I love to read comics.  Especially the ones that have been around for a while like Peanuts and Garfeild.  One of my favorites in Calvin and Hobbes.  It is such a simple humor that never gets old.  Though I think that one thing that makes Calvin and Hobbes so funny is that it is so easy to forget that Calvin is the only one that can see Hobbes!  The strips are funny just with the jokes but when you remember Hobbes is imaginary....it is even more funny.

This edition from the sunday paper is a classic example:



Love

Review: Tithing By Douglas Leblanc

I recently the book Tithing by Douglas Leblanc.  It is a book that has multiple stories in it about how tithing has effecting different people.  I started this book to see what the author had to say about a subject that is so fundamental to my christian faith.
Unfortunately I found the book to be a bit dull.  I did not see how many of the stories connected to each other.  Even grater disappointment though was the lack of ties to biblical and theological truths about tithing.  In my opinion these are imperative when writing about any such subject.
I did like the narrative approach that Leblanc took with the book but I think that the follow through was a bit lacking.

I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Check out Book Sneeze

Might I suggest.....

A little "contraption" that was introduced to be a couple years ago called....

Neti Pot

I found that the Neti Pot is gaining popularity but there are many that still don't know about it.

This was first introduced to me by my friends Anthony and Patti when I had a sinus infection that would not go away. The first time I used it was really weird but now when my nose starts to feel stuffy at all I always go straight for my Neti pot. 

The Neti pot uses a saline solution (salt & water) poured through the nose (I know) and cleans out any mucus and bacteria that can be lurking in those dark places.

The great thing about a Neti pot is that it can be used daily or sporatically, and is completely natural!   It's awesome for helping to control allergies and clearing out your nose when you have a cold.  Or, It can simply help you to beathe better and that is always a good thing.

Like I saidbefore,  the Neti pot has been gaining in popularity so, it can be bought almost anywhere. The initial cost varies and can be a little high depending on the material of your Neti pot, but after that, the up-keep is really inexpensive.

I have posted the video below so that you can see how it works.  It is a cartoon so it is not as gross as a live actor.  Plus this video has all the warnings and legal jargon so I don't "mislead" anyone.

Might I suggest....

I have been trying to think of ways to get myself blogging on a regular basis. I really like to do it, but I want to be able to blog about more than just my "feelings". So I was pondering this the other day and I know I am always thinking of things that I want to share with people. Cool gadgets or altruistic organizations that I think might be of interest to others that just me. I figure these blogs could be short and sweet without being super heavy. So once a week I will be sharing these things with you in "Might I Suggest?"


Might I suggest.....

"Revolution in World Missions" By K.P. Yohannan

This is a book that is put out by Gospel for Asia(GFA). The organization's mission is to reach the "unreachables" of the Asian cities and villages. They do this primarily by raising up what they call "Native Missionaries". These missionaries are indigenous people that know the language, the culture, the complete way of life of the area. They are trained for about 3 years in the bible and then are sent to reach villages and cities that may have NEVER heard the gospel. GFA also works through child sponsorship to some of the most beautiful and precious children. It is a powerful ministry.

I have actually had this book for a number of years. It was suggested to me by my friend Brendon one day and I ordered the book immediately with every intention of reading it then. Though for one reason or another it did not get read. Not until about the last 3 weeks. I am telling you it came at the perfect time. Thank you Lord.

In this book K.P. talks about the mission of GFA and why it is their ministry is so vital to the lost people of the world. He also talks about missions in general and how our view of it should change. He talks about struggles that so many of the missionaries face. The dangers and sacrifices that they are so proud to make for our Lord and the lost around them. He also talks about what could be a sore subject: our shallowness as western Christians. Plus how we are ALL "native missionaries". This book packed a big punch and if you are up for the challenge that it brings I highly recommend it.


Order a Copy of Revolution in World Missions by giving a donation to GFA
or
Request a free copy
(if you can make a donation please do so)

Till only LOVE remains...

My favorite thing about our amazing God is His amazing LOVE.
He loves us more than anything.

Though he not only loves us more....He loves us without conditions. God never says "I love you because..."
He just ....Loves.
It was pointed out to me a few years back, by a certain camp program director, that humans always have qualify their love. "I love her because she is my mom...because he is kind...because she is talented...because he is cool...because she gracious...because he loves me...because......." There is always a cause for our love.
God, He has no cause for his love He just does it. 
There is no reason, other than God's love for us, that Christ died on the cross.  God no longer wanted to be separated from His children because He loves us so much.
I have received this love time and time again. Sometimes I was aware of it, sometimes I wasn't.
God has given it to me freely.
No strings attached. No expectations.

Then one day while listening to the radio I heard this song.



After listening to this song I found myself broken.  I was broken because after all the love that God has shown me.  After his endless pouring out.  I have withheld love from the people around me.  I have withheld love for many reasons.  Because I was scared, proud, indifferent.  Because they were annoying, prejudice, sinful. Because I had the right to use the love, given to me so graciously, as I saw fit.
Why should I have that right?  Why have I made it my responsibility to choose who is and is not worth my love?  If He loves us the way that is expressed in this song, who am I to do any differently?
I don't have that right, it is not my responsibility, and I should learn to love just as He does. 
If I have given my life completely and totally to Him and I believe in the sacrifice that He made, then I must give up that right.
Then, once again I am shown love.  I am shown love in His forgiveness of my imperfections and His love in the willingness to help me to change.
Thank you Father for your faithful unchanging unconditional LOVE.

The End

Day 30: Goals for the next 30 days.

DAY 30!  Yay, it is finished.  I have to say that this was a lot of fun.

With the new year, come many high expectaions of doing better with what you may have not done so well in the past. The excitement of the new experiences that the year will hold. Everyone starts to make their proverbial new year's resolutions in hopes that this year, yes, this year will be changed. I too have certain things that I would like to see get done, though I am not a huge fan of new years resolution. Personally, I think that if you wan't to change something you should change it now. If you are willing to wait then you may not want it bad enough. Now, this is not to say that I good at following this principle. I, like many, put off for tomorrow what should be done today. So for now I will make a list for this blog, as a sort accountability for myself, somethings that I want to accomplish. Most of these are silly things, just a few ideas to tie up some loose ends.

• Read the The bible
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Dueteronomy
• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings
•  2 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chonicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Job
• Psalm
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon
• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephariah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malacahi
• Mathew
• Mark
• Luke
• John
• Acts
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Finish reading the following books that have already been started:
• Love, Lucy
• It Happened in Italy
• A Lineage of Grace 
• Dancing Under the Red Star
• Little Women
• Revolution in World Missions
• Another Man's War
• Living Sacrifice
• Organize Jewelry box
• Clean Jewelry
• Finish crocheting two more blankets

P.S. This is more that 30 days worth of work

-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"Saturday, in the park..."

Day 29:  If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real or fictitious from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?

This was supposed to be don 2 days ago but God had different plans.  It was awesome though.
This is the second to last day.

I think that this is my favorite question thus far.   First I wasn't sure if the question meant having lunch with 3 people at the same time or if it was 3 seperate lunches.  There is not a whole lot of difference except you don't want to get three people together that would not have good conversation or clash with each other.  So I decided, this is my blog, so I will have lunch with three people together.

The first person would absolutley be God.  I think this is pretty obvoius.  I love Him, He loves me.  Why wouldn't I want to have lunch with him? 
The next would be Maya Angelou.  I think there is a lot that I could learn from her about teaching, God, and life in general.  Actually imagine Maya Angelou teaching me about God while God is there.  Maybe?
The third will be Elizabeth Bennet.  She is one of my favorite fictional charachters.  We would have the most in common and I think that we would be able to talk some great girl talk.






-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

compromising

Day 28:  What are some things that you won't compromise on?

• Doing what God wants me to do
• The bible is true
• God can overcome and forgive ANYTHING
• JIF peanut butter
• Puff's tissues

-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"If you learn....Teach."

Day 27: Why have you chosen the career you are in?

"What I think it really means is: I'm a teacher. I am a teacher. I teach all the time, as you do and as all of you do—whether we know it or not, whether we take responsibility for it or not. I hold nothing back because I want to see that light go off. I like to see the children say, 'I never thought of that before.' And I think, 'I've got them!'" — Dr. Maya Angelou

There is something about teaching someone something that puts a fire inside of me.  Especially when you can visually see that moment on a persons face when they get something.  When they see something in a new light or realize something they thought what not necessarily true.  I chose kids because when they learn something, they want to share it with the whole world.  At camp, during the summer, it happens endlessly every week.  Kids come up to me and want to recite the summer's memory verse that they finally learned, or the nature fact that their cabin director thought them.  Learning is such a beautiful process that NEVER ends.  There is always something else to learn.



-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"In my heart is where I'll keep you friend"

Day 26: Something that you miss.

I miss being a kid at my Grandmaw's house.  Me and my cousins would have so much fun there.  Haning out on the stairs, playing on the old swing set, swimming in the lake.  It was a house that I knew I belonged in.
I had so many great memories in that house. I do miss it.






-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

Fascination

Day 25: Someone who fascinates you and why.

I recently watched Maya Angelou on OWN's Master Class (really great show by the way) and it is really easy to see why people love her.  There is a certain peace about her that makes everyone around her stop and listen.  I was completely enthralled in everything that she had to say.

I also started reading her biography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.  I have to say her writing is so intriguing.  It is like she is sitting there telling you a story.  You can hear her voice in the words and imagine her inflection. There are so many talented authors in the world of words.  Though there are few, in my opinion that can capture you as Maya Angelou does. She does this not only in her books but in her speach.  She speaks with both grace and authority,  humility and courage, understanding and strength  If you have a chance to read it you should definitely take the time.

Maya Angelou fascinates me.

-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"This I how we overcome"

Day 24: A problem you have had.


A problem that comes to mind right now is a problem with not finishing things that I start.
A craft project here or a book there. It all adds up to a pile of unfinished junk.

I have a whole list of books that I have started and not finished. Not because the books are not interesting, but because there are so many books that do look interesting that I can't help but start it. So I end up with a pile of books that I can't finish in any reasonable amount of time.
The same thing used to go for my crocheting. I would get about a quarter of the way through a blanket and then for some unknown reason it would just get forgotten about.
Little things like this have built up a fear of failure with bigger things. There are many things that I have avoided starting because I was afraid that I would not be able to finish them. A prime example is getting a teaching degree. I could have been done with this probably a couple years ago if I had gotten my butt in gear. Instead I sat on my hands and worried that i was not good enough and able to do the work that it took. There are still times that i beat myself up about all the time that I wasted.
Through it all, God has worked. Through my shortcomings he has come through and made something beautiful.
The truth is I am not good enough. I can't do the work. I never could, and will never be able to.
There is nothing that I can do without God. He gives me the wisdom, he gives me the drive, he gives me the grace and mercy to finish all that I start.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
This is a promise that God has given everyone.  No matter who you are.  Draw your strength from God and you will be amazed at the things that you can do.

Are you attractive?

Day 23: What kind of person attracts you?

I think that we all have qualities that we are naturally drawn to in our friends and to the new people that we meet. 
The thing about these qualities are that they can be different in each person.  Plus even if a person has the same quality they it can manifest itself in different ways.  Qualities are judged from person to person.  Ultimately it is about the heart. 

Some of the qualities that I find myself naturally drawn to.....

to people that love life
people that go with the flow
people that I can laugh with because I do it so much
to people that love to dance
to people that love God
to sarcastic people
the underdog
people that don't mind a little bit of weird in their life
open-minded people
level-headed people



-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"Let's go see the show!"

Day 22: Name 5 movies that you could watch over and over and not get tired of.

I decided that instead of putting the same movies that I always put for this question like The Little Mermaid and Tombstone I would put some movies down that are a little less known.  I like to expose people to new things.  I have also linked each movie with the trailer on youtube if you want to check it out.

Meet Me in St. Louis



The Desk Set
This movie is hilarious

The Maltese Falcon

Murder on the Orient Express
This movie has a load of amazing talent.  It is a classic murder mystery.

