I know that I should be in bed right about now because I have to be up and on the road to go up north again, but I can't. I am in the middle of messaging Brett and he is updating me on how the truck is having bad mood swings (as I call them). This is very discouraging to him and me as well. We use his truck for so many different things and he is getting frustrated and almost angry at all that has gone into that vehicle and it keeps not working properly. We are taking the truck up north in the morning and I am nervous about how the trip will go even though I know that God will keep us safe if we put our trust in him first.
I was doing some reading in one of my devotional books and it was talking about putting trust in God first instead of in man. That is something I struggle with (as we all probably do). I just need to keep my chin up and pray that God will have his arms around us while we travel. I know from personal experience that I have felt the arms of the Lord around me many times before, and the time that sticks out the most is when I had a car accident in the middle of winter that should have killed me. But I am still alive, and here to tell about it. I also keep in mind that God never puts us in a situation that we can not handle. There have been many times where I wonder why I have to deal with certain things, but then I realize later on down the road that they happened for a reason.
Many times I wonder if this truck issue is just a test on how well we can handle the stress and everything that comes with vehicles in our relationship and still remember to give our problems to God and he will help us with the answers because he knows them all. I pray that God will keep his mighty arms around us once again as we make our journey to Big Star Lake with a truck that is getting older and is struggling to keep on living, and that he will give the truck wings to fly strong to the lake and back.
~Rachel
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
When you hear someone tell you the words "I love you" what comes to your mind? Does it make your heart flutter? Does it make you feel like you are flying on the clouds? Does it make your eyes get all misty? Have you ever wondered what is going through the person's mind who is saying those words?
I have wondered what is going through their mind all the time. I wonder what it is that makes them love me so much. I wonder if there are times where they don't love me. I wonder why it is me out of all the people in the world that they decided to fall in love with.
Tonight was a hard night for me. I had been talking with my mom about clothing and since I am a super tomboy and country girl, dressing up is not easy for me by any means. It takes me quite a while to do and its hard. I was also mentally struggling with the fact that I don't get all dressed up enough for my man. I got myself all freaked out that I wasn't doing the best I could in terms of looking girly enough for him. He and I were talking tonight and after about an hour of talking and me tearing up several times, he looked down at me (with his super soft dark blue/green eyes) and he said "You know I love you" and with that he put his hand on my face and just held me there. Hearing him say that was like a big dam of inner feelings and everything had just let loose. He has been able to make me feel more and more comfortable with everything and every once in a while there are little things that are so minor (that I take personally) that get me all tangled up inside. Its so crazy because the big problems in life I can handle pretty well, but the little dilemas tend to trip me up way more.
I have been so blessed to have him in my life. Many times I wonder how he can love a crazy country girl like me who would rather be living in wranglers and boots and a tshirt almost all of the time with my hair pulled back. I wonder so many times because this relationship I don't want to mess up. I have messed enough up in my life that was so hard for me to get through and now I don't want that to happen with this. I wake up every morning wondering if I will wake up from this wonderful time and realize its all a dream. I don't want to have this be a dream. I want to be his for forever. I just need to get through it all and with his help and love but even more I need the help of God to get us through.
I don't deserve unconditional love, but then again, none of us do. How is it possible to love more and more every single day? I have no idea, but I do find a way to love him more and more every single day.
~Rachel
I have wondered what is going through their mind all the time. I wonder what it is that makes them love me so much. I wonder if there are times where they don't love me. I wonder why it is me out of all the people in the world that they decided to fall in love with.
Tonight was a hard night for me. I had been talking with my mom about clothing and since I am a super tomboy and country girl, dressing up is not easy for me by any means. It takes me quite a while to do and its hard. I was also mentally struggling with the fact that I don't get all dressed up enough for my man. I got myself all freaked out that I wasn't doing the best I could in terms of looking girly enough for him. He and I were talking tonight and after about an hour of talking and me tearing up several times, he looked down at me (with his super soft dark blue/green eyes) and he said "You know I love you" and with that he put his hand on my face and just held me there. Hearing him say that was like a big dam of inner feelings and everything had just let loose. He has been able to make me feel more and more comfortable with everything and every once in a while there are little things that are so minor (that I take personally) that get me all tangled up inside. Its so crazy because the big problems in life I can handle pretty well, but the little dilemas tend to trip me up way more.
I have been so blessed to have him in my life. Many times I wonder how he can love a crazy country girl like me who would rather be living in wranglers and boots and a tshirt almost all of the time with my hair pulled back. I wonder so many times because this relationship I don't want to mess up. I have messed enough up in my life that was so hard for me to get through and now I don't want that to happen with this. I wake up every morning wondering if I will wake up from this wonderful time and realize its all a dream. I don't want to have this be a dream. I want to be his for forever. I just need to get through it all and with his help and love but even more I need the help of God to get us through.
