Founding Fathers

What do you think about on the 4th of July? I'm afraid that far too often my thoughts go something like: “What am I going to make for dinner for everyone?” and “What time should we plan on doing fire works?” and “are the animals ok?” Well this morning I took a few minutes and meditated on the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. It was very challenging. Yesterday as I visited my grandparents they told stories about their parents growing up and the sacrifices that they made. It made me realize some of what our nation has been through and all that our ancestors went without. The founding fathers (and mothers) did without many comforts that we have today and yet did great things. Think about how few forms of communication they had and yet gathered armies and won a war against one of the strongest nations known. It took endurance and sacrifice to wait through the bitter cold winter. It took strength and diligence to make homes and protect them in the new world. It took leadership and wisdom to make decisions about what our nation would stand upon.

Thank you to those who have gone before us.

When God's People Pray

“How are you doing?” “I've been praying for you” “I've been concerned about you” “I got the email” These are things I have heard a lot lately. I am so thankful for the people who have been praying for me over the last few weeks. It has been amazing to know that they started praying for me and are dedicated to not stopping. God has laid it on several peoples hearts. Apparently there was even an email asking people to pray for me. I was pretty sick. I was humbled to explain that I just had a cold but that it was really, really, REALLY bad. Although I was so blessed by what one older Godly sister in Christ told me when I explained how God was teaching me and humbling me. I'll remember what she said for a long time. Her thoughts were “God kept you in bed praying where you need to be.” It stuck me how very true that was. God was humbling me and keeping me away from places I wanted to be but I was kept close to God. I was kept in a position of praying and dependent on God. God had me and others praying. It was amazing and God's healing was made sweeter knowing that He used it to get people started praying for me. Then had them continue in prayer by praying for entire summer ministries.

New Hobby

I havea new hobby. I like listening to sermons. I've started going through several series by Mark Driscoll. Although I don't agree with everything he says he preaches straight from the Bible. I've been listening to several sermons a day and have been loving it. I kind of started to wonder if there is something strange about a girl who likes listening to sermons so much...if there is, that's just too bad. If you are hungry to hear God's word preached more you can get your fix here. I highly suggest the current sermon series. You can also see pastor Mark's blog here.

Last Week of School

Have you ever wondered what to post when you just had a boring week? I have. I've had a quarter filled with the normal adventures of school. I've learned about special education, and how to teach children math. I've explored technology and psychological theories about teaching children . I've even learned a few things about teaching health to children. However I find the last two weeks of school the most tedious. I really don't learn much of anything. It seems that we really could just skip these last two weeks. The second to the last week is just reviewing what we learned through the previous weeks. The last week consists primarily of writing on our finals everything that we learned. I think that there must be a better way of showing what we learned. For example here is a website that I made that shows what I learned in my IT class. If you are in the same boat as I am and learning nothing new and exciting you might enjoy it too.

Ok, to keep this post from being totally boring I'd also like to tell you about some of the blogs that I really like (these will be mostly for girls). Girl Talk by Mrs. Mehaney and her girls is a site that I have been gaining insight from for several years now and find encouraging every time. Young Ladies Christian Fellowship is a place where conservative Christian young ladies can be encouraged and lifted up and get great ideas for life. Solo Femininity is a fun place to learn about some things going on in the world from a Christian and feminine perspective. Set Apart Girl is a place to remember what true beauty is and the beauty that we have as God's daughters.

I'm Back (Maybe)

Well I've taken the quarter off of blogging. However, I hope to be back and continue blogging through the summer at least. I have been busy with school and have enjoyed it greatly but I'm ready for a break and hope to continue some hobbies that I've ignored such as blogging. :) I have enjoyed my IT class and would invite you to read my professional blog (but please remember that it is a semi professional level.)

I hope to have more posts soon.

Lonesome Goose

As I stepped out of my sliding glass door this morning I looked up to observe a goos flying high in the sky. Normally I don't notice geese as thy fly above my northern home. This one, however, was different. It was all by itself and making such a ruckus I couldn't help but notice it. My mother was coming out another sliding glass door at just that moment and commented, “That goose is by itself. You hardly ever see a goose by itself.” Then I understood. It was finding the rest of the flock. As I stood on the frozen deck I was happy to see this lonesome goose reunite with another goose. The frenzied honking stopped and the two happily flew off together.

The gooses lonesomeness reminded me of Christians in our daily walk. We were never meant to be alone. When we are on our own we will be confused and upset like this lone goose was. We need others to come along side us and be part of the flock of God. We like sheep, and geese, function best as a group. We are the Body of Christ and there is a problem if the hand or foot or finger is disconnected. Not only does that member not function but the Body is maimed. Each member is needed and needs to help one another. I, personally, am so thankful for the fellowship I find all around me. Everywhere I turn there are others to strengthen me in my faith.

God has blessed me so much with a great deal of Christian fellowship. As I enter into a week of vacation from school I'm excited to see these friends more. I will miss my Christian friends from school. It was so good to be together and encourage one another as we battled through those weeks of learning and then finals. I am so blessed to have a church with other Christian women who know me well and ask me how I'm doing and how we can pray for one another. I'm also very blessed to work with Christians. This is one of the places that the family of God truly feels like family. I'm even thankful for the stranger at Starbucks that I chatted with about God, the Bible, church, and ministry yesterday afternoon. .

God is so good to bless me with others to journey with me towards Him.

Simetime

Sometime, when all life's lessons have been learned,
and sun and stars forevermore have set,
The things which our weak judgments here have spurned,
The things o're which we grieved with lashes wet,
Will flash before us out of life's dark night,
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
And we shall see how all God's plans are right,
And how what seemed reproof was love most true.
Then be content poor heart;
God's plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold;
we must not tear the close-shut leaves apart,--
Time will reveal the chalices of gold.
And if, through patient toil, we reach the land
Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,
When we shall clearly see and understand
I think that we will say, “God knew the best!”

by: May Riley Smith