Lord, I don't know where all this is going.

We finally had a Living Worship practice again last night. It was a nice one. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I walked in the door and Tyler gave me a huge hug before I could even put my violin case down...and stepped on the foot in the process:) Hugs from Cassy and Brittni. Doing devotions together again. Talking about ways to improve musically, socially, and the integration of those two things. Learning our 'theme' song. Playing music. Singing praises. Realizing once again why we do what we do. "You're the reason why". Laughing at each other. Practicing humility. Being encouraged by this group of friends.

Hearing Justine xylo again. Hearing Cassy and Sarah harmonizing beautifully together. Watching Tyler and Anton having a blast together. Liking Ryan's creativity. Loving Candice's beautiful character. Appreciating Kevin's desire for us to always grow in "musical excellence". Holding the ever-growing Jakob.


We gather here, to worship You. Draw near to us, as we draw near to You. May the songs we bring, may the words we sing, be true.

it's a week today.

and i finally called her.


it was good.

something is happening to my brain

i keep forgetting things.


like that i had to go out this morning.
or that i had to teach this afternoon.

my memory is going out the door.
this has never happened to me before.

whatever will i do?

juggernaut - crushing force: a force that is relentlessly destructive, crushing, and insensitive

Juggernaut, Juggernaut

This seems too big for me

hulking monstrosity

too late to get out now

And like the speed of sound

this thing has brought me down

I don’t remember how

I want to be free

but Juggernaut is killing me

Freedom like a song

The weak shall be made strong

I may sink before I swim

but I’m not giving in to you

Juggernaut, Juggernaut

Beneath machinery

specter of treachery

and I’ve lost everything

And I am getting out

the shadow of my doubt

is suffocating

my own worst enemy

this Juggernaut is killing me

From machines that I have made

I’ve become the slave

but I’ve been carried along

freedom like a song

Freedom lifts me like a song

when the weak shall be made strong...

these exams are pushing me down. i don't remember how. a crushing force.

but i will not let it get me down. freedom like a song. Christ Jesus. in my weakness i can be strong.


in Christ Jesus I can have courage. strength. freedom. joy. peace.

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. Psalm 71:8

You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 145:16

It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
Psalm 18:32-33

But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 73:28

Anne of Green Gables

I never thought I'd wear a dress like this ever again.

But...alas, my fate.




Now, if I can just master a dreamy, romantic character, I'll be all set!

sometimes the bravest thing of all is to hope.

so basically

brave saint saturn

says it all

i'm glad for a band like them




real songs, sad songs, heart songs, tearful songs, hopeful songs, songs to sing at the top of your lungs, everyday songs, amazing songs

just close your eyes 'til daylight comes

here's a tip:


if you struggle with emotions, go to bed. sleep.



it works everytime.:)



- - -

Mom talked to Monica on the phone (Amy was in the shower). They are there safely, at Manuel's house in Lilongwe. They go to Nkomah, their home for the next three months, tomorrow. Huge smile!!

i believe the sun also rises, dries our tears, bringing the blue skies of day...driving the darkness away, so far away.

at least that's what i want to believe.

my dreams are haunted by her face.

she's gone.

emotions run too high.



The Lord your God is with you. Zeph 3:17


I am with you. I will strengthen you. Is 41:10

malawi...here she comes.

too many goodbyes. many tears.

she leaves tonight. i'll miss her.

ha-yu-yuh!

and it begins to unfold slowly...


;)

sweat and soap...

...two things included in washing a car.

the soap to wash the car.
the sweat as a result of washing the car vigorously.



i like washing vehicles...most of the time.

:)

not so picture perfect.

Sitting here in my room with all three windows wide open. Hearing the birds, the waterfall outside my window. Feeling the wonderful warmth invade my room. Seeing the bright sun. Hearing an airplane go by. Wind chimes. And every so often a construction vehicle.

Studying like mad, writing practice exams, getting stressed. Needing a massage.

Looking at the two suitcases on the floor of my room slowly filling up and counting - only 4 more days?

Reading Romans 8:31-39 and feeling loved and cared for - by my Savior.


Yes. It is spring time. God is faithful. He will see me through it all. He is blessing me. Even in the little things.



- - - - -

Please comment to the previous post!!

godly advise is the request

I little while ago, someone asked me this question. I would like to open it up to the rest of you to help me in giving advise.

If a friend were to ask you advice, and on your response, rip you apart for 'intruding' on their business, saying that they had never asked you for advice (though you can recall the precise words they said to you, asking for it), what would you do? I'm stuck in a situation like this, and unsure as of how to handle such reaction to what I thought was help...

Thank you in advance. It is much appreciated!

muscular damage

Did I fail to mention that?

Oh dear. Well, let me do so now. I am having a hard time walking today...hobbling around is the best I can do. Too much inactivity, then a burst of two hours of hard-core dancing, and then too much inactivity is not so good for me. My muscles are screaming at me!

sore feet and dancing shoes

We went to a folk dance last night...I decided to go at the very last minute.

It was worth it, despite the blisters I now have. And the sore feet. Despite the fact that my face was so red it turned purple from being so warm.

Live music. Bagpipes!
Dancing with friends.
Thanks for being my partner Andrea:) Ya'll were great!

I like the way that bagpipes drone.

And they are so bright and cool looking:)

Cowboy boots look fun to dance in when it comes time to stomp. But they look sore. And are apparently hard to walk in if you're not used to it.

abandoned.

abandoned house abandoned barn.

who were they? what happened? how old is it?



come walking with me there sometime.

I tried to upload pictures, but it isn't working.

huzzah...?

really stupid question:

what is that supposed to mean anyway? (especially you Muis people!!)

this verse is key...

in all things pertaining to people. Because there is sin in the world, and God commands us to do this.


look at the elements:

prayer
forgiveness
confession
healing
others
you
and behind it all is GOD


Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
-James 5:16a


I wonder why we sometimes forget that?


Relationships/friendships with people, no matter who they are, are so complex. And God designed it that way.




I've been realizing that in SO many of mine lately. And God cares for you in each one of them...just not necessarily in the way you want.

but the LORD is in His holy temple. let all the earth keep silence before Him.
- Habakkuk 2:20

to the youth in my church.

I am a member...a leader!...of an amazing youth group. Truly.


Sometimes I'm blind to that though. But when you think about all the amazing people in ours, and you hear about other youth groups...



I am sooo blessed!

my favorite things

I like it when you get into bed at night and you hear rain on the window. Just a soft patter...and then you hear a slight rumble in the distance.

It makes me feel happy and cozy inside.

a bit of nonsense.

I like chocolate chips.
I like cookie dough.
I like chocolate chip cookie dough.

I like it before it's baked.
I like them when it just comes out of the oven.


I like them even when they're a week old.



Baking chocolate chips cookies is just a pleasure!

20

happy 20th Cassy!

i think i'm getting a burn.

I've just been sitting in the sun with my pants rolled up and my eyes all squinty, studying. It's wonderful.

I'm feeling a little toasty...yay!

le lac

a lake with ice on it that is slowly melting away from a long winter is so beautiful.

joshua 1:9...again

Have I not commanded you?

Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS.

Do not be terrified;

do not be discouraged,

for

the Lord your God WILL

be WITH YOU

wherever

you go.

this was spoken to Joshua when took over Moses' position and had to take the promised land.

pretty amazing verse!

from nadine.

Ephesians 6 - the spiritual armor

for your information.

I'm just really enjoying Coldplay right now.


I still think it's funny that I like them, because way-back-when, I was really annoyed with the fact that everyone loved them so much. And now look at me, listening to them all the time. Crazy girl.


I also like Jars of Clay's Good Monsters Cd. A lot.

*happy sigh*

spring is finally here.

which means driving with the windows open again!!!!!

hebrews 12 verse 2

Fix your eyes on Jesus.





um, yeah.

arg.

I want an NIV Bible.




not need. just want.

so I don't have to use Biblegateway.com for one anymore:)

Psalm 27 niv

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

SMACK!

up and down like a yo-yo.

up.

down.

up again.


only thing that is stable is God. He never changes, no matter how much I do. Which is a very good thing indeed.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrew 13:8

explanation...

of previous post.


Aaron has arthritis in his legs. On Sunday, he could not even walk because his legs hurt so bad. We had to carry him everywhere. Plus, he has a mono-type virus that is making him always sick (it's not mono though). So, he's sick all the time. And his legs hurt.



Someone that young should not have to suffer like an old man.


Old men have arthritis, not little boys that like to run and jump and play.