Day Fourteen

The snow is melting, and its nice enough outside to play with my nanny boys! Here at work, we have exchanged the snowpants, boots, and gloves for helmets, scooters, and bikes! 


I am delighted to share that I(/We) have made the decision to go home this summer and attend the University of Montana in the fall. I am really excited about this decision. Jeremy is planning on doing the same. It will be SO great to be closer to my parents and brothers! I absolutely love Minnesota (mostly the shopping and the people), but home is where the heart is... ;) 


My mom is going to be here the day after tomorrow, which will be a blast. I am excited to show her my life here in Minnesota and to introduce her to all my friends here. Then in about 10 days I'm going on choir tour! We're going all the way to California. Long bus rides, reading books, card games, beach, ocean, sun, sand, sandals, shorts, singing beautiful songs to the Lord (14 days in a row....), sharing amazing fellowship with the people in my choir, and so much more. It's going to be awesome! 


I have been comforted this week by how unfailing God's love, forgiveness, and faithfulness is to us. It amazes me how we can be so sinful and overtaken by this world but God still loves us, forgives us, and is right there for us to come back to- No matter what we do or do not do. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God (love, forgiveness, faithfulness: Grace) is eternal life. What an amazing God we serve. 


My gluten-free diet is... dwindling? diminishing? not really happening anymore? I have been slowly reintroducing gluten-containing foods and seeing how I react, and so far, only the Chewy brand granola bars have made me sick. The breadstick at Olive Garden, the bites of apple fritter at Sbux and Caribou, organic granola bars, and other bites of foods, have not made me sick. Praise the Lord! Maybe I can begin eating gluten again! (within reason...) I am going to keep taking one small step at a time, and continue being extra cautious and aware of what my body is doing. 


Every day I continue loving Jeremy more and more. He encourages me in ways I struggle, understands me better than even I do sometimes, and never fails to love me unconditionally. I love that we can hang out when I haven't taken a shower, he lets me take naps while he watches basketball on Sunday afternoons, and he tells me I'm beautiful everyday (usually more than once a day). (Sorry, again, for ranting about him so much!) 

Romans 8:31-39 (MSG)

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. 

   We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."

A Few of My Favorite Things

Listening to Jeremy play guitar on a rainy Sunday afternoon...

Eating soup on a rainy Sunday afternoon...

Going to church on a rainy Sunday morning...

Starbucks Soy Peppermint White Mocha (no whip)...

Taking naps...

Talking to people I love...

Dairy Queen french fries and snickers blizzard

Watching the snow melt outside...

People watching...

Road trips...

Getting packages in the mail...

Watching young Christians mature in their faith...

Holding newborn babies...

Cooking for my friends and family...

Learning new recipes and succeeding...

Matthew 6...

Going to the library...

Having great friends to share memories with...

Day Thirteen

They say thirteen is an unlucky number... Well. I don't agree. But today was kind of a blah day. You know those days when you just feel off, you are tired, not hungry, and just plain blah? That was today. I just felt like everything was wrong. Even my center of gravity seemed to be off. I was running into walls and tripping over things. As a true Minnesotan would say, "Uff Da." As my roommate, ReAnne, would say, "What a day!" Nothing of significance happened. I don't have to work tomorrow, which is nice.. I'm going to try to get a lot of homework done so I don't have to worry about it any more! Who knows, maybe the rest of this semester will be filled with other stuff soon...

I went tanning yesterday b/c I have 3 free tans at a local tanning salon. It was really nice! It was like a 15 minute vacation. It's so relaxing just to lay there and not think about anything. I got a little pink, but I think with lots of lotion it'll be tan by tomorrow. I have to use the 3 free tans within one week, so I might go again tomorrow or Thursday, then again on Saturday or Sunday. It's kind of fun!

My little brother e-mailed me last night, too! I was so happy. I miss that kid so much. He is such an amazing guy and I'm so excited to see where God leads him in his life. It'll be nice when I'm closer to my family (hopefully next year) so I can see the occasional soccer/basketball game or band concert, as well as to see this little boy, that I used to tromp around the house with when He was trying to learn how to walk, grow up and mature into his own person.

