New Post. New Look. New Direction

This post is a bit different than my last ones, just kind of updating you on my blog status and the future of it.  Did you notice that it looks different?!?!?! I'm so excited for it!

[[ For those of you who just read my blog through emails, and don't visit the blog (which is fine, I'm glad you read and keep updated on the crazy things in my life), you should come visit.  Click here to see my blog.  It has had a complete makeover. ]]

Back story:  These past few weeks, I've been reading other blogs and have found this whole new community of people that I'm excited to be a part of.  It's a new thing to do with my free time (yes you can laugh at that).  It's been really neat to meet other people in all walks of life.

While I'm learning not to compare myself with others, it's hard not to compare your blog to someone else's blog.  Being a computer science major, I saw things that I could definitely be doing using the skills I have learned in html and css and all of that jargon.  So, I considered it a challenge to make my blog unique <-- one of the items on my { Day Zero Project }

My blog is still going to have the main purpose of sharing the craziness that is my life with my family and friends.  It's never dull in the Bennethum household, and I'm sure you'd like to hear the adventures that occur in my life.  However, I've really enjoyed sharing exactly what God has been doing in my life with you.  Through my analogies that I love, He's been doing some really cool stuff.

I renamed my blog from Country Jam to "ExtraOrdinary Love in Ordinary Life." God's love is amazing and has completely changed my life.  He loves me so much, and it's my challenge to myself to find His love in my every day life. From the leaves on the trees to my professor's funny anecdotes for the day, God is constantly showing His love, I've just got to take the time to see it and believe it.

So that's my new direction. I'm going to try to be more involved in the blog world, participating in things and posting with other people.  I'm not sure where it'll end up, but I hope that you stick around to see what God does.  I'm sure interested in it.  It should be an exciting ride.

 

By the way, do you like the changes?  I do.  It was fun to try to figure out all the fun behind the scenes stuff.  Be on the lookout for fun, new things.  I'm officially checking this one of my Day Zero Project, even if I plan to continue it.  It looks pretty now :)   1 down, 100 to go!

Oh and last tidbit, my camera has now been found.  It was MIA for about 2 weeks, but it is now home, safe and sound!  Expect pictures soon!

Day Zero Project

I've been updating this blog now for the past 6 months!  How cool is that?  Well, I've been recently looking at other blogs and have found out that there is this big huge blogging world out there, and I'm starting to get into it.

One of the blogs I've been reading is by someone I knew in high school, and that I've gotten to know her younger sister this past summer (she was in my Bible study).  Here is a link to her blog:

 

I really enjoy reading about her experiences and everything she is up to in life, and just how much she loves God!  

Any way, she inspired me to look into a thing called the Day Zero project {click here to go to their website} What is it?  Basically you go onto the site and create a list of 101 things you want to do, and it gives you a timeline for 1001 day (roughly 2.75 years) to get it all done.  And then it's up to you to do it, but the site gives you all sorts of ideas to put onto your list.  I've been writing my won list for a week or two now (and I actually have two, the one to get done in 1001 days, and then the one that shows stuff I want to do with my life, that won't happen in 2.75 years). 

My list is now at the top of my blog under Day Zero Project.  You can look up there to see what I want to do.  There is a ton of stuff there and I would absolutely love to do it with friends and family, so if there is anything on there you'd like to help me with, please do!!!  Shoot me an email or a text or a phone call, and I will be totally up for it.  

To go along with my 101 things, I'm going to try to get at least 12 of them done by 2012 as a part of a project that is also going on in the blog world.  Check out the site (click here) [the icon for the project is on the right side bar -->>)

On top of this list, life has been good this week.  The days seem long, but the weeks are short, and time is just flying by.  I can't believe it's November and we have 5 weeks left of classes!  Wow! 

Yesterday, we had our first horse show.  It went super well.  Our team did great!  I came in first and third for the day and pointed up into the next class, which basically means I can now canter in the shows!  Kind of cool, kind of nerve racking, but it will all be great!

First and Third :)

Lauren and I

God is doing some cool things and I'm looking forward to them!

To Do List

  

Everyone who knows me knows that I think ahead... almost too far ahead.  It's gotten much better since I've gotten to college (and survived a summer of being a camp counselor), but I still think a few steps down the road.

