The man in my life

Besides the two handsome men in this picture,

there's only one man in my life. 

He's unbelievably handsome.

He waits by the window for my return.

He knows which team to root for.

He doesn't hog the whole couch.

He has a personality to die for.

And he makes my day every day.

Meet Bailey, the 4-year-old Yorkie that I adopted in April.  

Ain't he just as cute as can be?

Your hand upholds the world

I have been longing to put some pictures and such up on my walls for some time now, but I haven't had the time.  But, yesterday, I had a glorious day at home and used the opportunity to do a little "fluffination" (also known as home decorating).

One of the items that I have wanted to hang is a drawing that my sweet friend and college roommate Daira drew for me.  It's God's hands holding the world.  I found the perfect spot for it between two sconces in my dining area.

This morning at Watermark Church in Ashford, Alabama, we sang a beautiful song called "Stronghold" written by my beautiful and talented friend Cassidy Robinson.  It made me smile that we sang this song about His hands upholding the world the day after I put this picture on my wall.  Do you think He's trying to tell me something?

Here is the You Tube video of Cassidy performing her song.  The lyrics are so powerful, reminding us that He is our refuge and stronghold.  And He holds everything in His hands.

You can find Cassidy's album entitled New Day on iTunes.

The Aroma

My blog has been named "The Aroma" from its inception in 2007 when I began chronicling my time as a Journeyman in South Asia.  When I came home, I felt as if I was starting over, and I didn't really have a focus for the blog anymore.  I posted occasionally about the transition back to life in America, but I couldn't seem to find my niche in the blogging world.  I knew I wanted to continue to be a blogger, but I had to re-focus my blog to fit my life now.

There are daily joys and challenges to being a twenty-something single woman, and I am continually praying for ways to be that aroma of Christ in this season of life-  now that I am not overseas.  What a better way to chronicle this than by blogging it? And, hopefully, in the process, I can be an encouragement to other single ladies.

I am single.  I want to one day be married.  I believe that I will be.  In His time.  But, I am not going to wait for that season of my life to arrive to do the things I enjoy: cook for others, be "domestic," offer hospitality, make my home beautiful and inviting,  "mother" children, etc.  And, gosh darn it! I'm going to use my pretty dishes that, for some reason, I thought I should store away until I got married!

John Piper says it nicely in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood:

"The point is this: singleness has been a noble and courageous path for ministry ever since Jesus and the Apostle Paul chose it 'because of the kingdom of heaven.' It is no sign of weakness to want to be married. It is normal, and it is good. The courage comes when you sense God calling you to singleness (for this chapter of your life) and you accept the call with zeal and creative planning for His glory. "

So, welcome to the new and re-focused The Aroma blog! Join me as I try to joyfully live out the single life as His aroma "with zeal and creative planning."