I don't deserve unconditional love, but then again, none of us do. How is it possible to love more and more every single day? I have no idea, but I do find a way to love him more and more every single day.
~Rachel
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Golden year in a review
Last year was my golden birthday (for those of you who don't know what a golden birthday is, it is your age is the same as the day number - ex: April 22 and 22 years old). Well is I was born on April 22, 1987 so last year was my golden birthday and I turned 22.
I was not expecting a huge amount of interesting things to happen since the years before weren't super exciting. Well I was hugely mistaken since my year took a totally different turn than what I was expecting.
April 22, 2009 - my 22nd birthday, nothing big happened other than a normal day
April 27, 2009 - I started working at Frederik Meijer Gardens as a part of the summer horticulture staff - a world class known horticulture site! I met the most wonderful people there - Gabe, Ana, Koree, Ian, Rick, Ed, Wendy, Rachel, Lucy, Rose, Scott, Joe and Steve and all of the volunteers who are too numerous to name. They were not only friendly but they also cared about how me as an individual and what was going on in my life. They helped influence my horticulture study and teach me so many new things about plants and the world that the Lord had created. I was also able to see a great country name in concert - Kenny Rogers! This was also my internship for my Michigan State program. This was also the 5th year anniversary of the Lena Meijer Children's Garden in which I constructed many of the structures that were present in the garden - a carousel, a floral birthday cake, and Alice in Wonderland topiaries. I also help construct the front East Beltline entrance with 7,500 annuals in 8 hours!
Summer 2009 - Andrea Doty and I went horseback riding about once a week to pass the time. We had a wonderful time enjoying the fresh air outdoors and time with eachother and wonderful creatures of love, heart, and spirit (horses).
August 29, 2009 - My time at Frederik Meijer Gardens was completed. I can truly say that it was the most wonderful time I have had at a summer job.
August 31, 2009 - I started class through Michigan State at Calvin College. It was so wonderful to see all of my friends again. I got to class a little early and met one of my friends - Brett Tiggleman - he was there early and we were talking out in the parking lot (at that point I had no idea what would become of that day talking)
September 22, 2009 - My life officially changed (for the better). Brett and I decided to start dating. We had been talking over the weeks prior and we decided that maybe we could give things a try.
October - November 2009 - We began a landscaping project to relandscape his parents front yard in Zeeland. We have most of everything done except putting the plants in.
December 20, 2009 - I got the promise of a lifetime - the most georgous promise ring in the world for the most amazing man in the world! I couldn't believe it, but he promised that in the future when we were ready he would ask that big question, but for the time being this was to be a symbol that he would always be there for me and that I would always be his.
February - April, 2010 - Brett and I have been remodeling his parents trailer up in Baldwin...this is a major test for us to take on. We are almost all the way complete in our remodeling project of the kitchen, living room and hallway.
April 14, 2010 - I met with the council of our church to give them my testimony and I am going to make profession of faith in the church in the next month or so (my testimony is in one of my other posts on here)
April 21, 2010 - The last day of my golden year. I looked back and realized how wonderful of a year that it was! So many things happened that were not expected. They were miracles and gifts from God. I did not include my normal everyday times of going to class, or staying at home, or holidays when we get together with family just like everyone in the world does, I just decided to give some high lights that were not like every other year of my life.
I am truly blessed to have everyone in my life that has been a part of my life this past year. Today marks the beginning of a new year. We shall see what takes place this year. I don't know what will take place in this next year, but based on this past year I don't know what could top these past events. I take each day at a time. Each day is a gift from God. I plan to live each day to its full potential!
~Rachel
I was not expecting a huge amount of interesting things to happen since the years before weren't super exciting. Well I was hugely mistaken since my year took a totally different turn than what I was expecting.
April 22, 2009 - my 22nd birthday, nothing big happened other than a normal day
April 27, 2009 - I started working at Frederik Meijer Gardens as a part of the summer horticulture staff - a world class known horticulture site! I met the most wonderful people there - Gabe, Ana, Koree, Ian, Rick, Ed, Wendy, Rachel, Lucy, Rose, Scott, Joe and Steve and all of the volunteers who are too numerous to name. They were not only friendly but they also cared about how me as an individual and what was going on in my life. They helped influence my horticulture study and teach me so many new things about plants and the world that the Lord had created. I was also able to see a great country name in concert - Kenny Rogers! This was also my internship for my Michigan State program. This was also the 5th year anniversary of the Lena Meijer Children's Garden in which I constructed many of the structures that were present in the garden - a carousel, a floral birthday cake, and Alice in Wonderland topiaries. I also help construct the front East Beltline entrance with 7,500 annuals in 8 hours!
