Found this intriguing book on the half price shelf at the local Christian bookstore on Sunday. The authors names, Eric and Leslie Ludy, caught my attention as I had read their book several years ago entitled, "When God writes your love story". This books title, "Meet Mr. Smith", had me curious especially when I read the subtitle... Revolutionize the way you think about sex, purity, and romance. Our culture is so filled with junk (aka sin) that it is a daily struggle to live a pure life. Recently some christian friends were discussing a "hot" new movie that had just come to the big screen. The temptation was there to go see it but then the conviction of the Holy Spirit set in and reminded me that Christ is calling me to a life of purity. Not just physically but in what I see (tv, movies, etc), in what I read (internet, books, magazines), and in what I listen to (music). I will be the first to admit, I fall so short but I am truly reminded at how God truly protects when we allow Him to.
As I was reading this book tonight, a couple of things stood out to me about purity...
1. " Purity is the opening act for the greatest acttion drama of anyone's life. (It) sets the stage for heavenly love stories that leave Hollywood's lusty counterfeits blushing with bewilderment (pg74)."
2. purity is here for one purpose- to make people's lives beautiful and amazing.
3. it takes works- "if people want the best, they need to be prepared for a little pain, a little discomfort, and a little hard work."
I truly want God's best. I refust to settle for an imposter when God's absolute best is right around the corner. Lately He has been showing me that there is blessing in obedience. Anything good is worth waiting for... so while I am waiting I will be about my Father's business and at this point that is making purity a priority in every aspect of my life!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Sleepless in Honolulu
It is 12:30am on Saturday night/Sunday morning.... for those of you that know me, know I am not a night owl. However, I slept in today, worked on papers and projects, and then took an afternoon nap due to a headache. Now unfortunately I can't sleep...
With my mind going a million miles an hour, I thought maybe it would be beneficial to do some reading (other than grad school articles)... still no sleep... decided to exercise.... still no sleep... so I have been reading past blogs... this has made me think about the cyclical pattern of trials in our lives... ok bear with me and hopefully it will make since. Trials come into our lives to grow us. The enemy uses these trials to try to stumble us and get us to doubt God's love and faithfulness. The more we trust in God's strength and wisdom during the trials, the smaller the trial becomes and the larger our God shows up. When we are confident in who our God is in the midst of a trial the less ground we allow the enemy to have.
Reading blogs from several years ago, to be honest, there are still issues that I struggle with to this day. In many of these situations, I have realized that they may always show up during certain seasons however they are not as big of an issue or trial as I know now that my God has ulitmate victory. He is large and in charge.
Ok... switching gears... as I am sitting here I have my itunes playlist running and we have hit the christmas section... it made me realize that we are officially in July as of 30 minutes ago. I know it sounds silly to equate Christmas music with the month of July but it brings fond memories of Christmas in July parties when I first moved to MKK.
July also means...
With my mind going a million miles an hour, I thought maybe it would be beneficial to do some reading (other than grad school articles)... still no sleep... decided to exercise.... still no sleep... so I have been reading past blogs... this has made me think about the cyclical pattern of trials in our lives... ok bear with me and hopefully it will make since. Trials come into our lives to grow us. The enemy uses these trials to try to stumble us and get us to doubt God's love and faithfulness. The more we trust in God's strength and wisdom during the trials, the smaller the trial becomes and the larger our God shows up. When we are confident in who our God is in the midst of a trial the less ground we allow the enemy to have.
Reading blogs from several years ago, to be honest, there are still issues that I struggle with to this day. In many of these situations, I have realized that they may always show up during certain seasons however they are not as big of an issue or trial as I know now that my God has ulitmate victory. He is large and in charge.
Ok... switching gears... as I am sitting here I have my itunes playlist running and we have hit the christmas section... it made me realize that we are officially in July as of 30 minutes ago. I know it sounds silly to equate Christmas music with the month of July but it brings fond memories of Christmas in July parties when I first moved to MKK.
July also means...
- we are halfway through another year
- school starts this month
- I officially add another year to my age and we get to celebrate!!! :)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thought provoking
After just finishing my first week of graduate school, I am reflecting back on all that I have learned in the past 5 days. Honestly if I am asked to describe my first week in one word, I would have to say... INTENSE. Classes go from 9-4 every day and then I have been spending 4-5 hours in the evening working on papers, reading, and projects. So far it has been a good experience... overwhelming at times... but good none the less.
