Revelation of the Masterpiece

Quotes

2012-02-13T20:28:00.004-06:00

So I am now officially an elementary school teacher (at least for the past 3 days and future week). I am in complete control of the whole day during student teaching. And I am really loving it. Here's a few quotes from the process

QUOTE 1:
M "Mrs. Farley, Mrs. Farley...." (continues excitingly screaming)
Me: "M... you need to sit down."
M: "No (in a very persistent tone) I need to introduce myself. (voice changes to a sweet caring sound) I'm M, and I'm very glad to meet you."

QUOTE 2:
T: (raising his hand and my cooperating teacher [CT] calls on him) "She's cute" (points to me)

QUOTE 3:
T: (he's a very naughty kid and after one class I got down to his level and gave him a little talk about how he needs to act in class) "Ok Mrs. Farley" (promptly turns to his friends) "She tried to kiss me."

QUOTE 4:
W: (Native American boy...comes up to me almost in tears) "TN called me an idiot." (I go over to TN)
Me: "TN did you call W an idiot?"
TN: "No I called him an Indian"
(Well good... because we shouldn't be calling people idiots but what were you doing calling him an Indian?)

QUOTE 5: (all in one recess time)
N: (runs up after recess) "C hit me in the face,"
Me: Ok...where is he?
N: I don't know
S: (girl who comes running up) "C is stuck in the snow"
Me: oh no... well let's go get him. (we go get him where his leg is stuck in a snow drift)
Me: (to C) "Did you hit N?"
C: Well yeah... but he hit me too! (OH BOY!!!)

MEANWHILE...
S: Mrs. Farley, H called me a stupid mean girl.
Me: Well let's go find her. (Not another one)
Me: (to H) "Did you call S a stupid mean girl?"
H: "She called me dumb."
(OH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FIGHTS!)

QUOTE 6: (this happens almost daily)
E: "Mrs. Farley...come watch what I can do with the jump rope."
Me: "Ok E."
E: (proceeds to simply jump rope, maybe throwing in a cross of the arms once in awhile...and jumps for about 3 minutes before she allows me to walk away.)

QUOTE 7:
Me: "Let's find the F word in the music room that coordinates with what we are talking about."
(maybe next time I should switch up the wording of that sentence)

QUOTE 8:
Me: (after talking about skips and steps and singing a song with the word skippity in it) "Ok here's the next example to figure out... this one's trickity."

QUOTE 9:
Me: (to a Kindergarten class) "What do your valentine's look like this year?"
K1: "My family went to a restaurant last night."
Me: "Oh that's very cool K1." (turning to K2) "What do yours look like?"
K2: "My dog and I like running in the park with my dad. Sometimes we walk down there and play."
Me: "How exciting." (turning to K3) "What do your valentines look like?"
K3: "I like to color pictures of horses and sometimes my brother colors with me."
(Good thing we are getting somewhere now.)

QUOTE 10:
Me: (singing a song about decorating a valentine...I asked them what they would use to decorate it. So far we have sung about paints, stickers, glitter, glue, paper...) "What else can we use?"
F: "PUPPIES!"

That should do for now... I'll try to be better at updating this as I go along with any other fun quotes. I have 3 weeks left here and then off to high school. I'm loving it here and my CT is AMAZING!!! So long for now!

Year Goals...

2012-01-16T20:17:00.004-06:00

I finally did it. I made some 'goals' for this year. I am NOT a person who normally sets goals and although these may be more of guidelines for how I want to live, I am still calling them goals. So here they are!

So the first 2 categories are self explanatory and set for all year long. The last category is one that I will change as I progress. I am setting 3 projects as my short term goals which I am keeping my mind set around. Here's an explanation of my current 3...

1. Shutterfly- I am putting together our 2011 photo book and have it about 1/2 done. So 2 pages a day takes about 10-15 minutes... Doable... yes.

2. Prayer Cards- I heard about a prayer card system here awhile ago and have wanted to put one together. This will take some time but definitely worth it.

3. Baby Bedding- I am making a quilt, fitted sheet, bumpers, crib skirt, pillow, and perhaps a few other things for my sister's baby coming in May. This is my big sewing project right now. Updates will follow.

Shutterfly

2012-01-01T10:39:00.004-06:00

Shutterfly has become one of my friends these last few weeks. I began our wedding album right when we got our pictures back in June but only finished it about a week ago due to not having all our honeymoon pictures ready to put in.

But now I am going crazy and trying to put together our 2011 book. I would like to make a book for every year from now on (but I can't figure out if this is a realistic goal.)

It is becoming easier and I'm excited for when I am caught up and can just whip up a page here and there as events happen. Hopefully I can get caught up soon.

Here's to the memories!

Emily!

2011-12-05T13:36:00.003-06:00

Emily is a girl that I have been meeting with for the past 2 years. She has been such a wonderful blessing in my life and has helped me grow in so many ways. Many people say that when you disciple someone, you end up changing/learning more than you teach them. Well I think this is probably the case.

Today was our last official meeting and so I have been thinking back about the last few years this morning. Seeing where Emily has come from is amazing. She is no where close to where she was a few years ago. The Lord has used her in GREAT ways. She is now a member of a sorority and living every day to expand God's Kingdom. It is amazing. I am so proud of her!

I will definitely miss her but I know that she will continue to grow and impact others' lives. Can't wait to see where she goes!

Easy Christmas Gift

2011-12-01T20:42:00.006-06:00

For those of you who don't know, I sell Mary Kay here and there. Once in awhile I'll do a facial, party, etc. and when there's a sweet deal I'll let you know. :)

Well... there's a SWEET deal right now!

This pedicure set is only $11 right now (normally $22). It includes:

a relaxing foot soak
soothing foot balm
pedicure brush/pumice stone
and the zippered bag.

So if you are frantically searching around for a gift for that person who is impossible to buy for (or simply someone who LOVES pedicures)... here you go!

If you would like to purchase one simply let me know by:
commenting on this blog,
emailing me at amy.farley4@gmail.com,
or calling me at (515) 520-1683

Let me know if you would like to purchase any other Mary Kay gifts for this Christmas season!

**Shipping is free**

Student or Teacher?

2011-11-29T23:45:00.002-06:00

So I will be beginning my student teaching on January 9th. I am very excited about it and have already been talking with my cooperating teachers.

I will spend my first 8 weeks at Coolidge Elementary in Cedar Rapids. I have talked on the phone with this teacher and I am VERY excited to spend these weeks with her. I will have 18 classes a week and have grades K-6. One of my college professors is also very good friends with her and cannot stop saying wonderful things about her. I will get to meet her in about a week.

My second 8 weeks will be at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. My cooperating teacher goes to church with a few of my good friends from Cedar Rapids so I am very excited about that connection as well. Jefferson is a Big school in comparison to Roland Story so this will be a new and exciting change. They will be putting on Thoroughly Modern Millie for their musical this spring which I will help with. I am very excited about this since I was in this musical during my high school years.

I will keep the updates coming once everything begins. Can't wait for this chance to learn and teach at the same time!!!

4 letter word everyone seems to hate...

2011-11-08T15:59:00.002-06:00

S.N.O.W.

The forecast for tonight is 1-4 inches of beautiful, unique, incredible white fluff. Whenever I have heard someone talk about this today or have mentioned it to people their first response is "really?" in a monotone, annoyed tone.

Now I'll be the first to say that scraping snow off my car and trying to stomp through feet of snow when late or dressed up are not my favorite things. There are aspects of winter and snow which I could do without HOWEVER...

I can choose to live in Iowa or Texas.
I can choose to be annoyed or excited.
I can choose how I respond to this forecast.

So for the past 4ish years I have chosen to LOVE winter. To embrace everything about it. Why complain?!? We live in Iowa... God has given us 9 months to prepare for snow and since you've experienced it say 20 times before, you know what's coming.

So let's all choose to LOVE winter and when there's a -30 degree windchill and you are outside scraping 2-inch-thick ice off your car which was covered with 2 feet of snow... SMILE because you are experiencing an incredible creation of God in an extremely intimate and interactive way. :)

Blessed.

2011-10-24T20:11:00.002-05:00

We are blessed.

Over the past month I have been bombarded with stories about people who have a much harder life than I have. Here are a few examples:

-Watched "Hotel Rwanda" and saw all the lives of those people being torn apart.
-21 year old boy: mother and brother were shot in his presence when he was 5.
-21 year old girl: had a gun stuck in her mouth at the age of 4 and threatened to be shot.
-21 year old girl: husband of 1 year is filing for separation and kicking her out.
-Started reading Kate's Kisses which explains the lives of children in Uganda and the trials of living there.
-Read my cousin's blog about living in Africa and the daily struggles that brings.

And those are just a few examples. Yet I continue to complain at times. God has blessed me in so many ways. I have never seen anyone be killed, I have never been abused, I have never been 'hungry', I have never had to worry about money or where I was going to sleep at night. I have a WONDERFUL life.

Yet... I am distracted in this world of "comfort" and "easy". In Kate's Kisses the author talks about how going through all the trials without any 'comforts' caused her to fall on her knees before the Lord. It MADE her depend on Him. In this world where I have a 'wonderful' life I am never MADE to fall down. I am never without help from a worldly thing.

So yes I am blessed, yet at times I see those 6 year old children in Uganda as more blessed than me. They understand what it means to fully drop before the Lord and praise Him for ALL that He is since they have nothing else in their lives.

Burlap Wall Hanging

2011-10-17T18:10:00.001-05:00

Burlap Wall Hanging
(just inspired)

I was going to do another craft from Pinterest which required a frame so I bought a cheap one from good will. I ended up getting inspired in another way and that original craft never happened. Maybe another day. But here is what came out instead!

Bought a cheap frame, felt, burlap, and wooden letters to spell whatever I wished, in this case...Family.

Painted the letters red (to match the felt) and the frame brown.

Lined the backing of the frame with burlap.
(I had never thought of burlap before as an option for decorating but am starting to love it more lately... and it's decently cheap!)

Made some more felt roses which you can see a tutorial on my previous post.

Hot glued everything on! DONE!

Twine Letters

2011-10-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

Twine Letters

(inspired by Pinterest)

This craft was a bit time consuming but ended up really cute! I am very excited about it.

I started by outlining the letter with twine.

Then I wrapped the letter completely, hot gluing the twine on the back as I went.
It was kind of hard determining which was the twine should go and how to get it there.

The finished wrapped up letter.

Next... felt roses. Here's a quick tutorial.

Cut a 'wiggly' circle like below.
(I had started the next step when I took this picture)

Cut around the edge going towards the center so it becomes one long 'snake'.
Leave the end as a little circle. (See below)

Start rolling up the fabric starting at the end you started cutting.
You can change the look of the flower depending on how tightly you roll it.
Hot glue the bottom of the flower to hold it all in place.
Take the circle piece at the end and glue it to the bottom to make a finished look.

I made 2 flowers for this. The size of the flowers depends on the size of the original circle.

Then I cut a strip of the fleece and glued it on the back. SIMPLE!

FINISHED PRODUCT:

Reusable Makeup Removers

2011-10-12T15:30:00.002-05:00

Reusable Makeup Removers

(inspired by LisaGrace Alsbury)

-----------------------------------------------------
Craft #3-- If you didn't see the other two crafts I've posted look below. There's one more to come as well...
-----------------------------------------------------
I go through around 1 tube of cotton rounds a month. They are about $2.00 a tube ($24.00 a year) and I just throw them away... not a way to save the planet!

So I saw this on another blog and decided to try it out! Nothing crazy and they aren't well made (because I made them so fast) but they will work.

