Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Wow! What a Year

{A glimpse at 2013}

Played in Volleyball Tournaments 
 

Took  5 trips to NC

Played many violin offertories

Had a Surprise Birthday Party 

Got my permit
 

Went on the Senior Trip

Made lots of memories with family and friends 


Went to Camp 

Went to lots of parties 


Taught at VBS  

Served in various ministries at church


Took a Missions Trip to Mexico

Went to the Steam-O-Rama
 

Recorded "Our Portrait of Praise" with my family

Got a job at Chick-Fil-A
 

Olivia and Trevor got Married

Went to the Loving and Leading Conference 

Sang many specials at church


These are just some of the things I got to do in 2013. The Lord really blessed the year and allowed me to be a part of so many wonderful things!! 

 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness
Psalm 65:11a

Monday, December 30, 2013

"Personal revival is when one repairs their spirit with God."

Saturday, December 21, 2013

O Holy Night


1.O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
it is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Chorus
Fall on your knees,
oh hear the angel voices,
oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born.

2.Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
in all our trials born to be our friend.

3.Truly He taught us to love one another,
his law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful
On a day when the weather feels like it could be Easter Sunday,we anticipate the coming of Christmas. Only 4 days until Christmas and the weather is in the 60's and sunny. I was outside enjoying the weather earlier today and got to thinking about the weather and how it felt like Easter weather...how fitting to be thinking about Easter at this time of the year. We celebrate the birth of our Saviour because He came to die for our sins. 

Jesus knew when He came
He would suffer in shame;
He could feel every pain and sorrow.
But He left Paradise,
With His blood He paid the price-
My redemption to Jesus I owe.

Born to die upon Calvary,
Jesus suffered my sins to forgive;
Born to die upon Calvary,
He was wounded that I might live.

*Ron Hamilton

Let's not forget the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating the birth of a King!! 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Where Has the Time Gone??

I guess I better catch up.

Time has just sorta,well...

flown by.

I have been just a little busy...

 With Christmas right around the corner I have been busy shopping and getting ready for Christmas...and with all the shopping I have done so far I still have to go out tomorrow and go shopping. Dad,Josiah,and I went out shopping tonight. It is like a tradition in our family that dad takes us kids shopping right before Christmas to get stuff for mom. The group of "us kids" is slowly dwindling down...we are down to two of us. 

This whole Christmas season has been a little different. It is the first Christmas that Anna and Olivia haven't either been at home or nearby. I do miss them greatly...

I have been working about 30 hours a week,so that consumes a lot of time. I have been shift manager for a couple of weeks now and it has been going well for the most part...but there are some bad days.

School has been going well. I just got done telling a friend that I don't really mind school...which is rather shocking to hear myself say. I didn't say I enjoy it,I just said I don't mind it!! Christmas vacation is coming up in about 4 days and I am pretty excited about that!! 


I have been pretty busy with church stuff as well. I am teaching the 4-5 year old Junior Church this Sunday,playing offertories and specials,helping in nursery,and so on. We went caroling two Wednesdays ago and this past Wednesday was our youth group Christmas party.

 
 It still hasn't really dawned on me that Christmas is in less then a week...I am not really sure why.

Well I think this is a good enough update for now. I have a long list of things to do tonight and I am hoping to get most of them done!! I will TRY,I am not promising anything,but I will try to be a little more faithful in posting.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays and remembering the real reason for the season!

True joy is not found in presents,but in His Presence. 

 


 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmastime is Here

 It's been a long time since I've posted...sorry. It's been pretty busy around here. 
I have been preparing for Christmas and all it's joy that it brings.
I have been reflecting on the amazing love of God. To think that He would send His Son born in a manger many years ago.
Willing to give up His own precious Son as a gift to all men who will receive it.
I can't quite grasp all this love.
God sent His only Son,the One He loves so dearly,for ME!?!?! 

