Easter

I'm not gonna write a long old post about Jesus' crucifixion for our sake, and his resurrection signifying his power over sin and the world. Because we all know. We know in our minds. We just have to know in our hearts. Know it. Believe it.

But it is easy to forget. So easy. But it's a big thing that should live in us, so that we never forget. We didn't deserve it, we were still sinners, and He did it anyway.

I'm 14 and, yes, I'm still gonna hunt Easter eggs. But remember what the egg symbolizes- new life.

Hunting eggs, hunting new life.

We should always be hunting for that new life, the one that is not of the world, but of God. Be searching for that life, where everything is about Him and dedicate yourself to His will. Hunt for it.

He died for the world. If you were the last one... He would have done it all, just for you.

We know He endured excruciating pain. Pain beyond what human should bare. But He did it willingly- they didn't take His life. He laid it down.

Worship Him in this day. We can never thank Him enough, but try to get in all you can.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. -Romans 6:8-11

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
- 1 Peter 1:3

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
-Matthew 28:1-10

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
-Mark 16:1-8

"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
-John 10:17-18

Don't ever, ever forget. His love for you is greater than we can fathom. His sacrifice was exceptional. He saved our pitiful little hearts... The least we can do is dedicate our short lives on earth to Him.

That said. There's a chocolate bunny calling my name.

In His Grip,
Ranch Kiddo

Oh, How Times Have Changed!

I finally got to talk to Sara today. YAY! I haven't been able to chat with her on the phone in a very long time, it was very nice. Everytime we get on the phone we end up laughing hysterically, which is definitely a good thing.

Anyway, I told her about my reading "The Three Musketeers" by Alexander Dumas, a classic that I am simply loving. Today's chapter, the entire chapter, was all about the George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham expressing his devout love to Anne of Austria, Queen of France. It was positively hysterical. Following, are several exerpts from chapter 12.

"But you never told me that you did not love me, and truly, to speak such words to me, would be, on the part of yoour Majesty, too great an ingratitude. For tell me, where can you find a love like mine- a love which neither time, nor absence, nor despair can extinguish. A love which contents itself with a lost ribbon, a stray look, or a chance word?"

"Hold, hold! I shut my eyes, and I can see you as you then were; I open them again, and I see what you are now- a hundred times more beautiful!"

"And upon what them must I live? I have nothing but memory. It is my happiness, my treasure, my hope. Everytime I see you is a fresh diamond which I enclose in the casket of my heart."

"Because you do not love me, Madame! If you loved me, you would view all this otherwise. If you loved me, oh, if you loved me, that would be too great happiness, and I should run mad."

It cracks me up!! Probably because as I was reading it, the words passed through my mind in a sarcastic tone, as sarcasm saturates my being, I must admit. A bit more than it should, I guess I need to wring some of it out. Anyway, it made me laugh. And then when we were talking, it reminded me of....

"How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
descending from Mount Gilead.
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep
just shorn,
coming up from the washing.
Each has its twin;
not one of them is alone.
Yoour lips are like a scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is lovely.
Your temples behind your veil
are live the halves of a
pomegranate.
Your neck is like the tower of David,
built with elegance;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of warriors.
Your two breasts are like two
fawns,
like twin fawns of a gazelle
that browse among the lilies."
-Song of Solomon 4:1-5

Okay, so it's not very nice to laugh at the Bible. But when we read this in Youth, we laughed. And Sara and I were hysterical with laughter!! The funny thing is, this is what you hear from your average guy today:

"Babe, you're like... so totally hot. Your hair is so stylin. Babe, I just, I love ya... Your bod is rockin'!"

I wish I was joking. Sadly, I'm not. It's sickening. Really it is. Just think about the difference! Sara said that she would not understand that language of the old days, and we agreed that Alexander Dumas and his peers/decendants would turn over in their graves to hear the way we express our "love" these days.

It's amusing the way they expressed things, you have to admit you would probably freak if a guy walked up to you...

"Hey, what's your name? I'm Todd. I just couldn't help but notice that your hair looks like goats comin off a mountain. And your teeth, what teeth! They are like shaved sheep, just washed and scrubbed. Your temples- like two halves of fruit, like a pomegranate. And your neck is like a tower! Wow!"

I'm not about to go into the part about the fawns.

It really seems ridiculous, but when you think about, the way most guys talk today to their girlfriends is more ridiculous than the way the Duke talked to the Queen! He spoke to her with real love, with desperate yearning for her to love him, he allowed her to retain her dignity and spoke never, in the whole chapter, never spoke in a way that degraded her. He really loved her.

Love back then was real. I mean, there were lots of marriages that were arranged, people who got married just to have somebody to support them financially, etc. But love was real. And people didn't go around saying "I love you" if they didn't mean it. They didn't court a different girl every other week.

Well, okay, so in the book D'artangan is infatuated with Madame Bonacieux, who is married and a few years older than him. I'm not sure how that part is gonna turn out. I'll let ya know.

Okay, well I could go on and on and on about the stupidity of this world and how ridiculous and ignorant it is that guys go around degrading girls and treating them like crap and decieving them into thinking they are in love.

Just wanted to point out how times have changed. In a way, it's real funny and kinda cheesey to read that stuff... But in a way, when you think about it, it was serious, and they meant what they said.

Honestly, if I had to choose over the guy who told me I was "hot" or told me that my hair is like "a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead"...

