Delivered from Death

In God whose word I praise.
In God I have put my trust,
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?
This I know that God is for me.
For You have delivered me from death,
Indeed my feet from stumbling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of the living.

-Psalm 56:4, 9b, 13

Happy to be Healthy again

Being sick was not exactly my choice of how to spend last weekend, but the one good thing was the anticipation of warmer weather. I left my window open and couldn't wait to get well and get outside! I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and can't remember being that sick in years and years! My cough has lingered on all week, but otherwise I feel great now! That was the first time in my life I've taken a sick day (called off work and skipped classes). It was actually rather refreshing though, and I got some reading done and organizing. Maybe that's God's way of telling me I need to slow down every once in awhile.
This weekend we have outside plans I think I'll make it to Cabela's for the very first time! ...So many firsts this week!
I've really been enjoying my classes--well in that I feel very challenged to take my relationship with God more serious. After all, if He is who I say I believe He is, my life should clearly reflect that in the choices I make, lifestyle I live and way I treat others. Living with an eternal perspective? My dad talks about building THe Kingdom, and sometimes it's easy to just smile and agree because it sounds right, sounds very christian at least. But I think the point of what he was probably trying to emphasize was that our time here on this earth is crucial for leading people to Christ. If I'm not doing anything to show people that I follow Christ, there's really no point, right? I might as well live like a pagan and at least show that the reason is because I believe there's no God. I don't think God appreciates or honors mediocrity. Christ is coming back in His glory one day--we hope soon. As believers we need to be doing what He has entrusted us with when He comes. I believe it was a man from a hindu temple who told someone from my school that christians don't really believe in a resurrection. If they did, he said, they (christians) would not be living like they do. Hm, that's a tragedy my friends.
Here's an incredible verse I can't get out of my mind this week:
Luke 21:³⁴ “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, ³⁵ like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. ³⁶ Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Mid-semester update!

So we're one month away from spring break already and I'm finally writing an update!

This semester I'm studying classes ranging from the Life of Christ, Psalms, Prophets, Anthropology and Hermeneutics II. We've finally gotten into the New Testament and will finish up with Acts, Christology and I Corinthians. I cannot even believe how much I am learning. God provided through a few faithful individuals which allowed me to be able come back this semester and I feel very blessed and thankful to be here. My faith has taken on a whole new dimension and it reminds me how much I still don't know or understand.

I have started volunteering with AWANAs/Truth in Training. I've done one week in each so far! I also visit a spanish church here sometimes, and often am surprised at how much I miss speaking in Spanish all the time. But I did dream in Spanish the other night which was pretty exciting!

I continue to babysit for the two boys I watched last semester. It's a really fun job, I often am discouraged when I realize how much wisdom I lack in dealing with/teaching kids and what a big responsibility parenting really is. I often find myself asking, "what would Mom do in this situation?"!

I've made a few weekend trips.
Twice to Chicago to visit my cousin, former co-workers from Bolivia and other friends.
Weekend in Chicago after the huge blizzard!
Visit #1. You should recognize these people! (former co-workers from Bolivia). from L-R: Jen, Katie (on floor), me, Elsa, Matt, Nate & Kate.
Visit #2. Again with friends from Bolivia. They convinced me to try Chicago hot dogs. Let's just say that I'll still vote for pizza!! ;)
Trip to Lincoln Park zoo with my cousin.

Twice to Ohio to visit family and friends. We celebrated my grandpas 79th birthday--what a beautiful life and amazing influence he's had on all of us.
Bizzy & I made this red velvet cake from scratch! This was a definite improvement from our first attempt the night before! ;)

And I went snowmobiling for the first time with my friend Bethany (also a former co-worker from Bolivia). It was super fun, we have no photos of the actual adventure, but here we are ready to brave the snow and COLD!
Looking forward to seeing the rest of my family for the last half of spring break! Oh how I miss them!

And now I'm ready for spring. The snow's begun to melt and I've enjoyed a few sunny afternoon runs around the neighborhood the anticipation mounts with each new day. I think after the winter I will appreciate the spring/summer/fall all the more!! :)
Carpe Diem!!!

Simple & Healthy Granola

I made this recipe up--I tried another recipe but didn't really like it, so I made up this one. And it's pretty delicious if I do say so myself!

Honey Peanutty Granola
Ingredients:
3 c. old fashioned oats
3 T peanut butter
5 T honey

Toast the oats for about 8 minutes in preheated oven (350 degrees).
Melt peanut butter and honey (about 1 minute in the microwave) pour toasted oats in mix well and pour onto greased waxed paper. Leave mixture kind of heaped up (I put it in a 9x13 cake pan), cook for about 8 more minutes. But keep an eye on it, it cooks really fast and sometimes it gets a little over toasted!