In His Grip

Praise and Worship

2009-02-12T19:15:00.003-05:00

I'm reading through the Bible chronologically this year and I just read the song that the Israelites sang after God delivered them from the Egyptians at the Red Sea:

"I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
² The LORD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
³The LORD is a man of war;
the LORD is his name.

⁴ "Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
⁵The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
⁶ Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power,
your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
⁷In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
⁸At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.'
¹⁰You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

¹¹ "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
¹²You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.

¹³"You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
¹⁴ The peoples have heard; they tremble;
pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
¹⁵Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;
trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
¹⁶Terror and dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,
till your people, O LORD, pass by,
till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
¹⁷You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
¹⁸ The LORD will reign forever and ever."

Exodus 15:1-18

I had never noticed all the references to redemption that are in this song. They were a people purchased by God and delivered by Him. So are we! What a great song of praise!

Not What My Hands Have Done

2009-01-15T19:17:00.006-05:00

This is one of my most favorite songs that we sing in church. The verses are an old hymn (written by Horatius Bonar). The chorus has been added (along with a new tune). I cannot sing this song without having tears well up in my eyes as I consider the wonder that God should save a sinner like me!

Not What My Hands Have Done

1. Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers,
And sighs and tears
Can bear my awful load.

Chorus:

These guilty hands are raised;
Filthy rags are all I bring
And I have come
To hide beneath your wings.
These holy hands are raised
Washed in the fountain of your grace;
And now I wear your righteousness.

2. Thy work alone, O Christ,
Can ease this weight of sin
Thy blood alone O Lamb of God,
Can give me peace within.
Thy love to me O God,
Not mine, O Lord, to Thee
Can rid me of
This dark unrest,
And set my spirit free!

Chorus:

3. Thy grace alone, O God,
To me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone O Lamb of God,
Can this sore bondage break.
No other work, save Thine,
No other blood will do,
No strength but that,
Which is divine,
Can bear me safely through.

Chorus:

4. I praise the God of grace,
I trust His truth and might
He calls me His, I call Him mine,
My God, my joy, my light
My Lord has saved my life,
And freely pardon gives
I love because
He first loved me,
I live because He lives!

Our Story

2008-12-27T18:04:00.003-05:00

This is the story of how God brought Dan and me together and how we got engaged.

Our story really begins with the fact that Dan and Dustin Bragg were roommates in college during Dan's senior year in 2003-2004. After graduation, Dan moved back to Detroit and they kind of lost touch with each other. In August of 2007, I moved to South Carolina and moved in right next door to Dustin. (Actually, Dan moved to South Carolina three days after I did, but we didn't know each other at the time!) Dustin and I got to be pretty good friends, and he would often have people over to watch movies on his big screen TV with surround sound.

One Saturday night last July, I got a craving to watch a particular action/adventure movie, so I called Dustin and invited myself over to watch it on his TV, since action movies are more fun on a big screen with surround sound! He had something going on that night, but he said I could come over on Sunday night to watch it. He said that his old roommate from college was going to be there, but that they didn't have any particular plans and he didn't think his roommate would mind watching that movie.

Unbeknownst to me, Dan and Dustin had just reconnected with each other on Facebook. Dustin had no idea Dan was back in Greenville, but after he discovered that fact, he had been trying to get together with him.

That Sunday night, we ate pizza and ice cream and watched a movie and talked. We stayed kind of late. I had fun and Dan seemed like a nice guy to me, but I didn't really think anything of it because Dustin always had one or another of his friends over to watch movies, and Dan was just another guy I met at Dustin's.

However, the next morning before I left for work, I randomly checked my Facebook and Dan had friended me. I thought that was a little odd because he would have had to remember my name to do so (and I hadn't remembered his name!) and it had only been a few hours since we had met each other and he would have had to have gone straight home and friended me.

I accepted his friend request and he wrote on my wall several times that day. I checked at lunch and he had written something. I asked a couple of my friends that day if it meant something significant for him to have friended me that fast and they agreed that it was probably somewhat significant.

That night, we started chatting on Facebook, and every night that week we ended up chatting till the wee hours of the morning. On Thursday night he asked for my number and started texting me. I went to Charleston with friends from my community group that weekend, and he texted me the whole time I was there (until he broke his phone, but that's another story). Saturday night we met at Dustin's again, and by Sunday night we were ready for our first date.

So that's the story of how we met. Here is the story of our engagement.

First of all, I had no idea it was coming this Christmas. He told me that he would be asking me sometime before March, but other than that I didn't know when. He also said that Christmas was too obvious a time to propose. Plus, I didn't know he had bought the ring. (I usually know where he is at all times!)

Dan works for UPS answering the phones in customer service; so Christmas is a very busy time for him. Normally, he has to work both the day before and the day after. So, our plan for Christmas was for me to drive up on Christmas Eve to spend four days with my family and for Dan to stay in Greenville and work. Needless to say, I wasn't very excited about the idea.

Tuesday, the day before Christmas Eve, I started thinking about driving my car all the way back to Cleveland and how much traffic there might be and what kind of weather I might encounter. I love driving a stick shift, but in stop-and-go traffic or bad weather, it's not so fun. Several weeks before, Dan had mentioned that I could borrow his car if I wanted to. At the time I had said no, but the more I thought of it, the more I liked the idea. So, I texted him that afternoon and asked if I could drive his car. He had driven mine a little bit and was starting to get used to driving stick, so I figured he's be okay for just driving back and forth to work. He told me he'd think about it and let me know. Without knowing it, I had just thrown off all his plans!

He came over to see me that night after work, and he was acting kind of weird, like he was thinking about something that was bothering him. I kept asking him what was wrong and also kept asking him for a final decision about taking his car. Finally he told me that he just didn't feel like he was ready to drive my stick-shift while I was gone and asked if I could just take my car. I was a little disappointed until I remembered that my brother Jared, who was coming with me to Cleveland, had an automatic that he would be leaving in Greenville. It's an old car and can't be driven far, but I told Dan he'd be fine driving it around town. I called up Jared right away and got it set for Dan to borrow his car while we were gone.

However, Dan was still acting strange, and he wouldn't tell me what was wrong. He finally said he'd tell me later. So I went out to the kitchen to make us a snack. A few minutes later he came out to where I was and told me that the reason he wasn't comfortable driving my car was that he wasn't ready to drive it through the mountains or through bad weather. He had gotten the day after Christmas off! I was so excited that I was going to get to spend Christmas with him and started to give him a hug. Then he said that the reason he wanted to come to my parents' house for Christmas was that he had something important to ask me. That's when I saw him pulling the ring box out of his pocket and realized what was going on. He got down on one knee and proposed right there in the kitchen. I said yes, of course!

So, Dan had all these ideas of how he was going to surprise me at my parents' house and ask me to marry him on Christmas day, but without even knowing it, I foiled his surprise! In all reality, though, I think this worked out better because we got to drive up to Cleveland together and spend all of Christmas weekend.

That's the story, at least my side of it. Maybe I can persuade Dan to tell his side of the story later. The wedding is set for September 5 at Pretty Place chapel just north of Greenville, SC. We're so excited and thankful for how the Lord brought all this together! And we can't wait to start life together.

2008 in Review

2008-12-12T15:20:00.002-05:00

I shamelessly stole this list from Robyn because I thought it was a pretty comprehensive review of last year. Feel free to steal it from me.

1. Where did you begin 2008?
with the singles group from Sovereign Grace church madly sprinting up and down Main Street finding items for a scavenger hunt. That was definitely the most exercise I had all year.

2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
single. (I won't be in 2009, though!)

3. Were you in school anytime this year?
No. I was planning on it, but God changed my direction.

4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
I haven't been in a hospital since I was born!

5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope. Another year with a perfect driving record!

6. Where did you go on vacation?
Cleveland, Cleveland, Detroit, Cleveland

7. What did you purchase that was over $100?
New glasses.

8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Rachel and Anthony

9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
No

10. Did you move anywhere?
By the end of the year, I will have moved, but just around the corner (of the house) to the front apartment.

11. What sporting events did you attend?
Just watched them on TV.

12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Wicked!, Third Day (sort of), Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Pirates of Penzance, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra

13. Describe your birthday.
My friends took me out to Moe's and then we went and saw Wall-e.

14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
Got a boyfriend!!

15. What have been your favorite moments?
The big things, obviously, such as Wicked!, Anthony and Rach's wedding, and Cedar Point, but also the little things like growing closer to those in my community group, getting to know Dan, and also every Sunday, when I get to go to church. And overall, learning to depend more on the Spirit as He works in my life. I think He's grown me a lot this year.

16. Any new additions to your family?
Not this year

17. What was your best month?
July, when I met Dan

18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Dan and I go out for coffee!

19. Made new friends?
My whole community group and Dan

20. Favorite Night out?
Both trips to Charleston.

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work, church.

22. Have you lost any friends this year?
Don't think so.

23. Change your hairstyle?
Sort of. I flip it under now instead of out.

24. Have any car accidents?
Nope. Still none.

25. How old did you turn this year?
29. Last year in the 20's!

26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Um. Eat less, exercise more?

27. Do anything embarrassing?
Don't think so.

28. Buy anything new from eBay?
No.

29. Get married or divorced?
No.

30. Get hit on?
Only in the Berea Wal-Mart!

31. Been snowboarding?
No. I'd probably hurt myself.

32. Did you get sick this year?
I think I had a cold in the spring.

33. Are you happy to see 2008 go?
I like where I'm at in life, so no, I'm not relieved to see the year end, but neither am I wishing it weren't.

34. Been naughty or nice?
Probably a little of both, but hopefully more nice as the Holy Spirit works in me.

35. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
Getting to know Dan better.

A Few of my Favorite Things (about Dan)

2008-12-09T12:25:00.003-05:00

I was just thinking today about how blessed I am by God to have Dan Sims as a boyfriend. I thought I'd just list a few reasons why. Here's my top 20. This list is by no means comprehensive, and it is not arranged in order of importance, merely in the order of which I thought of them!

1. His heart belongs to God, and I can daily see the Holy Spirit's working in his life as He molds Dan into the image of Christ.

2. He loves me!

3. He cares about how I feel and listens when I talk.

4. He is compassionate toward the people around him and their needs. He stops in the grocery store to ask the check-out person how his or her day is going.

5. He's tall! Even when I wear heels, he's still taller than I am.

6. He doesn't get easily angry or upset at me (or anyone else) even when I (or others) am upset with him.

7. He helps me when I get upset by listening to me and then helping me to get my focus back on Christ and realize that what I'm upset about isn't so upsetting.

8. He's really cute!

9. He's earned the respect of my friends and family.

10. He is a servant, always ready to help anyone that needs it.

11. He's serious about life and the things of the Lord, but he knows how to have fun, too!

12. He doesn't demand his rights or refuse to let people push him around, realizing that people are more important than things.

13. He is good at math and keeping track of finances. He doesn't overspend.

14. He is willing to admit when he is wrong.

15. He asks for directions.

16. He knows a lot about computers.

17. He pays attention to politics and world events.

18. He constantly reminds me that God is in control of all things.

19. He drives a Honda!

20. And finally, he is trustworthy, and I know I am safe with him.

Fullness of Joy

2008-12-04T12:46:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't written in a while, and I don't have time right now to catch everyone up on my life. If you're on Facebook, you can probably piece it all together for yourself anyway. Just look at the pictures!

Last night in Youth Group, Jami (youth pastor) said something that really caught my attention. He said, "We say we believe the Bible, but do we live like it? Do our lives reflect what we say we believe?" He was specifically talking about joy. We say joy is only found in Christ, but how often do we seek joy in other places. He used some examples the students could relate to, such as seeking joy in an X-Box or a new cell phone.

I thought about that for a while last night, and then this morning I was reading in Psalm 16:11 (which I've read a million times before) where it says: "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." It reinforced what I'd been thinking about last night.

My joy can only come from being in Christ's presence. In fact, joy is a fruit of the Spirit's work in my life! (Gal 5:22-23) I tend to find my joy in people. I have an incredible, loving family, great Christian friends, and the most awesome boyfriend in the world. However, none of those people can be where my joy is based. It has to be rooted in Christ. All these others are just blessings on the side which He has graciously given me.

Kind of a lot to think about, but a reminder I needed.

And, I'm kind of in a writing mood, so maybe (no promises) I'll write more later and bring y'all up to date on my life.

Red Like a Tomato!

2008-05-19T12:17:00.002-04:00

So after months of limiting my sun exposure and using sunscreen in order to "tan" little by little, I slipped up on Saturday when we went to the Greek Festival. We were there for only a few hours, but that was enough to burn me bright red! My shoulders and chest are killing me, especially because the neckline of my scrubs rubs them! Hopefully, it won't all just peel and be white again!

A Wrap on Galatians

2008-05-01T12:16:00.002-04:00

My church has been going through Galatians on Sunday mornings for about 9 months. It's been pretty amazing. Since we're almost done, last Sunday they had a really neat service to celebrate all that God has done in people's lives these last months. They interspersed lots of worship music with video clips from various Galatians sermons as well as testimonies of what God has taught people through the messages. It was really great to be reminded of all that God has done.

Then, in community group, we read through the whole book from start to finish and then basically shared what God had done in our lives through Galatians. We had some new people in the group, but it was so neat to see how we've all been learning and growing these last few months. I've learned so much, and it was so neat to share and hear others share about what God has done.

My Life So Far

2008-04-17T10:48:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't blogged in about 4 months. It's hard when I have to go somewhere to use internet, and I usually have a limited amount of time when I do.

The most exciting thing that happening currently is that I'm getting a new job. I've been looking for a while, ever since I found out I'd be staying in Greenville for longer than I originally planned. (I can't even apply for grad school till September, and I've fallen in love with my church and am in no hurry to leave!) I've felt for a while that I need a job that has consistent daytime, Monday through Friday, hours and better pay. Plus, I've been in the food service industry for 3 years this month, and I'm ready to be done!

I applied at a temp agency about a month ago, and this week I finally heard back from them with a job opening. It's at a medical office doing filing and records--basically what I was doing in Cleveland, but on a much larger scale. (This office sees 200+ patients a day!) There are a few details to work out, but I think I'm going to take the job. If everything works out, I should be starting there in May.

The other thing that's happening is that I'm joining Southside Fellowship. I'm in process right now. I really, really love this church. I feel like I've grown spiritually so much these last five months. I've gotten involved in a community group and a Sunday school class, and I'm looking forward to being able to serve as well.

