I'll be back on Monday.
I'm going to Noah and Katie's wedding in Tennessee.
Have a great weekend!
And the wonder of it all is that we don't deserve it. This is one of my favorite sets of verses. It just doesn't make sense to me. Why would you love someone who didn't deserve it? Praise God for his salvation! He gives us the strength to carry on.
Romans 5:1-8
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Romans 5:1-8
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I am reclaiming the outdoors!
After going sailing on Thursday and remembering how great the outdoors was, I chose to continue the trend on Saturday by playing soccer at Anna's graduation party.
And Sunday I went swimming in Assateague. The waves were non-existent so I wasn't afraid of messing up my shoulder. I also played ultimate frisbee and vollyball. I really enjoy diving (or tripping) after the frisbee. Assateague has great soft sand for diving. I forgot how much fun ultimate is!!
Isn't the world God created grand? It is so wonderful. He loved us enough to give us so many beautiful things to enjoy. Praise God for everything! I'm planning a camping trip for my RUF friends the three days before school starts. It is going to be a blast. I am taking them to Old Rag and Big Meadows. How much greater can you get? It is only my favorite hike on the East Coast. I would say favorite hike ever, but that would have to be the Grand Canyon (it is a little cheaper to go to Old Rag). :) heh.
Thanks to my editor, Mr. Howard. heh.
After going sailing on Thursday and remembering how great the outdoors was, I chose to continue the trend on Saturday by playing soccer at Anna's graduation party.
And Sunday I went swimming in Assateague. The waves were non-existent so I wasn't afraid of messing up my shoulder. I also played ultimate frisbee and vollyball. I really enjoy diving (or tripping) after the frisbee. Assateague has great soft sand for diving. I forgot how much fun ultimate is!!
Woohoo for summertime and sports!
Isn't the world God created grand? It is so wonderful. He loved us enough to give us so many beautiful things to enjoy. Praise God for everything! I'm planning a camping trip for my RUF friends the three days before school starts. It is going to be a blast. I am taking them to Old Rag and Big Meadows. How much greater can you get? It is only my favorite hike on the East Coast. I would say favorite hike ever, but that would have to be the Grand Canyon (it is a little cheaper to go to Old Rag). :) heh.
Thanks to my editor, Mr. Howard. heh.
Monday, June 25, 2007
I was reading this sermon at lunch. I thought I would put the last half of it on my blog. I really enjoy John Piper. I rejoice in glorious hope! And even on the hard days, I can still look forward to heaven and the joys that await me there.
Happy 25th.
"Jesus’ sorrow was not owing to his own sin, but to the sins of others. This is the way it is with the Holy Spirit as well. Paul calls us to put sin out of our lives so that we do not grieve the Spirit: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:29-30).
In the same way believers embrace godly grief not only for our own sins but for the sins of others and for the pain that loss brings us. For example, Peter speaks of our grieving over trials: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). Paul speaks of our grieving over lost loved ones: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). And Paul refers to his own grief over the lostness of his kinsmen: “My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart (Romans 9:1).
Nevertheless Paul makes the astonishing statement in 2 Corinthians 6:10 that what marks his life and should mark ours is “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” This is what makes our sorrow godly. I do not claim that this experience is simple or that we can even put it into adequate words—what it means to be joyful in sorrow. Heaving sobs at the loss of a loved one does not look like joy. Indeed is not joy in its fullness, as we will know it when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Rather the joy that endures through sorrow is the foretaste of that future joy in God which we hope for in the future. When Jesus was “very sorrowful, even to death” in Gethsemane he was sustained by “the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). This does not mean that he felt in the garden or on the cross all that he would feel in the resurrection. But it does mean that he hoped in it and that this hope was an experienced foretaste of that joy.
Therefore, we groan here, waiting for the redemption of our bodies and for the removal of all our sins (Romans 8:23). This groaning and grieving is godly if it is molded by our delight in hope of glory (Romans 5:2-3). The delight is muffled by the pain. But it is there in seed form. It will one day grow into a great vine that yields wine of undiluted delight.
So let us embrace whatever sorrow God appoints for us.
Let us not be ashamed of tears.
Let the promise that joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5) sustain and shape our grief with power and goodness of God. "
- John Piper
Happy 25th.
"Jesus’ sorrow was not owing to his own sin, but to the sins of others. This is the way it is with the Holy Spirit as well. Paul calls us to put sin out of our lives so that we do not grieve the Spirit: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:29-30).
In the same way believers embrace godly grief not only for our own sins but for the sins of others and for the pain that loss brings us. For example, Peter speaks of our grieving over trials: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). Paul speaks of our grieving over lost loved ones: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). And Paul refers to his own grief over the lostness of his kinsmen: “My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart (Romans 9:1).
Nevertheless Paul makes the astonishing statement in 2 Corinthians 6:10 that what marks his life and should mark ours is “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” This is what makes our sorrow godly. I do not claim that this experience is simple or that we can even put it into adequate words—what it means to be joyful in sorrow. Heaving sobs at the loss of a loved one does not look like joy. Indeed is not joy in its fullness, as we will know it when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Rather the joy that endures through sorrow is the foretaste of that future joy in God which we hope for in the future. When Jesus was “very sorrowful, even to death” in Gethsemane he was sustained by “the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). This does not mean that he felt in the garden or on the cross all that he would feel in the resurrection. But it does mean that he hoped in it and that this hope was an experienced foretaste of that joy.
Therefore, we groan here, waiting for the redemption of our bodies and for the removal of all our sins (Romans 8:23). This groaning and grieving is godly if it is molded by our delight in hope of glory (Romans 5:2-3). The delight is muffled by the pain. But it is there in seed form. It will one day grow into a great vine that yields wine of undiluted delight.
So let us embrace whatever sorrow God appoints for us.
Let us not be ashamed of tears.
Let the promise that joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5) sustain and shape our grief with power and goodness of God. "
- John Piper
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I had one of the coolest birthday's ever! I was kind of afraid that my golden birthday was just going to be a boring day and work and then just going home and falling asleep. I hadn't made plans and I really didn't feel like making plans. I had been dreaming about it for so long because I love numbers and I thought it would be cool to turn 21 on the 21st. It turned into one of the most amazing birthday's ever!!
Thursday morning I went to work at six thirty. The day was really boring because they couldn't find enough work for me all day and I had to go really slowly on the jobs that I was doing so that I wouldn't end up with nothing to do. Mom and Sarah brought me a cake and balloons. We had a cook-out at lunch and then we went to a meeting a Del-Tech (which was really fun because I got to stop in and see Dad and his new office). But on the way back the car was so hot and I think I was dehydrated. So I had this huge headache when I got back to the office and I just wanted to go home and end the day and sleep for the entire evening and ignore that it was my birthday. That was pretty hard because I had these balloons in my office and people kept coming by and wishing me happy birthday. Well, around four I was given a new job. I had to sort through submittals. I have to explain to you how boring they are at four in the afternoon when you want to go home. You basically have told the companies exactly what pipes, vents, registers, toilets, lights,... etc you want in the buildings. You spell out what companies to buy them from and what model numbers. Well, the contractor might decide he wants to order it from somewhere else. So he sends you in a list of everything he is buying for the building. My job was to go through that list and make sure that either it matched to the numbers that we gave them or was compatible with those model numbers. I also had to look at his order counts and correct those. So he was would list that he was going to buy ten of something and I would go to the blueprint and count those things. It wouldn't be that bad if the contractor didn't send nine different copies that you had to mark up. So this is what I was doing from four to six. I was reading through and marking changes to pages and pages and pages of lists and then stamping them and signing them. The last hour always goes the slowest, especially the last hour before the weekend. The guys and I were counting down every three minutes or so during the last hour.
Around 5:57 pm around the corner comes a beautiful gaggle of girls yelling surprise and telling me that they were going to kidnap me. At first I was like, get out of my office, you are embarrassing me. But soon my face was pure joy! I couldn't believe that my friends and parents had teamed up to make my twenty-first birthday such a surprise.
Thursday morning I went to work at six thirty. The day was really boring because they couldn't find enough work for me all day and I had to go really slowly on the jobs that I was doing so that I wouldn't end up with nothing to do. Mom and Sarah brought me a cake and balloons. We had a cook-out at lunch and then we went to a meeting a Del-Tech (which was really fun because I got to stop in and see Dad and his new office). But on the way back the car was so hot and I think I was dehydrated. So I had this huge headache when I got back to the office and I just wanted to go home and end the day and sleep for the entire evening and ignore that it was my birthday. That was pretty hard because I had these balloons in my office and people kept coming by and wishing me happy birthday. Well, around four I was given a new job. I had to sort through submittals. I have to explain to you how boring they are at four in the afternoon when you want to go home. You basically have told the companies exactly what pipes, vents, registers, toilets, lights,... etc you want in the buildings. You spell out what companies to buy them from and what model numbers. Well, the contractor might decide he wants to order it from somewhere else. So he sends you in a list of everything he is buying for the building. My job was to go through that list and make sure that either it matched to the numbers that we gave them or was compatible with those model numbers. I also had to look at his order counts and correct those. So he was would list that he was going to buy ten of something and I would go to the blueprint and count those things. It wouldn't be that bad if the contractor didn't send nine different copies that you had to mark up. So this is what I was doing from four to six. I was reading through and marking changes to pages and pages and pages of lists and then stamping them and signing them. The last hour always goes the slowest, especially the last hour before the weekend. The guys and I were counting down every three minutes or so during the last hour.
Around 5:57 pm around the corner comes a beautiful gaggle of girls yelling surprise and telling me that they were going to kidnap me. At first I was like, get out of my office, you are embarrassing me. But soon my face was pure joy! I couldn't believe that my friends and parents had teamed up to make my twenty-first birthday such a surprise.
So after I changed, we piled into Sarah Meadows car and started driving west on 50. I didn't have a clue where we were going. It was so much fun. I love being surprised. I love having to try and guess what in the world is going on. I love being surrounded by people that love me! It was such a wonderful treat. We kept driving and driving until we got to Cambridge and I was completely confused. I still didn't know where we were going. Then we pulled in here and I remembered Sarah talking about sailing. I was so excited. I had forgotten how much I enjoy doing things outside! I love the outdoors. I don't know what has been wrong with me during tha past few years. I love summer. I love being outdoors. Thank you all so much for taking me on this wonderful adventure!
This was the sky when we arrived. It was a little dark and then it started to rain. But we just went below deck and ate dinner and waited for the rain to pass over. 
We had wonderful wraps and fruit salad and cherries and chips by the wonderful Sarah Meadows. And then our captain came down and told us it was probably going to rain some more, but we could still go out if we wanted to. We voted to still go! 
First he taught us how to sail the boat because we all wanted to run it ourselves. So he taught us the ropes. It was a blast. 
And I got to drive us out!!!
Sarah Meadows has a great smile!
So does Anna.
And Rachel too!! 
Hayley took over so I could wander around the boat.
The sunset was amazing!
Dear, dear friends!!! 
Thank you all for spending my birthday with me!
And thank you for my parents giving me such a cool present!
I love knowing that people truly care for me!
After we came back we went to the Hyatt for dessert! The Hyatt and night is absolutely amazingly beautiful! I love how lighting is used. We had delicious coffee in cute mugs!
And we finished the night by playing chess and walking around the grounds. 
I loved loved loved my birthday! Thank you all for making me feel so special and loved!! It was so great and I will always remember my 21st birthday! I mean it, it was so amazing. It was better than I ever dreamed. :D
I praise God for each and every one of you.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
I have a lot of say, just not the time to say it (or to think out what I want to say). I would work on a nice blog entry tonight, but I am tutoring. Sarah comes back tomorrow!!! Wednesday is Bible study. Thursday is my birthday!! I'll try to work on it maybe this weekend.
Isaiah 12:2
Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."
Saturday, June 16, 2007
I've been cleaning my room today and trying to unpack all my things from college. I've been reminded of a lot of good memories while I cleaned out my drawers and I thought I would comment on some of them.
The first thing that I remembered today happened a year ago today. I found a M6 and M5 pamphlet from Tait BMW dealership in Annapolis. I went there for my birthday last year to see my favorite car. It was really neat because the dealership man showed me inside the hood of the car and explained how a bunch of the features actually worked. It was really really neat. I loved it. I'll save the pictures of the cars for a few more years; even though it is junking up my room, it is a great memory.
Next I found my six flags tickets from those homeschool days I used to go to. I remember when Jack and I rode two-face two times in a row because the line was so short and ended up getting so sick afterwards that all we could do was lay on benches for like fifteen minutes. heh. Everyone else was fine and wanted to go ride more rides and I just wanted to die my head hurt so badly. Then we went to red, hot, and blue afterwards and I was introduced to the awesomeness that is sweet potato fries! Good times.
I found my bowling stubs from when we went as with young adults and I forgot my money and Jared had to pay for me. I remember being beaten by Matt by one point and being so mad. heh. Then I remember that I stressed my shoulder so much that I dislocated it the next day. But that was still a fun night. I remember it started off by going with Ben and Jack to Walmart to buy Velcro shoes. haha. I wonder if anyone remembers that the guys used to wear those ugly shoes.
I found photos from summer missions trips with Stef where we are covered in dirt or paint from head to toe and loving life. There are pictures from my soccer team and soccer jerseys.
I found quite a few awesome birthday presents. I found my phantom of the opera tickets from Hayley and Sarah. I found my box with all the cool Hayley words on it. I found my Curious George note cards and my Curious George book. There is my copy of Wind in the Willows and Great Expectations. I found magnets, coins, the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, my UNC sweatshirt, my coach wallet, mango hand cream, stuffed purple sheep, black dogs, and many other gifts from dear friends.
When I think about it, I have had such a great life! I want to thank God for all the friends he has given me and my family and all the fun that I have had with them. God is good. I remember that as I clean my room and I smile thinking about the memories I will make in the future. These past memories are only bittersweet because I know that they will never happen again, but they are so good because I remember God's faithfulness to me. God is gracious and loving. He is slow to wrath. He does not treat us like our sins deserve.
And I've got to get back to cleaning. And I might go help Rachel Townsend paint her closet.
The first thing that I remembered today happened a year ago today. I found a M6 and M5 pamphlet from Tait BMW dealership in Annapolis. I went there for my birthday last year to see my favorite car. It was really neat because the dealership man showed me inside the hood of the car and explained how a bunch of the features actually worked. It was really really neat. I loved it. I'll save the pictures of the cars for a few more years; even though it is junking up my room, it is a great memory.
Next I found my six flags tickets from those homeschool days I used to go to. I remember when Jack and I rode two-face two times in a row because the line was so short and ended up getting so sick afterwards that all we could do was lay on benches for like fifteen minutes. heh. Everyone else was fine and wanted to go ride more rides and I just wanted to die my head hurt so badly. Then we went to red, hot, and blue afterwards and I was introduced to the awesomeness that is sweet potato fries! Good times.
I found my bowling stubs from when we went as with young adults and I forgot my money and Jared had to pay for me. I remember being beaten by Matt by one point and being so mad. heh. Then I remember that I stressed my shoulder so much that I dislocated it the next day. But that was still a fun night. I remember it started off by going with Ben and Jack to Walmart to buy Velcro shoes. haha. I wonder if anyone remembers that the guys used to wear those ugly shoes.
I found photos from summer missions trips with Stef where we are covered in dirt or paint from head to toe and loving life. There are pictures from my soccer team and soccer jerseys.
I found quite a few awesome birthday presents. I found my phantom of the opera tickets from Hayley and Sarah. I found my box with all the cool Hayley words on it. I found my Curious George note cards and my Curious George book. There is my copy of Wind in the Willows and Great Expectations. I found magnets, coins, the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, my UNC sweatshirt, my coach wallet, mango hand cream, stuffed purple sheep, black dogs, and many other gifts from dear friends.
When I think about it, I have had such a great life! I want to thank God for all the friends he has given me and my family and all the fun that I have had with them. God is good. I remember that as I clean my room and I smile thinking about the memories I will make in the future. These past memories are only bittersweet because I know that they will never happen again, but they are so good because I remember God's faithfulness to me. God is gracious and loving. He is slow to wrath. He does not treat us like our sins deserve.
And I've got to get back to cleaning. And I might go help Rachel Townsend paint her closet.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Love Is A Miracle
Delirious
Love, pulled me up off my knees,
Took all my disease,
You’ve always been there for me.
Love put shoes on my feet,
Took a song made it sweet,
You always had ears for me.
You’ve given me everything,
Love of my life
Forever I’ll sing that
Love is a Miracle oh, oh,
Love is a Miracle,
Your mercy catches me when I fall,
Love is such a miracle.
Love is where you abide,
It sees every side,
It crosses the great divide.
Love took hold of my hand
And taught me to walk
It’s time now to make a stand.
Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK
Delirious
Love, pulled me up off my knees,
Took all my disease,
You’ve always been there for me.
Love put shoes on my feet,
Took a song made it sweet,
You always had ears for me.
You’ve given me everything,
Love of my life
Forever I’ll sing that
Love is a Miracle oh, oh,
Love is a Miracle,
Your mercy catches me when I fall,
Love is such a miracle.
Love is where you abide,
It sees every side,
It crosses the great divide.
Love took hold of my hand
And taught me to walk
It’s time now to make a stand.
Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK
Monday, June 11, 2007
Brian Regan
is going to be on Comedy Central
on Tuesday at 10pm.
Come watch it at my house.
Arrive anytime after eight.
Bring your own snacks.
Luke watched it last night and he said he was hilarious. He says that it might not be quite as funny as the last one. But I am looking forward to watching it tomorrow night.
The Hardest Part
Coldplay
And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
Was the hardest part
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start
I could feel it go down
Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining the cloud
Oh and I
I wish that I could work it out
And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
You really broke my heart
And I tried to sing
But I couldn’t think of anything
And that was the hardest part
I could feel it go down
You left the sweetest taste in my mouth
You're a silver lining the clouds
Oh and I
Oh and I
I wonder what it’s all about
I wonder what it’s all about
Everything I know is wrong
Everything I do, it's just comes undone
And everything is torn apart
Oh and it’s the part
That’s the hardest part
Yeah that’s the hardest part
That’s the hardest part
Coldplay
And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
Was the hardest part
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start
I could feel it go down
Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining the cloud
Oh and I
I wish that I could work it out
And the hardest part
Was letting go, not taking part
You really broke my heart
And I tried to sing
But I couldn’t think of anything
And that was the hardest part
I could feel it go down
You left the sweetest taste in my mouth
You're a silver lining the clouds
Oh and I
Oh and I
I wonder what it’s all about
I wonder what it’s all about
Everything I know is wrong
Everything I do, it's just comes undone
And everything is torn apart
Oh and it’s the part
That’s the hardest part
Yeah that’s the hardest part
That’s the hardest part
Saturday, June 09, 2007
I spent my day today helping Mrs. Taylor clean out the library and making stuffed shells (heh, what a great memory**). Thank you Mrs. Taylor for being my friend and second mother. :) You are a joy. I thank God for you.
** Stuffed shells story:
Mrs. Taylor calls me on my way down to Tyaskin and asks me to pick up JUMBO shells because she only has the large ones. Well, I pick up a box of jumbo shells and both Mrs. Taylor and I have agreed now that the jumbo shells are a little lacking in the jumbo department. They are like an inch and a half across, maybe two inches. They are not really the type that you stuff, but they were the biggest that the store had. So anyhow, I get down to the Taylors and we clean for a while and then we decided to cook the sauce. Mrs. Taylor looks in the pantry (don't you love that, pantry... what a fun word) and sees that she doesn't have tomato sauce (which she always has, except for today). So we ask Dr. Taylor to go buy us some, but he returns and the store in the area don't have any large cans. We seemed to have a problem with big things this day. ha. So Mrs. Taylor calls the neighbors and we collect a can of home canned tomato juice, a can of tomato puree, a can of tomato paste, and a jar of spaghetti sauce. When we get back to the house, we throw everything in the pan with a little big of seasonings and taste it. It is okay, but still not great. It is too sweet and is missing something. Anyhow, we play around with it a while and still don't get it. Mrs. Taylor says to just let it sit while we stuff our jumbo mini shells.
So we go to get out the ricotta cheese and can't find it. We look in both refrigerators and ask everyone in the house if they had bought any, but there is not ricotta cheese to be found. By this time the meal is just plain funny. First there are mini shells, with sauce that is thrown together from random places, and then no cheese. After thinking for a while, the sauce becomes spaghetti sauce and we add meatballs (that end of making the sauce taste funny, but everyone else liked it but us so I guess all was good). Mrs. Taylor pulled out that really awesomely good french bread that the Shwan man brings and it was a good meal, other than the spaghetti noodles being a little sticky. Haha. But that is the story of Mrs. Taylor trying to surprise me and make me stuffed shells because she knows that I adore them. In the end I think I will certainly remember this story a lot longer and I will have to chuckle whenever I see a stuffed shell. Plus, this gives me an excuse to come down to her house again.
