dpp

i heard about the december photo project from rachel and thought to myself "i have no life, i can do this!" and i might even get a little better at taking photos than i am now (i have a TON of room for improvement!!!!)

i'm starting with a photo i just took about 15 minutes ago. we sprung for an electric fireplace yesterday, and dad asked me to take a few pictures so he could show the guys at work (for a guy who didn't want it in the first place, he sure is enjoying it!). so... there's nothing spectacular about it; it's just the only picture i've taken today! the rest will (hopefully) get more interesting and artsy. i think it'll be interesting to see the progress of the month! :)

thankfulness and rambling

i'm going to try to gather my thoughts for the enormous list of things i am thankful for.

first and foremost, i am extremely thankful for a God who loves me even when it's difficult to love myself. In the past months my faith has grown leaps and bounds, and it seems to happen when i'm not trying to grow my faith, but when i'm listening more to my heavenly Father than trying to tell Him what i need in my life.

i'm thankful for my family. we're spread out across the country, but a phone call to my sister in arizona, or my brother in chicago (well, michigan as of tomorrow!) or my other brother in new jersey never fails to bring light to a difficult situation or laughter to a bad day. my parents have raised me to love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength, and for that i am extremely thankful.

my church family. they've loved me since i walked through those doors when i was 4 years old. now, 26 years later, i've formed lasting relationships with my extended family. The Renzonis. The Morths. The Replogles. The Teeples. The Morris'. their example is more powerful than they'll ever be aware.

**note** this entry was started at about 8am thanksgiving morning. the craziness of the day got the better of me, and now that i am home from midnight outlet shopping i'm determined to attempt to complete my list at nearly 3am.**

my dog. she's always there to greet me when i come in the door, or to lick my tears. she's the best.

my friends. never more than a phone call away for advice, an ear, a shoulder or a laugh.

a job. granted it's stressful, but i absolutely love the kids i teach. the more challenging, the more i love them - especially when i break down the wall they put up. it's happened with quite a few students already this year. also, a few kids have come to talk to me about their faith - it's incredible. to be able to share my faith with students is something that will never get old. i'm convinced that my school is my mission field.

a warm bed. a reliable car. electricity. the gift of music. the youth of ghbc. HDTV. running water. baseball. hugs. financial needs met. old hymns.

this week i've been thinking about the little things that God provides for that we, in general, completely overlook. each day is a gift and God is deserving of our praise for even the little things in life. it's my hope and goal to become more grateful for the little things in life, and less focused on just thanking God for the big things or specific answers to prayer. green lights when i'm running late. water when i'm thirsty. pain - it means i'm alive.

angie smith had a challenge for thanksgiving. she's challenged her readers to thank God for something that was difficult to go through (her example was losing her infant daughter hours after she was born). it was amazing to read the readers responses to her challenge. i encourage you to go to her blog and check it out.

ok it's late and i'm not quite sure where i'm going with this. just some things i've been thinking about lately and wanted to get it written down.

i hope whoever happens to stumble across this entry had a blessed thanksgiving. don't forget to thank God for all things, even the things that we aren't naturally thankful for.

once again: He gives, and takes away.

and my heart will chose to say "Blessed be Your name!"

fact # 261: i hate having to say goodbye. one of the major perks of being a believer is knowing that no matter what happens on this earth, i will, without a doubt, see loved ones again. while it's a great comfort, it doesn't take away the pain of having to say goodbye to someone whom i have much respect for.

dave brown has been a part of my church for almost 3 1/2 years, which seems impossible. time has gone by quickly, and i am kicking myself for not having taken full advantage of having such a great man of God and someone with a vast, deep and thorough wisdom of the Bible just a phone call or short drive away.

lots of tears were shed today... this place just won't be the same without him.

philly 2005:

nyc 2005:

frisbee golf 2006:



after ghbc softball:

fenway - dave's first time!:



one of a billion midday visits to dave's office:

my birthday:

fenway again:



Groton Height Baptist Church Worship Team:

dalton sherman for president!

i think i'm going to watch this video every morning before i go to school.

challenge:

i'm an avid follower of Angie Smith's blog. Her story is an amazing one, and if you have an hour or so, sit down and read her blog from the beginning. Or you can watch the 27 minute video here. i promise you won't be the same.

i wish i could take credit for this post... but i can't. angie smith is an amazing woman of God, and has a GREAT idea that i love... and am posting it here for the moms, expecting moms, and potential moms that may come across this blog. and i can't lie, i'm partially posting it here so when, God willing, my time comes to be a mom, i can have this to reference.

a synopsis: angie's prayer is that her girls will be great women of God. that they will have undivided hearts. that they will speak the Truth to those that they come across. angies was prompted to write this post by a passage of scripture she came across the other day. the challenge is to pray 7 times a day for 7 days over your children.

here is angie's idea:

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Ephesians 2:14-16)

so there you have it. pretty incredible if you ask me! make sure this pass this along to all the moms you know!!!!!

for amanda!

briana on halloween:
they don't come much cuter!:

gospel hour

call me an old fart, but i LOVE the gaithers.

tonight i came home from a fabulous weekend in new jersey... i sat down to relax after my drive and came across a gospel hour, which concluded with the song i am about to post the lyrics and video. the tune is to "be still my soul", but the lyrics have been changed. i was sitting in my parents tv room, in tears as i listened to the music and words of this song. give the 5 minutes of your time it will take to listen to this amazing piece. the words truly stir the soul.


I then shall live as one who's been forgiven
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion
I've been so loved I'll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I'll dare to see another's point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I'll be there to care and follow through

Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your power and glory let them shine through me
Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O' may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me

cape may, new jersey

i'm officially in love with cape may. my brother mike and soon to be sister in law thea took me away for a weekend of much needed rest & relaxation. saturday we had breakfast right on the water at mcglades - best omelette i've ever had! asparagus, tomatoes, onions and cheddar cheese! we shopped a ton, took a horse & buggy ride, climbed the cape may lighthouse, went to sunset beach for sunset... it was phenomenal!

waves at the beach of cape may:


mike and thea:


cape may lighthouse:


a little history:


the atlantus today:



sunset at sunset beach:


one of my many finds... this i got for my mom and dad:

never forget

i'll never forget that beautiful tuesday morning - coming back from my 8 o'clock math class to turn on the today show as the first tower was hit. classes were canceled, and lauren & i stayed up all night watching the coverage with peter jennings. i can't believe it's been 7 years. i've never been more appreciative of the armed forces in the 7 years since 9/11/2001.... i'll never forget.

adding to the family :)

my brother michael FINALLY proposed to his girlfriend thea this past weekend in new jersey! nearly all of thea's family was on hand, as it was the 20th annual andresen family frog jump picnic. after a few hours of an all you can eat potluck buffet, mike popped the question before the jumping of the frogs :)

mike asking thea to take a leap:

she said yes:

first glimpse of the ring:

putting the ring on:

my brother tim, sister in law bridget and twins john and gabe:

everyone got tshirts:

some scenery from the pond at thea's parents house:

more beautiful scenery: