Hey-o! Yesterday was my birthday. It was a faabulous day!
I got up and did school... Opened my card from Meme&Pops... talked to Meme&Pops! Did school and more school. Mom went to the grocery store and then came home and we unloaded stuff and then we went to Tarje and got Icees for lunch (along with leftover quiche!). We had quiche and icees for lunch and watched part of Despicable Me. And thenn I worked on my paper a bit. And then I decorated cupcakes! Here are a few pictures of them:
The caramel colored frosting is peanut butter! Delishussss.
Then people arrived! Sean, Allie, Carrie, Nathan (and Jeff), and Adam came. It was a fun time!
We played Apples To Apples for a while, ate dinner, went to the basement and watched some YouTube videos (haha) and then played Spoons. And then we ate those cupcakes. They were gooooood.
After dessert we went downstairs again and played fooseball and more Apples to Apples. And then people left. It was a funtabulous time overall! Those people are funny. I like them. We should get together more often!
And that was the gist of my day! It was quite fun. And now I'm going to go finish working on my paper.
Hope you're having a lovely Saturday!
Here's a quick review of my week:
Sunday afternoon/evening: Nazarite DNA with BK&Erin. Youth Group with Soul Candy (Andrew C) and the crew. Home. Printed homework. Went to bed.
Monday: School. Classes. Who knows what else. Babysat. Came home. Ate dinner. Worked on SAT stuff with Mom&Dad. Watched Letters to Juliet. Which was a FANTASTIC movie. Katie and Hannah for sure need to see it when they come home. It has NYC and Italy in it. Just the locations make it a "must see" =P And the plot is good. Semi-predictable, but good! Then I went to bed.
Tuesday: Got up. Did school. Went to Urban Vision (History, Gym, Dinner, Reading, Homework). Taught ballet. Went to dance. Danced for a longgg time. Came home. Chillaxed a bit. Went to sleep.
Wednesday: Got up. Got ready. Went to school. Spanish class was good. Sat in study hall and did school stuff. Ate lunch. Did school in Mom's class. Packed up. Dropped a movie off at the library and picked up a book. Went to the bank and did all my banking. Went to the grocery store and whatnot. Came home. Relaxed and caught up on blogs. Went to Target with Dad to get a refrigerator thermometer because our fridge is not working right. NOOOOO. Third... time's... the charm? Or three strikes and you're out?
Yeah. Bummer.
Thenn I came home and did some dishes. Read Little Women a little bit. I LOVE that book. It's so awesome.
At 6 I had bible study. Which was fun :) I love my group. They're so sweet. Dinner was delish too. We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes with corn. SO good.
Came home at 7:30 (instead of 8) because today is Ash Wednesday and they had a service. I didn't stay because I was tired and wanted to come home.
So I came home and put my PJs on and read more of Little Women and watched American Idol while reading during the commercials. Then we had pudding (because of the fridge not working... gotta use that milk!) which was delish. I drank a whole lot more milk along with it because it's SO SWEET.
And now I'm watching the end of American Idol and blogging!
It's been a good half a week.
Hope yours has been going well too. Maybe I'll post something other than what I've been up to. Any ideas?
That test? Yeah. You know the one I'm talking about.
The A. C. T.
Why is it so cruel? For one thing, they make you get there at 8 am. Which means leaving at like, 7:30. Which means getting up before 7. Ew.
Got to Akron U. Went to Zook Hall where we were supposed to go to sign in. Was directed into a lecture hall. Sat down. Was directed to another hall... Leigh Hall, I believe. That was around 8 am. And we filled out the information on the first page of the test booklet and whatnot. Then the first section, the English test (45 minutes). Which I think I did well on. Then the Math test (60 minutes). Which I didn't do as well on, I don't think. I didn't quite finish. But it was okay. Then we had a short 10 minute break. Juuust long enough to go to the bathroom and eat a REALLY quick snack. Right outside the room. Because you're not "allowed to eat or drink in the 'testing center.'" Lame, right?
So I shoved my last two fruit snacks (strawberry and peach (which are my favorite!)) into my mouth and headed back into the room. Then it was the Reading test (35 minutes). Which was okay. Then the Science Reasoning test (35 minutes). Which wasn't great. But it was OKayyy. Then a short... kinda break. They gathered our test booklets. And then handed out the writing booklets. Then it was ESSAY time (30 minutes). And that went really well. In my opinion. But I'm looking forward to getting my scores and whatnot. February 28th. So now I just wait.
