So, I was VERY fortunate enough to read this amazing book called Crazy Love. =]I borrowed it from my friend and wasn't able to mark it up, so I put sticky notes in the spots that I liked...which happened to be a lot. =] So I thought I would share my thoughts with whoever wanted to know them.
1. Page 42 "Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are?...life is all about God and not about me at all." I always struggle with this. There are many times where I make excuses thinking that God wouldn't care if I did this or that, or God's too busy for me right now so I'm too busy for him. And quite frankly I don't want to live like that anymore.
2. Page 46. "You never know When God is going to take your life. At that moment, there is nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?" Am I ready? Of course I'm not ready. Sure, I'm ready to go party it up with Jesus but there is still so much I want to do and see and there are people out there I haven't met, many people who I haven't told that they mean a ton to me. But, what am I waiting for? If God decides my life is over tomorrow, I've wasted an entire day not doing those things, and not doing what God wants me to do, spread his love. I have GOT to get on this.
3. Page 69. "Lukewarm people tend to chose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; They care more about what people think of their actions then what God thinks of their hearts and lives" Oh my goodness did that one ever hit hard. I've always tried to fit in, tried to be friends with everyone, and see how much I can get away with and still feel like I'm right with God. Yeah, well, that needs to end...it needs to end now. It needed to end a long time ago. I need to stop trying to fit in and only care about what God thinks of me, cause quite honestly if people don't like me for who I am and for following God, well that's their own problem.
4. Page 95. "If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream." Isn't that the truth? I have experienced this many times in my own life. As hard as it is to swim upstream, being swept down it is so much worse. I'm doing my best to keep my focus on God and live everyday for Him.
5. Page 97. "Are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made?" I have parts of my heart "blocked" off, too afraid to let anyone in to them, even God. Yup, that's going to change too. It will take time, but I'm willing to let God have everything in my life. I'm ready to show His love to everyone I encounter. I'm ready and wanting to do this.
6. Page 106. "Life isn't perfect when you follow Christ wholeheartedly ; you will have troubles Jesus says-it is pretty much guaranteed." This is something that didn't really surprise me at first, but I had to read it twice in order to get the full affect. I think this is something a lot of people don't understand. Life will always bring up troubles, but it's how you act on them and how you get through them that make them better then not relying on Christ.
7. Page 166. "Remember those retreat highs followed by the inevitable lull? Or the excitement you felt on your first mission trip but forgot shortly once returning home? Memories are wonderful, but do you live differently because of them?" If someone were to come and ask me that question right now, I would say no, I don't. I have every intention to but then "life gets busy" and I it never turns out the way I plan. If I lived differently after every Sno camp, or every Beaver Creek, or every influential Bible study I may have been able to touch more lives then I have. Not living out what God has called me to live out is not something I'm happy about. But I have to move on and do better the next time. I need to live out what I continue to learn each and every day and touch as many lives as I can.
8. Page 170. "We never grow closer to God when we just live life; it takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness." That's exactly what I've been doing, just living life and doing little things here and there to get closer to God. I pay far more attention to my friendships then I do with my relationship with God and in reality I need to pay far more attention to my relationship with God. I know I'm not the only one that does this, in fact, I know we have all sat there and were like "I'm too tired to read my Bible or to pray I'll do it tomorrow." or "I'm going to do this and then read my Bible" and really reading our Bible never happens. Now I'm not saying reading your Bible is the only way to grow closer to God, because it's most definitely not the only way, but it does help a ton.
Now, this isn't everything I learned from this book. There was so much more I had marked down and I would LOVE to sit down and have a conversation about this book with anyone who like to. Since reading this book I have gone out and bought my copy so I can read it again, learn new things, and mark it up the way I want. I would highly recommend reading this book if you have not already.
