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!

[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: