Thursday, September 30, 2010

If I could do IT again

I often talk about getting married again, well, not getting married to a different man...the same man, I love John, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.



But if we could do our wedding over again, what I would do differently... you know I'd hire a photographer, I've talked about that before.



But what about what I would wear?



Definately not WHAT I ACTUALLY wore... because that was anything but timeless... can you say helllllllllloooooooo 80's!



I mean, big, everything...







I'd probably be a two dress bride.



Maybe?

Dando as boas-vindas ao Outono - Welcoming fall


(Scroll down for English)
À medida que o Outono se instala sinto-me mais e mais no meu elemento natural, no que respeita a roupa. Hoje estou a combinar cor de tijolo castanho "ferrugem" com cinza claro, outra combinação que não se vê muito, mas que na minha opinião resulta muito bem. Adoro este tom coordenado com gangas, tons neutros ou preto. Outra paixão que nutro é as peles e o toque especial que dão a qualquer coordenado… Desde que me conheço, sempre as usei e portanto ano a moda vai de encontro às minhas preferências e não o contrário…

As fall is slowly settling in, I feel more and more in my natural element, garment wise. Today I’m combining rusty brown with light grey, another color combo which is a little unusual but that works wonderfully, in my opinion. I love this shade of orange brown (here we call it “brick” or "rust" rusty brown) coordinated with jeans, neutrals or black. Another passion of mine is fur and the way it enhances any simple outfit taking it to a different level. Since I can remember, I’ve always loved and wore fur and leather, so this year fashion comes to meet my likings and not the other way around.


(Esta foto tirada com o telemóvel, hoje de tarde)
(This picture was taken this afternoon with my cell phone)

radio silence???

okay... -----> l i s t e n <----- no one like radio silence! i don't. not from my husband, my friends, or my favorite blogs, so for that i apologize for being soOOOoo quite lately! i know, i've still been posting... but, we have projects to be done... right! ;) i hope that all of you have taken my tardiness and ran with it... so, we can get back to our quilt as you go quilt-along and not be too far behind! i swear... i pathetically only got one more block pieced, but it is cute... so i will choose to forgive myself for being a slacker! but no more, darn it! i'm gonna need my peeps to keep me on track!! ya hear me peeps!... that means YOU! haha...
i will admit though... it's hard not to get off track when your favorite local quilt store shows you THIS when you arrive!! ( and yes, i realize that i didn't need to be taking any fabric buying trips... but i'm naughty, so i don't care, really! )... back to the blame game... dang you Cool Cottons!! when i saw this...

i instantly thought of my son's light that we got him at Ikea... so, i had to buy it and make him his favorite treat from me... ( if a boy has a favorite treat from his sewing mother! ) LOL

a new fabulous "video gaming" pillow! i do love it so ;)


i wish you could see the stitching better ( sigh ) it's really cool... blue thread on 3/4 of the pillow and then red on the other 1/4th.

then my beloved miss Nova sent me the most fabulous surprise this week! i was completely shocked, speechless ( yes, me ), and touched!! this amazing quilt top was made over from the Anna Maria Horner Garden Party fabric that i sent to her... she made us twinsie single girl quilts with it! this one she used ashley's wonky strip quilt tutorial and i'm still swooning over it!!

i even thought about breaking my cardinal rule... true. and hanging a quilt on my wall! in this picture... i have even lifted my design up and layed it behind my couch to see how it would look. haha... i think i'm digging it ;)

and of course... a Nova package could not be complete with out a tiny, mini sprinkle of love!... this one was the cutest mug rug in my favorite colors... isn't she the BEST!

okay... now that i've spent my morning thus far, ranting about getting nothing done... i better go sew! LOL

xo, Heather

Halloween Inspired!

Halloween is always so fun around here at MasterPiece Weddings! Its great to feel inpired by a fun and silly tradition of witches and goblins.



What do you think of Lizzie's inpired Halloween Board?









Dresses, Invitation, Table Decor, Pumpkin, Drinks, Cookies

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hoje, ao estilo GI Jane – Today I went GI Jane style


(Scroll down for English)
Mais casual e descontraída, senti-me acima de tudo muito confortável. As botas foram uma surpresa em termos the conforto, pois as últimas botas que tive deste género literalmente assassinavam-me os pés de cada vez que as usava por mais de meia hora! Também desta vez comprei dois números acima do que uso normalmente para sapatos, e acho que fez a toda a diferença! Outro truque é usar o cinto a definir a cintura um pouco acima da cintura natural… Faz as pernas parecerem mais compridas, compensando o efeito visual redutor das calças pelos tornozelos.

I wore a more casual and relaxed look today, and above all I felt comfortable. The boots were a pleasant surprise comfort wise, the last pair I’ve own (which was wedges similar to these, but lower at the ankle, from a previous collection) literally killed my feet every time I wore them for more than half an hour. I really love this style so this year I grabbed these as soon as they hit the market, even after my previous experience; only this time around I picked a pair two sizes bigger than my regular shoe size, and I think it made all the difference! I’m also wearing a wide belt that stands slightly above my natural waist; it gives the illusion of longer legs, compensating the shortening visual effect of the cropped pants.

Christian Carnival II – September 29, 2010

Since the inception of this blog, I’ve been participating in the Christian Carnival II Blog Carnival, and for the first time, I’m hosting it. Thanks to everyone who contributed and waited patiently for my Pacific Time Zone posting. Here is this week’s blog list in a not-so-randomly generated order:

“The Lost Proverb: Where are all the True Men?”
Great question. First up is this amusing retelling of Proverbs 31 on PB Jung, submitted by Peter Jung, a new member of the group. I’m not too keen on the idea of having competition in the kitchen: “He is like a professional chef preparing exquisite dishes and selecting choice wines, he gets his ingredients from afar.” But I predict my sister will like this new version: “He exercises (self control), he girds himself with strength (spiritual, mental, physical) and makes his abs flat.”


“Fear and Loathing in America the Beautiful”
Over at Funny about Money, the author of this post discusses her puzzlement over her father’s bigotry and coming to an understanding about his fears real and imagined.


“Lost in the Weeds”
Having only ever seen about 10 minutes of the Showtime series Weeds, I found Dave Taylor’s review over on Inside the Fish very informative. It made me wonder if the show is essentially doing for marijuana what Will & Grace did for homosexuality. The election’s closing in on us, you know…


“Don’t Be a Fish While Fishing”
Andrew, from Rely on God in Your Personal Development, takes an unusual point of view on the devil as a “fisher of men.”


“Copan on the Canaanite Genocide”
Parableman Jeremy Pierce joins in a web-wide discussion about morality, divinely-ordered genocide, and the Israelite conquest of Canaan. I’ll have to find time to go back and read the others’ posts to catch up on the details.


“Life is Beautiful”
On And She Went Out..., Michelle talks about life and the special meaning Psalm 91 now has for her.


“Jewish Thoughts on Wealth”
Free Money Finance offers a short critique of The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People by Steven Silbiger, a book that contrasts New Testament discussions about wealth with medieval Jewish teachings.


“Psalm 145 - The Missing Nun”
Dust always makes me wish I could figure out how to learn Hebrew. This post, part of Bob MacDonald’s series on the Oxford Psalms Conference (September 22-24, 2010), tackles the Masoretic text’s “missing nun verse” that the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Septuagint, the Peshitta, and other manuscripts have intact.


“What Do I Identify With Too Much?”
A Clay Pot’s Crystal Rodli writes about “giving it all up” for Christ. How this type of sacrifice affected Paul’s identity is something I realized I hadn’t thought about much before.


“10 Ways To Encourage Your Minister Today”
On Money Help For Christians, Craig Ford discusses some of the stress and discouragement church leaders face and how might we as members of their congregations improve things. Tip no. 4 cuts to the chase: “Ask your minister, ‘What are two things we could be doing differently as a church to minister to you?’”


