This time of year always makes me feel light-hearted. For me, it starts with Thanksgiving -- a time to gather with family, share your thankfulness, and enjoy fellowship. This year, we had family over at our house, which was a lot of fun. In fact, it was unanimously voted that we host Christmas, too! :) It was fun to see the guys in the family enjoying themselves -- my dad fired up the forge and the men did some blacksmith-ing. After watching them for a while, the girls went back inside to chat (and eat chocolate and drink punch). I also was busy going through dozens and dozens of ads and clipping out great coupons!
My sister, mom, and I stayed up and left our house about 11:30pm to drive to the nearest town with all of our "Black Friday stores": Herberger's, Kohl's, and JC Penney. I was surprised to see how many men were out shopping with their wives at Herberger's! It was pretty much me and five other men standing around the $10 14pc. Pyrex sets to find out how many we needed to grab! We got to Kohl's about 2:30 (Kohl's and Herb's opened at midnight, if you didn't know), and decided at about 3:15 that we better get in line and take turns between looking around and standing in line. To make a long story short, we were still in line at 4:45 with about an hour and a half to go. Thankfully, we discovered a second line that everyone said was equally as long -- NOT! It was WAY shorter: we jumped in at the back of the line at the 15 min. mark. Anyway, I picked out a few Christmas presents for myself, so I know what I'm getting this year (it's better this way than getting something you don't want and having to wait in line after Christmas to return it).
I am pleased to tell you that I got my pajamas at JC Penney. My tradition is to buy two pairs of pajamas a year...on Black Friday...at JC Penney.
We went to a few other stores and then headed home around 8am -- the entire way home I was nodding off, trying to stay awake to help keep my mom awake! :) I slept from 10 to 2:30 and when I woke up, guess what we did! Went shopping again! This time it wasn't very exciting because we went to Cabela's and yes, their clothes are cute, but even on sale, I can't afford them!
Black Friday makes me so happy for two reasons. One, because of all the sales! Two, because it's the start of Christmas! Friday night, I went on Spotify and made a 20 hour long playlist filled with dozens of Christmas albums, which I'm listening to now. Also, on the way home on Friday evening, we saw mini-vans with trees atop them! That's just a pretty sight to me. Oh, and another favorite is the sound of bells outside of stores: the Salvation Army bell ringers! Love it!
This week I'm thankful for...
121. Christmas music
122. beginning of advent
123. e-cards from friends
124. relaxing after a hard day
125. sleeping in!
126. family gathering
127. delicious food
128. Thanksgiving being a national holiday
129. Black Friday shopping with mom & sister
130. good deals :)
My favorite Christmas album this week is: Home for Christmas by BarlowGirl.
Have a blessed week,
~Sierra
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a lovely day with friends and relatives while you eat, be thankful, and maybe eat some more. :)
I wanted to share a couple verses with you. I have heard these three verses uncountable times within the past week.
I wanted to share a couple verses with you. I have heard these three verses uncountable times within the past week.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
What Can I Say?
This week has been quite an adventure! Let's start with Tuesday: an amazing day with God's blessings!
At the end of October, my mom and I applied for something. Something big. The week before this past week, we found out we were accepted. On Tuesday night, we attended, with 15 others, the first meeting for our Brazil mission trip! I am so beyond excited! For a long time, I've felt God calling me to go on a mission trip, and here I am, embarking on an adventure that will be remembered for the rest of my life -- maybe even change my life. God totally has His hand on this trip already!
You see, 17 people from my church applied for this mission trip: 7 men, and 10 women. Our pastor got in contact with the missionary down there who we will be going to help and asked if 17 was too many. When she wrote back, she said they have two rooms: one for men, and one for women. The women's room sleeps 10 and the men's room sleeps 8 which leaves one bed for a translator. If that's not God, I don't know what is! I will be keeping you updated as time progresses and you're prayers would be appreciated!
Thursday, I woke up reeeaaally early (5am) to go with my dad to his work. I needed to run some errands over there, and he had an empty desk for me to do school at. I was so tired that day!
Friday, well, let's skip Friday because Saturday was more fun. :)
Saturday was one of the most epic days of my whole life...so far! :) First, I started my day like I usually do by going for a walk with my mom. Then, we went to play practice for our Christmas play at church. I'll say right here that the only bummer of the day was that it snowed. And it wasn't just a small, melt-when-it-hits-the-ground snow, it was 4-5 inches of snow. Anyway, at 1pm the vehicles started rolling in, eventually bringing a whopping 25 girls to my house for LIVE for Christ's 1st Annual Harvest Party. God had His name written all over Saturday! We played games, had snack, made a cool craft, and had fun (at least, I hope they had fun!). But, let me tell you, that wasn't the end of the epic day!
My dad (the dare devil he is) braved the snow storm and drove me an hour (well, what was supposed to be an hour) to a gathering of CollegePlus! students. There weren't only students from this state, but we had four states represented! I've been able to get to know some of them online and such, but was never able to meet these awesome people in person! Sure, I was exhausted at the end of the day, but it was SO worth it!
When I got home, I cleaned up what was left from the party and curled up and watched a movie. A great end to a great day.
This week I'm thankful for... *I'm a bit behind on this so this list isn't just from last Sunday to today*
101. a great LIVE meeting
102. 2 good weeks in a row!
103. planning a party for LIVE
104. how God never ceases to amaze me
105. flexible people
106. my first paycheck
107. exciting news
108. supportive friends
109. amazing LIVE party
110. meeting friends in person
111. seeing the time 11:11 on 11/11/11 =)
112. God's safety in snow storms
113. my sacrificing and helpful parents
114. a great Thanksgiving sermon
115. seeing God put pieces together in my life
116. laughing at lame jokes for a long time
117. friends who take pictures for me :)
118. dirty dishes (yes, I stole that one from someone else)
119. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
120. worship teams
God bless!
Sierra
At the end of October, my mom and I applied for something. Something big. The week before this past week, we found out we were accepted. On Tuesday night, we attended, with 15 others, the first meeting for our Brazil mission trip! I am so beyond excited! For a long time, I've felt God calling me to go on a mission trip, and here I am, embarking on an adventure that will be remembered for the rest of my life -- maybe even change my life. God totally has His hand on this trip already!
You see, 17 people from my church applied for this mission trip: 7 men, and 10 women. Our pastor got in contact with the missionary down there who we will be going to help and asked if 17 was too many. When she wrote back, she said they have two rooms: one for men, and one for women. The women's room sleeps 10 and the men's room sleeps 8 which leaves one bed for a translator. If that's not God, I don't know what is! I will be keeping you updated as time progresses and you're prayers would be appreciated!
Thursday, I woke up reeeaaally early (5am) to go with my dad to his work. I needed to run some errands over there, and he had an empty desk for me to do school at. I was so tired that day!
Friday, well, let's skip Friday because Saturday was more fun. :)
Saturday was one of the most epic days of my whole life...so far! :) First, I started my day like I usually do by going for a walk with my mom. Then, we went to play practice for our Christmas play at church. I'll say right here that the only bummer of the day was that it snowed. And it wasn't just a small, melt-when-it-hits-the-ground snow, it was 4-5 inches of snow. Anyway, at 1pm the vehicles started rolling in, eventually bringing a whopping 25 girls to my house for LIVE for Christ's 1st Annual Harvest Party. God had His name written all over Saturday! We played games, had snack, made a cool craft, and had fun (at least, I hope they had fun!). But, let me tell you, that wasn't the end of the epic day!
My dad (the dare devil he is) braved the snow storm and drove me an hour (well, what was supposed to be an hour) to a gathering of CollegePlus! students. There weren't only students from this state, but we had four states represented! I've been able to get to know some of them online and such, but was never able to meet these awesome people in person! Sure, I was exhausted at the end of the day, but it was SO worth it!
When I got home, I cleaned up what was left from the party and curled up and watched a movie. A great end to a great day.
This week I'm thankful for... *I'm a bit behind on this so this list isn't just from last Sunday to today*
101. a great LIVE meeting
102. 2 good weeks in a row!
103. planning a party for LIVE
104. how God never ceases to amaze me
105. flexible people
106. my first paycheck
107. exciting news
108. supportive friends
109. amazing LIVE party
110. meeting friends in person
111. seeing the time 11:11 on 11/11/11 =)
112. God's safety in snow storms
113. my sacrificing and helpful parents
114. a great Thanksgiving sermon
115. seeing God put pieces together in my life
116. laughing at lame jokes for a long time
117. friends who take pictures for me :)
118. dirty dishes (yes, I stole that one from someone else)
119. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
120. worship teams
God bless!
Sierra
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
A Verse to Share
Hey ya'll!
I just wanted to share a verse with you today:
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for?" ~Jeremiah 32:27
For no particular reason, this verse stuck out to me the other night as I was reading my Bible. Think about it, is anything too hard for Him? He created every living thing on this earth! He died and rose again! When He died, He took away every human being's sins! Plus, He's done SO much more for each of us! I think - no, I know - He's pretty capable of anything!
91. a small Bible study group
92. a doorknob on my door
93. Google Chrome
94. online Scrabble with friends
95. my Grandpa visiting
96. jobs
97. people speaking about Operation Christmas Child at church
98. God making me an organizational freak :)
99. Sardines in the dark with my fam
100. the many different styles of communication
Have a wonderful week!
Sierra
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Following a Mission Statement
Recently, I was reading a book by Mindy Starns Clark. In this book, the main character works for a very rich and generous man who gives grants to non-profit organizations. The job of this main character is to research about the organization and determine whether or not they are deserving of this grant; she checks to see if they're using their money wisely, etc. It is noted in the book that she always starts off by reading the organization's mission statement to see what they claim to do and be and then goes on to see if they actually follow this statement.
About a day after I read this book, my mom and I had a long discussion on following mission statements while we were on a walk. In my post Great Expectations, I included my life's mission statement. What my goal is for my life. Anyway, on this walk, we talked about how it is so easy to stray from the mission statement that we have set either for our own lives, maybe a business, etc. The phrase "easier said than done" applies very literally to this topic. You can write an awesome mission statement in five minutes, and even mean it, but it takes patience, diligence, and God's help to actually follow the statement.
As you may know, I lead a discipleship group called LIVE for Christ in my home. When you start a business or a Bible study, or, in my case, a discipleship group, you should have a mission or vision statement.
This planning takes careful consideration. I can't imagine how churches, youth groups, and large organizations can make sure their activities follow their mission statement. I'm sure we can all come up with at least three church related activities that haven't matched their mission statement. These inconsistencies can cause people to leave a church, can cause hurt relationships, and even cause a slow straying from God.
So what's your mission statement? What's it for: your life, business, group or Bible study? And, most importantly, are you following it? Am I following mine? Are we asking God for His guidance and help?
Have a blessed week!
Sierra
About a day after I read this book, my mom and I had a long discussion on following mission statements while we were on a walk. In my post Great Expectations, I included my life's mission statement. What my goal is for my life. Anyway, on this walk, we talked about how it is so easy to stray from the mission statement that we have set either for our own lives, maybe a business, etc. The phrase "easier said than done" applies very literally to this topic. You can write an awesome mission statement in five minutes, and even mean it, but it takes patience, diligence, and God's help to actually follow the statement.
As you may know, I lead a discipleship group called LIVE for Christ in my home. When you start a business or a Bible study, or, in my case, a discipleship group, you should have a mission or vision statement.
The mission of LIVE for Christ is to direct young ladies ages 8 to 17 to live their life honoring their heavenly Father. Lessons focus on respecting the Lord, others, and themselves as they walk with the Lord. Learning to fear Him, not man, and make the Scriptures a vital part of their lives is the main concept of LIVE. Through lessons, games, and at-home challenges, girls are encouraged to live their lives fully for God as His daughters and be example to others by shining their light.For me, it is sometimes challenging to make sure everything I plan in a LIVE meeting, ties back to my mission statement. This also allows the girls' parents to know what their daughters are attending. There are no surprises as far as activities they won't approve of.
This planning takes careful consideration. I can't imagine how churches, youth groups, and large organizations can make sure their activities follow their mission statement. I'm sure we can all come up with at least three church related activities that haven't matched their mission statement. These inconsistencies can cause people to leave a church, can cause hurt relationships, and even cause a slow straying from God.
So what's your mission statement? What's it for: your life, business, group or Bible study? And, most importantly, are you following it? Am I following mine? Are we asking God for His guidance and help?
Have a blessed week!
Sierra
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