Monday, July 11, 2011
I Am The Cobblers Daughter!
Recently this has kind of been my theme song. Now, my mom is not in the locker, and my dad is not a cobbler, I've never been the cause of death for a handsome fella, so I don't really know why this is my theme song. . . I think it's because I share sort of a stuborn orneriness and a total lack of desire to wed, so its more like I appriciate this song!
Monday, June 20, 2011
May My Song Ever Be-
Lately I have been really obsessed with this song. What I love about this song is how small I feel when I listen to it, it uses words like "Child, carries, sustain, love, provide." The whole song is just about our reliance on God, and how much we need Him. Lot's of people would have a problem with that, (kind of like they have a problem with being chosen, not choosing). We like to be independent, we like to be strong! we like to be self reliant and self absorbed, and what humility does, is it breaks through all those poor excuses of living and tears them apart! it leaves us hanging- not even that, it leaves us free falling. . . Down, down, down, to the point where we yearn for security, we yearn to stand on firm ground, we desire to be comforted, to be safe! And the only thing that can catch us and give us that security, that firm ground is a relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ.
The other night I was driving down View High- one of the highest points of Lee's Summit, I'm told- And anyway I was driving down View High in a lightening storm, and guess what song came on... This song! I felt small, and very weak, yet still carried in the arms of my Lord! It was very peaceful.
It is well with my soul.
The other night I was driving down View High- one of the highest points of Lee's Summit, I'm told- And anyway I was driving down View High in a lightening storm, and guess what song came on... This song! I felt small, and very weak, yet still carried in the arms of my Lord! It was very peaceful.
It is well with my soul.
Monday, June 13, 2011
"One Lesson To Be Learned. . ."
My Family
This weekend was my family reunion. More often than naught when I tell people that, their response is "Oh, that's neat". While in my head I'm screaming "I don't think you understand! I'm going to my family reunion!", I usually respond to their response "yeah". When we were kids we used to start the count down to reunion in January. Today I told someone "I have a huge family, I'm constantly surrounded by people who are related to me." and it's true, whether it's my amazing cousins, my lovely grandparents, my aunt's and uncle's, my parents, or my siblings I'm always surrounded by them! But only once a year am I surrounded by my Mt. Grove and Indiana relatives, and that is the second weekend in June, at my family reunion!
We eat a lot and play cards, we spend hours at the lake, we walk to the lake, we talk a lot, we go to the gas station and by chocolate milk! We laugh, we stay up late, we get in trouble, we eat some more. sounds simple! and it is, It's simple, yet fantastic!
More on trouble. . .
This year we got in trouble, we've gotten in trouble before (Hiding from younger annoying cousins, jumping on the beds, etc.). But there was just something about this year that was different. First we walked to the lake at night, gave my granny quite a scare, so for that I am truly sorry. Secondly we were to loud, (I'm not sorry for being loud-we were laughing- but I am sorry for being inconsiderate to those who were trying to sleep) once we moved our party further on up the hill were we could still be loud without bothering anyone, we all stood around a small candle and chuckled a bit, "Well." said my cousin Grant "One thing we cant take from tonight." We all listened intently. "We all need the righteousness of Christ.".
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting to hear, but I know it's something that I absolutely needed to hear! Getting in trouble can do two things for your pride, boost it, or tear it down. At first we were "being rebellious." And it felt good, we smiled out of the corner of our mouths, folded our arms and landed against our awesomeness, at one point I hear a cousin say "Gosh do they expect us to be mature?" The answer is yes, they do, and they should! But for me, as soon as these words left Grants mouth my awesomeness faded I lost my prideful balance and took a humiliating stumbled to the floor.
So often I mistake myself for being a good person. . . but I'm prideful, I'm the causer of disappointment, I lie, I hate, and I say bad things behind others backs. And after all this I still think my righteousness is enough? Badly done.
God be praised, that there is an alternative, that Christ came and wore my sin, He bore the wrath that I deserved, so that I could be covered over with His robes of righteousness! God be praised!
This weekend was my family reunion. More often than naught when I tell people that, their response is "Oh, that's neat". While in my head I'm screaming "I don't think you understand! I'm going to my family reunion!", I usually respond to their response "yeah". When we were kids we used to start the count down to reunion in January. Today I told someone "I have a huge family, I'm constantly surrounded by people who are related to me." and it's true, whether it's my amazing cousins, my lovely grandparents, my aunt's and uncle's, my parents, or my siblings I'm always surrounded by them! But only once a year am I surrounded by my Mt. Grove and Indiana relatives, and that is the second weekend in June, at my family reunion!
We eat a lot and play cards, we spend hours at the lake, we walk to the lake, we talk a lot, we go to the gas station and by chocolate milk! We laugh, we stay up late, we get in trouble, we eat some more. sounds simple! and it is, It's simple, yet fantastic!
More on trouble. . .
This year we got in trouble, we've gotten in trouble before (Hiding from younger annoying cousins, jumping on the beds, etc.). But there was just something about this year that was different. First we walked to the lake at night, gave my granny quite a scare, so for that I am truly sorry. Secondly we were to loud, (I'm not sorry for being loud-we were laughing- but I am sorry for being inconsiderate to those who were trying to sleep) once we moved our party further on up the hill were we could still be loud without bothering anyone, we all stood around a small candle and chuckled a bit, "Well." said my cousin Grant "One thing we cant take from tonight." We all listened intently. "We all need the righteousness of Christ.".
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting to hear, but I know it's something that I absolutely needed to hear! Getting in trouble can do two things for your pride, boost it, or tear it down. At first we were "being rebellious." And it felt good, we smiled out of the corner of our mouths, folded our arms and landed against our awesomeness, at one point I hear a cousin say "Gosh do they expect us to be mature?" The answer is yes, they do, and they should! But for me, as soon as these words left Grants mouth my awesomeness faded I lost my prideful balance and took a humiliating stumbled to the floor.
So often I mistake myself for being a good person. . . but I'm prideful, I'm the causer of disappointment, I lie, I hate, and I say bad things behind others backs. And after all this I still think my righteousness is enough? Badly done.
God be praised, that there is an alternative, that Christ came and wore my sin, He bore the wrath that I deserved, so that I could be covered over with His robes of righteousness! God be praised!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Post About Life!
Friendship,
You know what I love? The simple trust, honesty and conversation that passes between best friends! This morning I had a conversation with my best friend in the middle of an slightly empty coffee shop, she trusted me with information about stuff that's going on in her life and I was honest with her about my opinions and thoughts. She talked, I mostly just listened, but it was definitely the highlight of my incredibly long morning. :)
Humor.
Today I went to the grocery store (and because I'm an insane person I didn't bother wearing shoes;) and when I received my change for the 5.28 I spent, I put it in my back pocket, completely forgetting that I had a huge hole in my back pocket, therefore all my change went falling from my pocket onto the stone cold floor "You dropped your change" the cashier snickered. . . How humiliating!?
Family.
Olivia: You know what?
Me: What?
Olivia: I should make a heart shaped cherry pie!
Me: You're so random, Olivia.
Olivia: (Eye's widen and face shows an expression that says "I like that idea.") I'm random?
C.S. Lewis
"There was a man born among these Jews who claimed to be, or to be the son of, or to be 'one with' the Something which is at once the awful haunter of nature and the giver of the moral law. the claim is so shocking- a paradox, and even a horror, which we may easily be lulled into taking too lightly- that only two views of this man are possible. Either he was a raving lunatic of an unusually abominable type, or else He was, and is, precisely what He said. There is no middle way. If the records make the first hypothesis unacceptable, you must submit to the second. And if you do that, all else that is claimed by Christians becomes credible." -The Problem of Pain.
Movies.
Last week I watched the movie 'The Goonies'. Have you ever seen it? Well if not, and your over the age of 11, and under the age of "OLD" I encourage you to watch it, its a classic! And if you have seen it, good. Watch it again. It's a classic! filled with eighties music, cheesy lines, adorable clever kids, Brilliant bad guys, and pirates! Once again that's 'The Goonies' directed by Richard Donner, produced by Steven Spielberg, starring Sean Astin (Heh heh.)
You know what I love? The simple trust, honesty and conversation that passes between best friends! This morning I had a conversation with my best friend in the middle of an slightly empty coffee shop, she trusted me with information about stuff that's going on in her life and I was honest with her about my opinions and thoughts. She talked, I mostly just listened, but it was definitely the highlight of my incredibly long morning. :)
Humor.
Today I went to the grocery store (and because I'm an insane person I didn't bother wearing shoes;) and when I received my change for the 5.28 I spent, I put it in my back pocket, completely forgetting that I had a huge hole in my back pocket, therefore all my change went falling from my pocket onto the stone cold floor "You dropped your change" the cashier snickered. . . How humiliating!?
Family.
Olivia: You know what?
Me: What?
Olivia: I should make a heart shaped cherry pie!
Me: You're so random, Olivia.
Olivia: (Eye's widen and face shows an expression that says "I like that idea.") I'm random?