Considering the fact that in order for him to say that, he would most likely be a Christian...

With a sense of humor...

I would choose the goat guy. =D

Peace

You get to hear another mini sermon this morning. I know, I know, but I just can't stop talking about Him, what can I say? =)

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my "Yes, Lord" post. Last night at Youth, Justin talked about peace. Peace. Real true peace.

He had us go through about 20 verses/passages on peace. I can't remember them all, but I'll try to recover one by the end of this post.

There is no lasting peace in this world. No wordly things can give us peace- not even "an entire bucket of ice cream", in the words of Justin. Sure it feels good at first. Yummy, delicious, ice cream! How can you not be happy? But the next morning... You wake up with a terrible tummy ache.

Alcohol. Alot of people think alcohol can bring you peace of mind. So you drink... and drink... Well this feels good, so you drink some more... And the next morning, you don't feel good at all.

Wordly things bring no peace. They bring temporary relief to your hurt. They don't heal. Only Jesus heals. I'm telling you nothing, absolutely nothing, in this world, can give you peace. Can settle your heart and your mind. So what can you do? Who can help?

Jesus. He can help. He will help. He desires to help. If you let him help.

There are alot of bad things that happen in this world. So many terrible things happen- poverty, starvation, murder, rape, the list goes on and on. Cancer, car crashes, and who do we blame? God. After all, He is in charge, isn't He? So it must be His fault!

But you forget one important element.

Satan.

Satan still exists. And we still have this abused gift called free will. And we let him weasle his scrawny, dirty little self into our lives. And bad things happen. Satan has not been defeated yet- ah, but he will be. But not yet. All in God's timing.

When we have uneasy hearts, we are not at peace. When we are angry, frustrated, grieving, distraught, we are not at peace. Only He can give us peace, I'm telling you, only precious Lord Jesus can give us peace.

He died on the cross, to give you peace. Yes, He did. When He was on that cross, every single sin of the past, present, and future... Was on Him. On His soul. And He wanted it that way. God wanted to crush His son for our good. He wanted to crush Jesus, so that our scrawny lives could be saved. And Jesus wanted to die, wanted to be tortured and hung from the cross among thieves, so that He may save us. This was His heart's desire. And He fulfilled His purpose- that was His entire purpose, of coming to earth. He lived to die. And for us.

That's alot of sins, ya'll. Everything from lying to your Momma about eating that extra cookie, to murder. And He wasn't struggling against it, He did it willingly. So that when we were not at peace, He could come to us and say, "I love you. And I died for you. I took your sins, and I overcame them when I rose from the tomb. I overcame your sins. I have already overcome them, just give it all to me, and I'll take care of it."

Peace, to me, is free of worries. And not having to know.

We don't have to understand.

Heck, we're probably better off not knowing. Only our Heavenly Father knows best, and if He says "quit worrying and just trust me", well we better do it. We don't have to know.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path." -Psalm 119:105

We live in the dark. We have no insight. We cannot see, we do not know all the answers, we do not know all the reasons WHY, and we're confused and scared and about to give up. And then Jesus walks into the picture. Jesus can see. Jesus can see everything, and knows everything. We can trust Him- He loves us. He loves us with His entire heart. And He has all the resources, all the answers. We just have to trust, and quit worrying about what to do. We don't know what to do- He knows.

I've been told, "pray about it and He will tell you what to do."

I don't believe in that.

I believe in praying for peace, for comfort, and for courage to give everything up. And then just letting go of what I think needs to be done, letting go of worries about what will happen, and letting Him take our hand and lead us. We are blind, He can see. When we let go of everything, we are sacrificing everything, but we can know that we are in good hands. He will guide us according to His will- we no longer have to be afraid of breaking His will, or His commands. Because we put Him in charge.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -Isaiah 41:13

Perhaps the most comforting verse I've ever read. He is Lord, He is God, and He takes hold of our hand, like a mother would for a small child, and comforts us. We have no fear, God will help us.

Lord of hosts, Maker of all... Cares about us, and loves us, enough to die for us. And guide us. We don't have to do anything really- just let go. Just trust.

That's what peace is. No worries. No concerns. Just trusting Him. Knowing He is in total control.

Don't just give Him some control. Give Him everything you have. True peace, then will come to you.

And that peace, that rest... Is so amazing. It's like this great relief. And you feel high and lifted up, refreshed, and safe, and comforted... So free in your heart. Because everything has been let go. You are no longer in control. That can be a scary thing... But it's so worth it.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace can be yours. Can be mine. "Do not be anxious about anything". Some versions say "be anxious about nothing". Nothing. Nothing means nothing. No exceptions. But give it all to Christ, give it to Him. And His peace, which is greater than anything, which covers everything, will be yours. And it will guard us- picture a stone wall around our hearts, and our minds, keeping Satan out. When God is in control... You are safe from Satan. Because Satan is NO match for our Lord Jesus.

Just know that peace can be yours. Just give everything to Him, everything, not just 99% of it, everything. No matter your situation, just knowing that we don't have to understand is comforting. Just knowing we don't have to know, because He does, is peace in itself.

This is my last verse today. I will not speak about it. I want you to think about it. Pray about it. Because it is so true. He loves you, my friends. Be not afraid, not anxious, but have peace.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7

In His Grip,
--Ranch Kiddo

"Yes Lord"

Why, Lord?

No, Lord!

But I don't understand, Lord!

I don't want to, Lord!

Don't doubt God.

No matter what, we always are doubting Him. And how stupid! King of all creation, Master of the universe, He who controlls everything. When He does something, we get angry, confused, upset. And we want to know why, how, what good is going to come out of it. We want to be in control, we want to know what's going on. We just have to trust. Just trust.

Trust is all we can do. Is all we should do. God doesn't tell us all the answers, He does not give us every reason, or all the solutions, He just wants us to love Him, trust Him, walk in Him day by day. We aren't supposed to know all the answers, we couldn't handle them. We merely need to trust, and rely on Him. He will not let us fall, He will not let our enemy overtake us, he promises us these things over and over in the Bible. Instead of refusing Him we should accept Him with our whole hearts. Instead of all the above phrases in italics, no amtter what, our answer should be, "Yes, Lord."

We are going to get confused, angry, have questions, doubts, and that is okay- don't hide those feelings! Come to Him with them, He knows everything about you. Talk to Him about what you feel- but when you hear His voice, when you hear Him telling you to do something, obey. When something happens that you don't understand, that scares you, frightens you, causes doubts or anger- don't take it out on God and complain. Just know that this is all a part of His master plan. No matter how terrible it may seem, He has everything worked out, and we can't see that, but we know it. We know it's in His hands, and what comfort that brings me! What comfort that brings my soul to know that He will protect me, and no matter how blind I am to His reasons, He has his arms around me.

Trust.

That's what this post is about. I guess because it's something I'm going through. It probably seems like I'm saying the same things over and over and you may be tired of reading these posts, but this is what I'm experiencing in my heart. I want to know, I just want things to happen, but I have to know He has it all worked out for His good purpose. His plan will prevail. It will, and I just have to trust that no matter how scary things seem, everything is perfect in His presence. That is where I want to dwell, not just during morning or evening prayertime, not during Youth or CCF, always. Every second of every day, in His presence, cause when I am there, I am safe. When I am in His presence, when my heart aches to do His will, I am safe from Satan, I will be protected. I just have to trust in Him.

It sounds easy, but it's not. But the concept is really simple- love Christ. Meditate on His word. When He does something, we don't always know why, but we can trust that He does, and that all will be well.

Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord)

I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord

We Say
Yes Lord yes Lord
Yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord
Yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord
Yes yes Lord
Amen

I am pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

-Repeat Lyrics-

Notice how many times this songs says "yes Lord". Our hearts should jump at the chance to trust in Him. To do His will, and not rely on ourselves, but on Him. No matter what. Even when we get scared, trust will save us. No, His love will save us. But through trust in Him, we recieve His love and comfort.

Trust means giving everything over to Jesus. Giving Him the power to break you, but knowing He will guide you in the way that is right.

And when you have sorrows and shame, when you are persecuted, when you are struck down, it is so easy to get down. But we just need to cast these things away and delight in His word and His love and His will.

The concept is simple.

Living by it is another story.

There are alot of scary things in this world. And we can't face them alone- just like in my previous post. But when we trust... When we say, "Yes, Lord, I trust in you", everything becomes so much easier.

What got me started on this really, is a discussion over dinner. We got to talking about the Rapture. And it kinda freaked me out. Jesus can come back, anytime. Right now. An hour from now. In 2 hours, Jesus could be walking this earth. In 2 hours, I could be in Heaven, in Paradise. Or... it could be 2 years. Or 20. Or 200. We never know- but we have to trust. It's a scary thing... But if we trust in Him, we will not be afraid, for we are His children.

The Word will say it way better than I ever will. Thanks for reading this jumbled mess of trust issues. =P

Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God. -Psalm 42:11

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. -Psalm 34:17

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neithr slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- he Lord is at your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. -Psalm 121:3-8

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. -Timothy 1:7

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a Voice behind you, saying "This is the way, walk in it." -Isaiah 30:21

Project Playlist / NM Wind

I just got into this thing called Project Playlist. I can add almost any song I want to onto a playlist, for free. (They don't have a few songs I like, but that's okay.) Then you can put that playlist on your Blog, MySpace, Facebook, or other sites, it's awesome! Just go to www.playlist.com, make an account, and start adding songs. =D I just put mine up on my blog here, Facebook, and MySpace too. It's pretty easy to figure out just put an artist/band, song title, or both in the search bar and some songs come up, and you can add them to your playlist, up to 100, and when that one is full, you just get another playlist. Then you get the code, and add an element on your blog, the one with "HTML" ya know, and just put that code in there, and voila! It's a great idea. Hope ya enjoy the music I put up! =)

There isn't much to write about except this dreadful wind. When I woke up this morning it was blowing, and it's 5:34 now and hasn't stopped since. It's just relentless, I had my heart set on working with Wyatt this afternoon. Phooey. Wind is terrible, just useless. It is good for nothing atall! It's kind of like mosquitos or ticks- they bite and suck blood and cause itchy bite marks but that's about it. What good do they contribute to God's creation? None I can think of! How about gnats, or flies- they buzz and bother and annoy and yet here they are. The wind blows and blows and chaps your face and lips, blows dust all around, blows the durned shingles off our roof, scatters cockleburrs all across the pasture to thrive, therefore there are more to attempt to defeat. It gets dust in your eyes and... and... and... Grrrrr. I suppose we just need to trust the good Lord for He made nothing without a purpose, and I know my puny human mind is often too tiny to comprehend some of the great reasons He has behind what seem like such miniscule things. But I really just don't understand.

