Christmas Caroling

 I love this time of year.  I think people in general are all just a little bit happier.  I think part of the reason people are jolly around this time, is for the simple reason that they are thinking of others.  Everyone is hustling about trying to buy that perfect gift for that special someone.  People are purposely setting aside those few extra coins or dollar bills to give to the man standing outside of the grocery store ringing the bell.  People are simply pushing self aside and thinking primarily of others.  

 This year, a few of my friends and I were able to go Christmas Caroling.  I just love caroling!  I love watching the faces of the people as they open the door to be greeted by the singing of the traditional favorite Christmas hymns such as:  Silent Night, Noel, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

 After singing a couple songs to the people we presented the family with a candy cane and a simple Christmas gospel tract.  

 I don't know if caroling really makes a difference.  I don't know if anyone actually reads the tract.  I can't even been sure if anyone was really encouraged or uplifted by our singing.  But, I do know that by caroling my friends and I headed home a little more joyful.

You see, I believe that giving to others and living for others makes you truly happy.

Reads from this semester

This semester I was required to read several books.  Here were some of my favorites...

This book was inspiring.  Although the book started our rather slow by the middle of the book I was anxiously turning each page.  Through this book I was reminded that God makes no mistakes.  As I read of the many terrible tragedies that came into the life of Adoniram Judson, I was tempted to feel bad for Judson and wonder why God allowed so many trials into his life.  Yet, as I read on, I saw how God worked everything for good.  God truly has a plan in everything He does.  At the end of Judson's life he looked back and was able to say, "No regrets."  I decided that was what I wanted.  Some day when I come to the end of my life, I long to be able to say, "No regrets."  However, if I desire to say that in my last days, today I must live my life to the glory of God.

This book is one that have been wanting to read for some time.  I know what you are thinking...who would want to read a book with a picture of pig on the cover?  But trust me, it was actually really good.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and learned a lot from it.  If you are interested in Government it is a must read for sure. 

Now this book is AMAZING!!! It is probably my favorite book (as of right now.)  It is absolutely eye opening!  I could go on and on about this book.  However, I won't because I know I could never do this book justice.  I learned so much from this book and I would like to encourage each and every Christian to read this book.  I promise that you will not only enjoy the book but also learn many important lessons.  You will truly walk away from the book with a different view on many aspects of life. 

What have I been up to???

It seems like I have not written forever!  But I think I have a good enough excuse.  I have been pretty busy...

Let me tell you all that I have been up to the last several weeks...

The Christmas Lights Activity

 My group

 The Girls

 Girl's Dorm Christmas Party

 The electricity went out before the party even began, but we still had a great time eating, talking, and playing games.  

 Now, the interesting part...on the way back from the Dorm Party....

I was driving one of my friends home... Well let me explain...the weather was bad, real bad.  I mean I could hardly see anything in front of me.  Well let me just get to the point...I went into a ditch...

 No, it wasn't that bad, but it did look something like this...

I wanted to take  pictures so bad, but I just couldn't bring myself to be snapping pictures while 4 men furiously worked to get my car out of the ditch.  And did I mention I went into a ditch on the school property... Embarrassing!!!

Now, the school year is coming to an end.  Tomorrow I will take my last final...

All this to say, starting next week I will be back to my normal blogging self.

Thankful

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As I sat around the table with my family and a large and delicious meal, I couldn't help but become overwhelmed with all that I have to be thankful for. God surely has blessed me in so many ways. Today I would like to share with you, just a few of the many things I am so grateful for:

1. My family

I have the best parents in the entire world, the kind of parents that love me enough to discipline me and the kind of parents who never give up on me.

I also have the best two sisters anyone could have ever asked for. Nicole and Lauren truly are my best friends. The older I get the more I realize how lucky I truly am to have the two greatest friends anyone could ever ask for.

2. My church

My church is amazing! Not only is my church absolutely beautiful, but the people are as well. The people of my church are not perfect, but together we all strive to be more Christ- like.

3. My school

I have a great school, and I am so blessed to have been able to grow up in a Christian school, but even more than that I have been blessed with teachers that truly care. I know that each of my teachers pray for me and want the best for me.

4. My country

Without a doubt I can say that I live in the best country in the world. A country that was founded upon religious principles. A country whose very Declaration of Independence and Pledge of Allegiance acknowledges the fact that there is a God.

5. My job

Now, I don't know if I can say I have the best job in the world. But I am very content with my job and I do thoroughly enjoy it. I am so blessed...The week after I graduated from high-school I started my job at the Preschool. It has been a very steady job, although stressful at times it is a very rewarding job.

I could on and on...God has been so good to me

Let's give thanks not just on Thanksgiving but the entire year through...

"Lamp unto my feet..."

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking, thinking about my future. I don't know why, but thoughts of my future have been consuming my mind. As a young child, I really didn't think too much about my future. Of course, occasional thoughts of what I would be when I grew up would enter into my mind. However, I figured I had a long time to figure all that out...Then I entered into college, in my first two years, I planned my life out. I was pretty content with where my life was heading.

Then God changed my plans... Now, several months later, I can honestly look back and thank God for His change in my plans. He knew what was best for me. He knew I wouldn't be happy with my own plans. He knew He could make my life better than I could ever imagine.

Now, I am in the midst of my junior year. I find myself asking people, "Where do you see me in 5 years?" I always get so many different replies. I then ask myself the same question. I think and think, yet I have absolutely no idea what lies in store for me. People have told me that that is the fun of growing up, they claim it is exciting to not know what lies ahead. Yet I can't possibly agree. I dislike not knowing. I want to plan, I want to prepare, I simply want to know.

Then God led me to this verse...

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet..."

I meditated on this verse for a while. I thought about lamps. God in His omniscience wrote the word lamp, not headlight, not strobe light. He said lamp. Lamps are not incredibly bright. However, they are bright enough to allow one to see what is necessary to be seen. God then included the words "unto my feet." He could have said for my life. Yet, God knew better. He said, "Thy word is lamp unto my feet."

I don't need to see five years ahead, I don't even need to see 6months ahead. God promises to lead me day by day. I just need to take one day at a time. God will guide my feet. If I allow my God to direct each of my footsteps, how can I err? This verse was such a great reminder to me. God truly knows best. I don't need to worry about five years from today. If I allow God to lead me through today He will take care of tomorrow and five years from now...

Old Friends are the Best Friends

Sorry, I haven't written in a while. I have been preoccupied with school work. Last week was mid terms! I can't believe how fast this school year is going by. But amidst my very busy schedule, I was able to find time to go out with some old friends. The very girls that I went to school, church, and Awanas with all my life. However, one of my best friends that I grew up with moved to Michigan our junior year. Another one of those friends began to be home schooled her junior year. Another friend moved to Iowa... Last Sunday afternoon we were all able to get together. All of us girls, who had been together since we were in kindergarten, some of these girls walked across the platform form with me in 2008 on our Graduation Day...

We had such a great time reminiscing over our Elementary school days together. Wow, what a great time we had together. We discussed our many teachers and student teachers we had. Then about all the naughty things we did and never got caught for. :) About the time 4 of us got suspended together... The more I remembered the more I realized I was kinda naughty as a child...just a little.

The longer we sat, the more memories came sweeping over me. So many good times together, and also some not so good times together in the principal's office. As I sat at the table I couldn't help but look around the table at each of every one of the girls that I went to school with. Now we are young adults. As we sat at the table I once again felt like an 8 year old girls giggling with her best friends.

Then our discussion changed. We had all shared great times together, but now what were we doing with our lives. We each went around the table telling each other what we are now doing or planning on doing in our lives. We are all in college training to be elementary or high school teachers, nurses, secretaries, coaches, etc...

After a great time together, we said our goodbyes. And promised to keep in touch. As we got into our vehicles, I thought...what a lucky girl I am. I have amazing friends. Friends that I went to kindergarten with , friends that I plan on knowing for the rest of my life.

Family

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. ~Barbara Bush

In time of test, family is best. ~Burmese Proverb

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. ~George Santayana

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~Dan Wilcox

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. ~Anthony Brandt

Success

I successfully donated blood yesterday...I would have written all about it yesterday but...something happened, let me explain...

