El dia finale de agosto.

Today is officially THE last day of August.  Hate love, right?
To be honest, I'm excited for school.  I am excited for fall.  I am excited for Saturday morning soccer games.  I am excited for Pumpkin spice lattes.  I'm excited for turning leaves.  I'm excited to get my license.  I am excited to go apple//pumpkin picking! so much to look forward to!

On the other hand... I am sad that there is no more tubing.  No more free time at your finger tips.  No more camps for weeks upon weeks.  It's a hate love thing this school thing is....
I am a junior.  Weirdest thing of my life.  This time next year I will be a senior, have taken my senior pics, be playing soccer, applying for colleges, HOLY BUCKETS.  I am a stressed puppy.  But for the time being, I'm setting my hope and life in the Lord, and for my whole life... because I cannot in any way hold this life together by myself (not even with doses of coffee, my friends, close but no cigar).

This week's schedule::::
Tomorrow-- Soccer practice (I'm doing some of the training, HECK YES)!
--follow up meeting for the Chinese language camp.
--READ SCARLETT LETTER
Thursday
--Soccer prac 10-12
--getting my Cavities filled??
--Read//get ready for school
Friday
--Read
--Do something for myself... a manicure is calling my name
Saturday
--literally read all the time I can get
Sunday
--go to MY church for the first time in forever
--relax//State fair??
Monday
--SCHOOL PREP

<3 you!  Sorry I haven't updated in a century.

Ask, seek, knock... pray

This morning I awoke at my friends house, whom I slept over at last night.  

We had to wake up early, because she had a scrimmage tournament this morning @ Ralia.  She amazes me, a lot.

I was talking to this girl last night, and I am so blessed to see her faith has grown this summer... i don't know what will happen and where life will take her when this school year starts, but right now I know she has made some changes.  She has asked for forgiveness, and asked me to pray for her in strength.  It has been an encouraging thing for me to personally see.

Anyway, this morning I was home around 7:30, and I decided to jump in the shower.  Change, and get ready for the day.  I cracked open my bible as the coffee was brewing, I prayed that God would show me some things that I had been missing in my life.  "Ask and it will be given to you, SEEK and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you."

I found these things are possible through prayer.  Asking God the things we need.  Having a prayer of finding God in every way.  Praying as in, knocking to come into the kingdom of heaven today, and be in the light today, because everyday is a choice.  You have to make it.

This summer I have learned a lot about prayer, and Hannah from the old Testament, and it has just trained me to pray more.  Whenever I am weak, pray.  Whenever I am strong, pray.  Whenever I am feeling good, bad, discouraged, encouraged, broken, distant, blessed.... pray.

I was @ Joni camp last week, and in our small group discussions we had a question that came up that enclosed.... "Is it easier to trust God when life is easy, or hard?" I didn't answer right away, fully knowing my answer, and listened to most everyone's answer... and every answer until mine was easy.  I explained that it is easier for me to trust God in the hard times, because I have a pride fall.  I realize that I am not right, and that there is nothing else to hold on to, and I need something, and I need Jesus.  In the easy parts of life, I feel like I can do everything myself.  I feel like I am king of the world, and I kind of push God off to the side.  I see myself not as much engaged in worship, in youth group, in church even.  I feel that life is all about me.  It's in those hard times that I see I am only human.

I have realized that in every circumstance I need to keep close to God and that I need to pray.  In those hard times, and also in those easy times.  I need to ask, seek, and knock every day, and make that choice to follow God.

In my room, above my door, there is a reminder for me EVERY day, that I see as I go out of my room, and I wake up and go to bed... it says...

So... today, pray.  God wants to chat with you!

I am currently now:
Listening to John mayer- where the light is (thank you, Ashley).
Reading Great Expectations (I'm plowing through it, YES)!
And... enjoying that I just vacuumed.  I love vacuuming.

But... I love you more!

<3R

Catchin' up...

Hey blogging world.  I am home (a day earlier than I thought), from Joni and Friends camp 2010.  It was amazing.  I miss it already.  And I just want to go back.  

All my junk... and it was NOTHING in comparison to what one of the campers had to bring to this camp.  I have no idea how they pack all that stuff...

This is me, Kate, and Jenae.  Jenae is related to my good friend, Sunni, and ALSO in my Sunday school class! Small world!

My nae-nae boo, and Lu-Lu bear, down at the beach.

They loved Kate.

Me, Kate, and Josh leading worship for JR/SR high in the mornings.

The family I was assigned this year!!! (One of my great friends, AbIGaIL)! Oh and Dan had to do something... so he wasn't in the picture.  Hahahah.

Last day.  With Lucy & Abner (the family I was with last year), and Abigail!

Anyway, it was a great trip.  Our theme was "more than imagined."  It was seriously more than we could have thought of or began to imagine.  I am so thankful for the servants we had on this team.  The kitchen crew, people driving everyone around in golf carts CONSTANTLY, all the STMS, nurses, people at the hospitality desk... I mean I could go on forever.  I am so thankful.  It was truly a wonderful week... To God be the glory!

I finally arrived home this afternoon... and my mom picked me up at the Foty house.  We drove home, and I had many stories for her... and then I unpacked my stuff, and then headed to my dentist appointment! (We're checking out new dentists, and this one seems to be a keeper)!  My last cleaning was over spring break, and so I had a cleaning today.  The people were super nice and awesome.  My hygienist was Jenna and she was younger, and she was so diligent at her work.  And she worked at with all her heart... and also asked me with full confidence... "Do you drink coffee??"  Haha, I had just a few stains ;).  Although, she was happy I wasn't drinking soda that often, and that it was just coffee since you can get rid of the stains...

The pro came and checked me out at the end and looked at my x-rays and said that I had two cavities.  WHATTTTTTT, I was ticked.  Dude, I floss every night, brush more than twice a day, watch when I eat sugar so I can brush or do something... I mean are you kidding?? The story goes, I have to get them filled at some point.  I hate cavities.. I get so many cavities.  I hate that.  

It was still a great day, though, my mom and I stopped at Lunds, and I kept telling her... my teeth look so white and they feel so smooth and good.  

we came back home, I ate some food, and crackled down on reading Great Expectations.  I read a lottttt.  I took my book upstairs and then took a bubble bath while reading.... it was really needed.

Now I'm exhausted, and I have so much to catch up on (Like your blog, Ash bash), and so much more.  But before I do that, and so I stop rambling, I'm going to go sleep in my own bed.

I love you,

//REBECCA\\

Camp!

Tomorrow I leave for Joni and Friends camp earrrrrly in the morning! I'm super pumped, but i'm asking that you pray for patience, and love for all of the short term missionaries (aka me), who help with these disabled people.  Pray that we can listen to them, and understand what they're saying... and much more.  I am truly thankful for these people, and I'm so happy to spend another week with them!

Love you!
Rebs

i loves....

i love kids.
i hate when they poop their pants.
i love derek webb's music.
i hate how the next song is obnoxious compared to him.
i love clean sheets and clean laundry.
i hate how i have to babysit all day after church, and somehow do laundry.
i love trips and camps.
i hate knowing i forget stuff when i pack.
i love pictures.
i hate when they make you all sad inside because you're not with those people anymore.
i love reading.
i hate when you're pressured to read, and write essays.
i love sleeping.
i hate when i wake up with a neck ache.
i love painting my nails.
i hate how i always manage to smudge or chip the same day.
i love my family and friends.
and that's all folks.  Night.

Loadin' some calories....

Panera for lunch with Kate and Ashley.  I got mac and cheese (who knows how many calories that had), a salad, a french baguette, AND a mocha.  whoa.

Then Ash and I made guac at her house :)

And ate watermelon.

And made a half quesodilla :).

She's cute.  The end.

Then we went to my house.  Made bow ties, with pesto on top, watched Harry potter one.  And ate popcorn, too... it was worth the calories... or pounds ;).

I love you, Ashley!

