New Year's Resolution:

For the past couple of weeks, I've been writing out goals and coming up with a more diligent schedule for the new year. I must say, I really do enjoy this time. I love being organized! It's my hope for the next year I can get into a diligent and more productive lifestyle. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I lay around in bed all day and eat bonbons or anything. I have a job, plus school, and other activities to keep me busy. But, I want to accomplish and learn more things that can help me to grow inside and out.

I have come up with a pretty long list, so to keep from boring you to death I'll tell you only 5 of them.

Goals For 2011:

1. Read a book a week. I have said in previous posts that I love books and am an official bookworm. But, unfortunately I don't give myself enough time to do something as simple as read a book a week. I hope to change that. Also, I want to read a lot more non-fiction than fiction. I do have a habit of doing the opposite.

2. Teach Josh piano. I feel so bad that I haven't done that already. He is so eager to learn and I know he would love playing. But that's going to change; I've already told him that he's got piano lessons on Tuesdays.

3. Write posts on my blog 3 times a week. There, I said it! Now I'm committed. So hopefully you'll be seeing a post every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

4. Make dinner 2 times out of the week. I absolutely LOVE cooking and baking, but I tend to bake more than I cook. So, by making dinner a couple nights a week I hope to broaden my horizons a little.

5. And last but not least-Work on my piano skills. I'm hoping to put 2 hours a day into practicing. I'm thinking 1 hour in the morning, and then 1 hour in the evening. We'll see how that goes!

Well, there's 5 out of the 30....or was it 40? Just know that I intend to be a very busy girl this upcoming year!

How about you? Do you have any goals for 2011?

In Him,

Rachel

Merry Christmas!!

Ok, so I'm a day late posting this....but you guys are still in the Christmas mood aren't you?? I also must admit that I have been very lazy at posting and keeping up with my blog, and so I apologize to you guys for that. It is one of my goals for next year to post more often. So hopefully you won't have to wait for weeks on end for me to post something.

Alright, onto Christmas!! We got together with some family before Christmas due to the fact that my grandparents were not going to be around on the 25th. But, it was still special none the less. On the 25th we stayed home and had a wonderful time reading the Christmas story, drinking coffee, opening presents, eating a WONDERFUL dinner, and just enjoying everything that Christmas brings.

Unfortunately, I only have A FEW pictures to share. I guess we got so caught up in enjoying everything, that we forgot about the little camera sitting in the corner waiting to be used. Poor guy. Another thing I have to work on.......

These 3 upcoming pictures are when we got together with some family before Christmas.

I hope each one of you had a blessed Christmas, and was reminded all the more of why we celebrate. God Bless!!

My sister and aunt laughing.....at who knows what.

My beautiful sister showing me what she got.....I believe it's some kind of handwarmer.

And this is a picture of Lutefisk . It's a family tradition....some call it fish jello.

In Him,

Rachel

Who Am I?

Alright, for those of you who don't really know me, I thought I would write a post about 10 things about....me! And for those who do know me...well....maybe you'll learn something you didn't know! Scary thought right?? =D So anyway, here goes!!

1. I am an official book worm. I absolutely LOVE to read!! It's probably one of my favorite things to do.

2. I play the piano and have been for about 6 or 7 years. I really really like to write my own songs as well.

3. I make people laugh....like A LOT. But the funny thing is, I don't even try sometimes....guess I'm just talented that way. =P

4. My sole purpose in life is to live for Christ, and to bring Him glory and honor.

5. I am VERY interested in becoming a nurse. I'm currently a CNA (certified nurses assistant) and really enjoy working in a nursing home.

6. My brother and I are 6 years apart, but it hasn't hindered our relationship. I really enjoy being around him.......

but we tend to be totally nutso and insane together. He is definitely one of my best friends!

7. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to ice skate!! It's SOOO much fun!!

8. My family is super important to me. I love each one of them so much!

9. I am a very active person. I really enjoy playing sports and running around...literally. Even when it comes to TV my most favorite thing to watch is football!

10. I am so grateful to God for everything He has done in my life. From salvation, to family, to life experiences, for the trials He sends......EVERYTHING. Because without Him, I could NEVER be the girl I am today.

THE END.

Christmas Time:

On Sunday, a lady at our church shared this song with us and as I was listening to it I was gripped by the lyrics. It stated so clearly the meaning of Christmas. Jesus Christ, the little baby that was born, came to this earth because of us. Because of our sin. He came to die and to pay the price of what our awful sins cost. That's the true meaning of Christmas. So as you come into church on Christmas, and slide into the pew, look up at the cross. As you look, drift back to that day when our Savior gave His life for us, and be reminded of the price He paid.

"About the Cross"

It's not just about the manager

Where the baby lay

It's not all about the angels

Who sang for Him that day

It's not just about the shepherds

Or the bright and shining star

It's not all about the wise men

Who travelled from afar

It's about the cross

It's about my sin

It's about how Jesus came to be born once

So that we could be born again

It's about the stone

That was rolled away

So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross

It's about the cross

It's not just about the presents

Underneath the tree

It's not all about the feeling

That the season brings to me

It's not just about coming home

To be with those you love

It's not all about the beauty

In the snow I'm dreaming of

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great

But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate

It's about the cross

It's about my sin

It's about how Jesus came to be born once

So that we could be born again

It's about God's love

Nailed to a tree

It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It's about the stone

That was rolled away

So that you and I could have real life someday

So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross

It's about the cross

- Go Fish

I want to also share this painting I found in a magazine, it's entitled "Simeon's Moment" and it was painted by artist Ron Dicianni. The artist says " In this painting, Simeon's Moment, I tried to let Simeon's face tell the story: Ecstasy." He also says, " I have a feeling Simeon clutched that baby like no other. He knew that he held the 'light' of the world."

Luke 2:29-32

"Lord, now You are letting Your

servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your

salvation

Which You have prepared before

the face of all peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the

Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people

Israel."

Poem:

I'm reading a commentary on Romans by John MacArthur, and while I was reading it I came upon this poem.

"O long and dark the stairs I trod

With trembling feet to find my God

Gaining a foothold bit by bit,

Then slipping back and losing it.

Never progressing; striving still

With weakening grasp and faltering will,

Bleeding to climb to God, while he

Serenely smiled, unnoting me.

Then came a certain time when I

Loosened my hold and fell thereby;

Down to the lowest step my fall,

As if I had not climbed at all

Now when I lay despairing there,

Listen...a footfall on the stair,

On that same stair where I afraid,

And lo, when hope ceased to be,

My God came down the stairs to me."

Anonymous

Building Project p.2:

We're ALMOST done!! We've got most of the metal siding up; there's just one more side to finish. Then we have to get the garage door on, and after that it will be pretty much finished!! Yeah!

I've got to tell you though, we've had some AWESOME help by the five guys that have been putting this building up. Their all very hard workers and we've been blessed to have them over. So I want to say a HUGE "Thank You"to Mr.Erickson and his work crew-his son Levi,Lucas,Jonathan, and Abram. Thanks guys!

Now for some pictures!

Figuring things out

Jonathan taking measurements

Putting up the siding

Levi,Lucas, and Jonathan......I can't believe I got them all to smile at me!!!

Building Project:

So, for the past week some friends of ours have been helping us build a pole barn. It's been fun watching it progress day by day. When it's all finished it will give our family some much needed space.

Here's a couple pictures of the past week. This next week I'm going to work hard at getting a lot more pictures, whether the guys like it or not. Lol!

First day of construction

At the end of the day we had 7 totem poles...lol!

This is a couple days later. They're all watching the roof trusses being put up.

One side of the building

Levi and Abram

Hanging out on the roof

My mom and I hated watching them up there. =P

DON'T FALL!!!

Levi and Lucas hanging on for dear life

So....I ask Jonathan to give me a fierce face.....here's what I get.

