No Stains.

Last week was a busy one, but it was also enjoyable.

On Monday I had my 13^th coaching call. My coach and I discussed my high school studies goals and then planned my next two weeks of CollegePlus studying. I have been and am working on the Western Civilization 1 (3 credits) and English literature (6 credits) CLEPs for the next couple months. It’s amazing to see how much history connects! Also we talked about my upcoming degree consultation. I’m not sure what bachelor’s degree I will be pursuing, but I’m currently deciding between English and Liberal Studies.

Tuesday is my music lesson day. My sister and I practice our piano duet and duo for the music festival at the end of February. It’s lots of fun and I love playing with her. At my harp lesson my teacher confirmed that I was ready for my exam (I was VERY glad to hear that. ;) ). After my private lesson, I finished the day with my harp group. We’re practicing songs for the festival also. There are about seven students in our group, ranging from beginners to past grade eight (RCM program). We have a lot of fun together and our teacher is the best. ;)

On Wednesday I started taking notes for Western Civ 1 using mind maps that Collin M. (another CP! student) had previously created. I think taking notes this way will help me remember the information better because that’s the way I have studied for all my high school history subjects. I’m really enjoying it. I also started working on the Learning Network for English lit. Later in the day I practiced my harp (I had been practicing it pretty much every day I just didn’t mention it) and tried to finish some high school studying. :D

Thursday was my harp exam! For the first part of the day I just did school. Later on I practiced harp before we left. I was very glad that my teacher said I was ready because that made a big difference to how I felt about it. ;) I wasn’t nervous thankfully, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t get cold hands either (you musicians may know the difficulties of playing an instrument with cold fingers. ;) ). It was an amazing experience. I had probably the best examiner I’ve had in all my years of music. I also had people from all different states and provinces praying for me as well as friends and family closer to me. Thank you all so much! And praise the Lord that He helped me through the whole 3-4 months of intense harp practicing. I could not have finished grade eight harp otherwise.

Each Friday night we have soccer with a group of families who are mostly homeschoolers. We had a great game that night and my team won 11-10. :P I was the goalie for the first half of the game, so unfortunately, I let in most of the goals. :P It was lots of fun though.

After a full day of schooling on Saturday, my sister and I played in our January recital. I played a harp solo and Hannah (my sister) played violin with her Junior Orchestra. She and her group played wonderfully! We had a great time with family and friends while we were there, too.

Sunday, we went to the church that we have been attending for almost 10 years. I played piano in the morning service. I love doing that. :D In Sunday school, the pastor’s wife is going through some of the people through history who have been a light to the world. She came up with this series from reading Hebrews 11 (the Hall of Faith). It’s been so encouraging to see the people through history standing up for Christ (many of them sealing their testimony with their blood).

This weekend I also finished watching a movie with my sister. One of the main quotes in it was “There are no stains on the pages of tomorrow.” It was the biggest spiritual lesson that I learned last week, that no matter what the day was like, there was always a new start tomorrow. God is always ready to forgive me and the next day starts with no mistakes, no struggles, no problems. He is faithful and He will carry me through each new day if I only trust in Him.  I am too helpless to live through everything that life throws at me, but when I place my life in His hands then my weakness becomes strength.

“In my weakness He is strong;

In my need He leads me on.

When I come to the end of all I am,

And I place my trust in Him;

That’s when His strength begins –

In my weakness.”

In my weakness (His strength) I can know that each day is a new start. There are NO stains on the pages of tomorrow. I can go forward trusting in His goodness and relying on Him (especially when I’m tired :P ). And He is faithful.

2 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

God bless,

Kaleigh

Consider This!

1 Samuel 12:24

“Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He has done for you.”

As I read through my personal devotions this morning, this verse really stood out to me. The prophet Samuel encouraged the people after they had sinned to return to God and “only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart”. Only. Exclusively. Undivided. Just these two things: fearing and serving the Lord. And yet those two things must be done with our WHOLE heart; not a divided, distracted one. Fear the Lord with ALL your heart. Serve Him in truth with ALL your heart. This must be the focus of every Christian’s life. Our thoughts, actions and words must be encompassed in this command. If we can “only” do these two things—with Christ’s help—our life will be in the center of God’s will.

The second part of this verse implies that we will fear and serve the Lord because of what He has done for us. Each Christian should be able to look back on the years that he has lived (whether few or many) and see the hand of God in it. God has done so many great things for us. Realizing this will cause us to WANT to fear and serve the Lord because He is so great. Our thankfulness to Him should overflow into reverence and service for the King. He has blessed me in so many ways: friends who share the same convictions, family members who help me to grow in Christ, a church who is a large family to me, the food and home that is provided for me, the snow (yes, even the snow) that reminds me of Is.1:18 every time I see it, school work that teaches me to think, and so much more. So today, consider the great things God has done for you, and let the realization that God is great, motivate you to “only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with ALL your heart.”

