2 new Favs

My two latest obsessions (well, not really obsessions, more like new favorites..)
*snare drum roll*

1. My new Glee soundtracks (Season 1 Vol. 1 and 2)- my mommy got my these for my 24th b-day last Thursday. Thanks mom!


3. Country Music (gasp)- I love Lady Antebellum's songs "I Run to You" and "Our Kind of Love" (lyrics below)

You wear your smile like a summer sky
just shining down on me and you

I swear your heart is a free bird
on a lazy Sunday afternoon

I love the way that you were up for anything
never worried 'bout what people say

-------------------------------
You keep me laughing with those funny faces,
You somehow always know just what to say.

Just like driving on an open highway
never knowing what we're gonna find

Consistency

This is going to be a short post (as usual) b/c the big sis and her fiance are coming over tonight for some milk and cookies. I could write about all the awesome things i've been doing this weekend, but instead i'd like to share something God is teaching me. It all started this morning. Had to be at church at the godly hour of 7:15am so the orchestra could practice with the choir before the 8:00 service. I managed to make it on time to rehearsal (yes, i'm obsessed with punctuality), but was mad at myself for forgetting some of Nisha's wedding invitations to give to various people at church. By the time the 9:30 service rolled around I was still very sleepy and not in the best of moods. Only by God's grace did I learn anything during the sermon. What I learned about God is that because of belief in the resurrection I should be consistent. Am I consistently spending time studying God's Word? Am I consistently praying and being disciplined in how i spend my time? Am I consistent in how I manage my classroom or do I grow lazy toward the end of the week? Am I consistent in treating my parents and family members with respect? Wow, I definitely have lots of areas to apply this principle of steadfastness. Praise the Lord for the empty tomb, proving that He is worthy. THAT is what motivates me to be consistent.

O-C-T-O, B-E-R !!

O
C
T
O
B
E
R

Red and Green
Gold and Brown
Leaves are falling
On the Ground

O
C
T
O
B
E
R

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is "October Song" --typical day in music class with Miss Brown :)

Another Amazing Weekend!

Man, am I blessed. Every single weekend I get to learn to much about my God by spending time with family, friends, and Father (ha Alliteration). This weekend in particular I'm looking forward to the PBF Ladies' Retreat (Friday night through Saturday night). This will be the first year that I can actually make it to the retreat. This year, one of my long-term goals is to be more outreach minded, so the fall retreat is the perfect chance to work on this goal by getting to know the PBF ladies better. Also, I'm looking forward to hearing from some very wise & godly women (Kimiko, Bev Moore, and Amy Knoloff). Sunday is gonna be Worship in the morning, then Aaron's family reunion at Turkey Run. I'm really looking forward to it cuz i've never been to a family reunion due to our family being all over the globe. It'll be neat to see what "normal" American families do at these things...
Next weekend is Em's voice recital at BSU; can't wait!!! It's gonna be like our old college days, lol. Until next time, Kiwi

Random Kiwiness

So I should be in bed, but due to taking lots of Excedrin MIgraine today (it has caffeine) and sugar I figured it would be a good chance to blog. Since my brain is too tired to write in essay form, here's a rundown of what's going on and what I've been learning about God recently...

- Being a 2nd year teacher is way better than being a 1st year teacher (so if you're a first year teacher, there's hope!)

- I love this time of year! The weather is perfect, sunny and warm :) seriously, i love going on long walks just admiring God's creation!

- It's weird, but i've been craving Peanut Butter & raisins...two things i normally avoid.

- I'm really excited about my Monday night ladies' bible study. We're studying the book, "Women Gone Wise in a World gone Wild."

- Tomorrow (Friday) I have to take a special pill for my hyperthyroid which contains radioactive iodine (scary!), so i have to stay home all day. This means more God time and Gladiator (my favorite movie)!

- Going apple picking with our International students this weekend in Mooresville. can't wait!

- This morning as I was driving to school, I realized how thankful I am for having Lasik. Not only is my eyesight amazing now, but i save a lot of time in the mornings not putting in contacts. what a blessing!!!

