These past weeks have flown by in a hurry, in fact this whole year has, at least in my opinion.
My heart is full and I don't know where to start.
The Wednesday following my graduation My mom took us and our niece and nephews, and a family friend to the park. Here are some pictures of us swinging:
The Saturday following that I got my permit, so that is very exciting!!!
The next day, Sunday afternoon, there was a picnic with our church. That was interesting, but not as fun as it could have been as most of our youth was on the youth retreat that weekend, but oh well, we survived very well without them :)
We played corn holes...
Team 1
Team 2
My grandma and I were crocheting beside each other:
Overall, we have been quite busy, but God is enough in the midst of it all, his strength will carry us through.
May your lives be as full as mine, and may he bless you exceedingly abundantly, above and beyond all that you ask.
Wow, now that it is over I have time to think through the whole day.
We didn't get up till about 8 o'clock, that cut our time a little short, but we were okay. we went over to the church about 11 (the ceremony was to take place at 2), and we finished a couple odds and ends, that we didn't do the night before. We had just finished and people started arriving. Before I knew it was time for my speech.
The whole day was beautiful and amazing and bittersweet. And I loved every minute of it. The memories made will never be forgotten and I will treasure the love people showed to me by coming.
My piano piece
My speech... probably crying
Awarding of the diploma
Talking with a friend
A bunch of friends with interesting facial expressions... :) not really sure whats going on.
Nephew Jack with cousin Scott
My brothers motorcycles and Brian, Neal, and Daniel
Well I have been waiting for this great milestone in our great blogspheres history :) Countrybeachbum gave me my long awaited for hundredth comment.... I just wanted to cerebrate with you guys!!!!
Anyways, I recently got some new photos of my recently acquired nephew!!!!!
I will be kind enough to share them with you :)
They are following with my own copywritten, and might I add, very imaginative titles:)
"Cool Dude Jack"
"Giggles"
"What are you looking at?"
"Smile!"
"Sweet Angel"
Yeah, he is pretty much the cutest little boy in the world (I do say that about most babies, but nevertheless it does come from the heart :)
So I officially had an amazing time this past weekend. We were constantly busy and loved it.
Yeah, My skills in the volley ball court could definitely use some improvement, I am not going to play ever again... at least till I get a little more practice in :)
There is exactly three weeks and three days left till my graduation! Is that scary or what? It is going to be so amazingly fun!
Keep me in your prayers in the coming weeks, we will be very busy...
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move.
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
This is a story among stories. I bawled my eyes out when I first watched it and decided to post it on my blog.
May God use this video to bring many sons to Glory!
May His name be praised forevermore,
Rachel
• Jun. 4, 2007 - Rainy, cold,... - Don't you feel sorry for me?
Well, the plans for my graduation are progressing quite nicely. I have heard from quite a few people that are coming, and thats exciting.
Next weekend is our annual "Summer Celebration" in the city that we live in. Saturday our church hosts a "Free Pie Giveaway" for the people of the town among the things that are going on, that is always fun. And then one of my friends is having a birthday party that night, that will be REALLY fun.
Then on Sunday all the churches in the area are having what we like to call a "community service". We all get together to have a church service with a speaker chosen by all.
Then instead of evening services our church is playing a movie on their overhead. They are playing "Facing the Giants", which I have already seen three times. It is a good movie, but I MIGHT fall asleep....in the dark....surrounded be good friends....comfy and warm....zzzzzzzzz
The temperature this weekend has been really cool, a rather nice change from our uncharacteristically warm weather the beginning of last month. But today it is cloudy and rainy, really makes your mood dower.
I just wanted to spend a little of my time today thinking about today and what it is set aside for. To me memorial day is so much more than just remembering the fallen comrades of our military. The remembering on memorial day goes way back thousands of years ago to when our savior still walked this earth.
Not to put the importance of what our solders did for us aside, but think of how heroic what Christ did for us on the cross really is-
We have a guy from our church that joined the army this past summer, he came home this weekend and he will be deployed in Dec. Somehow it really changes your view and your feelings when it gets to a personal level. He went up in front of church yesterday and the elders and Pastor laid hands on him and prayed for him, I just got the chills seeing him in his uniform all stiff and totally not like himself at all.
Just think, he will be going to Iraq in Dec, and not to state the obvious, but he could never come home.
Christ left for this world from Heaven for the purpose of protecting and saving us. He knew in advance that he would be ignored and mocked and scorned and beat and spit upon and ultimately killed because of His battle cry, and yet the will of the Father was his first and only priority. He went willingly to the cross so that we could live freely in His spirit, separated forever from the snares and evils of the devil.
When I think of the men and women, young and old, that died for our freedom it reminds me of a greater sacrifice, far greater, that was given those many years ago. Our eternal life was bought with a price so precious that I can't even comprehend it.
Many thoughts to thing about, this is my heart tonight.
"For You have given your life for me, what can I do but give mine back to you."
• May. 26, 2007 - Our trip to the Creation Museum!
Last Monday my family took a trip to Kentucky to visit a newly constructed CreationMuseum built by Ken Ham. It was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on.
It was very encouraging to see that someone cared enough to spend all that time and effort just so people could know what really happened. The museum itself was fascinating, and evoked tears and laughter as you traveled back through modern history to the Garden of Eden and then forward from there to the book of Revelation in the Bible. The museum also hosts spacious grounds with a lake and beautiful gardens.
I definitely encourage anyone who has the means to go to make the effort; it will blow your mind away. Follow this link to visit their website for more information.
Genesis 1:1; Prepare to believe!
Rachel
Here are some pictures:
The serpent in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The impression of Jesus in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
A dinosaur that lived among humans.
Adam and one of his sons.
Cain killed Able, God's first chosen leader, so God brought forth Seth.
Me and a few of my friends.
I made a really good friend while I was there. *blush*
Well my last week has been quite productive. I have been staying with my older sisters family who just had a baby three weeks ago. I have had gallons of fun with my sister and have had some very good puzzle piecing time with my brother-in-law and his sister Heidi.
Overall the highlight of my time here was getting to know my niece and nephews a little better; the awake time in the morning before I would really like to be up, the interruptions in the shower the book reading, the generous slobbery kisses, and all of the love that they give me.
Alright enough of the sentimental, I have to go but here are some pictures of my sisters beautiful family.
These are my three nephews and niece. All of the older siblings have teeshirts that say "Big Brother" and "Big Sister, and the baby has a shirt that says "Little Brother".
I just had to add this picture. Isn't he just too cute?
This is the two-year-old Noah. He is their third child. He decided that he was going to wear shoes and a hat without a shirt and pants.
This is also Noah. He put the jelly half of his pbj on his head and it stuck!
I am so sorry for not posting on here for so long. It just seems like every time I got on here specifically to post I always get sidetracked in fact I have a few partially written posts that I just did not get finished. I know, that’s not really good enough, so I am going to try to post more faithfully, at least a little more often :)
My life is speeding by so quickly, I am almost done with high school and I don’t even remember starting 1’st grade. People tell me that I am growing up but I don’t know when that happened either. I feel like life is going 90 mph and I am still trying to catch up.
Sometimes I lie in bed at night and try to slow my mind down and think about all the time I spent doing unimportant and empty things that could have been spent doing the will of the Father.
I know that time is precious but I can’t seem to think about it till after it’s already wasted. I am going to go up and visit my sister and brother in law next week, for two weeks. And I want to be of as much help as I can to them. But how do I know that I won’t waste so much time that they will throw me out :)? I don’t, but I know that they love me and will forgive me and help me to do right. I think that many times I am like that with the Heavenly Father. I know what He tells me to do, but I don’t really think about it till it’s already too late. But I can count on the fact that He cares enough to teach me to do the right thing.
I will learn eventually I suppose, but in the meantime, would you pray for me?
With love through the precious blood of Christ our Savior,
Well now that thanksgiving is over I feel like I am sooooo ready for Christmas.
For some reason I am very excited this Christmas, it’s more than just the presents and decorations. I mean they all add to it and mount my anticipation, but within my heart I feel a deep warm sense of amazement and awe.
You know that quickening little tickle inside of your gut? That makes you feel a little squeamish and excited? Well that’s sort of how I feel; I have fallen wonderfully in love with the true meaning of Christmas :)
Anyway that was sort of the thoughts on my heart right now.
Have a wonderful getting-ready-for-Christmas time.
Give a blessing today and maybe you’ll receive one in return…
The Military The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die! for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate;
he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less timein the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. he sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, removetheir hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets
As I sit here reading this I shiver, though I read it for the dozenth time. To think that thousands of men and women fight for the freedom of people like you and me, who probably don’t deserve it. Several months ago I wrote a post at Easter time. It talked about how Jesus gave up his life in a very degrading and despicable way. Just think the King of all of the ages and of worlds to come, rejected and crucified for sins He didn't commit...in place of YOU and ME, the very crucifiers of Christ. I feel so worthless and indebted. And yet He chose YOU and ME to be His children, to tell His story throughout the world and share this wondrous gift that we were given in grace and mercy. I see the men and women that fight for our freedom in a shadow of the cross and Christ. They are giving up their lives to give others theirs. While those "others" mock and curse the ones that gave them their right to speak.
I wish that I could somehow thank the ones that are in the military, who fight for our freedom. I guess that this post is sort of a gift, from my heart to theirs.
Time to get back to my life. Your friend and sister, Rachel
Why in the two weeks that I have not posted do I get the feeling that I missed something on here? My sister is always on here doing stuff, and I never find the time; then I always get sidetracked when I do seem to find time.
Why in the years since I got my blog does my mind seem to forget the excitement that I first had about posting.
All of this and more I have no answer for. But I do know that I am pleased and grateful for the friends that I have found on here, and for the family that I feel sort of closer to since I can read their blog and likewise they mine.
I have been having an incredible school year. My mind is accepting things much easier than it seems to have ever before. For some reason about the middle of last school year something just switched inside my head and I just understood everything. I can do about two lessons of Algebra II in one hour (and for most of you that use Saxon, you know that sometimes that just isn’t normal.)
So school is much more enjoyable this year than it was last year.
This year for Thanksgiving we are going to my grandma’s house and a bunch of my relations are also going to be there. The half of my extended family that are going to be there have a tendency to be rather rowdy at our get-togethers. (Not bad rowdy but good, exciting rowdy.) So I always get very excited when we have reunions with them.
I need to go and get some other work done, I always feel like I should be doing something else when I get on the internet.
We have Hi-Speed internet so it gets so you just have to ignore the computer altogether.
Thanks for visiting me today, may God bless you and grant His loving peace on you soul today.
Pray for me as He gives me “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”.
Ok, I haven’t posted on here in literally MONTHS, and I am really very sorry, but to be honest I have been VERY busy with school.
To start I have had a birthday since I last posted and am now very happily, a seventeen year-old. I had a small party with my family and my Grandparents.
I also went to a reenactment:
(Ok so its kind of hard ot see what we look like...)
And had great fun and even learned some things.
One of our good friends moved to Florida and we had a going away party for them. Very bittersweet, we shared memories and pictures and gave them our best. They are now settling in Florida as of two days ago.
And most recently one of my grandma’s siblings passed on to glory. We had a good time visiting with family that we rarely get to see. Weeping with them in their loss, and rejoicing with time in Aunt Audrey’s gain. I also realized some things about what a legacy that I have to uphold. I have three generations of Godly people to follow. WOW. That’s one reason that I believe the way I do, because I have so many wonderful examples.
Grandma came to visit and the house is all cleaned up (including the kitchen : ) and we are just relaxing… kind of nice actually.
Actually I DID have a reason for posting on here:
I was thinking that most of you reading this blog (apart from my family), probably think that I am a “good” girl and do most things right just because I know its right, and am selfless, and don’t have a problem giving things up for others and doing something just because I know that it will please the LORD (or my parents for that matter).
But no, that’s not anything like me, in fact most of what I described is the opposite from what my sinful heart dictates to my mind and mouth and hands and even my feet.
I guess that I wanted to describe some of my struggles and pains to you.
Something that I have struggled with in the past is giving up the whole idea of having a career, having something that is especially mine. One way that I was able to give that up was to see how content my mother and grandmother and sister are.
The thing I want most in the whole entire world NOW is to have a husband that I love with all my being and can give my self to, to serve like I couldn’t serve anyone else. To have his babies and wash his clothes and dishes, scrub his floors and windows, and accept his love and give him mine in return.
But I have to keep an open mind and have something to fill my time with so that my hands do not grow idle in the meantime.
