Christmas

Even through all the craziness of this season, I still somehow manage to find time to reflect on what Christmas really  means. Yeah, I know that Jesus birthday  was earlier, sometime during the spring or summer. But that is besides the point...a little. Or the fact that the wise men in fact came two years AFTER He was born....is to a little besides the fact. They're important facts, but sometimes I wonder if we focus more on the minors rather than the majors.
To me decorating, having cookies, getting presents is tad bit important. It adds to the celebration of Christ's birth. Please let me explain why. It is true that we don't need these these things to make Christmas. But to me it is a way to celebrate. I remember my favorite Christmas. We didn't have much money, and we were in the process of moving so we didn't get our full Christmas decorations up. But we spent time cookies, and decorating  what we could. Mostly though we spent the majority of the time at grandparents working our...well you know off. However, decorating, baking, and ect. are only extras.
I think of it this way. All those things are the.added touches that helps build up memories and excitement for His "birthday". They aren't necessary by any stretch of the imagination. Just like having a cake isn't necessary for you to have for your birthday.
But oddly enough it helps me be reminded of Him. It helps me celebrate His coming into this world just for me. I don't need those things...but it is sure is nice to have a party for His sake. That is why I say those things are important to me. Its the reason behind all of those things. But honestly if I did none of them...and instead reflected only Him I think it would be just as special. And I know he'd give me grace because He know how much it means to me to decorate for him. Its strangely not the baking that grabs my attention although I happen to adore preacher cookies. Nor family time...it is decorating. It happens every time. I always picture Him coming to a beautifully decked out home. My only danger is that I find myself nick picking about decoration and lose relationship time with Him.
I know I said above that decorating, baking, and getting presents are important. They are the icing on the cake. I can not lie. However...I fully know that it is Jesus who is the reason to celebrate this glorious holiday.
I must admit I was tired of people telling me decorations do not matter. Having goodies do not matter. Presents do not matter. But they do. They just do not take place of my Beloved. I embrace if you will semi commercial Christmas...but they are not why Christmas is Christmas. Jesus is the reason.
I hope I have conveyed to you correctly what I have learned. I don't need anything to celebrate Jesus other than my heart. But since I have the resources to make a big deal of it you bet your bottom dollar I will.

Catching up

I haven't posted a while. It been crazy busy. The play took up the majority of time. So much that unfortunately we barely had time to cook and well...forget about the house. Needless to say I have been working hard at cleaning. We finally have places to sit now and our family room floor has been vacuumed much to mom's delight. I have never seen our house in such disarray since we moved it. However, I am swiftly getting it back into shape and getting paid to boot.

Other than getting my home and my room organize, I have been re-studying the DAM book again hoping for once and for all to find an organized solution of filing my 10,000 plus photographs. I am sure the numbers will go down because no doubt I have several copies of the same things. I can't wait to get back into my organize life...as far as home and stuff that "should" be organize as well as can be. But my life is a mystery and as Jo says " we must find the pieces." In other words, I must learn in to coop in a messy world and find ways to make it beautiful. Take stewardship and prideful ownership of which I can call my own.

Other things which are new are I am learning numbers...like Excel type numbers. A tad bit difficult but I think worth the battle. Also I am really trying to learn this phone of mine on which I am typing as you read. Considering that my business is underway and will be opening in hopefully late 2012 to early...very early 2013. I thought it would be good to become very familiar with keeping up with things using my phone. We will see how that goes...

When Pellissippi starts again, I will be learning french once more. And hopefully my lovely sister will finally teach me Spanish. On top of that I desire to understand grammar better and work a bit more on my spelling...except in this post. I have decided to give myself grace considering I am after all typing on a phone. But I am excited. I am learning these things for myself and that makes a world of difference.

Lastly, I am determine to read two good books a month. Something that will help me grow in some form of fashion. It could be related to my business to my spiritual life. But I am excited about it and on my plan ride hope to make a list of books I will read. That will be 24 books a year...not shabby for a busy college student right? Sigh. I can only make tine for certain things.

I must end this post. It has taken me nearly half an hour and I do want to get more cleaning finish.

There's frost outside

This morning I work up to a beautiful array of frost in my yard. For a second, I thought it was snow. Excitement built up and then dashed. Oh, well. Snow will come soon enough. Winter is coming and somehow I think it will be very special to me personally and to others in more ways than one. I am thrilled about it. There's something God is up to and my restless spirit longs to be in the know. The waters have been storming for a long while and a it is time for rest. However, I think the adventures have just begun and it.is.going.to.be.good.

Decorating on a small small budget

So this year I've decided to crochet and create all homemade Christmas gifts. Within two months I've crocheted four items and am in the process of three more. My parents gifts is going to be bbbbbeeeeeaaaauuuuuttttiiiifffffullll Plus if they do not like it I'll just keep it. Grin. I am so excited this Christmas season. It'll be my first attempt of making pretty much everything homemade. As soon

Christmas is just around the corner. I've decided considering I'm a poor college student, that I'll make my decoration for my room. I'm a classic, vintage type of person. A few pops of color here and there. So, I am determined to cut out snow flakes, out of recycled papers and make colored ornaments and hang from my ceiling and windows. Take pieces of cardboard, design them into whatever I desire and glitter them...hopefully we have glitter. Whatever I can use to decorate with what I have, and hopefully my room will turn into a beautiful Christmas room...for under $5 bucks.

The only thing that I'll allot myself to buy is new sheets for my bed. Working with only one real set of sheets, I figured I can splurge and get myself new sheets.  I've chosen gold...I'd love red, but it wouldn't work. So I'll decorate with red. So besides that purchase of hopefully no more than $35, I'll be good. I'll tell you whether or not I was able to decorate my room for a total of $40...we'll see. I'd love to hang white lights, but I don't own any. Plus I have a feeling my mom and Kate will take them. So....it would be colored lights. Strangely enough I don't really enjoy colored lights and prefer white lights now. It is odd because last year I 'hate' white lights and wanted the colored. But I think the white lights gives a more grown up affair and classic look. We'll see what happens. I know I don't want a "cute" room, that isn't my style. I don't mind cute things, particular if it is clothing. But I'd rather it be refreshing, wonderful, and cozy then cute. I've never done something like this, so I'm pretty excited to try my hand at it. When I am finished, I'll post photographs.

Believe it or not, I wrote this two weeks ago and post on my other blog. But I wanted to add. 

