Do You Know about Eternal Life?

          "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."-Hebrews 11:39-40

           "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."-John 3:14-16

        “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30

           The songs that were also sung at the passing was: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Amazing Grace, and The Old Rugged Cross.

          This is the 2nd part of the last entry that I wrote. This is the last thing that got me at the passing of my friend and 2nd father. Stand strong like a tree so you can have enteral life in God. What service do you get reminded of that? I was surprised that these things is what I was getting from it but it did make it happier and like a party because we all knew where he was going. The verses and songs just reminded me of God's Grace and 
Strength that we have in Him. If we remember that, then we will have enteral life forever. 
          It helped me remember that we don't deserve that enteral life at all but through God's Grace and our Faith in Him we can have it. We have it because God has something better for us planned in the future. If He had commend us, then His Works would not be done.  It is like this, with a 2nd father, I think, as older and wiser people get we pass the tradition and information on to the next generation. I feel like I am the person I am today partly because of my 2nd father. I would have never gotten the farm experience without him and because I have that experience it makes me like God's Creation even more. 
          The reminder of an eternal life is a reminder of depending on God and leaning on Him through hard times. It is a reminder that we should lift God up no matter what is going on in our lives or where we are in it. God is gentle and humble and will give us rest if we just ask for it. I love that songs that we sung too because all of them had a theme and went with the verses too. The songs reminded us to look to Jesus and remember what He did for us so we could have enteral life in Him. He gave us grace and died that horrible death on the cross because He cared that much about us. Someday when we die and get to live that eternal life with Him, we will get a crown of glory if we have followed Him in the way He wanted us to. 
          I didn't write this down on my notes because I didn't think it was important about it is. The pastor mentioned another song and it has been my favorite since I could remember it. It is the old song: "Trust and Obey" and that song says it all about my friend's life and I want it to say it all about my life. "Trust and Obey, for there is not other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey." You can't live a happy life if you are living for yourself. You will fail every time that you try by yourself. You have to live for Jesus and by trusting and obeying Him, you are doing just that. You should have joy no matter what. Yes, life will be hard at times but God does everything for a reason and that reason is to make us ready to be with Him and have eternal life. 
           I have a question to ask you: Do you know about Eternal Life?
           

Strong Like A Tree

         "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.   That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers."-Psalm 1:1-3

          "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads."-Revelation 22:1-4

            ^" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."-Gal. 5:22-26

         " Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”-Luke 13:6-9

    

          There is a very speical reason that I put these verses on my blog. That reason is that these are the verses that was read at a old friend's (my 2nd dad's) passing. His passing is the best one I have been to out of all the other ones I have been to. That might be a strange thing to say and compare but it was. He lived a life that served God and his church. He loved doing and making things for people. He loved children (hint me). He would build things in his wood shop for the church and people. I still have a little wooden bookself that he built for me right by my bedside and that is where it has always been. 

             It was really beautiful that the friends and pastors picked these verses out for him because it did fit him perfectly. He loved animals and the outdoors. His wife and him lived out in the middle of the woods, with a lot of trees around them, on a farm on a gravel road where I grew up. He had cows, chickens, a lot of dogs and cats that I remember. I would go and try to help him milk the cows when I went to visit but I was more of an egg collector. 

              I remember the walks out in the small woods behind the house. On every walk, I use to pick up acorns and collect them. I have pictures of him reading to me outside. That's why I like to read outside when I get the chance to. I just never knew how much his wife and him liked the outdoors but I guess living on a farm you have to in a way. I wonder where I got the love of the outdoors and sewing and rustic things. Now I know. It is from when I was growing up on the farm. 

            I have been going back once a month to visit and it just feels like I am back home because it is so calm and easygoing. So quite too. It feels like I get recharged there on the farm. I thought it was strange because at his cermony I was the only one really crying and I was crying out loud I felt like. His wife (my 2nd mom) joked around with me like we usually do and told me it was okay. One of the relatives that was sitting by her said to her "I love her tender heart." It is hard to think of that person who raised you for the first 4 years of your life and during one week every summer after that until jr. high or high school. 

              It is strange how people in the country can be so much alike but yet so different. Country people do stick with their passions and things and people they love. They will never let their love ones down and will try to help all they can whether be building them something or teaching them something about life. They have hobbies and they do them. Sometimes they will spend all their lives doing that one or two hobbies that they love. It has just opened my eyes to so many different things and gave me more respect for people in my life that I should have had a lot more respect for before this all happened. 

          Strong like a Tree is what I want to be like. I want to take root and stand my ground on my passions and beliefs. Stand up for what I know is right and try to do it. Try to grow more and more in God so I can make a difference in a place where I know I can and will. I want to bare fruit where it is possible too. I do not want to curl up and die that is for sure. 

Strong Like a Tree (5 steps):

-Take root and stand your ground

-Stand up

-Grow more and more in God

-Bare Fruit

-Don't curl up and die

If you can follow those 5 simple steps, you will be living a life for God but not in that exact order. Some of them might need to be changed around depending on the situation.

               

Waiting with His Love and Grace

        The word that God has been putting on my heart lately is......Waiting with His Love and Grace. God has been putting "waiting" on my heart since yesterday morning and He has been putting the words "love" and "Grace" on my heart since last Monday. I feel like God has put a lot of people (aka my friends) around me that are just waiting for things like another job, college, or their dream to come true. I feel like I'm waiting for a lot of things too.
         The things I'm waiting for is to go to grad school again and the way to go, having not just a job but a career, getting married, having a family, and adopting. Those are the desires of my heart right now along with everyone else's that is around me. I can relate to 3 people because it is one or the other of these things. It maybe not just one but two of these things to for that other person.
         It is strange that I'm just thinking the words "Love" and "Grace" over and over again too. It is just that God is trying to show me something through all of this. I have lived my life in His Love and Grace. That's for sure. Everything I have done in my life has been because of His Love and Grace. I will write more about that later in another entry. Then why can't I wait in His Love and Grace and just Trust that He will give me my heart's desires.
          The strange thing is, though, His Love and Grace for me as always been given through me to other people. I guess I never thought about those two things for me. Waiting in His Love and Grace. Enjoying the time in it while I have it to myself. Really, I do have it all to myself most of the time now expect when I'm working with the children or talking to friends. I get to soak in it all by myself and it is fun at some points but then other points I just want to share it. It is meant to be shared.
           While you wait with those two things, it gives you hope too. It says that no matter what happens in the time of waiting, His love and grace will be with me to get me through. To lead me down the right path. To make me see things that I would have never seen other wise. People do just say.....Wait......a lot but they never say it with something of God's. If it is anything it is His Timing but His Love and Grace are most important. It is those two things that keeps you going, not the timing. It is just like the children I work with they are waiting for someone to love them but while they are waiting they are hoping in, whether they believe it or not, in His Love and Grace. It is His Love and Grace that keeps human nature running its course.
             If you think waiting is bad or boring......look at it another way........look at it with His Love and Grace and then you will see things even the small things in that waiting time that could help you get to those things or be better at those things. Sometimes the Wait is not so bad. That is when He grows us the most.
            Friends, wait in His Love and Grace. He will not let you down in the end.

Cleaning with Vinegar

       You know in those moments when you think "Oh, I'll never do that or be like that" but then you turn out to be like that. There is a lot of DIY things that makes it cheaper on you as a person to have like cleaners and decorations and so on. For some reason, those things get me to thinking when I actually do those things like cleaning with vinegar. I knew it was a good cleaner and learned that in college and other ways but never thought I would do it.
          Of course, I was in college when I thought that. I was stubborn and thought I could get everything with money and so on but that's not the way my life is going right now. I also thought, like in an earlier entry, I could make my own food but right now it is the easiest to make boxed food. It is something I do need to get use to because with my dream, I will be supporting children with the money that is being made and making things like cleaners and clothes. Not really, but it is possible because I know how.
            Things cost so much these days. There are barely any small or big families that live on homemade things. You do that now if you are just single and by yourself because really there is no one else to care. You work and/or go back to school until you find the one that is right for you. Cleaning with vinegar, also humbles me a lot because it makes me see how much money I really have. It is a part of the missionary life. I might not have enough money to by name brand cleaners but at least I have some money to buy vinegar. Some people don't even have that much money.
             I will admit I would like to take the recipes and crafts off of Pinterest and do those someday. I learned to make my own clothes, blankets, and laundry soap while cooking for 10 people in a big house. Sometimes if people really know me that will say that I want marriage and I won't argue with them because it is true but there are some things I want before that and I just have to learn the fastest way to do things now as a single and then I can do the other things when I get a bigger house or get married. It is just no point in doing it now for me even though I could start living that way so I will be use to it when I do get married.
             That might be my New Year's resolution, making my own things. I can save money that way for school and a family plus it is fun. People always say prepare for marriage and this is the way I want it. This is what I want. It is funny because I'm taking the preparing for marriage the totally opposite way that some girls would but that is me. I am the simple, country girl. Put me in a cabin out in the woods and I would make it. I like to make life as simple as I can. Might not seem like it sometimes because I am a deep thinker too but doing things I like the simplest of ways.
               Whether it is cleaning with vinegar or a name brand cleaner, just remember the kind of life you are living. Do you want to live where you are making a difference or where you are just following someone else? I turned this whole entry into a thought process. Like how I did that? You can turn anything into a learning and thinking process.

