Give me Your eyes...

Ok, I didn't mean for that to come out as creepy as it sounds. :P

I promised that I would post something at least this weekend, so here's a quick thought inspired by the following song.

Father; I get so wrapped up in my own little world: my problems, my feelings, my family and friends, my life. But I want my focus, my viewpoint to be so much bigger than that. I want my heart to break for the things that break your heart. I want to see this world the way you see it. I want your love and compassion for other people. 

Well, I need to run...hopefully more later (or rather sooner! :P) 

For His glory!
Leah

Filling in the blanks...

A fill-in-the-blanks, stolen (with permission, of course) from Jocelyn

I have lots of things I want to post about, but haven't taken the time to sit down and actually put those thoughts into coherent blog-post form...so, to create *some* activity on here, I'll do this every once in a while. :)

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011

Time:8:12 p.m.

Thought/Quote/Verse/Idea for the day: "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love."-Goethe
 
I got up at: Got up or woke up? I guess I technically didn't get up till 8:30....a.m., of course.

I am listening to: The newly-released episode of Adventures in Odyssey.

I most recently ate: Dinner: Chicken, fruit salad, fries (sweet potato and regular) 

I am currently working on: Schedules for my after-school Bible clubs that are starting next week

Comfort food/beverage at the moment: Leftover apple cake from Rosh Hashanah

I am looking forward to: Sleeping. :P And all the things that are beginning this coming week. :)

I am reading: A very random assortment of books: 'Broke' by Glen Beck, 'Jerusalem Interlude' by the Thoenes, 'Authentic Beauty' by Leslie Ludy,

I am memorizing: 1 Corinthians

I am thinking: About too many things to condense into one answer.

Plans for the day: Shopping and lunch with dear friends...obviously, that already happened today. This evening, I'm dealing with a bunch of little but necessary things.

In my hair: A messy bun

Most recently wrote: A journal entry

I am thankful for: Friends, thrift stores, my family, autumn, bed time, God's grace

I am wearing: a denim skirt, a teal t-shirt and a black hoodie

Latest gift listed in my notebook: Daddy's wise counsel (This was from yesterday--I haven't written my gifts for today yet.)

Christian self-help book I am currently reading: Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy

My surroundings: The newly re-done computer area in our upstairs hall

I am craving: A pile of warm blankets, my journal and Bible, and some peppermint oil

I should be: Working on those schedules...

Tomorrow I will: Go to church in the morning, then either watch the Packer game at my Grandma's house or come home and work on other things

Book I am contemplating reading next: 'Over the Gate' by Miss Read

Random fact about myself: I'm an obsessive-compulsive list-maker

The weather is: Chilly but clear--first rain-less day all week!

Any library books at the moment: A few

Movie(s) I watched within the week: Courageous! :D

Indignant about: Nothing at the moment

Random movie/book quote that's running through my head: Hm....not a specific quote, but a few scenes from Courageous...("And maybe even...a milkshake!", "Do you have problems with your kidney?" "No....do you?")

Scratchy pen or smooth pen: Smooth

Last thing I threw away: Um...a tissue?

Last book I bought/received: When dreams come true and When God writes your love story by the Ludys, both found at the thrift store today

I am wondering: When I'll stop procrastinating and get going on schedules so I can go to bed. :P

Song stuck in my head: Courageous (noticing a theme?)

Most recent crazy plan: Wouldn't you like to know? :D

Under the clip: A whole mound of papers I need to sort through.

Random English Word: Hornswaggle. Even though my dictionary doesn't recognize it...:)

I learned today: That I am blessed beyond comprehension. Oh, wait--I already knew that!

Picture-thought: If you haven't seen it yet, go see it. 

'Till next time...
Leah

What's this? A blog post?!

Yes, that's right...it's September, so now comes the fun of attempting to catch up on my long-neglected corner of the blogging world. *sigh*

A brief recap of my summer seems appropriate...let's see. What did I do this summer?

I talked. All summer long.