Bought a 1/4 yard of FLANNEL.
Sewed right sides together into a long strip.

Turned it right side out.
Cut into small squares.

Did a quick seam down each side of the square and viola!

A completed square (don't judge me by the horrible side seams/cuts... I am a bit embarrassed by them)

I am simply putting them in a 'delicates' bag when I wash them. Hopefully these work.

Total cost: $0.68 for 30 pieces
Saved: $23.32 and a bit of the world :)

Easy Canvas Design

2011-10-09T23:21:00.005-05:00

Canvas Design

(inspired by Pinterest)

I simply put drywall mud into a plastic bag, snipped the end off and squeezed it onto the canvas. Then once it dried I painted it all.

I did draw out the design before so I knew where to put the mud. It was also hard getting the mud to come out evenly so I may experiment with new types of pastes or something. The people I got the idea from said elmer's glue but I tried this and it did not work out.

The Reliability of the Bible

2011-10-05T22:57:00.006-05:00

Steve Riggs, a doctor in the Cedar Falls area came and talked at Navigators the other night. He spoke about the reliability of the Bible and how we can trust that what we have today is what was originally written in the Bible. Here are a few things he stated.

Do Christians REALLY believe the Bible is the Word of God?

82% said "God helps those who help themselves" is the most widely quoted verse in America (NOT EVEN A VERSE)

42% of the congregation read the Bible less than 5 minutes a day

58% could not name more than 5 of the 10 commandments.

63% could not Name the Four Gospels.

DEUTERONOMY 32:47- "They are not just idle words for you- they are your life."

New Testament Manuscript Evidence

I hope you can read this... Ultimately the Bible has less time between when it was written and the earliest copy we have than plenty of other books we call 'fact' or study intensely. It also has thousands more copies than any of the other books on the list.

These copies are 98.33-99.5% pure and without doubt as to textual accuracy.

Because of the small amount of years between the original writing the date of the copy we have today, there is no time for a legend to have occurred.

Old Testament Manuscript Evidence

The Old Testament was completed around 400 BC and we have copies dating from 100-200 BC. (Dead Sea Scrolls). All of the copies of the Old Testament are 95% accurate in comparison to each other. The other 5% of variate are basically made up of obvious slips of the pen and variations of spelling.

We have a LIVING GOD who spoke these words into being... and we have a RELIABLE source from which we can learn about this Incredible God!

Thoughts (and a little extra fun)

2011-09-28T16:02:00.002-05:00

Ok so I have always said that I am not very good at expressing my thoughts in words, but today I started thinking as I "read another blog/tried to comment on it in a meaningful way" about why I say this. It is something I don't like about myself and I have always wished that I could be 'better' at it.

So... why don't I work at changing this? Why don't I 'study' other people and how they 'express their thoughts through words' and learn from them?

Why do I just go to saying that I'm not good at it? I think ultimately this is because I don't want to be seen as 'awkward' when I speak or because I just down right compare myself to others. Who cares if this person can express their feelings in a more fluid and clear way... I can't (as of now) and so I'm just going to stumble through my thoughts and work at it.

Another thing... Why do I say that I'm 'shy' or 'quiet'? Yes I am, but ultimately I have been voted one of the loudest people in my family... and that means I'm loud...NOT SHY or QUIET. So why do I hide behind this? It simply hinders me from stepping out, getting to know people, having meaningful relationships, and on top of it all... SHARING THE GOSPEL.

So... I'm gonna work at it. That's it.

And just because it's fall....

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Ingredients

2 packages (14-1/2 ounces each) gingerbread cake mix

1 package (4.6 ounces) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix

3 cups 2% milk

1 can (29 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, dividedPumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe 40 Directions

Prepare and bake gingerbread according to package directions, using two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cool completely on wire racks.

Meanwhile, for pudding, in a large saucepan, combine pudding mix and milk; stir until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. Combine pumpkin and brown sugar; stir into pudding.

In a 4-qt. glass serving bowl, crumble one gingerbread cake; gently press down. Top with half of pudding mixture and whipped topping. Repeat layers. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Yield: 25 servings (1 cup each).

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Crafts...

2011-09-22T23:09:00.004-05:00

I have been doing some fun crafts lately to take up my time. Here are 2 of them.

Craft #1- Wall decoration.


Made out of 3 pre-finished shelves from Lowes. I simply added picture hangers on the backs. Total cost: $16.00.

Craft #2- This is inspired by Pinterest! It's a key holder.

The supplies.

Painting the frame and the "F" (sorry it's sideways)

Adding the paper.

I just used elmers to glue the "F" on.

Without the hooks

Hooks added.

Finished product. Total cost: $8.00

Easy-smeasy. I have another craft that I'll blog about soon too. I am getting hooked on Pinterest and loving all the fun craft ideas!

I want to learn how to...

2011-09-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

...use knives properly.

...decorate cakes.

...dance well.

...take pictures.

These are the four ares where I want to improve. I would love to take classes in all of these areas. I am not someone who loves taking 'classes' normally but I have been thinking about these areas a lot. So if you have any ideas about how/where to start let me know!

I think I may start by taking a cake decorating class next semester (since this semester is crazy) at Hobby Lobby or HyVee. That's as far as I've gotten!

What do you want to learn how to do?

The Unlikely Shmo

2011-08-31T09:44:00.003-05:00

The Unlikely Shmo is someone like you and me.
Someone who is average. Someone like...

Gideon
David
Mary
Peter
Esther
Rahab
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Paul
Joseph
...

But all these people have something in common...
BOLD FAITH.

God called each one of them to TRUST HIS STRENGTH rather than their own and 'go for it.'

Gideon tore down his dad's altar to Baal and fought a huge army with only 300 men.
Esther went before Xerxes with the possibility of dying to save her people.
Moses went to his brother and requested for the Israelites to be set free.
Peter was unschooled but had the courage to preach God's word to all.

In every situation these people were blessed and rewarded for stepping out in BOLD FAITH.

Why?

God's Miraculous Power

so...

The Unlikely Shmo + Bold Faith =
God's Power

That is what we are called to do as Christ followers.

So what if we don't...What's the opposite???

"I'm the man" ideology + Self-Reliance =
God's opposition

I think I choose the first!!!

(from Mark Arant's sermon on 8/28/11)

Room Remodel #1

2011-08-28T15:05:00.004-05:00

So I have been working on getting our space all put together in our new place. Nothing too major just painting the walls and putting stuff up. Here are before and after pictures of our bedroom. I've been working on the bathroom slowly as well but still have to paint and do a few other things.

BEFORE PICTURES

View #1- Before

View #2- Before

View #3- Before/During :)

AFTER PICTURES

View #1- After

View #2- After

View #3- After

And the closet...

More to come...

White Coat Ceremony

2011-08-21T15:43:00.005-05:00

Matt was OFFICIALLY inducted into Pharmacy School on Saturday with his White Coat Ceremony. There was a wonderful program and fun little desserts afterwards. After the program, Matt's family and my family went back to our house and had lunch/hung out. It was great! What a wonderful day.

Matt... I am so proud of you. You have worked so hard and I know you are going to do great these next four years! Way to go!!!

Matt getting his coat. (Sorry it's such bad quality)

Me and my future pharmacist!

Brian attempting to pick Matt up... didn't quite work... but thanks Rachel and Brian for coming!

Matt's parents; Tom and Yvonne

The two girls Matt studied with all through undergrad. They had all the same classes. They are now attending DMU and have their white coat ceremony next weekend. They are a great support group for Matt.

Life update...

2011-08-18T07:32:00.004-05:00

Here's a quick update of my current life... all about to change.

-Married and LIVING WITH Matt.
(we are going to start living in 2 places on Monday)

-Living in the basement of Mike and Lianne's house.
(moving into the basement of Angela and Josh Evans on Monday)

-Been re-doing our room and bathroom.
(Painting, hanging pictures, etc... pictures coming when it's all done)

-Working at Chick-fil-A full time.
(I will only work Fridays and Saturdays starting next week)

-Enjoying the freedom of summer.
(School starts Monday)

-Went to Wisconsin with Matt, Nicole and Chris to see our cousins a few weekends ago.

-Had 3 weddings this summer and a few more to go this fall.

-Matt has been working full time for the Iowa Athletic Department.
(Starting today he is IN PHARMACY SCHOOL and only working a few hours a week)

-Transitioning nicely to the Iowa City area.
(Still working on getting acquainted with everything... only to now move back to Cedar Falls)

-Finished Summer School... I took 10 credits this summer.
(And school starts again after a 3 week break)

-Have almost gotten used to writing my name as 'Amy Farley'
(I can't change my name at UNI due to some complications so I may have to go back to writing it the old way.)

So that's a quick update... nothing too exciting but life is great and I love it!

Barefoot Cupcakes

2011-08-02T22:53:00.003-05:00

Tonight I had a craving to make some cupcakes... although I had lots of other things to do I followed my craving and I am very glad I did. Here's the product...

Coconut Cupcakes
From the Kitchen of Ina Garten
(Barefoot Contessa, 1999)

Ingredients

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 T white vinegar mixed with 1 cup (minus 1 T) milk)
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting: (I made half of this and had leftovers)

1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

OH SOOO GOOD!!! You gotta love you some Barefoot Contessa.

Basement Dwellers

2011-07-29T10:19:00.003-05:00

We are currently in the middle of moving out of our apartment. We have lived here for 2 months and have enjoyed it a lot, however in order to save money we are joining Nicole, Chris, Rachel and Brian Farley in the...

Basement Dwellers Club!

We are moving in with Mike and Lianne Farley.

I think we should make shirts for all the Farleys. Ours can say Basement Dwellers Club Members and Mike and Lianne can be the presidents or something. :)

Mike and Lianne just bought a BEAUTIFUL house in North Liberty and we are very excited to join them.

Here's a few reasons:

Get to know them better.
Play with Ben... their ADORABLE 1 year old.
Get to welcome he/she baby 2 in January with them.
Have LOTS of Foosball tournaments.
Have very close community with them.
Be encouraged daily by their strong faiths.
Make wonderful desserts with Lianne... because she rocks at them!
Learn from their marriage.
Have a walk-in closet and reading nook in our room.
Save money from entering into our debt-load.

Thanks for letting us move in Mike and Lianne... you guys are the BEST!

(a few pictures from our current apartment... new pictures to come.)

Joshua 9

2011-07-11T21:31:00.003-05:00

We went to church on Sunday at Veritas here in Coralville and I loved the sermon. We went last week as well and really enjoyed the sermon. You can read about it here on my sister-in-laws blog. But this week it was on Joshua 9. The series they are doing right now is called Narratives and is all about

MODERN TRUTH IN ANCIENT STORIES.

The story is about the Gibeons and how they came to Joshua and tricked him into making an alliance with them, which God warned against in Deuteronomy 20. There were 3 observations made and I loved them

OBSERVATION #1:
You can come close to God without ever really coming to Him.

-Faith is the receiving of what another has done for you. Many "receive" Christ without any change in their lives... "receiving" Him as their forgiver (so they are guilt free), protector (for their own benefit), etc... rather than as a benefit to Him.

OBSERVATION #2:
Receiving God is receiving Him as supremely valuable.

-v.14- The Israelites didn't do this as opposed to Rahab (another OT story) who saw God as more valuable than ANYTHING else. We must do the same and put Him above all else, even ourselves and our desires.

OBSERVATION #3:
You don't ever get strong enough to move on from Christ.

