Merry Christmas! This year we celebrated Christmas at mom's house. Of course we had all the Swedish food on Christmas Eve!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Downtown Chicago
Well once again I made my annual trip downtown Chicago before Christmas. This time mom came with me and we took the L downtown with Gary. I know when people work downtown it becomes routine to take the train, but for someone like me who never does it, I LOVED IT! Sometimes I get jealous that my brother lives downtown and I don't! :
We ate lunch at the Frango Cafe and at my favorite sandwich in the entire world!!
The fam in front of the big tree.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
My other half is getting married!
My twin brother and Julie are officially engaged! Here are their engagement photo's. Aren't they so cute! They are getting married July 18th! Couldn't be a prouder sisiter! :)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The New Pad
Well, after searching high and low for the perfect affordable place to live....I finally have my own apartment. The Lord has been so faithful in this process. I truly feel like he has provided beyond what I can imagine. It is a wonderful one bedroom/bath apartment with a big walk in closet. It's really nice too. Much nicer than I ever expected I would have. I think it would make someone I know happy (you know who you are!) :) I know living here is going to take some sacrifices, but I also have to have that trust that the Lord has and always will be faithful to provide. So today I can finally say that I have a home that I hope to live in for awhile. I am blessed.
P.S. Mail is ALWAYS LOVED AND ACCEPTED! :)
1 Keisha Dr. #2
Bloomington, IL 61704
P.S. Mail is ALWAYS LOVED AND ACCEPTED! :)
1 Keisha Dr. #2
Bloomington, IL 61704
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Home
Home
Do you ever have those days where you just sit and wonder how you got to the place that you are at now? As I sit in my new "home" listening to the lyrics of Jeremy Camps new song echoing through the walls I am reminded of the desire I have for a consistent home.
"I hold on to this hope and promise: There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the presence of this place will be no more.....but until that day I will hold on to you always."
Maybe it's because I have never had a house that's felt like a home. When I think of a home, I think of a place where love abounds, forgiveness is near, community is a step away, and where the promises of Christ are held together through the nearness of prayer. I've never had that in my life. I've had a wonderful house to live in don't get me wrong. and I've had a wonderful family....but the home I dream about is so much more than that. I've moved so much in the last few years that as I listen to this song I am brought to tears with the reality that my heart is not content to be on this earth and living in this place. Life wasn't created this way. Life was not meant to be lived in boxes moving from place to place. This theme has been so prevalent in my life lately. The other day I read in my Bible this scripture:
"“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:6-7
I think I've never really cared about what the four walls that surround me look like. I've lived in small dirty places and yet still felt content. I credit the Lord with reminding me that the four walls that surround me are temporary and that what matters is the love that surrounds those four walls.Yet.......I still often desire a consistent place. So what can I do with desire for a consistent home with consistent people who are present one moment only to leave the next? People entering and leaving your life is such a common thing that everyone experiences, yet the pain of having something so close only to leave is a pain that I often wonder how long I can continue. Yet God has been working in my heart reminding me that there will be a day when all pain will be washed away. Until that day he has commanded me to cling to his promises that he is with me during every step. He has commanded me to remain faithful, despite my desire for my eternal home. Even when nothing seems to be consistent in life......He has shown me that HE is consistent in every step I take. Home is to near..........Even though I don’t understand what is going on half of the time, yet am I encouraged by the things I can understand......that Christ has been and will always be the consistent home by which I can rest my head and find a place to call home.
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:6-7
Do you ever have those days where you just sit and wonder how you got to the place that you are at now? As I sit in my new "home" listening to the lyrics of Jeremy Camps new song echoing through the walls I am reminded of the desire I have for a consistent home.
"I hold on to this hope and promise: There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the presence of this place will be no more.....but until that day I will hold on to you always."
Maybe it's because I have never had a house that's felt like a home. When I think of a home, I think of a place where love abounds, forgiveness is near, community is a step away, and where the promises of Christ are held together through the nearness of prayer. I've never had that in my life. I've had a wonderful house to live in don't get me wrong. and I've had a wonderful family....but the home I dream about is so much more than that. I've moved so much in the last few years that as I listen to this song I am brought to tears with the reality that my heart is not content to be on this earth and living in this place. Life wasn't created this way. Life was not meant to be lived in boxes moving from place to place. This theme has been so prevalent in my life lately. The other day I read in my Bible this scripture:
"“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:6-7
I think I've never really cared about what the four walls that surround me look like. I've lived in small dirty places and yet still felt content. I credit the Lord with reminding me that the four walls that surround me are temporary and that what matters is the love that surrounds those four walls.Yet.......I still often desire a consistent place. So what can I do with desire for a consistent home with consistent people who are present one moment only to leave the next? People entering and leaving your life is such a common thing that everyone experiences, yet the pain of having something so close only to leave is a pain that I often wonder how long I can continue. Yet God has been working in my heart reminding me that there will be a day when all pain will be washed away. Until that day he has commanded me to cling to his promises that he is with me during every step. He has commanded me to remain faithful, despite my desire for my eternal home. Even when nothing seems to be consistent in life......He has shown me that HE is consistent in every step I take. Home is to near..........Even though I don’t understand what is going on half of the time, yet am I encouraged by the things I can understand......that Christ has been and will always be the consistent home by which I can rest my head and find a place to call home.
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:6-7
Friday, October 3, 2008
Send Me
"Many times we cannot solve problems, heal hurts, change circumstances, or win our own battles. We must kneel in prayer, then stand to see what He will do. We must leave room for God, staying calm and giving Him time to work."
This week I've been doing a lot of reading. Trying to understand what, why, and how my life is apart of God's plan, when I feel helpless and hopeless at times. For the last few months it has seemed like God has been so far. In fact, the other night I sat out on the back patio and just looked up at the stars. As I sat there and looked up.....it felt like God was so far. The stars were millions of miles away and yet the Lord knows each star. The perplexing thought that continues to come to my mind was how could a God who created the vastness of the sky also know and care about the intimate details of a small person like me. I don't get it. I don't get how God can be so big and yet so concerned with a simple person like me.
I did find great encouragement today in a song that I heard on the radio. There's a line in this song that says this:
"Set backs and failures, and upset plans, test my faith and leave me with empty hands. Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand. I know you will finish what you began. And these broken parts you redeem, become the song that I can sing......so here i am, send me."
Lately I've been so thankful that God chooses to use broken people. That it's when you are most broken and unable to stand that God uses you. I know this more than anybody. As the five year anniversary of my accident came and went my prayer was a prayer of Thanksgiving. I prayed that the Lord would continue to take all of my broken parts (physically, spiritually, relationally, etc) and that I could give up control of my life and let the redeeming story of Christ's power in my life be the song that everyone can see. All the Lord asks is that I come to him with open arms willing to let him work in and through me. That has been my prayer and will continue to be my life story. I may be broken, but I'm ready for the Lord to use me in whatever way that may look like.
"Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still. We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts....it is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity to stand still-to wait only upon God and He will assuredly open a way for us."
And so I continue to wait for God to open a way...........
This week I've been doing a lot of reading. Trying to understand what, why, and how my life is apart of God's plan, when I feel helpless and hopeless at times. For the last few months it has seemed like God has been so far. In fact, the other night I sat out on the back patio and just looked up at the stars. As I sat there and looked up.....it felt like God was so far. The stars were millions of miles away and yet the Lord knows each star. The perplexing thought that continues to come to my mind was how could a God who created the vastness of the sky also know and care about the intimate details of a small person like me. I don't get it. I don't get how God can be so big and yet so concerned with a simple person like me.
I did find great encouragement today in a song that I heard on the radio. There's a line in this song that says this:
"Set backs and failures, and upset plans, test my faith and leave me with empty hands. Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand. I know you will finish what you began. And these broken parts you redeem, become the song that I can sing......so here i am, send me."
