May. 25, 2008 - All Things Cati
Hi all my blogger friends and people who read this blog;
I decided to organize my life and get everything in one place.
That's right: pictures, blogs, book information, skating stuff, updates, news, etc-ALL IN ONE PLACE!!!
Check out www.catigerwitz.com
It's pretty boring now, but expect new and exciting things to roll around in the coming weeks.
For now, keep up with me through the blog.
I'll warn you when I move completely over to the new site and delete this one!!
I decided to organize my life and get everything in one place.
That's right: pictures, blogs, book information, skating stuff, updates, news, etc-ALL IN ONE PLACE!!!
Check out www.catigerwitz.com
It's pretty boring now, but expect new and exciting things to roll around in the coming weeks.
For now, keep up with me through the blog.
I'll warn you when I move completely over to the new site and delete this one!!
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May. 24, 2008 - I Burned The Bottom of My Feet
Yes, I am well aware of what a nerd I am.
I did the unthinkable today.
I did what only Cati Gerwitz could do.
I burned the bottom of my feet.
How?-you might ask.
By playing tennis.
again, how?
Well, you see, we had this fabulous girls' picnic today at the park. (Wonderful-I highly recommend it). After we dined on some delicious food (amazing chicken salad thanks to Jess Barton! I need the recipe!!) and shared what the Lord is doing in our lives, we headed over to the tennis courts to play a little bit.
Stupid me wore ballet flats to the picnic, and after about two serves of my highly competitive set with Rachael, I realized it just wasn't going on. So, I slipped off my shoes and played the next five games barefoot on the STEAMING HOT tennis courts.
Brilliant idea, I know.
Just thought you'd like to know!
And guess what? I only have one final left-British Lit, and then I am done FOREVER.
I graduate NEXT SATURDAY!!!!! wow, when did time fly?
And my party is next Sunday!!! =)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!!
I did the unthinkable today.
I did what only Cati Gerwitz could do.
I burned the bottom of my feet.
How?-you might ask.
By playing tennis.
again, how?
Well, you see, we had this fabulous girls' picnic today at the park. (Wonderful-I highly recommend it). After we dined on some delicious food (amazing chicken salad thanks to Jess Barton! I need the recipe!!) and shared what the Lord is doing in our lives, we headed over to the tennis courts to play a little bit.
Stupid me wore ballet flats to the picnic, and after about two serves of my highly competitive set with Rachael, I realized it just wasn't going on. So, I slipped off my shoes and played the next five games barefoot on the STEAMING HOT tennis courts.
Brilliant idea, I know.
Just thought you'd like to know!
And guess what? I only have one final left-British Lit, and then I am done FOREVER.
I graduate NEXT SATURDAY!!!!! wow, when did time fly?
And my party is next Sunday!!! =)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!!
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May. 21, 2008 - I'm Not Who I Was: part two
I really just wanted to share what the Lord is doing in my life! =)
He is changing me like I could never have imagined. He is making me into a person I don't even recognize. Yeah, that's scary sometimes, but it's awesome to know that He is making me and molding me into the woman after His heart that He wants me to be.
Suddenly, nothing else matters but Jesus.
Even when everything else gets taken away. Even if my desires and dreams do not come true. Even if I have to give something up for someone else. As long as I have Jesus Christ as the center of my heart, I am perfectly okay with whatever the Lord has for me.
This is an incredibly sweet place to be.
Just in such communion with Christ.
I'd like to share something super special-another reminder of how I am not who I was. Many of you know how I struggled with anorexia three years ago for several months. I wasn't completely free from it until last May, and since then, it hasn't been much of a problem. Actually, I've been loving how God has made me and content with how I look. I haven't been thinking about food or weight, and I didn't even freak out when I finally gained enough weight to put be over 100 pounds. But, last night, something flipped. I got a new bathing suit, and although I look decent in it, it is clear that I have put on a little extra weight that could probably come off. Suddenly, I was angry with myself and hated how I looked-
I went on this nutto craze of "I have to lose ten pounds as fast as possible so I can wear this swimsuit and feel good about myself". All night, that was all I was thinking. I got on the elliptical, trying to burn as many calories as possible. I drove myself crazy all night and formulated a plan to lose some weight .
This morning I woke up discovering that I was feeling discouraged and distracted. It didn't take long for the Lord to bring it to light to me. "You've just believed the lie again that you won't be good enough or happy or beautiful until you lose ten pounds." Bam... and with that, I surrendered. "I am sorry, Lord... please shower Your mercy on me. I am sorry that I got wrapped up in that again. Thank you for bringing it to my attention so quickly."
So how does this show that I am not who I was? Because in times past, I would have gone on for days believing this lie until I burned myself out. And, now, I actually realized I believing a lie and I was quick to surrender to God.
Praise the Lord for His great mercy.
Praise the Lord that He sees fit to work such drastic changes in my life.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
Praise the Lord for His goodness.
I love Jesus...
He is changing me like I could never have imagined. He is making me into a person I don't even recognize. Yeah, that's scary sometimes, but it's awesome to know that He is making me and molding me into the woman after His heart that He wants me to be.
Suddenly, nothing else matters but Jesus.
Even when everything else gets taken away. Even if my desires and dreams do not come true. Even if I have to give something up for someone else. As long as I have Jesus Christ as the center of my heart, I am perfectly okay with whatever the Lord has for me.
This is an incredibly sweet place to be.
Just in such communion with Christ.
