A Busy Year

I apologize for the amount of time that has elapsed since my last post. I just want to take a moment to share what has been happening in my life (and my family's lives) over the past few months.

My brother, Jonathan, got married in November, and he and his wife, Jennifer, are expecting their first child in September. It seems that this is the year for babies in my family! My sister, Heather and her husband, Stephen are expecting their fourth in March, and my twin sister, Rachel and her husband, Denton are also expecting their fourth in May.

I have been busy with my classes at Bob Jones University. Lord willing, I will be graduating with my Master's degree in Biblical Counseling in May. Praise the Lord!

Here's a few pictures from my brother's wedding:

Jonathan & Jennifer

My nephew and I

My family

Know That I Am God

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof
shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations He hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
He burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

~Psalm 46

Walking with Giants

I thoroughly enjoyed this video produced by Lancaster Baptist Church. Pastor Bobby Roberson tells of some of the preachers of the past and how they have impacted his life.

Walking With Giants from Lancaster Baptist Church on Vimeo.

www.lancasterbaptist.org/slc/

First shown at Spiritual Leadership Conference 2010.

Oreo Brownies

Yesterday, I was asked to prepare some refreshments for a co-worker's going-away party. I had several boxes of brownies that I had gotten for $1 at Wal-Mart. I didn't want just plain brownies; however, I wanted something with a little more "pizazz"! So, I looked on the Internet and found a recipe for Oreo Brownies.

They were very easy to make, and I think everyone enjoyed them! (They also look a little more fancy than plain brownies.) Here's what you do:

Mix up brownies according to directions on box. Crush around 20 Oreos and mix in brownie batter. Bake for usual amount of time. Allow brownies to cool. Melt white chocolate chips in Ziploc bag, cut off corner of bag and drizzle chocolate over brownies.

Note: I baked my brownies in a 9 by 13 pan (not in a circular pan as the accompanying picture illustrates).

Book Review: An Old-Fashioned Girl

A while back I began a series of articles on some of my favorite books. Unfortunately, I didn't get very far! Due to the busyness of school and work, I only wrote about one book.

My last book review was a missionary biography--definitely something of a more serious nature. Now, I would like to switch gears a little bit and write about a work of fiction.

Most people are very familiar with Louisa May Alcott's classic entitled: Little Women. While growing up, I enjoyed some of her other works as well. One of my favorites was a book called An Old- Fashioned Girl.

An Old-Fashioned Girl is the story of Polly Milton, a country girl who is visiting friends in the city. Polly's sweet, unspoiled ways prove to be a wonderful example to the family with whom she stays. Her modesty and simplicity stand out to them--though causing misunderstanding and frustration at times. Polly does not lower her standards to please others, and in the end, she gains the respect of all.

One of my favorite quotations from the book is when the grandmother tells Polly that she has "lived in the country, and [hasn't] yet learned that modesty has gone out of fashion." A good reminder, I think, for all of us "old-fashioned" girls! We may not live in the country as Polly did, but modesty has definitely not gone out of style.

Visiting with Friends

Recently, I visited a special couple who I have know since I was a little girl. Bro. Ron and Mrs. Donna Merrill are two people for whom I have the utmost respect. Their enthusiasm for the work of God and their love and dedication to the Lord have been a tremendous example to me over the years. Praise the Lord for their faithfulness!

Update on My Life

It has been a while since I made a post on my blog. I apologize for my negligence. A lot has happened since my last post! I went home for Christmas and was able to spend some time with my family. I was hoping to be able to write some posts on my blog while I was home, but we did not have phone connection the entire time, so that plan did not come to fruition.

I am now back into a busy school and work schedule. This semester, I am taking four classes: Principles of Leadership, Survey of the New Testament, Theories of Counseling and Systematic Theology. At this point, it is hard to determine what my favorite class will be, but I think I am going to especially like Theories of Counseling. The class deals with the beliefs and theories of some popular Christian psychologists (past and present) and contrasts it with true Biblical counseling. Already, I have found the class very interesting--I am looking forward to the rest of the semester!

I hope to be able to write some longer posts soon. I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here!