Free time & the weekends

I haven't had much free time since I've been back from Canada. Last weekend (Oct. 19-21) I had a lot of fun and thankfully work hadn't put me on the schedule that weekend.

Today is going by really slowly. I love the weather these days, though I am cold most of the time now. It's been overcast all morning. Praying it doesn't rain this Sunday. Me, my brother and several friends are planning on going to the Renaissance festival. My parents are going out of town again this weekend, though I don't think they will be gone long. Josiah is staying here this time so I get to play "mom" for the weekend... he enjoys it though.

I ran out of the house this morning and completely forgot to bring along my book. I've been reading through Mere Christianity and really enjoying what Lewis has to say. Lunch I had a wonderful hour and a half to eat and then read my bible. It's good to just stop and escape during a busy day.

"I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands."
Psalms 119:10

-Naomi

reading Psalms 119
& listening to the teacher... :)

Canada: Tuesday (Day 6)

It's hard to believe I've been here almost a week! Kind of makes me sad to think about since I'll be leaving tomorrow. :( Today Joy and I are going to the Chinese restaurant where she waitresses for lunch. Then after that we're going trail riding! I'm so excited!!!

----

Horseback riding was so much fun. we took an hour & half trail in about 45min, trotting most of the time. quite painful after a while. :)

-Naomi

Canada: Monday (Day 5)

Finished Joy's scrapbook while she was at work today. Then stayed up really late talking and watching season two of Lost. :)
And David Crowder Band came out with a new CD!

-Naomi

listening to "O, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing" by David Crowder Band
& reading Mere Christianity

Canada: Sat/Sun (Days 3 & 4)

Saturday:
Didn't do much. slept in, read "Mere Christianity" and watched The Guardian & Hitch with Joy and her "man" Menno. :P

Sunday:
This morning Joy had to work so I went to church with her parents. Surprisingly I didn't feel at all uncomfortable there even though I was new.
**and that is Joy & I Sunday night making oatmeal facial masks**

-Naomi

Canada: Friday (Day 2)

Joy lounging in the woods, quite close to a cliff really

oh look its me
the two of us at the bottom of the gorge
and we found a cave!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

-Naomi

Canada: Thursday (Day 1)

under a bridge near Niagara Falls

Joy on the Canadian side of the falls
me... & yes it was cold!

some amazing abandoned ship we found. I wanted to go explore inside it soo bad!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1

-Naomi

Packing

So really I should be packing right now... but I keep getting distracted!
I'm so excited about this trip! not only am I excited about seeing Joy but also leaving the country and seeing Canada. I didn't even realize how beautiful this time of the year is when I planned my trip. pray I don't get too cold though.

Thinking of planes reminds me of the last time I was on an airplane. I sat next to a Jewish man. I had taken my bible out of my bag just before boarding so I had it with me in my lap. That must have caught his attention because he asked me quite a few questions and then took a nap, leaving me to ponder. What an incredible experience! By the end of the flight I had found several passages to help him... but that's really not my point... sure I might have helped him find the answers to his life questions but the whole experience opened my eyes. I had been slowly becoming the "lukewarm" Christian that Revelation 3:16 speaks of. After we arrived I went to baggage claim with the rest of the passengers... I didn't see him again. I wish I could remember his name...

"How great you are, O Sovereign LORD!
There is no one like you, and there is no
God but you, as we have heard with our
own ears."
2 Samuel 7:22

-Naomi

listening to "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin

soar on wings like eagles

You have no idea how frustrating this is! I want to tell the world how I feel... but to explain it, to capture the emotion, the feeling, the delight would take an entire book!


"but those who hope in the LORD will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

-Naomi

listening to "Heaven's Heart" by Michelle Tumes
& reading Isaiah 40

The Realization

It's taken a while but I've come to the realization that I need to cut back on something in my life. I have no time for a personal time with God, to reflect on the day, or even write in my prayer journal! It's so frustrating living like this... but what do I cut back on? I've thought about quitting one of my jobs, or a class. But "I'm not a quitter. I don't just up and end something. I've committed to this" and so I don't quit my job. I don't have more time with God and for that my relationship with Him suffers. I have friends at work -sort of- and I enjoy it -most of the time. Why is it so hard to just let it go? Is it because I'm so committed to work I've made it a priority over everything else?!

And if I were to have more free time would I even use it wisely? I suppose this is a matter of prayer... How much of a priority am I making God in my life...?

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in
affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are
in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13

-Naomi

listening to "Never-Ending Road (Amhrán Duit)" by Loreena Mckennitt
& reading Romans 12

Counting Down The Days

I've been counting down the days till this weekend and till my Canada trip on the 11th of this month. I'm really excited about seeing friends, swing dancing and going someplace new! I'm a happy mk. Silly me, I even added a "count down" to my facebook profile.

At work (Old Navy) we now sell stuffed animals. They have the cutest brown teddy bear ever!... ok not sure what that has to do with the rest of my story, but anyways there's a new girl I work with. She's going to college and interning as a chef. I've found it so very hard to be around her because she always complains. It's either about too much work, or not enough free time, or not enough time for online classes she's taking this semester. It's so very frustrating to hear! But it did get me to thinking about how often I have complained in the past.

yikes... I'm going to cut this short. I have to go to class :)

-Naomi