It's All "Relative"...

Yesterday I had the chance to take part in a wonderful opportunity: a family reunion. You are probably laughing to yourself right now because society has turned the idea of families and family reunions upside down. But, let me tell you...honestly, it was wonderful. We had our reunion at a small lake of one of our relatives...and it was an absolute blast! It is just amazing to see the constant growth and branching out of our family. All in all, we had 43 attendees this year...and that is something to praise! The blessing of family and extended family is so amazing...and it is even more amazing that we are able to continue this in a society in which this kind of family closeness seems so rare. It's just great to see the kids growing up and to watch the torch of faith be passed down from generation to generation...it makes me wonder how much we could change the world if every family passed the torch to the next generation to the next, and the next. We would have such a large faith community--a faith family--that could do wonders in this world!

The best part of my day?...(aside from my skin getting its first look at the sun all summer)...was that I got to teach a fellow cousin of mine how to ride a jet ski. It was her first time on one, let alone driving. I drove first taking it easy since it was her first time. It was so fun to her her laughing behind me as we would bounce over the waves. Then it was her turn, and boy was that fun! She had quite the time figuring out the steering and keeping a constant speed, but that's what made it so fun...sometimes it takes the smallest things to give you uncontrollable giggles...and that's exactly what we had. We got to giggling so hard that she couldn't even drive. I just laid there on her back laughing harder than I have in a long time. By the time we brought the jet ski back we were grinning from ear to ear, despite the fact that our cheeks hurt so bad from smiling. It was a great time...and a much appreciated laugh!

Finally some godsend:

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." -Psalm 89:1

I ran across this verse today and found it very appropriate for my recent family adventures. It is a declaration of praise to the Lord. A praise so wonderful that we will shout out His faithfulness to all the world. We will pass the torch of faith to the next generation so that they might know of the Lord's great faithfulness. For me, this verse really spoke of the importance of family...without family, there would be no starting point to share and pass on our faith. Family is such a wonderful blessing and they have a special place in my heart and always will. Thanks to my family and extended family for passing the torch so that we might know of the Lord's great faithfulness and can sing of His great love forever! Praise the Lord!

:)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Coffee

5:00 in the morning is early...
It is too early for any normal living, breathing creature to be awake let alone stirring--it is a commonly known rule of life. Yet, I was up at the early hour of 5:00 despite this rule. I was up because I went to breakfast with my dad. What a joyous experience that was. It was totally worth getting up at an early hour. And it all worked out because my tummy was full of deliciousness and I then got to go back to bed for another hour before going to work.

On my way to work I had one of my typical "Courtney mishaps." I thought I would hold my thermos full of coffee in my lap today rather than in the cup holder due to the closer proximity to my mouth... Well, I'm sure you can guess what happens next, but I'll tell you anyways. Yes, I drive a bit like a race car driver (I get where I'm going okay?)..and I rounded the corner too quickly apparently because for whatever reason, when I made that corner this morning my coffee spilled over onto my beautiful pink scrub pants. I was a bit upset...not so much about my pants...I was more upset about the fact that I drive the same every day and my coffee doesn't spill when it's in the cup holder, but the one day I hold it in my lap it spills...go figure. Then I had to walk into work and explain to my fellow employees that the wet stain on the crotch of my pants was not a result of me tinkling my pants, but that it was in fact coffee. And to say the least, this whole coffee-spilling-in-my-lap didn't help the fact that I did in fact have to tinkle quite badly...

But, by the end of the day, I ended up having 3 different life-altering revelations:
1. Wearing scrubs to work is the equivalent of "pajama day" every day.
2. Excessive amounts of coffee do horrific things to the digestive system.
3. New razor blades equal massive leg trauma.

Also this week, I began my summer college class. I was shocked to find out that I am one of four students in the whole class who is under the age of 23. This was a new concept for me...for once in my life as a student, I was part of the minority in the classroom.

We have now come to the wonderful time of godsend in which I will share a bible passage with you and try to connect it to my life somehow...