In the mountains of Texas it wasn't quite so awful, the winds blocked it and we were nestled up in the foothills of a mountain, so we were rather protected and I never experienced wind at full blast. Good times, ahhhh, good times. Times when wind was but a breeze to rustle the leaves upon the cottonwoods, when it was but a breath of air to touch your cheeks, only a faint resemblance to wind. (Well okay, so there was this one time it blew the tin roof off our house down there, but that was very very very rare, and that roof was bound to come off anyway, honestly.) But here in the desert wasteland of New Mexico, why it's just an absolute nightmare. It blows and blows and threatens to blow our house down! Just like the Big Bad Wolf, except 3 little piggies don't occupy the house. There's 3 little piggies and the kind, sweet mother who cleans their piggie pens. =)

Well this is a bit of a short post, just figured I should put something up before another long gap between posts began. Before I leave... some Scripture. I have difficulty talking about Scripture when I sit down to write about it, because there are so many verses that are connected, and so many that touch my heart. But I'll just wing it.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire,
he set my feet on a rock,
and gave me a firm place to stand."
-Psalm 40:2

Standing alone, we are hopeless, we have no chance of standing against an entire world, against Satan's forces, when we stand alone. How can we possibly? We are but humans. God made us wonderfully, but He didn't make us perfect, because He wanted us to rely on Him. If He wanted us to do things alone, He would have given us that power, but He didn't. He wants us to rely on him, not on men. This reminds me of:

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. -Luke 18:27

100% true. (Duh. It's in the Bible.) We have all heard this a million times, "all things are possible with God." But really think about it- all things. Everything you can imagine. He can make anything happen, if it is His will. And the world is overpowering when we stand alone- it will trample all over us! But God, God can be that stone wall, that fortress. The world will hurt us and cause us trouble, but Jesus is bigger than the world.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

One of my favorite verses. Take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.

But humans haven't.

And we never will.

We just gotta hold strong in Him, keep walking in Him, and He will "direct our paths". He will. And He will point our boots the right direction, towards His path. We just gotta keep seeking Him.

Jesus will keep us standing. Keep us upright. When the world is against us, when Satan is tempting us.

Even in the New Mexico wind, he can keep me standing.

Now that's a miracle.

Bow Down To Your Ski Queen / So Blessed

That's right. Queen Of The Slope, Master Of The Skis, Super SkiWoman!!

NOT.

Yesterday... we went skiing. I have never been skiing, and now that day is over... I'm not inclined to go skiing anytime soon. I guess the best way to do this is just start at the... well, beginning. Duh.

That morning... I was all snug, and warm, and cozy in my... snug and warm and cozy bed. I was having a pleasant dream about... Well. I can't rightly remember to be honest. But I remember it was pleasant. Therefore, it must have involved horses. Anyway, so I was enjoying this pleasant dream... Until my alarm clock went off. It began to blare loudly at 5:00. I don't sleep well, so I was rather angry at this clock.

I hate my alarm. The noise it makes is so obnoxious and makes chills run up my spine everytime I hear a sound even similar to it, because it represents the end of my nighttime rest. Which I rather enjoy, thank you very much. The only other sound that gives me that sinking feeling is the dog, pawing at the wire door to his crate. This means I must leave my snug, warm- we've already been over that. This means I must leave my bed, and go out into the cold, still darkness, release the vicious beast from his cage, barred and locked, herd him into the outdoors, and sit in the arm chair... Waiting... Waiting... Waiting. And fervently wishing that darned dog would get his business over with so I can go back to sleep.

Back to skiing. I woke up. I rolled out of my bed and sort of slunk to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face and wake up. Then I got dressed. Jeans, t-shirt, hooded sweat shirt, and then just socks and my boots. In a bag I shoved my cap, sunglasses, scarf, long johns, mittens, and ear-warmer thingy. I shoved that in the truck along with my heavy down coat, and ski bibs. They were from like 18 years ago, when my parents went skiing, and they fit me with all my layers, so that worked out rather well.

I ate a quick breakfast... I think. I can't remember. Wait, yes I did- a bowl of cheerios with bananas sliced into it. Then we left about 6:00.

It was about a 2 hour drive, and I listened to my iPod most of the way. We stopped at a Ski Rental place... Where we rented boots, skiis w/ poles (duh), and the other 3 members of my familia got ski bibs. Then up the mountain we went!

It was kind of creepy. In fact, it was rather frightening. About 4 feet from the side of the truck, was a steep drop off, the entire way up the mountain, and it was a very long way down. We zig-zagged up the mountain for... Well it seemed like 40 minutes to me, not sure what it really was. The scenery was... Was... Absolutely phenomenal. No words can describe, none, it was just amazing to see the mountains and hills rolling before my eyes for miles and miles. No pictures, I'm sure Momma got some, but I'm really tired right now and I'm too lazy to load them. So yeah.