All in all it was a very enjoyable day with great friends!!
** Stuffed shells story:
Mrs. Taylor calls me on my way down to Tyaskin and asks me to pick up JUMBO shells because she only has the large ones. Well, I pick up a box of jumbo shells and both Mrs. Taylor and I have agreed now that the jumbo shells are a little lacking in the jumbo department. They are like an inch and a half across, maybe two inches. They are not really the type that you stuff, but they were the biggest that the store had. So anyhow, I get down to the Taylors and we clean for a while and then we decided to cook the sauce. Mrs. Taylor looks in the pantry (don't you love that, pantry... what a fun word) and sees that she doesn't have tomato sauce (which she always has, except for today). So we ask Dr. Taylor to go buy us some, but he returns and the store in the area don't have any large cans. We seemed to have a problem with big things this day. ha. So Mrs. Taylor calls the neighbors and we collect a can of home canned tomato juice, a can of tomato puree, a can of tomato paste, and a jar of spaghetti sauce. When we get back to the house, we throw everything in the pan with a little big of seasonings and taste it. It is okay, but still not great. It is too sweet and is missing something. Anyhow, we play around with it a while and still don't get it. Mrs. Taylor says to just let it sit while we stuff our jumbo mini shells.
So we go to get out the ricotta cheese and can't find it. We look in both refrigerators and ask everyone in the house if they had bought any, but there is not ricotta cheese to be found. By this time the meal is just plain funny. First there are mini shells, with sauce that is thrown together from random places, and then no cheese. After thinking for a while, the sauce becomes spaghetti sauce and we add meatballs (that end of making the sauce taste funny, but everyone else liked it but us so I guess all was good). Mrs. Taylor pulled out that really awesomely good french bread that the Shwan man brings and it was a good meal, other than the spaghetti noodles being a little sticky. Haha. But that is the story of Mrs. Taylor trying to surprise me and make me stuffed shells because she knows that I adore them. In the end I think I will certainly remember this story a lot longer and I will have to chuckle whenever I see a stuffed shell. Plus, this gives me an excuse to come down to her house again.
All in all it was a very enjoyable day with great friends!!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
I love this song (the one at the end of this post - you can hear it on his my space. By he I mean Chris Tomlin, the latest addition to my cd collection as of today. Nice). I turn it up really loud and sing along; I go around the house shouting it. It is so true. My life is so good. I have so much. God only does what is best for me. I have a whole summer ahead of me and I have the freedom to go where ever and be whatever I want. Plus I have Fridays off. SWEETNESS! I just want to take the time to thank people for praying for me over the past few weeks. It has been a little rough. But I am starting to see God's hand in the entire situation. I actually praise him for it. I found this GREAT quote in The Godly Man's Picture by Thomas Watson.
Too long I have been happy with simple flowers when God wants to give me diamonds. It hurts to have things taken away. But God never said it would be easy, just that he has our best in mind. Anyhow, I thought this quote was amusing just because of my name. So you can read it too. You should really read the entire book. It is rich.
Aren't those great sections from the book? Yeah, I love them. I agree with Thomas Watson. God is carving and polishing us to make us more like him. That is a glorious thing. We should praise him for making us more like him. Yeah, it is hard, but I am excited about what he is doing in my life!! I can't wait to see what the rest of my life holds. How can I keep from singing his praise?
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Chris Tomlin
There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling
Chorus:
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing
I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give
Chorus:
I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
Chorus:
The Lord never takes away any comfort from his people without giving them something better. The disciples parted with Christ's corporal presence and he sent them the Holy Ghost. God eclipses one joy and augments another. He simply makes an exchange; he takes away a flower and gives a diamond.
Too long I have been happy with simple flowers when God wants to give me diamonds. It hurts to have things taken away. But God never said it would be easy, just that he has our best in mind. Anyhow, I thought this quote was amusing just because of my name. So you can read it too. You should really read the entire book. It is rich.
Question: How does faith work patience?
