Wednesday, February 22, 2012

old notes.

Court and I have been friends since 6th grade. Our parents kinda made us be friends, but I'm glad they did! I was the new girl, and it was good to have a girl with a weird name befriend me. From then on out, we wrote notes to each other almost everyday. We saved a TON of them. I have all of mine in a binder, divided by grade as best as possible.....maybe i'm a little OCD. I think Court has hers in a box or bag. Needless to say, they are HILARIOUS to look over. We were such dumbies. Here is one I found today...this one is from middle school, I'm sure, but i'm not sure what grade. 


It was a sweet note from Court...started off with some things about how she was glad that we were friends, and then it ended with this: 


"I know we don't have much in common, like you don't have an interest in guys like i do, and i don't enjoy sports like you do, but hey! who said two uncommonies can't be the best of friends? i dunno!"


HAHAHAHA! i about peed myself. She'll kill me for posting this here if she ends up reading it, but i just think it is SO funny! Praise the LORD that we grew up. 


:) jboo

Monday, February 13, 2012

Rethink.

On February 2nd, I said that my summer would probably not be spent at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. I said that I was 99% sure...that percentage may have been off a litte, or that 1% maybe be happening. 


What I failed to remember was what goes on in camp ministry, my love for camp ministry, the overwhelming joy and responsibility that is given to you from the Lord when you see those buses pull up for the first time, the challenges that are faced when your girls "just aren't getting it" and you have to be creative, steadfast, and diligent when you want to give up on them, the girls that come and are changed forever by the gospel, the precious time in the word spent with students, the look on their faces when they have an "aha!" moment, the love of the full time staff that continually pour pour pour into us as we pour into the students that God has SENT us, and all of the ways that I was strengthened, grown, used, challenged, tested, and filled with joy and purpose while serving in camp ministry. GREAT things are happening here, but i will continue to pray for the Lord's will for Summer 2012. I will pray for my priorities to be aligned. NOT that staying or going is a "better" idea, but which one would the Lord have me to be a part of. Either way, God will be glorified. I'm thankful for either decision He leads me to, for I know that will be His good and perfect plan.


These are the things that I'm praying. I will make a list here, if you would like to join me prayer. I ask for your prayers as I need to make a decision within the next two weeks. I pray for clarity for myself. I pray that I would make this decision through time in God's word and prayer, and that even though my decision needs to be made soon, that it would not be hasty. Pray for me about things that will HAVE to be figured out if/before I go (discipleship with Juli - big deal). I pray that I would not make school, any degree, or pride in my status an idol in my life, that if the Lord wants me to pursue school, that I will with joy, and if He doesn't, I won't worry about the classes that I have left to take. I pray that I will not return to SWO for any selfish gain, that i would go to be a servant to our Father on High and to all of the people there. I pray that I serve my local church well, either here or there. I pray for the full-time staff who are currently going through applications. I pray that men and women of God are chosen with confidence for the work at SWO this summer. I pray that I serve the Lord well this summer, and that when this decision is made, I will not just look forward to the future of the summer, but that I would be diligent even now in my classes and the responsibilities that God has given me this semester with a thankful heart that the Lord guides and directs our every step when we ask that our lives be aligned with His will. 


:)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Ramblings of February 2nd.

Summer 2012.
It's so far away. I have three options I have been praying over. 


1. Snowbird. 
  • I had pretty much decided that I would not be going this summer. I didn't want to say it, but I have a lot of good things going on here, that could continue this summer. Recently, we were told that not very many returning staff applications were turned in yet. (they are due this month). Which just makes me want to go back for some reason. I LOVED the community during the summer. I loved how fast relationships happened there. It was 3 weeks into camp, and I already knew that I had made some lifelong friends. It was good to be there for that reason. But, I know I also need to pursue relationships like that here. So really, I'm 99% sure I'm not going to randomly decide to apply again....but i do love that place. 
2. Biology class (for my bachelors)
  • Gordon has a separate associates and bachelors program. Lord willing, in 2013, I will graduate with my associates, and then I will start a bachelors program shortly after, that lasts a year long. More than likely, I will not be doing the bachelors program at Gordon...probably somewhere else. But, the core classes are mostly the same for every school. So, it would be convenient if I would complete the first part of my Biology sequence in June. This is something that is very big possibility of happening. 
3. Doula Training. 
  • This is something I've been interested in for years....just never really had the guts to pursue it and didn't really know how. I've recently been researching it more. No matter who I go through to get certified, I would either participate in some sort of class. The two I've looked at have a 3 week class or 1 weekend workshop. This would take place in June, instead of the biology class. I've thought about contacting the doula organizations and asking more questions about the possibility of completing the requirements during nursing school. I'll have to observe a certain amount of births and act as doula for a few to get recommendations....something like that anyway. I really think this is something that I would truly enjoy. But even then, when I am a nurse, will I be able to work as a doula as well? I just think it would be good training to have, and something that i would really enjoy learning about. 

So, those are the options. I look forward to July. That month will probably hold a SovHope trip to SWO, and it will definitely hold Kaitlin and Tim's wedding! So happy to be her Maid of Honor. It's definitely going to be a WONDERFUL weekend! So excited about what God is doing in them. 

I've been a little bit lonely this semester of nursing school. I miss doing it all with Courtlynd and all the other people in the class that I got close to. I've been a little discouraged. But, I am confident that the Lord has me in this class for His glory. I have made a few friends, and hope to make some more. It's a big class, so I hope to maybe just get to talking to some people that are in my seminar class (about 30 people in this class).

I've been so encouraged, though, by God's answers to my prayers for Court. The first week of school there is a huge checkoff for third semester. The checkoffs are terrifying. {especially for Court}  So, i prayed and i prayed and i prayed for God to give her confidence. specifically confidence. She came out of the check off SO excited. She gave me a thumbs up, so i knew she passed it. Then, she continued to tell me that she rocked it. She said she knew all the answers, she wasn't that nervous,  and everything was a breeze. The instructor told her that she could tell she had been practicing and that she was the best of the day....only one person had gone before her, but hey! she was the best so far. haha. So, things are going well. I'm so so very proud of her. So far, she's been a pro at everything. I'm thankful to serve a God who hears my requests and is a good God. 

I'm praying that things with Juli pick back up soon. We haven't really been able to figure out our schedules yet, but at this point, we're just going to put it at a higher priority to find the time. She's currently changing jobs, so i'm praying that the Lord will show her exactly what is next. 

Really been missing Trish Cobb lately. Missing the love and joy that she showered me with. Praying for them as they travel to INDIA next week to visit family. SO awesome. 

I've been pretty excited about having a more relaxed schedule this semester. I've been able to start going to zumba as much as possible! This week, I will get to go all 5 times the class is offered. LOVING it. I'm NOT a runner and I really don't enjoy working out alone, so being able to do something like this to get healthy has been really great! Hoping that 2012 is a healthy year!

I'm excited to look back over this post in July and see how the Lord worked and grew me between now and then. For now, I must go study hard!! :)


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Thanksgiving Post


It was time. Thanksgiving 2011 was the year for the youngest grandchild to learn to make Grandma's famous turkey dressing. Early Thanksgiving morning (okay, okay, it was like 10am), I headed to Grandma's house. I took along one of Granny's aprons for extra luck.
 I felt legit: confidence is key.
My Grandma thought I was ridiculous for photographing the process. :)
So here we are "How to make Grandma's dressing: 101!" 

First, you must take a picture in front of the stove. It's a must. 

Second step, pick out a bowl. Preferably, a pretty colored one like this. It just makes the whole experience more fun. 

Next, you stand in amazement at the size of your Grandma's flour bucket. I mean, really, who would EVER need this much flour. Grandma. that's who. 


Next, you start pouring in the flour. This is the part where it would have been helpful if I actually posted this in November, maybe I would have been able to remember the measurements. Nevertheless, it looks something like this. It's something like one part flour, one part corn meal. MAYBE, more corn meal than flour if there is more of one or the other. I'll be needing to get clarification on this step. 

 This is just a picture of inside the flour bowl. My grandma has had that duck sifter thingamajig for years. I like it. 

Then, you add 4 eggs. The recipe my grandma gave me said 2 eggs...maybe we were making a bigger batch than what the recipe book calls for. Not sure, but I LOVE eggs, so the more the merrier in my opinion. 

Next, BUTTERMILK! Now, there is not much that grosses me out more than buttermilk. For this step, Grandma said, "Pour until I say stop"...I think it was something like a cup. I think I also put a cup of water in there as well. 

STIR!

Lastly, you'll need to add some cooking oil. Why? i don't know! Just do it. Something like...less than a cup. 

Stir and Smile!

Add Grandma in your photos. Here, she is displaying the Baking Spray. Butter Flavor! (Did i mention that the secret to thanksgiving is a TUB of BUTTER! The woman put it in everything.)

After you stir for years, you should get a "thick milkshake" consistency. Then, you pour the mixture into a pan, using your hand as a spoon to rake it all out of the bowl. DO NOT use a spoon...it'll mess up the recipe. 

Place the cornbread in the oven with the DELICIOUS Sweet Potato SoufflĂ©. 350 degrees. 


While the cornbread is baking, grab another BIG bowl. Preferably one from the 1800s that has had plenty of experience on Thanksgiving. 

YUM! it's ready.

SLICE for convenience. 

Put the cornbread in the bowl.

Add two cans of Cream of Chicken Soup. I think you could use cream of mushroom instead?? 
I wouldn't do it though!

Chicken/turkey juice from the bird that has been in the crock-pot all night. how much? i don't know! just follow the picture!

Next step, onions....that were diced by your mother, because you surely do not know how to appropriately dice an onion yet. 

Mix with an electric mixer. Or, if you've got an hour and need to include your workout for the day, mix it with a spoon. Do i recommend it, NO. Once you've mixed, add sage. 

I know what you are thinking! How much sage?!? THIS MUCH. Tip: Never ask your grandma how much spice to put in ANYTHING. Grandma demonstrated for me. 

 Oops! Apparently I forgot some pictures. Mix the sage in, and pour the mixture into a glass dish (or two) and bake some more. It should come out looking like this! 

It turned out pretty good! I was tired, but it was worth it! :) hehe. 
I encourage that you make YOUR grandma's dressing this year! OR, you can try to follow these instructions and make MY grandma's dressing! I'd love to see that :)

Happy Turkey Day, in February.