Decisions

As of last night and this morning, I have decided that I cannot marry someone if they want to own a dog. Or already own one. Or wish to ever come in contact with a dog in the entire lifespan of our marriage.

My brother and I are house-sitting for a family this weekend, and it's been fun; we get to eat popcorn, watch movies, generally party.... but they have this dog. Which came and licked me every ten minutes while I was sleeping (or trying to) last night. Not only does that totally gross me out - but hello! I was trying to sleep!

Mom and I are about to do something we have never done.. that I can remember anyways. Go shopping today. Today is, of course, Black Friday - and while many people hit the stores and go crazy at 2, 3am - we've never been crazy enough to do that. (hehe) But today, apparently there is something my Mom needs, that can be had for real cheap today, so we're going shopping. Should be fun... if we make it out alive!

(extra thought: just because I said that, God will probably lead me to marry a man who either already has a dog, wants one, or doesn't like them, yet God will change the guy's mind the day after we get married to decide we should get a dog. :P )

(extra thought number 2: no offense to anyone that owns dogs and likes them. I'm really thankful for people like you... because that means you can have the dogs and I don't have to. :) )

Thoughts on an empty stomach.

You know what makes me sad? When people debate theology like they are in a war for their very lives. It's just sad, sad, sad. I don't think God is looking down on them and saying "Yes! Those people are doing exactly what I want them to." :P While it is good to talk about and discuss what you believe, it's definitely not good to fight about an issue over and over.

Especially the whole Calvinism/Arminianism debate. I'm probably going to lose friends for saying this, but really, does it matter that much? I was listening to a speaker once (he's the one that got me going on learning Hebrew actually), and he was saying how boring the world would be if everyone agreed on everything the Bible said. It's so true! I think we all see some things in Scripture a little differently - we see them how God wants us, individually, to see them - and we're going to be different from others around us.

Now, there are some things that you should disagree on. For example, if someone is not saved - feel free to argue that! If someone thinks abortion is cool - totally argue that! But - like - reading the KJV Bible vs. something else? Believing in predestination or free will? Seriously, people. Seriously. Arguing and fighting like that isn't exactly loving your neighbor... which, if I recall correctly, is the second most important commandment.

Paul wrote a great sentence about this. "But keep away from foolish questions, and genealogies, and strife and quarrels about the Torah, for they are unprofitable and useless." (Titus 3:9) Unprofitable. Useless. Worse than that, I think it's the very opposite of edification... something we are commanded to do to each other.

With that said, I'm hungry. Time to dig for some breakfast!

Oh, disclaimer. I'm not saying the issues above aren't important. They are. They definitely are. I just don't get why people have to argue about it. And it's not once either. Oh no. It's again, and again.... and I'll stop now. :P

goin' RETRO!!!

A looong time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away, someone (who shall remain anonymous) spilled bleach on my favorite brown linen skirt.

It's kinda hard to see from far away, but there are white spots on that skirt that shouldn't be there. I couldn't wear it, and I was so sad.... until now. 

Cool, right?! I think so. :D I was at the fabric store yesterday, saw this fabric, and fell in love. I'm usually the type that goes for flowery pastel fabric - but this just screamed total awesomeness. So I took a few minutes to appliqué a piece right over the top - and bam! Totally new look. 

Random fact of the day: When I sew, I have to listen to music that has lyrics I can sing along with. Otherwise I grit my teeth really bad. :/ (my apologies go out to my family, having to put up with my dreadful singing whenever I sew)

time flies when you are having fun. er, when you're busy.

It's been a week since I have posted?! What? Crazy. I've found that I am really productive on Sunday, Monday, and about half of Tuesday... then the amount of stuff I get done steadily declines throughout the week. I need to think of a Wednesday motivator or something....

Tis been cold lately. And yes, as my Mom put it on her blog, all we do in SD is talk about the weather. It's constantly changing, so it's a great conversation topic! As they say: "Live in SD and don't like the weather? Wait 10 minutes and it will change." :D That's pretty true.

Someone said something on the college forum I'm a part of the other day in response to a guy/girl relationship topic - "just stop having crushes!" I laughed. Seems to me the person who posted that has probably never had a 'crush'. It's hard controlling stuff like that. The only thing to do, in my opinion, is immerse yourself in Scripture and God's presence. God's the only one stronger than our emotions. The only thing is - that's a lot easier said than done.

So, I applied for an internship last week. Cool, right? I'm so excited! I'm sure that a lot of people applied for it (it's an internship with our state's Senator, John Thune), so I'm leaving it in God's hands whether I get it or not. :)

And I'd better head to SPURS. Get to help a little seven year old girl who is half blind ride horse today. She's sooo sweet, and I think we get along pretty well. I've known her for awhile, and she's come a long way since she first got on that horse. *smiles* Hopefully God can use me to bless her day today.

Look Above

When it's raining

all around

When everything's

pouring down

When troubles seem

to abound

Look above. 

As hopes are dashed

to the sand

As all that's good

comes to end

As storms of life

get out of hand

Look above. 

Our God can turn

night to day

Our God will chase 

clouds away

Our God implores

us to say

"Just look above."

As for me, I look to Yahweh, 

I wait for the Elohim of my deliverance, 

my Elohim does hear me.

-Micah 7:7

Time to PARTY!!!!

...not really. I just like the month of November a lot. Something about October I've never really liked. Maybe it's because the weather where I live is still trying to make up its mind about weather (ha ha pun intended) or not to be warm or cold in October. I'm not sure. But I LOVE November. Thanksgiving, the crispy air, starting to work on Recital stuff for dance... and... this year.... VOTING! I get to vote this year and I'm SO excited. You would never believe that there was a time in my life where I thought it was very, very wrong for women to vote. (Yes, I did think that, but I'm way past that now :) ) (Now that I think on that, I probably shouldn't have admitted that. Just don't kill me, okay? :P )

On another vein, want to see some funny stuff from the last few days?

To make a long story short, our mailbox got knocked over. Mom kindly asked my brothers to repair it, and they kindly did. Just like that. :D :D It's about 2 feet off the ground.... hehe! I'm not sure how much the mailman will like that... we'll see I guess!

Apparently Noah thought he'd tried to get everyone scared to death by making a Lego sea serpent and putting it in the sink. It only made us laugh, though. Try harder next time, bud. ;) :D :D 

Another reason to party, I did get my Taylor Swift CD in the mail!! Much to the chagrin of my family, I've been listening to it pretty much non-stop since I got it. You just can't beat good music! If you happen to check it out (and I highly suggest you do), my favorites from the album are "Sparks Fly" and "Enchanted". :)