“Friday Reflection: Trevor and Love”
Take a look at the simple but profound wisdom from a comic strip on My Jarrol Spot. Deano tries to put God’s powerful love in proper perspective.


“Contentment”
At Who Am I?, Barry Wallace looks to the Puritans for a better understanding of Christian contentment.


“The Thunderous Sound of Praise!”
LOSWL on INSPIKS talks about W2W Soul’s 100 Days Praise Challenge.


“Scarabs and Sheep”
Discussing how non-Christians try to shame us out of Christianity, Scottyi, on Sacred Raisin Cakes, looks at how the dung beetle can actually be a positive description. Anyone up to appropriating the image?


“My GPS”
On Ridge’s Blog, Ridge Burns talks about allowing God’s Word to steer you in the right direction.


“Potiphar’s Wife”
Russ White, from Thinking in Christ, looks at the connection between lust and anger using the Bible’s most famous seductress as an example. This was a timely read for me, since I’ve recently read the Qu’ran’s version of the story, which paints this woman in a more positive light.


“What’s Your Goliath?”
Kaleb from W2W Soul “interviews” David about his experience and having faith in God’s power to destroy the enemy.


“Democrats in Trouble, Republicans the Answer?”
At Random Musings on Anything and Everything from a Biblical Worldview, Chris Price responds to common arguments given for supporting Republicans in political office. In response, I’d ask, how do we set about “cleaning house” since Christians refusing to vote for major party candidates doesn’t seem to be getting us anywhere.


“When ‘Equally Yoked’ Really Isn’t”
After all of that, if you still have some time, please contribute your thoughts on my recent post addressing the “missionary dating” fad.


Hwyl fawr.

{ House } of A La Mode

Such an exciting day for me today! First… we get to find out who will win the fabulous Tina Given’s new book ( Sew Tina ) and extra package of goodies and then I’m gonna share with you my fun news ( which will only probably be fun to me… but bear with me! )

Thanks again to miss Tina and Lark Crafts for their generosity!! And remember if you didn’t win here… lordy, keep trying… this is a blog hop people! You can grab the next blog of Lark Crafts blog! ;)

Drum roll please...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
8
Timestamp: 2010-09-29 14:01:10 UTC

Poppyprint said...
How lovely to get to know Tina! Thanks for that fab interview Heather and Tina. I must say I'm not an old movie watcher; my always & forever favourite is the Princess Bride.
September 26, 2010 10:54 PM

Congrats darlin!!! now for my news... i have decided to change my name. no, not Heather of course, but alamodefabric. when i originally chose that name i was planning on opening a fabric store on Etsy. Well... clearly that's not the direction i ended up going with and the name just never really made sense thereafter. I'm really excited to embrace my new name which ( hopefully ) communicates my style and direction more clearly. it seems that all my Flickr and Blog project somehow relate to " the home " so... after a lot of contemplating over if i should and what i would change it too... i decided on { House } of A La Mode.


here's to a new beginning!!
xo, Heather

PS... my dear friend Katie has made the most wonderful quilt to raise money for an amazing Charity... the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. PLEASE stop by and GIVE!! no one knows who's family will be touched by this organization next. thanks!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

O coordenado de hoje - Today's outfit


(Scroll down for English)
Em primeiro lugar, muito obrigada pelos vossos comentários na entrada anterior, fico feliz que apreciem as roupinhas que vou fazendo!
O vermelho é mesmo a minha cor favorita (não necessariamente a que uso mais, essa seria o preto) e quando a uso sinto-me ultra-confiante. Aqui combinei-o com castanho, uma combinação menos vista, creio eu. Já tenho a bolsa castanha há anos (muitos), mas continua actual e nova; sendo um artigo clássico de pele bem confeccionado e acabado, sobrevive aos anos e às modas. Os sapatos de leopardo dão ao conjunto todo um toque “trendy” e ousado. Embora seja uma tendência, não é de agora que gosto do padrão leopardo, especialmente em acessórios. E hoje lá consegui convencer o namorado a tirar-me uma foto na hora de almoço (é pena que tenha ficado de olhos fechados)!

