Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis

I went in for surgery today. The surgeon found out I had this disease in my knee. Apparently, there were a bunch of little benign tumors growing in my right knee and causing a lot of problems. I am here at my parents house recovering for the next couple days. Those of you who texted me, gave me little flower plants(Colleen), called me, and prayed for me. Thank you so much. My Dad and Mom are excellent caregivers.

I will be a Master

Its official, I am getting my Master's in Education, secondary ed. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Wilhite Wedding

Allyson, my younger sister, is getting married in 9 days. I am so excited for her, she is a beautiful, talented, vibrant and committed woman. She will make a great wife to Shawn. He is very blessed to be her husband in a few days. Pray for them as they embark on this wonderful journey. Pray for us as a family, lots of people coming into town, lots to do, and a party to attend!!!! This picture is my favorite of them, because it shows who they are together. Fun.

Ukraine Review

For those of you who want to know how my trip went. It was amazing. It was one of those trips that I will never forget. Despite many obstacles getting there: one being my knee injury two days before we left, I tore my medial and lateral meniscis (spelling?). I went to my surgeon's office and he injected me with cortizone and drained some bloody fluid off my knee and off I went, trippin. I love cortizone!!!! Thanks to those of you who prayed. I was somewhat handicap and couldn't participate in some games, but for the most part I did fine.

One of our first days there was touring the city of Chernigov. Olya, this amazing girl from the church, and her mom gave us a tour. It was there that I had a really cool experience. I was introducing myself to some of the girls there and one told me that she read my blog!!!!!! Her name was Mira, I love her so much now, not because she read my blog, but because she became my partner in crime for the rest of the trip. But the fact that she read my blog was so encouraging, she also told me that it encourages her. So therefore, I will keep blogging. People in Ukraine read!

I got to lead kids in music and teach an english class. I got to share the gospel freely and unashamedly. That was a really great feeling and people from our english club came to Christ. It made me want to take more opportunity at all times, here or there, to share our treasure, Jesus, with the world.
Also, I met the neatest family. I got to stay with Jake and Anya Knotts and their little girl Maia. I came to love and respect them and will remember them always. Anya was an amazing cook and Jake is the Pastor of the church we worked with in Chernigov. Their little girl is the cutest, I had so much fun with her.
Here are some pics. I didn't have my camera, so I stole these from Curtis. If I had a camera, I would have pictures of Mira, Jake and Anya, and Maia. My english class and my friend Sveta and Zhenya.

I am lame

Pray for us. Ukraine Team 08. We leave today!

Pray to Him who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.

Summer 08: Do Hard Things

Well, I have been blessed this summer to meet with a group of six High School girls. Students of mine this last year. We were talking at one of the end of the year celebrations and we decided to do a discipleship group on Thursday nights. So far, I have been blessed. We decided to read a book entitled, Do Hard Things, by the Harris twins. A teenage REBELution against low expectations. Such a good book, such a good message. I actually have come to believe that this message is for the many twenty-somethings that I run with as well. Do hard things, do things out of your comfort zone, do things that require some hard self-initiation, do things that counter the cultural norm, do things that no one will notice but God. Do hard things.
I have been so impressed with the message presented in this book and I recommend it to all youth leaders, high school teachers, and the like. One of the chapters in the book is called the Myth of Adolescence. A myth? hmmmmm. The word "teen" was not used until the year 1941. The typical rebellious youth years did not actually exist until after the first world war. Interesting. The general point of this book is that society has placed low expectations upon the teens and nobody rises to the occasion when they are not expected to. So it is a REBELution against low expectations. Heroes of our faith and heroes of the secular world started when they were teens. Charles Spurgeon was preaching to thousands by the time he was 17. When Jonathan Edwards was a teen, he wrote some of the deepest and most challenging resolutions for the rest of his life. The book names some of the greats who did great things as teenagers. George Washington and Clara Barton.
As I look back on my teen years I see a lot of waste. Thank God that I didn't wast all of those years, but I could have done so much more. Also, I have been thinking about my twenties as well. Did I do hard things? Did I jump out of my comfort zone? In some ways yes, and others, not at all.
The Bible is constantly telling us to live a PASSIONate life dedicated to knowing Christ and making Him known. Do we pour out our lives for the sake of others? Do we cling to the eternal hope of glory instead of to the things of this world? Do we see Christ, our savior, our sacrifice and leave all else behind? Do we commit our lives to the church, His body, to minister to our fellow brothers and sisters?

What hard things will I do this summer?