Lately I've been so thankful that God chooses to use broken people. That it's when you are most broken and unable to stand that God uses you. I know this more than anybody. As the five year anniversary of my accident came and went my prayer was a prayer of Thanksgiving. I prayed that the Lord would continue to take all of my broken parts (physically, spiritually, relationally, etc) and that I could give up control of my life and let the redeeming story of Christ's power in my life be the song that everyone can see. All the Lord asks is that I come to him with open arms willing to let him work in and through me. That has been my prayer and will continue to be my life story. I may be broken, but I'm ready for the Lord to use me in whatever way that may look like.
"Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still. We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts....it is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity to stand still-to wait only upon God and He will assuredly open a way for us."
And so I continue to wait for God to open a way...........
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
10 Random Things About Me
I thought I would start this blog in a fun way.....telling you 10 random things about me! :)
1. I’m probably one of the biggest sports fan you will ever find in a girl
2. I don’t have any tonsils
3. My favorite animal is a manatee
4. If I could go anywhere in the world I would probably go to FIJI or Tahiti….don’t ask me why
5. My favorite fruit in the whole world is fresh pineapple…..i could eat it till the acid chews away my tongue….in fact fresh fruit is a delicatessen.
6. One of my favorite snacks in the world is chocolate animal crackers dipped in Kroger Honey roasted PB……and yes I eat the legs off first
7. I want to own a kayak someday…..and I want to go kayaking on Lake Michigan at sunset
8. I love candy…mainly chewy candy…..tootsie rolls, laffy taffy, sour jelly bellies, swedish fish…just to name a few
9. I love unexpected surprises!
10. I will never use butter on anything unless it is spray butter.
1. I’m probably one of the biggest sports fan you will ever find in a girl
2. I don’t have any tonsils
3. My favorite animal is a manatee
4. If I could go anywhere in the world I would probably go to FIJI or Tahiti….don’t ask me why
5. My favorite fruit in the whole world is fresh pineapple…..i could eat it till the acid chews away my tongue….in fact fresh fruit is a delicatessen.
6. One of my favorite snacks in the world is chocolate animal crackers dipped in Kroger Honey roasted PB……and yes I eat the legs off first
7. I want to own a kayak someday…..and I want to go kayaking on Lake Michigan at sunset
8. I love candy…mainly chewy candy…..tootsie rolls, laffy taffy, sour jelly bellies, swedish fish…just to name a few
9. I love unexpected surprises!
10. I will never use butter on anything unless it is spray butter.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Morton Pumpkin Festival
If you know me you know how much I LOVE pumpkin things...food, smells, decorations,etc. So my dear friend Laura surprised me for a visit and together we went to an all you can eat pumpkin pancake breakfast.
It had poured for days, so the ground was extremely muddy and we both were wearing ballet flats!
And yes....I may or may not have brought along my own spray butter and chocolate chips so that I could make pumpkin CCP's. I don't think Laura was too embarrassed! :)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
September Brings New Beginnings
Well, I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but I think it will great for me. I've been told that I very good with written words and hopefully by blogging I will be able to clarify my thoughts that never seem to come out well in words. Today was one of those beautiful September days where the weather was a perfect 75 degrees and everything seemed to be perfect. September is one of if not my favorite month of the year. Mainly because some of my favorite things start in September....football and food made with pumpkin starts appearing. Change starts appearing in September. The trees begin to let us know that change is coming, children return to school, and summer vacations come to an end. Sometimes the hard thing with change is saying good bye to what was and accepting what is and will be. Why does it always seem that when you want change it doesn't happen....yet it seems to come when you don't want it. It seems like this has been the theme of my life. All I want in my life right now is change. I want to feel like my life is going somewhere. Maybe this is the month.....maybe my life will change. Lord, you seem to do big things in my life in the month of September....will you do something big again Lord? Challenge my faith....for I am ready to go where you will send me.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Trust the Compass, Not the Map
“Don’t be afraid of the unknown on the journey; be afraid of missing the life God has appointed you to live.”
