I'm Back!

Hey Guys!

You may have noticed that I was gone for a little over a week. 

Well, I was on vacation! Yah! 

I visited my family in Nebraska. It was tons of fun! I'll hopefully be posting pictures soon!

Which flower photo is your favorite?

Bible Verse of the Week #31

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere." 

This verse is talking about when Paul was thanking God for his ministry, his relationship with the Corinthian believers, and the way God had planned out his life and used him to help others. Paul did a lot of ministering, and it wasn't always the easiest for him. In a Roman "triumphal procession," the general would take his treasure and captives, and show off his riches, but burn his captives. The "aroma" was sweet to the Romans... but to prisoners, they knew it would be a long journey to death and suffering.


We can relate this verse to our lives as Christians. When we preach the Good News, there are people that are rejoicing for us, but then there are the people that can't stand us sharing the Message. Speaking of Christ's dead, resurrection, and return will be extremely hard for nonbelievers, Satan, and his angels. Nonbelievers may not even realize that they have a terrible eternity in front of them if they don't change their sinful ways. We have to keep persevering though. We can't give up. We need to stand up for Who we believe in and change the outlook of our future. We can do it! 

P.S. Yes, I did bring back Bible Verse of the Week. I am interesting in knowing how it goes... {aka, comments I get}. I have been wanting to bring it back, but I had to have some time to reflect on my own life before I started BVW again. I am very thankful for all who warmly welcome it back into my "blog life." 

Ponder

"Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make the colors appear."

“Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” 

 "Lord when I look at the Rainbow you have placed in sky so
blue, it reminds me that all your promises are true
Your Rainbow reminds me that those who believe on you
are few, yet you have called us your little Ewe
Lord when I look at the Rainbow I see it's hue, it reminds
me that your love for us true
Your Rainbow in sky so blue, reminds me to keep praying
through
Lord when I look at the Rainbow it reminds me of your
promise to all of your creatures some of whom are of
different features
Your Rainbow and it's many colors reminds me that it
represents some whom are called colored
Lord when I look at your Rainbow and see how it's colors
are bright, it reminds me to do what is right
Your Rainbow I have never seen at night, this reminds me
to stay in the light
Lord when I look at your Rainbow it reminds me of your grief
because of our unbelief
Your Rainbow have no pot of gold, but your wonderful story
of love it has told
Lord when I Look at your Rainbow it reminds that you
promised to never again destroy the World with a flood
Your Rainbow to me is a sign of your love it represents
your Son's life Blood"

{quotes from an unknown source}

My Life Story | A Challenge

   8. Pass 8th Grade

     Eight years ago, I moved from my hometown in Nebraska to where I am now. I was about six when I moved, just getting out of half-day Kindergarten. My family packed our bags and then it was time. It was time to say goodbye to my one and only best friend. I had to say goodbye to my family that also lived there. I had to say goodbye to my home and all of the memories I made there.

     When I arrived in Minnesota, we were unable to move into our house, it wasn't time yet. School was starting though. So what do we do? We stayed at my cousins' house for about a month or so. They were so generous to us and I was so blessed to go to school with them, with a dad as a principal.

     Eventually we settled in our own little home. We had some friends help renovate a room for my brothers; and everything was set. The next four years were alike, yet so different. I went to the same school, with the same principal, with the same classes. Teachers came and left, but one thing remained. No matter who was teaching, the Word of God was always being shared.

     Entering 5th grade {the start of middle school there}, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Middle school was a whole new world to me (even though it was just downstairs). I had a locker... two to be exact. I had to change classrooms and teachers. I now had a gym uniform to change into. Everything was different. Sidenote: Fifth grade was one of the best years of my life (so far)... it was also one of the hardest. Yeah we got a lot of homework, but then was the time when I was figuring out who I was and who I wanted to hang out with. It was not an easy time. In fact, I lost a good reputation for a little while. On top of all of that, my favorite two teachers told my class they were leaving to do mission work half way around the world (now that are pregnant with twins!). They were the best teachers I ever had.

     Time moved on and I grew older. I had the same teacher for 6th and 7th grade. Those two years were great, but nothing super dramatic and exciting happened.

     Eighth grade had finally come. I had one of the most stressful, but most fun years of my life. I grew as a person, and I grew more than ever in my faith. I received a higher learning than ever before. I experienced new things and places. I became more me, and a little less everyone else. I had a blast. When graduation and the last day of school came, I had mixed feelings. I've been with the same 9 people for years. I'd miss them like crazy, but it is/was the time to move on.

     Entering into high school in the fall will be a huge change for me. I'll have to meet new teachers, the new principal, a new {huge} school, and a new group of friends. Think back to the beginning of this story... sound familiar? I'll be entering into a public school for the first time. This summer, I'm determined to prepare myself as much as possible. I'll strengthen my relationship with Christ and I'll prepare myself spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally, financially, and physically. I'm ready to leave my little private school and start ministering to others. My challenge is to share my faith in Jesus Christ to a few people by this time next year. I not exactly sure what to call it, but what about Jesus Christ Virus?!? Let me know your thoughts!

Will you take the challenge with me?

P.S. All of these pictures {except the first} are from my eighth grade graduation.

Chocolate Pudding Pie

28. Make a new recipe

I'm sure many of you follow Carlotta's blog. If you've read one of her recent posts, you'd know that she posted a recipe for Chocolate Pudding Pie. I knew when I saw this that I'd have to try it. It looks delicious right? Well, because I'm out of school and my completely bored part of summer has arrived, I've been really crafty lately. I made a memory scrapbook for a friend. And the last two days I've made about 5 different recipes, including this one! Here are two pictures I took from this recipe.

Sorry it's a little dark...

 I didn't follow her recipe exactly though. We don't buy whole milk, so I used whatever milk we had (probably 1%). And we didn't have bittersweet chocolate, so I added chocolate almond bark and a little bit more cocoa to take the place of it. AND I'm not exactly sure what "heavy whipping cream" is, so I used frozen Cool Whip. :P It still tasted fine though! For the top, I also used shaved chocolate almond bark. I shaved it with a cheese shredder thingy. Obviously I'm not a very experienced cook and don't know all of the special terms.

Anyway, I'll stop with my ranting. :) Have a lovely weekend!

P.S. I've been completely a lot of goals lately, so be warned! :D

Graduation #1 | High School

 We stood outside the doors for 15 minutes, then made our way into the gymnasium. We then waited there for about an hour.

 The time finally came... the band started playing the special graduation song, and they all walking in, tassels flying all over the place. 

I personally really like this one because Zach (my brother) is the only thing in focus

 Then, the principal said his words to the class and announced all of the highly honored students.

 After many people already received their diplomas, Zach's name was finally called. He walked up the ramp, shook the teacher's hand, and grabbed his diploma.

He had officially graduated... kinda. It was a fake diploma, he had to go to another room to get his real diploma.

And of course, many pictures concluded our night of appreciation and congratulation.

May Flowers {even though it's June}

I was working on this a few days ago, when it was still May. I never got around to posting it though! It's so hard to believe that it's June already! Flowers are popping up right and left! I have two more full days of school left and then I'm done!! Yah! I'm a little sad to leave my little, private school, but I'm excited for the new public school adventures.

Until next time...

P.S. Yesterday, my older brother graduation. I will hopefully post some pictures from that!