5+5

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1.     That I have a heavenly father that loves me, that I have a relationship with, and that I get to serve and give my life to.

2.     The opportunity to return to Noel. God has worked in miraculous ways and it has been so exciting to see it all unfold (more on that latter)

3.     My family and friends. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing they are and how blessed I am.  Special bonus: Everyone has been showing their love and support over these last few month, some people I never expected. It means more than I could ever put into words.

4.     My job. Yes, sometimes I am tired, sometimes I have to take a breath to muster up a bit more patience but I love those girls with everything I have and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

5.     Bible study, outreach, cookies, Pinterest, Sonic, a clean room, no laundry, taking showers, blasting music in the car and singing at the top of my lungs, playing outside, 70 degree weather, my bed, writing, Texas Roadhouse rolls and butter, soft served ice cream, ice cold water, watermelon, making lists, when I hear from someone unexpectedly, surprises-just to name a few others (I had a hard time narrowing it down, but I did it my best)  

Thanks, Faith and Hope

1.     My church and their support. I am so thankful they have come along side me.

2.     That God has given me a heart for His beautiful children and the opportunity to work with them daily. I do not take this lightly and am so thankful God has entrusted me with this responsibility.   

3.     Jake Nielson. Jake is Christina’s brother and for a long time he has felt like mine as well. Today I got to spend all afternoon with him. We rode bikes, swung on some swings, played this baseball game (forget the name), played kickball and got Ritas. I love that boy-even when he’s driving me insane and am very thankful we got to spend some time together.

4.     Laughter. I love to make other people laugh and I love to laugh-no matter how ridiculous it sounds. I am thankful that God has given us the ability to laugh, and differently at that.

5.     Thunderstorms. The smell and breeze right before a spring/summer storm hits, the darkness that covers the sky, the loud rattling thunder and lighting that lights up the sky. Thunderstorms always make me want to stand still watch, and listen. It's just one of the many things that revel how powerful God is, One summer I camped out on my front porch nearly every thunderstorm and ended up taking many naps. There’s just somethin’ about em’ and I am thankful for that. 

Do Over

After my post on fear I kept reading fear passages so I thought it was necessary to expand a little:

Luke 12: 4-7 I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw ou into hell. Yes, I tell you fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Proverbs 14:26, 27 He who fear the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refugee. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Psalm 60:4 But for those who fear you[God] you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.

I love how God is really using these questions!

Before I answer another question I have a little short story to share:

Every Thursday I go to outreach in Baker Park near where I live. I drive straight from work to the park. Normally I'm excited to get there but for some reason this past Thursday I wasn't.
I got out of my car and began walking around looking for some of the kids from the youth group when I spotted Anglo (the homeless man I talked about also in my fear post). I immediately cut across to lawn to avoid him. (Trust me, I'm not proud of that). As soon as I did that I thought, "Ok, that is not ok. Christ would not have done that. Yes this man is crazy and I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with him because of that but that's just me putting God in a box. Who am I to say what Christ is capable of doing in that situation?"
I decided to sit down and read a chapter form the Bible. Praying for God to speak to me, to tell me what to do. (Go talk to someone who would actually listen, or talk to Anglo and listen to him).
Well I read from Luke 15. It wasn't until I got to the parable of the lost son that I felt God speaking to me.

Luke 15: 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods tht the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
(The last time I talked to Anglo he told me how hungry he was)

Luke 15:20 His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
(This is how God reacts when we repent and come to Him. God's love is constant, patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him.)

After reading I immediately walked over to my car, got in, and drove to sheets. I grabbed a sandwich, some water, and a few other snakes and drove back to the park. Anglo was still at the same bench. I walk over, said hello, gave him his bag of food, told him why I gave it to him, and than listened to him talk for 20 minutes about the construction around Downtown Frederick.

When Christ walked on earth he did not ignore needs. We must never ignore the fact that all of us have both physical and spiritual needs. It is impossible to minister effectively to one type of need with out considering the other.
While I do not know if I made even the slightest impact on Anglo, God does. He is clearly is using me and wants me to love on Anglo. So I will continue to obey and do just that.


4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.


