This is me... this is my life. This is my God, and the INCREDIBLE things He has done, is doing, and will do in my life. Read, enjoy, be blessed, be encouraged. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0500 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0500 Hey everyone! Please visit my new blog at www.fabulousstroffe.com!!!! No more new updates here! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/574133/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/574133/ So, last night, I was making dinner...for the first time in 8 whopping weeks, and boy, was I having some problems. Well, to begin, I forgot to buy something, so we had to make do. And then the toaster was working not so well, so some of the toast was crispy and some would barely cool. AND THEN-I melted some butter in the microwave, and pulled it out, and I must not have been too careful, because it splattered on my hand... so yes, I burned my hand with butter. Don't laugh. Did anyone watch the USA Women's gymnastics' team qualifying debut last night? They weren't doing so well, unfortunately. Two of the gymnasts got ankle injuries right before so they were only able to compete on the bars. There were three steps out of bound in the floor routines, and then two falls off the bars as well as Nastia's scary tumble on her landing. The beam, though, was awesome. Our girls rocked it out! As usual, Shawn Johnson was the rock she usually is with no issues and her always there smile. If you heard there team meeting afterwards, though, it seemed like everyone was taking the whole thing in stride and it was actually really funny to listen to them talk! Make sure to watch on Tuesday night for the team finals. Hopefully, they'll have finished all their damage control from last night, and they'll have a really good showing against the Chinese. This morning was our first morning at VBS. It went so much better than I expected-especially with only 12 people. We divided them into 6 teams of 2 each, and it seemed to work out really well. All of the competitions went smoothly, and the best part was watching everyone compete in trying to make peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches the fastest. Boy, I didn't think it should be that hard. But, the bocce ball was a riot to watch! Today I'm working on organizing our figure skating program for this fall. And cleaning my room. And calling about a job... so, lots of new and exciting stuff going on.. Comment and keep me posted on you! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/573032/ Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/573032/ I highly recommend trying it sometime. You see, yesterday, I went to a graduation party. I walked It didn't look like rain. And it wasn't supposed to rain until much later. About three hours into it, it started getting cloudy, and I thought..."Maybe I should get going." I started walking home. Half way home, the skies opened up and it started to downpour. It was either-turn back and be soaked in front of everyone at the party or go home and be soaked once I got there. I thought maybe it would be better to show up at home with all my clothes dripping wet, my hair dripping, and my mascara/eyeliner running. So, yeah... I could wring out my clothes and fill a pool by the time I got home. It was like I jumped in a swimming pool with my clothes on. It was so much fun... and I highly suggest it! =) So, if it rains again... get outside. =) You might just get a storybook ending out of it too.... (that's a quote from Chelsea...don't ask what it means.) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/572568/ Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/572568/ Yes, today's high in Rochester, NY has been a whole 70 degrees. But since it has been cloudy and rainy all day, it has felt much colder than that. Hence, here I am wearing jeans and a sweatshirt on the 8th of August. How awesome is that? My sister and I along with our friend Alaina went to see Prince Caspian at the dollar theater today. Yup, that's right... only $2 bucks to see one of the greatest movies of all times. I have to admit, it was pretty fun to see it a second time and even better because I was gripping my seat in nervousness the whole time as I was on May 16th when it first came out. I just came back from a week at Kingdom Bound, and over all...well, it was pretty good. The best part was by far seeing Vicky Beeching at the worship tent. What a sweet time that was. I highly recommend checking out her blog at www.vickybeeching.com and also check out her songs on iTunes. My favorites would have to be "At All Times", "Come Join the Song", and "No One Like Our God". She has many other good ones though. She shared a great story of her travels from England, and overall, I was just so challenged, encouraged, and ministered to through her. What an honor and blessing. Right now, my kitchen smells like mint brownies... have you ever seen those? They are a PIllsbury thing... I found them for 99 cents at Wegmans two weeks back when I took Chelsea for a tour. I had to get a package. Well, the brownies themselves taste kind of minty, and then when you pull them out of the oven, you also get to drizzle them with mint stuff. It seems pretty good. I am taking them to our church's worship night tonight for everyone to try out-so hopefully they aren't really disgusting or deadly or anything. Monday I find out about the job situation. Please keep that in prayer. The other doors have shut, but new ones also have been opened in places I never expected. I am excited to see how things work. Please keep my 15 year old cousin, Bethany, in your prayers. She had surgery this week to place a pole in her back because of scoliosis. She is on the mend, but pray for her comfort and strength and continued healthy recovery. Well, this is all for now... Have a great weekend! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/571889/ Fri, 8 Aug 2008 15:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/571889/ 1And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:  2And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;  3The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.  4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;  6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;  7In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.  8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.  9There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.  10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.  11And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.  12And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.  13Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.  14The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.  15And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.  16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.  17He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;  18He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.  19They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.  20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.  