Season's Greetings! Just thought I'd let our dear readers know that I also started a personal blog on Tumblr. It's mainly just to share thoughts, verses, videos, and whatnot. You can find it at http://elizabethhenderson11.tumblr.com/

I feel bad about neglecting this blog! Here's an updated picture for you:

Pearl enjoys all the room to run around, we enjoy the view!

Ever seen Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?

Our Litte House on the Colorado Prairie

Autumn: A lovely time of year!

The wonderful season of fall is here, folks! Hey there, it's Emmy.
I don't know about you all, but fall is my absolute favorite season of the year! Some of my favorite things about are: getting to bundle up in scarves, sweaters, and coats, drinking hot chocolate, coffee, or cider on a cold day, having the fire place on, and lighting delicious smelling candles. 
     I loved that God gives us such pretty seasons and how excited they make us! I've recently come to a realization: He makes the earth so beautiful during each season so we can see his wonder, glory, and beauty and praise him for his creation! And He fills us with joy with each season that comes! Isn't he awesome?
 

Hope everyone stays warm and has a wonderful weekend!

Our God is nearby!

Hello everyone! How is your school year going? (if you are in school, that is...)
Today I was skimming through my Bible, and God pointed out this amazing verse that I am now in love with! Jeremiah 23:23- "Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away?"
God is just a prayer away! He's not like those gods in Greek mythology, for example, that sit up on their mountain and look upon the tiny humans as helpless and are unreachable to humans.
He's right there with us: every second, every minute, every day.
Isn't that so comforting to know that God is close by to us, is always there for when we need him, and is never leaving us? I think this verse from Jeremiah is God's way of saying "Hey, if you ever have a problem or are having a hard time, just remember I'm right here to listen, talk to, and help you. I'm here for you! I'm not far away." :)

I just had to share that with you all. Have a blessed week!

A New School Year....

Hey everyone! Emmy here. Well, it's that time of year again: school is about to start! I'll be a junior in high school and my sister Libby will be a sophomore in college. Something I wanted to share with you all to keep in mind for the upcoming school year, would be that: let's stay positive and have good attitudes, no matter the situation! I've heard that 'junior year' is the hardest. Sure the classes can get challenging, but to be honest, I think it'll be a great year and I don't think it will be that bad! I'm excited to start new subjects and to see what adventures lie ahead in this year. The only thing that could make junior year so hard for me is a bad attitude/outlook on it. I'm not going to let a lot of homework or tests get in my way. I'm going to try my hardest to keep a positive outlook. Attitude is everything, and if you look at everyday as dull, boring, hard, terrible, etc., those are what the days could become. But if you look at everyday as beautiful, a gift from God, wonderful, then those are what your days will be! That is what makes a great year: a good outlook and positivity, throughout all situations. You have a choice to make this upcoming (school) year good or bad. I'm choosing to make the so-called 'hardest year', an easy, and wonderful year!

London 2012 Olympics: Go Team USA!

Hey there. Emmy here. Who has been watching the London 2012 Olympics? Me and my family definitely are! I'm so proud of our athletes & I'm so proud to be an American. My favorite events to watch are swimming, diving, and gymnastics.
If you've been watching, what are your favorite events?

Checking In On: 50 book challenge?

Hi there friends. Its Emmy. 

Just wanted to check in with you all. If you took up my 'read 50 books by end of 2012' challenge, I'm wondering and wanting to know--how is it going for you?

I will admit:  I haven't been reading like I should, this year. Its been busy with school and dance and such. But this summer I have a list of a lot of books I will try to read!

We can do it!!!

Teaching in a Public School?!

As long as I have wanted to teach, I never wanted to teach in a public school. The idea of having to comply to bureaucratic guidelines in an institutionalized classroom never appealed to me. It still doesn't. As of lately I've had a change of heart though. 

Thanks to my "For the Love of Learning" board on Pinterest I am now not opposed to teaching in a public school. Granted, that probably won't be the first job I go seeking out when I graduate college. But if that's the job the Lord leads me to, I'll take it. 

Many might have problems with teaching in public schools saying, "But you can't teach the Bible or talk about God." Who says I can't? Who says I can't have encouraging Bible verses in my personal desk area? Just because I can't flat out teach the Bible doesn't mean I can't encourage Biblical principles. Especially in teaching Family and Consumer Science. That subject provides the opportunity for creativity and teaches many life lessons. It allows me to talk about integrity, character, and the importance of life, marriage, and family.

Through teaching in a public school I can show God's love to students by practicing hospitality in my classroom. I want my classroom to be a place that is a sanctuary to the students who come to it. I hope it will be a warm, welcoming environment in contrast to the cold, stark hallways and other classrooms. Through homey, beautiful decorations, effective organization and clutter control, and inspirational music playing in the background I can help students feel at home and relaxed and ready to learn! 

I also believe we can teach hard work and initiative to students in public schools. I want to be one of those teachers that has high standards and expectations for her students. I want to help my students do well. I want to care deeply for my students. I know a lot of kids who are smart, but just don't put in the effort. I would love to help students like that discover their potential and use it effectively and to the glory of God. 

Now these are just visions I have for a classroom should I be called to teach in a public, or even private, school. I don't know yet what doors God will open when I graduate. But whatever it is, I will do to serve Him and bring Him honor!

My Heart is in Africa

  

    Yeah, yeah....I know I should be working on my "professional documents" for my portfolio in FCS 100. Among writing personal beliefs for a Philosophy Statement my mind keeps drifting across the Atlantic Ocean to Zambia. The place I will be for 3 weeks this summer in July; the place God is sending me to in answer to my prayers.
    Let me start from the beginning. Since ninth grade I have been wanting to go to Africa to do mission work. I didn't care if it was for two weeks or two months. In December 2007 one of the missionaries my congregation in Utah sponsored came to visit us from Uganda. Then and there a spark was started in my heart, sitting in the auditorium watching his presentation about the things God is doing in Uganda. That spark has only grown to a flame over the past four years.
    The flame has grown more and more as I've heard stories from people who have been to Africa, and as I've learned about opportunities that lie ahead. My heart has been burning this past month with the overwhelming desire to go to Africa and serve the people there. The only problem was other than next summer doing a possible missionary internship, I didn't see any opportunities to go this year. So I have been going before the throne of God, asking Him to send me. My prayers echoed Isaiah's in 6:8, "Here am I! Send me."
    I was soaking in a hot bath on Saturday night, a perfect time for prayer. My prayer for an opportunity to go to Africa was among the many things I was visiting with the Lord about. I knew God would be a better guardian of that desire than I would be so I put it in His hands. God is faithful. At church Sunday morning I was visiting with one of the ladies who is in charge of organizing some of the mission trips our congregation is involved in. I knew they had gone to Zambia for a medical mission last year, but I wasn't sure if they were going this year. Turns out they are! She said I could still sign up to go. God is faithful!
    I just returned from mailing the application form. I've typed up the fundraising letters. I've compiled a list of people to send them to. THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!!!  I still have so much to do though. Actually mailing the letters for instance-$4,500 stands between me and Zambia.
    Dear readers, can I humbly ask for your prayers as I am preparing to go on this adventure? First off, I need prayers to continually give this endeavor to God. Our team needs prayers that God will prepare our hearts to serve and equip us for the task ahead. Please pray for the Zambian people we will be helping. Here's the link to the organization we are going with, if anyone is interested in learning more about it: http://www.zambiamission.org/index.html
   As exciting as this all is, I must to remember to put my hope in God alone. He is in control of what happens. And He is good all the time. While my heart is in Africa, my faith is in God.

A warm recipe for a cold day: microwave creamy peanut soup

Hi friends! Emmy here. It's a cold and very windy day here in Colorado Springs and I found a yummy soup recipe, I'd thought I'd share with you all that will warm you up! I haven't tried it yet my self, but I'm sure its good!

Microwave Creamy Peanut Soup


What you'll need:
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
4 1/2 teaspoons flour
4 cups canned chicken broth
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup half and half
1/4 chopped peanuts


Directions:

1) Combine onion, celery and butter in 2-quart glass casserole (dish)
2) Microwave on High for 3 minutes
3) Add flour; mix well. Pour chicken broth into casserole very slowly, stirring constantly
4) Cover casserole with wax paper
5) Microwave on High for 6 minutes. Stir every 2 minutes.
6) Add peanut butter and half and half; mix until well blended
7) Microwave on Medium for 6-8 minutes. Do not let soup boil.
8) Ladle into soup bowls.
9) sprinkle peanuts on top

Servings: 6

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." -1 John 4:7

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!
Do you have a secret admirer and/or a Valentine?  ; )

Hope your day is filled with love and blessings! And remember, anytime we love, or feel love, its from God, because God is love, and He first loved us!

Coffee: My Good Friend in the Morning

Hey there. Emmy here!
Are you a coffee lover?  Don't you just love the smell of coffee being brewed? 
I don't know about you, but to me, there's just something about that first cup in the morning, that's so delicious. I like half and half in my coffee, so in the morning I put a little bit in, and then pour my coffee, and it's nice and hot, and tastes great.
What's your favorite kind of coffee? What do you like in yours?

Have a warm day! 

Let it Snow!

Today here in Colorado Springs it's windy, cold, and snowy! It's currently 27 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside!  My ballet class that would have been tonight, has been cancelled due to the icy and snowy roads. So today will consist of staying warm and cozy, coffee and/or hot chocolate, sitting by the fire, and wearing sweatshirts. : )
Hope your day is warmer than mine!

50 Book Challenge: Can We Do It??

Hello friends! Emmy here. Hope everyone had a fun, safe, relaxing, and blessed Christmas break! :) We sure did. We moved into our new house, I performed in my ballet company's production of Nutcracker, I was baptized, and I turned 16! And now we're getting back into everyday schedules/routines.

Ahhh. New year. New goals. I think we all try to make resolutions every year, but never achieve them, or stick with them.
Well, this year will be different! I have a challenge for you all. Let's read 50 books (or more, if you love reading!) by the end of 2012!
You don't have to be reading a book every single day, unless you just read that fast, but rather in your spare time, pick up a good book! For example, while you're watching t.v., during commercial breaks, mute the television, and read!

I think if we all put a little bit of time into it everyday, we can do it!

Let the books begin!!