Monday, May 28, 2012

Patrick's Story

http://patricksstory.wordpress.com/

The above website is one you must visit. Warning, you may tear up or even cry. It is a blog started by a pastor who spoke at my college this past fall. This winter he found out he has ALS and the disease is attacking his body very quickly. I am posting this one, because his testimony is so amazing and encouraging and two because he and his family needs our prayers. You absolutely need to listen to the message he preached. I do not know Patrick personally but it moved me deeply. It was so incredibly encouraging to see that even though he is dying from this disease he still wants to serve the Lord. So just go, visit his blog, read his posts, watch his sermon. Be encouraged and pray, pray, pray. 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Review - Time4Learning

 Review
   by Tracy P.

 Well, a free trial month of Time 4 Learning online homeschool (or after school help) has gone by and we have really liked it. For me it was a lifesaver, as I have been dealing with some health problems.It took much of the stress off of me.
  It was really nice to have the boys "go on their school" each morning. My 6th grade son could do almost everything independently with minimal supervison from me (checking periodically to be sure he was on a certain subject,etc) My third grader needed me to only occasionally sit with him. Most of the subjects had easy directions for him. We liked the animations or games for grammar especially, as this is normally a boring subject with textbooks.
  The only things we felt we needed to add were writing assignments, or history research projects. I also had the boys read a chapter book each day. Time4Learning recommends using the website Spelling City for spelling words. We used words from our AVKO word family books that we own. To practice math facts we used another site called "Timez Attacks" (I didn't notice Time 4 Learning having a practice for facts, but they may very well , and I may not have known about it)
  We're signing up for another month. I recommend it if you are stressed with  moving to a new house, a new baby, or health problems. This review is my own opinion of our experience.
 See the website below for monthly fee, etc.(The Time 4 Writing curriculum looks good too. I may try that next!)

http://www.time4learning.com/

Thursday, March 8, 2012

This world is not my home...


‎1 Corinthians 4:16-18- "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and wont last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 
What a refocus-er and reminder to my heart. Too often I get wrapped up in the problems of today and forget the reason I'm here on earth; to glorify God.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Time4Learning Review!

Hey, this is Gina's mom Tracy! 


I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichmentand for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your owncurriculum review for Time4Learning.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Day 12- Why I have a blog


Actually, I don't remember when I found out about Blogger. Originally I made it mostly for myself. I wanted to be able to express myself through writing and not worry about others thought. Now it has become so much more. It is really me putting my heart on the line. I want to share my heart with others, kind of like a motivational columnist writer in a newspaper? lol. But I really like posting little blurbs of what I'm thinking and wrestling with. 
Hopefully you do too! 


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Day 11- More pics of friends

 
Friends and I at BBC's annual Christmas Tree Lighting! :) 


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Day 10- Songs I listen to ALOT

I don't actually have Itunes so I will just post what I listen to a lot. Look them up! They're all AMAZING :)

Songs by Laura Story-
What a Savior
Blessings
Grace
Perfect Peace

Songs by Kari Jobe-
You are For Me
We Are
Revelation Song

Songs by Hillsong-
The Stand
Savior King
Arms Open Wide
From the Inside Out

Songs by Meredith Andrews-
You're Not Alone
Draw Me Nearer

Songs by Adie-
Your Way
When Its Over
Turn, Turn, Turn

and sooooo many more!




Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Meaning of Life


http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId=%7B676F68F8-AED9-4CC5-B6C4-BFA87552C8F3%7D
This video made me cry. It just broke my heart to hear someone blatantly say there is no meaning of life. To be honest this is something I have struggled with. Even though I have grown up in the church I often wondered why in the world God created me. I knew the Sunday school answer "to glorify God" but I had no clue how I was supposed to do that. I would look at the Bible and wonder how I was supposed to follow all the rules. I felt like the standards placed upon me by God were so far away and out of my reach that there was absolutely no way I could measure up. But as I started getting in the Word daily and growing in my faith I started to recognize (like the Jazz musician said) that I had been given so much by God. I think what he was trying to get across was finding satisfaction and knowing that God has blessed something we already loved to do. For me, there is nothing better than when I can use my voice to bless others. It is the coolest thing and an immense blessing to me when I can sing praise to God.
I think the main reason why I got so emotional during this video was because of the girl named Sophie. She said that we can just live however we want. I see this mindset in so many that I know. It is that apathy that breaks my heart. It's so selfish, YOU are the only one that matters in it. There is so much more too! I see that way as having no satisfaction. It's like you keep reaching for something, happiness, love, contentment. Every time you think you have seen a glimpse of it, it dashes away again. As I watched the video I started thinking about the hope we have in Jesus Christ, our blessed hope. Do we truly need anything besides this hope for salvation? Isn't that what we strive for? :)

1 Corinthians 10:31- So whether you eat or drink or WHATEVER you do, do ALL to the glory of God. 

Day 9- Proud?


Something I'm proud of...losing weight? exercising more? abstaining from sweets more? I don't know, I guess that's something to be proud of right? 
Also, I just found out that this blog has received over 10,000 views! Completely made my day so much sweeter I must say! :) 

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Day 8- My goals for this coming month

Short term goals...Kind of hard to honest. I'll just give some random ones.
1. Keep up and possibly get ahead in homework
2. Perform in the play! while not getting too stressed out
3. Be more dependent on God
4. Memorize at least 10 verses. 
5. Complete devotions every single day for the month. (I'm doing really well but I want to stay that way! I love being able to spend time in the Word)
6. Maintain my schedule so that I can spend more time with friends ( i know how it sounds, but I truly want to do this, I get so busy with others things that it can be easy to forget about my friends)
7. Write at least 20 letters/cards :) 
8. Be able to give at least $20 to a charity (specifically Gospel for Asia) 
9. Have a better prayer life!
10. Come up with a budget 


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Never alone

‎"Never forget that you are not alone. God is with you, helping and guiding. He is the companion who never fails, the friend whose love comforts and strengthens. Have faith, and He will do everything for you." - Aurobindo 

Day 7- Impact


That's kind of a given. It would definitely have to be the Bible. I can honestly say that my life looks completely different than what it would be without it. How can you read it and not be changed or impacted? What an amazing and powerful work of love from God! It is truly the living and real Word of God. 





Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Day 6- Batman

My absolute favorite super hero is definitely Batman. Don't get me wrong though, I am a huge comic book geek. I adore super heroes and the like. I just adore Batman though. First, because he doesn't have any super powers. I almost feel like he really could exist, just without the creepy bad guys (like Joker and Cat woman etc...) That and because he's got a butler named Alfred, that's pretty boss. Also, he has super fantastic gear and technology, his batmobile etc... are amazing as well. :) And Adam West's version always cracks me up, though I do just love Christian Bale.






Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

Day 5- Mexico City

Originally I thought of putting a picture up of NYC, my most favorite city and now mission field. (I am helping start a church in Queens!) But then I decided to post one of Mexico City, another place I love. I still can't get over how many people live in each of those cities.






Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to the most (if you have iTunes, list the songs on your top 25 most played list)
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has been an inspiration to you
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone (past or present) you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag/backpack
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.