Easter 2012

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?"

 Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

 He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty.

-Mark 16:1-7

Rejoice!  Christ is risen!

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Pancakes, Winter, Broken Hearts, and New Tunes

Hey, all!

I feel like I've been abandoning my little blog over the past couple of weeks.  I've just been concentrating on getting my new blog up and running.  Good news: I'm up to six followers!  Haha, doesn't sound like much, but I'm pumped.  :]

A few random thoughts for this Saturday morning...

On Thursday Mr. Biz and I made whole wheat banana pancakes and they turned out pretty well, if I do say so!  We didn't have nutmeg and we added a bit more milk (about 3/4 cup).  When it says the mix will be dry, that's really true!  We were both a bit flummoxed because we're used to runny pancake mix.  In the end it all turned out, though.  We enjoyed our pancakes with fake-sausage (aka "soysage"), random berries (of the straw, blue, black, and rasp varieties), and butter/maple syrup (only on mine).  Quite a yummy dinner!

Source: How Sweet Treats

The temperatures this past week have hovered around in the 60's and I AM LOVING IT.  I have never been much of a fan of winter (it's dark and way too cold), so this mild beginning to February has been awesome.  February is normally such a dreary month.  Here's to hoping this year is different.  I think we deserve this little taste of spring, since our spring all too quickly becomes a scorching hot summer.

Have you ever prayed for God to break your heart about something?  I have prayed that before and last night God answered my prayer.  I work with some of the sweetest kiddos around, but I know what most of their futures are.  They live in a very poor area with a lot of gang activity and such, so while they are innocents for now, they won't be for long.  My heart just aches for these children.  My goal as a teacher is to show them so much love and acceptance with the hope that one day they will make choices that will keep them on the right track. 

One last thought: I am currently listening to the album Kaleidoscope Heart by Sara Bareilles.  This next week I am going to delve into some new music on my computer: Elton John, Frank Sinatra, the Gin Blossoms, Harry Connick Jr., and possibly some Jack Johnson (in honor of my college roommate, SJ).  New music is the best!

Happy Saturday, everyone!  :]

Remembering 2011

If you've been around for a while, you may remember my Top Ten of '10 posts from last January (photos and media).  So, because I'm kinda nerdy and I like making lists, I made my own little group of lists for 2011.  A couple days late, of course.  :]  It was fun reflecting on 2011, and now I'm looking forward to 2012 and the changes it will bring.  So, before I start posting about the new things this year is bringing, let's look back on the challenges and joys of the past 12 months.

Music was a big part of my year.  Here are the three albums I listened to over and over and over again.

Hanson, Shout It Out

Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto

Passion Pit, Manners

I covered many different life changes in this little blog of mine.  

January: Insanity hit Georgia in the form of Snowmageddon 2011 that turned Atlanta into Hothlanta (as in the planet of Hoth from Star Wars).

February: I started thinking about another career path in the world of education while making great pieces of art.

March: I started thinking about how it is easy to love this world too much.  And I got some great quotes from the kiddos in art.
April: I wrote some letters in April.

May: This month is always a little bit crazy (especially with the end of school), so I tried to sum it all up.

June: A college buddy got married one Saturday, which was a great excuse for a bunch of us to get together.

July: My co-counselor and I played some awesome sneaky games with our campers.

August: The day before the kids came to school I shared my thoughts through some silly pictures.

September: I spent a lot of time pondering modesty and its role in the life of adults.  I also did some deep thinking on how to honor your parents in adulthood.

October: This month I had my third picture dump and I talked about one of my most faithful companions, my old car Mabel.

November: I made a little list of the many things I have to be thankful for this year.

December: I was displaced from my dream school, but tried to keep some perspective.

Like many others, I have decided in past years to not make New Year's resolutions.  After a conversation with Mr. Biz and a friend on Sunday, I have instead come up with some goals for 2012.

-complete a 5k

-read at least one book each month

-grow deeper in my relationship with Christ

-have a job in August

At church they encouraged us to reflect on five thruths we learned in 2011, and then pick the one thing we are definitely going to put into practice in 2012.

 

I am feeling convicted about my prayer life.  In about a week I will have a long commute (about 40 minutes--more details on that change soon), and I am committing to using some of that time in prayer.  It is a small change, but I believe it will be huge.  I am choosing to pray bold prayers and take the steps to grow closer to Christ. 

