Don't Waste Your Year

It's. Nearly. 2010. That's a scary thought (and I feel the same way every coming year)! And you know what New Year's means: parties, New York, the countdown, and "new year's resolutions."

Have you ever made any resolutions? If you're like me (and you're probably not), then you'll have many excellent, challenging resolutions. The beginning of the year will start out great! You'll keep on schedule, stay on track, prevail in diligence, and keep yourself accountable. But slowly, very slowly, as the months go by, your diligence starts to decline, and procrastination starts to set in. With all the activities and responsibilities you have, your resolutions slowly move to the back of your mind. Eventually they're forgotten. Until New Year's. Then you look back on your year, a bit guilty that your resolutions have not happened . . . once again.

So why is it so hard to keep resolutions (or am I the only one who finds it difficult)? I think there's probably many reasons; but ultimately, resolutions fail because people (including me) try to do them in their own strength. And I know from experience that things done in my own strength never succeed. But take a look at what God says:

Proverbs 16:3

NIV
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
ESV
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV, emphasis mine.)

By committing my way to the Lord - doing it in God's strength - meditating and applying God's Word, I can have success in what I do! Of course I must make sure "my" plans are not my plans only, but God's promise is clear: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

The below lists are Sunday school notes from a few years ago, adapted by yours truly.

10 Ways to waste your year

10. Don't commit to anything

9. Do things on your own (and in your own strength)

8. Expert in putting things off

7. Spend lots of time on the Internet, watching TV, etc.

6. Choose wrong vs. right

5. Center activities and your life on yourself

4. Go with the flow (of the world)

3. Don't take your parents' advise

2. Use your time for your own benefit

1. Have no goals

10 Ways to make the most of your year

10. Commit to something

9. Have an accountability partner

8. Don't procrastinate (in other words, "procrastinate later" =D)

7. Manage your time, make God your priority

6. Chose Truth over tolerance

5. Center your life on Christ

4. Fight peer pressure

3. Take your parents' wise counsel (and ask for counsel)

2. Be servant-hearted

1. Set a goal!

2009 Tag

Here are the rules:
1) Fill the answers in with your memories of 2009
2) Tag your friends!


A Moment I Will Always Remember:
New Life Ranch, 2009

A New Skill I Acquired:
French Braiding my hair!

A Movie I Watched:
Up (too adorable!)

A Book I Read:
Ben-Hur

A Lesson I Learned:
Or lessons =D
1) This life should not be about me, but God.
2) God humbles the proud, but gives grace to the humble
3) I cannot trill my R's (which really stinks if you're trying to learn Spanish)

A New Experience I had:
Driving for the first time!

A New Place I Visited:
Silver Dollar City. Well, actually I've been there before, but it was so long ago I don't remember much. It was new to me!

An Inspiring Verse/Quote:
Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


I tag anyone who comments!

I'm Not Dreaming!

We had a white Christmas! I don't know, maybe you guys have white Christmases all the time, but I can only remember one in my lifetime (here in Oklahoma)! But now I've had another one--with about 6 inches of snow and drifts up to 15 inches! I think lots of the States have been having snow, though. Even though we had to reschedule our family gatherings, this Christmas was exciting!

Sorry about the glare...this picture was taken inside!

Dad shovelled a bunch of snow from our driveway.

We live right by a water retention area, so we're just walking distance from some big hills to sled on! The kids went to go sledding and I decided to join them a little while later. But after I got ALL my snow clothes and boots on, they decided they were done! No one wanted to go sledding with me! =D

Cierra had a blast...

...and Mariah was exhausted and could barely walk home!!!

I, nevertheless, decided to enjoy the snow by myself! =P


I hope you all had a...


We didn't get to go to our cousins' house, but we had a fun time together as a family at our house.

The Christmas Tree

The
Christmas
tree reminds
us of the Christ;
its top pointing to
heaven, its lights denoting
the Light of the World, and all
the presents beneath it reminding us
that every good gift comes from above.
Thanks
be to
God!