  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2 Corinthians 9:15

May I have a heart of thanksgiving this Christmas season!!

lights



ice



cookies
manger scene
Merry Christmas Y'all!!!!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Thanksgiving

O give thanks unto the Lord;for he is good.
Psalm 107:1 
Happy late Thanksgiving!!
 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
My family and I went down to my sister and brother-in-laws house in NC for Thanksgiving.It was so good to spend time with family,though I missed my dear sister and her husband. I am thankful that we got to talk on Thanksgiving. We ate,played games,ate,walked,ate,shopped,ate,made cards,and ate some more.Ate least it seems like we ate this much!!! Here are some pictures that I took throughout the time we were down there (mainly for my sister in Texas!!) ...

peeling apples for pie

making pie crust

rolling pie dough

Anna and Mom working in the kitchen on pies

we played Logo's and some how I ended up beating dad!! That was a HUGE,first time, accomplishment.

pumpkin pie
making pumpkin pie

Thanksgiving table



Mexican train dominoes

Dad,Matt,Josiah and I went shopping on Thursday night..and what did I get??? Skittles!! These were the dessert ones and they caused lots of laughter....we were eating them as we played dominoes and it made dad a little crazy...

Dad's skittles eyes...see I told you they made him a little crazy!!

dominoes

making cards
 I am so thankful for my family. The time we spend together and the memories we make! We missed you Liv and Trevor!!!!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

I am only one,but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do."
~Edward Everett Hale

Monday, November 18, 2013

A Word About {Ladies}

To me a lady is not frilly,flouncy,flippant,frivolous,and fluff-brained,but she is gentle,she is gracious,she is godly,and she is giving. 
You and I have the gift of femininity...the more womanly we are,the more manly men will be and the more God is glorified. Be women,be only women,be real women in obedience to God.

Elisabeth Elliot

Friday, November 15, 2013

Need Your Opinion...

I am working on a CD cover and I am trying to decide on which one to use.Please leave a comment and tell me what your favorite picture is. 

#1

#2

#3

#4

Thursday, November 14, 2013

What I've been doING

Hello there!
I am not sure if anyone is still reading my blog since I have been pretty terrible at updating it...my sister lovingly reminded me about this today. Things have just been busy! I feel like my sisters have been posting things with something to the effect of "Step into my living room","Step into my house",etc. Well dear reader...

{Step into my life}

So much has been going on. I am not even sure where to begin!! 

Grab something to eat and drink (I am drinking chai as I write this!) and relax. You are in for a long awaited post!!!

Where do I begin. Time has been passing by so quickly.

{Schooling}
School has been going pretty good. I have had some late night learning,lately. Trying to cram school in whenever I get the chance.

{Working}
Work is going good. We always say that "Everyday is a new adventure at Chick-Fil-A" and quite honestly,it is. There is always something out of the the normal that happens at work. My boss just recently pulled me into her office to talk. I think I can now sort of relate to what it feels like to go to the principals office. Thankfully, I have a great boss and she didn't pull me aside for any bad news. On the contrary. It was good news. She told me that the Grand Opening Supervisors evaluated how I worked and recommended me to be a shift leader. So Cathy asked me if I would be willing to take on the responsibility of being a shift leader over the kitchen. We talked about it for awhile and then she told me to go home and pray about. Like I said "everyday is a new adventure at Chick-Fil-A."

{Traveling}
I just recently had the opportunity to go with 10 other people from my church to The Loving and Leading Conference at a church in Ohio. I sat in 10 workshops and 6 General sessions. I have learned so much ... from how my heart as a teacher should be to how to manage a classroom,reach the soul of a child,make Bible stories meaningful to children,have an effective Jr. church program,work as a TEAM and so much more. I think my brain is still on over load from learning all of this wonderful.Useful.Helpful information.Besides sitting in on classes I got to make lots of good memories with friends.

{Sharing}
Last Sunday night I got to sit down and share the plan of salvation with a girl from my church. She got saved after talking to another girl and directly after that I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to show her verses from the Bible and answer her questions about Salvation. I can only imagine heaven rejoicing as another child was born into the family of God. I am so thankful that I had this OPPORTUNITY. I can't believe that God would first off save ME and then let me serve HIM!! 

{Helping}
Right now I am helping a girl at our church with violin. She is preparing to play a her first piece of music that she has ever played in front of the church. It has been a joy to help and teach her with her music and see the progression that she makes weekly. Hopefully she will continue to use her talent in church in the days and years to come. The church could never have too many violinists.

{Creating}
I have been working on creating a CD cover for the CD my family and I made back in October so that it will be ready by Christmas. I am almost done with the cover,and hopefully it will all come together soon! 

{Reading} 
Shocking,I know. Right now I am reading Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot. An excellent book. I will just share one quote from it. "The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian,but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different woman."

{Studying}
I am studying "God Created Man" right now to teach to the 1st to 4th grade kids in Junior Church. My mind has been going crazy with ideas on how to teach this...don't forget lots of visuals,mystery,and excitement!! I am excited to teach and I pray that I will present a very clear lesson.

{Playing}
I always make sure to spend some of my time playing my violin. I have about 5 different pieces that I am working on for church right now,plus some classical pieces that I am challenging myself to master...I know I will probably never be good enough to master the pieces,but it's a fun thought anyways. 

{Missing}
There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss my amazingly,wonderful,godly sisters the one in North Carolina and the other in Texas. I miss my brother-in-laws too...just not as much as I miss my sisters.There is just some unexplainable bond of love between sisters that makes being apart so hard. Like I said. Unexplainable.

{Talking}
Mainly to my sisters over the phone. While it's not the same as "Stepping into their living room" as they keep inviting me to do, and talking to them face to face. I still enjoy it. I just talked to my oldest sister this evening for the the first time in about 2 weeks. It had been way to long. 

{Sistering}
I just had to add this one. As busy as I have been I cannot forget that one of the most important roles I play in my life is being an older sister. And I try to be a fun one. Just ask my brother. We had a good time last night after church picking on each other,having fun,and talking.

I think that briefly sums up my life in a nutshell. I am sure that I am forgetting some things...everyday my "To-do" list gets longer,and it seems like the longer it gets,the less time I have in a day. One day....I will have everything done on that list.

I hope you have enjoyed stepping into my life for a little. I will try and be more faithful to blogging. I leave you with the most important thing that I have been doing and will continue to do...

{Pressing}
I am daily pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Though I fail Him regularly I am trying to do my best for Christ. Out of all things in my life I want to please my Jesus.

  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Rebekah was able to meet God's divine appointment for her life because she was faithfully carrying out her current obligations.

Joshua Harris-
I Kissed Dating Goodbye

Monday, October 28, 2013

{Here Am I,Send Me}

1.Here am I,send me.

Here am I,Lord,send me.

Unto Thee,willingly,

yielded I come.

Show the path that I must walk,

compel then to go,

and if I stray

show me the narrow way,

for here am I,send me,

I pray.

2.Here am I,send me.

Here am I,Lord,send me.

Precious,Holy Spirit,

fill and control.

Give me wisdom,send me strength,

and grant that I may be a mirror of

Your never ending love,

for here am I,send me,

I pray.

3.Here am I,send me.

Here am I,Lord,send me.

Take my heart,

it is Your own,

my will is Thine.

Take me voice and let me sing

always unto Thee,

so that my days

shall flow in ceaseless praise.

Lord,here am I,send me,

I pray.

*John Purifoy
"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible,our country will go on prospering and to prosper;but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority,no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound  obscurity."

Daniel Webster

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Week of Quotes {#7}

He who fritters away the early morning,it's opportunity and freshness,in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day.

E.M. Bounds

Friday, October 25, 2013

Week of Quotes {#6}

Committing a great truth to memory is admirable,committing it to life is wisdom.

William Ward 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Week of Quotes {#5}

Give me one hundred me who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God...they alone will shake the gates of Hell.

John Wesley

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Week of Quotes {#4}

Christ is a substitute for everything,but nothing is a substitute for Christ.

Dr. H.A. Ironside 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Week of Quotes {#3}

It is not enough to do God's work;it must be done in His way and for His credit.

