I am not ashamed... am I?

    I was sitting in church today and the speaker briefly mentioned Romans 1.16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ... I started thinking about that verse. How often am I ashamed of the gospel or saying what I believe in? Fairly often. I am one of those people that hate confrontation and wants everybody to like me. It can be good, but it can also be hugely detrimental. The more I think about it the more I believe that being ashamed or afraid of sharing what I believe in really weakens my faith. 

    Sometimes, I'm even afraid to be honest with myself with what I believe in, because of the consequences it will have. Won't it take away the music I "love" or the popular movies or some of the "friends" I have? Yes. It probably will, but what is more important, a song, a "friend" who wouldn't miss me if I dropped off the face of the world, a couple hours of mindless entertainment OR rock solid convictions and beliefs that I am willing to sacrifice all I have for because the God of the universe who sent His only (got that? His ONLY Son!) for me, because He LOVED me? I'm thinking the latter...but that doesn't make it easy. It will be and is a fight. But the consequences of the other decisions cause SO much damage. Trust me, I know. I've tried it. It hurts relationships with the people you should be worried about keep a relationship with. It hurts your walk and relationship with God. It can end up causing so many issues that take a long time to work through and heal from.

   I kept reading as the speaker continued to preach. He moved on to Hebrews 11.16. Where a verse caught my attention and took my breath away. It fit so perfectly. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God... God is willing to claim us. With all of my flaws, sins, fickleness, ect. Wow. I am ashamed to claim Him as my God? Wow. He is so patient with us. So loving. So kind. It is mind boggling. How can I be ashamed of a perfect, loving God when He is willing to claim me? I don't know. I'm working on processing it all.

  I guess in closing, remember that any sacrifices you make for God will be rewarded in ways you can't even comprehend or imagine. He sees everything. The sacrifices or the stubbornness of not wanting to give something or somebody up. He knows what's inside even if I hide it from the rest of the world. It's time to start living out my beliefs and convictions for real, not just as a charade because that's what I want people to see. For I am not ashamed....

Quote of the day:

"I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch." -James Robinson Risner

b.r.e.a.k.s.

breaks. we all need them at times. but what is a break, really? webster's defines it as "an interruption in continuity, a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment." usually when i think of a break, i think of taking a breather from school or from deadlines and other stress. how do i usually take breaks? haha. well, usually if i'm by myself it's watching a tv show or a movie, sometimes its talking to my family or friends, but i have discovered the amazingness of taking a break from school (which seems to sometimes take over my life...) by doing something physical. it resets your brain and helps you focus better when you get back to hitting the books. it's way better than watching something (at least for me) and it destresses me and helps me get back to reality instead of in my own little world. 


earlier this week i had a major test, that i studied hard for and then went on to bomb. i was upset to put it mildly. my brother was so sweet and took  me hiking and put up with my bad attitude. about halfway up or maybe all the way up i started to feel 100% better. i could handle the facts of life again and think clearly it was amazing. here are some pics from our little break. :) 

Nate and I's shadows

We made it off USAFA! 

At the waterfall  :) 

Soaking it all in

Isn't God's creation is so stunning! I love CO. 

Back home. 

also this week we had promotions and awards at CAP. it looked like it was a lot of fun. i was kinda busy setting up the pie social. but i thought i'd put some pics up anyway. (i love pictures if you hadn't noticed...) 

C/1st Lt N Harmon and C/Maj T Moore

The now C/1st Lt Bingley!! :D Go Kirsten! 

C/1st Lt W Harmon, C/CMSgt Harrell (the first shirt. be afraid.) and C/1st Lt N Harmon 

Will helping out with promotions 

Nate receiving an award for Outstanding Leadership from the VFW!

C/CMSgt Fogle receiving a Sergeants award from the AF Sgts Association! 

The Chief can smile! Wonder of wonders. 

the newly appointed Cadet Commander, C/Capt K Zablocki and Cadet Deputy Commander C/1st Lt N Harmon

Hope you all enjoy. Have a great night!

my shoes for the day. :) 

(cleaning?)

today my family and t went to meeting, and one of the verses that the speaker mentioned that really stuck out to me was in psalm 51.

create in me a clean heart,

o God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

this verse has been really encouraging to me today. i guess maybe thought that david felt the need to ask God to CREATE not even clean his old heart, but to create a new clean heart in him and to renew his steadfast spirit is encouraging to me. david was as a the bible states, "a man after God's own heart" and he felt the need to ask God to work these miracles in him. it also show's david's humility. he was willing to ask. that can be really hard sometimes. it's a lot easier to tell God, not ask God. anyways just a couple thoughts.

i have really enjoyed meditating on this verse today. it got me to thinking about cleaning in some of the physical aspects of life (ie the bathroom). if you ask any of my close friends they will tell you that neatness and organization are not my strong points, but i am working on developing that skill in my life.

it's clean! (guess who chose the color?! ;))

my bed is made! this is a miracle! :P

and my shoes for today :) i love how on the outside they look plain and conservative, but inside they're bright pink and sparkly and shiny!

spring= new life (yard work, spring break, and other happenings)

today is the last saturday of spring break, and it was yard work day at our house. working outside was wonderful! the flower beds smelled like life. the pesky grass springing up, the irises poking their leaves out, and the scent of fresh mint growing.

this spring break has been lovely. i got to spend a couple days at one of my dearest friends who is about to get married. we had a lovely time, talking, working on flower arrangements, playing pranks on steve, taking the dogs for a walk, generally having an amazing time.

later in the week i got to hang out some other friends of mine, one who just got back from mma. my aunt came down from denver. we went out to lunch, went to this cool pottery place and painted things, and went shoe shopping. it was so much fun. the boys were gone and we just got to hang out. and we introduce my baby brother to starbucks. no, we got him juice, not coffee.

yesterday my siblings and a friend and i went for a short hike at usafa. it was a perfect day for a hike. it was so gorgeous.

I also chopped my hair off.

in short spring break was amazing.