In the beginning, god created the Heavens and the Earth. Genesis 1:1

       Ok so for those of you who don't know I love crazy weather.  I love thunderstorms, rain and everything that comes with it, normally.  Except when it is hail, and damages your car pretty badly, and you have to pay so much money to get it fixed, lol.
      But I am just so interested in the way that the whole process works during thunderstorms and what powerful things can come from them.  I would someday love to have the chance to go and be a stormchaser for a day. To witness the magnificent phenomenon of a supercell or tornado produce and see it with my own eyes.
    I will admit I will probably be somewhat terrified but at the same time excited.  I will also admit it would not be a job that I would want to do my whole life.  As amazing of a opportunity that would be I will leave it to the experts.  I would just want to be on the side that is chasing and not being chased, lol.  Get to experiece nature frist hand, that would be amazing.
    Although I find tornados fascinating, the after results of one going through a town however are not.  So don't get me wrong thinking I like everything that comes with a tornado, I just like the science aspect of them all.  So if I could switch places I would have to go with Joel Taylor, since he is a stormchaser, or maybe just one of his co-workers so that way I could sit by Joel.  Have someone goodlooking sitting next to while I'm scared out of my wits, lol.
  So who would you switch places with?

To Every Thing There is a Season - Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

Day 5 – A picture of a favorite memory.

            Well this one is hard.  I can’t sit here and think about my life and just pick one favorite memory.  God has blessed me with a wonderful life, with wonderful people and awesome experiences.  But as I do reflect I think about all the people who have come in and out of my life in the last so many years.  It amazes me to sit and think about how much your life has changed.  All the people you have met, and in that time of meeting how much you have learned from them.

            I do believe that in the different seasons of your life, God will bring people into your life.  It can be for a brief time, or it can be a friendship that last from now on.  Even, if you don’t see it at the time they are in your life, God shows you later what you have learned from them, or the situation.  That every life that has come into your life is not by accident.  Sometimes you may keep those friendships/relationships forever, and sometimes you may have them pass by and move on.  But through it all you can learn!

So I am going to break the rules again on this challenge and post pictures of people who I have had numerous favorite memories with.  Now I don’t have pictures on my camera of everyone so if you are not posted, don’t think I don’t cherish our times together, luv you all!

Seek to have loyal friendships that last when tested. As iro nsharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Day 4

Seek to have loyal friendships that last when tested

As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Well tonight I had Bible Study with some fabulous girls.  I must say that having bible study on Mondays is probably one of the best ideas ever!  Just starting your week off learning, hearing, worshiping your creator, how could you go wrong?  Reflecting on what He has done in your life and hearing about what He is doing in others is an amazing thing.

Also, to have such a strong group of Christian friends to be by your side.  If you are crying or laughing until you can’t breathe, there are no other experiences like those times.  When you really feel thankful who God has put in your lives, and you know exactly why. 

To find friends that know who you are and still love you no matter what, then you have found a treasure.

Technology sometimes is the problem....

Um so here is the deal, my computer is not letting me upload any pictures whatsoever.  So I will have to post day 4 and 5 tomorrow.  Sad day, huh? I had an awesome night at Bible Study with all my girls, so I will post and tell you more about it tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a great night!

Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

So my new favorite show is ‘Off the Map’.  The series takes place in "la ciudad de las estrellas," a tiny town in the South American jungle with a very understaffed clinic. It seems as if all of the doctors are running away from some sort of emotional issues and personal demons back home. So three of them come to this clinic in search of a new path.  Which they find is much different than anything they've ever dealt with. 

First of all I like the show because it reminds me of mission trips that I have experienced or have heard about.  Whether you do a mission trip in the states or go to a third world country you are bound to find people in need (search) for something that can heal them.  It can be a healing that is emotional, physical or spiritual.  It makes me think that we can find that in most every place, if we really open our eyes to take a look.  The thing about opening your eyes and searching for those people is that when you do find them, or know the circumstance, how you respond.  Sometimes we get so caught up about me, me, me that we don’t care to help others in need.  The funny thing is that most of the time we are the ones that need the healing ourselves, I guess it’s not that funny if you think about it.  But in all honesty we have to be able to take a look at our own lives, confront our situations, and let the healing begin.  Because if you do that, you can really give yourselves to others, and allow God to show you how to help them.

The other thing I like about the show is how vulnerable the cast is in the show.  They are in a place that they are not familiar with, half of them don’t even speak the same language as the natives, and they have no technology to help them.  I know in my own life that is where I find God show up the most.  When I feel helpless, exposed, and defenseless……….. and so on.  It’s like when you go and do mission work you hear people always say how they just felt the presence of God in that place.  There is no doubt that He is there.  But at the same time He is always in our presence, I think we just notice it more when we are in a place that is so out of norm for us that we are constantly searching for Him, for His guidance.  Wouldn’t it be great if we did that everyday in our lives, every morning?  How much different would our day be? How much different would our walk be?  Trust me when I say I’m preaching to the choir, I need to hear this just as much as anyone else. 

Challenge:  To live our lives in such a way that those who know us, come to know God, because of the way we live our lives.  That you will let Him guide you everyday, every hour, and let His love flow through you to everyone around you.  That is what He is always telling us to do, is to love.  So it time to start doing it, and not just to those who are easy to love, but to those who need it the most, too. 

The hardest battle your ever going to fight, is the battle to be just you.

Ok bare with me for this is a long one....Day 2

So I thought about who am I really the closest to.  Although I could do the church answer and say God, I know that is not always true in all the seasons of my life.  Even though I would love for it to be, there are times when I stray away and try to take on life by myself, hence the independent side of me.  I know that He is the one that knows the most about me inside and out without a doubt.  There is nothing I can hide from Him no matter if it’s something I want Him to see or know about me.  It’s out there and there is nothing I can do about it.  But yet he accepts me for who I am, flaws and everything.  No matter how much we try to hide from him, and some of us think we have that down, we can’t.  At the end of the day we know that is true, we know the person we are even if others here on earth don’t see everything about us He does.  So many times we try to wear masks – the definition for that is to hide under a false appearance.  At times we live like that whether it is with our friends, family or in our relationship with God.  So the real question is who really knows you, and I mean everything about you.  I know the answer to that is no one except for God.  There are people in my life that I let in more than others, but I’m not sure if I can say that I have wholeheartedly and completely opened up everything to one person here is this life, except for God.  Because let’s face it there is no point to run and hide from Him.  But the beautiful thing is that He loves and accepts us no matter what we have done.  He gives us undeserved Grace that we cannot fully understand and I don’t think we can ever really grasp all of that in this life.  But I know that I am thankful more then words can say for that.  Although I may mess up because I am not perfect, nor will I ever be, it’s if I keep striving to live for Him that really counts.  If I don’t lose my faith and keep reaching for the goal He puts before me each day.  So to answer the Day 2 question there is no one that knows me more then my Savior does, so yeah I guess I will stick with the church answer because lets face it, it’s the TRUTH. I know some of you may think it says the person who you are closest with, but with me I believe it's about the person who knows you more than anyone else. I only hope that you have that same Grace, Mercy and Hope that I have been given from my Savior.

As for those in my life family and friends I couldn’t have become the person I am today without your love, encouragement, and guidance that you have shown me in my lifetime.  I know that God has used you in more ways then I can imagine showing me His light and love.  So thank you for always being there and letting God use you in ways you could not even imagine that have helped me grow in Him.

And that is Why I chose more then 1 picture for today, hope you don’t think I have cheated the system, lol.  If I am who cares, because I think everyone can tweak the 30 day challenge here and there.  Below are some pictures of people who are closest with me.  Although I don't have a picture of me and the big man, I did include a picture when we were on a service project.  Hope you enjoy!

30 Day Challenge!

    OK so I haven't had a blog in like forever.  But I am thinking that this will be really fun.  For me at least, lol.  I'm not doing this to see how many people will read it, or like my posts.  It's more of a reflection to put my thoughts down after the moment or day has passed and look at everything in retrospection, if that makes any since at all.  Cyril Connolly said "Better to write for yourself and have no public, then to write for the public and have no self."  So that is what I am going to do.  Mostly because I think our heart is full of stuff to say, and sometimes writing is the best way to express it.  Also, writing is like praying and talking to your creator, to place your thoughts on paper, to really study what your heart longs for, and to reflect where you have been and where you are headed.  So I am going to start with the 30 day photo challenge.  For those who are not familiar I am going to post a photo everyday for 30 days and write about what it represents or means to me.  So whoever sees this I hope you enjoy it, and if it's only me well I will enjoy it that much more!

Day 1 - Photo of me and 10 things you may or may not know, About Me!

10.  My favorite Color is Green

9.  I am a 2nd grade teacher, love working with kids, and help out with a youth group (this may count as 3..)

8.  I love to go fishing, I think it is so peaceful and relaxing, and good quality time to reflect and just listen, oh and also catch a big FISH!

7.  Being an Aunt is such a blessing, I couldn't imagine my life without my nephews.

6.  I love my family dearly and thank God everyday for blessing me with them.

5.  I have the best friends in the world, who always encourage me in my walk.

4.  I am almost to independent and I'm trying to be more dependent.

3.  I love dancing and singing!

2.  I love to travel.

1.  I am a Christian and love my Savior!

So that's not everything about me but an appetizer, there will be more to come.  Also if you would like to do the challenge to, just look below!

30 day photo challenge:
Day 1- A picture of yourself with ten things.
Day 2- A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.
Day 3- A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 4- A picture of your night.
Day 5- A picture of a favorite memory.
Day 6- A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 7- A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 8- A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 9- A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10- A picture of the person you do the silliest things with.
Day 11- A picture of something you can’t stand.
Day 12- A picture of something you love.
Day 13- A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14- A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15- A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss