If there is one thing I've learned in my short life it's this: Time is very very precious. It's not something to be taken for granted. The relationships you build and the lives you impact with your time portray your character more than words ever can.
"Time is so old and love so brief / Love is pure gold and time a thief" Speak Low ~ Norah Jones and Tony Bennet
Making the most of our time is a struggle each and every day. It is a good and honorable struggle. For me, time seems to drag along some days and now, especially during the Christmas season, it seems to fly by. I just want to take this time to relish in the joy of the season and the fact that God has a plan for each and every one of us to use HIS time in HIS way.
It is a fact - God cares. He is Love.
Here's to learning how to give our time to God.
Feel that? It's called peace and it stems from God's Love.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
An Explanation
I don't think I've told ya'll why I like the picture in the header of my blog so much. I've already said that I am an amateur photographer and this is one of my pictures. But there is a more specific reason why I chose it for my blog.
Well, The reason why I picked this specific picture is because, in this adventure called life, I feel like sometimes (a lot of times) we are missing the focal point of the bigger picture. We are forgetting to lift our eyes up to the Lord like the flowers. We forget to see Him in all the beauty that surrounds us.
In other words, I just think my picture is purty.
Anyway, that's the story behind the picture!
Have a Blessed Advent Season everybody!
XOXO, Robyn
First of all, I think it's different. You see a unique view of the flower that is normally not shown. In my opinion, the back of the flower is the least attractive part of it. So why did I choose that to be the header, the focus, of my blog? Am I nuts? Why didn't I pick something like these?
Well, The reason why I picked this specific picture is because, in this adventure called life, I feel like sometimes (a lot of times) we are missing the focal point of the bigger picture. We are forgetting to lift our eyes up to the Lord like the flowers. We forget to see Him in all the beauty that surrounds us.
In other words, I just think my picture is purty.
Anyway, that's the story behind the picture!
Have a Blessed Advent Season everybody!
XOXO, Robyn
Friday, December 2, 2011
Such a good read!
http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2011/06/gentleness-in-the-real-world-1.html
As I was exploring Elizabeth Foss' blog, I happened to read this article. It is very touching so I just had to share the link with all my girls out there!
XOXO,
Robyn
As I was exploring Elizabeth Foss' blog, I happened to read this article. It is very touching so I just had to share the link with all my girls out there!
XOXO,
Robyn
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Bring it on!
Post-Thanksgivng Feast numero uno.
Are you ready for this?
I don't know if you're going to be able to handle it.
It might be too much.
NOTE: If you do not have 3 hours at your leisure to spend in the kitchen I suggest not taking on this challenge.
So yesterday was my sisters birthday. It was very sweet. She had her 6 gal pals over and they munched, played, created, and enjoyed a lovely day. There was home made mac 'n cheese, hot apple cider, cupcake wars, art, glitter, frosting, and lots and lots of giggling.
How does one prepare for such an extravaganza?
Nicole, the mature 9 year old that she was, did most of the planning. She picked the crafts, made decorations (streamers made out of paper), made the menu and goodie bags.
She also happened to pick out her birthday cake for the evening celebration. That one included just our immediate family and 1 guest. Guess what Ms. Smarty Pants picked? A 3 layer lemon cake, Paula Deen style.
You can get the actual recipe here.
At first I had no objections to the suggestion...who doesn't love cake? Little did I know...
It started out simple enough, just creaming some butter (actually lots of butter), sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
Than, I got to add this special flour OoOo.
And I had a little helper, who lasted for about 2 min. But it was so cute because he pulled up his little red chair and wanted to watch me before he went to bed. I baked from 9-12.
This is what it looked like when I added the special flour and milk in "stages".
Oooo la la! Things are finally coming together and getting interesting. And yes, I did lick that bowl...
Lemon glaze....I put in something like sugar, 8 egg yolks, butter and lemons!
This is the meringue topping - SO GOOD! 2 Egg whites, cream of tartar, salt, vanilla, water, and sugar.
And this is what cooking in a double boiler looks like....
Umm let's just say that when I tried to do the electric mixer with the lemon glaze it made a huge mess. Like everywhere. So I got to work out my biceps and triceps for this part. Fun times.....not.
Completed lemon glaze!
