Can I ask you a question?

why the heck haven't i written anything for 2 1/2 months??

2009-04-16T21:16:00.002-05:00

Can I ask you a question? Why have I not written since the end of January? I'

I think I made a promise to write at least once a month. But, this reminds me of a verse in the Bible, "We may roll the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall." (Proverns 16:33). So, in light of God determining my lot, I have not yet had an opportunity to write. BUT!! But, I am on Spring break from work! Yippee!

So, I have been in school since January 31. I am getting my Associates degree this semester in General Studies. THEN onto nursing school. I am in the process of deciding where. I have also been working full time in the two year olds class. It is pretty fun, although we have our moments of "AAAUUGGH"!! LOL.

I also have been having lovely room ate time. K and I have established "Friday Night." Which usually means on on Friday night, we have a yummy meal (usually steak and shrimp), drink punch margaritas, and watch our Thursday shows or a movie. However. Friday Night is occasionally on Saturday night and lately more likely to be in effect on Thursday night. Additionally, punch Margaritas might be peppermint mocha's, or coconut vacation drinks. Also, tonight, for example, we have potatoes and polenta (yucko, btw!!). So, its just called Friday Night. But it isn't always.

Next, I have been dealing with a TON of car issues. I am pretty sure I need to get a new one. Not sure how/when yet. But, today I was encouraged by another verse I read, just today- "The Lord is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) I have been really learning to lean on the Lord to be my refuge in my times of trouble.

I also tend to get distracted easily. For example, I just stopped and watched this funny clip. Its an old SNL clip. Check it out!!

And FINALLY! I entered into a season of courtship with a wonderful man who loves the Lord, Brian, on February 14th. More on that later!! But, needless to say, he keeps me pretty busy now, and definitely distracted from extracurricular things:o)

so i leave you with this question:

Do you have any wisdom you can pass my way regarding relationships? What drew you to your spouse, and how did you know he/she was the one? any advice during this wonderful season??

why did I decide to list all those books? to the right, a couple of inches down...

2009-01-27T09:27:00.006-06:00

Can I ask you a question? Why would I list all the books you see on my blog now?

The shortened answer is: my friend Michele posted a resolution of sorts her blog, and I decided to pursue a similar one of my own and join the crowd. Btw- her resolution stemmed from this article.

So the long reason why I have decided to join this resolution/competition/etc. is because about a year and a half ago, Michele and I were conversing about my college career. I was sharing how my English professor was really encouraging me to explore writing more and even possibly switching to English as my major (I have not, as an fyi). Michele had many encouraging things and suggestions to say (including starting a blog), but she said one thing that has haunted me since. She said, "Why would go into an English major, you don't really like reading, do you." (or something to that extent- sorry M if this is not an accurate word for word repeat!!). A first, I felt offended- I mean, she is one of my closest friends, so how could she say such a thing?? I mean, I was one of the kids who learned to read at age four and always had a book in hand- would read walking to and from school, sneak to the bathroom to read, not fall asleep until 4 A.M. in order to finish a book. Heck, moving seven times in 3 years (um..that is for a future post!) would have been no problem at all had I not ended up having seven- ten boxes half filled with books.

But, she had reason to suggest such an atrocity. You see, since moving to Baltimore, and particularly since starting school in 2004, I have not been very diligent or disciplined to read much other than care group books and textbooks. I tend to buy books that I either do not get time to read or only partially finish.

So, my modified version of M's resolution: I am going to read 26 books this year ALL the way through!! That means I would be finishing one about every other week. I have finished Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard already, and am already in the midst of Knowing God by J.I. Packer (as a study), The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever (for care group), almost finished with Healthy Christian Growth by Sinclair Ferguson (a quickish read), and am planning on starting Far From You by Lisa Shroeder (again, for quick reading). I am trying to only be in the midst of 3 at a time- since they will be read at different times and for different purposes. I am also hoping to write a short summary of what thought and favorite quotes (if any). I am feeling pretty excited about this!! A few friends have made suggestions, so I have a tentative 26 started...but they are subject to change- the ones followed by an asterisk are ones I have previously read, so they may get knocked off unless I feel the Lord is prompting me to keep them on anyway.

So I leave you with this question:

Do you have any favorite books you can suggest? Particularly ones that have greatly impacted your life, and WHY.

Since I have finished Hinds Feet, I will be writing up a review shortly!

what do i need to know at 30?

2009-01-20T22:11:00.012-06:00

Can I ask you a question? Is there anything that those of you who have saw 30 already can offer me in the arena of advice?

I turned 30 on Saturday, and unlike many other people (from my observation), I don't really mind. Truth be told, I am excited- NO, ECSTATIC!!! I don't know exactly why I feel so giddy at this particular age. Perhaps its the prospect of a new decade- 10 plus years have gone by since my entrance into adulthood, and there are many lessons I learned along the way. The most important- or relevant (besides the actual Gospel)- is LEARN FROM OTHERS!!!

So many people told me back then, "Don't do this or do that...learn form my mistakes...if only I had known and had the chances you have..." Unfortunately, I rarely listened then and I filed to learn without experiencing first hand the tragedy of rebellion. I wish I could even claim ignorance, but I was well informed.

But, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 22-23). So, I know that I can start fresh, not just this new decade, but everyday. I do think, however, that I have finally learned through God's word that it is good to have counsel. So, I am beseeching anyone who has reached this milestone themselves...LET ME LEARN FROM YOU!! PLEASE!! I am aware of my own foolishness, so I need help to be wiser.... or, is it more wise.??

So I leave you with this question:

From your own experiences, what can you teach me for this new season of life??

30 is gonna ROCK!! woohoo!!

does God have teeth??

2009-01-07T20:12:00.007-06:00

Can I ask you a question? Does God have teeth? Does he even need teeth? Does he eat?

That, obviously, is not a true question, but in light of formatting, I needed to ask a silly question in order to share a funny tidbit from the little guy that makes me laugh an awful lot. a lot of the time!! Actually, it is a conversation that took place between him and his dad. Gabriel is 3, by the way.

Gabriel's dad: There are no monster's here, because God is here so they can't come around

Gabriel: Where's God, I don't see Him?!!

Gabriel's Dad: Well, He's here, He's always here

Gabriel: No, no, he's not here, he went to the dentist!!

So I leave you with this question:

Do you have any funny stories to share from out of the mouths of babes?

what is the BEST thing about 2009?

2009-01-04T14:15:00.007-06:00

Can I ask you a question? What do you think is the best thing about this year? In 2009, what do we have to look forward to?

Here is what I believe is the most exciting thing:

"God so loved the world, he sent his only Son to die for us. And whomever believes in His name will not perish but have eternal life." WOW!! (that is John 3:16, btw)

And, the thing is, that is not something new for 2009...it was true in 2008, as it was in 1009, and will be in 2010 and beyond!

It is new to me this week though, because I have been mediating on this line, "I ask great things of a great God," from Valley of Vision, which is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. I wanted to pass on to you the entire prayer so that you can reflect on what a kind, gracious, and BIG God we have. (hopefully there are no copyright infringements here!!)

O Fountain of all good,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds. Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open up in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then the Father can take His abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in His touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory!
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side, no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With Thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance, for thine indwelling.
NOTHING exceeds thy power,
NOTHING is too great for thee to do,
NOTHING too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed, Satan's captive's released,
blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered, the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and the saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.

So I leave you with this question:

Do you know the God described in this prayer and the wonderful work that He has done for you?? (If you don't, you need to- your life depends on it!!)

God Bless and Happy New Years!

what am i supposed to be doing??

2008-12-10T20:17:00.007-06:00

Can I ask you a question? Why is it that every time I am supposed to do one thing, I get distracted and do something- NO, EVERYTHING- else?

So, what am I supposed to be doing? w\Writing up Christmas cards so that I can have them ready to hand out or mail by the 14th. I am bound and determined to have them done and actually give them out. Usually I fill out all the envelopes and/or the cards too, but don't actually do not give them out. Weird I know. And every January 1st, I emphatically declare "Next year I am just not going to bother!!"
So, why am I striving to stay on task this year and get them done again (and failing so miserably???!!) Because, simply, I love Christmas cards, especially now as a Christian. I love that you can share the gospel message through our Savior's birth story in a card- and nobody objects and calls you politically incorrect (at least I have never been told that- yet). I have many family member's and some friends who need this gospel message, yet, year after year, I fail to send out the cards I prepare for them? Why??

Probably time management- or lack there of. So, what am I doing now rather than fill out my cards and put stamps of them?
1) blogging- which I have not done in three months (uh, sorry- crazy/hectic season!! Its not like anyone but me reads it anyway).
2) checking 40 + emails that filled my email account in 1 week!!
3)calling people
4) checking myspace.
5) watching funny youtube.

So, I am going to log off from this blog, read the remaining 10 emails (maybe respond to the two I had to star), and complete 10 more cards.

BTW! Remember when stamps were $.25??

Oh. but one more thing. So, I have this verse that came to mind when I started thinking about how badly i am procrastinating:

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

What a reminder to why I need to get my cards done to share a tiny bit of the gospel with those that I love and want to see in Heaven giving God praise!!!

Here's my question for you:

How do you manage your time? What are some techniques you've established?

are you ever tired?

2008-10-28T22:35:00.005-05:00

Can I ask you a question? Are you ever tired? I mean, REALLY tired...feeling purely exhausted??

I am tired. Yes, sleepy tired, because it is 11:35 p.m. But, lately, I have felt more and more tired on a daily basis. I am not sure if my sleep quantity is still insufficient, if it is lacking in quality, or if life is just sucking the life out of me. I just reread that...lol...sort of an oxymoron. I have been trying to get into God's word more, and THAT is pretty energizing, but mostly even though I want to, I tend to fall asleep as soon as I sit down.

I think when a person's brain thinks constantly and rhetorically about something, it can make them exhausted too. Currently, I am praying and asking God where He might have me live. I have spent the past 6 months trying to redeem a sin I committed. I have finally realized that my disobedience stemmed form a desire to serve and worship myself. I know longer want to do that , but how do I know always what worshiping the Lord looks like?

So I ask you:

What does worship mean? And how do we do that on a daily basis?

how do I know God is sovereign?

2008-08-25T21:30:00.010-05:00

Can I ask you a question? how do you know that God is truly sovereign? Not just sovereign, but good, wise, BRILLIANT, and complex?

I know this is not the next post that I planned to write about, but since God IS sovereign, he can control what I write, and today, I want to praise Him.

So, to start, a story.

Yesterday, I and three other friends went to Ocean City for the day. Although I had not been there in three or four years, it seemed to me that the waves were quite vicious. I could barely stand a couple of feet out, without getting swept back towards land. A few times, I had to pray I wouldn't hurt a child with my careening body. But, other than some soreness, I am ok, and it was fun. Jeremy, however, who is one of my dearest and best friends, came up to the beach shortly after I got out and said he had been pulled so hard by the waves that he hit the ocean floor with his head, straight on. Well, as you can tell, by the fact that he walked up to me, he didn't die; because of this, we assumed nothing was broken and it was probably a pulled muscle or pinched nerve. He allowed me to massage the hurting area, but it dint make it feel better, but I did detect a slight protrusion on one side of his cervical spinal area. Anyway, he thought he could sleep it off, but didn't really sleep form the pain, and so went to the E.R. this morning.
Well, Jeremy was diagnosed with a fractured spine, in the cervical vertebra c2-c5. He has been under a lot of drugs, but he did relay to me that he does NOT have any neurological damage AND does NOT need surgery. He needs to wear a neck brace and possibly undergo therapy. I just went down to visit him (at his parents, yes, he WAS released today too!), and his mom told me more about the hospital visit. This is what she had to say:

The doctor's believe that Jeremy should have died, on impact. He didn't, and mainly it was due to a birth defect in his neck of three bones fused together. Something that God created Jeremy with that was not supposed to be there, that was an anomaly, saved his life. Wow.

Tonight, I am meditating on Psalm 139, particularly the following verses:

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (verses 13-6, new living translation)

God decided to protect Jeremy from dying...not just dying, but even from being paralyzed or having sustained a more impacting injury, 33 1/2 years earlier.

So, I leave you with the following question:

Is God really sovereign? does He really know everything? is he really kind, good, and generous, particularly in the area of his created ones (us)??? In what ways have you witnessed this in your life (or others??)

inquisitive or nosy?

2008-08-19T22:53:00.014-05:00

Can I ask you a question? Is one inquisitive or just plain nosy, when one begins asking lots of questions?

Well, I suppose it would depend on what person is being asked!! I am naturally a curious person. Call it a consequence of being repressed as a child and not having ALL my questions answered at three years of age, or an insatiable desire to hold the world' s record for largest knowledge base (haha!), or perhaps the answer lies in this simple fact: I just want to know people. My bests friends are the ones who have allowed me to probe their minds, shared the history of their lives with me. The man I think I will love is the one that I know like the contours of my own face- who has opened up his life to me so that even when I am not with him, I KNOW that he is in pain. This might sound boring to know a person this well, I mean, where's the mystery, right? But, ha! Knowing ones face well can only happen to a certain degree. We only get mirror images of our selves, so there is still much to be explored....so vast, that it never gets boring. It is helpful to ask questions too, in learning how to serve someone better, either in actions, or in their sanctification process. Questions help people to know the whole story in a situation. So, I believe it is a fine balance: information that is irrelevant to a situation, gossiping (either hearing or sharing), may cause myself or the person answering to stuble in their walk with the Lord, or for infringes on another person's personal boundaries are DEFINITELY not viable as anything other than nosiness.

OH! I promised to let you in on how this got started. Obviously, you can tell my passion for questions, right? In 2005, I was at a care group picnic, where we each were awarded a homemade plaque that exclaimed a trait or characteristic that we exemplified; somewhat like a high school superlative ( yay! I spelled that right!!). Mine was "Most likely to start a sentence with: Can I ask you a question?" fast forward to about one year ago. I took English 102 as a requirement for the college degree I am currently working on (Early Childhood Education). The professor was very encouraging, and suggested I find other avenues to pursue my writing abilities. Around the same time (or maybe earlier??) my friends, M, began a blog, and suggested i do the same. To know why I delayed, read this: why would I start my own blog?

But, I always have a lot of thoughts, and would eventually hope to have some input from the rest of the world, so I thought, "what the heck?" And what would be more appropriate than one that functions as a question forum? One in which I can ask a question, and share my answer, and allow for others, through the comment option, to reciprocate.

So, how does this work? At the end of each blog, you will find a question, highlighted in TEAL. The readers job is to click on comment for the opportunity to post their own thoughts, and share what they think or know.

Ok, one last thing, a story to share!! Have you ever wondered just how on Earth young children can be so sweet and yet still so sinful? In the Children's Center where I work, there is a 13 1/2 month chunky monkey boy named "G" (to protect the identity of the perpetrator, I mean, innocent...lol). Everyday at nap time, he is CLEARLY tired, rubbing his eyes, yawning, and barely being able to stand up. Everyday, we remind him to lay down. Additionally, this little ball of energy loves to screech plastic toys on a slate windowsill, get into the trash, and dump all the toys on the floor. And, just last week, he discovered the art of "watering" his high chair tray with his milk bottle. That is typical, no big deal, right? BUT!! When you speak sternly or even attempt to sound angry, he just laughs. Exasperating??? YYEESSS!!! But, he won my heart once again, Monday morning, when as I was pulling his shorts up after a diaper change, he grabbed the sides of my face with his chubby little fingers and began rubbing his pudgy little baby nose on mine. He ended our sweet Eskimo kiss with a loud, smacking, "MMMMAAHHH!" ( apparently, he thinks Eskimo kisses end with an air kiss). Sweet:o)

So, I leave you with this question(s):

Is it better to ask what you want to know or leave some mystery? Also, any cute kid stories you can share?

why would I start my own blog?

2008-08-09T23:10:00.011-05:00

Can I ask you a question? Why would I bother starting my own blog?

To be completely honest with you, I don't have time to begin my own blog. Like right now...it is 12:26 a.m., and guess where I should be? Yup, sleeping.
Sigh.

I do ( did??) have authorization to write on my friend Michele's blog, and probably my friend Kristina's, but the reality is, when I think I want to blog on their spaces, I encounter two problems. First, there is an unspoken expectation that I will write a minimum of a certain number of times. I would love to commit to writing weekly, but, well, as I have already mentioned, I am a busy gal...so no go on that. My own expectation makes me feel badly about not being able to commit. Anyway, on to number two: when blogging on someone else's blogspace, I have to make sure that I write something that would go with what they would like. I mean...I can't just write about anything that comes to mind. Also, to be honest with you, my writing style is NOT going to be perfect. I try to write grammatically and have correct spelling, but I have been informed that I don't write in a very easy to read manner.

But, this is my blog, so I can do what I want. LOL. I am being facetious, of course. I will do my best to make this legible for those who pass by. I also wanted a place to write down what I am thinking about, and possibly get other people's thoughts on the same subjects. Next time ( maybe, unless I decide something else), I will explain how "Can I ask you a question" was created.

So, I leave you with a question...

Is a person who asks a LOT of questions inquisitive or just plain NOSY!!??