Applique Peace Flags

This is the FIRST applique & embroidery project that I have ever attempted! I am so please with how it turned out! I was inspired by this set of peace flags, that my Mom gave me, and then drastically personalized each flag for this set!

I used iron-on backing for each of the pieces, like in this tutorial. I used blanket stitch and the standard hand applique stitch. Words and Letters were done in back stitch.

The final project proclaiming peace! 

The completed flags before being strung onto their cotton string.

 Preparing the Turning the World Upside Down/May Peace Prevail on Earth flag. 

Shalom Dove Flag

Peace Bike!

Reducing, Reusing. and Recycling promote peace with Earth and Neighbor. 

Completed Alexander Mack seal and Bananagrams peace flag!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Katie

When were you the angriest?

I get angry when hate groups use God to justify their actions. Namely, Westboro Baptist and their petitions. 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.

When did you see God at work?

In the day to day movements of life at camp, around the dinner table sharing our highs and lows, in the music of corporate worship, in the willingness of youth to pray and participate, in the faces of volunteers...

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you did?

Make ridiculously gross, unattractive faces with people.

Most people want to look cute for a camera or around regular people but seriously, what's the fun in that?  

Co-create a handshake that involves dancing, leap-frog, shouting, and lunges. 

Because life is too short NOT to do that. 

Wear a shirt as a skirt...to work. 

It's called fashion, look it up. Also, duality among clothing items? Yes, please. 

Sing. Loud. And probably off-key. 

Basically because every song is my favorite song. 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here

When did you struggle?

Life and I get along really well. REALLY well. Only a couple of times have I really wrestled with life this past year.

...that one time I was experiencing reverse culture shock, transitioning to graduation, and thinking about my future...

...that one time I hadn't slept in two days and had a final paper to finish, children to see, presentations, and oh, yeah, classes to attend...

...that one time I missed Thanksgiving at home...

I am thankful that I can count the difficult times of the past year on one hand. Life has been good to me.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.

Where'd you find the best cup of coffee (or tea or beverage of your choice?)

I have taken to purchasing cups of coffee less often. It's much cheaper to make coffee each morning or just drink what the office provides, which comes out of the bowels of hell. However, the office coffee is growing on me - some days I can drink it black. Apparently, a true sign that I am more adjusted to The Offices.

When I was in college, I either made my own coffee, refueled in the dining hall, or biked down to the local 7-11 for a 12am cup of coffee. I was a HUGE fan of their Almond Joy creamer. I always brought my own travel mug, though. It was a true feat to balance a scalding mug of coffee in my hands as I biked back to campus late at night without spilling a drop.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.

What cracked you up?

Life is pretty hilarious all the time for me. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by joy-sharing, good-times-giving people all the time. Literally, all the time. I've mentioned most (if not all) of the wonderful people in my examen posts up to now. So, I am going to share a post that made me laugh until I cried.

"27 Reasons Why Kids are Actually the Worst."

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.

Most bizarre conversation of your year: script it. Use pseudonyms if necessary.

Setting 

Three BVSers in a car with a Baptist Minister, who is driving us to our destination. The door closes and the car engine starts. The car turns onto the main road. 

Baptist Minister: How do you know that someone is a Christian?

Me: Silence. 

Internally, I'm like:

BM: What is the difference between a Muslim and Christian?

Me: A Muslim prays to Allah and uses Mohammed as their teacher. Christians pray to God, or some form of the Trinity, and use Jesus as their teacher.

Internally, I'm like:

BM: Riiight. [Pause] That belief in Christ is the difference. That's what save us. Scriptures says, that none will come to the Father except through me. There is no other way to get to heaven than through the salvation of Jesus Christ. The belief in Jesus is what guarantees our eternal life.

Me: But in James it says that faith without works is dead. What good is our faith if we don't try to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here?

Internally, I'm like:

BM: Well, yes, but works without faith are also dead. There are a lot of people who claim to do good, without working to win souls for Christ, which is what we're here to do.

Me: Silence.

Internally, I'm like: 

BM: ...I know you all probably have everything figured out in your churches, but I'll let you know that  our services are on Sundays at 11 and Wednesdays at 7.

Me: Thank you.

Internally, I'm like:

BM: It's the least I could do.

When we finally arrive at our destination: 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

What rocked your world, changed your life, shifted the ground beneath your feet?

For a couple of hours, there was nothing beneath my feet apart from the metal and plastic layers of an airplane separating me from the sky, as I flew 710 miles from Dulles to O'Hare this past August. 

