Family Flashbacks...

This week, I took some time and I browsed through some old pictures that are currently in my possession that used to belong to my Grandma. I thought that I would share them with you.

Does anyone know who the girl is below with Charles (Grandma's grandpa)?This coming January, will be the 100th anniversary of my Grandma's birth. I really miss her. I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I did. Grandma & Me

10 Years Already!?!

This past weekend I attended Homecoming at my Alma Mater. It was my 10-year reunion. It is hard to believe that I have been out of college for that long. We had a great time catching up on each others lives. I do have to say that I thought I would be in a much different place at this time. I thought that I would be married with a few kids by now. Instead, I am still single and currently looking for a job. God has worked in and through me in the past 10 years in ways that probably would not have happened had MY plans been followed. This is not to say that I don't still dream about one day being married and having children. God's timing and plans don't always match up with ours. I know that He has a plan for me and has blessed me even now in this time of trial. I'm just wanting to be done with this trial and move on to greener pastures. On another note: I just realized that most of us in the picture are wearing blue. I also found out that several of my classmates are either on the mission field or going to be leaving in the next couple months.

While I am Waiting...

Last week my parents and I went to a sneek preview of the movie Fireproof. It is by the same people who did Facing the Giants. I recommend the movie highly...invite your friends and go see it on opening weekend (September 26th). During the movie, a song was played that I was not familiar with but relates to my situation now. I made my parents sit through the credits so that I could see the title and who it is by. It is called "While I'm Waiting" and is by John Waller.

While I'm Waiting

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve you

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Psalm 40 (NIV) "I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart." I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as You know, O LORD. I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly. Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O LORD; may Your love and Your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."

Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

Read Lamentations 3 also.

Thoughts for the day

"The next moment is as much beyond our grasp, and as much in God's care, as that a hundred years away. Care for the next minute is as foolish as care for a day in the next thousand years. In neither can we do anything, in both God is doing everything."

"We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, '''Blessed are they that morn.'''

C.S. Lewis

no...I didn't drop off the face of the earth...

I will try to update my blog whenever I can. Now that classes have started, I don't get as much computer time as this summer. If a student needs the computer, I must give it up. It is nice that the librarians have been allowing me to use the computer. I am still looking for a full-time position. I have picked up more hours at the Christian bookstore the past few weeks. Still not enough to cover the bills...but every little bit helps. Please keep praying and also let me know if you hear of any possible positions. I also signed up for substitute teaching and hope to be cleared for that soon. Have a great week!

Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom!

Yesterday, we celebrated my parents' 35th wedding anniversary. We gathered at my sister's house and had lunch. I thought it would be cool to show you what they looked like 35 years ago and how they look 35 years later. I took a picture of their wedding photo, so I apologize for the poor quality.

Happy 35th Anniversary...may you have many more!

Michigan Vacation

This past week I had the opportunity to go to Michigan for a time of relaxation and seeing family. My parents and I drove the several hour trip on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, my mom and I went to a one-day women's conference. While I waited for my mom to finish in the restroom, a lady approached me commenting on my shirt. She asked if I had been to China and I said yes. She had recently been there too. She told me she had seen the same shirt and wanted to buy it but hadn't yet. I told her that my mom said that people will think that I bought the shirt because of the olympics. The lady said, "Don't worry about it; who cares!" (I had bought it because I had been to China.) Then mom and I went and found seats. After a great time of worship and special music by two sisters, the hostess began to introduce the speaker, Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. As the introduction went on, I thought..."I wonder if the speaker is the same lady I just talked to?" As the speaker walked onto the stage, I leaned over and told my mom "that's the same lady that asked me about my shirt!" She is very funny and encouraging. We have a lot in common and I was able to relate to her a LOT!

The next day, several members of my extended family went to an amusement park. My aunt and I hung out most of the day together. A couple of my cousins discovered that it is quite the audio experience to ride next to me on roller coasters! Yes, I am terrified of heights, but I love roller coasters! I think that I may finally be getting my full voice back today!Saturday, was the family reunion. This year's theme was a Hawaiian Luau. As you may see in the following pictures, we had a lot of fun and some of us...ok...maybe most of us...have a crazy side! At the end of the day, several of us have made it a tradition to walk out to the light house at dusk to view a neighboring town's fireworks from the pier. We witnessed this wonderful sunset as well as a huge coal ship.

I had also went to the lake on Friday night and captured this sunset.