A hike through the vineyard

Wordless Wednesday

 Soon, very soon.

Change: Brad's Two Cents

Libby has so kindly asked me to "guest" post, I could not turn her down.  If you know the Brocks, you know that there is always something new going on or something outrageous happening.  If you simply look back through all of Libby's post, I think this truth is very evident.  Acknowledging this, I decided that with this "guest" post, I would keep the ball rolling.

Those who have been following for a while or know us closely know that our plan and calling is to serve Christ overseas as missionaries.  This has NOT changed! To serve this purpose and to better equip myself is the whole reason I enrolled at Southeastern Seminary back in January of 2008.  What a tremendous blessing this road has been.  I have been enrolled in the M.Div. program, expecting to graduate sometime around 2012.  Well, this is where all kind of change has taken place.

We prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more.  What I felt the Lord calling me to was completely a shock to me, and totally opposite of anything I expected.  I knew there was financial business that needed to be taken care of before serving overseas.  I knew that in order for me to take care of this I needed to find a full time job.  God heard that prayer, and surprisingly, opened up a door in management of the company I left to move to Wake Forest (Sherwin Williams).  Crazy, right?!  It was/is a great blessing though.  I have been with the company since March.

Also, since making the decision to go back to work full time, we thought it best for me to change degree programs.  Long story short, I changed from an M.Div. to an M.A.  in order to graduate earlier, pay down some debt, and get over seas in a more reasonable amount of time.  I will graduate in December!

Libby and I feel completely at peace about all of this.  We have learned from very recent experiences that praying to God and listening to what He has to say is enough!  Libby's favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  This has been one of the great truths of Scripture that we have clung to in recent days.  Who knows where we will be in the next months or years. But, there is one thing for sure, wherever we land it will not be out of a desire for comfort or convenience; we want to be right where the Lord wants us!

Now that you have read all of this, please lift us up in prayer.  We covet your generosity in this.  Pray that we would be able to discern God's leading. Pray that we would feel at peace wherever that leading may take us. Pray for the future of our family, specifically that God would multiply (many times over!)  Pray, above all else, that we would never regard ourselves or our comforts above the majesty of our Holy King!  He must increase, we must decrease!

Blogging in Boston

This is my view right now.  Mr. Hottie McHotterson.  He is supposed to be reading a book for one of his classes, but please notice that he is still on the first page, even 10 minutes after I've taken the picture.  Instead he is people-watching.  Oh, his priorities...

So, we're at the Boston airport right now.  It's amazing how far we must travel to make me sit down and blog, and to make Mr. Hotterson pull out a book and pretend to read.  

Why are we in Boston, you ask?  We are waiting on our plane for New York, where we will catch a plane to Italy!  Heavens, I wish you could see my excited face right now!  My twin brother is getting married, and they are having a private ceremony in Manarola, Italy.  Oh. My. Mercy.  Have I mentioned that I am giddy?  I'm sure this isn't news to many of you, but there still might be someone out there that hasn't heard of our world travels yet.

I have a few hours to kill, and since our internet at home hasn't been working let me update you on some not-as-interesting-as-Italy-things.  I'm in a bulleted-list kinda mood, so here goes:

• I got my hair cut again.  I'm averaging about one hair cut per year now.  You would think that by now I would have learned my lesson, but I somehow forget the agony that I put myself through.  I am not a short hair kind of girl.  I thought I could embrace the bigness and be bold, but I just look about 15 years older the shorter my hair gets.  Let me give you a visual, because I don't have a picture of myself right now.  I was going for the Halley Berry Look when she was pregnant,

and instead, mine looks more like Betty White during the peak of the Golden girls, except not so grey.

I think that's all I'm going to say about that.  My emotions are still very raw on the subject.

• I had a wonderful beach trip with the girls.  There was only three of us that went, and it rained the ENTIRE time we were there, but it was so nice to catch up with some sweet friends.  We did some serious clearance shopping at the outlets, so we didn't mind the rain too much.

