Giving Thanks

I sit here today at my Sister's house. Sam & Wendy are working and the kids are at school. The house is quiet, so I pull out my Bible and read. I meditate on Romans 11: 33-36, "Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him the the glory forever! Amen."

I feel so very thankful to a great God who loves me beyond comprehension. I am thankful for all things He gives me- the good and the bad- because I can trust that He only wants the best for me and knows far more then I can ever begin to know exactly what I need. I am thankful for each day I have people that through their love show me glimpses of Jesus. I am thankful for the journey I am on and that Jesus is a friend that walks that journey with me. I am blessed beyond measure and sit here today in the stillness of a warm house and am grateful. May truly all glory be to God forever!

~Thirty, Flirty, and Fabulous~

So I sit here today less then 24 hours from my 30th birthday. 30 years wow! I reflect back over my years and feel very blessed. I have been given so much and have lived a great life. I have a wonderful family that loves me so much and who I have so much fun with. I have friends that stick by me no matter what. But more then a wonderful family and great friends, I am loved by my creator God. Without God's love I would be nothing, so as I say good-bye to my 20s and welcome in my 30s I acknowledge everything I am, everything I have, and everything I hope to be is all because of God. I am truly blessed.

So many people have told me that their 30s have been their best years and if that is true for me I better hold onto my hat because up till now I've had a pretty great life. So here I come 30s!!

Life

Well, I'm sure many more things have happened then just the few that I will think to write about in this blog, but I will try to update you on Reebo's World!!

My dearest Cousin Katie got married in September to a great guy named Brian. I had the joy of being her "Maid of Action". Most people know that position as Maid of Honor, but Katie likes to be unique. It was great fun. Congrats to the Barnolds!!!

North Harbor Community Church celebrated it's 4th anniversary. Four years wow! I still love my church and feel so blessed that God brought me here. I continue to learn and grow.

We continue to stand as a family arm in arm with my Aunt as she battles her cancer. To God be the glory now and forever.

I injured my tailbone and have walked around with a red inflatable donut to sit on. So Cool!!! Please don't be jealous!

I'm leading a small group on the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. What a great group. I am so blessed by these people. We weekly dive into this great book and also in God's Word to let that change our lives. God is showing up in big ways in our lives. Praise Him!

I am heading up Operation Christmas Child at our church this year. I am always touched by this ministry and by the outpouring of love I see from people. To know that kids will get a few things in a shoe box is cool, but knowing that they will get to meet Jesus through a 10 week Bible study after is phenomenal. What a great thing.

I am looking to move into an apartment with a friend from church. Please pray that all goes smooth and we get exactly what God has picked out for us.

So that is a brief run through of some happenings in my life. The last several months haven't always been easy, but there have been good times too. I can say that whether good or not so good I have seen God. He has stood as my rock and I love Him for it. I daily am blessed with
the crazy, wild, passionate, love of an amazing God!!!

Too Long

So it's been way too long since I have written anything on my blog and way to much to update in this post. I will try to get back at this soon. Life continues on. I have highs and lows. I am loved by a great big God who blesses me way more then I deserve and that is all I need! Will write again soon.

Crazy Love

I went on vacation with a plan to finish the book I had started. It is a good book and I am enjoying, but I didn't finish it on my vacation. I got there and my sister tells me I have to read this book she is finishing. It was Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This was a great book. I read it in less then a week, which is good for me since I am not a speedy reader. Sorry, Mrs. Kay, for cheating in reading class in school. Anyway, back to the book, it was so great for me to read right now. I have always known that God loves me, but was really struck by it while reading this. I really considered what my life would look like and how I would treat others if I lived fully in God's crazy, wild, passionate love for me? I continue to ask myself what that would look like. I would encourage people to read this book. You may need to fall in love with God for the first time or fall in love with Him all over again. Below is an excerpt from the book.
"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?
It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not.we all know something's wrong.
Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."

I wish you all a day full of God and His Crazy Love for you!!!!!

Vacation

I am enjoying my time in South Carolina. I can't say that I have done anything huge, but I think that is just what I have needed. I have just been!!! I have relaxed by pool and have laid on the couch with my nieces for movie night. I have started a new book and have snuggled 5 week old puppies. I've read my Bible and talked with God. I've sipped coffee while chatting with my sister. I've watched my nieces and nephew's swim team. I just ate sushi for lunch. I've met the famous Tom Calloway! It's been a great vacation so far.

Getting to me

As most of you know I work at a group home for teenagers with mental illness. I just celebrated my 5 year anniversary with the agency. I love the work I do. It can be a tough job, but most days I enjoy what I do. The past couple of weeks have been tough. We have faced some things that are pretty tough stuff. I find myself emotionally run down. I feel let down by a system that can let things like this happen. I feel angry at authority figures that hurt people under them. I hate red tape and politics...they stand in the way of helping more people. I know I can't save everyone, but I want to help as many as I can. Sometimes the reality that so many of these kids face is out of the scope of my comprehension. I sat yesterday in a meeting weeping on the inside for a teen that needed to be told that being beat up your whole life by your father is not normal and she deserves to live in a safe place. We did all that we could in that moment, but need time to cut through red tape. It broke my heart to send her back to that place, even if for just one more night. I thought of her many times last night. I pray that God would keep her safe. May this girl someday learn that she has value and that no one deserves to get hit!

