Sunshine Award

Thank you, Sarah, of Sarah, Plain & Average for awarding me. . .

I love the name of the award. =)

THE "GUIDELINES"

- Thank the person who nominated you.

- Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.

- Nominate a few other bloggers.

- Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you nominated.

- Notify the bloggers on their blog.

- Put the award button on your blog.

SARAH'S QUESTIONS:
1.  What color are your eyes?  What would your dream color be (if any)? That’s a funny question, I think. Because, up until about a year ago I’ve always said my eyes were hazel/brown. In reality, they are just plain brown, but the turn a little green or sometimes more golden when I’m wearing certain colors or the lighting is right. So, my eyes are brown, but my dream color would be hazel. Hehe! =)

my eyes, unedited       =P

2.  How tall are you? What’s next, “How much do you weigh?” “What’s your shoe size?” Just kidding. I’m just giving sweet Sarah a hard time. ;P I am 5’7”, the same height as my great-grandfather. (He’s measure himself with me more than once, haha.)

3.  If you could be ONE fictional character, who would it be and why? (this applies to books and films) A this is literally the most difficult question I’ve ever been asked in a questionnaire! Ah! Haha…. *deep breath* Okay. So, after pacing the floor a few times, I’ve decided. My original thought was ‘anyone in Narnia who loves Aslan’, most likely Edmund, maybe Lucy. But then there is the real world that I really am in love with already, so I thought maybe Anne of Green Gables. Finally, I decided I would love to be Nancy Drew. From the original series where Nancy was sophisticated and glamorous, not the modern books, movies or TV shows. She was beautiful, charming, never partial to others, and had two amazing friends. (Not to mention one amazing car!) I was really bad at reading as a kid, but I would spend over an hour to get through one chapter of Nancy drew, when I wouldn’t spend ten minutes to read anything easier.

4.  Would you prefer a walk in the sunshine? or a stroll by the light of the moon? 

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds. ~G.K. Chesterton

To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -

True Poems flee.

~Emily Dickinson

We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon. ~Konrad Adenauer

Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars. ~Henry Van Dyke

Look at your feet. You are standing in the sky. When we think of the sky, we tend to look up, but the sky actually begins at the earth. ~Diane Ackerman



I don't walk in a place like this, but it's pretty.

Now, if God made the clouds so beautiful, did He not mean us to gaze upon them and be thankful for them? ~Alfred Rowland

No sight is more provocative of awe than is the night sky. ~Llewelyn Powys

Sorry. . . to answer your question, I’d prefer a walk in the sunshine.

5.  What would your dream profession be?  (For example, if my life had taken a different path, I would have wished to become a professional ballerina.) :] Okay, my dream life would consist of three proffessions. 1, I would be a dancer. A really great dancer. I would perform in the streets, at the park, and of course with the studio I studied at. 2, I would run a small group home for foster children/orphans. 3, I would be a teacher/tutor.

And in my dreams these were simultaneous. Yeah. I know. Never gonna happen.

6.  What is at the top of your To-Be-Read pile, or skyscraper? I’m reading The Warden and the Wolf King, Good, and Touching Godliness through Submission.

7.  If you had a "pet" dragon, what color would he/she be? and what would his/her name be?  Feel free to be creative. It’s color would match the sky. My dragon would change from magnificent sunrise hues, to blues from pale to brilliant. Sometimes, he would look grey with a menacing storm. Always ending the day with as many colors as the rays of a sunset until he finally sleeps with a blanket of velvety black and the stars light in his eyes. I would call him Shamar שָׁמַר it means "to keep, watch, preserve" in Hebrew.

8.  If you were to discover that you were the long-lost princess of a distant realm, what would be your first reaction? I hope they don’t need a ruler, because to be honest, I’m a fan of the world I live in now and I'm looking forward to my future right here. Ahem. Where’s my sense of adventure?! I mean to say, Wow! I knew it! Let me go tell my people!

