I never realized just how much I enjoyed laying in my room. It has been a little over 2 weeks since I first (well to give credit where it is due, when Brandy first) started painting my room. And I guess I need to clarify what painting means... bear with me. I'm not just painting, but redoing the room so that it is more welcoming. Which includes new curtains :) As well as moving around a lot of furniture and just making it a more "sophisticated" room. After all, who would want to sleep in a teenage girls room (other than the obvious teenage girl) with memorabalia from Jr and Sr. high band and dance and everything else I had going for me... To be honest, I never really thought I'd reach this point where it was okay to put that stuff away, in memory boxes where they belong. That way my future children have ammunition to make fun of their mother. . . haha!
Anyway, the room has finally reached the point where I can scrub the carpet (with the help of a rug scrubber, mind you). It's so exciting! But, during my self-imposed break, I am currently laying on my back, on the floor of my room, just enjoying being in here. It's sad that I have to leave in just a few short days. But trust me, I will be back way more often than in the past years. (A definite perk of not continuing to be an RA for the third year)
The past few days have been enjoyable. Besides painting (in which there will be an entire post dedicated to the long process of my room), I have just enjoyed being at home, not working. I miss work, but do enjoy getting everything in order for school. I've also enjoyed driving back roads, stopping to enjoy the view (and take a few pictures.
On Monday, I actually stopped because I saw a deer grazing just off the road. Naturally, I slowed down in case it decided to dart. Upon taking out the camera, it decided to run back into the clearing, where I turned just to find myself within 25 feet of 3 other deer (1 doe, 3 fawns, still with fading spots). Absolutely gorgeous. I'm sure you can believe that I put the car in park and just watched while at the same time snapping pictures.
Then I saw a car approaching in the rear view mirror (and she did not seem to be slowing down), thus I had to leave this moment of serenity. I felt a tad bit annoyed at the driver of the car, who zoomed by the clearing without so much as a glance as to why I had been stopped. How sad for that driver to miss out on such a wonderful sight.
This thought led me to think of how many times I just zoom by God's beauty and all that He tries to show me because I am in a hurry, or have my own agenda without a thought as to what else might be going on. How sad... and convicting.
Well, I leave you with that nugget to ponder on. I am going to go enjoy a fresh tomato sandwich, and then begin scrubbing. Enjoy the day!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Hmm... Part 2
Seeing as my last post started to become rather lengthy, I decided to keep you in suspense until now. I left off with my Saturday afternoon at Marmon, a week ago.
Sunday, Brandy and I got to go to the church we attended last summer and enjoy being in their midst again. Last summer, a wonderful couple (Terri and Wes) became our mentors within the group, and it was such a thrill getting to see them again. I hope to make it there again this fall to continue to catch up.
After church, though, we got to ride horses again! But this time, we went bareback (so much more comfortable than a saddle). And, oh we also went to the river! Once there, the horses had a blast splashing around, laying down, rolling around, oh and one of the horses had some fun rearing! It was so much fun! I rode Scotch pony, and I definitely got wet (which was definitely due to Scotch as well as Lizzie drenching me with splashes...). Brandy was on our biggest horse (coincidentally named Tinkerbell). Her hooves are definitely the size of dinner plates! She didn't lay down or anything, but she had fun splashing around with her hooves, creating tidal waves in the small river.
All in all, it was awesome being back at Marmon, catching up with old friends, and being highly encouraged in Christ. God is so unbelievably good.
Onto this past week, not too much happened. I left my camera at Marmon on accident. Brandy took it upon herself to personally deliver it in yet another trip to my house (I think there were ulterior motives to that trip.. haha), so I got to spend another evening with her, painting, listening to sermons, and then watching Corey's baseball game!
Prior to that, I got to spend a wonderful evening with the Hoover family. I will definitely be missing those evenings. I hope to visit when I can.
Now to elaborate on my wonderful ladies and our study of Ruth. Man, what a blessing it is to spend time with these amazing girls. This summer, after the Chicago trip, a Bible study was started for the high school girls. Over the past four weeks, we've been getting together on Thursday nights to enjoy one another's company and spend some time in the Word.
This originally started out with just high school girls, but over the past month, has transformed to include mostly junior high, with a few exceptions. God is good and I'm ready to do what He calls me to do.
Ruth is such an amazing book of the Bible. And it is made so much better if you understand the cultural practices and the history of the time period. I've been listening to various sermons on the book of Ruth, with one in particular by a guy name Richard Cimino. [This church is kind of cool. They literally started their church, chapter by chapter, starting with Genesis 1:1 and Matthew 1:1 and have continued to do so since then. I highly recommend listening to his sermons. Pretty awesome. Check the church out here -> Metro Calvary Under current sermons, you can subscribe through iTunes).
Back to our Bible study, I've enjoyed getting to learn about the book of Ruth. There is so much that can come out of that small, but mighty book. A lot about relationships, about family, about guys (pivotal point for the girls), about God, and even about Jesus and the church.
We are about to end our journey through Ruth this week with Chapter 4. I'm not sure the theme for this chapter (The ladies have enjoyed my themes, which are definitely in their lingo. Chapter 1: Life sucks, but God provides. Chapter 2: Life has to go on (the question of the week is Where did you glean today?) Chapter 3: LOB your life to God (Listen. Obey. Believe) ) It's been a wonderful experience, and I've loved getting to build relationships with all of these amazing girls. I hope to continue to do so. Your prayers are much appreciated. Jr High and High school can be brutal, and if I can help in any way, then I pray that God uses me. I love them and am very sad to leave them. [I'm very thankful for the technology we do have].
This about wraps up my recap. Oh!!! I forgot. Painting is almost done (I understand if there are groans from you, as this has been an ongoing process). But really, I just have trim to do, and that should be done today, if I can help it :)
As always, thank you for your prayers and for continuing to read. Have a blessed week!
Sunday, Brandy and I got to go to the church we attended last summer and enjoy being in their midst again. Last summer, a wonderful couple (Terri and Wes) became our mentors within the group, and it was such a thrill getting to see them again. I hope to make it there again this fall to continue to catch up.
After church, though, we got to ride horses again! But this time, we went bareback (so much more comfortable than a saddle). And, oh we also went to the river! Once there, the horses had a blast splashing around, laying down, rolling around, oh and one of the horses had some fun rearing! It was so much fun! I rode Scotch pony, and I definitely got wet (which was definitely due to Scotch as well as Lizzie drenching me with splashes...). Brandy was on our biggest horse (coincidentally named Tinkerbell). Her hooves are definitely the size of dinner plates! She didn't lay down or anything, but she had fun splashing around with her hooves, creating tidal waves in the small river.
All in all, it was awesome being back at Marmon, catching up with old friends, and being highly encouraged in Christ. God is so unbelievably good.
Onto this past week, not too much happened. I left my camera at Marmon on accident. Brandy took it upon herself to personally deliver it in yet another trip to my house (I think there were ulterior motives to that trip.. haha), so I got to spend another evening with her, painting, listening to sermons, and then watching Corey's baseball game!
Prior to that, I got to spend a wonderful evening with the Hoover family. I will definitely be missing those evenings. I hope to visit when I can.
Now to elaborate on my wonderful ladies and our study of Ruth. Man, what a blessing it is to spend time with these amazing girls. This summer, after the Chicago trip, a Bible study was started for the high school girls. Over the past four weeks, we've been getting together on Thursday nights to enjoy one another's company and spend some time in the Word.
This originally started out with just high school girls, but over the past month, has transformed to include mostly junior high, with a few exceptions. God is good and I'm ready to do what He calls me to do.
Ruth is such an amazing book of the Bible. And it is made so much better if you understand the cultural practices and the history of the time period. I've been listening to various sermons on the book of Ruth, with one in particular by a guy name Richard Cimino. [This church is kind of cool. They literally started their church, chapter by chapter, starting with Genesis 1:1 and Matthew 1:1 and have continued to do so since then. I highly recommend listening to his sermons. Pretty awesome. Check the church out here -> Metro Calvary Under current sermons, you can subscribe through iTunes).
