And now, another "Ben" entry

Seriously, like the guy just loves God. He came to the block party with me tonight, and seriously worked harder than I did.

Dude made cotton candy for like two hours straight.

He smelled pretty candy - licious for the rest of the evening too!

I just am so surprised how God works sometimes. I never would have thought I would be in love - ever, but here I am. Ben is such a hard worker, and that is very attractive to me. I know that he would provide well for our children someday. One time while I was over talking to a lady from my church, I kept sneaking peeks at Ben and swooning over how he was interacting with the kids he was serving. It was such a cool thing to see. He's amazing.

Who's that pretty boy?

Clint says yo!

Yes, they were worn by someone else....

In case you were wondering, one can buy socks at the thrift store for bowling purposes... Just in case.

Babies everywhere!

Sarah holding two babies at a time. Not going well @ the moment...

Since when did Batman have a beard??

Izzy is batman. Like for real.

Not going to be a godmother, yet

My friend called me and said that she lost the baby.

I cried. A lot.

I'm going to be a godmother!

Haha! I just realized how that sounds. Oh well. A friend of mine told me on Monday that she is pregnant, and I am so excited! I get to be an aunt - again! And it is so cool. So many people I know are either preggo or just had a baby. Is there something in the water?

I happened to flip to A Baby Story on TLC, and I flashed forward a few years.

Wow. No more of that for awhile. Like a long while. Ouch.

Love and Marriage

So, talking about getting married is great.

Talking about how you'll pay for it? Not so much.

I really don't want to have a white trash wedding, and I would really rather not have a backyard BBQ kind of wedding. It breaks my heart. I don't want to have a reception that is all ghetto. I have been to ghetto weddings, and they are not that pretty. Everyone sits around and pretends that they are, but they really aren't. They're tolerable. And yes, there is a difference.

There has to be a way to have a classy wedding on a budget.

Although, it doesn't really matter if it's like crazy amazing. What matters is that I will be marrying someone who loves me tons, but loves Christ more. And that's what God needs to embed deep in my heart, because I am kind of playing the role of the whiny brat right now.

And I hate admitting that, but I have to.

Top ten cool things that happened today

One of my pastors blessed me by buying me lunch
My friend thought of me when on vaca and brought me back a gift
God spoke to me about someone and then it was confirmed when I talked to the person
I saw the old crew from Goddard, which was good and yet uncomfortable
I fell in love with Ben all over again, even the ring I picked for when he calls makes me love him
I got to come home early enough tonight to get Gracie hugs
I got to start reading a new book, a true story about missions
I found out that someone who I thought disliked me asked a friend how I am doing
I opened new deodorant; there is nothing like rubbing a brand new stick of deodorant on
I ate mint chocolate chip ice cream

A couple of years ago, God gave me this passge by which I am to live my life:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (New Living Translation)
1 And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus--who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (The Message)
1 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.
3You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (New International Version)
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (Contemporary English Version)
1When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you 2to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. 3The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. 4They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well.

All you need is a top hat and a cane...

Pastor Fritz acting the fool today while I was interning.

I really want a digital camera because I am so annoyed with my phone pics either being too dark or too blue. Ugh.