Erwin Lutzer

Monday, October 21, 2013

Week of Quotes {#2}

The motto of every missionary,whether preacher,printer,or schoolmaster,ought to be 'Devoted for life.'

Adoniram Judson

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Week of Quotes {#1}

We have a God who delights in impossibilities.

Billy Sunday

Saturday, October 19, 2013

My Salvation Testimony

This post is a week late,but there wasn't much time to post last week.Last week at this time I was at the wedding reception of my sister.With all that being said...

Last Saturday was my 10th Spiritual birthday.

Wow.I can't believe that God would save me.

Indescribable.

I am so thankful that He loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for the sins of the whole world.

Talk about A-M-A-Z-I-N-G  L-♥-V-E.

This is my story of how I came to Jesus.

On October 12,2003 we were riding in the car listening to Patch the Pirate Goes to Space.On this CD PeeWee realizes his need of the Saviour and then accepts Christ into his heart. It was at this point that I realized my need for the Saviour as well. Immediately after we arrived at home,I went straight to my room and right then and there asked the Lord to come into my heart and save me,so that when I die I know where I will spend eternity.

That is all it took,but oh how much it means to me.The fact that I KNOW that when I die,I WILL spend eternity with my Saviour gives me great peace.

For God so loved the world,that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country,I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation.If truth be not diffused,error will be;if God and His Word are not known and received,the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy;if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet,the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will;if the power of the Gospel is not felt through the length and breadth of the land,anarchy and misrule,degradation and misery,corruption and darkness,will reign without mitigation or end.

~Daniel Webster

Monday, October 14, 2013

Answer to Prayer...

 #HackTheMenu Chick-fil-A Secret Menu - #HackTheMenu
I had been praying awhile about getting a job...that the Lord would show me where,and when He would want me to get a job.I had picked up an application a couple of weeks ago at Chick-Fil-A.I filled it out and went to return it,I was just going to leave it out in the box where the last person had left theirs,but mom thought I should take it into the building,so I did.I introduced myself and then they asked me if I could come back the next day for an interview...I knew that I couldn't do it-it was Tuesday and Liv was getting married that Saturday.I explained the situation and then John asked me if I could do it that same day.So in 10 minutes I was in for an interview.I wasn't nervous,they were all so nice.After my interview Michael,the guy who interviewed me,said he liked me so much and wished that he could hire me,but that wasn't his job so he asked me if I could have another interview that same day with the owner of the store.I told him I could so we went into the building to find her.I had my interview with her,and I wasn't expecting to get hired.I figured she would call me in a couple of days to let me know that I didn't get it.I had been praying the whole time I was waiting for the interviews and during the interviews that if this was not God's will for me,He would close the door.We were wrapping up the interview and the owner (Cathy) was like "I like you so much,you are so friendly and outgoing.Welcome to the team!!" It took me a minute until reality sunk in,and then I was thinking "Wow-I just got a job at Chick-Fil-A.What a great God I serve!!" I had a uniform fitting that same day and I go in for orientation this week.

Don't ever forget that God answers prayer,no matter how big or small.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

 
 "Never let good books take the place of the Bible.
Drink from the Well,
not from the streams that flow from the Well."

~Amy Carmichael

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

You may speak a word to a child,

and in that child there may be 

slumbering a noble heart 

which shall stir the Christian church

 in years to come.

~Charles Spurgeon

Monday, September 23, 2013

I guess I will post about our trip...hopefully my sisters won't get mad at me for beating them to posting about it!! =)

Liv and I left Sunday afternoon,after the afternoon church service to head down to Matt and Anna's house for a couple of days. It was a great trip but it all went by too fast!!!

We managed to do some thrift shopping,eat at Bojangles ( a MUST),go to the Outer Banks,play violins,sing together,take pictures,laugh,and talk,and laugh,and talk,and cry,and talk,and laugh,and cry some more.

We definitely made lots of memories while we were down there!Here are some pictures from the trip!!
Bojangles

Topper

Anna and I laughing at something

us
us

us

Outer Banks

Anna and Liv in the ocean

Searching for seashells

Liv writing her name in the sand just like Dad used to do