I would scold myself. 
1.   Run with a purpose; To glorify God with the gift he has given you.
2. Be a leader and an example. Don’t shrink back and conform out of fear. 
3. Boys should not consume you life. Instead allow your creator to do just that.
4. Your birthday party will be pretty awesome. Thank your Mom and Dad and put Christina on your team (trust me you wont live it down).
5. Don’t allow the opinions of others to affect you but rather allow Gods opinion to triumph over all. His is the only one that matters in the end.
6. Be bold and share your faith in school.
7. Hang out with Erin and Kyle more. Soon you will be grown-ups!
8. Stop being so selfish. Educated yourself on what’s happening to children, teenagers, families, people around the world. Show God loves to His precious children. All of them, not just the ones you like.
9. Read the Bible more! It’s a beautiful gift God has written for you. Pray more! Just another gift and form of communication to your Father in Heaven. 

10. Pretty much your life is going to change dramatically in a couple years. You can prepare by walking hand in hand with God, trusting, obeying, loving, and honoring Him in everything you do. It wont be easy, but I promise it is so worth it.

 I don't look that much different do I? 

16th Birthday

1.

25 Years

Well hot dog, my parents have been married 25 years as of today! 

*The song they danced to at their wedding*


Can you guys believe it? 

25 years ago this picture was taken

Oh snap

My Grandpa and I tagged along on their dinner

(romantic eh?)

My Mom has an iPhone and I was looking through her pictures

There was one with my Dads face and part of hers

I told them they could click a button and the camera turns

So you no longer have to blindly take pictures

They took at least 5 after this news

I felt like I was sitting across from 16 year olds
It was reassuring 
That after 25 years of marriage you can still be a goober 

The final product

(I ended up taking it)  

Happy 25 years Mom and Dad! 

And a happy many more to come! 

New York Adventures

For two days and one night I was in New York City! 

Not counting Africa, New York City would be my ideal place to live. 

I have only been to New York once before (that I can actually remember)

The first time was with my Mom, her friend Davette, her daughter Haley and Christina. 

A girls weekend. 

It was awesome. 

This time I got to go with Christina and part of her family. 

(Brad(dad), Stacey(mom), Christina, Hayley(sister) and Jake(brother)

It was awesome. 

1. Began our journey at around 9 am

2. Arrived and tried to check in but we were too early

So what do we do? 

3.. Drove and checked out the sites 

4. Saw the 9/11 Memorial 

5. Ventured back to the hotel, checked in and relaxed 

6. Saw How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Great show, really funny. And the guy from Ugly Betty was in it! He made the show in my opinion. 

(I'm sure every teenage girl would disagree with me
but before ya'll go completely bonkers on me
see below)

7. Saw Nick Jonas (he was the lead)
He did a great job!
Second favorite over all.
(But if were judging on looks, lets be honest, he's adorable)   

He made eye contact with Hayley and I, no big deal.

And no I'm not delusional. We were on the other side of the street from all the crazies when he got in his car a looked over. Also notable, we were standing by ourselves.

The entire time Hayley and I were waiting to see him we made up different scenarios on how we would get his attention...

*Climb the tree from across the street and fall. He would rush over to make sure were ok (because he's just that kind of guy)
or
*Just hang out in the tree and he would be so impressed that he would just have to come over and see who these girls were (once again, he's just that kind of guy)

*Get hit by his car

*Be in a taxi nearby and follow his car to find out where he lives, where we could "run into him" 

*Sneak into the trunk of his car while he was signing autographs and surprise him after a couple of blocks

.....just to name a few 

8. Ate dinner at Planet Hollywood after midnight

(Nearly passed out at the table)

9. Slept in until almost 1 

(Did not mean to do that!)

((We had 20 minutes till check out))

10. Stopped by a neato coffee shop
(Oatmeal, yogurt and chia tea for me)

11. Took a carriage ride around Central Park 

(Bucklist accomplishment!)

12. Went to FAO Schwarz

(I got Bertie Bots Every Flavor Bean and a Chocolate Frog)

((I love Harry Potter. I've read the whole serious about 9 times. You can judge me))

13. Stepped into Tiffany & Co.
(Wowzer. It reminded me of the Gems and Mineral exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History) 

14.  Ate pizza and gelato in Little Italy 

15. Journeyed home

A great weekend with my second family! 

All pictures are from Christina's blog. Head over to her site and check out even more! 

 Nick Jonas.. 

..And there he goes