Take a Walk WITH Me...

Well, I am back from Argentina, and I had an amazing time. Still trying to pull it all together and organize the photos I took, but it was just a wonderful opportunity to see a beautiful country with some good friends. Keep your eyes open for a future post on this experience and a bunch of pictures. But before I do that, I wanted to share something with you, something that I learned during my recent travels.

Story:

In Buenos Aires, we did a lot of walking. Sarah, Kelly, and I definitely got our exercise in. As we were walking, there were times where we had to walk in a single line and sometimes I would walk behind them, just looking around and taking pictures of course as they talked about Argentina or some people they knew back home. Most of the time I missed out on their conversations....the traffic was loud, there were distractions all around me, and I just didn't pay attention. It was difficult to hear what they were saying while I was behind them or even in front of them.

Scripture:

While reading Genesis, I came to the following verse, Genesis 6:9 which states, "This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God". Noah was a righteous man. He walked with God...with!!!...not in front or behind.

Thoughts:

I thought of the times in my life where I believed I was walking "with" God, but really I wasn't. There were those times were I was so comfortable with my life and became so confident, that I began to take charge and try to walk faster than God, trying to lead my own way and in my own time, and sometimes thinking, if I fall, He is there behind me to catch me. Other times in my life, I have been nervous about the next step in my life that instead of walking "with" God, I slowly let him walk ahead of me, hiding behind Him, not confident in His strength, wisdom, and faithfulness. Either way, I missed what He was trying to say to me. Have I ever really walked "with" God? Have I walked with Him as friends walk together, side by side, as I walk with someone I respect, side by side, as I walk with someone I love, side by side?

Have you?

I´m Here!

Hola....I made it to Argentina safe and sound and am having a great time with Sarah and Kelly. We are currently at an internet cafe catching up on emails and such. So I thought I would take the time to just post a simple blog...that I am here!....and loving it! Expect pictures and details when I return! Love ya lots...m.e.

Snapshot...

Last night was just a special night. First, my sister and my adorable niece came to visit while I packed. Just having them around makes everything fun...even packing! After I got as much done as I could last night, we went downstairs to spend time with my roommate. We ate dinner, watched some tv, and played with Grace. I decided that I should probably learn a little bit about how to use my new travel camera so that I don't come back with blurry pictures, which will inevitably happen anyway :). But I decided to give it a go. I took a snapshot here and there as the girls played and of misc. stuff around the house. And as I was downloading the pictures, I began to think about things. What would the snapshots of my life say about me? Do my actions or words show my love for and my relationship with Christ? Maybe it does if you take a snapshot of my life on a Sunday, or maybe when things are going well in my life. But what if a snapshot was taken when I am struggling, when I am upset, when I am discouraged, when I get lazy, or just those regular week days? Do my actions in all aspects of life show Christ's love? The answer would be...no. Should they? Shouldn't my life, my whole life show Christ's love? The answer should be...yes. So I strive to give Christ my whole life, not just parts of it, not just on some days, but all of me, always, so that He can use me and so that no matter when that snapshot of my life is taken, His love can be seen.

Enjoy the snapshots of last night...

broken clock

vases

state bound lady warriors

the "claw"...aka Dina's injured finger

bears mug

the beautiful girls! just my adorable niece she won...me and grace showing off our muscles :) shhhhh...she's sleeping not anymore!

Wishing Away...

Okay, so last night I found myself wishing away the week. In fact, I most likely have been wishing away the last couple of weeks. You see, I leave for Argentina on Friday and am completely excited. I am excited for this wonderful opportunity to travel with a great friend, meet new friends, and just explore the amazing world God created. But in all my excitement, I lost sight of the amazing opportunities that await me everyday! So I sit back and think about what I would have missed out on last week if it were truly wished away.

Monday: I would have missed the wonderful snowmobiling trip taken with some great friends.

Tuesday: I would have missed the opportunity to catch up with some friends I see only once a month.

Wednesday: I would have missed the pleasure of meeting some amazing youth in our community in the process of competing for a Lilly Scholarship.

Thursday: I would have missed out on the wonderful time I spent with Jess, Amos, and Grace...time that I truly enjoy!

Friday: I would have missed out on the time I worked on organizing my photos.

Saturday: I would have missed the time I spent with many friends playing in a poker tournament and just enjoying each other's company.

Sunday: I would have missed out on the time I spent with my roommate... though she was sick :(... and the great worship and praise service I attended.

And there is just so much more....

So I try to not wish my days away, but to appreciate each and every day. For each day, whether we are at work, at home, or just out and about, brings many opportunties and blessings.