• Benedetto, my jewelry business, is doing very well despite the fact that I never can update my site.  I've been busy making some mommy necklaces. 

Email me or send me a message on Etsy if you are interested!

I also just finished a new batch of Mustard Seed necklaces and rings!  

Here is a little sneak peak:

    And I've been busy doing some custom orders.  I had a mother of a bride ask for a special brooch for her daughter's wedding.  She needed "something blue."  It turned out pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself.  I've even had a few word-of-mouth customers that needed something special made.  I've been busy, and I love it.  I am doing a craft show at Open Door Baptist Church in Raleigh on September 25th, so come visit me! 

• Ok, Brad has yet to finish reading the first page of his book, and I have yet to update you on our upcoming changes that I promised over two weeks ago.  But, I'm going to need to take a break and find some more comfortable seating. Maybe I can try to convince McHotterson to do a little guest blogging.  But first, if you have time, can you take a minute to say a prayer for our safety today?  There are a lot of people that I love that will by flying today and tomorrow!  Thanks!

Thanks

Thank you to everyone who left a sweet comment of encouragement.  We welcome your prayers for our family, and I am so blessed to have a precious community where I can voice my thoughts and feelings.  Through the love that you've all shown me, I hope I can share more in the future...like what our next steps might be, and where this road has taken us so far.  

You might be interested to know that after a fun guessing game, my hubby finally figured out which shirt I was talking about.  We decided that it will remain in his closet for now, but if it goes missing in the near future, I might play dumb.  He also requested that my next post be a happy post.  I asked him if I could take pictures of him modeling The Shirt, but he politely declined.

I'm headed to the beach tomorrow with some sweet college friends that I haven't seen in a long time!  I can't wait!  But I do have some happy news to share with you when I get back about more changes that are happening soon.  Actually, some of these changes have to do with changes that I never told you about way-back-when we moved to the farm, and then moved back...and well, things changed.  So get excited...I sure am!  Have a great weekend!

Confessions

There was a time not so long ago, that I was seriously considering starting a different blog.  I actually daydreamed about it a few times.  While dreaming, I imagined my new blog being completely anonymous.  None of my readers would know who I was, so I would be able to confess my inner most thoughts freely.  Because of my stupid fear of being too open and worrying about what others think, I've screened what I've shared on this blog.  Please don't think that I have a secret life that I'm dying to confess to the world and that the seminary wife persona is just a front.  Usually what you see with me is what you get.  But there are just some things that you don't talk about on a blog, right?  Especially when you know that your father is an avid reader.  

But what if?  What if I wanted to confess to the blog world that I haven't mopped my floor in a really long time - I've only spot cleaned.  Gasp!

Or that my husband has one shirt in particular that I would love to accidently burn.  (You still look hot in anything you wear, Baby - I just wouldn't miss that shirt).

Or there are times that I want to complain about that thing at the end of sentences{.}  We can just call it T@EOS, because the real word makes my sister cringe.  She's a reader too.  Actually most of my readers come from her blog, and she's probably mortified that I am even giving this much attention to T@EOS.  I actually have a lack of T@EOS, which makes my hormones wacko (read: I'm a crazy woman) and my girls, hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks.  Obviously I don't talk about these things because I don't know where to draw the line.  I should have warned my father to stop reading a long time ago.  (Maybe I'll venture to this territory more later?) 

But sometimes I really want to talk about emotional things.  How I've struggled with depression.  How I've been angry with God.  And how there is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about our sweet baby in heaven.  What if I confessed that I cried on the way to work yesterday?  I cried at work yesterday.  And then I cried on the way home.  Are you aware that it's August?  I'm scared to wonder if some of my family even remember what that means to us.  I want to talk about these things desperately, but what are you going to think of me when I tell you that it's been kinda ugly around here behind closed doors?  My husband has been amazing support, but we don't have it all together.  I'm not going to pretend like we do.  

