Mmm ... God's creation is amazing!

I finally made a calendar using the pictures I've taken. Sadly, the ink in my printer is all janked up, so the pictures didn't come out very well. Oh, well. ... I wish I were a better photographer 'cause I love to take pictures ... especially of nature. But my hands are shaky, and I don't have the patience to save up and buy a nice camera or learn how to use one. So I'll just have to settle for mediocre photography. And thankfully, God brings out His masterpieces on a regular basis ... so if I don't catch one perfectly, I can see it again another day. Not the same sunset or same snow fall or same mountains ... but still good stuff. :)
Here are some of the pictures I used for my calendar ...

My Mountain Devo :)

I took a trip into the mountains recently ... I drove pretty far up into the Appalachian mountains ... farther than I've ever been before. Heck! I've never really being INTO the mountains before - ANY mountains ... especially, alone. So it was quite a trip! Some of my adventures that day were awesome ... even scary. I'll have to tell you about 'em when I blog about my "Cutter Gap" trip. And I sat down for my "quiet time in front of the Appalachian Mountains" toward to the end of my trip. So my heart was racing a little ... I was a bit wiped out from being on the edge of my seat all day (in amazement and awe) and driving all day on curvy, mountain roads. These pictures are of my mountain view at my devo spot ... and a picture of me leaning up against my car, basking in God's word and the beauty of His creation. I honestly don't remember much about my devotional that day ... I was ready to head back down the mountain - it had been an exciting day. But I do remember this ...

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:23-26

How could you forget that, right? Man, this is good stuff. This is not only my favorite Psalm but one of my all-time favorite passages of Scripture. Powerful, powerful stuff. And to read it surrounded by that view? Oh! It was good. I remember standing up in the middle of that field, surrounded by the beautiful Appalachians, just hugging my Bible ... thanking God for such a sight ... and for His love and faithfulness. We serve a great God!!!!

If you haven't already, drive up to Lake Michigan, catch a train to the mountains of Tennessee, fly to Florida's beaches, walk next door to your friendly, neighborhood, Indiana cornfield, and sit and do your devotions. Soak up God's beauty. It really is awesome. :)

Robbed in Texas

The summer after my freshman year in high school, my family and I joined a group from our church on a mission trip to the Texas-Mexico border. Our church supports a couple missionaries there - John and Margie Lezotte. I think that's how you spell their last name - it's close, at least. We went there to do mostly puppet ministry (from what I can remember), but also share our testimonies ... put on a Vacation Bible School type deal for various churches and schools just over the border. I can't remember what part of Mexico, or I would tell you. It's crazy to say this, but it's been 10 years since that trip ... a whole decade since I was a freshman in high school. Wow.

Anyway ...
We spent a good deal of time in Texas as well. We stayed in some houses that John and Margie have on their property. One day, while we were out on our missions projects, the house my family was staying in was ROBBED! If you've ever been robbed, you know how violating it feels. It was weird ... and kind of eerie. Everyone was okay (probably 'cause we weren't there when it happened) - that's important - but Wes and I did have a few of our things stolen. Wes had his backpack stolen, and the robbers took my purse, which had $70 in it. Bummer. I think I remember the exact amount because John persisted in paying me back the money. It was kind of a weird experience. If you ever stay in a desert area near the Texas/Mexico border, you might not wanna leave your purse laying on your bed, full of money ... even if your doors are locked. Not too smart on my part.

GVB on the FLOOR!!!

After I went to my first Gaither Vocal Band concert and sat a mile from the stage, I knew I had to go again ... but get closer seats - FLOOR seats. And I did, buddy ... I did. One night earlier this year, I piled in my car and drove to Indiana Wesleyan University for another marvelous GVB concert. It was awesome! The drive was short enough that I could go to the concert and get back home in one night - no hotel costs. My ticket was half the price of the previous concert I was at. My floor seats were 3 rows from the stage. And it was ALL Gaither Vocal Band - ALL David, Wes, Michael, Mark, and Bill. Wahoo! No Homecoming crew to hog the night. Man. And they were so good! I nearly cried several times 'cause the harmonies and the lyrics were so amazing. If you've never been to a GVB concert, you need to go. Put it on YOUR bucket list! Seriously. Heck! Just go youtube "Because He Lives Gaither Vocal Band" or "Sinner Saved By Grace Gaither Vocal Band" right now.

Really good stuff.
I heart Southern Gospel music! :D

Team Jacob is no more ... for me anyway

So my friend, Maggie, and any of you readers who are apart of "Team Edward" will be happy to hear that I have officially switched over to Team Edward from Team Jacob.

But what's funny is I arrived at this conclusion after reading a totally unrelated book --- Christy. Hahaha! ... I don't know if you know the Christy story - Catherine Marshall's book about her mother - a young woman who went to the back woods of Tennessee to teach impoverished children in the early 1900s. Well, the book (and her real-life story) presents Christy with a choice between two men - a young preacher (David) and an older doctor (Neil). I see lots of similarities between Jacob and David and lots of similarities between Edward and Neil. I recently finished reading Christy, and I found that my original choice (David) is lacking - a lot. I'm so bummed 'cause he is not as cool in the book as he is in the TV series. And the same goes for Jacob - he's not as great in the books as he is in the movies. I will say I still like David and Jacob. But ... I think I've officially switched to "Team Neil" and Team Edward.

The more mature, more together, more selfless guy needs to be with the girl. And I think that's who I want for ME as well. And they win in the end anyway.

Hahaha! All of that to say ... I am for Team Edward, and my friend, Maggie, is thrilled. Just don't tell my friend, Hannah. ;)