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

So great, such a wonderful message!

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.

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.

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) ….

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.

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

"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!

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.

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.

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.

More "Spring cleaning"

So with February winding down and Spring around the corner; I thought this would be a good time to do some "internal" spring cleaning. 

I still have some items left on my "normal" cleaning list-like vacuuming, organizing, etc.  But it is also time to take a look in the mirror and rid myself of bad habits any masks I might hide behind from time to time. 

I am watching The Biggest Loser right now online (because I have class 6-9 each Tuesday night and miss the whole thing) and I'm feeling inspired by them, I'm feeling inspired by my newest Self magazine that I just got in the mail yesterday. 

I need to work on clearing out my own mind-essentially forgiving myself of past sins.  Because I know the Father has forgiven me.  But the hardest part is forgiving myself and trying to move past the mistakes of my past.  God gave his Son for our sins, so I need to let them go myself so I can truly live for God. 

I need to realize that my friends love me for who I am-the quirky, nerdy, girlie that I am.  So I need to allow myself to open up to them-God brought them into my life for a reason.  They are just what I needed at this time in my life-especially our time on Sunday nights. 

I need to set aside more time for just Scripture and devotion.  I have not been doing that nearly as much as I know I should or want to.

But that is it for now.  I better go and get ready for work soon. 

God Bless.

A Chest of Hopes

I was feeling inspired after reading a post over at Feelin' Feminine.  I decided to beautify one of my extra notebooks that I had lying around.

Before: boring and somewhat ugly.

After
This is the front.  I used some leftover scrapbook pages I had from a set of pages I got at a garage sale.

Here is the back.  This was going to be the front, but I cut one of the corners a little too much, so I put it on the back instead.













I am going to fill it with items I want in my hope chest, skills I want to learn, craft project ideas, perhaps some recipes as well.

If anyone has some ideas they'd like to share, I would love to hear them.

Crockpot Applesauce!

Today I attempted to make slow-cooker applesauce in my new slow-cooker.  It was a GREAT success!  It smelled amazing (unfortunately my roommate was making chili at the same time in her slow-cooker, and chili scent is much stronger than apple scent).  But if that had been the only thing cooking, it would have made the whole apartment smell amazing.

All I did was peel and cut up about 5 medium sized apples, added a few teaspoons of sugar, about a teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/3 cup of water and started it on high, but then switched it to low while I was at my bowling league.  And when I came home they were nice and mushy, I didn't even need a masher of any sort, I just used the wooden spoon I had been stirring it with all along. 

The 5 apples I used was just a perfect amount for a few servings for just me.  I also don't think I need to cut the apples into such small pieces as I did. I peeled them and then used an apple corer and slicer.  I could have just cut those chunks in half or thirds, I cut the pieces to be the size of marbles.

Anyway, time for bed. I have a doctor checkup tomorrow morning at 8:00.

Day 1

Today is Day 1 of my weight loss journey.  I'm not calling it a diet, because that implies that I will "go off it" which I do not plan to do.  I want to lose weight, and then maintain my healthy lifestyle.

I registered online with a free weight tracker.  I will post updates of this as I move towards my goal which is my cousin's wedding in March.  And keeping it off until another cousin's wedding in August.

My mom and I are embarking on this journey together.  She suggested we set the first wedding as a goal.

In other news, my apartment and bedroom are super clean right now! I love it.  I still need to work on my 100 Things challenge.  But now my roommate and I are going to the laundromat!

Photos

Here are some photos I've taken recently.  I took a photography class a while back and loved it, it really inspired me.  I would love some feedback, so tell me what you think!