songs for a sucky day

i know you probably have those days when you feel like there is something really big weighing on you and you've prayed about it over and over and it just feels like God
is. not. listening.

sometimes those days stretch into weeks or months and it really wears on you.  you're tired and your faith feels really small.

i've definitely been through some of those times (and know there will be more).  while i was driving today, i heard one of the songs that i listened to a lot when struggling through some career decisions last winter. i love me some worship songs,  but i also really love christian songs that are about struggle too.  it refreshed me to remember that i can be honest with God and also that other people are struggling through similar things.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Here are some of the songs I love when I'm feeling far away from God:

"how long, o lord, will you wait to rescue me?

how long, o lord, how long?

Would my tempter pursue me

if he knew you were near?

would he boast of his power

if he felt your hand?"

"there's only one way to figure out

will you let me drown?

hey now, this is my desire

consume me like a fire, cause i just want something beautiful to touch me

I know that I'm in reach

cause I am down on my knees 

waiting for something beautiful"

"lord, didn't you see me crying

and didn't you hear me call your name

wasn't it you I gave my heart to?

I wish you'd remember where you set it down"

I hope these songs encourage you as much as they've encouraged me.  If that doesn't work, you can look at the picture of the horse sticking out his tongue. That has to make you laugh :)

to: jaws

two nights ago, i got serenaded via skype, which seems like it might be weird

but was actually incredibly sweet. 

can you believe we've been together over 4 months and this is the first time i've heard him play?

you might say "what is the point of dating a guy who can play guitar if he doesn't play you sappy love songs?"

and don't worry, i was asking myself that too.

so at the risk of being "that girl", i wanted to post these pictures that make me smile every time i look at them AND

prove to jaws that i DO mention him on my blog. 

that is all. :)

so apparently i'm a runner now...

so my friend JP (remember the one who did the half-ironman with her hubby??) hates it when i say that i'm not a "real" runner.  she is of the opinion that anyone who puts on shoes and runs is a runner, wheras i've always thought of runners as those people who eat Luna bars and have 13.1 stickers on their cars. 

anyways, APPARENTLY i'm about to become one of those people, because i'm training to do a half-marathon in november.  i'm simultaneously excited and scared out of my mind.

BUT my knee is all better, i've got new shoes (insert "black&yellow" reference here), and we've made a training schedule.

"real" runner-dom, here i come. 

sweet apple melt

We're running out of groceries over here at de casa Browning, so I had to get creative for lunch today.  I've had something similar to this at a couple restaurants (I'm starting to think that I eat at too many trendy places), and so I decided to recreate.  Yum!

she flies without wings

My dear sis, Ki, got me a living social deal for two horseback riding lessons as a Christmas present.  I've been waiting for the weather to get really nice, so this weekend I finally slipped those boots back on and got back in the saddle after 6 years!

getting Bo dressed and ready to go

"Mooooooom! Where are my friends?? Why can't I go play?"

Bo was a perfect gentleman, except for the face scratches.

Nothing like an after workout snack of fresh clover...

I had such a great time and can't wait to go back for my second lesson!

Also, thanks to my boo, Jaws, for being such a great photographer.

Peace, love, and future blog posts.  I promise!

bacon pancakes!

this week has been a week filled with pizza, chocolate, ice cream, margaritas, and other unhealthy food items (hey it's my birthday week, don't judge).  i had the morning off today, so i decided, in honor of turning 23 (official adulthood), i would make myself baconcakes, as seen on my new blog obsession, The Londoner.

oh. my. gracious.  best things ever and easier than easy to make.

ummmmm yeahhhhhhh...

"looks like someone has a case of the mondays..."