Tis the Season!

So here is a list of the things that have made me full of joy lately...

lately meaning, 2008.




















to be continued..

ThankFull

I am full, not because thanksgiving was last week, but because of what I am thankful for. It has occurred to me in just the last few evenings that I blessed, yet again, beyond measure. For instance, Nick and I went to go visit his mom last night and then had to run a few errands and as you all know it was, freezing yesterday, and when we got back home, we walked in and I was just overwhelmed with the fact that it was warm. It was a warm, cozy, safe, haven of a home and it was ours. I mean, it is a small little, typical one bedroom apt with nothing fancy about it, a mess strung around everywhere, we even didn't have hot water for a day or so, you know, all the usual apt life problems, but it is warm, it is ours and it means that God has put together the beginnings of an amazing family. Being thankful for this home makes it easier to go work to pay for it, it makes scrubbing the kitchen and doing the laundry that much more enjoyable, simply because we have the privilege of dwelling here.

Overall our Thanksgiving was so great this year! We are blessed beyond measure and we have been awakened to that and are so thankful to our Lord for all that he does in our lives and will do in the future.

I am so so so very thankful for the relationship that I have with my Jesus. I am so thankful for the grace he showers over me daily. I am the least deserving. He loves us so much.

I am so blessed with an amazing husband, who is sensitive to me and to what God has for our home and our family. He is a servant and works hard for us. He is smart and talented in many ways. He loves me for me and it is so amazing to have someone that knows me so well and still loves me. :) He is such a huge blessing in my life and it is amazing to get to share this life with him.

I have a family who loves me dearly as well. I love them and we can all be ourselves, have fun, go through junk, etc etc and still come out better than ever. What a blessed family I have. My parents have been married over 25 years. My sister is my closest gal and we live 4 hours a part. I am thankful that all 3 of them support me and love my nick. I talk to all of them most every day. and I'm not ashamed of that. :) haha

I have grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc etc that are very close as well. It is rare to have such close family that get along and genuinely love each other. I have in-laws that are great as well. Very blessed all the way around!!

We have jobs, a home, plus stuff we don't even need. We have friends and family. We have a church family that is right along with us in the life thing and amongst our mistakes and mishaps, we all just bear down and get through it all together. It is tough, but it is worth it for family like that.

We have friends abroad, especially Regina, that we love dearly and are so proud to support as they serve on the mission field. We are blessed to get to go and serve a long side her and now have many new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, in Costa Rica. what a huge blessing!!!!

With all that said. Thank God for all his provision and blessing over us. We are so thankful.

Nick and Shaina

I have decided to follow ...

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.


That song always brings me back to a place of innocence, simplicity, and renewal. I suppose it is because when I was 7 I walked down an aisle to that song and let Jesus have my heart. I was in complete surrender, even at a young age. I can remember being emotional, mainly because it was the first major decision I made in my life. It wasn't even hard either... the hardest part was walking down that aisle in front of a room of a couple hundred people....
It is easy to follow Jesus in our privacy, but in front of people, it is not easy.

At least for me it is not, but by the actions of those I know, and those I don't even, it seems as though it is hard for them as well. Repentance seems to be old fashioned now. People don't take responsibility for their actions, mistakes, irresponsibility, etc and then they think that with enough time or words, things are just normal or ok. I don't understand that. It is hard to admit fault, to own up to our mistakes and sin. we are called to do it though. I can say this because I have had to do it, and I have done it. There is a difference between needing to and actually doing it.

I feel as though, our country is in this bailout mode because of the lack of responsibility of the country's people. I have a very miniscule amount of debt, besides my school loans for college. It isn't even about debt and money so much as it is about taking responsibility for ourselves in general. I'll save the political realm for those who enjoy it, I personally don't, however, I have just been so frustrated by the lack of responsibility taken by ourselves, for ourselves. Quit blaming others for the things you've done. Own up to it, lay it down and leave it at the cross, but be willing to suffer the consequences for the wrong doings, and LEARN FROM IT. learning from it, well, takes effort and a desire and commitment. woah, scary word. commitment.

Is anyone really committed to anything anymore? Everyone seems to bail when things get tough or hard to swallow. Whether it is your job, your marriage, your relationships with parents, siblings, friends, the church, etc. OOPS, this is too tough or we don't like them or her or him or that...

All in all... choose whom you will follow. don't sway from it, for any reason.... hard or not. it is not worth being cool or popular or different, to choose the life without Jesus Christ. Choose to be set a part, clean, not perfect but whole. Admit to your sin, accept the grace given to you, and then live like you mean to follow Jesus. If you don't want to follow Jesus, don't pretend to. Save us all the crap and just be honest about it. If you want to follow Jesus, also be honest about it and be real.

blessings.
s

Seasons

Every Season
Nichole Nordeman


Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Friendship

My best friend in the world, is obviously, my husband. People who know us, know that fact. We are goofy, we love each other more than anyone in the world and we are the only ones who get each other. :) It is such a blessing to be married to my best friend.
Like any relationship, obviously, marriage takes work and more than anything, God's grace. :)

I think that in my life there has only been one other person, other than Nick, that comes close to knowing my heart, my weaknesses, my strengths, my heart's desires, and my fears. She doesn't judge me, nor does she expect things of me that are not expectations God has for me. She lets me be me. Always. It is funny that we are closer now than when she lived in the states. :) There will be a month or so pass and we won't communicate, but the second one of us emails, it is at the right time we need it, the right words, or whatever, from the Lord. When she lived here, where her cell phone worked, we could text at any time of day or night for prayer or support. I miss that, now that she is in a country where her service is not reliable, I don't have that privilege to bother her at 2 am nor does she have that convenience to call for help at any time of day or night. It is something I took for granted. I took for granted the fact that the closest friend besides my husband, was at my fingertips for years, and in the last 10 months I have wanted her close.

The point I want to get across is that, there were times in my life that I would run to her before I would run to Jesus. There are times today, that I run to my husband and best friend, Nick, before I run to Jesus, my ultimate best friend. I wonder, a lot, if Jesus sits and just waits for me to choose him first. He has the answer, the time, the wisdom, the knowledge, the peace, the comfort, the closeness, the shoulder, the everything I need. I don't run to him. I run to Nick, I run to Gina, I run to other friends, to my mom or dad, or to myself.

I have noticed in the last 10 months I have had some amazing friends come and go in and out of my life. There were friends that I held too close, and did not cling to Jesus instead. God awoke me to that and I am now aware of the pure and desperate need I have for my Jesus. (key word: my)
We talk about Jesus, like he is a stranger or someone we can't reach. He is mine. He is yours. Not in a selfish sense, but in a desperate sense. Without our Jesus, we are nothing. Does that pierce you at all? Does it awaken your soul and mind to a realization? To admit, realize, and then relish in the fact that we are desperate for Jesus, is truly life changing.

Gina's pastor spoke of passion last night at college group. He defines the word, passion, I believe. The Spirit follows that man wherever he goes. No, he is not a perfect man, but he is desperately relying and loving Jesus. With all he is, he is following his Master. His desire is to see his friends, his family, his small poverish community in southern Costa Rica, and the world, even Amarillo, a city he has just met, to meet His Jesus. What a beautiful person.


I suppose this has gone on longer than I had planned, but I will wrap it up in this:
keep your best friends close, but not above your Jesus.
have passion for your Jesus.

i'm overflowing...

shaina

Blessed

I get frustrated, like in the post below, about bills, working hard and barely getting anything out of it, student loans, medical bills, rent, etc etc. God tenderly and sometimes forcefully reminds me that I am blessed beyond any part of my imagination. We have more than enough and we are blessed to not have everything handed to us. We are having to work hard and work our way up from the bottom. It is good and it makes you appreciate what you have, because it is your own.

BUT, that brings me to a point that we push aside and forget too often. NOTHING is our own. It has all been given to us by God. Stewardship is no longer a word in many people's vocabulary. People toss their money, their belongings, their own friends and family around like its nothing. The things we have been given are to be cherished and taken care of.
I remember as a kid, my parents would tell us to take care of our things, especially our home and the things that they had worked so hard for, but to take care of each other and ourselves, spiritually first and then in the other ways.

We are not our own. The main point I have is that we don't have anything unless given by God. He has given us the strength, the mind, the power, abilities, desire, etc to have the things we have and do the things we do. We are to be stewards of those things, especially the people in our lives. I have been bad at that. I have been forgetful, rude, negative and careless with people in my life. I'm sure that is part of the reason that I have very few true friends. BUT, I know that I have been on the opposite end of that. People have flung me around, forgotten about me, left me and so I know both sides of the fence.

I feel as though we are careless with not only our things in our lives, but the people. We need to remember we are GIVEN our children, our families, our friends and the people in our lives. We must take care of those relationships, learn from them and THANK GOD FOR THEM. Thank God for our spouses, our families, our siblings, our friends, teachers, co-workers, mentors, relatives, even our enemies. For without all those people, we would not be the same. Thank God for the people in your life and act like you are thankful for them. It will make a difference in your life. and theirs.

blessings.

The Grind...

As you all know, we pay bills. I'm sure you all know how that goes. It gets old, but, I know that when the going gets tough, I am way beyond blessed, we are more than taken care of, and I cannot be happier than I am being, God's child, Nick's wife and the world's best Shaina. :) hehe.

Things are really tough right now, for Nick and myself. We work A LOT and get the bills paid, someday we will have enough to, what's that called again.....oh ya, SAVE. :) There are things that we want now, but know that it is not the time and so we wait on the Lord.

Nick takes two classes and works every week. I just work now and I'm trying to get some freelance clients going strong. The grind of daily life can take its toll and we hope to be able to enjoy getting away for the holidays, and then again in January to see Bob and Carrie, Nick's dad and stepmom, for those of you readers who don't know them. We are trying our best at everything we do and sometimes just feel like we are dragging our feet in the mud. BUT, like I said, that's when we remember that we are blessed beyond what we will ever deserve.

We are almost done with paying Nick's appendix bills!! : YAY! and PRAISE THE LORD!!!

There is not a whole lot of anything to update anyone about, other than, the daily grind is something we are learning to deal with, but to rejoice in. Hope you can do the same.

love.
nick and shaina

to keep or not to keep...

Well, I've had this blogger thing since Nick and I have gotten married and I have written a whopping three blogs. I will write a blog on how we are and what is going on and then this time I will let family know and out of towners know that we have it and maybe someone out there will be interested in it, if not, i'm deleting it. :)

Fall is here and I love this time of the year. Nick is back in school this semester and really enjoying his classes. I for once am not in school! I'm done and graduated, as most of you know! I moved stores, with United, from Canyon to Amarillo. I really like my new store and I'm trying, slowly, to get it where I want it. It is coming along. SLOWLY, I said. :) None the less, we are enjoying life so much right now. We are both finding out that we enjoy just being home and appreciating the stillness it brings. Especially after working all day and you all know how it goes. :)

There are a lot of things ahead for us. I have begun to take a few freelance clients under my wing and I'm trying my hand out at small business in the graphic design world. This is giving me a chance to open up and round out my portfolio for future reference. It is also teaching me a lot about cliental and all that comes with them.

On another note, I am going to start tutoring on Thursday. I will be helping a girl with Elements of Design Class. I am glad to be doing it, for cash and for keeping my mind tuned to design elements. :)

I can't really think of anything else right now, but I will post some pictures of recent. Maybe I'll post another blog soon and show you the apt. Since, most of you haven't seen it.

love you all.
Nick and Nain

First picture is us at Rodger's wedding
Second Picture is us in OKC with the college group
Third Picture is of us going to Costa Rica!

Home Sweet Home

we moved.
again.

Well, for us it is not a whopping amount of moving. 2 times is not that bad.

For me on the other hand...


I have moved every year since 2003. Sometimes 2x in a year.

woah.

2003 - from home to WTAMU
2004- from WTAMU to home
2005 - from home to 1st apartment
2006 - from 1st apt to 2nd apartment
from 2nd apartment to home
2007 - from home to nick and my first apt
2008 - from our 1st apt to our 2nd apt.

whew...

I feel as though I cannot be satisfied in one place, but it is just that there have been circumstances that have forced me at times to move and other times it has worked out nice to be able to have this or that in a newer or different place.

I really love this new place. It is a typical mass apartment complex with many apartments. it has pools and the typical grassy lawns, etc etc.

but, it is comfy and there are things I took for granted that I now have that I am so happy about.
take for instance, my own washer and dryer, in house. :)
simple.

simplicity. it is something that we don't tend to experience anymore in our society. I remember so much of my childhood was simple fun, simple love, simple agenda, etc etc. It was a beautiful life. not always easy or fun, but it was always sustained and simple. There was no need for glamour and glitz and this expensive thing or that new car. God always always always sustains me, satisfies me and has always provided for me. In all things.

so, here we will live, probably until we find a house. I am ok with that. We have everything we need. Plus more.
God is faithful and oh so good.
s & n

so ya.

Dan brought it to my attention that I have not updated this thing in quite a long time. Yes, I even forgot that I had this blogger thing.

So I guess a LOT has happened since the last blog.

Nick had his appendix taken out.
I started a new position at work.
I finished my internship at McCormick.
Nick quit his job at Hoarel and now has two jobs.
I graduated from WTAMU.
We started and are still continuing in the College Group at GOW
etc etc etc

We are almost finished with one year of marriage! What an adventure it has been! We have been through a ton of crap, but at the same time, we have had more fun and had so many amazing things happen to us. :) We are still just taking everything a day at a time and enjoying the ride!

Don't really have much else to put on here.