October 16, 2010
October 5, 2010
Funerals
So this past Saturday I attended my papa's funeral. It was really sad and I cried a lot which was really weird because I hate crying in front of people and haven't cried in front of anyone since Charlie's funeral. But anyway, it got me thinking about who would be at my funeral if I died tomorrow. I've always thought about it but due to this past funeral it's stuck out even more. I would want to know the lives I touched, if any at all, and what people had to say about me. I'm sure I'm probably not the only one to ever think about this, but I really have been wondering lately. Am I any good on this Earth?
October 4, 2010
Home vs. School
So this past weekend I headed home for a concert at church. Not gonna lie...it was the weirdest feeling. I felt like I didn't belong at all. Everything seems so different now. Everyone has moved on and made new friendships and started new things in their lives, while I was hoping to come back to the same old Waukesha that was relatively close to the way I left it. However, as I was home I realized that my life is no longer there and it's up here in EC. It makes me ponder the question...is it really worth it to come home? Am I always going to get the awkward feeling, am I always going to feel like no one really cares that I'm back?
September 20, 2010
Personal Narrative
I wrote this for my English class:
I never really understood the true meaning of happiness until about 5 years ago. All my life I had been searching for the meaning. I no longer had to search for it…
When I was born, my parents had baptized me as Catholics would to please my grandparents. We went to a Catholic church until I had my first communion. Then we stopped going to church all together. I always felt something missing in my life, I had always known there a God but never truly believed.
I went to church every once in a while with my friends, but it wasn’t until the summer going into 7th grade that I started attending a youth group regularly. I was attending the middle school youth group at Fox River Christian church in Waukesha WI on Wednesday nights. After my best friend moved to California at the end of 8th grade I stopped going. It wasn’t until the summer going into 10th grade that I started believing again.
I was visiting my aunt and cousins that summer for the first time by myself. I was so nervous because I had never really spent any length of time with them. Sure, we talked and hung out at family gatherings but that was the extent of our relationship, so this was something new and it made me really nervous. Well it turned out that the same week I went up there, my aunt was having a rummage sale with some of her friends. I went outside to sit and chat with them and while we were talking the song “Who am I” by Casting Crowns came on the radio; that song was and still is my favorite song. My aunt, who was in complete shock, looked at me and said “How do you know this song”, I had to explain to her that my friend and I listen to this song all the time. That night after we put my cousins to bed my aunt and I stayed up talking. We talked about everything, the good, the bad, and anything in between. She kept telling me to follow God and that He has a path for me. It seemed as if we had been talking for no time at all, but in reality we had talked for 3 to 4 hours, it was 11:00 p.m., we had to get up with the kids the next morning, and we had another day of the rummage sale, so it was time to get to bed. Well after our talk I couldn’t sleep. I kept tossing and turning, thinking about what she said.
Sunday came around; my uncle had come home from his business trip, and after a very fun week of meeting new people and hanging out with my family it was unfortunately time for me to leave. I was lucky enough to go to church with them that Sunday. It was there that I accepted God into my life for the final time. I was done playing games. There was no turning back; I didn’t want to turn back. I finally found the missing piece in my life and that was God.
February 18th, 2009 I got a letter from my brother. He told me that he looked up to me and I inspired him to do something, and that was finding his religion. He told me that he reads the Bible everyday and goes to church every Sunday. He said I inspired him to follow God because I found and followed Him all by myself.
This made me truly happy. I was so glad that God used me as a light. I was and still am so happy that I’m no longer the only one in my immediate family that is a Christian. Growing up in a non Christian home and being the only believer was very difficult.
I no longer worry about the problem in life because I know God will take care of them. I had been praying about my brother for at least a year and God had answered that prayer. I know that I can live life to the fullest as to how God wants me to and I know he’s got a path for me and have everything under control.
May 24th, 2009 I got baptized. This was the day I showed the world that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I was super nervous because I thought my youth pastor would hold me under too long, all because I shoved cake in his face. However he didn’t hold me under for too long and everything turned out okay. That has been the best decision I’ve made in my life so far, and more then likely will continue to be the best decision in my life.