Keeping with people that know me, they also know I like lists.  I like post it note reminders that most likely turn into to-do lists.  My roommate freshman year probably remembers the million post it notes that line my side of the room :)

I've gotten away from post it notes and have ventured to sheets of notebook paper (that started sophomore year once I became an RA).  The lists have gotten better.  Rather than just a random list, they are now organized into different categories (depending on the list).  My categories range from school, shopping, things for a certain date, certain event, tasks to get done, prayer requests, anything that might be in my life, it's probably categorized somewhere.  They are handy little things.

I also keep a post it note stack by my bed so if I am not able to sleep due to a thought, I can write it down to remember for tomorrow and go to sleep.  [Highly recommended to those of you who can't fall asleep... worry about it in the morning!]

Newest confession of a 21 year old college student... I bought bathtub crayons last night at WalMart.  Yep, you know those crayons you can use to draw on the wall and they just wash off, yeah, they are in a cup in our shower.  Sounds funny right?  But I'm enjoying them.  How's this relate to my topic, well I think a ton while I'm in the shower, often making lists for my life: life goals, things I would love to do, things I have to do, what to make for supper, you know normal thoughts... haha.  Anyway, after getting done with my shower, I would forget all that I had thought about[aka my to do lists], so I invested in Bathtub Crayons.  No judging :)

^ true story ^

I swear I have a point in all this so bear with me.  Lists are how I get through life.  I mean, half the time the lists only exist in my head, and I don't think I'll ever finish it all, but somehow I come out on top.  God definitely provides me strength.

So where am I going with this... well ultimately I'm going to something earth shattering! [At least that's what I told my kids at camp when I let them in on this little secret].  Here it is:

Before the beginning of the earth, God knew that I would be here, in the CS lab writing this post, and He knew that you would be sitting wherever you are RIGHT NOW reading what I wrote.  Wow, before time literally began, he knew such a trivial detail of my life and yours.

...I know, I know, what's the point here?

The point is God knows everything that is going to happen in my life.  As a matter of fact, He's got a list of his own, and guess what?  I'm going to do EVERYTHING on that list, for once my list is going to be completely done.  And once it is, I'll be home where I belong, with my Heavenly Father.  Want to know the even cooler part?  Only I can do what's on that list. [Whoa!].

To repeat myself, only I can do what's on that list.  Only I have the abilities, the quirks, the personality, the flaws, the experiences, the struggles, the battles, the triumphs, the support, the family, the position, the whatever else goes on in my life to do what God has for me to do. Only me.  And He has a list for all of us!

It is so hard to swallow that idea and truly believe it.  I mean, I get stuck in a comparison mindset (more lists) of why can't I be doing what he/she is doing, or why can't I look like that, be like that, do things like that, be where they are, see what they see, experience what they do... the answer: Because he or she has a different list, and that's that.  They are the way they are so that they can do what God wants them to do, not me.

How about the fact that God loves us so much that He's already prepared everything for us.  How about the fact that I don't have to be in control anymore.  I love my lists, but they were once a really, really bad thing.  They ruled my life, or at least they did.  Lists were my way of having control over whatever I could.  Now I know the truth that I can let go of all that control because someone much bigger than I am has it.  How cool?!?!  And by letting go of that control, I also let go of the worry for the future (something that used to almost paralyze me).

I'm in a really cool point in my life right now where there are about a million paths to choose from.  I could sit here, freaking out about which one I should choose, or I could sit here, knowing that my heavenly Father has got me by the hand, guiding me with His Spirit.  There is no fear when He's always by my side.  Amazing, earth shattering concept.  And I love it.

Well, someday I will update you on the fun stuff going on outside of my thoughts, like the church retreat, the horse show this Saturday, and other things like that.  I just thought I'd share the latest thing that I've been thinking about.  Hope all is well in your world.

Why I'm a CS Major

Recently in my literature class, we were asked:

"What first comes to mind when you think of New Years?"

My response: Sauerkraut!!!!

Intended Answer: A new beginning

And that's why I'm a CS Major...

Oops.... Obviously literature class isn't my strong suit. But I feel that this situation obviously shows why I chose Computer Science and Math.  Logic and Order, as well as surface thoughts, I guess you could say, are things I like.  Unless I'm in the mood for it, I'm not so good with the philosophical side of life.  I mean, I like deep thinking and love trying to solve problems, but when it comes to why an author chose to write the New Years holiday over Easter, it's just beyond my comprehension (or maybe it's just that I could just care less... who knows).

All this to tell you that when I graduate this May, you can rest assured I know that I will be getting a degree in something that was meant to be.

I want to share with you the joy I've been feeling during this job search. God has blessed me in many ways, and there has never been a time like now where it is has been so clear to me.  God has placed me in a field that I enjoy and that I'm good at.  No, it's not my greatest passion, but I do love it.  God knows my true passion is with teens, and I place my trust in Him that He will place me somewhere where I can make a difference with kids, but He has given me something that I can have an occupation in and still enjoy.  I'm content working as a developer or whatever else come with Computer Science because I know God will use me where I'm at.

Back to my blessings, not only am I going to be doing something I enjoy, He has also given me ample opportunities.

As a graduate in this economy, the job market is awful.  Most of the people I graduate with won't have a job for a while after they graduate, let alone a job before so.  I've been blessed with the fact that I won't have to worry about that.  I will have a job after I graduate, and yes, I've worked hard to accomplish what I have, but without God, I'd be nothing.  He could have just as easily dealt me a hand where I wasn't successful and had to worry about how I was going to live after graduation, but He didn't.

Most of my generation will not end their careers at the same company they started it at.  This has always been a goal of mine despite the facts, and God has just blown this desire out of the water (in a good way).  Every company that I've applied for will fulfill this want of mine.  I don't want to job hop my whole life.  If it's what I'm called to do, then I pray that I am willing to follow, but if I don't have to, I'd rather not.  Whenever I tell people I want to stay at one company for my career, I always get funny looks, as if to say, Yeah right.  I have faith though and look forward to it.  God is good.

It's been quite interesting trying to figure out life post-graduation.  So many things to decide!  And these decisions will have a big impact on the rest of my life.  No more scheduling classes that will affect me for a semester...  These are the major life decision things. Three years ago, I would be buckling under the overwhelming pressure I would have placed upon myself.  I'm glad to say that I can look back over the past three years and see personal growth in my life.  No longer am I stressed out; I can look to the future and truly believe God's got it.  It's such a cool feeling to know that someone is in control and it doesn't have to be me.  A simple, yet profound thought [my favorite kind of thoughts :) ]

I've got a lot of big decisions to make in the next month or so, and prayers would be much appreciated.  I'm not sure whether my desires are just that - mine, or if they are truly aligned with what God has in store for me.  I'm trying to align my desires with His, but I don't know if they've quite gotten there.

I currently know which offer I would love to have.  It just sounds perfect, but is it what God really wants?  I'm not sure.  [sorry for the vagueness on the actual jobs, but I don't want to share them online... feel free to call or email or whatever if you really want to hear about it].  If anyone has advice or help or anything, I'd welcome them!!!

I'm really looking forward to the future.  Not only am I looking forward to starting my career, I'm looking forward to starting my life as a non-student.  School's great and all, but I'm ready for a break :)  I'm looking forward to what God's got planned for me.  I just know it's so much better than I could ever imagine!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and for reading these random posts of mine. God bless!!

Tumbleweeds, Apple Dumplings, and Sine Curves

God is so good!  And He blessed me with a wonderful weekend surrounded by great company.

Friday evening, I got to spend some time just enjoying the spirit of being a "Falcon."  Last weekend was Homecoming, aka a time to take pride in being a student at BG.  Anyway,  I actually went to the parade to see my roommate, Maggie, and a  friend from back home, Marty, who were both on the Homecoming Court.  After taking pictures of them, I actually went to the 'pep rally,' the first time I've ever went :)  I actually enjoyed it too! [probably because I'm a sucker for tumbling passes and the dance team and cheerleaders performed... haha]

Some pictures from Homecoming

Marty

Maggie

Afterwards, the real fun of the weekend began.  A small group from our Bible Study went to a corn maze.  The maze was themed after Noah's Ark and was filled with fun facts.  Our group split up and went our own ways, but we all had a blast.  It was a gorgeous night.  The sky was beautiful and the conversations were great.