Stay tuned for more pictures!!!

Food For Thought:

"You cannot say, 'No Lord', and mean both words; one annuls the other. If you say no to Him, then He is not your Lord."

-D. James Kennedy

Can You Believe It?

Fall is here!! I absolutely love this season, there's apple cider brewing,pumpkin pie baking, and kids playing in the colorful piles of leaves. Everything feels so crisp and alive during the fall months. It's definitely one of the prettiest seasons God has given us. The beautiful leaves just glory in their Creator's design. I love the verse in Psalms which states:

"The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament SHOWS His HANDIWORK."

Psalm 19:1

Enjoy the season!!

Psalm 19:7-11

"The LAW of the LORD is perfect,
converting the soul;
The TESTIMONY of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
The STATUTES of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The COMMANDMENT of the LORD is
pure, enlightening the eyes;
The FEAR of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
The JUDGMENTS of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be DESIRED are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is
warned,
And in KEEPING them there is great
REWARD."

I came upon these beautiful verses one morning while I was reading my Bible. As I sat there reading them and re-reading them, the words that I put in bold print kept jumping out to me. When I stopped to ponder it, the first thing that I thought was of God's amazing holiness and righteousness. Line after line the verses keep emphasizing this. In verse 7 it states how God's law is PERFECT and His testimony's are SURE, verse 8 God's statutes are RIGHT and His commandments are PURE, and in verse 9 the fear of the Lord is CLEAN and His judgments are TRUE. I found it so amazing and humbling at the same time. Here's a God that is totally pure and perfect and sinless, and He wants to have a relationship with me! Me who is a lowly sinner not deserving of anything but judgment and God's wrath. Nevertheless, God in His mercy and His love has made a way to have that relationship with me because of His Son's death. How truly incredible this is!

Still Want More?

If your looking for another great testimony, I would encourage you to go to this link and watch this man's testimony. It's a moving account of true faith in Christ.

www.gty.org/Resources/Videos/Wong-TMC

Can You Spare 10 Minutes?

I found this clip from YouTube that I think really hits home the gospel message. I think as young people today, we need to sit back and reflect on what faith in Christ really means. It something I want so much to share with others who don't know the Lord. I really can appreciate the quote Kirk Cameron made about "Finding Jesus"; Jesus wasn't lost, I was, and He found me. If you can't explain the reason why you are a believer, how do you expect to explain to others why they need Jesus? It's something to think about.

2010 Deeper Conference:

Please pray for our family as we head to the Deeper Conference in Kentucky. We are anticipating a great conference and look forward to how God will use us in reaching the lost. I encourage you to check out their website!

2010 StoryBook Christian Camp

Here is the long awaited pictures from my time at Storybook Camp. For those of you who didn't know; I went to Storybook Camp in Minnesota in the beginning of August. This was my first time at Storybook and I had a blast! I had so much fun making wonderful friends, and playing sports until exhaustion (no joke!)! But what I really enjoyed was the wonderful time I had reading the Scriptures, singing praises to God, and growing closer with Him.

Here's a glimpse of the amazing week I had at Storybook!

My dad drove me up half of the way and then the next half I rode up with these cute girls =D

This was the cabin I stayed in, isn't it darl'in?

Here's three of the girls from my cabin: Ally(girl in the red), Alyssa(girl sitting on her bunk), and Amber (girl staring off into space...lol!)

Me and Amber

The lake was beautiful!

From left to right:Ally, Amber,Me, and Alyssa

Me and Hannah

So....it wouldn't be camp without pranks. Here I am...well.....having a blast toilet papering a cabin.

GO GO GO!!

The Cabin Crew

5K Race:

This morning my mom and I ran in a 5K race held by the Turner County Fair, which is this week! This was my first 5K race, and we finished with a time of 23 minutes. We had a good time and I can't wait to do another one.

There's a lot of spiritual application in the discipline of running: endurance, running through the pain, pressing toward the goal, running when you don't feel like it, and finishing strong.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2