Life in the Attic

The Land of The Snow People

2010-01-18T04:58:00.005-06:00

As I was working on my winter wonderland, I stumbled unto something amazing. Right there in my very own attic, I found a portal to another world, the world of the snow people. To my amazement I found myself having a conversation with a snowman! Although, I was corrected on that word fairly quickly (aparently, they prefer snowpeople, its more politically correct.) The snow people shared with me some of the mysteries of their land. I couldn't believe how warm it felt, and how it could be that people made of snow weren't melting, but then they informed me that the portal actually allowed me to feel the snow and cold the way the snow people feel it. Too bad I can't have that power in the frigid Minnesota weather. This time of year the land of the snowpeople is pretty empty as most of the inhabitants come to Minnesota for vacation on people's lawns, but some of the snow people stay and give tours to people like me who find the portals. It is quite an educational experience. Feel free to stop by and see the drifts and the beautiful display of lights, but be warned the snow people will not speak to visitors who do not reside in the house containing the portal. Also, they told me the portal will close before the end of winter, and will never be able to be opened again.....and people say adults have no imagination. ;)

Par-tay

2010-01-18T04:38:00.002-06:00

It appears that for me anyway, January is the month to party. I have only one weekend in the month that does not have party going on, and that weekend has already past. So far it has been a fun month. I went to my nieces' birthday party the first weekend. It was complete with ice cream and cupcakes. You really can't go wrong there. This past Saturday, I threw a party at my house. Junk food, goofy friends, and group games that can turn the most mature and serious person into a ranting lunatic. Catch Phrase is a fun group game, by the way. Next Saturday, the guys I used to work with are throwing a party. I can't wait to see them. It has been a month of parties, friends, and fun. It looks like it will continue through at least until the end of the month. The grand finale is going to be the return of the slumber party! It has been 5 months since the last one, but I am finally getting around to having the second. It is pretty amazing how many parties and other social events you can fit into your schedule when you are not working 80hrs a week! I even started working out regularly, had lunch a couple of times with friends, and got to visit with some friends in their homes. God has not only provided me with more rest and more free time, He has also provided me with things to do in my free time. As always, God is good!

Winter Blessings

2010-01-09T02:06:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to write a post sharing a few things God has done for me this winter. I wrote about my getting stuck in the snow, and how 5 guys from church got me out, in my last post. I also received significant help through the snow and cold on two other occasions since then. On Monday morning, I tried to start my car outside of work only to find that I couldn't. A girl I work with tried to give me a jump to no avail. After many tries, I went ahead and called Dave, my automotive troubleshooter and mechanic. Dave came out to my work, in the very frigid negative degree weather and worked on getting my car to start. When that didn't work, Dave and his dad, Carl, towed my car to their shop to let it warm up. Carl, and his wife Carrie, invited me to their house for breakfast while we waited for my car to warm. Try to get that kind of service from your average auto shop. By the time we came back from breakfast, my car was warm enough to start, and I got to go home to my nice warm bed. :) The other occasion took place on Thursday. After a few more inches of snow had fallen the night before, I tackled the task of shoveling out my walkways and driveway. Shortly after starting to clear my drive, a man clearing the nearby apartment parking lot saw me shoveling. I have never met the man, but he drove his skid loader over and in a matter of a minute or two he cleared the driveway that would have taken me about a 1/2 hr to clear. It is amazing the way God takes care of me. All this to say: Thanks and praise, to the sovereign God, who through various life circumstances, not only provides tests and trials that produce patience and equip us for every good work (James 1), but also provides the way of escape, and the grace to go through these tests and trials to the glory and honor of His name. He even works in the heart of sinful man to will and to do His pleasure, and to accomplish His purpose, which is ultimately to bring glory to His name, and sometimes more immediately to help someone out of the snow. The interweaving of God's plan is so detailed and perfect. The God who caused the snow and the cold is the same God who provided the help to overcome it. A help out of the snow may seem pretty minor compared to many of life's trials, and in many ways it is, but the principle and the picture are the same. God's "way of escape" is sometimes harder than others, but He always provides one, and no situation is out of God's control.

