Well, I must admit I slipped a little this morning. After the third time of snoozing my alarm, when it went off at 6:00, I snoozed it again, for another 5 minutes. I DID get up though. :o) So, at 6:05, I made my way downstairs, prayed for a minute and opened my book.
Today's lesson was on Thankfulness - how fitting for the season! :o) It was a short lesson, that kind of tied in with yesterday's lesson as well. It talked about doing everything, and serving with a smile on your face, and being thankful for all that you have. The theme of the lesson was that The Beginning of Joy is Thankfulness. How true that is. When we are unthankful for what we have, and when we're discontent, how on earth could we possibly be Joyful? It spoke of how, like a pianist practices hitting the correct keys on a piano day after day after day, until it becomes second nature and they don't have to think about it anymore, so should we practice hitting the correct "keys" of thankfulness, day after day after day, until it is second nature, and we don't have to TRY to be thankful anymore, we just ARE. And that's where the joy comes in. Let's work on improving our joy, and being more thankful for the things we have, not discontent for the things we want.
How did your day of the Challenge go?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Challenge: Day 2
Alright guys, here's my post on (my) 2nd day of The Challenge. :o)
I did get up and read this morning. I must say, it was a little bit harder than yesterday, but I made myself do it. This morning's chapter was on A Joyful Heart. It was really good. It challenged you have a joyful heart around your husband, and children. Well, since I don't have any children yet, and I don't stay home all day, I decided that I would work on having a joyful heart around my husband, and the people that I work with. I usually have a hard time being very happy at work. Customers annoy me, and the day drags on, and I just want to go home. So I have been making it a point to be more happy today.
The chapter today told a story about "The Ugly Hillbilly" and how she was really -physically- ugly, but every time they went in the store that she worked at, she always had a flock of men around her laughing, and having a good time with her. She always had a smile on, and was always ready for "a good clean joke" and always had the glow of laughter about her. The writer's husband even commented that she was "cute". One day they saw her in the grocery store with her daughter, who she was very upset with. Gone was the smile and glow of laughter. In it's place was an ugly snarl. The husband remarked that the lady looked familiar, and when his wife told him who it was, he was stunned. He could not believe that it was the same woman.
Our attitudes have a lot to do with the way people look at us. *Goodness, even as I'm typing this God is revealing things to my heart.* I'm not saying that we should run around laughing and smiling like maniacs so people will think we're pretty. The point of the lesson was that, our attitudes affect our relationships. People like to be around other people that have good attitudes, and a joyful heart and spirit. This applies to marriage relationships, and it applies to friendships, co-worker relationships, parent-child relationships, all relationships in life, this principal applies to. This isn't to say that we're not going to get discouraged about things in life. We're not going to walk around 24/7 with a grin on our faces, unless we're on crack, and I wouldn't advise that to anyone. And this isn't to say that there aren't times to be absolutely sober, because there are. But on a day to day basis, it's a good principal to live by to have a joyful heart, and bring smiles to those around you.
I feel like this didn't come out at all the way I wanted it to, but I can't seem to make it work, so maybe this is the way the Lord wanted you to see it. Who knows. :o) Anyways, I love you all, and encourage you to jump on The Challenge Bandwagon! :o)
I did get up and read this morning. I must say, it was a little bit harder than yesterday, but I made myself do it. This morning's chapter was on A Joyful Heart. It was really good. It challenged you have a joyful heart around your husband, and children. Well, since I don't have any children yet, and I don't stay home all day, I decided that I would work on having a joyful heart around my husband, and the people that I work with. I usually have a hard time being very happy at work. Customers annoy me, and the day drags on, and I just want to go home. So I have been making it a point to be more happy today.
The chapter today told a story about "The Ugly Hillbilly" and how she was really -physically- ugly, but every time they went in the store that she worked at, she always had a flock of men around her laughing, and having a good time with her. She always had a smile on, and was always ready for "a good clean joke" and always had the glow of laughter about her. The writer's husband even commented that she was "cute". One day they saw her in the grocery store with her daughter, who she was very upset with. Gone was the smile and glow of laughter. In it's place was an ugly snarl. The husband remarked that the lady looked familiar, and when his wife told him who it was, he was stunned. He could not believe that it was the same woman.
Our attitudes have a lot to do with the way people look at us. *Goodness, even as I'm typing this God is revealing things to my heart.* I'm not saying that we should run around laughing and smiling like maniacs so people will think we're pretty. The point of the lesson was that, our attitudes affect our relationships. People like to be around other people that have good attitudes, and a joyful heart and spirit. This applies to marriage relationships, and it applies to friendships, co-worker relationships, parent-child relationships, all relationships in life, this principal applies to. This isn't to say that we're not going to get discouraged about things in life. We're not going to walk around 24/7 with a grin on our faces, unless we're on crack, and I wouldn't advise that to anyone. And this isn't to say that there aren't times to be absolutely sober, because there are. But on a day to day basis, it's a good principal to live by to have a joyful heart, and bring smiles to those around you.
I feel like this didn't come out at all the way I wanted it to, but I can't seem to make it work, so maybe this is the way the Lord wanted you to see it. Who knows. :o) Anyways, I love you all, and encourage you to jump on The Challenge Bandwagon! :o)
It's Official
Alright, I couldn't resist. You guys gave me such a good idea. :o)
It's officially a Challenge. I want all of you to join me in making an effort to be in God's Word every day. I don't care what devotional book you're studying, or if you're not studying one at all, just study SOMETHING that involves The Word. Every day I will try (very hard) to post about whether or not I read that morning (you can read in the morning, or at night, or the afternoon! Whatever suits you best) and I'll share with you something that really struck me, or something I found interesting. Just a small part of what I studied that morning.
THEN, it's YOUR turn! Stop by and leave me a comment, letting me know if you read or not, and what you studied. A small part of something that YOU learned! Or, you can post it on your own blog. I would love if all my friends, both near and far, joined in this challenge, to become the Christian women that God would have us to be, in the very center of His Will. I know I have been far away from that for far too long. It doesn't matter if you're married or not. This isn't about that. It's about being fed by the Lord, with the nutrients that we REALLY need to survive this world!
I love you all, and look forward to hearing about what you're studying!
It's officially a Challenge. I want all of you to join me in making an effort to be in God's Word every day. I don't care what devotional book you're studying, or if you're not studying one at all, just study SOMETHING that involves The Word. Every day I will try (very hard) to post about whether or not I read that morning (you can read in the morning, or at night, or the afternoon! Whatever suits you best) and I'll share with you something that really struck me, or something I found interesting. Just a small part of what I studied that morning.
THEN, it's YOUR turn! Stop by and leave me a comment, letting me know if you read or not, and what you studied. A small part of something that YOU learned! Or, you can post it on your own blog. I would love if all my friends, both near and far, joined in this challenge, to become the Christian women that God would have us to be, in the very center of His Will. I know I have been far away from that for far too long. It doesn't matter if you're married or not. This isn't about that. It's about being fed by the Lord, with the nutrients that we REALLY need to survive this world!
I love you all, and look forward to hearing about what you're studying!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Changes
So, I'm thinking it's time for a few changes in my personal life. Changes that could certainly help me with my "Have You Ever..." post a few days back.
I woke up at 6:00 this morning, willingly - that statement in and of itself will most likely cause the jaws of my readers across the nation to drop, if they know me at all. :o) Last night I had a stern talking with myself about how I needed to get up earlier in the mornings, A) because I seriously need to be spending some time in the Word, as all Christians do and B) I seriously need to stop being so lazy, and getting up at the last possible minute every morning. I need to stop being so rushed, and I need to stop being late to work (even if it is only a minute, or two, or three, as it happens to be most often, not that anyone at work really cares, but late is late, and I don't want to be seen as that type of person). Now, don't get me wrong - I have had this talk with myself MANY A time before, but I'm telling you, when morning comes, and that blasted alarm goes off at 6:00 IN THE MORNING, I am a different person, and all reasoning for getting my lazy hide out of bed flies out the window. But for some reason, this morning, I was able to do it, probably because last night, I laid out my Bible, my book, and a notebook on the kitchen table (I tend to follow through better for anything when I am prepared), and probably because I asked the Lord for help in this area, and probably because I set my alarm for 5:45, so that I could snooze it 3 times (my phone has a 5 minute snooze instead of a 9 minute one. I'm sure I could change it, but it seems to be working for me) before I actually needed to get up. Waking up gradually is the best way for me. I can't just hear the alarm once and fly outta bed, ready to face the day. I need to be awoken in gradual, gentle sections. Normally, it's the sound of Mike's alarm going off a couple times, then hearing him get up, then hearing him in the shower, then hearing him open the bathroom door, and seeing the bit of light that comes peeking in, that does it for me, and I'm finally up and out of bed. Well, today, I got up all on my own - a full half hour before Mike was up. Now, someone tell me that isn't impressive! :o)
Anyways, enough about HOW I get up - you would think it was a science or something...hmm... maybe with me it is. :o) I digress.
It's the WHY I got up this morning that is the important thing. I'm the type of person who has a hard time JUST reading the Bible. I need direction, and a theme as far as what I'm reading. So, I've been thinking about what to do. I thought about going out and buying me a new devotional book, but that does take money. Not that we don't have any, it's just better to NOT run out and spend it all the time. :o) Well, a while back - before I was married, that is - I read the book, "Created To Be His Help Meet". While it was a good book, I can't say that I remember a whole lot from it, because I am a practical application type of person, and this was a practical application to marriage type of book. While I was told to try to apply it to my relationship with my dad, I did find that a little hard. Anyways, I read the book, thought it was good, and put it on the shelf to be read again later in life - when I was actually married. Well, that time has come. I feel that I'm not being the best wife that I can be. I'm sure that a large part of that has to do with the fact that I don't have the Spirit dwelling in me as I should, which is where being in the Word comes in. So, this morning, much to my own amazement, I wandered down the stairs, grabbed a blanket off the couch, and sat down at the table. I opened my book, and began to read. At the end of each chapter, it gives you more scripture to look up, and so I did that. I don't think I was thinking clearly enough, so I didn't write down anything in my notebook this morning, but I'll try to be better at that. Writing things down, is definitely a way to help me remember things. Today's chapter, focused solely on being a help meet to your husband. It was a short chapter, more introductory than anything, but still I learned stuff. :o) At the end of the chapter it gave a sort of challenge, to find ways to serve and help your husband, starting "today". So, I decided to do something right then and there. I got up from the table, and got my husband's breakfast ready for him. I know that this isn't anything major for you to ooh and ahh about - that's not why I'm writing this post anyways - but I believe that by getting into a routine of doing little things like this daily to help him out, and to serve him, other bigger things, will come naturally in time. Not that I shouldn't try to help him in bigger ways from the start, and not that I won't, it's just when you get in the habit of doing things, it all just starts to come naturally with time and diligence.
I am optimistic about this quest that I am on. I believe that as long as I stay with it, and keep up a positive attitude, nothing can come from this but a better marriage, and hey, who can complain about that? Not me, certainly.
Now, I know several people who absolutely refuse to read this book. They think it's extreme, and blah blah blah. By reading it, I am not saying that I agree with EVERY single word this woman writes. Why should I? She is human after all, and I do not have to agree with everything she says. But, she does have many valid points, and a lot of good advice, that if taken to heart can only improve a marriage. Wouldn't you think that that would be reason enough to read it? I mean, the worst that could happen is you disagree with absolutely every word that she has said, and you walk away a little ticked off because she pricked your pride. So what? The best that could happen is your whole outlook on life, and marriage, and serving the Lord, has changed for the better, and you walk away from it with a lifetime of advice and a wonderful marriage. Anyways, I'm not trying to convince you to read the book. I'm just talking. It's a free country (for now, anyways. who knows what we will turn out to be when this is all over? ah, the Lord knows. Let's not worry about it.) so you can read, or not read whatever you like. But, you might miss out on a huge blessing if you never swallow your pride and read it. But like I said, do whatcha want. :o)
Anyways, for those who have never heard of it, it's called "Created To Be His Help Meet" By Debi Pearl.
Alright, that's enough for now. Hope you all are having a wonderful day. :o)
I woke up at 6:00 this morning, willingly - that statement in and of itself will most likely cause the jaws of my readers across the nation to drop, if they know me at all. :o) Last night I had a stern talking with myself about how I needed to get up earlier in the mornings, A) because I seriously need to be spending some time in the Word, as all Christians do and B) I seriously need to stop being so lazy, and getting up at the last possible minute every morning. I need to stop being so rushed, and I need to stop being late to work (even if it is only a minute, or two, or three, as it happens to be most often, not that anyone at work really cares, but late is late, and I don't want to be seen as that type of person). Now, don't get me wrong - I have had this talk with myself MANY A time before, but I'm telling you, when morning comes, and that blasted alarm goes off at 6:00 IN THE MORNING, I am a different person, and all reasoning for getting my lazy hide out of bed flies out the window. But for some reason, this morning, I was able to do it, probably because last night, I laid out my Bible, my book, and a notebook on the kitchen table (I tend to follow through better for anything when I am prepared), and probably because I asked the Lord for help in this area, and probably because I set my alarm for 5:45, so that I could snooze it 3 times (my phone has a 5 minute snooze instead of a 9 minute one. I'm sure I could change it, but it seems to be working for me) before I actually needed to get up. Waking up gradually is the best way for me. I can't just hear the alarm once and fly outta bed, ready to face the day. I need to be awoken in gradual, gentle sections. Normally, it's the sound of Mike's alarm going off a couple times, then hearing him get up, then hearing him in the shower, then hearing him open the bathroom door, and seeing the bit of light that comes peeking in, that does it for me, and I'm finally up and out of bed. Well, today, I got up all on my own - a full half hour before Mike was up. Now, someone tell me that isn't impressive! :o)
Anyways, enough about HOW I get up - you would think it was a science or something...hmm... maybe with me it is. :o) I digress.
It's the WHY I got up this morning that is the important thing. I'm the type of person who has a hard time JUST reading the Bible. I need direction, and a theme as far as what I'm reading. So, I've been thinking about what to do. I thought about going out and buying me a new devotional book, but that does take money. Not that we don't have any, it's just better to NOT run out and spend it all the time. :o) Well, a while back - before I was married, that is - I read the book, "Created To Be His Help Meet". While it was a good book, I can't say that I remember a whole lot from it, because I am a practical application type of person, and this was a practical application to marriage type of book. While I was told to try to apply it to my relationship with my dad, I did find that a little hard. Anyways, I read the book, thought it was good, and put it on the shelf to be read again later in life - when I was actually married. Well, that time has come. I feel that I'm not being the best wife that I can be. I'm sure that a large part of that has to do with the fact that I don't have the Spirit dwelling in me as I should, which is where being in the Word comes in. So, this morning, much to my own amazement, I wandered down the stairs, grabbed a blanket off the couch, and sat down at the table. I opened my book, and began to read. At the end of each chapter, it gives you more scripture to look up, and so I did that. I don't think I was thinking clearly enough, so I didn't write down anything in my notebook this morning, but I'll try to be better at that. Writing things down, is definitely a way to help me remember things. Today's chapter, focused solely on being a help meet to your husband. It was a short chapter, more introductory than anything, but still I learned stuff. :o) At the end of the chapter it gave a sort of challenge, to find ways to serve and help your husband, starting "today". So, I decided to do something right then and there. I got up from the table, and got my husband's breakfast ready for him. I know that this isn't anything major for you to ooh and ahh about - that's not why I'm writing this post anyways - but I believe that by getting into a routine of doing little things like this daily to help him out, and to serve him, other bigger things, will come naturally in time. Not that I shouldn't try to help him in bigger ways from the start, and not that I won't, it's just when you get in the habit of doing things, it all just starts to come naturally with time and diligence.
I am optimistic about this quest that I am on. I believe that as long as I stay with it, and keep up a positive attitude, nothing can come from this but a better marriage, and hey, who can complain about that? Not me, certainly.
Now, I know several people who absolutely refuse to read this book. They think it's extreme, and blah blah blah. By reading it, I am not saying that I agree with EVERY single word this woman writes. Why should I? She is human after all, and I do not have to agree with everything she says. But, she does have many valid points, and a lot of good advice, that if taken to heart can only improve a marriage. Wouldn't you think that that would be reason enough to read it? I mean, the worst that could happen is you disagree with absolutely every word that she has said, and you walk away a little ticked off because she pricked your pride. So what? The best that could happen is your whole outlook on life, and marriage, and serving the Lord, has changed for the better, and you walk away from it with a lifetime of advice and a wonderful marriage. Anyways, I'm not trying to convince you to read the book. I'm just talking. It's a free country (for now, anyways. who knows what we will turn out to be when this is all over? ah, the Lord knows. Let's not worry about it.) so you can read, or not read whatever you like. But, you might miss out on a huge blessing if you never swallow your pride and read it. But like I said, do whatcha want. :o)
Anyways, for those who have never heard of it, it's called "Created To Be His Help Meet" By Debi Pearl.
Alright, that's enough for now. Hope you all are having a wonderful day. :o)
Friday, November 14, 2008
I Sure Do Miss This Little Girl:
These are all pictures that were taken in May when Lanae` and I headed to Anchorage with Taylor (who's parents did NOT just dump off on us. We offered to take her with us, since they were going to be doing some boat stuff in Ninilchik with my parents, and it would have been hard with her there. We had a great time, and she did just fine with us, and we all loved every minute of it.) to pick up my wedding dress, and the Bridesmaid dresses. The first two were when Lanae`'s poor PT broke down for good. *We miss you PT* The third one is when we finally did make it into Anchorage, and we were at Red Robin. Then in the last two, yes, she's wearing a wig. Such a goofy little girl. :o) I wish I had some recent pictures of her, but her mommy is pregnant again (Yay for being an auntie a second time around!) and so I'm sure she's very tired, and doesn't have much time or energy. Lauren, if you happen to read this, I love you. So very much. I really miss the times we used to have together. I hope you're doing good, and that this pregnancy isn't slowing you down as much as the last one did. Hugs. :o)
Hey, two posts in one day, I'm not doing too bad, eh?
Have you ever...
Struggled with discontentment?
Wanted something you knew you weren't ready for?
Struggled with loving the people you know you should, but you just don't want to?
Wondered, "Why am still here, dealing with this same stuff?"?
Wanted to just give up on people, because they, most certainly have given up on you?
I'm struggling. I think my Savior needs to hear more about this than you do though. I would appreciate your prayers.
If you are one of those people who have given up on me, written me off, and you are not inclined to pray for me whatsoever, please stop reading my blog. I don't want you here.
For the rest of you though, those who are inclined to pray for me, I love you. I hope you know that.
Wanted something you knew you weren't ready for?
Struggled with loving the people you know you should, but you just don't want to?
Wondered, "Why am still here, dealing with this same stuff?"?
Wanted to just give up on people, because they, most certainly have given up on you?
I'm struggling. I think my Savior needs to hear more about this than you do though. I would appreciate your prayers.
If you are one of those people who have given up on me, written me off, and you are not inclined to pray for me whatsoever, please stop reading my blog. I don't want you here.
For the rest of you though, those who are inclined to pray for me, I love you. I hope you know that.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
So, I'm posting, OK????
Alright, due to much whining from Lanae`, and Angela, and Amber, I'm going to post. Not because I actually have anything worth saying, but because of the whining. :o) Well, it is nice to know that people actually read my blog, and that they (well, most of them) love me. :o)
Alright, so what exactly is new in Kassandra's life? Hmmm...not a whole lot...really. But I will fill you in on the boring details. :o)
This past weekend I had a three-day weekend because of Veteran's Day. It's a paid holiday for us, but the stores are open, so we get to pick one day in the pay period that we want off. So, I chose Monday. Mike had a personal day that he needed to use, from when he had to work a holiday, so he took the day off too. We slept in, and then got up and ate breakfast. Shortly after I ate my breakfast, my stomach started cramping up, and was hurting like crazy. Then my face started to get all hot around my eyes and stuff. It was SOOO weird. So I went in the bathroom, and sat there for a minute, then proceeded to throw up. Yes, it was lovely. Anyways, I was fine the rest of the day so that was weird. So, after the puking incident, we drove around town, running errands. Mike had to do a side job at Barnes and Noble, so I got to wander around in there for a while. Then we went and got nitrogen put in my tires. We went to lunch at Brugger's. That was yummy. :o) Then we just kind of chilled the rest of the day. It was nice to pretty much do nothing, and the "somethings" that we did have to do were done in a very relaxed, NON rushed fashion. It was a good day.
On Saturday I made a plastic bag holder, you know, one of those tube things with the elastic at the bottom. Put bag in top, pull out of bottom. It turned out really cute. I'll be posting pictures of it soon. I also bought a ready made pattern for an apron. So, on Monday night I did that, and it turned out great. I'm excited about it. :o) So, yes, I will be posting pictures of that too...eventually. :o)
All in all it was a great 3 day weekend. Very relaxed. Except for the part where I threw up. Haha, other than that it was great! :o)
What did you guys do for veteran's day?
Alright, so what exactly is new in Kassandra's life? Hmmm...not a whole lot...really. But I will fill you in on the boring details. :o)
This past weekend I had a three-day weekend because of Veteran's Day. It's a paid holiday for us, but the stores are open, so we get to pick one day in the pay period that we want off. So, I chose Monday. Mike had a personal day that he needed to use, from when he had to work a holiday, so he took the day off too. We slept in, and then got up and ate breakfast. Shortly after I ate my breakfast, my stomach started cramping up, and was hurting like crazy. Then my face started to get all hot around my eyes and stuff. It was SOOO weird. So I went in the bathroom, and sat there for a minute, then proceeded to throw up. Yes, it was lovely. Anyways, I was fine the rest of the day so that was weird. So, after the puking incident, we drove around town, running errands. Mike had to do a side job at Barnes and Noble, so I got to wander around in there for a while. Then we went and got nitrogen put in my tires. We went to lunch at Brugger's. That was yummy. :o) Then we just kind of chilled the rest of the day. It was nice to pretty much do nothing, and the "somethings" that we did have to do were done in a very relaxed, NON rushed fashion. It was a good day.
On Saturday I made a plastic bag holder, you know, one of those tube things with the elastic at the bottom. Put bag in top, pull out of bottom. It turned out really cute. I'll be posting pictures of it soon. I also bought a ready made pattern for an apron. So, on Monday night I did that, and it turned out great. I'm excited about it. :o) So, yes, I will be posting pictures of that too...eventually. :o)
All in all it was a great 3 day weekend. Very relaxed. Except for the part where I threw up. Haha, other than that it was great! :o)
What did you guys do for veteran's day?
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