C.S. Lewis
"There was a man born among these Jews who claimed to be, or to be the son of, or to be 'one with' the Something which is at once the awful haunter of nature and the giver of the moral law. the claim is so shocking- a paradox, and even a horror, which we may easily be lulled into taking too lightly- that only two views of this man are possible. Either he was a raving lunatic of an unusually abominable type, or else He was, and is, precisely what He said. There is no middle way. If the records make the first hypothesis unacceptable, you must submit to the second. And if you do that, all else that is claimed by Christians becomes credible." -The Problem of Pain.
Movies.
Last week I watched the movie 'The Goonies'. Have you ever seen it? Well if not, and your over the age of 11, and under the age of "OLD" I encourage you to watch it, its a classic! And if you have seen it, good. Watch it again. It's a classic! filled with eighties music, cheesy lines, adorable clever kids, Brilliant bad guys, and pirates! Once again that's 'The Goonies' directed by Richard Donner, produced by Steven Spielberg, starring Sean Astin (Heh heh.)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Dear Zoey Prt. 2
Dear Zoey!
My, oh my, when will you ever get here? everyone here is so excited, we talk about you a lot, and try to imagine what you will look like, act like, and sound like, in our minds, but I'm sure what we imagine won't compare to your beauty!
Me and Aunt Bekah Boo think you will be a singer, do you like to sing? when you get here we will teach you all the songs we know!
I wander what your favorite thing to play will be? Ethan (your big brother) likes to play Peter pan! Olivia likes to play Barbies, dress up and house. Charlotte, I think what Charlotte likes best is to do flips and to be thrown around :). As for Selah, she likes to pretend she is a doggy!
I can't wait for you to be here with us! It seems like you've been in our hearts for so long we already know you! I wonder how it will feel when your finally in our arms! I want you to know that even though you are miles away from us, we are still thinking about you and praying for you! when you get here you will never be lonely, you will never have lack of attention, you will always be showered with hugs and kisses, and there will always be something new for you to learn, and always someone there to teach you!
Well baby girl, One thing I take delight in whilest we are apart is the connection we have through our heavenly father! While we wait for you and you for us, we can take refuge in Him! We can find peace and rest and hope in Him!
I love you sweet baby girl! keep in mind that there is someone far away, waiting for, thinking of, and praying for you!
My, oh my, when will you ever get here? everyone here is so excited, we talk about you a lot, and try to imagine what you will look like, act like, and sound like, in our minds, but I'm sure what we imagine won't compare to your beauty!
Me and Aunt Bekah Boo think you will be a singer, do you like to sing? when you get here we will teach you all the songs we know!
I wander what your favorite thing to play will be? Ethan (your big brother) likes to play Peter pan! Olivia likes to play Barbies, dress up and house. Charlotte, I think what Charlotte likes best is to do flips and to be thrown around :). As for Selah, she likes to pretend she is a doggy!
I can't wait for you to be here with us! It seems like you've been in our hearts for so long we already know you! I wonder how it will feel when your finally in our arms! I want you to know that even though you are miles away from us, we are still thinking about you and praying for you! when you get here you will never be lonely, you will never have lack of attention, you will always be showered with hugs and kisses, and there will always be something new for you to learn, and always someone there to teach you!
Well baby girl, One thing I take delight in whilest we are apart is the connection we have through our heavenly father! While we wait for you and you for us, we can take refuge in Him! We can find peace and rest and hope in Him!
I love you sweet baby girl! keep in mind that there is someone far away, waiting for, thinking of, and praying for you!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Dirt, British Accents, And Other Wonders Of The Bricker Household!
In this post I am going to give you a tour of what goes on at my house in the evenings, using last night as an example!
Here are some things you need to know before we get started. Three of my brothers live with us, one of my brothers is constantly here. One of the brothers who live here has a wife and three daughters- who also live here. My cousin from Indiana just moved here, and while yes he isn't living with us, he too is constantly over (It's a joy having him here might I add.) I have two hardworking wonderful parents, and a gorgeous sister. Moral of this paragraph is our house is never void of people! Especially on Monday nights.
My mother likes to garden you see, and this year I have taken a liking to helping her. Not because I feel inclined to assist her, or because she even needs my help. But I enjoy the feeling of soil between my fingers and under my nails, I enjoy picking rocks out of the garden, and I even enjoy the tedious work of weeding! I think it’s all fun! But my favorite part is spending time with my mother! We talk about things like "What's your favorite flower" "upcoming vacations" and "graduation parties.”
My brother Caleb and my father are the hard workers, what they consider a project, or just the fun of it, or even just hanging out, everyone else in the world calls it work. Like building a mega awesome three story playground for the grandkids, or fixing up cars! They are always working, and I respect them for that.
Last night my cousin John and brother Simeon and I, threw a soccer ball around the front yard for a while, we didn't kick a soccer ball around, we threw it to each other as if it were a quibble, we tried to get it to go through narrow spaces between trees, and so on. it was so fun!
My sister and I made dinner and we all ate it together and watched the special features from Harry Potter. Some of us went to dollar general and stopped by McDonalds for a milkshake afterwards. We talked, laughed, and teased. Now that the tour is coming to an end you can plainly see, we live quite simply here, there's nothing about us that sticks out very much, we are just a big homeschooled family who lives in the country, and loves the Lord God. We rest in His promises, and hope in His glory!
Now as we come to the very end of the tour I beg you look back and notice something, over half our conversations come about with British accents! My brother Simeon and I hardly speak a word to each other if it isn't British said. My mother and I speak British while gardening, and when play we yell British exclamations. Don't ask me why or how we do it. . . We just do!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
15 Things I've Seen Today!
Things I've seen today!
1. Calming Rain and exillerating sunshine.
2. A live muskrat that quickly became dead.
3. Under the hood of my car.
4. Three bank tellers whom I call friends.
5. A Mexican restaurant.
6. Lime green walls.
7. A big white truck.
8. The indescribable sunset.
9. A mop and bucket.
10. Small smiles and baby teeth.
11. A movie.
12. Still waters, like doldrums.
13. An apple.
14. Cats.
15. A mango smoothie!
1. Calming Rain and exillerating sunshine.
2. A live muskrat that quickly became dead.
3. Under the hood of my car.
4. Three bank tellers whom I call friends.
5. A Mexican restaurant.
6. Lime green walls.
7. A big white truck.
8. The indescribable sunset.
9. A mop and bucket.
10. Small smiles and baby teeth.
11. A movie.
12. Still waters, like doldrums.
13. An apple.
14. Cats.
15. A mango smoothie!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Devastation: A Response To Tornadoes.
Devastation
A response to tornadoes
One fine spring evening
The sun went dark
Along came the twister
To leave its mean mark
One minute the storm
The next minute the calm
Then came the angry
Dropped down like a bomb
We’d seen her a-coming
A harsh wind did stir
She came to our houses
And took everything with her
A noise like an angry train
That came beating us down
Rain, wind, rabble, and debris
In all this we drown
In fear we did hide
Low under the ground
Her harshness and anger
And black evil sound
When at last she did pass
We arose from our places
We saw the leveled homes
And tears stained our faces.
We thank God for His grace
Without any hesitation
His Grace still abounds
Though we’ve seen devastation
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
To Die Would Be An Awful Big Adventure!
Recently I have been thinking about heaven A LOT! I'm so excited to be there, I can't seem to get it off my mind!
I'm sooo excited to know God without hindrance, sin, or distraction! I'm so excited to be held in the arms of my Savior! I'm so excited to have a glorified body! I'm ready to be done with this sin nature! I'm ready for my faith to become sight! To see the streets of gold, crystal clear waters, greener grass than I can even imagine! I hope there are mountains in heaven. I'm so excited to see God's glory and rest in it.
Oh, how I yearn for it!
Phil Wickham sings a song called "Heaven Song" It's most definitely one of my favorites! Right now it pretty perfectly describes how I feel. The chorus goes.
I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song!
In John 17:3 Jesus says, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You". Think about all the attributes of God that you can! Love, Righteousness, Justice, Almighty, Majestic, Holy, Unfathomable, Creator, Father, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Glorious, Beautiful, Gracious, Merciful, Wrathful, Perfect! Can you fully wrap your head around even one of these? It's impossible!!!! I have great hope in the fact that we will spend eternity knowing and understanding this Awesome God, on a much, much deeper level!
Oh, praise! Come Lord soon!
I'm sooo excited to know God without hindrance, sin, or distraction! I'm so excited to be held in the arms of my Savior! I'm so excited to have a glorified body! I'm ready to be done with this sin nature! I'm ready for my faith to become sight! To see the streets of gold, crystal clear waters, greener grass than I can even imagine! I hope there are mountains in heaven. I'm so excited to see God's glory and rest in it.
Oh, how I yearn for it!
Phil Wickham sings a song called "Heaven Song" It's most definitely one of my favorites! Right now it pretty perfectly describes how I feel. The chorus goes.
I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song!