I'd like to share something super special-another reminder of how I am not who I was. Many of you know how I struggled with anorexia three years ago for several months. I wasn't completely free from it until last May, and since then, it hasn't been much of a problem. Actually, I've been loving how God has made me and content with how I look. I haven't been thinking about food or weight, and I didn't even freak out when I finally gained enough weight to put be over 100 pounds. But, last night, something flipped. I got a new bathing suit, and although I look decent in it, it is clear that I have put on a little extra weight that could probably come off. Suddenly, I was angry with myself and hated how I looked-
I went on this nutto craze of "I have to lose ten pounds as fast as possible so I can wear this swimsuit and feel good about myself". All night, that was all I was thinking. I got on the elliptical, trying to burn as many calories as possible. I drove myself crazy all night and formulated a plan to lose some weight .
This morning I woke up discovering that I was feeling discouraged and distracted. It didn't take long for the Lord to bring it to light to me. "You've just believed the lie again that you won't be good enough or happy or beautiful until you lose ten pounds." Bam... and with that, I surrendered. "I am sorry, Lord... please shower Your mercy on me. I am sorry that I got wrapped up in that again. Thank you for bringing it to my attention so quickly."
So how does this show that I am not who I was? Because in times past, I would have gone on for days believing this lie until I burned myself out. And, now, I actually realized I believing a lie and I was quick to surrender to God.
Praise the Lord for His great mercy.
Praise the Lord that He sees fit to work such drastic changes in my life.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
Praise the Lord for His goodness.
I love Jesus...
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May. 18, 2008 - I'm Not Who I Was
I'm Not Who I Was
Brandon Heath
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was
I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so
I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was
When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you
I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was
I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello
Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
Brandon Heath
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was
I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so
I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was
When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you
I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was
I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello
Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
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May. 17, 2008 - I don't know what to say
I really don't know what to say-I feel I should write something as there has not been an update since then 8th of May, but I really don't know what to say. I am experiencing some pretty deep heart issues right now, things that I dare not share on a public blog. Things were confusing and awkward enough, and then last night happened, and it changed everything. I had a very interesting conversation with someone, and it left me feeling stupid and foolish and begging God for His mercy. I am falling on my face right now, needing God so desperately. I have no hope outside of Him. I beg for your prayers-for the Lord's will, the Lord's peace, the Lord's grace, the Lord's mercy.
In other news, life has been humming along pretty busily. I have been experiencing a lot of lasts. I finished math this past week. I also finished my last research paper. I finished my last two days of state testing. I have my last day of home-school classes on Monday. Etc, etc, etc. Freedom from high school gets closer and closer.
Well, I guess I really can't stay on here. I can't think of anything else to say without divulging what's on my heart. I need to go pray like I never have before.
In other news, life has been humming along pretty busily. I have been experiencing a lot of lasts. I finished math this past week. I also finished my last research paper. I finished my last two days of state testing. I have my last day of home-school classes on Monday. Etc, etc, etc. Freedom from high school gets closer and closer.
Well, I guess I really can't stay on here. I can't think of anything else to say without divulging what's on my heart. I need to go pray like I never have before.
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May. 8, 2008 - Overwhelmed is a hard place to be
There are still three weeks of school left...yes, only twenty days. But the time doesn't seem long enough. The number of things that I have to finish between now and then is an almost an endless list, and it's one that has really been overwhelming me in the last couple of days. I look at my calendar, and it is very apparent how little time I have. My days are booked full with babysitting jobs and state testing next week and parties and church events and last days of homeschool classes and graduation prep and the homeschool convention and then the graduation! Oh, and then the graduation party! I think on June 2nd, I am going to sleep until noon-although I know that is never possible for me unless I just got back from Romania. =)
I would describe things around here as hectic right now. And, I still need to think about my mom's birthday which is on the 20th, and I hardly have thought about it at all. Plus, I am running VBS this year, and I need to get some things organized before I up and go off to Missouri on June 14.
I am so tired right now-I need a second wind. I babysat this morning for several hours and now I am off to teach piano for an hour-I have to face the family who always sees through my carefully articulated smiles on my weak days.
Praise the LORD that He can be strong when I am at my weakest... Praise the LORD that He is my ROCK even when nothing else is firm. Now I just need to pray that He will help me keep my eyelids open for another few hours... so that I can press on and keep on with the things put before me in diligence.
Crunch time... this is certainly a hard time-but I know it will be over quickly enough. I need to hang in there and not give up... and let Jesus be strong for me. And not miss the grand adventure the LORD is sending me through right now.
I would describe things around here as hectic right now. And, I still need to think about my mom's birthday which is on the 20th, and I hardly have thought about it at all. Plus, I am running VBS this year, and I need to get some things organized before I up and go off to Missouri on June 14.
I am so tired right now-I need a second wind. I babysat this morning for several hours and now I am off to teach piano for an hour-I have to face the family who always sees through my carefully articulated smiles on my weak days.
Praise the LORD that He can be strong when I am at my weakest... Praise the LORD that He is my ROCK even when nothing else is firm. Now I just need to pray that He will help me keep my eyelids open for another few hours... so that I can press on and keep on with the things put before me in diligence.
Crunch time... this is certainly a hard time-but I know it will be over quickly enough. I need to hang in there and not give up... and let Jesus be strong for me. And not miss the grand adventure the LORD is sending me through right now.
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May. 5, 2008 - Precious Bible! What A Treasure!
Precious Bible! What A Treasure!
John Newton
John Newton
Precious Bible! what a treasure
Does the Word of God afford?
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med'cine, shield and sword:
Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.
Food to which the world's a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys;
Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys:
On a dying Christ I feed,
He is meat and drink indeed.
When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials, to revive me quickly,
Healing med'cines here I find:
To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.
In the hour of dark temptation
Satan cannot make me yield;
For the Word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield
While the scripture truths are sure,
From his malice I'm secure.
Vain his threats to overcome me,
When I take the Spirits' sword;
Then with ease I drive him from me.
Satan trembles at the word:
'Tis a sword for conquest made,
Keen the edge, and strong the blade.
Shall I envy then the miser
Doting on his golden store?
Sure I am, or should be, wiser,
I am rich, 'tis he is poor:
Jesus gives me in his word,
Food and med'cine, shield and sword.
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May. 2, 2008 - Tozer
I borrowed this book, "The Best of A.W. Tozer" from my college Bible study leader, and I wanted to put in some excerpts from the first two chapters which I read yesterday:
1. "I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted...Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all...When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself. The evil habit of seeking God-and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation. In the "and" lies our great woe. If we omit the "and", we shall soon find God. and in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing."
2. I want to suggest for every young woman out there that you get a copy of the book "Lies Young Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh Moss and Dannah Gresh. It is very powerful and effective is revealing the lies that so easily ensnare us teenage girls.
3. I'd like to say how bummed I am Brooke White got kicked off American Idol on Wednesday night. I was crying right along with her.
4. And last but not least, I have FOUR weeks of school left!!!!!! If you could pray for my family in these weeks of May, I would appreciate it. My parents are taking on extra hours for work for two weeks, my mom especially. On top of that, our days are filled to the max with things to do, school testing, finishing school, and all that greatness. And, then it culminates the last two days of May and the first day of June with the homeschool convention coming to town, volunteering, graduation, my cousin's graduation party, and then my party.
All right, well, I am off to my last day of skating for the season! Hope everyone had a wonderful week!
1. "I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted...Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all...When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself. The evil habit of seeking God-and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation. In the "and" lies our great woe. If we omit the "and", we shall soon find God. and in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing."
2. I want to suggest for every young woman out there that you get a copy of the book "Lies Young Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh Moss and Dannah Gresh. It is very powerful and effective is revealing the lies that so easily ensnare us teenage girls.
3. I'd like to say how bummed I am Brooke White got kicked off American Idol on Wednesday night. I was crying right along with her.
4. And last but not least, I have FOUR weeks of school left!!!!!! If you could pray for my family in these weeks of May, I would appreciate it. My parents are taking on extra hours for work for two weeks, my mom especially. On top of that, our days are filled to the max with things to do, school testing, finishing school, and all that greatness. And, then it culminates the last two days of May and the first day of June with the homeschool convention coming to town, volunteering, graduation, my cousin's graduation party, and then my party.
All right, well, I am off to my last day of skating for the season! Hope everyone had a wonderful week!
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Apr. 27, 2008 - All of the updates
Well, my life truly seems to be something of a soap opera-or maybe this is just the way life is when it stops being school and doing what your parents say. I did not have an interview yesterday. The woman never called and emailed later (after I emailed to find out what was going on) to tell me that her whole schedule had been changed for the week and then the phone system went down completely, etc. Right now, we are maybe scheduled for sometime on Tuesday, but she has not gotten back to me on a specific time. She wanted to do it at 12:30, but I will be at the rink still. We'll see what she says.
As of right now, it seems that this may not be where the Lord is leading. It has just been a frustrating endeavor since Gaby told me she would hire me four weeks ago. And I, for one, do not want to put up with a boss who is so "flying by the seat of her pants", if you catch my drift. I am thinking God used this to give me courage that I am hireable, because I didn't think I was.
It's as if everyone else knows I need to be here except for me. I feel like the character I fashioned after me in my book (Bridget)... things are panning out in that way. :-) It's funny, especially since I wrote it two years ago.
Anyway, it is funny to me how the Lord has changed my heart. In months past, the reasons I have wanted to move to Virginia include the weather, "restarting my life", and leaving this church. And, for some amazing reasoning, I am very content here now-minus the weather. I am very content... and I don't find myself wishing I could be somewhere else or wanting to run away from the church. (Is that weird, or is that weird? No, it's the Lord...only He could bring such a change into my life.)
I have everything I could want here... friends, family, a skating program, skating students, a coach, Bible studies, church, etc. Why would I want to start over?
I plan on sending my resume into the rinks in the area (we have, beside the one I skate at now, five other rinks which I could try to work at.) I really want to coach... teach, so we'll see how that goes over. If I wasn't able to get enough work from the rinks, I'll also be looking into the bakery that one of my skating student's aunts owns who has opportunities for me to work.
So that's that for now; and now back to working on paper writing...
As of right now, it seems that this may not be where the Lord is leading. It has just been a frustrating endeavor since Gaby told me she would hire me four weeks ago. And I, for one, do not want to put up with a boss who is so "flying by the seat of her pants", if you catch my drift. I am thinking God used this to give me courage that I am hireable, because I didn't think I was.
It's as if everyone else knows I need to be here except for me. I feel like the character I fashioned after me in my book (Bridget)... things are panning out in that way. :-) It's funny, especially since I wrote it two years ago.
Anyway, it is funny to me how the Lord has changed my heart. In months past, the reasons I have wanted to move to Virginia include the weather, "restarting my life", and leaving this church. And, for some amazing reasoning, I am very content here now-minus the weather. I am very content... and I don't find myself wishing I could be somewhere else or wanting to run away from the church. (Is that weird, or is that weird? No, it's the Lord...only He could bring such a change into my life.)