21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.  22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  23For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.  24I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.  25Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.  26With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.  27With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.  28And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.  29For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.  30For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.  31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.  32For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?  33God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  34He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.  35He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  36Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.  37Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.  38I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.  39And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.  40For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.  41Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.  42They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.  43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.  44Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.  45Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.  46Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.  47The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.  48It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.  49And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.  50Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.  51He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/569172/ Sat, 2 Aug 2008 19:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/569172/ The courts of my heart that is. I've been home now for three full days. I got home on Thursday at 3:30 to a completely silent house. No one was home. No one to welcome me. So what did I do? I opened all my mail and tried to stop my shaking hands. Then I just walked around the house looking at every room and everything and balled my eyes out. And then I cried for a bit longer. I played the piano and cried some more. After that, I figured I should be productive until my dad got home so I did some computer stuff and carried my luggage up to my bedroom. When he got home, we went out for dinner and that was nice. Friday I had to be out of the house. I left early at 9:30, picked up Chelsea in Webster, went to Tiffany's house to see her and meet baby Elijah (ADORABLE by the way!), and then to Super Wegmans for Chelsea to see, back to the house Chels is staying at, and then to put in a job application and then I surprised the Blakes. I didn't get home until 5. The day helped keep my mind engaged, but the loneliness sunk in again the moment I got home. I didn't feel like doing anything. I worked on some stuff until I could take it no longer at 8:30, and then I veged in front of the TV, and then talked to Chels for about 10 minutes around 10 PM. Yesterday I was kept busy with worship practice and a graduation party. That was nice. And here I am... wow, it's almost 4 on Sunday afternoon. I want today to be over. I don't know why. It's not like anything is going to change tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow might even be more boring and lonely than today. Today has been one of the worst emotional battles yet. Don't ask me why, I just know it has been. It was hard to get out of bed this morning, it was hard to go to church and talk to people, it was hard to go play tennis... I am sorry for being so pessimistic. I know the Lord is good and He is faithful and He is the great Comforter. But, the truth is-life hurts right now. Yes, He'll be working through my hurt and in my hurt. Yes, my character and prayer life and walk with Him will be strengthened and matured. Yes, I will come out of this stronger. But right now, it hurts. And we haven't even said our official goodbye yet... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/566249/ Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/566249/ Today has been a fabulous day. But time has raced much too fast. We hauled out the bedroom... made it look all spiffy and clean. I guess I kinda left my mark here on this room... I had no idea. We hauled everything... and everywhere were letters from me, pictures of me, cards from me, etc... Mrs. Stearns hit it right on the head when she said, "Even when you aren't here in person, you're still here." It made me think of my own room, where Chelsea permeates every square inch. We had a grand time... I love to organize. The closet looks great. So does the shelf and the vanity and the dresser... In these last 24 hours, I feel also I have learned more about Chelsea than I have in a long time... it's like a whole new world of Chelsea. I won't say all I've discovered, but needless to say it's been fun. The Lord has been so good...so gracious. But here we are at 5:13 on Monday afternoon already. We leave at 6 AM on Wednesday. By Thursday night, I'll be saying adios to Chelsea as I carrying my luggage back to my bedroom (my bedroom in my house in Rochester, NY!) and saying goodbye as Chelsea's minivan departs from my driveway. It'll be all over. My whole summer in Missouri. Six weeks. It'll be all over. After we finished cleaning today, we sat on the bed with two spoons and a can of chocolate frosting, and just enjoyed smiling at each other.. In four days, it'll be all over. I hate this. You don't even understand how much I hate this. I totally and completely and utterly hate this. I don't wanna say goodbye... ever and ever and ever. I don't wanna say goodbye. I am tempted to say, "God, I cannot do this again." But, I know somehow with His grace I will survive. I always do. But I don't wanna say goodbye. Please, if I could just not have to say goodbye... Oh... the time ticks away. Tonight, Chels is babysitting... Sonora and I will stay behind and wash the car in preparation for the trip; I'll finish the laundry and put the sheets back on the bed. I'll go to the library and get our final movie--Sense and Sensibility. Tomorrow, we'll wake up one last time and get to spend some time in bed before we move. We'll shower. we'll make a scavanger hunt for the car. Pack our suitcases. Pack everything up. Return to piano. Maybe see Caity again. Play tennis one more time. Go to bed. Pray. Sleep. Get up at 5 AM... and say goodbye to a summer in Missouri., I don't wanna say goodbye ever... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/563836/ Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/563836/ I have not been on here in quite a while. The days have been flying by here... only four full days left here, and then two days in the car, and then I'll be home-and my summer in Missouri (my six weeks-exactly 42 days) will be over. Sigh... that's the only thing I can think to say. I do miss home... a  lot; I miss my bedroom, my family, my life as it normally is. But, I so dread saying goodbye to Chelsea again. I don't know why it has to be so hard. Every time, I tell myself I'll be fine. It'll be okay... life will go on. But, every time, it's hard. And every time, I hate it. I can already tell that I am losing it... as these last two days, I have already struggled with being edgy and having weird emotions going on. I kind of just want it to be over. I don't want to experience these next few days. I just want it to be Friday already so I can be home and this can be over with. And yet I know, if I so choose, the Lord will have so much for me in these coming days. And His glory can shine, because it will not be me... I have no strength left. I am a mess... I don't want to face these days. I don't want to feel these things. I don't want to go through the things I know I must... so it will be His strength and His joy and His spirit working in me. For that I am excited. This past week, I cannot think that we did anything particularly exciting. In fact, this last week was so crazy... with Mr. and Mrs. Stearns out of town for two days, we were left in charge of the house and kids. It would've been all right, except that we ended up working on a farm all day Wednesday, and we were gone from 8:30-5; that just left everyone a mess. Tuesday was a good day... Chels and I had our pictures taken by our dear friend Caity here... we had a lot of fun, and the pictures turned out fabulously. Lord willing, they'll be ready by the time we leave on Wednesday. Thursday, we went to the Freeman's house for dinner and games, and I got to ride a horse for the very first time ever! It was so awesome... and I want to do it again and again and again! It was so much fun. We also played hide and seek like little kids...=) and then a rousing game of Uno and Twister. It was much fun, quite enjoyable, and even better to see Mr. and Mrs. Stearns when we arrived home at 9:30-all tired and completely worn out. Yesterday, Chels and I wanted to get out of the house so after we practiced worship for Sunday, we went to Walmart, bought some food and printed pictures, and then we went to the park and had a picnic together. It was a peaceful, enjoyable, and greatly conversational two hours. It was a sweet time, praise the Lord. Then we came home, and turned around and when back to the same park to go swimming with the kids. Last night, we made pudding parfaits for dinner dessert, and we attempted to make whipped cream-but the cream didn't seem to be heavy enough, so it didn't work out real well. After that, around 8, me and Chelsea went for a walk... it must have been 3 miles or so. We didn't get back until 9. I thought the dog was going to die... it was such a long walk, and poor Lily was convulsing when we got home because she was so tired! =) but, she is fine now. Today, Chels and Jonny are working for the last time (Jonny forever and Chels until September), and everyone else went off to an auction. I stayed back as I only got out of bed a half hour before they left, and I was in need of some serious quiet time with the Lord and some quiet time in general. There isn't a lot of quiet in this house, at least compared to mine. At first, it really didn't bother me, but now it's getting harder with the amount of noise here. But, that's okay. Tomorrow will be fun...we have church, we get to do worship together for the last time (sad morning it'll be...); and then we have a party at the Bale's farm to go to. Monday and Tuesday are going to be insane. We have our last minute shopping for New York, scrubbing the house top to bottom, packing all our stuff, and loading everything for 6 people into the minivan. Wednesday, we plan to leave at 6 in the morning and drive ten hours to just north of Columbia, OH where we will stay for the night in a nice hotel with a indoor swimming pool! =) And then up again on Thursday to drive 7 more hours to home... home... I am both way looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time... And I am quite bummed because my mom and sister are leaving for Arizona on Wednesday, so even though I'll be home on Thursday, I won't see them until the following Tuesday. Well, I think this is all...please pray for us all here, for the Lord's peace and for strength and for grace... and for comfort for me and Chels, because we both dread this goodbye as always. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/563030/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/563030/ How long does it take before you really get what the Lord is trying to speak to you? I think I must be pretty dumb or hard-headed or something because it has taken me until now to figure out, and it's been since the beginning of June. Just this morning, I finally did get it... the Lord was speaking AGAIN the three most important words in my life right now. "Wait. Patiently Wait." Yes, I have been getting that message for a while now. That whole waiting thing... but this morning, I finally got it. I get it now. I understand to what situation it applies and the importance it has in my life right now. What a freeing, wonderful moment... to know what the Lord is speaking personally to me! And, it leaves me with such assurance-filling me with peace even though I don't see anything happening right now and even though I have been called to wait on the Lord. I realized this morning as I was reading Isaiah 30:18-AGAIN-where it says The Lord will wait that He may be gracious to me and that He may be exalted. I was writing in my notebook, realizing that without waiting there needs be no prayer; without waiting, there is no faith required. And without waiting, there is hardly an opportunity for the Lord to be wholly exalted and glorified. And so, even though this waiting may be hard, and may be hurting at times, I will wait..yes I will wait, that the Lord may be exalted. I think of a song I have grown to love playing lately. I Will Wait I will wait, I will wait for You I will wait, I will wait for You When my heart is troubled And when my bones are aching I will wait, I will wait for You It's all that I can do It's all that I can do It's all that I can do To wait on you, to wait for you I will hope, I will hope in You I will hope, I will hope in You When my heart is breaking Faithful and true are You I will hope, I will hope in You http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/559716/ Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/559716/ 1) My sister 2) My father 3) My mother 4) My piano 5) My bedroom 6) Super Wegmans 7) Ice skating rink 8) Barnard park 9) Spressie 10) Woody 11) Quietness 12) Church 13) College Bible study 14) Becky 15) Rachael and Bethy 16) Cooking in my kitchen 17) The pool 18) My family's dinner table conversations 19) Gerwitz inside jokes 20) Rochester weather 21) Starbucks 22) A close mall 23) speed limits above 30 mph 24) a shower with amazing water pressure 25) Mrs. Voigt http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/556801/ Sat, 5 Jul 2008 10:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sk8cate/556801/