That's what's going on with me. Maybe I'll try to be more consistent in blogging. Maybe. Ha!

Back to the Future

2007-12-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

I went to Wal-Mart today. Yes, I know, going to Wal-Mart the Saturday before Christmas is probably not the smartest thing I have done this week, or this month. However, I really really needed a toothbrush!! The shopping part wasn't too bad, but the parking lot could really have used some traffic directors! However, what I intended to say was that as I cruised past the toy section (no one to buy for in that age group!) I noticed a toy advertised as new for this Christmas: Rubik's Cubes. So, if you're stumped on what to buy this Christmas or you've put off shopping till the last minute, there's no need to panic. Simply pull out those boxes of odds and ends left over from childhood and recycle! I'd be willing to bet it's in great shape; those things never got used much. Tell the kids they are getting vintage gifts! And you'll save yourself ten bucks!

Surprise!

2007-11-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Zak and I managed to surprise Jared for his 25th birthday. It took some work. I wanted to invite all the college kids from our church that are at BJ. I figured I'd talk to April (the only girl) because I assumed that a girl would do a better job of getting the news out! Then I had to find a place to have it because BJ students are only allowed to go to faculty/staff houses off campus. I talked to the Rosses (family friends) and they said that since their daughter was faculty (at the Academy) we were allowed to have it at their house if she was there. So I thought we were all set. I told Jared that we were invited to the Rosses' house for dinner. That didn't surprise him because they had been trying to get us to come over all semester.

The party was set for Friday night. However, on Thursday, I got some bad news. April (not realizing that I'd contacted her because of her superior ability to follow through) had entrusted the job of contacting everyone about the party to Mark Hudson. And he hadn't. So, no one knew about the party until the day before and consequently already had plans. April and I decided to postpone to the next week. Unfortunately, April herself wasn't able to come, but all the guys assured her they'd be there.

That presented somewhat of a problem, though, because the Rosses went ahead and invited us over for supper that Friday anyway. That meant I'd lost my reason for having us go over there the next week. So, I made sure Jared was free and asked him if he and Zak wanted to just hang out for the evening. But, I had borrowed something from the Rosses', so I told Jared I needed to stop and drop it off. When he walked into the house with the box, everyone jumped out and yelled, "Surprise!" We got him!

Update on the Church Hunt

2007-11-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

I've been attending Southside Fellowship for the last four weeks. I really like it. The preaching is outstanding. Charlie Boyd is the pastor and he is good. Right now he is preaching through Galatians, and they are in chapter 3. Today's sermon was about how Christ took our place before God. God treated Him as we deserved so that we could be treated as Christ deserved. A great reminder.

I really like the focus of the church, too. They preach grace and they live it. And, they have great music. Not the same stuff over and over, but a wide variety including old hymns and stuff written by the music pastor, played with a wide variety of instruments. Also, they don't do "Special Music," they include everyone so that it's not spectator worship but corporate.

The only drawback I've seen so far is that there's no 20-somethings group. I've visited the singles group, but it's all 30+. They make me feel welcome, but they're really in a different season of life from me. However, today I went to an introductory Sunday School class designed as a first step for those interested in the church. And one of the ladies of the church was talking about how she and her husband felt like God was leading them to start a class for those in their 20's. So, it sounds like that may be available soon!

So, I'm interested and waiting to see if this is where God wants me.

Hooray! But. . .

2007-11-11T18:51:00.000-05:00

I'm going home to Ohio for Thanksgiving in 9 days! Please pray that my car is easily fixable. It seems to be burning oil and the "check engine" light is on.

And the Saga Continues

2007-10-24T15:40:00.001-04:00

After attending Sovereign Grace for a month and doing some study in exactly what they believe and listening to my Dad's counsel, I've decided that Sovereign Grace is not exactly where I am theologically. I love the people at this church, and they really have a heart for God and a love for each other. Their passion for the Gospel and God's Word is infectious, and God is definitely working in their midst.

That being said, they are more charismatic than I am comfortable with. Although they are not openly charismatic in their services, they do lean that direction, and the Sovereign Grace Ministries leadership in Maryland is actively pursuing charismaticism and charismatics. Also, their policy on missions is to invest only in national-led church planting works and does not include traditional missions and mission boards (which is what I'm planning to do with my life!). Finally, because of my background, I hesitate to get involved with a ministry that is so heavily led by and dependent on one person. Not that I think CJ Mahaney (the founder of the family of churches) is wrong or has problems, but because of what I've been involved in before, I just feel leery of a national movement that has the focus on one person.

So, all this to say that I'm going to be looking again for a church. Dad gave me some suggestions of churches he knew in the area that are reformed and contemporary. There should be a church here I can go to! I checked the phone book the other day and there are 309 churches listed under "Baptist"! That's a lot to choose from! (For those of you from Cleveland, there are only eight Catholic churches listed. Can you imagine that? Only eight Catholic churches and 309 Baptist? In Cleveland those numbers would be reversed!)

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to search.

Boy do I Feel Old!

2007-10-21T14:51:00.000-04:00

The other day I was talking baseball with a kid I work with, and I said that I used to be a Cincinnati Reds fan back when they were good. He asked when that was, and I said, "Well they swept the World Series back in 1990." He just looked at me and said, "I wasn't born then." Wow. Was 1990 really that long ago? I must be getting old!

Sovereign Grace Church

2007-09-30T16:55:00.000-04:00

Although I liked the SBC church I discribed in the previous post, I felt like it was missing something. So, I kept looking, and I'm glad I did!

I have visited Sovereign Grace Church the last two Sundays. I really like it. The preaching is good and theologically solid. (It's not just a quick 20 minute devotional either!) The people are really, really friendly. I had so many people (of all ages) introduce themselves to me. And the music is great. It's contemporary, but it doesn't consist of singing "I love you Jesus" over and over and over. The songs are heavy with doctrine while still being singable. They mix in great old hymns, too. The church is about four years old and is affiliated with Sovereign Grace Ministries. Right now they meet in a conference room at the Marriott hotel. I think they have some land and are looking to build when they have the money.

There is a good singles group that meets Friday nights. I wasn't able to go last week due to work, but I'll be trying it out this week. The whole church is broken down into Care Groups that meet throughout the week. In the Sunday sermon, the pastor gives discussion questions for the groups to work through when they meet. It's a good way for a larger group of people (about 200 I'd estimate) to fellowship.

As I said, the people are very friendly. Today, one of the families just invited me out to eat lunch with them. There are lots of kids and babies and lots of homeschooling families. There is a joy and love for each other that really shows among the people.

I can't say for sure that I've found my church home in Greenville, but I now have a definite possibility!

Update

2007-09-10T20:22:00.000-04:00

I've been working at Chick-fil-A now for almost two weeks. It's going well. I don't think I could do it forever, but it's definitely a good temporary job.

Yesterday I visited a big (1000 people +) Southern Baptist church. I liked it. They have a singles group that meets Sunday nights. I'm definitely on of the youngest in that group. That's a change! The Sunday School classes are divided by age, so there's one for 20-somethings. I'd like to visit that next week. It was a good sermon in the morning service. I'd like to see what the more contemporary service is like, since the pastor preaches the same sermon at both. (I was worried that the more contemporary service would have drama in place of a sermon or something!) I haven't joined or anything, but I'd definitely like to visit again. In a way, since I'm only going to be around for a little while, it'd be easier to be in a bigger church, rather than a small one. In a small one, I'd want to get involved in everything and then I'd feel bad about leaving! I still have plenty of other churches to visit before I make my decision, though! Greenville is bursting to overflowing with churches, most of them Baptist. Please pray that I make the right decision and end up where God wants me.

What a Difference a Day (Or Two) Makes

2007-08-29T15:50:00.000-04:00

Since I wrote last, I found a job! I'm starting at Chick-fil-A on Friday. It's not an office job, and I'm still in fast food, but it's something I'm well-qualified for and easy to do for just a year or two. I think in a way it's a step up from McDonald's. No offense to McDonald's--it's a good company and the largest restaurant chain in the world--but Chick-fil-A starts out with a different philosophy. The corporate mission statement is "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." That means they require a higher standard of conduct from their employees and they work harder to help build and grow their employees. They're also careful about who they hire. They actually called my references. I don't think I've ever had an employer actually do that! So, I am once again employed. I was told that they'd be able to match the salary from my previous job, also. So, I should be able to cover my bills. Also, all Chick-fil-A's are closed on Sundays, so I will never have to worry about my job interfering with church. (As soon as I find a church, that is. There are about 30 within five minutes of my house--not an exaggeration. Actually probably an under-exaggeration!)

I also now no longer have an Ohio driver's license, registration, or title. It's all been changed over to SC. It feels kind of weird. I've only ever had an Ohio license. Now it's gone. Kinda' sad. But, moving on. Before I could get all that I had to pay my yearly property taxes on the value of my vehicle. That cost me $139.85! Then I had to go to a different office on the other side of town to actually get my license and registration. All told it cost me $205 to get everything transferred over. Isn't bureaucracy lovely? Thankfully, the registration is good for two years and the license is good for 10. (Yes. I'll be nearly 40 before I need another one; if I stay in the south that long.) However, the expensive part, the property tax, is due yearly. Of course!

Tomorrow I need to get a local bank account. No one likes out of state checks. Then, Friday I start work! No more lazy free days. But, a paycheck is a good thing!

What a Day!

2007-08-27T17:28:00.000-04:00

Today, I started by hanging pictures in my new apartment, balancing my checkbook, and unpacking more boxes. So far, so good. Then I headed out to buy groceries and ran into trouble. I was trying to get money at the bank to buy them with (Aldi's won't take credit cards or checks.) when I totally blanked and forgot my PIN. So, the machine ate my card. I went in to ask for it back and the girl said she had to ask her supervisor who was at lunch. I came back an hour later to be told that they couldn't give me my card because it was from another bank. They have to destroy it, and my bank (in Ohio) has to give me a new one. I called my bank, and they said that'd take seven to ten days. By then, I plan to have opened a new account down here and closed my account in Ohio. So, in the meantime I'm stuck without a debit card. Thankfully I still have checks and a credit card. But, back to Aldi's. They were holding my groceries for me while I tried to get cash. Yes, I'd already shopped because I was planning to use my debit card in Aldi's. But, I couldn't do that without a PIN. So, I had to go back to Aldi's and tell them to put the food back. Then I called Jared, and he let me write him a check in exchange for cash which I took to another Aldi's and finally got my food. Added to that mess is that Greenville streets are not straight, so when you think you're parallel to some other street, you're not. And, the streets randomly change names all the time. I keep getting lost. Whew! Hopefully, the rest of my tasks for the week won't be this stressful!

Next on the agenda is transferring my license and registration to SC. And of course, still job hunting. Jared is getting me the contact info for a new Chick-Fa-Lay that's just opened here. They are hiring and advertising on campus. That would be nice because of their no Sundays policy. We shall see.

Update on My Life

2007-08-22T19:24:00.000-04:00

Hmm. I guess it's been a while since I posted anything. Okay, so it's been over two months since I posted anything. It's been a busy two months. I've been working to figure out which Grad school to go to. The one I wanted to go to (and which was recommended by Bibles International staff for the area of Bible translation I want to go into) will not accept TRACS accreditation. Everyone (including TRACS) is baffled by this refusal. Lots of appeals are going on, but it will all be too late to help me. So, instead I am looking at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics.

However, the cost of the program will be greatly reduced if I become a resident of South Carolina. This requires that I live there for a year and/or have a full-time job in the state. So I am in the process of moving to South Carolina. In fact, I'm moving tomorrow! (It works out well this way because my brother Zak is starting college at Bob Jones University, so I can caravan down with the rest of my family.) I'm going to live for a while in Greenville because a friend of the family offered me a really good deal on an apartment, but eventually, I will be moving to Columbia. Please pray that I'll find a temporary (full-time) job in Greenville and that all the steps of my application process will go smoothly. I'll write next from South Carolina.

Go Cleveland! Beat Detroit!

2007-06-02T00:53:00.000-04:00

Our college group's leader is from Detroit and is an avid sports fan, so of course we all had to go to a Indians/Tigers game at Jacob's Field last night. (We invited the youth group, too.) And what a game! In the top of the 9th, one of the guys turned to me and said, "This is a good game." I answered, "It'll be a good game if we win!" It was definitely not one of those games where all the runs come in the first two innings. It went right down to the last out! But Cleveland battled it out to win 12-11. We had so much fun! I love it when you're surrounded by 41,000+ screaming fans and you're on your feet yelling and clapping. Now, if the Cavs can win tonight, it'll be a Cleveland weekend! Hey Detroit! Too bad, so sad!

An Historic Moment

2007-05-05T11:10:00.000-04:00

Will any of you be awake tomorrow morning at 2 AM to celebrate the fact that it's 02:03:04 05/06/07? Think about it. This is an historic moment (a second really) that will not occur again for 1000 years!

God's Timetable

2007-05-01T00:14:00.000-04:00

I've been studying in Romans (on-again, off-again) for quite some time. I'm finally to the end of chapter 15. In verse 23-29, Paul says,

I have had for many years a longing to come to you whenever I go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Now, we know from Acts that Paul did go to Jerusalem; however, he was captured and imprisoned for several years (Acts 21:27-26:32) before being sent to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 27-28). So, Paul made his plans, but things didn't turn out the way he expected. Interestingly enough, he still ended up where he had planned to go; God just had a totally different timetable and method for getting him there.

It's so comforting to know that I serve a God who is totally in control of all circumstances. Things may not go the way I think they should, but I can rest in the knowledge that He is working out all things according to His plan.

Hair Cuts

2007-04-26T00:30:00.000-04:00

Sadly, the long curly hair is gone. My perm from two years ago had grown out to the point that it was getting unmanageable, and I didn't think I'd be able to achieve the right effect by getting another perm over top of it. So, I had it all chopped off. The interesting thing is the way people comment about my new 'do. I don't mind the new look, but I liked the old one so much better. Basically, this hairstyle is just an in-between stage to facilitate growing it back out to long and curly. So, I'm not really sure how to respond to people that say, "Oh, I love your haircut. It looks so much better than before!" I know they're just trying to be complimentary, but still, I thought I looked better before. Oh well.

And then there's the question of whether it makes me look older or younger. One of the doctors where I work said, "It makes you look like a grown-up young lady!" (I don't think she knows how old I really am!) But, somebody else told me it made me look five years younger. (Wait, is that five years younger than my real age or five years younger than I used to look. In that case, I now look like I'm 12 again?) Make up your mind!