I have everything I could want here... friends, family, a skating program, skating students, a coach, Bible studies, church, etc. Why would I want to start over?
I plan on sending my resume into the rinks in the area (we have, beside the one I skate at now, five other rinks which I could try to work at.) I really want to coach... teach, so we'll see how that goes over. If I wasn't able to get enough work from the rinks, I'll also be looking into the bakery that one of my skating student's aunts owns who has opportunities for me to work.
So that's that for now; and now back to working on paper writing...
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Apr. 22, 2008 - I can't wait to get in the WORD again
I have been saved for nine years, and what a blessing that has been. But, it was not until I attended that youth conference last weekend that my heart was suddenly given over to a passion for God's word. Somehow, those things that were spoken of at the conference challenged me to get in God's word more and study it like I never have, and now I cannot seem to get enough of it. I wake up in the morning, ready... ready to go, motivated, because I just want to be in God's word. I take a shower, and then I don't want to do anything else but spend an hour or two in God's word. This is so inexpressibly different than my heart in the last year when I have been waking up and thinking only of finishing my school work and checking my email. My devotional time has been rushed and unimportant, and now---NOW, it is so very important to me. The WORD is coming alive in my life!
The last few days, I have spent an hour of my morning in the WORD before I finally tell myself I need to get a move on because I have places to go or math lessons to finish. But, it is so hard now to put the Bible aside and move from my desk. It is so hard to close up my notebook and leave the pens and highlighters aside. I don't want to move from that place. Praise the Lord that I can carry His words with me through the day, meditating and thinking upon them, allowing them to work in my heart, as I do such things as cleaning the bathroom or teaching classes.
I find at the end of the day all I want to do is pray... I want to praise the Lord for what He has done in my day, for seeing His great faithfulness and mercies in my life. I want to bring before Him all things in my heart and cast all of my burdens upon Him. I am not in this race alone, and I do not know why I have gone so long acting as if I am in this race all alone. God wants to go before me, lead my steps, and take my hand. Why have I been thinking I should do this all on my own?
Oh, if you could taste the great sweetness of the Lord! I pray that you would... that you would know HIM, and desire to know HIM more and more every day. That you would wake up each morning with only one passion and desire-to spend time in His presence.
God is our only Hope.
God is our one desire.
There is no one like you, Jesus.
The last few days, I have spent an hour of my morning in the WORD before I finally tell myself I need to get a move on because I have places to go or math lessons to finish. But, it is so hard now to put the Bible aside and move from my desk. It is so hard to close up my notebook and leave the pens and highlighters aside. I don't want to move from that place. Praise the Lord that I can carry His words with me through the day, meditating and thinking upon them, allowing them to work in my heart, as I do such things as cleaning the bathroom or teaching classes.
I find at the end of the day all I want to do is pray... I want to praise the Lord for what He has done in my day, for seeing His great faithfulness and mercies in my life. I want to bring before Him all things in my heart and cast all of my burdens upon Him. I am not in this race alone, and I do not know why I have gone so long acting as if I am in this race all alone. God wants to go before me, lead my steps, and take my hand. Why have I been thinking I should do this all on my own?
Oh, if you could taste the great sweetness of the Lord! I pray that you would... that you would know HIM, and desire to know HIM more and more every day. That you would wake up each morning with only one passion and desire-to spend time in His presence.
God is our only Hope.
God is our one desire.
There is no one like you, Jesus.
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Apr. 20, 2008 - A commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:25-31
There is a great deal of power and glory in the substance and life of Christianity. Though the ministers were poor and unlearned, and the converts generally of the meanest rank, yet the hand of the Lord went along with the preachers, and was mighty in the hearts of the hearers; and Jesus Christ was made both to ministers and Christians what was truly great and honourable. All we have we have from God as the fountain, and in and through Christ as the channel of conveyance. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (v. 30): all we need, or can desire. We are foolishness, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all our boasted knowledge; and he is made wisdom to us. We are guilty, obnoxious to justice; and he is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt; and he is made sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head, it is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy Spirit. We are in bonds, and he is made redemption to us, our Saviour and deliverer. Observe, Where Christ is made righteousness to any soul, he is also made sanctification. He never discharges from the guilt of sin, without delivering from the power of it; and he is made righteousness and sanctification, that he may in the end be made complete redemption, may free the soul from the very being of sin, and loose the body from the bonds of the grave: and what is designed in all is that all flesh may glory in the Lord, v. 31. Observe, It is the will of God that all our glorifying should be in the Lord: and, our salvation being only through Christ, it is thereby effectually provided that it should be so. Man is humbled, and God glorified and exalted, by the whole scheme.
--Matthew Henry
--Matthew Henry
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Apr. 19, 2008 - Spencer Dylan-Michael Shaw
So here we are: it's already the 19th of April. And thankfully, this time of year, the weather is warm, we are having days on end of sunshine, and everything is beautiful. The birds are chirping, dogs are barking, and daffodils are blooming right outside the house. It's delightful, to say the least, especially after what seemed like the longest winter of my life.
You may be wondering why my title for this blog means-it's an inside joke between my sister and me, and I was just thinking of it, so I had to post. We found a child in the newspaper on Wednesday named this, and we thought it clever that if someone had three boys, they could name them "Spencer Dylan-Michael Shaw", "Dylan Spencer-Michael Shaw", and "Michael Dylan-Spencer Shaw", and then the parent could just call out "Spencer Dylan-Michael Shaw", and all of the kids would come at once. ANYWAY... yes, we're nerds.
The youth conference these last few days here was phenomenal. I miss those days of youth conferences and youth groups, and for the first time ever last night, I missed John and being at youth group. I cannot believe I have been away for seven months or that the DBs have been gone for four. How time flies. The conference really challenged me in some different ways.
I did miss being at college Bible study, though, as the study got canceled so that we could be leaders are the conference. Anyhow, it was a blessed time, and I am so glad I didn't allow my fear of being a leader to keep me away. Things turned out really well, and I hope that we can have another conference soon.
The birthdays are past for now-my brother is 19 and my sister 14. I cannot believe how old we are all getting. It is truly amazing how quickly the years go by.
Well, I must be off. I am going to go get in the WORD, and then I need to work out and get ready to go to my uncle's 50th birthday party this afternoon. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!!
Psalm 106:48
You may be wondering why my title for this blog means-it's an inside joke between my sister and me, and I was just thinking of it, so I had to post. We found a child in the newspaper on Wednesday named this, and we thought it clever that if someone had three boys, they could name them "Spencer Dylan-Michael Shaw", "Dylan Spencer-Michael Shaw", and "Michael Dylan-Spencer Shaw", and then the parent could just call out "Spencer Dylan-Michael Shaw", and all of the kids would come at once. ANYWAY... yes, we're nerds.
The youth conference these last few days here was phenomenal. I miss those days of youth conferences and youth groups, and for the first time ever last night, I missed John and being at youth group. I cannot believe I have been away for seven months or that the DBs have been gone for four. How time flies. The conference really challenged me in some different ways.
I did miss being at college Bible study, though, as the study got canceled so that we could be leaders are the conference. Anyhow, it was a blessed time, and I am so glad I didn't allow my fear of being a leader to keep me away. Things turned out really well, and I hope that we can have another conference soon.
The birthdays are past for now-my brother is 19 and my sister 14. I cannot believe how old we are all getting. It is truly amazing how quickly the years go by.
Well, I must be off. I am going to go get in the WORD, and then I need to work out and get ready to go to my uncle's 50th birthday party this afternoon. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!!
Psalm 106:48
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Apr. 15, 2008 - AWESOME DAY!!!
Wow, I am feeling so productive right now. I just finished listening to my audio book and scrapbooking the 200 pictures from my cousin and aunt's trip to Disney World. Ah... two projects done. YEAH! :-) It's been another great day.
Skating today was AWESOME. I was totally on fire! I was a jumping, spinning machine. It was crazy, though, since it's spring break here. We had a ton of extra girls out there from school and their moms all skating. We had to take turns and watch out for each other. It was funny, though, because everyone was really getting along which is unusual. We weren't annoyed or frustrated that there were a lot of people. We gave right of way and laughed with each other and encouraged each other, and it was just awesome. The atmosphere was awesome. And, then one person would try something and everyone else had to try it too, but of course half the people couldn't do that skill, so there ended up being a lot of falling and laughing. It was just great.
Life is humming along pretty nicely right now. I am getting so much done, and things are just going well. I have five weeks of school left!! YAY! Tomorrow, me and my sister and my cousins are going to the mall. I am so excited! We always have a great time together, and we haven't seen each other in a while, so it's sure to be a blessing.
On Thursday and Friday night, I am helping out at a youth conference at one of the local Calvary Chapels. It's going to be a strange experience for me because I have always gone as an attendee, not a leader. It's weird to be in that place in my life.
Today was my brother's 19th birthday. Wow. And my sister is going to be 14 on Friday. When did time go by so fast?
Well, have a wonderful week!!
Skating today was AWESOME. I was totally on fire! I was a jumping, spinning machine. It was crazy, though, since it's spring break here. We had a ton of extra girls out there from school and their moms all skating. We had to take turns and watch out for each other. It was funny, though, because everyone was really getting along which is unusual. We weren't annoyed or frustrated that there were a lot of people. We gave right of way and laughed with each other and encouraged each other, and it was just awesome. The atmosphere was awesome. And, then one person would try something and everyone else had to try it too, but of course half the people couldn't do that skill, so there ended up being a lot of falling and laughing. It was just great.
Life is humming along pretty nicely right now. I am getting so much done, and things are just going well. I have five weeks of school left!! YAY! Tomorrow, me and my sister and my cousins are going to the mall. I am so excited! We always have a great time together, and we haven't seen each other in a while, so it's sure to be a blessing.
On Thursday and Friday night, I am helping out at a youth conference at one of the local Calvary Chapels. It's going to be a strange experience for me because I have always gone as an attendee, not a leader. It's weird to be in that place in my life.
Today was my brother's 19th birthday. Wow. And my sister is going to be 14 on Friday. When did time go by so fast?
Well, have a wonderful week!!
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Apr. 10, 2008 - Bible Translations
I had to write this for English today. It may be stepping on some toes...I do apologize for that, but don't read it if you start to get mad at me! Ha ha
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Should other Bible translations (other than KJV and NKJV) be recommended?
I think not. This is, by far, one of my biggest pet peeves in life-the infatuation of today's Christian society with such Bible versions as The Message and The Amplified Version. And all under the guise of needing to understand the Bible better.
My question to those who say we need to have easier Bible translations so we can understand? If we came perfectly understanding the Bible, how would we learn and why would we need the Holy Spirit?
Beyond that, many of today's translations are feel-goody, changing words and phrases to appeal to the general public.
I do not understand how we can change the Bible so easily and think it okay. It's not okay! We're changing God's WORD, saying it isn't good enough nor easy enough for us to understand.
So you don't know what some of the words mean? Get a dictionary or concordance and find out! (BlueletterBible.org), So there is a passage that doesn't make sense? Keep studying it and ask others who might know. The KJV Bible is NOT that confusing! The words are not big, the phrases generally are not weird, and everything flows well.
We do NOT need The Message, The Amplified Version, The Cotton Patch Bible. We need God's WORD, NOT the Bible transformed to appeal to the modern generation. Throw out your magazine-like Bibles. Come on! Are we supposed to be reading magazines? No!
I could go on and on about this, but I won't. Suffice it to say, I believe we need to get back to the root of the KJV Bible and stop trying to make the Bible hip, cool, and relevant. The Bible is relevant just because it's the Bible.
No change necessary.
----------------------------
Should other Bible translations (other than KJV and NKJV) be recommended?
I think not. This is, by far, one of my biggest pet peeves in life-the infatuation of today's Christian society with such Bible versions as The Message and The Amplified Version. And all under the guise of needing to understand the Bible better.
My question to those who say we need to have easier Bible translations so we can understand? If we came perfectly understanding the Bible, how would we learn and why would we need the Holy Spirit?
Beyond that, many of today's translations are feel-goody, changing words and phrases to appeal to the general public.
I do not understand how we can change the Bible so easily and think it okay. It's not okay! We're changing God's WORD, saying it isn't good enough nor easy enough for us to understand.
So you don't know what some of the words mean? Get a dictionary or concordance and find out! (BlueletterBible.org), So there is a passage that doesn't make sense? Keep studying it and ask others who might know. The KJV Bible is NOT that confusing! The words are not big, the phrases generally are not weird, and everything flows well.
We do NOT need The Message, The Amplified Version, The Cotton Patch Bible. We need God's WORD, NOT the Bible transformed to appeal to the modern generation. Throw out your magazine-like Bibles. Come on! Are we supposed to be reading magazines? No!
I could go on and on about this, but I won't. Suffice it to say, I believe we need to get back to the root of the KJV Bible and stop trying to make the Bible hip, cool, and relevant. The Bible is relevant just because it's the Bible.
No change necessary.
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Apr. 8, 2008 - It's been a long time
Well, sorry this hasn't been updated in such a long time. I mean, it's been 10 days. The problem was that last week, I got sick. Oh, man, it was awful. Monday, I had a sore throat. By Tuesday morning, I had the flu: high fever, migraine, achy everything, congestion to the point of not being able to breath, and the most awful cough that made everything hurt more. On Tuesday at about 4:30 AM, I couldn't sleep anymore, so I came downstairs and watched the new Pride and Prejudice. I went back to bed from 7-10. And, then I woke up, and watched the six hour Pride and Prejudice. :-) Ha ha... only I would do something like that.
Wednesday and Thursday were not much different. I would sleep only until 4 in the morning, then wake up to come downstairs where I would take a whole bunch of medicine and promptly fall back asleep. When I finally awoke for good, I would do my school work and then spend the rest of my day listening to my audio book and watching figure skating videos on YouTube.
I began to feel better on Thursday night, but by Friday, I had bronchitis. After loading my medicine on Friday morning and getting rid of my migraine, I seemed to pick up and even felt well enough to attend college Bible study. Saturday, I slept in until 10 and actually felt very rested. However, going to girls' Bible study that day really tuckered me out. By Sunday, I was feeling almost perfect minus my congestion and nagging cough. That is where I am now. Back to normal life but still fighting this constant stuffiness and cough.
I have been busy proofreading this week, and I am so sick of reading this book. I think I have read it like 15 times now. For goodness sake! How many more times? Plus, I have to listen to the audio book too. Man, it's a lot!
Tonight, I am babysitting-which I am very excited about because I haven't babysat for this family since their last daughter was born in November. It will be a wonderful night. With that said, I need to go pull my batch of cookies from the oven and hop in the shower. I didn't get a chance to take one before ice skating today.
Oh, one other thing. I am just sending out my invites for my graduation party. Oh my goodness! Seven weeks and three days of school left for life! WOW!
Wednesday and Thursday were not much different. I would sleep only until 4 in the morning, then wake up to come downstairs where I would take a whole bunch of medicine and promptly fall back asleep. When I finally awoke for good, I would do my school work and then spend the rest of my day listening to my audio book and watching figure skating videos on YouTube.
I began to feel better on Thursday night, but by Friday, I had bronchitis. After loading my medicine on Friday morning and getting rid of my migraine, I seemed to pick up and even felt well enough to attend college Bible study. Saturday, I slept in until 10 and actually felt very rested. However, going to girls' Bible study that day really tuckered me out. By Sunday, I was feeling almost perfect minus my congestion and nagging cough. That is where I am now. Back to normal life but still fighting this constant stuffiness and cough.
I have been busy proofreading this week, and I am so sick of reading this book. I think I have read it like 15 times now. For goodness sake! How many more times? Plus, I have to listen to the audio book too. Man, it's a lot!
Tonight, I am babysitting-which I am very excited about because I haven't babysat for this family since their last daughter was born in November. It will be a wonderful night. With that said, I need to go pull my batch of cookies from the oven and hop in the shower. I didn't get a chance to take one before ice skating today.
Oh, one other thing. I am just sending out my invites for my graduation party. Oh my goodness! Seven weeks and three days of school left for life! WOW!
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Mar. 28, 2008 - Wow... what a workout
I just got off our new elipitcal machine... I did 30 minutes on the hill program which was basically like hiking up a HUGE hill with little relief for 30 minutes. I talked myself through it... that's the only way I could do it. But, it worked, and I feel so good now! Talk about my legs feeling like jelly, though.
