Lots of Things

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My family and I have been busy with Christmas and all, then we had to stop our holiday break and start school back up. I guess I coulda found time New Year's day sometime, but I was savoring the time with family, and I decided I could post something soon, anyhow.


And if any of my posts look... weird or something, it's because I couldn't get the blogger to "cooporate." :]

So here is what we've been doing lately:

On Christmas morning, Jess and I woke up to a certain energetic 8-year-old Emma bouncing us awake with shouts of "It's Christmas!!!" Emma's middle name just happens to be "Elizabeth," which we discovered means energetic. So, if anyone ever said that her middle name's energetic, they'd be correct :D. She then went to wake Mom and Dad up, and we all followed her, hoping to watch her bounce them awake. Unfortunately, Emma whispered to them instead... too bad. *sigh*

All five of us then gathered 'round the [fake] Christmas tree to wait for Mom and Dad to get up. I have a few pics from Christmas day, but I'm not able to put them up right now. I'll probably post them in my next post :).

So, finally Mom & Dad got up and we opened up our presents from Jess. I not only had a Christmas present from her, but also a b-day one - because she'd ordered the gift, but it hadn't come in time.

Anyway, Mom got a rubix cube (which we all get to enjoy!), Dad got "the Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck, Karissa got a book... I think it's series is the Mandie series or something. Emma, I think, got some Little House paper dolls, while Megan got a cute little book (Mr.Pippins) about a girl and a little racoon. My two gifts were the last to books of the "Shadowcreek Chronicles."

I was beginning to wonder where the presents were from Mom & Dad, as there weren't anymore presents under the Christmas tree for us. It turned out that our present wasn't really something you could wrap. They were tickets to see the Celtic Women!!! I was really surprised. I thought that only Mom & Jess were going to go, but Dad got tickets for all of us! Unfortunately, the "fulfillment" of our Christmas present will have to be in March.

The rest of Christmas day was filled with relatives, a lot of yummy food, and opening presents. We got so many I can only remember a portion of them!

On New Years day, we went to a Family Night at church. First, Pastor gave us a challenge from Ephesians 5:15-17, about redeeming the time. It really made me think about how I need to spend every moment for Christ, and to carefully pray and take time and consideration over things rather than to make a quick decision that I'd likely regret.

After the challenge the families gathered round the different tables to participate in a gingerbread house-making contest. It turned out I put too much water in our icing, so it was a little messy - the house had natural icicles! Then, while we were waiting for the "judges," we started to eat. There were three categories in the gingerbread house contest - I can't remember what they were, though. We didn't win, but the prize was another gingerbread house, which I don't think we would've ended up doing, anyway. I think, if there'd been a category for sloppiness, we probably would've won :D.

After eating, we played games, and then went home.

Yesterday was Dad's b-day. We went to Carabas. The food was absolutely delicious! Of course, being an Italian resturant, there was plenty of garlic all over my food. YUM!!!! The chicken I got had been grilled (I'm asuming) and Daddy thought is was steak, at first. Of course, then he wanted to try it, and everybody else after him :). Thankfully, I wouldn't have been able to finish it all, anyway. Daddy said that I should make chicken like that all the time, but I don't really know how to use a grill...

And, (of course), we had his favorite chocolate bundt cake when we got home. Even though I hadn't eaten all my dinner, I still ate a few bites. I mean, who would want to miss out on a once-a-year rich chocolate cake? Happy (slightly belated) B-day, Daddy!

Sorry if a rambled on a bit...

Christmas

I just realized that it's Christmas Eve! I'd meant to post something about Christmas a few days ago, but...

Anyway, tomorrow, lots of relatives are visiting, and I can't wait! We have a China set that I love to set the table with, and the only time we use the China is on Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I love to cook, and baking's fun, too! I love just about every aspect of Christmas.

One of those aspects is the meaning of it. I find it truly amazing that Christ would send His Son into the earth, and having such a lowly birth, to eventually grow up and become a sacrifice for us!

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Reminders

This morning as I was reading my Bible, these verses stood out to me:

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:3-5)

They reminded my of three things: firstly, that I need to reach the lost for Christ before His return. Second, that I need to continue to watch and prepare for the Lord's coming. And lastly, it reminded me that I need to not try to fit in with the world, but to stand out for Christ.

Walking along the Train Tracks

Yesterday, my sisters, Mom, and I took a walk along some train tracks that are pretty close to our house, and aren't used anymore. They run right by a creek, and it was really pretty with all the fallen leaves and ferns. We saw some deer, and what almost looked like a beaver lodge. It was really amazing! God truly has made a beautiful world!

Today

This morning, just about all of us woke up late - so late we only had 15 minutes to get ready! We hurried, but when we went to leave, we only made it down the driveway, and a few feet on the road - it was just way too icy! I really wish we'd been able to make it, but.... Anyway, we went inside, and Dad said if the salt truck came by before 10:15, we might be able to still go for the service, but, unfortunately, it didn't come in time. What was really weird, though, was that while we were watching the road, all the trucks that were going the one way, would turn around and come back. Even two fire & rescue trucks! I don't think it made much sense... I mean, it was only the trucks, not vans, cars, etc. *sigh*

Christmas Giveaway

Just wanted to let you know about a Christmas giveaway up for "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper.

For more info, go here - http://www.awarriorsheartj.blogspot.com/

Roller Skating

Just now, little sister Megan and I went in our basement to skate. We decided (tho it was just us two) to play tag. Let me tell you what happened; Megan told me to wait until she was away from me. I waited until she said "okay." I then found that she was right behind me! I tagged her, however, she said "Hey, Angie, that's against the rules! you have to go all the way around [the basement] and THEN get me." So, I TRIED to do just that. Again, though, she'd made the "base" a place that whenever I began to catch up with her, she'd go on base till I'd gone! I guess she just wanted to be silly ;)

Mice and Sleep

AHH!!! Those mice drove me crazy last night! Every once in a while, you'd hear a scurry across the ceiling... it was very annoying. Mice and sleep DEFFINATELY do not go together!

plumming fixed

Yay! All mom had to do was pretty much put some cleaning stuff down the drain, so it's fixed now. :D

Yesterday, we went out to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner, then to Hackmans. I found a few Janette Oke books, and can't wait to start reading them!



Today, though, Mom and I went out to the library, and when we came back home, we found out that our sewage was leaking somwhere.... It's absolutely GROSS!!!!!! Mom's checking it out to see if she can fix it... but until it's fixed, we can't use any water :(

This Year

Wow! I can hardly believe it's already December! This year has been completely packed full with sorrow, joy, hardships, delights, and growth. It seems like only a few days ago that we went to teen camp, yet it's already been almost 6 months! Time can pass so quickly. Sometimes it can be easy to forget to make the most of every minute. When I think about this year, I begin to wonder what next year will hold...

A favorite passage

"When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy peace shall be sweet.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

~ Proverbs 3:24-26

My Salvation Testimony

I decided that I would start my blog with my testimony. So, here I go.


In September of 2008, I had struggled with and was under some conviction about my salvation. I'd sort of prayed the "sinners prayer" (no one else really knew this, I don't think), over and over again, but I knew I wasn't really saved. I decided to begin reading the shorter books of the Bible as if someone was writing a personal letter to me. I only did it when no one was around; I didn't really want anyone to know. Then, around the end of September, my church was having revival survices. They were a week long and would last till the first Saturday in October. On Thursday night, October 2, the preacher was preaching from Ezekial 6, about the dead bones. At one point, he asked something like this: "If you're not saved, what's keeping you from it?" That caught me. I was under deep conviction. At the end of the service during invitation, I was struggling to keep from crying. I had already known everything that had to do with salvation, and sort of accepted it. This was different. Thankfully, Dad noticed me. He asked if I wanted to go forward. I said yes; I didn't care that other people saw me, I just knew I had to do something about this. So, we went forward, but I didn't really feel I could pray right then. Dad prayed that he and Mom would be able to help me. Then, we went home. Somehow (actually, I know how; it was the Holy Spirit), Dad and I were the last ones down by the garage. Dad started talking to me. Two of the things he said that stood out to me were these: Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hat raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved," and that I needed to get this settled NOW before I was "out" of conviction. I went upstairs, readied for bed, and went in bed. I was totally drained, and prayed that I'd be able to fall asleep, yet that the Holy Spirit would still be convicting me. It wasn't very long before I fell asleep. I woke up at around 4:30, and knew now was the time. I prayed that He would forgive me and save me. Immediately, I knew in my heart that the matter of salvation was settled between me and God, and fell back asleep with a very sweet peace, knowing once and for all where I'd spend eternity.

my background

I just realized that my background says "merry christmas" on it. AHHH!!!! I hate it when there are so many Christmas comercials and programs this early, yet I have a background on my blog that says "merry Christmas!" Oh, well. I love the rest of the background, so I think I'll leave it up anyway.

First Post

Hello! I just started my blog, and it's very exciting! I'd like to thank my older sister, Jessika, for helping me get this started.