weekdate #18

I have enjoyed this past week so immensely.  There have been times of great worship through fellowship and coming together with the church, and times of laughter and fun.

One of the times of laughter was on Wednesday.  Every Wednesday morning I go to observe a class for my intro to teaching class.  This particular Wednesday, my dad was having a young man in our acquaintance assist him at his job.  The man had left his truck at our house and unintentionally blocked my car in the driveway.  But that wasn't going to stop me.  I just slammed on the gas and went backwards over this little hill, shattering some white pole sticking out of the ground in the process.  I hope it wasn't too important.  Anyway, I got out to make sure the car was alright, and didn't pay attention to what was behind me when I got back in.  I mowed our trashcan down before I'd even realized that I hit it.  So that was fun.

This weekend and into the next week, Mark, Luke, and Sara-Grace are visiting.  My family and I had such a good time with them this morning as we visited Heritage Christian Fellowship, where my dad was guest preaching, and Mark was speaking on how his parents and siblings are serving as missionaries in Cameroon.  This evening we had the Bible memorization meeting at the church and we were able to hear some of Mark, Luke, and Sara's songs.  It was such a wonderful time of fellowship.

All throughout this week, I have been filled with such immense joy in the Lord.  I have been struggling for several months now, ever since I got back from Glorieta, with having joy in the Lord.  My biggest regret of my time in Glorieta was my lack of persistence in attending church, and not actively trying to engage in godly fellowship with those around me.  I don't necessarily regret my decision in going to Glorieta.  I had a fantastic summer of meeting new people and experiencing new challenges and blessings.  But the damage to my faith was so great, I would never return to work there.  I feel that I fell so far back in my faith over the summer, and I'm only just now beginning to gain some ground forward again.

God has been so patient and good to me.  He is so kind.  Honestly, His mercy and grace have just been consuming me over the past weeks, and I am overwhelmed.

At the memorization meeting tonight, Mark shared a passage from Isaiah that I was really encouraged by.  For the discouraged, doubting believer:

Isaiah 43:1-7

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.  Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'  And to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'  Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made."

20 random posts : : top 10 favorite photo memories and why

This is number 8 in my 20 random posts series: top 10 favorite photo memories!  I've been really looking forward to this post.  It was really hard to narrow the pictures down; I only chose pics from about the last 5 years.  They are in chronological order.  Hope you enjoy!

*credit for this pic goes to Corey

This pic is from July 2010.  My youth group and I were on our way back from a mission trip to Denver, and one of the vans broke down.  We stopped at a gas station about an hour away from home to get the problem fixed, and while our leaders took care of it we all sat on the sidewalk and sang a bunch of worship songs.  It was a blast!  I appreciated the way we were able to turn a difficult situation into one of worship.

This pic is from August 2010.  My family and I went on vacation to Red River, NM, and I rode on a ski lift for the first time.  I was with Chloe and my dad, while Rachel and Ellie rode separately.  It was kind of stressful because I was so worried about Chloe falling off, but this is honestly one of my favorite memories ever; I loved riding on the ski lift.  It was so beautiful, and I can't wait to do it again!

This is my huge graduating class of...five, including myself.  This pic was taken in May 2011.  All the seniors from my church got together and we had a sort of photo shoot in ABQ so we could have some group pictures for our graduation video.  We had a blast!  It was so much fun to spend that time together before we all went our separate ways!

This pic was taken in June 2011.  This is a couple from my church that is very dear to me.  They made the decision to renew their vows, and it was hands down one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended.  This couple's faith and love for God was such a huge part of their wedding, and it was just beautiful to see!

In July 2011, I went to Regeneration with my youth group.  It was my last trip with them before my graduation, and was definitely one of the best.  We all bonded so much during that week, and I learned so much through the preaching of John MacArthur, Rick Holland, Andrew Guitierrez, and Austin Duncan.  Here's some of my posts about that week.

In August 2011, my family and I went to visit the Explora Museum in ABQ.  We found these awesome mirrors that distort your reflection, and we had a blast with them!  It was awesome. :)

My cousin got married in September 2011, and all my family on my dad's side came to ABQ for his wedding.  It was so great to see all of them.  This is a pic of my aunt's wedding ring; it's one of my favorite pics that I've ever taken.

In January 2012 Chloe turned six, and my family and I went to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday.  I can't remember that I'd ever been before, and the games were so much fun!  This particular one was a war game; I had lots of fun defending my post, even if I did feel a bit silly.  We just had a great family day.

In May 2012, my mom and sisters and I went to visit my grandparents at their cattle ranch before Rachel and I went to Glorieta for the summer.  Ellie and I had quite an adventure; it was so much fun!

Two weeks ago my family and I went apple picking with my grandparents when we went to visit them for the weekend.  It was such a peaceful, relaxing day.  It wasn't even that we were having really meaningful conversations or anything (though I did talk a lot with Ellie that day about some great stuff), but it was more that we were just being together; nowhere else to go, nothing else to do, at least for that time.  It was great. :)

weekdate #007

1. Monday I went to visit my grandparents with my mom and sisters.  We had such a great time!  It was absolutely beautiful up there.

