Sunset Surfer

'Just Checking In'

A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kind a shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

Weeping and Joy

Hello Everyone!

I was just taking a break from my school when I decided to come here and post something. My life has recently changed drastically. I posted about them in my last two blogs and if you haven't read them then please spare a few minutes and do. My Papa is visiting and I can tell he's in a lot of pain and sometimes it comes off on us. It is so much easier for me to be happy knowing she's in Heaven and way better off than here. Even if it causes us pain.

This morning I read a verse from the Bible and I remembered that it was spoken on in Ministry meeting by a visitor but it means so much more to me now so I thought I'd share it with you.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - Psalm 30:5

This verse is so inspirational and helps us all through the hard times. Let us never forget that God is always near and promises never to leave us.

I hope you all have had a great week  and I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead.

My Testimony

I wanted to share my story about receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.  I hope you enjoy it and I hope I can bring it out and write it well.

For the past few years my soul would disturb me on and off. But when I was about 12 I made up this idea that I was saved because of my own little formula and just decided that that was that. It didn't satisfy me so I would go through my formula whenever I felt uncertain. It continued like that for the next few years, with everyone thinking there was nothing wrong...including myself some of the time. But time passed and I finally said, "I don't think I'm saved." But I'd already been baptized already under one of my 'stories' that for a time I thought was real. I continued to tell a few trusted people that I 'wasn't sure' that I was saved all along knowing in my heart that I wasn't. I continued to pray about it but I wasn't willing to take what God offered and tried to add my own whatever into it. Then when my Nana passed away and we went up there my soul was really bothering me. I had almost given up hope of getting saved but not matter what I still kept trying to see and still kept trying to do something.

Finally the funeral day came around and instead of having a huge speech about how great she was, my Nana had wanted a gospel message instead. So, Albert Hall spoke on John 3:16. That was Friday. The days went by and I'd still get worried at night but continued to let it go for another night and was lucky to wake up the next mornings.

It was Sunday. We were going to go to the breaking of bread at my Papa's assembly which was about an hour away from where we were staying in Toronto. As you can imagine I was still worried about my soul as we got in the car for the hour drive. I kept on trying to run over things in my mind but I 'just couldn't believe'. Then something came back to me. My Mom had mentioned and while back that children that grow up in Christian homes tend to think believing as a chore and not as child-like trust. I quoted John 3:16 again with that in my mind and to read it like it was the first time and that the believing was what it truly was. It 'clicked'. But I didn't accept it yet. I few minutes later just out of the blue I said, "Thank you." to God and accepted his gift.

I still doubt so its a little hard but I continue to remind myself that it isn't me but that the work is done and I can go to Heaven because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for ME. He died for ME! I would appreciate all prayers about peace and assurance to my soul from God's Word because the person I have been for the past 15 years tends to overtake me. But I was so glad to be able to tell you about my story and hope that if you haven't come to the Lord Jesus Christ to do so...because you'll never be the same, take it from me. =)

Lauren 

Hey Everyone! I'm back.

Sorry I haven't been on in a LONG while. My Nana passed away so we were up there for a time and when we got back we were so busy that I haven't really even thought of HSB until just recently. But I'm blogging now and hopefully it'll be somewhat interesting.

My Papa came down today for a visit, Its nice to see him again. The last time I saw him was when we were in Canada for the funeral. When he came he brought a photo album that everyone put together with all these pictures of Nana. It was really nice going through it and seeing all the good times again.

My Dad is going to go up to Florida tomorrow so that will be really cool. He's going for work but I hope he does get some fun in there too. He needs it.

But good things come out of funerals. I know she's in Heaven and that's a relief. She's not sick anymore and she's always going to be happy. When I was up there I recieved Christ as my Savior too. Sometimes I do doubt but I know people are praying for me and the power of God is unimaginable. He will give me Peace and Joy! =)

Memories

Last night I came across my Mom in the living room with three big tubs of old photo albums. Soon the whole family was in the room passing around pictures, laughing at silly faces, remembering old times. I even remembered this little blow up alligator floating we played with at my Aunt and Uncle's cottage years and years ago. I also saw how cute I was when I was a youngster. My baby teeth smile, my big bright blue eyes, my uncombed curls that appeared so strawberrry blonde so long ago. I can't help but smile. Then there's Megan with her crazy faces, Erin's always open mouth baby pictures, my insane brother Andrew as a younger kid. And the cousins too even. Its amazing how far we've come in a few years and what's happened to us all, especially me. Sometimes I wish I could be that young girl again riding the pony or blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. But soon I'll have my big Sweet 16 and be well on my way out of childhood. Scary, huh??

Today we have to clean so I should get going. I'm also way behind on my homework so even further work on the weekend. But first of all....LUNCH!

Talk to you all soon!

A lot has been going on so I thought I should post and tell a little. First off today is my youngest sister's birthday. She's turned 11 years old and she's having a good time I think. My Mom is still in Canada so it was a bummer she couldn't be here. Megan (my sister) is hoping to have a birthday party Saturday and invite some friends so that'll be fun.

We just got back from Canada a few days ago. We were visiting my Nana who was diagnosed with cancer. She was hospitalized while we were up there but since then she's been doing a little better, its good that she's getting more of the help that she needs.

All weeknights this week we're having VBS kids meetings on Lessons from Narnia. I'm so happy because Narnia is really awesome! Prince Caspian is coming out in a few months so I'm excited for that too.

I've been trying to do some writing but I've been kind of busy so its hard. I also have to do my homeschool co-op work so that's a little time consuming too. But I thought I should take time and post. The only problem is that I'm running out of titles and can never think of anything. So annoying!

Homeschooling illegal in California

Alright, I haven't been tagged and I haven't posted anything for a LONG while so I should probably write something just to keep it updated.

We might be going to Canada again in the next week but I'm not sure. I have a lot of homework from my homeschool co-op but mostly literature. Also in the film class I'm taking the next film due is supposed to be a documentary. I think its going to be a lot harder than the first one. Then again the first one we did in one afternoon and so I think we'll do better in this one. Anyone have any ideas on a good documentary?? We could use some suggestions.

I also am working more on writing and drawing. What I'm going to try to do is draw portraits for my characters, I just have to practice...a lot! I have this idea for a story but so far its really hard and the plot is not going to great. Its going to be hard and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me about plot development?? I also have a hard time with Character Development so if anyone has anything for that I'd appreciate it as well!

Febuary 1, 2008......

Wow, the first day of Febuary!! Well, here its not that great of weather outside...we have an ice storm and I really don't want to go outside. But there's a wedding we're going to tomorrow and I have to have shoes to go SO...out into the bitter weather. I'm not looking forward to that trip.

Hopefully my cold clears up soon too. Its miserable being sick.

Lost just started again last night. Season 4 is getting really confusing, like it wasn't confusing before. lol.

I should go get some breakfast. Talk to you all soon! =)