Old Friends...

Before you think you know a friend - even one you have known for years - just remember you don't truly.
Before you think you don't have time for a friend - just remember if you don't make any time, the friend who you thought would always be there, might not be.
Before you make a new friend, remember not to lose the old one in the excitement.
Before you get to busy... Don't.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

A few weeks ago I heard a really great sermon about how important it is to take a Sabbath rest, to take that time and just be with our great and awesome God, and spend time doing things like being with family and resting and getting ready for the next week. He gave the good reminder that the Sabbath was "made for man, not man for the sabbath", and how wonderful it is to be able to spend that with our Savior. :-) He gave an illustration that I want to share - (probably going to mess it up a bit... But bear with me - I'm doing it from memory! ;-) Also, I have no idea who to credit this story with, so...).

Once there was a young strong lumberjack who went to a lumberjack camp and asked what other lumberjack did the most work in the camp, and the other guys pointed to a little old man sitting a short distance awhile. The young lumberjack walked over and challenged the old man to a contest - the next day they would both go out and cut trees, and whoever had cut the most trees at the end of the day would be the best in the camp. The old lumberjack agreed, and the next day, bright and early, the two men set out and set to work. The young lumberjack set to work working hard and fast, sometimes he would get tired, and would look over and see the old man sitting down for 15 minutes every hour or so, and the young man would laugh and decide not to take a break, even when things got hard. That night when the two of them got back to camp, the young lumberjack found out that the older man had chopped far and beyond the number of trees he himself had been able too. Stunned he asked the old man what his secret was, since he had seen him sitting down to rest so often over the course of the day. The old man grinned and answered, "Each time I sat down to rest, I was sharpening my ax. And a sharpened ax can chop much faster than one that isn't."

This applies to our lives too - if we take that time to sit down and "sharpen" our "axes", AKA recharge in Christ's strength and love, then when we get back to our work we will be prepared and strengthened to be able to take on everything life throws our way.

So, take the time - even if it's just a short time each day, to sit and let the Lord prepare you for life. Take that time each week to have a Sabbath where you take a break, and sit at Jesus' feet and learn from Him.

Cotton Candy, Fairs, and Good Friends

Today I went to the country fair with my good friend Janna. :-) Janna is always up to my crazy and occasionally scary ideas (like sneaking off the Friendly's at like 8:30pm. :-P). So yes, we headed to the fair. :-) I love fairs! They are so fall-ish! :-) My favorite season!!

Cotton Candy is such a fair food - how do they make it??? And did you know that if you have it for a couple hours it starts to crystallize and gets crunchy?? Well it does! Ask me how I know this! ;-)

Encouragement

Encouragement - it's a big long word for a good reason! But can be done in so many even SMALL ways. I think it's something that the giver doesn't think overly that much about, but it means sooo much to the receiver. One little word, a smile, a "you can do it! I know it!" can change so much about how a person views the challenge they are going through, life, others, and themselves. So many times when I am going through sometime challenging and I feel discouraged, either I'll be talking to a good friend and they give me encouragement, or the little things someone has said in the past pops into my mind, and I feel... well... encouraged! :-)

So, make it a goal to go out of your life to be an encouragement to others - you can make a HUGE difference in people's lives! Believe me - I know! I have some really encouraging friends!!

First day of school - woop

Well, my 5 class semester started today. Biggest semester yet. If I can do this, I can do anything. ;-) Already procrastinating on Eng (Literature) hw. Literature is so lame. :-P I like my Sociology teacher - he seems pretty on the ball - so besides dreading the work, it looks like it'll be an interesting class. My Math teacher seems nice too, and I already know my ASL teacher, so just one more "first class" to go tomorrow morning. And technically I've already met the teacher for that class, so we'll see...

I wish one thing - (Actually I wish more then one thing, but we'll just stick with one for now! ;-)) - that I could have a classic typewriter like the lovely lady in picture above to write my papers out on. :-P

My God is so BIG!

