In one of my classes we have been discussing the age of pre-schoolers. One of the more popular things to do now is send your child to pre-school at an early age. Parents do it for a couple of different reasons. 1) So the mom can go back to work. (In some cases this is ok...and no I am NOT against women working...if I was I wouldn't be trying to get a degree.) 2)because the want their kids to get a good start on education. Now, I can understand a parent wanting their child to learn at an early age. It makes things easier for them, per say, as they get older. But why do parents feel the need to send their child to pre-school to learn these things? I am not at all against pre-school. I actually think its a wonderful thing. The problem comes when people start sending their kids there at the age of 2 or even 3. If you are a family where the mother has to work and you have no choice, I see that as fine. But unless you can't help it, I think sending children to pre-school that early is wrong. Here's why.
Many pre-schools today are set up in non-christian environments. It is a proven fact that children learn a lot of what they do in the early years, mostly before three. Thats when their personality begins to take form. If you are sending your child to a non-christian environment at that young of an age, that can be a problem. You child may grow up to learn things that you don't want them to learn. (language, music, that sort of thing) Now I realize that these are 2's and 3's we are talking about, but don't under estimate the power of their minds. The pick up EVERYTHING they hear or see. Its just the way they were created. Also it do you really want to miss out on those first years of your child's life? They are so cute at that age and they do totally hilarious things. Do you really want to miss out on your childs childhood? Do you want them to only have memories of school? I have some memories before the age of four, and all of them are good. I wasn't in school, I was at home with my mommy.
I am not saying that early childhood education is bad. If it was I wouldn't be minoring in it. The bad part is when we send our children so early. All they want is mommy and daddy, not some teacher like me. So in conclusion, I just ask you to think this one thing...would your child benefit from pre-school before the age of 4 or 5?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Christmas Break
Christmas break was awesome. Above I am seen with my best friend since 1st grade Beth Williams. We went to Denny's on New Years Eve to bring in the new year with my brother who was working the late shift that night. We had a lot of fun. We were bored so we used my new cell phone to take pictures of us! =) It was just a great break to spend some time with her, which is something we hardly ever get to do at school because of our busy schedules.
The above picture was taken at my church on New Years Eve. This is my pastor's son Stephen. He is the cutest baby in the entire church and I love him to death!! =) What a cutie. I didn't get to babysit him while I was home, =(, but thats ok, maybe this summer I will get the opportunity.
This picture was taken, yet again at Denny's resteraunt. This is my friend Katie who came to see me this last weekend. We went to Denny's for lunch on Sunday afternoon. We had a blast together, and I was so sad when we had to leave each other. I love her so much.
Now I am back at school hitting the textbooks. I hope that all of you, my faithful readers, are doing well. Leave me a comment if you read my blog. I would love to know who does such! =)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
My life...and the people in it
The last week here at my house has been somewhat, boring. The only real fun I had started on Thursday. After a week of sitting around and doing nothing, my family decided to go to Springfield Illinois to do some shopping. We got to the Springfield mall (White Oak to those of you from Springfield) and our family split up to go do various window shopping, and real shopping. Our friend Jayme came over from his apartment, and hung out with my brother and I in the mall. We were joined by another friend, Deanna, as well. We walked around the mall for a couple of hours just talking and going into random stores. (My favorite was the puppy store, they had some cute dogs.) Deanna and I decided it would be fun to ride the big carousel in the middle of the mall, so my brother paid for us to go. Towards the end of the ride, Deanna and I were starting to get sick. But it was fun anyways.
The camp that I worked at this last summer had a christmas party on Thursday night for all former staff. I didn't get to go, mainly in part because I didn't know about it. I was kinda upset when I heard about it, but then I realized that for some reason, the Lord didn't want me to go, and even though I wanted to very badly, I wasn't going to be able to. The picture above is myself and Elizabeth Randolph, the camp directors daughter. She and I got along very well. She was in my cabin the last week of primary camp. I miss camp a lot.
This Friday, my bestest friend from BJU is coming to visit me!! I am so excired. Her name is Katie, and I just love this girl so much. We have been through a lot together, and I miss her so much. I have been waiting since October for this Friday to come, and now that its here I can hardly contain myself. The only downside is that I have to be back at MBBC on Monday by 3 and she is staying at my house till Tueday morning. I wish I could stay that long. Oh well, at least she's coming and I get to see her. The picture of us is one that we took together right before she flew to Africa. That picture is from the last time that I saw her. I am so excited that she's coming. Can't you tell?
I watched the second Pirates with my friend Beth a few days ago. It was very enjoyable. When asked if I liked the first or second better, I said that the original is always the best. But the second one was awesome, and I want to watch it again. Johnny Depp pulled off another amazing character. He always is awesome at what he does. Stick that man in any role and he'll play it. Orlando Bloom did a awesome job as well. It was a funny movie, and I really enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend it. It will make you laugh.
The camp that I worked at this last summer had a christmas party on Thursday night for all former staff. I didn't get to go, mainly in part because I didn't know about it. I was kinda upset when I heard about it, but then I realized that for some reason, the Lord didn't want me to go, and even though I wanted to very badly, I wasn't going to be able to. The picture above is myself and Elizabeth Randolph, the camp directors daughter. She and I got along very well. She was in my cabin the last week of primary camp. I miss camp a lot.
This Friday, my bestest friend from BJU is coming to visit me!! I am so excired. Her name is Katie, and I just love this girl so much. We have been through a lot together, and I miss her so much. I have been waiting since October for this Friday to come, and now that its here I can hardly contain myself. The only downside is that I have to be back at MBBC on Monday by 3 and she is staying at my house till Tueday morning. I wish I could stay that long. Oh well, at least she's coming and I get to see her. The picture of us is one that we took together right before she flew to Africa. That picture is from the last time that I saw her. I am so excited that she's coming. Can't you tell?
I watched the second Pirates with my friend Beth a few days ago. It was very enjoyable. When asked if I liked the first or second better, I said that the original is always the best. But the second one was awesome, and I want to watch it again. Johnny Depp pulled off another amazing character. He always is awesome at what he does. Stick that man in any role and he'll play it. Orlando Bloom did a awesome job as well. It was a funny movie, and I really enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend it. It will make you laugh.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Ever been confused over something, and you don't know what to do or think? Well thats me right now. Very confused over something. As far as this something is concerned I don't know completely what my motives are or anything else...its confusing. Ya know what I mean? And I can't just talk to the person of who I am confused about, cause then that would make it weird. I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!
Monday, December 25, 2006
The New Phone
I never thought I would actually get this cell phone! Isn't saweet?? I love it! I can't believe my parents actually got it for me! I jsut thought I would share the happiness of it all! Let me know what ya'll think!!! =)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Lessons from God
So it's 5:06 in the morning and I can't sleep? Why can't I sleep? Well I have a few theories on this one. 1. To much caffine today. 2. I'm just not tired. Or 3. My bed isn't comfortable enough. I think its a combination of those 3 things mixed together. But nonetheless, I cannot sleep, and quite frankly its driving me nuts.
This last week at home has been awesome. I am so glad Christmas break is here. I am ready for relaxation and no studying!! I was in my churches Christmas contata on Sunday. That was fun. I sang in the choir, which was an interesting experience because most of the songs I had only sung once or twice. It was cool though. At the end of the contata my pastor gave a challenge and said that everybody should have gotten something out of the play. I got something out of it, but its not what somebody would expect me to get out of it. Let me explain.
There is this girl here in town who was my best friend in high school. She is a sweet girl and really tries to love the Lord with her whole heart. Sounds ok right? Well...this friend of mine is a hard core punk. I am talking extreme here. (have any of you ever seen the store Hot Topic? thats her through and through). She came to my christian high school freshman year, and we formed an instant bond. (at the time the punkiness of her was not evident). We got to be good friends and did everything together. We still do a lot of stuff together, and thats where what I got out of the contata comes in. If you saw me with my friend, you would look at me and wonder how in the world we ever met, much less became friends. She is really different. She colors her hair every color under the sun and has at least 2 tattoes. (right now half her head is black, and the other half is red). If you saw me with her you definietly wouldn't think that we were christians. Which brings me to my lesson learned. As I sat in the choir looking at those in the audience I couldn't help but wonder how many of those people have seen me with my friend. I then started to think that if they had seen me with her, they would wonder what kind of girl I was, and start to wonder if I really was "good" enough to be singing on that platform. Basically, my testimony. Then I started to think about my church. I could jepordize my church. People would wonder just kind of church they were attending that morning because one of their choir members hangs out with a hard core punk. It really got me thinking. Just how much of my churches and my testimony have I ruined by hanging out with her? I love her to death, but have I ruined my testimony because I hang with her. I am so ashamed of the fact that when we were in high school together, I didn't take the time to be a good testimony. Instead I rebelled against my parents and messed up the testimony I could have had. So the question I face now is where do I draw the line. I don't want to completely drop the friendship cause I don't believe thats right, but do I allow myself to do a little bit of stuff with her? Do I just ignore her? Its a hard one to make, especially since we are still good friends, but I have to draw the line because she is getting worse and worse.
Another thing the Lord has pointed out is the fact that I don't stand up for things the way I should. Take for instance BJ. I transfered from there. I loved it there. But I was so focused on fitting into a certain crowd at MBBC I allowed myself to beat them down, and make fun of their rules. Yes some of their rules are ridiculous, but they are there for a reason. God put them in charge of my life while I was there, and I abided by those rules. I am ashamed to think of the things that I have said against BJU just to gain popularity with a group of people. That was so very wrong of me. Another thing is a guy at school. He is a freshman and grew up in a culture different than ours. I am a strong believer that when you come to America your try to live by American standards. But we have to understand that its hard to transfer into a society that you know nothing about. When you do come to America I can see it to be very easy to slip back into the ways and cultures of the world and society you grew up in. People at school have picked on this guy because he is a MK from a different country. I am ashamed to say that I have done this as well. I think that instead of looking at him as a "weirdo" from a different country, we need to look to him as a brother in Christ. We need to help him adjust...its hard. So it is here that I say sorry to Bob Jones University. I am sorry for all that I said against you. You are a awesome school, and if God wanted me there, I would go back in a heartbeat. To Jeremiah I apologize for taking part in ridiculing you. I know it must be hard for you to be here, and I am sorry that I haven't taken time out of my busy schedule and life to make sure that your day is going well, or make sure that everything makes sense. I am truly and deeply sorry. To those people of whom I have gossiped with, I am sorry that I encouraged it, by taking part. I am deeply ashamed...
Thats all folks...I dont know what else to say....
This last week at home has been awesome. I am so glad Christmas break is here. I am ready for relaxation and no studying!! I was in my churches Christmas contata on Sunday. That was fun. I sang in the choir, which was an interesting experience because most of the songs I had only sung once or twice. It was cool though. At the end of the contata my pastor gave a challenge and said that everybody should have gotten something out of the play. I got something out of it, but its not what somebody would expect me to get out of it. Let me explain.
There is this girl here in town who was my best friend in high school. She is a sweet girl and really tries to love the Lord with her whole heart. Sounds ok right? Well...this friend of mine is a hard core punk. I am talking extreme here. (have any of you ever seen the store Hot Topic? thats her through and through). She came to my christian high school freshman year, and we formed an instant bond. (at the time the punkiness of her was not evident). We got to be good friends and did everything together. We still do a lot of stuff together, and thats where what I got out of the contata comes in. If you saw me with my friend, you would look at me and wonder how in the world we ever met, much less became friends. She is really different. She colors her hair every color under the sun and has at least 2 tattoes. (right now half her head is black, and the other half is red). If you saw me with her you definietly wouldn't think that we were christians. Which brings me to my lesson learned. As I sat in the choir looking at those in the audience I couldn't help but wonder how many of those people have seen me with my friend. I then started to think that if they had seen me with her, they would wonder what kind of girl I was, and start to wonder if I really was "good" enough to be singing on that platform. Basically, my testimony. Then I started to think about my church. I could jepordize my church. People would wonder just kind of church they were attending that morning because one of their choir members hangs out with a hard core punk. It really got me thinking. Just how much of my churches and my testimony have I ruined by hanging out with her? I love her to death, but have I ruined my testimony because I hang with her. I am so ashamed of the fact that when we were in high school together, I didn't take the time to be a good testimony. Instead I rebelled against my parents and messed up the testimony I could have had. So the question I face now is where do I draw the line. I don't want to completely drop the friendship cause I don't believe thats right, but do I allow myself to do a little bit of stuff with her? Do I just ignore her? Its a hard one to make, especially since we are still good friends, but I have to draw the line because she is getting worse and worse.
Another thing the Lord has pointed out is the fact that I don't stand up for things the way I should. Take for instance BJ. I transfered from there. I loved it there. But I was so focused on fitting into a certain crowd at MBBC I allowed myself to beat them down, and make fun of their rules. Yes some of their rules are ridiculous, but they are there for a reason. God put them in charge of my life while I was there, and I abided by those rules. I am ashamed to think of the things that I have said against BJU just to gain popularity with a group of people. That was so very wrong of me. Another thing is a guy at school. He is a freshman and grew up in a culture different than ours. I am a strong believer that when you come to America your try to live by American standards. But we have to understand that its hard to transfer into a society that you know nothing about. When you do come to America I can see it to be very easy to slip back into the ways and cultures of the world and society you grew up in. People at school have picked on this guy because he is a MK from a different country. I am ashamed to say that I have done this as well. I think that instead of looking at him as a "weirdo" from a different country, we need to look to him as a brother in Christ. We need to help him adjust...its hard. So it is here that I say sorry to Bob Jones University. I am sorry for all that I said against you. You are a awesome school, and if God wanted me there, I would go back in a heartbeat. To Jeremiah I apologize for taking part in ridiculing you. I know it must be hard for you to be here, and I am sorry that I haven't taken time out of my busy schedule and life to make sure that your day is going well, or make sure that everything makes sense. I am truly and deeply sorry. To those people of whom I have gossiped with, I am sorry that I encouraged it, by taking part. I am deeply ashamed...
Thats all folks...I dont know what else to say....
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Distracted
So this last Monday we had deans chapel here at MBBC. Mrs. Brown spoke at our chapel, and what she said has really made me think. Mrs. Brown's challenge was on the discipline of worship. She approached it from a angle that I have never thought of it before. It is so easy for us to be at church singing songs and praising our Lord, when all of the sudden we can get distracted by things around us. Here's an example from my own life. I'll be singing along, when all of the sudden I'll see someone I know sitting with someone of the opposite gender. I immediately forget about singing and start to wonder who that other person is, and if there is an interest in each other on either party. Then I remember that I am singing and try to get my focus back on where it should be. The worst time for me is during the message. I'll start to think about the test I have the next day, or how many more practice hours I need for my lesson that week and so on. Why is it so easy for us to get distracted? Does anybody else find that they get more distracted while at church than any where else? Why is that? I think its very important that we work on disciplining ourselves on this matter. To try and focus what we should be focusing on. It's not easy. I know that. But with the Lord's help we can do this.
Just something thats been on my mind lately and I thought I would share it with ya'll. Have a great day, and I'll see some of you later!
Just something thats been on my mind lately and I thought I would share it with ya'll. Have a great day, and I'll see some of you later!
Monday, November 27, 2006
My Vacation
First off sorry to all of you who are regular readers on my blog...I kinda didn't feel like blogging for a while and I didn't do it. So sorry its been a while since I last blogged.
My vaction was really awesome. I had a lot of fun with my parents and not so little brother. I got home on Monday night, much to the joy of my parents, and pretty much didn't do anything the rest of the night. Tuesday morning I got up early (5 am) and went to school with my mom. I was going to be teaching a lesson to a k-5 class at her school. That went well. I actually found out that paint is a very exciting thing for children of that age. By the time we finished with the paint, everything was a mess!!
Tuesday night I went to church and saw all of my beloved church family. It was a blessing to be there with them all. After church my friend Beth and I went to Denny's restaraunt which is right around the corner from my house. It was really weird though. The only time Beth and I ever went to Denny's was when my brother was working. My brother still wasn't home from BJU yet, so it was weird to be there without him.
Wednesdy I went to Danville Illinois, to pick up my little brother. He had traveled from BJU with my "big brother". It was nice to see Charlie (big brother) but at the same time it was weird. I hadn't seen him since this last summer, and I felt...I don't know. It just felt really weird. Went home with my brother (Nathan) and we hung out for the rest of the night and really did whatever we wanted. It was great.
On Thursday my cousin and his wife and 4 kids came to Illinois from Indiana to celebrate turkey day with my family and our aunt. It was great fun! Nathan and I ended up being babysitters the rest of the day. It was good though because Kevin and his wife were able to talk to my aunt and parents. I think it was a good day for all. I played football with Austin (my cousin's oldest son) and found out just how much I stink at the sport. I love to watch it, but playing it...no.
Friday I wend shopping with my mom. That was fun. We bought all these clothes and stuff and it was a blessing to have that time with my mommy. =) We got Gloria Jeans which was nice. I had been craving the stuff all week long....mmmm!!! =)
Saturday we went out of town to visit some relatives I haven't seen in like 3 years. That was nice to see them. Then we went and ate lunch with an old family friend. She lives in this awesome retirement center. I wish I could live there. Its nice! =) After we did our visiting and stuff we went back home and just spent the rest of the night being bums.
On Sunday I went to church and I played the offeratory on my violin. That was really neat. Its been a while since I have played in church. Then after church I went out to eat with my parents and my Uncle Bill from Chicago. Then I packed up my car and came back here.
All in all my weekend was wonderful. I had so much fun, and I miss my parents already! I only have 3 weeks or so left and then its back home for me!! =) I can't wait!
My vaction was really awesome. I had a lot of fun with my parents and not so little brother. I got home on Monday night, much to the joy of my parents, and pretty much didn't do anything the rest of the night. Tuesday morning I got up early (5 am) and went to school with my mom. I was going to be teaching a lesson to a k-5 class at her school. That went well. I actually found out that paint is a very exciting thing for children of that age. By the time we finished with the paint, everything was a mess!!
Tuesday night I went to church and saw all of my beloved church family. It was a blessing to be there with them all. After church my friend Beth and I went to Denny's restaraunt which is right around the corner from my house. It was really weird though. The only time Beth and I ever went to Denny's was when my brother was working. My brother still wasn't home from BJU yet, so it was weird to be there without him.
Wednesdy I went to Danville Illinois, to pick up my little brother. He had traveled from BJU with my "big brother". It was nice to see Charlie (big brother) but at the same time it was weird. I hadn't seen him since this last summer, and I felt...I don't know. It just felt really weird. Went home with my brother (Nathan) and we hung out for the rest of the night and really did whatever we wanted. It was great.
On Thursday my cousin and his wife and 4 kids came to Illinois from Indiana to celebrate turkey day with my family and our aunt. It was great fun! Nathan and I ended up being babysitters the rest of the day. It was good though because Kevin and his wife were able to talk to my aunt and parents. I think it was a good day for all. I played football with Austin (my cousin's oldest son) and found out just how much I stink at the sport. I love to watch it, but playing it...no.
Friday I wend shopping with my mom. That was fun. We bought all these clothes and stuff and it was a blessing to have that time with my mommy. =) We got Gloria Jeans which was nice. I had been craving the stuff all week long....mmmm!!! =)
Saturday we went out of town to visit some relatives I haven't seen in like 3 years. That was nice to see them. Then we went and ate lunch with an old family friend. She lives in this awesome retirement center. I wish I could live there. Its nice! =) After we did our visiting and stuff we went back home and just spent the rest of the night being bums.
On Sunday I went to church and I played the offeratory on my violin. That was really neat. Its been a while since I have played in church. Then after church I went out to eat with my parents and my Uncle Bill from Chicago. Then I packed up my car and came back here.
All in all my weekend was wonderful. I had so much fun, and I miss my parents already! I only have 3 weeks or so left and then its back home for me!! =) I can't wait!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
May the Lord find us faithful
This song has been in my head all day. For those of you who know it I hope it is a blessing to you. For those of you who don't know it, it is a beautiful song and the words are to me so powerful. I hope the words are as encouraging to you as they are to me.
God has not given us the spirit of fear
But has given us the strength to obey
With power and sound mind
With love the unfailing kind
Oh be not ashamed of His way
Chorus
May the Lord find us faithful
May His word be our banner held high
May the Lord find us faithful
Everyday thought we live though we die
No man that seeketh after things of this life
Is a soldier who passes the test
Be faithful be working
Be running be serving
Be searching His word for His best
Chorus
Living or dying may honor be thine
from this retched life you loved and forgave
A life that is on fire
Be only our hearts desire
Be faithful from now to the grave
Chorus
God has not given us the spirit of fear
But has given us the strength to obey
With power and sound mind
With love the unfailing kind
Oh be not ashamed of His way
Chorus
May the Lord find us faithful
May His word be our banner held high
May the Lord find us faithful
Everyday thought we live though we die
No man that seeketh after things of this life
Is a soldier who passes the test
Be faithful be working
Be running be serving
Be searching His word for His best
Chorus
Living or dying may honor be thine
from this retched life you loved and forgave
A life that is on fire
Be only our hearts desire
Be faithful from now to the grave
Chorus
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
My Tongue
So tonight in core group we were talking about our tongues and what we say with them. Kelli, my core group leader, passed out half sheets of paper for us to fill out. On the half sheet of paper were question about our conversations from today. Questions like: What kind of things did I talk about today? What was my longest conversation of the day about? What did I complain about today? Did I change any stories or facts? There were a few more questions as well, but I can't remember what they were.
As I sat there filling out that paper, I started to feel slightly ashamed. Where was my focus today? Definitely not on things that had any meaning or worth. I was even more ashamed as I watched my complaining list get longer and longer. I had no idea that I complained that much. It was like I was trying to find things to be complaining about. It made me realize that I need to be more thankful to the Lord for what He has done for me. I think I am going to try and start doing this thing where every time I complain I am going to find two things to be thankful for and then I am going to write it down. Maybe this will help me not to having a complaining spirit. Complaining is not honoring to the Lord, especially after all He has done for us.
Thank you Lord for saving my soul,
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free
God has done so much for me! He saved me from hell and He has given me more grace than I could have ever asked for. A song to think about that has come to my mind. I love this song and hope that it will make you think and also be a blessing to you.
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
He sendeth more grace as our labors increase
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength hath failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun
His love has no limits, His grace hath no measure
His power no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again
As I sat there filling out that paper, I started to feel slightly ashamed. Where was my focus today? Definitely not on things that had any meaning or worth. I was even more ashamed as I watched my complaining list get longer and longer. I had no idea that I complained that much. It was like I was trying to find things to be complaining about. It made me realize that I need to be more thankful to the Lord for what He has done for me. I think I am going to try and start doing this thing where every time I complain I am going to find two things to be thankful for and then I am going to write it down. Maybe this will help me not to having a complaining spirit. Complaining is not honoring to the Lord, especially after all He has done for us.
Thank you Lord for saving my soul,
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free
God has done so much for me! He saved me from hell and He has given me more grace than I could have ever asked for. A song to think about that has come to my mind. I love this song and hope that it will make you think and also be a blessing to you.
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
He sendeth more grace as our labors increase
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength hath failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun
His love has no limits, His grace hath no measure
His power no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again
Friday, November 10, 2006
I'm Legal!!
So yesterday I turned 21! Pretty cool huh? I guess so! People all day kept telling me that I was legal. My response...legal to do what? Even if I wanted to drink I wouldn't. That stuff is so nasty and the smell makes me sick to my stomach! ewww!
So last night my roommate Lisa and a friend of ours Jenn, we went to Delafield and ate at Applebee's to celebrate the awesomeness of it all. I must say it felt really cool do to that. It was just a bunch of college girls out for a night to have fun. I felt like an actual adult. I can't really explain the feeling...its just there. So we were there and they told the people that worked there that it was my birthday and they sang happy birthday to me...well, it was more like shouted, but thats ok. It was still cool. After Applebee's we went to Best Buy to look around for a few minutes, then we went to Cold Stone and got ice cream and came back here. I have to say that my birthday this year topped my birthday from the last two college years by far. Last year nobody remembered my birthday at all and it was really sad. And the year before was pretty good, but this year was definitely the best. I think its because my two good friends on campus spent it with me! =) Thanks guys for an awesome birthday!!
So last night my roommate Lisa and a friend of ours Jenn, we went to Delafield and ate at Applebee's to celebrate the awesomeness of it all. I must say it felt really cool do to that. It was just a bunch of college girls out for a night to have fun. I felt like an actual adult. I can't really explain the feeling...its just there. So we were there and they told the people that worked there that it was my birthday and they sang happy birthday to me...well, it was more like shouted, but thats ok. It was still cool. After Applebee's we went to Best Buy to look around for a few minutes, then we went to Cold Stone and got ice cream and came back here. I have to say that my birthday this year topped my birthday from the last two college years by far. Last year nobody remembered my birthday at all and it was really sad. And the year before was pretty good, but this year was definitely the best. I think its because my two good friends on campus spent it with me! =) Thanks guys for an awesome birthday!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
New Everything
So today I decided that I was sick and tired of my old blog. I didn't like the setup, the color, or the title. So today I decided to change it. I know its really pink, but I like pink and I guess I was in a pink mood at the time I recreated it. I hope you all like it. You can leave me a post letting me know what you think.
So I changed the title of my blog to Only Trust Him. Why? Well that is what God has been teaching me lately, to only trust HIM! I have been having a hard struggle with the fact that I am still single. Tomorrow I turn 21 and have never had a boyfriend. Meanwhile all of my friends are either dating or starting to date. Its quite discouraging to me sometimes. I really have a desire to date and to get married and yet nothing is happening. Nothing has ever happened. So my since high school I have been trying to find "Mr. Right" on my own, and to be quite honest it hasn't worked. So here I am a second semester freshman in college (I should be a Jr.) and no boyfriend and no prospects. So I am thinking well guess I need to go and find a guy. Not how it works people. I have been reading this book called "Lady in Waiting". This book is talking about developing your love relationships. Not your love relationships with that specail someone, but with God and others. I have gotten through two chapters Lady of Faith and Lady of...(I can't remember the name of it!). Well anyways in the book they pointed out that the best time to serve God and grow closer to Him is during your single years. Isn't that the truth? I would love to think that when I get married I am going to serve God and grow closer to Him than I am now, but I would be fooling myself. Married people are so busy! They hardly have time for themselves! I need to be growing closer to Him! Plus finding the perfect guy isn't what is going to make me happy in life. First off there is no "perfect guy" and second even if there was he won't bring the joy and fulfillment I need. Only Christ can! I found a quote in this book that I really like. "No one, not even the person that you will someday marry will make you happy- only Christ can." If you try to convince yourself otherwise, you are going to be in for a big suprise. Only God brings the joy and the fulfillment that you can ever need or want.
As for trusting God on this issue, I am going to be honest and say that I am afraid that there might not be somewhere out there for me. I am afraid that if I put my total and complete trust in God that I am going to find out that there is no "special someone for me". Well if there isn't who cares right? Christ is what is going to make me happy! Why is it so hard for us to trust God on these issues? Because our plan doesn't go with His plan and we don't want our plan to have to change! But God knows what is best for our lives does He not? (Please realize that I am "preaching" to myself as well here). They why do we think we know best?
So the question I have to ask myself everyday is this, where is my focus today? God or Guys? Thats what it all really boils down to. If I have my focus on God, I notice that my day tends to go a lot easier and that I don't think so much about dating and marriage and the fact that I am not dating. But if my focus is on guys, I notice that I struggle every minute of the day with the fact that I am still single. So why not keep my focus on what really matters, God, and what doesn't really matter, guys? Just something to think about.
So I changed the title of my blog to Only Trust Him. Why? Well that is what God has been teaching me lately, to only trust HIM! I have been having a hard struggle with the fact that I am still single. Tomorrow I turn 21 and have never had a boyfriend. Meanwhile all of my friends are either dating or starting to date. Its quite discouraging to me sometimes. I really have a desire to date and to get married and yet nothing is happening. Nothing has ever happened. So my since high school I have been trying to find "Mr. Right" on my own, and to be quite honest it hasn't worked. So here I am a second semester freshman in college (I should be a Jr.) and no boyfriend and no prospects. So I am thinking well guess I need to go and find a guy. Not how it works people. I have been reading this book called "Lady in Waiting". This book is talking about developing your love relationships. Not your love relationships with that specail someone, but with God and others. I have gotten through two chapters Lady of Faith and Lady of...(I can't remember the name of it!). Well anyways in the book they pointed out that the best time to serve God and grow closer to Him is during your single years. Isn't that the truth? I would love to think that when I get married I am going to serve God and grow closer to Him than I am now, but I would be fooling myself. Married people are so busy! They hardly have time for themselves! I need to be growing closer to Him! Plus finding the perfect guy isn't what is going to make me happy in life. First off there is no "perfect guy" and second even if there was he won't bring the joy and fulfillment I need. Only Christ can! I found a quote in this book that I really like. "No one, not even the person that you will someday marry will make you happy- only Christ can." If you try to convince yourself otherwise, you are going to be in for a big suprise. Only God brings the joy and the fulfillment that you can ever need or want.
As for trusting God on this issue, I am going to be honest and say that I am afraid that there might not be somewhere out there for me. I am afraid that if I put my total and complete trust in God that I am going to find out that there is no "special someone for me". Well if there isn't who cares right? Christ is what is going to make me happy! Why is it so hard for us to trust God on these issues? Because our plan doesn't go with His plan and we don't want our plan to have to change! But God knows what is best for our lives does He not? (Please realize that I am "preaching" to myself as well here). They why do we think we know best?
So the question I have to ask myself everyday is this, where is my focus today? God or Guys? Thats what it all really boils down to. If I have my focus on God, I notice that my day tends to go a lot easier and that I don't think so much about dating and marriage and the fact that I am not dating. But if my focus is on guys, I notice that I struggle every minute of the day with the fact that I am still single. So why not keep my focus on what really matters, God, and what doesn't really matter, guys? Just something to think about.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Randomness
So I was getting all over my roommate cause people don't update their blogs, when I myself don't even update mine. What kind of person does that? (Please don't answer that). So life is going well. I am reading a book by C.J. Mahaney called "Humility: True Greatness". Its a great book. I haven't gotten to far into it, but I would recommend it to anyone. One of the things that caught my attention was Isaiah 66:2. He talks about how Humility draws Gods gaze. One of my favorite quotes in the book is this "The person who is humble is the one who draws God's attention, and in this sense, drawing His attention means also attracting His grace - His unmerrited kindness." God wants us to be humble. This is an area that I feel I really need to work on. Sometimes I think that I don't have the humility that I should. I need to be humble enough to ask God for His help. So many times I want to do it myself because of my stupid pride, but learn that I can't. This last week that happened to me. I wasn't trusting God as I should and God brought me to the point were I broke down and had to beg for His help and His strength because I can't do it on my own! And when you give it over to God amazing things happen that you never thought possible and you think to yourself "Why didn't I give this to God earlier instead of trying to do it on my own? It would have been a whole lot easier had I done it His way the first time. Just somethings to think about.
So yesterday the coolest thing happened to me. There was this skirt at WallyWorld that I was secretly wanting but didn't have to 20 dollars to pay for it. I decided to wait and see if it went on sale. Everytime I went to Walmart it was never on sale. So on Tuesday night my really nice jean skirt got a rip in it. I don't think its fixable. I was so devestated. I had no idea what I was going to do for a jean skirt. So last night I went to Walmart and I decided to see if that jean skirt I have been wanting was on sale. I couldn't find it. So I kept searching and I found it on the sale rack for 7 dollars! 7 dollars! Isn't God amazing?? He knew that I was going to need that jean skirt and He knew that I couldn't afford 20 dollars for it, so He timed it just perfectly that it would be on sale when I needed it! I was so excited to say the least!
So I have to do my freshman platform for my major in like 6 weeks and I am starting to get worried to say the least. I don't know why I am. I guess its that whole "I can do it myself without God" thing, but I can't. I am trying to teach myself that I can only do it with God's help. And isn't that the truth. I have so much to do for this recital and I can't do it without His help. And then on top of that I have to play the cello a week from Sunday at church. Its not sounding to bad I guess, but I can definitely tell you that violin is what I should stick with.
Well I think thats all for now folks. Happy November and stay warm. Only 17 days till Thanksgiving break! We can all make! I know we can! So until lata...
So yesterday the coolest thing happened to me. There was this skirt at WallyWorld that I was secretly wanting but didn't have to 20 dollars to pay for it. I decided to wait and see if it went on sale. Everytime I went to Walmart it was never on sale. So on Tuesday night my really nice jean skirt got a rip in it. I don't think its fixable. I was so devestated. I had no idea what I was going to do for a jean skirt. So last night I went to Walmart and I decided to see if that jean skirt I have been wanting was on sale. I couldn't find it. So I kept searching and I found it on the sale rack for 7 dollars! 7 dollars! Isn't God amazing?? He knew that I was going to need that jean skirt and He knew that I couldn't afford 20 dollars for it, so He timed it just perfectly that it would be on sale when I needed it! I was so excited to say the least!
So I have to do my freshman platform for my major in like 6 weeks and I am starting to get worried to say the least. I don't know why I am. I guess its that whole "I can do it myself without God" thing, but I can't. I am trying to teach myself that I can only do it with God's help. And isn't that the truth. I have so much to do for this recital and I can't do it without His help. And then on top of that I have to play the cello a week from Sunday at church. Its not sounding to bad I guess, but I can definitely tell you that violin is what I should stick with.
Well I think thats all for now folks. Happy November and stay warm. Only 17 days till Thanksgiving break! We can all make! I know we can! So until lata...
Thursday, October 26, 2006
So we had missions conference here at MBBC this week. It was really really good. I couldn't believe how many mission boards we had here and stuff. It was really cool. Listening to all the missionaries tell about their needs too was cool as well. There is such a big mission field and I couldn't help but wonder if God was tugging on my heart to go to one of those places. I could definitely use my music on the mission field somewhere. I will go where ever God wants me, I just don't know where that will be.
School is going well. I have to go practice my violin tonight. Thats going to be fun. =) I have to have a song completely learned and memorized by the 21st of November. I can do it!! Other than that all is good. I am trying to learn many new instruments, one being the cello. Its ok...i guess...but I def. shouldn't quit my day job. Ask my roommate Lisa...she'll tell ya all about it!
School is going well. I have to go practice my violin tonight. Thats going to be fun. =) I have to have a song completely learned and memorized by the 21st of November. I can do it!! Other than that all is good. I am trying to learn many new instruments, one being the cello. Its ok...i guess...but I def. shouldn't quit my day job. Ask my roommate Lisa...she'll tell ya all about it!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Ok, so today I have been thinking about a lot of things. Sometimes I wonder why I am the way I am. I like to have fun, but sometimes I wonder if I can be to loud at times. I never thought I was too loud at Bob Jones. My friends didn't think so either. While I was there I was carefree (in a sense) and all this stuff and it was great. But now...I really wonder. Sometimes I act the same way here, and its not the same as it was at Bob Jones. Does this show that I am immature? I mean, I LOVE to have fun. At Bob Jones I would get crazy excited at soccer and basketball games. I would cheer for all I was worth for poor Omega. (ahhh...I miss them) But here, I'm not like that. I try to be, and it doesn't work. Is it just me? Have I changed so much that when I actually do try to have fun, I start to feel weird inside? Or is it something else? I really wish I knew. This post is really sappy or something...but I seriously wonder...what's going on with me?
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Random Thoughts
Wow...I can't believe how long its been since I posted. Its been a very long time, and yet I feel as though it hasn't been that long at all. I guess school will do that to you. Between practicing, studying and a little bit of a social life, though not much of one, I am extremely busy! Such is the life of a college student I guess.
The other day I was in front of Day Dorm and I did a nice face plant on the sidewalk and sprained my foot very badly. Needless to say I learned that crutches and college don't mix to well. Thankfully today though I didn't have to use the crutches to get around. That was a blessing, let me tell you.
I spent my day today running the clock for volleyball games. I was there for like four hours! Why? I have no idea...they needed help and I offered. I was there for a REALLY long time. But it was fun. I was really rooting for the teams from Illinois. I'm not sure that rooting for teams is allowed as a clock keeper, I think I am supposed to be nuetral, but I couldn't help it. The Illinois side in me was coming out.
On a side note, I just want to say that I have super cool roommates. Anybody that can live with me for this long and can still be sane has got to get some praise cause thats pretty impressive. Also impressive is the fact that they haven't banished or killed me yet! They are completely and utterly awesome. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to be together. We really are a great room! =)
On yet another side note, I am really glad to be here at Maranatha. I really liked BJ, don't get me wrong, but I am so much happier here. I'm not sure why God planned for me to be at BJ for two years, then have me switch, but that was a part of His plan. I am just thankful that I am here. My heart has always been here...my parents dream was for me to graduate from BJ. Thats why I didn't start out here in the first place. I made awesome friends while there, and I miss them all very very much, but I am here reaquanting with old friends and making new. Its awesome.
I just want to end this post with a quote that I think is super awesome.
