Delivery

Today Tanya and I delivered cupcakes to some dear people... It was fun :) And cute :) It's really very exciting to do something thoughtful for someone who may need it. Like Lesya would say "it's the little things that matter".

So.. Be nice... Go out of your way today and make someone smile! It is so worth the effort.

...Study?

Finals coming up... and I find myself doing everything but studying. Hence this post, hence 1 hour 22 minutes and 18 seconds on doodle jump, half a book read, 8 games of scrabble, phone battery exhausted 3 times and one bowl of cereal. Actually my consumption of breakfast food is irrelevant.

I should go.

New York?

What beautiful weather we had today! Is this really December in Rochester, NY?

Pushok

It's true, I love my doggie. Whenever I come home, it's a guarantee that he will be waiting at the door ready to sit on the floor at your feet and wag his tail. He's always warm and cuddly even though he hates cuddling and would rather sit by himself on the other side of the house. I used to never understand people who loved their dogs, but now not only do I understand, I have become one of them! Pushok is just so cute and innocent but such an alpha dog everytime a stranger knocks on the door. I want a Pushok when I grow up, and I would reccomend for you to get one too. I don't know what's up with our culture, but maybe it's just my family who despise cute cuddle balls! Why? I don't understand.

You're Not Alone

I searched for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I'll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home

Faithful and true... Forever
For my love will carry you....

You're not alone
for I... I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life

Pre-Christmas Season

We put up our lights today! We went very simple this year... One color, white. We don't do the whole compete for the best lights in the neighborhood thing. Just now I printed a little coloring page for my Sunday school class tomorrow morning... Coloring contest here we come!

http://www.opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2008/12/merry_christmas_1.html

Haha well before Christmas really comes I want to remind myself to not get wrapped up in the Christmas stuff and forget Christ. I remember last year when I was so consumed in wrapping gifts, making food for dinner, collecting donations, making party favors for New Years... and the list goes on, that I was too busy to simply dwell on the reason for the season. It's so easy to get busy this time of year and forget! It's like I got so overwhelmed with my list of things to do that my spiritual life was lost in the background, like white noise.

 I am now learning how to master the art of taking on tasks... I have recently discussed with my CA ministry in college that when you say "yes" to a responsibility, you are really saying "no" to something else. When I say yes to practicing worship tomorrow morning, I'm saying no to sleep, I'm saying no to extra time in planning and praying for my Sunday school lesson. But it's okay sometimes! So with ending this year, I hope not to be consumed in "things to do", but to be consumed in fellowship with God, thanking Him for the greatest gift of all! And I wish the same for you as well!

Christmas Cards + Awesome Deal

Guess what? Tanya and I are sending out Christmas cards to family this year! We used Snapfish.com and they have a huge array of different layouts... so much variety!

Here is one picture we took... Do we resemble each other at all? Strangers call us twins. But then again I have heard countless times that Tanya, Irene T and I are all sisters! Haha. People all have different perceptions I guess!

The day before we took the photo above, we went to the pond area at MCC.. Not exactly the "Christmas" feeling we were looking for though.

If you are interested in getting christmas cards done... I can help you :) Want 20 cards for 1.49 including shipping? I don't know how long this promo will last but this is what you do...

Sign up for a new account with SeeHere (or login to your existing account).
Create a 4×8 photo card and choose to purchase 20 copies.
Go to checkout and enter the promo code 25cards.
Your total should only be $1.49, including shipping.

I didn't use this website myself for these cards, but it's a reliable site, I have used it in the past! I still might buy these cards, I mean come on for less than 2 dollars, who can resist? I hope you take advantage of this deal :)

The Story of Love

A story of love.
Not just any love story.
This is a story that will break your heart... and mend it.
I was left feeling ashamed for this world.
Yet so overwhelmed by God's grace upon us.
"They didn't even know" Let it not be so!
Ignorance is not bliss. (Even if your dove chocolate told you it was)

It is not simply a story of love...
It is the reality of love!

My Highlights of Isaiah

 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

                                                        And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

                                                                          Isaiah 6:8

                                                                    The Lord says:

“These people come near to me with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

Their worship of me

is made up only of rules taught by men..."

Isaiah 29:13

                                            I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,

along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do;

I will not forsake them. 

Isaiah 42:16
                     

                                                      When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2
                                 

                                                       How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news...

Isaiah 52:7

                                                  But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

                                                      and by his wounds we are healed.
                                                                       Isaiah 53:5           

Past Few Moments of Life

Just a few photos...

Early morning view of college out the window... very pretty this time of year!

The sunrise Natalya and I saw the morning that she and I helped out in Slavik and Lena's wedding.

He is so cute! Lol

"

"Maze" made of soap at the Memorial Art Gallery... I don't have much pictures of the Art Gallery because no pictures were allowed in certain areas, hence Lesya's facial expression.

My little Coffee House birthday surprise. So sweet!! Those girls are very thoughtful and loving :)

Today's cell group meeting... so "romantic"... lol. I enjoyed having the guys serve us and try to find sugar for our tea and pretty much just take care of everything. Interesting, different.

Pre-Thanksgiving Stuff

What a day... Phew!!
What am I doing right now? Waiting for jello to harden in the fridge. Can we just say... the equivalent of waiting for jello to harden is like watching paint dry ;) Wait, why would I be doing such an absurd thing at this time of the night?(... or shall I say morning?) Long story short, today has been a culinary day of disaster!! Our simple task for thanksgiving was to make 2 desserts. Easy right? Fruit jello and cake. Lesson learned: Call Lesya if you need help, and never try to make jello with kiwi! So here I am... kiwi infested fail of a jello in the trash, starting a new creation over again. Oh what fun! So tomorrow is thanksgiving, huh... that's nice. Lol I guess I have neutral feelings concerning my upcoming family dinner. I'm surely going to eat lots of good food, that's a given. So I hope you all have a lovely thanksgiving! :)   

Apple Pie in the Apple

I am simply amazed at the cuteness of this. I'm really... I guess at a loss for words. WHY ARE THEY SO CUTE!?

This little blurb made me giggle :D (I'm reposting this from http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/11/07/apple-pie-in-the-apple-a-fresh-take-on-classic-apple-pie/ )

"At our house, we’re easily swayed by the charms of a cute dessert. So, needless to say, these apple pies cooked in the apple didn’t last very long after the picture was taken. They’re just too adorable to last very long in this world.
But maybe you’re not like us, maybe your heart is hardened to the sweet and adorable things of this world. You just want a dessert that’s delicious and simple and possibly a little bit healthy. Well, these have you covered on all counts. They’re deceptively simple to make, they have an intense apple pie flavor, and with a tiny crust, just a smidge of honey in the filling, and pleasantly crisp apples, they’re not too bad for you as far as dessert goes."

Word of warning, you have to watch these carefully as they get near the end. It’s a fine line between cooked perfectly and browned, and collapsed and oozing all over your cookie sheet. Keep a close eye.
Crisp apples are a key to the recipe, so look for firm, fresh apples. I used a combination of Honey Crisps and Cortlands straight from the Saturday farmers market. Also note that I used tangerine zest and juice–I love the fragrant sweetness they lend. Oranges will sub in perfectly, though.

Apple Pie in the Apple

for the dough
1/2 recipe pie dough or store-bought puff pastry

for the filling
6 apples, hollowed out, plus 1 – 2 more, cored
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 tablespoon lemon zest and juice
2 tablespoon tangerine zest and juice

for the crust
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water

Prepare the dough according to recipe. Wrap the dough disc with plastic, and chill for at least a half hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
Set out 8 clean apples. Carefully cut of the tops (roughly 1/4″ of the way down). Next, use a sharp paring knife to remove the core. Scrape out the center so that the wall of the apple bowl is about 1/2″ thick. Reserve the apple innards. Sprinkle the inside of each apple bowl with a few squeezes of lemon. Rough chop the apple tops, innards, and the 2 additional apples. Set in a medium bowl and toss with the honey, flour, salt, spices, zests, and juices, and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first dough round into a rough 8 x 12″ rectangle. Using a cookie or biscuit cutter (or a wide-mouth canning rim), cut out six 4″ circles. With a sharp paring knife, cut 3 small teardrops into each round. Place atop the prepared apples. No need to press the dough into place. Whisk together the egg white and water, and quickly brush onto the crust. Sprinkle the top with a bit of sugar.
Bake the apples for 15 – 20 minutes, just until the dough has turned golden brown. Remove from oven, cool for 20 minutes, and serve.