On other notes, my birthday has passed, yet we just got snow here last night. WHAT? Did God not get the message that my birthday was DAYS ago??
I was being a real nerd last night watching ice skating videos on YouTube of my favorite skaters, and lone and behold, I found that I could watch the video of Tara Lipinski winning to Olympic Gold in 1998-the program that inspired me to become a figure skater!!! How cool is that?
Guess what? I'm probably moving to Virginia! I got hired at a skating rink down there!!! YAY!!! Leaving New York behind.
Alright, back to my workout. I have to work on some jumping for figure skating...
On other notes, my birthday has passed, yet we just got snow here last night. WHAT? Did God not get the message that my birthday was DAYS ago??
I was being a real nerd last night watching ice skating videos on YouTube of my favorite skaters, and lone and behold, I found that I could watch the video of Tara Lipinski winning to Olympic Gold in 1998-the program that inspired me to become a figure skater!!! How cool is that?
Guess what? I'm probably moving to Virginia! I got hired at a skating rink down there!!! YAY!!! Leaving New York behind.
Alright, back to my workout. I have to work on some jumping for figure skating...
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Mar. 24, 2008 - Good days
So yesterday was my birthday, and it was FABULOUS. What are the odds that my eighteenth birthday would fall on Easter Sunday anyways plus be only the second birthday of my life on which it did not snow?! How sweet is that? All weekend was full of birthday festivities with friends over on Friday night and Saturday night and plans for Sunday as well.
My birthday was exhausting and insane, but wonderful. I got up at 5 AM, curled my hair, and left at 6 with my dad and brother. We went to the store and bought some donuts. Then we went to church for a sunrise worship service. We played for two and a half hours, and the great thing is that only one other guy showed up. But, it was still pretty cool. Then we had normal church and left at 1. It was awesome too because I got to see Grace and her daughters for Switzerland. What an awesome birthday present! Then, we came home and found our easter eggs (yes, me and my sister still do decorate eggs and find them every year...), and then we went to my Grandma's at 3. We stayed until 6:45, then came home and watched ice skating (see notes below), then watched the movie Becoming Jane, then stayed up and talked until 1:30 in the morning. Ha ha.... and so was my first 24 hours of being eighteen.
What else made this year so incredibly awesome? Well, the World Figure Skating Championships also happened to come on every year at my birthday, so this year there was skating on on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday evening. It was spectacular. I spent a lot of time those four days glued to the TV watching all those amazing competitors, laughing at weird costumes, critiquing performances, and screaming from excitement when my people won!!! My birthday was wonderful because I got to watch Jeffery Buttle from Canada win the men's title. I wish I had a movie of the way I screamed when he won!!!!
Then, on top of all of that, we have had beautiful sunshine for the last four days which is always incredible for my birthday. I am quite used to blizzards and ice storms for this day... but, for the second time in my life (the only other being my 13 birthday), we had no snow and it was perfectly sunny for my birthday.
And then, for the first time in my life, I GET EASTER BREAK ON THE WEEK OF MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! And it's my senior year too... how could life get any better???
And lastly, as corny as this sounds, I got the American Girl of the Year for my birthday which is Mia the ice skater... :-) And I think that's really cool.
Okay, that's all...
My birthday was exhausting and insane, but wonderful. I got up at 5 AM, curled my hair, and left at 6 with my dad and brother. We went to the store and bought some donuts. Then we went to church for a sunrise worship service. We played for two and a half hours, and the great thing is that only one other guy showed up. But, it was still pretty cool. Then we had normal church and left at 1. It was awesome too because I got to see Grace and her daughters for Switzerland. What an awesome birthday present! Then, we came home and found our easter eggs (yes, me and my sister still do decorate eggs and find them every year...), and then we went to my Grandma's at 3. We stayed until 6:45, then came home and watched ice skating (see notes below), then watched the movie Becoming Jane, then stayed up and talked until 1:30 in the morning. Ha ha.... and so was my first 24 hours of being eighteen.
What else made this year so incredibly awesome? Well, the World Figure Skating Championships also happened to come on every year at my birthday, so this year there was skating on on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday evening. It was spectacular. I spent a lot of time those four days glued to the TV watching all those amazing competitors, laughing at weird costumes, critiquing performances, and screaming from excitement when my people won!!! My birthday was wonderful because I got to watch Jeffery Buttle from Canada win the men's title. I wish I had a movie of the way I screamed when he won!!!!
Then, on top of all of that, we have had beautiful sunshine for the last four days which is always incredible for my birthday. I am quite used to blizzards and ice storms for this day... but, for the second time in my life (the only other being my 13 birthday), we had no snow and it was perfectly sunny for my birthday.
And then, for the first time in my life, I GET EASTER BREAK ON THE WEEK OF MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! And it's my senior year too... how could life get any better???
And lastly, as corny as this sounds, I got the American Girl of the Year for my birthday which is Mia the ice skater... :-) And I think that's really cool.
Okay, that's all...
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Mar. 21, 2008 - Sunny Days
The sun has been absolutely pouring in today, and it's been wonderful. It didn't even feel cold other than the moment I was pumping my gas and the wind was blowing so hard and cold that I thought my face and hands would freeze off. Ha ha... but, I survived. Oh the joys of adulthood and driving-you can no longer sit in the car and be lazy while your mother pumps the gas. 
My days of this week have been nothing but busy, busy, busy. I am sure you know how that goes. I cannot believe I have finished my third quarter-only nine more weeks of school left to go. (For the rest of my life! AND THEN I AM DONE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!) And only two days until my birthday! Wow... when did that happen??
This week has been CRAZY... and I have a feeling like will continue that way for the next week or two. Everyone in my house is going here and there, and there are just things coming up left and right. Plus, all of our weekends are filled which means that we cannot use those days as catch up or anything. I have to keep myself from looking at my calender or thinking about my schedule too much because I get overwhelmed and stressed out. I have to take it one day at a time and enjoy each moment and make the most of the time God has given me.
My life is going... as always. Crazy and overwhelming at points, but good-very good.
Guess what? I saved a bunch of money on my car insurance! (No really, it's the truth.) Because I will be 18, my insurance drops from $73 to $43. BONUS! I was so happy when I found that out.
I got to talking with my aunt the other day, and she was stoked to find out that I really want to move to Virgina. We talked a bunch about plans and everything, and it looks that we're really gonna try to make this work.
Last night, we stayed up until 11 watching ice skating, and I get to do it again tonight. I am having two girls over tonight since they cannot come to my party tomorrow. It'll be fun.
This week has been CRAZY... and I have a feeling like will continue that way for the next week or two. Everyone in my house is going here and there, and there are just things coming up left and right. Plus, all of our weekends are filled which means that we cannot use those days as catch up or anything. I have to keep myself from looking at my calender or thinking about my schedule too much because I get overwhelmed and stressed out. I have to take it one day at a time and enjoy each moment and make the most of the time God has given me.
My life is going... as always. Crazy and overwhelming at points, but good-very good.
Guess what? I saved a bunch of money on my car insurance! (No really, it's the truth.) Because I will be 18, my insurance drops from $73 to $43. BONUS! I was so happy when I found that out.
I got to talking with my aunt the other day, and she was stoked to find out that I really want to move to Virgina. We talked a bunch about plans and everything, and it looks that we're really gonna try to make this work.
Last night, we stayed up until 11 watching ice skating, and I get to do it again tonight. I am having two girls over tonight since they cannot come to my party tomorrow. It'll be fun.
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Mar. 16, 2008 - It's been a while
Well, it's certainly been a few days since I've written. I've been crazy busy-although that's not unusual. I honestly cannot think of much to say. There are only three things on my mind at the moment.
The most important being my horrible aching desire to go back to Romania. I got the most recent newsletter for ROCK ministries (check them out at www.ROCKministries.org), and I bawled my eyes out over it. It was just... well, horrible. Over the weekend, I've been just pulling out my photos and stuff but I haven't gone through them for fear of making that ache grow. You know, I want to go back so bad, so I don't know what is holding me back. Is it God or is it fear? I am inclined to believe the latter, but I'm not sure...
The second thing on my mind is how good Janette Oke's books from the Love Comes Softly Series are... I've been reading them, and I am in the middle of book two. So good.
Now, as I continue with my girly rant, I found the perfect song for my wedding. It's called "I'm In Love With You" by Joy Williams. My sister just made me figure it out on the piano, and I did in a whole whopping twenty minutes. We've just figure the whole thing out and sang it through a few times. Ah, good times.
I'm a little overwhelmed... time if flying by, and I don't feel I am accomplishing anything in the middle of it all. Slow down, slow down... wow... I need to work on my priorities so I am not so behind and figure out where I can make more of my time.
This is all for now... hope everyone is having a fantastic week!!!
The most important being my horrible aching desire to go back to Romania. I got the most recent newsletter for ROCK ministries (check them out at www.ROCKministries.org), and I bawled my eyes out over it. It was just... well, horrible. Over the weekend, I've been just pulling out my photos and stuff but I haven't gone through them for fear of making that ache grow. You know, I want to go back so bad, so I don't know what is holding me back. Is it God or is it fear? I am inclined to believe the latter, but I'm not sure...
The second thing on my mind is how good Janette Oke's books from the Love Comes Softly Series are... I've been reading them, and I am in the middle of book two. So good.
Now, as I continue with my girly rant, I found the perfect song for my wedding. It's called "I'm In Love With You" by Joy Williams. My sister just made me figure it out on the piano, and I did in a whole whopping twenty minutes. We've just figure the whole thing out and sang it through a few times. Ah, good times.
I'm a little overwhelmed... time if flying by, and I don't feel I am accomplishing anything in the middle of it all. Slow down, slow down... wow... I need to work on my priorities so I am not so behind and figure out where I can make more of my time.
This is all for now... hope everyone is having a fantastic week!!!
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Mar. 13, 2008 - Choose Ye Today
Choose Ye Today
Fanny Crosby
Fanny Crosby
A blessing for you - will you take it?
Choose ye today;
A word from the heart - will you speak it?
Choose ye today:
Will you believe, or your Savior neglect?
Will you receive, or His mercy reject?
Pause, ere you answer, oh, pause and reflect -
Choose ye today.
A death to be feared - will you fear it?
Choose ye today;
A voice that invites - will you hear it?
Choose ye today.
Straight is the portal and narrow the way;
Enter, poor soul, and be saved while you may;
Think what may hang on a moment's delay -
Choose ye today.
The cross of your Lord - will you bear it?
Choose ye today:
There's life in that cross - will you share it?
Choose ye today:
Soon will your time of probation be o'er,
Then will the Spirit entreat you no more,
Jesus no longer will stand at the door -
Choose ye today.
The bondage of sin - will you break it?
Choose ye today:
The water of life - will you take it?
Choose ye today.
Come to the arms that are open for you,
Hide in the wounds that by faith you may view;
Death ere the morrow your steps may pursue -
Choose ye today.
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