Back to our Bible study, I've enjoyed getting to learn about the book of Ruth. There is so much that can come out of that small, but mighty book. A lot about relationships, about family, about guys (pivotal point for the girls), about God, and even about Jesus and the church.
We are about to end our journey through Ruth this week with Chapter 4. I'm not sure the theme for this chapter (The ladies have enjoyed my themes, which are definitely in their lingo. Chapter 1: Life sucks, but God provides. Chapter 2: Life has to go on (the question of the week is Where did you glean today?) Chapter 3: LOB your life to God (Listen. Obey. Believe) ) It's been a wonderful experience, and I've loved getting to build relationships with all of these amazing girls. I hope to continue to do so. Your prayers are much appreciated. Jr High and High school can be brutal, and if I can help in any way, then I pray that God uses me. I love them and am very sad to leave them. [I'm very thankful for the technology we do have].
This about wraps up my recap. Oh!!! I forgot. Painting is almost done (I understand if there are groans from you, as this has been an ongoing process). But really, I just have trim to do, and that should be done today, if I can help it :)
As always, thank you for your prayers and for continuing to read. Have a blessed week!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Hmm... Part 1
Pastor Dale always says that confession is good for the soul, and I must confess that I am just awful at updating this blog. I know at least a few of you check here and enjoy hearing my updates, so I apologize for not getting this updated much earlier. I am now two weeks behind, and I hope to catch you up on these past few weeks:
And as promised, I will be updating you on my wonderful ladies and our study of Ruth.
I guess the best place to start is the beginning - which is really just where I left off: The end of July. In our household, the end of July holds place to my parents anniversary (their 28th to be exact). This year we went out for dinner and then putt-putting at Sluggers and Putters. It was a lot of fun. I haven't been to that place for quite a while and it looks really nice. If you haven't been there, the course is themed after the Wizard of Oz and then later in the back nine, after nursery rhymes. Of course, Dad won, but we all had pretty good games. Only had to dive into water once to retrieve a ball that Corey had hit.
The next day, I had a wonderful friend show up, Miss Brandy to stay for a few days. Even better was the news that she was staying an extra day. Always nice to have her around. She is an amazing blessing in my life. She actually arrived in the middle of church, which was definitely entertaining. After church, we went hiking, which I think I told you about in my last update. Brandy and I spent quite a while at the Falls (known as Dundee Falls, Beach City Falls, or as I call them, The Falls). This place is amazing, but unfortunately hard to find, and not on any map. It literally looks like you are walking into somebody's field. But do not be deceived, for it is not a cornfield, but a gorgeous water way, with waterfalls at both ends.
Well 3 weeks ago, I took the high road with a good friend of mine and we stayed dry and enjoyed the view. This time, Brandy and I stayed in the water way, climbing through the water, rocks, and other various obstacles. It started out really great and was very enjoyable (and dry believe it or not). Then, it came to the point where we had to be in the water to get through. It was fine though. We climbed over some trees, hopped down some ledges, all fun. Then however, it started to get swampy and have tall grass. It got a lot more disgusting and hard to trek through. Eventually, we had to abandon the water way for higher ground. However, at this point, leaving the water way meant we had no sense of direction because the water way was no longer visible. Luckily we set out on the right path and found some gorgeous boulders (for Brandy to climb!). We eventually made it to our destination, the small falls. We took some time to wash out our shoes and then hike back (using the road). What a fun day.
Monday rolled around and Brandy, Reata, and I piled in the car and headed to Jeff's to do some riding. After helping out and getting the animals all taken care of, we saddled Mel up with an english saddle and Brandy went to town. We eventually got Reata to get up and ride, and I think she did really well. She seemed to be having fun (until the horse flies got so bad that we had to get one of the horses out of the round pen. Wes was kind of going nuts). We repeated the same thing on Tuesday, just w/o Reata. Riding was fun. We also listened to a sermon on Ruth Ch. 2 in preparation for Bible Study (so cool!)
