Playing Catch-up

 Yes, I know it has been much too long since I have posted. I haven't even taken the time to pop by and mention that I am finished with my GED. So naughty :P. Here are my scores:

 Writing - 710/800
 Science - 560/800
 Social Studies - 630/800
 Math - 590/800
 Reading - 710/800

 Total Score - 3200 / Average - 640/800

 So there ya go. ;) Guess I did pretty well. Should be getting my certificate in the mail in a couple weeks. After that, all that's left is a couple other seperate tests so I can claim my 6 free credits for taking the study class. My financial aid application is in. I've applied for another job - haven't heard back on that yet though.

 Another exciting thing is I have applied for a passport card at long last! :D That's because I ( Lord willing ) will be traveling with my pastor's family ( the Cobbs ) up to Canada in May. He has been invited to speak at a church's graduation youth banquet up there and the whole family is going and they invited me to join them! :) SUPER excited about that. :D The only thing that would keep me from going is if I get hired for a job and the employer doesn't agree with letting me have time off so soon. But I'm praying that won't happen. :)

 This past week I was at Cobbs' for a few days - the first time in awhile that I've been able to stay more than just a day or two since studying for my GED. Anna, who is 11, and I went with another lady from church to the coast for a whole day. THAT was awesome fun. :D A relaxing girl's day out, doing whatever whenever we felt like it. Stopping at random places, exploring, eating unhealthy, and shopping. I didn't get a ton of pictures, and most of them are of scenery, but I will post them anyway. I can't tell ya how much I LOVE the coast. It is comforting and beautiful, breathtaking and heady. I never get tired of going. I also think I was in such bliss the whole time that I smiled the whole day, lol. We did a ton of walking though, so a bath to sooth the aches and kinks was in order when we got home. Without further ado, here are some pictures:

Crab Shell

Thought this piece of seaweed was pretty

Lincoln City Bay

Sculpture outside a gallery we visited.

Fishy stepping stones! Cute! :D

Fish sculpture on gallery building 

Ocean by Depot Bay

Natural Caves by Depot Bay

More natural caves along coast

Bridge between new and old town Newport

Thought this shot was kinda neat

Newport harbor

Sunset over Basket Slough - almost home :)


The End

Finish the Course

 YAY! I am doing a happy dance inside because this is my last week of " school "! Tomorrow morning I will be getting up outrageously early ( like, 7 am ) to get ready to go take my third GED test ( writing ). Later on, I will go back for science. Wednesday and Thursday I will have my last two study sessions. Saturday I will have my last test, which will be math. Then I am done! That is such a great feeling. I have learned SO much by going to these " classes " and am thankful I was able to have this opportunity.

 I titled this post ' Finish the Course ' for a much greater purpose than just to talk about how I am in the home stretch for getting my GED. When I said that I had learned a lot, I meant it. I not only learned about academic things, but I learned things about myself and about the Lord. Here is a verse that has always meant a lot to me:

" Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 3:13-14

 I guess that was two verses. :) Anyway, one thing I have definitely learned is that we have to press on. Don't look back. Yes, learn from the past, but do not dwell on it. Reach on ahead to what Christ holds out for you.

 This past week has been one of tremendous struggle. Struggling to hold on to Christ in the middle of being around a worldly atmosphere. Struggling with attitudes and temptation.There were times I was so raw. To be even more honest, I am not yet through those times. It has shown me many things. How much I need to depend and rely on God completely. Talking to Him about whatever, whenever. Reading my Bible more. Thinking about my Lord more, making Him welcome in my day-to-day living.

 In Wednesday's service last week, a particular verse jumped out at me. I took it to heart. It burned, but it also healed.

" For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. " Philippians 2:21

 I realized that one reason why I had been struggling so hard was because I had begun to seek my own way instead of my Lord's way. I repented and asked God to forgive me. Now I seek to earnestly contend for the faith and press toward the mark so that I may finish this life having lived worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For who am I? I am nothing. But I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. When I am beaten down, I can come to Jesus. When I need victory, I can come to Jesus. When I have overcome, I will go to Jesus.

I know no creed but Christ, no truth but the gospel. 

~ Amen ~

Birthday Fun

 Sunday was LOTS of fun! We had a potluck between services and celebrated the many birthdays we had among the congregation. There were three just on Sunday itself! It was a perfectly sunny, warm day with bright blue skies. Pizza and cake, kickball and tag... :) Here are a few pictures, including one of me and my newest little shadow, Rehema ( Esther ).

Rehema and Me :) <3

All lined up for cake! :)

Promesse - SOOOOOOOOO CUUUUUTE!

sisters, Jaedyn and Jira-Lily

The End
:)