Currently...

...soaking up every minute of time spent with these guys. Making up for everyone of these 6 years apart. 

I will return to "normal" blogging when I return home. For now, take in some cuteness! 

two dozen years: a note to the younger me

1990

Today I celebrate my 24th birthday. 

Kind of sounds old to me. 

It marks a complete transition from young adult to full adult. 

Officially old and boring. Ha! But that's only half true. I have been pretty old and boring for most of my life. It's true! I would rather eat my apple than my ice cream, read a thesaurus than a novel, or watch a documentary than a romantic comedy. 

But that's not why we are here. 

*I want to go on record first by saying my sister think this is the weirdest and most vain post I have ever written. It's my birthday, so it's ok!*

After 24 years I have somethings to say, to myself. At least to the last 24 years of me.

#1 - Don't take everything so seriously.

1991

#2 - learn to be truly thankful for everything. Even the bad.

1992

 #3 - God has given you everything you need. Sometimes that requires you to use the brain He gave you but He has provided.

#4 - Thank you for discovering new things.

1994

#5 - It's ok to cry every once in a while. It's not a sign of weakness.

1995

#6 - Learn to seek after the Father when you're young. It is a hard thing to learn when you grow up.

1996

#7 - Sometimes staying quiet in a situation is the wisest thing you can say.

#8 - When you're uncomfortable, say something.

1998

1998

#9 - When you are hurting, say something.

#10 - Don't be afraid to be just a little bit silly. The opinion of kid looking up to you is a lot more important than the "friend" looking down on you.

#11 - Cherish. your. family.

#12 - Strive for excellence, work hard, and accept your best.

#13 - Know when to stop.

2004

#14- Speak the truth.

2005

 #15 - Love without holding back.

2006

 #16 - Thank you for persevering through. The outcome in those areas has been awesome to watch unfold!

2007

 #17 - Love deeply, and don't stop there...love more.

2008

 #18 - Don't rush.

2009

 #19 - Thank you for following your God and not your passions. He lead you to the things you loved because you loved Him.

2010

#20 - Every half-empty glass is, in fact, half-full at the EXACT same time. Learn to embrace both.

2011

 #21 - Thank you for taking chances.

2012

#22 - Embrace your nerdness. It's awesome.

#23 - Hide the Word in your heart. Hide some more and then some more. Make your heart a treasure chest of Truth.

2014

#24 - Celebrate, even if you are the only one.

I wish you all a happy day today!

Linking up with:
Funday Monday

Bean is 13

I almost choked up writing that title. How can thirteen years have come and gone so fast?! I am barely able to think back thirteen minutes and I have thirteen years of memories under my belt with this teenager!

The Bean (as she is affectionately called) graced our family with her presence at a time that may not have otherwise been counted joyful! Her spunky, full-of-lifeness has filled every corner of us! She was one of those kids that her personality was known from her first minutes...in the WOMB! She has been "her" since we knew of her. Always moving, particular, musically affected, and energetic.

She reminds us frequently that she was the "miracle" child. But that is only have true. Mom and dad hadn't planned on having any more after Madalee. A number of years and God later we have Bean. I never would have planned that the eleven year age difference wouldn't matter either. I am amazed constantly that it makes little difference in her place as my sister and best friend. From diapers, to earrings, to teen hood we have been close.

 

A(n) good awesome aunt!

  

Animal enthusiast.

Passionate

Kind-hearted

Gentle

Beautiful.

Sensetive

Strong

 

Gracious.

Giving

Joyful

Talented

Crazy

Happy, happy thirteenth birthday Bean, B, Max (whatever)! I am so thankful and proud to call you my sister! I pray your entry into teenhood is a growing, learning, and joyful time! I am excited to see what and where the Father takes you! What a beautiful daughter of the King you are. May you use these years to bring Him praise and honor.

I am excited to see what teen years bring you! Happy Birthday! Hurry up and celebrate because then it will be my turn! =) Love you!

Happy Valentines Day

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

5 on Friday: I forgot it was Friday

ACK! I forgot it was Friday! Which means,

#1 - There is no official 5 on Friday post.
#2 - That's ok. Because, my week wasn't that exciting anyway.
#3 - Facebook turned 10 this week and so now my newsfeed is full of videos.
#4 - I may or may not be annoyed by that last fact.
#5 - This happened! 

Happy Friday!

The Girls Between the Lines: Millennials Misunderstood?

I am joining up again with Hayley and Lauren for {getting to know} The Girl between The Lines. This week's prompt was freestyle! I have been thinking about this post for a while and figured a free writing day was just the time to go for it!

I've seen post after post about about millennials this and millennials that. There is a slight feeling of people talking about me when I see them. There is also a part of me that just get prickly at the sound of the name millennial.

Speaking as one I am never surprised at the growing list of reasons why the church is "loosing" us. With each new addition or spin on it I can't help myself but roll my eyes and sigh and think that one day they will get it...maybe.

I don't wish to enlighten anyone of my mounting research. I haven't polled young people my age to ask them if they agree. I am simply responding as one hoping that this will reach the ears of someone who needs to hear it.  I am not saying that this isn't an issue. I am watching childhood friend after childhood friend stay as far away from the church doors as possible and their lives are following. But that is not what this is about. Here are my thoughts on the let's save the millennials movement!

Stop talking about us. I appreciate your concern with the blog posts, pleas from the pulpit, and magazine articles. But just stop. We feel like the issue sitting in the room that has to "be taken care of." Except unlike a decision to be made or an event to be planned, we have ears. We hear what you're saying. We read your words and we can't help but feel like we're being talked about. So first and foremost, please stop talking about us and...

Talk to us. If you want to show us your concern then tell us. Ask us what we're up to, what makes us get fired up or break down, what we're struggling with or what we're learning.

Don't separate us. 1 Timothy 4 says not to look down on others because of their youth. However for some reason that isn't taken to heart. I get it. I grew up in the church. You rocked me as a baby, taught me my first Bible verse, directed my elementary choir, lead my middle school Bible study, mentored me in high school, and patted me on the back at graduation. I didn't follow the traditional four years then grad school only to return married and with child but I've seen it with people who have. The struggle is still there. You don't see an adult in front of you. You still see the baby in the nursery or the nine year old singing songs. I am not asking you to hang out with me, I am asking you to allow me to grow up. 

Teach us. In reverse of my last point, be the older person talked about in Titus. Show us what your learning, teach us the things you know. It's neat how God designs it that way. There will always be more mature and less mature children in His Kingdom. As the "older" please bestow on "younger."

Please be our family. As a born again believer I call the same God, Father as you. You are my brother/sister in Christ. Before labels, terminology, "generations," or names we are family. We want those relationships but for so long we haven't been offered them. We're not looking to see cool cafes, skinny jeans, or hip music. Like you, we are looking for connections. Please connect with us. 

So before you go changing your entire church make up to  reach those millennials please, please hear from one millennial that doesn't think you're completely off...just missing some things.

Goals go: January and How goes the goals?: February

Thanks for the patience! Nephews take some priority around these parts! Rocking the weekend with those three is my favorite thing to do!

Without further ado, here is January's recap!
 __________________________________

365 thanks: Truth: I got a little behind. But,  I have it just about finished. I will post once I do!

Memorization: It has been pretty succseful. I was a little behind because of all the snow days. I know that sounds a little reverse but I didn't put the time I should have into it. I need to figure a video editing something out and then I will have it posted!

Birthday cards: Made my list, made my cards, addressed them, and sent them out! A few of them were a day late but I got them out! Working on documenting so I can post about it! I am loving it!

Sister dates: Ooh, not so much! I fully intended to take them out and it just didn't happen like I planned. My car broke down and...it just didn't happen. =/

Grandparents:...

Pen pal: need to send it!

Lesson plans: minor progress

Buisness notebook: no progress

Calendar: I have successfully kept up with my calendar for the first month of the year. Appointments, schedules, work, etc! Perfectly!

Foods:  I have been having to really limit myself. It has been misery lately. I don't mean to get personal but would love any feedback from anyone experiencing similar issues. I am currently on a detox (low dose), intestinal build, probiotics, and lactaid. It kind of drives me crazy.

Clothing: Check it out!

Hair:eh...=)

I have a hard time looking at my accomplishements and thinking that I got a lot done. However, I remember that I wasn't in it for how much I could get done. I was in it to let God lead. I have to believe that He allowed my car to break down, 6 days of snow, and crazy days to remind me that He is in control. As much as I would like to think that I am in charge I know more than ever that I, simply, am not!

So long January!

On to February!

365 thanks: the plan for this month is the same as last month! One picture a day for the whole month.

Memorization: John 1:1-18

Birthday Cards: I have most of them addressed for February already.  I need to go ahead and get on getting them out. The goal for this month is to get March's done and addressed before the end of February.

Sister dates: This month is Bean. Since January didn't happen the plan is to do something a little different. Will stay posted...

Grandparents: planning on a day at the grandma's...not sure about the other set of grandparents just yet.

Pen pal: ARGH!!! I need to do this! It just keeps getting bumped because of higher priority items!

Lesson plans: Homeschool lesson plans seem to be working well with the makeshift system I have worked up. This month's goal for this is to tune it up and clean up the edges. Will post about it soon! ESL lesson plans seem to have me in a bind.

Buisness notebook: no plans for February.

Calendar: Keep with what's working.

Food: this month's goals in the food category is to be vigilant about keeping a reaction diary. Jotting down everything that goes past my lips and how my body reacts to it. I am tired of being sick or uncomfortable all the time!

Clothing: My goal for this month is to take pictures with an actual camera. Also to figure out how to take them so they look nice and not make-shift. In additional to I would like to complete this February challenge.

Hair: This month's goal is to try, document, and post 3 hair style.

What do your goals look like for February?