Dead in my tracks...

Last night I was thinking about a few of my friends who I grew up with. They were raised in conservative churches, yet they have chosen to follow different paths. A few of them have chosen to separate themselves from church altogether. It can be discouraging at times just thinking about how many of my friends are not living for God. I get frustrated with them..."they know better than to live like this"...I say. It is easy to feel very disappointed by their actions and lives. Then it hits me....I have let them down in an even bigger way. I do not pray for my friends like I should. I have no right to be judgmental. My only right it to faithfully pray for them. Who am I to look at their lives and criticize? I know for a fact that I have disappointed God throughout my life... Where would I be without the prayers of family and friends? My goal is to love and to pray for my friends...not to be their critic. If I do my part and pray for them, God will be faithful to convict. When He wants to use me as His tool...I will have an open heart to speak His Love.

I heard the following two songs on the radio a few weeks ago. They both have meant a lot to me.

Among The Thirsty - I'd Need A Savior

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring

Chorus:
Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say…

Chorus:
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.
I’d need a Savior
I need you, Savior

Glory to God – Steve Fee

Before the world was made, before you spoke it to be
You were the King of Kings, yeah you were, yeah you were
And now you’re reigning still, Enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out, We join them as we sing

Chorus:
Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God, Forever (2x’s)

Verse 2:
Creator God you gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name, all my days, all my days
So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings the greatness of the King

Bridge:
Take my life and let it be
All for you and for your glory
Take my life and let it be yours (x2) We sing… (back to chorus)

Out with the old...in with the new.

Hello fellow bloggers! It's me...that one person who has a terrible habit of letting months go by without blogging. I am back! Along with a new vow to become a better blogger.

I am sitting here wondering what happened to the Fall season. It seems as though we totally skipped over the cool days of Fall and went straight to COLD days. Fall is my favorite season. I love the warmth of a bonfire after nearly freezing your ears off on a hayride.

A little update on my life... I am taking 13 hours at Ivy Tech this semester. I am currently working 3, no 4, different places. I still work at Ashford Place Health Campus part time as a cna and in the business office. I also just started at a retirement facility. I still sit with the elderly man a few days a week and babysit occasionally. Having several different jobs can make things a little more confusing than if I worked just one place. I am managing...you gotta do what you gotta do!

Unfortunately I have class in a few moments so I must say "goodbye" for now. Be safe, be courteous, be spontaneous!

Graduation!

Vanette graduated on May 17th with her RN! It seemed as though that day could not have come soon enough for her. I am very proud of her! Congratulations Vanette!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

VBS

Here are a few pictures from Vacation Bible School at Shelbyville Bible Holiness. I was able to work on one of the vans all week and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It felt like old times, which was awesome!
Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Megan and Roel's Wedding

I had the privilege to stand in the wedding of Megan Hollon and Roel Cuaresma. I met Megan when I attended GBS in 2005. She and I were also roommates on our trip to Guatemala in 2007. We have a lot of memories from that trip, mostly memories of laughing but also a few tearful memories. I still laugh when I think of some of those times. Like the time we four girls were trying to cross a still which was flowing with two feet of muddy rain water. Or when she and I had to take a tuc-tuc home because it was pouring rain. The driver over-charged us and then the tuc-tuc kept stalling on the drive home.
Those are memories that I hope I never forget. Thousands of miles from home or just a few miles away, Megan has given me an amazing friendship. She cares deeply about people and has never shown a bit of selfishness to those around her. I'm so happy for her and Roel! They both deserve the best!
Here are a few pictures from their wedding.



The wedding colors were Green and Ivory



Roel's parents



Jesse and I



Seth and Jamie Stephens. Two boys that both Megan and I babysat for.



Megan and her Father



So pretty...



The guys



Getting ready for the kiss



Roel, Megan and I



The adorable flower girl and Jamie



The Stephens family (thanks to my father for making animal noises....everyone was smiling) I miss this family sooo much!



Most of Roel's family

Mexico

In the middle of December I flew into Texas to be in two of my good friends wedding. Ednita is Mexican but grew up in Texas, and Hector also is Mexican and grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. Since Ednita is a US citizen, they had to have a ceremony in both the US and in Mexico. I enjoyed having the privilege of being in a Mexican wedding. I also enjoyed seeing some old friends from GBS and also meeting relatives and friends of Ednita and Hector. I have a ton of pictures from my trip, too many to put on here. However, I would like to share a few. There are some that have a story behind the picture, which helps to explain them.


This was at Ednita's house for the civil ceremony.


Kristen and I


Five of the seven bridesmaids


The totally awesome car Ednita and Hector rode in.


Ednita just as she got to the church...she was so beautiful


Josh and Cesar before the wedding. Josh played his cello and Cesar was the usher.


Gabriel and Cesar


Me after the ceremony. We were bored while they were taking family pictures.


Kristen and Jenny showing me how to pose with a "natural" look


Kristen and Joy. Joy was one of the maids-of-honor


Iglesia Evangelica Misionera Mexicana


Hector's parents


Jenny, Cesar and I. They are twins in case you couldn't tell.


The bride and groom and me


Jihae, one of the bridesmaids


Chen and I at the reception.


Jorge, the guy I walked with


Josue...another one of the groomsmen. He's a lot of fun!


It was our last night in Texas, Cesar and Josh decided to put this snake skin in Jenny's luggage. You should have heard her scream when she opened the suitcase up to get her boots out.


Right before Josh took them to the bus station


Josh took me back into Mexico to do some shopping...I found this in one of the stores....


....and this at a side walk vendor....made me laugh.

Finals Week!

Finals week. The two times a year when I ask myself why I feel this need to put myself through such misery. I guess in the end, when I am finished and have the degree I'm striving for, it will be totally worth it. Worth all the nights filled with little sleep and too much caffeine.
I was talking to my friend Josh the other night and telling him how I needed to start writing my research paper. I think I was complaining about how much work it was going to be. At the same time, I was blog hopping when I came across this a song. It is totally true and could not have come at a more perfect time.

It goes to the tune of Jingle Bells.

College life, college life,
Grinds your health away.
Finals, tests, all without rest,
And reading that’s due today.
College life, college life,
Makes you quite a sight,
Oh, what fun it is to write
That term paper tonight!


I thought it was very appropriate.

Thanks Isaac for sharing that with everyone!