Thursday, August 25, 2011

It was my destiny....

From the eyes of an eight year old little girl it was the most awesome and powerful thing I had ever seen. The sparkling blue waves crashing over and over mesmerized me. I briskly walked forward. My feet would dig into the sand just slightly. It was cool so the sand didn't burn, yet it still held warmth. I can still feel the salty waves as they crashed over my feet for the first time. The water was cold but tolerable. My sister and I raced along the shore laughing and splashing as we went while the breeze pushed us along. I was able to taste the salty air. I was surrounded by a salty ocean, flying sea gulls, and the laughter and love of my family. I had fallen irrevocably love with the ocean.



Well it's been thirteen years and I'm more in love with this wonderful display of Gods power and creativity as I ever have been. I just finished vacation and have seen this majestic beauty for the eighth time. (At least I think its only 8...) During my visits to the ocean I have collected many shells, made countless sand castles, swam with wild dolphins, caught several live sand dollars, caught one large conk shell with a crab inside it, and got burned every time.

This doesn't exactly explain how I was destined to love the ocean... only how I fell in love with it. You see when my mother was very pregnant with me, she and my father took a trip to Charleston. There is a picture that she brings out often and shows me as proof that even in the womb I was destined to be a beach baby. It is a beautiful picture of my mother (a little over a month before she gave birth to me) standing in the ocean and smiling the biggest smile she can. Apparently the whole time they were there I had to make my presence known by kicking constantly.

My mother had always wondered after I was born how I would take to the ocean. She tells me I took to water like a fish. I was the first to do everything in my swim class and would beg to go to the pool (as well as get a pool). If there was water you could be sure I wanted to be in it. The time came and my parents brought my sister and I to the ocean. My mom would patiently describe the ocean as my sister and I grilled her with all of our questions. We drove by for the first time and I begged Dad to stop the car so I could go play.

This brings us back to the beginning. As my parents took my sister and I back to the hotel that night all I could talk about was the ocean. I wanted to spend the rest of my vacation there. My mom laughed and told me there were a lot of other things I needed to see, but I was sold: Hook, line, and sinker. I was in love with the ocean.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

South Carolina

Well... time has passed yet again and I am home settled in for the summer. This next week my family and I are traveling to Charleston in South Carolina. I have been there once before, and have kept the memories of that time close to my heart. Sunny summer beaches, sweet magnolia blossom scenting the air, rich country cooking, and thick southern drawls are soon to surround me again. For a second time I will feel at home in that sweet southern air.

Here is just a taste of the sights I will see....

+ White sandy beaches laden with beautiful shells and tall majestic lighthouses.


+ The trees filled with Spanish Moss...


+ History filled plantations and landmarks...


+ The historic downtown of Charleston, South Carolina from a horse drawn carriage ride.

I encourage all of you to take a trip to tradition filled, slow paced, and beautiful South Carolina. :-)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

I hope you Dance...

I was at home listening to some music when 'I Hope You Dance' came on the radio. It's a song I grew up listening to. After the song changed I went on with my life and forgot about it. Now that I'm thinking through things, and am heading toward the end of the semester the words come back to me. They really help me to remember to keep my perspective and to see things as they are. Keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, but my head in the clouds...

'I Hope You Dance'

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Monday, April 25, 2011

I really do enjoy writing...

Something I really enjoy doing is making stories up for things. So.... here is a great way to get your imagination juice flowing:

Step 1. Pick a random object or picture.

Example-

 

Step 2: Ask your self several questions about the picture/item

Example-
*What is this girl doing?
*How is this girl feeling?
*What emotion is this picture depicting?
*What brought this girl to this point in her life?
*Where will she go after this point in her life?

Step 3: WRITE!

This is absolutly one of my favorite past times. My files in Word are FULL of poems, short stories, and descriptions like this. The items are anything from a statue to a picture. I hope this blog has gotten your creative juices flowing. I challange you to go and write about something. Anything.



Sunday, April 10, 2011

Prodical

This video really brought to life the story of the prodigal child. Enjoy and be challenged. <3

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Missions Conference

Ok, so I haven't exactly been faithful in keeping up on blogging I know. I apologize, but I have been getting good grades. :-) Anyway....