"A girl should be so lost in God, that a guy has to search God to find her" How true is that huh? If a girl is lost in God, the guy that finds her will be the kind of guy that she wants and that will truly serve God. I need to learn this and apply it to my life. It is so easy to get caught up in what guy is cute and what guy isn't. Does that matter? NO! What matters is his walk and relationship with God, because if thats in the right place, then when it comes to those important decisions in life he will do whats right. I need a guy like that, not a guy that I like for looks. Make sense? I hope so! If not...e-mail me at violinprincess21@gmail.com...and we can talk it out!
The other day I was in front of Day Dorm and I did a nice face plant on the sidewalk and sprained my foot very badly. Needless to say I learned that crutches and college don't mix to well. Thankfully today though I didn't have to use the crutches to get around. That was a blessing, let me tell you.
I spent my day today running the clock for volleyball games. I was there for like four hours! Why? I have no idea...they needed help and I offered. I was there for a REALLY long time. But it was fun. I was really rooting for the teams from Illinois. I'm not sure that rooting for teams is allowed as a clock keeper, I think I am supposed to be nuetral, but I couldn't help it. The Illinois side in me was coming out.
On a side note, I just want to say that I have super cool roommates. Anybody that can live with me for this long and can still be sane has got to get some praise cause thats pretty impressive. Also impressive is the fact that they haven't banished or killed me yet! They are completely and utterly awesome. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to be together. We really are a great room! =)
On yet another side note, I am really glad to be here at Maranatha. I really liked BJ, don't get me wrong, but I am so much happier here. I'm not sure why God planned for me to be at BJ for two years, then have me switch, but that was a part of His plan. I am just thankful that I am here. My heart has always been here...my parents dream was for me to graduate from BJ. Thats why I didn't start out here in the first place. I made awesome friends while there, and I miss them all very very much, but I am here reaquanting with old friends and making new. Its awesome.
I just want to end this post with a quote that I think is super awesome.
"A girl should be so lost in God, that a guy has to search God to find her" How true is that huh? If a girl is lost in God, the guy that finds her will be the kind of guy that she wants and that will truly serve God. I need to learn this and apply it to my life. It is so easy to get caught up in what guy is cute and what guy isn't. Does that matter? NO! What matters is his walk and relationship with God, because if thats in the right place, then when it comes to those important decisions in life he will do whats right. I need a guy like that, not a guy that I like for looks. Make sense? I hope so! If not...e-mail me at violinprincess21@gmail.com...and we can talk it out!
Monday, September 11, 2006
State Street
This past Friday I had the priviledge and the opportunity to go to State Street in Madison Wisconsin. If I remember what I heard correctly, State Street is the main street that runs through the Univserity of Wisconsin in Madison.
I went to state street for my society. What we do at state street, is we pair up into groups of 2-3 (its nice to have a guy along just in case) and we walk up and down the streets handing out tracks and witnessing to people. I am going to tell you right now, State Street was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was amazing! Just the opportunity to go and share the gospel was the amazing part.
Not only was State Street amazing, but it was also sad. As my roommate and I walked around (Daniel Brier was with us for a while as well) all I saw were kids my age getting drunk. Kids my age smoking. Kids my age doing things that kids my age should never do. I cannot tell you how many houses I passed with people drinking inside. It was so sad! These people were wasting their lives! And why? Just so they could get high for a little while. I wanted to ask why drinking was so cool!
My roommate and I passed a couple of guys walking to a frat party. Both had a couple of cases of beer. They looked like they had just won the million dollar "prize" and that they were off to have a good time. I was so sad when I saw that.
State Street is such a mission field. There are so many people there that need the Lord. This last Friday definitly put into perspective the verse "The harvest truly is great, but the Laborers are few". The harvest at State Street is HUGE! There are so many people there that need the Lord. Please pray for State Street. We could use your prayers. And if you are a MBBC student and you have never gone to State Street before I would recommend that you come out at least once. It will change your perspective on life and on spiritual things.
I went to state street for my society. What we do at state street, is we pair up into groups of 2-3 (its nice to have a guy along just in case) and we walk up and down the streets handing out tracks and witnessing to people. I am going to tell you right now, State Street was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was amazing! Just the opportunity to go and share the gospel was the amazing part.
Not only was State Street amazing, but it was also sad. As my roommate and I walked around (Daniel Brier was with us for a while as well) all I saw were kids my age getting drunk. Kids my age smoking. Kids my age doing things that kids my age should never do. I cannot tell you how many houses I passed with people drinking inside. It was so sad! These people were wasting their lives! And why? Just so they could get high for a little while. I wanted to ask why drinking was so cool!
My roommate and I passed a couple of guys walking to a frat party. Both had a couple of cases of beer. They looked like they had just won the million dollar "prize" and that they were off to have a good time. I was so sad when I saw that.
State Street is such a mission field. There are so many people there that need the Lord. This last Friday definitly put into perspective the verse "The harvest truly is great, but the Laborers are few". The harvest at State Street is HUGE! There are so many people there that need the Lord. Please pray for State Street. We could use your prayers. And if you are a MBBC student and you have never gone to State Street before I would recommend that you come out at least once. It will change your perspective on life and on spiritual things.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Decisions
Have you ever had a really hard decision to make? I have had plenty, let me tell you, but the recent, most hardest (is that proper English?) on that I have to make is where I am going to go to church. I have two choices, Calvary in Watertown, and then another Chuch that is about an hour away. I could use my music and stuff at Calvary, but at the other chuch I could be used in like every department...literally. I really need the Lord's direction on this. I have mixed emotions about going to both. I have no idea where to go. I love Calvary so much. Pastor Loggans is really good and I know a lot of people there. But this other church needs help so much. Where do I go? I need the Lord on this one.
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