a rainbow

I went for a bike ride tonight with my Mom and we got caught up in a storm. This was no ordinary storm however, for the sun was beaming brightly, brilliantly in our eyes. The temperature dropped a few degrees, and slowly, the thick yellow rain clouds illuminated by the setting sun began to sweep toward us. A few drops began to pelt our faces and before we knew it the wind was causing most of our pedaling efforts to be quite useless and it started to rain much heavier....it was however, a lovely workout. :)

Eventually I reached was seemed to be the end of the rain storm and looked back to see Mom almost caught up...my eyes beheld a sight so grand, so brilliant, so breathtaking, it made me smile....a rainbow....towered above the town and in my own opinion, we had ridden our bikes right through the middle of it. ( It even became a double-full rainbow! Beautiful!)

You see, one great thing about rainbows is once you see one, and it appears you're quite near it....there is virtually no escaping from it. You always feel like you're quite near that rainbow when in fact you could be quite far from it.

I love that rainbows always bring the reminder to my heart of God's faithful promises...and His beckoning to trust Him in the flood, to trust Him with new beginnings, open waters,and the unknown.

How did Noah do it? I haven't a clue. Let's just say I think I am quite thankful to see rainbows on a bicycle rather than a gigantic ark.

a dance

Do you ever feel like dancing?

Do you ever break into a random dance in seemingly private public places?

Apparently I do. Occasionally, (okay, often), I have the desire to dance while I'm out for a run or walk, etc. Clad in my sneaks and music player, I often get caught up with a joy that is at times unexplainable. When I find myself alone with the Lord, smack in the middle of nature...I feel free.

Today was a dancing day...and minus the 3 young guys on bicycles I was practically alone the entire time. As I exited the woods area of my run, I stopped for a few seconds and my feet took to dancing. I started to chuckle when my eyes caught a rather embarrassing sight...a young boy (our neighbor from just up the street to be exact) came darting out of the woods on his bicycle with a huge grin on his face. "I saw you dancing," he said grinning.

Caught in the act, I suppose leaves me with nothing more to do than to shamelessly dance...and be okay with people seeing me or getting a good chuckle out of it.

So I must ask, how many of YOU break out into random dancing when you think no one is watching??

Jesus, the lawn nome???

Last night I asked the Lord to open my eyes so I might see Him in all things...

I got bit by a spider this afternoon...and was quite disturbed that it bit me not on the arm or leg or some other fairly acceptable place...IT BIT ME ON MY HIP. Yes, my hip. What makes it worse is that it was beneath where my jeans rest on my hip, and I only noticed it when it started to itch. I checked to see what was so itchy and beheld a fearful sight. My Dad wondered how it bit me there...I told him I chose not to dwell on that thought for the possibilities were far too disturbing for me to even consider. Ick!

Farther along in the story Dad thought the spider might be poisonous or something and was wondering why I'm the only person in this house who sees...and now gets bit by spiders. The only thing I could think of was how much I wanted to exercise as the thought of poison pumping through my veins faster as my heart beat picked up passed through my mind. Nice, right? So what did I do? I did what any other 'invincible until He calls me home' young woman would do...

I went on a bike ride this evening...pumping with all my might up hill after hill...my old purple mountain bike from the 6th grade, far to small for my now much longer legs, doggie chewed handles and all...I rode, and I rode and I rode.

A soft wind blew in my face as I listened to some tunes on my music player. I felt thankful for the peace the Lord has brought to my life over these past few months. The trees swayed in an almost enchanting way as lupins painted a breathtaking rainbow of color across the landscape. Glancing across an old country rode, I saw the humungous clouds building upon one another and their dark, grumbling colors swirling together letting all know they possessed a storm somewhere far above us. The sun shined brilliantly, warmly as the chilly wind kissed my face. What an amazing evening bike ride it was.

I had an amazing chat with the Lord and as my ride neared its last mile or so, I glanced at someones yard and what my eyes beheld caused me to chuckle...there He was...or an image of sorts of Him. 'Jesus, the lawn nome' rang out in my mind before I had the ability to think anything else. Smack in the middle of someone's garden stood a lawn nome Jesus.

I don't quite understand what in particular struck me as being funny about this...all I know is this evening, I truly saw Him in all things around me...even a lawn nome.

