Please pray for a friend of mine. She is going through a terrible trial. Please pray that I can be an encouragement to her during this time.
______________________

In a few more weeks I will be heading off to VA. It's coming up quick! I just bought the Bible on tape so I can listen to it during my long drive out there.

Carol is getting married in less than a month! I had someone look at my dress to see if she would be able to alter it. She is able to do it, but there are a few different options to get it done. I've got to talk to Carol about it.

Life changes so quickly.

The following is something I posted on my other site Thursday:

Last night was my friend's bridal shower. We had a blast! She was surprised! Well, she knew it was going to be yesterday because a little girl let it slip, but they fooled her about where it was going to be. close to 50 ladies were inside the small apartment. I am so surprised we all fit!

I received a phone call from the administrator of FBS yesterday. Actually, I missed it and then called back. He asked me if I was still interested and I said that I was. The he told me ****drum roll, please**** that they were interested in hiring me! Praise the Lord! I already have a place to stay, too. It's a 3 bedroom townhouse with 2 other single ladies living there. I met one of them and the other one was out town when I was there.

It's almost scary to think that I will actually be a teacher. I will be in charge of my class. I was told that I will be either the second or fourth grade teacher. I kind of would like the second grade, but I did student teach fourth.

Well, enough for now. I've got to get some things done.
___________________________________________
Someone asked me why am I KJV only. I believe it is the preserved text, translated from the Textus Receptus. Modern versions water down the holy Word of God and omit and add whatever they feel like at the moment. Some of these "perversions" deny the virgin birth of Christ.
Matthew 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
David Cloud (http://www.wayoflife.org/) and Dr. Waite (http://www.biblefortoday.org/) are excellent sources in defending the King James Bible.
The following is from Dr. Donald Waite’s book Defending the King James Bible:
“The Westcott and Hort Text changes the Textus Receptus in over 5,600 places.“Do you know how many changes they made? My own personal count, as of August 2, 1984, using Scrivener's Greek New Testament referred to above, was 5,604 changes that Westcott and Hort made to the Textus Receptus in their own Greek New Testament text. Of these 5,604 alterations, I found 1,952 to be OMISSIONS (35%), 467 to be ADDITIONS (8%), and 3,185 to be CHANGES (57%). In these 5,604 places that were involved in these alterations, there were 4,366 more words included, making a total of 9,970 Greek words that were involved. This means that in a Greek Text of 647 pages (such as Scrivener's text), this would average 15.4 words per page that were CHANGED from the Received Text. Pastor Jack Moorman counted 140,521 words in the Textus Receptus. These changes would amount to 7% of the words; and 45.9 pages of the Greek New Testament if placed together in one place."
http://www.av1611.org/kjv/kjveasy.html
http://www.biblebelievers.net/BibleVersions/kjckjv1s.htm

My time inVA went by really quickly. I did enjoy my visit. I should be hearing from them in the next week or so regarding a position. This is an exciting, yet scary time in my life.

I am hosting a scrapbook party tomorrow. It'll be fun!

I am to keep a secret for the next week. It will be hard but well worth it. Don't worry! It's not a bad secret!

VA, here I come!

I am looking forward to going to VA this weekend. It is coming up really fast, though. I have to teach a lesson for part of my interview. It will be in front of at least 2 staff members, no kids. Yikes! I think that is a bit strange and will be difficult to do, I have been preparing. I was told that I can choose whatever subject I want to teach, but it has to be for the grade I student taught, so 4th grade. Believe it or not, I am going to do a math lesson. Not because I love math (I know I don't!), but because it is easier to teach the concept. Usually, it was 40-45 minutes per class period, but my interview lesson can be 20-30 minutes. I think I will be practicing on my roomie and perhaps my advisory teacher. That should help, I think.

