Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family, near and far, new and old, and to you who read my blog that I don't know.
What am I thankful for?
I'm thankful for:
~ the little things that make life interesting.
~ God's grace and mercy in my life.
~ family.
~ second chances.
~ good food and a love for it.
~ books.
~ beautiful sunsets and landscapes/
~ coffee and tea as comfort on a rainy day.
~ great friends who help me through it all (thank you, you know who you are!).
~ a new community of Christians in my life (Qtown gathering).
~ good music.
~ 16 years in an amazing Bible Study.
~ prayer.
~ my Meme's stuffing :)
Be safe in all your travels tomorrow and in holiday season!

God knows!

When I graduated high school, one of my mom's good friends told me that even if I think I know what my major in college is, it will change. My response to her was "Yeah, right. I'm going to Liberty University for four years to study International Relations and then I'll go to Lebanon and work in the Foreign Service." Boy oh, boy was I wrong. I didn't go to Liberty for a few reasons, but mainly, because God closed the doors that had led there. I fought God almost all the way, even to the point of making myself sick. But praise the Lord He is all knowing! Now, I am at community college (saving a lot of  money!), with a Liberal Studies major and helping start a church in Phoenixville, PA with my family and friends. It has been quite an ordeal, but I realize that one day, I would love a family, and it is very hard to have one if you are in the Foreign Service, so I think my heart and head are learning why God closed that door. God always knows what is best, even if we seem to think He is totally wrong! Psalm 139 has been a huge encouragement to me. It also helps to have wonderful examples of godly people in my life for me to look up to. So all that to say, Patty, you were right! I've changed my mind a thousand times, because I'm young, and inexperienced and I have no idea what I'm doing, but God does!

Robert Frost...

The Easter I was 12 years old, my dad gave me a copy of the complete works of Robert Frost. At first the thickness of the book made reading it seem like a daunting task, but the following summer, I challenged myself to read a poem a day. I found that I actually enjoyed poetry. Soon, I was reading 3-5 poems a day. I would then discuss the meanings of them with my dad. I learned that Robert Frost had a very depressing life, and that it was reflected in some of his poems through melancholy imagery. Ever since then, I have had a love for poets, which brought about a knowledge and love for classic playwright's and novelist's works. So thank you Daddy! I'll leave you with my favourite Frost poem.

The Sound of Trees I wonder about the trees. Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our dwelling place? We suffer them by the day Till we lose all measure of pace, And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air. They are that that talks of going But never gets away; And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older, That now it means to stay. My feet tug at the floor And my head sways to my shoulder Sometimes when I watch trees sway, From the window or the door. I shall set forth for somewhere, I shall make the reckless choice Some day when they are in voice And tossing so as to scare The white clouds over them on. I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone. Robert Frost

Snow :)

Today, in my little corner of the world it...SNOWED!!!!
It made my day!! I loooooove snow, if you couldn't tell.

Christmas!!!!

I love Christmastime for 10 reasons.
1) The time that we thank God for sending His ONLY SON to the earth.
2) Everyone seems to be a little more joyful.
3) I love giving people gifts! Joy is soooo contagious when you give a gift joyfully!
4) Everyone wants to be together, whether it's family, friends, or complete strangers, for Christmas!
5) I also like getting presents :)
6) Baking and eating all the scrumptious goodies that are from age-old recipes!
7) I loooove Christmas music, whether it be sacred Christmas songs, or a whimsical Christmas tune!!
8) It's cold, and that means the chance of SNOW!!!!
9) You have good excuses to invite friends and relatives that don't know about Christ and the Gospel to events or your home to show them the love of Christ.
10) I love getting candy in my stocking!!!!
Why am I writing about Christmas in October, you may ask???
Because I am one of those insane people who have already started a count-down calendar!
But you see, it gives me something to look forward to: seeing old friends, my family, and meeting new people!!
66 days till CHRISTMAS!!! 

Elizabeth Taylor

I love old Hollywood. There may not have been great graphics and the scenery may have just been a painted canvas, but the actors and actresses knew how to act. Unlike today's actors, they did not have cue cards or a teleprompter. One of the great actresses of old Hollywood was Elizabeth Taylor. As a young girl, I remember seeing a commercial for her perfume White Diamonds, and thinking "Wow, what a pretty lady", which translates today to "Wow, that lady had class!" Here's the commercial on YouTube (sorry for the poor quality) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjVfu8-Wp6s. Anyway, she also had some of the worlds most iconic jewelry given to her by all the men in her life (and I do mean all). My personal favourite, is the Bulgari Emerald and Diamond necklace/earring set given to her by her husband Richard Burton. She also helped a lot of children and families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and the US. But even with all that class, finesse, wealth, love, charity and extravagance, I wonder was it all worth it? I am a dreamer at heart, and as much as I would love to wear over $1million in jewelry or help starving people in desolate places, what good would it be? Would I be able to get to heaven by just my acts alone. NO!!! But thank the Lord, that I have Christ, and He is my personal Lord and Savior! I don't need to be filled with anything but Him, even though sometimes I think I do. He died for ME, and He died for YOU!

Pandora...

So, I've been struggling for a while with some spiritual and emotional things. Plus I've been really sick for about a month with a weird virus (I will spare you the details lol). Overall, I've just been discouraged and tired of the things in life. I was listening to Pandora Radio and had it tuned to my New Age Solo Piano Radio. It mixes hymn, classical, jazz, and of course new age piano songs. I was in the cafeteria at school working on homework, when a gorgeous rendition of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" came on. I lost it. I began to weep. God was speaking to me in ways only He and His Children understand. He sent His ONLY Son to die for me, and with that one thought I was humbled. I'm not saying every thing is perfect now, but my soul feels renewed and refreshed after a good cry and talk with my Father. Thank you, Abba for all you've done.

How deep the Father’s love for us,
how vast beyond all measure
that He should give His only Son
to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away.
as wounds which mar the Chosen One
bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon the cross,
my sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:
no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.