My whole world has shifted this year. I graduated from college. I've started BVS. I've closed one chapter and opened another. My time is spent planning for an amazing summer of service, instead of plowing through a Sociology paper or pouring over a textbook about Community. I'm in a new place with (mostly) new faces and a whole new routine. I'm learning how to navigate the post-college (volunteer year) young adult world and it's all new territory for me! My life is shifting and changing around me - taking new forms in new seasons. I feel that the ground beneath my feet will be shifting sands for a couple of years and I'm trying to come to terms with that.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

Who has been your teacher this year - officially or unofficially?

Dr. H. 

People are so fascinating. Focus on what you're passionate about. Circumstances are more flexible than you may realize. Dancing or watching someone dance before a test relieves stress (and improves tests scores). Mornings are worth it. Everything will be okay. 

&

Camp. 

Don't tell a child that God loves them until you are ready to love them. Voice matching is a valuable tool. Life is precious, unique, and beautiful - be excited about that all the time! I love mornings. Each week of camp is a glimpse into the Kingdom of God. Theme days are the best days. Bedtime stories are the best way to fall asleep at night. Childhood handshakes aren't dead.

&

Housemates.

Almost everything is better together. Shouting doesn't mean we're really angry. Life lived together is absolutely hilarious. My Virginia is clearly visible in this foreign land. I really love making curry. Rose Tyler will grow on you. Couches aren't worth moving, unless you find life hilarious. Then it's absolutely worth it.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

When did you take the easy way?

Not Easy. 

...not sleeping for 36+ hours straight to finish my Senior Hell week. 

...moving away from home. 

...missing Thanksgiving with my family. 

...going to a new camp. 

Easy. 

...leaving my dishes until the next day.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

What was your favorite blog post...that you read or wrote?

Well, seeing as I didn't do as much blogging this past year as in years past I present a couple of the blogs I enjoyed reading. I'm skirting around the post issue and suggesting some blogs in their entirety for you to chew on!

RedLetterChristians.org
I can't rave about this website enough. This is one of the only blogs that I've read consistently throughout the past year. It features a number of Christian authors, including Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren, and Shane Claiborne.

Zero Waste Home
This household is doing WORK. They have a serious commitment to living right with the Earth. Their motto is "Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot - (Only in the that order!)" Can you dig it!?

Lipstick-Feminists
Inspiring, challenging little blog about current events, pop culture, feminism, and race issues. In their own words, "We smash the patriarchy and the gender binary here."

Fosterhood

A hip, young, 20-something blogging about her adventures and misadventures as a foster parent in NYC. Inspiring me to be a foster parent since 2010. 

Feminist Ryan Gosling

If you haven't seen this. It's never to late too soak in the feminist theory that Gosling is spouting. mmMMmm. 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

Where did you spend your money?

...On Concert Tickets 
$The Head and the Heart
Down in the Valley? Swoon!
$The Avett Bros.
I...and...Love...and...You. 

...On Plane Tickets
$Chicago, IL to Home, VA
Hello, volunteer year!

...On Gas
$Home to Camp
For not having to commute to work this summer, I did make this trek a lot! 
$Home to Intentional Communities (West Virginia, NOVA, Newport News, & Louisa)
Independent study - what, what!

...On Clothes
$Threadless
I've kind of become addicted to this t-shirt store. They're T's are really classy and produced in nearby Chicago!
$Goodwill
Home of my Halloween costume and some of my favorite clothes. 
$Kohl's
Business clothes? I think, yes. 

...On Crafting
$Hobby Lobby
Fabric, embroidery tools, needles, etc. = First Applique Project

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

Baked Apple Oatmeal

I have a deep love for oatmeal. It's my favorite breakfast food. Oatmeal, granola, baked oatmeal...mmMMmm! I usually make Baked Banana Oatmeal, but we didn't have any bananas - only apples! So, I decided to jazz up the basic recipe that I use.

Ingredients: 
3 cups rolled oats
1 apple (peeled and chopped)
1 Egg
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 applesauce
1/3 cup apple butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 handful of raisins
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

EDIT (1/28/13): I've started making this without milk, eggs, or oil and voila it becomes vegan! Just increase apple butter to 1/2 cup instead of 1/3.

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees

1. In a medium bowl mix together oil, brown sugar, egg, applesauce, apple butter, cinnamon, vanilla, apple, walnuts, and raisins.

2. Add oats, milk, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes. 

3. Pour mixture into a greased 8 inch square baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let sit for about 3 minutes and serve warm. 

I love eating baked oatmeal with greek yogurt, but you can also serve with milk or syrup. 
De-light-ful. 