Pray for the Nations

         "My Temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations."- Mark 11:17a

      I have nothing else to write right now so I'm writing about this verse because it has been on my mind and bathroom mirror this month.
     I heard this verse during a sermon one Saturday night. I would love it to be the theme of my house (now apartment). I am the person that loves missions and ministries. I'm that person that love to pray for other children and people in other nations. Why can't it be?
     I have been to Mexico and Guatemala and seen so many things. Been to trash dumps and orphanages in those to countries. I love everyone of those children. I have seen children on the street selling things to barely get by. Helping their parents while walking all day. I sponsor a little girl (not so little anymore) from the Philippines through Compassion International. I know too many children not to pray for them whether in other nations or here in the states. That is not the only way I am thinking about this verse and the word "nations".
      Besides the the "real" nations, the word means more to me and the meaning is the different cultures around me. The word "nation" really means: a large body of people, associated with a particular territory, that is sufficiently conscious of its unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own. Cultures like Hispanic, abused, homeless, hunting, plus more. Everyone needs to be prayed for. We have so many "little nations" around us if we just look where we least expect it. I know the meaning is talking about just countries but replace the word "territory" and it is simple.
          Although, you could leave that word in there too. It is just saying that a group of people that are passionate about the same thing and wanting to come together because of that passion to do something about it, to own it is a nation. Even Christians are a "nation" because we are passionate about Jesus Christ and we want people to know and Love Him. We are shining for Him. A "nation" could really be your job, church, friends, or even family.
         Taking this verse as is, "Let your house or place of living be called a place of prayer for everyone around you plus those who you come in contract with throughout the day." AKA: Let's pray for everyone that needs it. Prayer is that important and God cares about people that much. He cares enough for us to bring our problems and blessings to Him. God gets to know us through our prayers because we share things with Him then we never would with anyone else. WE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GOD. HE IS OUR CREATOR AND FATHER.

Activities to Help Teach Children

           I never thought about activities to help with conflicts or just to get to know the children but I learned today that activities can do both of those. Maybe that is why I love to do crafts or school things with the little children? The way I am doing it now it is letting me have one on one with them and teach them how to do things they have probably never done before. If schools saw activities more this way then maybe children would want to learn better. Especially today's children.
           I have two ways that activities that can help children and youth and why it helps them the way it does. It is something else that I really have to look into and learn about somehow.
One way is to use activities and basic needs for initial communication after or during a conflict. Why? It is often easier to talk over a game of cards (aka preschool making something) or a snack. ACTIVITIES AND FOOD TEND TO PUT PEOPLE AT EASE AND MAKE COMMUNICATION FLOW.  For adults, that makes since to, especially for me, because I have to keep doing something to calm down or I will response in a negative way. I will also think about things that are not true and then get worked up about those things. Once you are walking with a friend or playing a sport it is easy not to even think about what bothered you and just talk.
             Then it is common sense to know that activities are used to form relationships and it helps youth with their willingness to form one with someone else that they are just getting to know and that is true for all of us. You might ask why is using activities such an easy way to form relationships. When you do an activity with the child, it puts the child at ease (no tension) and it seems non-threating because you are having fun with them. Talking about having fun, you also satisfy that need to have fun. Children and youth might not be use to fun because they have been in charge or scared to do anything fun because they don't know what it will end up like so they need to be taught that it is okay in a safe place.
               The thing I love about using activities is that it is the best way, in my opinion, to provide opportunities to teach skills and to model behavior. It is also more effective when used to support and encourage, rather than as a reward or punishment. Learning all of this in a meeting as helped me realize that I am doing a lot for those children while I'm doing crafts with them and that we need to do more. It might be easier to do it a a middle school or teenage level because you can sometimes see the change right away but preschoolers needs it just as much. I know they need emotional and mental help most of the time but crafts and other activities besides just playing can help them learn a lot in every way especially we when take time to think about what kind of activity to do with them.
             I just happy that I have something to back me up now when people ask me why do you do some much with the children or spend so much on them. You learn through everything you do even crafts and sitting in circle time.

