Dear friends and family,
It has come to my attention that there is a vile website that has attached itself to my blog's address. I apologise to anyone that knows what I am talking about. However, since I cant seem to rid myself of it, I am moving to a different webpage.
I also decided that since I am starting a new chapter in my life, that I should have a new blog celebrating that fact. Sam and I can now be found at samandnickivandyke.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Merry Christmas...
Sam and I drove up to my parents place for the weekend before Christmas and stayed through till Christmas Day. Christmas is normally not a big thing in my family. We dont always do the gifts, or the tree or the decorations. But it is always a day for family and rest. This year we did it all...
It was so nice to be home...and I even felt like an American college student going home for the holidays. Sam and I arrived after dark, and as we drove near the house, it was fun to see the Christmas lights were up. Dad had spent some time making it look very festive. There was even a decorated Christmas tree with presents under it.
On Saturday we did some wedding planning and Mum and I went to look at Bridal gowns. We went to the Christmas service at Hickman Community Church on Sunday, and it was nice to catch up with a lot of folks there. Beckie came home from New Zealand on Monday, so we spent most of the day in San Fransico after picking her up. On Tuesday, we had a family devotion, opened our gifts, prepared the Christmas meal, and played with our new "toys." Beckie posted some pictures on her blog from the day.
The weekend was full of talking, laughing, game playing, driving, gift giving, singing, planning, napping, cooking, eating, and looking at Christmas lights. It was also a time to reflect on the most important person in our lives...Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He IS the reason for the season, and I think that we so quickly forget it.
Merry Christmas...
It was so nice to be home...and I even felt like an American college student going home for the holidays. Sam and I arrived after dark, and as we drove near the house, it was fun to see the Christmas lights were up. Dad had spent some time making it look very festive. There was even a decorated Christmas tree with presents under it.
On Saturday we did some wedding planning and Mum and I went to look at Bridal gowns. We went to the Christmas service at Hickman Community Church on Sunday, and it was nice to catch up with a lot of folks there. Beckie came home from New Zealand on Monday, so we spent most of the day in San Fransico after picking her up. On Tuesday, we had a family devotion, opened our gifts, prepared the Christmas meal, and played with our new "toys." Beckie posted some pictures on her blog from the day.
The weekend was full of talking, laughing, game playing, driving, gift giving, singing, planning, napping, cooking, eating, and looking at Christmas lights. It was also a time to reflect on the most important person in our lives...Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He IS the reason for the season, and I think that we so quickly forget it.
Merry Christmas...
Saturday, December 15, 2007
One down...Seven to go....
Well it is official. I made it through my first semester in College. On thursday I took my last final and on Friday I finished work. I now have about a months break before the next semester starts.
This year has been quite the challenge. I took 5 classes, which isnt too many, but it took some adjusting for me. I had to learn to juggle homework, ministry, work, and free time. (I never did get the hang of juggling.) But I have learned some valuable lessons, and am really looking forward to my next semester.
The Lord has been so gracious to me during this semster. I have learned the importance of the lessons that you learn outside the classroom, as well as what you learn in the classroom. I learned a lot about myself and how lazy I am, how unmotivated I can be and how selfish I can be. My prayer is that in learning these lessons, I will not forget them next semester.
I have learned to trust the Lord in new ways and in new areas. I have learned to rely on his strength. I have learned to do the best that I could and to accept the outcome of that effort. I have learned to praise Him in the busy times as well as the good times. He truly is my strength and portion, the God of my Salvation.
This year has been quite the challenge. I took 5 classes, which isnt too many, but it took some adjusting for me. I had to learn to juggle homework, ministry, work, and free time. (I never did get the hang of juggling.) But I have learned some valuable lessons, and am really looking forward to my next semester.
The Lord has been so gracious to me during this semster. I have learned the importance of the lessons that you learn outside the classroom, as well as what you learn in the classroom. I learned a lot about myself and how lazy I am, how unmotivated I can be and how selfish I can be. My prayer is that in learning these lessons, I will not forget them next semester.
I have learned to trust the Lord in new ways and in new areas. I have learned to rely on his strength. I have learned to do the best that I could and to accept the outcome of that effort. I have learned to praise Him in the busy times as well as the good times. He truly is my strength and portion, the God of my Salvation.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
It feels like winter...
It is winter...and today actually feels like winter. For the last few weeks it has been getting colder, but in the last two days it started to freeze. Ok, not quite literally, but once you are used to the Californian heat, even a small drop in temperature is like freezing. Last night, it started raining and today there were clouds all over the place. It is sunset, and as I am looking out the window everything looks grey, except for the purple and orange tones from that are eminating from the setting sun.
This has matched my mood for the majority of the day. I have been sick and trying to sleep away a cold for most of the day. I have been feeling very grey, but right now as I am watching the sunset through the window, I can feel my heart also eminating some very beautiful colors. I am sitting on the couch snuggled in my blankets with a box of tissues next to me and a hot bowl of soup on the side table. There is a blazing fire in front of me, and the one who has decided to take care of me is sitting on the floor reading, trying to study. I am afraid, he is probably not having much success, for he has been caring for me, lighting a fire and making sure I have everything I need.
My heart is overflowing with thankfulness. I have felt miserable all day; grey like the sky outside till I realized just how much I was loved. Then the color shone through; and though I am still sick, I feel glorious like the setting sun. The Lord truly does take care of those who love him, and He has provided for me one who still loves me even though he has seen me at my low. I was reminded of how God loves us when we are at our low; so low we even hated Him. Yet He cared for us, drawing us to Him and saving us from that which was killing us - our sin.
Thank you, Sam, for brightening my spirits when they were feeling so low...and for caring for me. I love you very much. ♥
This has matched my mood for the majority of the day. I have been sick and trying to sleep away a cold for most of the day. I have been feeling very grey, but right now as I am watching the sunset through the window, I can feel my heart also eminating some very beautiful colors. I am sitting on the couch snuggled in my blankets with a box of tissues next to me and a hot bowl of soup on the side table. There is a blazing fire in front of me, and the one who has decided to take care of me is sitting on the floor reading, trying to study. I am afraid, he is probably not having much success, for he has been caring for me, lighting a fire and making sure I have everything I need.
My heart is overflowing with thankfulness. I have felt miserable all day; grey like the sky outside till I realized just how much I was loved. Then the color shone through; and though I am still sick, I feel glorious like the setting sun. The Lord truly does take care of those who love him, and He has provided for me one who still loves me even though he has seen me at my low. I was reminded of how God loves us when we are at our low; so low we even hated Him. Yet He cared for us, drawing us to Him and saving us from that which was killing us - our sin.
Thank you, Sam, for brightening my spirits when they were feeling so low...and for caring for me. I love you very much. ♥
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