Looking forward to Summer!

I've been at IHC Wednesday night and most of the day Thursday and here I am watching the archived videos of stuff that I missed. Tonight's service was such a special time of seeking God - doing eternal business. I'm so thankful to be serving the one true God who hears every heart that calls upon Him. I feel encouraged in my soul, even though it's been an exhausting couple of days. VIP Day is tomorrow - always an interesting day!

I can hardly comprehend this thought, but I have a week and a day of classes left!!! And yes I'm ready for summer! Speaking of summer, I have several exciting things that I will be involved with: VBS, Camp Hope, and Band Camp in Mexico! :) Another thing I am excited about is reading for fun - not that the books I read during the school aren't fun - well, you know what I mean! Here are a few of books on my "to read" list (not in any particular order):

- Robinson Crusoe by Defoe

- New Horizons by Leppard

- Helping our Children Grow in Faith by Keely

- Fresh-Brewed Life by Johnson

- Life is Mostly Edges by Miller

- Lovedecisions by Harvey

- Something by Jane Austen

- And something by Dickens - it's tradition!

Can you all suggest a good book you've read recently, or not so recently? :)

P.S. If I ever have kids, I hope they can sing harmony when they are like 6 years old like this sweet little kid at Convention. ;)

SPRING BREAK

Tomorrow is my last day of Spring Break (*sob*). I have definitely taken a break these last few days. As I look back now, I think that I could have gotten A LOT accomplished, but alas, no use crying over spilt milk or lost time.

Band Tour was wonderful as usual. As Mr. Wolf reminds us, band is a picture of life. There are so many little lessons to learn. I still am mulling over many things in my mind from band tour - things that I can learn to help me grow and mature and become more like Christ.

I'm excited about what God is doing in my life...as the kids song goes: "He's still workin' on me...to make me what I ought to be..."

Father, may I always submit to your guidance and course corrections. Help me to never become complacent in my walk with You. Grow me. Increase my passion for You and for Your kingdom work. I place myself into Your hands.

Pictures!

Well, well. Where has the time gone? These weeks have been very busy and full with classes, school work, practicing, my job, and other responsibilities. And the weeks ahead seem equally full with choir tour and a short excursion to NC for a wedding. Even with the busyness of my life, I'm happy in Jesus, thankful for my family and friends, and excited about the future. The following are some pictures from the past few months.

New Year's Weekend

Spent the weekend with family and friends in Kansas. We had a delightful bonfire and fireworks on New Year's Eve. Enjoyed playing the Wii! I love being with my family!

While in Kansas we were able to meet up with the Pecks, dear friends of ours who went to our church in Oklahoma. The second picture is Roger and his wife Elissa, and the third picture is Andrew and I with Janette. She and her husband Imir are missionaries in Kosovo. It was wonderful catching up with old friends!

Valentine's Fundraiser Gala Dinner

Dana Honerlaw, Lisa Robison, Angie Burton, and I helped plan a fundraiser dinner for our alma mater Liberty Bible Academy. I was able to play some background music on the piano and flute, which was really fun! We worked hard, but had a great time together, and made some money for our school!

This year my little brother turned 16. *sniff* He's growing up!

SWSE

Last Sunday we had a band Sunday. For me, the Spring semester is marked by these special times ministering with all my friends!

Snow

We've had so much snow this year! I love it and the snow days! ;)

Angela's Birthday

This past Wednesday, we celebrated little Angela's birthday. She's our little miracle baby. :)

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

Pressing On

"Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffereings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but on thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3:8-14 NKJV - Italics and Bold mine)

* * * * * * * *

God gave me this Scripture tonight through the obedience of a lady at my church. God is so faithful to me. I praise Him for speaking to my heart. The last few days my heart has been yearning to know Jesus more, in the power of His resurrection but also in the fellowship of His sufferings. I want my life to be lived so that others can see Jesus in me. Many times I feel so discouraged and disappointed at my failures and shortcomings, my lack of passion for Jesus Christ. But I've been reminded that God delights in new beginnings. He doesn't give up when we fail. He doesn't throw the clay away. His grace is greater than my sin. And I was reminded that I don't need to do more. I need to worship more. I need to sit at His feet more. Love more. It's not about checking off the lists. It's not about appearing perfect to others. It's not even about saying all the right words at the right time. It's about Him. It's about the time we spend with Him. It's about allowing Him to live through me.

