SNOW!!
We have snow now! It's so exciting! Moriah and I spent the morning sledding, making snow angels, and skating on the pond. The whole world reminds me of a snow globe. Yesterday, when we were on tour, I kept on thinking that I was at home for some reason. The snow just made everything feel so right.
Every chance I get, I sing hymn number 318, "Whiter than Snow". "Lord Jesus I want to be perfectly whole. I want Thee forever to live n my soul... Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." Right now, I can't imagine my character being as white as the snow that is gently falling outside the window. But I know that by God's grace one day I will be whiter than snow!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Harvest Time
We reached a mile stone at Fountainview last week. We finished harvesting the carrots! I was on the harvester at the time, and I was filled with mixed emotions. We were done!! No more harvester! But we were also done. No more good times with friends on the harvester. No more monkeying around on the support bars. No more throwing carrots at the tractor drivers.
One thing that I was thinking about the last day, when we were processing the last carrots was about the harvest of people here on earth. Jesus talked about a harvest once. Matthew 9:37-38 says "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" There is a whole world to be saved, and only a few people who are willing to do the job. We had 20 acres of carrots this year (I think...) and there were never more than 7 people working the harvester at one time. But it was the endless working, the long and sometimes overtime hours that got it all done in time. Some of the carrots refused to go into the harvester. They weren't ready! But those who did had all of the leafy greens cut off from them so that they would be ready. The people that chose Jesus must be willing. We can't force them to come to heaven: it's a personal choice. But those who do chose God must allow their sins to be cut off and thrown away. It can be a painful process, but it is a necessary one.
There is a lot to be done in the harvest fields of this world. But there is no way we can do it on our own! We must rely on Jesus, and the hope and knowledge of His second coming. May we all be ready when he comes!
One thing that I was thinking about the last day, when we were processing the last carrots was about the harvest of people here on earth. Jesus talked about a harvest once. Matthew 9:37-38 says "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" There is a whole world to be saved, and only a few people who are willing to do the job. We had 20 acres of carrots this year (I think...) and there were never more than 7 people working the harvester at one time. But it was the endless working, the long and sometimes overtime hours that got it all done in time. Some of the carrots refused to go into the harvester. They weren't ready! But those who did had all of the leafy greens cut off from them so that they would be ready. The people that chose Jesus must be willing. We can't force them to come to heaven: it's a personal choice. But those who do chose God must allow their sins to be cut off and thrown away. It can be a painful process, but it is a necessary one.
There is a lot to be done in the harvest fields of this world. But there is no way we can do it on our own! We must rely on Jesus, and the hope and knowledge of His second coming. May we all be ready when he comes!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
just before it gets better
A few weeks ago, it was rainy. It rained. And rained... I was really sick of being cold, in that wet kind of way. I didn't like having to walk to school in the rain.
Just when I was about to give up on ever seeing the sun again, there was a break. The air was cool, and crisp, and no humid any more. I was SO happy! But I was even happier when I looked at the mountains. On the very tops, there was a fresh, white layer of snow! It was a sight for sore eyes.
Sometimes things in our lives don't go the way we want them to. It may seem like God isn't paying attention. We wonder why he lets things get so horrible. But one thing I've learned from this experience with the snow is that God often lets things get worse, just before he makes them better. That snow on top of the mountains wouldn’t have even been possible with out the clouds, and the rain that came with them. We have to learn that "all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes." (Rom 8:28)We need to remember that things will be better someday.
Just when I was about to give up on ever seeing the sun again, there was a break. The air was cool, and crisp, and no humid any more. I was SO happy! But I was even happier when I looked at the mountains. On the very tops, there was a fresh, white layer of snow! It was a sight for sore eyes.
Sometimes things in our lives don't go the way we want them to. It may seem like God isn't paying attention. We wonder why he lets things get so horrible. But one thing I've learned from this experience with the snow is that God often lets things get worse, just before he makes them better. That snow on top of the mountains wouldn’t have even been possible with out the clouds, and the rain that came with them. We have to learn that "all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes." (Rom 8:28)We need to remember that things will be better someday.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Third Angel's Carrot?
Sometimes I have really random thoughts while I'm mindlessly sorting carrots. One of them that I had the other day was actually very interesting. When we sort carrots, they start out in a big drum. It's called the washing drum. It goes round and round, with water being sprayed into it. This washes the carrots. There are little ridges inside this drum, which spiral around. When the drum is rolling, the spiraled ridges push the carrots out of the drum, and onto a conveyor belt. They got through a few other conveyor belts, and finally onto the bagging belt. There we collect the carrots that we are supposed to. Most often, we collect what are called "number ones". These are the carrots that are as perfect as possible. They are no shorter than 5 inches, no wider than 1 1/2 inches, and no skinnier than 1/2 inch. These are the carrots that you buy in the store.
There are also "number two" carrots. These ones were no shorter than 4 inches. They could be broken, but couldn't be less than 1/2 inch wide and no more than 1 1/2 inches wide. These were the juicing carrots. I've sorted those too, but we normally don't sort them until after the #1's have been sorted out.
Then, there are the #3's. These are all of the carrots that are larger than the #1's and smaller than the #2's.
A person who is sorting #1'a will only look for those. The others are not a concern. When we start sorting out #2's, we will be looking for both #1's and #2's. We want to get all the #2's possible, but we also want to be sure to get the #1's as well. Although I have never done it before, when we start sorting #3's, we will be looking for any #1's, but we will also be looking for the #2's.
This reminds me of a discussion we were having in Bible the other day. I don't remember exactly where this discussion came up from, or why we were talking about it, but the Three Angel's Message is kind of like that. William Miller taught the first angel's message. Later, the second angel's message was taught, and the first was taught along with it. Now, in our day, the Third angel's message is being proclaimed. It is our duty to proclaim it, and the first two. They are a three fold message that must go out to the world now. Christ is coming soon! We must be sure that the whole world knows!
There are also "number two" carrots. These ones were no shorter than 4 inches. They could be broken, but couldn't be less than 1/2 inch wide and no more than 1 1/2 inches wide. These were the juicing carrots. I've sorted those too, but we normally don't sort them until after the #1's have been sorted out.
Then, there are the #3's. These are all of the carrots that are larger than the #1's and smaller than the #2's.
A person who is sorting #1'a will only look for those. The others are not a concern. When we start sorting out #2's, we will be looking for both #1's and #2's. We want to get all the #2's possible, but we also want to be sure to get the #1's as well. Although I have never done it before, when we start sorting #3's, we will be looking for any #1's, but we will also be looking for the #2's.
This reminds me of a discussion we were having in Bible the other day. I don't remember exactly where this discussion came up from, or why we were talking about it, but the Three Angel's Message is kind of like that. William Miller taught the first angel's message. Later, the second angel's message was taught, and the first was taught along with it. Now, in our day, the Third angel's message is being proclaimed. It is our duty to proclaim it, and the first two. They are a three fold message that must go out to the world now. Christ is coming soon! We must be sure that the whole world knows!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Going Home
The other day, I sorted carrots. A lot of carrots, to be exact. I sorted, bagged, and stacked approximately 550 pounds of carrots. This can tend to get really boring. however, I was able to escape the mindless actions by thinking. I mostly thought about home. When I was going home. That was an exciting thought. When I thought of this, I started jumping up and down, singing songs, and praising God. I thought about what I was going to do when I got home. That was a little harder. I couldn't imagine all of the things that I could do! One other thing that I thought about was what home was like. That was a little harder. It scared me that I was having trouble remembering what home was like. I could kind of see a picture in my head of the house. I was also thinking of all the things that I would be doing at home. Here's my list so far.
1) See my family and Friends
That's the end of my list! I couldn't even imagine a single thing that I was going to do during the time that I'll be home.
This kind of reminds me of a verse in the bible. 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." We have a home, a home that is even better than Alaska. It's called heaven. We used to live in a place a lot like heaven, about 6,000 years or so ago. But now we are here. We are going home soon too. We should get excited, just thinking about it! But imagining what we will do there is useless. It is written in God's word that no one has ever even imagined what God has in store for those He loves. That makes me feel special. One wonderful thing, though. This is not a "Thanksgiving break" Where we get a taste of heaven, then are thrown back into the world. We get to spend an eternal "Thanksgiving life" where we get to do just that. Give thanks to God. What a day, glorious day that will be!I can't wait to go home!
1) See my family and Friends
That's the end of my list! I couldn't even imagine a single thing that I was going to do during the time that I'll be home.
This kind of reminds me of a verse in the bible. 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." We have a home, a home that is even better than Alaska. It's called heaven. We used to live in a place a lot like heaven, about 6,000 years or so ago. But now we are here. We are going home soon too. We should get excited, just thinking about it! But imagining what we will do there is useless. It is written in God's word that no one has ever even imagined what God has in store for those He loves. That makes me feel special. One wonderful thing, though. This is not a "Thanksgiving break" Where we get a taste of heaven, then are thrown back into the world. We get to spend an eternal "Thanksgiving life" where we get to do just that. Give thanks to God. What a day, glorious day that will be!I can't wait to go home!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Water in the Hall
This happened a few weeks ago, but I wasn't able to write it until now.
It was Sabbath morning, so things seemed bright and cheery, even before I got out of bed. The week here is always extremely busy, almost busier then a week at home, so Sabbath is always a welcomed end to the week. And this day was no exception. I thought to myself, as I tried to muster the energy to get out of bed, "Today is going to be good. Better than good. No school to do, no problems to encounter."
However, as soon as my feet hit the floor, I knew that this day wouldn't be the typical Sabbath. Why did my feet feel wet? Was that water on my floor? WHAT!
I walked to the door, and most of the carpet was wet. I poked my head out the door, and saw puddles of water spread out along the hallway. The hallways were made of tile, so you could see the pools of water plainly. What was the matter?
After a short discussion with Sam, we decided that telling the dean would be the first thing to do. Although we really hated to wake Rosa up, we climbed up the stairs, and went to her apartment.
Within a few minutes, after getting back to my room, Rosa's voice crackled over the PA system. "Girls, there's a man in the dorm. Please dress accordingly. As some of you know, there is a problem in the basement, so please don't use any of the basement showers. Thank you."
By the time we left for breakfast, the figured out what the problem was. I never heard the whole story about what it was, but that doesn't matter. What I do know is that before Church started, the problem was temporarily fixed. Monday, it was fixed more permanently.
The water in the hallway was a lesson to me about patience. I really didn’t like the fact that my feet were getting wet. I didn’t like the fact that we had to get ready for church while trying to maneuver around the guys who were helping us. I had to learn to get over it. Things don’t always go our way.
I also learned a lot about willingness. Our dean didn’t get mad at us that we woke her up early. She swung right into action to get the problem fixed. Also, the maintenance guys got up around 7:00 in the morning, and came all the way over to the girls dorm to fix a leak. Sabbath was their day off, the day of rest. But there was a job that really needed fixed, and they were willing to fix it. Would I be willing to help other, even if it meant using my personal time? Would I be willing to lend a helping hand even if it didn’t fit my schedule? I pray that I would.
It was Sabbath morning, so things seemed bright and cheery, even before I got out of bed. The week here is always extremely busy, almost busier then a week at home, so Sabbath is always a welcomed end to the week. And this day was no exception. I thought to myself, as I tried to muster the energy to get out of bed, "Today is going to be good. Better than good. No school to do, no problems to encounter."
However, as soon as my feet hit the floor, I knew that this day wouldn't be the typical Sabbath. Why did my feet feel wet? Was that water on my floor? WHAT!
I walked to the door, and most of the carpet was wet. I poked my head out the door, and saw puddles of water spread out along the hallway. The hallways were made of tile, so you could see the pools of water plainly. What was the matter?
After a short discussion with Sam, we decided that telling the dean would be the first thing to do. Although we really hated to wake Rosa up, we climbed up the stairs, and went to her apartment.
Within a few minutes, after getting back to my room, Rosa's voice crackled over the PA system. "Girls, there's a man in the dorm. Please dress accordingly. As some of you know, there is a problem in the basement, so please don't use any of the basement showers. Thank you."
By the time we left for breakfast, the figured out what the problem was. I never heard the whole story about what it was, but that doesn't matter. What I do know is that before Church started, the problem was temporarily fixed. Monday, it was fixed more permanently.
The water in the hallway was a lesson to me about patience. I really didn’t like the fact that my feet were getting wet. I didn’t like the fact that we had to get ready for church while trying to maneuver around the guys who were helping us. I had to learn to get over it. Things don’t always go our way.
I also learned a lot about willingness. Our dean didn’t get mad at us that we woke her up early. She swung right into action to get the problem fixed. Also, the maintenance guys got up around 7:00 in the morning, and came all the way over to the girls dorm to fix a leak. Sabbath was their day off, the day of rest. But there was a job that really needed fixed, and they were willing to fix it. Would I be willing to help other, even if it meant using my personal time? Would I be willing to lend a helping hand even if it didn’t fit my schedule? I pray that I would.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Tempest
At home, when the weather is sunny, it often stays that way for a few days. And when it rains, it REALLY stays that way. Here in B.C., however, the weather is crazy! A few Sabbaths ago, the weather was beautiful when I woke up. The day was perfect too. Well, except for the water in the hall [see later post]. The Sun was shining, and the world was beautiful.
After lunch, I called my parents while they were at potluck, so I got to talk to a lot of people from church. After talking for 20 minutes of so, the dean made an announcement. It was time to say "good-bye". I was headed to the lobby, after a trip to my room. While in my room, I heard something shocking. Thunder! Clouds had suddenly rolled in, out of nowhere!
This reminds me of my attitude. We need to keep our attitude in check. There is no reason for us to explode out of no where. In fact there is no reason that we should explode at all. We need to let God take care of out angry feelings, and give us pleasant ones. “He will take our hearts of stone, and give us hearts of flesh." Praise God for giving us happy thoughts! =D
"Temper is a valuable thing- Don't lose it!"
After lunch, I called my parents while they were at potluck, so I got to talk to a lot of people from church. After talking for 20 minutes of so, the dean made an announcement. It was time to say "good-bye". I was headed to the lobby, after a trip to my room. While in my room, I heard something shocking. Thunder! Clouds had suddenly rolled in, out of nowhere!
This reminds me of my attitude. We need to keep our attitude in check. There is no reason for us to explode out of no where. In fact there is no reason that we should explode at all. We need to let God take care of out angry feelings, and give us pleasant ones. “He will take our hearts of stone, and give us hearts of flesh." Praise God for giving us happy thoughts! =D
"Temper is a valuable thing- Don't lose it!"
Never Forget
I often look at the stars to remind me of home. I have almost the same view out of my dorm room here at fountainview as I do at home. A few nights ago, I looked out the window. No stars. I felt very lost and alone. I prayed and asked God to let my family and friends know that I love them, and to help me remember that, like the stars, although I may not be able to see them, they are there.
I crawled into bed, but something wasn't right. I then realized that my shade was not pulled. So I climbed drearily our ow bet, and right there was a star, brigtly shining.
God answered my prayer that night. He lets me know every day that he loves me, and that my family loves me. I just pray that I will never ever forget that!
I crawled into bed, but something wasn't right. I then realized that my shade was not pulled. So I climbed drearily our ow bet, and right there was a star, brigtly shining.
God answered my prayer that night. He lets me know every day that he loves me, and that my family loves me. I just pray that I will never ever forget that!
The Belly Dump
A few weeks ago, my sister and I got a wonderful opportunity. We got to go to work with dad. That was something we had never done before. We were never allowed to even ride in the trucks with him, but that day was different.
Dad was driving the belly dump. His job was to take gravel from one pile, in Tok, to another pile at the 7 mile marker gravel pit on the Taylor highway. It amazed me how easy he made it seem to drive that monster! I think I would have crashed it several times over by the time that the day was over. I can’t drive a normal vehicle as well as he drives the belly dump.
What also amazed me was how the guys on the job worked together. They were a true team. Each one had his job to do. They did their work cleanly, as smooth as clock work. Added to this was a great sense of humor.
When Dad got stuck once, one of the guys who was working close by didn't hesitate to push dad out. To me, it seemed kind of hopeless. This was a semi-truck, with a full load of gravel on the back. Getting unstuck seemed would seem like an impossibility. However, within a minute or two the truck and trailer were both unstuck.
These guys worked together so well! They each had their place, and did their work the best they could. This really reminds me of the way Paul described the way our church should work. We are all part of the same body, and working together, although it may not come naturally, should be a priority. Romans 14:4-8 explains it all. So let's take lessons from the belly dump.
Dad was driving the belly dump. His job was to take gravel from one pile, in Tok, to another pile at the 7 mile marker gravel pit on the Taylor highway. It amazed me how easy he made it seem to drive that monster! I think I would have crashed it several times over by the time that the day was over. I can’t drive a normal vehicle as well as he drives the belly dump.
What also amazed me was how the guys on the job worked together. They were a true team. Each one had his job to do. They did their work cleanly, as smooth as clock work. Added to this was a great sense of humor.
When Dad got stuck once, one of the guys who was working close by didn't hesitate to push dad out. To me, it seemed kind of hopeless. This was a semi-truck, with a full load of gravel on the back. Getting unstuck seemed would seem like an impossibility. However, within a minute or two the truck and trailer were both unstuck.
These guys worked together so well! They each had their place, and did their work the best they could. This really reminds me of the way Paul described the way our church should work. We are all part of the same body, and working together, although it may not come naturally, should be a priority. Romans 14:4-8 explains it all. So let's take lessons from the belly dump.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Weeds
For the last week and a half, I have been working in the Market Garden, more commonly known as MG. Every day we spend about 3 1/2 hours in the outdoors pulling weed after weed after weed. By the end of the day, we are all ready to drop. For most people, MG is a drag. We either spend the whole time bent over yanking weeds from the ground, or we spend it on our stomachs, riding the weed cart.
The weed cart is an interesting invention that is made to help us work more efficiently, and with less effort. It is basically a trailer, hooked up to the back of the tractor. There are nine positions on it for people to lay one. You lie on your stomach, rest your forehead on the forehead rest, and drop your arms into the carrot rows below. As the tractor pulls the weed cart, you pull up the weeds before they pass underneath you. If you lift your head up and look ahead, it is really easy to get depressed. The rows seem so long, and the weeds so many. Also looking back isn't a great idea either. You see how many mistakes you made; all of the weeds you missed.
This reminds me a lot of life. While looking a little ahead is a good thing to do, looking to far ahead can be daunting. You may feel swamped with all that needs to be done. Looking back at your mistakes can help you do better in the future, but constantly dwelling on the past will cause you to miss everything that is going on today. The best thing to do is to focus on what God has set before you at the moment. We must trust God to do what is right. You can trust that the tractor driver will drive where is best. And he is watching you. He will never go faster than you can handle. He will slow down enough for you to pull the weeds that are giving you trouble. You can trust God always, no matter how tall the weeds in your life are.
Heather
The weed cart is an interesting invention that is made to help us work more efficiently, and with less effort. It is basically a trailer, hooked up to the back of the tractor. There are nine positions on it for people to lay one. You lie on your stomach, rest your forehead on the forehead rest, and drop your arms into the carrot rows below. As the tractor pulls the weed cart, you pull up the weeds before they pass underneath you. If you lift your head up and look ahead, it is really easy to get depressed. The rows seem so long, and the weeds so many. Also looking back isn't a great idea either. You see how many mistakes you made; all of the weeds you missed.
