What Time Is It? It's MY Time.

One phrase I hear frequently regarding when things happen is 'things happen in God's time.'  Individuals wait as they pray for answers, have desires to be met and someone will drop the phrase, 'it's just not the Lord's time yet...He'll provide when He's ready.'   More and more I begin to disagree with that phrase the more knowledge I gain of being in those situations which warrant  answers.
David A. Bednar gave an amazing talk which has changed my perspective entitled 'The Spirit of Revelation' in which he speaks of light and receiving answers:

"I invite you to consider two experiences most of us have had with light.

The first experience occurred as we entered a dark room and turned on a light switch. Remember how in an instant a bright flood of illumination filled the room and caused the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light.

The second experience took place as we watched night turn into morning. Do you recall the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon? In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun did not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun did dawn over the skyline. But the visual evidence of the sun’s impending arrival was apparent hours before the sun actually appeared over the horizon. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light."

  I've had times in my life when answers came like a light switch but more often came very gradually.  In some of those gradual instances I had heard from others: 'the Lord will tell you in His time' which left me thinking I guess I'll wait until high noon on His watch.  I'll just hang out until He's ready.
Yet, I've experienced this on the other side.  There are times I get frustrated because I've received answers like a light switch where others haven't.  It came with ease to me, why can't it be the same for them?  As I express my frustration I'll inevitably hear, 'They'll know in God's time.'  So here I am, sitting and waiting on them until God decides it's time.
Then one evening, this symbolism of light became crystal clear.  I was walking around my house at 2 a.m. and as I hunted for and turned on the light switch I was in immediate pain.  My eyes couldn't handle it, I wasn't prepared for it and I immediately had to turn off the switch for relief.  I found the next light which was dimmer, it still hurt, but I could at least open one eye. It's not always that drastic in the middle of the night but that particular night I swear my eyes had been crusted shut. Then like a light switch, David Bednar's talk came to mind and it all came together.
 I wondered how many times I had prayed for something I wasn't prepared for.   I immediately knew if God would've answered me right away in those instances where I was in complete darkness I would've ultimately had to shield my eyes or turn off the switch due to the light of information being too drastic.  I would've received that knowledge or answer I had been searching for but had to turn away because I simply wasn't prepared and ready to receive it.  That accountability would've forever rested upon my shoulders...such is the case in others I wait for as they come to gain knowledge for themselves.  God is so loving towards us.  He knows us more than we know ourselves and desires us to be successful with the light and knowledge He gives us.  He is not going to give us something that will be detrimental to our progression.  He knows us, our hearts, and knows when our eyes can see with clarity.
My perspective has changed drastically in my patience level now as I wait for the light of day either for myself or others.  I now realize there are many hours to work in preparation for noon. Each minute and second are vital and build on each other.  Those answers come based solely on each of us and come to fruition not only when we are ready to receive those answers but also when we are adjusted enough to the light to act on them.  
 I've come to see it isn't about the Lord's timing at all...it's about being the 'right time.'  Saying 'the Lord's time' creates in my mind almost as if He's holding back from us until He deems fit, which could cause resentment. That isn't the case.  As I look back on my life and when answers came, in every case they came at the right time.  God knew when I was prepared and ready, He knew when it was my time.

Home Transformation: Brynna's Room

We've been in our home for almost a year now and are slowly working on projects to make it more our own.  I know I've only posted pictures of the kitchen and dining room and we've done more, just nothing huge and significant...yet. I guess I consider a significant change one that you don't even recognize it as the same place.  Brynna's room was on my list to get done sooner than later.  One, because every girl needs to have her own sanctuary of loveliness and two, I'm freaking out that she only has three years left at home.  If I didn't do it soon, she wouldn't be around when it would finally happen.
Before:

AFTER:

The wall decor is a mixture from Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  She has an empty frame sitting on a shelf for the boy she'll find worthy to put in it.

This wallpaper almost became the death of me.  I had to re-order not just once but twice.  The first order, since it was a specialty order had to be done online.  Got it in, and my lovely mother helped me since she is a pro at it.  But out of the two rolls we got, we were shorted by half of the square footage on one of the rolls.  It took about a month and a half to get the company after many painful phone calls to get me another roll without charging me for it.  Yes, I am that stubborn.  When I know I'm in the right...I don't give up easily.  Finally got the second order in and we were short ONE strip to finish the job. Our measurements were off.   Since it was a big job, I knew I needed a larger print wallpaper so she wouldn't get overly dizzy being in her room, but by going with a bigger print so much more paper is wasted due to the all the cuts to get everything lined up.  Ugh.  So after the third order, 2 months of time and $180 later, we got it done.  I got the mirror from Home Goods store.  I'm looking to place candelabra lights on both sides.

 Stacy Mitchell taught me the trick of striping with a gloss/matte alternating style so to match the color exactly but giving a different feel.  This awesome solid wood shelf is from IKEA.

She needed a coat rack for her 35 backpacks and 13 purses.  -__-  "I got it at Ross."  

These were old mirrors I had that I spray painted gold.  The lamp was given to Brynna from my mom from Home Goods.

