A Little of This & That

And I know, yes I know,

Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean

And I know, yes I know,

Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean

This morning as we were singing this song, I realized that if this simple chorus was not true, "we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor. 15:19 KJV). The fact that Jesus' blood can make the vilest sinner clean gives us unspeakable hope and purpose. Wow. I stand in awe of who Jesus is and what He means to me.

*****

I've been reading Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer and have been eating it up. I think I have highlighting on every page! I'm understanding that I've never really spent too much time really trying to think about who God is. Tozer is so clearly explaining and teaching - it is all so refreshing and wonderful just spending time thinking about God and thinking about what He has revealed to us, His creation, about who He is. I've just read 5 chapters of the book, but I highly recommend the book to anyone whose interested in understanding (in our limited understanding) of who God is.

*****

We just got our copy of the Collingsworth Family DVD that they filmed at Music Hall in Cincinnati. Mom and Aunt Brenda got to go - so she was pointing out where they were sitting, and I'm recognizing people I know. It's pretty cool. Love their harmony and spirit.

*****

Unless I find someone to work my shifts, this week I'm working a CRAZY schedule. I guess communication keeps breaking down that I only want 10-15 hours not the 20 some hours they keep giving me!! So here is my schedule for this week, unless I find a merciful soul willing to work for me!

Monday: Labor Day / Work for Brenda

Tuesday: Panera 7:30 - close

Wednesday: Kingdom Kids at 7:00

Thursday: Panera 5:00 - close

Friday: Panera 4:00 - close

Saturday: Panera 8:00 - 4:00 pm

Sunday: Worship & possibly Main St. Kid's Club

I'm sharing this so A: You can pray that I can get some of the shifts covered or B: God will give me an extra measure of His grace and help to make it through the week. I do want to thank God that I got a shift covered next week so I can go to the TE Scrapbooking get-together! :)

Well signing off - Have a great week everybody!

The Wild Party

Well - it wasn't quite wild, but we partied! Megan, Leanna, Kimberly, Nicole, Tiffany, Paige, Katie and Sarah all came over for a bit of revelry before the school semester "really" began. We had a lovely night enjoying Chili and Cheese Dip and Chips (a Smith household specialty), lots of chatting, some Ping-Pong, and a lively game of Taboo, and finally brownies and ice-cream. It was wonderful being with old friends and making new ones! Many thanks to Andrew, Mom, and Aunt Brenda for all that they did to prepare. It was great fun! And here are the promised pictures!

I'm -

Trying to figure out how to sum my week up in a short efficient way (cuz its 11pm and I have to work at 8:30 pm)!

How about some random but relevent quotes, paraphrases, and mentionings? I know you're intrigued!

• Amazing Grace - Megan, Melissa, and I sang in chapel on Wednesday. God really helped - I marvel at His grace.
• About 11 more months on my car payment! Boy I'll be glad when that balance is $0!!
• The validity of the revival is proven in 2-6 weeks when it's dry and my prayers don't get through, and I'm still steadfastly seeking God. (paraphrase) - Travis Johnson. God help me to keep the spirit of revival, the spirit of constantly seeking you throughout this whole semester, and for that matter, my whole life!
• Hermeneutics - Learning, Loving, Living God's Word - Meredith Moser. I think God is really trying to give me lots of opportunities to get in His Word. Christian Beliefs, Hermenuetics, Bible Methods -- I'm very excited about all of it!
• "Yes, ma'am...yes, ma'am...yes ma'am" - student in the U.C.'s Police Academy. This guy was just being polite, but he totally made me feel awesome and respected!
• "We'll adopt you." - Greg and Sandy aka. Mom and Dad to us at Panera. They're so sweet!

Well, that's the most you're getting out of me tonight! When I get too sleep-deprived, I stop functioning, and I'm getting very near that point! :)

And I apologize - I know it's getting bad when I can't go a week without posting using bullets. And I haven't posted pictures in ages. I'll try to work on that!