So there are my reflections on 2011 and goals for 2012.  I hope that you all had a wonderful New Year celebration and are settling back into work with a rested spirit.  My New Years was beyond wonderful and special--now it's back to the "real world."  :]

Keeping Modesty in Mind

     Show of hands--who grew up with the mantra "modest is hottest" shared liberally throughout their youth group?  Shoved down girl's throats whenever they wore "too short" shorts?  I'm a part of the generation of girls that could not grow up without hearing the phrase "modest if hottest" several thousand times.  But what does God really say about modesty?  Is it really an issue that the church should be concerned with?  And how do we handle modesty in adulthood?

     I began thinking more about modesty after the sermon at my church this past Sunday titled "Fashion" (click the link to hear the sermon in its entirety).  We are in the middle of a series called Culture Shapers, which is (you guessed it) all about the things that shape our culture.  Each message is based upon Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

God calls us to treat our bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing" to Him.  If we are walking around in the skimpiest, tightest clothes we can manage, are we treating our bodies as living sacrifices?  It is easy in the world we live in to dress a certain way to get attention, without even thinking about the spiritual side of things.  The media we encounter every day tells us that in order to get a man, we must show off our "assets" through the clothing choices we make.  But in the Scriptures, we are told that our value does not come from who we are on the outside, but who we are on the inside.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.   -1 Samuel 16:7

Our "inner beauty" is of utmost importance to God; it should be of the same importance to us, even though it is more "culturally acceptable" to place the emphasis on outer beauty.  So I don't think the real issue is "what can I wear" and "what can't I wear."  The real issue is a heart change--aligning our desires with God's so that clothes aren't our concern anymore.  Our concern becomes the beauty that comes from a deep personal relationship with our Creator and treating our bodies as what they truly are--a temple for the Holy Spirit.

     So what should we do?  Throw out all of our clothes, run to the store and buy a wardrobe of turtlenecks?  I don't think that's the answer.  I like the clothes I have, and only two of my shirts are turtlenecks. ;]  But I am more mindful about the clothes that I wear out of my house.  As a sisters in Christ, I feel that we should not purposefully put a stumbling block in the path of our brothers in Christ.  We cannot control what goes on in a person's head, but we should not be enabling inappropriate thoughts by dressing provocatively.  And you know what they say...the fish you catch depends on the bait you're using.  I don't know about ya'll, but I don't want to catch the type of fish that likes me because of my low-cut top.  That type of fish isn't around for the long-haul.  Instead, I want the type that is attracted to me because of the part of me that God is most concerned with--my heart.

pic from here

Psalm 119:9-16

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands. 

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, O Lord;

teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth. 

I rejoice in following your statues

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts 

and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

 

-Psalm 199:9-16

 

These verses stood out to me this evening.  I'm sure if you went to any type of summer Bible camp you recognize part from the pledge to the Bible (or am I the only person who did that pledge?).  My prayer is that I would daily strive to keep God's word first and foremost in my heart and mind.  May His decrees bring joy to my life, and may I find peace in His commands.

Am I Third?

Earlier this week I was remembering one of our favorite phrases at WinShape: I Am Third.  This phrase stems from the idea of God First, Others Second, and Ourselves Third (or JOY, Jesus-Others-You, as some learned it).  I can't remember the first time I heard this teaching -- it's always been a "truth" at church.

But on Tuesday a friend brought up an idea he'd read about-- should we really be prioritizing like this?  Or, at the core of our being, should we be all about Jesus and let everything else flow out from there?  Instead of putting God, others, and ourselves in a list of priorities, we should be thinking of them in a sphere with God in the center.

At first my mind was very resistant to the idea.  It was like trying to make my body accept a new kidney after getting rid of the one I'd had for 23 years.  But the more I think about it, the more that idea makes sense.  Christian culture has sometimes taken the idea of "thirdness" to an unhealthy level -- a place where we aren't taking care of ourselves.  In the JOY model, it almost feels like they're saying, "How you are doesn't matter."  But if we live with God at the center of everything, our lives should have the perfect balance of service towards others and taking care of ourselves. 

I think the goal should always be to put God at the core of everything we do.  With God at the center, every act and thought will bring Him glory, which is the ultimate goal.  Putting God at the middle of everything is definitely something to strive towards in my life.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. -Mark 12:30-31

Where My Love Lies

     Last night my parents and I watched "I Am Legend" for the first time.  Awesome movie, but it definitely gave me the heebie jeebies.  The idea of being "the last one" is pretty much a universal fear, in my opinion. 

