Everywhere I Look

I sang a song for my senior district music contest called "Everywhere I Look." It was a very happy, cheerful song that talked about the "merry, merry woods" and "old man winter" leaving at last...or something like that. It's been a while!

I was reminded of that song today while walking to class (in flip flops!) while the birds were chirping.

Spring is so close!

Just think, flowers, rainy days, and no more bundling up to go outside!







Enjoy the beautiful day and don't forget to thank the One who gave it to us!

grace and peace,
Mair

Choir Tour

I got back from the Doane Choir Illinois tour on Sunday evening and never have I been so exhausted. We sang 8 performances in 5 days, drove a total of 17 hours, and sang for literally thousands of people. It is not, however, the statistics of a Doane Choir tour that make it impressive to me. It's the dedication of the choir's members, the dedication of our conductor Dr. Kurt Runestad, and the absolute fire with which we sing.

The Sear's Tower

Lake Michigan

If I could sum up tour in one word, I would use GROWTH. We grow as a family, we grow as performers, we grow as people, but most importantly to me, we grow in our faith. Before every concert the choir has devotions together. We hear God's words and His promises and we are uplifted. When we are too tired to stand, we are reminded that God will be there to hold us up. When the storms of life are coming, we are told that God helps us break through the clouds.

This year we performed a song called "Christ the Apple Tree" which soon became my favorite. Here are the words:

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

That last verse gets me every time. We may be weary and tired, but we can always find rest and comfort under the shadow of Jesus Christ. Praise God! We don't have to fight through our weakness alone!!!


Thank you, Doane Choir, for helping me grow this week. I can't wait for Brazil!

grace and peace,
Mair

Love

I've always been a girl who has dreamed of falling in love

Sometimes this dream takes over my life.

I have come to learn that I need to trust in the Lord with ALL of my heart and not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I should acknowledge HIM and HE will direct my path (prov. 3:5-6). God has a plan for my life and I can breathe easily knowing that He is in control. God is preparing my future husband and me for what He has planned for us. In the meantime I will REJOICE in the Lord!

So who was my Valentine yesterday?


My Lord, Jesus Christ.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Know that you are loved by our Savior!

grace and peace,
Mair

Real Simple Snack

I found a great "recipe" in this month's Real Simple Magazine for a light, healthy snack.

Here are the ingredients:

• toasted plain bagel
• cream cheese
• 1 granny smith apple
• honey

Spread the cream cheese over the bagel and thinly cut the apple into slices.


Place the apples on the bagel and drizzle honey all over!

It's deeeeelicious...you should ALL try it!

Thanks, Real Simple!

grace and peace,
Mair

Not a football fan...but I have a ball with food

I've never liked football. I don't really understand it, I find it boring, and I hate watching it. I have, however, taken my best naps while falling asleep to the sounds of over-sized men smashing into each other over a hunk of pig skin.

I was excited when one of my roommates, Rachel, said she didn't have her heart set on watching the Super Bowl, but she was excited for the commercials (just what I was thinking). So, tonight we made cookies (we split the dough in half and baked two giant ones) and spread out a sampling of snack foods:

carrots and ranch, grapes, pepper jack cheese, Italian Herb Flat bread crisps, and deer sausage

Our giant cookies

yummmm

All in all, this year's big game has been quite enjoyable! Thanks, Rachel!!!

I hope you are all enjoying the Super Bowl (or at least the commercials) as much as I am!

grace and peace,
Mair

The Magazine-Worthy Wolfe Farm

My grandma is one of the many sources of inspiration for me. She is probably unlike any other grandmother; she texts (using "text lingo," of course), wears two scarves at a time, has facebook, and paints her toenails blue. She's chic, sophisticated, and stylish.

Her house, much like her, always looks amazing. The first thing I do when visiting is take a walk around her house and look at all the new and innovative decor. Every room could be a picture right out of Real Simple.

Both Grandpa and Grandma have spent years making their country home a perfect, tranquil living space. It is truly one of my favorite places to spend my time.

Here are some pictures I took of their house while we were there for Christmas. These pictures barely scratch the surface of lovely things to see.

I hope this lovely home helps inspire you as well!

grace and peace,
Mair

Homemade Solution for Dry Winter Skin

I've been battling dry, winter skin for months now. I've tried new moisturizers, new face washes, I've held my face over steam...and nothing's worked.

I did some research on home remedies and I found one that used a one banana, a table spoon of honey, and some oatmeal.

First you mash the banana:



Then you add the honey:



Finally, add the oatmeal:



Once you have combined all the ingredients, gently rub it into freshly cleansed skin. The mask doesn't stay on very well because it's so lumpy. Just take hand fulls and rub it in then let it sit on your skin for about 20 minutes!

It works great. I just tried it tonight so hopefully my face will be nice and moisturized!

let me know if any of you try it!

grace and peace,
Mair

Zooey

I can't believe I haven't mentioned my obsession with the actress Zooey Deschanel. She's been in movies such as "Elf," "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," and "500 Days of Summer."


Here are the two things that I love most about Zooey:

Her fashion sense:





and her music--She and Him:



I just think she's great!

have a wonderful, snowy day everybody!

grace and peace,
Mair