Pretty Much, Officially, the Worst Blogger Ever

Well, considering I haven't made a post in almost a year now, I think that at least puts me up in contention for worst blogger of the year.  I can only say this, that shortly after my last post (on my 22nd birthday), my working time for the Wellington Phoenix was coming to an end.  That meant my solo time in New Zealand was over, my parents were coming out, and we were going to embark on our trip around the islands for three weeks.  Alas, here is a knowledge that Americans most likely do not know.  New Zealand does not have free wi-fi!  Shocking, right?  Hence, this blog went right out the window.  If I was lucky, I had a pre-paid hour on the internet, which was spent adding pictures to facebook (quite frustratingly I might add) so my family and friends could see where we had been and what we had done each day. 

After our trip ended and I was back on American soil, you would think I could have started up the blog again....but that didn't happen.  Work up at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN started quite rapidly.  And that work wasn't light work.  It was being the Registration Director for the Star of the North, Minnesota's Amatuer State Games, as well as being the Webcasting Producer for the Schwan's USA CUP, only THE largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere.  So, that kept me occupied by day.  But by night??  I was partaking in my first summer on the MSU Alumni team in the women's soccer league.  Basically, even though I had just graduated from college soccer as top-dog, a senior, I was merely the alumni equivalent to a freshman.  If we would've had a ball bag, I would've had to get it. Hahaha, no, it wasn't like that, but I was definitely the baby alum.  Hence, blogging was once again tossed aside for the summer.

Now, after all that ended, you think I would now go back to blogging....but I couldn't.  It was out of my system.  I no longer thought about words to write down but became transfixed in everyday life.  Meanwhile, my blog was just waiting...waiting...waiting...

Now, reread the previous paragraphs, but instead of the words blog or blogging, insert the phrase study God's word.  How many times has a full schedule convinced you that you are too busy to take that time with God and read his blessings and promises, or take time to just pray?  That schedule has become an excuse.  That's all that those previous paragraphs are; an excuse.

However, like my little blog here, that patiently waited for me to come back, God patiently waits for us to come back to him.  But God doesn't just sit around idle, like my blog page.  No, God makes sure that the Holy Spirit never gives up hope on us, and is constantly and daily working on our hearts.  What a blessing to know that even though I forget about him at times, he never forgets about me.  Right after Jesus proclaims the Great Commission, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...." he says the most comforting words in the Bible, "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20.

No matter how many times you may forget to "blog", God is always there to remind you how important "blogging" truly is.  My friends, always be mindful of your "blog."  Do not let it sit idle.  But rejoice in the fact that if you do happen to ignore your "blog,"  God will never forget you!

A Birthday to Remember

Today is my birthday! (At least in New Zealand it is)

Today I turn 22, and I have to admit, I love celebrating my birthday!  Who doesn't?  It's the one day that you can truly call your own. 

But have you ever really thought about why you celebrate your birthday?  I mean, let's just think about this for a minute.  It was probably the most traumatic day of your life, which is probably why you've spent your whole life blocking it out.  Also, you are celebrating getting older.  There is a certain point when getting older is no longer exciting....and I'm thinking that point is when turning 22.... :)

Perhaps we celebrate our birth day to remind us of the greatest birth there ever was, Jesus's birthday.  Think about that birthday.  That day brought hope and joy to the world.  That birth brought forth the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation for us all.  What a fantastic birthday!  Way better than any of our birthdays could ever hope to be.

Now, please don't think that I don't like celebrating birthdays.  As stated before, I absolutely love when it's my birthday!  Our birthdays are still extremely special and worth a celebration.  We just need to remember why it's such a special day.  As Psalm 139:14 states, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Our birthday is a reminder of God's love when he made us.  We were crafted by God personally and we are his master showpiece!  God took the time to make us each unique and each his own.

As I celebrate my 22nd birthday today, I will remember why it's such a celebration.  It reminds me of the best birthday ever, and it reminds me of God's love for me.

Happy Birthday!!

Walking with Light

I'm not sure how exactly to start this blog. This is the very first one, so it has to be good, right?

After checking my sister's and my nieces' blogs, they have inspired me to start my own...whether they know that yet or not.

I just recently graduated from college this past December, and since January 8th, have been living and working in New Zealand. I was extremely nervous about moving here for 4 months, especially because I am so close to my family. My wonderful family with so many people in it, and so much love! I have my 2 sisters, a brother, and a brother-in-law. These four I can only describe in one way: unique and completely my own! Then, there is the gaggle of rugrats (that they're so lovingly called) of my 8, yes, EIGHT nieces and nephews. I won't mention that my one sister has seven of them....whoops, sorry Rachel. Anyhoo, these younglings are responsible for many hugs, joy, and plenty of laughter. Lastly, I have my parents, who started it all. While some may not laugh at my dad's corny jokes, I can't help but love them because they are so completely and utterly my dad. And my mom? She's the glue that holds us all together. She's Gramma, who makes everybody their favorite meal for their birthday, and no matter what the problem, will have the solution.

My mom, in particular, encouraged me to set forth on the solo journey to New Zealand. So, here I am today, almost 3 months into my New Zealand adventure and on the eve of turning the not-so-glamorous age of 22. While 22 seems old (at least to all my nieces and nephews), when I stop and really think about my age I have to come to only one conclusion. I'm still very young and new to the ways of this world. Is that a bad thing? Some might consider that naivety, but me? I am realizing how much of a blessing that youth and lack of knowledge is. I am not yet jaded or so accustomed to this world that I think nothing of its ways. Why would I want to fit into this awful sinful world and pride myself on being an expert in its ways? The simple answer? I don't. The truthful answer? Sometimes, I do. My old sinful nature convinces me more often than I'd like to admit that I need to fit in with this world. Yet, God clearly says in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." God reminds us that this world is no longer the perfect and wonderful place that he originally made. It's now full of corruption and sin.

At this time in my life, it is especially difficult to remember God's warning about this world. My life is cloudy and full of gray answers at the moment. I'm not sure which path to step on and where my future is heading. But, even as I typed that last sentence, I realize that I do know what path I am on and where my future is headed. I am on the path of God's mercy and love, and I am headed toward heaven. I may not know any of the details of that cloudy path, but I have the true conviction that Jesus is my Savior and by his grace he has made me right with God.

I can confidently walk on that unknown path with my beacon of truth and light.