I just can't seem to shake him off. So I've been in a rut lately. 

A lot of things weighing on me, that I haven't just laid at the feet of Jesus. When my fear and worry comes out of my mouth, part of me doesn't believe how much junk is in my brain; dampening my strength and confidence in what I can do.

THe Lord's strength cannot be dampened. He is my confidence. He leads me through the waters beside me, He keeps me safe from the blaze. 

Sincerely, 

Lindsay