Tiffany Harper

Hello Friends,



I will be taking a little blog vacation for the next week. With Christmas season, I feel I must spend more time with my family. This December I will only be posting a couple of times a week. beginning January 2010 I will update more regularly.



Merry Christmas!



Tiff~

Celebrating Jesus

I am so fortunate to be employed at a place that celebrates the life of Jesus Christ.  That celebrates His birth and death...knowing that without those two important events we would not have the salvation that we know of and find so much peace and comfort in now. 

In keeping with tradition, I am completing Advent readings until Christmas. Advent Readings are basically reading scriptures that point to the first coming of Christ.  In reading Old Testament prophesies it is amazing to see and read the descriptions of Jesus and what His life and work would be like when He arrived. 

Azusa Pacific University provided Advent readings for all of us and I thought I would share them with you if you were interested. 

I pray you spend this Christmas season rejoicing in the coming of our Savior. 

Are any of you participating in Advent readings with your church/community?

Tiff~

Slightly Book Obsessed

I LOVE to read.  I can read a book rather quickly if I am really into it. 

The Twilight series?  Yeah,  read through all four of those books in a week.  No husbands or children were neglected during that time. 

Okay well maybe for a couple of days...but that was all!

Anyway, one of the things I get really excited about for the new year is a reading plan.  I love having a list of books planned out for the year. 

Here is my list for 2010:

The Dangerous Act of Worship-Mark Labberton

Hearing God-Dallas Willard

Same Kind of Different As Me-Ron Hall

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years-Donald Miller

Renovation of The Heart-Dallas Willard

No Perfect People Allowed-John Burke

Plan B-Pete Wilson (available Spring 2010)

I Will Carry You-Angie Smith (available Spring 2010)

Going Rogue-Sarah Palin (Totally curious what all the buzz is about....plus I totally dig politics!)

The Naked Gospel-Andrew Farley (Not entirely sure about this one yet....still researching)

So tell me!  Do you have a reading list for 2010? Have any recommendations for me?  Please share!

Tiff~

Etsy Tuesday Break

There will be no Etsy Tuesday today.  I apologize about that. I feel like I needed a little break from Etsy since I have been spending a lot of time there grabbing oh so fun gifts for loved ones this Christmas.

But I do want to hear from you.

With the hustle and bustle that often comes with this holiday season, we often forget to slow down and enjoy time with loved ones.  Forget to reflect on the beauty and wonder of the season.

We forget about Jesus. 

Not purposefully.  But we allow the gift buying, holiday baking, house decorating to just stop.  These things aren't bad.  I love decorating my home in glittery holiday decor and the sweet and delicious smells of baked goods permeating the air. 

And I won't lie I LOVE eating said baked goods.

I am excited for:

Sean's first Christmas

Singing Christmas Carols

Drinking Hot Cocoa with the family

Warm Fires and blankets on cold evenings

Watching movies like A Christmas Story and Elf

Christmas Eve services at church

Seeing my family together in one home. 

Celebrating the birth of Christ. 

So tell me....What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?  

Xoxo,

Tiff~

Beautiful Beautiful

Last weekend I sang at Illuminate.  This was the first time I had sung in over a year.  It was challenging yet I find myself revived. Reliving a dream and once again doing something that I love doing. 

Music is such a big part of my life.  I pay close attention to the lyrics of a song.  Because those are words that were written down by the author.  They came from the heart. There is a purpose behind those words. 

And often times those very lyrics speak to other individuals, like me, and help them through their darkest moments.

Lately, I have been filling up my iPod with so many songs that have just been hitting a cord with me lately. 

Like this one.

Francesca Battistelli's song Beautiful, Beautiful instantly struck my heart.  The lyrics are simple in that she tries to describe how God grabbed ahold of her heart and her life...and made it so beautiful. It can't be explained. It just is. 

To experience God's love is something that I can never find adequate words to describe.  How he grabbed me from certain death, took my sin upon Himself and died on the cross...the cross that was meant for me. 

Check out the song.  I am in love with it.

Beautiful, Beautiful (Francesca Battestilli)

Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

(Chorus)
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

(Chorus)

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace

(Chorus)

Xoxo,

Tiffany

Totally Digging This

I am totally digging this video right now.  I love the message.  Let's be bold! 

Blessings,

Tiff~

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Today, I am thankful for:

*My Husband who absolutely adores me and sacrifices so much to provide for us

*For Madi, who is a little mini me in every way and lights up my life so much. I can't imagine my life without her in it.

*For Sean who is just the happiest little guy in the world.  The smile melts my heart.

*For the gift of salvation that I have been given through Jesus Christ.  The price He paid on the cross is what I deserved and He took it for me.  I can never repay Him. Saying thank you will never be enough.  I love Him.

For my life, my health, for a roof over my head, money in the bank account,  and friends to share and laugh with.  

For the opportunity to do ministry with my husband. To see lives changed.  I can't get over that.

And for you. For making this blog a place where I can share my heart and not be judged.  For sharing your thoughts and emails and even just reading.  I will never understand why anyone would be interested in my little life. But I thank you for stopping by. 

What are you thankful for?