Kerith was inspired by my cut to get hers chopped, too. Hers, of course, looks highly sophisticated on her. And it definitely makes her look older. (As if she needed help looking older than her age!) So now she looks five years older than I do! And, all she has to do with hers is wash and wear! So not fair!

All that to say, "Here's a picture of our new haircuts!"

For Cryin' Out Loud, It's the Middle of April Already!

2007-04-15T00:48:00.000-04:00

Wait, let me check the date again . . . It is April 15, right? Then why in the world did I just have to clear 2 inches of snow off my car before I could come home from work tonight? When do we get to have spring? I am so ready to move somewhere south for grad school. Pretty soon that's going to be my only requirement for where I go: no snow! Okay, enough complaining. I guess this weather will just make me appreciate spring even more . . . if it ever gets here!

A Closed Door Opening?

2007-04-13T00:21:00.000-04:00

As you may or may not remember, I had applied to the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, TX, last fall, and my application was rejected because my undergrad degree from Northland is not regionally accredited. (It is accredited, just not regionally.) I've been looking into and working on applying to several other schools since then.

A few weeks ago, Dad talked to the guy in charge of Bibles International (BI), the Bible translation wing of Baptist Mid-Missions, and asked him for some suggestions as to where I should go for Linguistics training. He advised against some of the schools I was considering, for various reasons, and recommended several more. That left me back at square one with too many options!

Mom suggested I email Dr. Connie Champeon, also from BI, and ask her for suggestions because she is currently in the field I am interested in going into. She emailed me back and said that a Bob Jones University student had also been turned away from GIAL due to accreditation. (BJU has the same accreditation Northland does.) BJU is in the process of appealing that decision. So, if GIAL decides to allow that student to attend, I should also be able to resubmit my application. I may end up in Dallas yet! Please pray with me for God's will in this matter. I'd really like to know where I'm going in the fall!

Only in America

2007-04-11T23:44:00.000-04:00

I thought it was funny that when our college group went to Starbucks tonight after church, we had six people who came in six different cars. Only in America do we have one car per person. In Europe of Asia we would have taken public transportation, carpooled, or walked! I'm not saying one way is better than the other, I'm just making an interesting cultural observation.

I'm Dreaming of a White . . . Easter?

2007-04-08T00:57:00.000-04:00

It's a little hard to feel "Easterish" with 6-8 inches of snow on the ground and 30 degree temperatures in the air. I definitely nixed the whole springy Easter dress tradition!

But, even so, this is a special day. This is honestly my favorite holiday of the year. I have to echo the Apostle Paul. Without the Resurrection, "then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. . . . [A]nd if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead[!] (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).

Christ is Risen Indeed! Let us celebrate and adore!

Thoughts for Good Friday

2007-04-07T11:09:00.000-04:00

At our church's annual combined Passion Service, they sang the following song which I had never heard before. I thought the words were really powerful.

His Robes for Mine
(Anderson, Monk)

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered 'neath God's rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified!
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

His robes for mine: My God, how can it be?
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father's pleased?
Christ drank the dregs of God's just wrath on sin:
God is appeased; propitiation won!

His robes for mine, how terrible the cost:
Jesus forsaken; God estranged from God!
He, as though I, was banished--left alone!
I, as though He, am cherished--welcomed home!

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know:
Christ, God's beloved, judged as though His foe!
Smitten by God, and spit upon by men?
Free my salvation, yet not free to Him!

His robes for mine, what cause have I for dread?
God's daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand, with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord's vicarious death--and life!

His robes for mine, the suffering is done:
Sin's dreadful wage was paid by God's Just Son.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own:
My praise--my all--shall be for Christ alone!

Now, go back and read this song again. It's so chock full of theology. What a salvation we have! What a Savior!

Perspectives

2007-02-20T00:15:00.000-05:00

After temperatures of -10 degrees, 40 can feel downright balmy! All the snow (The drifts are 4-6 feet high in places!) is melting away. And the roads are clear. It's nice to feel my toes again, too!

NYC Trip

2007-02-20T00:04:00.000-05:00

I thought I ought to comment on my trip to NYC for those of you who are not reading this on Facebook. I already said lots about it there, but I realize that not everybody has access to that.

I loved NYC. I had been there once before, but that time we just followed my cousin Dallas (who lives there) around. This time, we got his advice, but we (my brother, my sister, and my sister's friend) did all the navigating ourselves. It was so much fun. I love cities, and NYC is an awesome one. We saw lots of sights, ate great authentic NYC food, and "shopped" on Fifth Avenue. (We didn't buy anything--sticker shock!)

And, of course, for the main event, we saw Les Miserables. It was wonderful. I love the story and the music, but I had never seen it on stage. It was just like I'd imagined.

So that's the highlights. I want to go back! But, alas, time and money do not allow. Someday . . . .

Introducing. . .

2007-01-10T00:22:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Hubel.

AWANA Lessons

2007-01-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night I got to do the Bible lesson for our AWANA clubs. It was supposed to be the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15. I figured that many of them already knew the story, so I brought props and gave one to each of the kids. Then, I told the story and had them act it out complete with confetti for the party when the father welcomes the son home. They enjoyed it I think. It got me to thinking about God's mercy and forgiveness. It is truly undeserved. Somehow even though I know this, I always feel that surely this time I've done too much. He won't forgive. Yet, 1 John 1:9 is a promise: "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. . . ." We can never sin too much for God to forgive. That's an amazing concept.

My Weekend

2007-01-02T00:37:00.000-05:00

I just returned yesterday night from a quick trip to Minnesota to attend my friend from college Christine's wedding. It was a beautiful, very non-traditional, but Christ-honoring wedding. I'll have some pictures soon. Then I got to spend the night with my other friend from college Kerry. She and Christine were roommates (up until Saturday!), so I took Christine's spot for Saturday night. We talked till nearly 3:00am!

My car did really well on the trip. It gets amazing gas mileage and can just go forever on one tank. I drove the whole 13 hours there on Friday and the 13 hours back on Sunday, even though I took Ruth Peal from church along with me. (She wanted to visit her family, and Dad and Mom didn't want me to drive alone.) I suppose she could have driven, but I didn't want to share my new car! So, I was pretty tired when I got home!

Am I in Asia or Something?

2006-12-26T13:18:00.000-05:00

Watch out! That pool is getting closer! Run!

I was a little worried by this sign. I would expect to see a sign like this in a third-world country. They have a hard time with our verbal nouns. But at a hotel in Ohio? Someone should have caught it!

An Opportunity

2006-12-17T15:37:00.000-05:00

On Friday I got the opportunity to go with a friend from work to see an evangelistic movie. Some Christian friends of hers had invited her, and she couldn't think of anyone that would be interested in going besides me. It was neat. The movie was made by two local guys, and this was their "premiere." They even had a "red carpet" made out of table runner! The most important thing, though is that my friend heard the Gospel presented clearly both in the movie and in the presentation afterwards. I had been praying for opportunities with her and God just dropped one in my lap!

2006-12-07T14:28:00.000-05:00

Today, so far, we've gotten six inches of snow. This is the second snow of the winter. Tuesday we got about two inches, but that two inches disrupted traffic like crazy. It took me forty-five minutes to go fifteen miles on the interstate. I was half an hour late to work. The stupid thing was that the road was salted, so it was just wet. But, the traffic was still going only 10 miles an hour, stop and go. I was glad that dad took me out Sunday to practice getting into first gear! I'm pretty comfortable driving stick now. It makes driving an automatic seem boring!