Ok, not really--that's just what it feels like. :P

I was involved in intense children's ministry from the end of June (middle of June, actually--the summer began with 2 weeks of training at training camp) to the end of August, teaching backyard Bible clubs all throughout my area. On the one hand, it was definitely a new challenge--God stretched just about every comfort zone I have. But it was also an amazing experience...I learned and grew so much, got to see God work in some exciting ways, got to know some great people, and had a lot of fun in the process. I could write about a hundred posts just about that....but I won't. :)

When I wasn't teaching clubs, I managed to pack a lot of fun times in. A few of the highlights that come to mind:
-A weekend trip to the Creation Museum in KY with old friends...it was fantastic! We got a one-year membership and are already thinking about who we want to take next time...I can't wait to go back :)
-Our annual day at the State Fair with friends
-Fishing with my grandparents
-Family Learning Vacation, a weekend deaf camp my family has been attending for a LONG time
-Lots of my friends graduated this year; serving in the kitchen at their parties....lots of good-byes 
-A weekly Bible study with friends; wonderful teaching and fellowship
-Game nights with friends....ultimate frisbee....a church picnic with my 'other' church family....dinner with friends just before they left for college; kick-the-can and catchphrase and so much laughter....water fights....gardening....campfires; roasting marshmallows and listening to Daddy and his friend reminisce....laying in the grass, star-gazing...swimming and picnicking with my adopted family crowd....just living, counting gifts and enjoying one minute at a time.

It was a really awesome summer. :)

And now, summer is over and I'm jumping head-first into Fall! I'm a bit nervous about some of the new experiences planned this year, but I'm also super excited about the things God is going to do. I'm officially a high-school graduate...and so happy to be done!! :D This year, I'm taking on the responsibility of teaching my youngest brother. I'm also teaching at least one, possibly two, Good News Clubs, as well as helping at a young ladies Bible study and attending another ladies study. I'm taking a college-level Western Civilization class...and I'll probably be starting an Etsy shop. Plus everything else that goes along with normal life around here--cooking and cleaning and doing laundry and taking care of chickens and yardwork and canning applesauce and remodeling our house and building/painting furniture and drying herbs and doing paperwork and learning new things and memorizing scripture and...well, you get the picture.
So, I don't know how often I'll be posting here...I'm very slowly learning how to work this thing (namely change the format and all that jazz), and I'm attempting to get it to look like I want it to. Hopefully I'll be able to post semi-regularly, but no promises.

So, there you have it: an update on my life!
And now, 'til next time...

For His glory!

Leah

*guilty smile*

My poor, neglected corner of the internet....*sigh*

I've been attempting to write a catch-up post for quite a while now, and it just hasn't happened. So I guess I'll go ahead and make the obvious official: I'm going to take the rest of the summer off from blogging. I'll be back sometime in September probably, I just don't have the time to sit down and write anything at this point.

So...till September!

God bless,
Leah

I hate titling blog posts.

We just got home last night from another homeschool conference...a very full 3 days of awesome, convicting teaching (not to mention drooling--ok, not literally--over books I can't afford to buy).
I realized that I haven't posted for a while, but now that I'm sitting here thinking about it I don't know what to say. I learned so much, and God showed me SO much I need to work on.

Unfortunately, I also have a very long to-do list for this evening, and don't have the time or energy to attempt to consolidate my thoughts into a post. I'm leaving next week for a 2-week ministry training camp, so I doubt I'll be able to post anything deep for a while.

Hm....well, I guess I'll end this prattle. I have lots of things I want to blog about, but I guess they'll have to wait. So, till I post again...

Leah

Lilla Rose Giveaway!

I was so excited when I found this giveaway...I've been wanting a flexi-8 for quite a while now!



So pretty! :)

If you're interested in entering the giveaway, go here to enter.

Living your faith

My family and I just returned from an amazing weekend at a Home school Conference. I went to 8 workshops and 3 keynotes, and was absolutely overwhelmed by everything God taught me through the speakers. I was blessed, challenged, convicted, and encouraged through every session.

I don’t even know where to start; so many blog posts could be written about the things I learned. I suppose I’ll start with the main thing God challenged me on:

“It’s so easy to accept the discrepancy between our knowledge of Scripture and the way we live our lives.” –Eric Ludy

I love Jesus Christ with all my heart…but do people really see that evidenced in my life? In the words I speak, in the way I conduct myself, in the way I treat others? Too often, I know they don’t.

Knowing massive amounts of Scripture means nothing if you don’t live Scripture.

Father, I don’t want to gain mere head-knowledge of You and Your word…I want to live what I believe. I want to be an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). I want to seek to glorify You in my every thought, word, and deed—to be so consumed by You that Your love overshadows everything I do. When people look at me, I don’t want them to see me—I want them to see You.

-Well, there’s my thought for today! 

For His glory!

Leah