Hope everyone has a glorious, and perhaps, "laborless" Labor Day weekend! :)

Day 1

I've been on campus 2 days and it feels like it's been weeks already. The camaraderie I feel with old and new students alike, the desire for God's presence, the challenge to excel academically - if this has been Day 1 (of school) what in the world does God have in store for this year?

I'm anticipating GREAT things, because my God is a GOOD God, and works everything out to our good, to those who love Him and are called unto His purpose.

Lord - This year is Yours. Mold me, break me, make me into the person You want me to be. Help me to always, always put You first, to cultivate and nurture my relationship with You. Grow me, mature me, please don't stop working on me. You are my Savior, Shepherd, Provider, and Friend. I want to know and love You more.

Wrapping up the Week

It's Friday night - let's see how I did with my goals for this week! :P

• Order/purchase books - CHECK
• Portfolio - eeeh, I compiled quite a bit of papers, but haven't written anything new. I do know what I need to write, so that is better than where I was last week!
• Purses and shoes - haven't even touched
• Practice flute - I have "my" school flute, but haven't played it yet.
• Panera - I've worked 25 hrs. this week and have to work 6 hrs tomorrow night! But I'm getting better closing Dining Room. I actually clocked out before 10 pm tonight! My fastest time - thanks to Andrea who mopped while I vacuumed! :) (My fastest time - lol - you can tell I've been watching too much of the Olympics!) :P
• Time with God - It has been wonderful! I've been taking Andrew to school, then coming back and studying my Bible. Today, I fell asleep out on the porch after I read my Bible - but I think God knew I needed a little nap because later Kristen called and asked if I could cover her shift tonight, which I did.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the softball tournament for the church softball team. I'm glad that they're playing like 2 minutes from my house! Then I have to work tomorrow night. Then off to school for Convocation Services on Sunday, then Junior Year here I come!

My schedule for this semester (finally got it figured out!)

Bible and Theology

• Christian Beliefs
• Hermeneutics

General Education

• Biology Lab
• Computer Applications III
• SWSE
• Choir
• Instrumental Ensemble

Professional Content

• Educating Exceptional Learners
• Bible Methods
• Children's Literature

Did I tell you that I'm excited? I love learning! :P

Wow...

I really love OREOs.

What a life changing topic for my 50th post! :P

Goals for Last Week of Summer

Wow - there seems to be major "blogger's block" going on with my fellow bloggers! Hey, I've kinda had it too. Hasn't been much going on - just working and organizing my room (still)!

Last week of "summer" - what I need to do

• Order books for school
• FINISH the room (hang pictures, get all my stuff outa living room)
• PORTFOLIO (transfer stuff that I've already done, figure out what else I need to do, update personal sections -- too much!! :P)
• Go through purses and shoes in closet and then the closet will be DONE!
• Practice flute.
• Oh and work a total of about 20 hours! (I've worked 6 tonight!)
• and spend more time with God and His Word

So those are my goals for this week. Gotta stay focused so I can start my Junior year on a positive note. Well, I'm taking Andrew to GBS tomorrow for his first day, so I need to hit the sack. Toodle-loo.

The Great Return

She finally came home today. After nearly two months of rebellion, stubbornness, and un-cooperativeness, she decided to come back. Her little fling cost us dearly, but we are so glad she returned. Hopefully, she will be her nice submissive self from now on.

Did you guess? My car is back! Praise God! And I still remember how to drive her (a standard)!

Update - for lack of a better title

Since it's been a week since I've posted I'll do a quick daily recap of what I've been up to.

Tuesday, Aug. 5

• Went to school w/ Mom and saw Paul at Panera (last post)


• Worked at Aunt Brenda's from 9:30 - 12ish


• Went to Run, Jump, and Play Cafe from 1pm - 4pm with LBA's summer camp.


• Spent the evening with Aunt Brenda and Andrew: Chipotle, Starbucks desserts, and Ping Pong!

Wednesday, Aug. 6

• I think I started cleaning my room - like DEEP cleaning. Take everything out, dust, sweep, go through stuff, and I've rearranged some things.


• Taught my Kingdom Kids class Wednesday night at 7pm. I taught about Elijah and the poor widow, how God performed two miracles: supplying their food and healing her son.