In John 17:3 Jesus says, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You". Think about all the attributes of God that you can! Love, Righteousness, Justice, Almighty, Majestic, Holy, Unfathomable, Creator, Father, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Glorious, Beautiful, Gracious, Merciful, Wrathful, Perfect! Can you fully wrap your head around even one of these? It's impossible!!!! I have great hope in the fact that we will spend eternity knowing and understanding this Awesome God, on a much, much deeper level!
Oh, praise! Come Lord soon!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Come Easter Morning
This is a poem I just wrote about Easter!
Come all ye fair ladies
And men so genteel
And listen with care
As the story is revealed
Our God on His throne
So mighty and awesome
While down on the earth
A bloom starts to blossom
This bloom is called hope
Amongst hopeless men
This hope comes from Christ
Who saved us from sin
The cross where He died
Represents the wrath that was borne
The separation from God and men
Oh praise, that veil has torn!
Christ made a way
For us to know God
Please don’t reject Him
Or call Him a fraud
The story is true
Of Christ and His cross
Salvation is here
All else is loss
My brothers and sisters
The time is now near
For us to celebrate
This story we hear
Thank God for forgiveness
And His perfect selection
Of a way to new hope
Through Christ’s resurrection!
-A.E. Bricker…..
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A Man Named Allan And The Magical Shoebox -Prt .2.
My Gramps is so great! Whenever you hug him he gentle squeezes you and goes "hmt hmt hmt hmt mmm." the he'll pat your back and say "your a good girl." (if you're a girl that is).
Just two seconds ago my nephew came over to me and gave me a hug! "you're a good boy." I said subconsciously, don't get me wrong I knew what I meant, and I meant to say it. But it didn't hit me that my gramps always says that until after Ej walked away.
I don't know much, but this is one thing in life I know for sure. A hug has healing powers! :) Now don't misunderstand me, I am usually very anti-hug. But here are the exceptions; family, best girlfriends, people in mourning, and especially nieces and nephews!
Now back to healing powers, I'm tired, I'm frustrated, my back hurts, I have a severe cough, and a headache. first I came down the stairs and was tackled by a group of loving nieces and nephews, In an instant all terrible feelings went away, (even my back pains) and my heart felt warm. Then I was on the computer and Ej came over and gives me a hug, same thing, pains away, heart went warm.
Now I know why hugs make one say "Your a good girl."
Just two seconds ago my nephew came over to me and gave me a hug! "you're a good boy." I said subconsciously, don't get me wrong I knew what I meant, and I meant to say it. But it didn't hit me that my gramps always says that until after Ej walked away.
I don't know much, but this is one thing in life I know for sure. A hug has healing powers! :) Now don't misunderstand me, I am usually very anti-hug. But here are the exceptions; family, best girlfriends, people in mourning, and especially nieces and nephews!
Now back to healing powers, I'm tired, I'm frustrated, my back hurts, I have a severe cough, and a headache. first I came down the stairs and was tackled by a group of loving nieces and nephews, In an instant all terrible feelings went away, (even my back pains) and my heart felt warm. Then I was on the computer and Ej came over and gives me a hug, same thing, pains away, heart went warm.
Now I know why hugs make one say "Your a good girl."
Friday, April 1, 2011
Finite Thinking . . .
I'm so tired.
My whole life I've had this way of thinking "When I get older, everything will make sense.". Well here I am, 17 years old and nothing makes sense, everything makes less sense, in fact! A friend of mine once said "I went away looking for answers. . . But I only got more questions". I wrote down that quote because I remember thinking "that is so true!". The more questions I get answered the more questions generate!
And this is what gets me. I will have this issue, my whole life! "Since your only 17, how do you know that"-you, How do I know that!? Because, some of my role-models told me. These women are people I look up to and admire and respect. Dr. Helen Roseveare, Hannah Lee, Danielle! Each one of these woman have told me at one point in some way or other "The more you learn the less you know".
I think God did that on purpose. He is so Infinite, so Grand, and so Unfathomable, so that no matter how we search out the mysteries of life, no matter how hard we try to understand, no matter how hard we try to be infinite, we only fail and sink further into our finite-ness and our lack of knowledge.
God is so big, so holy, and so glorious, the more we know him, the sooner we understand how much there is to still learn about him!
My whole life I've had this way of thinking "When I get older, everything will make sense.". Well here I am, 17 years old and nothing makes sense, everything makes less sense, in fact! A friend of mine once said "I went away looking for answers. . . But I only got more questions". I wrote down that quote because I remember thinking "that is so true!". The more questions I get answered the more questions generate!
And this is what gets me. I will have this issue, my whole life! "Since your only 17, how do you know that"-you, How do I know that!? Because, some of my role-models told me. These women are people I look up to and admire and respect. Dr. Helen Roseveare, Hannah Lee, Danielle! Each one of these woman have told me at one point in some way or other "The more you learn the less you know".
I think God did that on purpose. He is so Infinite, so Grand, and so Unfathomable, so that no matter how we search out the mysteries of life, no matter how hard we try to understand, no matter how hard we try to be infinite, we only fail and sink further into our finite-ness and our lack of knowledge.
God is so big, so holy, and so glorious, the more we know him, the sooner we understand how much there is to still learn about him!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Collections From A Springtime Walk . . .
Things that I love:
1. Conversations between friends.
2. Sisters
3. Laughter
4. Warm weather and soft green grass.
5. Muddy bare feet
6. Blue eyes
7. Daffodils
8. Fathers and their sons
9. Mothers and their daughters
10. Contained anger
11. Random blessings
12. Listening to classical music
13. Open windows
14. Anticipation
15. Scenic routes
16. Ellie's chubby-ness
17. Receiving letters
18. Incredible imagination
19. Smiling Faces
20. And last but not least on the list, the very thing that makes all these blessings possible. The free grace of God, which we have received through Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. Conversations between friends.
2. Sisters
3. Laughter
4. Warm weather and soft green grass.
5. Muddy bare feet
6. Blue eyes
7. Daffodils
8. Fathers and their sons
9. Mothers and their daughters
10. Contained anger
11. Random blessings
12. Listening to classical music
13. Open windows
14. Anticipation
15. Scenic routes
16. Ellie's chubby-ness
17. Receiving letters
18. Incredible imagination
19. Smiling Faces
20. And last but not least on the list, the very thing that makes all these blessings possible. The free grace of God, which we have received through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mother Knows Best
Tonight me and my mother went for a drive. Such a pleasant thing, it was. Until the subject of my speed came up.
First we talked about how bad my car sounds, like an angry motor boat in the middle of a ravine! "That's terrible. I want you to go straight home and don't drive this car till your dad can look at it." said she. This made me sad immediately. I love my car, probably more than I should! Father knows it's not for materialistic reasons, it's a little old Malibu with several scrapes and bruises, its loud and occasionally it doesn't start, but the near death experience we had together brought us close together! I talk to my car like I would a friend. His name is Alan, by the way. Like Alan Rickman. So I was saddened by the fact that I wouldn't get to drive him to Holden tonight, or drive him to Lee's Summit in the morning. "Abigail, that sounds serious, if your tire blows on you, you'd had better have both your hands on that steering wheel!"
Then came the subject of my speed. Confession: I was going 55 down 7 hwy. "You know the speed limit along here is 45. and it has been since you got on this road.". I slowed to 50. "Your still speeding." my hard headed reply was this, "If they pull me over for going 5 over, they're just looking for something to do.". "oh so you think your above the law?" mom teased. I retaliated. and thus went our conversation, arguing about the speed limit, relating it to my Christian walk and convictions and everything.
I don't remember the rest of what went on. You see my mom and I are so much alike we tend to argue some. but we love each other to the moon and back! But for some reason when she approaches me about something like that, my thinking is "she's just trying to convict me." and my heart goes like a cold stone in a cave spring, which nothing can penetrate. Except the Holy Spirit!
Then after dropping her off at Wallie-Martie, where she was supposed to meet my dad, I took of down the road (still going 5 over, mind you.) and right about the place where Adams Dairy goes from being really nice to really ruddy, was were conviction hit me. As I listened to my Harry Potter soundtrack and watched the pale green grass in my perifials, loving the way the trees drape over the road making a tunnel over the road, I felt convicted.
Ultimately it was not the speed limit I was convicted about. It was my hard heart and my hard head towards my mother. I wondered why she had been so worried about my car, it was because she loves me, and wants me to be safe. She want's me safe and smart about vehicles.
I thought about how many other times I've hardened my head or heart to the things she says, I pass them off as "mothers advice", not realizing that her advice will probably be some of the best advice I'll ever get! My heart turned soft toward her and I immediately wanted to apologize for retaliating so much!
I love my mom soooo much, and I respect her! I pray that the conviction the Holy Spirit placed in me tonight would carry out it's work in me, so that next time my mom tries to convict me. I'll listen :)
God is good and His faithfulness endures forever!
First we talked about how bad my car sounds, like an angry motor boat in the middle of a ravine! "That's terrible. I want you to go straight home and don't drive this car till your dad can look at it." said she. This made me sad immediately. I love my car, probably more than I should! Father knows it's not for materialistic reasons, it's a little old Malibu with several scrapes and bruises, its loud and occasionally it doesn't start, but the near death experience we had together brought us close together! I talk to my car like I would a friend. His name is Alan, by the way. Like Alan Rickman. So I was saddened by the fact that I wouldn't get to drive him to Holden tonight, or drive him to Lee's Summit in the morning. "Abigail, that sounds serious, if your tire blows on you, you'd had better have both your hands on that steering wheel!"