Well, the ones I can share on the internet=)
1. Juice vegetables for two meals a day. ahhhhhhhhhhh!
2. Get knee surgery. I'm scared.
3. Purpose to rejoice in the midst of disappointment.
4. Teach english to Ukrainians for a week.
5. Get a bike and ride it to work in the fall.
6. Memorize loads of scripture.
7. Get a hold of my budget and stick to it.
8. Never gossip.
9. Be able to run 3 miles by Thanksgiving. After my knee surgery. yikes. and dare I say, be able to run a 5k in the spring. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
10. Start my Master's degree. Lord, I need money.

You may be thinking that those are not very hard. Well, get your own list. This is mine. Well, the "surface-y" one. The deeper ones are none of your business. So what hard things will you do? I challenge my friends Renee, Stephanie and Rachel to make a list and post it on their blogs. ha ha. You don't have to, but it would be fun to see what you say. Rach, have a second child. That should be number one, you amaze me every time I read your blog. What a great mother Georgia and Henry have!!!! Thanks for showing me how to do hard things and you didn't even know it.

Did I mention I was in a musical this spring?

I was cast as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. Here are the leads in our dressing room one night. More pictures to come. So fun. If you are familiar with the musical, I know you are laughing that I was the Sour Kangaroo. Humpf!

Mayzie, Gertrude, Sour Kanga, Cat in the Hat, Mrs. Mayor, Horton.

FITP Team Ukraine. Pray for us. July 3-13.

Here we are.

Like the Spring rain watering the earth...

Well, Southern California is typically the place where the weather is predictable, especially from May to September. Sunny. Warm. Dry. I love living here. This week it started out in the low 100s. It was stinkin hot. I was driving home on Thursday after work and it started hailing and about 20 miles away a tornado touched down. Talk about freaky and unpredictable. I felt like I had been transported to the midwest for a few days. Even today, Saturday, I have jeans, long sleeves and a winter vest on. I am sitting drinking coffee this early morning and I'm cold. Here is a photo about 20 minutes after it started falling on Thursday afternoon.

Can I just say that I thought this was such a lovely gift from God. The summer will be long, hot, and dry. I felt like God was giving us a refreshment before the heat begins. It reminded me of one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Hosea 6:3 "So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord, His going forth is as certain as the dawn, and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth."

Let's be reminded of God's mercy in this weather. In our desert and dry times of life, press on to know Him. His presence, though it feels faint sometimes, is as certain as the dawn. Do we doubt the sun coming up? Never. Our father has promised that His presence will prove as certain as the dawn. Which makes sense, cuz He created it. =) The scripture is full of commands about pressing on, waiting. "Those who wait on the Lord, will renew their strength, and mount up with wings like eagles." "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." So let us press on.

My dear friends, Sandy and Andy Gaither, sang this song on Sunday. As I sat their I couldn't control the tears falling down my face. Read these words and press on:

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
when you don't understand
when you can't see His plan
when you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart.

What is Beauty?

So my sister Hannah is amazing. She wrote this poem for me on my birthday and I thought I would share it with you all.




BEAUTY by Hannah Price

Beauty is within the purity of your heart
It is within the wisdom of your mind
Beauty is within the willingness of your spirit
It is within the gentleness of your actions.

Beauty is not relative to the culture.
It is not to be compared with others.
Beauty is not within external features.
It is not polished or contrived.

Beauty is seen in the glory radiating on Your face.
It is shown through your skillful singing.
Beauty is exemplified in your character.
It is your well-lived life in His grace.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Hannah, thanks for your heartfelt words. They speak to all of the world. You are an inspiration to me always. I love you.

27 Birthdays

I have the greatest job in the entire world. and this year God has blessed me with a very special class. I get to teach one class of Freshman Bible. On my birthday I arrived at school and this class had secretly made shirts with my picture on them, planned a surprise party, gave me presents, and made me a beautiful cake. This class is so special to me, we laugh and pray and learn together and I adore every single one of them. Thank you Bible class for being the most wonderful class a teacher could ever ask for. I pray that God will build a passion in your heart for loving others as you have so faithfully loved me. Here are some photos of the day.

Charlie bit my finger - again !

This is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. and cute too!

God gives. God takes. Blessed be His Name!

This really ministered to me today. Grab some kleenex and go to this site. www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

Roommates Extraordinaire!

So I have been meaning to blog about these two amazing girls that God has sent me. They are so fun and in a time where I felt like a lot of my friends were not there anymore, God brought them into my life. So Colleen and Sarah, thank you for loving me through my flaws, making me laugh and helping me feel like I have a home with you every night. I love you both.

Also, I got a new computer and we were messing around with imovie the other night. We thought we would demonstrate 3 different emotions and then we decided to put funny music and sound effects to it. This is why we have so much fun!!!!!!! Yes, we know, total cheese, but amazing fun.

Feast Eternal

On Christmas Eve morning, my family and I drove up to our best friend's house in Cherry Valley. We were going to have a brunch. Conor and Koren were home from Ukraine, Curtis and Kathy, Kylie and Trent were there. The kids were going to put on a show for us. It was going to be fun. Well, Allyson had spent Thanksgiving in Ukraine with Koren and sent a video home with her. We started to watch it and then she walked out! She surprised us for Christmas. We were all speechless. Especially my father, he had tears in his eyes. I looked over at him when she walked in and it was almost like he breathed a sigh of relief. They're all here.

That next day on Christmas morning, my Dad said something that really stood out to me. He said: "You know this morning I was thinking about the Marriage supper of the Lamb" and we all listened. He said, "I wonder if the Lord will look out at His children and say: finally, you are all here. Welcome home."

Wow. What a day that will be, when the chosen children of God surround Him at the marriage supper. We will feast eternal together.

You are all here, welcome home.

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Basics

I have been so convicted to get back to the basics.

Live simply
Read the Bible
Pray
Tithe and give away
Love others

I overcomplicate so many things. Wanna join me?

8 times a bridesmaid, never a bride?

Well, I hate that old saying: 3 times a bridesmaid, never a bride. Its like saying, you are a good friend to people and you have good friends, so you are cursed. ha ha ha. Just kidding. But honestly. and for that matter, I caught two bouquets so far and thus began NOT believing in stupid superstitions from then on.

Anyways, just 2 weeks ago, one of my best friends in the entire world got married to a wonderful man. I had that honor of standing up for her in her wedding. This is now the 8th time I have been a bridesmaid. I love it!!!!! I am so blessed with so many dear friends. I suppose if I ever get married one day, my husband better have a lot of friends, because my side will ber overflowing with attendents. I do not say this to boast about anything, but to boast in the blessings of God. I was sitting in my dress at a time in the reception when the Groom and Bride dance thinking that God has been so good to me. I wouldn't have made it through college if it weren't for my girl Kim. Same goes for all the other weddings I have had the pleasure of being in. I love being there on their special day, I rejoice with them, cry and prepare with them. It is such a blast. Seeing God's provision in providing each one a man that really fits them. God is so omniscient. Just wanted to say so. He knows all to well what we need. Can't wait to see who will be next. I say, a billion times a bridemaid, the better bride you'll be.

"This is our God, we have waited for Him,
and together we will grow, in joy and strength and hope,
and together we will show what He's bestowed
so I will stand beside you
as we walk now, hand in hand
watching as His beauty shines through, living out His masterplan,
This is our God."

-part of the song I wrote for James and Kim's special union. I love you guys. I am so blessed.

In His Hands...

Good song on the Brooklyn Tabernacle CD, Be Glad.

You don't have to worry
and don't you be afraid
joy comes in the morning
troubles they don't last always
remember there's a friend named Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
and if your heart is broken
just lift your hands and say:

I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
no matter what comes my way
my life is in Your hands
with Jesus I can take it
with Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in His hands

When your tests and trials
they seem to get you down
and all your friends and loved ones
are nowhere to be found
remember there's a friend named Jesus
who will wipe your tears away
and if your heart is broken
just lift your hands and say:

I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
no matter what may come my way
my life is in Your hands
with Jesus I can take it
with Him I know I can stand
no matter what may come my way
MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS

Is God Enough?

Think over Psalm 73 with me.

Have you ever had someone come up to you and say: "Oh my goodness, I'm engaged! Look at my ring, look at my HUGE ring! Oh my goodness, my fiance is amazing, he is everything to me. I am SO in love! Did you happen to see my ring?!"

and you though to yourself: "Her. Why her Lord? Lord, seriously I have tried to do everything you have told me. I have been faithful to honor You in my relationships. Stayed pure, and it hasn't paid off. Why God? Why haven't You given me what I seem to deserve? I have tried so hard! and now I am so disappointed."

I was listening to a sermon online by Joshua Harris the other day. These are the thoughts from that sermon.

The writer of the Psalm begins writing about all the things that others have, he begins by being envious of the world. He is focussing on all the "wonderful" things that people are getting. They are rich, they have no worry, they are fat(in a good way), and they mock people for following God. They seem to have everything that I don't. What is up with that?

Have you ever felt that way?

Then the Psalmist realizes his place before the Almighty God. He begins to switch his focus to the sanctuary of God, and cries out. "My strength and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." "The nearness of God is my good, I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works."

I realized that I thought I deserved something from God, when I really didn't. He has given me Himself and that is enough for me. and it is not enough in a sense of 'just to get by.' But EVERYTHING I need.

Are we living like God is enough for us? or are we envious of the wicked? Do we realize that He is our portion? Or do we think we deserve more from this world?

"All of You, is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need, You satisfy me, with Your love, and all I have in You, is more than enough."-chris tomlin

I can only think of the words to the old hymn:

Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus. How I've proved Him o'er and o'er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Oh for Grace, to trust Him more!