     So I went to bed last night having some not-so-happy thoughts about being the sole survivor, and then this morning at church we talked about the end times.  Great.  As videos comparing Biblical prophicies and current events played across the screen, I could feel the old familiar fear creeping up on me.  The fear of the unknown, of pain, and of fear itself.  

     Now guys, this is me being very honest.  I'm a Christian, which means I have no reason to be afraid of the end times, but I am.  On the drive home, I started thinking about why I have this fear, and one thing stuck out to me: I love this world. 

Ouch.

I'm afraid of the end times because I love this world.  I don't want to leave it.

     What a slap in the face that must be for the God.  He sent His son to die for my sins, and I'm not rejoicing in the fact that one day (sooner or later), I'll be in His presence forever.  In my deepest darkest parts, I love being here on Earth.  I love what I do, music, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and so many other things. 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  -Romans 12:2

     The pull of the things in this world are very strong, and it's natural for us as humans to feel that pull.  But my enjoyment of the things here on Earth should never be higher up than the Lord (or even close). 

Lord, help me to find the joy and peace of knowing You.  Change me so that I desire the things you desire, and so that I am no longer living for this life, but for the life to come.  Forgive me for ever putting material, finite things above You and an eternity in your presence.

Seeing a Bit of the "Big Picture"

     No WIWW post today...I didn't take pictures of any of my outfits this week.  Don't worry: you aren't missing out on much.  I've been working in the severe autism class since last Wednesday, so my clothing choices have been very practical (i.e. they're quite boring).  I'll try harder next week, I (kinda) promise.  :]

     Speaking of autism (like I did on Saturday), I bought a new book today.  See?

The book is Overcoming Autism by Lynn Kern Koegel, PhD, and Claire LaZebnik.  I'm super excited to start reading it.  Can I just interject for a minute that God is amazing?  Because He is.  A year ago I never EVER EVER expected that I would be working with autistic kids.  I'd had one difficult, scary, and frustrating experience with an autistic child, so I the idea of working with autistic kids as a living never occurred to me.

     Here is the amazing God part: I didn't get a job after graduation.  Instead, I have spent my first year out of college subbing.  One day in October I got the call go sub in an autistic classroom; I asked if it was severe, moderate, or mild, and I was told it was a mild class.  When I showed up in the classroom the next morning I realized that it was not a mild class...this was definitely a class full of little boys with severe autism.  Needless to say, I was terrified.

I was terrified of the unknown, and now I know that I have nothing to be afraid of.

     The days I spend subbing in the autistic classes are my favorite days of subbing.  I have found nothing but love for these precious children.  Yes, there are the temper tantrums, running, and pinching, but there are also sweet smiles, little voices calling out "tickle!", and the joy when someone finally says "water."  God really knew what He was doing when I didn't get a "real" teaching job for this school year.  Now I realize what I would have missed out on.  It's days like today that I remember that God has the bigger picture...why do I ever doubt Him? 

[source]

     Has God revealed any "big pictures" to you lately?

Food for Thought

     I've been thinking about food a lot lately, and it's not just because of all the delicious holiday goodies (although, that weight I put on because of the goodies is one of the reasons).  My whole life I've grown up eating delicious home-cooked meals, but then eating all of the processed snacks I could get my hands on.  Eating those processed foods never bothered me until a few months ago when a new magazine came in the mail.

[source] 

     The cover story talked all about the food industry in America and our "food responsibility" as Christians (read the whole article here).  The author mentioned many different viewpoints on our responsibility, but there was one that really stood out to me:

I don't really know what Jesus would have put on his plate at the church potluck that day. I suspect he might have tossed a few cheese doodles on his plate, next to his Jell-O, quietly reminding me that it is not what goes into our bodies that makes us unclean, but what comes out of them, from our mouths and hearts. Even so, I'm pretty sure there will not be junk food in heaven, nor do I think we'll be eating meat. I'm expecting to cook good, slow food there, and I have reason to believe we will.

-Leslie Leyland Fields

It's true--I don't think God is in heaven sending down lightening bolts every time we pop open a can of Pringles.  But God has provided all of these wonderful fruits, vegetables, and grains for us to eat.  Why do we feel the need to fill ourselves with junk food?

     As all of these thoughts were flowing through my mind, I began to think more about vegetables.  I've never been a huge veggie fan (except for the those salads from Olive Garden...can I get an "amen"?), but as one of my close friends went vegetarian, he exposed me to fresh veggies I'd never had.  Isn't it a shame that I just learned the amazing food that is fresh green beans?  I believe I am making a more conscientious and responsible choice when I decide to have some steamed green beans instead of frozen chicken nuggets.

[source]

     That's just a little preview into my thoughts on eating healthier and more responsibly.  Later I'll share more on the challenges of eating "good-for-you" food in a house with plenty of "not-so-good-for-you" choices.  But, my question to you is this: what's your favorite vegetable?  How do you prepare it (so I can try it myself :] )?

P.S.- Does anyone else share my desire to see this documentary?

Psalm 148:7-10

     Hello from sunny Florida!  My dad, sisters, and I went on a walk this afternoon and it was freezing.  Seriously.  Still, it was a beautiful day to be on the beach.

 

Praise the Lord from the earth, 

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

your mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds...

-Psalm 148:7-10 

-Abby :]

Love Is All You Need

     Hey, everyone.  It's been a while, huh?  Well, at least I feel like it has been.

     A lot has been going on lately.  Let me (quickly) catch you up on my life.  I've been subbing almost every day.  Through experiences subbing in every grade level, I have learned that my favorite grades are 2nd and 1st, with 3rd and K behind those.  I honestly don't like 5th grade at all, and 4th is ok.  It's easier for me to deal with the pants wetting and tears than the B.O., bad attitudes, and respect issues. 

     Second, my small group is amazing.  I am so happy with everyone in my group, and I have had such a fun time getting to know them.  Today I spent all day with my prayer partner standing on a street corner and waving at cars (trying to get them to come to a festival for autism awareness).  We're both super sunburned, but it was a great day.  Totally worth it.  :] 

     Speaking of autism awareness, I've had some really great experiences with autistic kids recently.  I've subbed in a 3rd-5th mildly autistic class and a K-2nd severely autistic class.  Honestly, I was super nervous to work in the severe class.  I had no idea what the day was going to be like.  I'd heard some horror stories about kicking, biting, and pinching, but less than an hour in I was hooked.  The kids were so sweet, and once you knew what to expect, their behavior problems were easier to deal with than a typical student's behavior issues.  I feel in love with the students so quickly; I really hope I get to sub in that class again.  I even loved the student who threw a major temper tantrum. 

     I think the point of all of this is that God has been teaching me how to love.  Autistic kids can be hard to love, but God reminded me that even though they act "different," they are still His precious children.  When I deal with those frustrating 5th graders, God is teaching me how to love people that are hard for me to love.  In my small group God is teaching me how to love Him, myself, and the beautiful girls I am sharing life with for these few months and beyond.  After all, in the words of my favorite philosophers, "all you need is love."

I saw this on the sidewalk by the playground last week.  Precious.

God Who Strengthens My Heart

Surely God is good to Israel,
       to those who are pure in heart.
 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
       I had nearly lost my foothold.
 For I envied the arrogant
       when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
 They have no struggles;
       their bodies are healthy and strong. 
 They are free from the burdens common to man;
       they are not plagued by human ills.
 Therefore pride is their necklace;
       they clothe themselves with violence.
 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
       the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
 They scoff, and speak with malice;
       in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
       and their tongues take possession of the earth.
 Therefore their people turn to them
       and drink up waters in abundance. 
 They say, "How can God know?
       Does the Most High have knowledge?"
 This is what the wicked are like—
       always carefree, they increase in wealth.
 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
       in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
 All day long I have been plagued;
       I have been punished every morning.
 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
       I would have betrayed your children.

 When I tried to understand all this,
       it was oppressive to me
 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
       then I understood their final destiny.
 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
       you cast them down to ruin.
 How suddenly are they destroyed,
       completely swept away by terrors!
 As a dream when one awakes,
       so when you arise, O Lord,
      you will despise them as fantasies.

 When my heart was grieved
       and my spirit embittered,
 I was senseless and ignorant;
       I was a brute beast before you.
 Yet I am always with you;
       you hold me by my right hand.
 You guide me with your counsel,
       and afterward you will take me into glory.
 Whom have I in heaven but you?
       And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
 My flesh and my heart may fail,
       but God is the strength of my heart
       and my portion forever. 

 Those who are far from you will perish;
       you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
       I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
       I will tell of all your deeds.

-Psalm 73

     My Bible study today was all about the names of God.  The one that stuck out to me the most was "the strength of my heart."  In this season of life that is what God is to me.  God is strengthening my heart to stand up for Him in my life and in this world.  My heart will not fail to fear of rejection for God is my strength.

Who is God to you right now?

-Abby :]