A Fresh Start

I started this blog several years ago during a transitional time in my life. My life looks very different today then it did a few years ago. At the time, I wanted to blog, but I didn't know what I wanted to write about or why.

We all need a fresh start sometimes. This is a fresh start for my blog. I'm starting a new blog on a new site. I'll keep this blog up for now, but if you're interested in what I'm writing about, check out my new blog.

You can follow me over at The Other Johnsons.

I Left My Heart in Detroit City

Detroit, Michigan - the place I call home. You've probably heard about it on the news, and no, it's not the state capital. At one point in history, it was considered the poster child for cities across the United States. Detroit was the place where Henry Ford changed history, and Motown emerged. It's where the Tigers almost won the World Series, and the Lions never won anything.

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After the race riots and "white flight," Detroit took a detour down the road of infamy. When you hear about Detroit, your mind probably fills with images illustrating a reputation that has been well painted for you; a reputation hard to forget and easy to believe. Detroit is known as the city that declared bankruptcy; it's where abandoned houses have been left to decay, real estate is unattended, street lights don't turn on, and the water system has been forgotten. It's become notorious for racial tension and violence. Many people think Detroit is only a place where shootings occur daily, racism is commonplace, selling drugs is the typical occupation, women are mistreated, poverty is rampant, and danger is imminent.

Detroit is so much more than that. I hope I can play a part in changing that reputation.

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Detroit is a place that has stood as a forerunner in U.S. history. There is an array of exquisite architecture that remains as monuments to the city's story. It's the birthplace of Motown and other music legends. On the weekends, you can choose to visit the Fox Theater or the Detroit History Museum. People gather at local jazz clubs like Cliff Bell's or Bakers Keyboard Lounge. There is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which has been long ranked one of the top 10 symphonies, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, which holds an art collection ranking among the top six in the United States. If the arts aren't your thing, take a visit to the Detroit Zoo, grab a hot dog at a Tiger's baseball game, or go cheer on the Red Wings. Try some shopping at the Eastern Market on a Saturday morning. In the summer, you can go swimming at Belle Isle, take a stroll along the River Walk, and have dinner on the Detroit Princess Riverboat. The list goes on and on. Detroit may have it's problems, as every city does, but I think the media has long shadowed its beauty.

Let me tell you what I see in Detroit - the things that make it truly beautiful.

The beauty of this city comes from the faces I see every day. Any city can have special events or amazing buildings, but it's the people that make a city and a culture. The people in Detroit are some of the most loyal and tenacious I've met. It doesn't matter what comes against them, be it race riots or bankruptcy, residents of Detroit are dedicated to this city. These people know how to live through adversity. As the sign I pass every day says, "Nothing stops Detroit." Detroiters are resolute; their strength is rare. Many residents who consider themselves to be Detroit "lifers" have lived through some of the city's worst days, and don't plan on leaving. The people of Detroit are proud to call this their home, and that's a characteristic I admire. Their pride is both contagious and inspiring. You can't live here long and not develop an overwhelming sense of honor to call this your home.

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One of the things I love most is the community Detroiters have built. I think many people would be amazed at the camaraderie in Detroit neighborhoods. People stick up for each other. Neighbors actually know all of their neighbors. Sometimes I lose track of who lives in what house because neighbors are so invested in each others' lives. Everyone knows the mail man and the man who regularly walks his dog on a first name basis. On that point, everyone knows the name of everyone's dog. Block clubs meet regularly, and neighbors gather their resources together to better their community. One neighbor will be seen shoveling driveways and another will be mowing yards. Summertime is filled with people chatting on the porch, back yard barbecue's, and children running out to the ice cream truck. The smiles and laughter of the children are infectious. I don't know how your heart can't melt around them. Detroiters are people who know how to see beauty in brokenness and know how to make beauty from brokenness. They don't run from their past, but they take pride in how far they have come. I want to be more like that. I want to be a part of that kind of community.

A lot of people may think I'm crazy for living in Detroit, but spend some time here, and those people may change their minds. This is where my heart is. This is my home. And this is where I'll stay.

Hello Again

Hello there.

I'm writing this post to say, "Hello, again." I've been away for quite some time, and I haven't posted anything on my blog. Well, I'm here to write again. Hopefully, this time you will see a post more frequently than every nine months.

This past year has been an interesting one. I've asked myself so many questions, and so much has changed around me. Then again, when in life does that not happen? I've felt unsure, confused, and insecure. In the midst of my self-examination, writing a blog seemed pretty pointless and almost entirely slipped my mind. Thankfully, there are people out there who have encouraged me to continue writing. They have been unwilling to let me forget what I started. After all that's happened this year, I'm ready to start writing.

Here I am world. Let's begin.

Lessons from Year One

Well, hello world. It seems like forever since I've written anything. Even though I love writing, life always seems to run away with me. Fortunately, a wonderful life event has brought me back to my computer to share a momentous occasion with you.

Monday, May 20, my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary! Aaron, being the amazing man that he is, planned a whole weekend of first anniversary festivities. Now, don't think we went and spent ourselves into a frenzy. My husband and I live on a very slim budget. I'm talking about the Weight Watchers, counting every penny like a calorie, kind of budget. I believe this past weekend God blessed us through various family connections, local promotions, and unexpected gifts. We spent the weekend in a little cabin right on Lake Huron. It was the perfect rustic getaway. We were able to enjoy the beach, boat on the water, and explore the town. On the actual day of our anniversary, we stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Detroit. That was absolutely fabulous, because I love being pampered. I am a woman after all. On top of all that, my husband spoiled me with lots of coffee and the beautiful gift of not cooking - all weekend long. It was incredible. I am so grateful for the beautiful memories that we made and all the people God used to make it happen.

It's crazy to think that an entire year has already past. A year ago, it felt as if time was moving in slow motion as I awaited my wedding day. This year, time has passed me by in a whirlwind. The past twelve months have been filled with up's, down's, in's, out's, and lots of turn-around's. In sentimental moments, like our anniversary, I have a tendency to become exceedingly nostalgic. Plus, I like to look back at seasons in my life to process what happened and learn from the past. As I sat discussing the previous year with Aaron, he helped me uncover a lot of lessons I've learned. I am here to share some of the most important ones with you.

LESSON 1: This is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come.
We live in a culture steeped with the idea that the wedding day is the ultimate goal. Disney princess movies all lead up to the happily-ever-after ending that comes with finding Prince Charming. Shows, like The Bachelor, are centralized around the idea that we reach the pinnacle of our lives once we find love. To top it off, we idolize celebrity weddings on Bravo, and plan every detail of our weddings on Pinterest. I'm not trying to say these things are bad; I have thoroughly enjoyed several of them. What I am saying is that they all preach the same message - the wedding day is the final goal. How many chick-flicks have you watched about romance after the wedding? It's easy to let our desire to put on that white dress morph into our primary objective. Before my wedding, part of me had come to believe this cultural norm. Last year, my mom wrote in a card, "the best really is yet to come," and those words opened my eyes. What I've learned this year is that there is so much more after the wedding day. All this hype that our culture teaches shouldn't be about a wedding, it should be about a marriage. The wedding day is just the beginning. It's a celebration of the new life you are committing to with one person. Once the celebration is over, it is the marriage that continues. It's the marriage that lives on and shapes the rest of your journey. There is so much more beyond the wedding day, and I am excited to discover all that includes with my husband. A year ago, I didn't reach the pinnacle of my life; I started out on a new journey with a man I am committed to until death. This new life is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see what's ahead.

LESSON 2: Prayers are more powerful than words.
Sometimes Aaron needs to hear truth, whether it is in the form of encouragement or confrontation. Being the person closest to him, I often witness when we needs that truth. However, I made the mistake in thinking he needed to hear my words. He never needed my words; he needed God's words. Now, there have been times God has spoken His truth through me, but it hasn't always happened that way. On several occasions, I thought my words of truth were so powerful and that, if he heard them, everything would be better. What I quickly learned is that my words are nothing unless they are directed by God. It is only my pride that thinks my words are so powerful. More often than not, Aaron needs my prayers more than my words, and any words I want to speak, should first be brought to God in prayer. Prayer affects change. Without fail, every time I have gotten down on my knees to pray for Aaron, I have seen change take place because God is at work. Transformation is not it my hands, it's in God's hands. God uses a variety of avenues to speak truth to Aaron. I am honored and humbled whenever He chooses to use me. God has called me to pray for my husband, but it is always He who answers.

LESSON 3: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
I think that no matter what age, season, or place you are in, you will always encounter hard times. Being in our first year of marriage, Aaron and I have come across a lot of life events that we've never experienced before, and not all of those have been pretty. As the common saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." This quote is commonly used, but, this year, I learned a new aspect of this truth. Making lemonade out of lemons isn't just about what you do, but it's about your heart. There were several times that my husband tried to "make lemonade." I would grudgingly go along with the idea because it seemed like the best option. What I didn't realize was that just because I was making lemonade outwardly, did not mean I was making lemonade inwardly. I would let my emotions overwhelm me and control my perspective on the situation. As a result, every batch of lemonade was mixed with the bitter taste of anger, disappointment, or frustration. All I did was add salt instead of sugar to create a bitter drink deceptively disguised as lemonade. When I let my emotions take control, I miss out on opportunities to enjoy life and taint new memories with negativity. Instead of letting my emotions control me, I need to control my emotions. That way, Aaron and I can look back on those hard times and not only remember the memories we made, but how we overcame the obstacles. All that to say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," but don't forget to add the sugar.

Letters to Someone...

Over the past several weeks, I have unknowingly begun a blog series. I may not even call it a blog series. It's really more of a blog continuation. At this point, I'm not sure when or if this will end. It's still developing. This may become another permanent addition to my blog because this is something that I am passionate about sharing with all of you.

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For a long time now, I have struggled with what to write. I always feel pressured to write about DIY's, tips, and how-to's, none of which I am overly devoted to. Thankfully, my husband graciously pointed out to me that, more often than not, I write what I think people want to hear, not what is on my heart to share. At first I was frustrated when I realized this, because I don't want to waste my time writing about things that aren't important to me. If I'm going to spend time blogging, it's going to be because I am passionate about what I'm writing.

After hearing my husband's confrontation, I sat down and wrote one of my favorite posts, To the Dreamer. It was written as a letter from me to all the other dreamers out there. Once I published it, I realized that I have several different letters that I want to write. Not long after that, I wrote another post, To the Perfectionist. While writing these letters, I discovered there are so many words of encouragement and wisdom that I want to share with particular groups of people. Each of these words come straight from my heart, and I am passionate about sharing and sending them. That's when I realized that I want to add a new piece to my blog, and I have decided to call this, Letters to Someone.

Letters to Someone will be a series of letters for all different types of people in all different walks of life. I am going to share what's on my heart with all of you through these letters. I pray that all my letters will be sent to the correct address, and I don't receive any that are stamped with "return to sender." Be on the lookout, because the next letter I write may be for you to open.

To the Perfectionist...

"At its root, perfectionism isn't really about a deep love of being meticulous. It's about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure. Fear of success." - Michael Law

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If you are at all like me, you feel a constant desire to be excellent, but sometimes that desire becomes overwhelming. As time passes, you find yourself with an exorbitant need to surpass excellence and reach for perfection. Next thing you know, you struggle to find the perfect solution to every problem and to always do the right thing. You try to perfect yourself before committing to anything and feel utterly exposed if someone finds a flaw. Finally, you realize your excessive drive for excellence has long been overshadowed by a drive for perfection. I never realized I had become a perfectionist until someone stopped and said it blankly to my face. I have heard people call it by many different names - over achieving, meticulous, or "doing it right." For some reason, the idea of calling perfectionism by a another name keeps us from feeling guilty for committing it. Perfectionism hides itself in my different crevices - appearance, school, work, relationships, motherhood, and home making - but no matter how it surfaces, we are afraid to point it out. We don't want to admit that something has more control over our lives than we do.

Perfectionism is a cruel master. No matter how hard you try, perfectionism is never satisfied, and it continues to ask for more. You become easily enslaved to its ever-changing laws and expectations. It's a constant whiplash across your back leaving wounds and scares to remind you of your imperfections. Every day, it tells you that you'll never be good enough.
Perfectionism is driven by fear, not excellence. The perfectionist is afraid to fail, to succeed, to be vulnerable, to be real; the list goes on. I think the worst part is that it holds you back from achieving all you're called to do. Perfectionism keeps you chained to the idea that you can attain the impossible. Instead of living in the freedom of being you, you keep beating yourself to try and be something you can never become.

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I think it's important to point out that perfection, at least in this world, doesn't actually exist. Every time we strive to be perfect, we fail. It's an impossible task. In a strange way, trying to be perfect is really just another  way of punishing ourselves. In some cases, I think people enjoying being perfectionists. By being a perfectionist, you are able to admit your shortcomings and point out your flaws before anyone else does. It secludes you from the truth others have to offer and protects you from feeling you are a failure to others. You always disappoint yourself before anyone else can feel disappointed. For some reason, we believe it would be better to scold ourselves then to hear loving correction from a friend or family member.

As often as you hide from correction, you also seclude yourself from receiving encouragement.