Luckily, I had already revamped the chair for her old room and only needed to change pillows.  And of course, she needed her IKEA chandelier to make it complete.I'm still on the hunt for a good rug, but I'm so ready to be done with her room and on to the next..

Offensive Rant #52586

I have a million things to get done, but I have to pull myself away...I can be silent no more.
You know when you're in your youth and you hear the older generation complain of things that seem of no big significance?  Well guess what?  I'm becoming that older generation and my complaints are of huge significance.  And the sad part of this is these individuals I complain of ARE of my generation.
My newest annoyance:  fellow movie-goers, fellow stadium ballgame spectators, and general events where you have someone either sitting in front, behind, or beside you. All of the scenarios listed below have all happened within the last few months.  I'm amazed I leave my house anymore.
1.  BE A BUBBLE BOY.

I went to a movie with my mother.  Honestly, I counted maybe ten or so in the theater, tops.  We had our prime middle section with no one in the entire row but us.  Enter stage right... random loner creeper takes to the stairs turning to our row.  OK, maybe he'll sit just a few chairs down..no big deal.  Walks right up next to me and proceeds to sit.  Most uncomfortable 2 hours I've had in a long time.My muscles ached after from being so stiff and tense that I had to wear a Therma Care  patch the next day.  I didn't know if I was going to get my hand held or my throat slit.  I don't care if you're a people person,  common courtesy is giving at least a one seat buffer if the theater is semi full.  If it's mostly empty, 2 seat buffer is preferable.  
2.  DON'T LET YOUR FOOD BE PART OF MY SURROUND SOUND.

Smackers and loud eaters are probably on the top of my list of pet peeves along with loud food packaging.  So much so that if I was ever captured by the enemy and tortured by smackers and wrappers , I'd spill my guts.Popcorn eaters can be bad enough, but I can usually tune it out.  The game changes if you decide to bring in a large, crinkly giant BAG of Doritos.  You just made me a health risk to the establishment because you just raised my blood pressure and ruined my ability to focus on my overly priced movie I just paid for. So, if you must stop at 7-11 to buy your unhealthy couch potato feast,  unwrap your food quickly rather than consistently and put the food in the mouth, close then chew.
3.  IF I WANTED A COMMENTATOR, I WOULD'VE BROUGHT MY SON.

I don't mind occasional talking here and there.  I do it too, but when I do its rarely and quietly.  My last movie I attended I could have sworn I was sitting next to a southern black baptist woman at church hearing the best sermon of her life.  Almost every line in the movie, there was either a 'hhmmm, mmmmm' or 'that ain't good', 'heaven help her', 'oh my Lord, he's gonna get his,' 'Lord, have mercy,' etc.  It was if every thought in the brain came out the mouth.  It happened so often it became difficult to decipher what lines were in the movie and what was spoken by the commentator.  So please, remember the filter and hold all comments and questions until the end.
4.  I DON'T WANT TO IMAGINE WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE WITH YOUR CLOTHES OFF.

Recently at a baseball game, Jason and I had the pleasure of hearing about a bet between a couple in which each other would show their genitals and nakedness as the reward for the winner.  It was ALL they talked about.  I submit this because it was inappropriate, I didn't want to look at them because then of course, all I could do was picture them naked, and it gave my husband ideas.
5.  LOBBIES HAVE A PURPOSE.

Old people are cute, unless they can't figure out a phone.  Somehow during our movie an older woman's iPhone started playing her playlist.  Sure, it was funny...for 10 seconds.  After Prince's 'You've got the Look' played in it's entirety she finally gave up and just sat on it.  I would hear muffles of other songs come and go throughout the movie.  Either learn to use a phone, or exit the theater pronto to the lobby and have a younger employee help you out.  
6.  IF YOU'RE NOT AT A ROCK CONCERT THEN SHUT UP.

Recently I went to Brynna's high school dance concert where the audience was repeatedly told to remain quiet during the performance.  I listened to so much hootin' and hollering and vulgarity I finally turned around and told them to shut their mouths.  They tried to ignore me and I pulled the whole mom card of 'look at me when I'm speaking to you. Shut. your. mouth. Or I will have you removed.'  I didn't hear a peep for the 15 remainder minutes.  I should've spoke sooner, but I shouldn't have had to speak at all.  I was appalled that I had to become the concert downer jerk.  First, if I would have ever acted like that I would've been slapped and second, if I ever had an individual turn around and talk to me how I did to them (even before I got hard nosed)  I would have been so embarrassed and maybe even peed my pants.  Parents, teach your kids respect.
6.  THIS IS NOT YOUR LIVING ROOM.

Enough said.  A pair of nasty feet by your face for 2 hours?  It's called pick up a rental at Redbox and let your family smell your feet.  It's pretty sad when even Walmart has higher expectations where footwear is concerned.  If you're in a public place, act like it.
What did I miss?  I'm sure I'll slowly be adding to this list since I somehow have been cursed with a string of bad luck.
Anyone up for a movie with me?  You only need to pass a small screening process.