Thursday, June 6, 2013

Long time no post.

My apologies for that.

I've begun a new chapter-searching for jobs in Colorado.

I'm ready for a great change in my life. A challenge. Outside my comfort zone. Do something unexpected.

I want to pack whatever will fit in my car and drive. I've already got a place to stay when I get there.

I'm so ready for something big to happen in my life.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Daydreaming...at night...

Bored. Mindlessly watching television…work 7:30-4 tomorrow. Then I’m not sure.

Thinking about this summer. Want to go camping again, loved Lake Wissota-the hiking, kayaking, just the peace of camping-it relaxes me so much. Although this time around, I would choose different people to go with, or go by myself. Last time I went, the people I went with (myself included) were a little rowdy. One night several people came to visit us and drinking ensued…but things got loud and the night watchman had to come and talk to us.

This time around there wouldn’t be drinking (or at least not the “woo let’s party” type. None for me, since I don’t anymore-but others might want a little wine or something.

Then there was kayaking. I had never been kayaking before. LOVED it! We rented the 2 kayaks they had as well as a canoe (there were 4 of us) and went kayaking. One of the days we were kayaking, we found a little island-we went ashore and hiked some into the middle. We ended up finding this hidden site-obviously used for a party-there were ashes from a campfire, beer cans spread out, food wrappers spread out, and a school flag of some sort hanging up. It looked like an end of year/semester party.

Anyway we kept hiking and came to a clearing on top of a small sandy cliff. There was a picnic table up there and everything. We eventually found our way back to where we left the canoe and kayaks (otherwise it could have been the start of a horror movie-lol)-but decided to go for a little swim. Really fun because the bottom dropped off pretty quickly-so we could do cannonballs right from the shore and not hit the bottom when we jumped in.

I would love to take a little day trip there and just have a picnic with some friends.

Anyway, time to go to bed, long day at work tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Can I just say how much I adore the movie Courageous!

So great, such a wonderful message!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Marrow Donor....

Just got a call and email about being a possible marrow/blood cell donor match for someone! Just gotta go through a few more tests to narrow down whether I actually am a match.

This is very exciting!  Of course I may not actually be a match-this was just a preliminary match from their huge database of donors.

But it’s still exciting to think I may be able to help someone in such a way.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Marriage Fears

When I think about my future-certain parts of it scare me so much.  Not the job part, and not technically the marriage part.

What I am so afraid of is being married and then 1) Getting a divorce 2) Finding out about an affair 3) Ending up in an abusive relationship.

These things scare me so much that it literally hurts my heart to think about what I would do if they ever happened to me.

I get a little panicky when I think about these things happening to me.

And it's not like I'm expecting perfection, not at all.

I just...want a marriage for life - I want someone to grow old with. I want someone who I can help and will help me through the ups and downs of life.  And will stay faithfully by my side through it all.

Because to me, cheating and abuse are totally unthinkable...very much deal-breakers.  I'm not sure what I should do/can do about this "paralyzing" fear. The only thing I can think of is prayer.

I also just got this neat book/journal for Christmas.  It's called God's Promises for a Woman's Heart.  So far I've only taken a few peeks, but I do look forward to really diving in heart first.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

My Bucket List

Bucket List
1) Send a message in a bottle
2) Get a tattoo
3) Swim with dolphins
4) Take a vacation alone
5) See an Egyptian pyramid up close
6) Go on a road trip
7) Help build a house for someone less fortunate
8) See a show on Broadway
9) Go whitewater rafting
10) Ride in a hot air balloon
11) Go hang gliding
12) Graduate from college
13) Go on a cruise
14) Safe a life
15) Swim with sharks
16) Go on an African safari
17) Spend the night in a haunted house
18) Take a vow of silence for a day
19) Scuba dive
20) Take a long trip by bus or train
21) Take a walk in the rain
22) Have a photo published
23) Get married
24) Become a parent
25) Visit all 50 states
26) Participate in La Tomatina
27) Fire a pistol
28) Cherry Blossom Festival-Washington D.C.
29) Give something away-if someone compliments something of mine, give it away
30) Quit drinking alcohol
31) Quit drinking soda
32) Lose 10 pounds
33) Lose 20 pounds
34) Lose 30 pounds
35) Lose 40 pounds
36) Lose 50 pounds
37) Lose 60 pounds
38) Lose 70 pounds
39) Lose 80 pounds
40) Create a hope chest
41) Get CPR certified
42) Run a 5K
44) Plant a tree and watch it grow
45) Learn to snowboard.
46) Go kayaking.
47) Go cliff jumping.
48) Do a Polar Plunge for charity.
49) Go on a canopy tour (zip-lining).
50) Try vegetarianism.
51) See the Statue of Liberty.
52) Visit the Vegas Strip.
53) Make a quilt.
54) Visit Harry Potter World.
55) Make a list of 100 books I want to read.
56) Read every novel that has won a Pulitzer Prize in the Fiction category.
57) Watch every movie that has won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
58) Host a foreign exchange student.
59) Become a foster parent.
60) Read the Bible in full.
61) Learn to meditate.
62) Register to be an organ donor.
63) Register to be a bone marrow donor.
64) ….

Monday, October 3, 2011

Pausing in such a chaotic life

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted anything-over a month actually.  But I was inspired just now by reading a post by one of my fellow bloggers in Christ's name.  At 110% Surrendered? Katy posted something that made me pause. 

I have been getting so caught up in my own issues, that I forgot that all I need to do is surrender them to the Lord.  He is the only one that knows my true heart and what is best for me.

I need to pause more often and simply listen for the Lord, and meditate on what He is trying to tell me and where He is trying to guide me.

Because I feel like I've gotten separated from the path that I was walking with Him.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Rascal Flatts - Easy

(Part of it anyway....)

It's easy goin' out on a Friday night
Easy, everytime I see him out
I can smile, live it up
The way a single girl does
But, what he, what he don't know
is how hard it is to make it look so
Easy

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Prayers....

This seems somewhat silly, and yet it's what's on my mind.  Last weekend, a friend had one of her guy friends come visit her for a couple days.  And now I'm stuck....he's good looking :) and seems like a very nice guy from the little that I do know about him.  I feel as though I have a small crush...I've prayed about this situation and I don't know where God is trying to guide me.  He lives a 5 hour drive away, which really doesn't bother me, in fact, it's almost a little appealing, because then if anything was to develop, it would start slow and emotionally, rather than physically (a very good thing) Also, there wouldn't be a big distraction from school.

Only He knows what will happen.  I know I need to get to know him better, that's for sure.  I feel my heart being pulled, but I can't tell if that's just me, or if it truly is the Lord pulling me in that direction.

Monday, July 4, 2011

A Prayer for Purity

A Prayer for Purity



Living a life of purity can be tough in today’s society, but know that you do not have to struggle alone. God stands ready and willing to help you. He loves to hear the prayers of His people, so pray and ask God for His assistance. You may utter your own prayer to God or simply use the prayer for purity listed below.

Lord, I love You and I want to please You. Thank You for loving me and for providing this opportunity to come into Your presence. I know that You honor Your Word and Your Word says, that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me of my sins. So right now, I thank You for filling me with Your Spirit and I humbly ask that you forgive me for my thoughts and actions that have grieved Your Spirit. I desire to live a life of purity and I want my very being to be aligned with Your Word.

I know that I am unable to live a life of purity without Your help, so I ask that You lead, guide and direct me in Your ways. Thank you for giving me the freedom of choice, but please help me to make wise choices in every area of my life. Despite what the world says is acceptable, help me to see sin as You see sin. Make me uncomfortable in my sin and in the things that displease You.

Lord, Your Word says, if I love You, I will obey You, so from this day forward I choose to honor and obey You. I want to live for You and I surrender my life and my will to You. Mold me into the woman of God You are calling me to be. No longer will I be bound by my past mistakes and failures. I am walking forward in the newness of life.

Lord, I don’t want to be selfish in my prayer for purity because I know I’m not the only one struggling to live a life of purity, so I pray not only for my purity but for the purity of others. Please help me not to cause anyone else to stumble. Also, help me to be an example of Your love and grace. Remind me of Your forgiveness that I may not judge others, but offer an encouraging word when they stumble.

I pray that the world will be drawn to You and seek to live a life of purity, Holy unto You and let it start with me. I want to stand boldly for you Lord, so please give me strength to stand when I’m weak. Speak to my heart and help me to recognize temptation and flee it. Make me more like You that I may be used for Your Glory.

I, Your daughter, offer this prayer for purity and restoration unto you as humbly as I know how.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Holiday weekend....