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Even though the mishaps and troubles I experienced today were small, this passage helps me to see that even through experiencing small troubles, we are achieving an eternal glory. Instead of me letting those mishaps bring me down, I fixed my eyes on something greater--I fixed them on God. I let Him use those small instances to make me a stronger person, to help me learn to laugh at myself, and to help me realize that the only true power is in God. I couldn't even get to work in 5 minutes if He hadn't provided me with the opportunity to own a car...I couldn't even have poured my coffee in my mug this morning if I hadn't been blessed with the gift of arms. We take these things for granted each and every day, when instead we should be thanking Him for what we do have. We spend so much time grumbling about everything wrong in our lives rather than praising everything going right. Even if things suck now, no matter how big or small, He will use it somehow. The temporary pain is only temporary. Only God knows how He will use events unseen to us to bring Him eternal glory. That is something to really praise!...It almost makes me want to see how He will use tomorrow's mishaps to help shape me to be who He wants me to be...

:)

You Know You Are a College Student When...

Okay, so I was bored the other day, so I sat down and compiled a list of 30 things that stand out in my mind as part of my first year as a college student--what an experience that was!

You know you are a college student when:
1. Going to bed at 2:00 in the morning is going to bed “early”
2. Your underwear and sock count dictate when it is time to finally do laundry
3. Eating cheap consists of Ramen Noodles in their many multitude of flavor options
4. Learning to eat your lunch in 10 minutes becomes a competition
5. Breakfast consists of a Rockstar and/or coffee
6. Your trash is overflowing
7. You can make 20 dollars last you for a month
8. You wear flip flops in the shower
9. Going to the library is a social event
10. Your trash is STILL overflowing
11. You have mastered the art of entertaining yourself with a rolling chair
12. You don’t remember the last time you washed your car
13. Procrastination runs your life
14. A bowl of cereal can easily become breakfast, lunch, AND dinner
15. It’s a tossup in the morning between showering or getting an extra 20 minutes of sleep
16. Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation
17. Paper bowls, plates, etc. are the way to go because you are “too busy” to wash dishes
18. Finding out that a class is cancelled makes you almost pee your pants with excitement
19. Everything breaks when you desperately need to use it (printer, microwave, etc.)
20. ALL food can be prepared in the microwave
21. Jeans become considered a means of “dressing up”
22. Watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' is much more entertaining than New Testament homework
23. You get up for class 10 minutes before it starts
24. Sprinting to class is your daily exercise
25. Wearing the same pair of jeans for 5 days in a row is acceptable
26. You’ve been known to not shower for 3 days
27. You’ve pulled more than 2 all-nighters per semester
28. Class size is cut in half on test days
29. Naps are highly anticipated
30. You have plenty of homework or other productive things to do, but you’d rather surf facebook or read this blog

I don't exactly have any godsend that directly relates to this wonderful list...I just know that God has supplies us with humorous experiences to help bring us joy. I'd be surprised if this didn't bring you even a hint of joy, because chances are, this brings back quite a few memories about your own college days...

I will include some godsend though...

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." -Psalm 150:6

This particular scripture has been on my heart for the past week especially since I have dedicated myself to a Christ-like attitude in all that I do. I have realized that it is possible to praise God in everything whether it be happy or sad. We can praise the Lord in all things because He has control of our lives. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. We have no reason to fear...which, is why we should use our breath to praise the Lord each and everyday because He loves and cares for us. The least we can do is thank and praise and glorify His precious name.

:)

Got Godsend?

I realize that I have not written any godsend in my blog in a while. It is not because I have not had any--I assure you I have. Sadly, I honestly have no worthy excuse as to why I have not posted any godsend lately. But I plan to fix that right now--I will be providing you with some much anticipated godsend...and maybe a few giggles too...

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." -Philippians 2:4-5

This verse has been on my heart recently for one big reason: I want to experience a change of attitude so that I can be more like Christ in my daily living. This verse has pretty much consumed my every thought lately as I have been in a transitional phase from being a college student to being a college student home for the summer. I can honestly say that a month ago I was not at all looking forward to summer. I already knew that it was not going to be exciting...I used to dream of summer when I was a child and the many fun days it would bring. However, once you get to be college age, summer is no longer exciting...instead of swimming, vacations, and sleeping in, I now have a job, class, and studying to look forward to. I don't know about you, but nothing about that sounds exciting, thus I was in a crabby mood and was not at all looking forward to summer.

Then this passage from Philippians happened to pop out at me and I decided to make a pact with myself to change my current attitude--to abolish the negativity. Normally when I make up my mind to do something to change myself, I rarely succeed...however, this challenge of mine has been different. It has become more than just a change of heart and attitude; it has become a change in my daily life. Instead of waking up with just enough time to spare to make it to work on time, I now wake up early thanking God for another day--pleased to be alive and to have a chance to bring Him glory. Instead of complaining in my head about all the things that I have to accomplish during the day, I pray for strength, guidance, patience, and passion to help get me through the day (it is amazing what beginning your day with worship music and prayer...and some coffee...can do for your day!) I have even learned to take on a positive attitude at work. My job seems to be one of little significance, yet I have seen the impact that I can have on my fellow employees with my attitude and smile alone...I have also discovered that as meaningless as my job might seem, I can glorify God through it. So, I devote all that I do to Him each and every day. It is just amazing how having a Christ-like attitude can completely turn your life around...it is just so incredibly awesome! That is why I am completely convinced that this is going to be the best summer ever, not because of what I accomplish, but by what God will accomplish in me--what He will teach me, and how He will help me to grow in my faith. It will be the best summer ever, because when it is over, I will not be the same person that I was when it started...I will be changed for the better.

I challenge you to try to incorporate this same 'Christ-like' attitude into your everyday. It will not be easy, and you won't succeed everyday. Yet, I still encourage you to try and I know for sure that you will see a change in your heart.


The other night, my family was driving home at night in the middle of a thunderstorm. As I stared through my window and watched the lightning, I was overcome with a sense of peace and awe at the omnipotent power of God, as well as the hope that He provides. Here is a poem that I wrote about that experience:

Opus

The whites of her eyes stare back at her through panes of glass
as she peers aimlessly at boundless skies of ebony.
It gazes back at her
emanating a deepest emptiness.
With a radiant flare the sky comes alive
and it serenades her.
Her heart fleets
as her pulse begins to quicken.
With each recurrent blaze of the sky her soul finds rhythm
and she joins in its opus.
A delicate grin sweeps across her coral cheeks
as an unexplainable peace overwhelms her.
Her heartbeat subsides
and her pulse slows.
Her eyes no longer stare aimlessly
and the sky no longer appears empty.
Her soul continues on singing the tune
as the sky flickers—illuminating the distance.

Now that I have been serious...I thought I would share some godsend that will provide you simultaneously with a giggle...

A few weeks back, I was driving through town on my way back to school. I was very excited because one of my favorite songs, 'Hosanna' by Hillsong, was on the radio...so, I cranked up the volume as high as it went (it is not unusual for me to do this and sing at the top of my lungs when driving)... So, I pulled up to a red stop light waiting for my turn to go. Suddenly a minivan pulled up next to me at the stop light with the driver's side window down. Inside was a 'soccer mom' and some kids in the backseat. The only problem with me jamming to my music in town is that I forget that other people can hear me...especially if their window is rolled down. Anyways, I look over at the 'soccer mom' and she smiles at me, gives me a thumbs up, and mouths the words, "good song," at me... Turning red with embarrassment, I nicely smiled back, gave her a return thumbs up...then turned down the radio and sped off quickly just as the light turned green. Yes, I was a bit embarrassed, but I also smiled inside because I was excited that I knew of one more family who was sharing the love of Christ with their children...it is amazing to see God working through the community even if it is just through a song.

Peace!

:)