Currently

Listening to: Mat Kearney and some new songs that I didn't have... (thank you Ashley).
Drinking: wah wah
Happy about: Yesterday.  Hanging out with my girlies AND getting great stuff.
Needing to do: Read... hahaha
What I'm going to do: Find up some lame excuse to not do it.
Packing for: JONI AND FRIENDS CAMP

Well... school starts in less than a month.  I have joni camp next week.  I have grand rapids with the soccer team the weekend after I get home.  I am babysitting tonight.  I am babysitting tomorrow.

I leave on Wednesday morning EaRLy.  

I love you.

I'm dreaming of....

Fun with two great ladies, amazing sales, and lots of clothes that I'll be bringing home.  I'll blog later! Love you!

Fuel.

Post running snack.  A peach in the middle of August.  What more can I ask for?

A STORM.  That'll get my blood pumping.

Night time snack.  Banana + natural peanut butter.  Mmmm.

Activia challenge.  Loving it, because it's not challenge.  It's purrrrre enjoyment.

Chai tea before bed.  That's my dreaming fuel, I guess?

Night night.  I love you.

Happy Thursday!

Today I woke up to a knock on the door @ 9 saying... "Don't you need to be at Stacey's at nine thirty?"
I didn't even rush out of bed as I usually would.  I putted out of bed, and did my normal things.  Got picked up by the great Kate at 9:15, and was welcomed by Stacey (and one of her boys).  Then she said... "There's some coffee left" and at this point, um, I hadn't had anything to drink/eat, so how do you pass up coffee from Stacey? I don't think you do.

Here's nollan and I.  Just hanging out and enjoying the day! I love this little guy!
Fully potty trained AND can swim without his life jacket with the three weeks I haven't seen him.  WAY TO GO BUDDY :).

We love Nollan :).  He's a cutie, hilarious, and brightens our days easily!

Loved working with this awesome boy the WHOLE year :):):):):). So sad he's going into second grade! Also... for the refrence, I think he likes to look like a stud.  That's all.

We have our fun moments.

He liked my head band as his sweat band.  And looking tough.  He's great.

Well, after nannying, Kate and I stopped at my house for a little bit.  Then went to her house, hung out, and then wrote some letters that we're going to put in the mail to CHINA for our Chinese friends :).  Miss those guys! Anyway, then we had stir fry for dinner, and then she went and babysat.  I came home, and went for a good two miler run in the heat (picture below describes my sweat).  I then showered, and felt extremely refreshed, and "enjoyed" the storm :).

Yup... that's all legit sweat.  Gross, and humid, and hot.  That'll do that to you.

Happy Friday tomorrow!
Love,
R

Momma day

I had a sad, yet great day, too.

My sister left for her senior year of college (sad sad part).

My mom and I have been having a great day together.

This morning I woke up early, said good bye to my sister (and dad), and then drank my coffee.  Drank some soy milk a little later as I was cleaning some stuff up.  Then I put on athletic shorts and a t-shirt and went for a fairly quick run, but got my blood pumping this morning.  I immediately got the lawn mower out, and mowed the lawn as my dad asked me to do (it was hot for 10:30 AM)!

Then I showered, got ready for the day...

Later in the day, my mom and I headed to Excelsior on Water st. to Three//eighteen! Super good restaurant.  We ate with Wendy, Sunni, and Deb.  It was a great, RELAXING time! I loved it!

My mom wanted me to drive, so I hopped in our truck, and I started driving, and my mom wanted to take the scenic way home, around the lake, so we did that.  It was a fun ride home, and nice to just talk with my mom.  On our way home, we stopped at Rainbow for double coupons.  We had a hilarious time! I loved it! We also "bought" these serving cups of ice cream, came home, and watched some PBS thing on one room school houses'.  More interesting than I thought, but again, it was nice to spend time with my mom :).

Tomorrow:::

NANNY THE O'CONNELLS!!!!!!!

I love you!

R

The top senior...

Today I awoke to not how I wanted to.

I woke up to... "Hey... I'm leaving." 

Yeah, great way to wake up.  My sister left for her SENIOR year of college today. :(

Love that lady.

Bye! We'll miss you! And we're so proud of you!