Beginning of week two of December. I've woken up to the fact of a person will little money to spend on decoration better have lots of time for creating. Unfortunately, I'm so busy that my parents rarely see me even though I'm in the same house at the same time as they are. But I'm typing away and researching way down on the opposite of the house...and in my opinion away from the fun. This means, I rarely have time to decorate my bedroom. It is rare these days for me to get in bed earlier than 11...most times its midnight. Leaving me to fall asleep at 1:30. 

On the bright side, I've gotten a very small wreath finished and half way through my big wreath. My sister has kindly loaned me her white lights and small decorations. God, I love that you gave me such a rose as her. The sheets...huh they didn't work out. I found some for 15.99 and 27.99, but they didn't work. So back to the store they go...when I make time. But my room is clean...well it was until Red and Kate decided to jam in my room. Now I have a piano in the middle of my room. Got to love them...they are the best of the best. 

My gifts are coming slowly and surely. I am so excited! I just pray I can finish them in time. Hopefully this Saturday I can finish my room and photograph to make good on my words, we'll see. I've got to run, I should have been studying, but I miss my blog. It brings me relief and I hope does for you as well. 

Heavy seasons and thankfulness

I didn't anticipate this feeling so soon. Not now, not like this. You see I received news. It's good news...frightening news. News, I unfortunately can not reveal. But it has made my heart heavy. Freedom Feet has become an intricrant part of my life. There's Harvest family...and there's freedom feet family. We're kind like the 12 disciples. There's a bond between us that will always remain even as we part ways. Part ways. The time is coming for that time and that is why my heart is heavy.
My brothers have always joked when my "one" comes, he had better watched out. I've got seven brother's squarely behind me. The thing is...it isn't a joke...they're dead serious. They've bickered back and forth of who was the brother first. Enough to make my head turn, or any girl's for that matter.
How often can a girl say WITH pride I have seven brothers and they are one of the most amazing group of  people you will ever meet? I love each one of them dearly and with sisterly affection. God has placed us in such way in such a time as this. It's important. We fight together, occasionally fight with each together ( can't leave out the sibling quarrels), and we are ALWAYS welcoming new comers.
That's the thing with us. Even if we are exceedingly close, we don't have our names written on each other. We can't...the only names that on us is God's and our own names. We are always seeking to find new adventures, meet new people, welcome them if they choose into our group, but there will always remain that tight bond between us.
This is the last year that we'll be together like this. Two of my youngest brothers leave for college, one for military, and the others going to take on the calling God's given them. There'll be a handful of us left, but it won't be the same. Which is why this Christmas, our last play together like this at Harvest, we're going out with a bang. If you attend, I promise you...you won't know what hit you. Your wildest dreams can't fathom this...not us plain ordinary people who have hidden talents that is finally beginning to be revealed. I can assure you, I'll be crying at the end of it all. They deserve to be applauded by me. It is because of them that I have deeply changed. They have taught me, lectured me, scolded me, wiped my tears, and teased me without mercy. Boys...aren't always mature even them, they go through season don't we all? But their heart is beautiful and that is what matters.
They (themselves) have appointed me as their big sister as I am the eldest of them all. I carry that title with no light burden. How I talk and act, I know they are watching. I also know they guard me with passion (whip me back in line) in loving kindness because that is what we do. They are the reasons I treat men with respect and expect men to treat me with the same respect. It was a semi-long battle, but the boys have taught me...that men should ALWAYS open the door for a lady, it is a sign that they love and respect you. Heavy object, stuff down my pride and allow the boys to carry. They helped trained me to act, speak, and look like a lady. Indeed....I am filled with pride of my boys and I feel as if  I have right to call them that. I do truly see them as my brothers. I am a blessed woman. Which is why I write on this thanksgiving day of how thankful I am for them.

It has taken five plus years for this group to be this way. We have seen each others ugly and beautiful sides and we love each other anyways. With Christ as our foundation, this is why we are unique because we truly do love each other...just like harvest. But we're a sending church. We're going to be sending out some mighty fine young men. Oh, how I'll miss them.

Worship

Worship, I've come to a conclusion is a choice. Worship is where you consciously make an effort to spend time with God to know Him for Him and lavish praises on Him. Recently I spoke a word at church. God was speaking to me because I was struggling with worshiping. I was exhausted with always fighting to worship God. To enter that place of rest. Usually by the time I've started to enter, I have been distracted or worship ends. I was fed up and exhausted. My heart begged to be into that place again. I hadn't intended to speak, I didn't want to speak in church. But my mouth opened and words flow out of my mouth. By the time I was finished I could only remember the last sentence, "It is your choice" It pierced me and shed light upon the subject matter of which I was struggling with.

When I spoke of this to Kate of my feelings. She was quiet for a moment and then spoke. "Have you ever thought that worship isn't always about feelings?" I agreed. But still my heart yearned for some kind of oneness, some kind of a sign. But her words spoke into me. It was then it struck me. When God through me in such way that my speech is clear and concise I am worshiping. That is almost the only time when I do not struggle with my speech, it's like He takes me and puts the words in my mouth.

I can't help being distracted by things. But what I can help is my actions and attitude. 

If you do not mind I would like to share something with you  about this same topic when I was 18. I think it fits. 

 Worship isn't an act, nor should it be taken lightly. It's not about singing, or dancing. Nor is worship is about how well the worship team plays. What's it about then? God. It's all about God, you don't have to sing to worship, nor do you have to dance, or play an instrument. If that was the case, how would a lame man worship in dancing, a deaf person play a instrument.. .(discounting Beethoven who went death in his later years!), or a mute person sing out loud. Worship is a matter of the heart. What you give back and how you give. I love how Matthew puts this "Worship is a lifestyle... not just an action," and what Justin added."What follows from a worship experience or an experience

at an altar is what matters, and what follows is a lifestyle." I never though much about on how worship "should" be done...I just worship and imagine what it would be like to in my Dad's court or just be in the same room with him.

Matthew wrote this before me and I couldn't help, but put this on here.

It sort of goes along with what Pastor Tim said about drive-thru altars today (or, as I dubbed them, McAltars). Some people see worship the same way; a set of motion that, when carried out, result in an emotional experience. Worship is a lifestyle, not just an action. Sure, it has actions associated with it, but those are just manifestations of a worshipper's heart. God doesn't want McWorship! Or McAltars! :D

A taste of behind the scenes

I thought you might like to know some of the questions that I answer for my business. If I can not answer each and every question, I might as well not have a business. Mind you please, these are not all the questions. There are still more questions to be answered and to be put into practice.

Identify 3 specialty areas you would like to target

Identify your clients

What specific skills do I have in those areas?

Will I need addition Training or education?

What additional equipment will I need?

What services will my clients need?

Who is my competition?

How will my services be different?

Is my geographical location favorable to my business?

Why does my company exist?

Who do we serve?

What is our purpose?

What is my strength weakness opportunity and...threat?

Considering above along with our expertise and resources, what business should we be in?

What is important to us?

What do we stand for?

Please note: Almost all of these questions come from books. As soon as I can get to the library again, I'll reference them.

Home-office

Lately, I have been dreaming of my own home. How would I decorate it when I do leave home. I know it can not be too far off...two years at the most I give it. But certainly not next year. It is not in my position to do so with beauty school raising its cost. Despite that, I thought I'd share some of my dreams.

I want a library...full of old books or just books in general that I love. Here and there some "new" books. But I have old fashion values...most of the books that "new" don't adhere to my sense of adventures or of learning.  I couldn't find a photograph of my 'bookshelves' for public use, so I'm going to describe it to you.  Bookshelves from floor to ceiling with an old fashion ladder with wheels. You can slide back and forth to get the books. I know not practical for when I'm in my seventies. But I do plan on being a very healthy 50 and 60 woman...I've got great genes.  By then I'll just get on a lift and get my books that way. The book shelves are simply elegant. Cherry wood...preferably.

Since I'll probably be poor as a church mouse, I'll settle with screwing two inexpensive books shelves on top of each other and into the wall. I know how to use an electric screwdriver. Get a simple wooded step stool put felt underneath since hopefully I'll have wooded floors.

In between my book shelves I'll have my window seat. I'll get an inexpensive chest and stain it, make a cover probably a hunter green or sage color depending on the wood color, throw in some pillows, and hang up my curtains. This window seat is not to be small, but large enough for a person to comfortable take a nap on.

Now keeping mind that my house most likely won't be very big. I'll most likely make that room my office/library. No way it is going to be my bedroom. Bedrooms are designed for rest...not work.

I have this love for chalkboard. Although I love the idea for a chalkboard wall...I will probably settle for a bulletin board/ white board. My desk  long and rectangular. Similar to this:

A good sturdy desk. If I had the money, I'd get something like this. I love the classic, simply lines. Straight ford stuff. But I'd ditch the chairs for a comfy arm chair with pattern. Hey it is an office that I'll be working in and possibly entertain clients. It has to comfortable. Underneath the desk, I'll have a rug to give the room a pop of color to the neutral colored walls.
Now I know that landlines are going out of business, but for my office I plan on having a landline. To better serve my clients, I don't want them having access to me at all times. That is why I will have an office.

I would love to have a phone like this. It might not be pratical. But I love it. I think it would add a cozy feel it to. But regardless whether or not have I have phone like this, I will have a corded phone and possible a non corded phone. 

I'll have a coffee table, for when guest comes there'll be a variety of things for them to snack on as we do consultation. And an area for children to play in as we talk . 

Above all things, I want my printers, scanners, fax machines and all my extras to look neat. I'll probably get a dresser with drawers to hide my extras, and my machines on top with a few things to brighten the area.  I don't know how it will pull together, but it is my hope that my office/ library will be a place to truly work. The window seat would be perfect for me to relax as I read business books or for children to cuddle up and play games.  

I've run out time. So I'll tell you my places for kitchen and other places later. But next time I'll just post pictures if I can. You'll get the idea yourself. 

Rambling....

After so many post of my doings in Netherlands, I'm post a last post of traveling. However, this is one not of of Netherlands, but rather of something different. This summer I had a chance...a very good chance to go to Italy. I turned it down. God said no. Someday I want to, but the timing isn't right.

Besides CCSA- college, carreer, and single adult  age group might be in the dreaming stage of planning big. Not a word can I tell you, because it is simply in the dreaming stage, plus Kate hasn't talk anymore of the dreams with us. But I can tell you this. We're hungry and we are jumping at the bits to take the gospel to the streets. But we have to finished some things and understand the main points of the gospel ourselves.

Until such a time, we'll be finishing up Freed by Divine Degree. I'm so looking foreword to that tomorrow. It is the only place I get my "class" outside of sunday mornings. I wish I could get more. Maybe next semester will work better for me in attending other meetings.

In the meantime is this fall season divine? Mmmmm. I wish I could go hiking. Every time I set out to do something it gets spoiled. I need to get a friend with me so I can go. Course I'll take photographs along the way. How can I possible not? Hah. Breathe in my friend though this might be a hectic season. Fall never stays long.

My favorite place in the world

Listen…hear gentle lapping sounds of blue clear water. Feel the sand beneath your feet. See the shells beneath the wet surface of the ocean. Feel the wind in your face whipping your hair around. Gentle rolling dunes from the nearby ocean create small mountains. The sunsets there are among the most beautiful colors you will ever get to see.  It is quiet town, but not sleepy. It is productive, working through out the day and resting when evening comes. The quaint village life seemed so simple and beautiful that it seemed hard to be true. I often wondered to myself as I biked through the villages, if this life they lived do they take it for granted? Do they see its beauty? Do I? I have heard there are seals here, but I have not yet been able to go. Every moment here is too precious, everything breathe I take I found myself taking in the beauty God had created. It is here that I have discovered a quiet peace in a way I’ve never felt before. There wasn’t any demanding deadlines, there’s no rushing to do, all I had to do was bike to my favorite places…alone. With no one with me, to discover who I am for myself in God. I will come back here. You see Texeles to many is just a place where there’s no skyscrape building, or factories  and there’s not much to do here other than bike. It is unchanged, protected by the waters surrounding it. To me it was a chance of a life time, the gentle drawings of my Beloved beckoned me. Texeles is just an island, but it is an island created in God’s beauty.

June 25...last day in Rotterdam

This is my last day here in Rotterdam. Tomorrow we leave at 9:00 sharp. I am sad to leave. Finally, I have gotten used to Rotterdam and have learned my way around. Professor Duren has given me permission to walk around by myself providing that I stay very close Stayokay. I can not tell you the freedom I felt as I walked in broad daylight exploring on my own. Rotterdam, in the day is quite safe.
Yesterday, I went with Ben to Euromast. You can see for miles! I have heard that you can see as far as Belgimn. The trip was definatly worth the hour walk and the tired feet that remained with me the rest of the evening. If anyone is ever able to get to Rotterdam, go to the Euromast. It is worth the money and the time. The is definatly a life time memory that will stay with me forever. My pictures does not do it justice.
Today we visited a musuem. It was a lot of fun. For the first time our graphic design class really got together and just hung out. I mean we do get together at breakfast, but afterwards everyone does their own thing. It was a treat and I enjoyed most of every moment.
My packing is almost done for Texel. Although I do wish for a couple more days in Rotterdam, I am excited about Texal. Lacey and I have decided to buy bikes since we’d most likely just ride them the entire week that we are there. I’m looking foreward to bike everywhere instead of walking.
I am so excited! A friend said that she’d might be willing to come to Delft, where the church is. I have to find where it is and give her a little bit more information so she can definatly make up her mind. I hope she’ll come! She is great fun.

When I am saftly in Texel, I will write more! Till then afscheid (good bye).

Tellings of my doings

June 23, 2010

My classes are going well. It helps keep us busy, but not very much. There’s only one thing I could ask, I wish Rotterdam was safe enough for me to explore on my own. The truth is I dare not step foot out of the stayokay residence without having someone with me. Perhaps I am being over reacting, but I rather be safe than sorry. One thing I do know, when I get home I’m traveling. I’m going to discover new places in my own home…places that those who have lived there all their may have over looked. There’s always something new.
Last night I entered into a home of the Dutch people originated from India. There I tried Indian food for the first time in my life. It was SOOOOOO spicy, but it was wonderful. I ate as much as I dared while gulping down water. I didn’t feel so bad when the others in my group also said the food was spicy. For anyone who knows my palette can probably imagine the fire in my mouth.
The trams are exciting. I felt as if I was flying and often daring let go of the railing as the electric trams lurched to a start. Plus the nighttime adventure on the way to a friend’s home made it exhilarating for me. I breathed in the night freedom and happily soaked in the new places with the company of friends from my study abroad group.

Here in Rotterdam

On June 20, 2010 I wrote:

Today marks a second day of being away from home. Yesterday had been all traveling, and been shuttled to and fro from both trains and trams. As we went to board our first plane, I discovered that my plane ticket did not have my name on it and so professor Duren and I went back to the helpful service counters to correct the issue. Apparently, they had never faced a ticket not having a persons name, however in a short amount of time they were able to help me and we were soon on our way through the security. Both planes were late, the second plane we has shifted through 2 different pilots to be able to fly. I was glad my luggage was overall light for we had lots of walking and crammed into tight places.

I have made good friends in my group. Our group gets along with each other overall pretty well. I now know all of them by name.

Our professor decided that today, Sunday, would be our free day. So a group of us went to walk around which turned into a shopping trip for most of us. Afterwards, part of us went to the bar and drank beers except for those like me who is a year way from being away to being able to drink. We ate our packed lunches and enjoyed each other’s company and exciting found a free hot spot ( wireless) to contact family members and friends.

The windy weather has brighten our cheeks and there are sparkles in our eyes. My rain jacket has nicely kept me warm from the cold. The cloudy overcast skies have made perfect scenery for pictures.

Here in Rotterdam, there are many types of transportation. I can not really say which transportation is used the most. It seems everyone walk, bike, or dive. There are a lot of boats as well. These boats are not your normal dinky sailboat…these are fishing boats which are long, huge, and well…huge.

Tomorrow classes start. How thankful I am that it will begin at 10 right after breakfast. Our curfew is in the morning at 9 clock, basically we just have to be there for breakfast whether we eat or not. After class is finished then I think we have to do homework and whatever else we want to do.

I am doing really well. My legs are holding up from all that walking. I highly suspect that when I get home, I’ll be fit as fiddle. Perhaps I might be so use to walking every where that a walk to Wal-mart is just mere thing. 

Amsterdam~

I have always wanted to see a castle either in its glory or see its ruins where you have to imagine it  in its former splendor.  Often with larger estates there are colorful garden grounds that would be impressive to walk in. Researching places of interest in Netherlands led me to an enriching place to visit,  Muiderslot Castle in Muiden, located 22 minutes away from the hostel in Amsterdam.  Map.

Furthermore, in Naarden, a nearby town, there is an old castle-like church called Grote Kerk that might be interesting to visit in addition to or in place of visiting the castle. Except for climbing the tower, which from my understanding is  €2,50, admission for the church is free. Map.

A tad bit of tellings of my netherlands trip

Dear friends,
        I am getting rid of my travel blog. Keeping up with five blogs isn't fair to you nor to me since time is so short. Thus I am transporting my blog notes to here. Hopefully, I can start a blogspot travel blogwhere it'll be easily linked. Because I will hopefully be traveling again this summer, I do want a travel blog. Fingers cross and heart hoping. We'll see what dad says.

Scheduling...time

  Photograph found on stck xchng

Time...must be carefully guarded lest it be gone before you know it. There are no "free" time, you often have to make time. I have often overheard conversation where someone says when we have more time, let's have you over for dinner. Always I laugh silently to myself. There is no time in a sense, we have to make time. That is why a book called the scheduler is on deck day and night for us to record our times. 


Were it not for my schedule book, I would be knee high in trouble. Nay forget that, I would be WAY over my head. Thus it is extremely important for me to write it down in my book. It doesn't matter whether or not I look back, but at least I have a reference. 


Which brings me to a point. I am usually an organize person, I can't stand clutter. Neither do I like perfectly clean, well...unless it's my room then I love it almost perfectly clean.  Well lived in an organized fashion is my style. Yet...this season for some strange reason. I live in clutter no matter how hard I work to try to get myself organize. Especially on the weekdays. Good luck on trying to contact me during that time, especially on a tuesday.

Then it hit me...I've negeglated to write down orgazine room/closet. Or whatever I needed to get done. Something happens when I WRITE something down...it gets done.

On the side lines...this is why I write down my dreams, my amition, and my hopes. I go into details. Will they all happen? No. But there's a good chance that they will and when I look back I can marvel at the miracles that God gave me. Plus on the days I get confuse I look back and have a clearer perspective because I took the time to write them down. It is vitually important to me to write these things down. Something I need to do more of and more details.
Here's the thing, a good time keeper is a good researcher AND a good organizer at least with some form of time.

I usually keep my room company clean...most of the time. We all of one those days when it just explodes into messiness. But by the end of the week, I've got it company clean. It isn't because of room check either. Lately, I've skimmed with passing room-check and I hate it. I take pride in having my room clean especially with my "newish" comfortable and my "newish" room. Being a good stewardess of my room is something that I strive for. Hence is why  I 've labeled this blog scheduling...time.
You usually can't be a great stewardess of something unless you are a good time scheduler or at least not without balancing everything else.