Note: Want a laugh? Check out this article. I sure feel sorry for those reindeer, though!

Christmas Traveller

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Whew! I've been having lots of finals to study (and cram :D - JK!) for, so I haven't been blogging in a while! And now it's all over! Yipee! I'm not sure if I've mentioned this on my blog, or not, but I'm taking a humanities class that's just for homeschool students and meets twice a week. I'm loving it and have learned so much, but I am pretty relieved all the tests are over now! Partly because I don't have to worry if I'll remember everything, but also because it means Christmas break! Well...for my humanities class anyway. My mom probably will have us continuing to do some of our other school. :( Anyway, since I haven't posted in a few days, I have a lot of catching up to do! So beware for a long post...

We are privileged to live in an area where a local church decorates - and I mean DECORATES - their property with TONS of Christmas lights every year! And the best part is, it's free! They put up an estimated 1.8 million lights this year!!!! We try to make a point to see them every year. We chose last night because it was incredibly nice - for a December night!

Isn't my brother so tall? :D Most people probably wouldn't guess that I'm 15 months older than him! It's even harder to believe that I was actually taller than him once!!! He likes to tease me about that now! :) Thanks to my brothers, Aaron and Austin, for all the pictures and videos! I happened to not bring my camera! :) Austin took these pictures. If you've ever tried it, you'll know that taking pictures of Christmas lights is really hard! So on some of them, he turned his camera around - while he took the picture. He said it makes them so messed up, they look good! I think it's pretty cool myself! Sorry about the sound in this video! I haven't found digital cameras to have much audio quality. :)




We also made gingerbread houses the other day. We did it by "gluing" (or icing) grahm crackers together:

The kids had some friends over to help decorate!

This is Aaron's house!

Here's Mariah's! Cierra even got . . . creative! Notice her chimny on top. :D Another view...

I didn't make one because I happened to be the one who glued them all together! I was a little "iced" out! lol!

Well, that's all for now!

*Don't forget to vote on my new poll! I'm trying to decide if comments should have a whole new window that pops out, or if I should keep it embeded right beneath the post.*

A Christmas Tag!

Fun, fun, fun! I was tagged by Karis at Winsome Composition. Thank you Karis!!!

1) Do you like sugar cookies? Yeah! I like decorating them too!

2) Do you like a LOT of lights on your Christmas tree, or just a few? I don't really like the colored lights as well, but if they're white - put 'em all on!!!!

3) Do you prefer a real tree, or an artificial tree? We've never had a real one . . . I think a fake one is less hassle though.

4) What's your favorite Christmas carol? Why do they have to ask an impossible question??? I try to listen to them ALL, seeing that we only have about one month a year to play them! lol!

5) Do you like egg-nog, or boiled custard? I DO NOT like egg-nog, and, to my knowledge, I have not ever had boiled custard!

6) Do you want a lot of snow for Christmas, or just enough to sled in? Just enough to have fun in and still be able to travel safely! We've only had one or two white Christmas-es (how do you spell the plural of Christmas?) in my lifetime, so it would be fun to have another one. :)

7) What's your favorite part of the Christmas story? Mary's reaction to the angel's messege, the manger birth, and the shepherds coming to worship Him.

8) What's your favorite Christmas movie? Hmmm, most of the Christmas movies I've seen are a little too goofy . . . I want to see one like The Christmas shoes, or The Nativity.

9) If you could spend $1,000,000, what would you buy? I would use it for a TON of things, too numerous to list, and then put the rest in savings. :)

10) What is your favorite name(s) of Jesus? Immanuel, Lamb of God, Lord, and all the others, of course! :)

I tag anyone who loves baking Christmas goodies!!!

Question of the Month

So I've been wondering . . .


Why is it important that Jesus was born in a manger? (Or was it important?)


Note: There is no wrong or right answer, necessarily. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

Jingle Bells...2!

I heard this version of "Jingle Bells" a couple years ago from one of my cousins! :)

A day or two ago

I thought I'd take a ride

I hopped into my sleigh

And picked up my friend Clyde

We rode down to the school

And much to his surprise

Some boys started throwing snowballs

And hit Clyde between the eyes!

