Beautiful...

I heard this song on the radio and it really spoke to my heart.... Be blessed, and know that you are loved.

In His Love,
   Christy

Rambling thoughts from the Cinnamon Coffee girl... :)

   Okay, so I'm sitting here, thinking, "I really should put up a new blog post.  I haven't posted since before Christmas, and here it is half way through January.  But what in the world would am I going to post about?"  But, as I'm drinking my coffee, a funny story comes to mind, so I'll start with that.
   This week had been a bit of a drag so far.  The weekend had been so much fun.  My good friend Alyssa came and spent the whole weekend over at our house.  We had so much fun.  Bekah, Alyssa and I went to Jo-Ann's and looked at fabric for a period dress.  Alyssa and I are planning on going to an English Country Ball in March, so we need a period dress.  And I introduced her to Gilmore Girls.  And it was great fun.  But Monday started out as a drag, and the week didn't seem to get any better.  I found out that my hours were going to be cut at work.  It's winter time, so there isn't as much business so I end up with nothing to do.  Makes sense, but still, I've got a lot of things I want to do that cost money... But, I'm rabbit trailing here.
   Anyway, Today was interesting.  I met with Pastor Robin this morning to talk about working with the children's ministries.  I'm so excited about getting involved in a church again.  More on that later.
   This afternoon Bekah and I took my sister Annie to her literature class this afternoon, and then while she was in class, Bekah and I went to go get coffee at Kwik Trip.  We'd been in yesterday, and they were out of cinnamon coffee, hot chocolate, and the syrup for the sprite was out too.  My favorite combination at Kwik Trip is Cinnamon Coffee with Hot Chocolate, and a bit of Cinnamon Creamer.  YUMMY!  Anyway, so we went in today, and they were, again, out of cinnamon coffee.  Bekah and I were rather bummed, and we both lamented out loud that the Cinnamon Coffee was out.  Behind the counter was someone who was making the coffee, and it turns out she was the store manager.  She was making the Cinnamon Coffee, and after hearing about how we didn't get the coffee that we wanted yesterday, said that the coffee was on the house, and we were allowed to get a free soda as well.  She then made some comment about how she needs to hire someone just to make coffee, and I said that I was working for a job.  I asked if she had time to do an interview today and she asked if I had filled out an application.  I hadn't, but I would go home, fill out an application and I would call her.  I went home, filled out an application, and called her.  However, I realized that I hadn't really introduced myself, so telling the person who answered the phone my name would do her no good.  So, I told him, "This is Christy.  Tell her I'm the Cinnamon Coffee girl."  So, tomorrow she is going to call me and we will talk about setting up an interview. At least she will never forget me. :)
  I've also started taking ASL II this semester, and I think I'm going to enjoy it.  It is challenging, but I'm feeling up for a good challenge.  And I'm looking into taking a semester and going to Colorado to take the Ellerslie Leadership Training.  So, this year looks like it could be a really interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me.  I'll keep you posted!!

   In His Love,
        Christy

Getting ready for the Christmas Season

Tonight, I'm sitting by the fire and the Christmas tree, watching Gilmore Girls with my Mum and my sister Bekah.  I hope to actually post a real blog post soon.  But, I did feel like I have neglected my blog for far too long.
   So, for a quick recap of the past month or so.  I finished my semester of ASL strong and signed up for the next semester.  NaNo, however, was a quick flop.  However, I do think that the story is still there.  I have great hopes for Jasmine and her poor squashed frogs. (hehe - who knew that real life could be so funny?)
   Anyway, Thanksgiving was interesting.  My dad was in India, so we didn't do much as a family, but instead, my sisters and I went to our church and helped serve Thanksgiving Dinner at our church.  It was a fun and interesting experience, followed by a "A Santa Clause" marathon.  I love those movies!  It was great eating good pizza and watching a good movie with my family. 
   "Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" came out earlier this month.  As per our tradition, I traveled down to Mankato and watched it with my good friends and sisters.  It was amazing!!  And, after I finish reading the book, I will write a post about my thoughts. 
   I'm currently working on reading "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens, and to my great surprise, I'm actually enjoying it.  I've only ever read "A Christmas Carol" and attempted to start "A Tale of Two Cities" like 3 or 4 times, so I decided I didn't like Charles Dickens very much.  But I might change my mind.  I'm a woman, so I reserve that right. (hehe :D )
   I have finished doing my Christmas shopping, and now just have to finish making a couple of Christmas gifts.  I should be working on the last one, but I thought I'd devote some time to my forlorn blog.  Our Christmas tree is up and has lights on it, but no ornaments.  Outside snow is falling, and the air has a magical feel to it.  Christmas is coming, and I am with my family.  My brother Luke, unfortunately, can't make it home for Christmas.  But, the rest of my family is here and I am enjoying it. 
  Now, I'm going to say good night, since this has turned into a much longer blog than I expected.  Hopefully I will post again between now and next week, but if I don't, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.  Take a breathe of cold, crisp, fresh air.  Hug your family, and thank God for His Son.