How I love joying in and with the Lord. :)

happy father's day thought

I have a great Daddy, and to bless his special day I wanted to bake him a cake. If words could describe what an adventure baking this cake was, I'd share them, but for now I chuckle at the thought someone else has been in my shoes and felt the same way before.

Father's day was cloudy and filled with raging thunderstorms...a great opportunity to be mindful of our dear Heavenly Father, and I decided to go for a stroll in the pouring rain. I brought along my music player and as the rain poured down my face I listened to the words of Butterfly Kisses. A verse I never knew existed in the song was treasured by my heart today and caused me to chuckle. "I know the cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried..."

Though I'm 19, I know you still see me as 3. Though I'm in college, I know you still remember my 1st day of preschool. Though I've had a driver's license for nearly 4 years, you gave me my first taste of the roads the day you pulled my training wheels off and cleaned up my scrapes and bruises when I fell. First grade brought us to the Father-daughter dance, my first and best date to a dance ever...though prom is more recent, we know to you it's all the same. You taught my how to mow the lawn, change my oil and put air in my car tires. You attended every chorus and band concert, soccer game and event...you were always a Dad first, before work, before rest, before anything that involved taking time away from your three girls and beautiful wife (Mom). Thanks Dad for raising the standard for men in our lives, and for showing us every day how important a Daddy's love, discipline, and teachings really are. Love you Dad!


Happy Father's Day Daddy!

sisters grow up fast

The past few weeks have been filled with graduations, proms, dances, and memories that will glimmer and fade over the next season of time. For this reason, photos are a great thing and here are a few moments captured around my home of excitement in my sisters lives, who are growing up terribly fast. Enjoy!

Jessica's 8th grade Promotional

Jessica looking pretty in her dress.

Chris Ramos (cousin) and Jess

Jenna & Jessica (bestfriends)

Three Musketeers

Jessica & Ben

The girls

Sherri & Jess

Zbylut sisters

Jessica & I

Mom, Dad & Jess


Sherri's Junior Semi-Formal

spider terror

Last night I stayed up watching a movie with my family and in the wee hours of the morning as we all retired, my body told me to head straight to sleep, but my heart told me I needed some time with the Lord. Opening my Bible, the words of Psalm 84 absorbed in my heart. Fatigued as I was I opted not to journal. As I stood up, a song filled my heart with worship. A strage alertness filled my body and I decided to journal some thoughts before going to sleep. Usually journaling helps me wind down, but tonight, with every word I became more alert.

Finishing, I decided even though I felt wide awake, I would call it a night and attempt to tire myself with the lights off. Placing my journal and Bible on the night stand my eyes zoomed in on a speck at the edge of my bed, roughly a foot from where my feet were resting. "No way..." I muttered," You have got to be kidding me! That thing it huge and it's on my bed! Urrrh!"

By lamplight I scrambled off the bed away from the spider and ran to grab my spider shoes. Flipping on the big bedroom light my eyes beheld a sight that stirred a great anger in me. On my bed stood a spider the size of a quarter, just hanging out, tapping his spider legs and camoflaguing his spider self to my greenish blanket. I was furious and my guess is the spider was dead before my shoe ever touched him from the downward force of energy coming towards him...perhaps not, but regardless...my heart pounded wildly and with mouth agape at this hideous sight, I ran up the stairs into my parents bedroom and showed them.

* I can not begin to understand why there are so many spiders in that room chasing after me. Each time I find one it's bigger, scarier and closer to me. There have never been so many in that room...and what started out as a laughable joke has become completely ridiculous. As far as I'm concerned, the bed was the last straw. I am now moving back upstairs into the teeniest-tiniest room in our house...but it's spider free, so tis' where I'll be.

wonder

flashes of lightening
rolls of thunder
darkened clouds coat the horizon adjacent to the pastel blue sky
neighbors they are both sharing the sky
clouds by the dozen thickening in the sky
rumbles and raindrops shake the air
lilacs perfume the sky as a warm wind sweeps through the air

how I love early summer evenings of thunderstorms...
how my mind travels to a far away place of peace and wonder at the crack of the clouds...
like a curious child I stand before the mightly clouds...
waiting...
Lord sometimes I feel like my life fills up with darkened rumbling thunder clouds and in Your might You rage in Your glory and fill me with greater wonder of who You are.
I find myself lost in You...
Each day I feel newer parts of my hearts to be given to You.
You overwhelm me with breath and refresh my soul.

