A year ago today, my family and friends were having Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital.We were there to share the holiday with Roberta Carman. She had been in serious condition since the summer and it was a miracle that she was sitting right in front of us. In June Roberta became very ill. After several surgeries, things were getting worse. In August 2010, Roberta was taken off life support and we all thought she would be heading back home to God. Then, all of a sudden she surprised everyone. Since the doctors had taken her off life support, she had improved. Little by little, she got better. She started talking. Then walking. Later she was moved out of the hospital and into an assisted living center. Then, she was allowed to go home.
Today, we are going to share Thanksgiving with the whole gang at the Carman house! :)
Simply put: I am thankful for miracles.
Me.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
FITS 2010-Padre Rescued (flashback)
I wrote this a long time ago when I was away at my church Summer camp. I recently found it in a journal and thought I would share it because this is something I struggle with constantly.
Working at the church nursery, I have the privilege to take care of toddlers. One of my favorite times to experience is when a child has painted a picture and they want to show you. "Look teacher, look", they say(they always have trouble remembering Ms.Alex). I take their picture from their small hands. I smile. Even though most of the time, I have no idea what I am looking at, I look down at them and say,"That's wonderful! The best painting I have ever seen." The child's face lights up and he/she continues to create other works of art.
During the few weeks leading up to this trip, I would simply find time to stare into my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I would just stand there looking at myself. I wish my eyes were prettier. I hate my thighs. I need to do some sit-ups. My ears are so weird. I really need braces. I wish my skin was clear. I could just stand there putting myself down over and over. I don't exactly know why but everyone does it. Females do it all the time. It doesn't help or make anything better. I simply feel that everything about me is just not good enough.
So...what if I took a painting from a little boy and instead of positive feedback, I say, "Oh gosh, this is horrible! Too much red here. You need more color over there...and what is that random blob in the middle? This is the worst painting." Imagine his crushed self-esteem.
Now, think of God being the young boy. I am his painting. He created me. He thinks I'm beautiful and he is proud of his work. By, putting myself down, I am putting my Lord down. I'm insulting his most beautiful creation. I am his masterpiece and I don't want to be insulting his work.
Thanks to my week at my camp and everything God is doing inside of me, I have realized something. I should always be striving to make God's face light up. I can easily do that by praising his creations. I am beautiful and perfect to my father. I am his little girl.He loves me and that's really all that matters. I need to look in the mirror only to thank God for all that I am and for what I will become. I should also be telling my friends how amazing they are and that I am happy God created them. They are also his creations. I hope to bring this all back home in my daily life. I hope that I will continue to light up God's face.
Working at the church nursery, I have the privilege to take care of toddlers. One of my favorite times to experience is when a child has painted a picture and they want to show you. "Look teacher, look", they say(they always have trouble remembering Ms.Alex). I take their picture from their small hands. I smile. Even though most of the time, I have no idea what I am looking at, I look down at them and say,"That's wonderful! The best painting I have ever seen." The child's face lights up and he/she continues to create other works of art.
During the few weeks leading up to this trip, I would simply find time to stare into my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I would just stand there looking at myself. I wish my eyes were prettier. I hate my thighs. I need to do some sit-ups. My ears are so weird. I really need braces. I wish my skin was clear. I could just stand there putting myself down over and over. I don't exactly know why but everyone does it. Females do it all the time. It doesn't help or make anything better. I simply feel that everything about me is just not good enough.
So...what if I took a painting from a little boy and instead of positive feedback, I say, "Oh gosh, this is horrible! Too much red here. You need more color over there...and what is that random blob in the middle? This is the worst painting." Imagine his crushed self-esteem.
Now, think of God being the young boy. I am his painting. He created me. He thinks I'm beautiful and he is proud of his work. By, putting myself down, I am putting my Lord down. I'm insulting his most beautiful creation. I am his masterpiece and I don't want to be insulting his work.
Thanks to my week at my camp and everything God is doing inside of me, I have realized something. I should always be striving to make God's face light up. I can easily do that by praising his creations. I am beautiful and perfect to my father. I am his little girl.He loves me and that's really all that matters. I need to look in the mirror only to thank God for all that I am and for what I will become. I should also be telling my friends how amazing they are and that I am happy God created them. They are also his creations. I hope to bring this all back home in my daily life. I hope that I will continue to light up God's face.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Heaven is for real
By: Todd Burpo
Date finished: May 23, 2011
A 4 year old's out of body experience and account of heaven. This book really proved how much simple faith a child can have. Once we get older, we ask questions and seem to complicate things involved with our faith. Kids, on the other hand, have no filter and I admire their bravery and fowardness. They express whatever is on their minds because they don't know any better yet. God says we are supposed to be childlike in our faith and this story helped to display that example. This boy's amazing recovery blew me away. Then I was just amazed that God had used him in such a unique way to educate people about the "real heaven". Scripture can sometimes be confusing(it was written at least 2000 years ago!), especially when heaven in being described. This young boy actually experienced it and he explained it so simply: The Real Heaven. Now when I think of where I am going after my life here on Earth, I have a 4 year old's illustrated picture rather than a a bunch of wordy descriptions.
Simply put: (Matthew 18:2-4) He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
(1Timothy 4:12) Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in life, love, in faith, and in purity.
Date finished: May 23, 2011
A 4 year old's out of body experience and account of heaven. This book really proved how much simple faith a child can have. Once we get older, we ask questions and seem to complicate things involved with our faith. Kids, on the other hand, have no filter and I admire their bravery and fowardness. They express whatever is on their minds because they don't know any better yet. God says we are supposed to be childlike in our faith and this story helped to display that example. This boy's amazing recovery blew me away. Then I was just amazed that God had used him in such a unique way to educate people about the "real heaven". Scripture can sometimes be confusing(it was written at least 2000 years ago!), especially when heaven in being described. This young boy actually experienced it and he explained it so simply: The Real Heaven. Now when I think of where I am going after my life here on Earth, I have a 4 year old's illustrated picture rather than a a bunch of wordy descriptions.
Simply put: (Matthew 18:2-4) He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
(1Timothy 4:12) Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in life, love, in faith, and in purity.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Something Borrowed
by: Emily Giffin
Date finished: May 20, 2011
Something Borrowed was about the testing of love and friendship. The question throughout the book was: Is a lifelong friendship more important than a desired love or is it the other way around? I'm not sure if people have experienced this certain situation before but I know that "normal people" have to make life altering choices and decisions everyday.
Simply put: When you're grown up enough to make you own decisions, you're the only person who knows what is best for you and how it will affect your life. Sooo...be careful and be smart!
Rating(1-10): 9
Date finished: May 20, 2011
Something Borrowed was about the testing of love and friendship. The question throughout the book was: Is a lifelong friendship more important than a desired love or is it the other way around? I'm not sure if people have experienced this certain situation before but I know that "normal people" have to make life altering choices and decisions everyday.
Simply put: When you're grown up enough to make you own decisions, you're the only person who knows what is best for you and how it will affect your life. Sooo...be careful and be smart!
Rating(1-10): 9
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Belong To Me
by: Marisa de los Santos
Date finished: May 17, 2011
This book was a great story of friendship, family, and connected relationships. It revealed that the world really is small and the true nature of people revolves around dependency. Everyone wants to belong to someone else. Whether its a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, you belong to someone, somewhere out there in the crazy world. This book was a look at a person's indentity through the identities and roles of others throughout that person's life.
Simply put: Everyone wants something or someone to belong to and you find those things as you live and learn through life.
Rating (1-10) : 8
Date finished: May 17, 2011
This book was a great story of friendship, family, and connected relationships. It revealed that the world really is small and the true nature of people revolves around dependency. Everyone wants to belong to someone else. Whether its a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend, you belong to someone, somewhere out there in the crazy world. This book was a look at a person's indentity through the identities and roles of others throughout that person's life.
Simply put: Everyone wants something or someone to belong to and you find those things as you live and learn through life.
Rating (1-10) : 8
Simply Books.
Reading has always been a big part of my life because I have always enjoyed finiding new books and discovering different worlds through a variety of writing. Recently, my friends and I have created a sort of "book club", reading a book and passing it on to the next person. Then, we might go see the movie all together. I realized that I have read a lot of really good books since my highschool experience began in 2009.
Today my Mom gave me an idea. She told me that I should blog about the books I have read recently and give my thoughts. Now I am going to do just that. Thanks Mom!
Over the summer I plan to read as much as I can and take a lot of trips to Barnes and Noble. I like to read mainly New York Times Bestsellers- they are the best. I'm so excited! I will blog the date I finished the book, the title and author, and my simple thoughts. :)
Today my Mom gave me an idea. She told me that I should blog about the books I have read recently and give my thoughts. Now I am going to do just that. Thanks Mom!
Over the summer I plan to read as much as I can and take a lot of trips to Barnes and Noble. I like to read mainly New York Times Bestsellers- they are the best. I'm so excited! I will blog the date I finished the book, the title and author, and my simple thoughts. :)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is my favorite verse in God's Book. If anyone comes to me with any kind of problem, this is the verse I show them. Even when I need reassurance in this unpredictable world, I turn to Romans. I feel comforted when I am constantly reminded of the fact that no matter what happens, nothing will change the amount of love God has for me.
God's never ending, never failing love <3
This is my favorite verse in God's Book. If anyone comes to me with any kind of problem, this is the verse I show them. Even when I need reassurance in this unpredictable world, I turn to Romans. I feel comforted when I am constantly reminded of the fact that no matter what happens, nothing will change the amount of love God has for me.
God's never ending, never failing love <3
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