Go Ahead...Make My Day

I started this day a little down, although still convinced of God's goodness. But now, I'm ready to shout for joy (again and again). What happened? I made someone else's day! Wow...nothing feels so good as knowing that someone else has a better day because of me. If we all learned this and acted upon it, think how many wonderful days we would have! I hope that I never lose sight of the satisfaction that comes from "upholding" another believer.

One of my personal favorites

There’s a place in the hills
Where I love to roam
Where the bracken shines gold
In the light of the sun
There I am reminded
Of the strength of the One
Who guards my soul from all evil

By the fire of the candle
Or light of the moon
You will see that my eyes
Are still smiling for you
For there’s no other One
That warms my heart
The tender way that you do

(Chorus)
As the flight of the eagle
My spirit does soar
To be found in Your presence
I couldn’t want more
For when I am there
I know fullness of joy
And a peace beyond understanding

As the speed of the deer
Is so swift and so sure
I know that my Savior
Will come back once more
To gather His people
From all tribes and lands
Till then I’ll wait for my bridegroom!

We, Gentiles

Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

God, what else have I need of, besides You? My soul is satisfied! I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to be one of Your children!

Gushing

It's Friday, sixty degrees, sunny (not a clowd in the sky), and I've got two new sales and a closing today. I get to hang out with Luke tonight (we're gonna watch Lord of the Rings and maybe practice some swing moves). Oh, and the dry-cleaning guy actually offered to get my car washed today (yeah--that's pretty sad, my poor car. Of course I said no, that I would get around to washing it one of these days.) I've got the Holy Spirit, God's Living Word, a plane ticket to Washington D.C., and lunch. As I've been thinking for several months now: Life is good...

Through the Valley

This song always brings tears to my eyes. The words express exactly what my heart has spoken to God for years, through thick and thin. It's amazing how the "valleys" have changed who I am. Only the Holy Spirit can give someone the strength to say these words and mean them.

If You Want Me To

_____

The pathway is broken

The signs are unclear

I can't find the reason why You led me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I will go through the valley

If You want me to

____

Now I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise

You're not through with me yet

And if all of these trials can make me like You

I will go through the fire

If You want me to

_____

It may not be the way I would have chosen

'Cause it leads me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

Only that I'll never go alone

_____

When the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering

Your love put You through

And I will go through the valley

If You want me to

_____

Ginny Owens: Without Condition

Label: Rocketown

Valentine's Day

Okay, obviously, in Iowa, single women are the minority! From the left: Me, Alissa, Ashley, Valarie (Josh, Brian, and Nate are their husbands).

I'm still cleaning spray paint off my bathroom floor!

I Just Think He's Cute!

Who wants to join my fan club?

In Search of the Northern Lights

Last night, my friend called me and said that according to some website, on a scale of 1-10, the Northern Lights hit a 7 for activity. So...we went in search! Did we see them? Nope. But it was a blast anyway. We took a convertible and put the top down and the stars were amazing (and it was only 10 degrees...yes...i'm crazy). Life is good...

If You are Reading This...

If you are reading this, I would like to ask that you pray with me. I am going to spend the rest of the day after work fasting and praying for a lot of people in my life who are under spiritual attack right now. I'm not talking about "baby" problems/little attacks...I'm talking the kind of circumstances that can completely obliterate a Christian (the Gettysburgh deal). When Abraham asked God to protect Lot, God did it for Abraham's sake. I have the same freedom to ask God to "rescue" the people I care about. I'm picturing it like the battle scene in The Return of the King, when the sun comes out and Rohan charges onto the field...if we pray, we are like warriors charging onto the spiritual battlefield to the help of those who are getting worn out from fighting...and we can win! This is the least I can do after the miracles that God has performed in my own heart. But God says we have even more power where 2 or three are gathered...and I think that if you pray also...it'll count!

What if You're Wrong?

What if you’re right?

And he was just another nice guy

What if you’re right?

What if it’s true?

They say the cross will only make a fool of you

And what if it’s true?

What if he takes his place in history

With all the prophets and the kings

Who taught us love and came in peace

But then the story ends

What then?

But what if you’re wrong?

What if there’s more?

What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He’s more than enough?

What if it’s love?

What if you dig,

What if you dig

Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends

What if you dig?

What if you find

A thousand more unanswered questions inside

That’s all you find

What if you pick apart the logic

And begin to poke the holes

What if the crown of thorns is no more

Then folklore that must be told and retold

You’ve been running as fast as you can

You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long

But what if you’re wrong?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He’s more than enough?