Thunders rage and roar.
Bolts flash and crackle wildly as You fill my heart with great laughter and joy.

Parts of this Psalm struck my heart the other day: "3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders.4 The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic.7 The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning." -Psalm 29

what a neat example/picture for us to think about when we consider the voice of the Lord...thunderstorms cause me great wonder.

how Mighty is our God?! He is so good!

atlantic

The other night I attended a weekly study at the church and much to my surprise an announcement came before the commencement of this group to inform us of a worship service to be taking place in the sanctuary after...the group that would be there was Atlantic...some beloved brothers in Christ from Bethany.

It was refreshing to greet these brothers in Christ and to worship with them. I have been blessed by knowing these guys, traveling in ministry with a few, and building friendships at school. I trust your lives will be blessed by knowing them too.

This weekend (June 2nd and 3rd) at the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle, ME)these guys will be recording a live CD. This will take place at 6:00pm and is free. I encourage you to come and be blessed by the ministry at work by the Lord in the lives of these young men...and you'll also enjoy their talented musical and sound tech skills!


(Atlantic: Chris, Josh, Drew, Cory & Dana)
Photo taken by: Shane Grant

Every year BBC sends out ministry teams and these guys will be traveling around the US and Canada for the next 6 months ministering. You can keep in touch with this group and view updates of their lives via video journal at: http://www.myspace.com/bbcatlantic

beautiful summer blossoms

I went on a walk yesterday as the sun streamed brilliantly upon the leaves and petals of every earthly plant. Following an afternooon thunderstorm, a warm early summer breeze blew through the trees as they attempted to dry their shining petals. A hummingbird flew excitedly through a white blossoming tree sucking on their sweet nectar. My camera captured some of the beauty, though nothing can quite do the Lord's creation justice. I love summer and sunshine.

you know you live in a basement when...

Since leaving for college, my parents have allowed me the opportunity for much quiet and privacy in our home. The downside to this deal is that my bedroom is now in the basement of our home...this has on many occasions over the past 3 weeks of being home inspired me to loath spiders. For some strange reason, they keep coming back, no matter how many I destroy with my sturdy little spider-killing shoes, and each time they return, they're larger and scarier than the time before.

This post is in no way intended to be serious or meaningful to everyday life, tis' simply some ventings about what my housing arrangement has been as of lately with a pinch or two of humor added to it. Here's a list of 10 things that fit in quite nicely when you tack the phrase "you know you live in a basement when" to the front as a prefix. For example, "You know you live in a basement when _____."

10. Each time you destroy a spider, the next one is bigger

9. Bugs outside no longer have the same "scare" effect on you because you're so worried about the ones inside

8. Your eyes constantly survey your bedroom to be on watch for creepy critters

7. Tissues become your bestfriend and an essential tool for bug cleanup

6. You can successfully hit a spider in a single wack of the shoe

5. The spiders change with the seasons

4. You find multiple spiders, multiple days in a row, in the same spot

3. You take large steps over areas spiders were, to avoid possibly stepping on one in the rare chance another is in its place

2. No matter how many spiders you squish, you still scream and the mere thought of encountering such a creature gives you chills

1. You own a pair of shoes 'specifically' for terminating spiders

a Sunday at the park

Jessica and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine the Lord blessed us with yesterday and went for a stroll to play at the park across town. Towing my camera along, we ended up making our adventure a photoshoot of sorts capturing a few moments of fun as we monkeyed ourselves on the playground equipment. I considered providing captions, but I'll leave that fun to you, my beloved viewers! No matter what your age, parks have the potential to be fun for everyone, tis' just what you make of it!

kids say the 'darndest' things

Friday evening was full of fun and laughter for me. I attempted to pretty myself up for an evening of work.(Results can be seen in the photos above.) As a member of the recreation staff I had the priviledge of working at the annual Mother-Son dance. My friend Billie and I watched with brimming smiles as the little boys towed their mothers by the hand to enjoy a night on the town (at a dance)in recognition of Mother's Day. Throughout the evening there was much dancing, many prizes for the boys, and of course, the legendary cake with lots of icing.