We finally reached the top! There, Momma, Tyler and I signed up for Beginner's Ski School. I put on my bibs, which was easy. Then the boots... holy heck. These things look like something out of Star Trek. I finally got the durned things on, they were pretty snug, but I'm told that's the way they are supposed to be. They are awful to walk in, I swear, everybody just clomps around. They must weigh about 7 or 8 pounds, and with the skiis on, I was hauling around about 15 extra pounds per foot. Anywho, finally go the stupid boots on, which are extremely uncomfortable and kill your poor feetsies. Then I put on a cap, the sunglasses, mittens, ear thingy and coat. But it was really warm up there, about 55-60 degrees, so it wasn't long before I shucked the ear warmer and coat.

We clomped out onto the snow, and it was abuot 20 minutes before our class started, so I tried the skiis on. It was absolutely terrible. I fell down almost immediately, and then I could not get up no matter how hard I tried. A nice guy came up and helped me up, but as soon as he turned to walk away, I was on my poor bum again. I finally had to take the skiis off, not being successful in standing, and off to the school we went.

He taught us how to walk in the skiis, uphill, and to grip with the sides, and to skii, and stop, and how to get up when we fall down (this in paticular proved to be extremely useful to me the rest of the day).

I pretty much stunk. I fell down more than anybody. Mostly because I couldn't stop! Well I finally got it kinda figured out, and then he took us to the Bunny Slope lift. That thing killed me I fell down the first few times while trying to get on, and fell down while trying to get off the first few times as well. I finally got to where I could stand, but coming down that slope (that Bunny Slope ain't no bunny's business) I would get too much speed, couldn't slow down (snow plowing, a technique, wasn't helping much), and I would fall down to prevent going off the course/running into people.

That's something I would like to include. We went on a Wednesday, before spring break, after all the holiday rushes, so there wasn't alot of people. But there were plenty sittin around for me to run into.

Then I went onto Lift #3 after a few times on the Bunny Slope. That thing killed me, I kept having to fall down, yes on purpose, because I could not stop or slow down enough!! That's pretty much how the entire morning went. I hurt myself pretty bad around 1:00, I fell down (accidentally this time, it's not that hard to stay up though, only if you go backwards or sideways do you fall).

I didn't think I could do the splits.

Apparantly I can.

It hurt. BAD. I hyper-extended both knees, and couldn't get out of the position, because of the stiff boots, and stiff/long skiis, there was no way I could move my legs at all. So I finally got the stupid things off and I was in pain from that, and still am.

Then we went up this thing called the Gandala, a lift that takes you all the way to the top of the mountain and to this little building where you could look all around and get some coffee, hot chocolate, hot dog, candy bar, sandwich, that stuff. I was too hurt to eat anything.

Tyler and Daddy skiied down from there. Daddy was with Tyler the whole morning, and I didn't know where Momma was, so I was by myself all morning. Yeah, that's right, feel sorry for me.

So I went on #3 about two more times, then Daddy came down... Without Tyler. He came down later, he was just a little late. ;-) So Daddy and I went on #3 twice, then went on this other one about twice, then yet another one, about 3 times. It was ALOT of fun but I didn't get it very figured out until the last hour and a half or so, so that kinda stunk, but that's okay. =) I got to where I could stop, turn, go down a steep slope, it was cool!!

All in all, it was pretty awesome, I absolutely LOVED it. We loaded up our gear, returned it, then went to K-Bob's to eat. I was sooo hungry it was about 4:30 when we got to eat, and all I had had was this little granola bar all day. But I was too tired to eat ya'll, seriously. When you are too tired to eat... You are very tired.

Came home, took a shower, watched David Hernandez get kicked off Idol, then bed.

I got to sleep in until 7:30, but then I got up, took a shower (I needed to wake up), dried my hair, got dressed, and off to town.

I will mention here that I was extremely sore the entire day. My shoulders, upper arm, hips, knees, back of calves, hurt so terribly bad from falling and taking several bad wipe-outs.

Momma had a doctor's appointment at 9:00. So I grabbed some granola bars/cereal bars, shoved some grapes into a plastic baggie, downed some Tylenol, and off we went!

I waited in the stinkin office for 2 hours. -sigh- Oh well. I can't remember what all we did. Scrapbook Store, Walgreens, some places to look for a blood pressure thing for Momma... We went a LOT of places, because we were killing time. At 3:45 we had to meet Bob and Justin from 4-H at the hospital to give stuffed animals and bunnies (not alive!) to the kids in the Pediatric Center. So we ate at Wendy's, I got to go to Starbucks and get a mocha frappuchino (YUMM) and yeah...

So at the hospital. The bunnies I speak of we made at the last 4-H meeting. You get those little styrafoam take-out-boxes, and use pipe cleaners folded loosely in half as ears. Then different sized and colored pom-poms and cotton balls for eyes, noses, tails, and fur. Then they put candy in it for the kids.

It was kind of sad, but pretty cool at the same time. There were about 3 babies, one little boy, and a guy about my age, and then like 2 we couldn't go into.

The little boy was so sweet and happy, it was great, he loved the stuffed animal. And the others were too little to car much. There was one little girl that was contagious, so we couldn't go in. There was another one we didn't go into. The nurse said she was dying. ='( It almost made me cry, right then and there. The guy about my age, we could go into. Justin and I gave him the stuff, I was sorry I couldn't give him something he could really enjoy. He just said, "Thanks, man" about twice. Then he tried to move but he winced really bad, and I felt so horrible for him. The nurse asked if he wanted her to move the stuff, and he said "yes please". Poor guy, he is in my prayers, all of them are, even though I don't know their names.

At first, I had every intention of coming on here and complaining about my being sore. But after going to that hospital... I realized how healthy I am and how much I take that for granted. I could have been that guy in there. I could have cancer, or anything. I am so blessed with my health, that is all there is to it, and when I think about those kids... I don't feel so achey.

I don't want to end on a sad note, so I will mention something happier. We went to WalMart.

(That's not the happy part.)

Some people from this organization called Teen Missions was there, and I know Joshua went with them, I think he did atleast, on a mission trip. Look them up, they are pretty cool. Anyway, they are not government funded, so they were selling wooden crosses and plagues that the kids made to make money. They were really good and awesome I loved them! So we got two crosses and a plague, and they were priced really nice.

They were at both entrances/exits. So we came in that one side, bought 3 things, and then were in WalMart for a while, then came out the other exit.

There was a guy there, and we said we had already bought stuff from the other side. He said, "Yeah, I know. We saw ya'll, and I was talking about her."

He pointed at me.

I kinda freaked.

"Where I come from, we dress the way she does. I saw her, and said, 'That's a good ole girl right there'!"

Still kinda freaked out, but pretty flattered.

Hehe. Especially strange.

(By the way, I was wearing my boots, Cruel Girl jeans, a long-sleeved collared "Western" shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, and my camo cap.)

Oh, and Dale, Justin's mom, took a picture of us at the hospital, giving stuff to the kids. She snapped it and said, "Wedding picture!"

I stare.

Mom stares.

Justin stares.

Justin is 12 by the way.

She shrugs. "We like Caitlin."

It's nice to be loved. =D

I shall end with some lyrics. After going to the hospital, I am determined to help those kids somehow. I would love to, someday, sometime, get a dog, and be able to take them to the hospital, paticularly the pediatric ward, and cheer them all up with a little puppy love. Until then, prayers shall suffice.

But after being there... I feel so blessed. And I know that I am so blessed.

Ya'll, even when you don't feel blessed, you are. Even when you feel sick, you are healthy. If you have Christ, you're heart is healthy, and that is the most important part of you. But even your actual body- even when you are sick, you could be worse off. It just takes ten minutes in the hospital, to understand that. Our blessings are do abundant, and we are so undeserving. My heart aches for those who don't understand our beautiful gifts from God, every little thing.

My heart breaks for those in pain, and for those without... Without Christ. For with Him, everything is easier, everything can be accomplished without such a fight. We do nothing on our own, but when we let Him in, we allow him to really hold us, carry us, rather than try to push us along and have us resist. When we let Him put His loving arm around us, is when things get better. When we give Him total control, is when our sicknesses, which can be anything from atheism to cancer, become so much smaller, and He comes so much bigger.

We can never be thankful enough. We can never have enough gratitude in our hearts. We can never fully realize how blessed we are. We can never love enough, say "thank you" enough, never fully appreciate our outstanding blessings, or the abundant love poured into every second of our lives. How carefully He planned everything, and how much we have to be thankful for.

Sara, I know you hate the word "never". But in this case, I believe we never can. We are so undeserving, so ungrateful- but yet, so blessed. Taking the time to attempt to appreciate your blessed life... That is enough. Trying.

That little girl was dying- I pray with my entire being that God is in her heart.

And I thank God that I am blessed. That we are all so blessed.


Blessed
Martina McBride

I get kissed by the sun
Each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the
Bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my
Front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself,
I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

-Chorus-

I have been blessed
And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank God for all I’ve been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Across a crowded room,
I know you know what I’m thinking
By the way I look at you
And when we’re lying in the quiet and
No words have to be said
I think to myself,
I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift

-Repeat chorus-

When I’m singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know

-Repeat chorus-

*****

In His Grip,
--One Blessed Ranch Kiddo

Especially Strange

Tuesday = Town Day.

*gaggety gaggy gag gag*

=P Town... is not... my preferred choice of... Inhabitance. If that makes sense. In other words, I do not like going to town, I do not like being in town, and I find it hard to invision myself ever living in town willingly. Except for college, of course.

So this morning... I got up about 7:30. Made myself a breakfast of bacon and fried eggs, and enjoyed this scrumptious meal while listening to my iPod. It's become a little habit for me- Grandpa and Daddy eat at six, so when I eat, Tyler usually is as well, but he isn't the talkative type, especially not during meals. So I enjoyed the company of Casting Crowns and FM Static and Tenth Avenue North and a few other excellent Christian bands/artists over breakfast.

Then begins... school. *mysterious/spooky background music, dimmed lights, faint shriek*

I was rather proud of myself really. I was finished with every subject besides algebra by 11:00. I have this list on a markerboard in the living room, of my school subjects. I put a checkmark besides each subject as I complete it- this helps keep me on track and also gives me a pleasant feeling of accomplishment when I can look at the markerboard with all those checks. Here is the list:

Devotional
Piano
Grammar
Literature
German
Science
History
Algebra

Devotional may not be a school subject, persay, but is the most vital of all subjects, and the best brain food possible. Piano may not be considered school, but when you think about it, alot of kids in public school are in band, so it can be considered... Musical Education. ME. Haha.

So anyway I had finished algebra by about 11:15. Then I helped get dinner ready, and we ate about noon. We had Tiffany's Meatloaf (thank you Tiffany! very delicious!), sweet peas, and these creamy cheesey potatoes. Mmmm... Then I had a handful of these cookies Omi sent and gathered my things and out the door.

In town, we... went everywhere. Bank, library, post office, Culligan's, piano, Wal-Mart, Sam's... We also went to the livestock store, Farmer's Country Market, and the salebarn to put up flyer's for the 4-H dance in 2 weeks. Oooh we also got to go to Starbucks! Or shall I say.... I went to Starbucks. Momma doesn't like coffee, and I despise plain old hot black coffee, but Sara got me hooked on these Mocha Frappuchinos... Oh my. When you go get one of those things, you are sipping Heaven through a straw.

Then we went to Momma's friend's house for about 5 minutes, then homeward bound!

So you are probably wondering about the title. There is a guy in WalMart, and we ended up in his checkout lane about 3 times in a row, without meaning to do so. So last time we went, he saw us and chided us for not going to his lane. This time, he saw us again, and came up to us and scolded us again, it was pretty funny. He said, "That's okay, fine, just be that way... I have other customers, and we talk, and have fun!" It seriously cracked me up that a WalMart guy remembers us, out of the hundreds of people he sees. I told Momma, "Well... we must be very special. That, or very strange."

We agreed on the latter being the most likely.

So we went to Starbucks- they are nice in there, and last time I told them how I had never had anything else but a Mocha Frappuchino from there, but I was hooked. I have been there about 5 times and always gotten the same thing. And one girl remembered me and said, "Will it be your regular?" It made me laugh because they remembered me, and once again Momma and I kind of joked about the "very special or very strange" thing. I mentioned, "Well maybe it's both." Momma paused. "Especially strange?"

So there you have it. We are so special, and so strange, so especially strange, that people remember us. People in WalMart, who have hundreds of customers, take the time to walk away from their register and joke with us. People in Starbucks, actually know that I have a "regular", and they even remembered my name.

So I feel special. Specifically... Especially strange.

But ya know what? Being strange in the world of today, is comforting. It means I am not like the others- it means that I am not one of those people who are mean, or cold hearted, or dress really strange, and that I am following God's Word. We talk about this in Youth group- in order to be a Christian, we must seperate ourself from the rest of the world, and become people of God, not people of the world. We must become different from the rest of the world.

Last time we went to WalMart, I was thanked and praised profusely for simply opening the bags at WalMart and loading the groceries into the cart at the checkout line.

This afternoon, my piano teacher and her elderly student who comes after me, argued over who would get me if I ever needed another home. I was called such a sweetie, and a joy.

Not bragging. Just making a point. Being especially strange, isn't all that bad.

I am proud to say, I am different from other people.

"You ask me why I do not write something....I think one's feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results."

- Florence Nightingale

I hope that my feelings for Christ, my zest for His word, are shown through my actions, and my personality, and that those actions, are what make people remember me.

If there is anything I want to be remembered for... It's for being different. For loving Christ. For striving to live by His word. For being kind and sharing His love to people, even people in town. (That's especially difficult, being happy in town.)

I want to be remembered for being... especially strange.

In His Grip,
-- Ranch Kiddo

Sunset Pictures...

So we have absolutely phenomenal sunsets/sunrises here in the desert wasteland of NM. We have had some more beautiful than the one which I snapped a few pics of yesterday evening, and I will try to capture some of these glorious views in the future. For now, these shall do for your viewing enjoyment.

Before I post them... A little preface on the pictures. I was doing math, on my desk which happens to be in front of the window facing West. I looked up, noticed the setting sun... That's nice, I thought. Just another sunset. I did a few problems, looked back up, and my goodness! Land's sakes, it was beautiful! The sun just hits a certain point where it sends brilliant beams of rich colors into the sky. So what could I do but run for my camera and dash outside. I knew this moment would not last long, so I hopped the yard fence, and raced through the pasture gate, up the side of the dirt tank, and ahhhh! Beautiful. The colors were gleaming off the water, but I didn't catch that very well in the pictures. I tried to get the ducks on the water in the pictures as well, but alas, they were spooked by my mad-woman race to the pond. I started snapping immediately and heard Momma behind me... "Caitlin? What- oh how pretty!" Yes, the Camera Woman snatched up her camera as well and came to the scene, but these are the pictures I got. She has one of those fancy shmancy SLR's with the mega zoom and all... It's fun to mess with, but I like mine because it's simple. I don't have to set modes or anything on it, I can just go out and start snapping when I need to. It may not take the best pictures, but I thought these turned out pretty fine, and I feel as if I captured wonderful display of God's hand at work in his master creation. It's like... He decided to put up a piece of artwork, for a few brief seconds, for us to enjoy, against the plain blue canvas we see day-to-day. Something small to the mind, but so geat to the heart. A glorious surprise to delight in and bring joy to His children. =)

While I'm at it, I figured it would be very nice if I began to put a quote, or Scripture, or some song lyrics, in each post. I'm tired of the same ole same ole. Change things up a bit, something to look forward to when you visit my blog. Today, it shall be a Scripture. I know I put like 5 or 6 in my previous post today, but that doesn't count. So here. One of my absolute favorites, like... top 3.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-19

But he said to me, "My grace is made perfect in weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Just a little something to dig into and ponder and pray over. =)

Enjoy the pictures!

In His Grip,

---Ranch Kiddo.