This was the cruel reminder that I got in the mail the other day that I should have been planning our baby's first birthday party.  Thank you Enfamil Formula.

And I caught a glimpse of this hanging in my closet the other day too.  It usually hangs in Brad's closet, but I think it ended up in mine after the last move.  That sweet little outfit has dried more tears than any mother should have to cry.  

I don't know why I'm choosing to make these confessions now.  I'm sure Brad will immediately wonder which purple and white shirt I was talking about, and my sister will claim that T@EOS doesn't bother her that bad.  I've even said in the past that I would share more about this journey.  But somewhere along the way it hasn't turned out like I imagined it would.  (Does it ever?) I thought we would have a baby by now, or at least one on the way.  

Through the wonderful world of blogging, I have found several others who are walking through the same trials that we have faced.  It helps me to read their stories, and maybe somewhere down the road, my story can help some one else.  I really do want to share more about our journey to starting a family, and what we've been through, and what else we are willing to do.   But tonight I just felt the need to confess, and I didn't want to do it to an audience who didn't know me.  

Thanks for listening.

Annnnddd, if you ever come across an anonymous blog and she uses the word T@EOS, has dirty floors, and shares TMI, you can say "I think I know that crazy girl"....

A week with the Middle Nugget

Last weekend, Brad and I kidnapped all three of our nieces.  We stopped in Charlotte on our way to the Upstate and took them with us to stay at my mom's house for the weekend!  We headed to sweet SC for my future sister-in-law's wedding shower.  I don't know if you can tell from the expressions on our faces, but we were all pretty excited!

 Since the first kidnapping went so well, we decided that we would see if we could pull it off again.

This little diva - our middle niece - came home with us for the entire week!

She is quite a talker.  She had our entire week planned out before we had been on the road for an hour!  

She wanted to get a "manicute and a pedicute".  Her choice of color was dark purple with "sprinkles" (glitter)!

She asked her Uncle Boo to take her on a date night to the "underground" Mexican restaurant in downtown WF, and then he took us to get ice cream "like they have in Italy" (gelato).  

She wanted to go shopping and try on "fancy" dresses.  She almost hyperventilated when she tried on the blue dress.  It was "the most fabulous dress a girl could ever dream of having." Of course Auntie Lib bought it for her!

We also "crafted up a storm".  She went home with no less than 5 new necklaces, 2 pairs of earrings, a few bracelets, and even an anklet!

Each night, after we had fallen asleep, she would come sneak and get in the bed us.  By morning, our bodies resembled the letter "H", with her laying across both of us.  We wouldn't have it any other way though. 

She kept us rolling on the floor laughing all week!  She literally didn't stop talking unless she was singing or eating.  

She left this note for her Uncle Boo before she went home.  I may have cried when I came home and my house was empty and quiet and full of sweet reminders of my precious week. 

**All of the quotes are hers, and the pictures aren't great quality because they were taken with my phone.  I found it pretty difficult to take pictures when all I wanted to do was snuggle with that little Honey!

This is a little overdue.

So, last weekend we went on vacation.  Not this past weekend, but the weekend before.  I'm just now getting around to sharing the details.

Oh. my. heavens.  

It was suh-weet bliss.  

Absolutely amazing.  

Please don't get jealous or anything.  We went to Myrtle Smyrtle Beach. 

No biggie.  Unless you haven't had a REAL vacation with your husband in 3 years.   

We did try for that romantic weekend away back in December, but it was a disaster.  And we had one of the best days ever, a few weeks ago; however, this was a r.e.a.l. vacation.  

Now, I could tell you about the treacherous currents that kept us from getting in the water no deeper than our ankles, or the hurricane winds that about sent our umbrella back to NC, or the scary first degree burns that the Hubs got on his right leg {still} after applying sunscreen every hour.  But I won't.  

Because our trip was wonderful.  

We really didn't do anything especially noteworthy.  Except treat ourselves to some amazing grub.

Steak, lobster, and crab legs.  Oh my!  We kinda had a philosophy of "It's been way too long, Let's treat ourselves!"  And now my extra tight pants are my reward.   

Here is my Honey admiring the view.  He is truly a South Carolinian with his Clemson hat & Beacon shirt!  

Here is the view from our hotel balcony.  We took walks to the pier each day.  

The pier in the distance is 2nd Avenue Pier.  That is where they would shoot the fireworks from every Wednesday night back in the summer of '01 when I was a Sojourner at MB.  

Speaking of the pier, here's a funny story for you...

Honey & I decided we wanted to walk out to the end of the pier.  We had just been to the Bass Pro Shop & heard some scary story about a large shark that was caught off a pier back in 1960-something.   We were intrigued.  This story, by the way, has nothing to do with sharks.  

After spending about an hour walking the pier and observing the fisherman, with nothing more than a measly glance at jellyfish, I was bored ready to go to the pool.   We were oh-so-close to the door to leave when Monique caught my Honey's attention.  It is a shame that I don't have a picture of Monique.  Lucky for you, I do have a visual though.  

You can't see it, but behind the white shed is Monique's death trap booth.  If you use your super sonic vision, you might can see her white shirt.  She works for BlueGreen Resorts - the people who try to sell you timeshares to condos, and in return give you coupons and free passes to activities all over MB.  

It is important to know that while we were walking the pier, we also discussed our plans for the evening.  We mentioned going to the Imax theater for a show.  

It would also be helpful for you to know that several years ago while Brad and I were vacationing with my family at MB, we met someone that was probably BFF's with Monique.  We wanted to go to Ripley's Aquarium, and we didn't want to pay for tickets.  So we pretended like we were married (we weren't at the time - this was before we were seminarians, so we lied).  I don't even think we were engaged.  But we pretended, and took the tour of the resort, acted very interested - even asked all the right questions, and then smashed some sale's person's hopeful dreams, grabbed our tickets and hit the road. 

So, when I saw Monique, I knew what she wanted from us.  But despite all of the signals that I was sending Honey's way, he just wasn't getting the picture.  He casually asked if she could hook us up with the Imax tickets, and it was all downhill from there.  I gave him The Eye.  I cleared my throat.  I nudged him.  I started stepping on his toes, and did everything except kick his pitiful sun burnt leg.  And he still couldn't catch my hints.  I have to give Monique some credit though.  She knew everything to say to convince my Honey.  She was even going to offer us a free vacation - 3 days, 2 nights - of our choice.  All we had to do was pay some taxes and *fees*.  

Somehow we didn't make it off the pier without agreeing to visit Monique's condos.  Once we got in the car, and out of earshot of our newest friend, I asked my Honey if he really wanted to spend the next three of our last twenty-four hours of vacation trying to fend off a salesperson.  He seemed a little reluctant, but he was finally starting to come down off the spell that Monique had cast over him.  I could have choked hugged him when he finally decided that we weren't going.  

When I called to break the news to Monique, she let out a blood-curling scream that would peel paint off the wall.  Evidently this was the biggest emotional roller coaster for her.  She was so excited that we had finally decided to go, and now she was devastated. (Her words, not mine.)  I had to end the conversation quickly so I didn't laugh at her.  We ended up losing our *free* vacation, but we still went to the Imax, and it was great.  

Did I mention that we went on vacation and it was wonderful? 

:) 

Even if my Honey is a sucker for Moniques, I still love him and his sun burnt legs.

  

A few new things

Here are a few new things that you can find at my Etsy shop.  

Make sure you mark Benedetto as one of your favorite shops!

Winners!

Okay Folks, you know how it goes.

I printed off all the comments and put them in a pretty basket.

And Mr. Handsome drew out a name!