I often let my struggle for perfection keep me from accomplishing anything. It could be that I don't want to turn in an assignment, make a recipe, volunteer at my church, or encourage a friend. Even now, as I'm writing this blog, I'm wondering if I'm communicating well, using proper grammar, or if I should even post this. Instead of trying to do something, I end up doing nothing. Don't let perfectionism keep you from achieving that which you love and were created to do. I've learned, often the hard way, that it's better to run the race than not start at all. Which is better, to finish the race in fifth place or to never cross the starting line? If you do run the race, don't make perfection the motivation. If perfection is the goal of running, it will steal away the joy of finishing. As long as you give it your best, it doesn't matter if you finish in first place. You can't wait to become perfect. If you do, you will never go anywhere.

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Stop believing the lies perfectionism tells you.

I know the lies are hard to ignore. You constantly hear you're not good enough, you won't amount to anything, you'll never accomplish your dreams, no one will like you, and no one will ever appreciate your work. If you believe the lies perfectionism tells you, you will become its slave. The only person expecting you to be perfect is you. Don't serve your perfectionist ideals. No one is perfect. We aren't a production line of unblemished people who can be recalled and returned because of a flaw. We are all created to be different. We are all unique individuals because of our strengths and our mistakes. Don't let the pursuit of perfectionism destroy who you are and what you were created for. If you do, you rob us all from enjoying the unique individual that you are.

Everyone can try to be perfect, but you are the only one who can be you.

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

- II Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)

To the Dreamer...

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

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Have you ever had a dream? I know that I have, and I still do. I'm not just talking about random inspirational fantasies. As a child, I had a lot of those. One day I wanted to be a famous tap dancer, and the next I wanted to be a scientist. If you look back through your childhood, I'm sure that you can find a time that you wanted to be a ballerina, an astronaut, or a race car driver. But I'm not talking about those dreams.

I'm talking about the dreams that bring life to a calling deep inside of you.

Dreams that grip your heart and dig talons so deep that to remove them would leave scars disfiguring you forever. Maybe your dream is to start a bakery. Maybe you dream of being a recording artist, a lawyer, or a school teacher. It could be you dream of being a mother or finally achieving world peace. I dream of a family, training leaders, and restoring cities.

The past several weeks I've been thinking a lot about dreams. Dreams are a vital part of life that feed the soul and fuel your passions. Dreams don't just give you something to wish for, they give you a purpose. In a way, they define you. I wouldn't say they are your identity, but dreams do say something about who you are. They have a unique way of telling people what you stand for. More importantly, dreams remind yourself what you were made for; they bring your calling to the surface.

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As wonderful as dreams are, dreams are tough. They are alluringly described in so many picturesque movies and poetic songs, but none of those stories seem to capture the difficulties of a dream. It's important to remember that there is always someone or something out there ready to drive your dream to ruin. Dreams don't just happen. They take patience, hard work, courage, tenacity, and faith. You have to fight for your dream. Because hard times come, people often forget their dreams and lose sight of who they are. Those without dreams become wandering and aimless souls who search for a place to call home.

No matter what happens, don't give up. If you do, the consequences of quitting are much more severe than the struggles of continuing.

The trials you face will not be easy, but you can conquer them. As long as you press on, you will have the passion and purpose of your dream to give you strength to push forward. Eventually, you will see your dream rise like the sun over the horizon, and it will all be worth it. The moment you give up, you sentence yourself to wander meaningless in the dark. Confusion and loneliness become your only allies.  

The trials you experience are growth for the dream you are hoping for. Preparation can be painful, and it usually isn't very fun, but it's necessary to succeed. Just like an athlete trains for a race, this is your training. A runner can't compete in a marathon without going through the pain of preparing first. Without the training and growth, you will never reach the starting line. Embrace your struggles as best you can because those struggles will give you the endurance you need to finish the race.

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Once you cross that starting line, don't be discouraged if your dream doesn't happen exactly the way you imagined. Over time, things evolve and situations change. The exact details of your dream may unfold differently than you originally planned, but that doesn't mean your dream has changed. Despite all the specifics, the skeleton of your dream is still the same. Enjoy your dream for the beautiful masterpiece that it has become. 

My last word to you is this; No matter what anyone says, your dream makes a difference. Your actions and achievements have an influence on the world and people around you whether it be for better or for worse.

It is up to you to decide what kind of difference your dream will make.

"Therefore we do not lost heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

- II Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

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Decorating for Fall

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus

Oh Fall... It's amazing how it seems to sneak up on me every year. One day I'm enjoying summer and soaking up the sun, and the next morning I wake up to news about the latest sale on school supplies. I go through my day listening to the sound of boots clicking on the floor and the smell of musty hoodies that have been in storage too long. When I check the news, the weather man informs me that the temperature has dropped two degrees since yesterday. For some reason, people have decided that 70 degrees is the breaking point between shorts and sweaters. Every year I am surprised by the world's rush to get fall started. Maybe it's because mothers are desperate to get away from the kids, or maybe it's because people want to trade in their ice cream cones for pumpkin pie. If anyone is like me, it's because they just want it to be Christmas already.

The great thing about the change of seasons is that it gives me an excuse to redecorate the house. The best part about the fall is its colors. There is something particularly calming about Autumn colors. It's as if the sunset exploded to remind me the sun is going into hibernation for the next six months, and I should do the same. Each color silently invites me to cuddle up and prepare for the coming winter. When I decorate for Autumn, I don't like flooding my home with spiders, witches, zombies, and goblins. The appearance is a little too creepy and cartoony for my taste. It makes me feel like I'm walking around in an episode of Scooby Doo. It seems as if I might get mauled by Scooby and Shaggy running frantically from a zombie, or catch Fred and Daphne kissing in my closet, or get hit in the head when Velma tosses a Scooby Snack. Needless to say, I prefer more natural, or shabby chic, decor. At the same time, there must be a balance. I've seen some decor go into hyper drive with gourds and pumpkins. That's when I discover I'm trapped in a live version of Veggie Tales. I start glancing over my shoulder to make sure the vegetables aren't walking around on the counter announcing that "You are special, and God loves you very much!"

For this season, I have searched the internet for several tasteful ideas for my Fall decorations. I want to create my own decorations for as little as possible, so they need to be fairly simple. Since many of necessary items are all natural, saving money should be relatively easy. My goal is to make great decorations while avoiding the Scooby Doo chaos and the Veggie Tale slogans. Here are some of my ideas. Hopefully they inspire you as well!




Get four small pieces of wood and brace them together with a piece of wood along the back. Hang two layers of twine around the front and hang letters to spell "Give Thanks."

Create a wreath from sticks and leaves to hang on your front door. 

Try wrapping several candles in burlap. Then print a letter on each one to spell "gather" or "thanks."












Buy some cheap wine glasses from the dollar store. Place them upside down over gourds. Then place votives on top. Surround the setting with pine cones and leaves.


Add sticks, nuts, and leaves to a candle holder.






















Don't forget the candy! Fill clear jars with Reese's Pieces, peanuts, and candy corn for an Autumn snack.















Try filling candle holders with nuts you find from outside. Or you can try filling a large glass bowl with apples and add a candle.















This is simple enough. Buy a large glass cylinder and fill it with dried leaves from outside.

Cut off the top of a pumpkin and carve a circle in the shell. Glue some sticks and leaves around the top and add a candle. Now you have a festive candle holder to light your porch or hallway.

Here is a similar idea, but with gourds. Cut holes in small gourds big enough for a tall candle. Then glue pine cones around the ends. Now you have a beautiful set of candles for your dinner table!















Another idea for the dinner tables is this one. Wrap your napkins in leather string. Then place a leaf over each place setting.




If you want to get a little fancier, create a napkin ring with acorns! Simply collect acorns from outside and string them around some wire and tie the ends together!

Modge Podge some leaves around a pumpkin and place it out on your porch.

Create a print with lots of different words signifying the new season. Put it in a beautiful frame to hang on the wall or add to the mantel.











A pumpkin book! Find an old paper back book. Cut the edges so it's rounded like a pumpkin. Glue the ends of the book together and add a stick to the center. Put a bow around the stick and voila! You may also want to try ripping the whole cover off the book. Depends on the book and size.





For the mantle, place some gourds on stands. Then print out letters spelling "FALL" and frame them. It's very simple, neat, and clean.

Glue burlap around a candle holder or a mason jar. Add a leaf. Wrap the whole thing in twine and make a bow.













Here is another idea for your dinner table. Use old pages from a book to cut out leaf shapes. Glue the paper leave on to a stick and add to glasses sitting at each place setting.














Make a wreath for your front door. Personalize it with some paper leaves and your monogram.















Frame some leaves and hang them on the wall or add them to your mantle.














Find some empty bottles or mason jars. You can color them if you would like. Print a letter on each jar to spell "FALL." You could also wrap the bottle in burlap and print the letters on the fabric. Then fill the jars with wheat, sticks, or leaves!

Glue twigs around a candle holder.

Find an old metal bucket and fill it with sticks.

Glue leaves around a candle and wrap it with twine.

Fill a candle holder with dried corn kernels and add a candle.

If you find a tall vase, find some beautiful sticks and glue them around it.

Here is an example of a beautiful wreath. I love the choice in leaves and the burlap bow.

And last, but not least, the chevron pumpkin! How awesome is that??

Chevron pumpkin. How cool is that?