In Christ Alone! | |
Twenty-One and Still Young!Howdy Y'all, IT'S MY 21st BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!!! I'm so excited!!!! THE PERFECT DAY: The Day I Got Everything DoneHey all, Wow... long time no write... my deepest apologies for not writing or visiting or commenting! I hope to do some visiting soon. Life's been crazy! I was waiting to share this with you until I found out the results of the TOS's short story writing contest. I entered the following story, but didn't win. Thanks,
THE PERFECT DAY: The Day I Got Everything Done The moon shone brightly through the window, gently resting upon the weary face of a mother. She laid silently in bed watching as the clock ticked slowly and both hands approached the twelve, ending another Monday. Glancing over at her sleeping husband a tear rolled silently past her ear to the pillow. “Why?” She thought to herself. “Why can’t I ever get it all done?” She had asked this question a hundred times, to herself, to her friends, to her forgiving husband, and still no answer. “Tomorrow is a new day.” She thought positively. “I’m not going to be a Nobody; I’m going to be a Somebody. And I am going to get everything done, no matter what it takes.” She rolled over and grabbed the notebook on her night stand. Searching for a writing utensil her fingers stumbled upon a broken crayon. She leaned further into the moon light and began writing: To Do List for Tuesday: Excited and eager to fulfill her plan, she flopped the notebook back on her night stand and tossed the crayon beyond the foot of the bed. Before she could think of anything else she closed her eyes and was fast asleep. “BZZZZ!” The annoying sound roused her at “What? Have I been sitting here for two minutes already?” She quickly headed to the bathroom, sweats in hand. After changing and throwing her blonde locks in a pony tail, she hurried to the cluttered living room. Flipping on the lights, she groaned. “At least the treadmill hadn’t been used in part of ‘the fort.’” She flipped the radio on, hopped on the machine, and started out with a mild jog. Wanting to make sure she got her fifteen minutes in she looked at the clock across the room. It read She had three minutes to go when a blonde head peeked around the corner. “Hey Mommy,” the groggy voice mumbled, “whatcha doing?” “I’m exercising, Sweetie. What are you doing up so early?” she panted, out of breath. “I just woke up.” The little five year old plopped herself at the table. “I’m hungry. Can you make some breakfast?” Determined to accomplish what she had set out to do, she disregarded her daughter’s question, looked down at the digital figures, and kept walking. So far she’d burned approximately 130 calories. Eating breakfast would surely nullify her last fifteen minutes. “We could have a party, just us two!” Her daughter’s voice had perked up along with her body. “Not now. I’m busy. Go wake up Jill, or Samantha. Tell them, ‘Mommy said.’” Winded she stepped off the treadmill. Sweat was building on her forehead, but she smiled with determination. Feeling a tad light headed walking back to her bedroom she paused to lean against the wall. Soon, however, she was crossing off the first item on her list. “I’m going to take a shower, Hope.” She spoke to the little girl still sitting at the table, her head resting on her folded arms. “I’ll get one of your sisters to come up here and make you some breakfast, OK?” “K,” Hope mumbled, not moving an inch. “Girls, time to get up!” She flipped on the light and started tugging at blankets. Three sleeping lumps simultaneously moaned as each held tight to her covers. “Jill, go fix some breakfast for Hope. She’s upstairs waiting.” She patted her twelve year old on the back. “Sam, you get the living room straightened up. I’ve got a lot to do today.” She rustled her ten year old daughter’s sandy hair. A grunt followed by more moaning from the other side of the room indicated that it was only “Up, Marissa!” She responded to her seventeen year old daughter before making her way to the boys’ room. “Rise and shine boys!” She said, flipping on their lights. “The garbage needs to be taken out, Kyle.” Her fifteen year old son groaned. “Brent, make sure all the bathrooms get cleaned this morning.” Her thirteen year old son squinted at her. “And Peter,” she whispered in her seven year old son’s ear, “you help Sam get the living room back in order.” After a hot shower she hurried upstairs to cross it off ‘the list.’ Two down, and only thirteen more to go. “Good morning, Honey!” Her husband said, rolling out of bed. “Why you’re up awful early. It’s only “Yup! I’m going to get everything done today, continuing with washing these sheets.” She yanked at the covers and pulled off the pillow cases. While heading to the laundry room with an arm load of sheets, clothes, and towels gathered from here there and everywhere she perceived that she was in high demand. “Mom!” said Brent. “Mommy!” said Peter. “Hey, Mom?” asked Jill. “Good Morning, Mom.” said Samantha. “Hi, Mommy!” said Hope. “Sorry kids, I have to start some laundry and get school corrected. Why don’t you all get dressed, make your beds, and finish picking up the living room. ‘The fort’ must be taken apart too. Peter. Samantha.” She looked at them squarely as she passed through the room. Seventeen minutes later she was working away at the stack of text books, red pen in one hand, and the answer key in the other. “Could I check my E-mail, Mom?” Marissa asked, sauntering to the desk in her pajamas. “I just sat down! Not now.” She said, determined not to get behind. “Have a good day at work, Honey!” She hollered as her husband walked out the door. “Marissa, I woke you up,” she looked at the clock, “nearly an hour ago. Why aren’t you dressed yet?”
Marissa had a puzzled expression as she turned to go back down to her room. “Good morning to you too.” She mumbled under her breath. As the morning drug on, she crossed more and more things off her list. The afternoon went much the same. Her children would ask questions, make comments, beg for her attention, but she stayed focused on ‘the list.’ Pretty soon she had the vacuuming done, both bathrooms cleaned… correctly (Brent obviously wasn’t a perfectionist), the kitchen floor washed, and the bills paid. With just three things left, she was feeling pretty confident. “I’m running to the grocery store to get some milk, guys. Be good. I’ll be back shortly.” She grabbed her purse and dug around for her keys as she headed for the door. “Hey Mom,” Kyle asked sweetly, as only fifteen year old boys can. “May I drive you? I’m supposed to have a bunch of hours of driving in before I take Drivers Education in the summer.” “Kyle,” She paused, as if she were actually contemplating the idea. “I – I just – I’ll be quicker if I go by myself. Maybe another time. OK?” She patted his drooped shoulders and shut the door behind her. Soon she had 5 gallons of milk, two pounds of butter, three loaves of bread, and a few frozen pizzas put away. She quickly crossed out another item leaving only two left. Heading for the unruly game closet she called out for runners. But by this time, even reluctant help was hard to find. Her children were avoiding her as much as possible; they obviously hadn’t understood her mission of completing ‘the list.’ The game closet was finally under control around “Can you read this to me, Mommy?” Her littlest daughter asked, placing a Winnie-the-Pooh favorite on her lap. “Oh, I’m sorry, Hope. I have to read my own book right now.” She held up a brand new ‘child training’ book. “You look like you could use a rest. Why don’t you go lay down on my bed for a little bit.” “Could you come sleep with me?” Hope grabbed her mother’s hand and tried to pull her out of the chair she’d settled in. “Hope, I can’t right now. You go lay down.” She pointed to the bedroom with one hand while opening her book with the other. She eventually blocked out her little girl’s whimpers, and ended up reading for a whole hour. With a smile on her face, she crossed out the last remaining item on ‘the list.’ Glancing at the clock she was ecstatic to see that it was only “Jill, could you massage my shoulders? I’m going to watch a little TV.” She said, upon reaching the living room. She switched on the set and sat on the sofa. “Hey Sam, want to lotion my feet?” She looked around for her children. Usually, they would have been more than willing to pamper her, because they loved her so much and that also meant getting to stay up past their bed time. Not tonight, however. “Uh,” Jill faked a yawn. “My hands are a little tired; I think I’ll go to bed.” Before her mother could reply she was out of the room and down the stairs. Samantha looked up from the book she’d been flipping through. “Yeah, I am kind of tired too. I hope you get some good sleep tonight, Mom.” She put the book on the bookshelf and hurried after her sister. “Peter?” she asked softly. “I’ll let you stay up…” Her voice trailed off. He was on his way downstairs too. In fact, one by one, each of her children headed to bed, without being told, without giving hugs, without blowing kisses, without even saying goodnight. In just moments she was alone, staring after her dear children. “… you didn’t hear a word I just said, and you obviously don’t care about anyone but yourself!” The angry voice of an obviously offended girlfriend brought her attention to the television. “Goodbye, Mr. Selfish Peter.” “SLAM!” She flinched as the door on the TV was thrown shut. Immediately, she turned it off. As she sat in silence she thought, “What just happened?” She suddenly felt as worthless and rejected as the boyfriend had looked just before terminating the program. Today was supposed to be her perfect day, the day she got everything done. Why then did she feel worthless, rejected, like she was a real Nobody. She picked up the notebook beside her. Bright green crayon read: To Do List for Tuesday. The following items were all crossed off, but it didn’t seem to matter now. She turned the page and noticed some sloppy handwriting. It read: I called your name, but you didn’t listen. Tears that had welled up after the first line were rolling down her cheeks. Heavy sobs shook her body. How could she have done this to her children? Why hadn’t she given them just a moment of her day? How did ‘the list’ get to be so much more important than spending time with and loving her children? She chucked the notebook across the room and buried her face in her hands. “Honey?” She could hear her husband’s voice. “Sweetheart?” Had he come home from work finally? Why was he whispering? Suddenly, his warm arms were wrapped around her. “Honey, wake up!” She heard him clearly now. “You must have been having a horrible dream. Are you alright, Sweetie?” She was startled. “What day is it? What time is it? The kids. Do they still love me?” He held her close, gently answering her questions. “It’s very early Tuesday morning, Dear. It’s not even She sat up and squinted through the lamp light into her husband’s eyes. Abruptly, she reached over to her night stand and grabbed the notebook, terrified of what she might find. She read, in green scribbled crayon: To Do List for Tuesday. Not a single item had been crossed off, she was thrilled. She looked at her husband with a smile that gradually became a troubled expression. The poem. She turned over the page. And read: I called your name, and you stopped to listen. Tears again moistened her eyes, but this time she was filled with peace, contentment, and joy. She scrambled to the foot of the bed, her husband staring after her. She was searching for something. Finally, she got on the floor, hands and knees, and started feeling around. “I found it!” she announced, holding up a broken green crayon. Still puzzled, and wondering if his wife wasn’t still sleeping, her husband looked on. She tore out the sheet with ‘the list’ on it, crumpled it up, and threw it clear out of the room. She then found a clean page and wrote at the top: *New* To Do List for Tuesday: With that done, she gently laid the notebook back in its place, and rolled over to look at her husband. She said, “Tomorrow is a new day. I’m not going to be a Nobody, because I’m already a Somebody. And I am going to get everything done, no matter what it takes.” With a smile on his face her husband turned off the lamp and they both fell fast asleep. 2007 is HERE!!!!so..... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Sorry I haven't been on here in a while folks.... lots going on. I hope you all have had a very blessed Christmas season and have remembered the reason for it all! We have so much to be thankful for! Have a blessed and wonderfully joy filled new year of 2007! And have a great week celebrating it! ~ Stephanie Thanksgiving......HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!!
I wish I could say something grand and profound on this glorious day of Thanksgiving, but I think I'll let one of my more wise friends do that this time. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love Christmas and New Years Day and Independence day, but the day of Thanksgiving, I believe, is my favorite. Why? I don't know, but everything that goes into and comes out of it is wonderful. We get our entire house cleaned, and being a cleany it's a wonderful feeling. We get to cook a LOT of delicious food. We get to share all the tasty food with our relatives, whom I love. We have a marvelous time eating, talking, having fun, playing games, eating pie, and just having fun. I just love the whole "Giving Thanks" atmosphere as well. And all throughout the week I am constantly sending up extra special little "Thank you, God" prayers. It's beautiful. In addition to the wonderful holiday itself, we have also had a tradition for the last eight years that thrills me. The annual "Thanksgiving Sleep-over!" I guess I was twelve when we started it, and we've been doing it ever since. Two family friends' older kids come over and ....... after all the eating, games, movies, talking, having a good time ........ sleep! The guys sleep OUTSIDE, in the barn, (the first year there was no barn, just stars), while the girls sleep inside where it's warm! haha We have a blast. Only.... this year.... two of my good friends can't make it, so it'll be Josh's two friends, and one of mine. I'm still thrilled though!!!!! It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the following Friday-Saturday Sleep-Over, but I'm sure some people might think it's a bit odd to continue now that we're ranging in ages from 18 to 23. So, slightly more serious, what are some extra special things that I am thankful for this year?
Oh, I could really go on forever couldn't I? I just start thinking positively and ......... it's never-ending. haha I would love to hear a few things that you guys are especially thankful for this year! Have a great weekend! 9 Weird Things About MeMy friend Leah "tagged" me, so I'm going to share 9 weird things about me. (This shouldn't be to hard, I'm weird! HA
*HINT* However, don't ask your family "What are nine weird things about me?" They won't know where to start or when to stop,
1. I am obsessed with hair, especially my own. I am always making mental judgements of others' hair and their "do's" or styles. And when it comes to my own, I'm constantly primping, scrunching, touching, fluffing, feeling it, and running to a mirror to check on it..... it drives my family nuts! 2. I am horrible about blowing my nose. I cherish my Puffs (because toilet paper gets rough) to the point that I have caused myself to be over conservative. I will blow, fold, blow, fold, blow, fold, wipe, fold, wipe, fold and with the last clean piece of tissue available wipe once more before finally throwing it away. I've even found half used tissues by my bed..... I was saving it for next time, in case the brand new box ran out or ran off...... I guess. 3. I have TMJ..... basically a constantly popping completely irritating jaw. I can't open my mouth all of the way unless I dislocate it, and when chewing gum or food, my jaw pops with every chomp and becomes quite sore and stiff after a limited extended period of continual use. *sigh* I get it from my Mom. 4. I love anything green. Green clothes, green scarfs, green hats, green notebooks, green blankets, green carpet........ yeah, it's bad. 5. I hate ants. More than any other bug, I hate ants. They freak me out! And that is that. Ewww!!! 6. I have a personal property fobia called, "Don't touch my stuff!" It drives me crazy when people touch my car, sit on my bed, play with my hair, touch me in any way, touch my desk, touch my clothes, touch my ANYTHING really. I think I'm getting better, hopefully, and someday I hope and pray that I won't be so posessive, but...... *sigh* It's one of my greater faults. 7. I love take-home boxes from restaurants. Especially from Lomita's, our local mexican restaurant. Part of it may be that I can't stand wasting things, but partly I just LOVE the food inside them. (Maybe I'm deprived of eating out on a regular basis, but I doubt it.) 8. I always order milk, when I do eat out. No matter where we are, or what I'm eating, I stare at the "drinks" available and always get a milk. Occasionally I'll have a rasberry iced tea, and only sometimes do I get a lemonade or a rootbeer, but milk is most common. 9. I do not like, no that is to light of a word, I can't stand the smell or taste of popcorn and nuts of any kind. They make me sick, give me a headache, and gross me out. It's tough because both are "movie snacks" and popular "gathering treats."
Ok, Leah, (and the rest of you) these are probably way more weird than you cared to know, but ........ it's me.
Have a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!!!! ~ Stephanie Psalm 37 ~ my wishWho needs me, O Lord, When there is Thee? "If I could wish one thing upon the world, what would it be?" Have you ever been asked that before? "If you could have one wish, what would it be?" I've pondered on that a long time without ever coming up with a definite answer, until now. If I could wish one thing upon the world, it would be this. That every person, man, woman, boy, girl, child, adult, republican, democrat, American, or some other nationality..... I wish that every person on the face of the earth could be and would learn to be happy and content in the Lord. Happy in Christ. Filled with the peace, love, joy, and happiness that one gets only after entrusting their life and every aspect of it into the Hands of the One True God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Children, could sleep peacefully at night knowing their God is watching over them. Adults, could be satisfied with life knowing that their God loves them unconditionally and is bigger than all of their problems. Single young people (like myself), could be content with their state of singleness because the only One who can truly satisfy their heart, does. I have never thought of this, like this before. We are supposed to lead the world to Christ, right? Well, I was raised Baptist and taught that "winning souls" was getting someone to pray the sinners' prayer and then hope they learned the rest of the Christian walk naturally (or something.) After observing how "Christians" shoved "Christianity" down unsaved people's throats then bragged about their numbers of "souls led to the Lord" time and time again, I nearly rebeled, completely refusing to "witness to the lost." How sad. But after over five years of simply being a Christian, a follower of Christ, and getting to know my God for myself, tonight my eyes have been opened to a new refreshing excitement for sharing my God with others. I want everyone to need nothing, nothing but a personal intimate loving relationship with Jesus. My Jesus. The Jesus that was born of a virgin, lived without sin, was crucified, buried, and rose the third day so that WE, any and all who call upon His name, might be saved and come to know the peace that passeth all understanding!!!! *moment of silence to ponder* The Lord placed Psalm 37 upon my heart many months ago, and upon my heart it remains. I feel obligated to share it with you. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Oh such sweet words they are. Although my scripture reading has been less than desirable of late, you can be sure this girl will be meditating on this chapter often throughout the next few weeks at least. Tonight, the Lord has spoken to my heart, and tonight I will hearken unto His words. Til next time, may you find contentment and fulfillment in the Love of our Savior! "Lonely In a Crowd?"Hello my fellow Homeschool Bloggers!
It has been sooo long since I've been on here, it's shameful! However, I have been extremely busy and my dear Heavenly Father has been teaching me more than I could have ever imagined. I could go on and on about what I've been up to, but I don't have time tonight. I did however update my other blog (www.xanga.com/krowned1) so if you really want to know what I've been busy with, and see some neat pictures, go there!
The following is an article I found in the Ladies Home Journal written by Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life books. I was extremely impressed with it, and wanted to share it with you all. If any of you still visit, let me know what you think!
God Bless, Stephanie
LONELY IN A CROWD? If I were to ask you what you considered to be the most common pain people suffer, what would you say: Depression? Stress? Resentment? How about loneliness? After all my conversations as a pastor over the past 30 years, I'm certain loneliness is not only common, it's epidemic. I started noticing this when people would admit to me they were lonely -- extremely lonely. Ironically the holidays only heightened it. Perhaps you and your husband are not talking to each other much, or you're dealing with the death of a loved one. Perhaps in the busyness of raising kids you've lost meaningful adult connections. A recent study found that, compared with 1985, Americans report that they have fewer people with whom they can discuss important matters. Nearly 25 percent of the people said they had no one with whom they could discuss such issues. That means roughly a quarter of Americans don't have anyone with whom they can share their deepest fears and greatest joys. Isn't it ironic that as we've become more "connected" by cell phones and the Internet, we've really found more anonymity and isolation? God doesn't want us to be lonely, and that's why he offers us several ways to reduce the pain of loneliness:
He Gives Us a Plan for Life It's likely that you're surrounded all day long by people who need you -- a spouse who needs your companionship, coworkers who need your expertise, children who need your protection, friends who need your laughter and parents who need your care. But you may still feel that no one really knows you or understands what really matters to you. Frankly, you may be lonely. Yet God says this to you: "I made you. I put you on this earth for a purpose. I care about you. I love you and I have a plan for your life." When you're focusing on living God's plan for your life, it gives new meaning to all your relationships.
He Gives Us Other People Most of us think we're to busy to have these kinds of relationships -- and the truth is we are! So many things cut into our time and energy and distract us from building relationships. God's plan to overcome loneliness is for us to get the focus off ourselves and onto the lives of other people. One of the purposes of the church is to provide you with opportunities to develop deep, close relationships. You may be involved in many groups, like scrapbooking clubs, an exercise class or the school board. But I encourage you to take the initiative and get involved with a small group of people who are interested in building deep relationships -- even if that means giving up some other groups. For example, instead of taking an anonymous exercise class, invite a coworker or neighbor to join you for a jog or walk a few times a week; as you exercise, you'll likely see a real friendship blossom.
