myjoys: June 2011

I am starting a series of blog posts- Why I Love- to share just a bit more about the things I love.

First one, Normal Days.

Many people, actually, most people, hate normal days. I even know of people who loathe them. And I used to be one of those people. Until God started changing my heart, and helping me to find the exciting in the unexciting. Normal days were not made just so we could get through each moment wait for the next -and more exciting-day to follow. Normal days were created uniquely by God, just like any other day. There are things to love about them, and things to dislike.

This has become one of my favorite quotes of all times. It's good. It says so much, in so few words:

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

One of my favorite blogger's shared this in Feb, and I have thought about it a lot since.

I think about this quote, each time I am doing school work, cleaning my room, sitting on the ground and reading that kid's favorite book for the thousandth time, and changing that dirty diaper. All of these things are normally not tasks to be fought over. But when you put them in perspective, and realize you will only be doing those tasks for such a short period of your life, you may appreciate them just a bit more.

Last week I had 4 children (and a new 3- year old dog!) For 3 days. I did not go anywhere with them. It was fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time. But I admit there were times when I was just done. When I wanted to place each child in a corner and have silence for 2 minutes (Inside joke with Aunt Molly! ;) I am sure for mother's, who are caring for children day in and day out, there are many moments like that. But then, then you get to the moment where you are sitting on the ground painting two little girls toe's as they squeal with delight at the sight of their nail's magic color change. And you just have to smile. Each and every one of those tiring, boring moments, is quickly swept from your mind. And that is what makes normal days, normal. The crazy work mixed with quiet moments you want to store in your head forever.

So here's to Normal Days. May we all treasure them, learn from them, love them and bless them before they depart. They may be many, but that makes them no less wonderful.

(I have a few picture's I have been saving to go with this post... but they are on my sister's computer (I got a new one!!!) So These few: will have to do.

Yes, most certainly a handful, but oh so much fun!

Those eyes, help me please.

And that smile, I love it so.

Miss Rebekah trying to document some of our normal day life. Enjoying fresh baked whole wheat snicker doodles. Best recipe ever can be found here.

"Humm? Is this really worth eating?"

Yup, I think so!

"Can I have some... PLEASEEEEEEEEE?"

"Nope."

Good night! Even if tomorrow is a normal day, enjoy it!

~Rebekah

(The first part was written two days ago)

I am on the airplane from Milwaukee (my layover) to DCA right now. Mixed emotions are pulsing through my body. I already miss Aunt Molly’s house, and all the great memories I just made there. At the same time, I am really feeling ready to get home. I have been away for two weeks, and so much has happened in that time. I have a very, very busy schedule greeting me the moment I step off plane. A graduation ceremony for most of my friends 1 hour and 30 minutes after my flight arrives, and a wedding tomorrow.

Teenpact National Convention 2011, was just amazing. God moved me, taught me, showed me again His love that never leaves me, and held me through the course of the incredible 5 days. It was definitely different then the past two National Convention’s I have been to (‘09 and ‘10.) The first three days seemed to pass rather slowly. I was definitely not disappointed about that fact, as I love national convention, and normally it flies by. The last two days though, flew by just like all of the past years. We elected Steven Blunk and Valen Cadwell as our new President and Vice President (Congratulations!!)

(Steven and Valen giving their speech's) (Photo by Galin)

We also elected four new senators and nine new representatives. The talks were just amazing, including Brett Harris’s moving, life changing, talk on Friday morning. My favorite talk was given by Matt Chambers of SafeWorld Nexus. It was beyond moving for me. I think God worked through it to reveal to me some of His plans for my future. Though I am not exactly sure what those plans are, I am very sure they are perfect ones, fit just for me.

(Great, great friends)

(TPS Teenpacter's)

The worship at Teenpact is beyond amazing. It is something that I look forward to every year, and is probally my favorite thing about Teenpact. I am completly inadaqute to describe just what goes on during every morning and every evening in the gymnasium, but I think this image paints a beautiful picture.

(Photo by Galin)

This year the morning bible study (bonjour) was incredibly thought provoking, as well as the Psalm’s used for each day’s specific theme. The over all theme for the week was running towards the sunrise, and it was about vision and leadership. Though I wish I could explain just what is so beautiful and special about Teenpact, that 500 students come from all over the country to spend a week together in a gorgeous camp in TN, I can’t. The only thing I know is God is center of Teenpact, and therefore the amazing organization is richly blessed. Through it so many students have found purpose, vision, and most importantly, God’s love.

(The group that went from VA)

Now onto where I spent the last week.. TN, at Aunt Molly’s house. One of the best week ‘s of my life. I may say that often, but they just keep getting better and better! Anyways, I have fallen in love with TN, and Aunt Molly’s family. I love living with lots of animals, (especially dogs.. which are not allowed anywhere near my house!) and I also enjoyed the easy-going way of TN. I thought it would be really hard to go from “city” life to “country” life, but now I think I have been converted to a country girl! I think the thing I miss most about TN is just how people enjoyed nature and all of God’s creation.. and how easy it was to access. Sometimes I forget that there is even such a thing as woods around here! I know God has placed me in DC for a very good reason, and I do love a lot of the things about the city.. but I don’t think I would complain one bit if He moved me to the country at some point in my life!

The graduation was so much fun on Friday night. I knew every person that graduated (it was my co-op’s graduation, and 9 people graduated.) It is so weird to think that I am already at the point in life where a lot of my friend’s are graduating. And even weirder to think that I will be graduating next year.

The wedding was beautiful. It was definitely a God-filled service, and it was amazing to see both the bride’s and groom’s commitment to God. It was a simple wedding, but you could still see the joy on everyone’s faces as they watched two people become one.