Then came the subject of my speed. Confession: I was going 55 down 7 hwy. "You know the speed limit along here is 45. and it has been since you got on this road.". I slowed to 50. "Your still speeding." my hard headed reply was this, "If they pull me over for going 5 over, they're just looking for something to do.". "oh so you think your above the law?" mom teased. I retaliated. and thus went our conversation, arguing about the speed limit, relating it to my Christian walk and convictions and everything.
I don't remember the rest of what went on. You see my mom and I are so much alike we tend to argue some. but we love each other to the moon and back! But for some reason when she approaches me about something like that, my thinking is "she's just trying to convict me." and my heart goes like a cold stone in a cave spring, which nothing can penetrate. Except the Holy Spirit!
Then after dropping her off at Wallie-Martie, where she was supposed to meet my dad, I took of down the road (still going 5 over, mind you.) and right about the place where Adams Dairy goes from being really nice to really ruddy, was were conviction hit me. As I listened to my Harry Potter soundtrack and watched the pale green grass in my perifials, loving the way the trees drape over the road making a tunnel over the road, I felt convicted.
Ultimately it was not the speed limit I was convicted about. It was my hard heart and my hard head towards my mother. I wondered why she had been so worried about my car, it was because she loves me, and wants me to be safe. She want's me safe and smart about vehicles.
I thought about how many other times I've hardened my head or heart to the things she says, I pass them off as "mothers advice", not realizing that her advice will probably be some of the best advice I'll ever get! My heart turned soft toward her and I immediately wanted to apologize for retaliating so much!
I love my mom soooo much, and I respect her! I pray that the conviction the Holy Spirit placed in me tonight would carry out it's work in me, so that next time my mom tries to convict me. I'll listen :)
God is good and His faithfulness endures forever!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Boy Who Wrinkled His Nose . . .
Yesterday I watched Landon. He's one of the cutest babies ever! He has blue eyes and a little bit of blond hair, and he doesn't crawl, he rolls. You can set him down, on one end of the room and within seconds he'll be on the other side of the room! Recently he has been making this face, he wrinkles his nose, and opens his mouth wide revealing the one little tooth he has on the bottom of his mouth! It is so cute!
Today I did a bad thing. I pulled the screen off my bedroom window and climbed out on the roof! And there I sat and watched the sun set. In the woods to the west of our house, there resides a bog. So as soon as I cranked open my window the chirping of frogs filled my room. The roof was hot and felt good, matched with the subtle wind that was blowing. It was so peaceful! I sat so high above the ground, nearly level with the trees. It was so peaceful I am so blessed to have seen that sight today!
Do you ever wonder why children cry so much when they are tired? I have a memory to share with you. When I was younger my grandparents owned a lake house! My parents used to load all us kids up in the van and we'd go spend a few days down there! Now, I remember late one night, driving home, -I don't remember why we were coming home so late- but it also seems like the air conditioning was broken, that's a little beside the point. I sat in my car seat in the dark van, the windows were all open and the wind was blowing loudly. I remember crying my head off! I was so tired and being unable to sleep and I was so confused, I remember not knowing why it was so loud and dark, I just remember not knowing what was going on, everyone else was probably asleep, and I remember crying out to my mother in pure exhaustion. I remember being angry about everything that was going on. Then, I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember the rest of what happened.
Today I went on a walk through the woods. I traveled to Indian Mound, and the Old Shooting Range, and all those wonderful places that I call home! and whilst walking across the flat land by the creek, I spotted green! Green sprouts on a wild gooseberry bush! At least I thought that's what kind of bush it was. . . And it made me so happy. You wait a ruddy January and a balmy February for spring! and finally, its here!
Happy last week of winter!
Today I did a bad thing. I pulled the screen off my bedroom window and climbed out on the roof! And there I sat and watched the sun set. In the woods to the west of our house, there resides a bog. So as soon as I cranked open my window the chirping of frogs filled my room. The roof was hot and felt good, matched with the subtle wind that was blowing. It was so peaceful! I sat so high above the ground, nearly level with the trees. It was so peaceful I am so blessed to have seen that sight today!
Do you ever wonder why children cry so much when they are tired? I have a memory to share with you. When I was younger my grandparents owned a lake house! My parents used to load all us kids up in the van and we'd go spend a few days down there! Now, I remember late one night, driving home, -I don't remember why we were coming home so late- but it also seems like the air conditioning was broken, that's a little beside the point. I sat in my car seat in the dark van, the windows were all open and the wind was blowing loudly. I remember crying my head off! I was so tired and being unable to sleep and I was so confused, I remember not knowing why it was so loud and dark, I just remember not knowing what was going on, everyone else was probably asleep, and I remember crying out to my mother in pure exhaustion. I remember being angry about everything that was going on. Then, I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember the rest of what happened.
Today I went on a walk through the woods. I traveled to Indian Mound, and the Old Shooting Range, and all those wonderful places that I call home! and whilst walking across the flat land by the creek, I spotted green! Green sprouts on a wild gooseberry bush! At least I thought that's what kind of bush it was. . . And it made me so happy. You wait a ruddy January and a balmy February for spring! and finally, its here!
Happy last week of winter!
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Song For My Brothers!
What kind of man will always love you, from before you were born till the day you will die? What kind of man will always be protective, will always be teasing, will always be encouraging? What man will say fearlessly "Your so beautiful."? What sort of man will talk you through the hard times and laugh with you through the fun? Well, I'll tell you what sort of man. A brother!
"Brothers aren't really like that." you may protest. But alas, don't try me, I have six of them.
Jeremiah is the oldest, He is the most protective, the most caring, and the best leader! My whole life he has showered me with fluffy hugs and tales of "when I was your age!". He is big and intimidating on the outside, but really he's just a lug of love! Jeremiah has always taken care of us and he will always be there for encouragement, rebuking, and loving. I love Jeremiah so much and respect him!
Josiah is the second to oldest, my rebel brother who taught me almost everything I know. He taught me to tie my shoelaces, jump on the couch, to mosh, to sing "the little girl blues.", He taught me to punch, and how to play "Roads" on the guitar. Josiah has the biggest heart I have ever known. He loves everyone and expresses his love perfectly! I respect who Josiah is and love who he is as well!
Ben comes next. He's a wonderful brother! Me and him have a love/tease relationship- he calls me turkey, I call him turd! We are always really sarcastic with each other, but the thing I love about Ben is that one minute we can be teasing one another and the next we'll be encouraging each other. We can always be honest with each other and tell the truth in an open manner, no joke needed! I love Ben and respect him sooo much!
Then there's Caleb, my twin. I loooove Caleb sooo much. Caleb is more like my best friend then my brother, we always go to each other about cloths, boy/girl issues, spiritual things, and much, much more! Caleb's a worker, he's strong in perseverance, trust, and honesty. He's very much in love with the Lord. I love and respect him a whole lot!
Matthew Isaiah is the next Bricker boy! He is encouraging, loving, and the most generous soul you'll ever meet! Matthew has always been there for me, and always made it clear that he valued my opinion, even if it was harsh sometimes. We have been through a lot together, and come out the stronger for it. He is soon to be married which kind of makes me super duper excited. I'm just sad we won't be living together anymore and I won't get to see the Lord working in him daily! I love and respect Matthew Bricker!
Then. . . Last but not least, comes the one and only Simeon! My wild one. Sim has always been supportive and honest, if you have a dream, Sim will be the first to tell you the pro's and con's of it, but also the first to say "go for it!". We have been on several road trips together! We love to car dance together and quote movies! We're dorks by nature, it's just who we are! I'm so thankful we can be like that together! I respect Simeon, as well as love him sooo much!
For some reason I feel a need to write Michael a paragraph, I mean come on he's practically my brother too! Growing up Michael was always around. He was always kind, loving, and encouraging. Even when real brothers would tease and say "Go away kid." Michael was always nice, and respectful towards the little sister! He used to laugh at all my jokes, and put up with all my teasing as well! I love and respect Michael for so many reasons.
My brothers are all wonderful men! They have had many mistakes for me to learn from, and now they are brilliant, God-fearing men. I can look to each one when I need advice, encouragement or a big hug! I admire my brothers so much, but I know I wouldn't admire them at all if it wasn't for Christ inside them! They are all passionate about God's Word. I see them working hard to conform to the likeness of Christ, working hard to memorize and spread the gospel, and working hard to become the men who God calls them to be!
I love my brothers so much! And thank God for putting them in my life.
God be praised!
The end.
"Brothers aren't really like that." you may protest. But alas, don't try me, I have six of them.
Jeremiah is the oldest, He is the most protective, the most caring, and the best leader! My whole life he has showered me with fluffy hugs and tales of "when I was your age!". He is big and intimidating on the outside, but really he's just a lug of love! Jeremiah has always taken care of us and he will always be there for encouragement, rebuking, and loving. I love Jeremiah so much and respect him!