    In His Love,
        Christy

From Me!

Hello there!  I have no idea where Christy has gone, but she seems to have disappeared from the blogging world.  But have no fear, I will save the day!  Who am I, you ask?  My name is Sarah, and I'm the main character in one of Christy's stories.  Eventually she'll finish my story, but for now, I'll fill you in on hers. :)
  In case some of you didn't know, November is NaNoWriMo!! Which stands for National Novel Writer's Month.  The challenge: write 50K words in the month of November.  My story was the NaNo story of 2008.  But this year Christy is not as hard at work at that as she would like to be, but she is getting there.  Also, her sign language class is going pretty good.  She aced her mid-terms and did fairly well on her last quiz, thanks to her good friend Alyssa, who has been helping her practice weekly. 
   And, if any of you are looking for a creative way to throw a ball, you should try what we all did last week.  There is a place in town that hosts English Country Dancing every Sunday night.  To make it special, they also have live music on the first Sunday of the month.  So, last Sunday, we donned our "ball gowns" and suits and went out dancing!  The picture below is of Christy and Alyssa waltzing at the end.  

When she has more time, Christy'll download the pictures off of her camera and post them, but for now, this will have to do. :)  Thanks for the picture, Alyssa!  And after dancing, we all went out to Applebee's for yummy food! 
   And, on top of all of that, she's got her two jobs that are keeping her busy, and life at home.  So, on behalf of Christy, I apologize for her tardiness in not getting a blog post up.  Eventually, she'll have time to post a real blog.  Oh, and Alyssa?  She's also sorry that she didn't link up with you on the Simple Moments this past week, but she is really going to try this week. :)
  I hope you all are having a great week, and I'm sure we'll be seeing something from Christy soon.  Probably a bit of her NaNo story, depending on if she feels like sharing!  She decided to use the blog post The Morbid Murderess from one of her previous blog posts, so it should be interesting!

Keeping it lively,
  "Sarah"

Knights in Shining Armor...

   Have you ever been in a situation, and all you wanted was someone to come along and help you? Particularly, a knight in shining armor.  Isn't that basically every single girl's dream?  Well, the past few weeks, I've been put in different situations where it would have been nice to have a "knight in shining armor," but I had to make do by myself.  But then on Tuesday, the car died - again.
   I was driving to work, and all of a sudden, it started dinging, and said that the coolant temperature was hot.  I couldn't drive, and quickly pulled the car over to the edge of the road, where it proceeded to die.  It had been a long day already, and I just wanted to cry.  I called my mother, who was driving home with my father, and told her that the car died.  She told my dad, and he said he would come and help me.  And I was sitting there, in my car, just thinking... I don't even recall what exactly I was thinking about, but I was watching all the cars drive right on by, and I was sort of wishing that someone would just stop and see if I was okay.  Did anybody care at all?  And then I was thinking, you know, if this was a story, this would be where the knight in shining armor came in on his white horse and rescued the damsel in distress.  I mean, isn't that the way it should be?  But before I could start to feel frustrated or complain about the state I was in, I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw my dad pull up - in our white pick-up truck, no less!  And it was like God just whispered in my heart, "Who says that there aren't any knights around anymore?"
   I don't know where I would be without my dad and brother around.  Even though my brother is in Germany, he still managed to help me learn how to take the battery out of our van, hook up to the charger and get it fully charged.  They've always taken care of me.  I'm rather glad that my "little" brother is bigger than me - it's rather fun. :)  But anyway, here's to you Daddy, and Luke.  You are my knights in shining armor.  And I thank God for you daily.

   In His Love,
     Christy

Submission...

 "I have found that often when I am struggling the most with something, I actually already know what I should do or am supposed to do, but I don't like it and want to do something else, thereby creating the struggle."
   A few years ago, I was engaged.  After a few months, we ended the engagement.  That whole process is another story for another time.  The important thing is that, I truly believe that God called me into the courtship and He called me out of it.  During the time of when I was struggling with whether or not to end the engagement, I really felt like God was asking me to "lay my 'Isaac' down."  I was devastated, but was willing to trust God.  However, I think a part of me expected a "ram" to show up, or for something to happen so that "Isaac" would come back to me.  And I got angry with God when it didn't happen the way I thought it should have. 
  My "Isaac" - I wanted to be married.  I did truly love the person I was engaged to, and had given him my heart totally and completely.  Don't get me wrong.  But, for the past year or so, I have wanted to be married.  I believe that I have put marriage on a pedestal. Above what God wants to do in my life.  And a part of me was afraid to trust God again.  I'm afraid that He'll ask me to walk away again and I'll never get married.
  All that being said, a couple of weeks ago, I was at church, and the topic was on Submission.  And one thing that Pastor Bill said really stood out.  He used three stories to illustrate true submission - Abraham offering up Isaac, Ananias praying for Saul/Paul (Acts 9:10-17), and Jesus being able to say, "Not My will, but Yours be done."  And Pastor Bill asked the question, "Why were they able to do that?" And I know this is probably really basic, but for me, it was what I needed to hear.  Pastor Bill said, they trusted in God's love.  They knew God and had a relationship with Him.  And just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, "Even if He doesn't rescue us, we will still do what He says," I need to come to the place where I trust God's love me.  Walking with God isn't a prison.  It isn't a list of do's and don'ts.  It's about a relationship, communication, trust, and love.  And I'm realizing that I cannot love people fully when I myself don't trust my Father's love for me.  I cannot be truly content with my life when I don't trust His love for me. Walking with God is freedom - freedom from lies, discontentment, worries, and fear. 
    And as much as I want to be free, I sometimes think that I am willing to settle because I'm familiar with the fears, worries, and lies.  But if I truly trust God and His love for me, then I shouldn't be willing to settle for anything less than what He wants for me.  So, the question remains, How much do I really and truly trust Him?  I have to honestly say, I don't know.  But I want to find out.  Every day I want to choose His love over my fears.  His grace and mercy over my sins.  His path over my own way.
   Lord, help me please.  I want to submit to Your love, but I can't do it without Your grace.  I want to trust You again.  Forgive me for my hardness of heart and lack of faith.  As I continue to step out in faith, please be with me.  I love You, Lord.  Help me to know You better.  To love You better.  Amen.

   In His Love,
    Christy

Pouring Out:: September...

Okay, so I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started doing the Pouring Out... But what I didn't expect was to learn so much about myself in the process.  But before I go into that, I'll start at the beginning... :)

   I really prayed about who I was supposed to "pick" for this month, and the more I prayed about it, the more I felt impressed on my heart to do my sister Bekah.  Now, at first I didn't want to - I mean, she is my sister, I see her all the time - she knows I love her!  But the more I prayed about it and thought about it, I realized - why not my sister?  How often do I go through life and not tell those who are closest to me that I love them?  I know I say it to my friends all the time, and we do all sorts of stuff together, but my family?  And then I realized to, that i thought my family might not appreciate it as much as someone who wasn't a family member; and then I realized, wow, that is one of the most prideful statements I have made!  The pouring out isn't about me - it's about God's love and how He wants to give it to others, and I'm just simply the vehicle.  So, after that attitude adjustment, I started praying for ways that I could show Bekah God's love in tangible ways.

  So, I first started texting her at night, telling her I loved her, I was praying for her, ect.  Then we went and watched a movie that she had really wanted to see.  I had so much fun & the movie was great!  The next week she was planning on going out of town for 3 weeks.  I wanted to get her a going-away gift, but couldn't think of anything, so I went to Wal-Mart, thinking I would just get a couple of things.  I ended up getting her some nail polish, cosmetics, and I was thinking that I could get a cute little box or something to put it in, but then all of a sudden I caught sight of the travel cosmetics - and I realized that she didn't have one.  I was so grateful to God for showing me that, and it was perfect.  I added some candy to fill it up, and put in a fun card.  I had so much fun and was so blessed myself.  

   Then she was gone, and I didn't really know what to do.  I was still texting her, but then I got caught up in my own life, and didn't really do anything.  I was still praying for her in the morning, but I forgot to show it visibly.  Not quite, out of sight, out of mind, but that sort of mentality.  And then I was challenged by friend Alyssa, who asked how I was doing.  And I was honest and said that I hadn't really been doing anything, that I couldn't really think of anything.  And she asked me if I had posted on Facebook, or emailed or texted, and I admitted that, no I hadn't really thought of doing that.  So, after being challenged to finish strong, I've been posting on her wall or sending her pieces of flair, and just asking how I could pray for her.  It was so eye-opening to see how easily I become absorbed in my own life and forget to do the little details that really do matter.  How easy to focus on myself and say, oh I'll do it later.  And yet later never comes. 
   So, this month, I've been learning just how selfish I really am... But I am so grateful that God still loves me.  I don't need to become discouraged and wallow in self-pity - "Oh, I'm such a selfish, horrible person," blah blah blah.  No!  God brought to my mind 2 Corinthians 7:10: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."  And I realized that once again, my focus was on me.  Instead of learning from my mistakes, I was content to wallow in self-pity.  I was so convicted, and have been moving forward since then.  I often still get sidetracked, let my focus get off of God and back on me, but my heart's cry is to focus on Him, and let Him love others through me. 
   Lord, I pray that I wouldn't forget what I have learned this month.  Thank you so much for bringing these things into my life, for allowing me to be tested so I can draw closer to You.  Help me to turn to You first.  Amen.

  In His Love,
    Christy