Being Memorial Day weekend we hear a lot of talk of heroism, those who sacrifice much--sometimes even their own lives to defend their country, and fight for what they believe in. Just a passing thought as I watched the flag folding ceremony at church yesterday and a collage of military memories, while I felt grateful for all that these men & women have done for us, I couldn't help but wonder why it's somewhat common and generally applauded when people commit to defend their country (and it should be), but it seems much rarer for one to sacrifice to the same extent for the Creator and King of the universe. Shouldn't that be the highest honor?
I've been hearing and reading a lot about Hudson Taylor this last semester. I definitely recommend looking him up. What a profound legacy he left, he gave up so much but what he accomplished for eternal purposes was so much greater. What a great example of discipline, obedience & faith...look him up.
Thank you veterans & current servicemen & women who have dedicated/are dedicating your lives to defending liberty & justice. Thank you missionaries, ministers and those of you who are dedicating your lives to making God's name known. You are a motivation to many!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Summer in the...South!
It took awhile for me to know for sure where I was going to spend this summer. But now I'm here and it's going to be good.
I'm super excited to be able to have some bonus time with my family. Jenny's graduating from high school already!
It kinda makes me sad every time one of my siblings reaches a major milestone like this because it just reminds me that we all have to grow up and move on. I know it's good, it's just bittersweet not knowing how things will change and realizing that we'll not be able to be together forever.
I drove here by myself (not my first choice nor my favorite way to spend 2 days of my life), but it wasn't all bad. Had some good conversations with God, Grandma and the drivers around me. Don't worry I'm not one of those people who get's road rage. Sometimes I just offer (respectful) constructive criticism! :) I enjoyed the scenery and was surprised at how much flooding there was along the way and how dry it is here in South Texas.
I start my new job next week so I'm a little nervous/excited for that.
I'm going to get to see my nieces and foster nephew tomorrow! I'm always afraid they're going to forget me and I'll become that mysterious aunt that no one really ever sees--I guess eventually I'll become that anyways if I move overseas...but that's besides the point.
One good thing about the drive was that I got to see my dear friend Simi who was one of my best friends in college. Simi's from Nigeria and attended Hiram college. She interned with Student venture and got her Master's degree from Dallas Baptist University where she now teaches.
(Dallas Baptist University).
We met in Campus Crusade for Christ and have been fast friends ever since. Simi is an amazing woman and she encourages/challenges/entertains me like no one else!
It was impeccable timing as she was leaving the next day for London. So I stayed at her place and to prepare for her trip to the UK we watched the Royal wedding...well I might have accidentally fallen asleep partway through! I did dream about it though and woke up thinking about how beautiful our reunion in Heaven will be. The Bride of Christ, royalty, loved by Him, right? Sooo much better than a wedding of a duke & duchess! (huh...never thought I'd write a blog about the royal wedding!)
I'm super excited to be able to have some bonus time with my family. Jenny's graduating from high school already!
It kinda makes me sad every time one of my siblings reaches a major milestone like this because it just reminds me that we all have to grow up and move on. I know it's good, it's just bittersweet not knowing how things will change and realizing that we'll not be able to be together forever.I drove here by myself (not my first choice nor my favorite way to spend 2 days of my life), but it wasn't all bad. Had some good conversations with God, Grandma and the drivers around me. Don't worry I'm not one of those people who get's road rage. Sometimes I just offer (respectful) constructive criticism! :) I enjoyed the scenery and was surprised at how much flooding there was along the way and how dry it is here in South Texas.
I start my new job next week so I'm a little nervous/excited for that.
I'm going to get to see my nieces and foster nephew tomorrow! I'm always afraid they're going to forget me and I'll become that mysterious aunt that no one really ever sees--I guess eventually I'll become that anyways if I move overseas...but that's besides the point.
One good thing about the drive was that I got to see my dear friend Simi who was one of my best friends in college. Simi's from Nigeria and attended Hiram college. She interned with Student venture and got her Master's degree from Dallas Baptist University where she now teaches.
(Dallas Baptist University).We met in Campus Crusade for Christ and have been fast friends ever since. Simi is an amazing woman and she encourages/challenges/entertains me like no one else!
It was impeccable timing as she was leaving the next day for London. So I stayed at her place and to prepare for her trip to the UK we watched the Royal wedding...well I might have accidentally fallen asleep partway through! I did dream about it though and woke up thinking about how beautiful our reunion in Heaven will be. The Bride of Christ, royalty, loved by Him, right? Sooo much better than a wedding of a duke & duchess! (huh...never thought I'd write a blog about the royal wedding!)I Peter 2:9-10 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Speaking of Bolivia...(okay, so I wasn't but you know that it was only a matter of time until I did!)...January is when I'm looking to take the next trip/team. Pray about it and please get back to me if you're interested. I'd like to pray for you and help you be able to make an informed decision! There's also a VIDEO up of our last trip here!
Anyways, classes this semester were so good. I think I have to say that Acts was my personal favorite. That should be required summer reading for everyone. So get to it!
Chau for now!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
What would Mom do?
Since September I've been caregiver/nanny/babysitter to two active boys age 6 & 10 (the youngest will be 7 next month). 
I often rack my brain trying to remember some of my Mom's parenting techniques since she spent the most time with us...I usually can't remember or I say the very thing that I always hated it when she said! (Like, "just ignore him", "find something else to do", "go play outside", or "I'm setting the timer. Find a book and read quietly until it goes off"--this one is kind of a lifesaver!). She was the master of redirecting us, thinking of something fun & creative to do, and correcting our inappropriate behavior--yes that happened frequently. I feel like she did such a nice job of communicating with us and respecting us. She never was demeaning or mean spirited towards us . I pray for wisdom to be a good teacher and encourage these cool boys to become great men someday.
So last week was spring break and I was on my own with these two kiddos for 9 hours a day--they really are great boys. Pretty well behaved, they listen to me usually though on a consistent--but not frequent-basis need redirected or corrected. After a few hours though, I found myself looking at the clock and asking myself what on earth I was going to do with them for the next seven hours! We made it though and I even thought it was a super fun week. Here's what we did:
Made, played with and ate edible play doh (this is my handiwork. An anteater and a little boy)
painted readymade birdhouses
made pigs in a blanket for breakfast
played games
went to the library to get movies (PG rated movies are kinda hard to come by these days...)
took a tour of the Jiffy plant (accidentally found that when i got lost on the way to the dentist)
got hot chocolate on a rainy day
went on errands (grocery store, post office, etc. Sometimes it's just nice to get out).
Read together--and separately.
etc...
All in all, I enjoyed playing mom for a few days! I work for a really great family that pretty much lets me have freedom to do what I want with the boys. I really like them and they seem to like me too. It's an ideal work environment! :) (Plus I get paid to play!)
Here are some pictures because I respect the privacy of the family you'll not see the boys' faces, but you can get an idea of how much fun we have! ;)
Oh, and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM...a little bit early!
I often rack my brain trying to remember some of my Mom's parenting techniques since she spent the most time with us...I usually can't remember or I say the very thing that I always hated it when she said! (Like, "just ignore him", "find something else to do", "go play outside", or "I'm setting the timer. Find a book and read quietly until it goes off"--this one is kind of a lifesaver!). She was the master of redirecting us, thinking of something fun & creative to do, and correcting our inappropriate behavior--yes that happened frequently. I feel like she did such a nice job of communicating with us and respecting us. She never was demeaning or mean spirited towards us . I pray for wisdom to be a good teacher and encourage these cool boys to become great men someday.So last week was spring break and I was on my own with these two kiddos for 9 hours a day--they really are great boys. Pretty well behaved, they listen to me usually though on a consistent--but not frequent-basis need redirected or corrected. After a few hours though, I found myself looking at the clock and asking myself what on earth I was going to do with them for the next seven hours! We made it though and I even thought it was a super fun week. Here's what we did:
Made, played with and ate edible play doh (this is my handiwork. An anteater and a little boy)
painted readymade birdhouses
made pigs in a blanket for breakfast
played games
went to the library to get movies (PG rated movies are kinda hard to come by these days...)
took a tour of the Jiffy plant (accidentally found that when i got lost on the way to the dentist)
got hot chocolate on a rainy day
went on errands (grocery store, post office, etc. Sometimes it's just nice to get out).
Read together--and separately.
etc...
All in all, I enjoyed playing mom for a few days! I work for a really great family that pretty much lets me have freedom to do what I want with the boys. I really like them and they seem to like me too. It's an ideal work environment! :) (Plus I get paid to play!)
Here are some pictures because I respect the privacy of the family you'll not see the boys' faces, but you can get an idea of how much fun we have! ;)
Oh, and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM...a little bit early!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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.
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
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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!!!
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!
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!
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