I'm starting to wonder if it actually is gluten that I'm allergic to, or if it's something else. I still get sick sometimes, and I have not had an (intentional) bite of wheat-infested foods since January 5th. I do feel better, but not completely. It's very confusing...

As of now, I'm just going to keep living every day simply. Because that's all I can do in my own power and strength. :)

"In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the LORD establishes their steps. "

Proverbs 16:9

Day Twelve

Spring has [unofficially] sprung in Minneapolis. This week it's supposed to get as warm as in the upper 50's! I am so pumped. I might even break out the sandals. It's quite exciting. I think this city needs some sun!

This weekend I spent a lot of time at Caribou trying to study for my tests today, which didn't go so well. My motivation for trying to do the homework and study is quickly wearing off because I am getting just as good of a grade on the tests/quizzes after doing the homework and studying as I am without doing the homework and studying. I've never been a good test taker. That's why I think art is calling my name. :)

Recently I have been learning patience and trust. I need to be able to trust that even if I don't know the plan or the "next step," someone else does. I need to be able to be patient to see how God will lay that plan out in my life and what he will do in my life to prepare me for the next thing.

My mom is coming to visit March 30-April 3. I am so excited to show her my job, my school, my dorm room, for her to meet my roommate, see where I shop, everything! It's going to be a blast.

I'm still trying to catch up with the losing an hour of sleep thing... I didn't get much sleep this weekend, really... Maybe a good nap one of these days will do me good... :)

Eating Gluten and Dairy free has been challenging lately. I am finding that all that sounds appetizing is bagels, muffins, yogurt, cheese, etc... I did make myself a pizza on Friday, and that was delicious, but I discovered that more than 1 lactose pill in a weekend doesn't do the body good. I am never doing that again! I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to eat wheat and dairy again, because those are my favorite foods!

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

Day Eleven

Today:

Japan was hit with an earthquake.
Japan was hit with a tsunami.
Tsunami warnings were in effect for most of the Pacific Ocean.
I made a pizza (with gluten-free crust and a lactose pill).
I watched 27 Dresses.
I took a nap.
I went to DQ with ReAnne (best roomie ever)(and another lactose pill).
I did my laundry.
My mom and I talked about her upcoming visit to Minneapolis!
Jeremy made me happy.
You read my blog.
I google mapped my home in Montana.
I thought to myself, "I have nothing to say in my blog today."
I prayed.
I read some encouraging devotions.
I went grocery shopping.
I debated about whether or not to publish this post.
...



"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7

That's What The Promise Is For

I was nineteen, you were twenty-one
The year we got engaged
Everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway

We bought our rings for forty each
From a pawn shop down the road
We made our vows and took the leap
Now fifteen years ago

We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

"I do" are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I've heard
Is a good place to begin
'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price
For the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields
We're sailing in the storm
This is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me
When I loose love's chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there's nothing left to fear
So I'll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear

'Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos, baby,
I can dance with you

Day Nine/Day Ten

I'm afraid to say that I think I'm getting sick. The nasty cough that's been going around campus has finally found me. Today is just day one, so I'm hoping that I can get a good night's rest tonight and it will be gone by the morning. At the moment, I'm trying the Christian Scientist's method and convincing myself that I'm not sick. We'll see how that works out... ;)


I'm starting to feel obligated to post every day, since I have up to this point. But I am not sure how that will hold up. So for all you readers, bear with me. :)


[I started this blog yesterday, so obviously I didn't finish it and post it! Now that it's Wednesday (Day Ten), let me continue!]


I'm feeling better today. Nyquil, Dayquil, Tussin medicine, and water have been a huge part of my diet the past 24 hours. :) I took my nanny boys, Leif and Bjorn, to the library and the mall today. It was fun! But kinda crazy. They love the computers at the library, and the play area at the mall. It's fun to see them interact with other kids. I'm continually learning a lot from Leif and Bjorn. Its fun to have a job that is shaping me to be a better person that I can look forward to each day. 


I'm looking forward to the weekend... Laundry, homework, quality time with people I love, and sleep. :) 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, or they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, or they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:3-12

Day Eight

It snowed yesterday... Not sure how I feel about that but it will melt soon I guess... I am so excited for spring and summer!!

I don't have a lot to say today... But I could use prayer for summer plans, next year plans, wisdom in next steps with my car, and persistence/encouragement with my gluten/dairy free diet, and to continued getting enough sleep and staying healthy. Do any of you have anything I can pray for you guys?


"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Day Seven: Unique

This past week I've been feeling like everyone is the same. Everyone goes to the grocery store. Everyone goes to Starbucks/Caribou/other coffee shops to talk. Everyone wants to save money for college. It's like humans are corralled like cattle! I want to break out of the cookie cutter world we live in and do something different. I don't want to be typical. I want to be a smart, ethical, Christian woman, marry a smart, ethical, Christian man, and raise a smart, ethical, Christian family that does not grow up on pizza, ice cream, tv, iPods, cell phones, and instant gratification! I don't want to fall into the pattern of this world. 


I see several pairs of women sitting in this coffee shop I'm in now talking, and they all look the same. Cute hair, fancy diamond rings, talking with their hands, nodding their heads, laughing, holding their babies, etc. They're all the same. I've done it before, trust me, and I'm sure I do it still, but every person's uniqueness and individuality seems to be disappearing and meshing with everyone else's. 


Know what else is the same about everyone? Everyone lives in an instant gratification world now. If we see something we want, we take it. We put it on our credit cards so we can worry about it later. We see apple's latest technological advancement and we want it! We "need" so much more than we need. It's never ending! What is going to happen to the world in another ten years when everyone is so dependent on technology. Where has simplicity gone? Do people not realize the value of simplicity?


As Christians, we need to stand up and make it clear to the world that we have all we need in Christ alone.


"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:1-2, MSG

Day Six: Speechless

This blog was never meant for me or my personal benefit, but here I am, being blessed. In my efforts of living simply, I have received so many blessings in my relationships, my finances, and my walk with the Lord. I am blown away! I feel so at peace with everything in my life. My stress levels have gone down, I'm sleeping better, I feel better. It's amazing!

If any of you know my mom, you know that she is absolutely wonderful. She is the most caring, understanding, reliable woman in the world. I don't ever remember a time when she was late picking me up, forgot about me, or anything. (Although when you went to the same school your mom worked at all through grade school and high school....) And now, I can call her any time and she'll answer the phone, drop everything she's doing, and talk to me. I can call her at the most random times and she'll talk or listen. She never gets mad if I don't have anything specific to talk about. She listens to me. She respects me. She loves me. And I love that! 

So today I was walking through Target, and I picked up some Starburst Jelly Beans, and continued to pick up the other few things I needed. I was walking and thinking and then I stopped. I thought to myself: "Why am I buying candy? I do not need candy! That is such a waste of money! Its not living simply! It's unhealthy!" So I put it back on the shelf. This is the kind of stuff that is hard for me. I have such a sweet tooth, but its so bad for me. I really need to try to not buy the candy/food that the first or second ingredient starts with the words "high fructose." 

So I'm sitting at Avant Garden Coffee shop in Anoka, which is where Jeremy works. I love being here when he's working :) Its the only time I want to flirt with the guy behind the counter. He probably hates it.. I love listening to him have conversations with random customers and just listening to his voice. I kind of like secretly knowing that no one else in the coffee shop knows that we're dating. It's kind of fun. :)

The reason for this long post is because I'm procrastinating reading 2 Samuel 10-24 for a quiz on Tuesday... 

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

;)

Day Five: Reminder

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:4-9

Day Four: BF/Car/Music

Good afternoon!

I just have to say... I love my boyfriend. I promised myself when I started this blog I wouldn't talk about how wonderful he is in every single blog, but I just can't help it! He is so supportive, caring, encouraging, patient, and loving. I could go get a tattoo, an obscure piercing, gain 50 pounds, etc. (the list of things I would never think about doing could go on and on...) and he would still love me the same.