* * * * * * * *

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

(Matt. 6:33 NKJV)

* * * * * * * *

Seeking...

Happy Year of Newness

I just HAD to post one more time in 2009.

Hehe.

2009 - The year where I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God knows me. Me. Little me with my happy and sad times. He was/is/will be so faithful. God is too wise to make a mistake and too good to be unkind. You know, I think I can trust Him. With everything. And I do.

2010 - ???

but I do know that He is already there.

Christmas 09

Our ideal Christmas is spent at home. Sleep in. Big Breakfast. Gifts. Big Meal. Games. Being Together.

Dad's gag gift from Andrew: Red Plastic Cups and Plates! Great Value even! :P

Hmmm...wonder what this could be? I'm such a clever wrapper!

Gifts from Dad and Mom - this is all too much!!

A wonderful Christmas day being with the ones I love remembering the One who gave His love.

No Skeletons

I checked.

This was my closet this morning:

Several bags of trash and Goodwill stuff later --- this is my closet now! :)

Much better!!

just read it and you'll find out ;)

Well it is nearly Monday morning.

What a sleepy weekend I've had. I finally succumbed and went to the doctor on Friday and got an antibiotic, and subsequently felt much worse on Saturday, but alas I felt some better today. Ah - the joys of sickness. I have been sleeping a lot which is rather nice seeing that I haven't gotten much the last few weeks.

One more exam. A few more chapters of reading. A portfolio to turn in. Financial registration to sign. And then I'm DONE! With my 7th semester of college!!! Wahoo!!!

My dear aunt Brenda bought me Avalon's Christmas CD which I LOVE! Oh and I uploaded 50 of my favorite Christmas songs, and I stopped at 50 cuz it is such a nice number.

Our Christmas tree is finally decorated. *YAY* And Dad and I watched It's a Wonderful Life last night. Such a wonderful movie - for real - I love it.

The big news is I'm working FULL TIME over Christmas break. Yep - not sure how I'm gonna make it either. I love my breaks. Oh well, I need the money to pay my bills. I am now officially hired by an Ameriprise Financial Advisor. I'm really excited about this new chapter of my life!

I'm kinda saddened because on Tuesday, I will be saying goodbye to two dear friends for quite some time. :( Ah - change is not always easy.

But Thursday, Mom and I are going out on the town. Here's a hint - we will be on Elm Street in Cincy and I'm wearing my new gold sequined heels. ;) Hey I just paid like $7.50 for them and you should have seen the shoes my friend Rach bought! ;)

Sometimes it is so nice to get on here and just type whatever comes to your brain. Lol.

I wish you all, dear friends, a LOVELY week. :D

Mi Familia

Family is:

where probably 90% of you drink coffee - enough to keep two coffee pots busy.

when you play 31 games of Uno, mostly the "crazy" type till after 1 in the morning.

Family is driving through the snow once, turning back, and trying again.

Family is singing, playing, clapping, and occassionly clogging.

Family is sitting around camp, eating ham sandwiches and chips, with the snow falling outside.

Family is crowding 9 people and a dog into a Jeep in order to get across the creek.

Family is getting with cousins, laughing and joking, and jumping over chairs (for some).

Family is setting the camera on a rock on the self-timer setting, and scrambling over rocks to get in place before the picture takes.

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu

"The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you." - Kendall Hailey

"When you look at life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." - Joyce Brothers

[Brain] Storm

...

So many thoughts

a crashin' in my head

...