Volunteering is just in my blood..

What a beautiful Saturday it was... 7o-ish degree weather, with the sun shining.

On a beautiful, Saturday like this... there are many things to do.  I know I can come up with just a few.. maybe working in the yard, sitting by the pool with a book, taking a walk, playing with the dogs..or maybe it was a day for working inside, cleaning and getting ready for the week.  But while I need to do all of the above, my afternoon was spent differently.

Did you know what Saturday, May 12th was?  Have you ever heard of the National Stamp Out Food Drive?  I learned about it just a few years ago.  It is driven by the National Post Office service.  On one Saturday of the year, individuals can do the simple act of placing food out by their mail boxes.. (sounds simple right?  but how does that help anything).  Then the mail men and mail women drop off your mail and pick up all those cans of food.  The drive around their route with can food rolling this way and that, and then bring it back to their post office.  All the food is unloaded at the post office, sorted through checking the dates, divided by product type into boxes.  These boxes are then weighed and divided between different food pantries in the community (big process, you say.. you betcha!)

Today I saw cans of potatoes, pasta, green beans, corn, spinach, boxes of crackers, juice containers and so many other things.  I weighed more boxes then I think I can count and figured out which agency got the box.  Lots of food, lots of items, lots of boxes, and lots of time.  This year it seemed we had lots more food then we have had in the past.  In Lenoir, the two agencies that the food was divided between was Lenoir Soup Kitchen and Lenoir Yokefellow.  A collection of wonderful volunteers along with myself decided to spend our afternoon helping out at the Lenoir PO Food Drive.  What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon, it was spent helping others.  One may not understand that the impact that happened today helps so many individuals in the community.  It was not direct action to a person or family, but was an incredible amount of indirect action that is very special.

So why did I spend my Saturday afternoon doing this, you ask?  Volunteering is just what I love to do.  I find excitement in doing it.  Sometimes I get tired and sore, but knowing that I am helping someone out indirectly or directly is just awesome! I am connected with Yokefellow, but that is not the reason that I was there.

To those that summer time means not having school everyday--spend your time wisely.  This does not mean that you NEED or MUST volunteer somewhere, but it does mean that you need to learn something.  Maybe it is just learning how to not sit around bored everyday, or maybe it is learning how to actually do an action.  Find what it is you want to learn.  Find out what or where your niche is, maybe you want to get connected into a field of study.. well go learn that this summer. I am using this summer to learn as much as I can--most of what will benefit me in my major choice.  But some days, or evenings I am using my time to learn random things..

We are always learning things.. doesn't that sound crazy.. but don't ya think it is true as well :)

Dear God, You are holy and mighty.  You are there, watching our every move.  You teach us daily to talk to  you and to walk in your shoes.  God, I ask that you continue to walk with us and help us to remember that while sometimes it is not easy , it is what we need to do.  I ask that you continue to help me remember to not only pray for friends, family, and peers, but also those that i do not yet know and those that are my enemies.  I pray to you to keep all of those safe that are out on the road and those serving our beloved country.  I love you Lord Jesus.  Amen.

oh hello summer, where'd you come from

Summer time is here..

Today, I started an internship and I am so excited about it.  I will be spending my summer at Yokefellow, learning the ropes course.  If you are unfamiliar with what Yokefellow is similar to what you might know as Cooperative Christian Ministries. I feel that this new major, Human and Community Service, is the major that is fit for me.

Six semesters into college, and now I figure out what I want to do.  It has taken me this long.... started with an elementary education major, then a communication major, back to an elementary ed major and now human and community service.  Why, yes they are all similar but just a bit different.  I have found myself sitting and pondering about why it has taken me until the second half of my Junior year to figure out what I want to do...but then again if we all knew exactly where we were really going from day one.. we would be bored.

I always thought that I would be a elementary school teacher, but there is a different plan for me.  And I will tell you this, after today it confirmed to me even more that in a school is not where I am supposed to be.  I feel in my home today, working here and there and everywhere.  Doing things that I had no clue at first, and now I am  learning it all. This is what I am supposed to be doing, this is the path I am to be walking.  While I know that I have much more to learn and that I may come across moments of frustration, I will be learning and growing.

God has a plan for each of us.  Most of us have no clue where that path is going or what that plan is.  Most of us also try constantly to figure it out and make a schedule to how we are going to do it.  But what we don't realize is that God is the only one that knows the plan and path and knows how we are going to get there and in what time range.  HE is the one that controls it, no matter how hard we try to do it ourselves. By know means am I saying this is easy... I know I struggle at letting God lead and allowing myself to follow him.  I want to be in full control about what is going on at all times and unfortuntly I can't do that.

This summer is going to be full of learning experiences, growing moments, frustrating times, moments of wanting to give in, and so much more. BUT it will be giving me an experience that I would never have if I don't just go with the flow.

Dear God, I am so thankful for everything that you have given me.  You know that I have trouble letting you lead.  Please help me remember that you are the one that is truly in control and that I need to follow where you lead.  Lord, you are amazing. Amen.

the little things...

Just thought I would share a few of the little things that have happened in the past couple of days, that brightens up my life :) 

Something that I have always said, and now it is posted in writing :)

Two 500 piece puzzles in two days, can only happen when you spend time with someone you love spending time with :)  I enjoy every moment with my boyfriend..and puzzling is a shared hobby :) yay.  I am sure we will eventually do all the puzzles in the basement, though the 1000 piece puzzles are more than one nights of work... but it will happen :)

As I walked down to my car today, I saw this thing stuck under my windshield wipers, and my first thought was, "ugh what did someone put on my car", but as a got closer, I was happy.  This wonderful note was left to me from the best little brother ever, and my car is now colorful and decorated with happiness :)  Best little brother ever!  

I don't get mail much, and I don't check my mail much.  But tonight I checked it, and look what I found.  Thanks, mom, dad, skittles and emma! 

Capturing the little happiness moments is so special! No pose, just me dancing away from the camera

No matter how many tries it takes, we will enjoy all the silliness along the way.  I am thinking we never got a real picture, but it was the thought that counts!

These are just a few of the little things in life, that mean the world to me.  They are the things that turn a bad day upside down and turn it into a good one.  Today was definitely boosted and turned good:)  Everyday little things do not happen, and I do not want them to.  But I do hang on to the little things from day to day and am thankful for them.

Feeling like a puzzle

These days have seemed to not be as current anymore, but today is one of them.  I understand that many people are hurting around the world and may live everyday in pain, and I also understand that my pain does not add up to what some people deal with.  I really don't like to talk about not feeling well because I don't want for people to give me sympathy.  But since four people have now told me I look like I have been hit by a bus, I guess it would be a good idea to just write down how I feel.  


Since November 24th, I have been on a trial run gluten free diet and I feel that it has really helped me.  In the past 2 months I have only had like to major belly issues, but today seems to be added to that list.  The scary thing is gluten can be slipped in anywhere and no one notices unless they are allergic or intolerant to it like I am. 


My body just seems to be mad at me.. or frustrated with something that I did AND clearly I don't know what I did. Running on about three hours of sleep last night, I am sure glad that it is Friday.  Eventually maybe either I will get a nap or just go to bed early. 


Dear Lord, I ask that you watch over all those that deal with pain more often than I do.  I know it is terribly uncomfortable and I cannot imagine it any worse than I already have.  Lord, I ask that you help me through the day and helped me look as if I wasn't hit by a bus. 
In Jesus holy name, Amen. 

Turn, Turn, Turn

There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die, 
A time to plant and a time to uproot, 
A time to kill and a time to heal, 
A time to tear down and a time to build, 
A time to weep and I time to laugh, 
A time to mourn and a time to dance, 
A times to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
A time to search and a time to give up, 
A time to keep and a time to throw away, 
A time to tear and a time to mend, 
A time to be silent and a time to speak, 
A time to love and a time to hate, 
A time for war and a time for peace. 


As written in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything that happens in our daily lives.  The world moves on and events come and go.  Somethings we wish they would stay the same or change really quick, but more times than often this is not the case.  I myself have had those same moments of wishing that something would go as planned and other times of wishing that things would hurry up and change.  


Do you have those moments in your life?  Do you find yourself wishing away the day?  Why do we do those things to ourselves?  Well, I think we do it because we are human.  What better explanation do we need to have then that God created us and we are not perfect.  If each one of us were perfect the word would be a horribly boring place.  Everyone getting what they want.. we think we are in debt now?  Man, we really would be in debt in a perfect world.  


Take a moment to smile, give thanks to God for this glorious day that he has provided to us. The sun comes after a storm.  Not only in weather but it our lives as well.  


Dear Lord, 


Thank you so much for giving us this wonderful day.  Partly cloudy or sunny, I will take it.  The sun has come in my life after the storm just like the sun is shinning after some days of rain. Lord, please watch over all of those people that may still be in their stormy lives. In your holy name, Amen. 

Hey 2012, how ya doing?

2012 you are here!  Goodbye to a wonderful year 2011, I send you away with hope and promise that this year is going to as good as you were and even better.  I prefer to not set new year resolutions that are things that I need to do, but rather things I want to do to better my own self.  While cleaning some things out today, I came across my faith statement that I shared on October 30, 2005 with my church family.  You may skim it or read it or skip it (just remember I was younger when I wrote it--and I didn't edit it). 


Today is the day that I personally confirm my faith to not only everyone sitting in this congregation, but also to my family, friends, and all Christian brothers and sisters.  As I look back to December 24th, 1990, when I was baptized at St. Andrews Lutheran Church my mom and dad, along with the congregation, promised to teach me and help me learn the Ten Commandments, Lords Prayer, Apostle Creed, and the concept of Communion, for me to read and learn about the Bible, and to support me in the church.  Over my past 15 years my mom and dad have helped me learn the Ten Commandments, Lords Prayer, Apostle Creed; I have learned the concept of Communion and continue to receive it, I have been taught about the Bible and continue to read it throughout Sunday school, and I have been supported by all my church family. Today I continue to come to Sunday School wanting to learn more and more about how Lutherans look at the bible each week.  As I travel through my life I will always have the influence of God on my life, shaping me to become the person that he has planned out for me.  I enjoy being a strong youth at our church, being part of the hand bells choir, serving in the service, participating in most church activities, and going to youth events held for youth.  I enjoy going to ELCA youth activities for kids my age along with one for younger children and helping while getting to know other  youth my age from other churches. 


Over the past 15 years, as I have attended Sunday School, I have learned a parable that I can practically tell you from memory:  John 2: 1-11, is about the Wedding in Cana of Galilee.  Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding.  When all the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."  Jesus answered, "Dear women, why come to me?  My time has not come yet."  His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you to do."  In that place there were six stone water jars that the Jews used in their washing ceremony.  Each jar held about twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, " Fill the jars with water."  So they filled the jars to the top.  Then he said, "Now take some out and give it to the master of the feast."  So they took the water to the master.  When he tasted it, the water had become wine.  He did not know where the wine came from, but the servants who had brought the water knew.  The master of the wedding called the bride-groom over and said to him, "People always serve the best wine first.  Later after the guests have been drinking awhile, they serve the cheaper wine.  But you have saved the best wine until now."  So in Cana of Galilee Jesus did his first miracle.  There he showed his glory, and his followers believed him.        Over the years I have learned more and more about this story and have continued to enjoy it.  The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding that day wasn't only amazing because he changed water into wine, but also because it was his first miracle.  This was a start to Jesus' miracles to come just like today is the start of my faith to continue on. 


Looking back into all the years of Sunday School I have had many teachers that have influenced my faith, but one especially that taught me something that I still use today.  Even thought I have learned the books of the Bible of the Old Testament though Confirmation, I will always remember an acronym that Heather McFlea taught me.  My 4th grade year in Sunday School, Heather was my teacher and she wanted to help us learn the books of the bible starting with the Old Testament, but we never got past the first seven, but hey 7 is better than none.  We used this to remember the first seven books, Grama Exits Leaving Nana Down and J.J. ; believe it or not, it helped me.  I have had many more teachers that influenced my faith but I will always remember my year with Heather. 


Over the past weeks, I have been preparing this faith statement and have learned that it is a lot of work to know what you are talking about.  When I was asking Pastor Tony about how to write a faith statement, he made the point to me, that confirming does not mean that I am graduating out of church.   I am just stating my faith and what I believe in and becoming part of this congregation.  I will continue to be part of the hand bell choir, occasionally sing with the adult choir,  serve in the church service, be a strong youth in our youth group, continue to come to Sunday School, continue to be part of the church, continue to grow in faith and continue to learn to understand Gods love.


Almost every year I attend Lutheridge Camp, Arden, North Carolina, to learn about my faith and continue to make it stronger every time I go, I learn a new and better why to share my faith with others, in my denomination and not in my denomination.   I learn how to make my own faith stronger without hurting anybody.  I think one factor that also helps me at Lutheridge is that it is not only kids there but all ages from toddlers to adults.  I will say that if you have never been to Lutheridge then you have missed out on a lot. 


Another thing that I have learned over the course of my faith is that know matter how big your congregation is or where you are at, you always need to be spreading Gods word and having a strong faith.   Over the past year, i have attended many other denominations with friends, and know matter where I am, I keep my faith strong.  The size of your church should never determine how strong your faith is.  About three months ago, I attended a church smaller than my home church and learned as I examined one special thing.  Even though they are a small congregation, they had a strong faith.  I really believe that visiting that church made a positive influence on my faith. 


The last thing that I would like to talk about is the people that have had an influence on my faith.  Both my mom and dad have always been an important part of the church, which has kept me there to.  My dad's parents, go to the Lutheran Church that I was baptized at, so i enjoy going to the midnight Christmas Eve service to celebrate the day I was baptized.  Both of my dad's parents attended Lenoir Rhyne College, so those activities are Christian related.   My mom's parents always had a religious house and welcomed me to their church anytime.  My friends always want me know how my church is, and what it is life, and would they like it.  And last my church family, everyone is always supportive, in everything I do.  And especially my pastor, Pastor Tony, who has been there for me and my faith and is a great Sunday school teacher along with teaching about any religious subjects.  To all these people I would to share a warm thank you.  May faith has and will continue to grow because of all of my Christian brothers and sisters.  

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To this day I have continued to do most of what I said I was going to do.  While change is important in ones life, it is also important to keep somethings close to you that you are familiar with.   I am blessed to be who I am.  


Dear Heavenly Father, you are amazing!  I love you LORD Jesus!  Praising you is something I love to do!  :)

Colossians 3:16 or 3:17

Oh, how I love Christmas. Christmas 2011 rocked my socks off.  Family means the world to me, and this year I got to see all of my family.  Christmas eve my moms whole family gathered for fun and games and then church.  

That is my grandmother, her 4 daughters (and their husbands), 8 grandchildren (2 spouses),   3 great-grandchildren and 2 granddogs :)  Don't we look like we know how to have some fun!

The true meaning for the season is often hiding behind Santa Claus songs, and singing about only wanting the love of your life for Christmas.  But what really is the meaning for Christmas. Below are two different Christmas hymns that I truly love!   Hope you enjoy reading them *-they are much more fun when sung-*

271--I am so glad each Christmas Eve
1.I am so glad each Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus' birth!
Then like the sun the star shone forth, and angels sang on earth.
2.The little child in Bethlehem, he was a king indeed!
For he came down from heav'n above to help a world in need. 
3.He dwells a gain in heaven's realm, the Son of God today;
and still he loves his little ones and hears them when they pray.
4.I am so glad each Christmas Eve! His praises then I sing; 
he opens now for every child the palace of the king.
5.And so I love each Christmas Eve, and I love Jesus too;
and that he loves me every day I know so well is true








288--Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Good Christian Friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say; Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him now, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!  Christ is born today


Good Christian Friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear or endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heavens door, and we are blest forever nore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!


Good Christian Friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all to gain the ever lasting hall.
Christ was born to save!  Christ was born to save!