The rest of my day was chillaxing. We talked to Hannah for quite a bit, which was fun! And I watched some more of The Biggest Loser. Always inspiring.
We ate dinner around 7 (beef stew... yum!). And now we're watching Stardust. Which is actually a really good movie! I'm likin' it! (not "lovin'" as in McDonalds. Likin'. haha).
Alrighty. I'm going to eat my PIE. I would tell y'all what kind, but it would probably make you jealous ;) If you really want to know, leave me a comment.
I'm going to eat my pie and keep watching my movie! Later people,
Today was... longish.
I did school. That wasn't long. I finished around 12:30. And then read the PSAT book for a while after lunch. Then I babysat. From about 3:30-5:30. Annnnd came home, ate dinner, put my pawprints on my face and headed over to the stadium for the football game. Took pictures because it was Senior Night for all of the athletes. I took like, 100 pictures of that. It was quite insane. Annnnd I got a musical note airbrushed on my arm. It looks sweet. Minus the fact that it's rubbing off.
I walked around with my friend Ricky for a while... we found two of his friends, Abby and Shawna (such funny people!), and talked to them for a while. Then Kayt&her boyfriend, Jason, got there and we stood around and talked and eventually sat down and watched the halftime show. Then we went to attack band people, because we're cool like that.
And we walked around for a while. Ricky disappeared. Then he came back. And he had these.
If you can't tell, they say "homecoming? :)"
And it was super sweet. And the cupcakes were good. And we handed them out to random people. It was great. :) (I'm still working on an answer about homecoming... I'll let y'all know when there's an answer.)
We just kinda hung out for a while. Ricky&Jason talked Boy Scouts and Kaytee and I had facial-expression conversations. It was great. Mr. Nay gave Jason a talking to. hahah I love Mr. Nay. He's fantastic.
Then Kayt, Jason, and I hung out Kayt's house for a while. I came home eventually (=P) and Mom and Dad were watching The Cosby Show. It was the awesome one that had a bunch of flashbacks. Including the one where they were singing to the grandparents for their anniversary and Rudy does the "Baby!" part. And it's awesome. I should find it. (I can't embed it, but here's the link if you really want to watch it. It's amazing. LOVE LOVE LOVE The Cosby Show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSvGdfOfLFw&feature=channel)
Here's a video. Owl City (aka Adam Young) is amazing.
And now... onto Joshua? I think so. I love Joshua. Have I mentioned that? Didn't think so. I'll say it again. I love Joshua! :)
Joshua 2:1-24 1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
Joshua sent some men to go ahead to scout. So they went to Jericho and stayed in Rahab's house. Rahab was a prostitute. 'Nuff said? Yeah.
2The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." 3So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."
The king heard that there were a couple guys out scouting. And so he sent a message to Rahab telling her bring the men to him.
4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)
Rahab took the men and hid them. She then told the messenger guy that she had had the guys in her house, that she didn't know where they had come from, and that she didn't know where they went when they "left." They were hiding on her roof.
7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.
Ahahahahaha. So the guys went out of the city to find them, and the gates shut as soon as they left. Stinks for them if they want to get back in.
8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."
Before they went to sleep for the night, Rahab came upstairs and talked to them a little bit. They had heard what God had promised them. They heard what had gone down at the Red Sea. What they did to two kings of a nearby city.
When the people heard those things, they got weak at the knees. Rahab wanted to know that they would be kind to her and her family because she had been nice to them. She wanted a sure sign.
14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."
They promised their lives. They promised that they would treat them well. And that they would be kind to them when God gave them the land.
15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.16 Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."
She lowered them out the window and out of the city and told them where to hide and for how long.
17 The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear." 21 "Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
The men told her that the promises they made wouldn't be valid when they returned unless there was a certain scarlet cord tied in her window.
And they said that she should bring her family into the house. And if they stayed in the house then they would be okay. But if not, it's their own bloody (literally) fault.
She agreed to what they were saying and then they went away. And she tied that scarlet cord in her window.
22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us."
They did what Rahab said and got back to camp okay. They told Joshua what had happened and Joshua assured them that the LORD would give the land into their hands.
So awesome.