Belated New Year, Stories from 2009

2010-01-06T02:58:00.005-06:00

Well, here we are almost an entire week into the new year and I am just now getting around to posting something about it. As someone pointed out to me just yesterday, I need to update my blog more often. I can not believe it is 2010. It seems that every year goes by faster than the year before, which is funny because there are still times that life seems to really drag on, but it still happens so fast. My reflections on 2009 are not much different than my list of things to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. What is funny is that although I am often very busy, and going a week (or sometimes a few days) without talking to my closest friends usually leaves me with many stories and events to fill them in on, when I make it to the end of this crazy eventful year, I look back and think, "what did I do all year?" Sometimes it seems that life is so busy that I lose track of what even happened, but I do remember some events from the year. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stories from my year 2009: I started the year living in my attic apartment, with no job and nothing to do all day, but apply for jobs and workout. By the end of January I started a new job working at a group home. It was the first job offer I received, which is why I took it. The job didn't pay enough to cover my bills by itself, and on my first day I decided I wanted to quit. A month later I was still working there, and I started to like the job a little bit, and because of changes in employees I consistently had overtime for 5 months which more than covered my bills. Almost immediately after my overtime hours went away, God provided me a job working overnights at Walmart (which also gave me my 1st secondary paycheck just in time to pay my 1st mortgage payment). The day after my 1st night at Walmart, I got a call from another company, which I interviewed for. God provided me with another job that paid more than either one of my current jobs. The amazing thing is, not only did God provide me with jobs, and overtime when I needed it, but the very same job that I was planning to quit on my first day had become so special to me that I worked between 60 and 100 hrs almost every week for 5months rather than quit. God used me to make a significant impact on the people that I took care of, gave me opportunities to witness to co-workers, helped me get a slightly better awareness on the needs of people around me, and gave me some much needed friends all through this job that I originally didn't like. Good example of why I want God in control of my life instead of me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In May I took a walk, and saw a house that I was interested in buying and called the realtor on the for sale sign. A week later I was waiting anxiously for a few days to be preapproved for a mortgage so I would be able to put an offer in on a different house before someone else beat me to it. The day I was able to put my offer in the bank had dropped their asking price a few thousand dollars. God's timing is so perfect. Approximately 1 month later, I closed on my house after jumping through several hoops. I wound up closing just under a week before I had to be out of my apartment, which I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to close by that time until a week before. Again, God's timing. By the time I closed on my house, God had provided almost all my furniture for the house, and He also provided friends to move and store my furniture. I have now lived in my house for approximately 6months. I had to replace the float in my toilet, and put the face back on a kitchen drawer, but my house was in pretty good shape. I have since caught 3bats, had one bat fry a circuit board in my furnace, had to use an auger on my toilet (never heard of one before I bought it), had my upright freezer break, just recently had my bathroom sink stop up suddenly and ,after an entire bottle of draino type gel failed, I jiggled a chain thing in the back of the sink and it worked. God provided the money and the resources to fix all these problems, and to pay more than the minimum on my mortgage. God also provided me with some extraordinary friends, who helped me a great deal by doing an insane amount of tree trimming and pruning, which was needed because of the jungle growing on my house. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My final story of 2009 took place on December 30Th. After spending a few hours playing games with church members at our New Year's party, I left to go work a shift that I originally was not scheduled to work. A couple miles out of town a semi trailer was blocking almost the entire road. There was however, just enough space to drive around the semi. Unfortunately there was a bit to much snow and ice on the edge of that opening, and after some spinning tires and some driving a foot forward and then a foot backward I managed to get my car completely stuck in a big pile of snow. I made a phone call to a friend at church, and approximately 10min later 5 men from church were there working on getting my car back on the road. I don't know why exactly God chose for me to get stuck, but I have no doubt that He caused me to be on that road at that time, and to get stuck where I did. Just as He provided the men to get me out of that snow, and worked in their hearts to want to come dig me out in the middle of a very cold evening. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are many more stories and subplots of 2009, but those are some of the examples of things God has done in my life over the past year. I ended the year in my house, with one job that pays more than any other job I've ever had, and with new friends to hang out with and a play to work on during some of my newly aquired free time. I have been the recipient of tremendous blessing this year, and God has directed my path down roads I would never have thought to take. He has provided over and above my needs, and yet again I end another year as a totally different person than the year before. I wonder what God will do this year.

Christmastime

2009-12-24T02:46:00.002-06:00

Well, it is that time of year again. Its Christmastime. I've done all my shopping, and I'm planning to drive to my dad's when I get off work at 7am. I was thinking tonight about the complexity of the blessings and challenges of Christmas. I have been told that Jesus was most likely born in springtime, and that December 25th is just a random day that we have picked to theoretically celebrate His birthday, and with all the commercialism, Santa Clause, and plain old greediness that accompany the holiday some would argue it would be better to not celebrate the holiday. I'm going to look at the reverse side of the coin for this post. When I think of Christmas my mind goes in many different directions from the beautiful Christmas lights, to the crowded stores, to spoiled children asking for overpriced, unnecessary gifts, to families who only dream of being able to have gifts, and to children who only dream of having a family. It is a time of year when some people go out of their way to be nice, while others fight and argue and wrestle to get the last hot gift item for the year. It seems to be the best and worst time of year all rolled into one. At no other time of year do the needs and pitfalls of mankind seem so obvious, and the hurt and pain in the world is so deeply felt. The homeless and heartbroken and the over-privileged and greedy all people need the Savior. They need Jesus. While this time of year seems to bring out the worst in most people, it is such an opportunity to show God's love, to smile in the checkout line, while everyone else is grumpy and rude, to take in someone you know who has no place else to go, to cry with those who are hurting, and best of all to share the story of Christ's birth and the reason He came to earth at this one time of year when the taboo on talking about God is slightly less. Its one of the few times of the year that some people go to church, the Christmas programs and songs that give people a little nugget of God's truth and His word, and create a starting point for explaining God's gift to man. I see Christmastime as evidence of man's need for God and of God's amazing ability to turn the sinfulness of man into an opportunity to witness and bring glory to His name. So to quote the most commonly known verse from most church Christmas programs "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to men."

Recap of Last Week

2009-12-07T23:36:00.003-06:00

Well, last week was a fairly eventful week. Of course I worked more than enough hours. Outside of the basics of the week I had oportunity to get together with some friends throughout the week. Sunday, I went to church and after went out to eat at Hardees with a family from church and Connie R. Wednesday, after work, I watched Heroes at Sowers' house with Nikki and Dave. Thursday, after an unfortunate situation with a CLEP test, I enjoyed some good conversation mixed in with a meatloaf dinner, made by a new friend, and a few games of Boggle. Friday, I did some decorating. I worked on turning my upstairs rooms into a winter wonderland, a task which proved to be more difficult than I originally thought. I hope to post pictures of it if I ever finish :). I also made some homemade pizza! I had been craving it for about a week. I had Ben over and we ate pizza before going to a rather aweful play. After the play, we made up for the bad play by playing the wii and watching a movie. I love eventful weeks surrounded with friends! There you have my week in a nutshell. I hope your week was good as well.