Schedules and Boxed Food

         You might be thinking, "What a strange title that is for a entry!" Let me explain, though. For the past month or two, I have been really trying out an everyday schedule and noticing how "normal" people use boxed food because they are busy and not lazy. I thinking about starting to live off of boxed food and fresh fruits and veggies. Anyways, here are my explanations for both and what difference they have made in my life. I will admit too, I have had people tell me months before to use a schedule of some kind but I never stuck with it.
          Let's start with something that I am actually doing right now and how it came about. You remember that women's Bible study I was taking back a month ago? Well, that is what got me started in this whole scheduling thing. The first thing that I was reminded off was that God cares about every little details of our lives so we should too. In our Bible study book, there was a chapter on how to organized things. You would think, being the person that I am, I would have my personal life organized and down pat. Well, I don't I just like everyone else to be organized or that was how it seemed. There was an organization chart that you could fill out of your daily routines. What you had to do that day.
            It was a few weeks after the Bible study was over that I really got to thinking about it and got to where I could use that chart. Now I was just thinking about using it for the things I should be doing everyday or every other day like they are "suppose" to be used. I thought once I got my daily routine down again with new things added in then I could stop using those charts after I run out. Let me tell you that I am not going to stop using something smailiar to those chart like a daily planner and I will have it out on my table at home. Just like the charts are. I'll admit it is kind of like a child having a daily chore chart. When you look at it through God's eyes, that is exactly what it is through because we are His Children and we should shine His Light.
            I know I am getting a lot more done and it is bringing out the best in me. I like seeing everything crossed off at the end of the day. It is very rewarding. I know I sound like a child but it is true and it runs in the family in a good way. Plus today's world is just that busy where we do have to write down everything to remember it. We have so much to do in 24 hours and they can change but time can't.
            Now about the boxed food. I got to thinking about this when I here my single friends talk and even young parents or young married couples with or without children. It goes back to the fast pace of today's world and that it is only me in an apartment right now. I LOVE to cook! More then anything, I LOVE to cook WITH people. It's not as fun when you have to do it by yourself. It can also be my stress reliever in so many ways. There is a reason my degree is in FACS but it is hard cooking for just one person especially when you have grown up with 5 people in the house and had big holidays every holiday. You don't know how to cook smaller sizes. Even though, I might miss cooking at times like taking hours to cook. Mix and back sort of thing. The easy boxed food has their advantages too.
           I can cook a tray of cookies in 5 to 10 mins instead of a half a hour. I can have some unique things that I would never thought of making myself or don't know how just yet. You can make it for as many people as you want. Sometimes depending on how many you have in your family that is even way faster then making food because it comes in a big box. It just depends on your lifestyle  and career right now. I'm noticing that even though I love to bake, it is not the prefect time for me to cook. I am single and I have a job that I love but can make me sleepy and emotional at times so I need something easy to bake when I get home.
          For me, it is kind of like I have children that I take care of all day and then I come home and cook something fast for me. It would be that way if I had young children of my mine so why not get use to it now, right? It is strange how God can open your eyes to little things like these and make you see that those things make life much easier for you so you can spend more time with Him.