Anyways... ;)
Today was a good day. I picked up  my car, paid the $400, and drove away with a reluctant smile on my face. I am excited to get rid of it, but glad to have a car to drive while in the process of selling it. (Anyone looking? ;) ) I also got 8 hours of sleep last night, plus a 45 minute nap during my free hour of classes this morning! It was wonderful.

I added a playlist to the blog today... I'm not sure if I like this particular one, and its hard to find the songs I want on it, so we'll see how this music/playlist idea progresses.. Check it out!

"The LORD your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves. 

He will take great delight in you; 

in his love he will no longer rebuke you, 

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Day Three: Food, etc...

Well, it's day three, and I want to mention a few of the things I have discovered that I love eating on my gluten-free diet.

• Muddy Buddies (a.k.a. Puppy Chow)
• 9 cups Rice Chex Cereal (or Corn Chex)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter
• Melt together butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips in a 1 quart microwave safe bowl
• Pour chocolate mixture over cereal
• Place into 2 quart ziploc bag
• Shake powdered sugar and chocolate covered-cereal together until equally distributed.
• Fruit: Apples, Bananas, Peaches, etc...
• Meat: Sausage, Bacon, Chicken, Beef
• Eggs (Omelets [still perfecting the art of omelets...], scrambled eggs)
• Peanut Butter
• Betty Crocker gF brownie mix, undercooked, with a spoonful of peanut butter on the top :D

The list could go on, but these are a few of my recent favorites. :)

Yesterday, I decided to pay $400 to get my brakes fixed on my $1200 car. It was extremely hard to make that decision, but it'll be worth it having a car I can drive instead of sharing with Jeremy. I'm going to trust God to bring me the money I need for the upcoming choir tour, school payments, and other living expenses. Right now, I could use prayer for:

• Summer plans
• Next school year plans
• Being patient for the next step in my relationship with Jeremy
• Getting enough sleep and staying healthy

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:11-12

Simplicity.

In this world, it is so hard to live simply. So far, I have discovered that there are a few things to keep in mind while attempting to live simply through Christ.

• Be content in Christ, be content with what you own, and do not look at what other people have or what you might want. Look at what you do have and how you can best utilize it and use it to the glory of our Creator!
• Be patient.
• Communicate with others. You will never know how powerful the fellowship of the believers can be until you tell people your needs.
• Be resourceful with your own things. See what you can do with what you have before giving up and placing the burden on someone else.
• Do not seek convenience, seek practicality. Unfortunately, the easiest thing may not be the right thing.
• Trust the Lord. [Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all." Proverbs 3:4-6, MSG]
• Pray. Continue talking to the One who takes care of you.

Day Two: Worth It

My boyfriend Jeremy walked to a coffee shop this morning and it took him about 45 minutes. He did this because I had his car. Because my car is in the shop waiting for me to decide if I can afford fixing the brakes or not. My boyfriend is ridiculously amazing. We have been sharing his car for the past few weeks because my car has been so unreliable. Until now through his actions, he hasn't said a peep. That is Love. Francesca Batistelli's new album is called Hundred More Years. [http://www.francescamusic.com] On that album she has a song called Worth It. These are the lyrics:


Love's not a feeling
Love's not convenient
But I know love will change your life
Love takes sacrifice
Love cuts like a knife
Sometimes love will make you cry
Love's not easy
But it's worth it
Love is a hunger
But love won't leave you empty
See it's the language of the heart
Love can steal your pride
But love won't let you hide
It takes everything you've got
Love's not easy
But it's worth it
What you gonna do when the bottom falls out
And you're left with nothing but your fear and your doubt to hold to
Who will hold you?
Where you gonna run when it's all on the line
And you're looking for someone to save your life
To save your life
Love can hear you
Love can heal you
If you let it inside
Oh, remember now
Love's not easy
But it's worth it
What you gonna do when the bottom falls out
And you're left with nothing but your fear and doubt to hold to
Who's gonna hold you?
Oh, where you gonna run when it's all on the line
And you're looking for somone to save your life
To save your life
Love can hear you
I know love will heal you
If you let it inside
Oh, remember now
Love's not easy
But it's worth it

The lyrics to this song are so true.
Talk about living simply.
<3



"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)