[Healthy] Obsession

I have a new obsession: Biking. Since discovering that there is a nature bike trail right next to my apartment that goes directly to Lake Calhoun..I have become addicted. It is 6 miles to the Lake and 3 miles around it, so a regular journey ends up being about 15 miles. However, lately that is not enough, and I have begun riding around the Lake multiple times (GREAT people watching at Lake Calhoun!!) or else continuing on the trail past my apartment down the other way, which adds on an unknown amount of miles as well. This is one blessing of not having cable/internet; It forces me to get outside, and enjoy two things I love: Nature and being active. When I can combine the two..I'm a very happy girl. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can bike that many miles and not feel like death. I also feel more connected to who I am--and who God is--when I am immersed in nature. So here's my challenge: Take out your bike and go on a mini adventure--go wherever the trail leads you! You might just find a new fun activity to enjoy....and in the very least, its a fun way to exercise....and even gets you off Facebook for awhile!

Life; How i'm living it.

Its almost July. Wait, what? When did that happen!? Well, it has, and this is what I've been up to:
Tricia and Stephans wedding! We all had a blast going down to Kenosha, Wisconsin for their wedding..and also for the Bachelorette party in Chicago! It was a fun time celebrating their marriage, and also spending time with all of our college friends--we've been friends since Freshman year of college..and now we're all graduated! I hope those friendships continue for many years!!
I moved! I now live with a new roommate: Nicole. She's awesome and we've had lots of good bonding time since we are too cheap to pay for Cable/Internet yet. I also moved to the opposite side of the city, so I've had to find a new grocery store, gas station, Target, Caribou (for my internet of course!) and many more random things I never thought of having to find! I'm still looking for a new church--the last one I tried ended up being quite an experience! Don't get me wrong, it ended up being a good experience, but I don't think that will be my regular church!
I'm in another interview process! I usually don't like telling people things like that unless I actually got a new job...but its exciting nonetheless. Its for a job with World Vision...unfortunately only a part time job, but that means I could still work at the Science Museum so I'm happy about that. This is the type of job I really would love to get--so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my prayers flowing!
I'm going back to North Carolina! On Thursday I'm flying out to North Carolina again to spend the holiday weekend with Nathan. We're planning on driving out to the ocean to watch fireworks on the beach!!! I'm very excited, and I even get to stay for 6 days this time! Super excited :). Once I get back it will only be about a month until he's home for good!! We have almost made it through the challenging 9 months of a long distance relationship!

I guess thats all the news I have for you as of now, time to make good use of my time here at Caribou and watch a couple of my shows I've gotten behind on :) God bless!

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time...
Although life was different than she expected it to be,
She grew to know and trust her Prince more and more each day,
Her Prince being the one who is always there for her no matter what.
Not just an earthly boy, but both God and Man...the One who died for her.
She couldn't imagine anyone better to put her trust in.
There is peace, joy, and true happiness with Him.
She has learned to give her dreams and aspirations to Him...
Because He can do MUCH more with them through her than she ever could on her own.
Life isn't a fairytale...and as the saying goes...
He never said it would be easy...just that we wouldn't have to do it alone.
She has been saved by grace because of Him...and because of that...
Will live happily ever after.

Image from http://vi.sualize.us

New Hobby...

At the end of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Science Museum (where I currently work), there is a beautiful display of the new St. John's Bible...history's NEWEST handwritten and illustrated Bible which you can see at http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/. Well, it has inspired me to try and learn some calligraphy. So, when I went to the art store to buy supplies to make my mother's day gift, I also picked up some calligraphy pens! So I spent the evening practicing. It's really fun and sort of addicting! There are SO many different styles of calligraphy so I'm excited to learn more. Here is a little glimpse of my first few "practice pages".

Week 1:

Week 2:

Tricia & Stephan's "Storm" Shower

When beginning to plan my roommate Tricia's Bridal Shower, one of the bridesmaids suggested we do a "Storm" shower instead. I had never heard of a Storm shower before, but once the term was explained, everyone agreed it was the perfect idea. Tricia and Stephan's friend group consists mostly of couples, and we all hang out together usually. Well, a Storm shower is basically a bridal shower, but the guys can come, too! (Hidden perk: Both the bride AND groom-to-be get shower presents). They will be getting married in Kenosha, Wisconsin, so all of their Minnesota friends invited to the wedding were invited to the Storm shower.

We had the shower at Lindsay's (maid-of-honor) mom's home, which was perfect! We knew we wanted to document it, so Lindsay's mom offered to let us use her DSLR camera...so I got to play! Here are a few lil snapshots of the Storm shower.
Lindsay, Me, and Rachel went a little early to set-up.
Close-up of their cake that Rachel decorated=)

Food! We also had twice-baked potatoes..yum!
Rachel helping Tricia put on the "Bride-to-be" apron they made for her.
Tricia with her apron. It says "I kiss better than I cook!"

Socializing!

Playing "LaBarre Trivia".. Stephan was very stingy about giving us points for our answers!
Opening presents!

I think I can speak for everyone that the Storm shower was a success!! Best wishes Stephan and Tricia! And thanks to Rachel and Lindsay for planning it, and for those two and Randiann running all over creation to get food, supplies, gifts and prizes!!
If the shower was this much fun..I can't wait for the wedding!!

Life by Numbers

Since I have had a mysterious fever for the past week, my life seems invaded by numbers. My daily identity has become a number.

For example: Mom/Roommate/Boyfriend: "How are you today?" Me: "Well, last night I was 101.7, but now i'm down to 100.3" Because of this, I am inspired to blog about my day today...in numbers.
-----------------------

Tonight, I found 1 spider crawling on my bed. I usually don't mind spiders...but I'm not a huge fan when they decide to take a lil stroll across my sheets.≈

(This is the least creepy spider picture I could find ha)
I bought groceries tonight, and strawberries were on sale! So I got 2 containers of them. Hellooooo smoothies!

.

Because I have to work tomorrow morning, Danielle and I went to church tonight at 6 (Saturday night service) instead! It was awesome! We tried a new church, and it was an awesome message---about the importance of Joy. Also, we both commented that its kind of nice to go to church and not have the stresses of Sunday night homework/things to do right after church. I think I can speak for both of us..that we were blessed tonight :)

It is only 33 more days from today until I get to see Nathan again! He comes to Fargo for a weekend when his friend is getting married! Then, its only about 2 1/2 months after that until he's home for good!

Well, it is now 9:35 and I am roommate-less for the night, so I'm going to read the new book I bought for $19.99 from church tonight! I will most likely blog about the book later if it is as good as I hope it to be!

All pictures except the last one from vi.sualize.us.com

Coincidence? Absolutely Not.

When you are given the same group of Bible verses, through 4 different mediums, in the time span of 9 days...that is not a coincidence. Rather, that is an Amazing God.
.
I attended a Sanctus Real concert last Friday, and they shared some verses from Galatians 5 that influenced some of their lyrics off their new album...and the verses really spoke to me at this time in my life.
.
On Sunday I went to Sanctuary Covenant Church and Pastor Ephrem spoke on the whole chapter of Galatians 5....my first "wow" moment.
.
There is a daily Bible verse website that I check everyday, and on Tuesday, Galatians 5:16 & 17 were my daily verses....Wow...
.
Today, I went to a church I've never been to before, all by myself...and guess what that Pastor spoke on? Galatians 5.
.
Needless to say...My God is an Awesome God...and He really does speak to us in a variety of ways..cuz thats how much He loves us and desires for us to draw near to Him. Wow =)
.
Here are a few of my favorite verses from Galatians 5:

Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ

¹It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
.
¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
.
²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.