To be honest, keeping a clean home is great. Everyone after a looooonnnnnggggg and very tiring day are delighted to come home to a sparkling clean home. But that isn't what life is about, constantly cleaning or even scheduling time. Life is about God...pure and simple. God is about you and others and quite frankly about Him. It's a you and Him relationship and loving others. But you gotta first love Him to truly love others. Time... also is a thing about priorities. At least this is what I have experience in the short years of my life.

Re-arranging again :)

Hello my friends,
      Please bear with me as I am converting my blog into a more comfortable space. I am trying to make this blog as simple as possible and easy to read. We all have hectic days where we just don't want to deal with extra stuff and want to read or find other blogs quickly and effectively, while knowing the type of blog you are about to read. Thank you for your patience.

Encouraging others

Surprising enough this has become a hard subject for me, I have gotten more and more confuse in these last two years. When I was younger, I rarely thought ill of anyone. I just loved people mistakes and all. Now that I am older I find myself in a harddriven world that expects either for you to fall flat on your face or do the impossible...that tear you apart and critized you. I have learned it the hard way, and it breaks my heart. Why can't people just love one anotoher and encouarge one another. One more question when IS the right time to (loving) rebuke and how can you lovingly encourage someone while rebuking them at the same time? I guess that was two questions. But never the less. These questions are important to me. How do you apply grace to someone who may or may not know they're doing wrong? I know rebuking when it is needed is right. I know I sometimes need a "spanking" when I do, I rather have it then ruin myself and fall into disgrace. Yet, there a lot of times I need a whole lotta grace.  There two things in play, one is what does God say and the other is what is your heart motive. Cause if I am all about the gotta look good on the outside, but fail to look on the insde, boy hope I pad my britches and high tail it out. Because I am no better off then the person in sin...come to think of it, I would be sinning. I can't eat my cake on a high horse. Translation: don't play the high and mighty card and expect to be granted the "good job trophy". No, no, no.
But if I listen to God and ask Him to clearly define what and when I should do something and truly care about the heart of the person, I say it'll be just fine. You know why? Cause He's doing all the work and He's gonna make it right...might take his sweet time, but in the end it'll be JUUUUUSSSTTT perfect. Then I get to eat my cake and enjoy it immensely.

Going out on a Limb

Go with me out on a limb here and indulged my girlish fantasy. Of all the Disney movies I ever watched there was one that I would watched again and again. While other girls dreamed of knights and princes...I dreamed of the beast. The a warrior as I dubbed him. Funny how I was SO disappointed to find that he was a prince. My bubble burst. I didn't care about royalties....only the fact that he was a leader who learned a lesson that would behove all of us to learn. But anyways...I'm not here to talk about princes, knights, or men in general. I wanted to talk about belle...and her heart.


Belle...was "alive" to me. I could relate to her. I saw people for people and I saw the possibility of what and who they can become. At, the tender age of seven or eight I was moved a little to be "like Belle". My silent world was alive with noise. I didn't engage in conversation...but I watched. There much I didn't like to see and but I saw the good in everyone. As Samwise once said " There that there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for." This quote is especially true as I have gotten older and it is harder for some odd reason to find the good quickly.
Belle in a sense was like that to Beast. Here, this selfish, spoiled beast had hurt and anger in his heart, and yet Belle saw the good in him. Of course it took a while for her to like him, but still. Her love for her father cost her something in the beginning and the won her one of the greatest gifts she could ever imagine. She took a chance and sacrificed so that the one that she dearly loved would live.

But I also related to the beast. Now I am no means ugly by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn't call myself drop dead gorgeous either, but I love who I am and I appreciate the looks I do have. So when I am talking of the beast, I am not talking of his physical stature. Rather I am talking about who He was and how people only saw him for the outside. They would not take time to get to know. Of course before Belle came into his life, they would have been correct. But he changed truly and honestly. The town people had no grace for a beastly beast, they instead fed on empty gossip which in turned killed a man. My point being, how often do we take the time to know the person on the inside. Do we offer a chance of grace to them? Some people won't change...people like Gaston who is cruel to the core. But what if when God whispers in our hearts, and we took that chance?  Sure, we might have to sacrifice, there might be tears, and angry words. But if we press on, just maybe because we refused not to give up that person comes to Christ, or perhaps decided to truly give his heart.

However, there comes a point when we have to break off. Belle did. Her love for her father almost cost her the love of her life. Ironic isn't? How her exact love for her father brought her to the beast, and how her love for her father took her away. But there's a flip side. The beast had grown to love Belle, and HE let her go. She realized how much good was in the beast when she went away. A fresh perspective I would like to say. Sadly, it isn't always the case. Sometimes we have to break away, because if we don't we cause not only harm to the other person to ourselves as well.

There is so much more I could say, but this a gist of what I have gathered from this movie. Granted, I haven't seen this movie since last year, but the major points have always stuck with me since I was a little girl. Just more advance in concepts of my points have grown since I have grown older and hopefully wiser.

A difficult and yet glorious season

You know what I long for? Intensely long for? To make a difference and to see that I make a difference. When I am at college, I see and I hear conversations around me. For some strange reason a clear glass has been place in front of me and no matter how I've pounded nor how much, it seems to make no dent. By which I mean, I seem to stand alone especially as conversations are hard for me to make. I am not what I am at school as I am at home. My parents can't shut me up. I dance, I glide, I sing, and I chatter to anyone and everyone who would listen. But when I at school, I'm quiet and reserved. A few sentence are spoke and I'm the quiet one in the group. I listen to the chattering truly interested. When statements are made of which I am not in favor of, I make no inclinations of protest. That isn't me, I stand for what I believe and I act out what I speak of my beliefs.
Quite and reserved that is me and yet it isn't. I have my moments...but for those who truly know me...I'm not that most of the time. I don't care so much of always being outgoing. No...that doesn't matter. What matters to me is am I making a difference for Christ? How can I when I am so quiet? Yet. Can not even a deaf person share the word of God although he speaks no words? Can not a blind person point you to Christ although he can only see the world in textures and shapes? Can not a lame person help you have a personal walking relationship with Jesus although he himself can not walk? Can they not?
There are people who change the world in a massive way. Who go away and come back telling stories of people they've led to Christ and what they've done for Him. Here I am at college, working, making friends slowly, teaching children, becoming a houselady, ( I am not yet a wife, therefore I can not say housewife), listening and chattering to my friends, and doing small things.
Yet, I recollect. His timing and His purposes causes all things work together. I am where He has place me at the exact time doing what He wants. Just as the others are obeying him so am I.
 We as the body of Christ have different roles that we must choose whether or not to pick up and carry no matter what the task. And we can not fulfill those roles without each other. We need each other to step up, to step back, to listen, to talk, to carry, to admonish, to encourage...the list goes on. The point is, we, the body of Christ, have got to look to Jesus and not do what I started to do in the beginning of this post, compare ourselves to each other. We matter separately, and together, can't have one without the other.
Perhaps this is the season of training. To listen and to learn. Allow others to step up and take the lead while I follow. Someone once said, " A good leader is one who can follow humbly." I am trying to be to a humble follower and Lord know it isn't easy, but He's helping me.

Sometimes you need to wade through it

Life isn't easy sometimes and sometimes you just want to complain. One of the hardest things I had to do was NOT complain...a feat I did not accomplished. However, my complaining was only to my family who knew what was going on at least. But still, this week has been one of the hhhhhaaarrrrdest to go through, and I have no earthly reason why it was so. At least it gave me food for thought. This week especially from  encouragement from my pastor's message I'm going to keep my mouth shut, at least try my best to stay positive. Go to my number one source and if I need encouragement afterwards have someone keep me in their thoughts. There is some rejoicing whenever trials come and this trial has nothing on me compared to the past or what some people are going through right now.
 Sometimes though it does one good to step back and take a true rest. Find something that fills you up and then tackle whatever object(s) that is needed to be done. Having heard "don't complain" which is very good council, there is such a thing of hold far too much inside of you. Sometimes you need to "complain" for lack of a better word to get the correct perspective of what is going on. But there is a far cry from complaining and being dissatisfied all the time verses being unhappy and trying to figure out what is wrong so you can get your heart right. If there is something truly wrong and after going to your number one source, Jesus Christ, and afterwards if need be go to someone who is wise and knowledgable that is going to be able to help you is key. Else you are going to be stuck in that place perhaps a great deal longer than just dealing with the problem itself.
Honestly, I don't know how this post got started on this topic. It wasn't suppose to be this serious. But it was something on my heart.

Guitar

Forgive me for posting twice...but I had to share what I am teaching myself on the guitar next. Indeed I am already learning it.  The song is called Cripple Creek. My version of the song is way slower, but still that hoping tune. Hope you enjoy.

Last night's party

Oh! My friends. Last night was da bomb! Friends of friends of friends and of friends gather 'round volleyball courts, tossed around the Frisbee, and just enjoyed each other's company. Music rang out from the old piano filling the home with glad noise. Some of these people are gifted. We had over 20 people in our home last night. What fun! It was great seeing and meeting people that we hadn't seen in ages and to get to know new faces. It was wonderful. I hope that this is a first of many. Already plans are being laid for something further in the fall. 
This group of people have a lot to offer. I was honored to be in their presence especially the ones that like us reached out to the other side and took time to know us beyond our names. I'm ready for another low key volleyball match and hopefully it will be much better next next time. By that meaning I actually get the ball more over the net instead of with much power hitting that ball over my head to the backyard. Who know I process such a strength. ;)
I would happily do this again. These people are dear and I hope to get to know them much more. That and they didn't leave too big of a scattered mess. It was collected mess which was so much easier to clean up. Bless them for that. What more stories will we create together? Only time will tell. But I think it will be safe to say that good bonds outside of both groups will form a strong friendship.

The flooded studio and happy gathering

Okay so I don't often feel this way, but well I was happy to discover that Still life was meeting upstairs in the bagwell meeting in the "meeting" room which is where I think all the important or most of it happens. However, I felt awful (and slightly humored) for my professor. You see the studio flooded. Which in of itself is a pretty bad thing and I wished for all of our sakes it hadn't happened. But here's the thing. We have now a saying in my  home, quite literately as it is imprinted on our wall. It says " The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table," Well it was exactly just that. Something clicks when people are gathered around the table...that and along with eating with each other.  I think we grew closer as a group because we  all had to be much closer and see all of each other's lovely faces. We talked and for my part I felt we had more than just a camera in our hands for common ground. Gasp...we actually all talked! It was wonderful. I hope the flooding in the studio doesn't happen again especially for my professor's sake who also happens to be the head of the department. However I SURE wouldn't mind the gathering 'round the table again. :). Who knows just maybe it will.

Small building

I love small projects. But even small projects can go awry. Fortunately, Dad loves working these types of things. He brought himself a router table and when his router didn't work...you got brought himself another router. Mom is rubbing her hands and dreaming of "small" projects for dad to do. Sigh contently.   I helped dad in the beginning a lot and little in the middle. Towards the end...school had begun to start. Just because of the router complication, this baby took over a month to complete. But in the end it was completely worth it. My guess is that we could have finished this within two or three days give or take. We are not master craftsmen you know. But we can slice along. Grin. Without any further ado here below is the finale of the plate rack.

Poetry and rainy days

Drizzling rain coming softly from the cloudy skies from above. Classical music playing in the back ground and my family laughing. If I was not doing school at this precise moment, I would be curled up reading 'MacBeth' or crocheting. Surprising right...the choice of book, not the crocheting. For those who know me, I hate tragedies. Shakespeare has captured my attention with his wit of writing. Not sure how long I can keep on going, but oh my. That style and grace! Unknown words that takes time to understand makes my heart soar with happiness. I believe I have a love for poetry.

Robert Steven Lois author of Treasure Island has arrested my attention as well. I cannot wait to finish reading to grab ahold of more treasure. Lately, I finished ¨Truth is Beauty.¨ A book of wondrous poetry give by Sheila to Mom on Kate's first week to Lee.  Please let me excerpt a poem, only a little part. Dover Beach 

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.

                                                                                         Matthew Arnold   

Perhaps now that I am older (and hopefully wiser) the domain of Shelley, Keats, Byron, Wordworth and so many other legendary writers will shed light to my world in which strives to write and read well. 

      

Playing dogs

I have had a delightful mornings. For two weeks I've resolved to start walking in the mornings starting in the neighborhood of seven time frame.  I hadn't decided how many times, but figured the morning air would do me wonders. Keegan would company me. Almost every morning I've managed to get up at seven but not walking. So this morning I was determined to walk. I got Keegan ready to go, then Sasha came bounding up. Such a hopeful and begging expression she wore. I could not help but put the leash also on her. Since she ran away over a month ago, we have been trying to treat her a little more gently since she was really starting to show her age. But oh, today you would've thought she was 5 or 6 years. 

I was much more focus on training Keegan since he loves to "talk" and I can not have him talking in the mornings when  everyone is sleeping. Trust me you can hear that dog outside of the house, especially if he is on the sleeping porch. But anyways, I decided to introduce him a new word, quiet. Hopefully, he'll understand I don't mind him being excited, but he's got to be quiet when told. Took me a half hour just to get them both down the drive way simply for the fact that along with trying to teach Keegan a new word, I will also working with both dogs to stay on my left side. Sasha was a gem. Keegan...dominated dog kept pushing her over, course she shoved back (good girl). 

By the time I got the dogs down to the picnic area, mom was driving down the driveway. As trained, I had the dogs sit and wait for the car to pass. Then went down the pond area, just letting them be. They loved it. Sasha by the point was getting playful, so I left her off the leash in the picnic area and tried to work with Keegan. No such luck! Grin. I let Keegan off of his leash and told him to go play. Oh! My friends, it was a wonderful sight to see my dogs really play. Sasha in particular. The way she bounded and leaped. I swear she did a three eighty in the air. She growled and barked cocking her brown head at me. Her eyes beckon me to come play. So I did. Whistling, and growling I played with her like of old and revived the memories how we'd play before she got sick. It did my heart good to see her so and I know it did hers bountiful good as well.  

Back to college for the final year

I can't believe it! This year will be my last year at Pellissippi! I am in awe of how God has managed all this for me. I must share this:
     Two days before I was to start Pellissippi, I was told that I was dropped from my hybrid psychology class. I was sooo disappointed. Since the study would greatly help me with my major, I was greatly looking foreword to it.  All classes that I could attend were closed, and the ones that were open were on days I would really not be at college. Out of faith I applied to two closed sections and attended one of them. After talking to the professor and going back and forth between advisors along with people helping me, I finally had to go the head department. Three times during the talk I was rejected, but when I explained there were eight seats in the room that were unoccupied and nine would have been had I sat in it, his attitude changed. He signed it, and I walked out wondering "what in the world just happened?" Then I knew what happened. Breathless, I mean breathless I went to the counter which would complete the add in. At first confusing started and I started to be reject again. But then suddenly I was accepted and entered into the program. What happened was the hand of God moved on my behalf. I know it. To be so closely rejected for good at least for the semester, and then suddenly have a heart changed...nothing could be more obvious   to the fact that God was moving for me. Simple prayers have been answered for me this week, and I have been in awe over the simplest prayers completed.
     This semester is going to be crazy busy for me. But it is worth it. I know that I know that I know this is the exact time, place, and position where God wants me.  It will be so worth it no matter what comes my way. I just have to remember that when I am in the "throws" of homework, work, and other social things.  :)
Isn't God SO good? Not just for answering my simple prayer or for looking out for me, but just being God? Hmmm...I am falling deeper and deeper in love. He so good!

This morning as I tried to leave all three dogs where giving me the give me attention attitude. Keegan who normal obeys at the first three commands promptly laid down in the gravel in FRONT of my car, his ears laid back when I called him. I tried to pick him up, but with my shoulder already hurting and He being 80 pounds no such thing happened and went instead to get the leash. The other two were like in la la la land. When I finally manage to put Keeg on the porch he broke loose and then the other two slid underneath garage door. When I put the leash on Keegan, he slide out underneath his collar whimpering all the way. When he was freed He laid full stretch on the road. I clipped back his collar cooing at him all the way. One thing I've learned with my baby, the more the voice has stress in it, the more he resistances unless of course you just get full blown angry at him and then he just whimpers and goes between the legs give me the "I'm sorry mommy," look.


Sorry my photograph is blurry, it is taken with my phone. But this is Keegan, my "baby"

 Sigh...I wonder if this is any where close to being a "mom"?

Blessed season

My last year of college is fast approaching. Can you believe it? Honestly I do not know what to think. I am excited...but not scared for once. One step closer to God's dream for me. Oh...I know it could be changed an in instant, everything whoosh out the window. Heaven forbid I could lose everything regarding to the dreams He's given me. The strange thing is, I'm A okay with that. If I am forever teaching the kid's in church and seeing them prosper far beyond me that I have accomplished a feat that is worthy. If I never become famous, but my next door neighbor knows my name than I am learning to be content with that. I don't have to reach multiples, but I DO have reach at least one heart. It is my mission to show Christ in whatever I do nay it is my LIFE.
       At this moment I am listening to two little girls who are staying with us this week. They are giggling and laughing. I am honored to be in their presence. This chance doesn't come but once in a blue moon. I get to love on them and encourage them...and to my intense delight dote on them. If I ever do marry and if my father blesses me with girls, I dearly hope they will be like these girls. On fire for the Lord, and a joy for whoever crosses their paths.
       This home will feel very much silent when they leave. I am NOT looking foreword to that. During this short season of a week, I have grown very selfish in wanting to hear them laugh. I'd do almost anything to keep their innocence and their laugher. It is music to my tired ears.
        Our home is being awaking from a dead sleep. Music is ranging throughout this home. And we are gaining power and strength. To all who enter this home, there will not just be peace but added strength to you. The God within us is drawing us closer and closer to Him. Just as in Narnia  "Aslan is on the move" Well....God is mightily on the move. No longer are we suppressed and kept silent, the bonds have been broken. They will remain broken forever. The gates have been swung open.
 

Praise HIM, Glory be unto the Lord!

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice

for we trust in his holy name

May your unfailing love rest upon us O'Lord

even as we put our hope in You.

Psalm 33:20-22

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies

Your rightearouness is like the mighty mountains

your justice like the great deep

O Lord, you preserve both man and beast

How priceless is your unfailing love

Both high and low among men

find refuge in the shadow of your wings

They feast on the abundance of your house

you give them drink from your river of delights

For with you is the fountains of life

in your light we see light.

Psalms 36:5-9

 and sang the song of moses

the servant of god and the song

of the lamb:

Great and marvelous your deeds

Lord God almight

Just and true are your ways

Kings of the ages

Who will nto fear you, O lord,

and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holyd

All the nations will come and worship before you

for your righteous acts have been relvealed.

Revelations 15:3-4

2 Samuel 22

David’s Song of Praise

1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—

from violent people you save me.

