Praise God!

For my last four day break I went to Iowa with Jack and Jim and had an incredible time. We were able to spend time and encourage fellow believers, pray for those the Lord lead us to pray for and we spent time with the Marr's (Augie's family) and Johnson's. These families have taught me so much and it was such a blessing to spend time with them. Then we drove to have lunch with my cousins and their sons, and then to Wildwood Hills Ranch where I showed the guys around. After Ranch we drove to my grandparents and spend the rest of our time with them absorbing as much as we could. Watching other people appreciate my grandparents reignited the love and appreciation I have for them and it all has started making me realize how incredibly blessed I am by the people God has surrounded me with. 


All of this made returning to work at Rawhide difficult. It's not that I don't love my job- I do- but in Ames and Durant it's easy to be loved and love. I generally don't feel opposition about anything. But God didn't call me to comfort and ease, He called me to Rawhide.


These feelings lead to a stinky-stuck-in-a-rut attitude for most of my morning. Fortunately I didn't work much with the guys and my feelings weren't infiltrating their moods but I knew I wasn't glorifying God with mine. Around noon the Lord convicted me to go to prayer with other RI's so I did. Normally prayer has turned into me and Jack but this morning there was four of us there to pray and it was anointed! God used that time to show me to take the focus off of myself and return it rightfully back to Him. Shortly after prayer I worked with the guys in my house and God guided and blessed the conversations- I was able to be used to answer questions about God's righteousness that THREE of our guys had. I was able to be used to encourage one of our guys that is a believer but has been struggling. He was so encouraged he was near tears- it was absolutely incredible to watch God work...and all to think that I could have chosen to be in a stinky mood. 


Praise God His work isn't dependent on my moods. 

Stop dinking around!

There's a long list of things in my life that I've been told to do, I enjoy doing them, these things are beneficial to my health and yet I don't do them. A short list would include things like:


Flossing my teeth
Washing my hands more (I DO wash my hands....let's be clear on that)
Doing my laundry more than 1 a month
Exercising
Taking deep breaths
Getting adequate sleep
Being in fellowship with other believers
Praying
Reading the Word
Meditating on the Word
Fasting
Submitting
Surrendering
Serving
Worshiping


This all came to me recently, especially after I flossed my teeth for the first time in about a month. Why do I choose to miss out on these things that I am more than capable of doing and that I can benefit from? It's so foolish! I give myself so many reasons and excuses but 9.5 times out of 10 if I actually analyzed it my excuses would be garbage. God has blessed my times of obedience and submission so grandly, even when I do things halfheartedly or while dragging my feet. I am so thankful to have a patient and loving Father, but I would like to be a servant of God that doesn't drag her feet. That doesn't make lame excuses. That does things for the health of me! My physical, spiritual and emotional health all rely on God and He gives me descriptive instructions on how to do them. I just need to quit being a dink about it all. 

Rough and Tough kind of day

First of all, today is the ten year anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. I wish I had an epic story of what I was doing when I first found out, but honestly, I don't. I was an egocentric 7th grader that had no idea the implications this had. I still am hazy on what the Towers were actually used for and I used the attack as an excuse to go home from school early. However, I now am so incredibly grateful for those that lost and gave their lives to the cause of protecting the country I live in.

Another tough thing today that I will probably always remember- my dog and best friend Marne died today. He was on a car ride with me and while I was driving he jumped out of the window and the truck on my right side hit him. The man driving the truck pulled over and I pulled into the gas station across the street. I watched my puppy dog look at me and wag his tail until he was gone. It appeared that his head hit the road and by his wagging tail I think it was painless. Though it was painless for him this is incredibly painful for me. The gentleman that hit him felt awful and I couldn't give him any comfort though I was strangely calm through all of it. I picked Marne up out of the busy street and carried him to my car and brought him home. My dad came out and confirmed that we were going to have to have a funeral for him and suggested we put him under the catulpa tree. This was a perfect place- I remember my dad, brother and I planting it together excited to see how big it would get. This tree is right next to the pasture where many of my past animals have lived, where I have spent hours upon hours studying and sleeping and where Marne-Barney chased the heifers that watched him be buried. My dad offered to pray and that was a God-sent blessing for my heart- my dad thanking God for the joy that Marne has given me and thanking God for giving me a companion. My dad then suggested I go buy tulip bulbs (my favorite flowers which I doubt my dad knows) to plant where Marne is buried so they will bloom in spring.

My heart is aching for my lost friend but I have faith that God will be faithful and be good in all situations. This is especially painful because Marne was the one being that I could count on loving me unconditionally and without any reservations. I miss you already my favorite buddy.

Finally a Rawhide Update

I accidentally recorded it in robot voice, woops!

What I Would Do With a Day Off

It's been about a month and half since I've had some time to myself, and this morning I woke up a little early to have some down time and I wish I could spend the rest of my day in the state I have been in. This is what I would do:

Finish reading Exodus
Finish reading Mere Christianity
Finish reading Holding Hands Holding Hearts
Write thank you cards to the Johnson's, Marr's, Renee, B, Brittney, Jaime, Bettina, Caitlin
Go through my unnamed songs in my itunes and get the song and artist information
Take a nap
Make a delicious lunch
Listen to Cornerstone sermons I'm behind on
Write down the adventures I've been having all summer and reflect

I'm not complaining about all the things I've been doing that have prevented such a day, because they have all been filled with wonderful people, time and experiences, I'm just a little tired and drained. However, today I am going to go to church at Lakeside Worship in Polk City, hang out and Saylorville and hopefully continue learning how to drive motorcycle thanks to my wonderful teacher (my cousin Mike).

Okoboji Trip

I have lots and lots to talk about, but I just had a pretty great trip and would like to document it to make sure it can have an anniversary trip soon.

We went on motorcycle rides, boat rides, jet ski rides. Pulled an all-nighter with Brittney Bunce and B Stone because we were to excited and energized by our God-talks. We tried to watch the sunset, climb a water tower, and break back into the house (we got locked out). Had quiet time with Jesus and Brittney Bunce. Accidentally crossed into the MN border on the way home. Read outside soaking up the 100 degree, 85% humidity weather for an hour. Went to camp with B and was able to see a snippet of her summer life. Mini golfing at Pirate's Cove, Blue bunny ice cream, pizza ranch. ALMOST ate a piece of steak, but I'm still vegetarian.

Once I get a converter for my memory card I'll be sure to post pictures. And write about my summer- I've just been having way too much fun to be on my computer!

A request from Jaime Adams

Well Jaime, this video is for you! He wouldn't dance like the gummy bear while the camera was on, but he loves the song any way :-)