Family + Hiking = Great day

Yesterday we spent the day with my family from Tucson. We went on a six mile hike at South Mountain. It was wonderful. The weather was great and the company was splendid. Here's a picture of the family.

Flowers

Flowers are one of those things that make me smile. A friend came over for dinner a few nights ago and she brought me these flowers. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. :)

Jesus is my passion

Today at House Church we were taking a look at Joshua and looking ahead to the coming year. We sang the song One Pure and Holy Passion. The words to the song reflect my prayer for my life this next year.

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after you
To grow as your disciple in the truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you

Jesus, my life is all about you. This next year I desire to know you better, to follow after you in all I do, and to grow as a disciple of your truth. You are my passion.

Light

We celebrate this time of year with light. As I look around at all of the beautiful lights, I am reminded of the Light of the World that we are celebrating. We are honoring the birth of Jesus who is the Light of the World. He came to show the way to a relationship with God our Father. His birth was celebrated by the light of a star and angels over 2000 years ago, and today we still honor his birth with lights. I pray that as we see the beautiful lights, we are reminded of our Guiding Light, Jesus Christ.

Lights on the trees:
Lights on the houses:

Lights lining the walkways:
The luminarias are one of my favorite decorations. I think that they are so beautiful.

Greatest Gift

Today I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many years before he was born, prophets said that he would be a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) He is all of these to me. The prophets wrote of his birth, his life, and his death. He was born as a baby, lived a perfect life, and died for me. He fulfilled all that had been prophesied about him. He is true, He is King, He is Lord of my life.

As I give gifts to friends and family today, I am reminded of the greatest gift that was given to me. "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10)

My Savior is born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Tamales

In my family we have a tradition of eating tamales for dinner on Christmas Eve. Christian, Carina, and I spent a few hours last night making them. As with most activities that the three of us do together, the evening was filled with much laughter.

Christian is in charge of the meat sauce.

Carina is in charge of the corn husks.

I am in charge of the masa.

Then we all work on making the tamales.

Laughter

One of my favorite things about visiting my family is LAUGHTER. We have a great time together. As we sit around the dinner table there is always plenty of laughing and story telling. I am so thankful that we have the ability to laugh and have a good time together. What a blessing!


Christian, my brother, has the ability to say the funniest things and keep a totally straight face. Of course this makes Carina and I laugh so hard, which only encourages him. :)


They are going to love me for these pictures. :)

Arizona Winter

This morning I went out on a bike ride with my Dad. I love to be outside and really enjoy this time with him. I took my camera along today, so here are a few photos from our ride.





I must admit that I feel slightly guilty about how warm it is here when it is so cold in Ames. But I, for one, am sure enjoying it! :)

Christmas Tea

Every year I host a Christmas tea for a few friends from high school. This is one of the only times that we all get together. The time is filled with much laughter, sharing, and good memories. It is so fun to see how things change over the year. Some of us are still in school, some are working full time, and others are full time mom with beautiful children.

A girl and her dog

I always love my first morning back in AZ, especially in the winter because it is so warm. The day starts with some pavement pounding along my old running route. Yesterday morning I went out with Cocoa, that's our dog who we affectionately call Coke. We went on a 5 mile run/walk. I am pretty excited because we ran a mile, walked three, and then ran the final mile. Due to my hip, I haven't run that far since mid-October. It was lovely!

Joy to the world

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Right now this is my favorite Christmas song. This song is filled with so much truth. The Lord is come! He is the ruler of all things in heaven and earth. My Savior reigns! He is the commander in complete truth and grace. The beauty of these two interwoven and displaying His glory, majesty, and splendor. He loves me!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

When I was little we would drive up to Northern Arizona the weekend after Thanksgiving to cut down our Christmas tree. It usually ended up lopsided, too big, and too fat for the house and sometimes they looked a little bit like Charlie Brown's. But it is so hard to judge size when you are out in the forest. But they were always special because we had picked it out.

Let's see, there was the year that we had a REALLY thirsty tree. It drank a lot of water. Unfortunately, it was actually the carpet that was 'drinking' the water and not the tree. The stopper in the tree-holder-thing had come out and so the water was actually all over the living room floor. Yep, the day was spent soaking it all up.

Oh, or there is the year of the falling Christmas tree. It fell over not just once, but twice. And then we tied it down with bricks. They were 'new' ornaments that year.

And then there are the ornaments. My brother, sister, and I always race to see who gets to put there hand-made ornaments from elementary school in the front and center position. There are the ornaments made out of marshmallows, paper plate angels, and shredded wheat wreaths. Ah, the fond memories. There is also the ornament made out of cookies that someone took a bite out of when it was like 12 years old. Gross, but it sure makes for a good story. :)

But I love the memories. Aren't they what make this time so special?

12 days of Christmas

My family used to select a family (or some years multiple families) to give 12 days of Christmas. We would buy a Nativity set that contained 12 pieces. Then late at night we would deliver a piece of the Christmas set and the verses from the Bible that went along with the piece. For twelve mornings the family would find a surprise on their doorstep. On Christmas Eve the family would receive the final piece, the baby Jesus, to complete the set.

This was so much fun! There was the one year that we gave it to all of the families in House Church. I remember driving all over town with my Dad and siblings for deliveries. We enjoyed getting to bless other families in this way.

Still Here

I'm still here, it has just been a crazy past couple of weeks. I have been swamped with final projects, presentations, papers, and am now studying for finals. But I have been blessed because there has still been time for hanging out with friends and having fun, just not blogging.

Right now in Ames it is 6 degrees outside and the wind chill makes it feel like -17. In Tempe, AZ it is 52 degrees. That's almost 70 degrees warmer!!! I am excited to get into that weather in 4 days! :)

My plan is to spend the next two weeks writing about favorite Christmas memories and traditions. Keep an eye out for them.

Running thoughts

Today I had a great time with the Lord while I was working out. I have been working on scripture memory and listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D. I love that in the middle of the gym, I can spend time alone with Jesus. He is so great!

I have been feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically weary lately and the following Bible verses really stood out to me this morning.

Lamentations 3:24 "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"

Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me work of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Jeremiah 29:10-14 "This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Jesus is so good to bring me the strength that I need for today. Oh how I love Him!

Weekend Happiness

Here are a few stories from this past weekend:

I had invited my neighbor Don to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. (You may remember him from the posts here and here.) He wasn't feeling well so he declined. I told him that I would bring him over some leftovers later in the day. Yesterday as I was coming home from church he poked his head out the door and asked me to come over. He had filled the containers that I had given him with Jello. It was so sweet of him. Granted, I probably won't eat it (I told my roomies they could have it), but it was such a nice gesture. It made me happy.

This isn't really a story...but I finished one of my paintings. It made me happy to get to spend some time relaxing and painting this weekend.

I was able to run two laps around the track, indoors of course. (Note: this should be read with sarcasm.) That is less than a 1/2 mile. Sigh. When is my hip ever going to get better?! Now that would make me happy.

I got three packages of rice tortillas. This may not sound too exciting, but for someone who doesn't get to eat a lot of things like this it makes me happy. I had a yummy turkey wrap for dinner tonight. :)

Beauty of the Lord

Jesus your love, has come one step closer
I will trust, that you will never let me go
Jesus your love, has won me over
All my trust has found no other

I will declare the beauty of the Lord
Nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord
Jesus your love takes my breath away
Now I'm living everyday for the beauty of the Lord
Jesus your love it takes my breath away

I listened to this song probably ten times today. Well actually I didn't just listen, I also sang along...sometimes loudly. :) My breath has been taken away today by the beauty of the Lord. It hasn't been any one thing in particular, but rather just getting to see the world through an 'artist's eye'. You can listen to the song here. But don't just listen, sing it loudly while smiling, dancing, and gazing upon something beautiful.

Praying the truth

Psalm 119:28-30
My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law.

I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.

These are the words that I am praying for myself right now. They depict how I am feeling right now and what the Lord is doing in my life.

Time and Snow

Wow, where has the last month gone? I can hardly believe that it is already December. It seems like November faded as quickly as the leaves. Now Fall is gone and winter has taken her place.

This past weekend we got our first major snow storm. I have a real love-hate relationship with snow. I love watching the snow fall. It is like little stars dancing all around. Beautiful. As I sit behind my window watching it snow, it is like all of the cares of the world fade away and the peace, quiet, and purity of snowflakes take there place. I love watching it snow from the comfort of my home, wrapped in a favorite blanket, wearing fuzzy slippers, and sipping on hot tea.

