The most recent change......

I am back in NY now for the month. I drove home with my car all packed, not telling anyone I was coming. As I made my journey back, I struggled with several different emotions and questions about the direction my life is going. . My questions have not all be answered, but as I wake up each and every day, I am trying to remind myself that if I honor God, He will honor me.

So that is what I am doing for the meantime...

To all those back at my "Cincinnati Home," I miss you all like crazy. As I sit out on the back porch in the evenings, I listen to the crickets sing their songs, and the cows moo their moo-ings. Their company just does not match up to yours.

To my boy, this will only be a short time away. Know that I am your Tater,

and if there is ever a time when you just break out in a grin for no reason,

just know that it is probably me - thinking of you. Work hard on your house. See you soon!!!!

I am trying to keep my mind occupied as much as possible. As I wonder if I have strength for this new journey, I am reminded that it is only through the journey that God will provide me the strength that I need. That if I continue to submit to Him, my life will become more like Him.

See everyone soon.... (yes here...and there)

Free. Assured. Relaxed. Confident.

I've sat here within the confines of my room thinking and just reveling in the many promises that God has reminded me of these last few days. I've been a bit oblivious over the last couple months of the many little, but big things God has been doing in my life. I've struggled with being without work since I have been out here. Several times I have found myself giving into my fears, and my uncertainties, and letting the negative side of life win.

One thing that I have learned especially this week is that once you change your mindset in a particular area, you give God all the room to carry out His plan for your life. There was a certain situation I have been praying about for what seems like months now. I hadn't realize that my unwillingness to think about it differently or being bitter about it was putting a roadblock in my path. This week, I have just seen that HE is the one in control, not me. He knows what is best for me, not me. He understands my emotions, and knows how to comfort. He knows what I need. And I just want to thank Him for that. 

Onto some other new things in my life. I have started nannying this week for two little adorable kids. Caden(4) and Emerson (11 months) Caden definitely keeps me on my feet, while Emerson is always into EVERYTHING!! She even eats the dog food. I have to keep a very close eye on her. If it isn't Caden driving his car around, running over her fingers, then it is Caden throwing his bouncy ball around "playing soccer" , knocking down all the picture frames. Boys will be boys, wherever and whenever they can be.  I have fun doing it though, but I definitely leave exhausted. 

Well, that is a little update on my end. Caden keeps asking when I will be taking him to the zoo. I almost feel like telling him... buddy, I am at the zoo right now... you little monkey! =)

Off to Indianapolis later !!! =) 

Drawn To His Heart
The God you trusted in the past is the One who’s faithful still.
Trust Him now,with all your heart,to be working out His will.
There’s nothing that you’re facing which takes Him by surprise
—All the things concerning you have not escaped His eyes.

His hand has been your covering through every circumstance,
Everything will work for good; nothing is by chance.
Let your faith abide in Him just like a mustard seed,
And you will find His promise true to meet your every need.

Wait on God to do His work in His perfect time and way.
The answer may seem slow just now, but He will not delay.
One day you’ll see the wisdom that led you from the start
Was given byyour Father’s love to draw you to His heart.

Written by Roy Lessin


________________________________

~ This little poem hit me today. Many thoughts to think on. ...................

Happy Birthday Mar!!!!!

Yes, she is....30 =)
Thanks to Bri, the "off-pitch" choir attempted to serenade our table, well...Marianna, with some quacky rendition of Happy Birthday....a piece of carrot cake, and a sparkler.....

Okay, we are attempting to take some pictures....

Including some pickles...

Thank You!!

I just wanted to give a big thank you to those back home who let me have christmas again....in March! =)
The goodies all look very yummy and I am sure are!! Thank You!!!

See you all in the near future maybe!! =)

The only place with snow!!! - And there, you will find me. =) Wow, I have finally gave in, and made an update on my blog. Phew..!!

Have you ever had a day where you've thought to yourself... I wonder what it'd be like just to spend the day on the slopes...think about nothing else, and just feel the adreneline and fresh air rush right by you?? I have that feeling just about every day. Perfect North has become my little "happy place" where I get away from school and sort out many of life's wonderful issues. It's also been my source of entertainment during those days where you just need to have a good laugh. As I've watched many of times from the lift, poor pathetic new beginners have made the goal of their day - to go down "center stage" . Now if any of you know what that is like, that is , by far, not a beginners course. But, some have quite the determination. In fact, some have a little too much. They WILL go down center stage whether is has to be on their butt, their face, or going head over heels at full speed until they come to a complete stop. In most of these cases, yes the body has made it down the slope, but their skis, and poles are somewhere scattered at the top. HaHa. Those poor, cold, determined souls do not realize that they are not only putting themselves in danger, but everyone around them also. But hey, they WILL accomplish their goal.

So, break has started and I've kind of just been hanging a bit low. I was thinking the other day, how I wasn't able to go home. And I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. But then, it was almost as if God said to me, Ange - there are so many times that you are so busy, classes become the priority, and you fail to spend time with me. I miss my time with you. So, I have decided to take this break, take what I have learned so far in classes, and just ponder over it with my Father. There's also been many of issies in which I have yet to dig through. Sometimes I think to myself.... what if people are following me?? Is the life I am living honoring God? Is He pleased with the decisions I make?? Am I walking a straight enough line? Someone said something to me awhile back that I think applies here. They said - " You cannot plow a straight line, if you're always looking back." whoofmp!! That's exactly what I have been doing...looking back...focusing on my past...limiting what God wants to do in my life NOW...and in the future. I pray as I am sowing my seeds, God will just help me to focus forward. To focus my faith in Him and know that when I can't see where He is working in my life, I can trust that He knows what He is doing.

Well that is it for today. The sun is shining, I've just had a great, yummy sunday meal, and there's snow flakes dancing around outside. What could be better!!?!

Happy Sunday!!!

Well, I this little urge to share something that I heard in todays sermon. The scripture was taken from Exodus, talking about the 'Process of time'. Meredith was talking about how those that plant orange bushels for crop tend to pick them too early, resulting in the taste of the fruit being not as rich as it could be. It would be rich if only the fruit were left to truly ripen until it's peak. then picked. The way that I understood this, was that God truly has a plan for my life. Not only may I have to go through some situations that are uncomfortable, or painful or situations in which I may have to turn around so that the Son can shine on my other side, but I am only being 'ripened' for what God really has for me. Sometimes I feel like things should happen like I want them, I should see answers to my questions now, I should see God working ( its frustrating). But, today, I finally stopped to consider just how perfect God's timing is. It is in the process of time, or in the fullness of time that I will learn to grow, to lean on , and to trust my God until I am at my peak. Until I can be plucked from the tree and placed where God wants me. "God will pluck those when they are at their peak."

" God cannot be bound by time, but is also not absent of time either." I think many times I constrain God to a time when I want things done. But I don't realize that just because I am not seeing what I WANT to see, doesn't mean God isn't working.

So, how will I apply what I have heard to my life? Applying this means that I need to work on my patience. God is ripening me for something special. Something specifically he wants to do in my life. Will it be easy waiting? No. But as I hang on and hold tight to my Anchor, God will see me through. It is in the waiting and ripening that I will become more like Him.

I hope this encourages someone. I know it's helped me today.

Goodnight.... Hello to everyone from home!!!

Well, maybe its a good time to sit down a blog for a minute. The room is dark, all the lights are off, and I have settled in for my long winters nap. HA! Some would call me "granny". I just call myself , one tired little girl who needs to close her eyes and be taken away to a place she can forget all that has happened this week and just recoop. Relax.

Ahh...except, wait, what am I talking about? That is never possible around here. Why? Because once you drift off into what you THINK may be the land of nod, let me remind you that you will hear the familar sounds of " BANG...Boom...AHhhhhhhhhhhhhh or thomping of feet up and down the hall way." Thats when I lay here, gripping my covers, silently pleading that God would provide me with the grace to deal with them outside.

Anyway... So it is the weekend...finally.. And after being awake for 21 hrs, I have made it so far through this day only breaking down once. So after coming in tonight, I was greeted with a group of my friends who were anxiously awaiting to give me the " ride" around the fountain in a rickity ol computer chair.
Did I take them up on it?? ...... yah, I did! After some pleading and convincing from Isaac, saying, "Ang just think, you'll be able to say after tonight... do you remember the time we raced around the GBS fountain on those chairs?" I gave in and...had the ride of my life, from Mr.Sam. =) Yes, this trip is deeply implanted into my memory. Especially... Ahh look out for the tree..or Stepssss...or... thinking, ahhhhh am I going to stop? Haha... What a blistfully cold, exciting night. =) (This random act of entertainment helped me to realize the cool people who truly will do have ANYTHING to have fun. )


Goodnight one and all!!
Ange

Thursday before we left NY, we all went skiing at Catamount!!! And Brrrrr..was it cold!!! (Ask Ash...=0 )

And, Now, back to Cinci it is... Will see everyone sometime in the near future!!!!!

Corning Tower and Albany

Dad decided to join us with the finished product... =)

And...Mr.Snowman himself, looking all fine and dandy...
Hold on...just another break for a pose....
Rumple has been getting jealous this whole time... for he thought...he was MY little man....awh

Meredith coming to visit New York!!!


The start of our snowman.....
I think Ash did more eating of the snow, than actually making the snowman.....
Taking a break for a pose.....
Annnd...we're almost there!!! Now we just need a head.... wait.. there is already one there...

