My life is Average.

I had some epic dreams last night. Just thought I would share the fun. :)

Part one of last night's dream: I walked into a stranger's house because I saw their kitchen was gorgeous and wanted to check it out (?).

Part two: running for my life from the owner of said house, who apparently thinks breaking and entering is a capital offense.

Part three: Realizing I'm in a Harry Potter alternate reality and I should have just worn an invisibility cloak. duh. Ended up dueling Lucius Malfoy instead...

Part four: Ended up at a kid's birthday party watching Barney perform. Weirdest part, all the kids were me and my childhood friends, when we were about 7.

My assessment is that today will be amazing and unbelievable. Bring it!

so.

I should probably post something. 


I've been thinking of doing it for weeks now.


Yet I don't. 


Soo... hi.


There. 


Sorry, I just used you to satiate my guilt. 


But, seriously, I will probably update soon. 


Maybe. 
Possibly.




















Maybe don't get your hopes up.  Life is pretty fast-paced. So, in case I don't get the chance to update, this is what my life will most probably consist of for the next few weeks. 


wake up (probably later than I intended.)
make excuses for sleeping in. 
eat.
class. 
reading. 
lunch.
class.(and/or internship)
reading.(and/or paper writing)
cleaning.
taking as many breaks as possible to keep my brain functioning. 
cooking. eating. dishes. 
have 1-25 people at my house for various reasons. 
reading. 
sleeping. dreaming. praying for more sleep. 
repeat. 


boy, I'm ready for vacation in 2 weeks!

Lastly

It's hard to believe I am on the home stretch of Bible College. Only 4 months left. :)


Starting April 1st this is what my life will be:


1. Romans 
2. Colossians
3. The Epistle's of John (1,2,3 John)
4. Major Bible Doctrines (aka "Theology")
5. Practical Christian Ministry (Which is a fancy way of saying, "free labor". lol. I will be an intern at our church in the Worship Arts Department! yay!)


Busy, busy. But I am looking forward to it. 


PS: I have been extremely crafty lately. Pictures will follow. I've been working on a beautiful strand of paper bunting for some friends who are having a baby. I can't reveal it until after she's born though, her name's a secret! My next project is to re-paper the inside of a beautiful old trunk that has been passed down to us from Jesse's ancestors. "Ancestors" makes them sound ancient, but in reality, it's origination was probably less than 50 years ago. ha. 

Heritage

I've been thinking a lot about heritage, more specifically, my family's heritage. This was all sparked from a recent conversation with my Great Grandpa, who is 95 this year! 95. Let's put it in perspective a little.


2011-95=1916. He was born in 1916 (roughly, I don't know the exact date, but hope to find out).


1916. I can't even imagine what the world must have been like then. It's almost like he has this secret knowledge that I can only get through him. I'm starting to have an appreciation for history and am fascinated by what he must have experienced. I mean, I know some basic history of what our country has gone through since then, but his specific experiences must have had some impact on even the way my life has gone. I really want to sit down with him and write down some of the milestones in his life, and get to know him better.


It reminds me of what a rich heritage we have in Christ. His experiences and His life have left a legacy that is ours to grasp. Everything that He said and did is now in my lineage as His child. Just as our earthly families have bequeathed us some precious treasures in this life, Christ has left us His riches and glory. It's magnificent to stop and think of these treasures.


I think some of the things we own ironically describe our lives. For instance, when we first got married, all we had was basically given to us. We really didn't have much of our own. We were eating on plastic plates with 100 year old silver cutlery that I inherited from my Pappy (Grandma's Dad, aka Great Grandpa). While we by worldly American standards seem poor, we are so rich in blessings. Spiritual blessings. Blessings of love and family. Blessings of friends and fellowships. And yes, we have some lovely earthly treasures with rich family history that really mean a lot to me.


I am learning everyday that we are so blessed and so rich. I am thankful for running water, shelter and food in my stomach. I am thankful for my wonderful family and the sacrifices and joys that they have passed down for us. More than all, I am thankful for my spiritual heritage and that I have eternal riches of grace and mercy.

New Year

So much is changing right now. I feel as though our entire lives are in constant shifting and I can't keep up with all of it!

I've been trying to get a grasp on my studies, figuring out how many classes and all I need to finish, on top of working on all my studies. Jesse was also recently in a car accident, no injuries, PTL. Unfortunately this means the car is totaled and no more. :( It's a major bummer, but in a way, a blessing. It relieves some of the monthly financial stress, and, get this.... the debt! Jesse and I have been diligently praying that the Lord would move heavily on our finances in the way of debt. We truly believe it is good to "owe no man" and would sincerely like to live a debt-free life. This isn't the way we expected or wanted to really eliminate some of the debt, but we are grateful to be free of it. Now, to make the school debt vamoose and we will really be free! Currently, since I am not working it's fine to be down to one car, it just means I'm cooped up in the house all day. Pray for my sanity! I get a little stir crazy. I plan to start going to work with Jesse one day a week just for a change in scenery. We'll see how it goes.

Also, we are totally stoked to be a part of a new little Christian community that's just formed, called the Flame. I like to think of it as an experiment in revival. We have only a vague understanding of where it's going, we just show up and seek the face of the Lord, and every week He takes it in a new direction. Basically, our desire as a leadership team is to move towards a 24 hour prayer/worship room. Right now it's only a few hours every week, but it's clear that with time and more worship leaders it will expand! It's so exciting to be right at the start of a brand new work of the Spirit in this dry and weary land. One of the major things we have been seeking is the awakening of lost souls and the rekindling of love and desire for the Lord in the believers in the area. Also, the room we currently have faces the back of a newly planted abortion clinic, so there have been meetings and many prayers said for the abolishment of the establishment. I hope to connect with this group soon and see where I can get involved.

Meanwhile, the ladies Bible study has been moving forward in our studies on what it means to be a woman of God. It has so blessed me to prepare a weekly study and I am always so challenged by His word. We've covered an array of topics from work, marriage, resting, priestly ministry and next week we will be talking about our speech.

Dear friends and family, I miss you. I pray the love of Christ is dwelling in you all richly and that you are hearing Him daily. May we lay down our lives to receive the wonderful true Life He has for us.

Ode to Sulfur.

I love how your hair reflects the rosy glow, but I can't stand the smell no mo...
nothing more dost i do dread, then inhaling such fumes until I am dead.


Oh to stroll hand in hand down the river walk path, to kiss your cheek would be lovely, please lift you hazmat mask


From the top floor of St. Ritas hospital i gander,
looking south to the fire and smoke my mind doth wander.


What fumes through yon window seep?
That maketh me heart go to a deep sleep.


With words of wit, we love the flame
That gives to Lima all that fame
And someday when that flame goes BOOM
All that remains, will be the fumes


Breathe deeply, then, that Lima fog
That changes taste, of gruel and nog
Alas, the fires and smoke will pass
When we no longer need the gas.


So tis the end of this great tale,
of gas, of fire and penned by no ale.
Of a lima refinery, in a small little dell.


(This poem was inspired by the stench of the local Refinery, our finest attribute. ha. If any of you have been to my town, you know what we're talking about. So, thanks to John, Connie, Bob and Sheri we know have our own little sonnet. )

CCBC Ohio

Ok, Ok, so CCBC doesn't have a campus in Ohio....

But! This is where school happens. :)

My own little nook to study away the winter. 

I love. love. love. my desk. It was an antique show find from the spring. It used to be a gun-chest,  and before that I believe it was a safari desk. It folds up into a chest and has handles so you can carry it. My husband attached the legs, and voila, instant desk. I pulled all the nasty green carpet off and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then I attached the cork material to the lid, so now it shows off some of the things that inspire me and warm my heart. 

I am so blessed to get to fill my days with the Word of God. The best way I could think to spend my winter, and my life.