I don't like to have to go out in the snow. I hate driving anyway and driving in the snow is far worse. I don't really like to shovel the snow. I don't care for the sludge and ice that it leaves on the sidewalks and streets. I don't really like the fact that it will be our companion until April.

But for today, I am going to continue to enjoy the beauty.

Thankful Thursday

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wow, what a day. There are so many things I want to give thanks for in my life. As I sat around my table with a few friends today we shared what we were most thankful for. Here is part of my list:

First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.
My family
Dear friends
My kindred-spirit friend, Chris Parker
Sunshine
Books
Joy
Running shoes
Yogurt
Smiles
Hope

Truth Tuesday

This morning I got on the bus to head to my office and saw one of the first-year students in my program. I sat across from him and noticed that he was reading a Bible. I asked him if he was a follower of Jesus. He said yes and I responded enthusiastically that I was too. He asked what church I went to, I told him and returned the question. He replied that he went to the LDS church. He moved the conversation to another topic, but my brain was screaming STOP!

Truth.

There we were both professing to be followers of Jesus but we actually have very different views of who Jesus actually is. The truth is, I hope that I will get to tell him about the actual truth.

I know that Jesus is the Son of God.
I know that God the Father sent his Son to the earth.
I know that Jesus lived a perfect life.
I know that He died on the cross.
I know that Jesus came back to life.
I know that He is now with the Father in heaven.
I know that all of this was for me.

I don't just believe I know.
I know because this is what the Bible says.
I know because I see the works of God all around me.
I know because the Holy Spirit is in my life.

It is not fiction. It is fact. It is not a story. It is truth.

Musical Monday

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me.

This song is so sweet, simple, and truthful. JESUS LOVES ME. Is there anything greater? Is there anything more important? Today I was working on memorizing the Bible verses below. They speak of this great, pure love that God has for us. This is true love. Since I am so loved by my Father in heaven, I have no other response then to love those around me. May the rich love of the Lord be seen flowing through me.

1 John 4:7-12
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Soupy Sunday

Mushroom Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
4 cups sliced mushrooms
1 onion
1 stalk celery
1 carrot
5 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup uncooked rice
3 T soy sauce
pepper to taste

Heat oil and saute mushrooms, onion, celery, and carrot. Add broth, rice, soy sauce. Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Season with pepper.

Foto Friday / Summary Saturday

I fell behind. I didn't post on Friday or Saturday so today I am posting a combo make-up post.

Winter is here and the snow is so beautiful. Yesterday I was talking with my brother in AZ and he was telling me that it was 50 degrees warmer there than it was here. Burr.

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for. I fear that some days I get so focused on the tasks at hand that I forget to take the time and be grateful for all of the blessings that are in my life.

Today I am the most thankful for listening ears. There are a few people in my life who are so good about listening. It is such a joy to be able to share my heart and thoughts with them. Thank you my dear friends!

Wacky Wednesday

Some days you just need something goofy that will make you smile. Today it was knee socks with orange and brown stripes under my boots. :) It made me smile.

Truth Tuesday

"This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

So often I find myself standing at crossroads. There are so many choices always before me concerning both everyday decisions and decisions that will dictate the direction of my life. As I stand at the crossroads, Lord I ask that You will direct me. Show me the way that is good. Lord, I desire to walk in Your way.

Musical Monday

We Will Trust You
by Ginny Owens

How precious is your heart, O God
Righteous and true
Gaze on me with infinite tenderness
I surrender to you

Compassionate friend, Lord of my life
I will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
I will trust yiu
Through the stormy night
I will trust you
God of mercy and light
I will trust you
O Lord, I will trust you
O merciful Lord

We praise you, magnificent Lord
Merciful one
Cover us with your hole light, O God
Shelter us with you love
Shelter us with your love

Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
God of mercy and light
We will trust you
O Lord, we will trust you

When lightning is flashing in the night
When ominous waves crash on the shore
I will reach for the sky
When thunder roars
I will trust you, lord

Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
When the sky is dark
We will trust you
Keeper of our hearts
We will trust you
God of mercy and light
We will trust you
O Lord, we will trust you
O merciful Lord
I will trust you

Soupy Sunday

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1/3 cup onion
3 cloves garlic
3/4 t cumin
3/4 t oregano
1/4 t chili powder
1/4 t pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1 can tomatoes
1 can green chilies
10 corn tortillas
1.5 lbs chicken
2 T cilantro

In 5-6 quart pot over medium heat, stir onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, and green chilies. Cover and bring to boil. Add tortillas to boiling broth. Reduce heat, cover, simmer 15 minutes. Rinse chicken and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to broth and return to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is fully cooked. Stir in cilantro and salt to taste. Garnish with avocado and cheese.

Foto Friday

At Reiman Gardens there is a spectacular butterfly wing with thousands of butterflies. I love to go there and watch them flutter all around. There is something so soothing and captivating about them.

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for study groups. I don't think that I would be able to make it through grad schools if it weren't for my study buddies. Thanks my friends!

1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."

Lord, I do give You thanks for all of the blessings that I have in my life. They are all from You. May I use all circumstances in my life to make Your name heard among my friends.

Wacky Wednesday

About three weeks ago I somehow injured my hip and have not been able to run since then. (This is very sad for me as I was running about 35 miles a week.) I have been going for physical therapy for about a week and I really enjoy it. Well, aside from the pain part. :) My physical therapist thinks that it the problem is actually with my foot and has caused hip pain too. This doesn't really surprise me because I had a lot of foot issues in high school.

Anyway, back to the story. About two months ago I asked my mom and brother if they wanted to run a 30K (18.6 miles) race with me while I was home for Christmas. I was looking forward to it and trying to train. So on my second day of physical therapy as I am painfully doing stretches, I ask my therapist if she thinks I will be ready to run a 30K by mid-December. I know that she was struggling from laughing as she kindly told me that no, I would not be ready. I am now just hoping that I will actually be able to run a pain-free mile by then...

Truth Tuesday

The following is one of the truths that I try to live my life by:

Isaiah 61:1-3
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Musical Monday

I really like music by Heather Clark. She pretty much sings straight scripture. It is a great way to memorize scripture and focus my mind. One of my favorite songs is Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Soupy Sunday

Hearty Vegetable Soup
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
3 large carrots, diced
2 large parsnips, diced
1 onion
6 cloves garlic
8 cups chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 cups spinach
1 can cannellini beans
10 oz frozen lima beans
2 slices bread
2 t thyme
1 spring rosemary
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil. Add carrots, parsnips, onion. Cook 5-7 minutes. Add garlic, cook about 30 seconds. Add broth, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf and rosemary. Transfer 3 cups solids, 1 cup broth, and bread into food processor. Puree until smooth. Stir back into pot and add spinach, cantellini beans, and lima beans. Cook about 8 minutes or until hot.

Summary Saturday

This week has brought the beginning of winter. We have had snow and the temperature has gotten really cold. I am not ready for winter to come. When it gets this cold outside, I exercise in the gym using an elliptical. This is sad because I love to run outside, but it is also good because I work on my scripture memory while working out. I find that I do a much better job at memorizing Bible verses during the winter, so that is good.

Also this week:
1. I paid $1.99 a gallon for gas!
2. I got an extra hour in my week.
3. I saw three deer in the park behind my house while I was out for a walk and a raccoon on campus after I finished exam Thursday night.

Foto Friday

Today I awoke to snow and it has been flurries all day. Fortunately the ground is still warm enough that the snow isn't sticking...yet. So today I need some sun and warmth in my life.

This picture of the sunset was taken a few weeks ago, but it is so pleasant to look at the sun today.

I feel a little warmer when I look at this picture of the Grand Canyon that I took two summers ago.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

My Bible - it is alive in my life and I am always learning new things from its pages.
Down blankets - yes that's plural, I already have two on my bed and have a third to add soon.
Hot tea - my favorites are green and peppermint, but I like most kinds.

Can you tell that I have been cold this week? This morning I awoke to a dusting of snow outside.

[Two notes: First, I realize that it is actually Friday when I am writing this, but I had an exam last night from 7-10 pm and couldn't think well enough to post once I got home. Second, yes I changed my Thursday topic. I think that this one is much better.]

Wacky Wednesday

10 random facts about me:
1. I love to be outside, which is one of the reasons why winters in Ames are so difficult but summers are lovely.
2. I eat a gluten free diet. That means no wheat, rye, or barley.
3. I live in an attic. Good thing I am short or I wouldn't fit; I don't think my sister, Carina, could stand up straight except in the middle of the room.
4. I don't like to drive. I love living in Ames in the summer because I can get everywhere on my bike. I have to drive my car during the winter because it's way too cold.
5. If I could only eat one thing it would be yogurt. There are so many different flavors that it would take a long time to try them all.
6. My ideal day would involve: running, sunshine, hiking, reading, and baking.
7. I really want to get a Beta fish and name it Alpha.
8. I am the silliest when I am with my brother, Christian.
9. I love the smell of clean clothes drying.
10. I read cookbooks and running magazines for "down time."

[Yes, these are copied from my facebook profile, but I have an exam tomorrow so my brain is fried tonight.]

Truth Tuesday

Here are three pieces of truth that I have been thinking about a lot lately.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed be the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

November

I can hardly believe that it is already November! I decided that this is going to be a theme month for posts. Below is a description of what you can read here every day of the week.

Soupy Sunday - a favorite soup recipe since this is perfect soup weather
Musical Monday - a song that has been running through my head
Truth Tuesday - a word of truth that I am learning
Wacky Wednesday - a wacky tidbit about me
Thankful Thursday - a few things that I am thankful for each week
Foto Friday - a picture from the week
Summary Saturday - a summary of the week

[Do you like my alliteration? :) ]

Musical Monday

For some reason I have been singing Mayberry by Rascal Flatts for the past week. This song kind of reminds me of Ames. Whenever I go to the store, I always see someone I know. I run at the same time everyday (or I did before I hurt myself). I see the same people and it's almost like you become friends just because of the familiarity. Small town Iowa is a little bit like Mayberry.

Sometimes it feels like this world
Is spinning faster
Than it did in the old days
So naturally, we have more
Natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace
Sunday was a day of rest
Now it's one more day for progress
And we can't slow down 'cause
More is best
It's all an endless process

(Well) I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking
Ice cold Cherry Coke
Where everything is black and white
Picking on a six string
Where people pass by and you call
Them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
Bye, bye

Sometimes I can hear this old
Earth shouting
Through the trees as the wind blows
That's when I climb up here on
This mountain
To look through God's window
Now I can't fly but I got two feet
That get me high up here
Above the noise and city streets
My worries disappear

Sometimes I dream I'm driving
Down an old dirt road
Not even listed on a map
I pass a dad and son carrying a
Fishing pole
But I always wake up every time I try
To turn back

Extra Hour

Today we got an extra hour added to our day. Having grown up in Arizona where there is no daylight savings time, I still think this is an unusual process.

I haven't quite decided whether or not I am excited about the switch. The good part is that it will be lighter out in the morning, but the bad part is that it will get darker early. I cannot decide which is better.

Yesterday I was walking with a friend and she was talking about how she felt like she needed to get the most out of the extra hour. I admitted that I didn't have any problem with using it for extra sleep. That is exactly how I used 30 minutes. And then when I woke up, I still had 30 minutes before I needed to start getting ready for church. So I made some tea and crawled back into bed with my Bible.

It was a wonderful extra hour!

Soupy Sunday

It's soup weather! I am going to post one of my favorite soup recipes each Sunday in November.

Southwest Black Bean Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
4 cans black beans - drained and rinsed
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can tomatoes
1 cup corn
2 cups chunky salsa
2 t ground cumin
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1 T ground coriander

In a food processor combine 2 cans beans, broth, salsa, 1/2 can tomatoes, and spices. Blend until fairly smooth. Transfer into pot. Add corn and remaining beans and tomatoes. Heat over medium heat.

This is good with a little cheddar cheese on top and warm corn bread.

Awhile back I posted recipes for apricot lentil soup (view here) and squash soup (view here)

Summary Saturday

This post is a synopsis of this past week in POLITICS.

Every day I received mail from both campaigns telling me why I shouldn't vote for the other party. I think I know more why I shouldn't vote for the candidates than why I should.

I was only on campus 2 days, but I was probably asked 20 times if I was registered to vote here in Ames.

I received 27 emails reminding me to vote and giving me "facts" from political parties at ISU.

These didn't come this past week, but I have also received about 10 absentee ballot request forms. Nope, I'm going to be here on Tuesday...headed to the polls.

I am glad that there is such an effort to get people to vote and make well formed decisions, but I must admit that I am ready for the election to be over. I am tired of all of the negativity. I am tired of having to listen to people in my office make snide remarks about one party. I am tired of the criticism and hypocrisy...well not that this is really going to stop once the elections are over.

Anyway, find some reliable sources, make an informed decision, and VOTE.

Never underestimate my Jesus

I was just listening to this song. I think it speaks to what I was writing about yesterday. I don't ever want to underestimate Jesus because He is always there. He is always strong. He is able. He is sufficient.

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What are the deaths I still dwell in?
I try to excel but I feel no movement

Can I be free of this unreleasable sin

Never underestimate my Jesus
Your tellin me that there's no hope
I’m tellin you your wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong he will be strong

I throw up my hands
Oh the impossibilities
Frustrated and tired
Where do I go from here?
Now I’m searchin' for
The confidence I lost so willingly
Overcoming these obstacles
Is overcoming my fears

I think I can't
But I think you can
Gather my insufficiencies and
Place them in your hands.

Look at the size of this leaf!!!

I found this leaf as I was walking home today.

Days

This is going to be one of those long weeks. I can hardly believe it is only Tuesday; it seriously feels like Thursday. Yesterday felt so long that I could hardly remember the morning by the time I was getting home.

As inconsistent and crazy as the day may feel, I am so thankful that there is something in my life that remains consistent. I know that Jesus is always with me. He never changes and always has a listening ear. O, how great it is to know Him!

Transformed

“While an education will inform you, revelation from the Word of God will do much more than that. It will transform you. It won’t just cause you to know more. It will enable you to be more as you learn who you are in Christ and how to walk in the power of His indwelling life.” - Steve McVey in The Grace Walk Experience

This is what I want. I want to be transformed. I want to be more, to be changed.I don't just want to learn more; I want the knowledge to affect my life.

Fall

Here are a few of my own Fall pictures. I wish that I had the ability to capture the true beauty in a picture, these just don't it justice.



To see more pictures of Fall, check out my photoblog.

I'm still here...

Wow, I think this is one of the longest times I have gone without posting in awhile...sorry. These past two weeks have been CRAZY! I have had meetings, exams, projects, meetings, seminars, classes, meetings, research...

But that is all behind me now and this next week looks to be a bit slower. YEAH! I am looking forward to eating something besides toast or pasta/peas/tuna for dinner. I think that I am going to make carrot soup this weekend. Doesn't that sound yummy?!

It has gotten COLD here and I haven't seen the sun in 4 days. I don't like weeks like this, but here comes winter. :( I do love the cold because I like to make soup and tea. I also recently bought a new hat a scarf. So I am excited to get to wear them, but the cold gets old pretty fast. Although Fall has been absolutely LOVELY! It is so beautiful.

Late night with the Lord

About once a month I have a night where I just cannot sleep. I have too much on my mind and cannot seem to stop thinking so that I can fall asleep. Last night was one of those nights. I finally gave up and got up at 12:30. I grabbed my Bible and crawled back into bed.

I was working on my study of grace and read the following:

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

I then started reading in Matthew about the healings and ministry that Jesus Christ had while He was here on earth. I was reading about when a paralytic man was brought before Jesus and Jesus tells him that his sins are forgiven. Some of the teachers of the law where saying that Jesus was committing blasphemy because He was forgiving sins. Matthew records that Jesus responded by saying:

"Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home.
(Matthew 9:5-7)

I was just thinking about how the people thought that it was so important to be "healed" on the outside, but Jesus is most interested in "healing" their hearts and forgiving their sins. Jesus has the power and authority to do both. He wants to make each of us a new creation...this begins by making me a new creation on the inside that will then exude to the outside. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and that He has made me a new creature!

I think today might be a good day for a nap. :)

Fall

My grandma sent me an email with some pictures of Fall. I thought this one was beautiful. Maybe I'll get out to take a few of my own this weekend.

Dreary running

Today is one of those days where I want to stay in my bed drinking hot tea and reading a good book all day. This morning the fog was so dense that I could hardly make out the house across the street.

But instead of crawling back into bed, I headed out into the dreariness to a 5k race with a friend. This race was to raise money for Ames High School's project in Uganda where they are building a school. Fun! I even got a really cool basket from Uganda.

Now I need to hit the books...

The Leash

I have decided that whoever invented the retractable dog leash was neither a runner nor a cyclist. It seems like dog owners who have these leashes like to give their dogs LOTS of leash to run on. As a runner, this scares me for two main reasons.

1. You never know if the dog is going to attack you. I never know how far I have to run around the dog to be safe. This is particularly problematic when I am running on the path at the lake because there isn't a lot of room.

2. You never know where the dog is going to go and if you will get caught in the leash. I am always afraid as I run or bike by that the dog will run across my path and I will end up falling because of the leash.

On some runs I feel like I am constantly yelling "runner" or "on your left" as I am approaching. If I ever get a dog, I don't think that I will use one of these leashes.

Note: This is not to criticize all people who have a retractable leash for their dog. There are many people who use them responsibly. To those individuals, thank you.

A love-hate relationship

I have a love-hate relationship with technology.

I love that it makes my life easier. I love that I can email, blog, and keep in touch with friends. I love that I can talk to anyone anywhere. I love that it is fast and accessible. I could not image doing statistics without the use of computer software. My life is very dependent upon technology.

BUT...

I hate it when it stops working. I hate it when it is slow. Because my life is so dependent upon it, I hate it all the more when it stops working.

This week the computers in my office have been acting up. I have been trying to finish up two school projects and work on my research. But the computers have been giving me fits. I am so thankful that we have a good IT guy!

Oscar

This is my new pet bunny. Well, actually he has just decided that he wants to live on the mat on my back porch. He is always ready to welcome me home.

Hear the unheard

Do you ever feel like you are unheard? You are trying to make a point but no one understands you or takes the time to try and understand you. Do you ever feel like you think on a different wavelength than others? You have an idea and it makes perfect sense to you but no one else seems to get it. Do you ever feels like your thoughts are discredited? You say something and immediately people are disregarding it but then by the end of the conversation they are making the same point that you were trying to make.

Well I send these thoughts out into the void of the internet not knowing if they will be heard, but regardless there they are.

Favorite sites

Here are some of my favorite websites that I frequent:

Recipes:
http://www.csaceliacs.org/recipes.php
http://www.celiac.com/categories/Gluten%252dFree-Recipes
http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes.php
http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx

Photo blogs:
http://www.melissajill.net/
http://kabloomstudios.blogspot.com/
http://2eyes2seeu.blogspot.com/

This is a great site that allows me to always have the Bible at my fingertips and lets me search the Bible online.
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Plan my next run:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/

Other blogs:
http://girltalk.blogs.com/

Catch up on the news:
http://www.nytimes.com/

Information:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia

2 + 2 = 4

My brother sent me this cartoon. It made me smile.

Treasure

I have been humming this song all day today and I thought I would share it. I have been learning so much about the Lord's grace and love and what it looks like in my life. I do want the Lord's love and grace to fill me and overflow into the lives of those around me. This is not only my song for the day, but also my prayer.

You are my treasure

Faithful Lord, fill my cup
With your grace and love, Your grace and love
The pleasures that this world's sure of
Will never be enough, can never be enough
Cause I'm created for You alone
Bought with a price I'm not my own
I'm seated in the heavenlies
And there's no place I'd rather be
Than with You forever Lord
You are my treasure

Immediately

We are going through the book of Matthew in the Bible in my Bible study right now. This past week we were talking about Matthew 4:12-25. In this section of verses, Matthew records Jesus asking His first disciples to follow Him. There response is so important: they 'at once' and 'immediately' left what they were doing and followed Jesus.

This was such a good reminder for me that I need to be immediately obedient to Him. Right now the job that I have to do is be a student, but every day I need to be listening to Him. I need to train my ears to hear His voice.

Lord Jesus, I pray that You will help my to hear You and immediately act.

2eyes2seeU

I have started a photoblog! You can check it out here. I would love your comments.

Creatures of habit

I am such a creature of habit. I usually take the same route to the places I am going, even if it isn't the most direct. I brush my teeth the same way every time. I am in the habit of getting up at the same time every morning, even on Saturdays. I run/bike the same route.

Habits - some are good, some are bad. Did you know that we can make a habit in about 30 days?!

I desire that my time spent with the Lord in prayer and reading His Word is a habit in that I am constantly doing it. But I don't want it to ever become a habit that I do without thought. Above all I want to develop my relationship with Jesus, not simply have actions that I must repeat.

Fall

Fall is here! I love the sound of the leaves crunching beneath my feet as I walk. I love working with the windows open to the crisp air while wearing a comfy sweatshirt and drinking hot tea. I love the sight of pumpkins resting on front porches. I love getting to pull out my scarves and hats. I love Fall.

Shouts of GRACE

Sometimes I think that when the Lord is trying to teach me something He shouts it into every area of my life. Right now He and I have been working through GRACE.

What is GRACE?
How do I live in GRACE?
How do I give myself GRACE?
How do I balance GRACE?

Legalism says you have to do certain things to improve yourself as a Christian. GRACE says to just be who you are in Christ and watch rivers of living water come flowing out of your innermost being. I am learning who I am in Him so that I can do this. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me and show me! I love to know You and know myself through You. I want my focus not to be on what I do, but who I am in You.

Research

I have a research direction! I don't have a specific topic yet, but we are moving in that direction. I will be working with two major professors, one in statistics and one joint in statistics and psychology. We are going to be working on missing data issues in longitudinal, panel surveys. I will be looking at the sensitivity of estimates to structural equation models. I am looking forward to getting started.

Praise the Lord that things are moving forward!

Baking

I love to bake. In fact, I just pulled banana bars out of the oven. My only problem is that I don't really have anyone to bake for.

My roommate works for Campus Crusade and has three Bible studies every week. She doesn't really care to bake. So we made a deal that we both think is great. I get to bake her treats every week. This is a win-win situation for us both; I get to bake and have people who will eat them!

Quotations

This is a list of quotations that I have been collecting over the past few weeks to post. Obviously I haven't gotten around to it, so I decided to include them all in one post. May they inspire you, provoke thoughts, and make you smile.

Falsehood has an infinity of combinations, but truth has only One mode of being.
- Jean Jacques Rousseau -

God is a verb
- Buckminster Fuller -

An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.
- A.W. Tozer -

Kickball

Last weekend a group of my friends from my department got together to play kickball. Here are a few photos.

I am not actually in this picture, but it was a great group shot.

I am going to score!

I just thought this was a great action shot.

Come Thou Fount

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

This is my favorite hymn. I love the words and think that they reflect my heart. I want to sing the praises of the Lord. He is continually merciful to me. He is gracious, kind, and compassionate. Because of His unending mercy, I have so many reasons to praise Him. I wander, but He is ever gracious to bring me back to Him. This is my prayer back to my Lord. Jesus, You do have my heart. I ask You to take it and make me more life You.

Running Thoughts

As I run through the dew
I think of all I have to do
Because I have a lot due.

Yes, this is how I amused myself this morning while I was running. Happy Wednesday! :)

Storing up

The first signs of Fall are beginning to show. The air is turning crisp, the leaves are changing color, and the squirrels are gathering their store for winter. As I have been watching the squirrels storing up, I am reminded of the following verse from the Bible:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-20

I want to be storing up my treasure in heaven. I desire for my focus to be on my Father and Savior and His glory. He is my treasure. I so desire for my heart and life to be a reflection of Jesus.

Elated

I am pretty excited right now! This morning while I was on my run I was praying about my schooling future, dissertation research, and school decisions.

Then I run into (literally, he was on his bike and I ran by) one of the two professors that I had asked to work with. He said that we can work together!!! I will be meeting with him and the other professor next week to start things moving forward! I am excited about the work that I will be doing. I am now praying that I can be funded under this project.

Praise You Jesus!

Rover

I am SUPER busy with homework, so this is just a quick post. Here are a few pictures of Don and his car...Don doesn't know it, but I named the car Rover. There really is no reason, I just think that it fits. :) And yes, those are fuzzy dice hanging from the rear-view mirror.