First of all I want to thank you guys for the wonderful comments on my previous entry; I’m happy that you appreciate the garments that I make!
Red has always been my favorite color (not necessarily the color that I wear the most, which would be black, btw) and when wearing red I always feel extra confident. In this outfit I’ve coordinated red with brown, a less seen color combo, perhaps. I own the brown bag for years (many years!) but it’s still contemporary and it looks like new; a classic well finished quality leather accessory will survive the years and the trends to come. The leopard shoes provide a trendy edgy touch to the outfit. I’ve always loved leopard print, especially in accessories. Ahhh, today I managed to convince the boyfriend to snap a picture of me during our lunch break (too bad my eyes were shut, lol!)!





Smile!

So it was almost 9 months ago that SWOON OVER IT, took this picture:





It still can't believe I've been a mom for almost 9 months, that's crazy, insane.



What's more insane is that it's a 'ber month... like, SeptemBER, OctoBER... that means it's Christmas, tomorrow. (okay, slight exaggeration)



I mean really, where did this year go? Hellllllllloooooooo?



So, then that brings me to this:









Yeah, um helloooooo! Where is THAT baby??? That little baby that didn't roll over, or crawl, or um, WALK! Did I mention he's almost walking?



But, serioulsy, totally cute, right?



I know, I don't update tooooo much personally on this site, but the serious-adorableness-had-to-be-shared!



Thank you to Verve Studio for their amazing artistic eye and more amazing images!!! I love you sooooo big, forever and ever and ever, big!

Monday, September 27, 2010

When in Boredom, Talk about the Weather

Around noon today, I was running some errands, and had a bit of trouble getting out of the bank’s parking lot. Why? Because two men from the office building nearby were standing in the middle of the driveway, one snapping pictures of the bank’s giant digital clock. Maybe they’d never seen triple digits in OC before. But we’ve certainly been feeling them lately.

To me, it’s Phoenix that will always be the “Sun's Anvil.” I think it was during our 1994 family roadtrip, hanging out with my dad’s uncle and aunt, that’s torched into my mind. We were leaving the Pizza Hut – you know, the old pizzeria kind that went extinct? – and I’ll never forget seeing across the street the 111 complete with a pretty sunset backdrop. Yes, it was 111 degrees at 7:15 PM.

But we have our fair share of miserable weather here in So Cal. I remember a particularly hot August years ago during my tenure in the Pacific Chorale. There was a last minute need for more participants in the PSO’s September 11 concert. I volunteered since I like singing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (even though my German hasn’t improved much since I was three, as I’ve blogged about before). The dress rehearsal was on location at the outdoor Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.* The heat was terrible, and the big white digital clock by the director’s stand was a constant reminder just how terrible.

It seemed like every two seconds we took a minute break and just sat there. I asked another alto what was wrong. Three or four replied that the musicians, upset about playing in 100+-degree heat, had lobbied to get the breaks into their contracts. So with temperature fluctuating between 98 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and a union representative onstage, we had to stop every time it broke 100. Me? I would’ve asked for 90.

*Yes, that’s its real name, and yes, there’s more than one of them.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Inspiration Board: Aqua and Apple

Inspiration Board #2 from Intern Heather!
Sources: Shoes , Cotton candy , Tie , Bridesmaids , Reception invite, Car , Flower ball , Church



(MasterPiece Weddings and its affiliates have not been paid for, for this post.)

Tina Givens is in the HOUSE!!!

How fun is this!??... I was asked by Lark Crafts to help throw Miss Tina Givens an eparty to celebrate her new book being released October 5th!! And you all know how much I like a party (really… what else do I do?? haha)… so, we get to have a little chat and give-a-way for some yummy prizes! cha-ching!!