Josiah is the second to oldest, my rebel brother who taught me almost everything I know. He taught me to tie my shoelaces, jump on the couch, to mosh, to sing "the little girl blues.", He taught me to punch, and how to play "Roads" on the guitar. Josiah has the biggest heart I have ever known. He loves everyone and expresses his love perfectly! I respect who Josiah is and love who he is as well!
Ben comes next. He's a wonderful brother! Me and him have a love/tease relationship- he calls me turkey, I call him turd! We are always really sarcastic with each other, but the thing I love about Ben is that one minute we can be teasing one another and the next we'll be encouraging each other. We can always be honest with each other and tell the truth in an open manner, no joke needed! I love Ben and respect him sooo much!
Then there's Caleb, my twin. I loooove Caleb sooo much. Caleb is more like my best friend then my brother, we always go to each other about cloths, boy/girl issues, spiritual things, and much, much more! Caleb's a worker, he's strong in perseverance, trust, and honesty. He's very much in love with the Lord. I love and respect him a whole lot!
Matthew Isaiah is the next Bricker boy! He is encouraging, loving, and the most generous soul you'll ever meet! Matthew has always been there for me, and always made it clear that he valued my opinion, even if it was harsh sometimes. We have been through a lot together, and come out the stronger for it. He is soon to be married which kind of makes me super duper excited. I'm just sad we won't be living together anymore and I won't get to see the Lord working in him daily! I love and respect Matthew Bricker!
Then. . . Last but not least, comes the one and only Simeon! My wild one. Sim has always been supportive and honest, if you have a dream, Sim will be the first to tell you the pro's and con's of it, but also the first to say "go for it!". We have been on several road trips together! We love to car dance together and quote movies! We're dorks by nature, it's just who we are! I'm so thankful we can be like that together! I respect Simeon, as well as love him sooo much!
For some reason I feel a need to write Michael a paragraph, I mean come on he's practically my brother too! Growing up Michael was always around. He was always kind, loving, and encouraging. Even when real brothers would tease and say "Go away kid." Michael was always nice, and respectful towards the little sister! He used to laugh at all my jokes, and put up with all my teasing as well! I love and respect Michael for so many reasons.
My brothers are all wonderful men! They have had many mistakes for me to learn from, and now they are brilliant, God-fearing men. I can look to each one when I need advice, encouragement or a big hug! I admire my brothers so much, but I know I wouldn't admire them at all if it wasn't for Christ inside them! They are all passionate about God's Word. I see them working hard to conform to the likeness of Christ, working hard to memorize and spread the gospel, and working hard to become the men who God calls them to be!
I love my brothers so much! And thank God for putting them in my life.
God be praised!
The end.
Monday, February 28, 2011
A Summer Memory Of A Carefree Ragmuffin.
The sun had already fallen behind the trees. The last of the light left was caused by the bright gold sunset to the west, it gave the rest of the sky a blue-gray color. A blanket of dew covered the green grass and the pond was still, not a single disturbance rippled across the surface.
I inhaled, a hard cold smell filled my nostrils. I listened, the cicada's loud buzzing was fading in and out in perfect synchronization. I observed, little lightening bugs began to fill the air. My mother and aunt are laughing on the front porch. The sun sinks lower and I can almost feel it getting darker.
I pull my feet out of the water and walk off the dock. Then I set off in a run, as fast as I can, across the Hausmann's huge front yard. The grass is wet and cold under my barefeet, the wind is blowing in my hair, my small feet meet the firm ground with a little thud with every leap I take. I used to run fast.
I reach the porch panting and happy. I sit on the front porch, hugging my knees to my chest and resting my chin upon them. I smell muddy water against skin and smile. I hear the sound of love ones laughing as I watch the lightening bugs fly all over the yard. Their lovely little light show blinked out of time with the cicadas practiced song.
That's when the memory fades. I bet I was 6 years old when all of this took place. It was so long ago, but I remember it so vividly. The smells, the sounds, the feelings! I had a wonderful childhood.
God has blessed me so much. I praise him because I grew up with a wonderful, encouraging, christian family. Because I had land to wander and to learn about, and admire, and appreciate His creation. Because, through all this, He still revealed salvation to me. He opened my eyes to see my sin, to see the little wretch that I am. He also opened my ears to hear the gospel. He showed me His Son, and His finished work on the cross. He revealed to me, that the sins I have committed Christ bore on the cross, He took my sin, baring the wrath of God for what I deserved, and has now accredited his righteousness to me. One day when I stand, a wretch with nothing to offer to God, Christ will cover me with his righteousness so that I may spend eternity with Him, that I may know Him.
My Savior! I owe my life to Him because of what He has done for me!
God be praised,
Forever and always!
I inhaled, a hard cold smell filled my nostrils. I listened, the cicada's loud buzzing was fading in and out in perfect synchronization. I observed, little lightening bugs began to fill the air. My mother and aunt are laughing on the front porch. The sun sinks lower and I can almost feel it getting darker.
I pull my feet out of the water and walk off the dock. Then I set off in a run, as fast as I can, across the Hausmann's huge front yard. The grass is wet and cold under my barefeet, the wind is blowing in my hair, my small feet meet the firm ground with a little thud with every leap I take. I used to run fast.
I reach the porch panting and happy. I sit on the front porch, hugging my knees to my chest and resting my chin upon them. I smell muddy water against skin and smile. I hear the sound of love ones laughing as I watch the lightening bugs fly all over the yard. Their lovely little light show blinked out of time with the cicadas practiced song.
That's when the memory fades. I bet I was 6 years old when all of this took place. It was so long ago, but I remember it so vividly. The smells, the sounds, the feelings! I had a wonderful childhood.
God has blessed me so much. I praise him because I grew up with a wonderful, encouraging, christian family. Because I had land to wander and to learn about, and admire, and appreciate His creation. Because, through all this, He still revealed salvation to me. He opened my eyes to see my sin, to see the little wretch that I am. He also opened my ears to hear the gospel. He showed me His Son, and His finished work on the cross. He revealed to me, that the sins I have committed Christ bore on the cross, He took my sin, baring the wrath of God for what I deserved, and has now accredited his righteousness to me. One day when I stand, a wretch with nothing to offer to God, Christ will cover me with his righteousness so that I may spend eternity with Him, that I may know Him.
My Savior! I owe my life to Him because of what He has done for me!
God be praised,
Forever and always!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
When Life Gives You Suger. . . Put Some Coffee In It
Dear reader,
I really wasn't sure how to start this blog post, so I decided to address you. You see, I'm afraid I've been thinking! "That's a dangerous pass time" You say. And I agree, especially for a girl! I don't know, but I've been told, that boys dont think the same way girls do. They think in boxes whereas girls think in wires. Crazy messed up wires that run thoughts through our brains 100 miles per hour. Do not for one second think that I am saying we are in any way better than men, or smarter than men. For, in fact, we are not! We are just different. When a man can't keep his boxes in place they call it ADD. When a woman can't keep her thoughts on one wire, they say "How like a girl!".
However don't go by me, that's just what I heard.
Anyway, as I was saying I've been thinking, this morning while drinking my coffee, about many, many things. Then suddenly this thought came to me "I need to get a job, so I can pay my bills and go to Africa. Maybe I'll become a hippy and sell all I have and learn to play the guitar. Would I sell all my stuff so I could go to Africa?" I was definitely jumping wires just then.
My next thought of course was "Yes I WOULD. But I don't really have anything of value." My cloths, I wouldn't mind selling those. But do I have any of value? I have a cute sweater from Buckle That might make me ten bucks, a few pairs of pants, I've never worn, for two bucks each, I have a bunch of scarves I could sell for Two bucks each, then one Holster shirt I could sell for ten bucks. I'm up to $ 30. See not worth it. . .
Then again, I do have a Brother I could sell. . . Not an actual blood related, living, breathing, brother, a Brother Sewing Machine. I love my sewing machine, and use it a lot! It's in really good shape and works like a charm. I could sell it for at least 50-100 bucks I think. I also have two American girl dolls in perfect condition, one is the limited time only doll, Marisol! there's maybe another 75. I have stacks of books like you've never seen a 17 year old have. If I sold all of them I could probably get Another 45-50. And yes. . . All my movies, would perhaps bring in another 45-50. Lets say we are up to 275, I do have a car, If I could get 1200 out of my car, I would. $ 1475. That's enough for a plane ticket. Plus the money I've saved from cleaning the bank would help pay for all other expenses.
Think about it though, I would go to Africa, help the poverty stricken, preach the Word, love the orphans, and Give out Bibles. Then after all that and a few months I would come home and have nothing!
The sewing machine I use to make me dresses, skirts, and blankets would be gone. The dolls I am planning on giving to my nieces when they are older would be gone. I love my car, his name is Alan and we've been through a lot together. He would be gone as well. I'd have no books, no movies, and no fancy cloths. Only a life changing experience and treasures in heaven. That would be putting reason above sentiments. And I am very sentimental.