- Hugs from students make my day ;)

- Turning 24 in 42 days!

- I love laying in grass and staring at the stars

- Just started reading Jeremiah

Okay, that's all for now, until later. kiwi

Labor Day :)

So, I'm really looking forward to this weekend! Here's a rundown of what's happening the next couple days..

Friday: Work, workout, teach flute lessons, PBF ReMiX :) Sisters arrive to the casa!

Saturday: Drive to Michigan City with the Fam, Meet the cousins, Aunt Carolina, Uncle Carl, and Abuelita in M.C. and go shopping/have lunch together/enjoy the beach! Drive to Bloomington (5 hours) & spend the night at Nisha's new place.

Sunday: Church of the Good Shepherd, Bloomington., lunch with Nishiki and her fiance, and play with Belle. Drive to Lafayette and hang with Aaron.

Monday: Chores around the house, practice flute, make homemade mac'n cheese, paula deen fruit salad, and berry pie. Cookout!

So that about covers it. I'm so thankful to God for being close to my sisters and getting to see my family in Michigan. My cousin Brian is *gasp* driving already! ahhhh. He's also looking to going to Purdue or Michigan State to study engineering. He's one smart cookie. Hope everyone has a blessed Labor Day. Time to go for a walk!

Fall baby!!!!

I'm grinning like a silly person the entire way home from work, a 50 minute drive. The Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I must share why fall is so awesome :) First of all, the fall brings cooler weather/less humidity, for which my hair is thankful. Another great part of fall is that pumpkins and apples are abundant. This results in kiwi making lots of yummy pies and cobblers. Let's see..what else? Fall means that school has started, and I really enjoy school! Fourthly, I very much love the pretty fall leaves and hearing their crunch as I jump into a soft pile of them. Finally I enjoy fall because my birthday falls in the thick of it--October! God is so creative in making the different seasons for us to enjoy and recognize His glorious design for all creation.
"All of creation sing with me now, fill up the heavens let His glory resound." -Mercy Me, All of Creation

Weekend Hooah!

Although I'm exhausted from a busy week of teaching, medical exams, hives, etc., I'm so very excited about this weekend...
Tonight is the first PBF of the semester! Kimiko will be giving her testimony, so I can hardly wait! Saturday morning I'll be playing with the Lafayette Flute Choir in downtown Lafayette at the Farmer's Market from 10-noon. There is wide variety in the musical selection so it should appeal to many people. The rest of Saturday I get to hang out with Michelle Nagel. We're gonna make stuffed crust pizza, salad, and dirt pudding for desset. She is so sweet and fun to hang out with! Sunday is church, college class and a Welcome back lunch for all the college students (and those of us who are out of college but still hang out with college peeps). Also, I really need to vaccumm my car, Hoshi. Hoping to get that done on Sunday sometime. My prayer is that dispite the bussiness, I will keep my focus on Jesus, and serving others. For now, the hammock is calling my name for a siesta. Happy Friday!

Sanctus Real - The Story Behind Lead Me

This is my new favorite song by Sanctus Real.

Age not Direct Correlation to Wisdom

I've decided to blog again...I doubt anyone is going to read this, and that's okay. i have a confession to make. When i was younger (like 8 years old), I pictured myself at my current age, mid-twenties, as being a wise and mature individual. Boy was I wrong. The older I get the more I realize how little I know. So often I allow my pride to take control and deceive me into thinking I know what's best. If there's anything I've learned since college, it's that God's plan for me is not what I was expecting. The following are several areas where God is showing me to trust Him.

1. Health
2. Relationships
3. job
4. living with parents
5. finances
6. Spiritual Growth

okay, those are just a few categories. I am very encouraged that God is still working in my life. I want to live by Ephesians 5:15-17, and "live like those who are wise." So long for my selfish plans for MY life..God, take this broken vessel and use it for YOUR purpose and glory. May my life be a pleasing aroma to my Lord and heavenly Father. Selah