I...

...listened to CHRISTMAS music today for the first time this season.

I don't know whether to laugh
{it's a 'lil early}

or cry
{I'm not ready for snow}

But I am ready for the holiday season.

{sundry, un-important bits of information}

Just completed watching Wives & Daughters for the second time. (Last week, my Mom & I watched Cranford...she loved it!) So I like Cranford better than Wives & Daughters the second time around. And my new favorite character in W&D (besides Molly) is Lady Harriet. LOVE her! She's upper class but she takes Molly has her "protege." I heart her! And my Mom loved Cranford. The characters are so kind, thoughtful, considerate, etc...It's hard to find wholesome movies like that any more these days. Next on the list for me & my Mom is North & South. Any other Elizabeth Gaskell's that I should watch?

I have been working like crazy lately. I find it hard to complain about that. I am so thankful. But...wow...scrubbing on my hands & knees, up & down for hours in a day is...uh....painful?!!!

Been pondering a lot about the idea of principle. Being a principled person. There are things that we should or shouldn't do because it's #1 Biblical and #2 a principle of right and/or wrong {which is reinforcing Biblical principles}. If I can formulate what I'm thinking into a coherent post, you'll hear about it.

Really working on contentment right now. You know....needs vs. wants. Really, the Bible promises us food & raiment and we're supposed to be content. In our want-filled, covetous, rich, pompous society, I'm afraid Americans ideas of needs vs. wants are terribly askew.

Once again, so blessed by my cello teacher and my cello lesson this week. She.is.so.awesome.!!

Have a wonderful week!

...I just want to thank You, Lord!

88. an absolutely perfect October day
89. the smell of specialty hot dogs cooking - yum!
90. Geoff calling from Africa
91. safety
92. Mom's good test results
93. using past experiences to encourage someone else
94. not having a storybook life {disclaimer: I don't think anyone has a storybook life; but sometimes we get sidetracked by the fact that things don't go our way...and it's important to see God's hand in everything!}
95. ability to work
96. cool, clear water

{Ok...so I've posted every day this week. yay!}

{And, yes, I'm lyric-happy right now...another favorite song.}

Stand

Some may say It foolish, some that It's absurd
But still we choose to build our lives upon God's Holy Word
We know It's always perfect and trusted in all things
It's holy and It's right, so whatever this life brings.

We stand on what is timeless
We stand on what is true
We stand unashamed no matter what the world may do
We stand upon this Rock spoken by the Lord of All
And though other lives built on sand may fall,
We stand.

It may not be in fashion, It may not be in vogue
But when we look at empty lives all around we know
We could lend pursuing power, think in pleasure satisfy
God's light cuts through the shadow, revealing they're just lies.

We stand on what is timeless
We stand on what is true
We stand unashamed no matter what the world may do
We stand upon this Rock spoken by the Lord of All
And though other lives built on sand may fall,
We stand.

Let us trust His every word
Resisting every wrong
Let us read in it
and believe it
It's our only hope for standing strong.

We stand on what is timeless
We stand on what is true
We stand unashamed no matter what the world may do
We stand upon this Rock spoken by the Lord of all
And though other lives built on sand may fall
We stand.

Oh, oh, oh,
We stand!

{of course, the soundtrack is 10x more awesome to listen to than read}

it really IS just the little things in life

#1 - new fall candle #2 - cute bird decoration

#3 - the afternoon off work!

hope this is an encouragement

Our pastor preached a sermon on Sunday night about fighting the d-vil (hereafter "d"). I remember him preaching that sermon when I was a little girl.

So if you've been reading my blog lately, you've noticed that I've mentioned struggling...really, really struggling....and overcoming, through Christ.

Saturday night, I just had a conversation with my mom about fighting the "d". I think we as Christians (that's a very general statement) don't give the "d" enough credit. We play footsie. We think, "oh, it's just a little thing." No, no, no, it's not!! Look up Ephesians 2:7, "Neither give place to the d-vil."

I had harbored a specific sin in my life for several years. It wasn't bitterness or anything that was "breeding" which would lead up to an explosion of bitterness. But it was something that I had done wrong and in refusing to publicly (besides in prayer to the Lord) admit the sin, I was giving place to the "d."

