Worn

https://youtu.be/UUEy8nZvpdM

I know Promise has always posted music videos, but I can't help this one.  It came across my Pandora tonight as I was working, and I couldn't help but realize how closely the lyrics relate to my life right now.

The past few days have been trying.  I had a falling out with some friends (and am trying to tactfully stick up for my beliefs and what is best for me), worked too hard, and my sickness has been prominent the past few days.  I told my brother that I am bone-weary.

Which was until the clock struck 9:30, and insomnia hit.  Now I am exhausted, at 1:48am....and the thought of getting up tomorrow morning is beyond me. 

One moment at a time, one step at a time.  :)  That's all I can take right now.

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."  1 Peter 1:7-8

Dealing with Critiques ~Promise

   Hey...I'm going to be honest here for a minute. I just spent a few minutes feeling pretty depressed. As you know, I write music and that music means a lot to me. It's part of my soul weaving it's self into melodies and rhymes, so when someone shows me the problems withing said music, I can feel pretty down for a while. I decided to write out a few ways that I can deal with critiques.

  1. Know that when someone critiques your work, they aren't personally attacking you. (or at least, they shouldn't be) If a person spends the time to show you how your work can get better, then you're obviously worth something.

2. It's okay if you don't agree. A different opinion doesn't automatically mean it's the right option for you. When it comes down to it, you are the creator, and you decide how to put critiques to use.

3. JUST BECAUSE ONE PIECE HAS PROBLEMS DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE BAD AT WHAT YOU DO. This was my first thought. I give up. If I don't do anything else, then I won't have to deal with critiques. NOPE. Don't listen to that! If the critic knew that his critique gave that reaction, then he'd probably feel horrible. A good critique encourages AND helps with weak points.


~Promise

Tuesday Tunes with Casting Crowns

Hey people! I'm short on time, so here you go. Wedding Day by Casting Crowns. It's good. It's beautiful. It shows the undying love of Christ. I'm sure Grace will add comments on the song since she suggested it.

~Promise

Promise's Quirks

   Hey everybody! Today, I thought I'd post about ten weird things about me...If you're still reading the blog by the time we're done, maybe post a quirk of yours in the comments.

1. I can't stand liking a Youtube video when it's already on a 0 or a 5. Same sort of thing with the TV volume, I have to have it to end with a 0 or a 5.

2. I don't really like peanut butter unless my blood sugar is low, then it's the best tasting food ever.

3. I hate the sound of polyester being scratched or rubbed.

4. I don't really like dill pickles, but I really like dill pickle flavored things, like dill pickle potato chips. The same goes for bananas.

5. I relate almost anything to a song or a movie, and I love memorizing movie quotes.

6. I especially like less well know Disney movies like The Emperor's New Groove or Tarzan.

7. I HATE spending money. It pains me to spend $10. (Kat can attest to this.)

8. I don't mind snakes or mice, but I HATE spiders. I don't know why...Irrational fear I suppose...

9. I will find a song I like and listen to it on repeat until my ears bleed.

10. I'm very picky about my nails. I can't stand having my nails jagged or rough.


   Well, that's that. Don't forget to comment!

~Promise.

Tuesday Tunes with Britt Nicole

   Hey People who actually read this! Today's post is from Britt Nicole.

These songs are especially for Grace. I think she might like the lyrics. The first song is called 'When She Cries.' I love this song, it tells the story of a broken girl and her struggles, and eventually her move towards a better life.









 The next (and last) song is called 'Still that Girl.' This song means so much to me. It reminds us that even when we go through hard things, we can emerge stronger than before.
   Enjoy! ~Promise.

Kathryn and Kat do My Makeup?!

Sooooo....Kathryn and Kat are some of my best friends...And I trust them to make good decisions....However......

They were going for a 50's feel. I think. ;) Hey, they're getting good, and if they need me to experiment on, then I'm game. It's really not THAT bad...maybe just clip my eyeliner's wings. Love you girls! 

(It probably would have helped Kat if I wasn't laughing so hard. Note to self, Blimey Cow and makeovers don't always mix...)