First Snow Day in the Fall

          There is no better way to spend the first snow day then with your own nephews. The leaves look so pretty with the snow on them. All of those different colors shining under a white blanket of snow. It was a lot to really play it but it was fun to walk out in it and watch them ride their bikes in it. I had a moment with my nephews that was pretty funny but before I share that I want to share what I thought when I first just looked out at the big falling snowflakes. They were big at first and then they got smaller when the day went on.
           The reason I was standing frozen on the porch and thinking while I was watching it come down was, "How fun would it be to be out in this falling snow while hunting?" Yes, I know most of you must think I am crazy but it is true. I wouldn't even have to be hunting as long as I was with someone that could hunt. I could enjoy God's beautiful creation with snow on top of everything. It would even be prettier if a deer came along in it. Could you just image that picture? Red and brown leaves with snow falling down and a deer right in the middle of everything.
           Anyways, back to reality because right now that is not my reality at all. Hint it would be a great birthday wish come true. :) Back to spending the day with my nephews. We spent the morning making two crafts. One was a pumpkin for Thanksgiving and the other one, believe it or not, was a paper plate snowman. The funny thing about the snowman was tat right after we got done making it. That is when it started to snow. They really wanted to build a real snowman out of snow but we didn't get enough to do that. We got enough just to barely cover the ground. They did make a few small snowballs from the snow of the back of my car and off of other things outside. I did get hit once with one snowball but that was it.
           Then we did come back in had hot cocoa to warm up. Then after lunch, we made more Christmas and wintery crafts with our feet and hands. It was a busy day, but at the same time, a fun day.  It was a fun first snow day for me. That's for sure. Otherwise, I would just be in my apartment probably just sewing some more circles together.
            This was more of a memory entry then a "teachable moment" entry. That is why it is so short. It was half of what my day was like. The most important parts at least. You know what was funny, though, through this day I learn in so many ways that one: God gives us 2nd chances (more reminded of that one) and two: God wants us to live a meaningful life, which both of them together comes down to: God has a plan for our lives. As the sermon was about last night at church, God is the ruler over our lives or at least should be. Those three things go together perfectly and I believe that there is a reason that God taught be those lessons in the same weekend. He will show me in His Time, though.

Saying, "I Love You"

          As I was laying in bed wide awake last night, I thought, "When do I say I love you to anyone and when do I really mean it? What does it feel like when I do mean and how can I tell?" To be honest, it got me to worrying so much I was a wake for sometime. I know I have wrote about the different kinds of love in the past months and I'm starting to think that there are those different kinds. I never really thought about, though, how or when I say it and what I'm doing in that moment.  Here are just some types and moments where I do say, "I love you" and what I feel like if I can explain it.
           First, I say I love you to the children that I work with because they need to hear it from someone. There are moments there where I do love them more then others but I try to say it as often as I can especially if I feel a connection with them. To me, it is important that every child should know that they are loved no matter what. I try to tell them at the worst of times and at the best of times so they know no matter what I will always love them. If I do get a real connection with them I will know because I will say "I love you" before they leave and try not to cry while saying it.
           Second, I say "I love you" to my family. More to my nieces and nephews because they need to know that their aunt loves them. I tell them that when they leave and/or at bedtime. It is sort of a strange feeling because I'm not use to saying "I Love you" in my immediate family but the little kids need to know and it is just cute how they say it back. It makes an aunt feel special. I hesitate for some reason every now and again but I know they need to hear it so I say it. If that makes any sense at all.
            Third, I'll be honest I don't say "I love you" to anyone in my immediate family which is sad but at the same time I know they love me when they help me out with things or just because we get along so well. I know I will take that for granted one day so I need to get better at it but none of us share our feelings (aka talk about them) and maybe it is because I never really grew up around most of them. Sounds bad but being second to youngest it is true. I only got really close to my little brother and remember most of the things I did with him. The others were off in their teenage years and college years.
             Fourth, I sometimes wonder about the fourth kind of love and if I will ever be able to say "I love you" to my husband. Will I ever be able to say "I love you" to just one guy and get a certain feeling every time I say it? Will I know when to say it? I want to know what that feels like but then it is so hard to wrap my mind around. I want the experiences that come with saying that but at the same time it just makes me scared. It is a kind of commitment that I'm willing to make because I am that loyal type but when and how.
            Last but not least, God's unconditional Love for us. It is us saying "I love you because you first loved me". God showed us what real Love looks like and in a way we might feel different or think different things with these different people but we are doing the same thing as God did for us. He gave up something for us and that something was His Son, Jesus Christ. We give up time, money, energy, passions, and other things for human love but could we ever give up another human for more love. Could we ever make that sacrifice? Think about it the next time you say "I love you" to someone. I'm not comparing the two loves but it is a great reminder about how much God's Love is then any other of these loves.