Thursday, Aug. 7

• I got up at 4am because it was my first day to open the bakery at Panera. Kym trained me that morning. I worked till 1:30 pm and it went really well. You're so busy that you don't realize you've been there from 8 hours!


• Kept working on my room - it was really dirty. I really weeded out and have come up with 2 boxes for Goodwill (so far.)

Friday, Aug. 8

• Got up at 4am again to work Panera from 5am-1:30pm.


• Worked on room


• Watched most of the opening ceremonies for the Olympics!! Quite incredible.

Saturday, Aug. 9

• Slept in!!


• Worked on room. I'm really trying to get some organization and systems in place for all my stuff!!


• Watched more Olympics

Sunday, Aug. 10

• Worshipped


• Rested

Monday, Aug. 11

• Ran errands with Mom and Andrew. Found some frames for a watercolor picture I did in grade school and another picture I painted by number (it's an intricate painting - I think it'll look neat.)


• Ate Chipotle for lunch - can't get enough!


• Uhh - still working on room!


• Went to Andrew's softball game - 15-19 -- a close game for the guys. I enjoy the fellowship and watching them play, though.

Tuesday, Aug. 12

• Opened bakery at Panera 5am - 1:30pm - It was crazy busy today!! After work I got a Smokehouse Turkey Panini! Wow, it was good.

Well, that's what I've been up to! Can't wait to finish my room! It will feel so good once everything is in its place. We got a filing cabinet for my room, so I need to go work on that. Also I need to order my books for school because I now have a booklist! And I need to call a babysitting family back to see if I'll be able to babysit for them this weekend. And I desperately want to get with my friend Tiff before she leaves for college! Oh - I should be getting my car back in the next couple of days! Thank you God!

Anyway - gotta run! Enjoy these beautiful days God has blessed us with!

Coincidence? Naaw, it was a "God" thing

I was at Panera (a different one) in line to get some coffees, and I turn around and see this tall guy and notice - OH WOW - it's Paul Peterson!! What a small world! Paul was the Youth Pastor at Grace Community Church, my old church! I knew he would be moving to Cincinnati to plant a church, but it was totally cool running into him at Panera. What he is doing is very exciting. I've been checking out his blog and know that I'll have a lot of great reading material for a while as I catch up on his blog! Check it out -- http://paulpetersonlive.com Great seeing you Paul! God Bless you on your endeavors.

Planning / Panera / Ping Pong / Pride and Prejudice

I know this is shocking - but I'm getting a wee bit excited about school starting! I've bought a new planner and have filled in everything from the School Calendar that pertains to me for this semester. Looks like some good Jr. and Sr. recitals coming up. Perhaps, I'll get to drop in on one or two of them. I've got a whole passel of dates I have to put in the date book to request off from work. Got to makes sure I get my choir and SWSE dates - they are priority! Now if I could just start ordering my books ... oh and getting my or a car, ETC.

Work is going pretty well. I closed dining room Friday night - It was a work out! I was pretty slow and the other workers helped out, but it was my first night, and I'm sure I'll get faster with experience. I've been scheduled for three 5AM - 1PM shifts coming up. We'll see how that goes!! It's good to finally have a job and begin getting in the swing of things. Most of my coworkers are really nice and helpful - so that's good. They're trying to get the pronunciation of my name straight - its mildly humorous. :) BTW I had a Chicken Cesaer Sandwich and French Onion Soup with Whole Grain baguette today and it was all very good! I have to try everything (or just about everything) and then I think I get a raise!

So to compensate for all this extra food I'm consuming, I'm trying to move around a bit more. Tonight the fam played ping-pong doubles, and mom and dad squeaked out a 3-2 lead. Dad is looking over my shoulder, printing something from his laptop and says that he resents the squeaked out part. He said that they had it made in the shade. Anyway -- it was fun. Beautiful evening too.

I've read 12 chapters (out of 61) of Pride and Prejudice and again am enjoying my trip through the classics. Austen makes me chuckle frequently. I like to laugh.

Check out my alliterative genius of a title. :)