Trees

I looked out my window today and thought it looked really depressing outside.
But then I trudged through the sludge in the park across the street
and took some pictures of the trees and fog.

Sometimes there is beauty where you wouldn't expect it.

The Girlies

Ever since they were both adopted from Guatemala, I have babysat and hungout with these two silly girls. I first babysat Anna when I was about twelve, she is now 11 years old and growing up way too fast! This family is one of our closest family friends....and I have spent lots of time at their house..especially my senior year when their German exchange student became one of my best friends! Even though my parents have now moved to Spearfish, SD, we still were able to spend the Christmas holiday season staying with them at their house. So fun to get to spend 10 days with my favorite little girls and see how much they've grown up! Anna has recently found her birth mother in Guatemala, so they had me take some pictures to send to her. I haven't had much time to play around with my new camera, so it was fun to practice with them!

Green Smoothie

Maybe you have heard of the new trend of "Green Smoothies". Well...after a day of very unhealthy eating...I was inspired to try one. So I ventured to the grocery store and bought a few things...including two things I don't think I have ever bought myself before---Organic Spinach and Organic Flaxseed.

Spinach and flaxseed in a smoothie?!?! Yes...you may think its crazy...but hear me out.
This is what I put in the blender:
Strawberries, Raspberries, Banana, Orange Juice, a few ice cubes, some Flaxseed---and a handful of Spinach. I blended it all up and did the taste test---I am not at all a Spinach fan, but I couldn't taste it at ALL...so I added more, and then even a bit more. Seriously it was all green and I couldn't taste the Spinach because of all the fruit and juice. So there ya have it. My new attempt at being healthy.

This isn't my picture but this is about what my smoothie looked like--except a little more brownish green.

Try it, I dare ya.

Photo from slashfood.com

Praises.

God is so faithful. In life we're gunna get thrown curveballs, and there are going to be tough times, but He promises He is always with us. He goes before us and knows exactly what we need to live out His Will--we just have to trust and follow Him.

First Praise--My parents moved out to South Dakota--and they are LOVING it!! The move went well, lots of good friends to help them with that...and now they are officially retired and can just relax and enjoy life! They get to explore the beautiful scenery and their new town while spending time together. I am so excited that they have this awesome opportunity to retire so young and enjoy it. It came at a perfect time on my side too. Being a recent college graduate, I have had to depend on my parents financially my whole life until right about the time they moved. I had two part time jobs which was enough for me to pretty much get by on my own. This is a praise because now I am no longer financially dependent on them--which would have been tough since they are on a retirement salary now :).

Second Praise--Nathan got offered a job with Cargill when he finishes school this May! Awesome opportunity for a college student to already have a job lined up with a great company. He got to choose from a couple different locations, but ultimately decided on going back to North Carolina. He will be in a different city than he did his internship, but he knows people at the plant he will be at, and he will be an hour closer to the beach! Along with this comes some big decisions for our relationship---and after alot of stressful, unproductive conversations we have decided just to rest in knowing that God is in control. He will work things out whichever way is best for us. Not having control is scary, but also freeing because He always has our best interests at heart...even though we may have to go through some hard times to get there.

Third Praise--Two weeks before my part time temporary job at the Museum is done...I got offered the Full-Time position at World Vision!!! God is SO faithful. He had been working behind the scenes on this for awhile and I had no idea--it completely blindsided me and I am so in awe of the perfectness of it all! It completely humbles me in knowing that He truly is in control and I just need to be a faithful follower and go through the trials to get to the perfect plan He has for me.

Amen!

Mystery Revealed...

Many men wonder what's really in a woman's purse. Well, at the Museum I have been doing bag check...which includes looking in hundreds of purses a day. Because of this...I myself have even learned alot about what's really in a woman's purse. There are many factors...but there are also many patterns--specifically related to the age of the woman.
Here goes...
What you can expect to see in a purse of:
Ages 7-12: Candy, a few Dollars and Loose Coins.
Ages 13-16: Gum, Wallet, Camera, Cell Phone, Lip Gloss.
Ages 17-26: Gum, Makeup, Camera, High Tech Cell Phone, Car Keys, Wallet, Ipod, Sunglasses.
Ages 27-44: Sometimes doubles as a Diaper Bag, Cell Phone, Keys, Wallet, Receipts, Gum, Cheerios, Kleenex, Nail Clipper, Nail file, Mints, Camera, Sunscreen, Hand Sanitizer, Lotion, Extra Hair Binders, Band-Aids, etc. etc. etc.
Ages 45-55: Wallet, Cell Phone, Car Keys, Camera, Receipts, Lip Stick.
Ages 55+: Kleenex, Wallet, Kleenex, Simple Cell Phone, Kleenex, Kleenex, Kleenex.

Not that you wanted to, but now you know.

Life of New Adjustments

My parents are moving from my hometown on September 1st. I won't go "home" to Thief River Falls anymore...but since home is where the heart is....it will now be in Spearfish, SD!!
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I just got a new job...working for World Vision!! I'm so excited...because when I chose my major in college--Sociocultural Studies--I said I wanted to do that so I could work "with an organization like World Vision someday". God is good :)
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Nathan leaves North Carolina today! It is crazy that he has been gone for 8 months..and that this time in our relationship is almost over! It will be quite an adjustment going back to having a boyfriend to hang out with again!
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It cannot be said enough...but God is so good!! He has taken such good care of my family and me. Sometimes things don't go quite as we had planned..but looking back those times were vital in the plan to get us to where we are now. It has definitely tested my faith..and therefore made it that much stronger! I just don't know what to do with all the joy and happiness I have knowing that God is real..and He is taking care of me :)

Photo from vi.sualize.us

Not [Just] a Personal Relationship...

What does being a Christian mean? Most first responses that we as Christians usually give is..."Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ". Which is true..but is that really all it is? That sounds pretty self-centered and selfish if you think about it. I have recently been challenged to look again at Scriptures..it is not hard to find a passage dealing with the poor. In fact, there are about 2,000 verses in the Bible that speak of the poor and needy. As Christians we are followers of Christ...He filled His life in helping, healing, and developing relationships with the poor. I remember getting back from Guatemala and feeling almost guilty..for being privileged and having everything I need when I had lived among and been served by those who aren't as fortunate. However, I had to remember what Luke 12:48 says, "..From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." That sounds pretty straightforward to me! Let's delight in the blessings God has given us, but let us in turn share them with others...whether in monetary donations or acts of service.

One cool thing that KTIS--A Christian radio station here in the Twin Cities--is advocating for is the "Drive-thru Difference". Next time you go to Caribou or Mcdonald's drive-thru..pay for the person behind you in line. Its a small thing you can do to really make someone's day!