~Promise. 

A Delish Peanut Buttery Treat ~Promise

I told Grace via email that I had made a goodie involving peanut butter, and she replied with "PEANUT BUTTER?!!!?!!!?!?!?! GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME 

GIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"

Yes. That was a quote.


So, I figured that I'd do her a favor and give her the recipe.


It's pretty simple.


1/2 cup peanut butter

  1 cup powdered milk

1/2 - 1 cup sugar or coconut sugar

Simply combine in a food prosessor or a mixer, then roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. They should look something like this.

Now, if you must, you can eat the peanut butter balls right then, but they taste even better after they've been in the freezer for a few hours.

So, there you go. You're welcome, Grace.

~Promise

Tuesday Tunes with My Childhood Music.

    Hey everyone! (Okay, Introductions are super annoying to write, so gimme a break, 'kay?)
   Today I'm feeling some nostalgia, so I'm taking a trip back in time to some of the music I liked as a kid.

The Great Adventure, Steven Curtis Chapman. This guy and his music has gotten me through some hard times. But I'll post on that some other day. I remember thinking how awesome this music was back as a 8 year old. Love that electric guitar. My family loves this guy. I think we have all of his CDs, except for the new one.

Revelation, Third Day. My Dad really liked Third Day when I was a kid. We have most of their CDs as well. I don't really remember all the songs I liked, but I know we listened to this one on road trips. It's pretty great, and I think Grace will like it.

The Motions, Mathew West. I remember when this album came out. I still love it. I do specifically remember loving this song. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, MATHEW WEST IS AMAZING.



Well, that was my trip down memory lane. Enjoy! ~Promise.

Divine Love -- Grace

I just wanted to....I dunno...get my feelings out?  I saw something a few minutes ago that had a huge impact on me, and I wanted to write about it.

If you're a regular reader on the Double H, you probably know I've been going through some health problems for a few months now.  I've been dealing with a lot of insecurity lately, partly due to that, and it seems like the devil's been sneaking some lies into my brain.

As if that's not trying enough, I've been thinking a lot about my future.  I'm a senior this year (FINALLY!!!!) ;) and I've been praying about what I'm supposed to do with my life.  Let's just say....I have a map, and God has a map.

And they don't match.

Sooooo, I've been trying to argue with myself to get over 1) my insecurities and 2) my self-will.  Neither of them are coming easy.

I'm sure you've been wont to ask the question, "Why me?  Why do I have to deal with this?"

I remember sitting in the car alone after having a breakdown in the grocery store.  Mom was finishing her shopping and I was...bawling.  I turned my face towards Heaven and I said, "Why me?  Why do I have to deal with this?  Is this my lot in life -- all of this lethargy and fatigue, all of this brain fog and forgetfulness?  Am I stuck with feeling insecure and depressed for the rest of my life?"  And then I told Him...that I felt terrible about myself.  I told Him my insecurities and weaknesses and all the reasons I detested to look in the mirror.

And the Spirit came, and He whispered, I love you.  And then one of the best things happened.  He told me one way He was going to use my life...to help others.  It was incredible.  I was excited.

Yet here I am, sitting here looking towards Heaven again, wondering, "Why me?  How is this going to benefit me?"  I think that's a common problem...just wondering what's in it for yourself.  But, I am.

And I just read a quote I loved a few months ago, and had forgotten about.  It's Charles Spurgeon.  Great guy, he was.  One thing: I think it's interesting that he spoke this back in the 1800s and the Lord used it to minister to me today, nearly two hundred years later.  Anything, what Mr. Spurgeon said all those years ago was this:

"Remember this: had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, Divine Love would have put you there."

-- Charles Spurgeon

What a great and divine Master we serve....One Who loves all of us so much that He put us in our respective places, knowing what kind of a refining we would need to be pure gold fit for His kingdom; knowing just what we would need in our lives to sustain us and help us become pure and perfect.

Charles Spurgeon was right. 

God is Divine Love.