my thanksgiving weekend

 How was your Thanksgiving weekend?

 I took half the day off from school on Wednesday and helped ready the house for company the next day.  I didn't do any school the rest of the weekend which has been super nice.

 Thursday, I woke up with the cold that has kind of gone through the family now.  Not a great start, but I wasn't going to let it get the better of me!  I woke up, helped my mom peel potatoes, and then went to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - a little tradition of ours.  We always celebrate Thanksgiving with my dad's family, so they were joining us at our house this year.  Not everyone was able to make it this year, but it was still a good time!  After lunch, we played paintball in our woods which was a blast!  I think some people got a few welts/bruises, but I say they are worth it!

 I decided I should try to take a short cat nap before our shopping excursion, so I went to lay down at about 8:30.  That way, I would have about two and a half hours to sleep so we could leave at 11:30.  My mom and I ended up leaving around midnight, and the drive took a while because the weather was terrible.  Plus, we were following a snow plow. :P

 We didn't find a whole lot of good deals, but it was fun shopping with my mom (my sister didn't feel well enough to join us this year).  I got a new electric blanket (I get really cold easily), some new pajamas (as per tradition), and a new fall/spring type jacket.  By the time my mom and I got home at 8:30, I was worn out.  I slept for only about 4 hours, and then laid in bed all day and played a Nancy Drew computer game.  In fact, that's what I did all day on Saturday, too, since this cold did end up getting the better of me.  Saturday night, our family sat down and watched A Christmas Carol the musical (with Kelsey Grammar).  We try to watch it every year, as it's our favorite version.

 This morning, I still wasn't feeling up to much, so I had to stay home from church.  But now it's officially Christmas-time.  Today was spent listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album, setting up Christmas decorations, doing a tiny bit of kinda Christmas shopping, and watching a Christmas love movie on Hallmark. :)  I love this time of year!  Now I need to start making a list of gifts I still need to buy. :)

 This coming Wednesday, my sister and I are heading to Operation Christmas Child with some friends. Then we're heading to MOA!  Can't wait!

 Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Love,
  Sierra

of math, LIVE, and shopping...

 This past Saturday was a wonderful day for me!  It was the 2nd Annual Harvest Party for LIVE.  We had 18 girls attend, and it was a blast!  We sang a couple fun songs, played a few games, and did a fun craft!  Here are a few pictures from the day.

 one of our outside games

the craft.  the girls were oh so creative! 

another game: Balderdash.  this was one of the favorites!

 During the game of Balderdash, one of the favorite words was: epalpebrate, which means 'lacking eyebrows'.  This caused bouts of laughter from everyone.

 Last week, we figured out a way to combine my high school math and college math.  So instead of doing math for the next 6 months, I should be done by Christmas (Lord-willing!).  Of course, I will still have Statistics to do, but otherwise, I will be done with math! :D

 Along with working on Natural Sciences, I started working on Intermediate Algebra with ALEKS.  I have been understanding math SO much better than I did last year, it's so nice!  Hopefully by Christmas, I will have a total of 9 more college credits.

 For Thanksgiving, my dad's family is coming over for lunch and to play paintball!  I'm excited about it!  Paintball is always fun. :)  Then....*drumroll* it's SHOPPING TIME!!!  :D  I can't wait!  Last year, my mom, sister, and I left around 11:30pm, came home around 9:00am, slept till 3:30, and went back shopping until 8:00.  :P  This year, my sister and I are planning on watching Christmas movies on Friday after our shopping excursion.  I've made a rule that there is to be no Christmas movie watching or Christmas music listening until after Thanksgiving.  I'm looking forward to delving into the Christmas season at 11:30 Thursday night. :)

 What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Have a wonderful week!

 Sierra

Isaiah 55:9

"So as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

 This verse was my "verse of the day" one day in December of 2010.  I read my verse of the days each morning when I wake up and each night before I go to sleep.  On that particular day, I was preparing for a Christmas party for my Bright Lights group.

 Each party I'd had for my group before, I had over-estimated how many would be coming.  Therefore, I would purchase too many supplies all because I had just hoped more girls would attend.  But this Christmas party was different.  I asked God to bring who He wanted to the party.  Of course, I did have to purchase supplies, so I planned on 15.  Because I was buying some things in bulk, I would have a few extra items.

 So the day of the party arrived.  I woke up, read my verse of the day, and set about preparing the house for about 14 girls, food, games, and fun!  Throughout the morning, I got a few emails from some girls telling me that they were bringing a friend.  One by one, four more places at the table were added; four more favors were made; four more chairs were brought up to the living room.  Wow!  God was adding to our day and I prayed that we would be a blessing to our guests.  

 The party went well!  18 girls attended and all together, they brought $110 for Samaritan's Purse.  We also sang, played a couple games, and had a wonderful Christmas tea!

 That night, I crawled into bed and read my verse of the day.  Isaiah 55:9.

"So as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

 God showed me that night that His ways are SO much better than mine.  I may have only planned for 15 and expected 14, but I gave the rest to Him.  We had 18 girls come and had enough favors, food, and chairs to go around!  

 HE is GOOD!!!