God bless,

Kaleigh

A Look Back at 2011

Last year was a busy year for me; it was also one of the best years I've had. Although I am listing many things that I learned during that time, it doesn't mean I'm finished learning. ;) I am still growing and applying these to my life now. I have always loved looking back on past events and remembering what happened. I hope that my reflecting back on the lessons I learned (and am still learning) will encourage you to do the same. Hebrews 12:1-2

-I learned how blessed I am to have the best church family ever. (gbccv.org)

-I learned that true friends are not something to lose or give up easily.

-I learned that God has a direction for each person’s life, but sometimes only God knows that direction.

-I learned that joy is a choice, not a feeling. It is only possible to “count it all joy” when we have humility. Joy comes from the Lord. (Nehemiah 8:10)

-I learned that reading the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and Hebrews 11:35-40 puts a different perspective on the “impossible” things in life.

-I am learning that as a first-born, I am sometimes required to be the first to do something new, to say the first word, to be the first to give my thoughts, and to lead first by example.

-I am learning to put my family first. Helping my sis is sometimes more important than finishing an assignment and when my dad wants a family night, that should take priority over friends and other activities.

-I was reminded that it does not matter how short (or tall) I am, but rather it matters what kind of person I am and what kind of person I am striving to be.

-I am learning to pray in faith knowing and expecting God to work all things for my good.

-I learned about the BIG difference between the two kinds of love: the secular romantic love and the Biblical 1 Cor.13 kind of love.

-I learned that “deep thinking” is not wrong when it follows Philippians 4:8. In fact, thinking deeply about different topics is necessary for life. ;)

-I learned that sometimes a friend is someone who is just there to listen and pray.

-I learned how to treat guys as brothers in Christ.

-I learned what it means to stand alone.

-I learned how special friends were when I took a stand on something and they respect(ed) that.

-I am learning to appreciate, accept, and submit to the wisdom of my father.

-I am learning to deepen my sister relationships. My sisters and I will not always be together; we are now and I need to use that special time to the best of my ability. I began to appreciate them more this year. My sisters are wonderful. Thank you, Hannah and Sarah. Love you both. :D

(Hannah and Sarah)
-I learned that when a young person starts thinking about participating marriage that’s the time to start preparing for it.

-I learned that we are not to give up on anything or anyone. EVER. (as long as it falls within Biblical standards)

-I learned in a new way that life is extremely confusing. It is only through Christ that any of us live through it. “I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.” (Phil.4:13)

-I defined success as is being in the center of God’s will, submitting to His leading, choosing joy, and trusting God through all circumstances.


What are some of the lessons you learned in 2011?


In Christ,
Kaleigh

What I've Learned in 2011

As I’m sitting here, reflecting over this past year, I am so amazed at what God has been doing in my life. His love and protection over these past twelve months has comforted me tremendously. Another year, He has blessed me with food to eat, a roof over my head, family members who surround me, friends that truly care, animals that keep me out of trouble, and valuable lessons that I should never forget.

Even though this last year has been a blessed one, it’s still been quite busy, as well. I turned eighteen, got my driver’s license, bought my first vehicle, graduated from high school, started college, went to a fair number of new horse shows throughout the summer, and participated in several other activities. In the midst of all that was happening, I realized that I needed to do something. I needed to take “time out” and talk to God. I had never really needed to think about taking a “time out” as much as this last year. I had plenty of time to converse with my Maker when I was still in high school and life was a bit more simple. Now that I was somewhat on my own and had a busier schedule I had to “make” time. I found that this worked best for me in the evening, when most of my chores were done and I could just sit down and relax. I loved it, because it gave me time to think about what I was doing and if my “list of things to do” was bringing glory to God. I found that taking some time throughout the day, whenever I could find 5-10 minutes to go off by myself, worked well, too.

I also learned this year that perseverance is even more important than I thought it was. This year, more than other years, I felt swamped and just wanted to quit. There were lots of times when I was writing in my book and I would get “writer’s block” or when my horse just didn’t want to learn anything new or even playing a difficult piece on the piano that I just couldn’t get down. I had to learn to keep going at whatever it was that I was trying to do, even if that meant that I had to miss out on some fun events. I believe that making deadlines helped me stay focused. Sometimes I didn’t get them done by that date, but I was just glad that I could get the job done.

In closing, I hope that our posts will encourage you to stay strong in the faith, strengthen you in your Christian walk, and inspire you to draw closer to our heavenly Father.
~Anna