I was so excited that October 5th had finally arrived. I have been taking my iron pills every day, well actually whenever I remembered, so maybe twice a week. And I had even been eating my mini wheats. I walked in to the health center, trying to remove from my memory the big let down that had just occurred there only 5 weeks earlier. I bravely walked back and sat down. Once again they pricked my finger. The nurse looked at me and shook her head. I couldn't believe it. After all I had done to prepare myself I was still anemic!

"Could you please test me again" I pleaded, "you don't understand I have been taking iron pills eating wheat, and blogging about this...so please just let me donate so I can move on in life!" She pricked me again....And I made it!!!

They then walked me back where I would donate blood. I was fascinated as I watched the needle slide into my arm. I laid there and gave a pint of my blood.

I drove home, and I planned on writing and telling you that I was successful, finally!

But then it happened...

I passed out, not once- but twice. I have never passed out in my entire life! So I went to bed immediately. Where I got a good nine hours of sleep and still awoke feeling weak. I don't know what those nurses did to me...but I didn't feel too good about about saving lives at all...

There is another blood drive on November 30th. But..I don't know if I will attend. I mean I hear on the radio all the time that one pint of blood saves three lives. So..yesterday I saved three people's lives, I think that is good enough for a while...you know what I mean...

Why I do what I do...

My last post I wrote about my church's 40th Anniversary. At times in my life I have been asked the question of why my church does all that it does. And honestly some times I wonder the same thing. Many times going to the Nursing home week after week and seeing no salivations or going visiting and catching no one home, and going door to door to spread the gospel only to have the door slammed in your face can get discouraging... Many times in my life I have come to a time where I wonder why I am do all that I am doing. Why do I go visiting every Saturday? Is it really worth it...

Last Sunday proved to me that it is worth it all..

Last Saturday I went visiting with my little 10 year old partner, Sabrina. Sabrina was dressed as a birthday present to show everyone that it was the Church's 40th birthday. We went from house to house not catching anyone home. As I drove to the next place I got a text from a fried at work telling me that she wasn't going to come to the service the following day. I was devastated. I had been praying that she would come out for such a long time. She had promised me she would come, and now I had no visitor for the big day. It seemed like I had asked everyone possible yet, still no one was willing to give of their Sunday to come to church with me. I was feeling a little bit down...

I drove up to a house Sabrina and I hopped out of the car, I knocked on the door. There was no answer. I began to walk to the car when I noticed two little girls riding their bikes. I figured I might as well give them a flier and invite them to ride the bus to church. The girls were so very excited when I told them about the events that would take place the next day. I could easily see they wanted to ride the bus to church. So I went up to their house to ask their mother's permission. I went to the door and talked to mom- and she said yes!

I was so excited, I gave her my phone number and walked away.

However, part of me was still pessimistic. I mean, this is Chesterton! People don't just let their children ride on church buses with strangers.

However the next morning as a got on the bus my phone began to ring. I answered it. It was the mother, Lila, she told me that her daughters were up and waiting. She continued to say that both she and her husband were going to drive to the service as well. I was ecstatic! As we drove up to the house- I was filled with such joy as I watched those three little girls climb on.

After the service I was told that Lila would be a little late getting to the bus- you see, both Lila and her husband were getting saved.

That evening I watched both of them get baptized.

My friends- that's why I do what I do... because of people like Lila and her husband.

Anniversary in Pictures

Yesterday my church celebrated its 40th anniversary. I count myself so very lucky to have been apart of the best church in the entire world all of my life. Some of my very first memories are in my church, some of favorite memories take place in my church, and I plan on making many more memories at my church, along side my friends here at church. I love my church for several reasons, however one of the reasons I love of my church most is because the people are constantly busying themselves in the work of the Lord. From the time I was a little girl I watched as my parents, and many other church members gave of their time, efforts,and money. Never once did I hear anyone complain about the many under privileged children who messed up the hymn books and the carpet. Never once did I hear anyone complain about the Spanish, handicapped, or crippled elderly. My church is certainly one with a great heart. I am so proud to be a member of the greatest church ever.

Every anniversary we have a helicopter candy drop for the children. I love watching the faces of the children as the helicopter flies overhead dropping hundreds of pieces of candy to the ground.

Every five years we celebrate our Anniversary with an Old Fashioned Sunday service.

We all dress up in old fashion attire and eat in a large tent.