You are not alone

Why do we try to act strong all the time? Why are we afraid sometimes to show our true emotions, our fears? Someone I know, and love very much, is facing something that is scarey to her and to the rest of us. Yet, she puts on the brave face as to not worry those around her, but in reality, closes off a part of her. When she lets that guard down, then is when we get a true glimpse of what she is feeling, what she is going through. She cried, and we wrapped our arms around her. We are not alone. God is with us and wants to take those fears and worries. He wants to hold us and comfort us. Just as I wrapped my arms around her, God wraps His arms around her. So I offer this prayer to her. I pray that she continue to lean on God. That He continue to hold her up and help her through this time of uncertainty. I pray that she find the strength in Him and let Him carry her worries and fears. And I pray that she know how much she is loved and that she can turn to us, her family and friends, for love, support, and prayers. I send her my snow angel as a reminder of God's love.


You are not alone!

It's a Snow Day!

Well, we got the snow that was predicted, which actually enabled me to stay at home the past two days. And what an amazing two days it has been.

Snow, snow, and more snow. I spent yesterday relaxing at home, curled up on the couch under a warm blanket, drinking a delicious cup of coffee, listening to music, and looking at pictures with my roomie, Dina. What a great opportunity to just learn a little bit more about this wonderful friend. We pretty much went through all of her pictures, which took about 4 hours. And as she gave the background behind the pictures taken with her youth group, with her bible study girls, with her friends from Goshen, and with her family, I just learned more about her and how many people are special to her. I not only thank God for this friend, but for all those people in her life who make her laugh, who have supported her, and who she can call friends and family. Though relationships change, some grow closer and others grow distant, they all contribute to the person she is. God has blessed her with just some amazing people in her life and has blessed us by placing her in our lives as well.
Today, is Valentine's Day. And as I was wishing some people a happy Valentine's Day, I hear something outside. I look out my window, and there is my amazingly wonderful brother-in-law, Amos clearing my driveway with a snowblower. I run outside to thank him and to talk to Jess and Grace who were waiting in the car as he did this for me. Such a wonderful blessing to have family who cares and loves me so much...to think of me and help me out. They are just a special and beautiful family.

Dina and I then spent some time just playing in the snow. I attempted to snowboard down my lawn, which wasn't too successful since I kept sinking into the 8 inches of snow we had :). But, Dina lifted me and my snowboard out and carried me to the top of the driveway, where I was able to do a little snowboarding "slowly" down to the road.
We made snow angels
and I tried to knock her down in the snow, but she just pushed me down and that was that :). What can I say..."I am fragile" :).

We went for a walk and just took in the sunny day and the bright snow that covered everything. It was extremely beautiful. It was just a great reminder of how beautiful God's creation is. Dina expresses it beautifully in her blog, link to the right. But I just couldn't help but share how much these past two days meant to me, and just how wonderful God is.

Thank you God for the blessings that surround us, for being in every moment, and for showing us how Great you are.

Bring on the Snow!

Good Monday morning everyone! I would just like to say, "Bring on the Snow!". Why? Because if snow leads to the fun times I had this weekend, than I can only be excited for it.

I spent a wonderful friday night with my beautiful sis and my adorable niece. We enjoyed a great dinner at Hacienda, followed by a relaxing night at their house talking and making warm chocolate chip cookies and eating them with a side of ice cream. It really doesn't get any better than that.

I spent the night and then woke up early saturday so we could get some things done. I booked my flight to Argentina in March...yea!!! and am excited about this upcoming experience and being able to share it with my beautiful friend Sarah. I took pictures of some sports items that could possibly be used as part of the decoration for my nephew's nursery. I made, what I think is the best cake ever, angel food cake, for the evening's event. It was just another amazing day with Jess and Grace as we got so much done and just spent time with each other listening to music and playing with Grace, whose laugh by the way can just warm your heart!!!

Saturday night, was amazing as it was a ladies' movie night. Alicia, Jess, Melanie, Jamie, and I gathered at Alicia's house to watch a few movies. We warmed up by curling up on the new couch, eating fondue and some delicious cooks pizza..but we didn't eat all that on the couch of course. Thanks Alicia for hosting. We all had a great time, especially when Jamie and I beat Alicia and Jess in a little game of bid euchre. Okay, I just had to throw that in :).

Then Sunday, after a good church service, Brian took me on my very first snowmobile ride. I can pretty much say I am addicted now :). I loved the trails and the way the snow looked as it covered everything.

They say that we are to get a lot more snow this week, which is exciting. Why? Because, no matter what the temperature or the weather is or whatever else we face, God provides those wonderful opportunities to spend time with great friends! And that is exciting!

Seasons

I stand in the middle of it all, feeling as if my life were in slow motion and all that is around me is in fast forward. The blurry images of life pass by as I stand there waiting for what may come next. This is the season of life I am in right now, trying to wait patiently for God to lead me to that next step, that next movement. As the excitement builds and as the anxiety of the unknown weighs on me, I find the comfort knowing that I am not in control. I find the peace that I am exactly where God wants me. So I accept the changes that surround me and stand in the stillness of my life, quieting my own desires, so that I may hear His...and thankful for each moment. For it is all created by God.

Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

The Light in My Life

Many of you know how important light is to me. I love candles! And I love to turn the lights on as soon as it gets just a little dark in my house. But that is just me! There is just something about light to me. It is safe. It is warm. It is revealing. A couple of nights ago I began to realize that lately, just as the days of sunlight seem to be getting shorter, so has the light in me. It has gotten dimmer and dimmer. It is gradually being covered by stress at work, by little frustrations here and there, by laziness, by selfishness, by life’s challenges. But it is still there, trying to shine bright enough to lead me to where I need to be, to where my focus needs to be. That light in me is like the whisper of God. It is that simple touch that is clear when I am silent and only listening, when my focus is once again on the only thing that matters…my relationship with Christ and what I can do for Him.

My relationship with Christ is a personal relationship, but there are those around me who do help that light shine brighter.

My niece laughs and I know that only God could create something so beautiful. My Bible study group teaches me.

My friends surround me.

My parents encourage me.

My sister asks how my scripture study is going, reminding me that I shouldn’t keep putting it off. And so I take the time to open the Bible and read.

I start studying Genesis. And God reaches me with one simple verse, reminding me to clear that clutter in my life to hear him, to let that light in me burn bright once again. I read, Genesis 1:3-5, “And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” The first day, God created light. He created hope.

A Great Gift!

All you gentlemen out there...I am going to make your day. I have discovered a great gift. And Valentine's Day is right around the corner. No more worrying about what to get her. No more endless confusion at the jewelry counter. No more trying to figure out how to top last year's gift. This is the gift of all gifts. It is sturdy and comes in different varieties. What is the item I am talking about? Drum roll please! It is none other than the one and only meat tenderizer.

(OXO Black-Handled Meat Tenderizer:To tenderize or flatten cutlets and breasts of chicken, this Meat Tenderizer is the ideal tool. The Oxo Good Grips handle is sized just right for a sure, firm grip. One side of the tenderizer is flat & one is textured.)

Okay, so maybe I am just directing this to my friend Brad. You see last night, I had a great dinner with my friends Ang, Brad, and Addison. I was close to where they lived and so I dropped in for a suprise visit, after I called of course. While there, they invited me to stay for dinner, which of course I did :). I had a great time watching Ang prepare dinner and helping her out by trying to make cornbread. While I worked on the cornbread, Ang worked on the main course. Her recipe called for her to pound some chicken flat. First attempt: use a rolling pin. That didn't quite work out as well as expected. So Ang remembers watching a chef on tv use a skillet. Second attempt: use a household skillet. So I am standing there watching this sweet girl (and if you know Ang, you know she doesn't look like someone who can hurt anything) slam down a skillet on this chicken. It is loud, and I am pretty sure the house is shaking. And though I am watching her and know what noise to expect each time the skillet makes contact with the chicken, I flinch every time. After beating up on the chicken a couple of times, she decides it is flat enough. Brad and Addison return to the kitchen since the loud noise has stopped. I stop laughing. We continue talking and cooking. And at the end of it all, we enjoyed a delicious dinner!

So Brad, a good gift for Ang might be a meat tenderizer :). For me, the great gift is the time I spend with this beautiful family. The great gift is their friendship and love. The great gift is the love that we can share with others. Thank you Ang, Brad, and Addison for your friendship. And thank you God for those opportunities to love one another! That is a Great Gift!

It was a Football weekend!

Friday Night!
I must share with you the wonderful event I attended on Friday night. It was the first annual Rookies' Redzone fantasy football awards banquet. It is now officially the end of the first season for the ladies' only league and I would just like to thank the great friends who participated! Get ready for next season! I look forward to the competition. Okay, so maybe not so much competition from me, but I do love coming up with interesting strategies! I had a great time and am thankful for great friends like you!

Sunday Night!

The playoff games were exciting and great to watch with good friends and good pizza and popcorn! And it was snowing!!! Finally!!! Can't feel much more like football season than that! I wonder how many people are going to post on the greatest Super Bowl match up coming in a few weeks. I only say "greatest" because my two favorite teams are in the Super Bowl. How crazy is that? Though I will definitely be cheering for the Bears, if, by chance, they lose, which they won't :), I would rather it be to the Colts than any one else. So Go Bears! Also, must give credit to the Colts owner and coach as they gave credit and praise to God. That is definitely nice to hear! Two great teams in the Super Bowl. That is what the Super Bowl is all about. Anyone have a free ticket for me?

Thank you God for everyday! Thank you for the friends in our lives and for the exciting events that just make life interesting.

Faaabulous!

No this isn't a post on food, though I am definitely a fan of food :). But it is a post on an amazing friend and roommate who is nothing short of faaabulous!

Dina is a beautiful friend who I learn something new about every day. I never knew how much stronger our friendship would be until she became my roommate. I have been fortunate to see the youth that she touches, the passion she has for ministry, and that crazy, quirky, fun-loving personality that we all love. But beyond that is her sincerity, her honesty, a heart that reaches out to others, her love, compassion, and encouragment to be shared with anyone who needs it, and just her "dina-ness".

She has encouraged me with our late night talks. She has inspired me with her involvement with youth and ministry. She has taught me so much and just held me accountable as well. She makes me laugh everyday! We all have friends in our life who touch our hearts. Thanks Dina for touching my heart and I thank God for the friendship we have. May He continue to bless you and continue filling you with the love that you so generously share with others.

Dina, Addikins, and Ang

Dina, Ang, and Jess (and the hotest wings ever!)

Coach Dina

Dina, Jess, and Sarah

Now she beat me to a post like this, but I had to wait to add some pictures :).

Bear Down

Couldn't beat being with friends this weekend, wearing the Bears jersey, and watching the Bears actually win their playoff game. What more could a girl ask for?

Okay, maybe for another win next week :).

This Hope I Give

I want to thank the wonderful family and friends in my life who just encourage me everyday. You have been such a blessing to me. For whatever comes my way I have hope. I have hope because of the love of Christ. And I have hope because I have been blessed with your love. So thank you!

This hope I give. My heart breaks as I received some devastating news from a good friend of mine in Indy. I sat here and cried, for that was all I could do. I am here, and she is there and I just want to be there for her and her family. I feel so far. I didn't know what to say to her. I couldn't say anything that would make everything okay. So I just offered her my hope. I don't know what the future holds for them or for anyone, but I have hope. I just pray that they let God hold them during this time and that they feel the hope and love that I have for them.

That is the amazing thing about God's love...it is endless...it never runs out. So share it with others. And share the hope it provides.

Psalm 136:4
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever

Kings' Day 2007

Though I didn't put my shoes outside the door and fill them with hay for the wisemens' camels, I did have my kings' day gift under the tree. Thanks mom and dad! Jess and I once again celebrated this holiday with friends. We all stuffed ourselves with good mexican food, played some games, and of course topped the evening off with Scott's famous brownies! It was a fun-filled night and here are just a few of the pictures!

New Year

Welcome 2007! Just need to say how wonderful it was to spend time with family celebrating Christmas this past weekend. One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was this beautiful hat my niece, Rhi, made for me. Love it when someone is creative and shares that with others. Then spent a wonderful New Year's Eve with my good friend Sarah, and a couple of gentlemen. And though the Bear's lost, I had a great time with these friends, listening to music, playing a game, and having good conversation. It was a great start to the new year. And let me tell you about my sweet roommate Dina! Though we live together, our schedules are so busy that we rarely spend time with each other. But that changed yesterday as we spent the entire day together. She spoiled me with a great lunch at The Sandwich Cellar and a couple of intense games of checkers. We enjoyed some good music as we took down Christmas decorations in her classroom and watched some Wawasee basketball and gymnastics...followed by a trip to Dairy Queen. It was just a great start to 2007. Many people have made resolutions to do this or that...but you know what? This weekend was about opportunities. And that is what this year is about...opportunities. So I am going to look for those opportunities to give, to love, to experience, and to grow. Here is to another year of adventures.

Future Tradition

I would like to take this time to thank a special friend who has created a wonderful memory for me, a memory that has developed into a future tradition. Thank you Sue for teaching me so much, especially taking the time to show me the special touches of making an apple pie. I enjoyed that time we shared as we worked together and as you taught me the basics of baking. That time with you meant so much to me. And though we may never share that experience again, it is something that will stay with me.

It was such a special memory that I wanted to share it with my sister and niece. I know my sister will do her always wonderful job describing the night, but I just wanted to say thank you to the friend who help create this tradition.
Last night Jess, Grace, and I made our first apple pie together. And though we discovered the importance of patience and though the kitchen looked like a virtual war zone, I was so thankful for that time with my girls...baking an apple pie, creating memories, creating a tradition. I look forward to next year!