What if it’s love?

Sparrow Records

Dancing

Okay, I had my first dance lesson....I was terrible! My friend began to teach me steps for swing dancing and for the fox trot, and honestly, it was so fun...but I was totally clueless. I just hope he doesn't give up on me! (I have a feeling my neighbors who live below me are probably pretty annoyed...my apartment was not intended for dancing : )

The best things, happen when you're dancing
Things that you would not do at home, come naturally on the floor
While dancing, soon becomes romancing
When you hold a girl in your arms that you've never held before
Even guys with two left feet
Come out alright if the girl is sweet
If by chance their cheeks should meet, while dancing
Proving that the best things happen when you dance!

(So, I just decided to put this song on here for fun...who knows what it's from?)

Just Having Fun

I'm making a set that I'm going to get framed for my apartment! (Yeah, I love trees)

Laughter

I was just thinking last night, I bet God and His angels sit around and have some pretty good laughs at my expense! Me too...

I LOVE MY BLOG!

So, I was just perusing the last 5 months of blog posts...so fun! It's sortof like reading through old journals, but better, because there is much more creative and interesting content on the blog : )

One of my seldom updates on life...

I am just rejoicing in the Lord right now. He's been so good to me and I am excited to be right where I am! Yesterday was rough, I had to go after work to the hospital in Des Moines (my grandpa is in the hospital now)...and it was such a battle for me to leave all my "burdens" in God's hands. This will sound crazy, but I feel like my car is so filled with the Holy Spirit (don't worry, I'm not going looney)...every time I get in the car and drive, all I can think about is how good God is, and how He is taking care of me and then I have to just thank Him. I wish you all could be around me now...you'd think I was a different person. God has changed my heart so much, I even smile all the time (which I didn't do too much in the past). Anyway, I spent the night with Grandma, and was again thankful that I could be near to encourage her. We spent time praying and crying together-it was good, I think.

Here's a bit of fun news: one of my new friends from church is going to teach me to dance!!! (swing and ballroom). I am so excited, because I have always wanted to dance. He's going to take me to this real ballroom that was built in the 1930s in the middle of some cornfield. I am hoping that I don't end up having "two left feet"--that would be so embarrassing!

For all of you who freak out every time I go running alone at night: I got somebody to help me put this big old excercise bike (that was in my grandparent's barn) in my car (thank the Lord for a hatch-back!), got somebody else to help me carry it into my apartment, and am now determined to clean off all the barn-swallow refuse and cobwebs and get in shape (for dancing!). Yeah, my new roommate must've thought I was crazy when she walked into the apartment and saw this big excercise bike sitting in the middle of the kitchen! (I don't want to put it on the carpet till it's clean).

Oh yeah, and that reminds me to tell you all that I got a new roommate. It's working fine. We actually rarely cross paths so it works out well. I am busy with two excercise classes per week, a weekly Bible study, and spending time with Grandparents friday and saturday and friends on sunday (where do I find time to keep my room clean? I don't! Ahhh!)

How to say the things swirling in my head and heart?

Growing pains?

Facing the slow, inevitable death of somebody I think I can’t live without…even though I’ve faced it for years…strength drains from me at the thought.

I knew it would be harder if I came closer. I’ve known that all along. So why did I come closer? Because I can’t get enough…because I want to pour my love into them before it’s too late. I want to soak in their very existence before it’s gone. I feel gypped, getting less time because I am younger. The crazy thing: I get more time with them than anyone else…I sacrifice friends and fun for it.

Reality check: I can’t do anything for them that will slow time down…can’t keep them young or pain-free with my love.

Another reality check: God gave me this “bit of grace”, this “extra time” with them…a special gift just for me.

Reality check 3: The same God who WILL NOT forsake me, will not forsake them, either.

This is something I don’t even feel like I can speak out loud; partly because it hurts too much, partly because there are no words for it, and partly because I don’t know how to describe my “connection” to them. I mean, duh, everybody loves their grandparents. But somehow, I think this is a stronger bond than the normal grandparent/grandchild bond—a two-way relationship meeting needs on both sides.

Years are gone so quickly, even sorrow will be gone so quickly. And, God is good. I truly believe that. I believe that more than death.

My Faith

I just can't stop!!! (Hmmm...Maybe I can learn to sleep while I paint).

Things that are Simple