Summer 2009 - Andrea Doty and I went horseback riding about once a week to pass the time. We had a wonderful time enjoying the fresh air outdoors and time with eachother and wonderful creatures of love, heart, and spirit (horses).
August 29, 2009 - My time at Frederik Meijer Gardens was completed. I can truly say that it was the most wonderful time I have had at a summer job.
August 31, 2009 - I started class through Michigan State at Calvin College. It was so wonderful to see all of my friends again. I got to class a little early and met one of my friends - Brett Tiggleman - he was there early and we were talking out in the parking lot (at that point I had no idea what would become of that day talking)
September 22, 2009 - My life officially changed (for the better). Brett and I decided to start dating. We had been talking over the weeks prior and we decided that maybe we could give things a try.
October - November 2009 - We began a landscaping project to relandscape his parents front yard in Zeeland. We have most of everything done except putting the plants in.
December 20, 2009 - I got the promise of a lifetime - the most georgous promise ring in the world for the most amazing man in the world! I couldn't believe it, but he promised that in the future when we were ready he would ask that big question, but for the time being this was to be a symbol that he would always be there for me and that I would always be his.
February - April, 2010 - Brett and I have been remodeling his parents trailer up in Baldwin...this is a major test for us to take on. We are almost all the way complete in our remodeling project of the kitchen, living room and hallway.
April 14, 2010 - I met with the council of our church to give them my testimony and I am going to make profession of faith in the church in the next month or so (my testimony is in one of my other posts on here)
April 21, 2010 - The last day of my golden year. I looked back and realized how wonderful of a year that it was! So many things happened that were not expected. They were miracles and gifts from God. I did not include my normal everyday times of going to class, or staying at home, or holidays when we get together with family just like everyone in the world does, I just decided to give some high lights that were not like every other year of my life.
I am truly blessed to have everyone in my life that has been a part of my life this past year. Today marks the beginning of a new year. We shall see what takes place this year. I don't know what will take place in this next year, but based on this past year I don't know what could top these past events. I take each day at a time. Each day is a gift from God. I plan to live each day to its full potential!
~Rachel
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Faith
This past week I officially joined our church - Oakwood Christian Reformed Church. I went to the council and made my testimony to them and shared with them my views and everything based on my faith. I have made my profession of faith to them (just not in front of the church yet).
Here is my testimony:
During my growing up years, I was raised in a Christian environment - home, school, and church. I was never challenged in my faith or lifestyle while I was still living at home. I went on to go to school at Northwestern College in Iowa where I was tested in every way. I was provided with a Christian family to work for (which was a dairy farm that taught me so much about life). The second year I was out there for school, my grandpa passed away just after I had left to begin school. This traumatized me. I had to make a quick trip back home with my friend Kayla's car. I didn't want to go back to school. I felt like there was no point in it. I felt like my world had crashed and burned. I was struggling in school. I was struggling in running. I felt so alone. At that time I was also feeling like I was not good at much of anything other than milking cows. I spent 4 summers working for a county park in which my good work ethic ended up being taken advantage of by the time I was done working there after 4 summers. I went to work and worked hard because I didn't have hardly anything else going for me at the time. My days consisted of getting up, going to work, coming home and either napping or bedtime, eating dinner, and being alone in my room. I didn't do much with friends or anything at all. My 3rd year in college I had to come back home to Montcalm Community College because my grades went in the toilet at Northwestern. I felt like a complete failure because I wanted to go into Forestry, but since my grades were so bad I was not able to do that. So I had to rethink my plan. I thought about maybe doing agriculture. I kept taking more general classes at Montcalm Community College even though I had no idea where God was taking me. The following summer (my last one at the county park) a friend of mine from church gave me a pamphlet about a landscaping program through Michigan State University. I thought to myself "God, what are you trying to tell me now?" I was like what the heck, it can't get any worse than it already is. I applied for the program a few weeks before the fall and got accepted right away. I started the program and passed all the classes with flying colors. Finally an area where I can succeed. God is giving me some sort of direction where I am not failing at everything I try. I finished that school year out and missed the classes just after they finished up. I decided that during that summer I would do my internship. I had originally been considering going out of state, but that never fell through. My advisor had suggested I try Frederik Meijer Gardens and got in right away. The moment I walked into the place, I knew instantly I was in the place I was suppose to be working. I knew God was up to something but I wasn't sure what it was. The employees that I worked with that summer where not only friendly but they also cared about who I was as an individual. They were also good Christian people. I finally realized how much I was missing while I had been working at the county park. I started up the next school year (which is hopefully my last) I met the man of my dreams. He had been in my classes last year as well. I hadn't expected God to put a man into my life since I was already stressed and confused about where he was taking me, but apparently I needed that extra shoulder to lean on. The man he sent into my life was exactly what I had been looking for, and everything I needed - a God-fearing man who could handle me through the thick and thin of life. I have been also working on being more diligent with doing daily devotions and applying them to my day. It has made such a difference. Also, with someone else to help me along the way and be in the same spot I am has made so much of a difference. God is so full of surprises and miracles! My life has not been easy once I started dating, but it made me realize that I was not in control of anything - I had to let God handle every little bit. It has made a huge difference, not fighting against his plan makes life not only more interesting but so much nicer to live through. I know life still won't be tough but I know that without the help of God and without Jesus coming to this earth to save us from my since, I won't be able to make it to eternity. And I want to live in eternity. He is my personal Savior.
I know that is long, but that is my testimony of what I have been through. So many people have been an influence in my life I can not list all of them. You know who you are and I thank God for putting you in my life.
~Rachel
Here is my testimony:
During my growing up years, I was raised in a Christian environment - home, school, and church. I was never challenged in my faith or lifestyle while I was still living at home. I went on to go to school at Northwestern College in Iowa where I was tested in every way. I was provided with a Christian family to work for (which was a dairy farm that taught me so much about life). The second year I was out there for school, my grandpa passed away just after I had left to begin school. This traumatized me. I had to make a quick trip back home with my friend Kayla's car. I didn't want to go back to school. I felt like there was no point in it. I felt like my world had crashed and burned. I was struggling in school. I was struggling in running. I felt so alone. At that time I was also feeling like I was not good at much of anything other than milking cows. I spent 4 summers working for a county park in which my good work ethic ended up being taken advantage of by the time I was done working there after 4 summers. I went to work and worked hard because I didn't have hardly anything else going for me at the time. My days consisted of getting up, going to work, coming home and either napping or bedtime, eating dinner, and being alone in my room. I didn't do much with friends or anything at all. My 3rd year in college I had to come back home to Montcalm Community College because my grades went in the toilet at Northwestern. I felt like a complete failure because I wanted to go into Forestry, but since my grades were so bad I was not able to do that. So I had to rethink my plan. I thought about maybe doing agriculture. I kept taking more general classes at Montcalm Community College even though I had no idea where God was taking me. The following summer (my last one at the county park) a friend of mine from church gave me a pamphlet about a landscaping program through Michigan State University. I thought to myself "God, what are you trying to tell me now?" I was like what the heck, it can't get any worse than it already is. I applied for the program a few weeks before the fall and got accepted right away. I started the program and passed all the classes with flying colors. Finally an area where I can succeed. God is giving me some sort of direction where I am not failing at everything I try. I finished that school year out and missed the classes just after they finished up. I decided that during that summer I would do my internship. I had originally been considering going out of state, but that never fell through. My advisor had suggested I try Frederik Meijer Gardens and got in right away. The moment I walked into the place, I knew instantly I was in the place I was suppose to be working. I knew God was up to something but I wasn't sure what it was. The employees that I worked with that summer where not only friendly but they also cared about who I was as an individual. They were also good Christian people. I finally realized how much I was missing while I had been working at the county park. I started up the next school year (which is hopefully my last) I met the man of my dreams. He had been in my classes last year as well. I hadn't expected God to put a man into my life since I was already stressed and confused about where he was taking me, but apparently I needed that extra shoulder to lean on. The man he sent into my life was exactly what I had been looking for, and everything I needed - a God-fearing man who could handle me through the thick and thin of life. I have been also working on being more diligent with doing daily devotions and applying them to my day. It has made such a difference. Also, with someone else to help me along the way and be in the same spot I am has made so much of a difference. God is so full of surprises and miracles! My life has not been easy once I started dating, but it made me realize that I was not in control of anything - I had to let God handle every little bit. It has made a huge difference, not fighting against his plan makes life not only more interesting but so much nicer to live through. I know life still won't be tough but I know that without the help of God and without Jesus coming to this earth to save us from my since, I won't be able to make it to eternity. And I want to live in eternity. He is my personal Savior.
I know that is long, but that is my testimony of what I have been through. So many people have been an influence in my life I can not list all of them. You know who you are and I thank God for putting you in my life.
~Rachel
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
First Posting
Well, I have decided to try posting on a different site since the other one I have done does not seem to allow for viewing of my friends and whatnot. So this is my next attempt. I felt that posting on facebook was not in my league and so if you like me to email you a notice of when I post on here or whatever just let me know. I will keep you all updated with all sorts of things =)
~Rachel
~Rachel
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