-v. 14- The Israelites didn't seek God's counsel and therefore made a covenant with the Gibeons which eventually hurt them drastically and turned them away from Christ. Christ is all-sufficient, but we quickly get distracted. These distractions can even be our Christian "badges" (going to church, underlining in our Bibles, having thick journals, etc.).

REALITY: WE ARE CONSTANTLY SINNING!

Do you see God as supremely valuable and central to your life?

A Lovely Day

2011-07-06T18:37:00.004-05:00

Changing it up... ALREADY.

2011-06-24T12:13:00.003-05:00

Pier 1, although it seemed like it was going to be a great job, ended up not matching our financial needs. SOOO... off I went again looking for a different job. So before I even started at Pier 1, I quit. Today I will be starting at............

Yes... Chick-fil-a. This may not be the 'ideal' job for most people (a "fast food" restaurant) but I am very excited for it! Here are a few reasons:

1. My brother works for Chick-fil-a at the Atlanta headquarters.
2. They are a Christian company and desire to Glorify God in all they do.
3. They give away food like it's nobody's business. (Each month a group of youth pastors from the area come in and Chick-fil-a gives them free food and a place to meet just so they can socialize and grow together in Christ.)
4. My boss seems AMAZING!
5. People are SOOO friendly.
6. I loved working at McDonald's (as weird as that is) so I'm excited for this as well.
7. It is a humbling experience.
8. It's a great opportunity to get to know and bless my coworkers.
9. It's a way to impact the community.
10. They are not open on Sundays.
11. They have the BEST shakes and WONDERFUL chicken!

Greek Pasta Salad

2011-06-21T11:16:00.004-05:00

My sister and I want to become very 'well-versed' in our cooking skills/knowledge, so we have decided to have a theme (a specific herb, fresh, specific meat) every few months or so that we focus on and try to become better at.

So for this summer we are trying to focus on FRESH SALADS/FOODS.

The only week I made this salad and it was AMAZING!

Greek Pasta Salad:

12 oz penne (4 cups uncooked)
2 c. cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced
4 green onions, sliced
1/3 c kalamata olives, halved (if you wish)
1/2 olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp fresh basil (2 tsp. dried)
2 Tbsp fresh oregano (2 tsp. dried)
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

(I also added Cilantro which made it quite good... Cilantro makes everything better though)

HOW TO:

Cook pasta

Drain and rinse with cold water.

Combine vegetables in a large bowl.

Combine with pasta.

DRESSING:
Combine everything else but feta. Shake/Mix well.

Drizzle dressing over pasta mixture and toss to coat.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Top with Feta.

THAT' IT!!! I only made a half-batch and it could have served 6-ish people.

I served it with bread and olive oil.

ANY OTHER IDEAS FOR FRESH FOODS/SALADS?!?

Green Smoothies!

2011-06-18T14:05:00.002-05:00

I tried my first green smoothie today and although the color isn't the most appetizing... it tasted quite good. My sister Nicole started my family on these things. Here's her blog post about it! My parents now have them daily and my dad has been feeling incredibly better. Even Matt enjoyed it today. Today I used:

1 cup water in blender (get it spinning)
2 handfuls of spinach (put into blender)
1 banana (chopped)
1 peach (chopped)
ice (just enough to make it cold)

All a green smoothie needs is some sort of greens and fruit.

Try it!! Here are a few recipes I found online for other combinations.

2-3 cups any greens of your choice, 2 cups papaya, 2 oranges, 3 dates
1 handful lettuce leaves, 1 handful mint, 4 bananas, 1/2 cup water
Winter Smoothie - 1 cup organic frozen berries (any kind), 2 cups fresh spinach, 1/4 inch fresh ginger, water
Spring Smoothie - fresh orange juice, ripe bananas, frozen mangoes, and several large leaves of kale (extra frozen mango gives lovely thick consistency you eat with a spoon)
1/2 bunch romaine lettuce, 1 cup strawberries, 2 bananas, water
4-5 kale leaves, 4 apples, 1/2 lemon juiced, water
2 big handfuls mixed baby greens, 2 pears, 2 mangoes, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Choc-mint – 2 cups spinach, 10-12 mint leaves, 3 bananas, 2 Tbs. carob powder, 1 cup water
1 handful of spinach, 2 stalks of celery, 2 bananas, 2 pears, 1 apple, 1 cup water
1 small handful of spinach, 2 cups arugula, 2-3 mangoes, 1 cup water
1/2 head romaine lettuce, 1 small pineapple, 1 large mango, 1-inch fresh ginger
1 handful wild greens (e.g. dandelion), 1 small handful mint leaves, 3 cups honeydew melon
3-4 stalks celery, 2 ripe persimmons, 1 banana
1 handful chard leaves, 5-6 kale leaves, 3 large bananas, 1 cup water
1 handful parsley, 3 cups of peeled papaya

Plumpynut

2011-06-16T11:49:00.001-05:00

This video was put up in 2008 and I think it has had AMAZING results. Plumpynut is an invention made of peanut butter and some other things. It has been helping with malnutrition in the world. It really made me excited! Watch it! Also I researched a little bit about it and found that there are people all over who are raising money for it. For example a guy just ran the Boston Marathon in April, raised a bunch of money and was able to save 350 lives. Now... I would run a marathon for that! Let me know what you think about this or if you find anything else interesting about it!

Welcome to our Home!

2011-06-02T15:45:00.007-05:00

Matt and I are officially married and settled in our new apartment. Here's a small recap of the last few weeks and pictures of our fully moved in home.

THE WEDDING

We are so blessed by so many people who were involved in this day. It was beautiful and I couldn't have imagined it any better. Thanks to everyone who helped, came, etc. You are AMAZING!

THE HONEYMOON

We went to North Carolina and had a WONDERFUL time. We relaxed, went to a movie, jet-skied, laid on the beach, took a day trip to Myrtle Beach, and caught a turtle and crab in our pool. We didn't take many pictures... a lot of video though. But here are a few.

THE HOME

We got home on Saturday, went to two weddings on Saturday, and had the present opening on Sunday. It was great to see everyone and get to spend some sweet time with our families on Sunday. This week Matt has been working and I've been dong 'wifely duties' like sewing, decorating, cooking, etc. Here's our house in the 'DONE' condition!

PILLOWS- these were my short sewing project this week. I didn't think ahead when I started making them and ended up struggling a bit but they turned out pretty well.

THE JOB
I also got hired today to work at Pier 1 Imports. I start sometime next week. Pretty exciting!

4-3-2-1

2011-05-17T00:42:00.000-05:00

I can't believe the wedding is only 4 days away. I am very excited. Overall I am pretty stress free and relaxed. This week is hopefully just going to be full of fun. Tuesday Matt and I are finishing moving in to our apartment. Wednesday is the final planning day. Thursday is reception decorating and bachelorette party. And Friday is church decorating and the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner.

SATURDAY= WEDDING!!!!

A House Update

2011-05-11T22:28:00.000-05:00

Well things are going SOOO fast right now in the house. I could basically post another post next week and it would look like a completely different house. Here's some photos from a few days ago.

New things- TRIM around doors and windows, BATHROOMS, DOORS, and FLOORING

2-1

2011-05-08T23:55:00.001-05:00

This is a bit late but o well... On April 26th I turned 21! It was a wonderful day and I felt so blessed!

EVENT 1- One of my really good friends Kate turned 21 the day before me so at Midnight we went out with our significant others and had a drink. We didn't know what to get so we just asked the bartender to make us two of the best drinks he had. He did... but they were HORRIBLE!!! I had been sick the entire day leading up to this and the taste of those drinks did not settle so well in my stomach. I ended up running to the MEN'S bathroom (it was the only one I could find) and throwing up. GREAT START! We then left and went to bed.

EVENT 2- My wonderful fiance woke me up with balloons, streamers, and breakfast in bed. He was so sweet!!


Pancakes in the shape of your age is my family's birthday tradition... Matt was so sweet and made me a 21!

Isn't he handsome?!?

EVENT 3- Matthew came up for the day. It was SOOO fun to have him around and get to celebrate with him. He brought me a hyacinth which is BEAUTIFUL! We tried to do some recording but it failed... but it was fun trying.

EVENT 4- Nav Night- We had senior night at Navs and Matt talked a bit. He did a great job! I also managed to lose my voice almost entirely.

EVENT 5- OLD CHICAGO! Matt tried to make a big surprise party for me... but I kinda ruined it for him by inviting people to my own surprise party... but there were so many people there that I wasn't expecting and it was WONDERFUL!

Sex with an alligator...this was a SHOT... Or at least I was supposed to take it like one. I tried my hardest but managed to spill it all over.

Eric, Sam, and Evan

Emily and Matthew

Matt and me... And David in the background. :)

And Jenscie came too!!

It was a great birthday despite the throwing up and losing my voice. Matt did a wonderful job along with everyone else who helped make me feel SOO loved and blessed!

Almost there...

2011-04-28T21:55:00.000-05:00

I only have 1 more class this semester. Then off to finals week. This semester I have 3 finals, 2 playing/singing exams, 1 oral exam, and 1 huge project. I am officially done at 3:49 on Thursday!!

Then on Saturday Matt GRADUATES!!! WOOHOO!

Then 2 weeks.... AHHH!

Then a WONDERFUL week with NO TO-DO LIST at a beautiful beach house!!!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

2011-04-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, April 20th, I got out of class at 11:50 and saw that I had 3 or 4 missed calls from Matt along with a few texts. When I called him back he asked:

"Amy, How do you feel about being married to a pharmacist?"

Matt was officially accepted into the University of Iowa's School of Pharmacy for this fall. This is extremely exciting since he has been going back and forth between applying and waiting and taking tests and waiting for the past 2 years. I am so proud of him and know that he will make a wonderful pharmacist!

Also... Matt received 2 job offers today in Coralville/Iowa City. He isn't sure which one he will take yet but it's exciting to have some more concrete provision from the Lord.

And... we signed a lease for our apartment for this summer. It is in Coralville behind the mall and very close to both of Matt's job offers and where I have been applying for jobs. Here's a few pictures of what it looks like right now with the current tenant living in it.

One of the two bedrooms.

Bathroom (right next to the 2 bedrooms)

Kitchen which connects to the next picture

Little "Dining Room" which leads into the living room

Living Room... you can see the bedrooms to the left and kitchen to the right.

Other side of the living room!

We are moving in May 15th and are very excited! I'll post other pictures once we are in and settled!!!

Housing. A whirlwind...

2011-04-18T20:38:00.001-05:00

Well... I thought that deciding where Matt and I would first call 'home' would be fun and exciting... but it has been a roller coaster instead! Although we still do not know whether he has gotten into Pharmacy school yet, we are making plans to live in Iowa City... hopefully these plans do not need to change yet another time.

First discussion: Find a quaint little apartment to rent for the next few years during school.
Second discussion: Move in with Mike and Lianne (Matt's brother and sister-in-law) right after the honeymoon.
Third discussion: (Since Mike and Lianne weren't going to move in to their new house till Oct) Sublease an apt till October. (This was VERY difficult to find.)
Fourth discussion: WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY. So we should live on the streets. :)
Fifth discussion: (Mike and Lianne are now moving in June 10th) Get an extended stay hotel for 2 weeks and move in when Mike and Lianne do.
Sixth discussion: Sublease a duplex in Coralville for June and July then move in with Mike and Lianne August 1st. DECISION MADE!!!

EXCEPT: the duplex fell through... NOW WHAT?!?

Seventh discussion: We are tired of thinking... let's just take whatever is open to sublet and do it. SOOO...