Please, someone make this :) Haha I will try it out, come winter break!

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

I'm SO excited! I just bought a book on Amazon... I have had my eye on it for a while now. And I'm super excited that it costed me under 9 dollars :) Thank you swagbucks for giving me a $5 gift card! Swagbucks is a website that gives you points for doing polls, surveys, searching... other random stuff and you can trade in points for real gift cards. Woohoo! Lol I'm really happy for my new book. And I'll be sure to let y'all know if it's worth the read!

Jaeson Ma

Natalya showed me this song! Jaeson Ma also has a powerful testimony that you can watch below:

Be Blessed!

domessticated

Domessticated... the title of a new blog I have discovered. It's awesome!
First of all I love the title because I'm the queen of kitchen messes. They rock, and I don't care about what you think ;) lol
Anyway, check out their recipes and even random tips (for example the trick to keep a pot of water from boiling over)...

http://www.domessticated.com/

I'm gonna try this one day:

http://iartu.blogspot.com/2011/10/guest-post-breakfast-on-go-by-casey.html

Last Week, Today, Tomorrow

Last Week: 

 After Thanksgiving service. When I look at this picture, I think of how much I love our church! This house of prayer is my home!

Today:

After the wedding, I had a guest over my house! Cute Suzie! She is such a sweetheart... She was my coloring assistant and cookie assistant. We made these cookies for Sunday school tomorrow morning, and for Coffee House as well. They are pretty yummy :)

Tomorrow:

My plans for Sunday School.

Tenth Avenue North Concert (with Third Day)! Yay! Artist circle tickets. I'm looking forward to chillin with Tanya and Alesya-- Two of the greatest christian music lovers I know.

Until then, I must dive back into my large packet of  Anatomy power points...

Nervous System here I go (again.)

Oh and by the way, today my childhood best friend, Yuliya Sidorchuck is now married! It's so interesting to look back and remember our numerous, long last chats on the phone concerning our dreams of marriage... And here she is. That's done on her checklist of thing to do in life.

And it reminds me, God has His intricate plan for me written out, and for you too friend!

May His will be done in your life!

<3

Update

I'm having a pleasant day. It's quite nice. Here is what I've been up to this week:

This is my statistics project... about ABlogAboutLife! Haha. I made random stuff up. Burgess shall never know. Lol. (Burgess is my professors name). Wow wouldn't it be scary if she actually went on my blog because all the information/website URL is in there. That would be quite the "situation" as Lesya would say...

Chipolte with Julie. YUMM. I left my leftover tortilla bowl in Alesya's car. Please Alesya, I hope it is still not in there! We had a blast, which is expected if you chill with Julie.

He just loves himself, look at how he is staring at this video! Tanya and I tried to teach Pushok how to text, but I'm afraid this task may be almost as hard as teaching Mama how to send text messages.

Speaking of Mama texting, I was reading over the text messages my mom has sent me over the weeks (yes it took dedication, but we taught her how to do it), anyway I was reading them during Psych lecture and had to contain myself here are a few: (I will not correct the spelling)

September 22
Me: Good job!!
Mom: God gob for what?

September 23
Mom: Andrey sant samthing on you imail can you chak it
translation: Andrey sent you something on your email, can you check it?

October 6
Mom: Tamara nid to now if you find girls for sunday
LOL sounds so weird! Ok Tamara is my aunt and she had me find girls to help sell pirozki in church.

October 11
Mom: Are you going to halp me cut a grass?
I think at this point her spelling has gotten much better!

October 17
Mom: You forget a book
I had a random book left on the table

October 18
Mom: Whaw babushka?
I was with my grandma at the hospital

others:
--> Coall me
--> Weare you ?
--> Ocay
--> Yes its for free

Whenever you feel down, text your mama.

Sunglasses

Hi!
So a few days ago I had to go to an appointment for a re-treatment of a root canal. Oh joy, the first one didn't work out, so I had to have a redo. I was pumping with excitement... not. But wow that office was gorgeous. It was my first time there and oh did I feel like a superstar in there... elegant paintings, expensive couches. A lady even took my book bag and scarf to hang up. She even offered me something to drink. I asked for water and to my surprise she asked me at what temperature I would like my water to be at. I tried to casually say..."Uhh. Cold". Lol. It was weird. I think I may have had too much coffee or something that day... Wait, I didn't have coffee that day. I guess I was simply on my typical weirdness equilibrium. So when we finally got to the part where they treat my tooth, the dentist put on blue plastic sheet where my tooth was, and then they hand me glasses. Not just glasses... Sunglasses. I just looked at them, mouth agape with blue plastic in my mouth... I guess I just stared because they told me to put them on. I obeyed. I also must have looked confused so the dentist explained that the sunglasses are to keep me comfortable when the light shines into my eyes. They finally got to working on my tooth and then I began to imagine myself. Blue plastic in mouth, dentist man, and the sunglasses resting on my face. It was simply too much for me to handle. I almost started to laugh, but I was seriously afraid they would mess up my tooth so I was holding it all in. I tried so hard not to think about how freaky I must have looked from the outside. But the more you try not to think of something, the harder it is to not think of it. Thank the Lord, I did not laugh. It was quite challenging. So that's it. I just wanted to share with you this moment. I now feel quite relieved I may freely laugh out loud about it without the fear of gaining an unneeded extra root to my molar.     

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie:
Part One:
-Cut one pie pumpkin in half, remove seeds, cover with foil.
-Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees
-Scoop out pumpkin, mash.

Part Two:
-Mix 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinammon, *1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, *1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 1/2 cups mashed pumpkin, 1 can sweet condensed milk, and 2 eggs until smooth.
-Pour into unbaked 9" pie crust. Bake 15 minutes at 450 degrees and another 45 min at 350 degrees.

*I usually skip those two spices and add just ginger

This is a scooped out pumpkin before it was baked... My mom got this pumpkin from the farm... Lol the farmer skammed my mom saying it was a pie pumpkin, but it wasnt! Pie pumpkins make the BEST pie! So with this pie, the texture was not as smooth and creamy as previous pies.

                                The final product ;) MMMMmm perfect with a glass of cold milk.

Study

College is fun! But... a lot of work as well. Can you believe we are already more than 1/3 through the semester? Monday starts week 6 of 15! Unlike in high school, where no such thing as "studying" existed, studying is a huge part of college! I study for anatomy ALOT. But how do you memorize a million different words that all sound the same?! I think of stupid things to make me remember... For example I think of corn, loaves, grain, spinach and basil when looking at the layers of epidermis (strata cornium, strata lucidum, strata granulosa, strata spinulosa and strata bastale). The dumber, the better. Haha honestly it's fun. Here is a typical picture of my bed:

"When studying, one must always have a reward." -Me.

In this picture not only do I have the privilege of cuddling with Horhe, my humble one-eared magical pillowpet as a reward, I get a yummy banana! 

Beth Moore

Hi everyone! Check out these videos... Wow! Right? God works in powerful ways! :)

180: What Changed Their Minds... in Seconds?

Hey everyone! I deeply encourage you all to watch this "movie" it is quite life changing, even for those who are pro-life. I can't stress enough how valuable this video is!

Dreadful Checklist

Hi everyone, I want to share a note from a friend on Facebook for those of you who lack Facebook accounts! This note holds much wisdom!

I am unable to sleep tonight. I wish I was able to pin point exactly what is keeping me up. Gosh, it could be a number of things.....was it something that happened to me today? Maybe something I ate? Did I intentionally hurt the feelings of someone? Did I forget to fill up my car with gas? Hmmmm, maybe it was the story I read in the paper; about the father who threw his son overboard and justified it with “I was horse-playing!” It could very well be the fact that I have to wake up early in the morning to run, a list full of errands, that I really do not want to do. Or maybe the planning of my sister’s wedding is somewhat overwhelming and stressful. Maybe I have been too busy. Ok lets quickly run through the checklist…
Have I been taking time off in my day to pray? Well yes, of course. More than 5 times a day, at least. Ok phew. Check. That cannot be the problem.