The meringue tasted like marshmallow fluff....I could probs eat that stuff by itself any day any time.
Oh, and I also had the pleasure of making cupcakes from a box. After the 3 layer cake, this one was easy peasy lemon squeezy.
So do you think you can take on my challenge? Do you have any horrific baking stories about things that went terribly wrong that you wanna tell me? Do you have a picture of a cake that beats mine? Baking Wars are so on!
Are you ready for this?
I don't know if you're going to be able to handle it.
It might be too much.
NOTE: If you do not have 3 hours at your leisure to spend in the kitchen I suggest not taking on this challenge.
So yesterday was my sisters birthday. It was very sweet. She had her 6 gal pals over and they munched, played, created, and enjoyed a lovely day. There was home made mac 'n cheese, hot apple cider, cupcake wars, art, glitter, frosting, and lots and lots of giggling.
How does one prepare for such an extravaganza?
Nicole, the mature 9 year old that she was, did most of the planning. She picked the crafts, made decorations (streamers made out of paper), made the menu and goodie bags.
She also happened to pick out her birthday cake for the evening celebration. That one included just our immediate family and 1 guest. Guess what Ms. Smarty Pants picked? A 3 layer lemon cake, Paula Deen style.
You can get the actual recipe here.
At first I had no objections to the suggestion...who doesn't love cake? Little did I know...
This is what the 3 layers lemon cake looked like when I put it together! The birthday girl let me know she appreciated my present to her...trust me, this cake was DIVINE!
So do you think you can take on my challenge? Do you have any horrific baking stories about things that went terribly wrong that you wanna tell me? Do you have a picture of a cake that beats mine? Baking Wars are so on!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Don't be hating on us!
Just 'cause we're Traditional.
Just 'cause we can go back to a better translation of latin liturgy that captures the essence of our mass more poetically. That we have the history and stability to do so.
Just 'cause the entire country changed to the new translation of the liturgy at the same time, which means that we're united.
Just 'cause the Church has the power to correct her congregation into using a more accurate version of what Christ intended the mass to replicate.
Because there is a point to making a change in the liturgy, which is to lead us closer to the truth, the way, and the life.
I believe times like these, when Catholics might be confused with the new translation, we should take the opportunity to be thankful. It's pretty cool to me that the Catholic Church can change up our liturgy like this. We are so rich! What a treasure! Not many religions have that kind of unity. In fact, I can't think of one. That we can dig deeper as a whole, as the body of Christ. It keeps us on our toes; from getting lax with the same old same old. Now that we have to pay attention to the words, maybe the meaning behind them will resonate more deeply. Everyone can use a refresher in their faith - no matter which denomination or congregation. So I'm making sure that I familiarize myself with the new translation. It's not easy; it's not supposed to be easy. And yet, already, I've been blown away. Christ doesn't change. This new translation doesn't change anything about the structure of the mass. All it has done is just reemphasize the beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
What are your thoughts on the New Translation of the Liturgy?
I'm excited about the traditional latin-ness of the New Translation. Finally, those years of latin are paying off!
Just 'cause we can go back to a better translation of latin liturgy that captures the essence of our mass more poetically. That we have the history and stability to do so.
Just 'cause the entire country changed to the new translation of the liturgy at the same time, which means that we're united.
Just 'cause the Church has the power to correct her congregation into using a more accurate version of what Christ intended the mass to replicate.
Because there is a point to making a change in the liturgy, which is to lead us closer to the truth, the way, and the life.
I believe times like these, when Catholics might be confused with the new translation, we should take the opportunity to be thankful. It's pretty cool to me that the Catholic Church can change up our liturgy like this. We are so rich! What a treasure! Not many religions have that kind of unity. In fact, I can't think of one. That we can dig deeper as a whole, as the body of Christ. It keeps us on our toes; from getting lax with the same old same old. Now that we have to pay attention to the words, maybe the meaning behind them will resonate more deeply. Everyone can use a refresher in their faith - no matter which denomination or congregation. So I'm making sure that I familiarize myself with the new translation. It's not easy; it's not supposed to be easy. And yet, already, I've been blown away. Christ doesn't change. This new translation doesn't change anything about the structure of the mass. All it has done is just reemphasize the beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
What are your thoughts on the New Translation of the Liturgy?