Here It Is!

2006-11-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

A Set of Wheels

2006-11-27T22:54:00.000-05:00

I am now the proud owner of a 2000 Honda Accord EX. It's black with tan interior, and it's a manual transmission! Scary! Pictures to follow.

Buckeyes Rule!

2006-11-18T23:57:00.000-05:00

What a game! 'Nuff said. Sorry Dan! (Not!)

Potpourri from the Week

2006-11-17T00:06:00.000-05:00

Some things that have been happening: (Wasn't that a completely non-colorful verb?)

On Sunday at our College and Career fellowship, Rachel B. and I beat Zak and Anthony in four straight games of pool. We were very proud of ourselves. (They did help us by scratching, but we were winning at the time!) I think my pool-playing, through no fault of my own, has actually improved since that time in college when LoBe beat three of us (Christine, Pitchford, and me) who were teamed against him even though we cheated blatantly! These games were much better played. Or maybe our opponents weren't as good this time!

Last week's most exciting event was my getting stranded on the side of the highway fifty feet from my exit! The traffic was backed up a mile and a half, and after creeping along, stop and go, for 20 minutes, my car got tired and quit. Thankfully, I was able to restart it long enough to get to the shoulder. Also thankfully, I was able to call Dad who came and got me! I really need a new car, though!

Tuesday, my baby brother turned 13. Now there are four teenagers in my house! I can't believe these kids are so old and grown up. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was spending all my time babysitting toddlers! I'm glad the Lord has allowed me to be at home these last few years to get to share in my brothers and sisters' lives and get to know them as people, not little kids.

And, last but definitely not least, the countdown to The Game stands at 39 hours and 4 minutes! Go Buckeyes!

A Note from the Grammar Police

2006-11-12T00:53:00.000-05:00

I just saw a sign that said: "Thank You Veteran's." Argh! Plurals do not get apostrophes, people! Only possessives get them! The really sad thing was that this message was on the sign board for our local elementary school! What are they teaching kids there, I wonder? I guess that explains the sorry state of grammar usage in our country today. If the schools don't get it right, who will?

Okay, I'm done. Thus ends my little rant. I know most of you are about to fall asleep right now because you simply don't care. But a few out there will sympathize with my feeling of horror at seeing this bit of mangled punctuation.

(S)nooooo(w)!

2006-10-25T01:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning I had to scrape an inch of snow off my car before I could go to work.

(The preceding sentence should be understood to be hyperbole. The snow was neither an inch thick, nor did I actually have to scrape--a gentle brushing did the job. However, the hyperbolic references should be taken as indicative of my attitude towards the snow!)

In my opinion it is much too early for snow. Actually, I've a better idea: since fall is apparently now over, let's just skip this whole winter thing and head straight to spring! Any takers? Please, God, let this be my last winter in Cleveland!

Surrender & Sacrifice

2006-10-22T13:50:00.000-04:00

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" (Romans 12:1). I've been studying through Romans recently and I just came to chapter 12. It was tempting to breeze past the first two verses because I've known them for so long. However, when I started to study them, the Holy Spirit showed me some things that made me see the verses in a whole new light. (Funny how that happens!)

Here's what I learned: the mercies of God in context with chapter 11 have to do with Salvation. Our response to the fact that God has saved us should be worship. This worship should express itself in sacrifice. When Paul talked about sacrifice, he was conjuring up the picture of an animal sacrifice. The Jews of old offered burnt offerings and sacrifices not just for sin and atonement, but to show their gratitude to God. (Our sacrifice cannot be for atonement because Christ has done that once for all; therefore, it must be a sacrifice of worship.) Our sacrifice is a living one--our bodies. So, the offering up of one's body to God should not be an act of duty, but a "service of worship" in light of God's vast mercy.

The Play's the Thing

2006-10-21T12:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I accompanied Rachel B. to see Love's Labour's Lost at Playhouse Square. She had to see it for a class she's taking in college and she couldn't get anyone else to go with her to see Shakespeare. I, however, love Shakespeare. It amazes me that something written so many hundreds of years ago can still be so totally hilarious! (Of course, you do have to work to understand what they're saying, but if the acting is well done, you can infer a lot of meaning from their vocal expression and body language.) I still have yet to see a Shakespearian drama set in Shakespearian times. This one was set in the 1920's. And anyone that thinks our time period is the only one to produce bawdy comedies rife with innuendo hasn't seen anything by Shakespeare! I assume actors and directors in our time capitalize more on those elements than did directors and actors in say, Victorian times! But, it's all really there in the original. All in all though, it was fun. I do love a good play.

Speaking of which, Kerith and I (and anyone else we can get to go) are going to see Les Mis on Broadway in February!! We are so excited. We always told each other that if it ever came back to Broadway, we were going. We assumed, of course that it would come back in 20 or so years, when we'd both be old and gray! But, here it is, and we're really going! Yes!

California Dreamin'

2006-10-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

On Monday, I finally bit the bullet and called Biola university. Some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, so let me digress. If you'll refer back to my post from July 26, you'll see that I was unable to get into the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) because Northland Baptist Bible College, where I did my undergrad, is not regionally accredited, but is accredited through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a private group. So, the Lord closed that door. However, soon after I found out about that problem, I received in the mail an advertisement for Biola University in Los Angeles, CA. The more I read about their program, the more interested I became. But, I was a little worried by my experience with GIAL. So I emailed Biola to ask if they recognized TRACS accreditation. That was several weeks ago, and I had yet to hear back. I really hate calling people I don't know on the phone. I will do everything I can to avoid it. That's one reason I love the internet! But, I finally called on Monday. I had to leave a voicemail, but I heard back last night. They do accept TRACS. So, I'm ready to send in my application. This is very exciting because it finally feels like my life is coming out of "pause" and starting to move again!

Perhaps at this time next year I could be in California! (Yes! No more snow!) We'll see how the Lord leads. I would appreciate your prayers as I move forward in this next step in my life.

Frustration

2006-10-09T15:53:00.000-04:00

I'm in the process of looking for a new (to me) car. I'm not picky, I just want the newest car with the lowest mileage in my price range (which isn't a huge amount, but is respectable). I don't want a car payment.

As is my habit when making a big purchase, I ask advice from a lot of people. What's frustrating is all the contradicting advice I'm getting--not just from salesmen (I'd expect that.), but from everyone. "Don't buy a foreign car." "Toyotas and Nissans are great cars." "The Neon has a great customer satisfaction rating." "The Neon falls apart at 70,000 miles." "You want a V6." "A four cylinder is more practical." "A dealership will be able to get you a better deal." "Private sellers can offer a lower price." "Dealership X is trustworthy." "Dealership X's salesmen are a bunch of lying cheats."

Do you sense my frustration? And no, I'm not asking you all to leave me more advice. I'm just venting. Actually, I'm just praying that the Lord will make it clear to me which car to get. I really need His direction.

If you recognize in this rant advice you've personally given me, please don't take offense. I really do appreciate the input (I probably even solicited it!), I'm just confused by all the contradictions!!