Have I been reading Gods’ Word? Yes. Twenty chapters a day. Check check. Ok good, then that shouldn’t be the problem.

Have I been attending church regularly? Hmmm, well when I am able to, I try to make it. But I listen to sermons online , so that balances my church attendance out…right? Yes. Ok, Check.

Do I give my share of the tithes and offerings? I sure do, I make sure I give the biggest bill I have in my wallet. Hmmm, well on the days I bring my wallet to church… but yeah, I am going to give myself a Check.

Do I love my neighbors? Yes I do… very much so actually. Alrighty, Check Check Check.

I am obedient. I try respecting my parents as best as I can. I fast at least once a week…sometimes more. I keep the Sabbath holy(haven’t worked a Sunday in months now). I surround myself with good Christ-loving friends, whom encourage me. I care about the poor and needy, they are always in my prayers.
Check. Check. Check. Check. Check. Check.

Yep. Spiritual life is looking like it is in place. So why do I feel so empty? I live a good Christian life. I stay away from sin, actually as a matter of fact, I flee from it (2 timothy 2:22). Wow, do you see that? I just quoted Scripture. So what could be wrong??? Why is my heart heavy?
______________________________________________________________________

When did my walk with God become a mere checklist? When did my self-righteousness turn me into this hypocrite? Where did I being to comprehend the mercy and love of my God on the basis of my actions? Why have I become just like the Pharisee’s?

Maybe I do not place heavy burdens on the people. Nor do I seek the best seats in the synagogues. I have no intention of devouring widows’ houses. But I have something in common with them. I have heavily relied on a religious system that consists of traditions, special prayers and checklists.

Is that all my walk with God has become? Is that why I strive to be different then the world? Why my morals and standards are rather high? Is it merely the fact that I have this empty hole in my heart which is in need of being filled with a, self-created, self-assuring, thought; that something greater than I exists? So I keep filling my planner with works that ‘might’ make me good enough to enter the throne gates of Heaven? In all honesty, who is keeping track of my list along with me? Whom am I comparing my list of “deeds” to?

This is the shameful moment where I wish, truly, that I had forgotten to fill up my car. Sometimes when God humbles us… He really humbles us.

Forgive me Jesus!!! For You have been patient, awaiting for me to realize a valuable lesson. This relationship of Sinner and Savior has nothing to do with how good I can become. Nor does it have anything to do with how bad I am. I will never reach total perfection here on earth. I will sin and fall short of the glory of God day in, and day out. But regardless of how hard I strive and what I achieve, He is going to see a sinner whom is in desperate need of love. I am throwing away my religious system for something far better. A relationship with a God, who loves me! And it is HIS love… that compels me do the things I do.

I ask for you, my dearly beloved friend, to throw away your religion.

Blessings.
Liliya Petrovna Sidorchuk

                                                  http://indianfusion.aglasem.com/?attachment_id=12489

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

Yesterday I made this for Coffee House and I was shocked to see how quickly it disappeared! I really should not have been shocked, because chicken wing dip always rocks... Here is the recipe!

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)
• 1 cup Ranch-style salad dressing
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese and hot pepper sauce until well blended. Mix in the Ranch dressing, chicken and Cheddar cheese. Spread into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. If oil collects on the top, dab it off using a paper towel. Serve with tortilla chips. 

 As easy as 1, 2,3!

I used this website: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Wing-Dip/Detail.aspx

If My People..

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."  

2 Chronicles 7:14

Photography props given all to Nelli Konavalchuk!