The winner is...

Alicia C.

Alicia says that she loves them all, so I guess that means you will to have to pick your favorite so I can mail it to you! 

But wait just a minute.  This isn't over yet!

Mr. Handsome gets a lot of excitement out of drawing your names out of the pretty basket.  But I have ALWAYS wanted to use random.org!

So, I decided there would be two winners!  

Here are the results from my truly generated random number:

Min: 1

Max: 20

Result: 13

Guess who the 13th comment was???

Jennifer!!

Jennifer's favorite were the chandelier earrings with the three red coral beads.  Let me know if these are definitely the ones that you want, and I'll slip them in the mail to you!

Ladies, please email me at Libanna05[at]aol[dot]com so I know where to mail your Pretty Patina Earrings!

I will be adding more pretty patina-ed things to Benedetto soon!

Thank you!!!

...To everyone who participated.  These giveaways are too much fun!  And your comments made me feel super special.  I promise I am going to make it to the upstate soon for visits!  I'm in desperate need of some Upstate updates!

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to post your comment for the giveaway before this afternoon!  

I will draw a name after lunch, and post the winner(s)?! later today!!  

Pretty Patina ::A Giveaway::

Isn't this a beautiful blue?

This is the result of raw brass filigree with an oxidized patina verdigris finish.  

Ooohhhh.  Aaahhhh. 

Wanna know how I did it?

Here are a few pictures of my process.

Start with clean raw brass. (It works great on copper too.)  Clean your metal with some soapy water.  This is helpful because even oils from your hands can effect your results.  Use gloves, so you don't get oils on the metal after it's clean.  Then, give your metal a little dip in some salty water.

Since I don't have a torch (it's on my wish list) I heated my metal in the oven.  It works faster if your metal is hot!  If I were you, I would recommend heating it on 350 degrees for nine minutes.  Ten minutes is probably too long.

Now here is the magical set-up:

First, before you do anything else, put on a mask.  Or tie a scarf around your face.  Or put a clothes pin on your nose.  ANYthing for protection.  

You will need:

ammonia

small bowl or container

mesh screen (anything that will allow fumes to pass through)

large air-tight container

Pour the ammonia into the smaller container, and then balance the screen on top of the container to allow the ammonia fumes to pass through.

Place your heated metal on top of the screen and then put the lid on the large container.  This keeps the fumes contained so that the metal can start to react.

Now wait.  Don't get too anxious.  When you go to check to see if it's working, don't eagerly lean over the table and breathe.  If you must breathe, don't breathe in the fumes.  I unfortunately have learned from experience, that the ammonia smell will stay in your nose for a minimum of 3 days.

After you start to see the oxidation on the metal, and you are happy with the results (the longer you leave it in there, the darker it will get-eventually turning black), take the metal out and let it start to dry.  As it dries, the colors will become brighter.

The next step is crucial:  Oooh and aahhh over them for a few days.  Take pictures so you blog about your science experiment.  Then make sure you put a finish on the metal to stop the oxidation process.  You can put a finishing wax or a spray acrylic finish.

Now here is the part that you've been waiting for:  the finished product.

Maybe it was the fact that this was our Independence Day weekend, but I couldn't help myself from pairing delicious reds with these beautiful blues.  

I made four pair of earrings.  

And one of them can be yours, because I like y'all a lot--remember?

It's simple.  You don't have to do anything except leave me a little comment love.  It's a very unofficial giveaway.  But its oh-so-fun!

I've recently come across a few sweet friends that I didn't know had a blog.  I was giddy with excitement when I found them too!  Do you have a blog, and I don't know about it?  I would love to read about your story.   Even if you don't have a blog, I still want to know if you're reading!  

So, just leave me a comment and let me know which pair of earrings is your favorite.  I'll put all the names in a hat, and let the Husband pull out a winner.  He gets really excited about that!  

***I will draw a name on Friday afternoon!***