Things That Bring a Smile to My Face :)

~New Music 

~Goody Baskets from my piano students

~Pinterest (I know, weird, right?) 

~Emails from besties

~Prospects for new piano students

~Sharing a hard testimony to be a blessing to others

~All the little gifts from God each day

~the kids on my bus route

~Vacation and visiting with old friends

May I remind ya'll... Life is Beautiful!  

Answered Prayers

Life has been wonderfully busy!! I've always been one to enjoy doing things, rather than a lazy day :). Tutoring and piano lessons have been going well. Right now I'm looking into quite a few different things that could bring big changes!

Around June I had started to experience some joint pain/intense swelling/bruising on my arms and legs. It had me just slightly worried. My ankle was swollen worse than it's ever been, and I was having a lot of pain in my fingers and hands, which anyone that plays the piano knows is a problem. Shortly after this started we went to hear Bro. Sam Davison preach and I remember him saying this "our physical comfort is not God's primary concern. We can give him more glory when we're going through trials than we can when life is perfect. Glorify him through the pain."  That was a BIG  encouragement to me. 

We went to numerous doctors appointments and urgent care visits, but no one seemed to have any answers. My doctor finally referred us to a rheumatologist, we were concerned that this might be arthritis. Again, as a pianist this was a little intimidating! While waiting for the rheumatologist appointment the bruises and swelling went away, and the joint pain had dwindled. I finally had the appointment yesterday and as soon as I mentioned the bruises on my legs he seemed to know exactly what the problem was. We finally had answers!  I was thinking it was kind of retarded to get SO excited that a doctor could tell you what was wrong with you, lol! Apparently, it was just a condition where one experiences red lumpy bruises and can lead to serious swelling. As I said, the joint pains are still a problem, but not as bad and the doctor didn't seem to think that it was anything to worry about, that they'll go away soon. 

Anyway, so that's been what's going in my life :) I'm very grateful that this wasn't a big problem and that God worked everything out!! 

How was your summer? Are you ready for school and fall?? I sure am!! :)

Courtship vs. Dating

"A Woman's Question"

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life---
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With a reckless dash of boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.” 

~ Mary "Lena" Lathrop 

Camp Pictures

This past week we up at camp.  This has become my favorite week of the year!!  This year was my first year as a counselor and I really enjoyed it.  I got to know everyone, campers and counselors alike, from a whole new perspective.  Plus, on the last night of camp, they had all the camp alumni go forward and sing "Because He Lives", it was amazing to be up with all the campers of years gone by!  But, if I had to describe camp in one word, it would be... Cold very very cold.  We had a low of 42 degrees one night.  There was frost on the windows most mornings.  I'm supposed to remind everyone next year to pack their winter clothes!!  

Anyway, there are A LOT of pictures... the first batch are mine, and then the rest are from Mrs. Shuster! 

Kiley with her mom's sunglasses

Bailey and "Papa"

Bailey and Kiley

Evolution~ This is a game that take Rock, Paper, Scissors and makes it a group competition to see who can "evolve" into the champion.  

My friend Leanza and I :)  

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Mrs. Shuster's Pictures

Our group before we left Monday morning

Playing Human Clue.  I was Miss Mockingbird, at the Nurse's Station, with a extremely deadly loaf of bread... lol

Luke's team

After they got their clues, they had a special task to do while going from station to station.  This team had to hold hands and sing "Jesus Loves Me" 

Dakota B.

All the buses/vans

Dakota

Luke

Some of the ladies.  I don't know who the lady on the left is but from her is Mrs. Green, Mrs. Rogers, and Mrs. Williams 

Christian's team at Jesse's station

Bailey, Danielle G., and Savannah S. 

Alex A.

Josh, Kiley, and Arlie

Savannah and Dakota

Aaron C.

VOLLEYBALL :D

Waiting for pool time

Pooh Ball, a game Bro Phil Green made up, basically a mix of basketball, floor hockey, and extreme frisbee.  The name came about from the original ball used :) 

Me, Jesse, and Petra :)  

I was able to go with an amazing team, this is the captain Alisha and I 

Soccer

Pastor Smith

The guys returning from a hike

Character Quest

Guys volleyball and soccer

The rifle range

In the cabin learning verses

Go Karts

Colleen with our girls :) We had three girls in our cabin get saved: Savannah, Dakota, and Makayla.  Savannah and Dakota are from our church, and Makayla (the one in the pink hoodie) came with another group.  

Chapel

Bro. Pahlman (Parker Memorial Baptist Church)  and Pastor

The Dining Hall

Pastor and Mrs. Williams (Northstar Baptist Church)

Pastor and Mrs. Shuster

Our girls 

Christian and some of his friends

Luke and some of his friends

Aaron and some of his friends

Pastor Witte (Community Baptist Church) the camp cook :) 

Mrs. Johnson (Kitchen Assistant)

Joanna, Jennifer, and Esther Green 

They did a skit on Thursday morning of Joanna's Death.  It was really great, and a lot of kids were saved after it.  

Bro. M, and Pastor Rogers, our Cabin Inspectors 

Singing "Making Melody In My Heart" 

Some of the activities

Putt-Putt Golf 

The cabins were redone this year, they were REALLY nice :) 

Food :)  

Pastor and Mrs. Rogers (Roger City Baptist Church) 

Bro. and Mrs. Machinsky (I'm pretty sure I didn't spell that right) (Northstar Baptist Church)

Pastor Green and Pastor

The team leaders singing Peace Like a River

The Roger's Family

Bro Wagenshutz from Wisconsin was our guest speaker.  The messages were great! 

The group of kids that had made decisions throughout the week.  

Skits

Camp Alumni 

Christian's team 

Going Home