perfectly fresh

{photo via:pinterest}

(apologies for the pixelated picture, but I just had to use it.)

Since we're all friends here, I'm going to let you have a peek into my personal journal. Here are my thoughts on the new year...


So many things have happened in a year and I cannot believe I find myself looking at another year. 


Another perfectly fresh start. 


What I truly want out of this year is to not live in fear. I want to live in each day, travel, learn more and more about myself and develop my passion more than I ever have before. I want to lay aside the burdens that get me down, the desires of my heart that have yet to unfold and boldly live knowing that God holds my precious little world in His more than capable and loving hands. 




And that is all friends. No resolutions to lose weight or exercise more, or go on more dates. I just want to live this year to its' absolute fullest and grand potential.

Do you have any thoughts or goals for the new year? Care to share?

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

In all of my travels this year the song couldn't be more true,

'There's no place like home for the holidays."
From family dinners, to ice skating and coffee dates with friends, to friends getting engaged, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along, the past week and a half in Virginia has flown by. I'll be in New York for two days and then fly back to London on the 29th to enjoy New Year's Eve in my new home.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happily Ever After.

Luke 2:11
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

{Photo via: Mamauk}

Can + Will

Good day dear friends.

I'm much better than yesterday and to be quite honest, after my rant I felt much better. Sometimes you just have to let it out.

{photo via:honeyandlace}

Either way, today I'm focused, sipping on my English Breakfast tea and ready to wrap up a few of the things that had me stressing yesterday and sending out positive vibes all day. Thanks for being a part of my journey.

Crappy Faith

 {photo via:Pedlars}

Dear friends,

I am not going to lie to you right now. I am stressed. Super s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d. 
I blame London.

I know, I know. I'm the one who wanted to move there, but my emotions are just as messed up as my stomach is after swinging on swings. {I get motion sickness very easily} I have zero appetite and feel that I may need to excuse myself from a meeting at any moment to go vomit in the bathroom. Disgusting but true.

And this, I suppose, is where trusting God comes into play. Yesterday I was on cloud nine with God. We were BFF's I was singing and praising and thankful for all that He had done.

But today, I have no faith. A mustard seed seems like meteor and I would be ashamed but, I'm too stressed to care. I have crappy faith. Financial aid, apartments flat reservations, and tension filled conversations with my mom have me feeling, moody and pre-maturely sadden at the thought that I would have to look my friends and family in the eye and tell them that, 'No, I am not moving to London anymore.'

And sure, that would be the biggest blow to my ego that I would ever have to sustain, to date, but more than that my heart would break. I would be ripped apart in a lengthy divorce between where I thought I was going and where I am. The full direction of my life would come to a screeching halt as I would be left standing here knowing nothing.  I would get over it eventually, but I don't think I would ever be the same.

I want so desperately to be calm, to have unwavering faith, to praise God no matter what happens. I just don't know if I'm there yet.


Published 05/17/2011 By: Lisa M. Vanterpool

Certainity

"What do I want to be when I grow up?"
"When will it be my turn?"

I've been tossing both of these questions back and forth in my mind for the past few days, hence the silence here. To be honest, I don't think I have absolute answers to either of these questions and I'm not sure if there ever are absolute answers to menacing questions like these. 

And, it's so easy to get caught up in other people's lives through blogs. When peeking into anyone's life everything is bound to look like perfection. {Such lovely lives they must be living!} And no doubt, I am sure that many of them do, but I often find myself trapped in all of their loveliness and becoming stagnant in my own projects, continuously comparing myself and wondering why it is that I am not yet 'accomplished.' And so quickly I forget all of my life's loveliness. The impending move to London, the faithful friends, the freelance work, my adventures with my girl scout troop, the laughs with my roommate and the simple yet complex joy of awaking each morning.

My life will look like my life. It will not be the twin of any.

I must remain certain that I am on my way.

{Photo via: flickr}

Xo,

London Lisa

Friday + Goodness

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

He loved me. He loved you. He loves us all.

This is the best Friday of my life. 

{Photo via: here} 

XO, 

London Lisa

Taste and See

Happy Monday dear friends. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend. Mine was quite bittersweet as a dear family member passed over the weekend. It's so hard when you lose someone and it makes me want to cherish each and every moment that I have with my family.  Often times I get, "too busy" and want more "me time," which I do think is important, but believe me, when it comes down to it, I will cherish the time I spent talking, laughing and learning from those close to me, than lounging around on the couch. So now, with my morning coffee in hand I am remembering that the Lord is awesome, all the time.

So, with that said, I am looking forward to having a good week, and I have lots of things to share with you all; London updates, writing updates, and so much more. Can't wait! Have a great week everyone.

{photo via: HomeSpunThreads}

XO,

London Lisa

Early Morning Peace...

I awoke early - 5 a.m.  The alarm buzzed across the room and I willed myself out of bed. Up, I turned on the shower eager to have the warm water wash over me and give me the gentle nudge that I needed into alertness.

I got dressed and ready for work in record time, and then lagged around not really knowing what to do next. This was a far cry from typical mornings when I rush through a ragged routine to get to work on time.

As I made my lunch in the darkness I stopped for a moment noticing just how quite the world seemed and I walked outside into the cool air. I collected my things and navigated my car through streets, my headlights creating pathways of light. I was quiet and calm.

As I pulled into the lot, tears gently filled my eyes. I wasn't alone - the parking lot was filled and we were all here for one reason.

Worship and Prayer.

Raising quietly while much of the world is still asleep to revel in the quite and gentle spirit and presence of God is unlike anything and this morning I am peaceful.

XO, 

London Lisa

Remember always....

{Remember always to pray...}

{Red Cross}
{For Japan with Love}

Baby you have style...

{photo via:Pinterest}

"When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10:12 … And according to Mr. Lagerfeld they are void of personality as well.

The other day, I was reading one of my favorite style blog’s when the blogger did a video of her favorite shoes. {Great, I thought. I love shoes!} So, I’m innocently watching the video when all of a sudden she opens up her shoe closet and on my word, it looked like Neiman Marcus in there!  She showed pair after pair after pair of her fave Christian Louboutin’s.

I quickly calculated in my head how many pairs of Louboutin’s I had…{umm, 0!} and then headed to ebay. Forty minutes! later I was still searching for a pair of moderately priced ‘red soles.’ Turns out….they don’t exist.

Why I compared myself with this blogger is still a reason I can’t understand. I think we all {and I’m saying all so I’m not completely by myself on this one} like to feel like we can keep up, shop more, shop better, have more, and be better than everybody else. Comparing ourselves with others will quickly land us into topsy-turvy land where we’ll will always be “Number 2”. Not only that but it’s such a toxic mindset to be in. It completely shifts our focus and can make a perfectly innocent and positive thought and/or ambition into a self absorbed mess. 

Whether your rocking your Louboutin’s or Nine West or Payless, wear what you wear for you. Fully enjoy being 110% you, because trust me love, aint nobody like you!

XO, 

London Lisa 

From the heart...

So, I had an epiphany of sorts last night in the shower. I was singing at the top of my lungs and literally jumping around with water and soap splashing everywhere {Which I do not recommend} to The City Harmonic Manifesto. {If you have never heard of this song, please check it out immediately!}

This song is exhilarating and I just realized how awesome it is being a Christian. I mean sure, there are days when the last thing I feel is 'holy', there are things that I wish I didn't have conviction about, but I do. But, the Faith, encouragement and strength that comes with my salvation far out weighs anything that I have decided to 'give up.'

It's empowering.

{Photo:via} 

 

I realize that everyone who reads this blog may not be a Christian and please don't feel for one minute that I am forcing my Faith onto you at all. It's just that today, when I was feeling a little bummed about a few things, I just prayed. And not that everything turned up roses and suddenly there were bunnies and rainbows everywhere, but I just felt so encouraged. I realized that I am LOVED so deeply and now I can't hold in the joy and excitement that I am feeling today. So, here's to feeling awesome and loved today by the One who loves us the most.

XO, 

London Lisa