Today was the first full day of missions conference. Every year it is the highlight of my year. I honestly feel like I get a spiritual breath of fresh air, and it makes me remember why I am going to school. This year has been no different.

March rolled in like a lion with school homework. I felt like I was drowning in all the different projects, tests, and papers. I frantically worked trying to finish up my assignments. Then missions conference came. As I walked in the doors yesterday I was met by familiar faces. So many people I love and remember from years gone by. Booths set up, rows and rows all ready to go to the mission field and tell people about the Savior. I get to sit under Missionaries preaching, and see what they do. I hear of how they are able to reach different people for Christ.

The theme of the conference is "Enlarge your Heart." I've been told that my heart is already too big. I don't think that your spiritual heart can ever be too big. Mine has plenty of room to grow. Anyways... Please pray for everyone at FBBC to grow during missions conference, as well as for me to soak up as much as possible during this time I'm allowed my "breath of fresh air."

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Attitude is Everything!

From Sophmore year on I was in marching band. Believe me when I say I LIVED for it! I practiced in place I memorized my music, and I perfected my posture. We had to memorize a call and responce. It pumped us up and reminded us that we were ONE unit. The Call and responce went like this:

How are your feet? TOGETHER, Stomachs? IN, Chest? OUT, Shoulders? BACK, Eyes? WITH PRIDE, How are your eyes? WITH PRIDE!!, What is our Motto? ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING, I Didnt Hear You! WHAT'S OUR MOTTO?! ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

At first I wasnt a big fan of the motto. Attitude is something I was taught NOT to have. I shouldnt have attitude with my those in Authority. I slowly began to realize that like most other things, there is a bad attitude and a good attitude. That was the emphasis of the message my band instructor was trying to get across to us. If you had a good attitude, it would be a good rehersal, if you had a bad attitude, you would make it a bad rehersal. Make the choice to have it be a good rehersal.

On days like today this helps me. Now I have the benifit of adding Christ into my picture. I can choose to have a bad day and let this sinful world take its toll on my outlook and attitude, OR I can choose to look at the cross rejoice in everything HE has already done for me and make it a joyus day in the Lord.

My attitude is everything.  :-)

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Unwanted

There are a great number of people who ask me why I would ever want to go into the Public School System. This is an issue near and dear to my heart. I get questions ranging from "Do you hate homeschooling?" to "Why do you want to teach where you can't use the Bible for class or discipline?" I am here to put all these questions to rest, and to explain why I want the unwanted. 

To start off I went to public school from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The incident that made the most impact on my desire to be a teacher was in the 3rd grade. There was a child transferred into my class because the other teacher couldn't handle him. My 3rd grade teacher accepted him with open arms and told him that no matter what he did, she would never, EVER give up on him, or hate him. What followed is something that I will never forget, he became a kind little boy. This is not to say that there was never any issues, but he knew that no matter what happened she would never give up. This showed me that teachers DO make a difference, teacher DO touch lives, and teachers CAN make an impact on the future generation. 

Now, do I hate homeschooling? The answer is a resounding no. God leads some to home school, some to teach in Christian, and some to teach in public. I do not think any less of one or the other. For me, God has put a burden on my heart for the unsaved children of this world. The public schools need Christian people more than ever. I know it is not for every teacher, but for me I know that is exactly where God wants me. So, wherever God wants you, serve Him there to the best of your ability.

Lastly, why do I want to teach where I can't use my Bible for teaching or discipline. My reason (besides this is where God wants me) is that I want the unwanted. The children that most teachers reject, put in the back and ignore, or even the children who are not wanted at home are the ones my heart craves to help. God gave me a loving home, and a caring family to be around. I will always be grateful to them for their gentleness and kindness, because it made me into the person I am today. Now I want to share it with all of my students and let them know that someone notices when they get an A on their paper, someone cares if they fall on the playground, and someone misses them when they aren't around. I care so much about those precious little children that words can barley express how I feel. If I'm not there to show them even a little glimpse of Christ's love, will they ever see it? That is what drives me.

The Unwanted, the Unloved, the Children most people shy away from, the ones that do bad things so they get ANY form of attention they can because otherwise their parents don't care. Those are the children I want, and those are the children I pray for already, even as God prepares me to be a teacher. So, to sum up my view, I believe that you should serve God to the best of your ability weather he puts you in Public School, Christian School, or Home school. Honor Him in all you do, and touch the little lives that need and crave Him.

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Journal

I have struggled over the years to get a consistent routine down of devotions. I tried to find books to prompt me, intensive studies, reading through the Bible in a year, and they all fizzled out. This January however I knew I wanted to look at it from a whole new perspective. I needed a new outlook on things. 

As I was falling asleep on New Years Eve when I remembered something. I had read books in my teen years about a girl who did her devotions by journaling every night. She journaled half a page about how her day went spiritually, and then the rest of the page was for her to write about her devotions. It allowed her to see how she had implemented what she learned the day before.

I was still sketchy because SO many times I had failed at this, but I needed to try. I decided to dive right in on New Years Day. It was hard to get into the routine of doing it every night, but I finally started doing it daily. Coming up to college I was determined not to let the change get the better of me. I kept it up without missing a beat.

It has now become something I look forward to doing every night, and am growing SO much because of it. I love how much it has infiltrated my life and how much of an impact its making. I can't wait to finish this journal and start the next. :)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A Different Kind of Christmas

As a child I dreamed of making cookies with my parents, putting candy canes on the tree (eating a few while mom was in the kitchen), Christmas Dinner with ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, and all of those other wonderfully bad things to eat, I remember watching Mickey's Christmas Carol with buttered popcorn, and Hot Cocoa with extra chocolate and more peppermint.

Yet this Christmas is not filled with candy canes, buttered popcorn, or even Extra chocolate hot cocoa. Why? Why is this Christmas so different? This Christmas is the first Christmas my two best men, (my father and Fiance) are going to be healthy. The air not filled with Gingerbread, or sugar cookies, nor is the tree trimmed with candy canes. But Guess what....

It's ok. It does not have to be the candy filled Christmas, or even a Christmas that we eat so much we take a nap after eating. This is a Christmas that my men are healthy, and happy, and they are gaining better lives. For that I am extremely proud. So instead, We make healthy cookies (which by the way, are REALLY good!) we drink Hot Tea instead of Hot Cocoa, we decorate the tree with home made decorations, instead of Candy, and we watch movies eating pretzels instead of Popcorn. Even though it's a different kind of Christmas... It's a good Christmas after all.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Giving it ALL to God

Thus far in my life I have been trying to do everything on my own. I accepted Christ at a young age, but I have not been dependent on Him for my peace. In going through my study of the names of God (an excellent one by the way) I found one and it stopped me. Yahweh Shalom. The Lord is Peace. My God, the ruler of the Heavens and Earth is a God of Peace. He wants me, as His child to be at peace. Where am I?

If you were to create a person that is the opposite of the definition of peace you would probably get me. I prefer my life to be drama free, but when it comes to trials, tribulation, and worry. I take the cake. I worry about everything from family safety, to if I will get an A, from the responce of people, to if I'm pleasing God. It got to the point last year were I would have to take medicine to keep me from getting sick because of my worrying. My dad has always joked I'll have an ulcer by the time I'm 30. I thought he was kidding, but now, he may be right.

I don't even know why I hold back on giving it to God. Pride? Control? Selfishness? Whatever it is, I cannot live like that anymore. I am a child of God, the God of peace, and as such I need to begin to give everything to my Father. So, as my siblings in Christ, I am asking you to keep me accountable. Help remind me not to worry, and that my God, my Father, My Lord of Peace has it all in control.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Life

This past week has pushed me to the highs and lows of emotion and spiritual endurance. I have wept for unsaved people, I have laughed so hard I cried, and I have been frustrated to the point of exhaustion. I feel like the opening line in A Tale of Two Cities "It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times..."

Through the roller coaster of the week I found something amazing. I found my self craving church. I could not wait to get to church or to talk to Steve about a passage I read. Sure I knew that God draws us near to himself when we experience hard times, but to experience the pull brings it to a whole new level. God knew the
verses I needed to hear, the smiles I needed to see, and the prayers I needed to say and He worked it out so I could experience all of this. God knows my needs and will supply exactly what I need at exactly the right time.

Dear God, Thank you for drawing me closer to You when I needed you the most. You know me so well. Thank you for giving me the strength to get through this week and the blessing church has become for me. Help me to always remember to draw close to you.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

My Family

For most, family means the people you see on Thanksgiving and Christmas, the people who you go see on special occasions. My friends talk about family and I'll hear them say, "I have to go call my mom again. She cant go more than a week without hearing from me." or "My Dad is such a pain sometimes, he has to make sure I'm doing everything right!" It breaks my heart to hear statements like that. To hear people talk about their family as if they are to be put up with.

I call my Mom every other day almost. I talk to my sister at least once a week. As for Daddy and I, well its quite frequent. I'm fortunate enough to have my Uncle live in the area. I meet him every Wednesday night to eat out. I talk to my Uncle in Iowa City on a regular basis. My family means everything to me.

God has blessed me so much with these people. I love spending time with them and enjoying their company. Family time is very important to me. God has blessed me with the most wonderful people to be related to. We don't always get along, but there is one thing that is never absent, and it's love.

Please enjoy your families because we only have a short life on this earth. Each person is a gift from God. Appreciate them, and enjoy time with them. You don't have to like them, but you can ALWAYS love them. <3

Monday, September 20, 2010

Pet Peeve

In reading others writings I find some so helpful and uplifting. I enjoy reading of others day to day activities as well as reading their struggles and successes. Over all I have found one new pet peeve through this. I cannot stand it when people bash their husbands or significant other. My family is sarcastic and we joke about it, but we never post it and make it known how displeased we are with each other.

I'm not married yet, I know, but some of the godly women I follow never rant how their husbands didn't do something, or how terrible they were that day. Although I will not always get along with Steve, I hope I never write about him the way some women do their husbands. He is a gift God has given me and to treat him like that is down right awful.

May I always be thankful for the man You have given me. May I submit to him, and love him. Thank you for everything God. Amen

Friday, September 17, 2010

Unworthy

As I was relaxing tonight, a thought struck me. This though is not profound nor is it new to me, but it hit me in a way I had never thought of it before. I was thinking of my parents. They are paying my way for so many things, clothes, an education, food, and so much more. Why? Why do my parents pay my way, I am such a burdon sometimes. I don't deserve this. I did nothing to earn this. They are paying my way because they love me.

Even as I finished that thought I thought of my Heavenly Father. He has payed my way with His own son's blood. God gives me SO much! He provides food, shelter, loving family and friends, my every need and sometimes even my wants. Why? There is no good thing I have done without the Holy Spirit. There is nothing on my own I could do to deserve even the smallest thing from God, much less Him paying my way to Heaven with Christ's blood.

Unworthy. I feel humbled by everything that is done for me. I have done absolutly nothing do deserve any of this, yet God saw it fit to fulfil my ever need and even some of my hopes and dreams. My God truly is an awsome God. Thank you, God, for loving me.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

An Unexpected Present

Yesterday I celibrated my 6 month anniversary with my fiance. He bought me a frozen coffee, one of my favorite drinks, and I bought him a soda. I had also made cards with different attributes on it that spell out his name. Simple gifts are the ones that make up our relationship, and I totally accept that.

Today Steve asked me to meet him for lunch. I get there and in my place is a bag from our bookstore. I look at him and ask what these are for. He smiles and said open it up. I pull out not one, not two, but three books. They are all by Beverly Lewis, one of my favorite authors.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with my sweet, sweet fiance. He pushes me to strive to be more like You. He surprises me with gifts, and spoils me with his love. Help me to be a godly fiance and to encourage him in any way I can. Thank you for loving me so much and blessing me with the life you've given. Amen.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Praise Jesus!

I love my Savior so much, and am ashamed to admit that although I have times where all I want to do is praise Him, I also have times where I want to spend time on me rather than in His word. I find those times I am not as cheerful, I am not as happy, and I lack the over all Joy of the Lord.

Tonight at 12:46, I am so filled with His joy I can hardly sleep. So instead I blog about it. Ha ha! I am so happy with everything God has blessed me with. I try and count my blessings and they are so numerous I can't even begin to list them. God is so good to me all the time. He isn't just faithful when I praise His name at 2 in the morning, but also when I don't always follow Him. He is always there to gently lead me back to His side.

