I will be home tomorrow! Eeeeeek! I am getting really excited to see my family. It's been a rough month or so and I am really exited to be home and spend time with them. I woke up to a text from my dad yesterday morning saying "two more days! two more days!" So I think they are excited to see me :)
I can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations and the lights.
One of the best traditions that my family does is one night we all pile into our car with pj's on with hot chocolate and candy canes turn on the Christmas music and drive around and look at the decorations and lights that people put up outside. We like to judge and see which ones we like the best. My dad's side of the family always has a huge get together on Christmas Eve. It is such a blast to see everyone and hang out. We have a gift exchange that is called white elephant where you find stuff around the house and wrap it up. So we have had the most random gifts. We had a loaf of bread, fish eggs and a pig cookie jar that made noises going around for a few years! We usually have the Christmas eve part at our house and my uncles LOVE to leave their white elephant gifts hidden around our house. This year my uncle is having it at his house so revenge is ours!!! haha It will be a good time.
When my best friend from home found out when I was coming home she messaged our group of friends with an itinerary of everything we could do and a calendar of when we could do them. Gotta love her. :)
But in the midst of ending my job at camp today, packing up, flying home, and getting gifts for people it's a good time to sit back and remember who to spend time with around Christmas. I miss my friends but I cannot wait to spend time with my family making cookies and watching a Charlie Brown Christmas or listening to my dad sing "There's always Tomorrow" from Rudolph in a high falsetto and counting down the days and hours until Christmas. So friends, in your travels home, be safe and have a blessed time with the people you love most :)
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Who do you turn to?
There has been so much going on lately. Between work, trying to see friends, babysitting and getting ready for my new job in January I find it hard to take a chance and just relax and have a moment of peace. I have tried to take my time and do my devotions every morning and spend time in the Word every day. Something I have been learning lately is that God wants us to come to Him with everything. The hurts and the heartaches. The joys and the victories too. Everything.
In church this Sunday the topic came up again. We talked about how Christ became flesh to dwell with us. He came down as a baby. He could have been sent at age 30 to start his ministry in a bolt of lightning or some big dramatic way. But to think about that who would want to approach a Messiah like that? I would be intimidated. By coming as a baby, he was humble and vulnerable. He went through puberty. He lived with a family and dealt with temptation. He was human like us.
Our pastor wrote something down that I really liked too. He said, "God coming to His creation as a created person in undeniable proof that God will do anything to have a relationship with us." Isn't that so cool! Yes, I have friends and family who are there for me and to listen. Heartaches hurt and I have most likely talked their ears off lately but God will never ever turn from us when we are hurting. Cause He wants us to go to Him no matter what. He wants to rejoice in our victories with us. (for me that is doing a happy dance) and cry and hold us when we are broken.
So think...who is that one person who is always there for you to be vulnerable and bear your heart to? Why? What makes them approachable?
Just think, God is just like that...even more. So trust Him with your feelings because He is always there to listen.
In church this Sunday the topic came up again. We talked about how Christ became flesh to dwell with us. He came down as a baby. He could have been sent at age 30 to start his ministry in a bolt of lightning or some big dramatic way. But to think about that who would want to approach a Messiah like that? I would be intimidated. By coming as a baby, he was humble and vulnerable. He went through puberty. He lived with a family and dealt with temptation. He was human like us.
Our pastor wrote something down that I really liked too. He said, "God coming to His creation as a created person in undeniable proof that God will do anything to have a relationship with us." Isn't that so cool! Yes, I have friends and family who are there for me and to listen. Heartaches hurt and I have most likely talked their ears off lately but God will never ever turn from us when we are hurting. Cause He wants us to go to Him no matter what. He wants to rejoice in our victories with us. (for me that is doing a happy dance) and cry and hold us when we are broken.
So think...who is that one person who is always there for you to be vulnerable and bear your heart to? Why? What makes them approachable?
Just think, God is just like that...even more. So trust Him with your feelings because He is always there to listen.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I am thankful for...technology??
Never really thought I would ever say that. See I am not really a technology person. I have an old flip phone (to save money) but I really do like it. It's cool to flip it open when someone calls! And I am getting off topic.
I have never been a tech savy person...unless you ask my mom because she is pretty bad. But I started hating texting in college and although it does come in handy and I see the point of it I would so much rather talk in person or on the phone with someone. Plus I have seen through experience that people hide behind texting and it is easy to do too. I must admit I have done it in the past. But I have gotten to the point where if I wouldn't say it in person I won't say it over text.
I still have difficulty with computers sometimes. I am scared one day they will take over the world in some jobs where I would much rather have a person to talk to. But this post is about why I am thankful about technology rather than bashing it.
I see the need for technology. But I also feel like the culture has become to rely on it too much and if something like a revolution (like the tv show where they lose all electricity) happened I am not sure if people would know how to have conversations face to face. But on this Thanksgiving a few days ago I got a chance to really appreciate the technology we have.
See I just moved from NJ to Colorado and this was the first Thanksgiving I have been away from home. It was different and I loved it. I had dinner at my best friends house with her family and then we went for a hike in Red Rock park. (gotta love Colorado!)
My town has a HUGE rival football game on Thanksgiving day that has been part of the tradition for hundreds of years. One year it was on ESPN. It's kinda a big deal. Like huge deal. The whole town goes. That takes up most of the morning. Then I have dinner with my mom's side of the family then we go to my uncle's house on my dad's side where there is craziness!!!! My dad is one of seven boys and usually five of them make it. This year it was six and all my cousins were there. My brother calls me and I hear about 20 people talking at once and he tells me to get on skype. (such a great invention)
So in the long run I got a chance to skype my family on Thanksgiving. I was funny to see some of my aunts and uncles pass by the computer and look over and see me and be sort of startled. Everyone was yelling my name and I got to see my parents too. It was so great to see everyone!! My grandma was not sure if she liked it or not which was pretty entertaining.
So yes, as much as I would rather be in person with people I do understand the need for technology and so grateful for it this Thanksgiving. Now I can't wait to get home and see my whole family for Christmas. Who knows maybe in a few years I can appear in like a hologram form!
I have never been a tech savy person...unless you ask my mom because she is pretty bad. But I started hating texting in college and although it does come in handy and I see the point of it I would so much rather talk in person or on the phone with someone. Plus I have seen through experience that people hide behind texting and it is easy to do too. I must admit I have done it in the past. But I have gotten to the point where if I wouldn't say it in person I won't say it over text.
I still have difficulty with computers sometimes. I am scared one day they will take over the world in some jobs where I would much rather have a person to talk to. But this post is about why I am thankful about technology rather than bashing it.
I see the need for technology. But I also feel like the culture has become to rely on it too much and if something like a revolution (like the tv show where they lose all electricity) happened I am not sure if people would know how to have conversations face to face. But on this Thanksgiving a few days ago I got a chance to really appreciate the technology we have.
See I just moved from NJ to Colorado and this was the first Thanksgiving I have been away from home. It was different and I loved it. I had dinner at my best friends house with her family and then we went for a hike in Red Rock park. (gotta love Colorado!)
My town has a HUGE rival football game on Thanksgiving day that has been part of the tradition for hundreds of years. One year it was on ESPN. It's kinda a big deal. Like huge deal. The whole town goes. That takes up most of the morning. Then I have dinner with my mom's side of the family then we go to my uncle's house on my dad's side where there is craziness!!!! My dad is one of seven boys and usually five of them make it. This year it was six and all my cousins were there. My brother calls me and I hear about 20 people talking at once and he tells me to get on skype. (such a great invention)
So in the long run I got a chance to skype my family on Thanksgiving. I was funny to see some of my aunts and uncles pass by the computer and look over and see me and be sort of startled. Everyone was yelling my name and I got to see my parents too. It was so great to see everyone!! My grandma was not sure if she liked it or not which was pretty entertaining.
So yes, as much as I would rather be in person with people I do understand the need for technology and so grateful for it this Thanksgiving. Now I can't wait to get home and see my whole family for Christmas. Who knows maybe in a few years I can appear in like a hologram form!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
"...to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
I know I have already done a post on friends a while back but I needed to update and the past few days I have just really been blessed by my friends. The other day I had one of those days where God just wanted to teach me some things. So that night I had a chance to just journal and talk to Him and I felt very convicted. At that same time one of my best friends and roommates from FLI texted me and asked me what's up so I told her I was learning some stuff. And although it was late she called me just to pray with me. It was so great to hear her voice (cause she lives in California) and great to catch up on life. We shared our highs and lows and just talked.
Just before that I was thinking how different my life would have been if I never went to FLI. How my friendship would be with my friends from college and how different I would be. But then I never would have met my friends I have now. Ones who will call in the middle of the night to pray with me. I never would have learned how to be a better friend to be that phone call they place when they need to talk.
Today I just found out my grandpa died last night. I am so glad he is not in pain anymore but He fell away from Christ when my uncle got muscular dystrophy as a young boy. Last time I saw him I gave him a hug and kiss and told him I was praying for him. He had cancer and lost all use of his left arm. It's really hard being this far away and I am not sure if I will be going home or not yet. My best friend out here, when I texted her to say I may not be able to hang out this week, called and told me she is coming up and bringing any comfort food. It made me feel so great to have a friend who would drop everything to come up and see me during this.
Reminds me of the verse my good friend wrote in a letter for me:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Ok I guess that's about it.
Just before that I was thinking how different my life would have been if I never went to FLI. How my friendship would be with my friends from college and how different I would be. But then I never would have met my friends I have now. Ones who will call in the middle of the night to pray with me. I never would have learned how to be a better friend to be that phone call they place when they need to talk.
Today I just found out my grandpa died last night. I am so glad he is not in pain anymore but He fell away from Christ when my uncle got muscular dystrophy as a young boy. Last time I saw him I gave him a hug and kiss and told him I was praying for him. He had cancer and lost all use of his left arm. It's really hard being this far away and I am not sure if I will be going home or not yet. My best friend out here, when I texted her to say I may not be able to hang out this week, called and told me she is coming up and bringing any comfort food. It made me feel so great to have a friend who would drop everything to come up and see me during this.
Reminds me of the verse my good friend wrote in a letter for me:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Ok I guess that's about it.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
makin my daddy proud
I am now a full time working woman. That sounds really weird to say. I am working at the camp I worked at this summer. A position opened up so I am now maintenance assistant. Its hard work but I have learned a lot so far. I have learned to drive stick (with steering on the right side), to split wood, tricks to painting, and a bunch of other stuff with working with tools and fixing things around camp. I am also learning that there is always something to do and always something to fix. It can be quite tiring every day. And although it's not what I want to do and it can be hard at times, I am learning a lot and I will be able to say one day, "I worked as a maintenance assistant at a camp. I didn't like it but I stuck with it and learned a lot." So I am reminding myself of that.
Other things that make it hard is the fact I am just on camp all the time. I am far from my friends and don't get to see them much. And me as an extrovert working a lot by myself is tough. I was talking to my dad on the phone last week and he was telling me a story about when I was little.
"You used to be so shy and get anxious whenever you were without us. And now you are out in Colorado shooting guns and on your own. " It made me smile when he started to laugh to himself and I could just feel how proud he is of me...coming out here and working hard even though it's not what I want to do. But knowing my dad is proud of me makes it a bit easier.
Another reason my dad is great...I was skyping my family today (which was so great to see them!) and my mom and sister are talking to me and my dad is in the background dancing and making weird faces at me. No matter the situation he can always make me laugh and I hope I can continue to work hard and make him proud of me.
Other things that make it hard is the fact I am just on camp all the time. I am far from my friends and don't get to see them much. And me as an extrovert working a lot by myself is tough. I was talking to my dad on the phone last week and he was telling me a story about when I was little.
"You used to be so shy and get anxious whenever you were without us. And now you are out in Colorado shooting guns and on your own. " It made me smile when he started to laugh to himself and I could just feel how proud he is of me...coming out here and working hard even though it's not what I want to do. But knowing my dad is proud of me makes it a bit easier.
Another reason my dad is great...I was skyping my family today (which was so great to see them!) and my mom and sister are talking to me and my dad is in the background dancing and making weird faces at me. No matter the situation he can always make me laugh and I hope I can continue to work hard and make him proud of me.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Why do you believe?
The other night I had a conversation with a friend about faith. He was telling me he was starting to doubt and he wasn't sure if God was there for him. He then followed that with, "Why do you believe?"
Here is how I responded:
Here is how I responded:
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Westward bound...
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