Answer: Faith argues the soul into patience. Faith is like the town clerk in Ephesus who allayed the contention of the multitude and argued them soberly into peace (acts 19:35,36). So when impatience begins to clamour and make a hubbub in the soul, faith appeases the tumult and argues the soul into holy patience. Faith says, 'Why art thou disquieted, O my soul?' (Psalms42:5). 'Are you afflicted? Is it not your father who has done it? He is carving and polishing you and making you fit for glory. He smites that he may save.
Aren't those great sections from the book? Yeah, I love them. I agree with Thomas Watson. God is carving and polishing us to make us more like him. That is a glorious thing. We should praise him for making us more like him. Yeah, it is hard, but I am excited about what he is doing in my life!! I can't wait to see what the rest of my life holds. How can I keep from singing his praise?
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Chris Tomlin
There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling
Chorus:
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing
I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give
Chorus:
I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
Chorus:
Seek him with importunity and either he will remove the affliction or, which is better, he will remove your impatience. - Thomas Watson
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
I love my job!
edit on Thursday: And I love the people that I work with! They are so much fun. I just got back from a company lunch. I might have stories to tell after a few weeks of working here. But everyone is so nice and they have a sense of humor. They all make me laugh and it is so much fun to work here. So not only do I love my work, but I love the people that I work with. And Matt Smith told me to today that if I get bored, I can tell him and they will find a challenge for me. Sweet. :D
Oh, and after next week I get fridays off. Yep, that is right, I get to work a four day week! Ten hours a day Monday through Thursday and Fridays are free! Sweetness! I know, I know you all wish you could be in engineering too. Haha. I am LOVING life right now! If any of you have Fridays free and want to do something with me... I'm free (after this Friday).
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
While at lunch I was reading some John Piper Sermons and I decided to highlight the great points. First I will start our with Thomas Watson's definition of forgiveness because I think it is a good reminder. I often don't think about all the things that forgiveness includes. It takes a lot to be able to admit this or seek after forgiving someone. It takes work and strength, strength that we often don't have on our own. But God is gracious and is a good provider.
Now, what excuse do we have to not forgive others. That we have to let go of our hurt? That we can't make them feel bad? That we can't have pity parties for ourselves anymore? That we can't be in a grumpy mood that we think we deserve? That we think that the other person doesn't deserve to be forgiven? Those seem like sorry excuses to me for refusing to forgive someone especially when we have been forgiven so much. John Piper says that there are six specific things that God has done for us, three before we existed and three during our lifetime. He goes into more detail in his sermon which you can find here. But I will just list the points.
So I don't see how I could not forgive anyone. I would really have to be full of it to refuse to forgive someone, no matter how badly they had hurt me. I still have been forgiven so much more than I could ever forgive. God had loved me and given himself for me. He adopted me and has made me more then a conquer. He has forgiven me. Praise God.
Thomas Watson's definition of forgiveness includes:
1. resisting revenge,
2. not returning evil for evil,
3. wishing them well,
4. grieving at their calamities,
5. praying for their welfare,
6. seeking reconciliation so far as it depends on you,
7. and coming to their aid in distress
Now, what excuse do we have to not forgive others. That we have to let go of our hurt? That we can't make them feel bad? That we can't have pity parties for ourselves anymore? That we can't be in a grumpy mood that we think we deserve? That we think that the other person doesn't deserve to be forgiven? Those seem like sorry excuses to me for refusing to forgive someone especially when we have been forgiven so much. John Piper says that there are six specific things that God has done for us, three before we existed and three during our lifetime. He goes into more detail in his sermon which you can find here. But I will just list the points.
What God Did for Us Before We Existed
1. God Loved Us with a Special Saving Love
2. Christ Gave Himself for Us as a Sacrifice
3. God Was Satisfied with Christ's Sacrifice
What God Did for Us During Our Lifetime
1. God Put Us in a Saving Relationship with Christ
2. God Adopted Us and Made Us Rightful Children
3. God Forgave Us for Our Sins
So I don't see how I could not forgive anyone. I would really have to be full of it to refuse to forgive someone, no matter how badly they had hurt me. I still have been forgiven so much more than I could ever forgive. God had loved me and given himself for me. He adopted me and has made me more then a conquer. He has forgiven me. Praise God.