Chorus

(Jingle bells, Jingle bells. . . .)

Now Clyde got really hot

At what those guys had done

He filled the sleigh with snow

And said, "Let's have some fun!"

We rode down to the school

And much to their surprise

Clyde threw a bunch of snowballs

And clobbered all those guys!

Chorus

I thought it was so hilarious when my cousin sang it!!! Do you all have any funny Christmas songs that you know?

Tag, You're It!

I was tagged by Taylor from Proverbs 31 . . . in Training!

Six names you go by:

1. Chloe
2. My little sister used to call me "La-la." I have no idea where that came from!
3. Chlovus - I got that name from friends at CYIA (I might post about CYIA sometime, for those of you who weren't there!!!)
4. Uh... Lucky Clover (kinda a variation of Chlovus)
5. Chloe-mano-ee-fee-fi-fo-ee - Okay, I don't go by this name, but that's what my dad would call me when he was teasing me!!!
6. I'm having trouble thinking of another one . . . but I have had several people pronounce my name like Klo and Cleo!!!! :)

Three things you are wearing right now:

1. A brown turtle-neck with little pink hearts all over it
2. Jeans
3. My tennis shoes

Three things you want very badly right now:

1. To get my drivers license
2. Christmas break!!!
3. To grow closer to Christ

Three things you did last night/yesterday:

1. Went to church and our Christmas drama
2. Finished up homework for today :)
3. I read one of the Left Behind - The Kids for over an hour!!!

Two things you ate today:

1. A kiwi
2. Homemade bread

Two people you last talked to on the phone:

1. My little bro Aaron
2. My dad

Two things you are going to do today/tomorrow:

1. School (duh!)
2. Tonight I think we're going to the skit night put on by the homeschool group

Your three favorite beverages:

1. I hardly drink anything except water!
2. I like hot tea every now and then
3. And any juice!

NOW TAG EIGHT PEOPLE

I don't want to tag anyone who doesn't want to do it, so I tag the first 8 commenters!!!
Thank you Taylor!!!



P.S. Want to hear ONE of my favorite Christmas songs?

He Made a Way in a Manger

I heard this song for the first time the other day and thought, I have to find out about this song! It relays the meaning of Christmas so beautifully!

Written by Steve Merkel and Lee Black
Performed by Candi Pearson Shelton in the album Shout Praises
For lyrics, click here

Sisters-4-ever

Mariah, Me, and Cierra! <3 You girls!

The Power of the Resurrection

When I was younger, I heard the story of the resurrection over and over. I could retell it, backwards and forwards. But the resurrection is more than just a story. Much more. I think because it was so familiar, I didn't fully understand its significance. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes to the Corinthians explaining the importance of Christ's resurrection and how fundamental it is to our faith:

13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
(1 Corinthians 15:13-19)

The notes in my study Bible divided divided this passage into six points. . .

Six disastrous consequences if there was no resurrection:

1) Preaching Christ would be senseless (14)
2) Faith in Christ would be useless (14)
3) All the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (15)
4) No one would be redeemed from sin (17)
5) All former believers would have perished (18)
6) Christians would be the most pitiable people on earth(19)

Wow! I have just recently been learning how fundamental Jesus' resurrection is to the Christian faith. The whole purpose of Jesus leaving His glory and coming to earth as a man was to conquer death for all mankind, that we may have Salvation through Him alone!!! And because Jesus DID rise again, we have a faith that's alive and a living hope. (Like verse 19 says, if Christ did not rise, then we have a false hope because it's based on this life only.) We have hope that we will be resurrected someday because death has been conquered by our Savior!!!

Have you ever found it hard to believe in (or doubted) the resurrection?


Revelation 1:17-18
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

I now have a . . .

BLOG BUTTON!!!! It took me a little while to figure it out, but I finally did it - with some tips from other blogs! Once I figured out how to do it, I realized that it isn't so hard (at least, as hard as I thought it would be). And I'm not even computer savvy!!! :) So, how do you like it??? (You can see it on my sidebar, near the top.) Maybe I'll make one for my video blog next. . . .

A Fun Tag

Eldarwen tagged anyone who commented . . . so I did!


1) Why do you have a blog? Read this post

2) Do you have more close online friends or offline? Many of my close friends that I know in person, I also communicate online with! So, I'm not sure. But I'm also meeting lots of new friends online - you all have been so encouraging!

3) Do you correspond? With my friends? Yes!

4) Do you have a best friend? I don't exactly like that term, but of course some of my friends are closer than others.

5) Do you play April Fools Day pranks? I try . . . but they usually don't work :)

6) Have you watched a movie and then regretted it? Many times.

7) Do you generally prefer books or their movie adaptions? Almost always the books! So many movies have been disappointing!

8) How many siblings do you have? 2 bros, 2 sistas

9) Do you want more? Sure!

10) Do you have any married siblings? Nope (I'm the oldest!!!)

11) What is your favorite branch of the military? Hmmmm, I've never thought about it, seeing that I'm not going into the military. . . .

12) What do you hate most in books/movies? Using God's name in vain, crude jokes, all-around goofiness, etc.

13) If you had to name just one book (other than the Bible) to call your favorite, what would it be? Hard one, but I have to say I really enjoyed Ella Enchanted.

14) What book/series/movie have you been the most wrapped up in? When I was younger: Mandie mysteries, Nancy Drew. Now: I don't have time to be wrapped up in anything. lol!

15) What music are you listening to right now... at this very moment? Nothing.

16) What are you having for dinner? Well, today is Thanksgiving. I kinda had dinner in my lunch :P


Like Eldarwen, I tag anyone who comments!

An Award, An Award, An Award, & An Award!

Whew! There's been a lot of awarding going on! I have been awarded by Eldarwen these three awards:



She awarded all female followers. I'll also award all my female followers and anyone who is not a follower but leaves a comment.

She awarded all Twilight haters. I award anyone whose purpose of their blog is to encourage others in the Lord by going against the flow!

I was also awarded by Morgan:

This one comes with a tag where I must list 7 things which my readers probably don't know about me. Let's see . . .

1. I am NOT a picky eater
2. I take voice lessons (I'm still a beginner, though!)
3. My favorite color is blue
4. I have my drivers permit (but it's going to be a while before I get my license!)
5. My sisters and I all have the same initials
6. I can't stand people popping their fingers!!!
7. I almost never drink pop

I award anyone who wants this award! :)

Thank you so much Eldarwen and Morgan!!!

Sweet 16

Thank you all for your lovely comments; I had a wonderful birthday! I think my little sister Cierra was more excited about it than I was! She kept talking about it days before, and she made me some special cards:


On this one she displayed her letter skills, although the only word she actually spelled was her name at the top! I loved it! (You may have to click on the picture to see it clearly.)

I was amazed when I saw this one!!! She drew these cats all by herself! She's never drawn a cat before - and she's only 4!!! Aren't they so cute???

She colored this picture of Minnie Mouse for me (and added a sticker of Larry in a chicken suit!!!!).

Mariah was so sweet too! She picked out a special movie for me:

I haven't seen it yet, but it looks neat! And here's a beautiful cross she made me:

My whole family and my friends made it a very special day. Thank you soooo much! Lastly, I just have to share this special song with you!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

Another Page in My Life

O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.

For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:1-6, 13-15, 17-18, 23-24)


Today, November 23, another page was turned. A page in the story of my life - of whom God is the Author. Right now, this new page is nearly blank; but with each passing day, more words will begin to fill the page. And with each day, as every detail is becoming clearer and clearer, I pray I am becoming closer and closer to my Creator. The previous pages are reminders of how fast time goes by and how little I have left. Those pages are reminders to keep pressing on and to make my life count (only by living as unto to the Lord, and not unto men). I do not know the end of this story, nor how near or far away it is. But the Author does. And I pray that He will be my only source of strength and guidance through the many conflicts that will come my way - and there will be many. Each year of my life brings a new page. Each new page brings me closer to the finish. May this page reflect Christ in every aspect. Page number 16.