After retiring from my duties at the front door (ie: collecting money, giving out tickets and stamping hands)I entered the dance and assisted my fellow friends at the juice/cake table. It was here that I found myself sandwiched in a line between my boss, Billie & Jepson...the Macareena came on and we decided to all dance. Little did I know this song would open the doorway for my favorite moment all evening. All moms and sons in the room were dancing and at this point even the rec. staff was dancing (behind the cake/juice table, of course). A little boy approached the table and feeling quite confident in our ability to pull off the macareena we all continued dancing, assuming perhaps that this little boy desired nothing more than to watch us.

All of a sudden my eyes fell to the small boy who realizing he now partially had my attention, threw his arms out to his sides and said in a rather determined tone, "Ahhh, can I get something to drink?" My mouth dropped open and hints of embarrassment began to surface in my mind as laughter consumed my spirit. My boss Kathy began laughing and said "Ohhh, wow, he wants a drink, oh my, oh my" and stepping in front of the three of us now scrambling to serve this one boy she said "I've got it covered."

Reflecting back on the little 2 1/2ft. nothing little boy and his very certain look saying "Ahhh can I get something to drink..." was priceless. Sometimes kids say the 'darndest' things!

On another reflective note I have great respect for father's that raise their boys teaching them the proper way to treat a lady. There was much evidence of this at the Mother-Son dance and it was refreshing and a blessing. (Some little boys even payed for their mothers and bought them flowers...thanks to Dad's help of course, but it was thoughtful and sweet.)

unplanned time

Following the daily tasks of seminar and some very draining group work time, I approached my evening with a pinch of dread in my heart...I did not want to spend this rainy evening alone, in my room, doing absolutely nothing. Deciding to be obedient to an earlier prompting, I requested the company of a couple of friends on campus...whom considering certain circumstances could have easily declined my company, but since they accepted, we spent the next hour of our time playing cards.

Following cards, I was surprised to watch the Lord take over the delegation of my time spent this evening. A visitor appeared in my doorway desiring to talk and we engaged in an interesting, indepth conversation, better described as a heart-to-heart for the next hour or so and I was then invited to join a small group at Tim's for a time. We waltzed down the rainy hill to hot drinks and timbits galore...only deciding on our way back up the hill that this friend and I would bond once more over cookie making...our kitchen adventure turned once more into a 2 hour conversation, which I was very blessed and sweetly surprised by.

I'm thankful I was unable to be the delegate of my time and so grateful the Lord provided the opportunity to talk about Him, life cirumstances and plans, and to hear this young sister's heart to grasp a greater understanding of where she's at currently. I was grately blessed by these surprise conversations and the complete depletion of my assumed "free" evening. I love how the Lord turned a potentially empty, lonely evening into a chance to talk, listen, laugh, and bond with someone on a heart level and understanding that was very much needed in light of current situations and circumstances.

I recognize this post is rather vague, but I encourage you to allow the Lord to be the steward of your time for a change...it was the best choice I could have possibly made all evening. Bless the Lord for His mindfulness and involvement in even the smallest of things in our lives.

Beautiful

I've been thinking lately about what it means to be secure in the Lord, to really know who I am in Christ and to be satisfied with that, but available to constantly be changed. I was exercising yesterday morning in the lounge after a nice jog and one of the ladies had left the tv on the music channel. This song came on by Bethany Dillon and caught my attention...I want to be beautiful, to know that who I am is quite enough.

I love the last verse of this song. It truly speaks of who Christ should be in our lives...He makes us beautiful, worthy of love, and assures us we are quite enough...we are fearfully and wonderfully His. He makes me feel beautiful...I am amazed as He lives in my heart and daily stretches me beyond the capacities I have in and of myself.

I've come across a quote a few times in the past week:
"A woman's heart should be so close to God - a man must seek God to find it." Seek Him...chase Him...let Him define your beauty and reign as King of your heart...my beloved sisters in Christ, trust as you draw near to God, the one He's created to be your match must seek Him to find your heart...let Christ be your standard!

"Beautiful" by: Bethany Dillon

I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me

Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life

[Chorus]
I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart,
and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful

Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory

[Chorus]

You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

a glimpse of what I have been up to in picture form

Athletic Awards Banquet : Received the Female Rookie of the Year Award

Puddle Jumping downtown with Amy, Sheena & Shane.







A beautiful day called for some spontaneity...remembering the good old days of elementary school and middle school...various BBC students gathered together in the parking lot for an hour+ of jumproping/double dutching fun.


Giving credit where credit is due: Shane Grant took the first 6 photos of this post and Zach Schible snapped the jumproping photos! Thanks guys for blessing us with your talent.