Charles Spurgeon says, "To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive. As it is more blessed to give than to receive, so to forgive rises a stage higher in experience than to be forgiven."
I guess I should be praising God that I get to experience something greater than getting forgiven. I know that being forgiven feels wonderful. But the problem I have with forgiving, is that it is a day by day thing. You have to force yourself to think of forgiveness every single minute/hour of every day. I think it is easier to be forgiven. I think it is much harder to do the forgiving. But that is what God is for, right? He gives us the strength to do things that we couldn't in our own power.
And I close with a song that John Piper quotes from that is on this Glad cd that we have around our house and have listened to for years.
Be ye glad, O be ye glad!
Every debt that you ever had,
Has been paid up in full by the blood of the Lamb,
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad.
And I close with a song that John Piper quotes from that is on this Glad cd that we have around our house and have listened to for years.
Be ye glad, O be ye glad!
Every debt that you ever had,
Has been paid up in full by the blood of the Lamb,
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad.
Oh and this is a verse that I read this moring that has been stuck in my head. I'll just throw it on the end here.
Romans 3:28 - the Message"What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade."
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Okay, I have one vote for picking Stef's bridesmaid dresses and I thought I would let you all give your input. So... here are the choices. Mrs. Shelton, if you get online I have asked you a question about the last dress. You might be able to help me with it.
Okay, dress number one.
This is my least favorite because of the scoop neck. And I don't like the color.
Dress number two.
I only like this dress because it is the cheapest of the dresses. The model is ugly. I would never wear it again. I don't really like this one either.
And dress number three.
This is my favorite, of course it is the most expensive. However, I don't like how low the front of the dress dips. I was wondering, Mrs. Shelton, if I could pull up the dress in the front. The fabric is loose enough that it looks like you could sew it a little higher and solve this problem. Let me know what you think. I will probably talk to you about it Wednesday evening at Bible study. I think it could be done, but I don't sew that often. Maybe it is wishful thinking. Oh and I would wear this dress again. It is adorable. But then again, maybe it will look terrible on me, then I would never wear it again and I would regret spending the money.
Here is a second photo of the top for you to see how much loose material there is. I would like it about an inch higher than it is cut.
Thoughts, comments???
What do you think?
Friday, June 01, 2007
Recently this has become my favorite set of verses...
I actually might make them my life's verses.
I want to be able to say that I live them.
God help my unbelief at times.
I want to be able to say that I live them.
God help my unbelief at times.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
In the past few weeks I have come to realize how that being miserable is a choice. Hard times are always going to come our way. It is what we do with them that matters. I see now that having a pity party and feeling all sorry for myself because I have been wronged, only hurts me. It does nothing to resolve anything and it certainly doesn't give God any glory. But when we grasp firmly onto his mighty and blessed promises and we admit that we can do nothing in our own strength, those are the times that God can work in us and around us. He can give us peace and comfort. I am not saying that you won't feel hurt because I do still hurt. But I understand that wallowing in that hurt doesn't do me any good. I don't deserve to have people feel sorry for me; I don't deserve to feel sorry for myself. God has a perfect plan. I trust that. I take joy in the God of my salvation!!!
I like flying at night!
Actually, I like flying a whole lot more than I thought I would. There are so many neat things to see out the windows. Anna is loading pictures. I need some sleep.
I didn't want to come back to the real world.
Favorite part of the trip: hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. We started at 8:45 in the morning and came back at 4:30. It took us 4 hours and 15 minutes to get down and 3 and a half hours to get back up. It is supposed to take double the time to come back up. I don't know what we were doing. haha.
Favorite memory: hmmmm, there are too many to choose from. I loved spending time with all of my siblings. I feel like I haven't seen them in so long. But more on the trip later.
Actually, I like flying a whole lot more than I thought I would. There are so many neat things to see out the windows. Anna is loading pictures. I need some sleep.
I didn't want to come back to the real world.
Favorite part of the trip: hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. We started at 8:45 in the morning and came back at 4:30. It took us 4 hours and 15 minutes to get down and 3 and a half hours to get back up. It is supposed to take double the time to come back up. I don't know what we were doing. haha.
Favorite memory: hmmmm, there are too many to choose from. I loved spending time with all of my siblings. I feel like I haven't seen them in so long. But more on the trip later.