Happy Saturday!

I was just briefly going through my google feed reader when I came across my friend Melinda's post. In it, she very honestly, but sweetly shares of sister Rachel and their relationship. It blessed me this morning so I thought I would send my readers over to read it.

Interesting tidbit about Melinda and I. We met in Oregon. I was visiting a home fellowship one Sunday and I had shared where I was from. A couple (and their daughter, Rachel) came up to me afterwards asking me if I knew a family that used to be from my area. I did. Come to find out this couple was from Oklahoma! We kept talking and realized we had even more mutual friends (mostly thanks to the homeschool scene). It was such a treat to talk of friends from home after being away for several months. Anyways, Melinda's mom told me she had a daughter my age, so I gave her my contact info, sincerely hoping to hear from Melinda sometime. Melinda promptly emailed me... and the rest is history! Melinda is a sweet friend, and though we haven't gotten to spend as much time together as we would have liked, we stay in touch, and I'm thankful.

Go check out her blog.

I'm off to finish my laundry and cleaning this messy room so I can escape this afternoon to a quiet place somewhere to do a little a lot of Bible reading* and photo-editing.

*only eleven days left! where are you? how can I be praying for you?

hI've been given several blog awards in the last few days and I thought it would be fun to go ahead and acknowledge them here. I've been awarded a few over my blogging years (years?? I've been blogging for years?? Oh my.) but haven't always taken the time to post them and do the associated tag or assignment. 

Blog awards don't necessarily represent prestige or rank in blogdom. They are more like just a  fun ways to share your favorite blogs and, depict by the award you give them, why that blog is one of your favorites. Or thats the way it seems to me. But I for one, always feel a little special after receiving one. Between comments and blog awards, its fun to know people actually read what I write.

Abbie and Anna awarded me the 'You're going places, Baby' award. I'm with Anna, this has got to be the most unique I've ever had.  Made me smile. The rules to this award are: Share where you see yourself in ten years and then award this to ten other bloggers.

In ten years I'll be 30. And that right there, is sorta hard to wrap my mind around. The last 5 years especially have been so unpredictable its hard to actually put in writing what I imagine myself doing/being in 10. But here goes! I would love to be married and have some kids by then. If not, I'd like to be on the mission field somewhere. To be oober specific, I would like to be found, in ten years, surrounded by bunches of little black babies who need me at least as much as I need them.

I award this to (because I see all of these people going places, leading purposeful lives): 

- Post about the tag.
-Choose 5 bloggers who deserve this award.
 -Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged, letting them know they were awarded.
-Answer the questions along with your post. (Omit questions you don’t want to answer)

1. Which do you prefer–Apples, Oranges, or Bananas?

Oranges. Is this supposed to say something about my personality?
 2. How many siblings do you have?

Three. a brother and two sisters
3. Where do you live–a prairie, Woodland, city, or other?
Hmmm. I guess that would be prairie. Cuz its definitely not the other two.
4. What is something you enjoy doing with your family?
Playing banana-grams and watching movies. Spending time in the Word and prayer.
5. Is your room clean?
we're working on that. :)

6. Which would you prefer to vist–Italy, Greece, France, Spain, or England?
Mmmm. maybe Spain. I'm not picky.
7. What is a scripture that encourages you?

Just one? Ok. Psalm 138:8 "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
8. Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans?
Gum. I know, I'm weird for not saying chocolate, but I'm being honest!
 9. What are your favorite types of books?

Missionary biographies. by far my favorite.
10. Which is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla.
11. If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be?

Potatoes. Potatoes. Potatoes.
12. Are you an outside or an inside person?
Depends.
13. Describe yourself in three words.
pretty. much. impossible.

14. What chore do you like to do the most?

This award goes to:

 Sarah also gave me the following awards.

-State 5 random facts about yourself.
-Award 5 of your stylish blogging friends.

1. I like cars.

2. I love to fish.

3. I'm not a huge fan of shopping unless its shoe shopping.

4. I pretty much flunked Algebra 2 in highschool.

5. I have a mild form of computer geekiness but when it comes to a cable TV remote I'm totally lost.

I realize not all my blog readers are participating in the Bible Reading Challenge. I think I've said before I don't think its something everyone should do. One reason being that its hard to do in depth word studies when we place a time restriction on ourselves. The most important thing is that all of us are in The Word daily. How much?-- Well, thats between you and Him.

But keeping in mind that not everyone is doing "our challenge", I hope to keep a fair balance of posts on other topics-- though I hope you all can gain from our journey through the Bible.

Remember friends, as we're headed into this new year, that God is seeing the big picture that we are not. Pray for the Lord to give you a revelation of eternity. Pursue those things of eternal value. I've run across a few links over the last few days, that I deem worthy to be pondered and shared. All pertain, in my opinion, to the start of a new year as we re-focus our hearts and minds on new or revised (and hopefully worthy) goals and ambitions.

10 predictions for 2010 --a short list that helps "keep it all in perspective".
When Social Media is Distracting -- A thought provoking look at virtual versus personable communication

Death is Not Dying -- The testimony of a woman who passed away from cancer last July. I highly recommend watching this. Take the time, sit down (maybe even with a pen and paper), and listen to these incredibly wise words. If this doesn't help give you eternal perspective, I don't know what will. It will inspire you in your Bible reading. It convicted me even more of my lack of a servant's heart. (HT: hope road blog)

Through trials and joys-- may this be the best year yet. Cheers to 2010!

I think of so many things to write as I lay in bed at night. In the morning, I realize I think so much better than I write. Which doesn’t say much for my thinking. I take pictures. I don't have to think to do that. Or write.

Seriously though. I’ve been reading some blogs that leave me a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y. inspired. There are so many different tones to writing. Some write essays. Some write diary entries. Others write some really witty words. Some are capable of writing as though they just typed their thoughts out as they were thinking them. Those kind totally engage me and keep me begging for more. It just comes across as so real-- as though I were sitting across the table from them, having a two way conversation.

Anywho, I think I’m learning the difference between the natural and the wanna-be (like me). But hey, who’s to say that the wanna-be can’t someday be what she wants to be? Just please hold my dry humor and attempts at wit in check, so I don’t go over board trying too hard.

While I’m getting my “act” together here are some blogs of note for you to read. And I really mean that. These blogs float my boat. (please rate that sentence on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the wittiest thing you’ve ever read. Thank you.)