Thanksgiving Day Thanks

2009-11-26T23:23:00.003-06:00

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 107:1, 118:1, 29, 136:1,3 This year I spent a big portion of Thanksgiving at the house of some very dear friends. It was a day smiles and tears, stories and fellowship. All surrounded with fabulous food, including Thanksgiving burritos! It sounds weird, but so amazing, (its buttered lefse with mashed potatoes and stuffing inside.) I also worked both of my jobs this Thanksgiving. In fact, I am at work now. During and after the events of today, I started thinking; what am I thankful for this year? If I were to list all of the things I am thankful for this post would never end, but I am going to list a few things. I am thankful for: the house God has provided me this year, the fact that my car still runs very well, that I have very special friends who love and care about me, and I got to spend part of the day with some of them, that in a time when we are constantly hearing about the bad economy, God has provided me with more jobs than I can even handle, that God gives mercy, strength, and peace when we need it most, and lastly for this list, I am thankful that God has blessed me with people in my life who are important enough to miss, and have left lasting impressions on my heart and life. Praise be to God! Happy Thanksgiving. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Play's the Thing

2009-11-21T03:37:00.002-06:00

Last night, I was able to attend the Sleepy Eye high school production of "It's a Wonderful Life." Leah, from The White Woods, played a main character in the play. It was a fun evening, and the cast gave an excellent performance. The romantic scenes between George and Mary were sweet. The famous line, "Every time a bell rings and angel gets his wings" was delivered by a very cute little girl with curly blond locks. Although the idea of this 2nd class angel being sent down to earn is wings, is not the picture of Biblical accuracy, the play does display the reality that your life, and the choices you make, have a big impact on the lives of the people around you. It was a very enjoyable evening, and I would encourage anyone reading to catch one of the remaining showings, if possible. Performances: Saturday, November 21 & Monday, November 23 at 7:30pm. See Leah's blog The White Woods for some behind scenes & preparation posts regarding the play.

Painting to the Glory of God

2009-11-21T01:15:00.007-06:00

Last weekend Cheryl from my church sacrificed 8hrs of her Saturday to help me transform the look of my upstairs room. We pulled down a border, spackled, scraped, primed, and double coated the walls in paint. All the while I talked her ear off again (same thing happened the previous weekend when I was helping her run a table at the women's expo.) believe it or not the blue was actually darker than it looks in these pictures. It was alot of work, but the company and the results made the effort worthwhile.

Who Really Plans Your Day? (Revised)

2009-11-06T02:51:00.004-06:00

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 Well, its Friday morning. We are nearing the end of the week, and I was thinking over the events of this week so far. Monday, I forgot what time I worked, and ended up being a 1/2hr late. Tuesday, I intended to print off a card to take to a visitation, but I was out of ink. Later, I went to the visitation to be a comfort and encouragement, and wound up crying more than the family, and did not have much to say. Wednesday, I tried to put ink in my printer to print off the card, and I think I managed to break my printer. (I'll have to look at it when I am not tired and frustrated to be certain.) I intended to go to a funeral on Wednesday, but after a long night of working and an hour of sleep I realized I would not be able to make it through the funeral and work. Thursday, I got off of work at 9 and intended to get up and lift weights and go to kickboxing class. Instead I slept for a few more hours, and got up in time to go meet a friend for dinner, followed by work, which I wasn't scheduled for until Thursday morning. Do you notice a pattern? As I was thinking about my week, and all my plans that had changed, and been frustrated, I was reminded that I am not the one who plans the events of my day. Similar to 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 I make plans with good intentions to follow through, but my yes is only yes if God wills, and my no, is only no, through Him. So many times I plan to accomplish my To Do List, and I fail. I am so grateful that God is the one who determines what needs to be done in a day. God's plan is perfect and never fails. No matter how many tasks are left unchecked on my list at the end of the day, His list is complete. And, He who works in us both to will and to do (Philippians 2:13), will always cause us to accomplish His will. Have you ever thought about that when you were running 10 steps behind yourself, trying to catch up, and everything seemed to be falling through the cracks? God is Sovereign. He causes all things to work together for good. Romans 8:28. He works all things after the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11.) And so no matter what we did not accomplish in a day was always meant to be undone that day. We have no reason to worry, or be concerned (for you Cheryl), about the items left on the list, because God chose for us to not accomplish them. The same is true at the beginning of a long crazy day. As you look at your plans and think, "There is no way I can possibly accomplish all that I need to get done today." I would submit that we are always able a prepared to accomplish everything we need to get done in whatever day we are in, by the grace of God. Although, there is often quite a difference between what we need to do and what we think we need to do. We may have some days that our To Do List matches God's Will Be Done List, but even then it is God who works in us both to will and to do. (Philipians 2:13). "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." Job 23:13-14 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 And yet another change of plans. I have to go before finishing this. More to come. Additions in blue. James 4:14-15 Proverbs 16:9 (Proverbs 19:21) Psalm 33:10-11 Proverbs 16:1,3, &9

Sorrowful Blessings and Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

2009-10-30T02:36:00.007-05:00

Wednesday night and into Thursday, I had the privilege of sitting in a hospital room as a man from my church, one of the best examples of consistent faith and love for God I have ever known, Stan, was brought home to be with God. There is nothing like the passing of a Christian. The combination of joy and sorrow. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18) Knowing that this person you have come to know and love, who has helped you to grow and to understand God and His will, and has made such an impact in the lives of others is not going to be around anymore. It is sad and sorrowful and yet joyous and beautiful to know that this same person is now with God. (2Corinthians 4:14-18 )He is face to face with the Saviour and can finally shed all the trials and struggles of this world and is like Him, because he can see Him as He is. (1John 3:2) I also had to give a little inside laugh and a smile as I heard my pastor pray, " we confess we are a little jealous."Because I had been thinking the same thing. And, I thought it many times after my mom died. How happy I was that she was there, and how much I wished I could just join them, and yet what a great joy and privelege to have opportunity to be used by God! I am so glad God has given us verses like these (2Corinthians 5:-9). I marvel at the wisdom of God. The amazing way He intertwines sorrow, joy, and peace. In our times of ease and prosperity we can and should give thanks and praise to God(1Thessalonians 5:18), and it is precious and gracious and beautiful that God allows us, sinful as we are, to praise His name. And yet, how much more amazing and precious and beautiful to see a person who has just lost the most important person in their life in the middle of their sadness and grief and tears, give thanks to God for that life. To acknowledge and praise His wisdom in both giving this life and in taking it away. I sat in that room and watched and listened as Connie, Stan's wife, talked about God's timing and power and how God was giving her peace (Philippians 4:7). As she sang with sincerity and peace about how God is not only God in happy times, but also sad, and how God makes the bad things in life good (Romans 8:28). I also witnessed this wonderful Christian woman as she stayed with her husband, despite exhaustion and lack of food. All the while encouraging the rest of us in the room to go lie down or eat something. The love God gave her for others overflowing even in her sadness (John 13:35). If you would please be in prayer for Connie, and the people around her as we grieve with her (Romans 12:15), and as we pass on our comfort to her (2Corinthians 1:3-4) And pray that God would use Stan's death to bring glory and honor to His name, just as He was gracious enough to do with Stan's life. 1Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will no fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Day by Day

2009-08-27T05:29:00.002-05:00

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till with Christ the Lord I stand

One Day WHEN You Are Married

2009-08-20T01:01:00.002-05:00

Those of you who are single I have no doubt you can relate to this, even if you do not agree with me on the subject. This is one of my pet peeves. I can not count the times someone has assumed that I will get married and oftentimes that my entire life up until that point is just preparation for becoming someone's wife. Although I realize the intentions of the person are almost always good, as a friend once told me "people know you are a really cool person and they want you to be happy and have companionship." (quite possibly not an exact word for word quote, but you get the idea.) I've heard it said, and wholeheartedly agree, that the strongest human bond is husband and wife. And, the Bible teaches us that marriage is to be honored and it is a picture of Christ and the church, Ephesians 5. So, of course it makes sense that marriage would be a common topic of conversation and a large part of life, but it is not a given, 1st Corinthians 7. Living life as a single person has trials that come with it for certain, but living life as a married person comes with its own set of trials. I admit I find myself thinking of the idea of marriage often, but a growing concern I have is that too many, girls more than boys, spend so much time focusing on the idea of being someone's spouse, and what their future spouse will be like that they lose focus on God and on how they can serve Him right now, right here, just the way they are. Another concern I have, keep in mind these are concerns for myself not just others, is that between our own ponderings of these things and the people around us encouraging the idea that marriage is a certainty in our lives, what is going to happen if God has chosen a different life for us? What if His plan for our lives is to be single? What if we spend 20 or 30yrs of our life planning to someday start our life as someone's wife instead of seeking to glorify God in whatever path He chooses to lead us on? Life does not start with your wedding day! Life is here, it is now! There is nothing wrong with learning to cook and clean and take care of family, for guys either. In fact, I would encourage everyone to do so, and to use those skills to take care of everyone around you. Your parents, your siblings, and other people God brings along your path, but I would encourage you, whatever you learn, do so with the idea that you want to use this to glorify God and to serve those around you, not with the idea that you have to learn this to train for the day you will be someones wife. I realize I have a tendency to be more independant than most people, partly by choice and partly by lack of alternative options, but keep this in mind too, it is a good thing to learn to work hard and with your hands. Having a job, even a physical one, is not reserved for men. Proverbs 31:10-31 talks about the virtous woman or wife. I am sure any Christian single woman reading this is at least somewhat familiar with this passage. It is often taught as an example of how Christian women should aspire to be, and rightfully so, but what I don't understand is how often we manage to miss the fact that this godly wife on top of taking care of her family at home, she also worked with her hands in a field, sold goods at the marketplace, and girded herself with strength. Too often the idea of what a lady should be is depicted has only cooking and cleaning and watching the kids, being the 'weaker vessel' which is true, but is not equivalent with being weak and danty. I challenge any girl or woman reading this to follow the example of the virtous woman or excellent wife depending on your translation. Whether you are married or single, learn to take care of the people around you. Learn a trade of some sort. Gird yourself with strength. Whether God's plan is for you to marry or be single, it will benefit you to learn to take care of yourself and others. While we are human, and God in His mercy and graciousness often shows us that we need help from others and cannot do things all alone, we also need to learn to depend on God, not on our fathers, brothers, or Mr. Right. God has given us arms and legs and muscles that can work and can grow strong and an ability to think and reason and we need to use these things to glorify God every bit as much as any man. It is natural and even ok to think about and wonder if and to whom we will get married someday, but we must remember that we are living today. Tomorrow and all our plans are in His hands. Our paths are His choice. Our dreams are not a given. Apreciate the growth God has brought into your life, and use the things He has taught you to glorify and serve Him.

Updates in the Life

2009-08-20T00:21:00.003-05:00

Hello out there in the blogging world. I realize I have not posted anything for a long time, and honestly I doubt I will be posting things very often, but just in case there are still a few people reading this blog here is an update on my life in the past 7months. Work, more work, stopped going to the gym, got a different boss and different coworkers, more work, trained people in, more work, work slowed down, bought a house and move out of the attic, had lots of people over to see the house and also had a super fun slumber party, started working at walmart on top of HSI, stopped working at walmart and started working for Greater Minnesota Family Services, cut back hours from HSI, and recently rejoined the gym. That is the extremely abreviated version of the last 7months I was not posting. I am currently working alot, sleeping some, getting to the gym occcasionally, missing church more than I'd like to, but enjoying my jobs and the opportunities they give me to learn, to serve others, to witness, to stop thinking about myself for a few minutes a day, and to challenge my thinking and understanding of others. (I am actually posting this from work.) Well, that's all for the update, I may become ambitous and post a real thought before the night's done, but no guarantees.

