Book inspiration

I've heard so many good things about Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat Pray Love that I decided I'd better read it. At this point, I'm about halfway through to where she is in India learning about devotion.

There was a chapter that made me stop and think. She is talking about praying deliberately and specifically rather than just asking for peace in the world. Which is nice-and-all, but half of the benefit of prayer is seeing the results of a specific request. She is questioning if she really knows what she needs herself because half of this relationship with God is hers. To be transformed you have to know what you're aiming for.

In that same chapter, Elizabeth goes on to talk about how fate is partly in our hands. We can choose where we want to be in order to up our chances of getting our big break. We can choose to be nicer and smile to others. We can choose to see the positive in life rather than bringing ourselves down. And we can take that first step to our dream, thus increasing our chances of reaching it.

This has inspired me to do some soul-searching and figure out what it is that I really need in my life. I will be more specific in prayer and ask for what I need. I will choose the positive route when faced with difficulties, and I will take that step towards my dreams. :)

Dream home

So we plan on bulding a new home within the next year. Our dream home - that's within budget at least. We have been searching and searching for designs, floor plans, exteriors, and interiors that we like. Here are a few of the homes that I like - or at least like some elements from them.

I am going for a Craftsman/Country/Farmhouse look with the big wrap-around front porches and chunky columns. Love Craftsman style details with simple lines, but sturdy handcrafted woodworking.

I like all the different textures: stone, shingles, siding, vertical wood planks. It gives it lots of visual interest. Love the chunky pillars too.

Love the wrap-around porch and shingle details.

I would love to encorporate an arched entry on the front porch like this house has.

Love the two-peaked look and Craftsman-like details.

Well, I'm hoping to have a home that looks similar to these. With a little spin of our personalities mixed in to it. Hopefully, I can convey what I picture in my head to the builders and the results are our dream home.

The First Step

You may not always know where you're headed....But sometimes you just have to take that first step.