Day of Remembrance, Vegetables, & Fall Weather!

This week started with the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country. A friend posed the following question on his Facebook that really got me thinking: "Why should we 'never forget' September 11th? What does it mean to you to never forget?"

I've been thinking about that a lot since he posted that, and for me, there are a couple of things I think we should "never forget." First of all, I think never forgetting means remembering/honoring the lives of all who lost their lives that day, all the firemen and rescue workers who lost their lives, and all the soldiers who have lost their lives since then. We should also remember all who helped in that catastrophe, and all the soldiers who are still fighting this war. I think we should never forget what happened that day so we will never let it happen again. It gave us an opportunity to raise our awareness and security standards, and I hope we never forget how unprepared we were, so we are never that unprepared again.

On to the rest of the week. A couple of months ago, we planted a vegetable and herb garden. I was SO excited this week when Robby came in and told me we had our first green beans! Soon, we should have corn, zucchini, squash, and cucumbers.

The garden when we first planted it

Our first vegetables:)

This week I also decided that I am going to finish my degree at Limestone. The way my degree is set up at Greenville Tech, the only places I can transfer to and not have to retake a bunch of classes are Southern Wesleyan and Limestone. I really like Southern Wesleyan and it seems to be a great school, but the way their adult studies program is structured just isn't for me. Limestone gives me the flexibility to take only the classes I need and to move at my own pace. So I'll probably start there next Fall. It's nice to have that decision out of the way!

Friday nights we always go to my dad's house for dinner (us, my sister and her family). Last night my dad, me, my sister, and Micah (her 2 year old) were driving to pick up the pizza. I guess "Grandpa" was going too fast, because most of the way he was saying "Wanna slow down." It's really cool to see how well he's learning to talk. He's come such a long way in just a few months.

This week we have been having amazing Fall weather! The highs from now until next Sunday are in the low-to-mid 80s. Have I mentioned how much I love Fall?! Last night after we got home, we got to use the hot tub for the first time this season. I don't know if the weather will stay cool enough for the next couple of weeks to continue using it, but we're enjoying it while it lasts.

I'll end on this note. God has really been working on me lately. He is continuously teaching me the perspective that my circumstances don't need to change - God is using my circumstances to change ME. Instead of asking God to constantly change my circumstances, I need to ask Him to show me what He is trying to teach me through them.

One of my favorite verses helps me remember that, and I thought it might be an encouragement to others as well.

Phillipians 1:6 - "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Have a great week!

Fall Preview!

Last week we had a wonderful taste of Fall weather. I cannot WAIT for Fall. It's my favorite season...scarves, boots, sweaters, beautiful weather, leaves changing colors...there's just something about it that puts me in a good mood. Unfortunately, it was only temporary, but it was nice while it lasted.

Monday we celebrated Labor Day. Robby and I both had the day off work, so we just spent some time relaxing together and enjoying each others' company. It was nice to have an extra day to relax after the football game Saturday.

The rest of the week was the same old stuff - work, schoolwork, repeat. School is still going well, and I even got an A on my math test (which hasn't happened in I don't know how long!).

Tuesday was my stepmom's birthday, so we went over to their house Friday evening to celebrate. She has a shih tzu and loves them, so I decided to make her a shih tzu cake. I really enjoyed making this one.

Me with the cake

Top view

Side view

This week's song is "Reach" by Peter Furler. It's funny - I never really cared for his music when he was the lead singer of the Newsboys, but I love this song. If you listen to the words, it's a refreshing reminder of how important each one of us is to God, despite how many other people He has to take care of. He never forgets us, never leaves us behind.

Week Ending 9/3/11

The first half of this week was spent catching up on schoolwork (or trying to catch up, I should say). I'm doing pretty well in my classes. I LOVE my Small Business Management class. I'm learning so much and I actually really enjoy it.

I've been attending a Bible Study at our church about how the grace of God can change us and how we handle the difficult things that happen in our daily lives. It has taught me so much about who God is and who I am in Him. Most importantly, it has taught me that a life of daily cross-centered living is essential to becoming more and more like Christ. Many Christians (including myself) don't really give the cross much thought outside of the moment we ask Jesus into our hearts, and maybe on Easter. But recognition of our daily need for the cross changes our perspective in a way nothing else will. All of that being said, Thursday was our last night of the study. Instead of breaking out into our small groups like we normally do, we had a praise & worship service. Let me tell you, it was truly amazing. It was so awesome to hear people get up and give testimonies about how faithful our God is and how He had changed them throughout this study. At that moment, I was so thankful to be a part of a church that is so excited about God and loves to worship Him and share it with the world.

Friday, my sister and one of my favorite little boys came to meet me for lunch. I love my little nephew Micah. He sat at my desk and helped me do my work:) Ashley had taught him that Jessica loves Robby, Mommy loves Daddy, and Grandpa loves Grandma. She was trying to show me by asking him, "Micah, who does Jessie love?" And he replied with, "Jessie loves...Micah!" So every time she asked who Jessie, Mommy, or Grandpa loves, he said "Micah!" It was adorable. I guess he thinks everyone loves him:) That evening Robby, me, my sister, brother-in-law, and her kids went to my dad's for dinner. The boys' birthday party was last week, but the presents weren't opened at the party, so we did it then. We got Micah the new Thomas train, Toby. We got Ethan a Lego helicopter (which I later realized was probably not so nice for the parents).

Micah opening his train

Ethan opening his helicopter

Saturday, Ashley and I went to the first Clemson football game with my dad and stepmom. We had a blast. It was very hot, but a lot of fun. Hopefully Robby and I can go to the homecoming game in October.

The players running down the hill

Balloons going up in the air

It's game time!

Me & Ashley at the game

Ha ha...I painted our toenails orange and white:)

So, as a music lover, I decided to post one of my favorite songs right now. It's such an encouragement to me, and just reminds me that I can always trust in God because He is always faithful.