Why am I starting a blog? I ask myself that. I guess it’s because I’m at a point where I just don’t know where life is going and yet I want to have something where I can go back and look at where life has taken me. On top of that, I’ve always been better at writing than speaking. Thirdly, it’s kind of fun…maybe even a little stalkerish!
But this blog is about a journey…the process in my life where God brings all the “pieces” together for the good of His final purpose. This blog is to reflect the small steps that I will take and it’s only on this journey that my questions in life will be answered.
You know what I wish…I wish that life had a map of where to go next. But, I also know that you cannot entrust your life to maps. I remember a date I went on and the guy brought with him three big packets stapled together. I asked what they were and he said “directions to the three closest movie theatre’s.” Now if you know me, I don’t really go with directions….i just drive and find places…..I mean come on we were in Indianapolis and there had to be theatres all over the place. I thought it was rather cute that he was soo prepared (and a bit ridiculous J). Needless to say we followed one of the maps and it took us far away, only for us to get lost and have to turn around and come back to our starting place. It was then at our starting place that we asked the lady working where the closest movie theatre was….she simply pointed her finger straight across the street. There right in front of us we missed seeing a big movie theatre because we were so focused on where the map was taking us. This served as a good lesson in my life….the only way to be sure your course in life’s journey is right is to trust something greater than the maps—a compass. A compass gives you a bigger picture. It tells you where the North Star is and how to align your life.
This blog is my search for purpose and for living out my role in this journey. I want to be captured by the radiance of God’s North Star and I want to live my life by the compass of what He is doing. This journey is beginning and will continue to move toward one defining end.
I want this blog to be fun and for people to see my adventures in life…but I also want it to reflect the story God is writing in my life….
So here I go….I am about to write a chapter that will tell who I am in the scope of eternity. What will it say of my life? Make it count Ang. Don’t be afraid of the unknown Ang, be afraid of missing the life God has appointed you to live!
Why am I starting a blog? I ask myself that. I guess it’s because I’m at a point where I just don’t know where life is going and yet I want to have something where I can go back and look at where life has taken me. On top of that, I’ve always been better at writing than speaking. Thirdly, it’s kind of fun…maybe even a little stalkerish!
But this blog is about a journey…the process in my life where God brings all the “pieces” together for the good of His final purpose. This blog is to reflect the small steps that I will take and it’s only on this journey that my questions in life will be answered.
You know what I wish…I wish that life had a map of where to go next. But, I also know that you cannot entrust your life to maps. I remember a date I went on and the guy brought with him three big packets stapled together. I asked what they were and he said “directions to the three closest movie theatre’s.” Now if you know me, I don’t really go with directions….i just drive and find places…..I mean come on we were in Indianapolis and there had to be theatres all over the place. I thought it was rather cute that he was soo prepared (and a bit ridiculous J). Needless to say we followed one of the maps and it took us far away, only for us to get lost and have to turn around and come back to our starting place. It was then at our starting place that we asked the lady working where the closest movie theatre was….she simply pointed her finger straight across the street. There right in front of us we missed seeing a big movie theatre because we were so focused on where the map was taking us. This served as a good lesson in my life….the only way to be sure your course in life’s journey is right is to trust something greater than the maps—a compass. A compass gives you a bigger picture. It tells you where the North Star is and how to align your life.
This blog is my search for purpose and for living out my role in this journey. I want to be captured by the radiance of God’s North Star and I want to live my life by the compass of what He is doing. This journey is beginning and will continue to move toward one defining end.
I want this blog to be fun and for people to see my adventures in life…but I also want it to reflect the story God is writing in my life….
So here I go….I am about to write a chapter that will tell who I am in the scope of eternity. What will it say of my life? Make it count Ang. Don’t be afraid of the unknown Ang, be afraid of missing the life God has appointed you to live!
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