He Gives Us His Presence We were made to have an intimate, personal and close relationship with God, and no person, pill possession, experience, success, fortune or fame is going to fill that aching hole in your heart. Regardless of the source of your loneliness, God is right there with you. He knows your deepest hopes and concerns, and you can call on His help to conquer the loneliness in your life. He will help you out and see you through. Unexpected Answers ~Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Those verses have been so familiar to me all my growing up years. Many a time have I held to those promises and claimed them as my own while asking, seeking, and knocking in various areas. However, there are and have been times when I believe them without applying Faith. I know the words are true, yet I don't really have faith that what I'm asking, seeking out, or knocking on will come about. But God is faithful through it all. And more times than I can count he has answered my prayers unexpectedly, but answered none the less. Recently, especially over the past week, I have been wondering, thinking, pondering, praying, and thinking some more (half of my thoughts become prayers, I believe) about my future. I am a 20 year old single girl.... young lady.... woman.... Please tell me you all have had questions and doubts and similar confusing thoughts!!! My main prayer for my life is that I would be a blessing to people and minister unto others no matter what I'm doing. I always envisioned myself in the youth ministry, or as a Christian children's writer in my spare time while being a stay-at-home Mom. But since none of those things have been coming about recently I start second guessing myself. Is what I'm doing really God's Will for my life? As my pastor has said a million and one times, "Grow where you are planted." I thought that would be easy. I'm constantly being proven different. Growing includes stretching in ways that are uncomfortable, being scorched with the blazing sun, nearly drowning in floods of rain, being tossed around by the winds of every which way. And although we don't notice the good in all those things, we're growing stronger, taller, and healthier every day into the people God wants us to be. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." But what that verse doesn't say, is that a good name will keep the town talking about you and loving favor will keep you forever busy. I couldn't possibly list how many times people call us up and ask us if we could help them out somehow. And as tiresome, frustrating, and time consuming as it all gets, it is amazing! Just this past weekend God opened my eyes and showed me that in the little things of my life, in the midst of my growing, I am being a blessing to people and ministering to others. A few days ago my sister and I got asked to care for a lady we knew of (her name is Faith, imagine that) who has the beginning stages of alzheimer's. Her husband, and care giver, is currently in the hospital with serious pneumonia and has slim chances of making it. My sister has had experience with watching an older woman with alzheimer's before, but for me, it's an all new world. Her children wanted someone with her at all times, so we'll be switching off days, nights, whatever fits our schedule. I am trying to look at this opportunity as great training. Training for what, I haven't yet figured out, but I know I want to do my best in all that I do, because our Lord most likely won't train me for something that I won't need later on. This could last a week, two, three, who knows. I'm hoping the sooner it's over, the better. Because it slightly (ok more than slightly) messes up some family routines. It all depends on what happens to the husband, and if the children think Faith should go to a nursing home or not. Everything is new ground to all of us right now, so we just don't know. SO!! I guess this is a multipurpose post. I'm letting you know how God had been answering my prayers in unexpected ways. I'm letting you know that my schedule will be chaotic throughout the next few weeks. And I'm asking for prayer that I would be patient in this time of training and growing and that everything would run smoothly. Thank you all! What a day!What a day! I wish I had the time to go into detail, but I don't at this time. The highlights of my day were: 1) My sister REBEKAH turned 16 today, Happy Birthday, Bub!!!!! Yeah! 2) The Lord was with us as we ministered unto a pastorless church in Oelwein today. Walking in without a service order and without a clue about the congregation, the Spirit of God was present and touched nearly every heart. WOW! 3) A sad, yet very touching moment of my day.... I said goodbye to a very dear friend, mentor, leader, ensample of Christ; the best youth pastor I have ever had the honor and privilege of meeting and getting to work with. He wasn't a part of our church, but he was and is a part of God's church. He will be missed dearly by many, but he leaves following God's calling to become the shepherd of his own flock. Praise God! And lastly, (I don't think this should be considered a point) I can't describe the amazing feelings and emotions and thoughts and words that are overflowing within me at this very moment. Goodnight and God bless! For Him, I've been tagged!! (again)I have been tagged by Ashley! But instead of doing more of the generic answers, I'm going to tell you what I have, that most people might not. ;-) I am different that way. hehe Here goes!
5 things in my freezer: 1. roast round rump - boneless 2. boneless skinless chicken breasts (YUM!) 3. leaf spinich (good in specific recipies only) 4. mixed veggies/peas 5. whole strawberries
5 things in my closet: 1. Quill Art - Floral Mineratures Craft Kit 2. Porcelain Doll (still in the box) 3. large box of Dominoes 4. Every American Girl box for both Kristen & Kaya's complete sets (we'll just say my Grandma loves them too... when I have my own house, I'm designating one room just to their stuff. lol) 5. Bob Ross /Master/ Paint set
5 things in my car: (well, when I get a car, I will have...) 1. CD player 2. Sunglasses 3. Ice Scraper thingy 4. Disinfecting car wipes 5. and Kleenex or something (my nose runs at the most unopportune times)
5 things in my purse: 1. mini mirror 2. camera/battery 3. trident spearmint white chewing gum 4. miniature new testament/psalms/proverbs (normally, happens to be missing) 5. notebook for my ever-forgettful memory
5 things in my wallet: 1. a few pictures of seniors this year (including my brother Caleb) 2. drivers license 3. expired free bowling card 4. voter card 5. Medi-Care Insurance card (I think that's what it is)
5 people I tag: alaska0girl The Crust or a Slice; what is God to you?Are you satisfied with your walk with the Lord? I wasn't. But over the past week it seems that every event, conversation, Bible study, and even in Sunday school, God has been working in my heart and helping me realize some very important things of which I feel led to share with you. Each lesson is different, yet similar, oh how God works. Amazing! Recently I have been feeling overwhelmed with … stuff; places to go, people to see, and my goodness so much to remember to get done. I have not been applying myself to spending time with the Lord each day. It has really been leaving me with a large emptiness, a hunger that can’t be filled with physical food. A week or more ago the Sunday sermon was a knife into my heart. In my own words, here is what it meant to me. The crust or a slice; what is God to you? Life is a pie. We slice it up and try to eat every slice every day. One slice is work. Another may be school. A smaller slice is physical exercise, while a slightly larger one may be family time. Many people also create a slice for “God Time.” And I am the first to admit to guiltiness. I have tried to “schedule” a Bible reading time. I have tried to make myself write something in my Bible journal everyday. I have tried to memorize chapters of scripture, verses at a time. I have set high goals with high expectations, but always I find myself a failure, leaving me to be frustrated, depressed, unfulfilled, and completely saddened that I let God down again. God never proposed himself to be a slice in our life, but the crust of our life; the substance that holds us all together. He wants to be involved in every slice of our life, every slice of my life He wants to be active in us when we’re at work, school, with family, at church, ect. But how? Eat when you’re hungry; don’t wait until you’re dying. I have always loved verses such as Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Yet I always tend to ignore my spiritual hungerness until I’m nearly too weak to fill my soul with the Word. Matthew 4:4 says “But he answered and said, It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.” How true that is. May I remember that continually when ever I get hungry spiritually. “Dear Lord, please keep these verses in my constant memory, that I may apply their truth to my life. Teach me to fill my soul with Your Word daily, and focus less on physical food. Thank you, O God! I ask this in your Most Holy Name, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:4-6 (Read 1-11 or so for the full context.) ‘Abide in me,’ says Christ, ‘as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself.’ I can’t bear fruit unless I’m abiding in Christ. If He isn’t my pie crust, I will bear no fruit. Without Him ‘I can do nothing,’ and all my petty “God Time” efforts may as well be gathered and burned. When I abide, the fruit will come naturally. I will no longer have to schedule God in my life, for I will be living each moment in His presence. Something Pastor made clear in Sunday school this past week is that the fruit comes NATURALLY! And if you continue reading vs. 9-14 you’ll see that we abide by continuing in His love, by keeping His commandments, which is that we love one another. Oh there must be must more to that commandment than we understand, for how often it is mentioned, and how important it always is. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why has thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalms 42 God is the health of my countenance. What an obvious revelation. And although my soul may be temporarily cast down, I will hope in God, and shall yet praise Him! May you allow God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ become the crust of your pie. Hunger and thirst after righteousness, and you will be filled. Abide in Him and He will abide in you. Love one another. And even when you’re soul is cast down, hope thou in God, and praise Him, who is the health of your countenance. Amen! in humbleness, Stephanie Pictures coming soon! / Slow Dance! Alas, I did not win the summer picture contest. Oh well. I must admit the two who did win had great photos, very beautiful and special. And maybe next time I'll keep in mind that sisters and children are more lovable than dragonflies.
I am doing well. It has be a great week. This week we have been tackling the garage. We totally cleaned it out, swept the floor, washed the floor, washed the walls, dusted all the cob-webs, then painted the walls and garage door solid white. Boy did it look clean and sharp and new. WOW! Yesterday, we did some artistic work. I am excited to take pictures of our work and share them with you. We are converting our garage into our work-out room. Having a family of 12 it is still necessary to work-out and keep your body healthy, but the house just doesn't have room for all the equipment to be used properly and on a regular basis. And having a membership at some fitness club has proved expensive and impossible. So, in an effort to create our own fitness/exersize room atmosphere we needed something. My Mom has a love for interior decorating, and her true joy is with painting. She has done some truly amazing paint jobs in many many rooms. But this room is different still. I'm not going to say anything else, until I post pictures. It is just something you have to see to understand.
And now, I want to share a poem with you all that I always find so neat. I get this aproximately once every three months in a forwarded email from someone. And everytime I read it I am inspired. So without further ado, here it is.
I hope you all have a great week. I know I am, and will. God Bless! ~ Stephanie My Summer Picture!This picture is specifically for SAMIAM's photo contest. I have taken many many pictures over the summer and it was extremely hard for me to choose. But I chose this one because I took it not to long ago and it is currently my favorite. I just love the brilliance of this dragonfly's blue color, and I was very fortunate to get this upclose shot before he flew off, again.
I will be posting again really soon, and as the school year approaches I plan to write more frequently. Keep checking back!
Let His Light Shine Through You! ~ Stephanie About My 4th of July!Hey Everyone, I know, I'm a little behind on sharing about my Independence day, but here it is. I had a great day! It started out by sleeping in. Sweet!!! haha We headed to Grandma's house (my Mom's family) at around 4:30. We had supper at 5. My Grandma is seriously one of the best cooks on earth. I LOVE her food! Potato salad, deviled eggs, fruit salad, pea noodle salad, and awesome cake. Grandpa also did a super job with the grilling. Those sure were tasty hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs! (I ate a lot. Around 6:45 we found our spot and settled in for the parade. You know you're in Iowa when you see this ......... a line of tractors! (click to enlarge)
It was a pretty good parade this year. There wasn't suppose to be candy or squirt guns, but thankfully there were (candy at least). It was good, long, exciting, and funny.
I only got wet once. They got my camera, I wasn't so happy, but it wiped off. LOL
Isn't she cute? Pink hair, purple necklace, blue bucket, orange shoes, and a sweet smile. I got some cute reactions when people saw they were getting photographed. (Note the lady in the distance as even she gets up to gather some candy.)
Speaking of old ladies, those model-t's sure look more authentic when the driver and passenger look like they grew up with them. Most of the old cars had drivers that looked like their automotive. It was awesome!
Now these guys looked like they tried to be from the same era, and boy were they adorable. I think it should be mandatory that paper boys wear their knickers when they're on their routes. Don't you?
Now here is a youngster who is a tad more up-to-date. We actually drove in drivers' ed together. He did some cool wheelies, but I wasn't expecting them, so I missed it.
And of course they had many many horses, buggies, coaches, ect. These were probably my favorite. Very handsome! (I hope the picture isn't to small, click on it for a larger view.) After the parade we went back to Grandma's for some more family time. I decided to be a kid again and ran around catching lightning bugs with my little siblings and young cousins. I got the ones that flew out of their reach. It was actually a blast, and I hate BUGS! I think we caught at least a hundred and put them into an old plastic peanut butter jar. Talk about a creepy crawly collection of blinking...... that's what it was. LOL Around 9:40 we walked two blocks down and across the street to a big empty yard that we have permission to use each year as our official fireworks watching "spot."
The Fireworks this year were spectacular. Ten times better than normal. The 15-20 min. show was just as good as our finale' last year, and our finale' started without a major break of preparation. It was just plain awesome! This is the best shot I got of "the works." I so wish I could have gotten more.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my late entry, and I hope your holiday was just as enjoyable as mine! God bless! I've been tagged!!Thanks to SuperAngel, I've been tagged! So, I guess that means I have to fill out this little survey deal huh? Ok, here goes. LOL Enjoy!
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 158, find line 4 and write what it says. (It's a Dictionary) < GR bombos, deep and hollow sound: orig. echoic] 1 a container (Now that's funny right there.)
24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? Well Done, thy Good and Faithful Servant! Enter into the Joy of the LORD! Now, you girls better not let me down! I'm going to be watching your blogs for your answers to these random questions! haha Have a great day! Scheduling, Baking, and Picture Taking!Hey All, I'm just wondering if I have to or should start every new entry with some sort of a greeting. What is your input? I'm rather tired tonight. I tried to schedule myself down to the very hour, consisting of Sunday thru Wednesday staying up til 2 AM then sleeping in later so I could have some quiet time to myself (thus the late hours). And then Thursday thru Sat they would be exactly opposite due to Farmers' Market, starting this weekend. I should be going to bed fairly early and getting up around 5 AM. So far it hasn't worked. It's hopeless. The days I was "supposed" to sleep in, I naturally woke up between 6-7 AM. The evenings I was supposed to be up late doing reading and what not, I found myself fast asleep, fully dressed, lights still on, and books unread. OOPS! How do I do that to myself? Dad's full-time, reliable, funny, and extremely competent secretary has to go in for surgery sometime in the next month. I don't know all the details but it's looking like I will be #1 head secretary for a while. Meaning.... I have to spend WAY more time at the office learning all the extra stuff she does. Today is/was bake day. I baked 12 (only twelve) loaves of my beautiful Honey Whole Wheat bread and still have to bake 6 dozen (at least) of my delicious, fluffy white, melt-in-your-mouth, eat-em-while-they're-warm, heavenly Cinnamon Rolls. (Can you tell I LOVE eating them? Yeah, the making and the baking isn't nearly as great as the EATING part of the job. Gotta taste your work before you sell it right? LOL) A few fun facts: I have been baking bread and selling it as my own business now for 4 years this weekend! I sold 911 loaves between July '02 (when I started) and December '05. I will be doing a special promotion this Farmers' Market season, the 1,000th loaf buyer will receive a special prize. (I'd better come up with something good.) Ok, enough rambling, I want to share a few fun pictures that I took this week.
Mmmmmm...... I can smell them now! (Ya gotta love a camera phone when your Canon ain't handy.)
Tell me that ain't cool..... I was snapping some of our water lilies (again) during a light sprinkle and I happened to catch this amazing droplet.
I could take pictures of these all day long. Our pond is sooo beautiful this year and every day these gorgeous lilies look more wonderful. Lovin' it! (Our water really isn't black. Honest.)
This little kitty wanted front and center, and that's what it got! I laugh every time I look at this one, reminds me of some hilarious key chain.
And as always, can't forget family. This is little Joe Bear. Otherwise known as Josiah (7). He and a few of the other younger siblings (and cousin Chase) helped Josh wash his '63 Chevy today, getting it ready for the "Back to the 50's" car show in Minnesota this weekend.
Perty ain't it? Cousin Chase is on the right, and sister Lissa (Elisabeth, 4) is on the far left. Josh is getting the spots they 'missed'. Ok, that's all. God Bless y'all! Delight thyself also in the Lord.....Hello Friendly Readers, Sorry I haven't updated in sooooo long! I feel terrible for not commenting on all y'all's sites, but after this next week life will settle down and hopefully I will get better at doing such. There is a verse in Psalms that says "How sweet, are thy words unto my taste, yeah sweeter than honey to my mouth." That verse has truly been evident in my life this past week. But oh how my time is limited. I wish I had nothing more to do than to sit in a quiet room doing nothing but meditating in the Scriptures. I must realize however that my yardstick life is only getting fuller and going by faster and unless I sacrifice my time for Christ, my end will come and I will have far to many regrets. Sacrifices. I must make sacrifices in order to live. Live Eternally that is. Sacrifice what? Physical food? Yes! That would help my body and my soul, but that doesn't free up enough time on it's own. Fun? Yes! Although it seems I never have enough fun with friends and family, I am afraid that things such as TV late at night w/ family, up late emailing, txting, or chatting w/ friends . . . scarcely as I do them, they must be limited even more. And since work and school are unfortunately necessary, I can't really cut back on those. That leaves one last main and what I consider vital area of my life left. Sleep. Yes, I said it. Ever since I was young / old enough to take naps I have enjoyed sleeping. But the time has come where my personal relationship with Christ is at stake, and without some very hard to swallow sacrifices I will become but drift wood on the River of Jordan. How sad. Isn't it terrifying how we can feel ourselves suffocating spiritually sometimes? Last Sunday was my wake-up call. Pastor let the Holy Spirit prompt the hearts of the congregation and one by one, as various members shared a verse, passage, or testimony my heart was convicted, again. I was nearly in tears on several occasions that morning. But not only was the Lord speaking to me concerning Our Relationship and my time, he also showed me how, for the past three weeks, I have been craving, longing after, wanting, hoping for, and desiring strongly a man that I could call my own. That is not healthy, let me tell you right now. Waiting for him/her is hard. But waiting on God is worth it. I have the Peace that passeth all Understanding once again. I don't understand God's timing, I don't understand God's will for me. But it is OK. And I have peace. PTL! I'm so greatful for the Comforter! Some verses that have really jumped out at me this past week, thus I've been meditating on, are Psalms 37:4-5, and Colossians 3:1-4. They read as follows. Psalms 37:4-5 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Colossians 3:1-4 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." With all joy, with all seriousness, and with all Love, please pray that not I, but Christ in me, would sacrifice the things on this earth and delight myself also in the Lord. ~ For His Glory ~ My sister and I travel to Little Rock!Hey Gang, Here it is. The update from my Little Rock, Arkansas trip. I am beyond tired and I can barely think, so bare with me. You may need to put off reading this til very very late, or early depending on how you look at it in order for some of this to make sense. But hopefully not. It's a long story as to how we got to go, but I'll skip all that. Thursday night Dad drove us to a "friends'" house about an hour and a half away. I had met Sheila a few times, and her 30 year old son Richie, but I didn't really know them. (I do now.) LOL Anna and I stayed the night at Sheila's house and we left bright and early around 6-6:30 next morning. We drove all day Friday, stopping only for food every once in a long great while, gas every now and again, and occasionally a needed bathroom/stretch break. LOL (sorry, didn't get any pictures of that) I did get some pictures though, and we'll see if I'm able to share them with you. I THOUGHT I took more, but after I got home I realized I hadn't. Oh well. The scenery traveling through Missouri and then Arkansas was absolutely beautiful. It helped that it was a sunny day with blue skies and few white clouds. It was gorgeous!!! One thing I tried to accomplish was to take an awesome picture of a HUGE flag. You know, one that is so big it's like a good third of the 50-60 ft. flag pole? Well, due to fast driving, not the most expensive camera, last minute notice when one was spotted, windows that glared, and obstructions such as signs, cars, telephone poles ect. I didn't get my perfect picture. I did get a few good ones though.
This one for example. I wish a little breeze would have made the massive thing wave a bit, but alas it did not. The weather was just TOO perfect.
Now this one I played around with. We were stopped at a gas station so I could get a pretty clear picture, but it was extremely overcast, and there was a large sign/figure right next to it so I didn't get my "dream shot." I still love how it turned out though. Neat huh? This next one I happened to capture is probably the best 'scenery' shot I got during the entire trip. My sister Anna was begging and encouraging me to "take pictures of the rocks!" every time we saw them. (Which was often!) It turned out well though.
It's better when it's bigger. The weather was soooo nice! After a bit we were hungry so we started looking for a place to eat. (That's what hungry people normally do.) We decided to stop in Branson, MO to eat and take a peek at "The World's Largest Banjo" while we were in town.
Anna and I look so small! haha It was really huge. The neck stuck out of the building too. Pretty awesome. And the back was signed by many famous music groups. Pretty sweet! Some guy said there was a big violin too, so we drove around and found that. It was sticking out of the mall. Kind of hard to miss.
Can you see it? If you look hard the rest is behind the glass. We got more pictures of it from the inside but since it was way up high they looked kind of funny. Doesn't Anna make the cutest pointer? haha Just for kicks here are a few pictures of Anna and I as we were bored stiff in the back seat ...... mostly on the way home though.
Yikes, I just put a picture of myself on my public blog. I am really losing it. Oh well. The world may as well see the prettiest girl in Humboldt, IA. (big laugh) Ok, well, Jesus thinks I'm pretty, my Mommy thinks I'm pretty, Grandma thinks I'm pretty, and my little sister (well actually all of them) think I'm pretty......... so guess what that makes me? hehe K, enough about me.....
Here is my extremely beautiful sister Anna. I love her to death. She is so sweet and smiley all the time. (And you best beware when she isn't.) haha She has the loveliest golden blonde hair a girl could wish for. It is long and silky and oh my is it breath taking! She's a keeper! Ok. When we finally reached our motel in Little Rock there was a block long line, times three or so rows of cars waiting to get checked in. While we waited I took pictures.
Yup, we stayed at the Peabody motel. It was pretty nice. There were even live ducks in a little pond area in the lobby. I thought the pansies and violets were adorable though. What do you think of the picture? My all-time favorite shot from the entire weekend (except for Go_Granny..... long story) is this next one. I needn't say more.
I laughed so hard when I saw that. I am glad the picture turned out pretty good. Apparently the folks who did that job were NOT perfectionists. I am. And I had the urge to run out there and fix it. I hope others get at least a good laugh out of it though! hehe And the last picture is from the old state building lot in AK. It was only a few blocks walk from our motel. | |
I probably need to do some revisions, but I am excited to share it with you all. At nearly 2,500 words... I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think... be critical if you can! ha! 
) 
for me at least.
hahahaha
with a whole future ahead of me. I don't want to waste my life; my one, God-given, Jesus-died-for, blessed with such an awesome upbringing, life. I want to live my signature life, a life that I'll proudly sign my name to when it is accomplished, now. But how? What am I doing now, that is big and grand and God's Will? What am I doing now, that is leading me to a prosperous future of glorifying God? Which of my talents and passions am I supposed to pursue and polish and put to practice most? So many questions....
hehehe
)
Including that phone. 
(I love my cell, but I seriously have a phone phobia sometimes.) At least Dad's checks came in and I got paid today!!!! 
(I have already spent it a million and one ways in my head. Oh dear!)