I did call my advisory teacher yesterday. I asked her if I could borrow the math curriculum to look at the lesson plans. She told me that I couldn't borrow the current edition, but she had an older one that I am more than welcome to use. I took the first 80 lesson and will be looking through those today. I'd rather teach something I've done before! I did make my numbers for the board to use in the review drill. I took some post-it notes and glued on some computer printed numbers (size 350 font) and them laminated them. I only did 0-12.

I am going to take some other things with me, if I can. I want to take a visual I made and then some pictures of the bulletin boards I've made just to show them some of my work.

Last night was a long night. Someone went AWOL and we were up til 2:30-3:00 in the morning. She did return safe and sound, but her actions were quite selfish and caused a lot of worry. What a night!

Pics to share!

My family and I at my graduation








Me and preacher








Me cutting the cake at my open house










Me








Me and my little brother

I heading to VA next Saturday! They want me to have a lesson prepared to teach :s This is both exciting and scary at the same time!

GRADUATION!!!!!!!!

I graduate from college today!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmm..
Today has been an emotional roller coaster for me. I feel...dejected. After I served the kids lunch, the director wanted to talk to me about my schedule. No problem there, I thought. Well, I guess my wanting to go home to celebrate my graduation was a problem with them. So was the possibility of flying out to an interview of a possible place to teach at. They didn't like it at all. So, they fired me, on the grounds of "playing the schedule". Huh? They knew I was graduating and I put in for time off a while ago. They approved it. It just wasn't convenient for them. So, I was told to think about it. I didn't know they already made up their mind, though. So, I was wrongly lied to and fired. BUT..God is in control. I've been talking to my pastor back home (I called him on my lunch break and then when I got off work since they let me finish today's shift). I cried, I was mad, I was sad...Hey, I'm a girl! Pastor said this is God's way of closing that door and getting me out of there. No holds. It hurts. Please don't think this as a sob story. It's not. It's a story of how God is working in my life at this moment. The Bible never said we would be "happy" all the time and that everything would go my way. It will go God's way. I have to be open to it. My pastor told me to quit blubbering and whining about it. We had some laughs, too. He asked me why I was so upset about and I told him that I had never been fired before. He laughed, I laughed. I didn't want to break that record, but it happened anyway. Well, enough for now. I've got a paper to finish and now I have more time to do so.
Oh yeah. During my lunch break, I locked my keys in my car. I saw a state trooper car outside and asked the librarian. He just called the local station and they sent out a police officer. He couldn't unlock (did not have his slim jim with him). So his boss came out. He opened it on the fourth try. What a day!

This past weekend

Nicole, Bekah, Bekah's mom, Hannah
Nicole, Bekah, Bekah's mom, Hannah
Nicole, Bekah, Bekah's mom, Hannah
Nicole and Bekah
Nicole and Bekah


Alright. Now for the long awaited update.

All last week was an amazing Preaching Conference. It was a very busy week as well. Then, Friday was a day off of classes for the academy and college, so I worked a full shift (I traded Tuesday and Friday hours). I worked at the day care from 9am-6pm and then I worked my cleaning job from 6:20pm-11:30 pm. I got up at 4:40 am on Saturday to get ready to leave. We left about 5:20 am. The trip itself was not very long at all, only about an hour and a half since there was little traffic out at that time. When we got to Bekah's house, her mom and brother (Ben) had breakfast almost ready (delicious pancakes), then Bekah and here mom did some errands while I took a little nap. Then, we got ready for the Ladies Banquet. Her mom and sister (Hannah) were table hosts and furnished some very beautiful tables, as well as the other ladies in the church. Her dad and brothers (the other is Seth) helped serve with some of the other men.

The banquet was very nice. Hope you enjoy the pics! We did!

Her mom kicked the boys out of the house and into the camper and we stayed in the boys' room. Seth (11) likes to talk and nearly talked my ear off! Ben (15) is a very talented artist in many ways, from drawing, carving, and building. Hannah (14) likes to write and had some very nice poems. I enjoyed her parents' stories at meal times. We all laughed very hard! The meals were very good too. I did try something sort of unusual, though: homemade pineapple, mushroom, pepperoni, and sweet potato pizza, mine minus the pineapple and mushrooms. It wasn't bad at all!

The Sunday services were nice too. I was warmly accepted and greeted by the folks of the church. I even made some new little friends (some of the kids in the church). One of the little girls, so I'm told, talked about me all weekend! She was such a sweety and even wanted me to sit by her during the evening service. Please pray for a lady named Geneva (78). She fell in between Sunday School and the morning service and broke 3 ribs and punctured a lung. We all felt so bad for her. Praise the Lord a paramedic attends the church and was able to help her.

All in all, It was very relaxing (I took no school work with me!) and I did not have to work at all. My schedule was very open and it felt nice. I needed that refresher!

Oh, Saturday night , we started to watch the The Printing and Sunday afternoon we watched Time Changers. We (Bekah, Ben, and I) played out own version of "In a Pickle", a game that was in the boys' closet. Oh, did we have a blast!

I hope you had a great weekend as well!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

My pastor spoiled me yesterday! I was able to re-work my work schedule to have yesterday afternoon off instead of Friday and I went out with my pastor, his wife, my youth pastor, and his daughter. We went to a local mall. When we got there, Pastor and Mrs. were talking about which store to go to: JC Penney's or Sears. She chose Penney's and then Pastor told me that they were going to buy me a new graduation dress as a gift. My jaw dropped to the floor! I am certainly not used to that! They also got me a new pair of shoes to go with it.

This has been a busy, but great week. I have enjoyed having folks I know here. The two girls that came from my church are staying in my room. I see them the most in the morning when we are all getting ready for breakfast.

My interviews went pretty well, as far as I know. Two of the three are needing teachers this next school year. One needs a kindergarten teacher! I would love to do that! BUT, I want God's will more than anything when I get a teaching position.

I went to the Alumni Breakfast this morning and it was good. We all had to introduce ourselves after we ate. When that was done, I left for work. I'm on lunch break (well, heading back in a few minutes) and was also to catch a few of my people before they went on an activity. Later folks!
Please keep me in prayer concerning this teaching position! Thank you much!

In remembrance

Happy Birthday to my triplet siblings Logan, Laura, and Lucas who would have been 9 years old today. You are in Heaven singing and praising the Lord. You were with us only for a short amount of time, but it was enough to leave a life-long impression on our hearts. I love and miss you much! Even though I did not/ do not understand your brief life on this earth, the Lord knows and had/ has a reason for it. I trust in God. he will keep you, little ones.

Waiting For Me

For my triplet siblings Logan, Laura, & Lucas who are waiting for me

As the sun begins to rise,
Tears are falling from my eyes,
'Cause today's the dayYou went away.
I thought I'd have you forever,
I thought I's never lose you , no never.
This day is dedicated to you,
Thought the pleasant memories are few.
Sometimes I wish that I could die,
But then I see the birds fly
And I know you are somewhere out there,
Waiting for me.
A free spirit hiding,
Perhaps you are crying
But I know you are out there,
Waiting for me.
Oh, how I wish I could see you again,
Then you can tell me where you have been,
But the time is not now, but is to come
When the Lord Jesus calls me home.

Copyright ©2006 Nicole

Interviews!

I have three teaching interviews on Tuesday morning before I go to work! I am so excited! On is for a place in Kansas and the other two are for places in Utah. Please be praying with me that God will lead me and show me what He wants me to do to.

I am also looking forward to next week because I will get to see some familiar faces! My youth pastor and his daughter are coming down (Brenda called last night me to ask if she could be in my room) and my pastor and his wife are coming down as well! It will be a good, but very busy week. I traded my half day of work on Friday to Tuesday so that I can try to spend some time with the folks from my church. My friend Jael will be here as well (she is actually coming in tonight). I have her in reserve for Saturday night so we can spend some time in the piano room, her playing and me singing.

Then, I will be out of town the next Saturday to go to a friend's house and church for the weekend. I am looking forward to a change in the monotonous right now. I certainly need the reprieve.

Been thinking a lot. Just have a lot going on. A lot to consider. Not sure where the Lord wants me yet. Pretty sure it's not "here", though.
Been thinking about the passage of Romans 12:1-3 (King James Version)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
What is our "reasonable service?" According to the verse, it is to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."
Let's look at some definitions by way of Webster's Dictionary 1828 :
LIV'ING, ppr. [from live.]
1. Dwelling; residing; existing; subsisting; having life or the vital functions in operation; not dead.
2. a. Issuing continually from the earth; running; flowing; as a living spring or fountain; opposed to stagnant.
3. a. Producing action, animation and vigor; quickening; as a living principle; a living faith.
LIV'ING, n. He or those who are alive; usually with a plural signification; as in the land of the living.
The living will lay it to his heart. Eccles. 7.
LIV'ING, n.
1. Means of subsistence; estate.
He divided to them his living. Luke 15.
She of her want, did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 41.
2. Power of continuing life. There is no living with a scold.
There is no living without trusting some body or other in some cases.
3. Livelihood. He made a living by his occupation. The woman spins for a living.
4. The benefice of a clergyman. He lost his living by non-conformity.

SAC'RIFICE, v.t. sac'rifize. [L. sacrifico; sacer, sacred, and facio, to make.]
1. To offer to God in homage or worship, by killing and consuming, as victims on an altar; to immolate, either as an atonement for sin, or to procure favor, or to express thankfulness; as, to sacrifice an ox or a lamb. 2Sam. 6.
2. To destroy, surrender or suffer to be lost for the sake of obtaining something; as, to sacrifice the peace of the church to a little vain curiosity. We should never sacrifice health to pleasure, nor integrity to fame.
3. To devote with loss.
Condemn'd to sacrifice his childish years to babbling ignorance and to empty fears.
4. To destroy; to kill.

HO'LY, a.
1. Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy,when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.
Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 pet.1.
2. Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God; a sense frequent in Scripture; as the holy sabbath; holy oil; holy vessels; a holy nation; the holy temple; a holy priesthood.
3. Proceeding from pious principles,or directed to pious purposes; as holy zeal.
4. Perfectly just and good; as the holy law of God.
5. Sacred; as a holy witness.
Holy of holies, in Scripture, the innermost apartment of the Jewish tabernacle or temple, where the ark was kept,and where no person entered, except the high priest, once a year.
Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, the Divine Spirit; the third person in the Trinity; the sanctifier of souls.
Holy war, a war undertaken to rescue the holy land, the ancient Judea, from the infidels; a crusade; an expedition carried on by christians against the Saracens in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries; a war carried on in a most unholy manner.
ACCEPT'ABLE, a.
1. That may be received with pleasure; hence pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; as an acceptable present.
2. Agreeable or pleasing in person; as, a man makes himself acceptable by his services or civilities.
RE'ASONABLE, a.
1. Having the faculty of reason; endued with reason; as a reasonable being. [In this sense, rational is now generally used.]
2. Governed by reason; being under the influence of reason; thinking, speaking or acting rationally or according to the dictates of reason; as, the measure must satisfy all reasonable men.
3. Conformable or agreeable to reason; just; rational.
By indubitable certainty, I mean that which does not admit of any reasonable cause of doubting.
A law may be reasonable in itself, though a man does not allow it.
4. Not immoderate.
Let all things be thought upon, that may with reasonable swiftness add more feathers to our wings.
5. Tolerable; being in mediocrity; moderate; as a reasonable quantity.
6. Not excessive; not unjust; as a reasonable fine; a reasonable sum in damages.
SERV'ICE, n. [From L. servitium.]
1. In a general sense, labor of body or of body and mind, performed at the command of a superior, or the pursuance of duty, or for the benefit of another. Service is voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary service is that of hired servants, or of contract, or of persons who spontaneously perform something for another's benefit. Involuntary service is that of slaves, who work by compulsion.
2. The business of a servant; menial office.
3. Attendance of a servant.
4. Place of a servant; actual employment of a servant; as, to be out of service.
5. Any thing done by way of duty to a superior.
_____________
Living Sacrifice:
having life or the vital functions in operation; not dead and to offer to God in homage or worship
Holy:
Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections
Acceptable:
That may be received with pleasure; hence pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; as an acceptable present
Reasonable Service:
Tolerable; being in mediocrity; moderate; as a reasonable quantity and In a general sense, labor of body or of body and mind, performed at the command of a superior, or the pursuance of duty, or for the benefit of another. Service is voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary service is that of hired servants, or of contract, or of persons who spontaneously perform something for another's benefit. Involuntary service is that of slaves, who work by compulsion.
__________
Have you thought about that? How often do we go about doing what we think we should do without even considering if it is what God would have us do? What is my reasonable service? To be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. To give myself over completely to God to do as He would have me do. Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I put Him there. He shed His holy, perfect, sinless blood for an unholy, selfish sinner: Me. He took on my sins to allow me the opportunity to spend eternity with Him if only I accept precious gift. I accepted that gift over ten years ago and how am I living now? I serve an incredible God in whom I can not completely fathom, but I know all will be well because He holds me fast.
How has your reasonable service been?

Have a great Good Friday!

Just another day in my world

Yesterday was interesting. I am usually in the infant nursery (0-6 months) Sunday morning during the church service, but we only had 3 babies and three workers, so I went to the other nurseries to see if I could be of assistance. They needed help in the 2 yr old boy nursery. What a handful those boys were! I was trying to keep an eye on one of them in particular. As I was tying his shoe, he kicked me in the face, pulled my hair, etc. What a pistol! I finally did get him calmed down by the end and he was even saying please and thank you (for marshmallows). I wonder what he'll be like next week...

It may be hard to see fruit with children of this age, but it will come later. Being consistent with children is a key. I do love working with the kids. Even if they try to hurt me. Seeing them come to know Christ will overshadow anything else they have done. I'm willing to go through it again.
Afterwards, I went on bus and we went bowling. I kept an eye on the little ones on the bumper lanes. It was quite humorous watching them bowl! I'm glad I got to help (I'm not on bus right now, but they needed a little extra help with some workers being gone).

Today, I had to laugh at my day care kids. One little girl drew on herself, said she didn't and then said her hand did it. Another girl said something and was tattled on, but what was said wasn't really bad at all: Peter, Peter, pumpkin-underwear. We usually say "Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater". I really do try not to laugh!

Family

Saturday was great and I didn't want it to end. My mom, sister, and brother pulled in moments before my unsuspecting aunt and I had them pull around to the back lot. Then My aunt pulled in and I told her to I wanted to show her something and that she should park in the back. She pulled into the spot right in front of my mom. My aunt talked for a bit and then looked up and said that the lady in that car looked like me, the she almost looked like my mom. I told her it was my mom! What a happy reunion it was! Then we went out for dinner at Ryan's and then we went to the mall.
My aunt bought my brother a new pair of jeans and a t-shirt and then she and my sister got the top of their ear pierced and tried talking me into it, but I said no. One hole in each ear is plenty for me! It did get to sit in those massaging chairs. That felt so good on my aching back.
I start house-sitting/puppy-sitting tonight! Yay! I can't wait! I get to have a whole house to myself for about a week. And a dog! It will certainly be refreshing.
I am done with school in less than two months! Wow! Time sure does fly.
Have a blessed day!

Just some thoughts

After four years of being here for college, it's almost hard to think of what I will be doing once I leave. I don't know where God wants me yet. I was told my church back home is in need of some help, but I just don't know. I am praying about it, but then again, Pastor has not even talked to me about it, so....
Also, I have gone through quite a bit of emotional ups and downs while being here. When I first got here, I wanted to leave and never come back. I just didn't like it. It wasn't what I was used to. I also had a lot of growing up to do over the years. It wasn't until the middle of my sophomore year that I finally accepted that this was God's will for my life right now. My, how things changed then! I have truly come to love this place and the people. I have made some great friends (many who not even college students, but regular church members). I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of the different ministries available to serve in. I was in the nursing home ministry, nursery, Spanish ministry (in the nursery...I don't even know enough Spanish to get me trouble...that's what happens when you take German in high school...it doesn't really get used!), subbed on the bus ministry, getting out visiting on a regular basis (I had not gotten too involved...shame on me...while at home before college), Saturday bus visiting (for over a year now), and the Master Clubs children's ministry. I really like Master Clubs. From what I am told, it is kind of like Awanas Clubs or Patch Clubs (I've never even been to any of those). I love being the 1st grade girls club leader. My girls this year are doing a great job in their books (mainly memorizing Scripture, which is excellent and what every Christian ought to be doing). Last night, I was given the responsibility of the Bible story for class time. This is the second time this semester. I had the girls act out (pantomime, actually) the story of Jairus's daughter. I think I had half the class up there. I used to dread getting up in front people, even children, to tell a story or even give a testimony. God is so great when He enables us to do something we know we could not accomplish on our own.
If there was one thing I could have (should have) changed, it would have been to work in a Sunday School class. I was offered the opportunity to do it once at home (as a sub), but I shied away from it, thinking I wouldn't do a good job. I would not have done a good job, but Christ in me would have been able to enable me if I would have given Him the chance. I think I have missed out on a wonderful opportunity to serve Christ in that aspect.
God has done some wonderful things in my life spiritually these last four years and I am very grateful for His love and mercy He has bestowed on my life.

The day care is quite interesting. Last night after the last child left, April and I had to rearrange a few things and make small, green footprints around the building. Now, I do not celebrate St. Patrick's Day for what it has become (greedy money seeking), but at the day care, they have their parties (today and tomorrow). So, when they came in this morning, they were told that Finnigan the Leprechaun played some tricks on us (the rearranging) and left muddy footprints all over. They tried to keep quiet so they could hunt him down. Jody said she was going to set a trap and try to catch him later (liquid gold gold glitter in a clear cup). After a little bit, the teachers were saying that they saw him running. Then came the chase. Those kids ran to each room looking for Finnigan. Then Jody showed the cup and it was green. They did not catch him, but he left a note and some shamrock stickers and green plastic coins. They kids were cute running around looking for Finnigan.

I'm feeling much better now! Yay! It feels good to feel good again.

Often times it is so easy to get our eyes off of God and on to ourselves. We start looking at situations and what is around us right now. I want to take just a moment to share some blessings that can with getting Strep:

1. I have experienced it and can be sincere when I tell others "I know how you feel"

2. I got some much needed rest

3. A 4-day weekend from the day care (I really do enjoy working there, but I was quite run down)

4. I did not have to get up at 6:30 in the morning

5. Others pitched in to help me for my ministries on Thursday night

Have a blessed day!

On the mend

Well, after two days of much sleep, I am finally starting to feel a bit better. Thank you to those who were praying for me. It was weird to see white spots all over my tonsils. Yuck! I've been taking my antibiotics (but I have to take them for 10 days), gargling with salt water, trying to drink fluids (but it still hurts!), and eating a little here and there. I did have to call off work again, but because of a remaining fever. I feel really bad about missing work, but policy is policy. I can say that I do not like Gatorade at all! I still have some more to drink.

The doctor I saw was the same one I had when I went in for Bronchitis. He gave me a coupon for my prescription and I ended up getting it for free! How great is that? Well, enough for now.

How is everyone else doing?