so much to learn
so much to do
so many to love
so much to change



so little time...

"there's something about You, Lord...
there's something about You Lord that makes me want to worship,
makes me want to bow down,
makes me want to love You more..."

He's in a better place... I know this... and I rejoice that the Lord has called him HOME....

but it's so sad. it hurts so much to grieve.

"Ignorance is bliss."

Do you find this statement to be true?

**********************

There have been many times - specifically in my walk with God - where I would give up all the knowledge I've obtained, and all the experience I've gained, just to be back in the place where my devotion to God was based on His pure act of saving me.

I was 16 years-old when I came to know Christ. I was rather oblivious to the world around me but SO on fire for God and SO zealous!!! And those first couple years were the most amazing years of my life, because they were free of cynicism, and free of pride. I knew very little about theology and very little about doctrine- but the things I did know were enough to foster a deep love for my Lord.

Dear God, please humble me!

[my beautiful cousin] Olga & Justin - 8.13.06

One day at a time...

summer fun

popsicles flip flops sunbathing splashing around in Lake Michigan going out to eat every Sunday night after church baby showers bridal showers weddings birthdays coyote hangout rollerblading sun-kissed faces pink lip-gloss baseball games college ministry at Moody amazing quiet times on the beach Colorado Camp sleeping in late Caris tineret singing in the rain one-on-one time with friends iced raspberry white chocolate mochas ...

these are a few of my favorite things!





*********************************

COUNTDOWN: 11 days

banANA's birthday !! :D

**SIGH**

I've discovered a secret spot to do my devotionals and it's AMAZING!!! :D

Please stop doing this to yourself.

Dear Friend,

I love you so much... so SO much... and it's killing me to watch you enter this vicious cycle yet another time.

You are so precious- not only to me and the people around you but to GOD. He loves you so much! Can you imagine how much it grieves Him when we walk outside of His will?!

You have so much potential! You're such a leader! God has given you many gifts! HONESTLY! You're such an evangelist-- I remember when you used to bring new people to church every week... that's AMAZING!! That's something that God empowered you to do.

But you know what? There's nothing that Satan wants more than to bring down a strong member of the church.... there's nothing that he wants more than to see you falling away from God. And I think he's successfully deceived you into believing that what you are doing is o.k. because you are just having "fun".

Run from the temptation! God is on your side and He will help you overcome this. Make the right decision! Make the sacrifice! It's not worth risking your spiritual growth for a friendship/relationship that will inevitably fail. It's NEVER right to put a boy before God.

It's hard to act normal around you... because behind my smile, my heart is aching so much....




***********************************

Countdown: 19 days

A little while ago, my parents were sitting in their room talking and I decided to join them- I plopped myself on their bed, in between them. I looked kind of funny because there wasn't much room for me, and my legs dangled off the side of their bed. We spent about an hour or so talking about ... well... life. Even though all we did was hold a coversation, I felt very nostalgic.

There's something very special about my parents' bed. I don't know how to explain it. Every time I got sick as a little girl, my mom would care for me in her own room. She would place me in her bed, keep me warm and comfortable, rub my back, give me some kind of homemade remedy. I think that's why I always recovered so quickly! And that's how I knew her - as my nurturer, as my comforter, my nurse...

In kindergarten, I got home earlier than the rest of my siblings- so my mom would feed me, we would watch Days of Our Lives together (that's how she learned English!) and she would put me down for a nap (in her bed, of course!) and I would wake up when my dad got home.... my big, strong father, whose presence commanded the attention of everyone in the house. He was exhausted from a long day of working two shifts. And that's how I knew him- as our provider and the authority of the house.

I never slept with them both in the bed at the same time - that would just be weird - but I know that I am always welcome to relax in there, to laugh with them, or to bury my head in their blanket if I need a good cry.


*************************************

COUNTDOWN: 21 days

More Colorado pics

I love MARTA.

Tonight was really special because I got to talk to my cousin Marta. She's definately a huge blessing in my life... she's the type of person that you can be separated from for a long time, but then when you reconnect with them it's like time or distance never had an effect on the relationship. I just want the world to know that I love Marta. And all her siblings. And her parents.

Please pray for my uncle (as well as my mom... as well as Elias' mom) because their health is failing them... all we can do at this point is get on our knees before God and pray on their behalf.

"OOOOH No, You NEVER let go!!!

... through the calm and through the storm...

oh no, you never let go
in every HIGH and every low!

And i will fear no evil for my God is with me... WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR?!"




Best song EVER!!!!




**************************
Countdown to Ema & Art's visit: 27 days!!

HaPpY bIRtHdAy

to one of the biggest loves of my life! I love you Sparky!