And now I'm about to fall asleep at the computer typing this. Like, almost literally. I have to be up early for the Practice PSAT (Am I the only person who studies for this test? Probably. =P) A'ight. I'm too tired to go get my signature, so for now it's going to be what it is. G'night everyone!
Yeah. Sooooo. I am super duper tired right now. I babysat from 8-5 today.
He slept for the first hour. Then he watched TV for a while. And then we... went outside and played some basketball... and did a bunch of stuff.
The most memorable thing was making cookies today.
We came down to my house (he lives just up the street) to make chocolate chip cookies!
Soo.... we're making the cookies and we're putting everything in them... and I saw three "1 tsp"s in a row on the recipe. So I put in 1 tsp of baking soda, 1tsp of baking powder, and 1 tsp of salt. The last tsp was supposed to be vanilla. NOT baking powder. Heh. That was my first mistake.
So I go over the rest of the recipe (after putting in everything else that we needed... almost.) and called it good. So I put the cookies on the sheet and into the oven. Annnnd we wait for a little bit. Then I turn on the light in the oven and look at them and there is a HUGE pool of cookie... not dough on the cookie sheet. And I'm like... UHHHHHH. WHAT? And Meme asked "Did you put in the flour?" Me: Uhhhhh no. OOPS.
So we put in flour and they were fine. The baking powder didn't really affect them that much. They were just a little... fluffier than usual. :)
I'm guessing that I'll never forget to put FLOUR in my cookies again! But they were good cookies. So it didn't really matter!
That was basically my day. Babysitting. *yawn* I'm tired. Like I've said before.
I chilled on the computer and then ate dinner with the fam. They went on a walk &I took a shower.
Now we're listening to Dad read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The end of it. Hurrah! =P
It's fantastic. And there was no way I could blog through it! But I can put stuff in my planner! Football games, soccer games, babysitting, BoW, dance, Urban Vision, etc. There's a lot of stuff on my calendar! It's pretty crazy.
NIPTO!
Acts 18:1-17 1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Again with the traveling! They basically travel everywhere in Asia Minor... or something. He met this guy named Aquila&his wife Priscilla. They were in Corinth because the current emperor made everyone leave Rome. So Paul went to see him, and since they were all three (both? I don't know what Priscilla did) tent-makers, he stayed with them and worked with them. And every sabbath he would go out to the synagogue and talk&reason with the Jews&Greeks there.
5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
Silas&Timothy came and joined him from Macedonia. When they came, Paul stopped his tent-making and was completely immersed in preaching to the Jews that Jesus was really Christ. But, of course, the Jews opposed Paul and were abusive. He kind of cleared himself of blame. Because they were horrible to him.
7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
Paul left the synagogue where the people were being abusive and went to the house next door. To the house of Titus Justus. He believed in God. Hurrah! He talked, apparently, to the synagogue ruler (HEAD HONCHO!) and he&his household believed in God and a lot of the people who heard him speak in general were baptized.
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."11So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Paul was sleeping and God gave him a vision/spoke to him. I think dreams are somewhere that we might underestimate God's presence. But he can be as much in a dream as in real, day-to-day, life!
God encouraged Paul to not be afraid and to persevere because GOD was going to protect him. His people in the city would protect Paul. So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half and taught the people the Bible!
12While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13"This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 14Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.15But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16So he had them ejected from the court.17Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. This guy, Gallio was part of the judicial panel in Achaia. And a bunch of the Jews attacked Paul and took him into court. Their charge against him was that he was "persuading the people to worship GOD (of all people!) in ways contrary to the law." Incredible!
So Paul's about to make his defense when Gallio tells them that since it's about their own personal religious rules, and isn't a complaint about a misdemeanor or crime that they should settle it themselves. He kind of copped out, but I don't blame him. It wasn't really his job to settle religious matters...
He's a smart guy. He had them removed from the courth. Then they all went to the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio wasn't really bothered by that.
Did the guy not have a conscience? Or something! Kind of crazy. I get him copping out of the case, but to ignore someone being beaten in front of the court? A little... ridiculous.
G'bye! P.S. Do you like my new layout? It kinda sorta took forever to figure out. The stupid new blogger template designer makes it impossible to have a background from a third party... *sigh*
So you have to go with the other stuff that they give you.
P.P.S. The end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is FANTASTIC! I can't wait for these movies :)
“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” Martin Luther
This is a great quote. :) And I thought I would share it with you.
I just got done skyping with Anna. It was fantastic. She's funny. I like her.
Hannah was just talking to me... and I just heard "a hobo pig that turns into a man! Nightmares for yoou!!" ... uhm... wow.
Lets see. Today I made ice-cream pie. (And ate it later, it was good) Annnnd while I was making ice cream pie, I discovered that the plastic that was the cover on one of my pie crusts was cracked. So we took it back to Tarje and got a new one. The girl who did the exchanges was nice and was like, "Oh. Yeah. That's not good. Do you want to return it or exchange it?" So that was good.
So I made 2 ice cream pies. They were described in yesterday's post. Erm.... then I practiced piano a bit? I don't really remember what I did in the afternoon. OH! I finished my book that I was reading. And then I cleaned my room up a little bit. My beds are being bunked this weekend! I'm so excited to have a little bit of extra space in my room :)
Then I had my piano lesson. I got some good advice. Then I rushed home and grabbed the pies and a sandwich and then went to the Encounter62 game night. It was fun! They were playing "the lying game" when I got there. (BS... aka Bologna Sandwich) Guess who won? Our fearless youth leader, Brandon. Dur. =P Then we played Spoons. Annnd I got like, 3 in a row. And then I got out =P
Then we played POKER. (Don't you love the games we play at youth group game night?) I ended up winning poker too. We decided that the round we were playing next was going to be our last round. And so all of us went all in. And I just happened to have a pair of queens. And that won it. And I got everything. See?
I look super tan in this picture. I'm not that tan. But yes. I'm collecting my "pot" here :)
So that was fun. Then I came home and watched So You Think You Can Dance for about an hour. Then I skyped with Anna for over an hour. It was a good time.
Now it's time to do NIPTO and get ready for bed and then SLEEP. So. NIPTO TIME!
Acts 2:1-13
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Basically: PARTAY! Or something like that ;)
2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
oooooo. Mysterious.
3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Uhm... SCARY.
4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
SWEET. Yet kinda strange. But they were all filled with the Holy Spirit... and that was something that was new at the time. And they all started speaking in different languages... as the Spirit enabled them. So it was all up to God and the Holy Spirit. Interesting.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Soooo there were a bunch of Jewish people staying in Jerusalem. From every nation under heaven. That's a lot. It was a long time ago when things were more "localized," but still... that's a lot of people! All of these people (who loved God and feared him) heard what was going on and a bunch of people formed a crowd because they were so confused. Everyone heard everyone else speaking in their language. The person listening could understand everyone. Crazy.
7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
They should be "utterly amazed"! A bunch of people were speaking a ton of different languages! The cool thing is that they weren't just talking. They were declaring the wonders of God in each person's native language. How coolis that?! But they were confused. And they asked questions...
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
But some people just made fun of them and thought that they were drunk. NICE. Declaring the wonders of God while drunk? It's possible that they were drunk... on the Holy Spirit! =P
Okay. I'm going to go get ready for bed and then sleep. Although I do have some exciting news! For NIPTO we're starting to read Walking With God by John Eldredge. He's the Wild at Heart guy.
It should be fantastic! I might actually blog about this book ;) We'll see.
Alrighty. G'night blog reading people! You're awesome for putting up with me!
Much love,
I feel like there's so much to write about. But I don't know how to start.
Yesterday afternoon, I was reading MckMama's blog and she mentioned another blog. I clicked on the link and went to the beginning of the posts. January 2008. The blog is written by a woman named Angie Smith. On her blog she tells the story of how they lost their daughter. It's a heartbreaking story. I'm in August of 2008 right now. Their faith through all of the awful things that happened is amazing. If you've never heard her story, I would strongly recommend going to her blog and reading it. I can't do it justice here. I went to bed crying last night. Crying because of loss and hurt and heartbreak. I started listening to music on my phone while I was getting ready for bed. Barlow Girl's song Porcelain Heart came on. There's a line that says "were hearts made whole just to break?" and I thought about it. And I think the answer is Yes. Hearts were made whole to break... and then be made whole again by Jesus.
You know/You pray/This can't be the way/You cry/You say/Something's gotta change/And mend this porcelain heart of mine/Someone said/A broken heart/Would sting at first then make you stronger/I wonder why this pain remains/Were hearts made whole just to break?/You know/You pray/This can't be the way/You cry/You say/Something's gotta change/and mend this porcelain heart/Creator/Only you take brokenness/And create it into beauty once again/You know/You pray/This can't be the way/You cry/You say/Something's gotta change/You know you pray/This can't be the way/You cry/You say/Something's gotta change/And mend this porcelain heart/Please, mend this porcelain heart of mine/Creator, mend this heart
Last night I had the privilege of watching two adorable boys that go to my church. They're so stinkin' cute! I took a few pictures and so I thought I'd put up a few.
This is Toby (He has gorgeous eyes!)
Annnd this is Eli (He has an adorable smile!)
Let me tell you. They are sweet sweet boys.
This, however, is not one of the boys. It's a clothing line.
I thought it was cool with the sunlight on it so I took a picture.
A reflection
I saw the bud in the last picture and immediately took a picture of it. It was shining with light reflected off of a window. I looked at it and thought "that's what I want to be" I want to be a flower that shines light. God's the sun, Jesus is the window, I'm the flower.
Just a thought.
Oh the irony of the words we speak. I just called my sister and her friend weird because they highlighted their class schedules... while I was coloring a page that my sister printed out for me with CRAYONS. Oh yeah. My mom made fun of me after that.
My dog's insane. Just thought you should know that. That's all.
Okay. Back to Angie's blog. I read more of it today. I think I'm well on my way to reading her entire blog in 3 days... That's a little scary. But I feel drawn to read more. I keep my spot bookmarked on my computer. I'm in June 2009. Less than a year to go =P
But seriously. Reading about how she and her family dealt with and are still dealing with the pain and grief of losing a child is amazing. She is such a strong woman. I hope that I'll get to meet her in person some day. She's a gorgeous woman with a heart that longs to serve Jesus. Go check out her blog if you haven't already. Just click here. I think, to be honest, I'm going to be bummed when I have to wait for her to actually post new material! I've been reading in volume and I'm going to have to wait! But waiting can be a good thing. But seriously. Go read her blog. Now. Mine will still be here later. So will hers. Take your pick. I might be a little while longer! hah!
(We both have a tendency to write long blog posts. I like her already!)
It is now 10:30. WOOOOT for posting late. My grandparents came today and we went to pick my sister up from Kent. Then we went out to lunch at Applebee's which was faaantastic! And then we came home and just sat around and talked. It was fabulous to "gospel" with the ladies, as we like to put it.
My grandparents and sister are here because tomorrow is a very special day. My middle sister, Hannah, is graduating from high school! I can't believe that I'm goign to be all alone next fall (sniff sniff... (Hey. I'm looking forward to getting stuf done without my sister randomly popping in to see what I'm doing. SCHOOL. Bug off. =P (I don't tell her that. Really. (This is now quadruple parenthesis HAHA)))) Sorry. It's getting late and something, maybe the delicoius dessert (chocolate chocolate chip ice cream and black raspberry pie) are getting to me. (I did not eat those together. That would've been gross. The pie and the ice cream were in separate bowls... I think I've just experienced OCD to the fullest... ha!)
So I think I better start actually getting to this scripture!
Onwards to Romans 6 today!
This is a lot more than I've covered this past week. But it's good. I really like this section. So I guess I'll let you read it. And my notes on it :) Finally.
(This is the first time in a week or so that I've posted "late." It's kind of weird. I've felt weird leaving this post open all day to do other, school and family related, things as posted above)
Romans 6:1-14 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
WHOOP! I addressed this question in my last post. GO ME. =P Here's some actual scriptural references to this. Not just me and my faulty opinions.
2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
DUDE. Sin is dead to us. There is no way that it can have any kind of hold over us. How comforting is that? `
3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
This is a beautiful picture of baptism. This is the picture of baptism. We were buried with Christ (being lowered into the water) then we are raised from the dead through the glory of God (being raised out of the water) We're actually having a baptism at church in a couple weeks. I'm excited. Baptisms are always exciting. (And because I'm an EK (Elder's Kid) I get to find out who's getting baptized. It's exciting!) We get to live through God. FANNNNTASTIC.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
So baptism is how we're united with Christ's death. How much more will we be united with him in his resurrection? It's encouraging. Comforting.
6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Our old self is gone. Our old nature is gone, I should say. Anyone who has died with Christ is free. We're no longer bound to our old nature. God has dealt with that. We don't need to worry about it anymore. We're free. Free. λύω. lyō (lü'-ō).FREE. If you want to see all the definitions for this word, you can click here. It's amazing.
8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
GAAAAAAAAAH. I may or may not have just screamed. You'll never know. BOO YAHHH. =P (I felt the need to add a "boo yah" to this post... just fyi.) This is a fantastic portion of scripture. We die with Christ. We live with Christ. Annnd since Christ was raised from the dead and can no longer die, once we die and are raised from the dead, we won't die again. It has no mastery over him. Or us. FREE.
10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
I can't even find words to describe this verse. That's all.
SS 11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
This is good. Great. Amazing? Yeah. We're dead to sin. It can't touch us. We're alive to God. Through Christ's resurrection. YUP. We're alive. And that is something to be thankful for.
12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of
Sin has no control. We're free. That's what this post is about I guess. Freedom. I feel like I should reference Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" study... but I've never done it... hah. But seriously: We should offer ourselves fully to God. We've been brought from death to life. Amazing. I can't even comprehend it.
14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
WOOOOOOOOT FREEDOM. Grace. Freedom. No more law. Just freedom and grace. (The law still applies. (We should actually uphold it. Romans 3:31. Check it if you don't believe me.)) (BOOYAH! to the Matilda reference. If you got it *high five*) (I'm a nerd. And like parentheses?)
OOOOOKAY. I'm done for now. I need to go to bed. I need to get up early tomorrow for my sister's GRADUATION! Crazy.
Goodnight. I'll post tomorrow afternoon. Probably with pictures. BE prepared.
BYE.
Did I just turn 16 or 6...? Today I watched UP and colored in my Alice in Wonderland coloring book and enjoyed myself thoroughly. I also drove a car for the first time ever in my life.
For this reason I sure hope I just turned 16!
I drove a car! It was scary. Not gonna lie. I drove around the back of the Target parking lot that's near my house... Drove in circles... practiced parking... practiced maneuverability... failed at practicing maneuverability hah! (first time driving... I'd say it's okay for me to fail! haha)
Then I drove on a real road... and my dad had to turn the hazard lights on... only to be fair to the other drivers... then I actually drove around our neighborhood a few times. It was kind of nerve-wracking, but kinda fun at the same time? I'm not sure how I feel about driving... I don't really like it that much... but I guess I need to practice. =D
Now I'm eating Peanut Butter Pie..... It's fantastic.... My mom made it for my birthday dessert. It's yummy.
Romans 2:25-29 25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
Soo... for the Jews circumcision was a big deal religiously. Basically if you weren't circumcised, you weren't able to participate in any of the religious ceremonies or feasts or whatever. Paul's calling these people out maaajorly. The people he was writing to got it. They knew he was calling them out. They knew that if they weren't circumcised, you couldn't be considered holy (or whatever.) He's telling them that breaking the law at all is the same as being uncircumcised. But if you obey the law, even if you weren't circumcised, would be considered "better" than someone who was circumcised but didn't keep the law. Get it? Good.
28A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Newsflash for the Roman Jews: you don't need to be physically circumcised. You need to be spiritually circumcised... By the Spirit... not man. Basically what I got out of this.
mmmm... sleeping soonish... I like sleep (Have I ever mentioned that before? Didn't think so.) Church tomorrow... getting our pictures taken (!), going indoor glow-putt-putt golfing, then Encounter. (You could basically stalk me if you knew where I lived and whatnot... hm. Maybe I should limit the information I divulge =P)
Byyyy the way: the scene in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when Harry is basically high on Felix Felicious is the best ever.
A'ight. I'm goin' to bed.
A post in which I cover dessert, driving, lock-ins, TOMS, home-schooling, school-homing, and NIPTO.
Mmmmmmmm. I love Chocolate Heath Blizzards from Dairy Queen. They're the best. I can't wait to have another one in a week! (For my birthday!!)
Sooo I turn 16 in a week. With 16 comes TEMPS!
My mom thinks I need to study for my temps test.
My best friend doesn't think I need to study.
I'm not sure about what my dad thinks...
But I don't think I need to study.
But I'm reading the "Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws" anyways. WOOT. heh. Not. It's not that great. I feel like I already know everything... (I'm 16 and I know everything-Tony Marette) But I know I don't sooooo yeah... hopefully I'll be able to get my temps sometime next week! Maybe next Wednesday? That would be sweet! =P I've been wanting to learn how to drive foreverrrrr. But I'm pretty sure I'm going to freak out once I actually get behind the wheel and start driving. Ya know?
Pirates vs Ninjas is tomorrow! I'm excited. I'm captain of the Ninja team... Yeah. I know. I'mma beast. (or not...) It should be a good time! I really need to make an effort to get enough sleep because I can feel the start of a tiny bit of a cold coming on. NOOOOO. I hate being sick.
Today was TOMS Shoes' A Day Without Shoes day. I participated. I haven't worn shoes all day. I even went on a walk in about 45 degree weather w/o shoes. My mom told me I was going to get sick. I didn't tell her that I could tell I was getting sick before I walked... she doesn't read this as far as I know... maybe she should start reading it! haha. But it was good. My neighbors asked me what the heck I was doing without shoes on! And I told them about TOMS and whatnot. It's cool. I hope that today raised a lot of awareness. (How cool would it be to actually work for TOMS and have to not wear shoes to work!)
We are THAT Family posted something last night about being a home-schooling Mom. Her kids go to public school, but she still teaches them at home. It reminded me of something that my sister posted on Facebook last weekish. It was from The Onion. And it was about Parents Opting to Have Their Children School-Homed. Here's the article if you want to read it. I think it's kind of hilarious... yet sadly true. Thoughts anyone?
Ah sweet NIPTO. We meet again. Late at night... again. We really need to stop meeting late at night. It's not like we have anything we're trying to hide. I'd much rather meet in the morning, but, unfortunately, I've been lazy. I promise that I will try very hard to wake up at 6:30 tomorrow to meet with you. I promise I will try. But there are no guarantees.
Love,
Abby
Matthew 27:57-28:20 Matthew 27:63-"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that the deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'"
So interesting. They call him 'the deceiver.' That's generally a name reserved for Satan. It's just so weird to have it used in reference to Jesus. Jesus was perfect. He never deceived anyone. (Well, except when he didn't reveal himself to people, but he didn't make people think he was actually someone else!) Just interesting, eh?
Revelation 1:10-On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
Sooo Sunday? (The Lord's Day?) John was in the Spirit. What exactly does that mean? Was it all a vision? Was he physically taken somewhere? Was only his spirit taken? I don't know. Those are questions I won't know the answers to until heaven... unless anyone has some answers of what they think! (hint hint... comment!) I think tomorrow I'll post who the voice was... (You could read the rest of Revelation 1 and "ruin" the suspense, but I'll leave it till tomorrow. It'll be tomorrow morning *crosses fingers*)
OKAY. NOW: SLEEP. YAY! I like sleep. But I don't love sleep... most of the time. I love God more than sleep and that's all that really matters, right? hah
Right now I am sitting in my living room watching Olympic exhibition ice dancing/skating while my family figures out what we're actually going to watch tonight! It's going to be Monk or Psych, but we're not sure which yet. :) Looks like it'll be an episode of Monk. Oh yeah, my oldest sister is home annd she is the "treat boat," which is an extremely affectionate term in the Yackley home because she gets the ice cream, brownies, whatever sweets we have in our home. She might be the only one who is willing enough to actually get ice cream! So now I get to sit and eat moose-tracks ice cream with a brownie! =D I love my family and their love for sweets. It makes me think of last summer while we were in Georgia with my dad's family.
Us cousins
ate a FULL half gallon of Blue-Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
in 10 minutes
Ten people. Ten minutes. One half-gallon of ice cream later..... we were happy :)
It made me happy finding those pictures on facebook. =D It made me look through my cousin, uncle, father, and my pictures!
NIPTO-ooo.
Luke 23:20- Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. I think that Pilate takes a lot of the blame for Jesus' death. But he really wanted to free Jesus because he said to the crowds "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." in verse 22. But the people were extremely persistent, and therefore, Jesus was crucified. It's amazing how much power a crowd can have.
Proverbs 27:17- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. This verse really compels me to really challenge myself and the other participants in NIPTO. When we challenge one another, we grow. Exciting, eh?
Revelation 21:4- He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. How awesome is that?! No pain. No worries. Just to be in the presence of the LORD. YAHWEH. I can't even fathom it. It's fantastic.
Man. I need to SLEEP. Gotta get up early to do music at church tomorrow morning... or this morning by the time I'm actually posting this! Crazy.