Joy

You all have probably seen this acrostic of joy before:

Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last

And, while serving the Lord and others does bring joy, service and ministry is not the source of our joy. But before we get into that, let's go over what joy actually is.

How would you describe it? What does it look like? It's probably important that we know what it is because God commands it of us in Philippians 4:4. :) Is it that feeling of "delighted contentment" that you get when you're together with your family huddled around the Christmas tree? Or maybe the excitement you feel when you learn that your family is going to Hawaii for a week (now that would be awesome!!!)? Or maybe even the satisfaction you feel about getting an "A" on your test? I once heard someone describe joy as "an emotional response to something that brings great delight and excitement." I think that's the idea people get in their minds when someone says, "joy." That just leaves one question in my mind: Is there a difference between joy and happiness? And, if so, what is the difference? Well, I think many of us know there is a difference between them, but pin-pointing the difference is a little harder. Let's go back now to the source again and see what the Bible says.

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
Philippians 3:1a "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."
Galatians 5:22a "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . . ."

Both verses say that we are to rejoice in the Lord. So, the source of our joy should be from the Lord. Joy isn't being "glad" when something bad happens, when you have a terrible day, or things just don't go your way. Joy is totally separate from circumstances. It's based on god's unchanging promises and knowing your relationship is right with Him - no matter what's going on in your life.

Unlike joy, however, happiness is the result of favorable circumstances. When things go your way, it's easy to be be happy; but rejoicing in the midst of trials is something that can only come from God. This is why joy is such a great evangelistic tool! When non-believers see our joy - through annoyances, through troubles, through misfortunes - they will know that the joy isn't of ourselves. Our joy is in the Lord!

So how do we get joy? It's one of the fruits of the Spirit and therefore a gift from God, but that doesn't mean we just sit around waiting for it to come! Though God is the One who brings it into our lives, we have to work and spend time in His Word, and get to know God. Remember, though, that it's not a knowledge about Him that brings joy, but our hope and relationship with Him!

Our rejoicing in the Lord is commanded! Did you notice that? God not only commands it, but He says we are "always" to rejoice. Wow! That means every day, every minute, anytime I'm thinking or working, whenever I talk. I know that this is not true of me! I would encourage you all, along with myself, to make a more conscious effort to place your joy in the Lord. "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."

My First Award!

Rules:
1. Do a post about the person who awarded you, and their blog.
2. Give the award to five of your favorite blogging friends, tell about them and their blog, and leave a comment on their blog.
3. Answer the ten random questions

I was awarded by Eldarwen at The Faithful Elven Princess. Thank you so much! I too just recently found your blog, but I can already tell that you're a sweet young lady and striving to glorify the Lord! You are always so encouraging in all your comments! I'm looking forward to all your upcoming posts! Thanks a bunch! :)

Now, since I'm still a little new in the "blogging world" I haven't been following any blogs for a LONG time, but I really do appreciate all my followers! So, I want to say thank you and award you all! Okay, I award . . .

Ashley

Katie

Taylor

Morgan

Amanda

Maggie

. . . and anyone else who has recently become a follower. Thank you all! (Yeah, I know that's more than five, but you all don't mind, right?) Now for the random questions:

Have you ever ridden an elephant? Nope

Have you ever eaten squid? No (who has?)

What is something crazy you have done with your best friend? I've done A LOT of crazy stuff with friends - I don't just want to pick one!

Have you ever held and alligator? Not that I know of...

Have you ever let a snake slither through your fingers? I don't know if I'd put it that way, but I have held a snake

What is your first and foremost dream? To be used by God and that He gets all the glory!

