Hello SPRING!

What is snow?

One of the greatest things about the Midwest is the anticipation and arrival of spring.

endless gifts {248-259}

248. my Ipod
     {I love listening to sermons and music while I clean.  Here's something funny that happened on Friday:  I didn't think anyone was in the house and while listening to a sermon, the preacher climaxed with "The darker the night, the brighter the light."  And so I said "Amen!"  Right then, I turned around and saw the granddaughter of the lady I was cleaning for leaving a bedroom.  Oh well, I got a good laugh!}
249. being taught
250. good thoughts from Dad during family devos
251. my cousin and his wife calling me for my birthday--totally made my day!!
252. flowers
253. my "single" friends
254. Christ AROSE!
255. being convicted by the Holy Spirit
256. coloring pictures for me from my bus kids
257. birthdays
258.the Living Word of God
259. encouraging people

one of my favorites

This is one of my favorite Oswald Chambers' devotionals.

An extraordinary exhibition of submissiveness!  And "a disciple is not above his teacher."  Think of it:  *thirty years* at home with brothers and sisters who did not believe in Him!  We fix on the three years which were extraordinary in our Lord's life and forget altogether the earlier years at home, *thirty years of absolute submission*.  Perhaps something of the same kind is happening to you, and you say, "I don't know why I should have to submit to this."  *Are you better than Jesus Christ?*  "As He is, so are we in this world."  The explanation of it all is our Lord's prayer - "that they may be one just as We are one."  *If God is putting you through a spell of submission, and you seem to be losing your individuality and everything else, it is because Jesus is making you one with Him.*

--I am approaching 30 years.  Well, I'm definitely closer to 30 than to 20.--
--Submission to something that is not always easy to embrace.--
--No, I am not better than Jesus Christ!!--
--Ugh, sometimes I feel like I have absolutely NO individuality at all.  Living at home {yes, I love my parents and YES they understand what I'm saying here}, cleaning houses {no specific examples but definitely there isn't much individuality in cleaning other people's toilets-ha!}.  But the ultimate goal is to make me one with HIM...my Creator!  Awesome.  I'm willing, Lord, to wait so I can be more like YOU!--

Post edit:  my parents {especially Mom} understand how much I long to live on my own, specifically to be married.  They're awesome.  My Dad once prayed in family devotions:  "Please bring someone into Rebecca's life because she is ready to be married."  My Dad's great!  I say this because I don't resent living at home.  I don't want to give the wrong impression.  My heart's desire is simply to move on in my life!!

I just can't wait!

I can't wait until "Multitude Monday."

Things that made me happy today:

*tonight's Master's Club lesson...given by one of my workers--it was so wonderful and challenging!
*sitting around talking with my family after church
*hearing about my Dad's work--so interesting!
*online Christian radio from a Baptist church {I've got it on right now!}
*playing. my. cello. {mmmmmm................good!}
*scrapbook paper
*laughing, laughing, laughing
*chocolate milk
*a new Internet browser {am I the last sensible person in the US of A to get Firefox?}
*my HOPE is in the LORD, not in our socialist government!

shop local!

One reason to buy local:  FREE STUFF!

The bigger box in the pic is a free sample of some great mascara.  If you remember, I received a free pair of boots in January when a pair of much greater value was purchased at a local store.

Plus, what can be better than helping the local economy? 

*Does anyone have a favorite shop where they love to buy gifts or something unique that can't be found at a big-box retailer?*

On Monday, during my afternoon off, I took the opportunity to switch out my winter clothes to my spring/summer clothes.   I was also filing away some things from my "paper drawer."  I have this funny shaped tin can {it used to hold Starbucks coffee--yum!} that I use to store my sentimental cards in.  It is quite full by now.  That box is a treasure trove of memories.  Literally.  And I normally am sad after I open it because it makes me miss so many people.  But because this is "My Bright Corner,"  I'll refrain from showing the cards that make me sad.  Here are some of my fun memories.

Here is the box -- stuffed to the gills.

Birthday cards from when I was student teaching.  This class will always be very special to me.  They are already in 8th grade.  {And I student taught them when they were in 4th grade....don't do the math.  I've graduated how long ago???}

One of my favorite cards...from Jen...Jen, do you remember this one? Makes me smile just thinking about what you wrote in this!!!