~Christmas with the Family!!! ~

Mt. Oak with some to the best crew =)
(miss you guys)

I thought I would share some very exciting news!!! Hold on a minute while I whoop and jump and holler!!! (Yes, quiet Ang can do that) I won't keep you in suspense anymore!! So.... I PASSED MY BOARDS!!!! Yea, I know several of you have been asking when I was taking them. And my famous response was.."oh you know...they're coming" =). Well actually, yes I did take them on Wednesday morning, and after I was through with them, I had the unbearable gut feeling that - oh know I failed. I have never been so sick to my stomach in my entire life. The moments and hours afterwards waiting for the results were VERY stressful. Thoughts of eating, or sleeping were out of the question. In fact... I still haven't been to sleep yet today and it is officially 1:35pm the next day.

Lets see, if I had to write a nurses' note on myself, I'd have to say.... Patients condition finally stable. She states" I've had information overload, tremors throughout all extremities, diaphoresis and nauseous spells. I can't eat, sleep, and l've had loss of concentration." (subjective data =) ) Patient re-hydrated. Given some candy (yum) and cheesecake. Told that she passed her nursing boards. Patients condition did a 360. She is currently jumping up and down, whooping, and is seen with a rather large grin on her face. Need MD to sign for discharge and followup for celebration.

God truly is wonderful and good!! I guess with all my worrying and fretting, I failed to fully trust God with my test. I thank Him for showing me that I still matter to Him - regardless of what I go through. If He has called me somewhere, He will provide the way for me to get there.
I also praise Him for sending me those few people who have showed me support, encouragement, and have believed in my every step of the way. (Thanks to you guys)

Okay, well did someone say vacation??? I am OFFICIaLLY on break. Officially FREE.. Officially on my way to moving on with my life. Yes!!!!!!

ANNNNDD, it's Christmas time!!! =)

Ahhh.. I am officially home. After an extreemly long night driving, Ash and I have made it. We weren't planning on coming home until Saturday morning, but after hearing some long speeches of "wisdom" about getting ahead of the snow, we left eleven Friday night. Ha...still, I don't think some people were too thrilled about having their kids drive through the night. Eh..it was fun.

Now that classes are over for the semester, I will enjoy every minute of freedom. Yup! I'm going skiing!!! Okay..maybe I'll practice guitar a bit (Unc), but believe me, I don't want to be tied up in another dungeon- at least for the next two weeks.

Anyway, Ash came out to visit me in Cinci, and we went to Festival of lights, as well as a few other things ;) (cream cheese, and cheese steak =) ) Awh, I have missed my little bobbit. But, I guess there is a time to grow up and move away from the nest sometime.

Meredith will be coming up in about two weeks to meet the ol' fam. Eeks.. yikes...crazy?? LOL.. Actually, I am beginning to think that the more I see, he's just as crazy as the rest of them. Haha. Anyone up for New Years in Lake Placid????? Yuppers!! I definately can't wait to see the new little Mooselette!! I might even bring her some ' cocunut creamer' to flavor her wonderful rich-coffee... hehe... Not sure if her Mommy would appreciate that though...

Well.. I shall crash for tonight. It's good to be home. It's good to hear the wind howling right outside my window, and actually see snow again. =)

God truly creates some beautiful sceneries!!

It's Christmas!!! And I could not go without having a tree of my very own out here. So, I put together an "Ange tree". I thought about sleeping under my tree for the very first night, but then realized that I probably could not fit on top of the fridge very comfortably. Ha...Ha

So, instead I have moved my bed pretty close to it, and have managed to glance at it from time to time if my eyes open up during the night. =)

Two more weeks to go and AHHHHHHHHhh It'll be over out here for the semester. Then I get to come home!!! How exciting is that? Home..the thought of banana muffins when I wake up, decorating of sugar cookies around the table, rumpie, and SNOW!!! (yea, they don't believe in snow out here...it's sad) Like I said.... only a few more days!!!! So, I am definately counting down.....

That's about it for now!!!!! Thank you to all who contributed to the package of goodies to get me through the last of my weeks here. Thank you!!!

I can't wait to see some of you in less than a week!!!!! Bring it on!!! Yea!

Ahh, I love this weather! It feels like home to me!! The brisk chill that turns your nose pink, and your breath becomes visable. AHHH.. I LOVE IT!! What made things better was walking outside and seeing the little snow flurries scurrying around in the breeze. Just think, God made each one of those snow flakes - all completly different, with a purpose - to make life beautiful!

We put our tree up the other day. Well, not my tree (that will come soon), but the tree and decorations in the lounge. It makes me want to curl up by the fire, with some ginger and spice cookies..and SNUGGLE... Awh. I love it. This time of year, being around people I care about the most.

Okay, enough about my rantings. I am really looking forward to seeing my groupie from home. It's about time someone comes to visit me from home. =) Just kidding.. I will be home in December....

Trunk and Treat is what they call it. We created a safe, outreach ministry for anyone who was trick or treating on Halloween. We made a lot of contacts through this, while enjoying time together as a group.

These are just some of the picturees from Wed. night that I thought I would share. Afterwards, since us GBS'ers had special privledges =) and didn't have curfew until late, we went out to eat, never wasting a minute of our special time given to us. You realize after awhile, that if you are given time away...you take it. =) Jk - no it's great here.