Thank you, O Lord, for your saving Grace, for the love you have allowed me to have in my life through my christian family, through my friends, and through my Godly fiance. Thank you for putting each and every one of them into my life and allowing them to bless me. Thank you for church and how it rejuvinates me throughout the week. Thank you for your Word and how it greatly impacts me all these years after you had the authors pen it. Thank you for being you God. Thank you for your love, your grace, your faithfulness, your mercy, and your salvation for children who turn away from you. I love you God. Amen!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Advice from a Friend

The other night I was with a friend and she asked how I was doing. This friend has known me my whole life and can tell when something is not right, but she chooses to ask anyway. I told her I was alright but frustrated with some aspects of my life. I felt like I was hitting a brick wall, I was frustrated, and there where days I wanted to throw in the towel and not deal with anything.

My friend smiled knowingly and said that she wanted tell me about a relative of hers. Her relative had been having the same relative problem as me. She ended up hating everyone that had anything to do with her faith, and walked away from church because of some people she encountered. My friend said she had never been one to favor man made rules, but rather to follow the Bible and God's rules and respect the others you have to abide by.

My friend told me that she didn't want me to end up like her relative, but rather to keep my faith and to smile through it. Hard times come, and hard times go, but God is there for you no matter what. Don't walk away from Him because of His children you don't always agree with.

It was simple advice, and I was FAR from walking away from my faith, but it helped me get my mind back in the game and regain my focus. God is still there for me even if He put me in a place where I get frustrated sometimes. God still loves me, He still loves to see me succeed, none of that has changed. Thank you God for using my friends to remind me of your simple truths.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

É una bella giornata

It is a beautiful day! That is the translation of my Italian title. I made Friday the 13Th my beautiful Italian day. (not intentionally, but it still happened.)

My first meal of the day was lunch (abnormal for me) and Jenny and I decided we wanted pizza. I got out the pizza, and had a fantastic lunch.



Then we went to find Ice Cream. The only thing I love more than Ice Cream is Gelato. We went to Happy Joe's first but on the way decided we wanted to check out a new shop downtown. We found Elle's, A coffee and tea house I HIGHLY recommend. They serve ice cream and... GELATO! I was so excited! Jenny and I had the Toasted Coconut Almond Fudge. It was amazing!



After that we went to the movie Eat Pray Love. It was a good movie. (I wish some scenes where edited better, but I can't help that) One part of the movie was set in, you guessed it, Italy.



That night we where trying to decided where to go as a family. I suggested Italian but not knowing where to go, Jenny suggested Salvatore's. (yet another delicious, and highly recommended, restaurant downtown) We went and my family had pizza and I ordered Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. It was melt in your mouth delicious. Mom and dad where full by the end, but Jenny and I where ready for sweets. Jenny and I could only think of one thing we wanted, Tiramisu. It was creamy and delicate.




We went home and spent time as a family before going to bed. It was a perfect ending to my beautiful Italian day.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Thank You to Our Heros


This song has been one of my favorites for years. Today I was flipping through the channels hoping against hope that anything would be on. As I fliped to the Country channel the music stopped me. It was my favorite song. I closed my eyes and listened in contentment until the last chord rang out. The song writter, Jimmy Fortune, then started to explain the song. He was So moved by the Vietnam Memorial that he sat down and wrote this. This song is ment not only for the brave soldiers that our freedom is bought with, but for their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, friends, anyone who was touched by their life. This is my way of saying Thank you to not only our service men, but also their families.

More Than a Name on a Wall

I saw her from a distance
As she walked up to the wall
in her hand she held some flowers
as her tears began to fall
and she took out pen and paper
as to trace her memories
and she looked up to heaven
and the words she said were these...

She said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
just one more time you see
All I have are the memories
and the moments to recall

So Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..

She said he really missed the family
and being home on Christmas day
and he died for God and Country
in a place so far away

I remember just a little boy
playing war since he was three
But Lord this time I know,
He's not coming home to me

And she said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
But I know it just can't be
So I thank you for my memories
and the moments to recall

But Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..

Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..