A letter from my Mom when she was sick.  Today, we talked about some memories of when she was sick.  Do you know how lucky I am {we are} that she is still here with us?  Thank you, Lord!!

This box also includes my graduation program {I graduated with who??}, graduation cards, birthday cards, Valentine's cards, Christmas cards, and just notes in general.  Awesome. 

I still have a conundrum to solve.  How do you store/preserve/keep/display your Christmas cards.  I would love to keep them from year-to-year but am at a total loss of how to do so creatively and/or without taking up much space.

xxhugsxx

I am

#1 sooooooooo excited about this year's Preaching Conference at our church
#2 very glad I finally had an afternoon off {and got a lot accomplished}
#3 not a pack rat
#4 too sentimental sometimes
#5 trying to get rid of more of my clothes {it's a disease...no wonder I hardly have any clothes}
#6 glad my hope is not in a democratic form of government {because apparently we don't have one anymore}
#7 making great headway with my idea notebook
#8 growing my hair out {it's getting long!!!!!!!!!!!!!}
#9 currently missing my college buddies a lot
#10 really missing my Oma and Opa {wish I could visit them in FL}

endless gifts {226-247}

226. abundant work
227. being blessed to put my Scripture memory cards into others' hands
228. warm weather
229. snowdrops
230. spotting the first robin of the season
231. yummy Easter candy
232. funny things pre-schoolers say in Jr. church
233. working in Jr. church
234. laughter of friends in the night air
235. my family {Dad}
236. my family {Mom}
237. my family {Geoff}
238. music!!!!!!
239. playing in the church orchestra
240. the ready forgiveness of my cello teacher for missing two weeks in a row of lessons {boo...I hate missing them so much.}
241. playing the cello instead of the flute and enjoying it!
242. lessons that I teach in Master's Club that convict me
243. Sunday school
244. marvelous grace
245. the Holy Spirit's conviction on the same things even though I fail over and over
246. an email and a letter from college friends
247. a yummy Sunday afternoon nap

Over there....

...is my new button!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grab it if you want it...it's a link to my etsy shop {not my blog}.

I received it last night and I couldn't be more thrilled.

look! look!

This cello store is right around the corner from the hotel we're staying at this summer....woooooooooooooo!

I think I'll pack some music.

Post-edit: a hotel we're staying at this summer....we're not living in a hotel this summer - ha!  My parents captured this pic from a {moving} cab in London.  Pretty good, huh?!

my experiment

I love it when my parents go on vacation because I get the opportunity to hone my homemaking/cooking skills.  Of course, I do cook and clean when my parents are home but I get to do everything when they're gone!!  Well, we are re-doing our kitchen as soon as the cabinets and appliances are all delivered to our house.  I despise clutter and the house will be very clutter-y during the remodel.  I just thought that having the least amount of pantry items sitting on a table in the basement the better!  Typically when my parents are gone, I plan whatever I want to cook then plan the grocery list around what we don't have.  This time, I'm looking to see what we have then planning the menu around that.  This has been incredible practice for when I'm either single and living on my own or newly-married on a limited budget.  I am not a very creative cook so this is great practice!

And I do believe that most of us chicks can come up with a fabulous, well-planned, non-rushed meal.  But I daresay that the true test is in the everyday.  What can we whip up with limited supplies on hand?  What can we do in a hurry without spending tons of $$?  What can we do that is normal while doing laundry, vacuuming, and getting ready for church {aka multitasking}?  What can we do with leftovers?  That has been my test the past few weeks.

Here is how I did.  What is underlined is what I had to buy but not including staples such as eggs, milk, bread.  {I don't want to bore you - haha!}

Tuesday...Baked Potato Soup {frozen left-overs} and Cheese Bread
Wednesday...I was sick...aka...fend for yourSELF!
Thursday....Didn't get home till late because of substitute teaching and tutoring...fried chicken from the deli, salad, frozen veg/pasta dish
Friday...cheeseburgers {buns}...these were delicioso, maybe it's because we were really hungry.  :)
Saturday...chicken jambayla {frozen left-overs} and brownies
extra...blueberry muffins for breakfast {buttermilk}
Sunday...frozen pizza after church
Monday...bratwurst
Tuesday...lasagna {some ingredients}, salad, breadsticks
Wednesday...leftovers
Thursday...CHEATER...yummy food from the deli
Friday....CHEATER...more yummy {different} food from the deli + pop + chips {wait...give me a break--it was Friday night and I bought pizza...aren't Friday nights for pizza?}
Saturday...fish and salad and bread {craft fair on Saturday...limited time}
Sunday...a mix-up of scheduling for me so I didn't end up fixing anything
Monday...Mexican chicken {basically all of the ingredients}
Tuesday...they're back + I was working

Verdict....I was going to give myself a B but I think I slipped to at least a B-.  I cut the lasagna in half and still had lots of left-overs.  Cooking for two is a challenge, I guess, because I'm used to cooking for 4-5.  Oh well, I'm glad I presented myself with the challenge.  But I will say in my defense that I have been extremely busy.  Busier than normal when my parents are out of town.  Busy is a good thing.  I'm going to stop right there because I'm about to type out a whole other post.  :0 

endless gifts {211-225}

211. the promise of spring
212. LAUGHING a lot with my brother
213. yummy food
214. music that encourages
215. music that challenges
216. being taught by the Holy Spirit
217. grace
218. being an encouragement to others
219. cute things kids say
220. cute flowers on clothes
221. learning about prayer
222. the promise of answered prayer
223. green lights when I'm in a hurry
224. a good Sunday morning
225. provision

**Sorry I haven't been keeping up on my gratitude journal. This is my 20th Multitude Monday post. Yay!**

I've got to write this down

before I forget!

These conversations occurred while taking three siblings home today from church.

Dale:  He has a speech impediment but was very adamant about telling us something.  We finally figured out what he wanted to tell us.  So I asked him, "Are you smarter than me, Dale?" {I felt bad for not being able to figure out the simple thing he was trying to say.} His response, "Yes," as in, duh!

Winter:  "Miss Becca, is there a Mr. Becca?"  At first, it sounded like she said Miss Rebecca.  Then when I figured it out, I cracked up.  Ummmmmm....no there is not.  And when there is one, he will not want to be known as Mr. Becca.

Courtney:  She kept naming all different types of berries.  I think she must have had a berry candy. Well, she kept saying poisonberry instead of boysenberry.

Kids are fun!  I can't wait until I have my own.

depends on how you look at it

So, how did my craft show go?

Well, it went either bad or okay. {You choose...I choose okay.}

Bad...I didn't sell any cards.
Okay..I got the name out there, the idea out there, passed out as many business cards to those who seemed interested, and got a few signups for my mailing list.

So I'm not entirely bummed.  I knew it was a risk going to this show.  One clue would have been an email I sent to the event organizer.  I sent her an email asking several questions and one question I asked was "How many people do you expect/How many people have you had at past events?"  She never answered.  Ka-ching!  It should have been clue #1 but I had already paid the non-refundable fee.

Some things I learned: 
     *bring more products
     *bring more of a variety of products
     *this is great experience for next time

I thought I had enough cards but once I set the table up, it looked emptier in a big room than it did on the exact same sized table at home.  Also, I only had one type of product {Scripture memory cards}.  In some settings, that may have been okay.  But for a craft show, I should have had more of a variety {bookmarks, notecards, etc...}.

But my table did look rockin-hot with the awesome plant I had brought as a centerpiece.  By the end of the day, I was tired of the compliments and questions about the awesome plant.  "Just buy my cards, people!"

...while I'm stressing...

...about my craft show tomorrow...
...I still have tons to do...
...but I can't seem to get it all done...
...but it will get it done...
...if I just stop blogging...HA!
...{squeaking}please pray for me tomorrow...
...and tonight...
...and Saturday night...
...because it's TIME CHANGE...
...on one of the weekends in my life when I need the most-est sleep...
...love ya...

There are these girls....

...and they make me LAUGH! 