What astonished you?

...the peace I felt about closing one chapter of my life and opening another...

...the Spirit guiding me to adventures I couldn't have even imagined...

...re-learning how to navigate togetherness...

...how mashed potatoes are made...

...how much I appreciate an established a circadian rhythm...

...an itch to travel abroad again...

...reverse culture shock isn't what I expected...

...I enjoy shaving, again...

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

When did you celebrate?

Graduating from college was a pretty fundamental part of this year and it brought a LOT of celebration: Senior Week Ball, Graduation Day, my graduation party, & 4-Square camping trip. It was a week-long celebration of an amazing four years of my life. 

Graduation! 

Senior Week Dance (via Danielle)

(via Jesse)

(via Jesse)

Then I got to come back to my first homecoming as an alumni! Holler!

(via Carina B.)

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

What were your favorite songs?

Down in the Valley | The Head and the Heart 

Awake my Soul | Mumford and Sons

A Father's First Spring | The Avett Bros. 

Oh My God | Kassidy

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

What was the best book you read?

(via rachelheldevans.com)

A Year of Biblical Womanhood

By Rachel Held Evans 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

Where did you visit this year?

For my last semester of college, I decided to do an independent study on intentional communities. Part of my research was reading up on intentional communities and another part was visiting them in the flesh! I chose four communities that weren't too far from college and took a couple road-trips to go see them.

Intentional Community: a relatively small group of people who have created a whole way of life for the attainment of a certain set of goals. Some examples include, communes, cohousing, monasteries, and ecovillages.

The communities I visited...
...were committed to service, grounded in Christ, faithful stewards of the Earth, based in Appalachia, and who welcome everyone home each day.
...had celebrated 45 years together, shared clothes and ideas, created hammocks and tofu, danced and celebrated after work is done.
....were discerning their next steps, committed to living in Christ, passionate servants of Jesus, rooted in monastic rhythms, and practice hospitality.
...were wrestling with questions together, finding their friends next doors, watching movies on the lawn, sharing lawnmowers and celebrating together. 

 Blueberry Hill Cohousing

This paper took me on figurative and literal journeys through intentional communities past and present. This project sprouted from my desire to live intentionally with others after I graduated from college. Luckily, I have the opportunity to live in an intentional community (now!). I'm digging it now and hope to live intentionally for quite awhile. 

I've uploaded a PDF of my paper. You can read it here. 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

What was the most delicious meal you ate?

One of the unique and memorable things about BVS Orientation is cooking for a large group of people on a very specific budget. There’s about $1.00 per person, so the breadth and variety of food can be limited. You can eat WELL on a LOW budget.

About two and half weeks into BVS Orientation with soup, potatoes, and beans we were invited to a former BVSers house. The couple hosted us for dinner after a big day of working in the community, so we were famished from a big day and excited for a meal out.

The couple served vegetarian lasagna (saints!), salad, grain bread, AND brownies with ice cream. It sounds like a pretty basic and simple meal, but after a couple weeks of basic (and limited) food – it was an absolutely decadent meal.

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here. 

When were you most grateful?

I feel waves of gratitude wash over me when I think about…

My family. Their support, their love, their signatures on a Thanksgiving card I received because I missed my first family Thanksgiving, kisses on the cheek, great hugs, lawn chairs at track meets, encouraging words, and the most giving human beings I have ever met.

My college roommate Danielle. I miss this girl. She made my last two years of college hilarious and unforgettable. I miss her shenanigans, our dramatic shouting, falling asleep with static on, stressing together, dreaming big, baking, eating sugar coated sugar together, and talking to each other before we fall asleep.

My time at Bridgewater. Time well spent by staying up late, worshiping in the Chapel, flipping bikes, laughing with friends, attending convos, studying abroad, being on IYC and putting on Roundtable, becoming ODAC champion, eating Uncle Bill's pancakes, working with Claudia, meeting the eyes of my BFF for the first time, living in the Soc. Lab, running to Wild Wood, crying in Professor's offices, creating beautiful relationships and getting that diploma!

A summer at Camp Bethel. Making wonderful and encouraging friends, loving campers, chasing pigs, dancing over bridges, singing until I’m hoarse, The Handshake, having bible study under the Big Oak, laughing until I cried, swimming with my clothes on, and practicing faith every single moment. God knows me better than I know myself and I am still mystified at God’s leading despite my own fears and inhibitions.

God is present in the people that I meet, live, worship, and dream with. Everyday I am grateful for that. 

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Inspiration to do this series came from Dana. You can find the whole 2012 Examen Blog Prompt list here.