"My God is so BIG so strong and so mighty - there is NOTHING my God cannot do - FOR YOU!" ~ Children's song

This evening I have been re-reading a book which inspired me years ago and which God used to set the ball rolling to change the whole course of my life. If you ever get a chance to read the story of Lillian Trasher, who was a missionary to Egypt who ran an orphanage there, you should! Her story is amazing, and wow, it inspires me all over again. :-) Why have I waited all these years to read it again??? :-)
One thing that keeps striking me about her story is her complete and utter trust of God to provide for her, protect her, and lead her in every aspect of life. She lived totally by faith in every aspect of her life. And God always came through and provided for her. She had no fear of traveling around the dangerous Egyptian countryside, because her answer to other people's fears? "God is my protector." And He did, to the end of her life.

As I have been reading it tonight, my heart races and I think, "Well, if I ever do that, I'm not sure if I would raise support, or try to live by faith. I mean, what if someone didn't hand me money or food suddenly at the last minute???"
WHOA! AMY! Rewind and FREEZE! For one thing - there is no TRYING to live by faith - if God calls you to do that, you don't TRY you just DO. Secondly - if for some reason the thing wasn't provided at the last minute, doesn't living by faith mean having FAITH that God knows just what He is doing??? And then suddenly He brings to mind the many many MANY ways He has provided for me suddenly, at the last minute, in ways which I could never even imagine - and I have never been at the point of starving or anything at those points. No, our God is so BIG and so STRONG and so MIGHTY there is NOTHING our God canNOT do for you! How I pray I can grow to have the same strong, deep, trust and faith in my Savior and GOD as Lillian Trasher - my inspiration - did so many years ago. How I pray I will be able to someday walk through "the valley of the shadow of death" and "fear no evil" because I KNOW HE is with me! How I pray I will be able to sit down at the empty dinner table, and pray over the food that isn't there because I KNOW HE is going to take care of me, and whoever else He has put in my care like George Muller did. How I pray I will be able to make quick smart decisions because I KNOW HE is the One who is guiding me through everything - just like Gladys Alward did when she had to lead so many children over the mountains to safety. How I pray I will be able to love that sick and dying person even if it puts me at risk, because I KNOW HE is the One who has life and death in His Hand.

God - if living by faith is what You have for me - give me the faith and the trust needed.

P.S. The song "My God is so big" reminds me of all the amazing times of singing with the children in Africa - I loved it when they added on "For YOU!" at the end of each line and would point to me - and I'd point right back, cause I KNOW it's true! :-)

Home again

Well, I have currently been home from my dear Africa for a little over a week now. As excited as I was to see everyone (and still loving seeing them all) I find I miss my beloved babies, Mama's, and friends made in Africa more and more each day. Seems like the pain should get better as the days go by, not worse. But I know I am in God's plan. And I am so blessed - each day I see His great blessing on my life, and as I think back over my trip I see it over and over again. I am so blessed to have gotten to even have a small part in these amazing people's lives!!! :-)

Since I must be home (;-)), I am enjoying having a bit of summer before school starts in full blast on the 29th. I'll have a full work load this coming semester, so trying to hang out with people, and do relaxing things before I disappear for several months! ;-) Don't give up on me peeps! I love you all so much and I need your prayers so much. Last semester was tough, and I need prayers to stay faithful in my times worshiping my amazing Savior. If you see me getting off track, slap me up - I'll need it! ;-)

Lately I've been exercising at my Uncle's exercise bootcamp - really good but challenging! :-P Want to make sure I get a good base to exercising before school starts so hopefully I'll keep it up over the semester!

I'd also love prayers about job stuff - I'd love more housecleaning jobs or something else. I'll have a couple babysitting jobs already, which will be nice. :-)

Ooh! New news - I now have a car! God was so good to me and worked it all out! I am still amazed about it all! :0) Wow, I serve and amazing and awesome God!!!

Well, more soon I'm sure! :-)