Query

2006-10-04T16:43:00.000-04:00

How do you witness to someone that grew up in a "Christian" home and went to a "Christian" high school that focused only on externals? This girl's only memories of that school are that they made her family get rid of their TV and that she got in trouble for talking about wanting to wear pants when she grew up. She married a Catholic guy right after high school and likes to point out that her friends that married "good Christian guys" are all divorced now and she's still married. What do you say to her? Any suggestions?

Some Blackmail Pictures

2006-09-28T21:51:00.000-04:00

A week ago in AWANA we had "twins night." All the kids had to find someone to dress alike with in order to get extra points. Rachel and I went as each other's twin. I thought we did a pretty good job of looking alike! We also did a pretty good job of looking dorky! Kerith and Amber, on the other hand, managed to look classy as usual! And Zak and Anthony were pretty funny. Anthony even dyed his hair to "match" Zak. Everyone got pretty creative, and the kids had fun!

This is a Test, This is Only a Test

2006-09-27T23:13:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here posting to my blog from my PDA! This is cool! WiFi is a pretty neat invention.

Today is my little sister's birthday. I can't believe she's 16!

Otherwise all that's happening in my life is work, work, and more work! The money is trickling in for grad school, though, so I can't complain.

I Don't Understand

2006-09-23T00:54:00.000-04:00

My job is very repetitive. Closing on a Friday night is just like closing on every other Friday night throughout the year. Every once in a while there's an exceptionally busy night, but otherwise, we know what to expect. So, I don't understand why managers and employees get so upset when things happen. Shouldn't we expect by now that we will be insanely busy between 6 and 8? Shouldn't we expect people to come through the drive-through and have no idea what they want and sit there for five minutes trying to decide while the line backs up around the building behind them? Shouldn't we expect people to show up at 10:30 and order massive amounts of food just when we're trying to get everything closed down? Shouldn't we expect to have to do the same cleaning jobs that we do every night? Why then does everyone have to grump and yell and swear when these expected things happen? It doesn't change the situation, it just makes everyone have a worse night. These expected things don't upset me as much as they do everyone else, although it's hard to keep a good attitude when everyone around you is ticked. Actually, I do understand why I can stay joyful and why they all act this way. They don't have the peace of God guarding their hearts and minds. He definitely makes all the difference.

Enough venting. On a lighter note, my PDA is at the UPS facility in the next town over. However, they don't deliver on Saturdays, so I'll have to wait till Monday to get it.

Another Leap Forward in Technology

2006-09-21T20:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I bought myself a PDA. Some of you know that I've spent the last couple of weeks debating over whether to buy a Palm or Windows version. I finally decided on the Palm TX. Really from what everyone told me and from everything I read, the only real difference between the two options was that the Windows-based models tended to run a little more slowly. Plus, my dad has a Palm, and my brother bought one the same time I did. They influenced my decision just a little bit! So, whenever it gets here (The one disadvantage of shopping online is waiting for stuff to arrive!), I'll have a way to keep track of the loose details of my busy life!

AWANA Begins

2006-09-19T17:34:00.000-04:00

Our church started its AWANA program last Wednesday night. Once more I am the director of T&T (3rd-6th grade). We were excited by the turnout. We had 12 kids in T&T, 10 in Sparks, and 3 in Cubbies, for a total of 25 kids! (Last year we had an average of 15!) About 7 of those kids were non-church kids, several from unsaved homes. It's going to be great to see how God works in their lives as they memorize His Word this year.

Where Were You on 9/11?

2006-09-12T00:32:00.000-04:00

I was in college. I first heard about the attacks on the WTC as I was finishing up my first hour class--Missions, with Mr. Cushman. Mrs. Cushman came over to the ERC building to tell her husband about it; all that I really heard was something about an airplane and a building in NYC. It sounded like some freak accident at that point.

Then, I went straight into my second hour class with Dr. Lindsay. He was talking about its being a terrorist attack, but even he didn't seem to grasp the significance. He was making jokes about being safe from attacks because no one would want northern Wisconsin.

We got out of class a little early, and I walked down the stairs into the lobby of the ERC to see the big-screen TV set up and showing broadcasting live from New York. That was about 9:45 Central Time, or 10:45 Eastern, which was when the second tower fell. The image of people fleeing in terror as the smoke and dust of the collapsing building seemed to chase them through the streets has been permanently etched in my mind. We all just stood there in the lobby and watched the TV as they showed over and over the plane hitting the second tower and the towers collapsing one by one. The other image burned into my mind even today is that of the people leaping out the windows of the towers and falling to their deaths to escape the fire and terror in the buildings.

By the time chapel started at 10:00, the significance of the events had begun to sink in. I remember the dead silence in the chapel as Dr. Horn explained what had happened for those who hadn't yet heard. Then, slowly the sound of quiet tears could be heard throughout the room. We had no more classes that day, and I remember simply alternating between watching the images from the day on the news and crying out to God, "Why?"

I remember, too, watching President Bush address the nation that night. I remember thanking God that George W. Bush had been elected instead of Al Gore. I remember the way the President described how our world had changed, that a new kind of war had begun. I remember the feeling of having been personally attacked and assaulted, even though I knew no one who had died that day. And I remember the feeling of vulnerability to realize that something of this magnitude could happen to America.

Today, five years later, although we all vowed at the time to "never forget," time has healed many of those wounds and quieted those feelings. In many ways, life in America has returned to normal, especially for those of us who have lost no family or friends in this War on Terror. Part of the reason for our returned feelings of security is due to those who are giving there lives to achieve it. And, our security is also due to those men and women who are working behind the scenes to foil those who would attempt to attack us again. They deserve our thanks.

However, I think one of the greatest lessons that 9/11 taught me is that my ultimate security is in Christ. Although our country was proved to be vulnerable that day five years ago, our God is a Strong Tower where we can run to be safe.

It Must be Fall

2006-09-08T01:54:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time for school to start, leaves to turn colors, and allergies to act up. I spent most of the morning resting because my allergies were causing me to have a headache, itchy eyes, runny nose, and sore throat. Not fun. I guess I will be living on Claritin D until we get our first frost and whatever it is that I'm allergic to is killed. Next year, hopefully, I won't be in Cleveland though, so maybe I won't have to deal with this again. Of course, whatever it is I'm allergic to may be wherever I am as well. I can only hope it won't be.

Indians Sweep Royals

2006-08-15T23:09:00.000-04:00

I got to go to Jacob's Field for the first time. Back when the Indians were doing well, you had to buy tickets way in advance or they were all sold out. Then, after tickets started being available, I was always busy. Last year my family could not find a home game to which all of us had free time to go. Crazy schedules!

Anyway, Anthony (2nd from left) knows a guy with season tickets 20 rows up behind home plate. They were great seats. And the Indians won 13-0! It was an exciting game, especially in the first inning when we scored 11 runs! (Side note: why do we use second person when describing our favorite sports teams? Are we secretly living a fantasy in which we are a part of the team? Or are we just taking credit for their win? Hmm.) It was definitely a good game (and good seats) to choose as my first visit to Jacob's Field!

Same Old, Same Old

2006-08-15T22:58:00.000-04:00

I don't really have much to report. The days march on--work, sleep, and church. That's my life. Dad and Jared got back from Hong Kong. I really would have liked to have been there! Grandma and Grandpa are visiting from Florida to see a friend of the family/semi-relative who is passing away. I haven't yet heard back from Biola. (I sent asking for info about their grad program--first step to applying.) Went to an Indians' game Sunday afternoon. They actually won! That's all the news here. Normally when I have nothing to say I say nothing, but I felt like I needed to post something!