This reminds me a lot of life. While looking a little ahead is a good thing to do, looking to far ahead can be daunting. You may feel swamped with all that needs to be done. Looking back at your mistakes can help you do better in the future, but constantly dwelling on the past will cause you to miss everything that is going on today. The best thing to do is to focus on what God has set before you at the moment. We must trust God to do what is right. You can trust that the tractor driver will drive where is best. And he is watching you. He will never go faster than you can handle. He will slow down enough for you to pull the weeds that are giving you trouble. You can trust God always, no matter how tall the weeds in your life are.
Heather
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Dorm Life
There is absolutely nothing like living in a dorm. Nothing. The first couple of days are spent trying to get to know other people's names. Friendships are made. It starts with meeting the people across the hall from you. Your circle of acquaintances gradually grows and grows. Here at Fountainview, there is almost always at least one person at any given moment (when it is allowed) who is practicing their instrument. Flutes, Clarinets, Violins, pianos. Sometimes there is even more than one at a time.
You learn to work with other people; to settle differences, and make amends. You have to share resources: computers, bathrooms, laundry facilities. There are only 5 computers for more than 60 girls. But we love it here anyways.
As we learn to work together, we learn valuable life skills. We will have to learn to share with people for the rest of our lives. Sadly, the people in life are not always as pleasant as they have been so far here.
You learn to work with other people; to settle differences, and make amends. You have to share resources: computers, bathrooms, laundry facilities. There are only 5 computers for more than 60 girls. But we love it here anyways.
As we learn to work together, we learn valuable life skills. We will have to learn to share with people for the rest of our lives. Sadly, the people in life are not always as pleasant as they have been so far here.
Week one: Life Lessons
Yesterday, in a group activity, I was asked this question "What is one trial that has changed your life, and taught you valuable life lessons?" This one took me a while. I finally came up with an answer.
As many of you know, I was accepted into Fountainview Adventist Academy on Monday, August 15. They called us, while we were at a party, saying that they had room for me, and that school started in one week. After a whole lot of time, tears and prayer, I was leaving. My life would never be the same again.
These last few weeks had a lot of firsts for me. It was the first time I packed up my room, the first time I ever moved. The first time I was ever to be in a school setting. There were also had a lot of lasts. The last time I was to see my friends for a long time. The last time I was to stay in my own room till Christmas. The last time I was to drive on the Richardson Highway till I come home. The last time I was to see my family for a while. These were also firsts.
This experience taught me that sometimes God's will is really hard to understand. Really hard. And that it is also hard to obey what God wants you to do. It also taught me that although God's will is hard to understand, and hard to follow, it is always, ALWAYS the best way to go. Even if it means leaving home at age 15, moving to Canada, and going to a real school. I just need to remember that He has the map, even if I only can see the part of the road that is right in front of me.
As many of you know, I was accepted into Fountainview Adventist Academy on Monday, August 15. They called us, while we were at a party, saying that they had room for me, and that school started in one week. After a whole lot of time, tears and prayer, I was leaving. My life would never be the same again.
These last few weeks had a lot of firsts for me. It was the first time I packed up my room, the first time I ever moved. The first time I was ever to be in a school setting. There were also had a lot of lasts. The last time I was to see my friends for a long time. The last time I was to stay in my own room till Christmas. The last time I was to drive on the Richardson Highway till I come home. The last time I was to see my family for a while. These were also firsts.
This experience taught me that sometimes God's will is really hard to understand. Really hard. And that it is also hard to obey what God wants you to do. It also taught me that although God's will is hard to understand, and hard to follow, it is always, ALWAYS the best way to go. Even if it means leaving home at age 15, moving to Canada, and going to a real school. I just need to remember that He has the map, even if I only can see the part of the road that is right in front of me.
Hello!
After being the co-author for a couple blogs, I decided that I should get my own. I found out that I am allowed to do blogs here at Fountainview. So, here is my first post. =D
God Bless!
Heather
God Bless!
Heather
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)