FINAL HOUSING PLANS (as of now):
May 14th: Move into Green Meadow Court Apartments. Live here until July 31st.
August 1st: Move into Mike and Lianne's BEAUTIFUL new house!

And now we just have to agree on how much shopping Amy is allowed to do on craigslist!

My Big Sister...

2011-03-31T16:19:00.002-05:00

Today is a wonderful day because today is my big sister's 27th birthday!


Nicole and me in Ireland

My sister is a huge blessing in my life. She has always been someone that I look up to and love incredibly! She is one of the biggest supports in my life and is always there for me. She is so selfless and has such a heart for others. Her faith is so encouraging and everything that she does comes from a desire to spread and glorify the name of Jesus. She is a wonderful wife and has taught me so much through watching her relationship with Chris. She has huge dreams and doesn't let the world say that she can't accomplish them but rather puts all that she has into them. She has the most beautiful voice and is the world's BEST music teacher! (I hope to someday be one-fourth as good as her.) She is one of the only people that I can go from having a long heart-to-heart talk with to immediately rolling on the floor in laughter. She loves traveling and studying different cultures. She's just the best!

Nicole and me in India

Near the top of a Himalayan mountain.

Just being silly!

Nicole, I love you so much! Thanks for being the world's best sister and friend! You Rock! Happy Birthday!

Those American Kids...

2011-03-27T18:32:00.001-05:00

Tonight Matt and I were talking in our car, while waiting for me to go to work and a school bus drove by us. One of the students threw an empty HoHo's box out of the window as it passed. Matt and I were shocked! :) When it was time to go to work, we got out and Matt grabbed the box. His response was priceless!

"This is a perfect representation of American Kids today...

Fat and Lazy!"

NYC

2011-03-22T23:50:00.000-05:00

Spring Break started wonderfully this year with 5 days at home with my family. We worked on the house, did wedding things, the girls got manicures, and so many more things!! I love my family and it was so fun to be home with all of them again! They are such a blessing in my life. But then the travel started...

WEDNESDAY

-Left home around 3:00 and went back up to UNI.
-Had a choir rehearsal at 6:00 and KWWL Cameras were there.
-Did some last minute homework.
-Went to Old Chicago with a bunch of choir people and watched our choir on KWWL Nightly News.
-Went home and packed for New York City!!!

THURSDAY

-Woke up bright and early at 5:30 and left at 6:20.
-Rode a bus with the rest of the UNI choir members to Chicago… 5 hour ride.
-Got to the airport and found our gate without any hassel.
-Had a VERY bumpy airplane ride to Newark, NJ… 1.5 hours.
-Drove to our hotel in a SWEET bus with leather seats… what was supposed to be a 30 minute drive but took an hour and 30 minutes.

The toll payment was $8... we aren't in Iowa anymore.

-Toured Town Square…
-Dinner at Rosie O’Grady’s Irish Restaurant and Pub… it was St. Patrick’s Day as well.
-Checked out a bunch of local stores and took LOTS of pictures.

At the M&M store... those are all M&M's behind us.

In Time Square

It was St. Patrick's Day.

-Hung out in our room, had a dance party, and had lots of laughs.

FRIDAY

-Woke up and got ready by 7:30.
-Went to NBC’s Today Show

We had to ride the Subway.

-Took the Subway to Ground Zero
     -Saw ground zero and the construction happening.
     -Went to St. Paul’s Church and sang “Lux Aurumque” Erik Whitacre
     -Looked at all of the memorials for 9/11 and the plan for the memorial site in progress.

-Had a 4 hour rehearsal for our concert.
-Went to Central Park and played Frisbee and walked around.

-Walked to the Top of the Rockefeller Center. IT WAS AMAZING!!!

The Empire State Building

-Went to Carnegie Deli and had $10 cheesecake. It was so worth it though!

-Saw our picture up on Carnegie Hall.

SATURDAY

-Had choir practice from 9:00-1:00
-Went to Chinatown from 1-3.
-We thought this would be a quick and easy trip with just a few people but instead it turned into almost the entire choir going. This made things much slower.

About half of the group that went to Chinatown... at the Subway

-We ate at a little chinese restaurant and went shopping on the streets. I almost felt like I was in India again and I was having so much fun.

We bought new hats!

-But then we realized that we only had 30 minutes to get back to the hotel so we RAN to the Subway, rode it to our stop, SPRINTED to rehearsal and got there 1 minute late.

Had some time to sleep on the subway.

-Another group of students that went to Chinatown however had a harder time getting back and were 30 minutes late. WOOPS!
-Had another choir practice from 3:30-5:00
-Went back to Central Park and walked around the lake… it was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Ashley, Lauren, Me, and Kate... ROOMIES!!!

-Got ready for Lion King and walked down to the Minscoff Theatre! The musical was SOO good! I loved it!
-Walked around Time Square and went to the World’s Largest Olive Garden! (Did you know that Waterloo has the world’s smallest Olive Garden… funny huh?!?)

At Olive Garden.

SUNDAY

-Had a sound check in CARNEGIE HALL from 9:30-11:45
-Ate lunch, got ready for the concert and went back over to Carnegie Hall.

-Had the concert which went REALLY well. Carnegie Hall is breath taking and had the best acoustics. It was really fun to sing in there.
-Got all fancy for our dinner cruise.
-Went on the dinner cruise, which was a HUGE cruise ship with a buffet, dessert, tour of the city (including the Statue of Liberty), and a dance.
-This was probably the best part of the trip. It was great to get to know people better and have so much fun dancing around with them!

The cruise started at Sunset!

Me and Jeremiah

The Entertainment by the waiters.

Part of our table with the skyline in the background.

IT WAS BREATHTAKING!

LADY LIBERTY!!!

-Came back to the hotel and then went out and walked around Time Square again.
-Went back to Carnegie Deli and had some more Cheesecake. It may take me 4 weeks to recuperate from this cheesecake but so worth it!

MONDAY

-Got up early, left for the airport, and flew to Chicago.
-Rode the bus for 5 hours back to UNI.
-Matt met me at the bus… it was amazing to see him!!!

This trip was amazing and it was so much fun to hang out with everyone. I am so proud of our choir and am really excited to see how this trip will help us as a group. This was such a wonderful experience!!! LOVED IT!

So close!

2011-02-27T23:16:00.001-06:00

I am starting to realize how close the wedding is now. It is 82 days away. That's not very long at all. Lately I've been going through a really impatient phase, but I think that I'm heading into a very content time which I'm excited about. But here's a peak into my reasons for being impatient (and a few reasons why I'm very happy to wait).

I am really excited to be married and to start Matt and my life together. I am really excited to get to spend a week in North Carolina with him on the beach. I am excited to get to have our own little home and make meals for him. I am excited to not have to say good-bye at night. I am excited to see how the Lord is going to use us together for His name. I am excited to be Mrs. Farley. I am excited to get to see him for more than 20 minutes every day. I am excited to invite people over to OUR house to hang out. I am excited to start actively working in our ministry as a unified couple. I am excited to get all my new kitchen stuff. I am excited to get to become even better friends with my already best friend. I am excited to not have to drop him off at his dorm room at night and then make a cold drive and trek back to my room. I am excited to be settled. I am excited to get to know all the itty-bitty details about each other...which I'm sure will drive us crazy but will still be fun to find out. I'm excited to gain a whole other family...officially. I am excited to be Matt Farley's wife!

I am not excited to pay bills. I am not excited to have to deal with insurance. I am not excited to have to live apart (most likely for 3 days/week for a semester). I am not excited to have to share my box of 'choice junk food' (may it be gushers, oreos, fruit roll ups, etc) and return to the cupboard with them half gone. I am not excited to make that original shopping trip to the grocery store to buy all the staples (flour, sugar, spices, ketchup, etc) and have the bill be WAY TOO MUCH! I am not excited for the laundry load to go up by 1.5 (seriously Matt has 1.5x more dirty clothes than I do).

Woo... let's do this thang!

A Fable about Fire

2011-02-18T11:29:00.000-06:00

A Fable about Fire

by Leonardo da Vinci (from Prophecies)

The stone, feeling itself struck by flint, was astonished and said in a stern voice, "How can you be so presumptuous as to trouble me? Stop upsetting me. You have given me a blow as though in revenge, and yet I have never annoyed anyone." To this the flint replied, "If you will be patient, you wil see a marvelous result." The stone calmed down and bore its sufferings with patience and fortitude, and saw itself give birth to a marvelous fire that was so powerful that it was useful for many things.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Lately the idea of suffering has been prominent in both my personal devotions and in sermons. This semester my bible study is going through 1 Peter which is a book written by Jesus' disciple Peter to a large group of people who are suffering under the rule of the Roman empire. Thus the main idea of the book is about how to deal with suffering in light of Christ.

This last week at Navigators the speaker talked about what true suffering is and how it isn't just a big test or feeling lonely for a day, but TRUE suffering is things like losing a loved one or being persecuted or etc. BIG THINGS! He also talked about how through suffering we must still continue to love and this is how the name of Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 2:12 says "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." How we react to these sufferings is the main thing. We must react in love so that others may see our good deeds and that there is something different within us than others.

Suffering, although horrible in the eyes of the world, is most of the time for the benefit of something or someone. So as we look at history and all of the suffering that has occurred, can we not learn and benefit from the mistakes made by others, even if the benefit was not felt or experienced by them? As a follower of Jesus Christ I also take from Christ’s example and can see how His tremendous suffering on the cross was an immense benefit for all of our sakes. Suffering is not something to be scared about but rather to face with confidence and perseverance for in the end, there will be good.

"Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." James 1: 2-4

Good morning...

2011-02-09T13:43:00.002-06:00

Recently I have started eating a fruit parfait every morning (well almost every morning). I love them. They are SOO easy and very good.

I buy frozen fruit (right now I have peaches and raspberries) and just stick them in the microwave for a minute.

And then comes the vanilla yogurt!

And finally the granola!

And this granola... it's WONDERFUL... here's the recipe! ENJOY!!!

GRANOLA

Preheat the oven to 250.

Combine:

-2 cups whole wheat flour

-6 cups rolled oats

-1 cup coconut

-1 cup wheat germ

In another bowl blend:

-1/2 c water

-1 c oil

-1 c honey/corn syrup

-2 tsp vanilla

-1 T salt

Mix 2 bowls together. Spread on greased cookie sheets.

Bake for 1 hour, taking it out often to stir and break up the pieces.

Bake until dry and golden.

HAVE FUN!!!!

The Cutting Edge

2011-02-06T08:44:00.000-06:00

Last weekend my family had Christmas. It was SO much fun and great to all be together again. It was the first Christmas that Matt was involved in as well which made it even more fun! Matthew was also home for the first time since June!!! It was so fun to see him.

On Saturday night Cindy Shearer came over and we had a gift exchange with her. She gave Matt and I a sweet name called "Curses" which we played that night and just laughed our heads off. It's such a fun game.

Saturday morning, Santa came and gave me a SWEET present... and here it is:
(This is partly for the benefit of Rachel Farley!)


KNIVES!!!

I think I'll have to get tutored because i don't know exactly what each knife is meant for.

But I do know how to use the sharpener and scissors!!!

And lots of paring knives... why do we need so many?

Steak knives- We have 6 of these!

THANKS SANTA (a.k.a. MOM AND DAD!!!)

Who's really in control?

2011-01-31T15:46:00.000-06:00

I went through these verses last night with a girl that I meet with every week. I think they are just great reminders of how 'in control' of everything God is. How often do we forget that He is faithful, has our best interest in mind, and everything that is good and profitable for His glory will be done.

Matthew 6:27
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

My Current 'Covet'

2011-01-23T21:43:00.000-06:00

So I have been searching for teal shoes for my wedding for awhile and can't seem to find any in my price range, size, and without a GIANT heel. I have come across these shoes many times and covet them every single time I see them.

Too bad they're $126.00. Oh well. Have a splendid day!!

Performing?

2011-01-19T23:16:00.000-06:00

(Warning... no real flow to the thoughts below... I am just processing on paper which means no flow)

Now this may be a bit of a shock but I LOVE performing. I don't do it much but every time I think about it or see a big production I just want to be a part of it. Now this is not choir performances such as my choir concerts but MUSICALS, and OPERAS, and things that have a plot/characters/music/etc. I love being able to get out of my comfort shell when i have to be someone else. I love dancing around and being crazy.

I was the lead in 2 musicals in High School and had some other roles in our variety shows and I think that these are my best memories from high school. I also remember watching my sister in an opera here at UNI and wanting SOOOO bad to get to be in something like that someday.

But why haven't I? I know that you have to work your way to the top but when I get assigned a chorus role I just think of all the time that is going to be invested for "just a chorus role" and I think that my time can be better invested somewhere else. Plus what is my motive for wanting to perform? Is it Pride? Attention? Success? Enjoyment? Selfish Gain? Or for God's glory? Now honestly, it is probably for my own selfish desires but I want my heart to purely be desiring to bring God glory and to be a witness to those within the performance who don't know His saving grace and His abounding love and faithfulness.

But now what? Where do I go? I have dropped out of a few operas here at UNI because of time commitment, which gives me the name of 'unreliable' and how do I build this back up? I would LOVE to perform as a career but you can't make any money as a performer (at least at first) and I am going to be the 'monetary support' for Matt and I when he is still in school. And since my MAIN desire is to be a wife and mother who builds a household who loves and honors the Lord, is it even worth trying to pursue these things?

Also, because of my quiet personality, people don't see the passion for these things. So how to I convey it without being given a part first?

I just feel pulled in a million different directions and I don't know which way to go. Overall, I am very humbled tonight and can't decipher where the Lord is wanting me and how He desires me to use the passion for performing that He has given me.

Uhhhh... if only Broadway weren't so far away and didn't consume your entire life! And it were easier to get into.... I'd be there.

FREE...

2011-01-17T23:25:00.000-06:00

Airplane Tickets for our Honeymoon!

We booked our honeymoon flights tonight and we're blown away with God's goodness to us. Matt's mom had a bunch of built up airline miles from her work and graciously said that we could use them. We had checked the airline awhile ago but there weren't enough airline miles for us to get TWO airplane tickets. But tonight the 'black out dates" or whatever must have been different because we were able to book 2 flights and still have left over miles!!! God has just blown us away with His faithfulness and provision so far. He is so good to us!

First Week of Classes!

2011-01-13T16:18:00.002-06:00

Well, classes have started and my second semester of my junior year is underway. Oh Boy!!!

I am not one who loves school and I always seem to be in a weird "funk" for about the first week of every semester. But I think that this is going to be a pretty good semester!

I don't have class until 10 MWF and 11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I LOVE THIS! That allows me to get up at 8:00, work out, do devotions, eat breakfast, and get ready before I even have class. It is WONDERFUL! Me and my roommates are doing Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" work out video in the mornings. It's pretty sweet. It only takes 20 minutes but it SOOO good!

Classes have been pretty exciting. I think that I'll enjoy them for the most part. I really like my conducting class. Our professor is amazing and he does some really cool things. I'm excited.

I am still working at the computer labs on campus. 10 hours a week. This job is the best! I get paid to do my homework! It's sweet!

I am also involved in the Navigator ministry on campus. We meet as a group once a week and then I have a bible study through them as well. This semester we are going through 1 Peter. I'm pretty excited! I also disciple a girl and am being discipled by one of the Navigator staff women. It's great!

I am in a ton of music classes this semester and so I am around quite a few of my good friends from the music department. I actually have every class with this girl named Kate who is a really strong Christian and so encouraging. I am really excited for that!

Other than that, this semester should be filled with wedding prep! I got a ton done over break but still have quite a bit to do. I'll have a few showers this semester so that should be really fun!

So, although I don't enjoy school that much, I think that this will be a fun semester! Only 2 more after this!

I thought it only happened on Windex commercials.

2011-01-09T19:40:00.002-06:00

The other day I was going to put some food outside to keep it cold and guess what I found out side our back door?!?

Oh wait you can't quite see what it is? Let me zoom in...

Yep... a bird had ran into our back door and died. Matt had heard the 'thump' but didn't know what it was. In case you were wondering, the food I was about to put outside, didn't get there.

House Update!

2011-01-07T16:50:00.002-06:00

Just a bunch of pictures... they don't really need explaining so enjoy!!! It's coming along quite nicely!!

There will be pictures in the frames eventually.

All the kitchen cabinets are in and I think the counter tops are ordered.

Mom & Dad's room... painted wall

Papa's Bathroom tiling almost done!

2011 Goals

2011-01-02T17:09:00.000-06:00

Sitting here in Panera, I look across the table at my beautiful sister. As we sip on our Peppermint Hot Chocolates, we begin to talk about 2011 and our goals. But I have a problem. I am not a goal setter, in comparison to my 'go-getter' sister. So here is my small attempt at starting this proactive lifestyle.

1. Paint a giant picture for my sister's kitchen wall.
2. Cover my sister's ugly teal recliners.
3.

And I just started a to-do list... hmmm...

Goals: what does this even mearn?!?

Ok here we go...
1. Learn Guitar "Fluently"
2. Learn how to Drive a Stick Shift.
3. Get Married.
4. Complete my Senior Recital.

And I'm done... this is just not me at all. Too bad the last two goals are definitely going to happen and don't take much outside of normal life work. Oh well. Do you have any 2011 goals?

Now What?!?

2010-12-16T10:29:00.001-06:00

So what does a college girl do once she is COMPLETELY done with school?

Internet browse of course!

Check these sites out! ADORABLE!!!

Modcloth.com

My actual new wedding shoes!

GreenWeddingShoes.com

Well ok I haven't done a ton of internet browsing but a little bit! :) I LOVE THAT FIRST SITE. It makes me want to quit my major and go into clothing design. :)

Holiday Pie...

2010-12-08T18:29:00.000-06:00

What is your definition of a holiday pie?


This???

Or maybe you are more of a pumpkin person???

Or Apple???

Or maybe this one???

BUT NOT FOR ME...NONE OF THESE COME CLOSE.

My definition for a holiday pie is none other than the beautiful holiday pie from... (drum roll please)

Yes you heard me... McDonald's!

And here it is!

I did not take this picture by the way. It's kind of ugly but the best I could find.

This beautiful little joy is a toasted confetti cake, coated with darling sprinkles, filled with the warm and gooey goodness of pudding, and placed within a gorgeous red and yellow cardboard box! (And only 50 cents) This is about as close to heaven as you can get... at least from McDonald's!

Never tried them out?? Wait no longer. Get in your car and go get one right now! It will change your life!

The Secret Life of Amy.

2010-12-04T15:32:00.001-06:00

Some of you may know my 'secret' but some may not. It is not something that I necessarily tell a lot of people because it makes me look quite 'excessive' but just thought I'd get over that fact and blog about it. Because I love it!

I LABEL MY SHOES!

Not all my shoes. Just my high heels. I love being able to find them easily and have them in boxes so they don't get nicked up.

ALSO...

I ORGANIZE MY CLOSET BY STYLE AND COLORS (rainbow order)!

Again, I love being able to find things quickly. It helps SOOO much! (And I got this idea from my sister!)

But it's not only these things that are crazily organized in my life. I LOVE organization and basically go a bit extreme at times. I don't ever get annoyed when other people's things aren't organized though so no worries. I'm not judging your house when I come over! :)

WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS?!?

2.5 weeks left!

2010-11-29T19:45:00.000-06:00

And the end is in sight. I am almost done with my first semester of my junior year. CRAZY! But I am so ready for Christmas break! We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving break (a whole week) and got a ton done. And Thanksgiving was AWESOME! Check it out on my sister's blog.

But although I can see the end, there are plenty of things in the way of me really getting there and all I want to do is lay down and sleep until December 16th. But here's my list anyways!

Learning in Classroom Contexts presentation
Write a philosophy statement
Write music unit objectives for grades PK-6
Create 2 pretend report cards for a music classroom
Finish up my last 2 Personal Wellness Assignments
Personal Wellness Final
Read Dante's Inferno
Write a paper on Dante's Inferno
Take a quiz on Dante's Inferno
Finish my Teacher's Work Sample- bleh!
Write 3 pages of reflection on my 20 hours of classroom observation
1-2 page paper on my 5 hours of classroom observation with Nicole
Make a Tone Color Worksheet
Teach 1 more lesson in a HS choir classroom
Teach 1 more lesson in Conducting class
Conducting Final- this includes knowing 10 composers and their dates from each musical era. -GRRR!
Learning in Classroom Contexts final
Memorize 4 songs in foreign languages (and learn them as well-woops)
Learn 3 piano accompaniments for another singer's jury.
Humanities Final
Perform in Christmas Concert
Perform in Christmas Camraderie
Elementary Music Method's Final
PLAN MY FIANCEE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!
Play in Church 2 times
Go to UNI Glee Club Concert.

And that's it! WOO... So I may be absent for a few weeks! See you all back here on December 16th!!!

Old Pictures and DECORATIONS!!

2010-11-15T23:20:00.001-06:00

So although this post will also contain a few old pictures (Half Marathon and an apple picking adventure) the main reason for this post is CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!! My roommates and I are officially ready for Christmas. Although there aren't many, it definitely makes our apartment feel more cozy and warm. I am also a believer in not really decorating till after Thanksgiving, but since we only have 2 weeks after Thanksgiving and aren't here at all during the week of Thanksgiving, we decided to get some 'good quality time' with the decorations and put them up now! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

OK... so the pilgrim on the left is Jorge. He belongs to Aimee His turkey's name is Frank. Aimee's dad gave it to her a long time ago and so she brought it to school with her. Our roommate Becky LOVES Jorge. So one day, Aimee and I were shopping and found the pilgrim on the right. Aimee bought it for Becky and now Jorge has a friend. His name is D'Sean. His turkey's name is Rufus. The elephant in the middle was my grandma's. She used to put all of her rings on it when she was washing dishes and I loved it. So when she died, I took it and now all of us hang our rings on it when we do dishes. We named it Alfie. So they got all geared up for Christmas as well!

And here are a few old pictures from the Half Marathon and an apple picking day with Matt and my friends Abbey, Sky, Lauren, and Stephen! ENJOY!

HALF MARATHON!!!

WE MADE SWEET SHIRTS!!!

The whole group... Marie, Laura, Amy, Nicole, Aimee

Matt and Chris came to support us and were great sports even when we glared at them and complained.

WE FINISHED... Sisters stick together!!!

AND APPLE PICKING!

The boys...Stephen, Sky, and Matt.

The girls... Abbey (left) is one of my personal attendants and Lauren (middle) is one of my bridesmaids!!

Engagement Photos!

2010-11-11T20:41:00.000-06:00

This day was so much fun! Our friend Kate Cahill took these. She was AMAZING!!! ENJOY!!!!!! (Sorry that they run into the words on the side)

Exciting News in the Schedule Arena...

2010-11-09T15:37:00.000-06:00

So many of you might know that next fall, Matt and I will be living apart most likely. Since I will be finishing up my last semester of classes at UNI before student teaching and he will be starting his dentistry school adventure, we will be living in separate places during the week. We definitely aren't looking forward to this but have just been trusting God to take care of it, and He sure has.