Too Hot for Ya?

2006-08-04T01:32:00.000-04:00

Okay, so it's been hot in the midwest this week. Everyone and his cousin Suzy has seen fit to declare that fact on his blog it seems. So, I didn't want to be left out. I shall join the crowd and declare that it was hot this week. Our highest day showed temperatures of about 95 degrees. However, the heat index (which is kind of the opposite of the windchill factor) was something like 105. In this weather, even I, the most thin-blooded person around, start to feel hot. I say "start to feel" because it'd have to get about 10 degrees warmer before I'd consider it really hot. I know, I'm weird. Chalk it up to God's preparing me for Asia! If I had my way, we wouldn't be running air conditioning anywhere--home, work, or church. I actually take a sweatshirt with me to work to keep warm in the air conditioning! Again, that all perfectly fits in with SE Asian temperatures!

Closed Doors

2006-07-26T22:23:00.000-04:00

Well, the Lord has seen fit to rearrange my plans and redirect my life. I had been planning to attend the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics in Dallas to pursue a masters in Applied Linguistics. Eventually I would like to work in a Bible translation ministry. However, the accreditation board that accredits them does not recognize the accreditation board that accredits Northland. (Try saying that sentence five times fast!) So, I'm unable to go there. I have several others schools I'm looking at, but it's kind of hard to readjust my thinking. I had all my plans figured out in my head, and now they're not going to happen. I do trust that the Lord's in control. He knows what His plan is for my life, even though I can't yet see it. It was not an accident that I went to Northland. I know that was where He wanted me to be. And He will direct me to my next step as well. As Pastor reminded me, "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread" (Psalm 37:23-25). So that is where I am now. I would appreciate your prayers as I look at other schools, and I will keep you updated as the Lord leads.

Bibles International

2006-07-13T22:50:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the closing service for Baptist Mid-Missions' annual conference. (My dad is director of communications at BMM.) Attending the conference were all missionaries currently in the country, plus all administrative staff. I was unable to go to any other services because of work, but my family members volunteered in various capacities. Tonight was a good one for me to go to because it was featuring the ministry of Bibles International, the Bible translation branch of BMM. I am currently waiting on the Lord's leading to take me into the field of Bible translation, specifically in the linguistics and literacy area. It was neat to see people I know from that organization, including some that were my teachers in college. It also brought tears to my eyes to hear stories of people who finally received God's Word in their own language. With two-thirds of the world's over 6,000 languages not having any Scripture verses at all, translation work is greatly needed. Praise God that He is working to bring His Word to people around the world.

Are You Old?

2006-07-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

There's a story going around about a company in the UK that decided to generate a high-pitched noise outside their store to discourage teens from loitering there. Apparently, as we age, our ability to hear higher frequencies goes. The adults couldn't hear the sound; teens could. However, the teens twisted things to their own advantage by using the sound as a ringtone so that their parents and teachers couldn't hear their phones ring! Want to test your ears? This is the best site I found that talks about the sound and gives examples of different frequencies. (You have to download the sounds to hear them.) I guess, despite the fact that no one can tell by looking at me, I really am getting up in years. I couldn't hear the upper frequency noises! Now if I could just get the rest of the world around me to figure out that I'm over 18. . . .

Trusting God

2006-07-09T15:31:00.000-04:00

I substitute-taught Sunday school this morning for the 1st-3rd grade class. (We missed you Rach!) The lesson was about Gideon. In preparing for the lesson, I was thinking about how we often condemn Gideon for his lack of faith. He had to be reassured over and over that God was really with him. First, he required the sign of the burnt offering from the Angel of the Lord. Then, we wanted the two different versions of the sign of the fleece. Finally (in next week's lesson!) he had to go down and eavesdrop in the Midionite camp to be reassured that God was working. All in all, not a very faith-filled guy. However, God didn't condemn him for a lack of faith; God was very patient with him. And, Gideon was even included in the "Hall of Faith."

I think one of the reasons behind this lies in where Gideon was coming from. He lived in a nominally "Yawehistic" culture. People still talked about God, but included Him in a pantheon of other gods which most notably included Baal and Ashteroth. Gideon himself, upon first meeting the Angel of the Lord, confirmed that all he really knew about God were the stories that "our fathers told us about." So, considering the lack of revelation Gideon had, maybe his lack of faith is more understandable. However, since we hold the complete cannon of Scripture in our hands, we have little excuse for not believing God. We know who God is and we can be convinced of what He can and will do. After all, "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb 11:1 NIV).

Family Celebration

2006-07-05T15:43:00.000-04:00

I really liked this picture of our friends and family celebrating the Fourth of July at our local fireworks display.

It was such a cool picture that I just had to share it with someone!

We had a great time listening to a brass band concert, playing Apples to Apples, eating s'mores, and, of course, watching the fireworks.

Couldn't Have Said it Better . . .

2006-07-05T01:30:00.000-04:00

Marvin Olasky from World Magazine expertly explains what liberty in America is supposed to mean.

How Embarrassing!

2006-07-05T01:07:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, our church's College & Career group was going to have a fellowship at Pastor's house after the evening service. When the service was over, Dad called me aside and asked if Jared and I could drop the younger kids off at home before we went to the fellowship because he had to have an emergency meeting. (Dad is one of our church's elders.) Our house is about 20 minutes south of the church. Pastor's house is about 15 minutes north of the church. So, dropping them off was not on the way. I was pretty upset. No, I was mad. I agreed to take them, but I gave the kids a hard time and snapped at them all the way home. About the time we pulled into the driveway, the Lord finally got through to me and I did confess my anger and apologize to the kids. Then, Jared said that he was going to run in and change, so I thought I would, too. I walked in the door and "Surprise!" the College & Career group was at my house for a surprise birthday party for me. (My birthday was Saturday.) So, I felt like a complete and total idiot for having gotten so upset at Dad and my brothers and sisters. But, it was a fun party, and they definitely got me!

Thoughts on Liberty for Independence Day

2006-07-04T13:40:00.000-04:00

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, "You will become free"?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.' " John 8:31-36

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." Galatians 5:13-18

Scary Moment

2006-07-02T15:10:00.000-04:00

On Thursday of this past week, I had an interesting experience. I got rear-ended coming off the interstate. I was easing forward to merge onto the main road, and the lady behind me ran right into me. There was a pretty horrible-sounding crunch, but there was no visible damage. I wasn't hurt, either, except that the garage-door opener flew off the visor and hit me in the head! We exchanged insurance information, and the cop that came to the scene didn't write up an accident report. So, overall, it was a pretty slight incident. But, it shook me up a bit.

Hello and Welcome

2006-07-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

Well, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. I had looked at blogs as kind of a fad, but now my little sister has one, so I decided it wasn't a fad anymore! I need to be up and hip!

Besides, I never have any time to talk to anyone anymore. (Those words look really weird together!) I get home from work at midnight each night and most of my friends wouldn't appreciate a chatty phone call at that time of night! So, I need a way to communicate with people on my time schedule. Here it is! I don't have a very exciting life, but every once in a while I have an original thought that I'd like to share. And, if you'd like to share back, I'd like to hear from you!

There's my intro. More to follow!