Looking Too Far Ahead

 Last week, one of my assignments was to create a short-term goal (to complete within 3 months) and a long-term goal (to complete within a year).  Now, the short-term goal was no problem, mostly because it was a goal of mine even before this assignment.  However, the long-term goal shouldn't have been, but it was...a problem for me.

 If you remember this, I posted last January a few of my New Year's Resolutions.  And I said I was "dead serious" about them.  I really wanted to complete all these goals in 2012, but I knew, in my heart, I wouldn't.  I knew, Lord-willing, I'd accomplish a handful of them, if that.  But there was one that I was really excited about and I had my heart set on it: becoming a college Junior by December 31st, 2012.  I hoped and prayed that if any, this would be the one that would actually happen.  It was looking pretty possible when I passed Introductory Sociology.  However, when I took four months on Natural Sciences and failed that test, which just so happened to be 6 credits, that goal started to slowly fade.  After that test, it wasn't very sensible to study and take another test in the three weeks I had before I left for Brazil.  Mainly because of everything I needed to do in preparation for Brazil.  After Brazil, of course, I wanted to take a recuperation break.  And I needed to finish some other high school work... And there went July.  In August, I started studying for Introduction to Computing, which, praise the Lord, I passed at the beginning of September.  Then this course came along.  This is a 16 week course crunched into 8 weeks.  Because I'm also slowly working on my Senior year of high school, studying for an additional test on top of the that and this course would not have turned out pretty.

 All that to say: if that initial goal was still my goal (which it's not), I would have exactly 73 days to earn 24 credits.  No.  That's not going to happen.

 Anyway, back to my assignment.  So there I'm sitting looking at how slow I'm going at this college thing and I feel like a complete failure.  Then I start mapping things out into the future to find out when I could "reschedule" that goal: to become a college Junior.  Well, being the organized person I am, I felt the need to map out the rest of my degree.  The whole goal of this is not to take four to five years on my college degree.  I'm sitting there having an emotional breakdown because I'm so overwhelmed with everything I have to do and on top of that, I'm questioning if I chose the right major!

 I told my mom, "We need to sit down and discuss this now.  Because I need to make a long term goal and I won't be a Junior until I'm 19 at this rate!"  Well, we sat down, laid out the rest of my high school life (which, by the way, is only seven months left!), and I still wasn't figuring out when I would become a college Junior.  My mom then took my list of tests I have left to take for college, and helped me lay out a schedule for the next seven months of high school work and college work so they fit together.  I will be a Junior, Lord-willing, by the time I graduate from high school.

 As for my degree?  I have no idea.  I was (and still kind of am) questioning whether I was going into the right major.  Would I really be good at the courses and test I'll be taking?  What kind of job can I get with this degree?  I was probably the crabbiest person alive that day.

 I am 17 years old.  I'm a Senior in high school.  That day, I felt like I had to lay out and make a schedule...for the rest of my life.  I feel that when I decided on a major, I was stuck.  That's what I had to do...for the rest of my life.  I don't.  I didn't.  My assignment that I had was just to make sure I knew how to set a long-term, attainable, and realistic goal.  They didn't tell me to plan the rest of my (hopefully) long life!  Besides, if they did...that's not biblical.  Thank the Lord, I never have to plan the rest of my life.  Yes, I should set attainable, realistic goals so that I learn diligence and responsibility and accountability, but I never need to worry about my future.

"Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..."   ~Matthew 6:34

"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."   ~Jeremiah 29:11

"...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."     ~Psalm 139:16

 He says it right there in the Bible!  He has my plans in His hands.  Plans not to harm me or stress me out but to give me hope and a future!  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."    ~Proverbs 3:5-6

 All I have to do is trust in Him.  Not myself.  Not my goals.  Not my parents.  My heavenly Father.  The One Who tells me not to worry.  The One Who has magnificent plans for me.  The One Who wrote every single day I will ever have in my life in His book before any one of them came to be.  The One Who I can trust with all of my heart and the One Who will make my path straight.

****

321. seeing my cousins
322. attending my cousin's wedding
323. a LIVE meeting
324. encouragement from moms of LIVE girls
325. playing paintball as a family
326. catching up with another cousin
327. my coach who takes time in her vacation to talk to me
328. playing Sardines in the dark with friends
329. hair cut
330. watching shows with my Grandpa
331. buying crafty things for my craft weekend in a couple weeks
332. having a video call with a friend from Brazil (I love Skype!)
333. getting fun ideas for my grad party (a long ways away)
334. ordering new contacts
335. playing air hockey with my siblings
336. finding cute cards on sale
337. a very productive day of school
338. laughing with my brother & sister
339. having only one and a half weeks left of my course
340. my mom helping me understand my assignments better.

Love in Christ~
   Sierra

Encouraging Bible Verses

 I've recently come across some very uplifting words from the Bible.  I wanted to share them with you...especially since a new post is overdue. :)

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you may go."    ~Joshua 1:9

 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."    ~2 Corinthians 4:18

 "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."    ~Psalm 61:2

 "I loved you at your darkest."   ~Romans 5:8

 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more.  There will no longer be any mourning, crying, or pain.  For the old order of things have passed away."    ~Revelation 21:4

 "As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth."   ~Job 19:26

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."    ~Philippians 4:13

 "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears."    ~Psalm 34:4

 "Do not be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."    ~Isaiah 41:10

 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."    ~Philippians 4:19

 I pray those verses were a blessing to you, also.  God bless!

Love in Christ,
    Sierra

Snippets from the Past Few Weeks

:: I've been solely concentrated on my Signature Leadership Course.  I'm officially half way through, which I can't believe!  I've learned a lot so far, but this coming week certainly has me stressed with the assignments and a regular schedule that teases, "I won't let you get it done this week!", which isn't very nice, by the way. :P

:: The past two Sunday mornings, I have been teaching Sunday school by myself, which has been an adventure.  It's gone pretty well so far!  As I may have mentioned, I am co-teaching this year -- 1st and 2nd graders.  My co-teacher has been out-of-town for the past couple weeks, so it's just been me.  But God's hand has been present and made it all go smoothly.

:: This past Friday, I took a break from my ever-beckoning assignments with the ever-drawing-closer due dates to go to the Renaissance Festival with my family and some friends.  It was a nice break and we took the chance to walk around and have yummy treats. :)

:: Within the last week, I have had four senior picture sessions with either my sister or mom.  Since I probably have until May to decide which ones to use, I think there will be many more sessions, so we can catch all seasons.  So far, I'm excited with how they're turning out.

:: LIVE for Christ's first meeting of the school year was last Thursday.  Oh how God's blessing it already!!  God brought 16 girls (11 came back, 5 came for the first time) to the meeting, and they all had a blast!  I'm SO excited to see how far this group comes along this year.

:: Our family has been having family reading night.  We are reading The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkein in preparation for the movie coming this December.  I'm looking forward to the Hobbit movies as well as being able to watch the Lord of the Rings movies finally. :)

 So that's been my life.  While my family goes from science class to 4-H to Lego class on Tuesdays, I'm at home doing school.  While my family goes about helping outside and doing other household chores, I'm downstairs working on my assignments.  Frankly, I have no life.  Trust me, I'm counting the days until I'm done with this course, no matter how much I'm enjoying it.  I've already made a plan of what I'm going to do with my first weekend when it's done. :P

***


301. passing a college test
302. shopping with my mom and sister
303. non-boring lectures
304. motivational meetings
305. babysitting a 7-mo. baby
306. a Sunday school lesson gone well
307. the excitement of starting the second year of LIVE this week
308. good night's sleep
309. productive day of school
310. family reading nights
311. my brother making me an ice cream treat
312. going to the Renaissance festival with friends
313. my mom's and sister's patience with me while taking pictures
314. movie night with my dad
315. and a movie night with my mom
316. my parents who have made my assignments first priority rather than my helping around the house
317. new shoes (finally!  I hate shoe shopping)
318. my new rose-colored dress
319. finding time to actually accomplish things
320. frozen, chocolate-dipped cheesecake  (yes, you can be jealous)

Love in Christ,
   Sierra

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

until next week!

I realize I haven't posted a good post in a while.  I have been waiting for this week for six months.  On Thursday, I will be headed out for five days to meet my CollegePlus friends.  In person.  The other day, I updated my status on a social network site and said, "I couldn't be more excited!".  I found out today, that wasn't so true.  I think of someone who will be there, or I see pictures of people who will be there, or I see photos of other gatherings that have happened, and I just can't wait!  

 Last week, God gave me a surprise.  I invited Laura (from this post) to come early and come to the gathering.  A couple days later, on Thursday, we got the "yes"!  Instead of waiting until Thursday, now I'm waiting for Wednesday to come.  She also will be staying a few days after the get-together!  I'm so excited!  

 Anyway, I wanted to share a few quotes/Bible verses with you.  These are ones I've found and they've really encouraged me.  This is just to "tide you over" until my super long post comes next week or the week after (I have a feeling it'll take a while to sort through all the photos that will be taken by over 25 people).

^this kind of describes how I feel this week^

Until next week!

   ~Sierra