Marriage=settling down?

I began thinking about this yesterday when I was washing dishes and listening to the radio (country, of course).  One of the songs that came on mentioned "get married and settle down".  I have been thinking about this since then.

Does getting married mean you must settle down?  I believe the answer is both yes and no.  Yes because you have the responsibility to your spouse.  For women it means serving their husbands and for men it means supporting their family.  And once children arrive, you will spend time teaching them.  All while remaining obedient to God.

But using the Duggars (from the TLC television show) as a reference and example; they go on many "adventures" with the children.  They are always educational, but they go on trips and get to meet many new people and get to share their faith in many ways.

I am eager to get to do these things with my future husband and children.  If that is God's will for me anyway. 

Quilt pattern

This is the pattern for the quilt I'm going to make.  It's a fairly simple pattern, since this will be my first quilt.

Day 1

Today is Day 1 of my weight loss journey.  I'm not calling it a diet, because that implies that I will "go off it" which I do not plan to do.  I want to lose weight, and then maintain my healthy lifestyle.

I registered online with a free weight tracker.  I will post updates of this as I move towards my goal which is my cousin's wedding in March.  And keeping it off until another cousin's wedding in August.

My mom and I are embarking on this journey together.  She suggested we set the first wedding as a goal.

In other news, my apartment and bedroom are super clean right now! I love it.  I still need to work on my 100 Things challenge.  But now my roommate and I are going to the laundromat!

Quilt!

These are the fabrics I picked out for my first quilt. 

The solid brown (far right) will be the backing.  The circle pattern next to it will be the main border and some of the pieces in the middle.  The light fabric will be the small inside border and the sashing between each "block".  Then the small polka dot, solid red, small circles, solid orange, and the 2 striped (the 2nd striped one is hard to see, but it's the very far right) ones will make up the pieces in the middle.  Instead of typical blocks in the center-there will be longer "ribbons". 

I got these fabrics from Mill End Textiles where my friend works.  She got me a 60% off coupon, and she let me use her employee discount.  I actually saved more money than I spent-such a great feeling. 

I am going on a quilting retreat with my mom at the beginning of November.  I am quite excited to go.  It will be my first quilt, and some great quality time with my mom while having devotions and fellowship several times each day.

Look of the day

Look of the Day: Charming Modesty

Skirt: Old Navy, from my birthday last year

Undershirt: Target on sale

Tank: Old Navy on sale

My shoes were black ballet flats from Payless that I bought years ago

I wore my hair down and naturally wavy

Overflowing heart

Wow, I feel like my heart is just going to burst with how blessed I am!  I have wonderful and loving parents that I am SO thankful for; I got an A on my Communication and Journalism exam-which I was quite worried concerning this exam; the weather is gorgeous-80 today and tomorrow, and 70's for the couple days after that-in October-in Wisconsin; I got an A on my first History paper; it turns out my car is okay; I found some great tank tops-I'm very picky about them in regards to comfort and modesty-my old ones were getting ridiculously worn out because I was searching and searching for some ones that I approved of (thanks Old Navy); these great tank tops were on sale too!; I get to go on a quilting retreat with my mommy at my favorite summer camp; the Lord guided me to a great group of ladies for Bible Study on Wednesdays; I get to go back to Ignite Bible Study on Tuesdays this week....

Gosh....The Lord is TRULY amazing.  I am so beyond blessed in my life. 

New Bible Study!

Last night was my first night at a new Bible study.  I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.  There are some great women there.  I am greatly looking forward to learning from them and sharing with them.

Currently we are expanding on the "Live Out Loud" message during Sunday sermon.  It's the study of Philippians and Paul's imprisonment for Christ.

Photos

Here are some photos I've taken recently.  I took a photography class a while back and loved it, it really inspired me.  I would love some feedback, so tell me what you think!

Exhibit A

This weekend at my university is precisely why I no longer drink alcohol.  It is homecoming.  While I do wish I could have watched the parade and football game, I don't want to have to deal with the drunken debauchery that is the typical college homecoming experience. 

This was not always the case.  I was once the "typical" college student, back before I was saved.  I drank alcohol, I went to parties, etc.  And while I do still like to enjoy the company of friends that do still drink, I no longer partake.  This means many things: I am guaranteed to feel better in the morning, I know I am always in control of myself and my actions, my judgment is not clouded by any sort of beverage (I do not do drugs, nor have I ever done anything "stronger" than alcohol), I don't act like....an idiot (there's really no way to put that delicately).  There are so many other great benefits to no longer drinking alcohol.

According to some things we discussed in a biology class, alcohol has some very bad consequences. 

Every cell in your body that comes in contact with a molecule of alcohol is damaged.
...Repeated exposure can permanently damage cells
......brain cells
......liver
......cancer
Everything inside the cell is damaged.

Alcohol turns to sugar very quickly.
...Diabetes is linked to alcohol abuse (alcoholics)

Alcohol Dehydrogenase
...alcohol "tolerance" it takes more alcohol to "feel it" because this enzyme breaks down the alcohol in your system.

Alcohol increases urine output.
...Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH)
......when you are even slightly dehydrated, you urinate less-your body is trying to hang on to all it's water.
...Alcohol inhibits effects of ADH-so you become MORE dehydrated-hence the hangovers.

Hangover headaches are different than "ordinary" headache-because your brain is "sitting" in your skull and not floating in cerebral fluid.
...or it could be an allergy to a certain type of alcohol.