Praise Reports and Randomness

    So I've really, really had a hard time deciding how my blog is supposed to look. Which is kind of funny, because I really don't blog that much to be worrying about it! So perhaps here is what it will look like for a while...maybe....

     I want to express my praise and thankfulness to the Lord for His grace He has given me lately. Coming home from school for the summer is kinda hard because I have to get used to another routine, (or the lack thereof), and I have a lot more downtime to purpose not to waste. Let me tell you, Pinterest does NOT help that endeavor! I have a hard time GROWING spiritually. But, by God's grace He is helping me to live in His presence every single moment of the day, and remember He is always there, as well as reminding me to do the things that help me to grow.

     Another praise report! Another concern I had was my job. The first week I was back they scheduled me so that I would miss two church services that week. However, I got someone to take my Sunday shift AND I will no longer have to work during church. Not only that, I still have a jam-packed schedule! God does know just how to provide, and I want to thank Him!

 
 

 Today my Mom and I plunged into the realm of the unknown. We made a cheesecake. It was a really....cakey cheesecake! But it is good nonetheless!









We also made a Pear Tart and ate some with our tea! Sometime we're going to have to plan a tea party! My friend Angela from OBI has totally got me sold for hot tea!





Check 'ya later!

A spoonful of sugar

credit: kappy.net

     A thought came to me today. Everybody has heard the little dity "A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down" from Mary Poppins sometime or another. In fact, you've probably cringed inside when you heard someone humming it because you knew you were going to get it stuck in your head. (That would be my lot in life, at least.)

     It's just a song, but I think its also the philosophy of some people, even myself, at times. As Americans,we live busy lives. Whether I'm at college or home, there is always something to do, and people to deal with. We sometimes see the mundane, routine, and even the situations we have to deal with as medicine: something that is good for us, (we hope), but something that tastes bad. Likewise, we see the little reprieves in our week, like a church service or prayer hour, as that "spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down." Can you relate?

     This philosophy may work for you. But if your life is anything like mine, you get a lot more medicine than sugar, and the sugar is completely lost in the taste of the medicine. I work in a rougher part of town with and among those that don't use the best vocabulary. It can be dangerous: last week we had a shooting across the street. A spoonful of sugar? I need more like a truckload of it!

     Maybe your job isn't as "risky" as mine, but maybe its just things you don't like to deal with, people, or even your family. And the medicine "tastes bad."

     The question is, should we really look at the good things in life as sugar, and the bad things as medicine? Is this really how God sees things? I don't think so. This philosophy could also be called compartmentalization, which means that you separate your "spiritual life," from your "physical life," or "real" life. In other words, "I can get a recharge at church or while I pray so I can go survive for the rest of the week." What? Treating church or prayer like a 5-hour energy shot? The danger here is that some then conclude they can do whatever they want to outside of church as long as they have their "spiritual time."
However, God's presence is with us all the time, 24/7. The Psalmist said in Psalm 139:7-10:
     "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

     God is always with us. This is something I pray throughout the day, "Lord, help me to remember that Your presence is always with me." And, He does. I can't always feel Him, but I know He is there. That is what will stand out to your coworkers, when you live in His presence, wherever you are, in every situation. That's more than a spoonful of sugar, it something I can live on, something that lasts.

Comments? Feel free!

Home Sweet....Hotel....

     I'm finally home for the whole summer! No more dorm showers, hotel rooms, or Cracker Barrels! I'm not complaining about the dorm or choir tour conditions by no means, but I am so happy to be home! I'm very, very thankful for what God provided, but there's nothing like your own bed and personal space!

    So as soon as I got home from choir tour, the next day we load our Dodge Caravan and headed to Lake Melvern for a short vacation. And we stayed in a hotel. :( The good part is my sister and I had our own room!

 
    We went out the first day on the lake. Just imagine. Perfect conditions. Not too hot, just coasting along at a comfortable speed on the lake in a Pontoon, then, *sputter sputter splut.....then silence. Our boat motor quit in the middle of the lake.

 



 Then, it got really hot! Thank the Lord there was a marinna nearby and they towed us in.

 



   The next day, we got it fixed and went out again, this time for about 4 or 5 hours. Sadly, we only caught two fish.
 









 
 





Sooo, I'm really glad to be home. Wednesday I start work. PTL my manager is able to give me 40 hours right away!

   I've been scouring the internet for tearooms in Kansas City. One of my best friends ever from school works at the best one ever in Kentucky, and while I was on choir tour she took me. I really, really wanted to take Mom to one here in Kansas, but unfortunately, Kansas seems to suffer from a tearoom shortage! Sadest thing ever!

   Oh, and as a late Mother's Day shout out, I have the BEST MOM EVER! She crocheted all the gifts for the ladies in our church in TWO DAYS! She's beast! 

 "Til next time!

Day #11: Living Witnesses

     As a holiness choir, we look different. To say we stick out like a soar thumb would be an exaggeration, but I have found that I don't mind. We are called to be different. We are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. 

    

 Yesterday we went to a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. It was amazing! I'm not one to say that too much because we had Mexican seven times on Spring Break tour, but this was amazing! It was so small, in fact, we were pretty much the only ones in the restaurant. (That's what happens when the Overcomers come in, we take over a restaurant.) After we ate, we sang "The Cross Still Stands" to the people that worked there.

Singing to the Mexican Resturant

     They seemed to enjoy it!

     Looking different really gives you the chance to be a witness. I can't tell you how many times we have gotten off the bus and people will stop what they are doing just to stare, and some will even ask us who we are. It is an open door. Once at a Cracker Barrel, (another frequent stop for the Overcomers), some sang to a lady that worked there and she ended up coming with her husband to the service that night!

 

    Another place where you really, really look out of place is the beach! We went to the Jacksonville Beach, and thank the Lord it was not really "beach season," so there were not that many people out there. Boy, did we look "different."

 Don't be afraid to look different! I know its hard when you're not with a big group that can support you, but its OK, and it is what God's called you to do! 

 Choir tour is going well. We'll be singing in Jacksonville tonight!