Our Deceiving World

I was just reading Auntie M.'s post on... deception, is how I would put it. I was reading that on my way to my own blog to write a post, and ya'll know me, I just tend to write about what's on my mind. So I'm gonna temporarily toss aside my sarcastic style of writing, and for the moment take on a bit of sincerity.

By the way, ya'll should read that post. Auntie M. is an excellent writer and she got a very good point across.

Lies. Deceit. That is what the world today is teaching us, and the funny thing is, we don't even realize it. It's hard to resist temptation, to resist the world. Satan is clever- he disguises his traps as little things that "don't mean much", or "won't harm me", but they do. The world's idea of fun, and of excitement, and of life, is all a lie. It looks like fun, but it's not.

I have a friend who has strayed far from Christ. He has been through a lot in the past year, but that isn't an excuse. Anyway- talking to him on the phone, he told me, "I'm living life, enjoying it, having fun". But the world in general has it all wrong. Their idea of living, is only the path to complete destruction. This brings to mind, off the top of my head, just a few Scriptures.

Romans 6:12, Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey it's evil desires.

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18, For the light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Galations 1: 10, Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still tyring to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

John 6: 35, Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Just think about those.

In John, Jesus says that if we come to Him, we will never be thirsty. Therefore, we were thirsty before Jesus. Thirsty... Think of it as a God-sized void. We can try to fill that void, but nothing can fill it and satisfy us but our Lord Jesus. Or a craving... nothing can satisfy us, until we have Christ.

In Romans, it commands us not to let sin reign throughout us. I once heard this, I forget where: "For if it is not done in/through Faith, it is sin." Some people wonder, "How do we know it is sin?" Always go back to Scripture, the Bible clearly states what is right and wrong. If you are not doing this... thing... in Faith, it is sin.

Romans, again, clearly states that the result of sin, is death, ultimate torture of our souls. But God's gift to His children, is eternal life. It's not hard to choose- eternal torture in the firey chamber of Hell, residing forever with Satan, who passionately hates you. Or eternal life in Heaven, where there is no sin, only love, with your heavenly Father who loves you dearly. No, it is not going to be easy, but it's so much easier to get past that when you know that each time you mess up, God forgives you when you ask.

That's more than I can fathom. I break His heart so often, but I don't get discouraged, because I know He is saying, "I forgive you. Now get back up, and follow me, and let's continue."

2 Corinthians tells us that our gift of eternal life far outweighs what we experience now. What is seen... is temporary.

See that totally cute guy over there? That's temporary.

See that gorgeous sunset on the horizon? That's temporary.

See that news reporter discussing the murder of a 7 year old girl? That's temporary.

See those Scriptures in bold up above? That's God's word. That's eternal.

Feel His presence around you? That's His love. That's eternal.

Galatians puts it very well. Think about it. Are we trying to please men? I know I am. I'm alot better about it than most people, for the most part, all that matters is what God thinks of me. But I still worry about other people's opinions- and it's okay to be a little concerned, as long as you don't change your image for them. Become God's child and what He knows you can be, become who He created you to be, strive towards that. For when we are trying to please men, we are not trying to please Christ, and we are not His beloved servants.

It frustrates me when I see people who are so ignorant to the Truth. Because I know God loves them, and wants them, and is reaching out to them, but they, in their blindness, turn away, not knowing, clinging to worldly desires and not what can fill the void in their heart.

Jeremiah 3: 12-13, "Return, faithless Israel," declares the Lord. "I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful," declares the Lord. "I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt- you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, you have not obeyed me," declares the Lord.

The only difference between me, and those people who don't know God... is that I am forgiven, and I know that. I am sinners, just as they are. God wants us to return to him... He will no longer frown upon us or be angry, for He loves us and gives us another chance. And another one. And another one. If we acknowledge our sin, and plead for His mercy, His love will abundantly flow.

The world is full of lies. And of deceit. And of hate. It angers me to consider all of the sin in this world, even in my own heart. Be aware of Satan, for He is everywhere. We must always be on our guard, and strong in our Faith, for he is cunning and can easily break us down. Even a "Christian" book can be full of His lies. The Bible is not in shades of grey. It may not say "don't stand in front of a oncoming train" but it does say, "do not be foolish."

Be aware that Satan's lies are hidden everywhere, and that only God's love and power can fend them off. Pray that God puts a guard on your heart and mind. Some books that make you think about His word and spiritual warfare are okay, but sometimes books cause you to think about things that should not be up for debate, things that you should not be doubting.

The only book you need is the Bible. The Manual for Life. Use it as a guide in the literature you read.

Okay this has been a long rambling post about my heart and my thoughts. I shall close now with one of my favorite verses, that remembers me to be in awe of Christ, and humble myself before Him, and remember He is the one to follow.

Ecclesiastes 10: 5

As you do not know the path of the wind,

or how the body is formed in the mother's womb,

so you cannot understand the work of God,

Maker of all things.

EDIT: This is my favorite song currently. Remember to listen to the Voice of Truth, cause that voice, out of all of them calling to you, is the only one worth listening to.

The Voice Of Truth (Casting Crowns)

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name

And they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again.

"Boy, you'll never win!""You'll never win!"

Chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant

With just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

Shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name

And he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

Time and time again.

"Boy you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size

To put the giant on the ground

And the waves they don't seem so high

From on top of them lookin' downI will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth