just the little things

 Sometimes we all need a reminder of the little things that make us happy.  I know, too often, I overlook those little blessings.

really...don't we all love it?

yes!

you know you're loved...

it's like...nothing else. :P 

success!

you were on their mind... <3

of course. 

your eyes feel free! 

as close as i'm coming to a massage, i'm sure 

there's nothing like perfect timing <3

uh, please and thank you!

well, it just makes my day, too!

haha, i feel so accomplished. :P 

*sigh* 

i love having something to look forward to
(january, come come come!)

 Guess what?!  I passed another college test this week - Praise the Lord!!  There was a huge sigh of relief when I pressed the "yes" button after the computer asked if I was really, truly sure if I wanted to see my score.  My mom did a little happy dance in Target, I think, when I called her. :P  Anyway, that makes 33 credits for me, with 3 pending on this class I'm taking right now - which, so far, I'm getting good grades on!  Yay!

 God bless, everyone!

 Love,

    Sierra

Example of Leadership

Last week, I started my very first college course.  Yes, I've taken several tests, but as far as courses with assignments and deadlines go, this is the first.  So far I'm liking it!  Of course if you were a fly on the wall at my home, you would think otherwise, but that's just because it's a stressful week this week and next. :P  But, I am enjoying it and learning a lot already!  I'm so excited as this 8 week course continues because I'll be able to apply what I'm learning immediately in my LIVE for Christ group and also as I'm co-teaching Sunday school...and any other leadership the Lord brings me this year or in my future.

 So in the first week, I have to read a book called Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  In this book, Goodwin talks a lot about different leadership skills -- especially those of Abraham Lincoln.  I'm sure everyone has probably heard that Lincoln was a humble man.  Reading this book (the whopping 3 of 26 chapters that I've read), I've found out what he did in his humility.  Below are some notes I took about how Lincoln was humble and a good leader.

• Lincoln was a loyal friend
• during the 1860 presidential election, he was patiently awaiting the outcome, and would accept whatever it was
• though he experienced many disappointments in his life, he never gave up, he pushed through.  Yes, he got discouraged, but he kept going - he moved on.
• Lincoln was a great public speaker
• he was very consistent - people trusted him
• although Stanton said rude things to and about him, Lincoln forgave him and moved past it.  He rose above his hurt and actually gave Stanton the highest post of power that was in Lincoln's authority to do: secretary of war.  I wish I could rise above previous hurts and offenses like that.  It's something I definitely need to work on.
• He put himself out there and got involved with the public.  While he did this, Lincoln was attentive to those he conversed with; paid attention to what the public wanted.
• he purposefully kept a good track record during the running in case "people gave up on their first love", he would be someone they could fall back on, and wouldn't regret doing so.
• Lincoln always reconciled any differences between he and others
• he was ambitious; he wanted to win just like any of the other candidates did.  However, he didn't allow his want for success to destroy or damage his relationship or his character.

 I admire Lincoln for his humility and his "down-to-earth" personality.  These are great attributes of a good leader and I pray that the Lord will help me acquire some of these characteristics.

This week month I'm thankful for... [I know, it's been a month already since I've last done this!  I'll get better at posting these again...I hope :) just take note that these are from this past 30 days.]

281. the Lord providing me opportunities to lead
282. a great turnout for the LIVE pool party
283. hanging out with Lydia
284. long phone calls with Cassie
285. dipping cake pops with Emily
286. the opportunity to serve someone in need with my youth group
287. the surprise of Laura coming to stay
288. the blessing of meeting and seeing again CP friends
289. an all-girl video call
290. friends who pray for me
291. completing all my assignments my first week of my first college course!
292. a renunion with the Brazil team
293. finding out one of our translators from Brazil is coming to visit us
294. Lydia allowing me to stay at her house this past weekend while I'm in her area for a job
295. my sister filling in for me at work while I was gone
296. my dad helping me study for a test
297. finally getting a song out of my head (yes, it's that song. :P)
298. getting good grades on my first assignments
299. my mom helping me with school
300. God's sustenance through this past weekend

Love,
    Sierra

A Week of Friends

 This past week has been the best week of the summer for me.  Only God knew what would come out of this week.  Friends were made.  Memories were made.  Fun was had.  Being tired was the understatement; seeing 2:00am on a clock was not unusual.

Some highlights from the gathering:
    ~ worshipping with 40+ people
    ~ playing at least 3 hours of Dutch Blitz [or "Splitz" :P] a day

 
    ~ learning the "cup game" and playing it a lot
    ~ peanut butter S'mores
    ~ realizing we students are just one big family

    ~ going to the MN state fair with 30+ people
    ~ my four-person team at the state fair

    ~ the [almost] never-ending supply of Skittles
    ~ getting my hair curled (thanks Sarah!)
    ~ bowling (and beating Jason)
    ~ 15-passenger van rides with 18-20 people singing at the top of our lungs to Jamie Grace, Owl City, and Toby Mac

    ~ listening to all the talented pianists and violinists play
    ~ now being able to hear voices as I read people's posts
    ~ a scavenger hunt in the park (and the team I was with!)

 As one mom put it after a previous CP gathering: "2D relationships were strengthened as we spent 3D time together".

 My time with Laura was amazing, also.  I can't even express how thankful I am that she was able to come.  Our friendship grew so much while she was here.  Many at the gathering thought we were sisters; and soon enough we started acting as such!

 Here are a few highlights (just a few) of the time I spent with Laura:
    ~ walking around the Mall of America just talking
    ~ a lot of 2am talks

    ~ taking her to Target for the first time
    ~ shopping at Maurice's and trying on clothes together
    ~ chilling out with Monk & Skittles

 
    ~ tubing (and singing at the top of our lungs)
    ~ laughing so hard we cry (or because we are totally tired)
    ~ sitting on her bed, eating chips, and looking at the gathering pictures at 1am

 Saying goodbye to everyone was really hard.  We don't know when the next time we'll see them will be.  So that could've been the last hug we have until 3 weeks from now or over a year.  Needless to say, when goodbyes were said, hugs were repeated, and happily received! :)  God was so good to allow us to get together and to give everyone safety in their travels.  Praise Him!

Love,
  Sierra