Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Isaiah 40:28-30
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#24. A Jesus who lives.... and who loves me even when I'm weak and stumble.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
White World..
So. Much. SNOW. :( I could cry.
But good news? Mums has Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins in the oven. So all's good.
I really feel there isn't a whole lot to write. Which is pretty lame, considering I haven't written in about a week. I'm slackin' off on this.
OH. I made baklava yesterday at work. I am so excited about this. One of the cooks told me it was "mad good". I like that. :) I'm pumped to see if it sells! And if not? Whatevs.... he and I will eat it all :p
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#21. Inside jokes..... they seriously make life worth living ;)
#22. hahahahaha..... I'm thankful for the number 22 and how much drama it makes for a few people and me :p
But good news? Mums has Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins in the oven. So all's good.
I really feel there isn't a whole lot to write. Which is pretty lame, considering I haven't written in about a week. I'm slackin' off on this.
OH. I made baklava yesterday at work. I am so excited about this. One of the cooks told me it was "mad good". I like that. :) I'm pumped to see if it sells! And if not? Whatevs.... he and I will eat it all :p
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#21. Inside jokes..... they seriously make life worth living ;)
#22. hahahahaha..... I'm thankful for the number 22 and how much drama it makes for a few people and me :p
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Everyday People.
Late last night I was racking my brain to remember a music artist I used to listen to a lot. His music helped me through some pretty rough seasons.... yet I could not remember his last name. I couldn't even remember most lyrics. But I knew what his first name was, and I knew one line from a song. So I spent 20 minutes on google and finally, finally, found him. Daniel Kirkley. He's amazing.... and his music is so incredible. He's pretty cute, too. ;)
He isn't like.... in the top 20 artists of American, no awards, no being wicked famous, nothing huge like that.That's kind-of why I like him so much. Not many people I know have ever heard him.
But.
He is so sincere and his voice is so pure.... and his lyrics are so deep and real. His music isn't the same without his lyrics, and his lyrics aren't the same without his music. You should go listen to him. He's one of the reasons I am who I am today.
http://danielkirkley.com/
Under the glitter
Behind the glamor
Beneath the surface
Everybody looks the same
Naked and broken
All of us fallen
Striving for purpose
Simply trying to find our way
Hoping and longing
Everyday people
Are reaching
For something to believe in
Everyday people
Are pleading to be loved
Everyone's needing
The grace that
Spans across the ages
To find
Everyday people
Sisters and brothers
Loving each other
Sharing the burdens
Weighing heavy on our hearts
Lovers of mercy
Showing compassion
Offering forgiveness
'Cause we've all been torn apart
Wounded together
Everyday people
Are reaching
For something to believe in
Everyday people
Are pleading to be loved
Everyone's needing
The grace that
Spans across the ages
To find
Everyday people
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#20. Slippers.
He isn't like.... in the top 20 artists of American, no awards, no being wicked famous, nothing huge like that.That's kind-of why I like him so much. Not many people I know have ever heard him.
But.
He is so sincere and his voice is so pure.... and his lyrics are so deep and real. His music isn't the same without his lyrics, and his lyrics aren't the same without his music. You should go listen to him. He's one of the reasons I am who I am today.
http://danielkirkley.com/
Under the glitter
Behind the glamor
Beneath the surface
Everybody looks the same
Naked and broken
All of us fallen
Striving for purpose
Simply trying to find our way
Hoping and longing
Everyday people
Are reaching
For something to believe in
Everyday people
Are pleading to be loved
Everyone's needing
The grace that
Spans across the ages
To find
Everyday people
Sisters and brothers
Loving each other
Sharing the burdens
Weighing heavy on our hearts
Lovers of mercy
Showing compassion
Offering forgiveness
'Cause we've all been torn apart
Wounded together
Everyday people
Are reaching
For something to believe in
Everyday people
Are pleading to be loved
Everyone's needing
The grace that
Spans across the ages
To find
Everyday people
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#20. Slippers.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Dinner with "The Family"
I really love my church. I really love the people in it..... they're my Family, how couldn't I love them?
I heard a really amazing way to describe church a week or two ago that explained why it's so important:
Families like to sit down for dinner. All of them together at the table...talking, laughing, discussing.
(even if you don't have a family who does this....keep reading. Having a church family will mean all that more to you)
Now...you have that picture in your mind, right? Of the family sitting at the table? Okay...well, imagine one of the kids, one of the younger kids, is missing. They just decided to not eat dinner with their family and hid themselves in their room with the door shut, refusing to come down and fellowship with everyone. The parents, I'm positive, won't like it and will be concerned, correct? Everyone will say, "Where is Jimmy? Why isn't he here with us?", or, "Where is Suzy? Is she okay?".
Being a whole family at dinner time is so important. Because after having busy days, after work, after school, after not being together all day....it's crucial for them to have this time with each other and to love each other.... especially the young people.
Alright....now just picture the dinner table as your church. And switch out the immediate family members for your church family members. As a christian, and especially as a young christian...church is key for thriving in your walk with Christ. After a long week of hard work, or college, and crazy life...it's important to gather with your Family in Christ. It's so crucial. When people skip or miss church... sometimes they wonder, "why is it such a big deal, anyways? I can afford to skip once in a while.... no one has the right to tell me otherwise". I understand where you're coming from.... you have freedom to choose what you do with your life. BUT. If you don't show up.... you Family in Christ is going to wonder where you are, they will be concerned, they will miss you. It is a big deal to us. Dinner is not the same without every sibling there, or without one of the parents. Dinner is meant to gather everyone and to give thanks to God and spend quality time together. As christians.... we need to emphasize on this. We need to make it a big deal.
Church is where I unravel myself and really connect with God. Yes, I try to do it everyday. Yes, God wants that every single minute of my life. But sometimes with all the craziness and packed schedules... it's really hard. That's why I love Sunday mornings.
It's a time set aside always, every week, for spending time with Jesus.
For giving thanks for everything and everyone He has given us.
For singing and worshiping the God who made us and loves us no matter what.
For letting ourselves breath and sit for just a few hours and listen to someone explain the bible and encourage us in incredible ways.
For spending quality time with other Christians... and feeling loved and accepted.
That's what church is. That's why I feel empty and weak when I have to miss a week because of a road-trip or because I'm sick. That's what I look forward to nearly every minute of my week.
Do you see what I mean? Church is a big deal, no matter what anyone says. It's why I survive every week. It's why I have the energy and joy that I do.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#18. The most wonderful and alive church I could ever be blessed with. My Family is so amazing. And if you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about....you should come check it out one of these Sundays.
http://madrid.cfconline.org/
#19. A home I am never afraid to come home to. That's big. And I am so thankful for it.
I heard a really amazing way to describe church a week or two ago that explained why it's so important:
Families like to sit down for dinner. All of them together at the table...talking, laughing, discussing.
(even if you don't have a family who does this....keep reading. Having a church family will mean all that more to you)
Now...you have that picture in your mind, right? Of the family sitting at the table? Okay...well, imagine one of the kids, one of the younger kids, is missing. They just decided to not eat dinner with their family and hid themselves in their room with the door shut, refusing to come down and fellowship with everyone. The parents, I'm positive, won't like it and will be concerned, correct? Everyone will say, "Where is Jimmy? Why isn't he here with us?", or, "Where is Suzy? Is she okay?".
Being a whole family at dinner time is so important. Because after having busy days, after work, after school, after not being together all day....it's crucial for them to have this time with each other and to love each other.... especially the young people.
Alright....now just picture the dinner table as your church. And switch out the immediate family members for your church family members. As a christian, and especially as a young christian...church is key for thriving in your walk with Christ. After a long week of hard work, or college, and crazy life...it's important to gather with your Family in Christ. It's so crucial. When people skip or miss church... sometimes they wonder, "why is it such a big deal, anyways? I can afford to skip once in a while.... no one has the right to tell me otherwise". I understand where you're coming from.... you have freedom to choose what you do with your life. BUT. If you don't show up.... you Family in Christ is going to wonder where you are, they will be concerned, they will miss you. It is a big deal to us. Dinner is not the same without every sibling there, or without one of the parents. Dinner is meant to gather everyone and to give thanks to God and spend quality time together. As christians.... we need to emphasize on this. We need to make it a big deal.
Church is where I unravel myself and really connect with God. Yes, I try to do it everyday. Yes, God wants that every single minute of my life. But sometimes with all the craziness and packed schedules... it's really hard. That's why I love Sunday mornings.
It's a time set aside always, every week, for spending time with Jesus.
For giving thanks for everything and everyone He has given us.
For singing and worshiping the God who made us and loves us no matter what.
For letting ourselves breath and sit for just a few hours and listen to someone explain the bible and encourage us in incredible ways.
For spending quality time with other Christians... and feeling loved and accepted.
That's what church is. That's why I feel empty and weak when I have to miss a week because of a road-trip or because I'm sick. That's what I look forward to nearly every minute of my week.
Do you see what I mean? Church is a big deal, no matter what anyone says. It's why I survive every week. It's why I have the energy and joy that I do.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#18. The most wonderful and alive church I could ever be blessed with. My Family is so amazing. And if you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about....you should come check it out one of these Sundays.
http://madrid.cfconline.org/
#19. A home I am never afraid to come home to. That's big. And I am so thankful for it.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Love.
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
#16. A wonderful boss who is more amazing and appreciated than she knows.
#17. A warm bed that will welcome me......after I finish writing a paper.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Things I'm Thankful For:
#16. A wonderful boss who is more amazing and appreciated than she knows.
#17. A warm bed that will welcome me......after I finish writing a paper.
To Be Honest..
A few nights ago I could not fall asleep. I sent this to my dear friend...hoping to unravel a few of the many thoughts circling through my mind.
"2:30am and I still can't fall asleep.
To be honest? I keep building my bakery in my mind.
What it will look like, what pastries I'll make.
How I'll display breads and cakes and pies.
If I will have espresso drinks and syrups and milkshakes.
What colors I'll use on the walls and what I will see when I look out my windows.
How I'll tie my apron on when I'm pregnant with my first child, and how I'll carry him in a sling on my back while I knead dough and dust the flour off my hands.
How I'll come home and greet my husband with a kiss and love how he'll take a deep breath and smell the scent of cookies and pies lingering in my hair.
How happy we will be....how much we will love Christ.
This is why I can't fall asleep.
But I'm not complaining. Never would I tell these dreams and thoughts to leave me be."
Things I'm Thankful For:
#14. Family members who lend me their cars while mine is still "out of order".
#15. That His dreams will become my dreams...and will come true. 'Cause He promised.
"2:30am and I still can't fall asleep.
To be honest? I keep building my bakery in my mind.
What it will look like, what pastries I'll make.
How I'll display breads and cakes and pies.
If I will have espresso drinks and syrups and milkshakes.
What colors I'll use on the walls and what I will see when I look out my windows.
How I'll tie my apron on when I'm pregnant with my first child, and how I'll carry him in a sling on my back while I knead dough and dust the flour off my hands.
How I'll come home and greet my husband with a kiss and love how he'll take a deep breath and smell the scent of cookies and pies lingering in my hair.
How happy we will be....how much we will love Christ.
This is why I can't fall asleep.
But I'm not complaining. Never would I tell these dreams and thoughts to leave me be."
Things I'm Thankful For:
#14. Family members who lend me their cars while mine is still "out of order".
#15. That His dreams will become my dreams...and will come true. 'Cause He promised.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Another page is turned.
Life is so incredibly confusing. Sometime I just don't get how I'm supposed to cope with it. One thing happens, then a few minutes later something totally opposite takes place. Ever just sat there trying to think things through and you get a legit headache from thinking too hard? Then you're frustrated you gave yourself a headache? I have this funny feeling it never ends.
I wish we could just do what we were supposed to do....that I could do what I'm supposed to do. I'm not the only one to think so. Check out what this amazing man had to say about it a few thousand years ago:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."
Wow.. try reading that 5 times fast.
Seriously though... Paul really thought about this one, didn't he? I don't think I could go into it so deep if I tried...thank goodness he spelled it out for me. It makes me more at ease with life, knowing that even someone as incredible as Paul had these thoughts and struggles.
BUT, it makes more sense as he continues....
"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
How blessed am I? That I sin again and again, every day and every minute...and yet I don't have to worry about feeling guilty for the rest of my life. That I don't have to live in a hell on earth.
I really don't deserve it. No one does...yet here we have all the answers. Every single one that we need to make it through this time on earth.
Anyways. Those are a few of the many thoughts I have going on tonight.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#12. My phone. Yeah...I understand that's kinda lame...but seriously. It's an amazing invention that I truly am SO grateful for.
#13. Second chances. And third, and fourth, and fifth...and on and on.
I pretty much love these girlies:
I wish we could just do what we were supposed to do....that I could do what I'm supposed to do. I'm not the only one to think so. Check out what this amazing man had to say about it a few thousand years ago:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."
Wow.. try reading that 5 times fast.
Seriously though... Paul really thought about this one, didn't he? I don't think I could go into it so deep if I tried...thank goodness he spelled it out for me. It makes me more at ease with life, knowing that even someone as incredible as Paul had these thoughts and struggles.
BUT, it makes more sense as he continues....
"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
How blessed am I? That I sin again and again, every day and every minute...and yet I don't have to worry about feeling guilty for the rest of my life. That I don't have to live in a hell on earth.
I really don't deserve it. No one does...yet here we have all the answers. Every single one that we need to make it through this time on earth.
Anyways. Those are a few of the many thoughts I have going on tonight.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#12. My phone. Yeah...I understand that's kinda lame...but seriously. It's an amazing invention that I truly am SO grateful for.
#13. Second chances. And third, and fourth, and fifth...and on and on.
I pretty much love these girlies:
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Cookieeeeeees!
At 6:30, my dad came in my room and said, "Umm....when are you supposed to be at work?".
I glanced at my clock and tried to make out the numbers, then proceeded to leap out of bed, "in twenty minutes!". I pulled out 3 minutes later (let me repeat that....3 minutes later...), and then was stuck behind a tow truck for 10 miles. That always starts my morning out well :p
I opened for the first time, and made a fool out of myself numerous times. Thank God for older guys who just laugh with, and encourage me, with good attitudes. :)
Then I switched into the bakery. Ahhhhh......my favorite place in the world :D I spent a few hours in there baking brownies, cookies, and filling pastries..... loving every second of it and wishing I had more time there.
But can I say... one of my favorite parts about working back in the kitchen/bakery is jammin' and singing to the oldies that Chris always plays from his iPod. :) He's my kind of guy.
I'm home now. Making some turkey noodle soup, and chatting with my dad, brother, & some guys who I haven't seen in far too long. Life is good right now :)
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#10. A dad who travels overseas to share Jesus' love. He comes back with some pretty incredible stories.
#11. Chocolate-Malt Sandwich Cookies. ;)
I glanced at my clock and tried to make out the numbers, then proceeded to leap out of bed, "in twenty minutes!". I pulled out 3 minutes later (let me repeat that....3 minutes later...), and then was stuck behind a tow truck for 10 miles. That always starts my morning out well :p
I opened for the first time, and made a fool out of myself numerous times. Thank God for older guys who just laugh with, and encourage me, with good attitudes. :)
Then I switched into the bakery. Ahhhhh......my favorite place in the world :D I spent a few hours in there baking brownies, cookies, and filling pastries..... loving every second of it and wishing I had more time there.
But can I say... one of my favorite parts about working back in the kitchen/bakery is jammin' and singing to the oldies that Chris always plays from his iPod. :) He's my kind of guy.
I'm home now. Making some turkey noodle soup, and chatting with my dad, brother, & some guys who I haven't seen in far too long. Life is good right now :)
Thing's I'm Thankful For:
#10. A dad who travels overseas to share Jesus' love. He comes back with some pretty incredible stories.
#11. Chocolate-Malt Sandwich Cookies. ;)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Too...much...food...
WELL. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving....that's for sure. I love my family to death. And my friends...cause I pretty much have the best of them.
Short entry today. Cause I'm just feeling lazy overall. But that's what people are supposed to feel after Thanksgiving, right?
Things I'm Thankful For:
#7. Ninja. That game makes the world go 'round.
#8. My Salvation. 'Cause without it...I'd be dead and nothing.
oh. and #9. STUFFING. <3
Short entry today. Cause I'm just feeling lazy overall. But that's what people are supposed to feel after Thanksgiving, right?
Things I'm Thankful For:
#7. Ninja. That game makes the world go 'round.
#8. My Salvation. 'Cause without it...I'd be dead and nothing.
oh. and #9. STUFFING. <3
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
"Give Thunks"
I was introduced to a website tonight that I absolutely ADORE:
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
It's pretty funny. Gotta admit. One of the Thanksgiving cakes say, "Give Thunks"....hence the title on the entry. I laughed.
Here's one..
But...to be perfectly honest? When I saved this onto the desktop, I named it Canana by mistake. So it seems I'm just as stupid as the person who decorated the cake. Anyway.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#5. Stupid websites that make me laugh after a LONG day of work.
#6. Legit African cousins that make life just that much better. :)
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
It's pretty funny. Gotta admit. One of the Thanksgiving cakes say, "Give Thunks"....hence the title on the entry. I laughed.
Here's one..
But...to be perfectly honest? When I saved this onto the desktop, I named it Canana by mistake. So it seems I'm just as stupid as the person who decorated the cake. Anyway.
Things I'm Thankful For:
#5. Stupid websites that make me laugh after a LONG day of work.
#6. Legit African cousins that make life just that much better. :)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Drifting Away In Love..
It has been a long day. And I am so ready for bed. Tomorrow consists of me leaving for work at 7:40am....and arriving back home by hopefully around 9:30pm. It will be a much different house when I get back 14 hours later...as it will be filled with many more people that I love and miss so dearly. I adore holidays, as family comes and stays with us. I think I'll manage to keep my eyes open for a while before I say goodnight :)
Things I Am Thankful For:
#3. The passion God gave me for being in the kitchen. It produced 2 pies and a pan of baklava tonight.
#4. Two little boys who make my life complete:
Things I Am Thankful For:
#3. The passion God gave me for being in the kitchen. It produced 2 pies and a pan of baklava tonight.
#4. Two little boys who make my life complete:
Monday, November 22, 2010
Life goes on as it always does..
Blogging and me? We have a weird relationship. sometimes we are as strong as a rock....then we crumble and never speak for months. Hence....me now writing for the first time in months.
BUT. Writing is a swell thing for me...and such a therapy. I think I shall start on this relationship once again ;)
Writing takes a lot of my time, though. and right now....I feel quite tired and in need of a shower. So I'll leave a long post till tomorrow or the next day. I shall have much to say...after all, it's Thanksgiving weekend, isn't it? I truly believe it should be Thanksgiving every day. Wouldn't that make such a difference in this world? I think so.
A few small reasons blogging will be good for my soul:
#1. The best friends I could ever ask for.
#2. The chance to work in a real bakery and officially sell my creations...like this:
BUT. Writing is a swell thing for me...and such a therapy. I think I shall start on this relationship once again ;)
Writing takes a lot of my time, though. and right now....I feel quite tired and in need of a shower. So I'll leave a long post till tomorrow or the next day. I shall have much to say...after all, it's Thanksgiving weekend, isn't it? I truly believe it should be Thanksgiving every day. Wouldn't that make such a difference in this world? I think so.
A few small reasons blogging will be good for my soul:
- I will work hard on my punctuation and capitalization...and will get better at it.
- Every day I will push for creativity and imagination.
- I will succeed in keeping an active blog...for at LEAST a month (fingers crossed).
- I will post one thing every day I am thankful for. or two things. or three. after all...shouldn't Thanksgiving be every day? :)
#1. The best friends I could ever ask for.
#2. The chance to work in a real bakery and officially sell my creations...like this:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
