The Elsie Dinsmore series are a series of 28 books written in the 1800's by Martha Finley based on the years leading up to and after the United States Civil War. On Sunday afternoons she would go down to the slave quarters and tell them stories of the Bible and they would sing hymns. She and her family would sing hymns very often.
I have been listening to hymns this afternoon. They are so beautiful and peaceful! I have been thinking about Fanny Crosby for a while and finally took the time to look up some of the hymns she wrote on YouTube. They are so beautiful! Some of her most familiar hymns are "To God Be The Glory", "Blessed Assurance", and "Praise Him Praise Him"! These are just a few of the beautiful songs that were written for the praise of God our Heavenly Father, God Almighty, the Everlasting God who sits upon The Throne! The circumstances that these hymns and so many others by other people were written under are magnificent! Fanny Crosby was blind but it did not impair her ability to praise the Father!
I sometimes wonder how I would react under such circumstances. Would I be able to be content in Jesus and love Him fully if I was in prison for committing a crime or held captive for being a Christian? Would I be faithful to Him even in my extreme circumstances? I want to think I would be...but I don't know.
Do we ever just sit and listen to the words the hymnist (you know like psalmist) wrote? When ever we are tempted to say we can only worship to contemporary Christian music just take a few moments to read and listen to these words.
I wish I could share my heart on this page but I cannot put into words my heart and mind.
This morning I had my quiet time. It was so sweet to spend time with Jesus. Afterward I wondered why I struggle so much to be faithful in my time with Jesus. He deserves all of me, not just the left overs. Sadly, that is what I give a lot of the time.
Earlier in the week I was asked if I was being an encouraged woman of God. I responded, "What is the correct answer to that?" She smiled and said," Know you are a beautiful woman of God and He loves you!" Ok, I don't remember exactly what she said but that was the gist! I love being at CIU and being surrounded by believers!
One of my friends is at a leadership conference in Orlando right now and his FB status was a quote from one of the speakers (I am assuming). It said, "So many of America's Bible college students are spiritually constipated. A whole lot goin' in, not much comin' out." - Gary Stratton. This made me chuckle and then think. This is a true statement. We are constantly getting so much in but for the mean time it is hard to have an outlet for it all. Let's work on finding that outlet!
Well, Puddin' Head Wilson, among other things, is calling my name.
Goodnight!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
God's Surprise Present!
Yesterday I heard the news that we were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tonight. However, this is South Caroline...not Virginia. How often do we get snow? This is #2 (a few flurries don't count). Actually, this is BIG snow #1! When it started snowing it was not even sticking to the ground, however, after about 45 minutes or so after it started it was beginning to stick to the cars and the grass!!! I pulled out my Christmas music and prepared to celebrate until it was time to go to work. The coolest thing was the first song that started to play was Hallelujah by Mannheim Steamroller. This song is Christmas to me. How perfect!
I left for work around five wearing my pink wellies (rainboots) and was walking with my tongue out to catch those snowflakes! Funny thing was other people were too...we must have been a sight! Well, work was exciting because excitement and snow were in the air! Everyone seemed more happy, excited, joyful...you fill in the blank : )
When I left the cafeteria I was just watching people pelt each other with snowballs...then, suddenly, someone saw me and decided to hit me. So, I threw a few and then headed back to my room because I was expecting guests. Amanda was helping me host, so we prepared and then our guests arrived. Members of our college group. We sat around and sipped hot chocolate and ate cookies. Well, we were planning on playing a game so off I went to Founders to request a specific game where I was told it was in the owners car. Well, I was not wearing shoes, my socks had already gotten wet so I thought, whatever, so, I ran through the snow. Needless to say, my feet were a tad bit chilled when I got back in. Well, in we started on the game. We played for a while and then decided to partake in the fun of the CIU Snowball Fight of 2010. It was well worth it! I can already feel the aches and pain coming on but there is something so wonderful about sharing these memories with so many other people! I just love them and the memories so much!
Throughout the fight I kept noticing the trees and how perfectly the snow outline them....it was breathtakingly beautiful! How often do you see Palmettos with snow on them? Practically never! Well, we did! They looked like hut roofs!
When we came back to the dorm the exhaustion started setting in....then the soreness....the headache still remains...but Ibuprofen is helpful and I LOVE God's surprises!!!
I love being surprised by Him! Earlier I was so frustrated because I had so many emotions welling up inside about the snow and how joyous I was about its arrival and I could not find the words to express how I felt...I still can't. It reminded me of a conversation I just had with my roommate about speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is expressing worship from the heart when no earthly words will do. I think I just wanted something like that to happen to me today so I could express my feelings and thanksgiving and joy!
I love where I am, I love the people I am with, and I love my God who placed me here!!!
Now, my eyes will hardly hold themselves open any longer.
Guten Nacht!
I left for work around five wearing my pink wellies (rainboots) and was walking with my tongue out to catch those snowflakes! Funny thing was other people were too...we must have been a sight! Well, work was exciting because excitement and snow were in the air! Everyone seemed more happy, excited, joyful...you fill in the blank : )
When I left the cafeteria I was just watching people pelt each other with snowballs...then, suddenly, someone saw me and decided to hit me. So, I threw a few and then headed back to my room because I was expecting guests. Amanda was helping me host, so we prepared and then our guests arrived. Members of our college group. We sat around and sipped hot chocolate and ate cookies. Well, we were planning on playing a game so off I went to Founders to request a specific game where I was told it was in the owners car. Well, I was not wearing shoes, my socks had already gotten wet so I thought, whatever, so, I ran through the snow. Needless to say, my feet were a tad bit chilled when I got back in. Well, in we started on the game. We played for a while and then decided to partake in the fun of the CIU Snowball Fight of 2010. It was well worth it! I can already feel the aches and pain coming on but there is something so wonderful about sharing these memories with so many other people! I just love them and the memories so much!
Throughout the fight I kept noticing the trees and how perfectly the snow outline them....it was breathtakingly beautiful! How often do you see Palmettos with snow on them? Practically never! Well, we did! They looked like hut roofs!
When we came back to the dorm the exhaustion started setting in....then the soreness....the headache still remains...but Ibuprofen is helpful and I LOVE God's surprises!!!
I love being surprised by Him! Earlier I was so frustrated because I had so many emotions welling up inside about the snow and how joyous I was about its arrival and I could not find the words to express how I felt...I still can't. It reminded me of a conversation I just had with my roommate about speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is expressing worship from the heart when no earthly words will do. I think I just wanted something like that to happen to me today so I could express my feelings and thanksgiving and joy!
I love where I am, I love the people I am with, and I love my God who placed me here!!!
Now, my eyes will hardly hold themselves open any longer.
Guten Nacht!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday....a day of rest
Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday but I'm not too thrilled since the Steelers did not make it. So, movie night with the girls and maybe some Super Bowl. I guess I just excited because of what it is but not because of who is playing. Church was good this morning! It was great to see everyone : ) I had some fun conversations at lunch...we talked weddings because one of the girls on campus got engaged last night = ) SOOO exciting!
I am contemplating taking a nap this afternoon...but I really need to write some letters, email some people, and find a movie. Always so much to do. Tomorrow I HAVE to be productive!!! No "ifs", "ands", or "buts" about it!
Well...something beckons me : )
I am contemplating taking a nap this afternoon...but I really need to write some letters, email some people, and find a movie. Always so much to do. Tomorrow I HAVE to be productive!!! No "ifs", "ands", or "buts" about it!
Well...something beckons me : )
Saturday, February 6, 2010
My Very First Post : )
Dear Whomever May Be Reading This,
This is my very first blog post. I have been thinking about getting one of these for a little while and decided today would be a fun day to start : ) Honestly, the whole “setting up” process is very confusing. Oy!
I don’t know how often I will update this…at least for the time being. However, when I start traveling this will be updated pretty often (I hope!) so I can document where I have been and where I will be going!
Europe is such an exciting place and I know adventures are waiting for me! There is a possibility I will be in Europe for 6-7 months which is such an exhilarating thought! I will be there with some very good friends which will make the experience that much more wonderful!
I am assuming if you are reading this you know me so I won’t bother introducing myself, but I will tell you a little bit about myself.
I am very proud to be half English and a quarter German! I am also proud to be an American…although I don’t agree with many of the things that are happening in our country I love what it started as. It is such a beautiful country! I LOVE exclamation points…if you can’t tell : ) Traveling is the most exciting thing and I love planning where I want to go…now to see where I actually end up. I love Jesus, but it is a constant struggle to keep pushing onward and be diligent in my time with Jesus and my schoolwork. Sometimes it would be so easy to just give up…but then what would I do with myself. So, I won’t, I will continue to push on toward the prize (Philippians 3:12-14). I am known for loving the color PINK so when people see things that are pink they tell me that ____ reminded them of me because it was PINK. hehe. I do love pink, but I also LOVE all bright and cheerful colors. Actually I love all colors…just depends on the season and my mood. I love old movies and books! I sometimes think in Novel mode. I love my roommate! She inspires me to be neater….along with the fact that I hate messes but somehow my room seems to end up that way BUT last weekend I did a massive cleanup. So far, it is faring well = ) I have a very international family and I love it! I love fashion…Devil Wears Prada makes me wonder if I am going to school for the right thing. I want to be a teacher. I want to travel. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for my life! I have recently decided I am going to start getting up early…we will see how long that lasts. Ear plugs are AMAZING! I have 3 Best Friends whom I love very much and miss since they live anywhere from 6 hours to 9 hours away from me. I am currently wearing awesome pink fuzzy socks my cousin Elizabeth gave me! I love her! I consider her almost a sister! She has gotten married and has a sweet little baby girl! Actually three of my cousins have babies : ) they are so sweet, precious, and adorable!!!! Only one girl so far! Abi Grace is such an awesome 3 year old! Very dramatic, loves pink, princesses, cell phones, and me! She is one smart little cookie!
Today I am relaxing and enjoying my Saturday. Homework with Russian Tea in my Pajamas! Pancakes to come up in a few : )
So, for now, Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Weidersehen!
This is my very first blog post. I have been thinking about getting one of these for a little while and decided today would be a fun day to start : ) Honestly, the whole “setting up” process is very confusing. Oy!
I don’t know how often I will update this…at least for the time being. However, when I start traveling this will be updated pretty often (I hope!) so I can document where I have been and where I will be going!
Europe is such an exciting place and I know adventures are waiting for me! There is a possibility I will be in Europe for 6-7 months which is such an exhilarating thought! I will be there with some very good friends which will make the experience that much more wonderful!
I am assuming if you are reading this you know me so I won’t bother introducing myself, but I will tell you a little bit about myself.
I am very proud to be half English and a quarter German! I am also proud to be an American…although I don’t agree with many of the things that are happening in our country I love what it started as. It is such a beautiful country! I LOVE exclamation points…if you can’t tell : ) Traveling is the most exciting thing and I love planning where I want to go…now to see where I actually end up. I love Jesus, but it is a constant struggle to keep pushing onward and be diligent in my time with Jesus and my schoolwork. Sometimes it would be so easy to just give up…but then what would I do with myself. So, I won’t, I will continue to push on toward the prize (Philippians 3:12-14). I am known for loving the color PINK so when people see things that are pink they tell me that ____ reminded them of me because it was PINK. hehe. I do love pink, but I also LOVE all bright and cheerful colors. Actually I love all colors…just depends on the season and my mood. I love old movies and books! I sometimes think in Novel mode. I love my roommate! She inspires me to be neater….along with the fact that I hate messes but somehow my room seems to end up that way BUT last weekend I did a massive cleanup. So far, it is faring well = ) I have a very international family and I love it! I love fashion…Devil Wears Prada makes me wonder if I am going to school for the right thing. I want to be a teacher. I want to travel. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for my life! I have recently decided I am going to start getting up early…we will see how long that lasts. Ear plugs are AMAZING! I have 3 Best Friends whom I love very much and miss since they live anywhere from 6 hours to 9 hours away from me. I am currently wearing awesome pink fuzzy socks my cousin Elizabeth gave me! I love her! I consider her almost a sister! She has gotten married and has a sweet little baby girl! Actually three of my cousins have babies : ) they are so sweet, precious, and adorable!!!! Only one girl so far! Abi Grace is such an awesome 3 year old! Very dramatic, loves pink, princesses, cell phones, and me! She is one smart little cookie!
Today I am relaxing and enjoying my Saturday. Homework with Russian Tea in my Pajamas! Pancakes to come up in a few : )
So, for now, Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Weidersehen!
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