This job can be very rewarding, but also very draining. I have a vacation coming up and am sure I need it. It's time to refill the tank that is beginning to run low.

Baby

So my best friend is here from Florida. We are more like sisters then friends you might say. She is younger then me and we became close working at a boys camp together in high school. We were roommates in the fabulous A-Lodge and spent countless hours in a very hot kitchen. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we fought (literally). For 3 summers we prayed together every night and through all of this God knit each of us in each others heart in a very special way. Over 5 years ago my dear friend fell in love with one of those crazy boys from that camp and they got married. Then 2 months ago they had a baby. Well, Bec is up from Florida and yesterday I got to snuggle with this precious life that God has brought into our world. His name is Nolan and he is adorable. I am awed at this new phase in our lives. We got here so quickly. We talked about days gone by and all the changes in the present. I am blessed to watch my friend as a mom. She is awesome at it, even if she doesn't know she is. She has all the questions of any first time mom. She loves that little boy so much and seeks to do what is in his best interest, which is in contrast to what is easiest for her at times. I am proud of her and count it a great joy to once again to have a new little one that will someday call me Aunt Amy.

I sat yesterday with Becky and Suzanne. We all made a fuss about the baby and being together once again. We talked about all the changes. Bec is a mom. Suzanne got married. Big life things. I thought I might be sad. No big life things for me. No hotties chasing after me. We mentioned babies and I declared, "Not me. Not now." There are moments when I feel alone. Like life is happening for everyone else but me. Yet there are many more moments when I am so thankful for the life I have. God is so much more then gracious. I am blessed. Sure someday I might be a wife and a mom, but I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, a mentor, a counselor, a niece, a granddaughter, and a child of God. Each one of these roles makes me who I am and today that is enough!

Hi-Lo-Ha #8

Hi- There are a couple. I bought tickets to fly to SC in June for vacation. I can't wait!!! Then I just talked to an old friend on the phone the other night that I haven't talked to in a couple of years. It was great to catch up. Palm Sunday weekend we had another prayer weekend at church. It was AWESOME!!!



Lo- have been feeling discouraged about my place at NHCC. For the first time since we launched the church I am not leading a ministry and I feel lost. It is a time of transition for me and I just feel lonely and that I am floundering. I want to serve God at NHCC and want to be used by Him. I just don't know where or how right now.



Ha- My mom's side of the family got together for Easter, which if you knew mom's family you wouldn't need me to say anymore, but for those of you who don't I will go on. They are crazy. I don't think I ever laugh harder then when I'm with them. My Grammie Barbara and her sister, Auntie Marge, had what I thought were their special card playing hats on, until they wore them to church Easter morning and I knew they were not just for playing cards. My Aunnie Teresa is horrible at Boat Racing on the Arcade Games and struggles to keep the boat off land. Nadia killed Uncle David in Wii Bowling and Auntie Maria played Izzy in Wii Tennis. Seth talked a bunch of smack while beating Uncle Greg in Wii Baseball. I laughed so much, but then overheard a discussion about where the family is all going to go if things decline rapidly in the USA. I got scholded because I don't have my passort all ready to flee the country at a moments notice. Not to tell family secrets, but we're all supposed to meet at Grammie Barbara's house and then go from there. Are you kidding me? We really spent Easter weekend planning our families' escape? I told you they are crazy, but I love them!!!

Congrats!!

I want to offer a HUGE congratulations to Mr. Samuel Huggard for his amazing victory in the NCAA brackets this year. Us St. John girls aren't big fans of losing, but after so many years of defeat Sam you deserve this win. Bragging rights are officially yours for 1 year!!! Way to go Big Guy!!!

Big Games!!!

We're down to the Final Four- UConn, Michigan St, Villanova, and UNC. It's make it or break it time in the bracket. After a horrible start I'm coming on strong in the end and actually have a chance to win it all. Tonight's games will tell alot for me. I need UConn and Villinova to win. According to the computer if UConn and Nova go to the championship I win, no matter who wins that game. So come on Huskies and Wildcats!!!

Hi-Lo-Ha #7

Hi- Dobber's 30th Birthday Party! It was a surprise Superhero party and we had a blast. It was a good night full of costums and dancing!! Happy Birthday Dob!!!

Lo- missing small group. I was out of town the last couple of weeks. I always feel like a little something missing when I skip small group. Love you guys!!

Ha-Costums at the party. Too funny. I haven't laughed that hard in a while.

Iron Man & Duct Tape Girl

Super Shopper- Saving the Economy with my Credit Card

Robin, Posion Ivy, Batman & Batgirl

March Baby!!!

Recently someone I know was complaining about the weather. We're all ready for spring here in Maine. So this person said, "What is good about March? Nothing good happens in March." Now I realize that it is kind of yucky out and all the snow is brown and gross and that there is still snow on the ground. It's not really winter and it's not really spring. It gets warm then gets cold. I realize that March it's a great month in the state of Maine, but for real. I must disagree that nothing good happens in March. I quickly yelled at this person in my best Dicky V voice, "March Madness Baby!" I love this time of year. If you have been following my blog for any length of time you know from my posts last year at this time that I love basketball. I am once again in the family pool for NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Well, we're down to the Sweet 16 and I have sad news to report. The dominance of the St. John Sisters from past years is lacking this year, though I do believe that Mr. Samuel Huggard has rigged the scoring in his favor. I will keep you all updated on the results. Go UConn!!!

Hi-Lo-Ha #6

Hi- Saturday- The days was filled with family and friends! My dearest cousin, Katie's engagement party was a blast. It was great to see so many people that I hadn't seen in years and to celebrate the engagement of Mr. Brian Arnold to Miss Katie Beane. Later that night I got to have a visit with my awesome friend, Missy, who I haven't seen in over a year. We chatted lots! She is a fabulous friend and I am blessed to have her in my life.

Lo- I thought I was scheduled in the cafe at church this past Sunday so I found a replacement, but was actually scheduled for this Sunday. Oops! Sorry Elliot that you were at church 2 hours early for no reason.

Ha- Katie & Brian's after party. Brian's striptease down to the pink spandex jumpsuit! I think the pictures say it all. What a crazy night!!!

Guilt...Doubt...and so on

Why do I get so lost in guilt, self-doubt, and the opinions of others? I hate that Satan throws these things at me. I hate that I let him.

I recently had someone who has been a Christian for many years tell me she isn't sure that God will forgive all her sins. What guilt and defeat she has lived under all these years. It makes my heart sad, for her and for all of us who get so lost in the lies of Satan.

So today I rebuke Satan and cling to a great big God that is greater then it all. I praise my God that will forgive all my sins. I run to the arms of my God that is bigger then my feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and the opinions of others. May I learn to fully rest in those arms.

Hi-Lo-Ha #5

Hi- Spending time with God. The book we are working through in my small group is great. God is teaching me what it means to hang out with God by spending time in His Word. What an amazing privilege to spend time with the Creator of the Universe. He is awesome!!!

Lo- attending my goodbye meeting for the ministry team leaders at my church. I transitioned out of leading the lobby ministry, which means I am not currently leading a ministry. So this week was my last meeting for a bit. I'll be back though. I am praying to see what God has next for me at The Harbor.

Ha- As many of you know I have family in SC, well they got snow this week. The news reporters went wild. They took a picture of a tree with snow on it. Wow! I know it's a big deal for them, but please. It is all the news talked about for days. Thankfully, my brother-in-law and sister were around to teach those sissy southerns what to do with all that snow. I love snowball fights!!!

Friends

We got lots of snow in Maine today and I had no power. My morning started with friends coming over to help me shovel. Thanks Seb & Christina. Then I spent the morning getting to chat with my landlord. In the afternoon I went to the Swan's house to get some heat and a hot shower. YEAH!!! I got to celebrate Corson's 9th birthday. We ran into the Wells clan at dinner. There's still no heat at my place, so I am settling in for a sleepover at the Swans. I reflect over a great day and am very thankful for some many great friends that in a multiple of ways make my life better. I am blessed!!
Goodnight and stay warm!!!

Hi-Lo-Ha #4

Hi- Going out to dinner with my best friend. It was our first just us time since she got married. With the wedding and me being sick it felt like we hadn't just had time to ourselves, so it was great to just sit and chat.

Lo- Mt. Ararat losing by 29 to Edward Little. Elliot, you played a great game though. Nice foul in the 4th quarter!

Ha- I taught in Toddler Tide on Sunday. It's been so long since I served in Kids Cove. Jess Sullivan was my helper and her daughter was in the class that day. We had to put Abi in timeout for hitting. It wasn't good, but the look on her face was hysterical. Good times in Toddler Tide!!

Hi-Lo-Ha #3

Hi- starting an new study in small group. It is only day 3, but I am really enjoying it. It is Developing Intimacy with God by Alex B. Aronis.

Lo- still having to rest to let my body heal. I want to go and do stuff again.

Ha- Sunday at church Dan completely bombed the last song. It was bad!! God turned it all around though and we sang without the music together. It was beautiful, but so funny!!!

Gone too Long!

Wow, I haven't written in so long. I must get back at it. I have been sick since Thanksgiving and am now doing better. I'm getting back to life and one of those things is keeping up on my blog.