Saturday came, and Lauren and I went to the football game.  We didn't stay long; the game was awful at first.  I mean, we were 1 yard from goal line and still managed to NOT score. So Lauren and I left...


We then picked up Josh and set out on a journey to find an Apple Dumpling Festival.  Josh had mentioned something the night before in the corn maze, and the weather just seemed perfect for a festival.  But before anyone sets out on a journey, food is an essential, so we stopped at Taco Bell :)  We then headed out to find this place.


Josh was our copilot as I broke Tom Tom (my faithful GPS).  We all enjoyed good conversations throughout our drive, but the most entertaining, I will share with you:


[after driving for a half hour]
Tiff:"Okay Josh, where am I going now?"
Josh:"Well first, you've got to get through the sine curve..."
Tiff:"The what?"
Josh: "The Sine curve, see?"
[he then shows me the map:]

Josh:"And then you'll be looking for Delta"
Lauren:"Well what's the change?"
Josh:"Oh math humor :)"


[for those that might not know, Delta was the name of the town we went to for the festival, and in math terms, delta means 'change']


Yeah, so our humor is lame, but it was fun.




We finally found the festival (after several wrong turns) and were a little disappointed.  It was super small, but we did get to enjoy good Apple Dumplings and fun at the park.

Josh and his friend who told him about the festival

Lauren on the merry go round

Maybe not the best decision after a dumpling....

After catching up with a friend of Josh's, we headed back to BG, stopping at a fruit farm, also running into another friend of Josh's, where we enjoyed homemade pumpkin donuts and non pasteurized apple cider [both of them = AMAZING!!!]

There was a petting zoo at the fruit place

We finally made it back to my place, where we were joined by Ashley and enjoyed watching "Dave and the Giant Pickle" (aka Veggie Tales, haha) and then The Killers. Once the movie ended, all four of us enjoyed an hour or so of playing Kinect.  You literally become the controller as it tracks your movements.  It makes for a very active game and a HILARIOUS thing to watch.


Josh and Lauren Jumping over obstacles

Ashley and Josh ducking under a barAshley and I blocking holes

We all enjoyed Henry  :)

Josh taking Henry for a walk :)

The evening ended and the weekend moved on.  I did a lot of programming on Sunday, so the weekend ended well.

So there you have it, my latest update on life; be on the lookout for my job search soon!

P.S. I tried to put video's on here, but it just wasn't working, but on another note Josh came up with the title for my blog today :)

"Brandy, my bed just ate my homework"

Ahh! I'm sitting here writing a paper when the sheet of notebook paper with my notes on it slips between the bed and the wall (meaning I can't find it as it is now in the abyss of my room).  This bed doesn't move, courtesy of having no bed frame, so getting this sheet of paper seems to be impossible.  Which leads to my newest thought: Procrastination will be the death of me (or maybe it will prolong my life, I'd be late to my own my own funeral...)

I will be up late tonight to finish my paper, in which all the research has been done for 3 weeks, that will be extremely easy to write,  that is due tomorrow.  This will cause a lack of sleep, a long Thursday, a grumpy demeanor, as well as the fact that I had to be distracted during conversations tonight so that I could finish this paper.

While I find myself in this position tonight with this paper, this happens all the time!!! It's always one thing or the other, with the excuse "I'll do it tomorrow, I'll have time later, I've got more important things to do with my life right now," etc. etc. So yes, I see it in my school work, but I see it in so many aspects of life.  From family, friends, school, my house, and most definitely my spiritual life.  Ahh!

If you take a look at Jesus' life, the most important thing to Jesus at any given time was the person right in front of Him.  Not to diminish the fact that He was definitely here for a purpose other than that, but honestly, the person right in front of Him was the most important person right then and there.  I fail at this. Someday time will not run my life. [Side note, someday I hope to live on a farm and live a simple life, but that's a topic for another day].  Someday I will not rush from one thing to another, losing myself in my schedule.  How does this relate to procrastination you may ask?  Well I procrastinate with people.  I have a list of so many people I need to catch up with, have coffee/tea with, to write thank you cards to, etc.  I have a list, literally.  It will eventually get all done, but I put people on a list.  A list that has been ongoing for 8 weeks!

School work and house work I feel is self explanatory.  Homework is always done the night before (more like hours before), or in all honesty, not done at all.  My room = piles of stuff to be put away [speaking of which, I need to move my laundry to the dryer...] The kitchen, well I think I said enough about that in my last post.

But I think what I'm bothered by the most is my procrastination in my spiritual life.  I love reading the Bible, especially the Old Testament.  I'm currently in Joshua, so there is all kinds of action going on, big huge battle scenes, tens of thousands of soldiers going at it in old fashioned warfare.  Kinda cool (and people think the Bible is boring...) I get into the Word, and I can't get enough of it.  But it's a matter of actually getting into the Word.  I try to read when I wake up, but then I oversleep because I was up so late.  So then I try to read before I go to bed, but then I justify that I'll just read in the morning because I'm too tired now.  <=Procrastination at it's finest.  To combat this, I now have a Bible in my bookbag so if I have time, I pull it out.  It's definitely helped.  Prayers are much appreciated as I struggle with this battle.  I pray that I can combat this just like Joshua :)

Leaving the topic of procrastination, I haven't updated you on life for a while.  What a fun two or three weeks it has been!  It's been a busy few weeks, but a lot of fun.

I finally made a decent meal, even if it was hamburger helper

Riding at BG started up.  We are now at a new barn and have another coach, so it's been a learning curve trying to get used to one another.  I'm enjoying it!  I love having something in my life that is truly, honestly just for fun.  I've never really had that before.  Kinda sweet!

The sunset on the way home from the barn

Speaking of horses, I spent a weekend at Marmon for their Fall Festival.  It was cold and rainy, but God is so very good and has blessed me with amazing people, which I got to see that weekend.  Lizzie 'kidnapped' me and took me to a very wet football game.  Then I got to see Natalie, Meredith, Laura, Courtney, and some of the full time staff!  So refreshing! We had a blast together.  I can't wait to get everyone together this spring to see one another!

Mad game of round robin ping pong

Laura and Lizzie in the hot spot on the farm (figuratively and literally!)

We got a little muddy

Fall break was nice.  Josh and I had a fun trip home.  We stopped off in Mansfield to see Todd and Kelley, friends from church at school.  On the way back onto 30, we turned just in time to see Joe S. driving right beside us on his way home!  So weird!

I spent Friday with the family, watching movies (The Killers, a funny 'action' movie).  Saturday, I spent the day at Algonquin Mill, enjoying some fresh made cookies, some steam engines, and some time with great friends.

After that though, my handsome godson Bryon got to spend the night at my house!  He will be 2 in a few weeks and I can't make it to the birthday party, so I had him for the weekend.  It was his first time away from home without his mom or dad, so it was a big event for him!! He did so well, I'm so proud.  We got to play in the leaves, go on a moonlit walk (only because it gets dark now at 7:45), climb all over things, play with cars, all sorts of stuff. 

Cheese! He's got some wild hair.  Mom combed out the curls, so it's a bit frizzy

Playing with the plastic pumpkins

Chillen'

Sunday, I got to enjoy going to church and then coming home to see Bryon before he headed home with his mom.  I then got to head to see some of the kids at youth group.  So exciting and so hilarious.  After driving around with Miss Hannah for about a half hour, we ended up at the Lau's.  First order of business what YouTube videos, followed by a dose of whip cream to the face.  Oh and some cheerios too!  Check out some of these pictures:

 

Oh how I miss these guys!!

Monday and Tuesday I got to spend time with Corey as Mom went on a mini vacation (she totally got to fly an airplane!!!).  We had some fun.  I got to enjoy the fall weather.  OH WAIT!  The Dariette closed on Sunday, so I definitely went there for milkshakes.  You all are definitely missing out if you haven't checked out the Dariette :)  Anyways, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the Hoovers as well as with Pastor Dale and Matt.  Good times.  

Lastly, here are some other pics just because I love the fall and all it's beauty!!!

Lovin' the Dariette!

        Did I mention that I Love the fall!!!!




 I will have to put up another entry on life as a college student trying to get a job, as that is quite the ordeal, but know that I've been doing that these past few weeks too and will update you all soon! Prayers for guidance and wisdom for the job search are much appreciated!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. -Psalm 19:1-6