I have been a big fan of Tina’s fabric forEVER… (or what I like to refer to as my Etsy days). Her fabric has always brought a sophisticated, whimsical theme to my creations… thus making my soon to be mama clients go nutty for the goods! LOL and can I just state now… her new book { Sew Tina! } followed straight in line with what I have come to expect from her. Beautifully illustrated, easily deciphered, and completely intoxicating to a crafter’s spirit! and yes, you can take that to the bank! ;)



And get this… we got to interview her too-skie!! Can you even imagine how hard it was for me to narrow down all the questions I had about the way Tina’s brain works??? I had like a bazillion I could have thrown her way, but in the end I chose these and I do hope you enjoy getting to know Miss Tina a tad bit better!

Dear Miss Tina…

How did you get so dang fabulous??? It’s my personal belief talent like your comes from a deep place within a person and then one day it rears it’s fantastic head that start’s their amazing journey… what did that day look like for you??

I was sitting in a corporate board room among 20 people and the CEO of the company fired someone right on the spot, and reduced another guy, dad of 3 to tears. I remained in my seat but slowly closed my note pad, and returned home on a plane rethinking life and what's truly at my core. It was actually a sewing thing. Within a week I quit my job, and started my path to find my creative self. That started by the way with a super millinery course where I learned to block hats.... nice!

It’s very well known that you are considered a sure thing (in regards to talent of course!)… and with each fabric line or endeavor brings great success… so, I must ask… when you received your first { yes! }… What did you do??

Really, 'a sure thing'... yeah, a 'sure freak'... I had a {yes} moment when I first exhibited at the Stationery Show in NY back in 2004 when people where clamoring into my booth and throwing their orders at us... I couldn't believe my last minute plans worked... And then they proceeded to trek the pink flokati rug fluff all over the exhibit hall on the heels of their shoes... very cute moments...

But the first {yes} moment for the fabrics was when Westminster Fibers walked into my scrapbook booth at CHA and invited me to design fabrics for them. A seamstress at heart I couldn't believe my luck... That was definitely a 'yes' moment.
And then it was a while until I did the fist pump again. It was exhibiting the Zazu collection at market and I finally found my place and my signature I think on my fabric design... we won best booth that year too!

I can only imagine the length and amount of time your creations bring, however… what does one (with your mind) do in your off time??

I am an avid old movie watcher. I love 1930s and 40s movies, and when in the mood enjoy the 50s and 60s. 60s fashion was so cool. Go Betty Davis, Garbo, Bogart, oh Rita Hayworth, Doris Day..... those hats! I watch new film too of course... the independents and of course the fabulous new crazy budget films...

I love to cook and seem to do so when stressed and of course I enjoy down time with my kids... ice cream trips, shopping with my baby girl (she's 8), watching soccer games and gymnastics... My oldest is in college now so we travel for the weekends occasionally to see his games...

I have always found your fabric (first and foremost) incredibly rich and sophisticated… how have you been able to continue with a new fresh look your designs through the years??

I have changed over the years definitely... I am not formally trained so getting back to painting, sketching, was a sort of re-awakening. Painting for stationery is not too serious, I mean it is but it's more simplistic and easier to put out there. However, my characters have become more pronounced and more vivid... their personalities are shining because they're more confident.... same with my fabrics, over time I have learned what works and what doesn't. My 'sophisticated yet whimsical' flavor I think comes from a broad range of places and people and experiences. Growing up in an elegant home with multi-cultural influences from the Mediterranean, Western Europe and southern Africa among a group of eccentric, creative family members helped somewhat! And I continue to find inspiration in those old places but also the new places I visit and people I get to know. My next inspiration is from a childhood book I read and recently became re-acquainted with, Miss. Z the dark young lady. I mean it's filled with parrots, fountains, green lions and unicorns. How could I not dip into that ink well?