You may already know that this month as a youth we are focusing on prayer. I have been very blessed to hear amazing sermons about prayer so far in youth service!  So what have you learned about prayer? What does prayer mean to you? How have you been effected by prayer? I'd like you for you to leave a comment about prayer, if you are willing! :)

Life Continues

Hello friends! I need a break from my books, therefore I shall share the details of my life. Hence, the title of my blog: A Blog About Life :)

My books... So much fun. I actually love Bio lecture! My professor is really cool! And I get to spend an entire fifty minutes sitting next to Dasha and Mike. I'm looking forward to the Nursing Program with Dasha, we work together really well, with minimal distractions (usually I distract her somehow, but only once in a while). We are kinda nerds.

Here is Lesya and the "hot" picture. We sang a song on Friday at church and Lesya did a great job on piano, she's so talented!

I started this morning doing the hair of four wonderful ladies! It was a practice for the wedding coming up in November. These girls were wonderful :) Even though we ran about 20 minutes late from what I planned, they were so sweet! It was just fun to talk to them and be together for a few hours!

                                                                    Here is Lera :)

                           Irina Y :) I LOVE the lighting of this picture! It accentuates her beauty.

                                                           Irina K! (in the corner, LOL)

                                                        Here is the back-- Elegant yet flirty!



                                                        It has been a good past few days!
                                                                 Thanks for reading!

Untitled

I'm one week in... I've been waiting for college for what felt like decades. High school had a tendency to drag... things were slow, trust was limited, taking responsibility was rare, laziness abounded! But through those years I learned more about myself, my world and my God! I'm so thankful for the hard times, because without going through them, I'd be a different person today. I'm thankful for the teachers who cared, for the friends who were there every morning, and for the people and organizations who funded my scholarships! If I could rememeber one thing about high school it would be that you had two choices- to flow with the river, or swim against the stream. There is no in the middle... It's the same everywhere. Stand and be couragous for our Savior, or... not.

(I'm not really sure where this post is leading, I meant to discuss my college experience thus far, but I'll save that for later.)

So I'll leave on a note of encouragement: Stand! Be couragous; for the One who is in us is greater than he who is in this world! Nothing is impossible with God! Stay in Him, continue praying, and never forget to listen for the trumpet blast that will soon resound to call us home!     

Life

I would like to share a personal diary entry with you, I believe I wrote it last year.

I drew a little speck (*) (I'm a visual person if you don't know) on the left of the entry; the top of the page says "birth" and on the bottom is "death", the speck is towards the top, but quickly falling down, signifying my and your short life.

birth
.
.
.
.                            I'm this tiny speck falling from the sky...
.                                             What will I do with my short time here?
.*                                                      Use my energy to make who happy?
.
.                                                              1.) You?
.                                                                 2.) Me?
.                                                                    3.) Others?
.
.
.
.                                                   give me wisdom.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
death

Lord Make Us Courageous

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged."
1 Chronicles 22:13

Song for the Day

Hi there! I'm not going to get into how amazing my day has been, but it has been blessed because at every turn of this day I see God leading me! He is so good!

Have you ever listened to a song and sang along, not putting two cents into what you really are singing? Oy well I'll confess that I've done that more times than I can count. So today, I really listened to a song. Please read the words and let God talk to you through them:


Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by, living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me.

To reach out with Your hands,
To look with Your eyes
To love with a love of a Savior
To feel with Your heart and to think with Your mind


(Hey you! Go back read it for real.)

The part that hits me is "How refreshing to know You don't need me, how amazing to find that You want me." What a courageous statement! It's the truth! As humans we tend to lean upon our own nature, thinking the world revolves around us. Or is that just me? But wait, God doesn't need me, I'm nothing compared to Him (literally). Now hit the breaks... He wants me anyway. It's so simple yet complicated, mere words cannot provide an explanation worthy enough. Dwell on this!

Update: I started college! My blog post numbers may seem to dwindle, but trust me, every day I have something to say, a new idea, a fresh revelation. Therefore, I am writing it all down so when I'm ready I could expand and make a post for that specific topic. In other words, I'm planning posts for the future on account of school delaying me a tad! God Bless :)

Lets Rewind...

