Day 23: 28 Candles

This past Friday I celebrated my 28th birthday with German pancakes, angel food cake and strawberries, and my wonderful family. We all gathered around the patio table and feasted on the munchkins favorites, German pancakes and bacon. I had a wonderful time and am so very blessed to have such an awesome family. Josh, Emma, and Hannah decided to get me a pink sleeping bag for when we have sleepovers. They originally wanted to find me a Hannah Montana sleeping bag, but it would have come up to my bellybutton! I can't wait to use it! 

Thank you for another wonderful year!

Day 22: YouTuberiffic!

Last week at work my boss showed a couple of us a hilarious video on YouTube. This video is a Chinese workout tape where not only do they burn calories, but they also learn English. I'm not sure if this is an actual product, or if its just a joke, but if it is real, its surprising to see what the Chinese think is important to learn before coming to America. Check out the video to see what I mean! 

Day 21: I've Been Tagged

Apparently Tag isn't just for kids anymore. The other day my sister "Tagged" me, meaning that I have to answer the 5 questions on her blog. If anyone out there has a blog that is reading this, Tag, now you're it!

3 Joys... 1) My salvation I have in Jesus Christ.  2) My family and friends who love me unconditionally and stand behind me cheering me on as I strive to be a better and stronger me.  3) Hearing the rain falling outside my bedroom window. 

3 Fears... 1) Dying before I have a chance to fulfill God's purpose for my life.  2) Someone in family passing away.  3) Spiders...yuck!

3 Goals... 1) To be a good, Christian example to my nieces and nephew as well as to others around me.  

2) To be a loving and supportive daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  3) To start my own freelance graphic design company. 

3 Obsessions...  1) Cookies and milk...I could seriously eat cookies all day long!  2) Reading, eww, reading with cookies would be even better!  3) I love going to Target! I could spend hours in there just wandering around...I know...weird.

3 Randoms...  1) Like my sister, I rarely leave the house without mascara, we swear we look like turtles without it! hehe!  2) I have always wanted a bulldog named Cromwell!  3) I love butterflies!

Day 20: Right Time, Right Song

Tonight driving home, I switched on K-Love to find a little encouragement and a reminder that no matter what situation you may find yourself in, you can be encouraged knowing that God is faithful, he is our rock when we find ourselves on the sand. 

After a few songs my ears soon perked up hearing this song from Casting Crowns. I decided to share these lyrics for anyone else finding themselves in their own boat surrounded by crashing waves or facing their very own giant. 

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have 

The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me 

Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"

And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant

With just a Sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

Shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me 

Time and time again "Boy, you'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size 

To put the giant on the ground

And the waves they don't seem so high

From on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Click here to listen to the actual song. 

Day 19: Blue Sky

In October, Willow is coming out with a brand new leadership event called Blue Sky. Oddly enough the title has nothing to do with leadership or the actual event itself, but rather the room at Willow it is going to be held in The Blue Sky Room. This is going to be a very specialized event for professionals looking to further develop their unique leadership styles.

Over the past couple of weeks, Sue and I have been brainstorming and coming up with different concepts of the actual look of the event that will be applied to the brochure, website, different mailings, and so on. This past Thursday we had a total of 16 concepts (or ideas) we shared with parts of the leadership team and they just loved them. So far, they are split on what look they want to go with and will be getting back to us probably sometime next week. I just thought it would be fun to show you a sample of the ones we presented. I'll keep you updated on what they eventually choose. Hope you enjoy! 

Day 18: Slumber Party

Well, this Saturday was a first. I was staying over at my sisters and it eventually came time for the kids to go to bed. Josh however had different plans. Remembering that my sister had promised that he and Emma could sleep downstairs with me and have a "Sleeping Party" the next time I stayed over, he nicely protested when it was time for them to head upstairs. Keeping her promise, however, sleeping bags, pillows, favorite stuffed animals, and sippy cups were all piled into the family room for a Peanut/Auntie sleepover. It was so much fun. I was amazed that once they fell asleep (which didn't take them long) they were out and there wasn't a peep out of them the entire night.

I, on the other hand did not behave as nicely. Sure enough, in the middle of the night I let out one of my ear shattering screams (don't ask me why I do this, I have no idea, its part of my charm I guess : )  ). I rarely wake myself up when I do this, and this time was no different, fortunately I didn't wake up my fellow "Sleeping Party" either!

Day 16: The Importance of Compassion

A couple months ago I started sponsoring a child through Compassion International. I was able to choose a little 5 year old girl from Peru. The second I saw her photo I just knew God was leading me to help her and show her the love of Christ through sponsorship, letters, and prayer.

Compassion International is an amazing ministry which was founded in 1952 resulting from the despair of the Korean War. Starting in South Korea and aiding 35 orphaned children, Compassion has extended their efforts into 24 countries with more than 950,000 children. With a contribution of only $32 a month Compassion is able to provide your child with educational opportunities, health care, nutrition, life-skills training, and opportunities to hear about the gospel. But also and just as important, a sponsored child is given hope, encouragement, "and an often-neglected message that they matter." Its hard to imagine that only $32, on average the cost of a single shirt from Old Navy, or only a couple of drinks from Starbucks, can make such an enormous impact on a child's life.

This sponsorship program is key in aiding children all over the world, however, I never imagined how much I would get blessed in return. Just the other day I was so excited to get a translated letter from Lady (the little girl I sponsor). The letter wasn't very long, but she told me about her family, her favorite color, the school she goes to, and how she loves dogs. But most touching was how she ended her letter with "a big hug and many kisses. May God bless you!" What a wonderful, unexpected blessing!