I wanted to make a list of things to do this year. The year of all years. I am so enthusastic about the adventures that this year will hold. So here comes so ideas of things I truly hope to try and accomplish ....
- Watch the Planet Earth's Dvd collection
- Go Skydiving for my graduation ... ive only been waiting for years ;)
- Run a 5k or a 1/2 marathon
- GRADUATE from Nursing School
- Get and start my first grown up job... (Ill be a nurse)
- Read some books ... Any kind - just no text books
- Travel to another state (I havent been to)
- Travel to Mexico City to visit the orphanage
- Sing aloud for all to hear
- Learn to eat with chopsticks
- Take a dance lesson or two
- Meet a new friend
- Take a special adventure with my nephews
- Learn to do a 180 jump with my snowboard (start small - think big)
- Cross the wake with the wakeboard
- Take a day to travel by myself
- Make a piece of pottery - and paint it
- Go hiking!
- Play ultimate frisbee with friends
- TURN 22 - I ve been waiting for this day since I can remember!
- Spend a date with my dad.
- Go to a concert
- See a theatrical production (ballet, play .. etc.)
- Continue to seek the Lord and live with intention...
With all the above thoughts, God be my guide and use me to make a difference. Teach me to live.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Inner Purity
Matthew 15: 1 - 20.
In the past few days, I have been praying about the condition of my heart. This morning I read this passage of scripture and it stuck with me...
8: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Where is your heart? What is the desires or depths of your heart crying out to? Does the Lord find your heart a place of worship, a place where He is honored? Or is your heart focused on the passions of your own ambition? People hear the praises of the Lord on our lips, but the Lord hears our praises from our hearts.
I was talking with a friend about a picture. An image of a little girl reaching up to hold the hands of her father, and in her eyes you could see the reflection of her daddy. If your heart is focused on Jesus, so should your eyes. If people looked at your eyes,would they see your Father's Reflection? And when Jesus is examining your heart right now, would He find a pure heart that exalts Him and His desires for your life.
Take a moment and examine your heart and the focus of your eyes.
In the past few days, I have been praying about the condition of my heart. This morning I read this passage of scripture and it stuck with me...
8: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Where is your heart? What is the desires or depths of your heart crying out to? Does the Lord find your heart a place of worship, a place where He is honored? Or is your heart focused on the passions of your own ambition? People hear the praises of the Lord on our lips, but the Lord hears our praises from our hearts.
I was talking with a friend about a picture. An image of a little girl reaching up to hold the hands of her father, and in her eyes you could see the reflection of her daddy. If your heart is focused on Jesus, so should your eyes. If people looked at your eyes,would they see your Father's Reflection? And when Jesus is examining your heart right now, would He find a pure heart that exalts Him and His desires for your life.
Take a moment and examine your heart and the focus of your eyes.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
One Night. One Choice.
Tonight I sit here and discuss the ugliness of sin and the pain of the choices that need to made. Fascinating isn’t it that I find myself writing what I have been writing for the past three months. Life is redundant. Repetition that will make a Ferris wheel appear exciting. Over time the mercy of God will become the wrath of God. Why do I play around with this? The thoughts of the fury of God on the Egyptian People and the Hebrews should shake the sin out of the nation. Although, I continue to try the patience of Jesus.
The choice of a one night. The overwhelming guilt and the forgiveness of a Perfect Savior. This morning the voice of a speaker rang out the words " Jesus loves me." He does love me. and how I barely understand the depth of that love. Today I am grateful, and humbled. Words dont express those feelings very well... but I guess I am sorry to all those I let down. Its been an extremely busy semester with mixed up priorities. Its time to allow God to take control... and Start from here... excuses abandoned ... Allow my Weakness to be my Strength through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choice of a one night. The overwhelming guilt and the forgiveness of a Perfect Savior. This morning the voice of a speaker rang out the words " Jesus loves me." He does love me. and how I barely understand the depth of that love. Today I am grateful, and humbled. Words dont express those feelings very well... but I guess I am sorry to all those I let down. Its been an extremely busy semester with mixed up priorities. Its time to allow God to take control... and Start from here... excuses abandoned ... Allow my Weakness to be my Strength through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday, November 23, 2007
When you cant sleep... Count your blessings
Last night, I was tossing and turning ... just couldnt fall asleep. I became really frustrated and decided to roll out from the covers and began to pace the floor. (Yes, I really did.) My heart was heavy with thoughts and I started to cry. It was Thanksgiving, and I had not taken a moment to Thank God for all of the wonderful blessings in my life.
My past year and half has been very crazy as I have become older and have been learning that life as an "adult" is not what I thought it would be... Although, through all the tears and the pain ... There are these blessings that shine!
So here is a list of some of the significant blessings in my life:
- My mother and my father have been on their knees praying for me since before I took my first breath of life. I have been blessed by their commitment to the Lord, and to each other. They love each other more today and continue to set an example of a Godly marriage.
- My brothers have been protecting me and been my best friends. I have traveled and learned so many things from them and we are each others support. Kyle was blessed with a new baby (Cole is a perfectly healthy boy) and a beautiful bride Kayla.
- My sister continues to keep me organized and on track with all the craziness that school brings and make sures that I am eating healthy... She has heard me rant and rave over all of life trials and excitments. I love you dear sister.
- My roommate is an inspiration that lives passionately for the Lord. Her heart and her soul seek Him first and I am so thankful to be able to see her everyday. The Lord has been so faithful in showing us His mercy and granting us peace in our home. I love you Jesse McNally. You have helped me more than you know ... even when i have to wake you at the break of dawn. ;)
- To my friends - Carin (my BFF who is serving in the Military), Alicia, erin, ellie, You girls have been there for me through everything... and even though we may never get to see each other... I love you. Seriously I pray for you often .. Keep seeking the Lord and allowing Him to guide you in every step that you take.
- To my Pastors - PT, Kevin and Annie, Andy and Christy - Words cant describe how much gratitude I have for your dedication and investment in my life... I am blessed for your prayers and spiritual guidance.
- To all my friends, old and new - I am so thankful for the gift of your friendship. Sarah Bla - You have been an anchor to turn to when my life has been chaos. Rochester has become an exciting adventure thanks to you ;) Love ya.
I was so blessed that I had the oppurtunity to spend the last few weeks by my Grandpa's bedside. I held his hand and I talked with him late into the night. I said good bye and I was able to comfort him when he died. I miss him terribly tonight and this weekend and through out the holidays. I just praise the Lord that soon I will be able to dance the streets of Heaven with him. (Right before He passed my mom prayed with him and he gave his heart to the Lord.)
For the oppurtunity to go to school - to work at Mayo - to be living my dreams - for the ultimate gift of Salvation - to live in the United States - to have food, clothes, and a car - to be blessed with finances - Life is a beautiful place with all the blessings I have.
In the end, I was broken - My heart full of joy and I cried .
I climbed back under the covers and let myself fall asleep counting my blessings ...
My past year and half has been very crazy as I have become older and have been learning that life as an "adult" is not what I thought it would be... Although, through all the tears and the pain ... There are these blessings that shine!
So here is a list of some of the significant blessings in my life:
- My mother and my father have been on their knees praying for me since before I took my first breath of life. I have been blessed by their commitment to the Lord, and to each other. They love each other more today and continue to set an example of a Godly marriage.
- My brothers have been protecting me and been my best friends. I have traveled and learned so many things from them and we are each others support. Kyle was blessed with a new baby (Cole is a perfectly healthy boy) and a beautiful bride Kayla.
- My sister continues to keep me organized and on track with all the craziness that school brings and make sures that I am eating healthy... She has heard me rant and rave over all of life trials and excitments. I love you dear sister.
- My roommate is an inspiration that lives passionately for the Lord. Her heart and her soul seek Him first and I am so thankful to be able to see her everyday. The Lord has been so faithful in showing us His mercy and granting us peace in our home. I love you Jesse McNally. You have helped me more than you know ... even when i have to wake you at the break of dawn. ;)
- To my friends - Carin (my BFF who is serving in the Military), Alicia, erin, ellie, You girls have been there for me through everything... and even though we may never get to see each other... I love you. Seriously I pray for you often .. Keep seeking the Lord and allowing Him to guide you in every step that you take.
- To my Pastors - PT, Kevin and Annie, Andy and Christy - Words cant describe how much gratitude I have for your dedication and investment in my life... I am blessed for your prayers and spiritual guidance.
- To all my friends, old and new - I am so thankful for the gift of your friendship. Sarah Bla - You have been an anchor to turn to when my life has been chaos. Rochester has become an exciting adventure thanks to you ;) Love ya.
I was so blessed that I had the oppurtunity to spend the last few weeks by my Grandpa's bedside. I held his hand and I talked with him late into the night. I said good bye and I was able to comfort him when he died. I miss him terribly tonight and this weekend and through out the holidays. I just praise the Lord that soon I will be able to dance the streets of Heaven with him. (Right before He passed my mom prayed with him and he gave his heart to the Lord.)
For the oppurtunity to go to school - to work at Mayo - to be living my dreams - for the ultimate gift of Salvation - to live in the United States - to have food, clothes, and a car - to be blessed with finances - Life is a beautiful place with all the blessings I have.
In the end, I was broken - My heart full of joy and I cried .
I climbed back under the covers and let myself fall asleep counting my blessings ...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Miss Fruit of the Spirit (Go with it...)
" We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.." 2 Corinthians 5:20
Today, while reading my devotions up at the local Dunn Bros, (sipping my aronald palmer and a chai carrot muffin - a must have combination) I was thinking about this scripture verse. I began to imaigine what it would be like if we had to have a beauty pagent for representing Christ.
If anyone has ever viewed the Miss USA pagnent, which I used to watch with my sister every year, 50 of the top beautiful eligible ladies promanade on stage and try sell their best assests to obtain the cherished title of MISS USA.
So my point for this rambling, is what if we were to be put on stage to obtain the even more cherished title of being Christ's ambassador.... having to go in front of millions of people on national television and persusade God to be his ambassador... How would you score?
The blessing for us is that Christ has already made us His beloved, cherished Ambassador - without the competition. How are you handling this most honored responsibility?
I dont know if this made any sense, but I just thought it would be a fun concept to blog about.
Back to life at dunn bros, listening to the conversations, and studying for the next exam.
until the next blog - peace
Today, while reading my devotions up at the local Dunn Bros, (sipping my aronald palmer and a chai carrot muffin - a must have combination) I was thinking about this scripture verse. I began to imaigine what it would be like if we had to have a beauty pagent for representing Christ.
If anyone has ever viewed the Miss USA pagnent, which I used to watch with my sister every year, 50 of the top beautiful eligible ladies promanade on stage and try sell their best assests to obtain the cherished title of MISS USA.
So my point for this rambling, is what if we were to be put on stage to obtain the even more cherished title of being Christ's ambassador.... having to go in front of millions of people on national television and persusade God to be his ambassador... How would you score?
The blessing for us is that Christ has already made us His beloved, cherished Ambassador - without the competition. How are you handling this most honored responsibility?
I dont know if this made any sense, but I just thought it would be a fun concept to blog about.
Back to life at dunn bros, listening to the conversations, and studying for the next exam.
until the next blog - peace
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Cole James (My New Nephew)
Cole James Kalinowski was born on Sept. 18th. 6 pounds 13 oz. He was 20" . Kyle and Kayla are doing very well, except for lack of sleep ... but are very proud parents. God has truly blessed our family with a little miracle. ( More pictures to come .. but just wanted to give everyone a sneak peak)
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