I myself have stocked up on your chubby owls print from your newest line Opal Owl… which makes me wonder… do you have favorites?? What would Miss Tina’s favorites be from her past lines…???

I have some I detest but will not tell. And I have my favorites of course, and they are because they achieved what I set out to do or because they hold a story or memory of something in my life. The toile from Chloe's Imagination, the Zazu floral with background of chandeliers, Treetop birds and loads from that collection, a polkadot with a silhouette bird from Fairy Tip-Toes, the fairy panels of course, Olivia's Holiday bird and of course all the fabrics from Opal Owl right now. I recently got my stash and whew that owl is something else. By the way she's appearing in stationery form in a new movie being filmed called THE HELP, from the novel The Help. I am so very proud of Opal. Opal Owl is about a woman I grew up with who is an amazing and wonderfully free spirit. I have new favorites too, but they're coming...... from a new collection called Haven's Edge..... hmmmmm.....

And now… we have this amazing book to drool over… how has this form of design differ from creating your fabric lines??

Interesting question. In designing fabric patterning with repeats and such is 2-dimensional and flat surface... either on fabric or paper it's a similar design set of skills I tap into. I love doing it. Designing garments and projects for the home is a completely different process and design sense. Two completely different things but most fabric designers can design product. I think being a visual person, having fun with color and pattern the two design processes can work together very nicely. I have also designed a collection of kids clothing called Biscuit and Poppet and it was a fun exercise in matching the various fabrics to the silhouettes or garments... I don't know maybe it all just melds together for me....

Finally… I must know… what’s next??

You know I am taking it one day at a time but I am starting to get to a point where I need to start focusing, but I hate that. I like having my fingers and toes dipped into all sorts of things. I will keep on designing fabrics as long as I can, and they'll have me; I will continue creating my little fun characters for stationery and ornaments (due out with Dept 56 in January), and probably more books but in other areas... maybe a wardrobe for adults, or accessories for us gals... and maybe a little more time off... Oh and wallpaper, and.....

Thanks Heather so much for having my on your blog.... A la Mode is cool baby... and I like your down-to-earth take....

Kisses
Tg

Yep… she’s fab… no getting around it! When you got it, ya got it. Period! Love her and LOVE Lark Crafts for sponsoring this shindig and giving one of you the chance to own this fantastic book { Sew Tina! } plus extra goodies too on their blog as well as the entire blog hop!!!

Just leave a quick message here for Miss Tina telling her your favorite film! It’s always fun to learn new things about each other ;)

I’ll keep this give-a-way open until September 29th at 9:00 pm PST. Then you can pop over to the next blog to learn more about Tina and have another chance at grabbing up her book for yourself! Check out
Lark Crafts for all the deets!!

{ one of my baby quilt's made with Chloe's Imagination fabric line }



Good Luck!!
Xo, Heather





Thank YOU Saffron Craig!

Saffron, saffron, saffron…. oOOoohhh.. how sweet you are!! ;) I just received notice that I can offer a 20% discount for my readers at her online store!! So, if you were on the fence… dive over the other side and grab up some of her goodies at that cost! Just enter alamodefabric into the discount box on our shopping cart and wah-lah! Fab fabric for a great price!! THANK YOU Saffron!!
Now on to the lucky duck winner!!...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:138
Timestamp: 2010-09-27 03:58:33 UTC

Sarah Craig said...
I like Saffron on Facebook!
September 24, 2010 10:26 AM

Hopefully we will being seeing many more tasty treats from this artist real soon!!
Xo, Heather

Uma saia travada, dois coordenados - One pencil skirt, two outfits


(Scroll down for English)
A saia fui eu que fiz e foi publicada, juntamente com um artigo sobre a sua confecção, na revista BurdaStyle Portuguesa nº5 (Podem ler o artigo editado no meu blog de costura, clicando aqui). A propósito, o coordenado escolhido para ser publicado foi o da direita, mas gosto igualmente de ambos. Tentei interpretar uma mulher sofisticada e clássica, muito ao estilo dos anos cinquenta.

I made the pencil skirt which was featured in the BurdaStyle magazine, Portuguese edition nº5 (you can read a revised edition of the article here at my sewing blog, along with the English translation by checking the language box at the beginning of the post). By the way, the outfit chosen to be featured was the one on the right, but I love both equally. I tried to interpret a classy sophisticated woman, inspired in the 50's.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

When “Equally Yoked” Really Isn’t

Every so often, someone suggests, sometimes jokingly, sometimes seriously, “missionary dating” as a solution to my ongoing singleness. For those who might be unfamiliar with this concept, it usually refers to the active attempt to convert someone through some sort of romantic relationship. As a ministry strategy, it has a number of problems, especially since many a new convert has found himself or herself unexpectedly dumped as the “missionary” begins a relationship with another lost soul. That’s “defrauding” at its worst.

However, there’s another form, often promoted as a marriage strategy. The official “dating” may take place after the conversion, but the central goal of the believer is to turn someone of choice into an approved prospective spouse. My own parents’ relationship began somewhat similarly, and there are no doubt other successful conversion-marriage pairings. However, in general, I would not recommend this approach. Here’s why not.

The idea of two Christian individuals being “equally yoked” in marriage is grounded on the Apostle Paul’s instructions in 2 Corinthians: 6:14 (ESV):

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

During Old Testament times, there was concern that an unbelieving spouse would lead a believer away from God (Exodus 34:15-16, Deuteronomy 7:3-4, 1 Kings 11:4, Ezra 10:18-44, Nehemiah 13:25-27). This still concerns believers today, as weaker Christians agree to support their spouses’ religious preferences and have their children raised Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. First-century Christians were taught to remain with their unbelieving spouses in hopes of converting them (1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 1 Peter 3:1-6). However, even then, it was deemed better to end the marriage if the spouse was unwilling. One’s loyalty was to God was more important than family relationships (Deuteronomy 13:6-8, Micah 7:6Matthew 10:35). The uncomfortable truth is that, when it comes to someone’s relationship with God, there is no middle ground (Matthew 12:30, Mark 9:40, Luke 11:23); you and your spouse must be on His side (John 14:6-7). Uniting with an unbeliever becomes a sort of treason.

Today, devoted Christians are passionate about being “equally yoked,” so much so that there’s an online dating service with that as its name. However, this commitment has led to problems finding desirable spouses. Religiously-mixed marriages are prohibited, but the plain truth is that many Christians just aren’t attracted to each other.* So many feel that the best solution is to lead someone more suitable to Christ. (Note the words “more suitable”!)

As mentioned earlier, the official “dating” may take place after conversion to avoid the appearance of disobeying Paul’s instruction, but the ministry is carried out with the goal of marriage in mind. This is essentially cheating. It’s an attempt to find a loophole in God’s Law. It’s “following the letter” while neglecting the “spirit” of the Word, as Jesus Christ accused the Pharisees of doing (Mark 2:3-28; 3:1-6). Just like people back then would dedicate their possessions to service for God to avoid supporting their needy parents (Mark 7:9-13), I believe that Christians are converting desired partners to get out of marrying someone who could truly bare the same yoke.

Now, I’m not suggesting that none of these conversions are genuine (although I’ve seen cases that have proven not to be). I’m also not suggesting that a long-time Christian can’t marry a new believer. What concerns me is the newly-converted spouse’s potential dependence on the other. We’ve all seen it happen: The youth pastor or mega-church preacher who struggles in sin or wrestles with unbelief. And many previously led to Christ weaver or even abandon the faith because it relied on the support of a fallible man. Individual converts carry the same risks.

I’m of the opinion that “equally yoked” must mean that one’s spouse can stand on his or her own two feet spiritually. When a Christian stumbles, a spouse who’s a mature Christian or a new Christian brought to the Lord by someone else would be more capable of bearing the burden. However, a stumbling Christian might easily pull his or her own convert down too. That’s particularly a serious risk when the spouse hasn’t been a Christian very long at all. Yet this sort of “missionary dating” pushes quickly towards its marriage goal, not allowing much time for a “baby Christian” to grow on his or her own or learn from other Christians.

