"Not to act is to act."

Why my Friday is the best.

It's the best because I went sledding, threw snowballs, and built a snowman with one of my best friends - my sister Charlotte. :) 

Christmas in Chicago

Here's a pic I found of Char and I in front of the huge tree downtown that is decorated annually. :)

I'll give You what You want (so long as I like it).

As I was perusing an online Christian music store, I came across a CD that I had some interest in. The page said the CD had two reviews, and I scrolled down to see what people said about it. The first review began with "I always wanted a God-honoring CD that had that 'country style' or celtic style twisted into it," and the second began with "I am always looking for good, God-honoring music that is not boring!" Now, both reviews ended with the typical "this was such a blessing to me" and "God bless your ministry" and the like, but I really couldn't get past those first statements. 

For a split-second I was only critical. I mean, it couldn't be more obvious from these people's statements that they were searching for music they wanted, styles they wanted, stuff that wasn't going to bore them. And if it happened to be "God-honoring," well then bingo! This is scary, because if they were searching for music based on what they decided was entertaining enough, couldn't - and maybe didn't - their brain talk them into believing it was God-honoring? 

And then the window I had been looking through turned into a mirror, so to speak. I saw this exact tendency in myself. My choices are made in a completely backward order. Step 1: Do I like it? Step 2: Is it "okay" enough to pass? Step 3: Does it bring any glory whatsoever to God? How self-focused! 

And when you really stop to think about it, if I am the one deciding what God wants or gets, He's no longer God at all!! Why call Him Lord if He is not? That's got to be grosser to God than not receiving any glory - our giving ourselves what we want and then pretending it's all for Him. 

I don't want to do this anymore. Enough of the Cain sacrifices. God lays out what He desires from us. He tells us what to hold in high esteem. Giving Him any less or giving what we think is enough is nothing short of mockery. If I really want to claim that He is my God, then I had better be resolved to do my best to give Him what HE wants, not what I want to give.

Just an update

Hey there! So, just thought I'd let you know that my hand is recovering. I got the stitches out last night and it'll be three days till I'm back to normal. (MY normal. :P) To those of you who are waiting for an email response from me, I apologize. I'm not up to typing long emails at the moment, so I promise I will email back as soon as I can. I'm not ignoring you! :) Take care!

You never know what an evening might hold.

***WARNING: This post contains gory pictures. Proceed at your own risk.

I was home alone when I decided to quit procrastinating and do the dishes. A few dishes in I was swishing my hand inside a glass when the glass popped. My hand kept going and before I knew it, I watched a deep, disgusting gash rip open at the base of my right thumb. It began to bleed furiously, and in my panic, I forgot where my phone was. I had to call Chris! I ran around the house frantically looking for my phone as I dripped blood on walls, the floor, and lightswitches. :P

Called him up and he was about 30 min. away, and would that be quick enough? I looked at this and thought, "Um, no."

He made it home in about 15. :P He helped me change out of my exercise pants, (of COURSE I was wearing my most stupid outfit when I had to visit the ER,) and off we went. The lady who checked us in was super sweet and congratulated me for being a no-vaccinations homeschooler (!!). The doctor came in and prepared to sew me up. (I tried to forget I was still wearing my awkwardly-fitting exercise shirt and that my hair had the undeniable pony-tail dent.)

She shot me up a million times with numbing stuff, none of which took effect. :( But 11 stitches later, my thumb looked a whole lot better than it did before.

A nice man cleaned me up afterwards, and wrapped my hand up very tight.

Throughout it all, God answered every single one of my prayers - that I'd stay calm, handle the pain, and not be afraid. Every single one of the people who helped me was very kind and fun. For an ER visit, it was a good one. 

I am out of commission as a violin/piano player and speed typist and dish washer and all that for at least a week, however. :( Poor Chris. ;P  

If you made it through all that, congrats, and be careful washing dishes! lol

What's for dinner tonight?

In my house, it's teriyaki chicken and rice with green beans on the side.

A few people have asked me to email them the recipe, so I thought I'd share it here as well. Click this link to see it! 

What's for dinner in YOUR house?

Thinking about this lately...

In the words of Tozer...

"We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God...our thought habits are those of the scientist, not those of the worshiper. We are more likely to explain than to adore."

A. W. Tozer

Never Too Late

**I know what you're thinking. "GASP! Rachael's quoting a Buddhist!" Have no fear. I realize this and am in no way condoning the man or his religious views. I wanted to share these words because they are some of what I want to be. I want to love deeply, and know it's never too late to "live the exact life" I should be living.  I don't want to lose the beauty of the moment, or waste time in missing opportunities to improve. I want to live so that when I die, I'll not have unsaid words or time lost to regret. :)