After the food, several old fashion games are conducted for the children- such as bobbing for apples, searching for money in the hay etc...

My life long friend Josh and his beautiful finance, Brittany

This year we even had a small petting zoo for the children...

After the evening service we all headed to the gymnasium for cake and fellowship. We presented our pastor and his wife with gifts for their 40 years of faithful service.

I had a hard writing this post. I didn't know quiet how to put to words my love for my church. My church is absolutely everything to me. I honestly don't know how people can survive without a church. I tried my very hardest not to be bias, but I can't help it- I have been a part of this great place all of my life and it truly is one of my favorite places on earth.

Happy 40th birthday, Fairhaven!

Back to School...

School started up again... I can't believe I am a junior. I can hardly believe that I have already successfully completed two years of college, and now I have only have two more years to go. I have half way completed my college degree! This school year, however, seems to be especially difficult. My classes include: Church History, Christian Education, U.S. Constitution, Economics, Systematic Theology, and Articulatory Phonetics. I am sure throughout the year you may hear a story or two about my "favorite class", Articulatory Phonetics. I walked into the classroom for the very first time two weeks ago to be greeted by some strange guttural noise coming from the mouth of my teacher. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh because my teacher sounded and looked absolutely hilarious as she pronounced that strange noise. Cry because I knew that this course was required for me since I am a Speech minor. Cry because I knew that my teacher was going to expect me to make those strange guttural noises as well. However rather than laughing or crying I just looked at her in complete shock. My eyes got big, real big, as I watched her lips form in ways lips should not form, and her tongue go back so far that it almost touched her uvula (that dangling thing in the back on her throat.) I gaped as I watched my teacher almost gag over her own words. All I could think was "what type of people would honestly speak this kind of language!" Now, I am two weeks into the course. I have now learned to keep my mouth closed even though I am completely in shock and horrified at what happening to my teacher's mouth, lips, and tongue. I have to simply giggle, a nervous little giggle, because in just one week I have my first Phonetics word lists. In which I will have to say words that are spelled with letters that I have never seen before. So- just pray for me to pass this class! I think I will really need it!

School is going well so far. I will try very hard to keep my blog updated. But during the school year I am so very busy, but I will do my best... So until next time

Nine years ago...

I am a History major. So, obviously some time and some where in my life I became interested in history. Actually, I became interested in history nine years ago today.

Although I was only 11 years old I remember the day like yesterday. I remember hearing my mother frantically call my dad who was at work and ask him he had heard the news. I remember how confused I was when my mom told me a plane had crash into the Twin Towers. Honestly, I had never even heard of the Twin Towers, but I figured they must have been pretty important buildings. I remember going to school that day, nine years ago. I tried so very hard to intelligently discuss with my friends what I thought was going on...

I remember going home that day, nine years ago, I remember sitting down and watching my country get attacked. I watched in horror as I saw people jumping to their death. I didn't understand, why would someone want to hurt America? I fell asleep that night to the sound of radio. That night, nine years ago, I fell in love with my country.

The very next summer I was able to take a trip out East. One of the places I was able to visit was New York City. Everywhere I looked I saw the American flag, my flag, flying high in the sky. As I walked down the streets of New York, I saw the many vendors selling pictures, books, shirts, etc..all in remembrance of that fateful day. I then approached Ground Zero. I remember the distinct smell that I breathed in. I stood there thinking of all the Americans that lost their life that day. I remember reading the papers posted all over vehicles and store fronts asking if I had seen their son, daughter, husband, or wife. I then approached a wall- the most beautiful wall I had ever seen. A dirty white wall, covered with the thoughts of my people- Americans. It was that day that I fell in love with the people of America. I picked up a pen and I signed the wall. "I love you America, I will never forget." I put my pen back in my pocket. As I walked along I continued to read the wall, although I was only 11 my heart broke as I read of the many who had lost loved ones that day. I then walked into a small store and for the first time in my life I bought a book- not just any book, a history book. A book that gave a detailed outline of what happened that day. A book filled with pictures of my country, the land I had grown to love, and my people being attacked. And for the first time in my life I loved history. That day, as we drove out of New York City I quietly flipped through the pages of my new book and for the first time in my life I vowed I would never forget. And America- I don't plan on ever breaking that promise.