Another problem is the whole idea of fashioning one’s spouse. Everyone knows women are eager to make-over men, and men are notorious for targeting impressionable women and women from “more submissive cultures” in hopes of creating their own devotee. It’s no wonder then that people would desire a spiritually-dependant spouse whose beliefs and views can be easily swayed, a spouse who’ll cower to another’s claims of seniority. In other words, “missionary dating” takes on a sinister, self-serving nature. Rather than working out a relationship with another believer, which might require compromise and admitting that the other is correct, the Christian seeks out someone who can be controlled. In any dispute, “I led you to Christ, so know more about the Bible than you do” is likely to make a covert appearance.

From what I can see, “missionary dating” as a marriage strategy should be a last resort…such as if there were just two humans left on earth, and the Christian didn’t care to make an exception. “Missionary dating” just can’t produce an “equally-yoked” marriage if one spouse’s faith is dependent on the other’s. What’s worse is that, by doing this “mission” work, the “minister” shows no genuine concern for the lost. Expected marital benefits, not joy of seeing someone saved, is the primary motivating factor for making the disciple.

We Christians don’t need to preach to our future spouses. We need to preach to the world. If every person engaged in “missionary dating” spent even half the effort trying to convert relatives, friends, coworkers, and others, we’d see revivals like never before. And as the number of new Christians grew, no doubt, there would be increasingly more potential spouses available anyway. Then a believer looking for one to marry could find one spiritually-independent and capable of bearing the same burden.

*In Christian circles, however, it isn’t “politically correct” to say this. So if you don’t fancy a brother or sister in Christ who approaches you, it’s recommended that you instead accuse them of being “desperate,” “forward,” or “impure.” They’ll eventually go away.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Sol do fim da tarde - Late afternoon Sun


(Scroll down for English)
Hoje foi o único dia nesta semana em que cheguei a casa e ainda havia sol (um bonito pôr-do-sol) … Acho que o efeito nas fotos ficou engraçado.
A camisa já a tinham visto (feita por mim, detalhes aqui), mas hoje estou a usá-la de forma menos convencional.

In this entire week, today was actually the only day I was able to come back home from work while it was still day light (a beautiful sunset)… I think the light effect on the pictures was great.
You’ve seen the snakeskin blouse before (it’s made by me and you can read the details here) but today I’m wearing it in a less conventional manner.



MMmmm.... meet Saffron!

two words... one name... { Saffron Craig }! for reals!!... this is one cool cat with a very fresh take on color and designs for her fabric lines. i just don't know what it is about my beloved Aussies... but, dang... they really know how to get er done down there!!

Saffron sent me a fabulous package full of her newest line Bird Tree! and yep, you know how i roll... i made sure there was some for YOU too! ( but more about that later! hehe )

and you know what i did... i made a quilt with it ( wull... the top anyways! ) and nope, i didn't even care that i have 3 boys in my house and the fabric had pink in it, i didn't. cause this fabric was so fabulous... i just went there! and like my mama always said, " Heather, less is always more "... so, i just sprinkled a little Kona White and Essex Linen and poof Saffron's fabric line was beautifully showcased!



here's the thing... this line has me giddy for more of her fabrics! i popped onto her website and cried out a little slice of joy from my mouth! i'm mean are you serious... these are two slick for words... check it out!




i know, right... friggin fabulous! so, let's party! Saffron... sent me a FQ bundle of her newest line for one lucky winner!!! :)

Guidelines...

* leave me a comment telling me which is your current favorite line that Saffron offers!
* Sign up for Saffron Craig's newsletter!
* or become a fan of her Facebook page!

i'll leave this giveaway open until September 26th at 9:00 pm PST. Good luck!!
xo, Heather