These thoughts that were running through my head were very convicting, very uncomfortable, and very scary. "Materialistic things make me happy."- M.W. Said once, and it is so true!
So back to the question above "Would I sell all I have to go to Africa?" The answer is unknown. I cannot say that I would, but I won't say I wouldn't. For if it was the will of God, and his Spirit did it for me, it would be done. But there is nothing inside me wishing to do it myself. Blast this human nature!
May God do with my life what He will, to Him be all glory forever and ever!
I really wasn't sure how to start this blog post, so I decided to address you. You see, I'm afraid I've been thinking! "That's a dangerous pass time" You say. And I agree, especially for a girl! I don't know, but I've been told, that boys dont think the same way girls do. They think in boxes whereas girls think in wires. Crazy messed up wires that run thoughts through our brains 100 miles per hour. Do not for one second think that I am saying we are in any way better than men, or smarter than men. For, in fact, we are not! We are just different. When a man can't keep his boxes in place they call it ADD. When a woman can't keep her thoughts on one wire, they say "How like a girl!".
However don't go by me, that's just what I heard.
Anyway, as I was saying I've been thinking, this morning while drinking my coffee, about many, many things. Then suddenly this thought came to me "I need to get a job, so I can pay my bills and go to Africa. Maybe I'll become a hippy and sell all I have and learn to play the guitar. Would I sell all my stuff so I could go to Africa?" I was definitely jumping wires just then.
My next thought of course was "Yes I WOULD. But I don't really have anything of value." My cloths, I wouldn't mind selling those. But do I have any of value? I have a cute sweater from Buckle That might make me ten bucks, a few pairs of pants, I've never worn, for two bucks each, I have a bunch of scarves I could sell for Two bucks each, then one Holster shirt I could sell for ten bucks. I'm up to $ 30. See not worth it. . .
Then again, I do have a Brother I could sell. . . Not an actual blood related, living, breathing, brother, a Brother Sewing Machine. I love my sewing machine, and use it a lot! It's in really good shape and works like a charm. I could sell it for at least 50-100 bucks I think. I also have two American girl dolls in perfect condition, one is the limited time only doll, Marisol! there's maybe another 75. I have stacks of books like you've never seen a 17 year old have. If I sold all of them I could probably get Another 45-50. And yes. . . All my movies, would perhaps bring in another 45-50. Lets say we are up to 275, I do have a car, If I could get 1200 out of my car, I would. $ 1475. That's enough for a plane ticket. Plus the money I've saved from cleaning the bank would help pay for all other expenses.
Think about it though, I would go to Africa, help the poverty stricken, preach the Word, love the orphans, and Give out Bibles. Then after all that and a few months I would come home and have nothing!
The sewing machine I use to make me dresses, skirts, and blankets would be gone. The dolls I am planning on giving to my nieces when they are older would be gone. I love my car, his name is Alan and we've been through a lot together. He would be gone as well. I'd have no books, no movies, and no fancy cloths. Only a life changing experience and treasures in heaven. That would be putting reason above sentiments. And I am very sentimental.
These thoughts that were running through my head were very convicting, very uncomfortable, and very scary. "Materialistic things make me happy."- M.W. Said once, and it is so true!
So back to the question above "Would I sell all I have to go to Africa?" The answer is unknown. I cannot say that I would, but I won't say I wouldn't. For if it was the will of God, and his Spirit did it for me, it would be done. But there is nothing inside me wishing to do it myself. Blast this human nature!
May God do with my life what He will, to Him be all glory forever and ever!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Windows.
I live in a house made up of giant windows. I also live in the middle of the woods. . . Lie. I live on the edge of the woods, however my house is still amerced in trees, but to the east of my house is a field. This field is always visible through my windows (Save in the instance of great fog), and currently that lovely field is covered with snow.
I love 'The Land!' when it snows. Living in the woods, we are secluded from the world outside us. Secluded from the place where snow is bothersome, unappreciated, pushed out of the way, and made black. while yes my brother has spent all day yesterday and a good part of today, 'pushing it out of the way' as I just put it. The snow is still here, most of it untouched by anything human.
I am reading this book called Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl, by N.D. Wilson. Awesome book. I got it for my birthday in November, in February I started reading it. The second chapter Wilson spends admiring snow. He talks about the intimacy and care God puts into each snowflake, he talks about the quantity of snowflakes. The very day I read this chapter was the day it snowed two feet. Chance? Definitely not.
I could have read that chapter the day after I got the book, but I didn't. I read it during the biggest snowstorm of my lifetime. That's God. In the book Wilson talks about how nature talks, how it has a language, and how it is a language. God speaks and the snowflakes are. Now with two feet of snow in every direction, I look out my big windows, I can very well see/hear God. He is near, loving, rebuking, and displaying grace.
Sometimes we feel distant from God. (That's a laugh) We feel lonely, forgotten or ignored because God doesn't come talk to us like he did Moses or Abraham. (That's Wilson) But God is there!
"See the snow!" He says,
"Ick. Snow." says I,
"I want you to look at it and hear my voice."
"Go away snow! You're cold, wet, and nasty."
"See how lovely I spoke it, see how I caused it to gather in drifts! See how white it is."
"How am I gonna make it to class on time?"
"I made this snow white with My words, I will make you white with My Word."
"God, let me make it to class safely and on time!"
"Through the finished work on the cross, My Son will wash you as white as this snow."
God gave me windows to see this lovely snow, to hear His voice, to admire it, and worship the Speaker. I love the snow, even though it is too deep to play in and too powdery to sled on. I am thankful for it, because through it I have heard Gods voice.
"Cone now let us reason together," Says the Lord , "Though your suns are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
Now, Look out your window, what do you see? Can you hear what God has spoken? Let it intrigue you, let it consume you, let it lead you to worship the Speaker of this mysterious language called 'Snow'.
I love 'The Land!' when it snows. Living in the woods, we are secluded from the world outside us. Secluded from the place where snow is bothersome, unappreciated, pushed out of the way, and made black. while yes my brother has spent all day yesterday and a good part of today, 'pushing it out of the way' as I just put it. The snow is still here, most of it untouched by anything human.
I am reading this book called Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl, by N.D. Wilson. Awesome book. I got it for my birthday in November, in February I started reading it. The second chapter Wilson spends admiring snow. He talks about the intimacy and care God puts into each snowflake, he talks about the quantity of snowflakes. The very day I read this chapter was the day it snowed two feet. Chance? Definitely not.
I could have read that chapter the day after I got the book, but I didn't. I read it during the biggest snowstorm of my lifetime. That's God. In the book Wilson talks about how nature talks, how it has a language, and how it is a language. God speaks and the snowflakes are. Now with two feet of snow in every direction, I look out my big windows, I can very well see/hear God. He is near, loving, rebuking, and displaying grace.
Sometimes we feel distant from God. (That's a laugh) We feel lonely, forgotten or ignored because God doesn't come talk to us like he did Moses or Abraham. (That's Wilson) But God is there!
"See the snow!" He says,
"Ick. Snow." says I,
"I want you to look at it and hear my voice."
"Go away snow! You're cold, wet, and nasty."
"See how lovely I spoke it, see how I caused it to gather in drifts! See how white it is."
"How am I gonna make it to class on time?"
"I made this snow white with My words, I will make you white with My Word."
"God, let me make it to class safely and on time!"
"Through the finished work on the cross, My Son will wash you as white as this snow."
God gave me windows to see this lovely snow, to hear His voice, to admire it, and worship the Speaker. I love the snow, even though it is too deep to play in and too powdery to sled on. I am thankful for it, because through it I have heard Gods voice.
"Cone now let us reason together," Says the Lord , "Though your suns are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
Now, Look out your window, what do you see? Can you hear what God has spoken? Let it intrigue you, let it consume you, let it lead you to worship the Speaker of this mysterious language called 'Snow'.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Joy Of Grandfathers
I have two of the greatest grandfathers in the world, they are kind, loving, hilarious, and outstanding!
Kindness. Both my grandpa's are very kind. Gramps will plop down five bucks for ice cream cone any day of the week, he'll give you control of the remote, and help you mow your lawn! Papa is a wonderful host! When you visit he'll take you on boat rides, out to dinner, and let you use his computer.
Loving. One time, a long time ago, Gramps took my siblings and me to a movie. He bought us candy, and popcorn, and drinks! We got into the theater, and the movie started. Five minutes into the movie the lead started cussing and got into a fight, and Gramps leaned down and said "we don't want to watch this movie." So we left. Five minutes into the movie! Tickets and snacks for four little children are not cheap! But Gramps didn't care about getting his money's worth, he cared about his grandchildren, our minds, our hearts, and our innocence. That's love!
Papa is very loving too! Almost every time I go over to his house he sits down to breakfast with me and Bekah, with a bible in his hand and he reads scripture to us! Papa wakes up at two or four o clock in the mornign and he prays for his grandchildren! Every single one of us! Papa cares about us too, he cares about our souls and where we'll spend our eternity, he wants us to know the Son as he does. That's love!
Hilarious! If Gramps doesn't have a joke to share or something funny to say! he's probably sleeping. Just today he came in and was talking to us, somehow we got on the subject of dogs, and Gramps says "yeah we had a dog once with really good hearing... (the pause is more important than the punch line) She would fart and turn around and bark at it!" we all laughed really hard, cause Gramps is just funny that way! Papa is really funny just because it's a part of his personality, he's always making up songs, making faces, and making up words like "yell to ped-eh-stree-anse" (Yield to pedestrian)s "turn right at lake jack-ah-mo." (turn right at lake Jackomo) "flight to indiana-Poe-lis" (flight to Indianapolis) . He is really funny!
Outstanding! I love both my grandpa's! They are both wonderful respectable men! Both personable and hard working men always trying to make someone smile. I love both my grandfathers and have been blessed immensely with them!
Thank you Lord for blessing me with such wonderful Grand fathers! Amen.
Kindness. Both my grandpa's are very kind. Gramps will plop down five bucks for ice cream cone any day of the week, he'll give you control of the remote, and help you mow your lawn! Papa is a wonderful host! When you visit he'll take you on boat rides, out to dinner, and let you use his computer.
Loving. One time, a long time ago, Gramps took my siblings and me to a movie. He bought us candy, and popcorn, and drinks! We got into the theater, and the movie started. Five minutes into the movie the lead started cussing and got into a fight, and Gramps leaned down and said "we don't want to watch this movie." So we left. Five minutes into the movie! Tickets and snacks for four little children are not cheap! But Gramps didn't care about getting his money's worth, he cared about his grandchildren, our minds, our hearts, and our innocence. That's love!
Papa is very loving too! Almost every time I go over to his house he sits down to breakfast with me and Bekah, with a bible in his hand and he reads scripture to us! Papa wakes up at two or four o clock in the mornign and he prays for his grandchildren! Every single one of us! Papa cares about us too, he cares about our souls and where we'll spend our eternity, he wants us to know the Son as he does. That's love!
Hilarious! If Gramps doesn't have a joke to share or something funny to say! he's probably sleeping. Just today he came in and was talking to us, somehow we got on the subject of dogs, and Gramps says "yeah we had a dog once with really good hearing... (the pause is more important than the punch line) She would fart and turn around and bark at it!" we all laughed really hard, cause Gramps is just funny that way! Papa is really funny just because it's a part of his personality, he's always making up songs, making faces, and making up words like "yell to ped-eh-stree-anse" (Yield to pedestrian)s "turn right at lake jack-ah-mo." (turn right at lake Jackomo) "flight to indiana-Poe-lis" (flight to Indianapolis) . He is really funny!
Outstanding! I love both my grandpa's! They are both wonderful respectable men! Both personable and hard working men always trying to make someone smile. I love both my grandfathers and have been blessed immensely with them!
Thank you Lord for blessing me with such wonderful Grand fathers! Amen.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I'm Going Home
If you've been to my house, You know that it is a good sized house. My father built this house 19, almost 20, years ago with his bare hands, some power tools, and a church family. At the time of its foundations the Bricker family was big but not complete. A wife and husband with six boys and one perfect little girl, But by the time the upstairs was built, the family had grown. A husband and wife with six boys and two perfect little girls. The Brickers were complete! As for the house that they lived in, well lets just say it was livable.
By the year 2004, over half the boys had moved out and back and out again, Then . . . the family grew, In the summer of 2004, Jeremiah married Jessie. In the winter 2005 Benjamin married Alyssa. Then in February 2006, born to Jeremiah and Jessie, came Ethan James, the next generation! In the spring, Josiah married Sarah. By 2010 Jeremiah and Jessie had three children with one on the way, Ben and Alyssa had Three children. Making the final tally come to 19 Brickers.
This house has served us all well. For a few years Josiah and Sarah lived with us, Simeon who currently lives in Lee's Summit spends his weekend's here. Joanna, Rebekah's best friend, sometimes spends the night, so she can be 3 minutes from her work rather than 20. Every Christmas the whole family spends the night, and we spend every Sunday here together eating lunch and hanging out. No to mention every Halloween the party we host, with up to fifty guests.
Currently there are 11 People living here, 3 of which are under the age of 5. There are many benefits that comes from such a full house 1) Designated dinner nights, 2) I haven't been a day without getting to hold a baby 3) You're never alone 4) There's always a conversation going 5) Surrounded by people you love. Just to name a few.
I've lived in this house my whole life. It's a nice white house in the middle of a forest, my neighbors are my relatives.We have one big pond for fishing and swimming and boating, then we have two small ponds, for good looks and fish for feeding. We own forty acres, plenty of woods to hike through and plenty of fields to play in. And in the summer, we cover the front yard with lawn chairs and blankets and rest in the shade. Our house is pretty! A welcoming place that I call home.
They say "Home is where the heart is." But I don't really believe that. Because as much of a home this place is to me it isn't where my heart is. My heart is with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Where ever he is there I want to be also. He is my treasure, the pearl of greatest price! While I love immensely this place our God has blessed us with, It's not where I belong. And I know that if I lived here alone I wouldn't love it so much, it's my family that makes this place home. Their welcome and counseling, their fellowship and games, their company and love, and encouragement that makes everything wonderful here. I am glad that we all share hope in the promise of eternal life. One day when I go home, When I really go home, my family will go with me. We will all see the face of our Savior, and spend all eternity, getting to know the awesome God who created us and blessed us.
God be praised forever and always!
By the year 2004, over half the boys had moved out and back and out again, Then . . . the family grew, In the summer of 2004, Jeremiah married Jessie. In the winter 2005 Benjamin married Alyssa. Then in February 2006, born to Jeremiah and Jessie, came Ethan James, the next generation! In the spring, Josiah married Sarah. By 2010 Jeremiah and Jessie had three children with one on the way, Ben and Alyssa had Three children. Making the final tally come to 19 Brickers.
This house has served us all well. For a few years Josiah and Sarah lived with us, Simeon who currently lives in Lee's Summit spends his weekend's here. Joanna, Rebekah's best friend, sometimes spends the night, so she can be 3 minutes from her work rather than 20. Every Christmas the whole family spends the night, and we spend every Sunday here together eating lunch and hanging out. No to mention every Halloween the party we host, with up to fifty guests.
Currently there are 11 People living here, 3 of which are under the age of 5. There are many benefits that comes from such a full house 1) Designated dinner nights, 2) I haven't been a day without getting to hold a baby 3) You're never alone 4) There's always a conversation going 5) Surrounded by people you love. Just to name a few.
I've lived in this house my whole life. It's a nice white house in the middle of a forest, my neighbors are my relatives.We have one big pond for fishing and swimming and boating, then we have two small ponds, for good looks and fish for feeding. We own forty acres, plenty of woods to hike through and plenty of fields to play in. And in the summer, we cover the front yard with lawn chairs and blankets and rest in the shade. Our house is pretty! A welcoming place that I call home.
They say "Home is where the heart is." But I don't really believe that. Because as much of a home this place is to me it isn't where my heart is. My heart is with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Where ever he is there I want to be also. He is my treasure, the pearl of greatest price! While I love immensely this place our God has blessed us with, It's not where I belong. And I know that if I lived here alone I wouldn't love it so much, it's my family that makes this place home. Their welcome and counseling, their fellowship and games, their company and love, and encouragement that makes everything wonderful here. I am glad that we all share hope in the promise of eternal life. One day when I go home, When I really go home, my family will go with me. We will all see the face of our Savior, and spend all eternity, getting to know the awesome God who created us and blessed us.
God be praised forever and always!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"She Killed My Jabber-Baby-Wocky!"
I found this poem in a book. It made me think of the scene from Alice In Wonderland, where the hatter is walking through the forest, with a mad look in his eye, quoting this poem while Alice jumps from his hat to his shoulder. I like that movie a lot! And I liked this poem a lot. So I decided to share it with you!
Hope you enjoy it. Oh and by the way, it's really so much more enjoyable if you read it with a Scottish accent!
Jabberwocky
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths out grabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time in the manxome foe he sought-
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One two! One two! and through and throug
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
he went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slaing the Jabberwock!
come to my arms my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
he chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogroves
And the mome raths outgrabe
-Lewis Carroll
From Through the Looking Glass
Monday, January 17, 2011
Make It A Classic!
So, today at the movie theatre, a commercial came on about diet coke. It was filled with good looking people, artists and famous people, who were drinking diet cokes out of cool cans and bottles, which diet cokes don't really come in (false advertising, sheesh making the cans look cooler in the commercial). Anway where was I? Ah yes. And it just made it look like life is always better with diet coke.
Gag me.
At this time I leaned over to Sam and said "elch, make it a classic," (Now I will have you know I was not the person who said this. I heard Derek say it one time and ever since then every time my sister and me ask for a coke we say that. (I have been reading Morgenstern, a man who used parenthesis all the time).). But it is true, coke is th best, I used to think pepsi was, but my ways have been turned. I am an avid coke lover now.
Anyhow,
I sat there thinking, I want a coke! But it is true diet coke is terrible, dr. Pepper is good, pepsi decent, water... Sweet tea yummy, but the best, the ultimate best would have to be a cooks a cola classic.
Gag me.
At this time I leaned over to Sam and said "elch, make it a classic," (Now I will have you know I was not the person who said this. I heard Derek say it one time and ever since then every time my sister and me ask for a coke we say that. (I have been reading Morgenstern, a man who used parenthesis all the time).). But it is true, coke is th best, I used to think pepsi was, but my ways have been turned. I am an avid coke lover now.
Anyhow,
I sat there thinking, I want a coke! But it is true diet coke is terrible, dr. Pepper is good, pepsi decent, water... Sweet tea yummy, but the best, the ultimate best would have to be a cooks a cola classic.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"Bricker Residence This Is Liz Speaking!"
What is it about listening in on mothers conversations whilst she is on the phone?
I remember as a child, whenever mom would answer the phone she would lean against her bed and laugh and talk and say "yeah. yeah. yeah. right. right." And everytime she did this the youngest four in the Bricker bunch Matthew, Simeon, Rebekah and I would lay on her bed and listen to her. It wasn't really that we cared about what she was talking about or who she was talking to, sometimes we would try and guesse by the tone of her voice or what she was saying, but that really didn't matter.(Usually at this time we would get excited and loud and mom would snap her fingers and wave her hand at the door, then we would sigh and file out of her room :)
When we got a little older we stopped listening in, we became more interested in other things than mothers phone converstations. Just today though, I walked into the library at my house to hear my mom talking on the phone and I was reminded of when we all used to listen to mother talk on the phone.
I'm not exactly sure why we loved it so much, it takes a lot for a child to sit still during a sermon or a school lesson, but when it comes to a one sided conversation "looook ouut!". Today I figured it out. The sound of a mothers voice. There is no greater sound in the world! Non so comforting and reasuring.
Why is it that when a child has a nightmare, the mother says "It's alright. just go back to bed." And the child believes them! Because they trust them. They are comforted by their mothers promise.
When we listened in on her conversation I think it was because we wanted to hear her talk, without the risk of her asking about our school, or telling us to do our chores, or ever pointing us in the right direction. She just talked in an intirely different way! And we liked to listen to her. Like our favorite CD.
Anyway theres just a little blurp about my childhood and my mother! I love my mother so much. She is the best there ever was!
The End
I remember as a child, whenever mom would answer the phone she would lean against her bed and laugh and talk and say "yeah. yeah. yeah. right. right." And everytime she did this the youngest four in the Bricker bunch Matthew, Simeon, Rebekah and I would lay on her bed and listen to her. It wasn't really that we cared about what she was talking about or who she was talking to, sometimes we would try and guesse by the tone of her voice or what she was saying, but that really didn't matter.(Usually at this time we would get excited and loud and mom would snap her fingers and wave her hand at the door, then we would sigh and file out of her room :)
When we got a little older we stopped listening in, we became more interested in other things than mothers phone converstations. Just today though, I walked into the library at my house to hear my mom talking on the phone and I was reminded of when we all used to listen to mother talk on the phone.
I'm not exactly sure why we loved it so much, it takes a lot for a child to sit still during a sermon or a school lesson, but when it comes to a one sided conversation "looook ouut!". Today I figured it out. The sound of a mothers voice. There is no greater sound in the world! Non so comforting and reasuring.
Why is it that when a child has a nightmare, the mother says "It's alright. just go back to bed." And the child believes them! Because they trust them. They are comforted by their mothers promise.
When we listened in on her conversation I think it was because we wanted to hear her talk, without the risk of her asking about our school, or telling us to do our chores, or ever pointing us in the right direction. She just talked in an intirely different way! And we liked to listen to her. Like our favorite CD.
Anyway theres just a little blurp about my childhood and my mother! I love my mother so much. She is the best there ever was!
The End
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Africa
I'm stealing this idea from my Sister in law Jessie. You see my Brother and said sister in law are adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia, it has been a long process and we are all doing our best to be patient. Sometimes that's harder than other times. So today I decided I'd write Zoey a letter, and it goes like this . . .
Dear Zoey,
Recently I have been thinking about you a lot! I'm so excited to fly across the ocean to pick you up one day! I can only imagine what you'll look like, and how you'll act! I am excited about all the adventures we will have together.
You are a bit of a "Supper Star" here, everyone asks about you and everyone is so excited to meet you. I like to imagine the day we bring you home, oh what a welcome you will get! We shall drown that airport with tears of joy and shouts of excitement. But don't worry, we'll try not to embarrass you to much your first time in The States.
You have five Uncle Brickers who will love you and protect you all your life, they are loud and funny and like to talk about guns and Lake City, but if you just blink your beautiful eyes at them they'll do just about anything for you. You have four Aunt Brickers who will love you and teach you things, like how to style your hair, how to dance, and most importantly how to serve of the Lord.
You have wonderful Grandparents, Queenie and Grampa. Yes... Your Grandmother is a queen :) And she will love you and buy you presents, let you dress up in her cloths, she'll help you bake cookies. You have a wonderful loving Grandfather who will always be kind, always smile at your tricks and always encourage you in the right directions.
You have two wonderful parents. They are funny, loving, sweet, wonderful, and God fearing people. Their love for you is so big sometimes its unimaginable, but because they have the perfect lover(which is Christ) as their example, I know their love for you is real!
Your siblings and cousins, are lots of fun and well behaved -for the most part- Your big brothers are really smart and protective, they'll teach you lessons, and if you watch closely you can learn from their mistakes. Your sister is going to love you, and take care of you, and together you'll go on countless adventures, a sister is the greatest thing a girl could have. Your cousins are much like sisters Olivia likes to dress up and dance, Selah likes to play house, and Ellie, finds joy in eating a lot.
You will be a huge blessing to our family so we will try our hardest to return the favor. I know that you will love it here! Every Sunday after church, everyone comes over to your Queenie's house to spend some quality family time together. Even now we look forward to the day when you will be with us!
I can't wait to meet you, baby girl!
With love and care,
Aunt Abigail.
Dear Zoey,
Recently I have been thinking about you a lot! I'm so excited to fly across the ocean to pick you up one day! I can only imagine what you'll look like, and how you'll act! I am excited about all the adventures we will have together.
You are a bit of a "Supper Star" here, everyone asks about you and everyone is so excited to meet you. I like to imagine the day we bring you home, oh what a welcome you will get! We shall drown that airport with tears of joy and shouts of excitement. But don't worry, we'll try not to embarrass you to much your first time in The States.
You have five Uncle Brickers who will love you and protect you all your life, they are loud and funny and like to talk about guns and Lake City, but if you just blink your beautiful eyes at them they'll do just about anything for you. You have four Aunt Brickers who will love you and teach you things, like how to style your hair, how to dance, and most importantly how to serve of the Lord.
You have wonderful Grandparents, Queenie and Grampa. Yes... Your Grandmother is a queen :) And she will love you and buy you presents, let you dress up in her cloths, she'll help you bake cookies. You have a wonderful loving Grandfather who will always be kind, always smile at your tricks and always encourage you in the right directions.
You have two wonderful parents. They are funny, loving, sweet, wonderful, and God fearing people. Their love for you is so big sometimes its unimaginable, but because they have the perfect lover(which is Christ) as their example, I know their love for you is real!
Your siblings and cousins, are lots of fun and well behaved -for the most part- Your big brothers are really smart and protective, they'll teach you lessons, and if you watch closely you can learn from their mistakes. Your sister is going to love you, and take care of you, and together you'll go on countless adventures, a sister is the greatest thing a girl could have. Your cousins are much like sisters Olivia likes to dress up and dance, Selah likes to play house, and Ellie, finds joy in eating a lot.
You will be a huge blessing to our family so we will try our hardest to return the favor. I know that you will love it here! Every Sunday after church, everyone comes over to your Queenie's house to spend some quality family time together. Even now we look forward to the day when you will be with us!
I can't wait to meet you, baby girl!
With love and care,
Aunt Abigail.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
I Wonder As I Wander
The other day I was driving to church, and my mind began to wander. First I wandered to a school that much resembled Hogwarts! Where I was studying physics and architecture, for a second I jumped to china to mutter a prayer for my cousin, Then I was on the moon. And I began to wonder at the science of the stars, and why the moon affected the earth like it does, and how crazy it is that everything just works. And suddenly I was back in my car feeling very small, thinking, "Because God made science.". Isn't it a mind blowing thought. Another mind blowing thought I had was this "God could have made a different science." In the beginning when God spoke everything into existence, He could have spoken a completely different science. Things are, the way they are, because they have been that way since the beginning of time, therefore it is hard for us to grasp the thought that perhaps at one time God made a list of sciences and decided which one he wanted to use to create the universe.
He is not bound by time, or science, or anything else, like we are. He is infinite and original, something we can never imagine! So as I wander I wonder at the infinite greatness and worth my my Savior and Creator.
He is not bound by time, or science, or anything else, like we are. He is infinite and original, something we can never imagine! So as I wander I wonder at the infinite greatness and worth my my Savior and Creator.
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