“I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and have been saved from my enemies.

The waves of death swirled about me;

the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

The cords of the grave coiled around me;

the snares of death confronted me.

"In my distress I called to the LORD;

I called out to my God.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came to his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked,

the foundations of the heavens[c] shook;

they trembled because he was angry.

Smoke rose from his nostrils;

consuming fire came from his mouth,

burning coals blazed out of it.

He parted the heavens and came down;

dark clouds were under his feet.

He mounted the cherubim and flew;

he soared on the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his canopy around him—

the dark rain clouds of the sky.

Out of the brightness of his presence

bolts of lightning blazed forth.

The LORD thundered from heaven;

the voice of the Most High resounded.

He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,

with great bolts of lightning he routed them.

 The valleys of the sea were exposed

and the foundations of the earth laid bare

at the rebuke of the LORD,

at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

from my foes, who were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

but the LORD was my support.

He brought me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delighted in me.

“The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

 For I have kept the ways of the LORD;

I am not guilty of turning from my God.

 All his laws are before me;

I have not turned away from his decrees.

 I have been blameless before him

and have kept myself from sin.

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

according to my cleanness in his sight.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

 to the pure you show yourself pure,

but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

 You save the humble,

but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

 You, LORD, are my lamp;

the LORD turns my darkness into light.

 With your help I can advance against a troop;

with my God I can scale a wall.

“As for God, his way is perfect:

The LORD’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him.

 For who is God besides the LORD?

And who is the Rock except our God?

 It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

he causes me to stand on the heights.

 He trains my hands for battle;

my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

 You make your saving help my shield;

your help has made me great.

You provide a broad path for my feet,

so that my ankles do not give way.

“I pursued my enemies and crushed them;

I did not turn back till they were destroyed.

I crushed them completely, and they could not rise;

they fell beneath my feet.

You armed me with strength for battle;

you humbled my adversaries before me.

 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,

and I destroyed my foes.

They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—

to the LORD, but he did not answer.

 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;

I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.

“You have delivered me from the attacks of the peoples;

you have preserved me as the head of nations.

People I did not know now serve me,

 foreigners cower before me;

as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.

 They all lose heart;

they come trembling from their strongholds.

 “The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!

 He is the God who avenges me,

who puts the nations under me,

who sets me free from my enemies.

You exalted me above my foes;

from a violent man you rescued me.

 Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;

I will sing the praises of your name.

“He gives his king great victories;

he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,

to David and his descendants forever.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CeBoSQsBR0&feature=related

Give Glory to Him who reigns. Give Him GlORY!

Simplicity



curtesy of stck.xchg

 Here's how to simplified your life...relent to Jesus! Give Him your all, the great, the good, bad, and definatly the ugly. Give him your hopes, your dreams, your fears, your anger, your pride, and well all of you. Life wiould be heck lot of  simplier if we would just stop trying to control our own life and let Him at it. Don't go locking those doors in your heart, don't go throwing away those keys, and don't go hiding secrets. For if you do, you will never ever be free unless...you truly allow him to utterly and completely take over you. To call you His and You call Him Yours.

Try a little excitment with whole lot of simplicity...let go of  yourself and get lost in Christ. Don't beat yourself up, give yourself grace to do the things that which desperatly needs attending that have been lacked for so long. Let your heart be free in grace with the love of Christ who has made you whole within himself. Simplify your life and run, dance, weep, skip, sing, play, whatever it is that makes you turn fully to Christ. It is all after all about Him and aren't you glad? That means you're not fighting the battles alone nor the majority of the battle. He is.

Caught by the Heart

God has caught me by the heart. I haven't quite fallen to my knees yet. But I suspect not in too near feature he'll have me weeping. Which is good, because I can't remember the last I wept. For joy and for sorrow. It is good for me to weep...because it draws me nearer to my Savior and Lord. My heart is so full of longing that if I was not sitting in bed at this moment I could fall to my knees. Yes, indeed he has caught me by the heart.
He has lectured me, He has disciplined me, and He has loved me. The concept of grace He has start to engrave in my soul. For about two months he has been teaching me of the Holy Spirit and speaking in togues. He has held my tongue in frustration of people not using common sense reminding me I don't know all that is going on. Give me courage to speak things I haven't wanted to say to people in love. Given me grace to give others and myself grace. Now among all these things I am diving into the World of Romans.
I have been sick for four days now. Yesterday I shouldn't have gone to church, but I couldn't stay home. Not with my soul and heart longing to hear the Word. No...I haven't ever been this hungry and I pray that it lasts forever. Perhaps I haven't absorb all of what Pastor Tim as said, but it doesn't matter. I got something. I got time with my Beloved. I was encourage. And I came home exhausted and happy. He gave me strength the strength I didn't have. Yes...I am paying for it today. But not much. I suspect he is still holding me in his arms like always.
He has given books to read that I can hardly keep up. But they are vitual to me. With him, I will learn and i will finish those books whether on my own or with people. I rejoice, oh I rejoice. As a wise man said( the author of Freed by Divine Degree) "Until you reliezed that you are fully lost without Christ, can you truly fully be found," This is now more than a treasure to me, it is now becoming a part of me. Life...in Jesus Christ is a life worth living for and worth fighting for. Indeed I am caught by the heart.

Packing up

Curtsey of bb_matt from stock xchng

This weekend I get to go visit my grandparents. It is the three of us girls, while the guys stay home. I am laughing...because for once they're going to have to take care of the house. But before my laughter gets the better of myself, I am reminded that I get to pick curry. Oh well. 

     But these weekend I am determined to take pictures of my sister Kate. So look for those within the next two weeks or two in my photography blog. Just maybe, maybe, maybe I'll get a keeper. She too beautiful not to take pictures anyways. I am excited. Hopefully, Kate and I can steal away for some sister sister time in an old park. There we'll remised back to our childhood years and make new ones. Perhaps we'll stop by my favorite restaurant before we head home. Who knows what is in store. But I am thankful to be away...it has been a long season, a good one, but a long one for me. I am looking foreword to seeing my grandparents. Although I do not think I will have much time since we have a reunion the day after we get there which is the the day we might be coming home. It isn't much of a vacation, but never-the-less I am happy for my super mini one. 

By the by I hope that you enjoy the photograph up above. I dearly love old suitcases. If I wasn't taking my camera along, I'd be packing in my lil old 70s or '80s suitcase. You'll get a picture soon, she's a beaut. Just need a tad bit fixing up, but that's alright she works for me.