So, I worked this morning.  I hadn't worked since Wednesday, I had a lovely little "vacation"-except for a few little things.  On Friday, the heat index for our area was 108-118-it was very humid.  So I went floating on the river with one of my friends, got a little sunburned, and a couple blisters on my feet from walking in wet ballet flats; but those are better now.  But when I woke up this morning for work, I noticed that my right eye felt a little weird-itchy and I had some gunk in it (sorry for the gross-ness).  Anyway, it turns out I have pink eye, I got some eye drops, but it's not a great way to spend the holiday, but at least I have tomorrow and Tuesday off, so I can just get my eye better and not have to take any time off from work-besides the hour and a half that I missed today-since I got sent home-cause I was contagious.

Anyway, on to a better topic.  I was doing some reading after work and a nap, and I came across this website that had a very intriguing article entitled Bride vs. Wife.  It discussed how many single young ladies in today's society are preparing for the short term role of being a bride, rather than the long term role of being a wife.

I will definitely be exploring this website more in the coming days....

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Lazy Meme

The Lazy Meme

The instructions with this are to bold the ones you've done, leave the others in normal type.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (sewing/quilting)

15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (want to... need to build up to be in better shape for this; maybe in the next 5 years?)

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (no, but I've had a caricature done)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (would love to do this too... but I'm waiting...)
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous  (Jake Gyllenhaal-when he was touring colleges to promote student voting)92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone99. Been stung by a bee

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

"Kits" to give the homeless

So I've decided that starting this summer I want to make small kits and have them available to donate to homeless people I see sometimes.  On my way to or from work, I sometimes see people standing on the corner with little cardboard signs.  I just feel as though this will be a good way for me to give more back.

I've been looking up ideas on Google, but if you have any ideas-especially for any little "luxuries" that might be nice to include.  I have the basics down, but I would like to include a little extra comfort items in the bags/kits.

I would love suggestions!  Thanks!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Hair Donation

On Tuesday of this week, I went and got my hair cut-I got 10 inches cut off-the minimum in order to donate.  It felt so good!  I have a LOT of hair-people are always telling me. So I thought I would share one of the gifts God gave me with someone who needs it.  My hair is now about shoulder length, and I'll be growing it out again; but this will be nice for summer-with all the humidity-my hair gets very heavy. 

So for now, I'm growing it out again, and I'm gonna donate it again when it gets long enough.

The girl had to put my hair into two ponytails-rather than just one-because she couldn't cut through all my hair if it was in just one. 

But I just wanted to share this experience with all of you-because it was so rewarding to me.  And to the little girl who was with her mom-I hope it helped show her that giving back is important.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Celebrating slow-cookers

Have I mentioned lately how much I adore slow-cookers?   So far my favorite use for mine is making applesauce.

However, on Friday when I go grocery shopping, I will be getting ingredients to make either pot roast or pulled pork.  I found a recipe for each.  Haven't tried either one yet-but the look like they should be good recipes.

And the best part, they are slow-cooker recipes! So I get to just throw the ingredients in and let it go!

I will post how things go once the recipe is put to the test.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Long time, no post...

So I know it's been quite some time since my last post (over a month).  But I've been pretty busy with the end of the semester.  However, now that it's over, I will not have to worry about homework and studying for awhile. 

I will be increasing my hours at work-hopefully to full time-for the rest of the summer.  Which means I will be getting more money!  But because I would really like to save some, not be a spending fiend; I used a template in Microsoft Excel to make a budget!  It was surprisingly easy-and even a little fun-basically it was a good feeling to know that I have such a realistic financial plan for the summer.

I get paid over $8 an hour (can't remember exactly at the moment-I'd have to see my check-but I do direct deposit into my checking account) and preferably I'll be getting 40 hours a week.  But since I don't know that I'll be getting the full 40 every single week, and I don't know exactly how much is taken out for taxes; when I put my income into the budget, I calculated $8 an hour and 35 hours per week.  This came to $280 per week, $560 per paycheck, and $1120 per month.  This is just a projected budget at this time, I will adjust it as the summer progresses.

But here are some of the things I've factored in so far for monthly expenses:
Rent: $322
Utilities: about $30-my roommate and I only pay for electricity, which is great-all else is included
Car payment: $80
Fuel: about $60
Supplies/Other: $20-I'm just giving myself a some extra money for any maintenance or such things
Groceries: $80-I have never actually figured how much I spend on groceries-so I just threw out a number
Dining Out: $25-this includes any food while I'm at work. Although I need to bring my lunch more often
Cat stuff: $20 for food and litter
Clothes/Personal: about $60-this is for work clothes too (I go through a fair amount of khaki pants-spilling on them and what not) and shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
Prescriptions: about $25 (actually a little less, but I'm rounding up)
Church offering: $20
Entertainment: $80-10 for DVD's, 30 for movie theater, 20 for sports (namely-baseball games), and 20 for other

Yes, I know this seems like a lot of spending-but since I've never actually made a budget for myself or kept track of how much I spend on certain things-this is truly just an estimate.  Once I get a better idea of how the summer will go, I will (try to remember to) post another-more accurate budget.

I would definitely appreciate tips and advice you may have!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Holy Spirit vs. the spirit of the world

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

As Christians, we are hilarious to the world we live in.  People think we are arrogant and ridiculous-yet unsophisticated in today's world.  But according to John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's
one and only Son."  This verse shows that we are not arrogant, we are humble. 

We are humble because apart from God, we are condemned.  On my own, I am nothing.

The world only wants to see Jesus as a way, not the way.

Matthew 7:13, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  Most people in this world are on the wide path.  This is why people call Christians arrogant.

Most people are filled with the spirit of the world, but a few are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the Way.  I will not water down my beliefs.

Our only hope is Jesus-the one way.  And he is not hiding, he is open for people to find.

Like a burning building with many doors; but only one way to safety.  God has called me to stand by that door and call to the "blind" and urge them to safety and life.  Is that arrogant?

Jesus Christ is the Way.  This is not what the world wants to hear, but what the world needs to hear.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Prayer without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today let's focus on "pray without ceasing".  How can that be?  We breathe without ceasing, and our hearts beat without ceasing.  Our other organs work behind the scenes and we don't consciously tell them to work for us.  Can we learn to pray as naturally as we breathe?

In the morning as we wake up we can talk to our God, "OK Father...I'm awake; I'm feeling a little tired and grumpy this morning but I give this day to You and choose to praise You instead!  I praise You for Your beautiful creation, thanks for a comfortable bed and for the breakfast You have provided.  Guide my steps today and show me Your ways."  Then it is time to listen.  This on-going conversation can become a natural part of our day.

So what if I'm feeling weak in spirit and mind and can't even voice my feelings?

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.   Romans 8:26-27

Continue to pray, focusing on people in your immediate surroundings, your family and your brothers and sisters at Valleybrook needing prayer.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

As we spend time praying, God has promised to show us exciting things!

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:3

It will be exciting to change, grow and practice "prayer without ceasing" as it starts to become as natural as breathing.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

True Femininity Giveaway!

Hello friends in Christ!

My lovely fellow blogger at True Femininity is hosting another CSN store, giftcard giveaway!  Just in time for spring cleaning!  So hop on over see how to join in!

God Bless!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

My future wedding...?

Even though I am far away from this day (I have no current prospects for dating, courtship, or marriage) I still like to think about how I will spend it (I am inspired by my cousin, who is getting married on Saturday-the 5th).  It's one of those things that most little girls dream of for many years.  And I would like to share some of the ideas I have for mine.

I will begin by saying that I love going camping.  My parents started camping before I was born, and I've been going camping with my family every summer since I was born.  We usually go to State Parks, and we started out in tents (this was before I can remember), but then moved to pop-up campers for many years-and now that my parents are "empty nesters" they have upgraded to a pull behind.

I also love autumn, it's my favorite season and time of year.  The colors are beautiful, and I love the cool, crisp weather.  God truly does make a beautiful home for us.

So, with these in mind, I would like to have my wedding in the fall.  Also, at the State Park where my mom works is also where I went to Vacation Bible School-summer camp through my church-they rented out the group camp.  I would like to rent that for my wedding, then there would be cabins for people to stay in, and there's a kitchen in the main building, as well as a giant fireplace inside and a big fire pit outside.

This is what I have that I would really like for my wedding.  I have some ideas about other things that I want, such as I love lilies, so I'd like to have those somehow incorporated. 

These are just some of my current musings.  Since my cousin is getting married on Saturday, I was feeling inspired.