2005... I was twelve years old, striving to find my identity. Here is a silly but thought provoking diary entry I wrote on September 15th, it was the beginning of my first middle school year.

http://www.cwlexchange.org/2010/06/13/diary-or-journal-whats-the-difference/

"OMGness I feel so good, or is it bad? IDK but I feel like I know something that was like a mystery to me.
Ok there is this SOOOO  SOOOOO cute boy in my health class and he's next to my locker (yaya!). His name I think is Josh but he doesn't seem obnoxious at all. Is that possible for someone that good looking? Lol, he's nothing like Tommy the weirdo 'popular' mean kid from last year. He seems SHY, OMG is that possible??? So I think I figured out why!!! In health he raised his and and for like the first time this year, so I was surprised. He was like "YYYesterday wwwe wennt ttto footbbbball practace" I felt so weird. IDK it was weird to see a cute guy like stutter like that but its soo cute! he he he he he he he he"  

Congratulations, if you are still reading, your survived entering my former twelve year old brain :D

Sunset

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands!"

 -Psalm 19:1

*picture compliments of Inna and maybe Tanya :) Thanks!

Who Is This?

Hi Friends :) I miss you all! Especially my blogging buddy Lesya... I feel ready to just chill indoors for now, in the air conditioned room, so perfect timing to tell you whats up with Florida :)

Almost the entire crew. Few words that come to mind: Beautiful, fun-loving; team awesome.

And since I have received a small number of requests to show each beautiful girl individually...

Irina:

  Wowie, now this is one smart chick. You can see the confidence in her eyes, just look at 'er! She is passionate for Jesus, staying organized, and being on time. You can call her Ninja Sharktooth if you wish, or just Ira. Ira is always there if you need her and is always on the top of her game.

Tanya:

 When I think of Tanya, I see this face. Mouth agape (ever since childhood she's been smiling like a loony) and eyes sparkling. She loves praying, reading the Bible and inspiring others. I am comfortable in all ways around her, she's my bestie. She is known for her striking eyes and compatible personality. Ninja freak!!

Inna:

Inna. She is all around amazing. Some words: Sweetie, model, beautiful inside and out. I love how you can just go up to her and pick her up for a hug! She's a cutie and is simply just Inna. She loves shopping and adores her job as a nurse. Memorable moment: Her idea to make a fashion show in the hotel hallway on a rainy night. Inna is a cute little cutie!

Alesya:

Look here it's another intelligent beautiful young woman! Alesya, she is easy to laugh with and I absolutely love her laugh. I wish I could record it and show you. Haha. What I love about her is that she is comfortable in the beautiful skin she's in, rock on Ninja Brownie Sundae!!

Natalya:

If you could describe Nat in one word is would be Sweetheart!! She is the girl who will do anything to help you, if no one else wants to help, she would volunteer. She is always the one to laugh at my dumb jokes, even when no one else thinks I'm funny. She is a beauty, but is so humble! She's just an amazing young woman who has a great future ahead of her.

Anna:

Anna, she is the girl who never ceases to surprise you! Well before this trip I didn't know her too well, now I see that she's pretty much a model, lol. She is sweet in all ways, and she loves to have fun and relax. She loves her roasted almonds and long showers :P

Katya:

Who is this? Oh la la, it's Katarina! She can rock the catwalk any day of the week, her natural beauty evident always. She also loves to laugh and is super silly at times. Quote I shall never forget: "I'll tickle you until your paralyzed!" She may look sweet, but she's got a dangerous spark in her :P I'm so glad I got to know her better during this trip, and am looking forward to more fun times!

Julie:

Juliet... The one whom I adore :) I love joking around with her, I know she is willing to be silly and crazy any time of the day (except when she's sleeping like a rock). Juliet is tall and fresh. She loves her white robe and being a DJ, it takes legit skill to spend as much time as possible in robe! She is hilarious and just reminds me of all my other crazy cousins! (In a good way).

Me:

Who am I? I don't know, you tell me! Just kidding. Fun fact: I love being a listener... I am an undercover  ninja and high couture fashion designer, video recorder and photographer. I am Ninja Captain Snickerdoodle. I am passionate about Christ and just want to be nice to others. I'm simple and sick of talking about myself :) 

Ok my eyes and fingers hurt. Catch ya later alligator!