Serving Others

Matthew 7:12 "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets".

What? Huh? This is the Golden Rule, but I disagree. I think it's wrong! And this isn't what Jesus meant. You don't help others so that they will help you in return. You just help them out of love. Serving others and meeting needs is something I want to do, NOT to receive anything in return, but to just to care and love them. I think this is an area though that I need to work on because sometimes I don't always provide as much love to others like my sister Stephanie does. I think at times I am more task orientated....I am trailing..... Anyways...I guess I want to just serve others for a selfish reason anyways...it just brings so much joy to me! It makes me happy to see others so happy.

Oh...I am tired...it's time for bed. I need to think of more ways I can sacrifice in my giving and also see more of what the Bible has to say about this topic.

My Mom

I have a great Mom. Isn't she cute? Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she is even more amazing on the inside. Constantly full of love, she continually gives to others pouring into those around her. She is a servant to all and listens so well. Creative and adventurous are also words to describe her. I always know that my Mother loves me deeply and that I can count on her. I am so blessed to have such an incredible Mom. Thank you God!

My Sister's B-day!

Okay so...I miss out. I need to write more consistently. Last week was amazing. A week full of kids...all ages. I got to be a "foster Mom" of sorts for three teen girls...as well as babysit four young girls. I helped with kid's church and started working in a day care program. Then my neighborhood kids came over. All of this was great. I do love kids, but super glad that I am not a full time Mom yet.

Yesterday we celebrated my sister and cousin's birthdays. I have such a great family! We met at a park and just enjoyed one another. See the pictures?

Steph and Jeff...the "twins"

Right now I am doing a word study on the word trust. One of my favorite verses I have come across is Psalms 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, Oh Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long". I think this verse just fits me well currently...it is my prayer.

To obtain a Master's degree...I just don't know what

My Mom told me that lots of times God's will for your life is doing things that cause you to have joy. Isn't that amazing we have a God that wants us to be happy while we serve Him? The problem is, that I like almost everything I try. Sigh. I love serving others, playing with kids, listening to people. Reading about psychology or anatomy are also great. I love trying new things and new foods and exploring. Figuring things out on the computer or being mechanical are a few more as well as teaching and leading activities and performing. So where does God want me and how can I best serve Him? I don't know.

I am considering getting my Master's in health promotion, but I don't like research or statistics very much...well I don't think I do. I mean I know I will get into them, but I like psychology and nutrition better I believe. I want a productive Master's degree...but isn't that what my undergrad was? I am a nurse, but don't really want to be. I didn't like the nursing classes very much and do not associate myself as a nurse. It is not anything I ever wanted to be. In fact, I decided to NOT be a nurse while in high school as I worked as a CNA.

Do I like nursing now? Hmmm.... I like almost every job I do. They all have their positive points. I love being able to serve people and impact their lives and do all I can to make them feel a little bit better...especially emotionally. I love talking with families and reaching out to difficult people. My coworkers are wonderful and I love them. The pay is not bad and the hours are wonderful, but the actually nursing....no...I do not like routine and get nervous when things go wrong...I hate calling doctors and detest ADLS. Charting is not fun and neither is constantly having to turn patients. I don't like the responsibility. However, I like to be busy and I do like to learn, but rarely do I get the opportunity...I am always so busy just trying to keep up.

So now as I get ready for my Master's I think about what I should do and well...I am thinking that becoming a nurse practitioner would be a good move. It's the degree where I would probably learn the most new skills and be the most beneficial. BUT I am not a nurse...I mean...I don't even like nursing!!! And becoming a NP would be even MORE STRESS and responsibility for people’s lives which is the one thing I hate about nursing!!!! I want to do health education. I would love to travel around speaking to people about their health, run seminars and initiate programs for both children and adults both in the states and abroad. I'd like to find problem areas and try to solve them with a team of others. If I ever find a guy, I’d like to work as a team with him helping others. But I know I can’t spread myself too thin.

All I know is I really want to learn French, become more confident in my nursing skills, continue to seek God and start a master’s degree next fall. I just don’t know in what yet. Too bad money is an issue because I think I’d study philosophy, psychology and nutrition.

A review of the last few weeks...this same post is on mandiesgettinmarried xagana site

Life is good. I can't believe all that has happened to me recently. I love adventures and God has given me one about every day (almost all of them delightful)! I think he knows I need time. Let me briefly share about the most strange and exciting times in the last few weeks…
· I caught a fish with sewing needle
· Swam in freezing cold lake water but it was crystal clear…and after a bit the body goes numb and then it actually sort of feels warm
· Slept on a BOAT!!!!! Yes…out on my pond…in my little inflatable boat! Fantastic!!!! It was a new moon and the stars shone bright!
· Now I am becoming a foster parent…yes that’s right…a REAL foster parent…didn’t know it this morning…but 45 minutes later found myself in a classroom learning the basics. I am to be licensed by this coming Monday night!!!!!
· A random stranger showed up on my door step late one night…teaching me how to play the guitar by ear…we stayed up past 2am just strumming the guitar and talking about God, philosophy and life.
· I am a mystery shopper and went to an eyeglass place...where I had to get my eyes checked…picked out two frames (one was a crazy red pair that I actually liked) and had an eye exam...the doctor called me back…did the exam and looked at me funny stating “you know…your eyesight is better than 99% of the people the come in here…it’s better than 20/20”. Oh dear…I hope my face didn’t turn too red. I just smiled and thanked him for the eye exam. I don’t think I am going to try and mystery shop there again! Who shops for glasses when they aren’t even experiencing blurred vision?
· I got the privileged to be in my good friend Lindsey’s wedding and caught my first wedding bouquet!!!! Yippee!!!!
· Went camping with my cousin and Peter!!!! Had a campfire that gives you that home feeling.
· Biking and running and hanging out with the kids down the street. They just show up at my door…recently I have been teaching them how to play all the musical instruments in my house…flute, clarinet, trumpet, guitar. It’s quite a noise when they all try to play at once…does something to your ear, but I smile cause you can read the excitement on their faces as they improve.
I don’t know where all my time goes!!!! Life is good and well those are just some of the event of the last couple of weeks. =0)

Philippians 4:4-9
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

October 8, 2005

My dear friend Lindsey was married today!!!! What a wonderful day and I given the priceless gift of being apart of this event. The man she married truly honors and loves her deeply. Their passion for God, people and each other shines through their actions and words. I am privileged to know Lindsey and to experience with her the joys of a boyfriend, fiancé and now husband. I can't wait to see how God uses them together. Lindsey is so precious and I am thrilled for her. =0)
Also...I have to say...the wedding was fantastic! Seeing old friends, hearing laughter, enjoying the company of people...getting dressed up...hair and all are just some of my favorite moments. Riding in a stretch hummer was a special treat AND....I also caught the bouquet for the first time ever!!!!!! Yay!!!!! =0) Isn't that amazing! I think so. So yay...today was great and now...it is time for bed.

Thoughts on Hebrews...well the beginning thought

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the hard. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are...yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidences, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV

The Bible...a book...thin delicate sheets of paper almost transparent...tiny words...simple black ink, yet this book of letters is powerful. Even a nonchristian has to believe that this book holds power...even if it is power man has given it. A book that has impacted history. There is more than that. The Bible is alive…how? Because God…the true living God who came down to this earth to breathe THIS air…the air you are breathing now…is behind it. Just like it says in Hebrews…“living and active.” America mass produces this book now…the covers and materialism of it is disgusting at times, but the wonderful words are the same. We don’t even realize how lucky we are. I know I don’t. I own four Bibles. What? Crazy! This week in kid’s church I was reading a story that talked about a small boy in the middle of the jungle…a man came…learned the language and years later produced one book of the Bible…and here I am with four complete copies! There are still several languages out with no translation…and thousands of other people who don’t have access to a Bile…some who in addition could be killed if this had one…and here I am…four….

Why are people so emotional over a book? Over a set of beliefs…that really…if you look at it…they are good beliefs with good morals…why do people fight it? Control? Changing of culture? No…I don’t believe it is because it will change your culture…Christianity transcends culture. There must be something more to it. Justification…that’s what people do. “The Bible is just a book…it’s not really alive”. Actually the way most Christians live their lives in America…I would believe that many believe this statement…they almost seem to use Christianity as a social thing. I wonder how many would still believe if persecution came. Would I? I pray that I would, but I am weak. I dear…I have many more thoughts than I originally thought…haven’t even begun to write what I want to write…I am still on the first sentence!!!! I will have to come back to this.

My question was...what exactly is a two edged sword? And why was it used here? How is the Bible clearly alive today? I am thankful God can see through me and knows me completely and it's so good to have a God whoes been through it all, but didn't sin. I like how we can approach God with confindence...what an outstanding statement to say. It feels wrong, but is so amazinly true. Thank you Jesus!!

Sleeping on Water

So it is October...but it still feels like summer!!! =0) And I love it! In fact...I say...it IS summer. And last night I finally got to sleep out on the water...yep...the pond in my back yard has been calling for me to sleep on it. I love the outdoors. One of my favorite things about working a split shift is getting home in the middle of the night...the stars are so bright...it just hits you all of a sudden. Even when I am exhausted...there's just something about looking up at the stars as you take a deep sigh of content...fills you with peace. Anyways...so last night I made an anchor out of a rock, got my little inflatable boat out on the water...used a life jacket for a pillow and fell asleep. It was wonderful!!!! A homemade waterbed. Another special treasure and blessing from God. I will have to do sleep on water again.