Brandy left on Wednesday and things went on. Bible study was fun and then on Friday, I headed out towards Marmon Valley to spend the evening. I got a text that morning saying "oh and ps we are watching a cabin in the hay loft tonight! Their counselor is allergic." So yes, we enjoyed the evening with 2.5 cabins of girls (11-13 mostly) Two of my campers from last summer were there, and it was amazing seeing them again. Not to mention that I stayed there the rest of the morning, went on a trail ride, watched a staff rodeo, and then proceeded to jump in the lake. So cool, and so needed.
With the decision to stay at Marmon with the friends from my previous summer, I did miss out on some mission trip fun. The mission team got together to watch our Chicago movie. I'm sad I missed it, but it was really nice to be around people my age who are just so in love with Christ. Awe inspiring!
I'm going to stop there and catch up with you later. This has been plenty to read. Thank you!!
And as promised, I will be updating you on my wonderful ladies and our study of Ruth.
I guess the best place to start is the beginning - which is really just where I left off: The end of July. In our household, the end of July holds place to my parents anniversary (their 28th to be exact). This year we went out for dinner and then putt-putting at Sluggers and Putters. It was a lot of fun. I haven't been to that place for quite a while and it looks really nice. If you haven't been there, the course is themed after the Wizard of Oz and then later in the back nine, after nursery rhymes. Of course, Dad won, but we all had pretty good games. Only had to dive into water once to retrieve a ball that Corey had hit.
The next day, I had a wonderful friend show up, Miss Brandy to stay for a few days. Even better was the news that she was staying an extra day. Always nice to have her around. She is an amazing blessing in my life. She actually arrived in the middle of church, which was definitely entertaining. After church, we went hiking, which I think I told you about in my last update. Brandy and I spent quite a while at the Falls (known as Dundee Falls, Beach City Falls, or as I call them, The Falls). This place is amazing, but unfortunately hard to find, and not on any map. It literally looks like you are walking into somebody's field. But do not be deceived, for it is not a cornfield, but a gorgeous water way, with waterfalls at both ends.
Well 3 weeks ago, I took the high road with a good friend of mine and we stayed dry and enjoyed the view. This time, Brandy and I stayed in the water way, climbing through the water, rocks, and other various obstacles. It started out really great and was very enjoyable (and dry believe it or not). Then, it came to the point where we had to be in the water to get through. It was fine though. We climbed over some trees, hopped down some ledges, all fun. Then however, it started to get swampy and have tall grass. It got a lot more disgusting and hard to trek through. Eventually, we had to abandon the water way for higher ground. However, at this point, leaving the water way meant we had no sense of direction because the water way was no longer visible. Luckily we set out on the right path and found some gorgeous boulders (for Brandy to climb!). We eventually made it to our destination, the small falls. We took some time to wash out our shoes and then hike back (using the road). What a fun day.
Monday rolled around and Brandy, Reata, and I piled in the car and headed to Jeff's to do some riding. After helping out and getting the animals all taken care of, we saddled Mel up with an english saddle and Brandy went to town. We eventually got Reata to get up and ride, and I think she did really well. She seemed to be having fun (until the horse flies got so bad that we had to get one of the horses out of the round pen. Wes was kind of going nuts). We repeated the same thing on Tuesday, just w/o Reata. Riding was fun. We also listened to a sermon on Ruth Ch. 2 in preparation for Bible Study (so cool!)
Brandy left on Wednesday and things went on. Bible study was fun and then on Friday, I headed out towards Marmon Valley to spend the evening. I got a text that morning saying "oh and ps we are watching a cabin in the hay loft tonight! Their counselor is allergic." So yes, we enjoyed the evening with 2.5 cabins of girls (11-13 mostly) Two of my campers from last summer were there, and it was amazing seeing them again. Not to mention that I stayed there the rest of the morning, went on a trail ride, watched a staff rodeo, and then proceeded to jump in the lake. So cool, and so needed.
With the decision to stay at Marmon with the friends from my previous summer, I did miss out on some mission trip fun. The mission team got together to watch our Chicago movie. I'm sad I missed it, but it was really nice to be around people my age who are just so in love with Christ. Awe inspiring!
I'm going to stop there and catch up with you later. This has been plenty to read. Thank you!!
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