<3 R

Rain. Tears. Sweat.

Went outside to read.  I got blessed with a storm.

Summer reading sucks.

Last night I went to bed.  For about 4 hours.  Then I awoke, and I went to school... and said good bye to all my chinese friends.  There were many tears (especially on my part).

Then I came back home... and went back to bed.  Woke up at 11 via my alarm.  Got ready, then went to my ortho appt.

After that, the sister and I went to Bruggers for lunch.  Super yummy.

Came home... knew it was super hot out.

But... prepared myself for a run anyway.

It was super hot out there.  Took me a while to accomplish my two miles, but it was worth the slow pace.  I was a sweat ball after wards.  

I was happy I got outside and went for a run.  I love running... even if it means heat and humidity.

I love you!

~Rebecca C

Today recap.

Early morning Breakfast with Grandma Vold and Grandpa Keith.

Then my sister and I went to early service.  Then I hung out with the Van Den Endie kiddos after service (LOVE THEM).

Cleaned.  Ate super nummy lunch.  Put my sheets in.  Tried to upload pictures... Didn't work.

Then I ate a pre-running snack.  Pomegranate sauce.  So so good.  Like apple sauce but pomegranates instead.  Sounds weird, but it's so good.

Then I went running... super hot and humid.  I was sweating like none other, and I went for a hilly two miles!

Then I took a shower... felt so good.  And drank a whole nalgene.

Pumped about today's run!  I loved getting out there in the heat! Loved it!

Now icing my cramped calf

+

Drinking organic almond milk.

oh... and also listening to a Sermon through Renovation Church - Fruit Loops Sermon

Happy Sunday!

<3

Oh, and tonight I'll got to bed.  Wake up @ 2:45 am, and send off my Chinese students :( I am the saddest person on earth.

Successful.

Yesterday's run was um... beyond wonderful.

I got home, from a long day... kind of being frustrated, and upset at points.

I got my shoes laced up, my running clothes on, and I went out in a beautiful breeze, and it felt so good.  Another thing is that I couldn't stop smiling.  

It has felt so gooood to run.  I only stopped once to walk for 10 seconds, and then was back up and running again.  I took a little detour from my normal route, and went a little further, and it felt great.  I am a fan of successful runs.

I am terribly sad, though, because today is my last day in the classroom with my chinese students.  Tonight is the closing ceremony, and I just know with all the tears I have in my eyes, I will be bawling.  I don't want them to leave.  They are wonderful.  Pray that today is memorable, and that they also get back home safe.

<3 you.

Currents.

Listening to: Embracing Accusation by Shane & Shane.

Digesting: Half of a peach + oj.

Watching: After season finale of the Bachelorette.

Icing: My calf.

Looking through: Today's pictures and laughing like none other.
Taking: The Activia Challenge (just started this morning.  That yogurt + my granola.  Mmmm).

Pumped about: Today's successful run.

Upset about: I didn't have a belt for my capris today.

Looking forward to: Sleeping amazing tonight... and so many amazing things to come this week!!

Nervous about: my Scheduled drivers test... EKKKKK.

Reading: Great Expectations...

Night night.

LOVE;;

R

Running night.

I came home, exhausted after a long but amazing and super fun day.  

I wanted to crash and sleep... but I knew I needed to get out in the heat and run for a little while.  

Today was my super amazing day for running.  I could have just kept on going... and going... It felt AMAZING.  I was so refreshed after that run//peach//soy milk//cool shower.  

Now I am ready for bed time.  I am so so ready.  

I love you!

~R

Sweet things

I had an amazing night.

I had Green mill pizza with my family + veggies.  It was so delicious, and we ate out on the deck and talked for a good long while.

I went down to my room and saw a missed call from Ash Bash.

I listened to the adorable message, called her back, and talked to this girl.

We soon resulted in her coming over, and talking for a while... and then watching the amazing movie, Sense and Sensibility.  So so good.

Then I gave her a massage because the poor girl had volleyball camp and had a knotted back.  

Love her.

Week two of the camp starts tomorrow!

I love you.

 Please be praying.

~R