I'm excited about the traditional latin-ness of the New Translation. Finally, those years of latin are paying off!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
You Gotta Check Her Out
This is the blog of a dear friend of my family that you can check out here. She's posting her memoir on her blog and it is SUCH a treat! She'll be posting a chapter every day. You can start at the beginning if you click the link below her latest chapter.
I love you Mrs. Lenaburg! May God continue to bless your family and your work!
XOXO, Robyn
I love you Mrs. Lenaburg! May God continue to bless your family and your work!
XOXO, Robyn
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Update on life
These past few weeks have been crazy! Lots of fun and exciting things are happening at the my house that I'm not at liberty to disclose of as of yet oOoO :D
OK I'll tell you what some of those very exciting things are:
I got accepted into 2 colleges: Mary Baldwin and Belmont Abbey.
*Cheers*
*Applause*
*Bows*
Thank you, thank you very much. Now, 2 colleges is an OK number. See, I applied to 8 (yes, I know, what was I thinking?) so I still have quite a bit of waiting to endure. That's fine, I like to wait and think things through; consider my options.
Today my mom asked me what my top school was. My answer was mom, I just woke up 5 min ago, I don't have an answer for you. I'm pretty chill about this whole college decision thing as of now. I know I would prefer small, catholic, close to home, division 2 soccer, but those things aren't set in stone. I'm open to a larger university with a good Newman center and/or playing club soccer. Notice how I didn't put my major in there...ya, that's one of those things that I'm still figuring out. Some days I want to be an athletic trainer (Marymount, UD, Franciscan, JMU), another day it's sports management (Belmont Abbey), and another day a teacher (every school). My major will most likely depend on what school I choose. Honestly, I'm going to be happy with where ever it is I'm meant to go. So why stress myself out with worrying?
Speaking of stress, did you know how damaging stress can be to your cells and over all health? It messes with your hormones a lot. And what triggers that stress isn't the situation that you are currently in, but the way your body reacts to that specific situation. Sometimes stress seems like something we can't control, it's inevitable, it will always be there. But! I have good good news. We can't change what is happening all around us, but we can control our reactions. We can take a few deep breaths, rationalize, realize we aren't helping ourselves out by hyperventilating, and go take a relaxing hour long bath or nap. OK, we probably won't have time to go take a bath when we are studying for a midterm or whatever, but you get my point. Besides, being optimistic in the face of adversity is never a bad thing!
TTFN
Ta Ta For Now I must go do my homework!
OK I'll tell you what some of those very exciting things are:
I got accepted into 2 colleges: Mary Baldwin and Belmont Abbey.
*Cheers*
*Applause*
*Bows*
Thank you, thank you very much. Now, 2 colleges is an OK number. See, I applied to 8 (yes, I know, what was I thinking?) so I still have quite a bit of waiting to endure. That's fine, I like to wait and think things through; consider my options.
Today my mom asked me what my top school was. My answer was mom, I just woke up 5 min ago, I don't have an answer for you. I'm pretty chill about this whole college decision thing as of now. I know I would prefer small, catholic, close to home, division 2 soccer, but those things aren't set in stone. I'm open to a larger university with a good Newman center and/or playing club soccer. Notice how I didn't put my major in there...ya, that's one of those things that I'm still figuring out. Some days I want to be an athletic trainer (Marymount, UD, Franciscan, JMU), another day it's sports management (Belmont Abbey), and another day a teacher (every school). My major will most likely depend on what school I choose. Honestly, I'm going to be happy with where ever it is I'm meant to go. So why stress myself out with worrying?
Speaking of stress, did you know how damaging stress can be to your cells and over all health? It messes with your hormones a lot. And what triggers that stress isn't the situation that you are currently in, but the way your body reacts to that specific situation. Sometimes stress seems like something we can't control, it's inevitable, it will always be there. But! I have good good news. We can't change what is happening all around us, but we can control our reactions. We can take a few deep breaths, rationalize, realize we aren't helping ourselves out by hyperventilating, and go take a relaxing hour long bath or nap. OK, we probably won't have time to go take a bath when we are studying for a midterm or whatever, but you get my point. Besides, being optimistic in the face of adversity is never a bad thing!
TTFN
Ta Ta For Now I must go do my homework!
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