Crucified with Christ

 I hope ya'll had a wonderful Easter Sunday! Here in Oregon's Willamette Valley we had an unusually warm, sunny Easter. What a blessing! :) Even more of a blessing was getting to spend the whole day with different ones from the congregation. Not how we have typically spent our Easters in the past, but since grandma has been gone, holidays are a bit different in the family. We took a meal over to my grandpa's on Saturday instead.
 Sunday's service wasn't a specific Easter message, but a wonderful sermon all the same. I honestly kept forgetting that yesterday was Easter Sunday all last week and even up until the day itself. Some of that may have had a bit to do with how we did not get involved with all the typical things leading up to Easter - buying some of our favorite treats, getting in on all the sales, and so on. Personally, I wanted to get away from as much of the stereotypes of Easter as possible. I wanted to make the day simple. Every Sunday is about honoring the resurrection, and Easter Sunday is no different except for extra emphasis on that fact.
 Remember how I did those verses and such for the Christmas season? And how the day or so after I wrote about how that the birth of our Savior and Christmas isn't the end of the story? Well, I believe the very same thing is true for Easter. Many people have become disconnected from the real meaning of Easter and the fact that every Sunday ( especially communion Sunday ) is a celebration ( not like a party, but a remembrance ) of the resurrection for the Christian. And truly, every day should be a remembrance of what our Lord has done for us. Because we must die daily from our own thoughts and ways so that Christ in us may fulfill His perfect work, it is as being crucified with Him. Death signifying Life. A paradox, to be sure. However, there is no greater Truth than this.
 I've been remembering something that happened last Easter morning as we pulled out the driveway to go to church. It was pretty special, and I half wonder if it really was the Holy Spirit, just like the times in the Bible, but... right by our driveway was a white dove. We only have the grey doves now and then where we live. I even got a picture of it:

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
:) 

Tie Post

 I didn't intend to write a post, but after viewing and commenting on some blogs, I began to feel inspired. :) My main thought is on this: My life has gone through a lot of changes lately, many of them good. I have moved way outside my comfort zone to move towards the goal of getting a GED. This, in turn, has helped me with getting the courage up to receive professional help in writing a resume so I can go out there and hopefully get a job. My dad has been off work to recover from an injury. Two new families have begun to come to church and one couple have recently gotten married. Through all of these many things I have been overcome by the terror, the stress, the joy, and the blessings. What has kept me sane and solid in all this? Jesus.
 Right now I have a desktop picture of a rushing, turbulent river. I have captioned these words on it:

" Though the waters roar, I will be comforted.

I will rest in the shadow of His strength and the peace of His never-failing love.

The LORD is the Rock of my salvation. "

 The words just came to me when I saw the picture. It is something I have found to be so true. God is my anchor. He is my tie post. I need Him so much. When I see all the world around in such confusion, when I talk to my study partners, I realize how different I am. I thank God I am different. I don't want what I see and hear out there. It's a mess. Everyone seems to think they are somebody or that they have to do it themselves because no one else will.

 For me, the only times I experience real peace, real happiness, real love is when I talk to Jesus and He talks back to me. It is the times when I can get myself out of the way that I really receive from God. You see, God doesn't really actually need us. He didn't have to make an earth and put humans on it. He did though. He created us and loved us. So much so that He died for us. Loved us so much that He placed a need to be loved inside of us. He let go of Himself for us. We need to let go of us for Him. That's how it works. That's how you become anchored. Letting go of you and receiving Jesus Christ, the Word instead. 

~ Blessings ~

Down Time

 Well, I finally have an entire day in which I can do pretty much as much or as little as I want. YAY! I don't plan on partying too hard. ;D The fact that I'm tired from an awesome day yesterday might have something to do with that. The fact that I'm feeling a tad under the weather might also. :( Oh well, it gives me a double excuse. :D hehehe.
 So, I have been really busy with school stuff. I did SO much last week it's crazy. Besides my regular 1-4, Tues-Thurs class time, I managed to fit in some job search stuff, financial aide stuff, church stuff, family stuff...that's a lot of stuff. :D I can't even say for sure what was my busiest day. I think maybe Thursday, because I spent the morning working on some things and getting ready to go to a friend's house for the weekend, then I went to school early, then our family went out to dinner straight from school, then I went to my friends' house.
 Saturday was awesome because in the afternoon we went to a Lewis and Clark movie thing. I guess you could call it a documentary. Someone narrated while a movie played of scenery and people acting out parts of the expedition. It was at a imax type of thing with a huge screen. IT WAS SO AWESOME!! I kept thinking, " God, what an amazing God You are, making all this wondrous beauty. " as clips of breath-taking scenery were shown.
 Sunday after service we had a wedding reception for a couple in our church that got married recently. God had really blessed our church lately. We have been growing in number and in the Word. It has been truly amazing. We have two new families originally from the Congo, both with kids the ages of the families already at church. That's been a lot of fun. :)
 Well, that's what's been going on with me this past week. I think now I'm gonna do some emails then take a nap. Ahhh, what a life. :D :D

My Hectic Life ;)

 Whew! So here I am five minutes into Tuesday and finally getting around to posting. Hahaha, my weekend went nothing like how I thought it would. Starting with Thursday, the last four days ( five? i dunno, lol. ) have been major stress.
 Thursday I had a filling. As usual, it took me about as long to get set up and numb as it did to have them drill and fill, lol. At least this time they " only " had to shoot me with numbing juice twice. And the second time it actually worked! Whaddya know. :D Anywhoo, that numbing stuff knocked me out for a day. Always does. :(
 Friday I had my assessment test. I could safely say it was one of the most stressful mornings of my life. But, I made it. And made it well, if I do say so myself. Got the highest score you can get for the essay and pretty close to the highest you can get for reading comprehension and basic math testing. Thing was, I had to hit the ground running right after, with errands, packing for a busy weekend, and dinner at my pastor's family's house ( at which I stayed for the weekend ).
 Saturday. Saturday was crazy and long. I had brought ingredients with me to make a healthy dessert for the get-togethers we were having over the weekend. Cute little single-serve cheesecakes. Plan A failed. So, I created Plan B. That made for a less-than-perfect morning in which I exercised an amazing amount of self-control. The afternoon brought mom and dad to help me clean the church because it was our turn and dad had hurt himself at work and could barely walk ( more on that later ).  The evening brought a ( LONG ) get-together with the musicians and song leader  ( my dad ) and their families to learn new songs that are on our new projector thingy we have.
 Sunday was our Communion Sunday. Those are the Sundays we have two services and a potluck in between. Sunday morning had to be another one of the most stressful mornings of my life, but in a little bit different way than on Friday.
 See, my dad had pulled something in his lower back on the right side at work last week and the pain had gotten steadily worse and spread over a larger area, down his Siatic nerve. He'd been limping around. Well, he collapsed on the front steps when he and mom had gotten home Saturday night. I was worried and concerned. Sunday morning my mom got hold of me early and told me they were not going to be there because dad could hardly get out of bed. So, I had a hard morning worrying about him and trying not to freak out about what was going to happen next and all that. Thankfully, God really gave me a touch in the service and a great peace came over me.
 Since then I have tried to hold on to that peace. It's been a hard battle. Today I went ( at first, against my will and by parental command ) to a Introduction program for a Lab class to help me get ready to take my GED ( I had the option of skipping that and going straight to doing the pre-tests or the GED itself since I did so well, but I get credits if I go to this Lab thing and mom wanted me to get the credits ). Right after that we were out all afternoon and evening running dad here and there to appointments etc...
 Tomorrow I start this class thing three days a week for three hours and dad has Chiro appointments three times a week as well. Here just a week ago I was complaining that my life at home was so boring and there wasn't enough to keep me busy when I'm home, verses at someone else's home helping with their kids. Well, those days are over for at least the next six weeks, and if I find a job soon, over for a long time.
 Right now, I think I'm going to collapse and sleep for forever. :D 'Night folks.