What is your dream vacation? I've always dreamed of travelling the world, but England would be a good place to start! :)

What is the funniest movie you have ever seen? I've seen SOOOOO many, but the most recent one would probably be Night at the Museum 2

What is your favorite song? For right now Lead Me to the Cross by Chris and Conrad

The Next Sherwood Movie

It's here! Well, the announcement, at least! Sherwood productions has announced what their next movie will be about. Have you all seen Flywheel, Facing the Giants, or Fireproof? (Call me crazy, but I actually haven't seen Fireproof yet - but I desperately want to!!!!) I can't wait until it actually comes out! To find out what it's called and to sign up for further announcements visit the website:

The Next Sherwood Movie

O, give thanks to the Lord...

Thanksgiving. It's commanded by God. But it's a joy to do because it reminds us how blessed we really are. I want to share with you a list of some of the things I'm thankful for....

1) The air we breath
2) The color blue
3) The smell of freshly baked bread
4) Humor (what would the world be like with out humor?!)
5) Purses
6) God's faithfulness
7) Brothers and sisters
8) Fingernail polish
9) Water
10) Music
11) The ability to communicate
12) Chocolate :)
13) Pencils
14) Voices to sing
15) The privilege to learn
16) God's righteousness (which is mine through Christ!)
17) The Piano
18) Sunsets
19) Cute skirts
20) Creation
21) Health
22) The Cross
23) Loyal, encouaging friends
24) Prayer
25) Fruit
26) The smell and sound of rain
27) Cozy fires
28) Moonlight walks
29) Good books
30) Smiles
31) Little children and babies
32) Photographs
33) The Word
34) Earrings
35) Names (for those of you who don't know me - I'm a name fanatic!)
36) Exciting movies
37) Emotions
38) Stars
39) Fuzzy blankets :)
40) Hugs and kisses!

I could go on and on! God is so gracious and we are so selfish! So many of His blessings we take for granted. I would encourage all of you to make a list of things that you usually take for granted to remind yourself of how blessed you are!!! You can put it on your blog or write it down and hang it up - you can do whatever you want - but just take time this month to reflect on God's goodness.

Thanksgiving is a time to show our gratitude to God. But we should be in the habbit of continually thanking Him, not just at Thanksgiving time. I'm going to make more of an effort this year to spend more time thanking God. He truely does shower us with blessings!!!


Psalm 92:1
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Psalm 31:19
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

Got Water?

I have just recently completed a five paragraph essay for a humanities class that I'm taking. I chose the subject of dehydration and its numerous effects - and I found some very interesting facts about water in my resaerch! So, instead of sharing my whole essay :) , I thought I would just share a few of the facts I learned....

• 75% of Americans are (unknowingly) chronically dehydrated


• Water is involved in every single process and function inside the body


• Next to oxygen, water is the most essential element for the body!


• Even MILD dehydration will slow a person's metabolism down as much as 3%


• A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focussing on the computer screen or on a printed page.


• One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the time


• Drinking plenty of water helps combat ailments (flu, colds, headaches, back pain, fatigue, fever) - you have a better chance of staying heathy by drinking water, because...


• Water flushes out toxins away from the cells and out of the body


• And water also carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells and helps to convert food into energy


• Drinking plenty of water helps you have more productivity at work


• The body becomes dehydrated before it tells you that you're thirsty - so avoid getting thirsty!


• On a daily basis, the body loses about 100 oz of water (mostly through sweat and exhaling)


• The average water intake should be eight 8 oz glasses of water a day (of course, this varies on your body build and your daily amount of exercise)

I didn't know this, but you lose more water in the winter than in the summer because the air is so dry. So you should be drinking a little more water than usual in the winter to keep your body hydrated.

There is so much to learn about water's role in the body and why it's so essential! This winter, I encourage you all to make an intentional effort to drink more water! God has created the perfect drink for our bodies - and nothing can substitute it (and it's calorie-free)! So, get in there and grab you a glass of good ol' H2O!

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Pumpkin Patch Photos

Mariah (10), Cierra (4), Me (15), Aaron (11), Austin (14)

"My Prince Charming!"

One of my rare goofy moments. :)  I saw the pants and couldn't resist!