Thankful

I cried.

And was reminded of the incredible sacrifices made by our military families.

Let's remember to be thankful for their sacrificial work.

Ella

This girl is just precious!

I love being an aunt!

pleasure writing

I am taking a short break to update my blog for some well-needed pleasure writing.  For the past three hours I have been furiously working on a research paper.  My brain is tired of thinking analytically, my eyes weary from squinting at the computer screen.  My fingers longed to fly quickly over the keys, pouring out my thoughts.

15 days.  Can I make it?  I have SO much to do before the end of the semester.  Just thinking about it overwhelms me!  Thankfully, I have made lists, lots and lots of lists.  There is a list for each week that details what exactly I need to work on each day.  That way no projects or exams have the chance to sneak up on me (hopefully!!).  My planner contains the list of what is due each day.  And I have a list of absolutely everything to do by the end of the semester.  And once something is finished I use a big, think Sharpie to cross it out!  Each time I mark something off it's exciting!  : )

15 days.

350 hours.

21,000 minutes.

:sigh:

I can make it.

one month.

If you've been on Facebook lately you might have noticed my status.  It said that I would be off Facebook for approximately a month.  That was Monday.

Recently I was challenged (through a book that I am reading) to really consider the influence of the media.  Not just the messages that media gives, but also the amount of time I spend watching movies, etc.  This author shared that their family decided to give up most movies for a while and take that time and spend it with the Lord.  We watch movies to "veg" and escape and relax.  But spending time with the Lord should really be the most refreshing thing of all.  I really, really, REALLY did not want to give up Facebook, movies and TV shows for a month - and that was exactly why I knew that I needed to do it!  : )

Please, please don't misunderstand me.  I am NOT saying that it is wrong to watch movies or have Facebook.  Not at all!  I simply was convicted that I was spending too much time on Facebook and that I was going to movies to relax and being refreshed.  Also, this is the last month of school so any extra time that I am not spending with the Lord should really be put towards studying!!!

I am not going to say that it has been particularly easy or that it has been particularly good.  Already there have been several (okay, many) times when I have wanted to look someone or something up, only to realize that I couldn't do it without Facebook.  And yeah, the newest Amazing Race is online and I haven't watched it.  THAT takes self-control!  ; )  (PLEASE don't tell me what is happening on the show!!!!)

On a more positive note, I found a bunch of Pastor Rob's sermons that had been archived on the podcast and downloaded (or is it uploaded??  I always get those two confused!) ones that sounded particularly good.  I look forward to listening to those soon.

It's late.  I'm tired.

Before I go to bed, let me just check my Facebo........

Oh.  

Never mind.  ; )

[No Title]

"When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion."  -C.P. Snow

This quote came to mind as I was researching the Cambodian genocide during the Khmer Rouge.

Sabina Wurmbrand

...was the young wife of a pastor and mother of a little boy during the Communist takeover in Romania in 1949.  At a pastor's convention, Sabina sat next to her husband as one Christian leader after the next walked onto the stage and blasphemed the name of Jesus Christ, caving to the demands of the Communist officials sitting in the front row.  Her heart began to burn within her.  She was so passionately in love with Jesus Christ and could not stand to hear such things spoken about Him by His own people.  She turned to her husband.  "Will you not wipe the spit from the face of Christ?" she asked him.  Richard pointed to the Communist officers. "If I stand up and speak against their agenda, they will kill me," he told her.  Sabina did not hesitate.  "I would rather be married to a dead man," she replied, "than to a coward."  It was the infusion of strength Richard needed.  He rose to his feet, sparked by the passion of his wife, and thunderously spoke truth in the midst of lies.

Sabina loved her husband and little boy.  But she loved Jesus even more. She was willing to lay down every bit of personal joy, happiness, and security to see his Name glorified.  The next 12 years of Sabina's life were excruciatingly difficult because of the stand she had taken that day.  Richard was imprisoned and tortured, and she had no way of knowing whether he was dead or alive.  She was thrown into prison herself for four years, her little boy forced to fend for himself on the streets.  When she was released, she was unable to buy or sell because of her status as the wife of a pastor and relied only on the kindness of others to survive.  BUt to Sabina, it was more than worth it.  No matter what hardships she faced, she never ceased to shine with joy, contentment, and Christlike beauty.  She spoke of Jesus to anyone who would listen, even at risk of her own safety.  Thousands discovered the transforming power of Christ through Sabina's incredible example of courage and devotion.  To Sabina, every night of hunger, pain and separation from her family was more than worth it.  Jesus was everything to her.  And her life was a glorious display of passionate devotion to Him at any cost.

-excerpt from Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy