So Far So Good

  Yesterday morning, I didn't really have any "resolutions" or goals to complete in 2014.  For the first time, I created a strict budget that I wanted to stick to, but that had more to do with situations that will be presenting themselves this year than, "This year, I want to spend my money more wisely." (although I do want that, too).

  However, this morning my mom informed me of something my church is doing together (I didn't attend this past Sunday so I hadn't heard of it yet).  Our church is encouraging the congregation to read the Bible every single day, no matter how much.  They've suggested three different ways to do this, although if we had our own way, it would still count.  The three options they presented were: 1) read a verse a day and one "story" a week; 2) read an overview of the Bible; 3) read through the Bible in a year.  Because I already have an app for a verse of the day, I decided to read through the Bible in 2014.  This will require reading about 3 or 4 chapters day, and because I'd like to walk away with more knowledge, I'm taking notes.

  Thus, a resolution or goal was started!  Tomorrow, I will continue with Genesis, chapter 12.  A few months ago, my mom gave me a new study Bible that she had received, brand new, for free.  During my Bible study on Tuesday nights, the footnotes, maps, charts, and other tidbits have allowed me to dig even deeper into God's Word!  I'm looking forward to reading the entire Bible and learning more and more about the God I serve this year.  I've never done this before, but it's definitely something that I need to stick to.

  But there's a second goal that I made.

  Around 1:00am New Year's Day, being the weird person I am, I was looking through my own Pinterest boards -- mostly reading quotes I'd pinned in the past.  I came across this one...

  ...and I thought to myself, What a fun goal that would be!.  It wasn't until later that afternoon when I ran into Target that I thought of it again.  I made a friendly comment to the cashier and in reply, she smiled at me and said, "Thank you for that!"  I guess it doesn't take a lot to make someone's day a little brighter.  It can be a friendly comment to a stranger, a sweet note to a friend, or a "thank you" to a family member.

  I hope and pray that no matter what your goals are this year, that you are able to stick to them. :)  I'm usually not very good about sticking to my goals, but I'm hoping that since I just picked two, I'll be able to.

  Love in Christ,

  Sierra

Don't Worry

  Every Tuesday night, I attend a Bible study with several other young adults.  I feel very blessed to be a part of this group - I've learned so much from all the discussions and studies from the past eight months!

  A few weeks ago, there was a Tuesday evening which was especially encouraging to me.  In our small group, we read through Mark 8 several times over, digging deeper and deeper each time.  What stood out to me the most was found in verses 14 through 21.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.  "Be careful," Jesus warned them.  "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."  They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."  Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread?  Do you still not see or understand?  Are your hearts hardened?  Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?  And don't you remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"  "Twelve," they replied.  "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"  They answered, "Seven."  He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

  What stood out to me?  The disciples were worrying about the fact that they had no bread.  They were worrying about this after Jesus had already fed the crowd of 5,000 (plus women & children) with five loaves and two fish!  This was after Jesus had fed the crowd of 4,000 (plus women & children) with seven loaves!  This was after Jesus had performed so many other miracles that the disciples had all witnessed!  After seeing Jesus perform all those miracles, how could they even entertain a small doubt that He would not provide them with the food they needed?

  But then I thought...how can I look back at all the God's done in my life - all the ways He's provided for me, all the prayers He's answered - and yet worry that He won't do the same in my future?!  How can I entertain the doubt that He won't provide me with what I need (and want...inside His will)?  Reading this passage comes at a time when I'm sort of looking into my future and wondering what God's going to do.  Reading it really came at the perfect time.  God really does work in great ways!

 Love,
    Sierra

three doors -- only one left open

I gotta start with a little background first before I go into this really cool story about how God has been working in my life.

 In January, I started cleaning for a homeschool family twice a month.  Since it wasn't all that often, it worked well with my school and my schedule in general.  It left me worn out, but I enjoyed talking to the kids as I cleaned and hearing their stories about Tonka trucks, camping trips, and forts.  This family has four children, but the mom's parents lived with them, also, due to health reasons.

 At the beginning of March, I "accidentally" stumbled across an internship opportunity at the Target Corporate Center in Minneapolis.  It was an internship for the job as a Business Analyst.  Long story short, that job had always sounded very interesting to me and for a really long time, I'd wanted to work at the Target Corporate Center (and truly, I have no idea why...).  So after long nights putting together a resume that actually mattered, a high school transcript, and filling out the application form, I applied for this internship.  I knew that whether or not I got the internship, that whole applying experience was good for me.

 When the middle of March rolled around, my dad took me out for breakfast and told me of yet another opportunity.  First, let me say that he is the co-owner of a small business that builds elevators - nothing electrical, just "the box".  His company builds custom elevators and you can see their work in Chicago, Santa Monica, even Dubai in Abu Dhabi!  Anyway, his two sales men have been asking for a "third person" to deal with emails and some phone calls and handle other odd jobs to help them so they can focus on the bigger things that may (and do) come up.  My dad's co-owner has a son who is my age, and they were thinking that together, this summer, we could fill this position for these sales guys.  My dad told me at breakfast that morning that they were only just considering opening the position but wanted to know if I'd be interested.  I said yes, I'd be interested.

 So when I got home from breakfast that morning, my mind was reeling with questions like, "If I got the internship, what would happen with the cleaning job?" and "If I got the internship and my dad's position, I'd still have the cleaning job - how do I go about that?".  I was worrying about having to make the decision of which job I would have to keep, because I could only take one.

 Well, the week following breakfast with my dad, I got a phone call from the mom of the family I clean for.  A position opened up and she was able to put her parents in a nursing home.  Due to the fact that this opened up a lot of time for her family to be able to keep up the cleaning duties, she didn't need me any longer to clean.  Although I was kind of counting on that extra income, I knew that it was probably for the best, and I wasn't upset or even disappointed.  I had a peace about it.

 Last week, when I was in Virginia, I got an email at 1am as a group of us were sitting around the table playing games and talking.  I could see it was from the Target Corporation and it said that my status had been updated on my account - I had to log in to see it.  So I tried.  Due to several reasons, such as the fact that I was on my phone, plus, it was one o'clock in the morning, I was unable to remember my account information, so I had to wait.  The next morning, I still had no luck, so I texted my sister back home and had her get on my laptop and find my account information.  Finally, I was able to log in!!  What I saw made me almost sigh in relief.  I had not gotten the internship.  My heart barely sank, I was totally fine with it.  Yes, it would have been completely amazing had I gotten the internship, but the months leading up to this summer would have been stressful, I would have been nervous, and I would have been commuting almost an hour and a half each way every day.

 I called my mom and told her.  She said she agreed - it was probably a good thing I didn't get it.  I called my dad.  He didn't answer.  When I got a hold of him 30 minutes later, he said he had been in a meeting.  He had been meeting about that "third person" position (I'm going to have to find a title for that position).  They decided that I could start at the end of April!!!

 Now, if you didn't catch the exciting thing in all that, I will say this:

I had three very open doors.  And one by one, God shut the doors until there was one left open.  And it happened to be the door that I would have felt most comfortable walking into; the one that is more likely to lead to bigger possibilities; the one that I get to work for/with my dad! 

 Only God could do that.

I thank Him I only had to wait in the hallway for a little while...

 I just had to share that with you.  I don't believe in coincidences.  I believe in a God who orchestrates everything according to His purpose.  You probably hear a lot of people say, "we just can't see the bigger picture yet".  Sometimes, in life, people have to wait a long time to see just a glimpse of the bigger picture.  This time, for me, I didn't have to wait very long.  Only three weeks.  But what would have normally been disappointments, got me more and more excited that God had something better in mind.  I didn't have to make that decision.  It was made for me and set before me.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  

 In my Bible study group last night, we read from Ephesians 3.  This is what verses 20 & 21 say, which I believe fit very well with all that I just said:

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."

To Him be the glory forever and ever!  AMEN!!!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."     ~Romans 8:28

God bless,

  Sierra

Peaceful Chaos

 Life lately has been sooo busy.  I feel like every minute is flying by without my noticing it, and all of a sudden, it's midnight and time to go to sleep again.  Life has been just routine lately.  I wake up, do school, and then go where I need to be.  I've been reminding myself of this quote:

 I've been studying for the Biology CLEP test for the past several weeks.  There are days when I feel discouraged, and there are days when I feel like I could take it now and ace it (which would not happen.  ever.).  Science is...not my strong suit, so it gets stressful.  I've been absorbing so much more than I did when I was doing science for high school.  The scariest thing with taking these tests is that you don't know what's going to be on it.  You can get tips and suggestions from other students who have taken the test, but CLEP has several different variations of each test, and you never know which one you're going to get.  Anyway, I'm taking the test on the 29th, and I am confident that I will pass.

 Last weekend, I had some college friends over.  They are all from Minnesota, but drove quite a ways to come hangout for a while.  But it was so much fun!  We played Spoons, the Family Game, and a new game I had learned over my birthday.  It was just a fun time of fellowship with awesome people.  :D

 I'm counting down the days before I leave for Virginia.  Only 16!!!  I'm so excited!  I get to meet, in person, a couple of really good friends, some new friends, and I believe there may be a couple of people I had the privilege of meeting at the gathering here in MN.  We're going to tour Washington D.C., Mount Vernon, laugh a lot, go hiking, play games, watch movies, laugh a lot, sleep a little, and have tons and tons of fun!!!!!!  Eeeeeeeeep! :D

 Today I had my second degree consultation.  Yes, I have joined the ranks with countless other indecisive, college students: I've changed my major.  Today I went from being an Economics major (which really doesn't interest me) to being an Organizational Leadership major (which, if you know me, totally describes me).  My degree template looks so different now, but I have a feeling these courses I'll be taking and even the tests I'll be taking will be a lot more fun for me than the Economics courses and tests.  Now I can't wait to talk to my coach and decide what order I'll do them all in!! :D

 LIVE has been going well, praise the Lord!  It's been growing - from 16 to 18 girls (and to think we started with 5)!  We have quite the full house when LIVE days come around.  Yesterday, after singing three energetic songs, I was asked to open the windows because it got so hot downstairs with everyone dancing around!  The Lord's been good to our group; I just can't believe it'll be April before we know it and then we'll be going on summer break!  But I'm praying about several things right now to grow and develop the ministry next fall since I'll be graduated from high school (yay!).

 Besides those bigger things, I've been busy finishing high school Latin and Economics (almost.done!), attending a Bible study every Tuesday night, cleaning at my two cleaning jobs, planning my graduation party (which just got bumped up 2 weeks) and trying super super hard not to be distracted by my excitement for my upcoming trip.

 What's new with you?

Love,
  Sierra

Comparisons

 How often do we compare ourselves with other Christians.  We may look at them, think they are stronger Christians than we are, and compare our lives to theirs.  Our church to theirs.  Our convictions to theirs.  Our Bible version to theirs.  We worry what they will think when they find out what movies we watch.

 God has given each one of us different convictions.  Different convictions than our friends, than our pastor, even different than our parents sometimes!  But it's not up to them (or us!) to decide what is right and what is wrong.  That is God's job.

 When we compare ourselves with others, we often put ourselves down.  We tell ourselves we aren't as strong of Christians as them.  We don't go to the right church.  We need to go buy a new Bible.

 Sometimes, comparison stems from judgements made against us.  It hurts when people are judgmental against us.  But Who is the ultimate Judge?  Who is the One Judge who really truly matters?  God!  God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the example we are to follow.  We need to to follow His example.  Whatever our pastors, teachers, spiritual leaders say, it is our job to compare that to the Scriptures and then live accordingly.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to to the Father except through me."       

~John 14:6

Other times, when we compare ourselves to others, we are the ones judging them.  We may look at the books they read or the shows they watch or even the clothes they wear and come to the conclusion that they aren't Christians.  But, really, is that the way we are to live?  Even if they aren't Christians, they don't have to hope that we have and it's our job to show them the love of Christ.  It's our job to be positive examples to them.

"...[He] said to them, 'Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'"
~John 8:7

God bless,

  Sierra

just the little things #2

 Well, I know I posted some of these a few months ago, but I thought it would be fun to post some more "little things" -- little reminders of God's blessings to us each and every day.  Personally, these help give me a new perspective.  They get me in the right mind-set to recognize the little things.

yay!  nice people still exist! 

no one else knows...but you do

yes

there's just something about it... 

it's yours and you will take care of it 

they're not wrinkly yet and they're nice and tight around you 

score!

for, like, five minutes!

it's so relaxing

it's fun -- frustrating, but fun. :)

but more importantly: having a reason to clean it

it's so clean with nothing scheduled yet...usually
(and that changes on the first of the month)

like an earring that you have the match of...

it's so great.

or when said song is the *reason* you turned on the radio...

 I co-teach Sunday school, as you may know.  Around Christmas time, I taught the lesson, and we were discussing Abraham's family tree.  I asked the kids if they had ever made a family tree or if maybe their parents had.  One little boy said, "I don't have a family tree, but I do have a Christmas tree!"

 During one of their crafts, I got to sit at the table and help three of the boys.  It was fun to sit there and listen to their "conversation" and hear them laugh at their own jokes.  Seeing these kids find enjoyment in the smallest of things gives you the "everything's-okay-right-now-so-enjoy-the-moment" feeling.  It makes me so excited to be a mom someday! :)

 Hope you have a blessed week!

   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

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

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