Rambling Life Observations

2009-01-27T18:55:00.001-06:00

I have noticed that my life seems to run in stages. Of course at anytime in one's life you would at least hope to be learning and growing etc. But it seems that for me at least I am always a completely different person (with my core beliefs still in tact)in completely different circumstances from one stage to another, and every stage seems to be marked by some location or activity-job, school etc. I am sure if stated differently most can relate. Its the answer to the question what do you do?. Once I was a student, and a basketball or volleyball player. Later I was a t-ball coach a sales rep and assistant mgr. I have been the vending machine girl, the kick boxer and many other titles. Its interesting how God leads a person through life, how one day you find yourself doing things you never would have imagined yourself doing. If your wondering what my point is in this rambling mess of thought, I'm not sure that I have one, but it is curious to me to see where God has led me, to try to remember who I was and how I thought and things I've done in comparison to how things are now. I am not who I used to be. I am not the person I will be. I wonder what the next chapter of my life holds, and yet I'm glad I don't know.

New Job

2009-01-27T18:33:00.004-06:00

For all those wondering about my job hunt I have found a new job. I started last week. I am working with four guys with developmental disabilities. Which of course is completely different from any job I've ever had before, as has been the case with every job I've ever had. I haven't totally decided what I think of this job yet, but its not bad, and I am still looking for another one as this one doesn't quite cover the bills, but it is nice to have something to do now.

New Year-New Kitty

2009-01-05T18:58:00.002-06:00

After a long hard year 2009 has had a happier start anyway. This is my new kitten. I haven't settled on a name yet. Meowser is not quite as thrilled as I am, but the two are entertaining to watch as they try to figure out how to get rid of each other.

Old West Pics

2008-12-24T11:02:00.010-06:00

Photos by Brent Mielke (the zooman). If you would like to have some old west photos taken, stop in at Studio 34 in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Christmastime In The Attic

2008-12-12T12:15:00.013-06:00

The view from my window

Warning to Cat Owners

2008-12-11T21:38:00.005-06:00

Last week one of my cats, Bandit, got ahold of a spool of thread. She ate half of it, was very sick for a few days, and after I took her to the vet, he found that the thread had cut through her intestines and he had to put her down. If you own a cat, I sugguest hiding thread. She was a sweet an loyal cat. I miss her.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T01:15:00.015-06:00

Yesterday as you all know was Thanksgiving. A holiday intended to remind us all to give thanks to God. I was giving some thought to an old question that usually comes up on this day every year. What are you thankful for this year? The basic answers are usually along the lines of a roof over our heads and food on the table. And we ought to give thanks for those things. But as my pastor pointed out this Wednesday we are to be thankful for all things. Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This is a concept I have been giving much thought to this entire year. When we look at the events in our day, how often are we truly thankful for ALL things? Are we thankful when our car doesn't start or when we stub our toe on the chair? This year, by the grace of God, I am thankful that my mom died. God brought her home to be with Him. I can't ask more for her than that. I am thankful for the opportunities to be a witness that God brought across my path as a result. I am thankful for the work He has done in my life through this. I am thankful for His mercy and comfort that He has given me to help me through. And the memory of going through this trial that is a wonderful reasource to help and comfort others in their trials. 2 Corinthians 1:4 I am thankful for my friends. They are wonderful people God has placed in my life, and they have thus far continued to talk to me no matter how completely crazy I get. I am thankful for my family. They are sometimes a handful, but I love them and through them God continues to teach me patience and understanding. I am thankful for the job that God has provided me in the past. Although I have not always been as thankful as I should. He provided me a job that paid more than I needed. I am also thankful that I was laid-off. I could continue forever I'm sure, but the point is God's plan for me isn't always easy, but its always good and always right. Through happiness and heartache, greetings and goodbyes, His plan is perfect and complete. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumkin Pie

2008-11-26T13:58:00.001-06:00

Do you think I made enough????

Jobless

2008-11-22T17:56:00.002-06:00

Yesterday afternoon, I received one of those perfect and complete gifts from God. You know the kind that has most people trying to find the receipt to exchange it. I have been praying about my job for some time now. Wondering if God has another place for me. I have been asking God to show me what He wants me to do. Yesterday was the first part of the answer. I was laid-off. Its one of those bittersweet events. YES! I don't have to go to work! but oh yeah I still have to pay bills. God's plan is perfect. I have been laid-off just in time to have extended holiday vacation! And because of His past provisions for income, I have enough savings to not be concerned of eviction anytime soon. God is truly good. His plan is perfect, and I'm curious to find what He has for me next. In the meantime, I don't have to get up at 5am anymore! Yea!

Studio 34 Article

2008-11-20T11:07:00.002-06:00

Most anyone who would be reading this knows that I have been taking kickboxing at Studio 34 Fitness for a little over a yr. now. Today, Brent, wrote a pretty funny article about me to put on his website. http://homepage.mac.com/thezooman/Personal39.html Check it out if you want a laugh.

Father of Mercies, and God of all Comfort

2008-10-26T19:37:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, October 19, my pastor's mom, Ana(Ana's Corner) and Leah's(The White Woods) grandma, died. While God's grace was obviously surrounding the family, the loss of a loved one is always very hard. It was an encouragement to hear Pastor Phil and his brother speak at the funeral. To hear the words of faith and hope in God through sorrow, and the emphasis on the importance of knowing God. This week has been a week of remembrance for me, as I have had a different view of an all too familiar situation. Its a different family with different circumstances, but it hits a familiar note. I am thankful for the trials God has led me through, and I hope that He will allow me to use those experiences to help other Christians through trials. Many verses have become dear to me over the past months, but this week 2 Corinthians 1:1-10 seems to be the most applicable to my life and the lives of those around me. 2 Corinthians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too, If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Strangers in the Cellar

2008-10-19T19:43:00.003-05:00

This weekend I spent in costume at a haunted house. We plan to be open Oct. 18, 24, 25, and 31. Its been alot of fun already, but I'm not going to publish details, at least not until we close for the season, but if your looking for some fun come to the "Strangers in the Cellar" haunted house. http://homepage.mac.com/thezooman/Personal58.html Its a frightful good time.

DUH! Moment

2008-10-08T22:03:00.002-05:00

OK, I just had one of those DUH! moments. I thought I'd share it with you. Lately, I have been praying to God about my life. Wondering what I'm supposed to do. Where exactly I fit in this world and in my church in accordance with God's plan. How I can glorify His name and be of use in others' lives. Also, I wonder how it is that I can be so dense that I constantly fall short of the standard He has set, and I don't even realize it most of the time. I have been discouraged, and I have been getting frustrated with myself. By God's grace we have verses to tell us that trials are a blessing. That they teach us patience and endurance. On top of that knowledge I learned something tonight. We were talking about humility, pride, sin and God's forgiveness, redemption etc. It amazes me how God uses our sin, evil and ill intentioned on our part, for our good "For all things work together for good to them that are the called..." When we recognize and confess our sin we are not only forgiven, but we are humbled which helps us fight pride. We are reminded of God's holiness and His Grace, of our sinfulness and our need for Him, and when we realize this we are also reminded of His sovereignty and wisdom that even this wicked sin against God, He can use for good. As I was thinking of all of this I had that duh! moment. Although my general ponderings of my particular path in life are still unanswered I realized that my not knowing what to do is a gracious gift from God. In teaching patience, yes, but also in helping me be mindful that I need God to show me my paths. I need His wisdom, I need Him. I have been praying these things, but I didn't really stop to think that my waiting is helping me to lean on Him. DUH! :) I can be so dense!-See I need God.

Saturday at the Soccer Field

2008-10-02T12:51:00.001-05:00

Madison and Cassie in their "Purple Lightning" uniforms.

Joe and Charlie are rivited at the sports action.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After the game we headed to Culvers for lunch.

Did you say ice cream?

A Kickin' Birthday Weekend

2008-09-21T17:12:00.017-05:00

This weekend had a couple notable events taking place. The first was the Upper Midwest Kickboxing Championships. The picture to the left is my 1st place plaque. Although I was the only one in my age division so I only had to beat me. :) But it was fun, and I'm looking forward to the next competition when there will hopefully be a few more people competing.

The other notable event was my birthday. That's right I am now 24yrs old. Although I still feel 16. My Dad, brothers, sister-in-law, and my nieces and nephew all made it up to celebrate my birthday and watch the competition. My nieces loved the kickboxing, and tried out a few punches and kicks afterward. And my oldest brother Joe was even brave enough to try a kickboxing class with me. My sister-in-law sent me a picture of me and Joe in the class. She named it "Sarah scares me." I can't imagine why ;).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It was a fun day from beginning to end. After kickboxing and some time at the park, we all had some food and rootbeer floats at my apartment. Followed by some time at the hotel pool and hotub, and we had an ice cream birthday cake. I thoroughly ruined my diet for the day, but hey what are birthdays for? And I even got to hear my nephew Charlie sing"happy birfday dear Sarwah." So cute. Video of competition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294xyRRbVzs

Allergic to Cold?

2008-09-11T13:26:00.005-05:00

Yep, its official. I have a cold. Big headline huh? Its so funny every year it seems I get a cold when the temps start to drop and all winter long I have it. Sniffles, sore throat, sneezing, the works. I think next year I should migrate south. Or maybe I should try Leah's (the white woods) quick stuffy nose remedy. ;)

The Coming of Fall

2008-09-07T19:56:00.002-05:00

I suppose it is technically fall already. School is back in session, it is colder out, and the calendar says September, but I don't consider it to be fall until the leaves change color. Man, this summer went fast. The whole year so far actually. So many things going on sure makes time fly. I have always liked summer best. Its warm, green, and sunny, but this year I am really looking forward to fall. It is a nice break to have the cool breeze and not have to run the air conditioner. I love the look of the trees as they change color. And having an excuse to wear my longsleave comfy cozy clothes. Curling up on the couch with my blanket and maybe some tea. I also hope to make it back to the park in Redwood Falls to take pictures of the paths with trees covered in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It is a joy to see how God changes the look of things around us. From the green of summer to the many colors of fall, and then He blankets everything in white snow. It is a blessing to see God's order in creation.

The IPA Upper Midwest Bench Competition

2008-09-07T19:48:00.004-05:00

This weekend I was mostly a bum, but I did get up somewhat early Saturday morning to be in a bench press competition. I saw two state records being set. You can read about that on my trainer's website http://www.thezooman.com/ just click on the trainer of man and beast icon. First place for the women was 172.5 lbs. lifted by Leah Krenz. I tied for second at 137.5 lbs. but after looking at our previous lifts I won second place, and got a medal for it. All in all it was a fun event.

Wasting Time

2008-08-30T16:14:00.004-05:00

Have you ever thought to yourself I wish there were more hours in the day? Or wondered how you could get all these things done? I found it funny today, as I was putting off doing a few random things around my apt. and watching Garfield instead, the first cartoon they showed had Jon Arbuckle sitting in front of the tv telling himself of all the chores he should do today. And not moving from his seat to do them. Then a commercial came on for Supersonic Seymour, promising to help him get more done during the day, for a fee of course. Its so funny how cartoons mimic life. He payed this guy to tell him to do stuff instead of just making himself do what needed to be done in the first place. Some people really do make the most of their time, but I personally know I only don't get done what I choose to not do. If there were more hours in the day, I would just waste those too. I think we could all have a plan to help get more done in a day. Start doing something instead of nothing. And people say cartoons aren't educational.

Garfield and Friends

2008-08-25T20:34:00.003-05:00

Cartoons today are getting dumber and dumber, but yesterday I got to make a classic addition to my DVD collection. I always enjoyed Garfield. But then again who doesn't like Garfield?

A Fun Eventful End to A Long Week

2008-08-24T21:49:00.004-05:00

It was one of those weeks. Monday morning, I found myself thinking it was Friday. Wrong orders, picky customers, filling in for vacationing route jumpers, lack of sleep, and an account starting up again for fall, all added to the regular routine of work. I couldn't help but think of the sovereignty of God this week. I know how it seems that when something goes wrong allot of things go wrong. And when something good happens, most of life is going good. I started thinking about the fact that nothing happens without a purpose. Have you ever gotten out of bed and stubbed your toe just as a start to your day? Even that is for a reason. Its mind boggling, anyway now that I've finished my rant about the week, on to the fun stuff. Friday, after work, I went to the park. Buttered Corn Days was going on this weekend. I came to see The Zoo Man. He is also my trainer, and I had never seen his show. It was fun to see and hear about some reptiles I wouldn't normally see, and after the show he had me hold his 15ft. snake! That thing was really big. Sorry I didn't have my camera. I believe it was a yellow albino python of some sort. Anyway, It was very large and feels really weird when it starts to slither, but it was fun. Saturday morning was started with a 5k run. I would never have thought that I would be in a run, but I finished! And I wasn't even the last one. I now have a medal for running. That's pretty cool. After some mini golf came the main event. A boxing match between Brent and Joe (my trainers) and John Janke from SAM radio. It was a makeshift ring with sock 'em bop 'em gloves instead of regular gloves. 3 Rounds with no decided winner, it was fun. Especially since John's partner didn't show and I wound up filling in. :) The day was ended with some blue grass/gospel music from Stan and Connie Rasmusen, joined later by Leah Siefkes. All in all I liked the end of the week much more than the beginning.

Me and Betty Boop

2008-08-21T15:41:00.009-05:00

-----------------Have you ever wondered what you would look like as a cartoon? Well yesterday, at work a lady came up to me and said that everytime she sees me, I remind her of Betty Boop. Something about my hairstyle and the shape of my face. I thought it was funny and decided to share it with you. So what do you think? Do I look like Betty Boop?

The Sovereignty and Omniscience of God, Topics for Kids and Adults

2008-08-20T21:04:00.006-05:00

In the middle of a prayer I found myself saying "You know what's best for me, You know my heart and the end of my paths," and I was instantly reminded of a conversation with my niece Cassy. Back in June I had the opportunity to babysit my brothers three kids and their dog for a weekend. Instant family, just add me. Anyway, while I was there it started to rain, and Cassy told me that when it rains it is because God is crying. Obviously her thinking needed a bit of an adjustment. I told her that rain isn't God crying. That it comes from clouds, but God causes it to rain. That He is in control of all things, and that He made everything. This started a long line of did He make this thing questions, and eventually I told her not only did God make her but He knows her thoughts and He knows every word she will ever say before she says it. A look of amazement covered her face and then she asked, "what am I going to say next?" I couldn't help but laugh a little as I said,"I don't know, but God does."She thought very hard trying to come up with something unexpected to say and then settled for, "hi auntie Sarah." Its a cute story, but I find it funny that I can explain to a seven yr. old that God knows everything, and is in control of everything, and yet as simple as the concept is, it is one I have to remind myself of. When I think back over my life this far it is amazing to see how God has worked. The paths that God has lead me down are paths I would never have imagined. "He knoweth the end of each path I take" to quote a favorite song of mine, but even more awe inspiring He knows every possible path I could take and the ends they would lead me to. And He causes me to choose to path that He has planned for my life. The sovereignty of God, a complicated and yet simple concept. If you get the chance watch the expressions on a child's face as you explain that one.

Saturday at the Park

2008-08-18T13:43:00.014-05:00

Ramsey Park, Redwood Falls, MNThe sounds of water flowing by. Beautiful paths lined with trees. Such a picture perfect bridge.

Paths to get lost by.

This one I took from a bridge.

This was on the other side of a dam. I climbed down a pretty steep not meant to be a path, path and climbed over some rocks to take this one.

I love waterfalls

All of man's inventions and "improvements" can't compare to God's creation.

I like to get close. Any further I'd have been at the bottom.

God Only Faithful. God Only Wise

2008-08-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

When your all alone in darkness, and tears run down your face. When your heart is longing for a voice, or someone to embrace, When your sure the loneliness of the night will never end, and you will never find a way to being useful once again. When life’s cares surround and you lose sight, You are not left alone to fight this fight. God only faithful. God only wise. He is the one. Who will always hear your cries. Into the darkness He sheds His light, God only faithful, God only wise. He is the friend who’s there in the night. He is the one who causes fear to take flight. In life’s saddest moments, He has a perfect plan. He knows the beginning, and He knows the end. His truth is the light to take the darkness away. His truth is the key to finding your way. God only faithful. God only wise. Who shepherds the flock, and leads even through the night.

Air Conditioners

2008-08-05T17:44:00.011-05:00

Old air conditioner: Big, heavy, ugly, loud. Keeps living room at 80-90 degrees on hot days and flips my breaker off at least once a day if you don't have the light on at the same time. Flips breaker every 5-10min with the light on.

New air conditioner: Small, light, nice look, quiet. Keeps living room at the temperature I set it for and doesn't flip my breaker even if the light is on!

Woo hoo! We have a winner!

Gifts From God

2008-08-03T23:23:00.002-05:00

Thursday, my dad called to tell me he would be home this weekend. He is a cross-country truck driver, so we never know if he will be or not. Anyway, since he was gonna be home, and his birthday is this Wednesday, I drove down. Midnight on a Friday evening I walk through the door to find home-made pizza waiting for me. :) Always a good start. The whole weekend was nice, and it was good to spend time with my family, but what sticks with me the most was Saturday afternoon at the fair with my brother's kids. Charlie's big ketchup covered smile. Cassie, trying to keep her plate from blowing away when she picks up her pizza. Madison, bursting into tears at the thought of having to climb a net, and having the guy in charge let her out the back way. Both girls, sitting in bumper cars trying to figure out why they won't move. and Cassie spinning aroung in circles, once she found the gas pedal. Hearing my sister-in-law say that the kids get all excited when they hear we are coming over. Listening to Charlie walking around saying "hi' to everyone, except my dad, then its "Howdy Hi." The way he pronounces my name, "Sawah." And seeing my dad's face as he gets to hear Charlie say "grandpa." These are some of the gifts God gave me this weekend. We were not able to spend the past seven years with Joe and his family, long story, but what a blessing to be able to spend time with them now. I don't think anyone could top Charlie's gift to my dad. He sang"Happy Birthday." God made those kids very sweet, and if you were aware of the situation, that song coming from him was enough to melt your heart.

His Power In Our Weakness

2008-08-03T22:57:00.001-05:00

II Corinthians 4:8-10 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Do you ever find yourself thinking I just can't do this anymore? I can't make it through this night or situation, whatever it is. And yet somehow the sun always comes up and you are still there. You did the thing you thought was impossible. The line is a fine one, but always perfectly drawn. Tested, stretched, put under pressure, and yet never more than we can handle with the grace of God.

II Corinthians 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

His power is made perfect in weakness. How is this possible? When we have come to the end of ourselves, when there is no way we could possibly do what needs to be done, and yet we do. There is no doubt that it is God's work and not ours.

II Corinthians 4:5-7 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

I am so thankful God does not tell us to be strong, but rather to depend on His strength.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Nieces and Nephew

2008-07-30T17:59:00.020-05:00

Hey everyone I thought I'd share some pics of my brother Joe's kids.

Madison is on the right in the red cleats, and Cassandra is on the left in the blue ones.

Yep you guessed it. They are twins. Seven years old. This was their first year playing soccer. Notice the untied laces in Cassie's picture, funny.

Here is Charlie, age 4, with his blanket, Kikki.

Three guesses who named it.

He is such a cutie.

Life Changing Moments

2008-07-29T21:10:00.001-05:00

Six months ago on a Sunday afternoon I met up with my mom and my brother Bob to watch a movie, and to bring her some things. After the movie and some Taco Bell I gave my mom a hug and said goodbye and that I love her, and I got in my car and left. It was the last time I would get to talk with my mom before she died. Its funny how fast life can change. One minute I was putting donuts in a vending machine just like every Wednesday morning and the next I was starting a 2hr drive to pick up my brother to drive another hour to see my mom lying in a hospital bed unconscious, by Saturday she was gone, and my life was changed forever. There are moments in life that you will never forget. Those moments that divide life into the before and the after. What a comfort to know that moments like these do not come by accident. God is always in control of every detail. When someone we love dies or leaves us. The temptation is to ask God why He would take them away from us. God did not take my mom away from me after I spent only 23yrs with her. God gave me a wonderful loving mom for the first 23yrs of my life and the time I was given with her will affect who I am, how I think, and things that I do for the rest of my life. I miss her more than I could ever explain and yet I wouldn't trade the time I spent with her for one less moment spent in tears. God is gracious. God is good. He gave me the exact mom I was supposed to have, and He took her home at the precise time that she was supposed to go. How gracious and loving God is to bring my mom out of this world of hurt and sin into His presence! And He shows His grace and mercy by comforting those of us left behind. What God's plan is for me I don't know, but I am thankful to God that He does. And that I will be taken home as soon as I have finished His plan for my life, and not one moment sooner.

God's Creation

2008-07-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

Late Sunday afternoon, I decided I had to get out of my apartment, and do something. I decided to take a walk with my camera and see if I could find something worth taking a picture of. There it was God's beautiful sky. The sun shining rays of light through the clouds. The grace of God that we can see His beautiful creation all around us. Psalm 19:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Love

2008-07-27T14:21:00.002-05:00

I Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. If you were to share this passage with people on the street today I have no doubt that you would find some that would instantly agree with you. Comments like love is a powerful thing, and who knows what else, but what do we think of when we think of love? Usually, we think of things like Romeo and Juliet. The great love stories of the world, or the dream guy we hope to meet some day, but biblical love is much greater. What is biblical love? I Corinthians 13:4-13 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Romans 5:8 but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the love that conquers all. The love of God. Love is what caused God to send His Son to die for us. Our salvation is made possible because of love. When we see God, our faith and hope will be complete, and done away with, but love endures forever. We are commanded to love. Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:28-31 Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. “This is the great and first commandment. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 15:9-13 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. We are commanded to love like this. As always Christ is our ultimate example. He set the standard for us. In God’s mercy and grace He sent His son to die for us. Not because there was anything in us that merited such a gesture, but because He loved us even while we were in a state of sinfulness! How often we hold back our meager attempts at loving others simply because we are having a bad day or we just don’t like that person for “some reason.” But we are commanded to love one another the way Christ loved us. and more importantly to love God. Our love for God is what causes us to live for Him, and it enables us to love others as well. If we love God and others the way we ought the other commandments will fall into place, because we will be seeking God's will and not our own.

Poster Board Doors

2008-07-27T13:56:00.003-05:00

I have recently decided to clean and organize my apartment. For those who have been here its shocking I know, but I'm almost done! and I will post pictures of my apartment once its completely in order. Until then here is a project you might enjoy. (Or it might just convince you that I am in fact nuts.) Poster Board doors.

I went to Walmart, a great start for most of my projects, bought four thick poster boards. I taped two together and taped the other two together, as you can tell from the picture. One long piece of tape on each side for hinges and presto I have doors on my shelves.

The hook you see is a regular Christmas ornament hook latched onto two ornament toppers that I hammered through the poster board and taped in place.

The door handles are made out of two slivers of cardboard cut from the packaging of the tape I bought. I folded each end and taped them on also. I think I will probably decorate them at some point, but this was an easy inexpensive way to keep my kitties off my shelves. its been almost two weeks and the tape still holds.