Accepting God into my life and giving up my life to follow Him and do His works has changed my life upside down. I now have hope and joy in my life. I don’t have to worry about tomorrow because I know God has it under control.
Taking that step not only changed my emotional aspect of life, it changed my life socially too. Ever since that moment I’ve met some awesome people. People I wouldn’t of met otherwise. These people have become my friends, mentors, leaders and most importantly my family. These people are the constant reminder of what I can achieve in life and the work god continues to do in my life. I have done a 180 with my since I’ve met fellow Christians who also share the same love for God. We keep each other countable and on the right track.
Going off to college and being a part from those people has been a little difficult for me. It’s for far less difficult than I thought it would be because I’ve met so many people who are Christians as well. There is no way these new friends could ever help me in the same way the people back home did, but they help me in new ways. Ways that I didn’t think I needed help. They show me new things all the time and continue to help me grow.
Allowing God into my life couldn’t have turned out any better. If I wouldn’t of taken that step in my life I would of missed out on a ton of wonderful opportunities and most importantly a terrific life change.
I LOVED looking back at my testimony again. It was a great reminder. =]
I never really understood the true meaning of happiness until about 5 years ago. All my life I had been searching for the meaning. I no longer had to search for it…
When I was born, my parents had baptized me as Catholics would to please my grandparents. We went to a Catholic church until I had my first communion. Then we stopped going to church all together. I always felt something missing in my life, I had always known there a God but never truly believed.
I went to church every once in a while with my friends, but it wasn’t until the summer going into 7th grade that I started attending a youth group regularly. I was attending the middle school youth group at Fox River Christian church in Waukesha WI on Wednesday nights. After my best friend moved to California at the end of 8th grade I stopped going. It wasn’t until the summer going into 10th grade that I started believing again.
I was visiting my aunt and cousins that summer for the first time by myself. I was so nervous because I had never really spent any length of time with them. Sure, we talked and hung out at family gatherings but that was the extent of our relationship, so this was something new and it made me really nervous. Well it turned out that the same week I went up there, my aunt was having a rummage sale with some of her friends. I went outside to sit and chat with them and while we were talking the song “Who am I” by Casting Crowns came on the radio; that song was and still is my favorite song. My aunt, who was in complete shock, looked at me and said “How do you know this song”, I had to explain to her that my friend and I listen to this song all the time. That night after we put my cousins to bed my aunt and I stayed up talking. We talked about everything, the good, the bad, and anything in between. She kept telling me to follow God and that He has a path for me. It seemed as if we had been talking for no time at all, but in reality we had talked for 3 to 4 hours, it was 11:00 p.m., we had to get up with the kids the next morning, and we had another day of the rummage sale, so it was time to get to bed. Well after our talk I couldn’t sleep. I kept tossing and turning, thinking about what she said.
Sunday came around; my uncle had come home from his business trip, and after a very fun week of meeting new people and hanging out with my family it was unfortunately time for me to leave. I was lucky enough to go to church with them that Sunday. It was there that I accepted God into my life for the final time. I was done playing games. There was no turning back; I didn’t want to turn back. I finally found the missing piece in my life and that was God.
February 18th, 2009 I got a letter from my brother. He told me that he looked up to me and I inspired him to do something, and that was finding his religion. He told me that he reads the Bible everyday and goes to church every Sunday. He said I inspired him to follow God because I found and followed Him all by myself.
This made me truly happy. I was so glad that God used me as a light. I was and still am so happy that I’m no longer the only one in my immediate family that is a Christian. Growing up in a non Christian home and being the only believer was very difficult.
I no longer worry about the problem in life because I know God will take care of them. I had been praying about my brother for at least a year and God had answered that prayer. I know that I can live life to the fullest as to how God wants me to and I know he’s got a path for me and have everything under control.
May 24th, 2009 I got baptized. This was the day I showed the world that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I was super nervous because I thought my youth pastor would hold me under too long, all because I shoved cake in his face. However he didn’t hold me under for too long and everything turned out okay. That has been the best decision I’ve made in my life so far, and more then likely will continue to be the best decision in my life.
Accepting God into my life and giving up my life to follow Him and do His works has changed my life upside down. I now have hope and joy in my life. I don’t have to worry about tomorrow because I know God has it under control.
Taking that step not only changed my emotional aspect of life, it changed my life socially too. Ever since that moment I’ve met some awesome people. People I wouldn’t of met otherwise. These people have become my friends, mentors, leaders and most importantly my family. These people are the constant reminder of what I can achieve in life and the work god continues to do in my life. I have done a 180 with my since I’ve met fellow Christians who also share the same love for God. We keep each other countable and on the right track.
Going off to college and being a part from those people has been a little difficult for me. It’s for far less difficult than I thought it would be because I’ve met so many people who are Christians as well. There is no way these new friends could ever help me in the same way the people back home did, but they help me in new ways. Ways that I didn’t think I needed help. They show me new things all the time and continue to help me grow.
Allowing God into my life couldn’t have turned out any better. If I wouldn’t of taken that step in my life I would of missed out on a ton of wonderful opportunities and most importantly a terrific life change.
I LOVED looking back at my testimony again. It was a great reminder. =]
September 4, 2010
Hello from EC
Hey there!!! I don't know if you actually care but I thought I would update you on life here in EC. My week has been great. I've met so many new people and many Christians that have helped me get through this week. =] It's been a blast getting to know these people. I can't wait for you guys to meet some of them.
Sunday- We had a ton of meetings and get to know you things
Monday- More meetings and get to know you things and a dance party
Tuesday-was a day to our selves for the most part. Just getting to know the town
Wednesday- the same as before
Thursday- classes started
Friday- SO much fun...hung out in my basement and met a ton of people
Saturday- Tye dye!!!! football and I almost died. It was scary.
I miss you all and I hope that everything is going well for you back home. I would love to hear from you, weather by skype, email, phonecall, snail mail, or something!!!!! Just let me know. =]
Love you!!
Sunday- We had a ton of meetings and get to know you things
Monday- More meetings and get to know you things and a dance party
Tuesday-was a day to our selves for the most part. Just getting to know the town
Wednesday- the same as before
Thursday- classes started
Friday- SO much fun...hung out in my basement and met a ton of people
Saturday- Tye dye!!!! football and I almost died. It was scary.
I miss you all and I hope that everything is going well for you back home. I would love to hear from you, weather by skype, email, phonecall, snail mail, or something!!!!! Just let me know. =]
Love you!!
August 24, 2010
My last week aka the best week ever
I'm pretty sure my last week in Waukesha is going to be the best week of my life. I got to take the children I love the most to the zoo and we got to hang out with a ton of cool people (Amy, Melissa, and Beth). After the zoo I got to hang out with those wonderful people again for dinner and a crazy night out. Today I get to hang out with the wonderful Tracy Mingo and the amazing Carley Kammerer. AND I get to go to dinner with my sister. =] Wednesday I get to have coffee with my darling Sam Drida, lunch with the sweet Abbie, and fun and games with the Mingo's and Carley. YAY! Thursday I'm at the Packer game!!!!! WHOOOT!!!!!!! This is seriously going to be the BEST WEEK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
August 19, 2010
Replaced
So as I near then end of my time in Waukesha I'm beginning to feel replaced. Replaced by everyone and everything. I knew it was going to happen, it had to happen, but now it's just made me wonder if there is even a point in coming back to Waukesha. All my old friends will have moved on, my job will no longer be there, and there will be nothing left to do but sit at home, which A. won't feel like home anymore and B. I don't even know where "home" will be at that point. So what's the point of coming back to visit when nothing will be the same and no one will care that I'm back?
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