Galatians 2:20a
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not i, but Christ liveth in me:
My Life Verse

Ephesians 6:6

Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Friday, December 26, 2008

Reflections of the Past Three Days

Christmas was a lot of fun this year!

We started the Celebration on Christmas Eve at 2pm. Papa Craig and Shivangi came over and we ate, opened presents, played a little music, and fellowshiped. We then headed to church and showed off some of our new stuff before hand, and Shivangi, Kailyn and I swapped gifts. Shivangi got me Totally Cute Boots! (that i really wanted) and Kailyn made me a scrapbook! It was very beautiful. This past fall Ashley had taken some pics of me and kay and kailyn had scrap booked a ton of them with a bunch of little sayings! It was a awesome present!

After we returned home (Shivangi with us) we got into our comfy pjs and started MOVIE NIGHT!!!! We started out watching fiddler on the roof (which is a 3hr movie) then at intermission we put in Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. After about the first 30mins of the movie had elapsed we decided we could no longer look at Peter in his bowl hair cut and had to put in Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian where Peter is SUPER cute. Then we got about halfway through that movie, becca was OUT and Shivangi wanted to see the rest of fiddler on the roof, so we finished it and by that time it was about 1:30 am or so.
Don't know where the next hour went but we talked and talked and talked...you get the point. Then i got tired of talking, well tired all together, but shivangi was not. So i had to just go get in my bed...i can still imagine her sitting there after i left staring at the wall waiting for tiredness to overtake her...hehe.

Christmas morning didn't arrive for us till about 11am....we were pooped....and mom notified us that we needed to be at nana's at 1pm. I now know why God didn't bless me with a 2nd sister. (that lives with me) We had a little trouble all three fitting in the bathroom to get ready...
We arrived at nana's and practiced for about an hour with brooke and faith, then it was time to EAT!!!!! Don't know why that is always the highlight, you'd think we don't eat any other time of year. hehe After that we all loaded up to go see grandma and play her a little mini cantata. She opened her gifts and then we headed back to nana's to open our own.

Surprisingly we didn't have anymore music that day, whereas usually it goes on and on.

Rebecca and I slept over at nana's, therefore i am super tired now because i was up till 2am again. We watched Kung Fu Panda. WHOOO NO NOT THE WOSHY FINGER HOLD!!!

Today we got up around 8, by the way the original plan was to arise at 7, and got ready to go SHOPPING!!!!! Uncle Ryan, Aunt Robin, Daniel, Brooke, Reb, Faith and I loaded up in the mountaineer to go to the mall. Believe it or not today i bought my very first piece of Aeropostle clothing. I also got a pair of shoes...we had too much fun.

When we got back, Rebecca and I went with mom to Goody's and Walmart for a bit more shopping and i am officially TIRED!!!

I shall now retire, maybe sleep for a few days.

Good Nite!

Rachael
Radiantly Dictated By at
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2 comments:

GodisSoGood said...

Hey Girlie! Thanks for stealing my pics! LOL! j/k! AWESOME POST!

December 26, 2008 at 10:10 PM
GodisSoGood said...

MORE POSTS!!!

December 28, 2008 at 1:18 PM

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I Have Been Blessed!!!!


THE ROOM

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.
There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to
catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some
were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth.
Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it
and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this
room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw
a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.
He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name
of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
- Brian Moore