9.  What is your favorite book of the Bible? Favorite verse? My favorite book of the Bible?! Oh, c’mon Sarah! Um, Psalms, Matthew and Philippians are probably my top three. How can can I share one favorite verse from an entire book? Every word of God is amazing and perfect!

The two verses in Psalms that are always at the front of my mind, and always cause my heart to praise are Psalm 73:25-26 and Psalm 94:17-19

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

And

“Unless the Lord had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence.
If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.”

Philippians 2:17-18 are basically the theme verses of the book, imo. Paul says, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”

In Philippians 4:1 Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.” I love that verse. I love to read that verse.

But then again, I love the book of John...

10.  Do you have a dream car?  If so, what is it? I looked up the top ten dream cars and Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is gorgeous! Of course the price rage was $497,875 - $545,470… The first car I buy will be in a price range $2000 - $3000. But when I’ve used that car til it’s death my dream car has only two requirements. 1) that it would be a vehicle that is economical but 2) still seats a lot. I’d love to have a car big enough for my whole family to ride with me, or at least have room for plenty of friends. =)

I would like to award the following:
Jenny and/or Julia at Maidens of Virtue
Susanna at Susanna's Blog
Risa and/or Sam at Books Ballet an Basketball

and... I guess who ever else wants it because my mind is drawing a blank!

My questions:
1. What is one thing you tend to spend most of your time doing?
2. What is your favorite job/chore to work on? (Some work is satisfying and fun!)
3. If you could have any pet (wild or not) what animal would you like?
4. Do you have a favorite book? (What is it?)
5. Name what you like most about your best friend.
6. What does your best friend like most about you?
7. Favorite time of day?
8. What is a song you've been enjoying/listening to a lot lately?
9. Favorite snack/meal you make for yourself?
10. What is your main love language?

Music Video

For you...

So, China, whatchya think?

I'm back.

Over a month ago, I couldn't have dreamt up half of what took place the month I spent in China. It was fun, and scary, and incredible, and difficult, and energizing yet exhausting. Altogether, it's truthfully indescribable, though I keep trying to find better words to use.

 

I'll pictures do most of the speaking. All I can really say is that I am so, SO thankful!

 

This is a picture from Hong Kong.

We spent just two days in Hong Kong, before going to mainland China.

The city lights on the water looked even better in person.

The church Lottie Moon originally served in, from so long ago, is still standing.
(Penglai, China)



The lights where unbelievable. Every city we went to was like it's own light show.


We met so many people in China! They were all so welcoming and friendly.



And made so many new friends!

That's a jump photo, btw. The bottom got cut out. =P

My sisters are so beautiful, I was so blessed to be with them both for this trip.

This is my granddad teaching, and a beautiful young lady, Willow, translating.

We experienced a part of Chinese culture everywhere we went.

Left to Right: Grandad, Me, (the back of) my older sister

We got to practice Chinese water color. We had never used paper of brushes like that.

We drank a lot of tea (so happy!!) and even found out people went to school to learn to prepare tea 'professionally'!

 

 

This friend took us to a tea shop to taste tea professionally made. One black tea we tasted was from 1926!

 

We saw lots of dragons... =)

 

Huge cities, with buildings, buildings, buildings, and people, people, people everywhere!

That's me!

We even got to learn to make real Chinese food, not 'American Chinese food'. They taste nothing alike!

 

Obviously, over 33 days, there were hundreds of pictures to choose from. It was very difficult to just choose a few, and I'm sure there were much better pictures I could have put in place of some of these. But I hope you enjoyed the little glimpse. I may share some actual stories of things we did in China at a later date. But for now, I'm just trying to catch up with life at home, and find a way to remember everything we did myself. =)

 

Many people have asked, "so what did you think?" about China. I kind of wonder, what did China think about us...

Always There

 

When I am less than I should be
And I just can't face the day
When darkness falls around me
And I just can't find my way
When my eyes don't clearly see
And I stumble through it all
You I lean upon, you keep me strong
And you raise me when I fall

You are there when I most need you
You are there so constantly
You come shining through
You always do
You are always there for me

When life brings me to my knees
When my back's against the wall
You are standing there right with me
Just to keep me standing tall
Though a burden I may be
You don't weary, you don't rest
You are reaching out to carry me,
And I know I'm heaven blessed.

You are there when I most need you
You are there so constantly
You come shining through
You always do
You are always there for me

You are there when I most need you
You are there so constantly
You come shining through
You always do
You are always there for me

You are there when I most need you (you are there)
You are there so constantly (so constantly)
You come shining through
You always do
You are always there for me

For me

10 Days . . .

I have ten days left . . .
and then,

CNA & Caregiver classes are over.

I have ten days left . . .
and then,

I'm on an airplane headed half way across the world.
To China.
For 33 days.                                (Some days, the thought can't even fit
                                                    into my mind, it's that big.)

I've already passed my State Board exam to become a certified nursing assistant. (woot!) Soon I'll take my State Board test to become a licensed caregiver. (hollah!)

I can honestly say, if I never use either of those certifications, this last year has been amazing. There were plenty of days I would NOT call my CNA classes amazing. Most days, actually. But I've grown more than I thought I could in one year.

I've met some wonderful people through this. From the elderly widower with incredible stories of his faith and his love and his life, to some beautiful classmates who have never failed to share their smiles.

I've also gone through stress, and relationship... strains. Some days I cried out in the pain, 'God, I can't take this if You don't take it with me!' I have even been mocked and out-right insulted for my faith and my life-style, but by God's grace I was able to look back into the eyes of those mocked me with love and forgiveness. And in the end, I was able to share my faith with those who scorned it. And I wouldn't take back the scorn for the opportunities, and I so thankful.

I hope when people saw me, they didn't see a brown eyed girl, with purple streaks in her hair, that was basically like anyone else. I hope they saw a girl that was in love with God, and wanted nothing more than to have joy in Jesus alone, her Savior.

I hope I showed them love.

Honestly, if I had the chance, I would talk with each one of my classmates individually, and tell them how much God loves them. Because He does. He loves you so much, that He longs after your heart. Longing that you would spend time in His love, getting to know Who He Is.

Seek Him.

Only in Him, is true, unending, unconditional love. His love is not based on what you do or if you love Him or even care about His love. He loves you because He is love. Because He created you, and He wants you to find purpose and joy and LIFE in Him.

If only you could see how much I want you know this. How my heart aches for His love. I long for His love to grow greater in me, and be increased in others! I wish I could tell you HOW WONDERFUL it is. There is nothing good in my life, that didn't come from my God! My life is an adventure with my Savior. He gave me joy, where there was once only bitterness. And the unknown in my future doesn't have me worrying, because I know, He knows how my future will play out. To Him it is no different than my past, and my present: in His hands.

You. Are. Loved. He loves you. 

You.

Are.

Loved.

Let this truth shatter every other lie that is fighting for a place in your head and life at this moment. I could write on forever, about how I'm so not perfect and life is hard.
But when my words cease, may you walk away with the thought that I am like you and we are loved beyond the pain.
It's that simple.
Beyond all else,  you are loved. He loves you.

Good Morning Lord

I got this in my inbox this morning. I hope it blesses you, as it did me.

Verse of the Day -- Psalm 25:14 The secret [or intimacy] of the Lord is
for those who fear Him . . .

Thought for the Day 

God longs to be close to you!

Mini Bible Study for the Day

How many Christians long to have a more intimate relationship with God?
The word "secret" in this verse is also translated "counsel" or
"intimacy." To fear Him means to obey Him. It means that because we
recognize the majesty and awesomeness of who He is, we long to obey
Him, or please Him, in every sense of the word.

Obedience is our gift of love to Jesus Christ, and He promises that in
return for our obedience, He will give us greater intimacy with Himself
and the Father.

He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me and he
who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will
disclose myself to him. --John 14:21 Every time--every moment--we consciously choose to allow God's Spirit
to be in control of our lives, we become closer to and more intimate
with Jesus Christ.

♥Ashlin