Tonight at my church house group (like a bible study) I shared my faith story. I was really nervous all this week working up about what to talk about, and not ramble on about. All in all I think it went pretty well. A lot of the women came up and hugged me afterward, which made me feel like it was all worth it.
One thing that I'm coming to realize is it's not much OF a faith story. I mean...I am in my early twenties, and I felt like I had a good relationship with God, but I think after confessing and sharing my story with all of my new friends and house group members, I realize that I really don't have as good of a relationship with God as I pretended to. I realize now that I have a lot of growing up to do in my walk with God and I have a lot of things that I still need to learn and deal with and commit to. I want to be so much closer to the Lord and I know how to now.
I've got some friends that I've made already at house group and I am so excited to get to know them more, and I can't thank God enough for them. I need to start following Him more, and relinquish that control I love so much in my life.
Penny for your thoughts?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Five years from now...
Today my church started a new series called, "Future You". Basically it's like this: If you could come back to TODAY from the future, what would you say to yourself? What would you tell yourself? What advice would you give? Today's sermon was FIVE years from now. Next week will be FIFTY years from now, and the week after will be five hundred years from now.
Pastor Dave really hit home today with starting off saying, "If you could go back to 2007, what would you tell yourself?" Then he proceeded to say that give years from now, we probably would give ourselves the same advice. Examples -- "Quit the addiction, NOW." or "You really need to take your relationship with God more seriously, take it to the next level" or "You don't really need to spend that much time on facebook" (guilty...), or "Spend more time with the people you love, and be kind to them." Things like that.
So I started thinking. What would I say to 2007 Amber? There were a few answers that I'd rather not share that came to mind immediately. And a few things that I had to really think about. But I had a few realizations. I'm wasting time on activities or things that really just don't matter. What are my priorities at home, at work, in my relationships, and why? What kind of life changes can I make NOW to have a better future?
Sounds like I need to start changing. First thing -- spend more time with my husband. No more sittnig in different rooms doing our own thing. We need some good quality husband and wife time together. Even if it means watching a movie I don't want to watch. Or going to eat somewhere I don't want to go. Or showing more kindness. Not arguing about stupid things. Kissing him a couple more times every day.
What would the future you, five years from now, tell you TODAY?
Pastor Dave really hit home today with starting off saying, "If you could go back to 2007, what would you tell yourself?" Then he proceeded to say that give years from now, we probably would give ourselves the same advice. Examples -- "Quit the addiction, NOW." or "You really need to take your relationship with God more seriously, take it to the next level" or "You don't really need to spend that much time on facebook" (guilty...), or "Spend more time with the people you love, and be kind to them." Things like that.
So I started thinking. What would I say to 2007 Amber? There were a few answers that I'd rather not share that came to mind immediately. And a few things that I had to really think about. But I had a few realizations. I'm wasting time on activities or things that really just don't matter. What are my priorities at home, at work, in my relationships, and why? What kind of life changes can I make NOW to have a better future?
Sounds like I need to start changing. First thing -- spend more time with my husband. No more sittnig in different rooms doing our own thing. We need some good quality husband and wife time together. Even if it means watching a movie I don't want to watch. Or going to eat somewhere I don't want to go. Or showing more kindness. Not arguing about stupid things. Kissing him a couple more times every day.
What would the future you, five years from now, tell you TODAY?
Friday, April 13, 2012
Fasting too much??
So apparently I decided to fast blogging waaaay longer than I should have! OOPS! Fasting electronics for a week was TOUGH. I was constantly thinking to myself, "Man I would love to blog about this! Or that! Or this!" And what happens when I'm actually able to use them again? I totally ignore my blog. :( Sad day.
Things have been going OK around here. My job is at a lull right now -- super boring most of the time, and I'm trying to find another position at least part time, hopefully full time. I had a job interview scheduled for this morning, but the lady called and had to reschedule because she had a meeting that came up.
We went on vacation to California! My best friend in the ENTIRE world, Reanna, got married!! Oh my, she was so beautiful. I was sobbing the entire day. She's like a sister to me- I've known her practically my entire life. Here's a picture of the beautiful bride on her wedding day:
Her husband, Josh, is one of the coolest guys in the world. He treats her so well, and gives her the love and respect that she deserved. I'm so excited that they're starting their life together! I love you, Re!!
In other news, Brian and I finally finished our taxes (oh, one day before they're due... O_o ). We were told originally by our tax guy that we owe the IRS like five grand. OMG. We were freaking out. Correction -- I was freaking out. Then we decided to not be stupid and to actually figure out our deductions and the cost for running his ebay business. Thank the Lord we did - because that number went down to four hundred dollars. That's manageable. That doesn't make me want to rip my hair out lol.
ALSO -- We're going to JAPAN in October for two weeks! HOLEY MOLEY I'm excited. I keep telling myself, "You gotta study your Japanese" but we'll see if that will actually work. *Sigh* I've got a lot of stuff on my plate right now, haha.
Well, that's it for now. Mostly because I've got nothing else of importance to post. I'll post again soon, I promise!
Things have been going OK around here. My job is at a lull right now -- super boring most of the time, and I'm trying to find another position at least part time, hopefully full time. I had a job interview scheduled for this morning, but the lady called and had to reschedule because she had a meeting that came up.
We went on vacation to California! My best friend in the ENTIRE world, Reanna, got married!! Oh my, she was so beautiful. I was sobbing the entire day. She's like a sister to me- I've known her practically my entire life. Here's a picture of the beautiful bride on her wedding day:
In other news, Brian and I finally finished our taxes (oh, one day before they're due... O_o ). We were told originally by our tax guy that we owe the IRS like five grand. OMG. We were freaking out. Correction -- I was freaking out. Then we decided to not be stupid and to actually figure out our deductions and the cost for running his ebay business. Thank the Lord we did - because that number went down to four hundred dollars. That's manageable. That doesn't make me want to rip my hair out lol.
ALSO -- We're going to JAPAN in October for two weeks! HOLEY MOLEY I'm excited. I keep telling myself, "You gotta study your Japanese" but we'll see if that will actually work. *Sigh* I've got a lot of stuff on my plate right now, haha.
Well, that's it for now. Mostly because I've got nothing else of importance to post. I'll post again soon, I promise!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Fasting
What do you think of when you hear the term "fasting"? I generally think of someone not eating for a long period of time for whatever reason. The Bible teaches us that Jesus spent a lot of time fasting and praying to become closer to His Father, God, and to determine His will for Jesus during His time on earth. The last couple of days I really realized that Easter is close upon us, and it feels like God has been impressing on my heart to fast something. But what? So I prayed. And the answer was almost immediate -- gadgets.
I am SO attached to my electronic things. My iPad, iPod, computer, Nook, cell phone, television, Wii, anything. And I was thinking about it today and you know what they are? Distractions. Distractions from God. Distractions from what He is calling us to do. It seems like He is constantly yelling for us, "Hey! Over here!" but gets lost in the crackling of electricity coming from all of our gadgets that we're basically married to now-a-days.
So from today until next Sunday, I'm going to fast my gadgets, with one exception -- my Nook. I read a whole lot and I'm not sure I could handle myself if I went without reading something for a week. Plus I'm on the last book in this AMAZING series (The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini if anyone cares to know...) and I can't put it down. I'm going to pray as much as possible, determine God's will for me for the future and see how much I can dive into His word.
What do you think? I guess I'll find out in a week when I read any responses you may have :)
I am SO attached to my electronic things. My iPad, iPod, computer, Nook, cell phone, television, Wii, anything. And I was thinking about it today and you know what they are? Distractions. Distractions from God. Distractions from what He is calling us to do. It seems like He is constantly yelling for us, "Hey! Over here!" but gets lost in the crackling of electricity coming from all of our gadgets that we're basically married to now-a-days.
So from today until next Sunday, I'm going to fast my gadgets, with one exception -- my Nook. I read a whole lot and I'm not sure I could handle myself if I went without reading something for a week. Plus I'm on the last book in this AMAZING series (The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini if anyone cares to know...) and I can't put it down. I'm going to pray as much as possible, determine God's will for me for the future and see how much I can dive into His word.
What do you think? I guess I'll find out in a week when I read any responses you may have :)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
One Whole Year
Hello! Happy Anniversary to...ME! Today marks one whole year since I started working as a dental hygienist (and at my current job!). Hurray! I can't believe I've actually made it this long (for reasons that are not unknown to the general public lol) and I still love, love LOVE what I do. I remember two years ago when I was cramming for exams to get my license and thinking to myself, Am I sure that this is what I want to do? Did I make the right choice? Maybe I should have gone for being a RN...
I have some great patients (including my wonderful husband who has come in twice already for me) and some interesting coworkers and scenarios at work, but all in all it's been a pretty good year.
Now it's just time to find a new office to work at.