[[First of all let me say this...I have a huge-a-monguous burden for teen girls, especially "good girls" who grow up in Christian homes.  Because I was a "good girl" but I wasn't saved.  And I put on the act but it didn't make sense.  I tried hard but I still wanted my own way.  And {ask my Mom..she will know this is true} I have said in the past that one of the things I would love to do in life is be a youth pastor's wife.  It may not ever happen but that would be awesome if it did.]]

Anyways, I first experienced the fun of these girls way back in November when we went downtown on one of their days off of school.  It was in celebration of J's birthday.  I am friends with J's mom and she wanted me to come along with her.  Well, I had a most wonderful time that day.  I know there are other peeps from my church that read this blog and I want to say that I know these girls are not perfect but they are trying to follow the Lord {from what I can see}.  In my little thank-you notes to them {because they shower me with goodies}, I try to encourage them to stay surrendered and love the Lord--things that are very important!  Three of these girls are fixin' to graduate from HS in May so they have some huge turning points in their lives coming up.

They gave me something tonight and I was literally laughing out loud.  I just had to write this memory down.  I want to see so much good and blessings in their lives and I love them and hope they stay in the center of God's will.

Love ya'll!  :)

I'm lovin' it!

I am currently obsessed with the CD, Some of the Best, Volume 1,  from here.  I'm telling you, the genuine-ness of the words and the singer speaks directly to this little heart of mine.  I'm writing a post on this CD because it reminds me of old-fashioned Christians.  The Christianity of this man is the same as both of my grandparents.  I'm not saying that there aren't any people today {said dramatically} with the same kind of seriousness in Christianity, I'm just don't think it's as prevalent. 

There was a missionary here at our church in the fall and he was an Egyptian {that sounds so weird to type that but he was a native from Egypt which makes him an Egyptian}.  Anyways, he was a Christian.  One of the things he said in his sermon was how different it was to come to America because the pastors tell him when he has to be done preaching.  The Christians in Egypt are so eager to learn about Christ and the Bible that they do multiple Bible studies each week plus church -- with no time limit; they have prayer meetings, etc...It sounded so much like my great-great-Grandparents, Mumma and Bobba.  Hearing that man preach moved me so much.  I want that type of Christianity so badly!!  That's why I get so bugged about excess junk in a house and running around too much and having too many earthly things and seeking too much $$money$$--the root of all evil.  The suffering of this world causes us to long for Heaven.  And we're not going to get that unless we spend time with HIM!

Anyways, there's my diatribe that's been rattling around in my head for a while now.  I guess that's why I'm obsessed with this CD.  The Holy Spirit speaks to me through this man's ministry and I am moved.

Here's a few of my favorite tracks and why they're special:

::separation from the world...track 2::
::realizing how much the Creator loves me...and He gives me a choice to love Him...unbelievable..track 6::
::looking towards Heaven...track 14::
::seeing the loveliness of Christ...track 20:: {side note:  This song about makes me cry, the words are beautiful. There's a Pastor who has been coming to our Conference in April to preach for about 6+ years.  The way that man of God talks about a relationship with Christ is unbelievable!  One of his sermons last year brought tears to my eyes getting a visual picture of the loveliness of Christ.  This song does the same.  Sooooooooo beautiful!}

According to Al Smith's website, I can get a hymnal from here.  Incredible!  {It's on my to-do list, for sure!}

Southern accents...

...why I love 'em.

Today, I cleaned for a new client.  She is from southern IN and has a slight Southern accent.  In fact, when I hear a Southern accent, it makes me say, "Ma'am?" or "Yes, Ma'am" or "No, Ma'am" more frequently. 

#1...I feel more polite around Southern people.

My Granny calls everyone at her retirement community darlin'.  I think that's why they love her.  As I was wheeling her past the nurses station today, she waved demurely at the nurses and said, "Hey, darlin'!"  Hilarious...you would have had to been there.  When we were younger and would visit my grandparents in AL, we would see which of my brothers got called honey by the waitresses the most.  It drove my brothers nuts of course, but we always got a laugh.

#2...Endearing words.

road trip!

