(Still) Holding on to the Ride

Life. Such a small word with such an immense meaning. It can be difficult to find the balance between simply living life to survive and living life to actually live. To enjoy the moment. To totally focus on Christ and how to best serve Him in the here and now. I keep having ups and downs in that arena...

So, things have been (very) crazy as of late, as my few and far between posts may indicate. This week is finals week at college, so I actually (which doesn't make much sense) have a few minutes to do a blog post...One can only study so long on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Be prepared for a few selfies...

Before I bombard you with pictures, though, let me overwhelm you with wordiness...

As my current reader(s) know, I decided to hold off graduating from high school an extra year so I could get work experience through an internship in a medical setting. Through the skills center I attended, I was placed (first) in the medical organization's forms department. For four months, I scanned, filed, and faxed in a cubicle for hours on end. It was a great experience, the ladies I worked with were very nice, and I am very thankful for it; however, as 1st semester was concluding,  I knew I did not want to intern there for another four months -- I learned that doing paperwork and not seeing people was not for me. 

I nearly dropped out of the skills center at this point to graduate high school at the beginning of the year. BUT, the medical organization I was interning at found an opening for an intern in the physical therapy reception department and I ended up staying the rest of the school year. Best. Choice. Ever. God is so, so good. I loved working in PT reception.

Now, four months after nearly giving up, I am going to be starting as an official (per diem at this point) employee at the physical therapy office. I met with my other employers, and they are both willing to work with my new, unpredictable schedule.  SO excited and a bit nervous. Going to school full-time with three jobs is a bit hectic. God is good though, and so far I am surviving (and trying to actually live in the moment). God has done so many amazing things through all of this and worked out all confusingness with nearly unbelievable results, which would take about ten years to write into a blog post.

Okay, I'm done...Pictures:

 Taking Mozzarella (16) out for her birthday; that girl never fails make me laugh...

 College friend, ready for summer break too!

 My sister-in-law has some cute cows...But I think they were trying to sample my shoulder.

 Trying to enjoy the awesome weather while studying for my biology final.

Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let  your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Fantastic Sibling Moments Post#8: "My Worst, Worst Job"

The other day Mini-man (8) was having a very serious conversation with Munchette. It went as follows:

Mini-man: Munchette, you know what my worst job is?

Munchette: What?

Mini-man: Loading the dishwasher....But do you know what my WORST worst job is?

Munchette: No, what?

Mini-man: (very seriously) My worst job is loading the dishwasher and my worst worst job is cleaning up dog poop.

Sigh, with a puppy in the family, Mini-man has (very seriously) been enlightened as to his very WORST, worst job.

Love that kid. <3

Gubby (11) and Mini-man walking Sam (sweet, sweet dog who won't be with us much longer) and Pooky, then only a few months old.

Nope, I Haven't Fallen off the Face of the Earth...

As my title suggests, I've probably been one of the flakiest blog-posters ever, if that's possible. I mean, I guess it's my blog and I can post when I want, but I still feel like I did something wrong, not posting for the past few months...

Anyway, I wanted to give an update. I've discovered that blogging really helps me clear my mind. Often, I don't post much of what I write...I'll spit my thoughts on paper (er, computer screen?) and then only post what I feel is remotely logical or worth sharing. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm scatterbrained...and I like flowers and collect shoes. Converse are probably my favorite brand.

Okay, so by God's grace I survived Winter Quarter at college, and even passed with very satisfying results. Only by His grace, though, seriously.

I learned a lot during the quarter about standing up for what I believe in and not fearing man. I have been so sheltered all my life, and never (really) realized how difficult it can be to define the line of standing up for what you believe in and still getting a good grade. Grades are not a priority; obeying Christ is. 

Possible highlight of last quarter was, aside from learning the important lesson about not fearing man, my English professor telling me I should become a teacher or a writer...It was kind of weird, but I was encouraged.

Spring break has been super busy, with work and family events. A few weekends ago, my best friend and I went to visit my grandparents who live at the beach. We had a grand time.  Here are some pictures from our trip. :)

Upon arriving at the beach, HB (from henceforth, her name shall be Peachy...unless I change it) and I took a few minutes to explore the freezing, windy, and wet beach before heading to my grandparents' warm house...It was a grand time, I do confess.

 Our inner (outer?) little girlness was very excited to watch the new Cinderella movie. And, I might add, we were not disappointed when we left the theater

 That gigantic boat peeking in on the right is the Coast Guard....Pretty cool.

We were determined to have some sort of fish since we were at the beach. Think we got enough?

  We spent almost the entire Saturday in a town 45 minutes away, exploring historic buildings, shop-walking, and drinking coffee. This is the sunset we enjoyed watching while partaking of ice cream and doughnuts at the end of the day.

Starbucks for the (long) drive home!

And so, with Spring Break coming to a conclusion, I want to wish you a very blessed Resurrection Sunday! He is risen! So thankful for the salvation we have by grace because of what Christ did on the cross. Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Luke 24:1-7, "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.'"

Hold fast to Jesus!
-Sonia

"My Grace Is Sufficient"

I don't know if I've ever been quite this busy before. Maybe. Going to school full-time on top of work has literally taken nearly every waking hour, including most weekends. I'm tempted to want to do the easy thing and drop something, but it seems like God has other plans right now, and since He's all-knowing, perfect, and loves me bunches, I'm doing my best just to hang on tight. He is so, so good. I keep loosing focus on Him and start fretting, knowing realistically (from a human standpoint) I can't keep this pace without going crazy.

 The past few weeks have been nothing short of a miracle. During the final weeks of last quarter, I made some serious mistakes, due to the fact there was so much going and my focus wasn't always in one spot. Two weeks into Winter Quarter, and God has given me a supernatural ability to keep my focus on one thing at a time. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Even though my situation is a vast contrast from Paul's (most of what I'm doing is for my education and career), that Scripture is so encouraging. His power is made perfect in our weakness. Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Thankful for a Monday with time for an afternoon walk with Sweet Pea (13). 

Hold fast to Jesus!

Florida: Part 4: Victorious Victory Party

As you can deduct, by God's grace our candidate won the election! I don't think any of us could stop smiling after Rick Scott himself announced he won the election. I always wondered what it was like to be in one of the places where there is confetti after the announcement. It was cool. 

 Rick Scott encouraging us all!

It was an extremely close race.

 First set of triplets I've met! They were so awesome! 

By the end of the trip, I think I was able to keep them fairly straight...

 Our van + team leader! 

 Our van sitting in front of the super neat horse fountain. It was late, and we were all tired, as you can see...

Rick Scott announcing his victory! The confetti came about 30 seconds later.

 "Well done, partner."

 I'm not quite sure...

 Victory party smiles and silliness!

How many people can you fit into a selfie?

Final farewell of Florida. 

We didn't get to bed until around 1 or 2 that night, and had to get up at 4 for our flight...When we gathered to head out, I know I at least had to repeat my sentences two or three times before they made any sense...It was rather hilarious how tired those of us who had an early flight looked at the airport. I can just imagine how it must have looked: 10 or so teenagers, draped across chairs, staring vacantly into space. 

And so, this concludes the long documentation of my trip to Ft. Myers, Florida. It was a grand trip, loaded with growing experiences and fun times. So thankful for the opportunity!

Christmas Hustle and Bustle: Setting My Lens Straight

I was so excited when I finished wrapping the last gift today, then I realized I wouldn't be shopping anymore, and I became a bit depressed. I love buying things for people...Oh well. 

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation and work, I know many of us struggle with focusing on the real Reason for the season. 

In truth, nothing really matters except Christ and celebrating Him coming to earth so that we might come to Him. All because He loves us. Us, who are sinners, separated from God because of our depravity. Us, who were once in darkness, totally against Christ, focused on ourselves. It's so amazing that God would love us so much that He would send His one and only Son to save us. 

Colossians 1:9-23, "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

      13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

      15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

      21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister."

I am continually in awe of the fact that Christ saves us when we call on His name, forgives us when we repent, and shows His grace every day. 

Ephesians 1:1-9, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

This Christmas season, let's remember that family gatherings, gifts, and food are blessings, but not the focus of Christmas. Remember the focus is Christ, Christ who is fully God and fully man, Christ coming to earth as a helpless baby, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life on earth, knowing we would crucify Him, and yet still showing His grace...Man, as I'm typing, I keep wanting to add more and more passages of Scripture! I keep thinking of Philippians 3, John 3:16, and other verses of which I don't know the reference. I'll close with these:

Isaiah 6:9, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 

Matthew 1:20-23, "But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.21'She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.'"

Florida: Let's Keep Working! Part 3

...And so we come to Election Day! We phone-banked tirelessly, blitzed through neighborhoods, and, by God's grace, met with victory (spoiler for final post)! 

Last day of campaigning, hitting the phones hard.

Adorable little owls we saw between dropping door-knockers off.

 When it gets intense you gotta have your orange juice!

 Tallying up our final day of door-knocking!

On Election Day, Rick Scott came by the campaigning office with his wife and a Texas (?) governor (the gentleman talking) ; it was so neat to meet Rick Scott in person! I also think the guy in the black suit looks like a legit, slightly creepy security dude.

 Even though we have a Five Guys in my city, I had never gone...Since there's a first time for everything, why not have it in Florida?

And so, this concludes the campaigning craziness; final post to follow documenting the victory party, where we were truly victorious.