Places in the Heart
The title may not be the most original but the movie is really good.

-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

"What ya got cookin'?"

Day 21: Give picture of 5 famous men that you think are attractive.

Four is enough.







Dennis Quaid



Paul Newman



Gary Cooper



Robert Redford



-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

2 years

Day 20:  How have you changed in the past 2 years?

I go to Converse and I am actively pursuing a teaching degree!

I have matured a lot over the past two years.  I am on the road to being more humble and less selfish.  I have become more and more outgoing.  Most importantly,  I am starting to see fruit being produced in my life.  It is not just empty claims and ugly masks.  There is actual evidence of these changes.
I have become much more realistic about how my life will be, or maybe I should say that God has changed my perspective on how my life will be.  He has shined a light on something that I thought that I wanted and now realize why I don't.  I am working on my hypocrisies.  Major thought renovations have taken place. There has been so much spiritual warfare, but I will FEAR NOT because I know that God has already overcome everything that I am battling.

I have felt God's love like never before.  Like I never thought I would.  I can't wait to see what God still has for me.  This is only the beginning!



-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

Where were you?

Day 19: One of your favorite shows.
My absolute favorite show is American Experience (AE).  AE is a documentary show that is produced by PBS.  AE has awesome with documentaries of lesser known events in the history of America.  They document individuals and entire historical events. Their topics range from Native American history to teenage hobos during the Great Depression.  The stories and interviews are always poignant and interesting.
I hardly ever get to watch it because we don't get PBS at school.  Luckily most of  the episodes can be watched online.

Hurricane of '38



We Shall Remain



The Lobotomist



My Lai



U.S. Grant: Warrior



If you want to check out the show this is a list of the films....

American Experience - Film Archive

-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

Parents

Day 18:  Disrespecting your Parents

Well this does not apply to me at all *sees lightning strike*

Simply put there is no circumstance where you should disrespect your parents.  Not even a little bit.
5th commandment: "Honor your Father and Mother"
Now, have I always done that?  Regrettably, no.
I have not always treated my mother with the respect that she deserves.  God is working on that really hard right now actually.  He is chipping away a lot of bitterness and anger (both of which were not her fault) and showing me a whole new way to look at my beautiful mother.  I am so lucky to have such a loyal Mom.  She is one of those moms you who is a mom to everyone that meets her.

Don't disrespect the parents!


-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

Edgamacation!

Day 17: How important you think education is.

I think education is extremely important.  Knowledge is power.  It is so important to me that I am making a career out of education.  It is important to have a healthy thirst for learning.  The world around us is so vast and there are so many things that are worth learning about.  You shouldn't just get an education so you can get a good job or make a good paycheck.  You should get an education becuause it makes you a better human being.  It allows you to relate to the world around you. Learning is sucha beutiful thing.





-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --

Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.

oooo halfway done.

Day 16:  Your beliefs.

This is a really broad question.  Of course the first thing that come to mind are my beliefs on faith but there are so many other things you can have beliefs for. So I am going name a few that come to mind.

• I believe that there is one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Paul, Jesus, and myself.  He is loving, righteous, loyal, and just to everyone who chooses to believe in him and have a relationship.  He, in turn, makes those who follow him loving, righteous, loyal, and just.
• I believe that if you hunt, you must eat what you kill.  No just for funsies.
• I believe people waste too much.
• I believe there shouldn't be a law against abortion.  However, I don't believe in abortion
• I believe that Dennis Quaid has one of the best smiles in the world
• I believe if you want change you have to be the change
• I believe that complaining does no good and is annoying
• I believe in "do unto others has you want them to do to you."  If you treat people with kindness and respect that is what you will get in return. 
• I believe that everyone who is stressed out should take about 30 min and color.
• I believe that it is creepy that the ipod  seems to know what song mood you are in.  Thanks Mirko Hall
• I believe in tree hugging and leaf petting
• I believe that the show Bridalplasty is a terrible show and my spirit hurts every time I see it while passing channels.  If only these women knew how beautiful they really were.

Well, I think that is sufficient for right now....

Yay for snow day #2!






-- created @ yadayadayo.blogspot.com --