This is going to be a long one....

Well, since it has been awhile since I have posted anything...I figured I would let you know what I have been up to the past week-ish and what I will be doing. So here it goes:
I finished my last exam (Sport Psych) and it was good, I didn't put a whole lot of effort into studying but it went really well. And I definitely did well. So that is a plus. So I drove home after stopping in Cambridge to get the last of my Christmas presents and then headed home. The next two days consisted of sleeping, eating and being merry with my family. We celebrated my mom's 44th birthday and caught up on all of my LOTR extra features! Then for Christmas eve, we all went to church for a not so traditional service...it was just really laid-back. We sang Jingle Bell Rock for crying out loud. And then our pastor read a Christmas story to the kids and congregation (the pictures were up on the LCD screen) and then we sang some more songs and left.....it was quite odd and I didn't really care for it. But I did get to watch these two really cute twins playing in the aisle the entire service. They were adorable. But anyways....we got back home and opened out Gifts...my haul included: a hair straightener, Gift Certificate to Chapters, an exercise ball and mat, a beanbag heaty thing, a pig! (my brother bought our family a pig that will be sent to a family in need Nicarague (sp?)), some milk that will be going to Mozambique and the Casting Crowns cd and Relient K cd. And a bunch of other little stuff. It was a good time of giving and family time. And then my family finally watched LOTR: Return of The King Extended Edition and headed to bed. Then on Christmas day, we slept in and had the delicious breakfast of pastries in the shape of poinsettas (my favourite thing!) and mozied about for a couple hours. Then we headed to a nursing home in Port Perry and sang some Christmas tunes and carols to some of the residents there. It was actually very interesting. The people were all quite old but they enjoyed it and clapped. It was nice to spread some love to those on the special day of Christ Jesus' birth. And then we headed home to clean up for our guests for Christmas dinner. My mom had decided to invite over a family from our church that doesn't really have any family near and the kids decided not to come but the parents did so that was cool. We got to know them a bit better. And yeah, it was a good night. And then yesterday we headed out to Waterloo for our family Christmas that usually happens on Christmas day. We all just hung around and chatted and then had a delicious din-din and opened our presents. Then we played the best game ever...gag gifts type deal. You pick a number and then pick a present from the centre (they are all wrapped) and open it. And then the next person goes and can either take the gift that was just opened or a new one. So anyways, to make a very long story short, the gifts that were coveted most were a package of chocolate or a bottle of wine. And in the end, my 4 year old cousin had the choice between any of the gifts and he chose the bottle of wine! It was hilarious!! My 4 year old cousin is a lush!! Haha, good times at Christmas. So then we headed home and arrived safely (after I rescued my dad from driving..he was falling asleep) and today I have not gotten out of my pajamas. Hehe, but tomorrow is going to be awesome, we are going to the NEW Vaughan Mills shopping Centre in TO but also Steve's Music Store!! Which means...DAH DAH DAH: Rachel's New Guitar!!! WOOOHOOOOO I am so pumped!! hehehe....
And then on Wednesday, Rebek and I are headed to Blyth to visit Johnny boy and getmy CPR and First Aid recertified. And then I am headed home and then onto Burlington on Friday! I am so excited for New Years! It is going to be quite the good time. And I bet I have no audience anymore....but those have been my festivities for now. Ihad more to talk about but I can't remember what it is anymore....so yeah, hehe, tis all for now!!

i.just.want.it.to.be.over

can it be over now???? AHHHHHHHHH..........i want my christmas break to start RIGHT NOW!!! But no, Kin Kids get screwed over again...and again. Booooooo.....ahhhhhhh. I wish I had something to write about. No motivation to study....this stuff is so boring and common knowledge! What are the questions going to be about? Who the junk knows? Or even cares. Sure as heck not me. hmmmmm...I need to go to Value Village tomorrow...I should find out where one is. I am becoming a fan of Casting Crowns...quite good. And what the heck am I going to do with this Friendship ball? Ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.....and I need to finish filling out my Camp Application. But first I have to figure out what God has been teaching me these past 4 months. That is a very tricky question. I'm going to play guitar now. Peace out yo.

Yo yo! I have just returned from an awesome 4Him concert in Oshawa. It was great fun and man, those guys can sing!! Woooweee...well, they did my favourite song, and it is about 10 years old but it still holds true so I am going to type up the lyrics so you can enjoy them and take them to heart as well.

we've turn the page,
for a new day has dawned
we've rearranged
what is right and what's wrong
somehow we've drifted
so far from the truth
that we can't get back home

where are the virtues
that once gave us light
where are the morals
that governed our lives
someday we all will awake
and look back
just to find what we've lost

we need to get back to the basics of life
a heart that is pure and
a love that is blind
a faith that is fervently
grounded in Christ
the hope that endures
for all time
theses are the basics,
we need to get back to the basics of life

the newest rage
is to reason it out
just meditate and you can
overcome every doubt
after all man is a God, they say
God is no longer alive
but I still believe
in the old rugged cross
and I still believe
there is hope for the lost
and I know the rock of all ages
will stand through
the changes of time

we've let the darkness
invade us too long
we've got to turn the tide
oh and we need the passion
that burned long ago
to come and open our eyes
theres no room for compromise

we need to get back to the basics of life
a heart that is pure and
a love that is blind
a faith that is fervently
grounded in Christ
the hope that endures
for all times
these are the basics,
we need to get back
to the basics of life

stop asking Oprah what to do....

a friend of mine posted the song by Casting Crowns "What if His people prayed?" on her blog (thanks Karen, you reminded me of an awesome song and night) and it got me thinking. I do not pray enough. At all. Which is ridculous because God tells us to pray and ask and it will be given to us. Yet we seek all of these other ways to fix our problems...such as self-help books, friends, family, talk shows, therapists. And the freaking answer is God!! Just pray! Humble yourself and pray to our Lord. And really pray...don't go through the motions of ACTS or PRAY....just pray! Talk to God like you would anybody else. Be honest. Pray and believe that things will happen. I pray yet don't trust God to take care of me. That is foolishness on my part. How can I have faith in the Creator yet not trust him to love me enough to watch out for me. I tell ya....I totally just lost my train of thought. Bottom line: Pray.
Alright, so I am done my two exams of the week.....thank goodness. They went fairly well. Only two more and I am doooooone like dinner. I am so pumped to go home....and pick out my guitar!!!!!!!! Hehehehehehhehehehehawhawhahwahwhwoahohohohohohohohohohoho!!! WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Okay, I need to read a chapter before bed!! Night pups!

Men, it is time to step up.

Okay, so I have been reading the book "When girl meets boy"...so far it is pretty good. And sometimes I don't think I should be reading this book yet because it gets me thinking about relationships and putting all these ideas in my head when I should be focussed on God. But anyways, the book gives advice on how to make relationships real and God-centred and just the best relationships they can possibly be. And one chapter discusses the real role of men and woman and the way God made us to be. We are equal in his sight and made in his image. Men are supposed to be the leaders....of relationships and the household and such. And women are supposed to be submissive to their husband. I have had alot of trouble dealing with this in the past...because I am a leader by nature and like to be in control. And to be able to give that up to someone and follow someone seemed crazy to me. But I am coming around to the idea of following. God gave men the role of leaders of the all the aspects of a relationship, including the spiritual aspect. And some ways of being a leader is by planning stuff to do with the time we have together. Or bring up a topic to discuss...or ideas that you have. Lead the conversation, or bible study. And for the spiritual leadership, you have to have that relationship with God, first and foremost. Be an example of a passionate Christian, truly seeking out his word and will for your life. And then bring that into the relationship. I truly think that I have only met two guys (that are around my age) that are spirtitually mature enough to do this and actually do it. And I know alot more that are capable, but never get deep enough. They only stay with the superficial fake stuff when you talk to them. They never intiate deep conversation. Stand up men, lead us. Or else women will start to lead and that is not our role that God gave us. We need to see eachother as brothers and sisters in Christ and bless eachother with meaningful fellowship. God made us all for his glory. Is what you are doing glorifying him?

MMMM....PEPSI.....HAHA

Yes. I am drinking Pepsi. Take that Josh. Sorry. It is all we had in the house. Okay. So. I need input on a subject. It is my 19th birthday on Saturday. I am going out to a club with a WHOLE LOT of friends. And there will obviously be alcohol there. Now. I am not a big drinker as it is. I have been there. Done that. There is more to life than drinking. And I certainly don't need it to have a good time. We all know that. So. Should I have drink because I am legally allowed to know. Or should I refrain. I know I will have a few drinks. And I know it takes me alot to get drunk. I have a hollow leg. But. To what extent should I stop. This is my question for you the reader. Let me know what you think. Drinking in itself is not bad. It is when it gets out of control that it is reckless and stupid. So I will cut myself off. Hmmm. Life. Full of interesting situations. How can I show God through this experience. Someone let me know. Thanks.

....i made it....

Well folks, Rachel is officially done her tour of the human body, also known as Anatomy. It was a good run, I enjoyed it thoroughly....except for the weekly tests and memorzing the origins, insertions, innervation, blood supply and actions of 102 muscles!! But it is good knowledge for my future, I suppose. I now have four more exams....two next week and then the following week and then I am headed home for Christmas!! I am so pumped! My family is also coming over tomorrow to celebrate the turning 19 of their daughter/sister (me!) on Saturday! I am so excited to see them! I miss my family like whoa.
Well, I just finished watching an episode of the perfect dress and a baby story. And when I was watching, I just got this feeling of excitement. Even though I have no idea who I am going to marry, I am looking forward to it so much. A new season of life...not quite ready for it yet, but it's coming soon! Hopefully...but God knows, so I am not worried.
I think that's all I got for today....for all of you who are busy with exams and other school shiza, take a breath, it'll be all over soon, and in a few months, you won't be thinking about it, so don't get stressed out! You will do great. I love you all dearly.

my heart cries....

*forall the kids suffering from progeria, a disease that causes bodies to age 7x faster than normal
*for all the children that have lost their parents
*for all those people that have no dreams
*for the lots boyz of the sudan and the pain they went through
*for those who don't appreciate the magic of music
*for all those girls that don't think they are thin or beautiful enough
*for those women that have been mistreated by men all over the world
*for everyone who feels they aren't loved by anyone
*for those unborn children that have been victim to abortion
*for the people that are still affected today by the nuclear attack in Japan over 80 years ago
*for all those people that are slowing killing themselves by smoking....and don't know it
*for all the pets that have been abused and killed by careless owners
*for anyone who has been hurt by someone they loved
*for the millions of people all over the world starving because we can't share our wealth
*for all those who have gone into debt because of their addiction for material wealth
*for the homeless that lay on the streets wishing they were in a warm bed with a full stomach
*for those who know nothing of other countries
*for those who wander this world with no worthy purpose
*for the wasted hours that people spend in front of the television
*for all of those who have been accused of crimes that they did not commit
*for all those souls that have become victim to the "justice" of the death penalty
*for those who have never witnessed a miracle
*for the women that cannot have a baby of their own
*for those who have not experienced the thrill of going on a roller coaster
*for the money spent on worthless things such as casinos
*for those that have not laughed until they have cried
*for those that have not recieved a real gift from the heart
*for those that cannot appreciate the beauty of this world and thanked God for his creativeness
*for the unendless amount of cancer patients
*for those who have suffered the loss of a dear friend
*for those who haven't witnessed the pheonomenon of a child playing
*for all those who lost their lives to something that could have been settled around a table instead of in the trenches
*for the people that had to endure the pain of slavery
*for the people that sell their bodies to be able to buy some bread
*for the invention of guns and those who have been wounded and killed by them
*for those who don't recieve hugs from anyone
*for all the childrent that are crying because their daddy isn't home again
*for all the hurt that has been caused by affairs and lying
*for all those who are trying to find love in all the wrong places
*for everyone that has not heard the word of God and taken refuge in his salvation
*for all those who want to help but don't know how
Rise up, Church of God, go make disciple of all nations. This is our call. We cannot make the suffering end, nor will this list ever cease to grow, but God can do the things that we cannot. The world needs him in a big way. And it is our duty, our purpose, to make sure that everyone knows this. Maybe you don't want to get on a loud speaker in a mall, or actually talk to your friends about him so live your life by God's laws. Love your neighbour. They will notice the difference. They will recognize us by our love and God will work his way in. All you have to do is trust in him and do not back down. Flood this place, Lord, flood this place. Give us freedom.