I **love** road trips!! After I was done working this morning, I high-tailed it to the Toll Road to head towards Amish country.  I am sorely in need of more scrapbook paper.  It seems like Michael's and Hobby Lobby have not been replenishing their stock and I feel like what they have is blah-blah-blah. Plus++, I need double-sided paper which they don't have much of.  Anyways, the nearest scrapbook store I could find was in Shipshewana.  Score!  I love going out there. 

Peeps, I found the greatest paper.  I am thrilled beyond words.  Think:  plaid, polka dots, organge, pink, teal, red, and brown...all sorts of paper!  I think I have mentioned this already but I am participating in a craft show on Saturday.  So you may not see the cards with the new paper in my store until after Saturday's show {meaning...whatever doesn't sell}. 

While I was driving this afternoon, I started to think of why I love road trips so much.  Here are some of my favorite memories.

#1...The longest road trip our family ever took on a regular basis was down to Mobile every summer.  Favorite memories include a brand-new Patch the Pirate cassette tape, typically off-limits junk/snack food, the rocket ship in AL, and the smell of paper mills.
#2....Driving to MN to visit my parents while my Mom was undergoing treatment for leukeimia a second time.  I had just finished my freshman year in college and was the sole driver for the siblings.  Good times!
#3...Driving up to MI for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary.  My Mom was fighting a cold so my parents didn't leave until Monday morning.  However, my Dad said we {me and my bros.} could drive up providing that the temperature wasn't at freezing.  We sweated it out and it hovered around 36 degrees, give or take.  We left Sunday night after church after firmly stating that I was.not.tired. because once again, I was the designated driver.  Plus++, my Dad said I could not use cruise control {??} and I had to go the speed limit.  Memories include my brothers frequently reminding me to stay the speed limit, missing a really great exit for fast food and arriving really late at night.  {PS...wouldn't you have a hard time staying the speed limit if you couldn't speed and couldn't use cruise control?}
#4...Family vacay up to Canada, the Upper Peninsula of MI, and Mackinac Island.

So would you prefer to fly or drive?

::prayerfully::

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine-do Thou befriend us,
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful tho we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

little people

One of my winter goals is to read through the New Testament.  The other night, I was reading in Acts.  I was getting so many nuggets of truth that I had to grab a pen and jot the thoughts down before I forgot them.  Here's a post so that I don't forget.  {In other words, skip this post if you want to. ha.}

I love little people!  I mean little as in "lesser known." 

Here are some seemingly little people in chapters 8-11 of Acts.  But I'm confident that it was people like these who helped spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the known world at that time.

--Philip...surrendered to the Holy Spirit, led the eunuch to Christ {8:29-40}
--Ananias..."Behold, I am here, Lord." {9:10}
--Dorcas..."Full of good works and almsdeeds." {9:36}
--Cornelius..."A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." {10:2}
--Barnabas..."For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." {11:24}

These people exemplify things that I'm working on in my life right now. 
#1 surrender 100% to the Holy Spirit...always
#2 Others, others, others first
#3 Prayer

oh where, oh where have I been?

Substitute teaching, that's where!  Can you believe it?

I.
am.
exhausted.

{That is a glaring understatement.}

It was 1st and 2nd graders.  And it was for three days...Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Back to my real life tomorrow of cleaning houses.

I'm seriously surprised I have not lost my voice yet.  I do not talk that much in one day.  I used to, when I was in school.  But not anymore. 

All in all, they're sweet kids.

And a little girl who is truly such a darling little soul gave me a note tonight at church that said, "Dear Miss Gaus, You are the best teacher in the U.S.A."  Icing on the cake.

vacation x2

Today...was great!  I worked this morning, then my brother and I took my parents to the airport.  But we made a few detours on the way. 

Detour one: lunch.  One word escapes my lips: delicioso!!!

Well, this picture involves a very hilarious family joke.  Basically, my Dad is always right when it comes to numbers.  For crying out loud, he is the CFO of a medical university!  Anways, we had to stop at three {!!}different places to exchange US dollars to shekels.  We did meet with success and all was well.

 

We dropped off Mom & Dad here at the airport on their way to an incredible vacation.  {Aren't they lovely?!  I heart my parents...I'm so lucky!}