I recently had to figure out my schedule for this next spring semester and so I just decided to make sure that I could finish in 4 years and that I had all the classes covered. When I did this I realized that next fall (if I take 18 credits this spring and 7 this summer) I will only have 14 credits left. And they are all education classes except for choir and voice lessons. This means that I will only have to be in Cedar Falls from 2:00 on Mondays till Thursday night. That's only 3 nights and 3 days at UNI and the rest at home with Matt! SO EXCITING!

I have also gotten a few ideas about where I will be living at UNI and have totally seen God's faithfulness come into play there as well! HE IS SO GOOD!!

Psalm 106:1 "Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

Goal Complete!

2010-10-24T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today, Nicole Farley, Marie Palmquist, Laura Bunkowski, Aimee Sargent, and I completed our goal from the past 4+ months.

WE FINISHED A HALF-MARATHON!!!

And what a beautiful day it was to run. Although at times, we may have felt as if we were going to die, we did it. Nicole and I ended up running the last 6ish miles together and speaking encouragement to ourselves almost the entire time. There were a few swear words that almost leaked out due to our body's condition and lack of strength. But we finished.

Nicole and I finished in 2 hours and 16 minutes... not the best time, but we weren't going for that. We just wanted to finish. The other 3 finished ahead of us and did WONDERFUL!!

Matt and Chris were there cheering us on and so encouraging. Afterwards, we all went out to Carlos O'Kelly's to celebrate our wonderful victory.

Aimee and I will most likely never be running a half-marathon again, but the other three weren't quite as negative towards the idea. So... we'll see if there are any running events in the future at which cheerleaders will be needed. :)

Sneak Peak... unedited...

2010-10-16T03:03:00.002-05:00

Here is a sneak peak of a few of our engagement pictures. They are unedited though. The rest will be coming when everything gets done!

It was such a fun time. One of our friends, Kate Cahill, took them and it was so fun to have her there! We got a bit goofy sometimes...especially when her side kick, Laura McCasland, started playing songs like "Who let the Dogs Out". ENJOY!

My two joys of tonight...

2010-10-13T00:26:00.001-05:00

Tonight I just took some time and did some random things but I found great joy in the following two things! ENJOY!!!

1. His Eye is On the Sparrow... Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blout

2. Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary
and young men stumble and fall
but those who remain in the Lord
will renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint!

Psalm 89

2010-10-11T02:50:00.000-05:00

Isn't the Lord Beautiful?

Psalm 89
¹ I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
       with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
² I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
       that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
³ You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
       I have sworn to David my servant,
⁴ 'I will establish your line forever
       and make your throne firm through all generations.' "
       Selah
⁵ The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
       your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
⁶ For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
       Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
⁷ In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
       he is more awesome than all who surround him.
⁸ O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
       You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
⁹ You rule over the surging sea;
       when its waves mount up, you still them.
¹⁰ You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
       with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
¹¹ The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
       you founded the world and all that is in it.
¹² You created the north and the south;
       Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
¹³ Your arm is endued with power;
       your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
       love and faithfulness go before you.
¹⁵ Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
       who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
¹⁶ They rejoice in your name all day long;
       they exult in your righteousness.
¹⁷ For you are their glory and strength,
       and by your favor you exalt our horn. ^[b]
¹⁸ Indeed, our shield ^[c] belongs to the LORD,
       our king to the Holy One of Israel.
¹⁹ Once you spoke in a vision,
       to your faithful people you said:
       "I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
       I have exalted a young man from among the people.
²⁰ I have found David my servant;
       with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
²¹ My hand will sustain him;
       surely my arm will strengthen him.
²² No enemy will subject him to tribute;
       no wicked man will oppress him.
²³ I will crush his foes before him
       and strike down his adversaries.
²⁴ My faithful love will be with him,
       and through my name his horn ^[d] will be exalted.
²⁵ I will set his hand over the sea,
       his right hand over the rivers.
²⁶ He will call out to me, 'You are my Father,
       my God, the Rock my Savior.'
²⁷ I will also appoint him my firstborn,
       the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
       ²⁸ I will maintain my love to him forever,
       and my covenant with him will never fail.
²⁹ I will establish his line forever,
       his throne as long as the heavens endure.
³⁰ "If his sons forsake my law
       and do not follow my statutes,
³¹ if they violate my decrees
       and fail to keep my commands,
³² I will punish their sin with the rod,
       their iniquity with flogging;
³³ but I will not take my love from him,
       nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
³⁴ I will not violate my covenant
       or alter what my lips have uttered.
³⁵ Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
       and I will not lie to David-
³⁶ that his line will continue forever
       and his throne endure before me like the sun;
³⁷ it will be established forever like the moon,
       the faithful witness in the sky."
       Selah
³⁸ But you have rejected, you have spurned,
       you have been very angry with your anointed one.
³⁹ You have renounced the covenant with your servant
       and have defiled his crown in the dust.
⁴⁰ You have broken through all his walls
       and reduced his strongholds to ruins.
⁴¹ All who pass by have plundered him;
       he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
⁴² You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
       you have made all his enemies rejoice.
⁴³ You have turned back the edge of his sword
       and have not supported him in battle.
⁴⁴ You have put an end to his splendor
       and cast his throne to the ground.
⁴⁵ You have cut short the days of his youth;
       you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
       Selah
⁴⁶ How long, O LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever?
       How long will your wrath burn like fire?
⁴⁷ Remember how fleeting is my life.
       For what futility you have created all men!
⁴⁸ What man can live and not see death,
       or save himself from the power of the grave ^[e] ?
       Selah
⁴⁹ O Lord, where is your former great love,
       which in your faithfulness you swore to David?
⁵⁰ Remember, Lord, how your servant has ^[f] been mocked,
       how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,
⁵¹ the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
       with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
⁵² Praise be to the LORD forever!
       Amen and Amen.

What?!? AHHHHH!!!

2010-10-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, March 20th, 2011...

This choir...

UNI Concert Chorale

will be looking at this...


Carnegie Hall in NYC

Yes, the UNI Concert Chorale has been invited to sing in Carnegie Hall on March 20th, 2011 to premiere a original choral/orchestra work by David Childs... AND THAT MEANS THAT I AM GOING TO SING IN CARNEGIE HALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall...

2010-10-05T16:02:00.004-05:00

What I love about fall!

This blog was just inspired by my cousin's blog...

Candy corn and peanut mix on the kitchen counter.
Walking outside and smelling the change in the weather.
Burning apple cider/pumpkin pie/whatever fall scent candles.
Running can sometimes be enjoyable
Pulling out all my sweaters again.
Decorating with pumpkins, gourds, leaves, etc.
The fact that you don't have to mow your lawn for too much longer.
Being able to wear my jackets again.
Watching the change in the trees...beautiful oranges, yellows, reds, browns...
Wearing Hats. Scarves. Mittens
Thanksgiving and family time.
The changes in everything... life, emotions, fashion, nature, goals, etc.
Being able to eat as much as you want and your thick clothes don't even show it.
SCARVES!
Fresh apple pie. (Which me and 2 of my friends just made yesterday)
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Studying??? well sometimes I try to like it!
Apple orchards.
Wearing sweat pants to bed... and maybe even a sweat shirt.
Apple cider.
How refreshing it feels after a humid summer.
Lower electricity bills
How mosquitoes start disappearing.
Outside football games
The smell of my home because my mom always puts a cinnamon flavored decoration right inside the front door.
Carving pumpkins.
Bonfires.
Pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream and whip cream.
The bridge on Highway 20, halfway between Cedar Falls and Story City... a beautiful valley with MILLIONS of trees.
Being only 7 months away from my wedding.
How it is so vivid that God is still in control and blessing us at each moment.
The fact that people are so joyous and love the weather most of the time.
The sound of leaves blowing across the sidewalks.
Pumpkin spiced lattes.
Corn mazes... even though I've never been to one!
How the boots can once again make their way out of the closet.
Jumping in leaves.
Little trick-o-treaters in their princess and superhero costumes.
To see God's creativity at work.

What do you love about fall?

An answer to the impossible!

2010-09-29T17:35:00.000-05:00

Last night I got a message from my dad which basically made my whole day/week/month/year/etc. Basically Chris, my rocking brother-in-law, figured out how to hook up my dad's new hearing aids to a phone so that what comes through the phone goes directly into Dad's hearing aids. This allows him to be able to hear everything said very clearly and effortlessly. PRAISE GOD!!! Success has been found finally! It was so good to hear his excitement and to have him say that he actually heard what I said on my message. It was really easy to hear him too (since the device doesn't use a normal phone mic he didn't know how clear it would be). So although his hearing is not healed, the Lord has blessed him through this! One step towards the 'impossible' prayer of complete healing!

WAY TO GO DADDY!!!

I can't escape it...

2010-09-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to bed around 12:30 (which is totally because when I came home early to go to bed, my roommates were all tempting me by watching House Hunters together. :) It's totally their fault.) But then I got in bed and just tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep because I just can't seem to escape it...WEDDING PLANNING!

Lately it has seemed that I can find any excuse not to do homework or go to this or that by simply doing some wedding planning. As I laid in bed I just started thinking about a few things and then... WAA-BAM!!! Ideas started rolling in right and left. And instead of trying to sleep without success I just decided to get up and write them all down.

So 5-6 pages, 2-3 lists, and 1 1/2 hours later, I finally got to bed.

I LOVE IT!!!

Wedding Dress Shopping!

2010-09-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago the search for my dress began. My family went on a vacation to Minnesota and the girls fit in a bit of shopping! My cousin, Tara, came with us and it was just such a wonderful day! We found some good choices up there but nothing for sure.

Then, last Monday I had a few hours to spare and so I went to a little boutique here in Cedar Falls called Simply "I" Do. My friend Laura McCasland came with and we found some great deals and one pretty sweet dress option.

So I called my mom about this dress and she and Nicole decided to come up this weekend to look at that dress and go to a few other boutiques. Laura McCasland came as well as Laina Bishop. We started at another boutique here on Saturday and found one GORGEOUS dress, but wanted to check out the other one from Simply "I" Do again before we said yes to that one. And a good thing we did.

We purchased the INCREDIBLE dress from Simply "I" Do and it feels SOOO good to have that decision made. Here are a few pictures of the day! Sorry, but none of these are "THE DRESS." That one can't be shown in public! :)

CF Farmer's Market!

2010-09-12T18:33:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, Lauren and I went to the Cedar Falls Farmer's Market and it was quite fun! Lauren got all the supplies for Stephen's (her fiance) wonderful. salsa and I got a big old squash! I have a recipe for a roasted butternut squash and I am quite excited to try it! It was so good just to spend time with Lauren and catch up. Since she is getting married as well, there were quite a few little ideas getting bounced around. She is an amazing friend and I value her friendship so much!

There was also an art festival on main street and Oh So Cute! Some of the stuff there was beautiful and I wished that I had about $5,000 so that I could buy all these pretty things... like pottery (I LOVE LOVE LOVE pottery and one of my hidden wishes is to know how to make pottery) and photography and jewelry and wall hangings and well you get teh point.

Bottom line... I love Cedar Falls. It is such an adorable little town.

Also... stay posted because Matt and I are getting engagement pictures taken on Friday by a friend up here in Cedar Falls so there will probably be a post of those coming soon!

Just Some Thoughts...

2010-08-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

My mind has been spinning lately with thoughts. It's kind of strange since I am not one with many thoughts nor do I process much but lately I have been. So here are some questions that have been in my head lately.

One precursor is that I don't think that any of the things that I ask questions about are wrong, I am just realizing that my reasons behind most of the things below were more for my own selfishness rather than for the glory of God.

Why is Christianity only for those who read their bibles daily and when discipleship occurs, daily bible reading is one of the main focuses?
Where in the bible does it say "Thou shalt read thy Bible for 30 minutes daily and cross reference every key word"?

Why are the main topics talked about when dealing with spiritual growth prayer, bible studies, and the need for community? Didn't Christ command such things as "Go and Make disciples" (Matt 28:19). "Be Holy for I am Holy" (1 Peter 1:16), "Hide my Word in your Heart" (Psalm 119:11), and "Love for I first loved you" (1 John 4:19) as well? Shouldn't we also focus on Love (since it is one of the most commonly used words in the Bible), Being Imitators of Christ, Being Holy, Memorization, etc.

Why is church a 'mandatory' thing in communities of Christians? Yes fellowship is important but can't that be found in other places as well? So why do we look down when people miss church or don't come?
When did "church" become a building with a band, a few songs, announcements, a pastor, and a sermon? Isn't church the Body of Christ?

What if the definition of a Christian became "one who loves like Christ loved" because to love like Christ is only possible through truly knowing Christ?
When did love become 'saying positive things or serving through worldly actions? Didn't Christ show love when he called out the Pharisee's hypocritical actions or when he acted in righteous anger and love in the synagogue and turned over the tables? Is lvoe simply what makes people feel good or what is best and holy in light of Christ?

"Where does the Bible say "Thou shalt focus on changing yourself?" It doesn't. Instead it says things such as "The word of God is living and active" (Heb 4:12), "Pray continually" (1 Thess 5:17), "Surely I am with you always" (Matt 28:20), "Deny yourself and follow me" (Matt 16:24).
Christianity is not about ourselves.
Christianity is not about others,
Christianity is about the Peacemaker, Jehovah Jirah, God, the Creator, the Alpha, the Omega, the Living God, the Holy Spirit, the Love of All, the Commander, the one and only God: Jesus Christ who came so that we may have life.
If we could just get the fact that our lives are insignificant in comparison to the majesty of God maybe we would then be able to love and impact individuals in a way that changes the reality of this world.

"Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God." -R.C. Sproul

Are we nuts?!?

2010-08-17T22:21:00.000-05:00

Well, somehow Nicole convinced me to run a half marathon with her at the end of October. I have no idea how, but she did. So we have begun our training. It's quite fun actually. Tonight we ran 3.5 miles in about 30 minutes, so it's not a super fast pace but it feels great. Other days we do yoga, biking, cross training, or rest (my favorite). But, get this, we have also convinced Matt to run it with us as well. YAHOO!!! So we are all training and getting in shape! It feels really good to exercise again. I forgot how much of a difference it makes.

Here's our Training Schedule. Sunday we are running 5 miles... the longest yet... and continuing our build up to 13.1 miles!!!

August House Update!

2010-08-09T16:30:00.001-05:00

The house is finally taking shape and things are happening. It is so fun to see and be a part of. My parents are doing such a great job being patient and taking life as it comes. They are also great house builders... this thing is going to be incredible when it is done. So here's a few pictures of the new additions to the house! (Matthew requested lots of concrete pictures so there are quite a few of them!)

LIGHTING-

front hallway... a 2nd light was added

Dining Room light... and new deck door.

Kitchen Cupboards and new lighting under the cabinets (which you can't see)

Mom and Dad's new fan

Mom and Dad's bathroom lighting

Shower lights

Mom's MK room

Papa's new fan. (It's my room right now, excuse the messy bed)

The new stair light

One of the pendants in the basement

The fan in Mom and Dad/Amy's future room

The fan in Papa's/Matthew's future room

The fan in Nicole and Chris's room... which is now where they are living.

Nicole and Chris's new 'home'

OUTSIDES-

The back porch decking

The front with the newly bought chairs

The front with the new SIDEWALK! Goodbye boards

The CEMENT DRIVEWAY!

The finished retaining wall with the toppers on and the driveway poured.

The newly stained side door.

THAT'S ALL!!! Can't wait till you all come visit!

Ireland Couple Pictures

2010-07-28T18:19:00.000-05:00

Here's a few fun pictures of Matt and I from our Ireland Trip! Enjoy!

He asked... I said...

2010-07-23T16:17:00.000-05:00

YES!!!

Welll... Matt and I are engaged. Quite exciting! It happened on July 18th in Ireland. Here's the story...

On Sunday, Matt and I went on a walk on the beach. After a bit it started raining so we made our way back to the cottage where his family is staying. When we walked up, all the cars were gone but I just seemed to miss that fact. We walked in and the front room was set up with music and candles and everything. Matt then continued to say some beautiful things I'm sure but I can't seem to remember anything... I guess I was a bit excited or something. Then after his beautiful things, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. The ring is beautiful. It has 5 small diamonds on each side of the main one which is a full carat princess cut diamond. BEAUTIFUL!!! After the ring was in place, he proceeded to wash my feet to show his desire to serve me for the rest of his life. It was so beautiful and he did a great job.

The walk before

On the beach

I may have been excited!

That's my future husband!

THE RING!!! He did a wonderful job picking it out!

Mussoorie Days!

2010-07-15T11:13:00.000-05:00

THURSDAY, JULY 8th-

We got back from Amritsar this day and were just lazy all day long! It was wonderful!

FRIDAY, JULY 9th-

We went into town today and picked up all the last minute things that we had ordered to be made. Chris got two suits that were made, Nicole and I got our coats... they're BEAUTIFUL!..., picked up a suit that we had made for Matthew, and also picked up some shoes.

That night, the girls from the trek along with one of Nicole's old camp friends who used to work here came over for MEXICAN NIGHT! We made homemade chicken fajitas, salsa, and fruit salad. It was so much fun.
Nicole also taught me and the other girl from America how to tie our sarees. FUN FUN!

SATURDAY, JULY 10th-

Today we packed, took down curtains, organized, and all that jazz.
Then that night, we went to one of Nicole's coworker's house to see his new twin boys. Oh my they were so cute and TINY!!! We were able to give them a bunch of stuff as well from the house and it was so beautiful to see their faces light up from gratitude.

SUNDAY, JULY 11th-

We did a lot more packing today and got the whole house basically packed up. Chris worked on figuring out how to transport all of the stuff and found out that we can do unaccompanied luggage all the way to the US for only a bit more money than lugging it around with us!!!
That night we had our SAREE NIGHT!!! We went out to eat with three other girls to a nice restaurant all dressed up in our sarees. It was so much fun to tie and 'situate' the saree with Nicole before we went out. I guess that each morning all the sisters and mothers here help each other into their sarees, so it was fun to kind of see what that was like.

Afterwards, Nicole and I found some silliness within us and took these pictures... hehehehe!

MONDAY, JULY 12th-

This day we did last minute packing, worked on school stuff for Nicole, and laid around! Quite the life. We also happened to watch some movies along the way too... why is life so stressful sometimes?!? :)

TUESDAY, JULY 13th-

And what did we do this day? Pack! We also delivered the final things to people who had bought them around town.
Then at 7:00 the taxi picked us up, we got all the luggage packed up, and we left for the train station.
We got the train station fine and got onto our train no problem.

AGRA HERE WE COME!!!

Sisters in Amritsar!

2010-07-12T04:54:00.002-05:00

TUESDAY, JULY 6th-

Nicole and I got to Amritsar at 4:30 in the morning due to our travel complications, so we slept in.

We tried to change our train tickets from Tuesday night to Wednesday, but after going to three different lines, getting strange looks from people around us, and waiting for a few hours, we decided just to leave it.

So that afternoon we walked around town a bit, went to Cafe Coffee Day, and then went to the Pakistan-Indian Border Crossing Ceremony. This was hilarious. It was almost like a sporting event where these big army men do high kicks and shake their heads at the other side of the border. It was so funny.

Cafe Coffee Day

All of those girls with the hat... yeah they basically attacked us like we were celebrities.

A Sweet Sikh Man.

The intense dance party that we got pulled into. AHHH!

So... a few girls came up into the stands and led us down to a giant dance party but as soon as we got there girls started running up to us asking to have their picture taken with us. WOAH!

Being led around from group to group.

Nicole with the girls

Even moms wanted their pictures taken with us.

And the ceremony began. There was a trumpet player and then one of these guys would just sing a pitch for like 30 seconds, wait 10 and then start again. The Pakistan side would sing too. It was like a competition for the longest-winded singer or something!

The Pakistan Side.

WOAH... INTENSE!

The gate between the two sides.

That night we went to the Golden Temple which was so cool. In Sikhism, you are supposed to carry a sword with you at all times and wear certain clothing. There were some men who took this SOO seriously and carried huge swords, and wore GIANT turbans on their heads.

The view from our hotel roof. It was beautiful! (That's the Golden Temple if you didn't know)

The Golden Temple at night.

People would get into the water and pray towards the temple.

One of the SWEET men with the sword and GIANT turban!

We met some very friendly girls at the Golden Temple.

Then we were supposed to leave on the train, so we packed up and went to the station, but it got cancelled due to flooding. GRRR... we should have changed it I guess. So we went back to our hotel, ordered pizza, watched Hindi TV, and fell asleep.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7th-

We slept in this morning as well and then went back to Cafe Coffee Day. You don't think we like our coffee or anything do you?!? It was fun to people watch, read, and just hang out with each other.

Then we went shopping, checked our email, and hung out at the hotel some more.

Finally it was time to leave for the train station again. This time our train was on time and running. BUT... Nicole and I got their early and decided just to wait in our 'bedroom' on the train after Nicole had gotten pooped on by a bird. But the electricity was off so we sat there, in the dark, with all of our luggage, freaking out whenever someone would walk by. How fun?!?

Our train room!!!

Why don't these fans work any better?!?

The Bird Poop...

THURSDAY, JULY 8th-

After a long, sticky night on the train, we finally got to Dehra Dun and took our taxi up to Mussoorie.

Monsoon has set in, therefore it was very foggy and rainy. But we made it back safely!

Yea for a WONDERFUL and EVENTFUL Amritsar Trip!

Life in Ladakh

2010-07-10T04:24:00.011-05:00

I have already been in India for three and a half weeks and it has just flown by. We have done so much and it has been TONS of fun! I love it here! So without further adieu... India from June 21st- the Present.

JUNE 21st- Monday

Quite a lazy day. Nicole and I went into town to a nice coffee shop and read, did devotions, and just hung out. So nice to have some GOOD coffee drinks again!
That night, Nicole, Chris, one of their friends (Steve) and I packed and made some supper. A GREAT day!

JUNE 22nd- Tuesday

Finished packing and figured out travel details. We finally were ready to leave for Ladakh and when the taxi came it was NOT big enough for all of our luggage so we had to wait for another taxi to come.
When we got to Dehra Dun, we got on the train with ALL of our luggage. We had 2 huge backpacks, 3 trunks, and 3 smaller backpacks. The train was stopped for 1 1/2 hours because a tree fell on the tracks during a huge storm.
We got to Delhi at 12:30 that night, had a complicated time getting a taxi, and finally got to the hotel to get 1 1/2 hours of sleep.

JUNE 23rd- Wednesday

We got up at 3:45 and left for the airport. We got FIRST CLASS in the airplane without even paying any more... SWEET DEAL!!! The view from the windows was amazing as we flew over the Himalayan Mountains.

Some pictures from the plane.