And I think the "d" left me alone for a while but he started up something in my life that was real hard. I was a complete wreck - emotionally, even physically.

I gave in to the Lord and got the sin right that I had harbored. No, the battle wasn't over yet but it was a step.

I have been contemplating writing this post for a while now. I just want to encourage all of you Christians who read my blog to really, honestly take stock of your life. If you have anything, anything that isn't right between you and God, please get it fixed!!! No matter the embarrassment, it's worth it. It's not worth it to hang on to the sin.

It's just funny, ironic that I had had this conversation with my Mom on Saturday night and then my pastor preached a sermon related to that on Sunday night. And I'm saying that some of the exact things he said in that sermon, I had said to my mom. I wanted to stand up and shout! #1 It was confirmation that what I had gone through was what I had thought - the "d" had pointed his big guns at me. #2 Other people need to hear it and be scared. Be real scared.

OF COURSE, we have the power through the Holy Spirit to conquer the "d" and not give in. Praise God!! But if we aren't filled with the Holy Spirit, we are giving place to the "d" and he will fight us.

Hope this was a blessing!

pictures! {yay!}

Geoff & I with our dear Oma & Opa {they're awesome!}

this was on Labor Day...we do have a pic with all of us in it but unfortunately, Geoff & I had issues with our eyes {ie - they weren't open}...apparently, we still haven't learned how to pose for a picture - ha!

LOVE this pic!!!!

LOVE this pic, too! {My little brother watching over his big sis!}

Okay - time for a story...my Grandpa is hilarious and has a definite sweet tooth which my Grandma is always attempting to keep in check. So after we eat this ginormous dinner, of course, the obvious question is "dessert?" and the obvious answer for me is "NO!" But my grandpa and dad wanted a sundae and they were debating on the small one or the big one. I honestly cannot remember exactly why they chose the big one but it happened. And we all cracked up because it was kinda obvious my Opa wanted the big sundae. The big sundae was served so fancy-like at the table. Quite an ordeal!

{PS - notice the difference in the length of my hair between the Labor Day pic and the couple of weeks ago pic - yay!!!!!}

PS #1 - the pictures with us all dressed up is the night before Geoff left to go to Africa

PS #2 - did you notice that I'm wearing the exact.same.shirt in all the pictures even though some of them were taken on different dates. Yep. That's me!

a grateful heart!

76. an email from my brother {while he's in Africa}
77. good talk with a great friend
78. good advice from Dad & Mom
79. knowing that God loves me
80. sunshine
81. beautiful, fall colors
82. morning quiet...only the gentle sounds of an antique clock ticking and the hum of the dryer
83. huge smile because of the magnificent fall colors
84. courage to hand out a tract
85. glimpses of His glory
86. an encouraging word from Mom
87. grace to respond correctly even though I'm hurt

Sunday afternoon drive

ummmm......HELLO!

"I Have Been Blessed"

This is one of me and my brother's favorite songs.
^^^^^^^^^^^(is that correct grammar??)
I miss my brother when I'm listening to this song.
{Tonight has been one week since he left...one week down, three more to go!}

When He moves among us, all that He does
All of His mercy, all of His love
If the pen of a writer, could write every day
Even this world, could never contain
How I've been blessed.

Warmth in the winter, flowers in spring
Laughter of summer, the changing of leaves
Food on my table and a good place to sleep
Clothes on back and shoes on my feet.
I have been blessed.

{Chorus}
I have been blessed, God's so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I could count them, there's not enough time
So I'll just thank Him, for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk
Hands that can touch, legs that can walk
Ears that can listen, eyes that can see
Oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe
I have been blessed.

We live in a country, greatest on earth
Where the flag stands for freedom and what it is worth
She stands in a harbor, Miss Liberty calls,
"All gave some but some gave it all,"
So we could be blessed.


{Chorus}
I have been blessed, God's so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I could count them there's not enough time
So I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

A mother and father, nurtured and raised
Sister and brother, memories made
Our pastor to lead us, this altar to pray
Stripes that can heal, the blood that still saves
I have been blessed.

He's my shoulder to lean on when I am down
The rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed
The place where He hides me, under His wing
He's not just a song, He's the reason I sing
I have been blessed.

Oh I have been blessed, God's so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I could count them, there's not enough time
So I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

so thankful!

I am so grateful tonight for a wonderful friend and great, godly parents.

I went over to this friend's house tonight and right before I was planning to leave, we ended up chatting for about an hour about spiritual things. It was so refreshing to hear in person what I've needed to hear. Yes, I've been fed by the Word of God and prayer. But what a blessing to be encouraged by another sister in Christ! Truly!! I know that God had HIS hand in that tonight.

So, something that my friend and I talked about tonight led me to ask my parents' guidance about a decision of mine.

I am so thankful for godly, {not perfect}, spiritual parents.

How much more blessed can I be than that tonight?

this cracked me up!

I was taking a few kids home from church today and we were singing some songs to pass the time. Well, it was the little girl's turn to pick a song and she said she wanted to sing the "Bucket Song....you know the bucket...it comes from God."

I am thinking to myself, "Bucket?? Bucket song?" I started going through the visuals and trying to remember if any of the song visuals had a bucket on it.

Then, she started clarifying a little more by clapping and saying, "O."

Ohhhhhhhhh!!!

She wanted to sing "There is a Book and it came from God and the Bible is it's name-o. B-I-B-L-E. B-I-B-L-E. B-I-B-L-E. And the Bible is it's name-o."

If you say "book and it..." fast it can sound like bucket.

It reminds me of when I was a little girl and would sing, "And if the d-vil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack, sit on a tack, sit on a tack, and if the d-vil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack, sit on a tack, Tuesday." Instead of "to stay." As a little girl, I remember thinking, why not Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday? Why Tuesday?"

It's just funny how kids can interpret/hear things incorrectly.

a public statement!

I just want to publicly state how grateful, thankful I am for the Word of God.

Truly!

I just go on to this website to look up a verse that has been swimming in my mind this afternoon.

After finding the verse, I read the verse in context with the other Scriptures around it. And another verse just absolutely popped out at me!

I am {still} going through a difficult time spiritually. Maybe it's not able to be perceived on the outside but inner anxiety, unrest is bubbling within.

I was listening to a Christian speak the other day and he mentioned something about searching our hearts and making sure we were absolutely "right with God." I instantly asked myself and prayerfully asked the Lord, "Am I absolutely right with God?"

And a still, small voice popped up saying, "Trust Me. Trust. Trust. Trust."

I am having a really difficult time trusting these days.

I know, know, know that I am going through a spiritual desert right now to purify, cleanse, strengthen me.

And I have asked the Lord to continue the difficult trial{s} because that is what draws me nearer to Him.

Then I find myself asking, "Why Lord?" How ironic and finnicky I am. I asked Him to try me.

Anyways, I've been saying in recent posts that I've been drawing a blank when it comes to writing a post. And I just-so-happened to be available to write this little post.

Hope it was a blessing!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

{{hugs}}

call to action

Ok. Here I go again on a "political" rant.

If you have not signed up for AFA's alerts in your inbox, you really should.

Here's the link.

Today, the Defense Appropriations bill was passed (just in the House, I believe). Attached to the bill was a smaller bill that greatly expanded "hate crimes" legislation. Now, on Fox News, an article claimed that pastors would be protected. However, I believe if this bill is passed in the Senate, pastors will eventually be targeted. If it doesn't happen immediately, it will in the future.

We have to keep in mind that II Timothy 3:12 says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

But I do believe that as Christians, our voice should be heard about issues that directly attack Biblical values. It doesn't take more than a quick email or call to your Congressman. I called this morning to my two Congressmen and Senator. Some may worry about what to say. Don't be worried about that part. Just tell them that you are concerned and want your legislator to oppose the bill regarding such-and-such. They'll probably ask for your name and/or address. It seriously is painless!

If you're already involved, GREAT!!

If you're not, I wasn't either until recently. And it doesn't take much of my time. But I feel that Christians should let their voice be heard!

I feel obligated...

...to write you an update.

When I am working, I write the best posts in my head and have the best topics on hand to write about.

However.

This sadly changes when I actually sit down to write a post.

I was planning on doing a picture post on Tuesday (yesterday). My brother left for Africa on Tuesday. On Monday night, our family + my grandparents went out for (a very luscious) dinner. My grandma took several (exceedingly, incredible) pictures. But her memory card was different than ours and my brother could not seem to get hers to load on his computer.

Hence, no pictures. YET.

I just went through some pics on my brother's computer.

And, woah, buddy!! Look at my hair!

It's so SHORT and CUTE!!

I don't think I've mentioned that I'm working on growing it out long. I do like it long, though. It's just the "gettin-there" process that is a-go-ny!! I am getting it trimmed this Friday (woohoo!) so hopefully that will help.

Oh, and I'm working on something for Etsy! I'm super-excited. If my experiement project turns out well for me, I'll do one or several to put on Etsy and I'll link on here to my page.

And, lastly, I'll leave you with a verse I've contemplated recently:

Psalm 60:4, "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah."

may I never cease to be grateful!

67. being overwhelmed by the Gospel

68. laughing with my Mom

69. having a bird chirping outside early Sunday morning

70. this online radio

71. waking up singing a song

72. my brother

73. a good Sunday

74. an awesome sermon on Sunday night

75. salvations and baptisms at church

Victory!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chicago did not get the Olympics!!!!!

Even after our President, who is supposedly loved by everyone in the entire world, went over there with his wife and wasted all kinds of tax-payer money paying for transportation and Secret Service protection.

We did not get the bid.

Awesome!!!!

In case if you were wondering, I do have a spiritual bone in my body. This morning, I was asking the Lord to help me have the "breastplate of faith and love" and a "helmet, the hope of salvation" because I was getting upset over the current events of in the world, the downward spiral of our nation, etc. Seriously. I really get uptight sometimes about things. And I needed to buckle down and be a true Christian and have faith in the things that the Lord has promised and true, genuine love towards others. So, my mind was set this morning. I was focused.

Then comes the annoncement that Chicago didn't get the Olympics.

And, truly, if you're not from the Chicago-land area, you are not going to understand what this means. Like, seriously. It is a very corrupt city. Very corrupt. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Maybe you think I'm crazy and weird for saying all this, but I just felt a shot in the arm, like, "Ok, everyone in the world does not like Obama." Wow! What a thought.

And to think that Chicago got eliminated in the very first round. Hilarious!!!

hello, dear first-day-of-October!

And what a day it has been already.

Ever want to bury your head under your pillow and scream, cry, and laugh at the exact same time? That about pictures my exact sentiments at the present moment.

I was checking my email this morning and after doing so, I bumped over to delete my spam folder (yucky ole thing) and noticed a spam email with a message from someone that I kinda/sorta know. I'm like, obviously, this isn't spam because it has her name. I clicked on it and before I knew it, I "signed up" and sent an email (unawares to me) to just about everyone in my email inbox. Scream!!!

The reason why I didn't think that I had sent an email to everyone in my inbox is because the crafty little website only listed a few of the email addresses from my inbox. Of course, I unclicked that I didn't want to send them an email. Unbeknownst to me, it sent an email to everyone else. Scream! Ugh, ugh, ugh! One main reason I am cringing is because of all my contacts. Wow! I have at least one missionary in there and staff members at our church among other various and varied peoples. Cringe, cringe!

So I just opened up my email again. Two people had already accepted my "friend" requests. And one email from my Dad stating, "I'm not interested in any of this stuff." Umm...sorry, Dad, it was a complete acccident.

Needless to say, I have already canceled my "account."

Oh, the joys of "networking."

But this is the first day of my favorite month.

And it did get down to 33 degrees in the town directly south of us. Do you think that's any clue for the winter ahead?

And this Friday night, "us singles" (ie - single girls, thankyouverymuch) are going on an outing for which I am so grateful for and excited about doing. Yay! Hello pumpkins and apples and cider and donuts!

Here's to hoping the rest of the month of October isn't like the morning of the first day of October. :)