A couple of things have come up this week that have been thought provoking...
Why I am going back to school? -A few months ago, in my blog, I posted Dreams Come True. This really has been a recurring theme in my life. I truly enjoy travelling, working with little ones, and teaching big ones how to work with little ones. These themes are being combined in the research that I am currently doing so this is tying in all of my passions. One of my professional goals has always been to get my master's degree and since I am passionate about working with little ones, what a better field that getting my master's in Early Childhood Education. God has placed this desire on my heart and I will follow him as He continues to open the doors in His plan for me. I am not getting my master's for career advancement or a better paying job (however if it happens that is fine!). It is what He has called me to for right now and I am enjoying every step along the way. Ultimately He only knows the plans He has for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
What do you want to be doing in the next 5 or 10 years? This question has come up several times this week on surveys from professors and discussions with classmates. Whereas most of my classmates have listed getting a better job or opening their own center, my answer has been short and sweet... to be a wife and mommy. At this point, God has not opened those doors so I will continue to pursue what He has for me. However, at the point that those things change I will willingly lay down my professional life to be a wife and stay at home mommy. Friends through the years have commented on the fact that I am so independent and goal oriented that it shuts the door on those things. I truly believe that His timing is perfect and that He is good. I have been given those character qualities as a gift and only God knows how I can best use them for His glory.
So overall I am throughly enjoying this chapter in my life and being able to continue my education. God uses all we go through for our ultimate good and His glory!
A couple of things have come up this week that have been thought provoking...
Why I am going back to school? -A few months ago, in my blog, I posted Dreams Come True. This really has been a recurring theme in my life. I truly enjoy travelling, working with little ones, and teaching big ones how to work with little ones. These themes are being combined in the research that I am currently doing so this is tying in all of my passions. One of my professional goals has always been to get my master's degree and since I am passionate about working with little ones, what a better field that getting my master's in Early Childhood Education. God has placed this desire on my heart and I will follow him as He continues to open the doors in His plan for me. I am not getting my master's for career advancement or a better paying job (however if it happens that is fine!). It is what He has called me to for right now and I am enjoying every step along the way. Ultimately He only knows the plans He has for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
What do you want to be doing in the next 5 or 10 years? This question has come up several times this week on surveys from professors and discussions with classmates. Whereas most of my classmates have listed getting a better job or opening their own center, my answer has been short and sweet... to be a wife and mommy. At this point, God has not opened those doors so I will continue to pursue what He has for me. However, at the point that those things change I will willingly lay down my professional life to be a wife and stay at home mommy. Friends through the years have commented on the fact that I am so independent and goal oriented that it shuts the door on those things. I truly believe that His timing is perfect and that He is good. I have been given those character qualities as a gift and only God knows how I can best use them for His glory.
So overall I am throughly enjoying this chapter in my life and being able to continue my education. God uses all we go through for our ultimate good and His glory!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The first day of grad school
Ok... it is almost 9pm and I have been sitting here since 6pm researching information on social development. I have finally gotten a dozen resources so I am going to take a break and fill everyone who cares in on how my first day of grad school went.
A few answers to key questions...
Where am I??? University of Hawaii- Manoa getting my Masters in Early Childhood Education
Where am I living??? For the first time ever I am dorming on campus. Moved in yesterday to what will be my home for the next month.
I am having to share a bathroom/shower with the entire hall. This has taken some getting used to as I am used to living by myself. A very helpful piece of advice from a dear friend was to bring a robe and rubber slippahs for the shower.
Communal kitchen- Everyone on the floor shares a kitchen... not too bad because it is a rather large kitchen and it is summer. I did find it funny when I went to the kitchen to make breakfast this morning, there was a girl with a bag of fresh fish and she was cleaning the fish at 7am in the kitchen sink. To each his own, I guess!
Went to Costco yesterday with Nicci and stocked up on the essentials... fruits, veggies, water, and beans. Should be set for the summer.
Back to the day at hand.... there are 20+ people in this cohort... 19 ladies and 1 guy... at this point I am taking 2 classes... one runs from 9 til noon the other runs from 1 til 4pm every day for the next 3 weeks. The final week is an elective ... it runs from 8-4 everyday. This is a jam packed summer...the instructors warned us today not to plan on having a social life for the next month. I am thrilled that I planned ahead and got all of my pre-reading done along with my discussion notes and 15+ reflection papers written.
So with that said... I am going to finish reading the five articles for tomorrow and I am going to bed!
A few answers to key questions...
Where am I??? University of Hawaii- Manoa getting my Masters in Early Childhood Education
 |
| my single room |
I am having to share a bathroom/shower with the entire hall. This has taken some getting used to as I am used to living by myself. A very helpful piece of advice from a dear friend was to bring a robe and rubber slippahs for the shower.
 |
| where I will be spending a lot of time! |
Went to Costco yesterday with Nicci and stocked up on the essentials... fruits, veggies, water, and beans. Should be set for the summer.
 |
| the view from my window |
So with that said... I am going to finish reading the five articles for tomorrow and I am going to bed!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Trial run on going vegan
As many of you know, over the past two months my health has been having some technical difficulties. I have sought the advice of doctors, friends, naturopaths, family, and just about anyone who thought something would help... I have listened to all and followed several suggestions.
One of the major changes has been what I eat... my new motto is if you are what you eat... and you want to be healthy then eat that way. Several years ago in the goal to lose weight I started making changes... first to go was red meat and processed meat (ie sausage, hot dogs, etc)... then it was real milk but I kept eating dairy products (ie cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc) because they were just too good to pass up despite the reaction to my body... then it was switching to whole grains vs. white (bread, pasta, rice,etc)...more veggies and fruits... lean meats... and the list could go on.
Lately due to the medical issues and turning to food to comfort... I have put on a few pounds and was finding my self getting very upset when I went to get dressed in the morning. Things were not fitting like they did 3 months ago. Argh! So I started looking at what I was eating... what was benefiting my body and what was sabatoging my progress. After looking at how my body was reacting to dairy I decided that had to go (bye cheese.... bye ice cream... BOOHOO!)... soy had to go... sugar had to go (did you know that 1 tsp of sugar inhibits your immune system for 4 hours!!!!)....then coffee with no sugar and no creamer (dairy or soy) is kind of hard to swallow so (sniffle sniffle) coffee had to go... SOOOOO.... after all that is out... I am left trying a vegan diet for a while. So far I am on day 3 and have lost about 5 pounds... granted I do realize that some of that is water weight but time will tell. Now that the coffee withdrawals are finished I am feeling better... more alert... handling stress a bit better... and able to get a lot more accomplished!
Now I am not saying that I will be vegan forever but at least for the next couple of months or so we are going to change my thought pattern of eating to live rather than living to eat! The key to eating vegan is variety... try all of the fruits and veggies, beans and legumes that are in your super market (or farmers market). It is not the cheapest but health wise just in three days I am seeing a huge difference.
Here is a sample of what is on the menu today....
Had a greens and strawberry smoothie with almond milk for breakfast...apple for snack... lunch was bell pepper slices, cucumber slices, steamed okra, northern beans, and cherries... at this point not sure what I will have for dinner but whatever it is it will be yummy!
One of the major changes has been what I eat... my new motto is if you are what you eat... and you want to be healthy then eat that way. Several years ago in the goal to lose weight I started making changes... first to go was red meat and processed meat (ie sausage, hot dogs, etc)... then it was real milk but I kept eating dairy products (ie cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc) because they were just too good to pass up despite the reaction to my body... then it was switching to whole grains vs. white (bread, pasta, rice,etc)...more veggies and fruits... lean meats... and the list could go on.
Lately due to the medical issues and turning to food to comfort... I have put on a few pounds and was finding my self getting very upset when I went to get dressed in the morning. Things were not fitting like they did 3 months ago. Argh! So I started looking at what I was eating... what was benefiting my body and what was sabatoging my progress. After looking at how my body was reacting to dairy I decided that had to go (bye cheese.... bye ice cream... BOOHOO!)... soy had to go... sugar had to go (did you know that 1 tsp of sugar inhibits your immune system for 4 hours!!!!)....then coffee with no sugar and no creamer (dairy or soy) is kind of hard to swallow so (sniffle sniffle) coffee had to go... SOOOOO.... after all that is out... I am left trying a vegan diet for a while. So far I am on day 3 and have lost about 5 pounds... granted I do realize that some of that is water weight but time will tell. Now that the coffee withdrawals are finished I am feeling better... more alert... handling stress a bit better... and able to get a lot more accomplished!
Now I am not saying that I will be vegan forever but at least for the next couple of months or so we are going to change my thought pattern of eating to live rather than living to eat! The key to eating vegan is variety... try all of the fruits and veggies, beans and legumes that are in your super market (or farmers market). It is not the cheapest but health wise just in three days I am seeing a huge difference.
Here is a sample of what is on the menu today....
Had a greens and strawberry smoothie with almond milk for breakfast...apple for snack... lunch was bell pepper slices, cucumber slices, steamed okra, northern beans, and cherries... at this point not sure what I will have for dinner but whatever it is it will be yummy!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
From a singing heart!
It is officially summer break and even though I have a to-do list a mile long I am thouroughly enjoying sleeping in til 7:45 or 8 and then making breakfast and spending some quality time in the Word. Most days when I have to be at work by 6:45am this time is cut to 15 or 20 minutes but lately I have been able to spend as much time as I desire.
So this morning, I made my coffee and breakfast and sat down at the dining room table with my Bible and Bible study book... did my study and then spent some time listening to the Lord. Those whispers we have been talking about. One of the verses that really stuck out to me this morning is "His banner over me is love". I almost felt like a school girl... the first time she realizes that a boy likes her and walks around with her head in the clouds saying "he loves me!". I know this sounds silly but that is what my heart was doing this morning.... "he loves me! The king of the universe loves ME!"
At the end of my quiet time, I spent some time in worship as that is an outlet for my heart to express what God is doing in there. The song "How can I keep from Singing" by Chris Tomlin has been playing over and over in my mind so I pulled it up on you tube and sang along. Thankfully God desires "a joyful noise" from our hearts. The lyrics just seem to say what has been on my heart and mind for the past couple of months... Jesus is the rock that I have been clinging to in the midst of the storms. I know I can sing despite my circumstances because I KNOW my Savior is right by my side. It is such a great feeling... it just makes my heart want to sing!
"How Can I Keep From Singing"
So this morning, I made my coffee and breakfast and sat down at the dining room table with my Bible and Bible study book... did my study and then spent some time listening to the Lord. Those whispers we have been talking about. One of the verses that really stuck out to me this morning is "His banner over me is love". I almost felt like a school girl... the first time she realizes that a boy likes her and walks around with her head in the clouds saying "he loves me!". I know this sounds silly but that is what my heart was doing this morning.... "he loves me! The king of the universe loves ME!"
At the end of my quiet time, I spent some time in worship as that is an outlet for my heart to express what God is doing in there. The song "How can I keep from Singing" by Chris Tomlin has been playing over and over in my mind so I pulled it up on you tube and sang along. Thankfully God desires "a joyful noise" from our hearts. The lyrics just seem to say what has been on my heart and mind for the past couple of months... Jesus is the rock that I have been clinging to in the midst of the storms. I know I can sing despite my circumstances because I KNOW my Savior is right by my side. It is such a great feeling... it just makes my heart want to sing!
"How Can I Keep From Singing"
There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing
I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give
I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing
I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give
I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Loved by the King
"For I am loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing. How can I keep from singing your praise... how can I ever say enough how amazing is your love."
Lately I have been working through a Bible study entitled "Falling in love with Jesus". It is based on the premise that God loves us so much that he pursues us like a groom pursues his bride to be. One of the verses that has really touched my heart...
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over your with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
God is truly might to save us out of the depths of despair... out of anxiety... out of depression... out of bad situations. Sometimes he allows us to go through these situations so that we can truly see the need we have for a Savior.
In this world that is dark and full of pain, we have a King that loves us... He rejoices over us with singing.
Lately I have been working through a Bible study entitled "Falling in love with Jesus". It is based on the premise that God loves us so much that he pursues us like a groom pursues his bride to be. One of the verses that has really touched my heart...
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over your with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
God is truly might to save us out of the depths of despair... out of anxiety... out of depression... out of bad situations. Sometimes he allows us to go through these situations so that we can truly see the need we have for a Savior.
In this world that is dark and full of pain, we have a King that loves us... He rejoices over us with singing.
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