Blessings,

Tiff~

What To Look For-Hate The Game

At Illuminate we are really hitting home in our relationship series.  We often hear from our students about how much they desire to find the one that they are going to spend the rest of their lives with.  I have no doubt about how much they desire to be loved by someone.  I felt those same feelings often.  I often would ask God just who would be my husband.  I waited anxiously to meet him, but I am at the same time so thankful that God put me in areas to serve and taught me how to love HIM first.  It wasn't an easy lesson, but it was one of the best lessons I have ever had.  And I learned so much in that time of serving on with our high school ministry. And I met so many amazing people during that time. 

A question I get a lot from people is how did I know Dan was it? What exactly was I looking for and did Dan meet it? Did I have a list of things that were non negotiable? 

For one, yes. I did have a list.  Let me elaborate a little bit.  I became a christian nearly 10 years ago.  I have had my share of failed relationships, both christian and non.  I didn't want to just date some guy to pass the time.  I also didn't want a guy who just said he was a follower of Christ, yet his life bared NO FRUIT whatsoever.  I also wanted a guy who served actively in his community/church.  I wasn't looking for a pastor to marry. In fact, I pretty much remember asking God that I NOT MARRY A PASTOR!  I wasn't sure I wanted that type of responsibility. And I had a pretty skewed vision of what a pastor wife was. 

I thought they were pretty boring and wore dowdy clothes. And we all know how I feel about fashion ya'll. 

When I met Dan, I wasn't looking for a relationship. The reality was that we both had just come out of long term relationships.  We were exhausted and didn't feel up to the task of getting to know another individual to see if it would work. Little did we know how much God was doing behind the scenes. 

Dan had all the facets of a man I was looking for...except that he was a pastor. Dangit!  What do I do with that??!!!  But honestly, I didn't see just a pastor.  I saw a man who LOVED God. Who desired to serve Him. Who longed to reach the entire world for Christ. Who would stop at nothing to share His name.  Who loved people.  Who was outgoing. Sensitive.  Compassionate. Goal-oriented. HAD A JOB! (that is a big one ladies. Take note.  I am not talking about how much money he makes.  I am talking about his ability to provide for his household.) And the idea of never marrying a pastor flew out the window. I was in love!

Our relationship wasn't 100% perfect. In fact, we broke up for a bit.  Perhaps one day I will tell our story. Of how we met. How we fell in love. Breaking up, coming back together.....all the stuff that movies are made of ;).

I believe that we should all have a standard that we keep in the types of people we date.  In saying that though..... a person looking for a 10 must be a 10 themselves.  So if you are looking for someone who lives a life of godliness, serves, is trustworthy and you aren't those things yourself....you will not attract that type of person you are looking for.  You, more often than not, attract what you are.  There are always exceptions.  But they are just that...the exception. Not the rule. 

I hope you are encouraged.  And remember.....seek your first love, your heavenly Father. 

Blessings,

Tiff~

Etsy Tuesday

Hello my sweet bloggy friends.  I hope you are all getting ready for Thanksgiving on Thursday.  I cannot even tell you how excited I am for this weekend.  I am so ready to eat myself silly. ;)

Now onto some Etsy goodness. 

Painted White: handmade goodness galore. I adore handmade home decor items.  They create such a warm and homey environment. Her page is featured on the home page of Etsy. ;)

4Leaf Boutique: Sweet items for your wee one. Makes great baby shower gifts!  I heard about this shop through one of my dearest friends. 

SweetWater Scrapbook: This is also a scrapbook paper company.   I am in love with Fabric Calendar Kit they have for sale. 

Post Road Vintage: Vintage items...nuff said!

Revolution Garden: Ummm this shop is just fun.  Who doesn't want a beautiful mask?  Would be perfect for a Masquerade party.  Gorgeous!

My Patterned Mind: I just adore the clutches in this shop.  And the patterns are to die for.  So stylish and fun for any outfit that needs a little pop of color.

Happy shopping ;)

Tiff~

He Is Not The Enemy

Dan and I had one of those days.

One of those fights.

Neither of us were going to back down.

We literally had our hands crossed and glared at each other while our 3 year old threw a massive hissy fit on our bedroom floor.  It was getting ugly, but neither one of us were willing to compromise on our position because we both believe we were right. And the other was wrong.

Suddenly, we became the enemy. To each other.

Words were said by both of us that were hurtful and went to bed angry with each other.  We didn't want to talk it out.  We didn't want to hear what the other was feeling or even give their views a second thought.

Pride got in the way of working a situation out with my best friend. 

Pride is ugly. 

It is the biggest reason why it is so hard to say the words "I'm sorry" or "please forgive me."  It is the reason why our words lack grace and are so full of venom.  I am sure the children feel that. I know they see it. 

Whenever Dan and I have those moments....those heated discussions that continue to escalate into yelling matches...I find myself thinking he is the enemy.

When he is not. 

He is my husband.  My best friend. 

We have a real enemy.  One who is constantly seeking to destroy us.  And I know he is constantly trying to destroy our marriage. 

So why do we let him have a foothold?  

Today I am going to kneel before my Heavenly Father and seek forgiveness. And then I am going to call my earthly husband and seek his forgiveness as well.

Because pride is ugly.

And I want to be the wife that my husband is able to find comfort in. 

Pride has no place in marriage. 

Has Pride found a home in yours?

Tiff~