2. This week I bought a camera!  I've never had my own camera before, and I'm really excited for it to get hear.

3. On Thursday Rachel and I, along with some friends, went to try out a new Bible study in town.  It wasn't really what I'm used to, but we had a good time, and are going to go again this week.

4. On Friday Rachel, Ellie, and I went into town to do some shopping and get hair cuts and stuff like that.

5. Then on Friday night was the ladies' Bible study, which was on justice this time.  I'm not sure if I'm going to do an attributes of God post on that; I can't seem to come up with much for it, but we'll see.

6. On Saturday we went to Chloe's soccer game, and then to a plant nursery nearby to get my mom her mother's day present (finally).  It was beautiful there!

7. Saturday night was my last memorization meeting at the church before I go to Glorieta.  It was such a sweet time.

8. Sunday was my last time at church for who knows how long!  It's really sad to think about that, but I'll be back at the end of the summer.

9. Today we got together with some friends to have a sort of going away thing for Rachel and I.  It was so much fun, even if I did get sunburned. :)

10. Today's my first day for my online class--I'm taking my first education course.  It looks like it won't be too terrible.  We'll see. :)

weekdate #003

1. This past week I've been really busy with homework, especially getting ready for finals next week.  I was supposed to have a math exam last Thursday, but my teacher graciously allowed it to be a take home.  My math final is on Thursday, and over the weekend I've been preparing study sheets for my other three weeks that will be on the 1st and the 3rd.

2. On Wednesday my family and I went to the botanic gardens.  It was so beautiful!  We're going to try and go again next month when everything's blooming and before Rachel and I...

3. go to Glorieta!  In February, Rachel and I were both hired to work at Glorieta (this is where my youth group and I went for Regeneration last summer) for the summer, from the end of May to the second week of August.  We'll be living there all summer, but it's only about an hour away from home so hopefully we'll be able to visit occasionally.  I'm really nervous about moving out for the summer, but I'm also so excited to see what God will do!  Only one more month!

4. The weather has just been so beautiful lately.  Rachel and I are trying to walk a lot more than drive at school; there are a lot of places close enough that we can walk to.  It's a lot of fun!

5. Work on Friday was CRAZY.  It's spring break around here, and it's really obvious at McDs!  I only have two more full days before quitting before Glorieta!

6. Saturday night was my church's memorization group (Living Word Initiative) meeting.  It was so great!  I feel like I'm really treasuring my church family lately since I know I won't really be seeing them over the summer.  Saturday's meeting was a huge encouragement to me.

7. I rearranged my wall where I had Djamsel's picture hanging up so I could put Majoie's up too.  I put this quote in the middle because it reminds me of how God's going to provide for me so I can provide for them, however long He sees fit.

8. Speaking of Majoie, I'm going to try and write my first letter to her tonight!  I am still just so excited that I'm able to sponsor her.  I loved having a little boy to sponsor, and now I have a little girl too! :) God is so good!

9. This week I have discovered coffee!  I'm liking a walking advertisement. :)

10. Like I said in my last Everyday's Thanksgiving post, I've been going through "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.  I really liked one of his tips in the book where it says that you should smile at people as genuinely as possible, really focusing on them and acting happy to see them.  So I've been trying to do that this week, and it's amazing what an effect it has on people!  I've really enjoyed seeing how, even with just a smile, you can really make someone's day better.

weekdate #002

1. Saturday was Chloe's first soccer game!  It was freezing and so windy, but she had a blast, and so did we!  I already posted a bunch of pictures, so I wanted to do some video now.  Chloe's the one in the green with the pigtail braids. :)

2. So often I forget what a huge blessing my church family is, but I was really reminded of it today as some of the women gathered together to pray for a woman having surgery this week.  What a blessing the body of Christ is!

3. My dad's sermon yesterday was amazing.  I always enjoy hearing him preach, but yesterday he was talking about joy (one of my favorite topics), and also about how envy and discontent can steal your joy away.  I was really convicted, but also really encouraged as I was reminded of God's sovereignty and how we find our joy in it.

4. On Tuesday Rachel and I went to see Titanic in 3D with some friends.  I personally don't like the movie--it's sad and also completely based on infatuation--but I had a good time hanging out with Morgan and Corey.

On this first pic I accidentally totally cut Morgan off, but we got it right on the second one. :)

5. Today I've been listening to Piano and Rain.  Goodness gracious, is there anything more relaxing?

6. Friday night my family and I went to the birthday party of a man at our church.  It was so much fun!  We laughed so much.

7. I've been taking Chloe on a bunch of walks because the weather's been so nice.  We get to talking about a wide range of subjects.

8. I have my first finals next week, and soon I'll be done with my first year of college!  It's honestly unbelievable.  It's gone by so fast.

These last two are killing me...can't think of anything!

9. Saturday night I went to a classical concert with Rachel for her school assignment.  I had to go to one with her before and it was awful because I almost fell asleep (classical music can be really exhausting).  However, this concert was a lot better because they didn't dim the lights and it was shorter.  I actually enjoyed some of the music!  Although I still think the best thing about classical concerts is when they're tuning their instruments; I think that sounds better than the actual songs.

10. This week I made the decision to sponsor another child through Compassion.  Her name is Majoie, and she's five years old.  I'll try to do a complete post about her and Djamsel once I get her information packet.  I'm just so excited to learn more about her!