Leh, Ladakh was BEAUTIFUL and very clean. The hotel had a cute little veranda where we sat and read while surrounded by the mountains. How Perfect?!?
We met with our guide, Rinchen, for the first time and went over our trek plan
That night we went into town and had Pizza at Il Forno with our whole trekking group.

JUNE 24th- Thursday

I stayed at the hotel because I didn't feel the best, but the rest of the group went to a bunch of monasteries and a high pass. I just laid around, read, and did a bit of shopping. WONDERFUL!
That night we went into town and ate at a Tibetan restaurant. Ladakh is a place where a bunch of Tibetan refugees live and so the culture is a bit different than other areas of India and so fun to see!

The view of the town from the restaurant.

The restaurant.

JUNE 25th- Friday

Nicole and I went to three monasteries with 2 women that we met on the plane, Becky and Malia Burns. The monasteries were Stok, Shey and Thiksey. We learned quite a bit about Buddhism and had a great time with Becky and Malia.

A sweet bridge covered in prayer flags on our way to the monasteries.

We got back to the hotel around 1:00 and got ready for the trek a bit. Then we went into town and bought some sweet presents for people.
Then we met the rest of the group on a rooftop restaurant, had dinner, and headed home.

JUNE 26th- Saturday- day 1

Day 1 Picture!

Woke up early and left at 8:00 for our trek with Rinchen. We were served chai after a short drive by some cute women in a 'tea tent'.

Our shirts were the colors of a stoplight

Started our trek at Spituk by walking through a big desert. We were very energetic and played games and talked a lot. We entered the Zingchen Valley and followed the Rumbak River into the Indus River.

The first group picture... on our way!

We got to the camp group at Zingchen around 1:00 and read and slept next to a cute mountain stream.
We were served to the MAX on the trek. We had 1 guide, 2 cooks, 2 pony men, 1 helper, and 11 ponies. They set up the tents everyday and made us LUXURY food each night.

We also played spoons with our guide, Rinchen, and cook, Mingmar. This was HILARIOUS since they had never played it before.

JUNE 27th- Sunday- day 2

Day 2 Picture- Going #2 was a little difficult at times

We were woken up by chai and hot water, served at our tent each day. Then we had breakfast, which included another cup of chai and set off.
Nan, one of the girls on the trek with us, didn't feel very good this day so it was a slow day.
Nicole and I went ahead of the group at one point but missed a bridge to cross the river and tried to get across without getting wet, but this didn't work so well. We had to go back and cross the bridge.

We had some good talks this day even though it was slow and kind of hard. We entered Hemis National Park this day and stayed at Yurutse campsite. It was in a beautiful

JUNE 28th- Monday- day 3

Day 3 Picture- We had three tents for our sleeping!

Nan rode a pony today because it was a hard day and she still wasn't feeling the best, so our whole group of 6 was incomplete sadly.
We climbed up 3,000 feet right away and I started getting sick and light headed. But Nicole was a great nurse and took care of me. We set small goals the rest of the day and saw marmots, cows, yaks, and zo. We finally got to the mountain pass of 16,076 feet and felt great. It was marked by a chorten and prayer flags! An amazing welcome sign!

Nan joined us at the pass and continued on with us on our descent. We stopped awhile later by a beautiful mountain stream and took an hour nap! Just what was needed.

That night we stayed Yurutse campsite and saw a baby yak being chased by a dog. Cute huh?!?
Nicole, Chris, and I had a giggle fest that night while confessing elementary school year rebellions along with other funny stories.

JUNE 29th- Tuesday - day 4

Day 4 Picture- We were served Chai 4 times EVERY DAY!

This was our favorite day of hiking as we went back and forth over creaks and between boulders and trees. There were beautiful purple and green strips of rock within the mountains.
We stopped at Skiu monastery and ate at a tea tent with an old man who was making bracelets over a fire. It was so neat.

Stayed at Himanagra campsite this night and played silent football with Rinchen and Mingmar. Oh my goodness is this fun!!!

JUNE 30th- Wednesday- day 5

Day 5 Picture- We did some yoga on the trip and this one had 5 points

This day was SO LONG! We walked a lot and it was very hot.
We stopped in a field for lunch and an old lady came up and just pulled a bunch of lamb meat out of her bag. It was quiet awesome.

We crossed some big rivers this day with the help of our 2 cooks and guide. They were very cold and we were sure glad for the added help this day.

By the end of the walk, we were almost delirious and shouting/singing BINGO at the top of our lungs. Oh my!
We stayed at Hankar this night. I got sick this night with a bad head cold and 'Dr' Mingmar made me some ginger lemon honey mint tea to fix me up and 'Nurse' Nicole read to me while tucking me into bed.

JULY 1st- Thursday- day 6

Day 6 Picture- Our coats were all 6 of the colors of the rainbow

This day was kind of cold and rainy at first but got warmer as the day went on. I rode a pony this day to try to finish recovering from my cold. The rest of the group had a shorter, but not less-intense day with steep climbs and small mountain paths.

This night our cooks surprised us with an amazing soup and PIZZA... some of the best we have ever had by the way!
We all bundled up this night at our campsite Nimaling which was at 15,091 feet. We were right next to the Kang Yatse Peak of 20,177 feet... an INCREDIBLE view. It was a very cold night, but luckily we were given water bottles with hot water inside to keep us warm.

JULY 2nd- Friday- day 7

Day 7 Picture- All 7 of us on the top of the mountain

We started UP right away in the morning and climbed to the Kongmaru La Pass of 17,060 feet. This was done with the wonderful skill of 'zig-zaggin.' From the top we had a great view of the Indus Valley and Ladakh range.

After a 3o minute rest, we started the steep descent and entered the Shang Gorge which had some of the coolest rock formations I have ever seen. There were beautiful waterfalls, colored rock, and interesting terrain. The walk was a bit scary though since the path was only about a foot wide with a 30 foot drop on one side of us. But we got through safely.

AND HERE ARE OUR 'FINAL' PICTURE

Chris

Amy

Nicole

Nan

Laura

Marie

We ended this day at Lhartsa campsite. We were all wiped and quite ready for a hot shower and clean clothes. Our cooks made us a fun little cake that said 'Happy Markha Trek' on the top. We thanked all of the staff and went to bed.

JULY 3rd- Saturday- day 8

Day 8 Picture- Back at the hotel!

We woke up at 8:15 and were in the car by 9:00 on our way back to Leh, Ladakh. We stopped by the Hemis monastery, one of the biggest in the area, and then went the rest of the way back to the hotel.

Once back at the hotel, we said goodbye to Rinchen and then unpacked, showered, and slept.
That night we went out to eat again and checked our email quickly.

JULY 4th- Sunday

SO THIS DAY... NICOLE AND I RODE CAMELS!!! and was it ever fun! They are actually really strange looking animals, almost as if they came from a sci-fi movie.
Nicole's was a bit grumpy and sat down in the middle of walking once. :) And after 15 minutes we had worn them out... well our butts were already worn out too... so we took a quick break and then kept going. We rode for about 30-40 minutes which included a taxi stopping, a man getting out and running up to us, then taking our picture with a bright pink camera. What a scene.

That night we played cards and had dinner at the hotel to celebrate the Forth of July!
Then we packed and got all ready for our travels of the next day.

JULY 5th- Monday

We got up early and flew from Leh to Delhi with no problems.
Then we went to the train station and sat in the air-conditioned International Travel room for about 2 hours since our trains were delayed. Chris finally left to go back to Mussoorie on his train, but since Nicole and I were going to Amritsar we had to wait for our delayed train. And we waited and then waited and then waited again. Finally we went down to the non-air-conditioned train platform where our train, originally scheduled for 2:05 p.m. didn't leave until 9:00 p.m. But we were finally on our way to Amritsar.

So that was our travels in Leh and the rest is still to come!

We got to Ladakh... and off to Markha

2010-06-25T03:26:00.003-05:00

Just a quick post to say that we got to Ladakh and are beginning our Markha trek early tomorrow morning. We are way excited but really nervous at the same time. Our guide speaks really good English, which we are so glad for, and it seems as though he is going to take EXCELLENT care of us. We have all done a lot of last minute shopping, and maybe some luxury shopping as well, and have really just been loving it here. It is like a dream! Love you all! Lots of pictures to come.

Oh Oh It's Trekking Time...

2010-06-21T22:09:00.003-05:00

We are leaving today for our trek.

At 3:00 we will take a taxi to Dehra Dun and then a train to Delhi.
After a good night's sleep in Delhi we will fly up to Leh, Ladakh and take a few days to adjust to the altitude.
On Saturday the trek will begin. Below is an itinerary which isn't exactly what we will be doing because ours it's as long but pretty close.
The trek will be done on July 3rd and then make the trip home. Well... kinda... Chris will be coming back to Mussoorie to finish up his work, but Nicole and I will be traveling to Agra and Dharamsala with a couple from their school.
We will be returning to Mussoorie on the 11th. VERY EXCITING!

So this blog may be slightly abandoned for a few weeks, but some intense updates will come when we get back!

12 days Markha Valley Trekking ( Maximum altitude: 5030 m )

Day 01 Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 Delhi – Leh (3500m) by plane.
Afternoon at leisure in Leh, where we can take a walk to the colorful bazaar. Overnight Leh Hotel.

Day 03 Free day in Leh. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04 Leh – Marteslang by car/bus – Chokdo (4050m) in 5 hrs. (trek).
We leave the Indus valley and head south. We progress along the river whose banks are punctuated with ochre rocks.

Day 05 Chokdo – Latza Kongmaru (4800m) in 5 hrs.
After crossing narrow gorges, we start our ascension towards the Kongmaru La.

Day 06 Latza Kongmaru - Kongmaru La (5030m) – Nimaling (4650m) in 5 hrs.
From the pass, there are great views north towards eastern Korakoram and China, whilst the southern view is dominated by the shapely Kang Yatze (6400m) and the Ladakhi range. We take a ridge trail and descend zigzagging across scree. Afterwards, the path meets the Nimaling summer pastures, used by Hankar and Markha shepherds.

Day 07 Nimaling – Hankar (4000m) in 5 hrs.
We steadily descend through meadows to Thachutse and cross the Nimaling river. The trail follows the Markha river now, and will do so for the next few days.

Day 08 Hankar – Markha (3850m) in 4 hrs.
Several monasteries and ruins are scattered along the trail to Markha. After Umlung the valley narrows and becomes a gorge just before Markha. This large village has a fort and a monastery perched on the northern hill. The gompa is reputed to be one of the oldest in Ladakh.

Day 09 Markha – Chalok (3450m) in 4 hrs.
The trail passes through quite lush riverside vegetation . En route, we come across more derelict monasteries, some well maintained shortens and at least one good example of a wolf trap. Wolves become a nuisance during the winter as hunger forces them into the villages.

Day 10 Chalok – Shingo (4150m) in 6 hrs.
We criss-cross the Markha river and cross it on bridges set at many of the most difficult crossing places. From a tiny group of stupas, we leave the valley and continue upwards along a river bounded by willows and wild rosebushes.

Day 11 Shingo – Ganda La (4920m) – Rumbak (3750m) in 7 hrs .
At the pass, colorful prayer flags flap in the wind, with the Zanskari range in the background. Afterwards, we descend steadily along the Jingchan river. We get great views towards the Stock summit and the Stock Kangri (6121m).

Day 12 Rumbak – Namlung La (4570m) - Stok (3700m) in 6 hrs - Leh (by Bus/Car).
Descending from the pass, we enjoy excellent views towards the Indus valley. Eventually, we reach Stock, which is famous for its palace and museum.