I have some great patients (including my wonderful husband who has come in twice already for me) and some interesting coworkers and scenarios at work, but all in all it's been a pretty good year.
Now it's just time to find a new office to work at.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Workout and health catalyst!
Hi everyone,
First of all, Happy (belated) Valentines day to my wonderful husband Brian. I love you!
Nothing super new here except I decided to start up my Herbalife diet again! I first tried it in 2010 and got some pretty good results. But then I slacked off and well...let's just say I didn't succeed. Well, this time I am going to the gym frequently (as in a minimum of 3x a week) and I am going to stick with it! A healthy Amber is a happy Amber!
Here's a summary of the first day (yesterday):
Starting weight: 165.6 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs
Total starting inches: TBD
I will update this probably on a weekly basis and let you all know how I am doing! Hooray!
Love,
Amber
First of all, Happy (belated) Valentines day to my wonderful husband Brian. I love you!
Nothing super new here except I decided to start up my Herbalife diet again! I first tried it in 2010 and got some pretty good results. But then I slacked off and well...let's just say I didn't succeed. Well, this time I am going to the gym frequently (as in a minimum of 3x a week) and I am going to stick with it! A healthy Amber is a happy Amber!
Here's a summary of the first day (yesterday):
Starting weight: 165.6 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs
Total starting inches: TBD
I will update this probably on a weekly basis and let you all know how I am doing! Hooray!
Love,
Amber
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Having a nice weekend
This week was a little crazy at work with all the SRP patients I had. I also took a 5 hr CE course on Friday, so Brian went with me to that, then I went to the Chiropractor afterwards, aaaahhhh. Brian decided to take me out to dinner on Friday night so we went to Red Lobster and had some yummy food. Hooray for date nights/days!
Yesterday the bestie and I went to the warehouse district in Minneapolis to a bar called "Howl at the Moon" for her friends 23rd birthday. It was...okay... kind of like an upscale karaoke bar because they actually had musicians on stage the entire time playing piano, drums, fiddle, guitar, bass, etc. That was pretty cool. They played requests the entire night. I requested Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen but we left before I had a chance to hear it. Now, I'm young, almost 23, and for Rox and I to NOT ENJOY going to a bar is kind of...out of the norm for our age group. We just don't enjoy it. It's so LOUD and people are obnoxious, and you have to yell at each other to even converse. It's not enjoyable. We would rather stay at home, play video games, or watch a movie, or play a board game, or read or something. But we figured we better go out and do something out of the norm for once.
Why do I whine? Because it was literally about 2 degrees last night. And the wind chill was about 5-10 below zero. Yeah. super cold. Anyway...
I'm home now and almost done with the second book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini.
In other news -- we sold the laptop and bought an iPad to replace it. Mostly because I just used the laptop in the morning/evening before/after work for email, facebook, etc. I love it!! I'm a total nerd and I'm proud of it!
We aren't going to be going to Japan this fall after all...mostly because it's waaaay too expensive and with our budget it's not feasible at this point. We'll be going to CA in about 6 weeks and I'm super excited for that. We're planning on going some smaller, mini vacations this year also.
That's about it for now. TTFN!
Yesterday the bestie and I went to the warehouse district in Minneapolis to a bar called "Howl at the Moon" for her friends 23rd birthday. It was...okay... kind of like an upscale karaoke bar because they actually had musicians on stage the entire time playing piano, drums, fiddle, guitar, bass, etc. That was pretty cool. They played requests the entire night. I requested Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen but we left before I had a chance to hear it. Now, I'm young, almost 23, and for Rox and I to NOT ENJOY going to a bar is kind of...out of the norm for our age group. We just don't enjoy it. It's so LOUD and people are obnoxious, and you have to yell at each other to even converse. It's not enjoyable. We would rather stay at home, play video games, or watch a movie, or play a board game, or read or something. But we figured we better go out and do something out of the norm for once.
Why do I whine? Because it was literally about 2 degrees last night. And the wind chill was about 5-10 below zero. Yeah. super cold. Anyway...
I'm home now and almost done with the second book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini.
In other news -- we sold the laptop and bought an iPad to replace it. Mostly because I just used the laptop in the morning/evening before/after work for email, facebook, etc. I love it!! I'm a total nerd and I'm proud of it!
We aren't going to be going to Japan this fall after all...mostly because it's waaaay too expensive and with our budget it's not feasible at this point. We'll be going to CA in about 6 weeks and I'm super excited for that. We're planning on going some smaller, mini vacations this year also.
That's about it for now. TTFN!
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