Teaching is my Heart

          As I saw all the children's art on the wall, I thought to myself I really want to go back to teaching again. I miss it so much. Nothing has made me happier then seeing children's art on the wall and recognizing that some of that art is the same are that I am doing with the children I have now. It is like just seeing their art on the wall gave me the encouragement that I need to keep pushing forwards where I am now.
           Teaching is my heart. That is who I am no matter the background of the child. That is how I grew up and learn to do things. I might not have them for a year but that doesn't mean we should stop teaching them altogether. It might be a different program or way we use but surely there is something out that. If not, let's be the first to make it.
            Teaching is my heart. I miss the organization that comes with teaching. I miss the calmness that also comes with it on most days. It is hard to explain to people. Loving to teach is a special feeling that God gives you. You know you are making a different in those children's lives and you see it. Yeah, you can teach with play there is more of a chance to see it faster if you teach it to them. They need to know how to follow directions and how to act around other children but they need to be taught that. We are teaching anyways everyday so why not make it fun instead of feeling like we are doing the same things over every day.
              Being a teacher's kid, that is one of my problems. I get bored too easily and don't want to stay in one spot for so long especially since my mom was the hands on type of teacher.  I love being creative with the children and seeing what they can come up with or how they make things. I love being able to see what they can do and what they cannot do. I saw this 2 year old girl one time that knew how to hold a fat marker just right. Not only did she hold the marker just right, she also held the paper right while she was drawing on it. That is not something to expect a 2 year old. They are still learning or just learning how to draw and what paper and coloring is. It is moments like those that make my day.
               It is especially special when you see special needs children or children that are developmentally behind learn something new for the first time and know that you taught them that. They might remember you because you taught them something that was important. It is special when you can get them caught up where they should be even if it is feeling wise or behaviorally or all of the above. To me, when I see the children doing the same things over everyday for weeks, I feel like they are learning nothing. Granted I do see some changes in behaviors and physical when is good but there are ways to be sure that they do.
               This is my soapbox because like I said teaching is my heart and I love to see children learn. I just think that if we get so caught up in everyday work that we are not teaching the children anything at all because we feel like we have to get everything done. Maybe that is just me and my perfectionism but still it somewhat makes sense especially in today's busy world. Why do you think parents are dropping children off at daycares these days even with the payment so high?
               Anyways, just some thoughts about children and learning again. I do really miss teaching though. I also miss everything that comes with it feelings and all but now I know.

The Fig Tree- Mark 11:12-14

          "The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”And his disciples heard him say it." -Mark 11: 12-14

          These verses were the first part of the sermon last night and I thought it was neat the way the preacher explained it. I never thought 3 little verses could mean so much but he made these verses hit home for me last night. We think that the fig tree is a little bush and in most Sunday school pictures that is how it is shown but it is not. It is a big, strong, tall tree. Jesus cursed the big dig tree. To the disciples and to us, it might seem silly that Jesus cursed a tree at first but when you really look into it is not so silly.

           The fig tree only had leaves on it and was bearing no fruit. Even though it wasn't the time of season for it to bear fruit Jesus still put a curse on it. Why? You might be asking. To Jesus, it was a lesson for his disciples. One other important thing it also said that Jesus was hungry and that is the only time that is mentioned in the Bible. This is my thought on the writer putting that phase in that about Jesus being hungry. People are hungry for God all around us, all the time. 

           Jesus wanted/needed something to eat and to make Him well but the tree didn't have anything yet. All the tree had was leaves. The tree looked great on the outside but it wasn't growing any fruit for people to eat. It hit me last night when the preacher said that we are like that fig tree sometimes. We look good on the outside but not the inside. We are not as fruitful as we should be.

            We get so caught up and busy in our own things that we forget about what Jesus wants us to do or where He has us in our life. We always want something better for us when we know that Jesus knows us best. We put a front on the outside, when really we are hurting on the inside and sometimes when we are hurting we should share that with people. We should share it because then people can see how God is working in our lives by turning the "bad" into the "good". When we have those close friendships, people can see God working through us. Changing us for who He wants us to be. 

            A phase that really got to me last night during the sermon was, "Christ wants more then busyness and posers." He wants lives that bears fruit for Him and only Him. He wants us to live for Him. If we are busy trying to reach a level at work or make something of ourselves but not looking towards Him, it is wasteful. He will put a curse on us like He did the fig tree but if we are fruitful and keep being that then He will bless us beyond more then we can ever think. 

           There is a second part the sermon about the cleansing of the Temple that I will write about later this week. Probably around Wednesday.

City Life vs. Country Life

        I can't believe it has been almost 4 days since I wrote in my blog. Oh! wait! yes I can. It has been a busy a stressful four days. It has also been uncertain for me. You know when you have all these crazy thoughts but yet you have no idea how you are going to make time for everything that goes into those thoughts? That is me right now and will be in the next week or possibly two months since it is the Holiday season now.
        I believe that God has been showing me a lot about my path and my future. I hate when I think about those two things but every once in awhile those are things we need to think about even if we love where we are in life right now. I've been thinking about it in a crazy, yet possible, way. For me, right now, it is this battle in my heart of city life vs. country life. For most of you who know me, you know I am country life all the way. Even my personality is country lifestyle. I'm the easygoing, laid-back, outdoorsy, don't care type of girl so busy things annoy me.
        God gave me a moment this past week when I heard Him say "Stop and listen" and it felt like no one else was around me and that one person I was listening to. People have been hard on me about how I have good listening skills and how I need a job to use those skills. Since they have been talking about it I have been paying more attention to why I don't listen to people and it all comes down to the city life. The city life is too busy and rushed for me. Seems like everything has to be done and done now. No one gets a break from anything. It is a coffee stop for a hour until that person has to be somewhere. It is I have to hurry up and get this done. It is a lot more things that I have grown into the past 3 years and honestly I don't like it.
          I really do believe that God gave me the personality to live out in the country where it is calm and quite. Where people know everyone because they take the time to know them. They go for walks in the outdoors or spend time in the woods together, yes I'll say it, hunting. They spend time in God's Creation and listen to God while they are spending time there. They are seeing signs of Him everywhere whether you live on a farm or just go hang out at a park. You learn to slow down and take each moment in because it is important even with family. Those type of people just seem to be more encouraging too because they take the time to slow down and see people that needs it.
          Country people really take the time to process things slowly and they can because people don't mind it. When you have to make the choice in a couple of days it is stressful. There is this wide open space that you can spend time in and enjoy by yourself in your pjs. Where in the city you are even scared to go running in your running clothes because someone might see you. You have to have the latest style running clothes which just cost more money that could go to something more meaningful. In the city, you are also closed in either in an apartment or in little neighborhoods.
          Another thing is that country people seems to be more closer to each other which is strange because they live so far away. Yet, churches, shops, schools and other things are so small so you know everyone there. You spend more time when you do see them because you know it might be awhile until you are up that way again. They have to make a certain time to see each other because it takes forever to get to just one place.
           Just to make it clear I'm not pointing any fingers or thinking about anyone while writing. I'm just writing the differences for myself and seeing for myself why I always keep going back to the country when the city annoys me. Why can't I handle the city stress? Oh! wait! it was because I was raise in the country and a small town all of my life. It is what I am use to and I'm not good at changing my ways and I won't to be honest. I still dream of living out in the country someday whether by myself or with someone. I want some land with a stream running through it that my children can play on. I want farm animals that they can help with.
           It just goes to show that city and country life are two different small cultures in a world of bigger cultures but we never take the time to see it that way.

Working on the Inside

          "Your heart is beautiful and I'm still working on it. I'm working on you from the inside to the outside. That's all that really matters right now. Once I get your heart where I want it then we will start to work on the outside."

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             I came up with this quote when I first woke up yesterday morning. As far as I know, I am the one that made it up and is saying it now. If it is from someone else and you know please let me know who. I will tell you how and why this quote came to mind as the first thing I thought about right after waking up to get ready for the day. 

             The crazy person that I am, some mornings, makes me look at Facebook while I'm in the process of waking up (aka laying in bed still). I got on Facebook that morning and a picture popped up that I really didn't want to see. It was nothing bad but just a picture that I had strange feelings about. After I saw that picture, it was like I was judging myself again like I wasn't nice enough or pretty enough to be in that picture. To tell you the truth, it isn't the first time that this had happen. 

              As I was thinking all those bad thoughts about me, it seemed like God was trying to break into my thoughts and remind me of who He made me to be or at least in the process of making me. It was like He was saying that quote in my heart and I was hearing Him. I will admit I had to repeat it several times before I got out of bed and got ready for the day. I just got up so down and worried about things because I can't seem to settle on anything right now. It is a good way to look at how God is working on things especially for us, girls. I will tell you what I think He was telling me in all of the words. 

             "Your heart is beautiful" was the first few words He put in my heart and those are the words I kept repeating mainly. He was saying just that, "Because of Me, your heart is beautiful and I will continue to make it beautiful." "Still working on it" was that last part. 

              "I'm working on you from the inside to the outside" meant that He was working on my personality and feelings to my looks. He was going to match my looks to my personality but first He is giving me one to match. Beautiful inside and out. With this job, He is giving me a personality that is a caring and loving one. He is making me see the world for what is really is and then giving me the tears for it. 

                "Once I get where I want your heart to be then we will start working on the outside" meant that the heart and feelings come first to God and then everything else like looks comes after it. God looks at the heart not the outside. He cares about how we treat people and not how we look while with them. 

               I was also thinking about, that morning and the night before, how I need to upgrade my clothes to my age in the next few months. Do I really look like I'm going to be 27 or do I look younger. Way younger? It wasn't just about clothes. It was also about career choices, college choices, family choices, living choices, and a lot of other choices. Where should I be right now? Am I where I should be at this age? It was like my mind never slept that night because it was getting ready to encourage me so I could go on for that day and I did even though I had a huge headache when I got home. It was a great day! 

               I know God is leading me along a path that He has for me. I'm liking it but as humans we tend to doubt Him. That is when we need to get down on our knees and ask for forgiveness. He knows us better then we know ourselves. He knows what we really need to get where we are going because He is the beginning and the end. He is the All-Knowing God! 

November is National Orphan/Adoption Month

         I did an entry in April about child abuse awareness because that was the month where we were made to be aware of it and it is something that I am passionate about. Well, this month is another month that I am passionate about and that is because it is National Adoption Month. Those two things go in hand for me especially at my job. Children get abused and taken from their parents for some time in the hope of getting to go back but some don't get that chance but some do get adopted, which is very special.
          I might be mistaken in saying and comparing the two months but this month means a lot more to me because even though we should be aware of the abuse going on for sure. We should also speak up for adoption so those abuse children can have a forever family. Adoption is a important subject to me and close to heart. Working my job, I'm learning a lot about my adoption through Christ and what that looked like. That is why adoption is close to me. Even though, I don't know what it feels like with "real" humans, I know what it is like with Christ.
          If you are a Christian, then you have been adopted and you should pass that great feeling on to a child who needs to be adopted. I'm not saying go and adopt a child now because I know not everyone can. It is a lot of money and there are special people that God has called to go adopted. I believe that in some way everyone can support and family or a child that is adopting or being adopting.
           I will admit after working where I am working. It is a new dream of mine to adopt, I want to say like 10 children, but at least one or two children. If money wasn't in the way, I would really do 10 children. I just want to have that feeling of changing a child's life, not just for 3 months, but for a lifetime. I want to see the whole process in action and see who they end up being because of the Love of Christ. That is a gift that I can give easily to a child. That is something that I can pass on and let His Light shine through me.
              I would love to, at least, adopt a child from the states and then a child internationally. Just to learn the different and know I'm helping out all around the world. That is why I would want to adopt 2 or more. It would be a challenge but when it comes to children for me. Give me a challenge and I will do it. The hard part is finding a husband that is willing to do the same but if it is meant to be God will bring him to me in the perfect timing.
              I'm challenging you to go out this month and look for ways you can help in your community. See if your church have an adoption program you can help with or even families in the church that you can help out. Look into the non-profits in your community and see how they help children whether abused or adopted because those abused children will hopefully be adopted someday. That is the better way for them instead of being in the foster system all their lives. It is a road for those children.
              IF YOU CAN'T DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS, PLEASE, AT LEAST, JOIN ME IN PRAYER FOR PRAYING FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAT NEED ADOPTING AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE ADOPTING. ALSO, TO RAISE UP MORE PEOPLE TO HELP IN THIS AREA BECAUSE SADLY IT IS ALWAYS GROWING, EVERYDAY. I will hopefully have most of my entries be about adoption this month too so please keep reading. If not, they will still be about the children I am working with.