 God bless,

    Sierra

good talk.

 As you know, I lead a discipleship group (LIVE for Christ) for girls.  A few weeks ago, as I do every meeting, I gave the girls a challenge to take home to complete by the time the next meeting rolls around.  The two meetings in October, we talked about Courtship.  As I was writing the lesson for the first meeting, I realized I couldn't give them an hour long lesson; so I settled for two meetings instead.  I enjoyed teaching these lessons and learning even more about this way of relationships which is so diverse from what our culture practices today.

 I remember when my mom first told me I'd be "courting".  I was younger, so I didn't completely understand it, and therefore, wasn't able to completely accept it.  But as I've gotten older, I've learned more and decided that I wasn't going to court because my parents were making me.  I was going to court because it was a personal conviction of mine.

 You may be wondering: just what is courting?  Well, it's an alternative to dating.  How is courtship different than dating?  I'll give you a few differences which I showed my LIVE girls a few weeks ago.  This information is taken directly from the book Before I Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally.

•  People date in order have a good time 'right now'.  Many times they're not even ready for marriage.  They aren't planning on a long-term commitment.  But why date and get attached to someone who isn't going to be your life partner?  The world's way is "now oriented" and God's way is "future oriented".
•  Most people plan to date a number of people in order to get to know a variety of people -- then decide whom would be the best to marry.  They don't realize that the process that forms bonds begins with the very first relationship.  And the break-up process is very painful.  The world's way involves the pain of separation.  God's way involves no separation.   
•  The dating we see today is "me oriented" -- to bring me security, enjoyment, fulfillment, etc.  But true love always puts others first and focuses on their needs.  The world's way is to get.  God's way is to give.  1 Corinthians 13:5 says, "...[love] is not self-seeking...".
•  The dating we see today is "me oriented" -- to bring me security, enjoyment, fulfillment, etc.  But true love always puts others first and focuses on their needs.  The world's way is to get.  God's way is to give.  1 Corinthians 13:5 says, "...[love] is not self-seeking...".
•  People start dating long before they are considering marriage.  Just think of all the "dating" happens even in middle school!  Boys and girls "date" because it's a thrill or a tempting experiment - not because they are committed to this person.  The world's way is for pleasure.  God's way is for commitment. 
•  The Bible doesn't give any positive examples of anything even close to dating.  In our modern world, everyone is comfortable with dating simply because everyone does it.  The world's way is built on human thinking, tradition, and culture.  God's way is always based on the Word of God -- biblical standards, principals, and goals.
•  People date, planning to break up if things don't work out.  This seems like practice for divorce -- not marriage!  1 Corinthians 13:7 says, "...[love] always perseveres."  The world's way is temporary.  God's way is permanent.

  I really enjoyed this pin I saw.  Mostly because I can relate.

 The other night, I sat down with my family.  I also needed to complete the challenge I gave 16 other girls to complete.  My dad has always said that us girls (it's just me and my sister who is 13) will only be allowed to date when we are 63 and he is dead.  It's been his answer.  We've just laughed.  I thought it was time we knew.  I will be 18 in three months (eeeek! :D).  I need to know what the process will be.

 He certainly didn't want to talk about this.  In fact, he started off the discussion with "not 'til I'm dead". But we made him get serious.  He said for my sister, nothing is up for discussion.  There will not be any talk of it.  However, when he turned to me he said if any guy came to my dad right now, he would say "no" - that I'm not old enough yet.  I asked, "and what would you say three months from now?"  He said, "Obviously, it would depend on the guy, but it would be a possibility."  Now...you may be thinking: oh my word, that must've been the most unproductive talk ever.  You have no idea just how productive that was!  

 Because he's always been so closed-mouth about it, I've just set standards myself.  But it's really nice to know where my dad stands - and that the standards I've set for myself align with his.  I'm looking forward to entering this stage in life as a team with my parents.  I won't be by myself.  I don't know what I would do without their guidance.

----

341. getting an 'A' on my first college course -- and 3 more credits!

342. scrapbooking and watching the movies for a whole weekend

343. such a blessed LIVE meeting

344. the anticipation of an upcoming party

345. knowing that God is in control

346. God's amazing ways of teaching me things

347. getting a postcard in the mail

348. understanding math

349. beginning to think about a grad party

350. a good night's sleep

 Love in Christ,

    Sierra

in His hands...

 Like many of you, I am disappointed with the results of last night's election.  God has laid it on my heart to search the Scriptures that pertain to this time.

But remember God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11: 

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord.  'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God has got it under control.

 He has it in His hands.

"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?'  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm."   ~Matthew 8:26

God has got it under control.

 He has it in His hands.

 Recall the words to that Sunday school song, "He's got the whole world in His hands!"  

"...the authorities that exist have been established by God."

~Romans 13:1

 God's got it handled.  How can we doubt Him?  He's proven Himself to us over, and over, and over, and over again!

 I believe we do not have the right to judge the one God has appointed in charge of our country.  We need to trust in the Lord that He will work everything out for the good of those who love Him!  Yes, our country may be in trouble right now, but...we have hope.  We have a promise.  In Jesus!

 God bless America!

~Sierra