Strength in Weakness

I was reading a book today and I read this scripture and thought it was really cool so I figured I would share it with all of you.



Isaiah 30:15-26 (The Message)
God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right 15-17God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel:"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me—The very thing you've been unwilling to do.You've said, 'Nothing doing! We'll rush off on horseback!' You'll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!You've said, 'We'll ride off on fast horses!' Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you'll all run off.There'll be nothing left of you— a flagpole on a hill with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off."
18But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
19-22Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he'll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road." You'll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You'll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, "Good riddance!"
23-26God will provide rain for the seeds you sow. The grain that grows will be abundant. Your cattle will range far and wide. Oblivious to war and earthquake, the oxen and donkeys you use for hauling and plowing will be fed well near running brooks that flow freely from mountains and hills. Better yet, on the Day God heals his people of the wounds and bruises from the time of punishment, moonlight will flare into sunlight, and sunlight, like a whole week of sunshine at once, will flood the land.




Isn't that awesome! So many times I get distracted and I get caught up in worrying and trying to figure things out. I really need to remember that "In returning to Him and resting in Him I shall be saved. In quietness and trusting confidence will be my strength." (that's the NKJV of verse 15). I can say this with all truthfulness I need strength to get through stuff in the days ahead. Good stuff and not so fun stuff. The previous passage goes really well with Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall walk and not faint." I am so glad I don't have to walk through life completely on my own. I don't have to fight battles on my own. I am capable and confident when I rest in Him.

I think I will leave you with that.
Shalom

First Day!

Today was my first day back it was good, just a tish boring though :). We went through syllabuses and did a ton of dishes, actually we did every single dish in the kitchen! It's a little sad because a few people it would have been fun to have back aren't back. The first year class this year is huge 23 people I think. And there are only 4 girls. I feel bad for them being outnumbered so. So far I think that the year is looking good. Life here can only get more interesting.

Right now I am reading this awesome book entitled "When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. It's really good. It's very honest, truthful and full of thought provoking things. It reminds me of my parents and my aunt and uncle and a couple other couples I know. It's how I want to do it. I really don't want to do recreational dating, still it's hard to wait, when everyone around me is in some time of "romantic" relationship.

Hmmm I had another train of thought I wanted to follow and now I can't remember what it was... Oh well that's all for now I guess.

Peace Reigns, Love Wins and Joy is in the House!

Back to School

Here are some pics of my apartment all set up and ready for school. Here I am back at the place where I can say with all certainty is where God wants me to be. I am here with the confidence that He will walk me through and be my constant companion through it all. I may not feel ready but with God I can do it all and I choose to confess that this day.

Ok, I am done preaching at myself. What do you think of the view out my windows. Right now I can see and here a race going on over at the race track. It's loud and if it's like last year it will go late.

It is so weird to be back because it almost doesn't feel like I left. The summer almost feels like a distant dream. And it was a good summer.

Living in town does have it's benefits like going to the dollar store and finding Nichole Nordeman, Avalon, Audio A and Jump5 cds all for a dollar a piece. I was really excited because I really like Nichole Nordeman's music it has such an honest, raw quality. And Audio Adrenaline is a classic Christian band almost as classic as DCTalk. Speaking of music I should probably go and change my playlist soon. Oh and I pre-ordered Skillet's cd Awake back in June and it comes out next week. I'm super stoked. So a week from tomorrow I should have it in my hands along with my last paycheck. I'm looking forward to that.

Well I will try to keep on here a little bit better, I promise.

School....ALREADY!!! Yikes!!!!

I know I haven't been on here for awhile. I have been mulling some things over that I will soon post about. I CAN NOT believe that in a week and a half I will be living back in Hibbing for the school year and God only knows what comes after that (I don't say that lightly). A year ago I had no clue where I would be at and now here I am entering yet another new season of my life! I am excited but slightly hesitant. Anyways back to the present! This is my last week of my summer job, it's been good, but I have to say that I won't miss the 80 miles that I drive every day that I work. My car has held up through it all and I've been getting 30-36 miles to the gallon all summer. This is because I just get in my car and go there is only one stop sign and that's when I get to town. Tomorrow I am going to get my back to school haircut! I am pretty excited for that, since my bangs are always annoyingly in my eyes. They make it hard to berry pick. Tonight I went out with my mom and my sis Sal (check out here new blog with her friend ME www.modest--is--hottest.blogspot.com) and my mom and I picked about a gallon of berries each in 2 hours. So that's not too bad considering last week we went out about 3 hours and picked a gallon combined. This summer has been crazy weather wise. I don't know how many times I've driven to work and had to use my wipers. It's funny how many different types of weather you can see during a 40 mile drive :) I think part of the reason I'm kinda in "withdrawal" about the fact that school starts in 2 weeks it's because summer never really arrived, although it's supposed to be nice and warm for the next few days. I have to say it will be nice to have a change in weather even though I work for the next 3 days. The major project of putting books and shelves up is done! It's a great feeling and it looks really nice. There are a few more boxes to empty but first we must have another rummage sale. My mom did do pretty well getting rid of books, better than I expected! I'm hoping to get pictures up soon on here and my facebook. Sometimes I'm not sure where time goes, but I look and think oh I'm doing ok time wise and than I look again and time is gone. That is just one of my many ponderings. Hopefully I'll get on here again soon and post one of my more in depth blogs. Right now you'll all just have to be patient. Remember to F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God)

Ponderings That Never Seem to End....

I keep wanting to blog, but I keep putting it off because...well... I wanted to write something profound. Right now the thoughts that are circling aren't anything remarkable, but here I go...

Here I am approaching my second year of college and the final one to accomplishing the goal I set, in going for 2 years of culinary arts. And the future just seems so ominous. What in the world does the future hold? That is the question that just keeps going through my head....(breath a deep breath) I have so many dreams and ideas in my head and at this point they all seem to clash. I know I'll know more when I get there and that I could change some of my goals, I already have done that I few times... I guess trying to look 10 months into the future keeps me from freaking out too much about the near future. :) I hate having expectations because things rarely meet them. Yet expectations are inevitable. So I just keeping making the cycle. Really all in all I'm not too worried about the future I just want to know what to do about some of it. There seem to be no easy answers...

I keep throwing myself into all sorts of projects here at home and going to work, because so much of life just seems...I don't know... just so undecided. So many things I desire aren't for now and I can't get discontent. I'm enjoying where I am and I try to relax about somethings. My emotions keep getting all caught up in things and it's no fun trying to untangle them from reality. See this is why I haven't blogged everything I write just sounds confusing and terrible and things aren't terrible there are just a lot of unknowns for me right now, of course if I knew everything I'd be overwhelmed. I can see God working and even when I can't visibly see it, I can sense it. There are so many things I just want to change in my life and they all start with a choice, imagine that... it's up to me.... I don't know where I am going with all this I just thought I would let everyone see that...well...I really don't have things together right now, but I know things will work out. Until next time... :)

It's Been Awhile

I know it's been awhile since I blogged, but there really hasn't been anything to blog about. Right now I'm really hungry, and tired.... I've been busy working at work and working at home. I'm taking on a lot of little/big projects around the house in order to maximize my mother's space in the house. So far so good although in some places it's hard to tell I've done anything. Well I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and life keeps moving by and by way to fast. Maybe I'll have something to blog about soon. At least I hope I will. Adios...

Tagged by ME

I was tagged so here goes:
What is your favorite food? Ravioli
Your favorite hot drink? Chocolate flavored Coffee
Your favorite cold drink? Root Beer Float
Your current favorite articles of clothing? Based on what I wear the most jeans and my VNO work shirt. I love my black vest a lot though.
What are you reading right now? Dreaming with God
What are your favorite movies right now? Bella, Fireproof,
What music do you listen to? "Christian" music Skillet, Barlowgirl and other life inspiring artists
What phrases/exclamations do you say often/are a family joke? "Shoot" "LOL"
What do you enjoy doing most? Reading and Cooking
If you were going somewhere dangerous in Middle-earth, Narnia, or The Lands Beyond, what would you take? My Bible, my dad, and my knives.
Who are your real-life role models? There are a few
Who are your fictional role models? Someone who does lives life to the fullest in wise and inspiring ways
If your life were a movie, who would play you? hmmm?????
What are you most afraid of? Failing
What are your favorite smells? Fresh Bread, babies and the smell that comes after it rains.
What is your favorite sound? Peace and Quiet
What is your favorite sight? A clean house?
If you had a CD, what would it be called? Life, Responsiblity and Peace

People, people, people

Not sure what the point of this will be but we'll see where it goes. I just thought since it's been awhile since I've blogged I should go for it, while I have a minute or so to spare.

I don't know why summer has to go so fast? Do you? Anyways I really don't want to go into all that. I am finding my summer job interesting. I really am peaceful and content with my job even though a lot of the time I feel like I want to be lazy and not drive to work, it's an hour drive :(. Still it's all good. I am working on saving the majority of my paychecks, since I don't have to pay anything but gas (thanks mom and dad!). I figure it's a good thing. Lately I have been working on helping my mom get some odds and ends done that have been hanging loose, because of the busyness of life. I've been enjoying my three year old brother and my six year old sister a lot the others are cool too. LOL

I've been trying to spend some time this summer getting back on track, setting some priorities. So far it's not going so great, but hey that's why I'm working on it. Life is not a piece of cake. Hmmm that makes my stomach growl. Now I want a whole cake to eat. Well maybe I'll blog more later. Gotta go take care of my tummy.

Awesome!

New video, home life, summer?, work

There is a new video of a new song being posted as I type! It's pretty good, he is using my guitar, lol. I am enjoying being home, working in E** makes for a busy life, but I'm usually done and home around 4- 4:30 so I have time to do stuff here and enjoy the family! I don't know if summer is actually here yet since it's still kind of almost freezing at night.
Well right now I don't have much to post so I will say adios!

P.S. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I have now gotten a grand total of 4 scholarships to total $1250! All I can say is thank you JESUS! Once again I can go to school without any loans! I decide to take an extra class, by faith, not knowing where the extra money was coming from or how I am going to make it with the workload I am making for myself. Well now I know about the money, now just have to trust that the Lord will help me through the class. Oh and another piece of good news is that my final grades came out and I have a 4.0 for my first year of college. Once again all I have to say is Thank you LORD!