I also LOVE to yell at my siblings. Somehow in my twisted way of thinking I get it in my head that is makes them work harder, and it does not work that way. I know that is WRONG but I forget and now I must stop for I cannot let myself make anymore excuses. This is one of my pending struggles, AKA: failing miserably.
Another thing that I have struggled with is accepting it when God has given me an answer that is not that one that I was looking for. I was thinking the other day that I have caused more trouble when He gave me an answer and I turned right around and did the opposite simply because I did not like His answer. And now I feel ashamed but it seems that my shame doesn’t help me to remember not to do it again. I have to look into His word to receive strength to fight the battles that are in my path. He indeed provides more, and more, and more grace, as the burdens grow greater.
Well I find that I need to get to bed; I have church tomorrow.
“You pray for me, and I’ll pray for you and well be okay.”
-Anonymous
Just think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven, and touching a hand and finding it Gods, and breathing new breath and finding it celestial, and waking up in glory and finding it Home.
So here is a photo from the night of my friend Hilary’s graduation. Isn’t she cute?
Oh well… I think that we all grow up way too soon.
Sometimes I just wish we could live life without other people having all of these expectations about what you should be doing with your life. I wish I didn’t have to feel like I am sneaking around certain people or trying to avoid the subject. Somehow it makes me more scared of the future, thinking about it more, even questioning things that I had never before needed to question. Maybe it’s good for me; maybe I am growing from the “experience”.
Whatever it is that the Lord needs me to learn, I know that it isn’t for naught. For everything there is a season and in everything there is a reason.
Sometimes I wonder how we could all know that we are really saved and not just acting out of passion in the moment. That is where I have the biggest problem; not having passion in the moment, but wondering what might happen in years to come. I have seen in the lives of others people who walked away from a life that was full with the fruit of obedience and service. And I can’t help but wonder if that might be me in future times. I have no intention of giving up what He has so richly blessed me with. But does anybody else? I really think that praying and staying close to the Lord can and will help prevent this disaster.
Well it is a week into my school and I am lovin’ it. Even though it is really busy and hectic I am still really enjoying it. I totally have a ton of school work this year, a lot of literature (Which is one of my favorite pastimes: reading a good book). My chemistry is very fascinating.
We are having some difficulties at our church and I have really been praying about it.
I know that this particular person is just human (as are all people on this earth), and I know that we all make mistakes. I think that this incident has helped to bring me back down to earth. I held this person in very high esteem, maybe even too high.
When first came to this church it was because we had moved too far away from our old church that we could not continue going there, I think that for that reason I was a little angry about us going to this church. Over the years that feeling has totally changed, even to the point of being totally reversed. I now love this church and the people much as I did our old church.
I came to admire a certain person and was, I think, completely ignoring the fact that they did make mistakes. When we came across this problem I came to look at the situation differently. I now, still holding this person in high esteem, observe life from a whole different portal than I did before.
I now can automatically remember that we are all created equal and we all make mistakes. I still admire and love this person greatly, but I can remember to allow them space to make mistakes, not hurting myself in the meantime.
Well last night was Wednesday night prayer meeting and this was a verse that pastor mentioned:
“But we are bound to give thanks always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13
I guess I never thought about the fact that it has been pre ordained that we are to become Christians. That our lives are going to become one with Christ, and He knows exactly when too I suppose:)
And the reminder that we are beloved by the Lord is a very precious reminder indeed.
Well I just got done with a book about Amish and finding Christ’s forgiveness. I paid more attention to the Amish way of life that I have ever before. Thinking, how can they be so obedient to something of which they have no confirmation in? In some ways I envy their ability to give themselves so completely when they have no definite eternal home in sight. Somehow I don’t think that I could live like that, so separated from the Lord and the fellowship that I have with Him. Any way that was really random.
I hope that your day was, and will be, filled with moments to treasure for a lifetime.
The person that I am is only because of what He made me, how he changed me, and what He is doing through me.
My life, in its entirety, belongs to my Savior; And I owe everything to Him.
Have fun and bless someone today!
So I officially had an amazing time this past weekend. We were constantly busy and loved it.
The serpent in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The impression of Jesus in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
A dinosaur that lived among humans.
Adam and one of his sons.
Cain killed Able, God's first chosen leader, so God brought forth Seth.
Me and a few of my friends.
I made a really good friend while I was there. *blush*
