Praying about everything....

So did you ever pray and pray and pray about something? and then God answered your prayer? and then you realized that maybe you didn't want it as bad as you thought you did? :)

Before it started snowing I had so many people telling me that they were praying (or hoping) for it to snow on Christmas... so many people were "ready for winter" and couldn't wait for the season to really kick into full gear.

Then. The snows came. :) And it snowed.... and it snowed... and it snowed. What an answer to prayer! But then, the snow made things a little complicated. We had to cancel services and people couldn't get out and about. All of the sudden, the prayers for snow ceased and prayers for the snow to melt start pouring like a waterfall. Now the snow is melting and we've got more complications: the snow is melting... right into our basement.

But with all this going on, I was just thinking about how much we ask God to do something for us, and then we're not happy with the results. How many times do we beg and beg for something, and finally God gives us the answer we had hoped for but we don't thank Him but instead ask for something else?

In this small and seemingly inconsequential little thing with our weather, I've realized that I really need to be more grateful for all that God does for me. And then the things that I think I want right away, I need to simply wait for His perfect timing. That's a fault of mine, actually. I can get extremely impatient. :) A lot people have this problem, I know, but it's a fault that's beginning to get on my nerves. Why can't people (me for one) just be content with what God has already done for them?

God uses the word "content" 16 times in the Bible. Three of my favorites are:

• Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
• And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Timothy 6:8
• Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Anyways, it's something that's been on my mind for a while, and something I'll definitely be working on in future.

Oh well, anyways... hope everyone has had a great Christmas and have a Happy New Year! :D

Merry Christmas! :D

Hey, folks! :D So I totally haven't been on here forever! Well, not "forever," but you know what I mean. Anyways, it finally snowed. Huh, "finally snowed." It sounds like I was waiting on the edge of my seat for those puffy little white thingys to start falling. Right.

Well, first it was WAAAY awesome! I got to work and it kept snowing... and snowing.... and snowing... So Dad ended up picking me up from work. (He's wonderful that way..) :D It was pretty scary getting home, but it was so beautiful I didn't really mind. But after we started sliding around, and then services had to be canceled, and my brother almost got killed on the freeway, and it was freezing cold, and my car decided that it missed my little mechanic guy, and Dad could've been stuck in CA for Christmas, and my Uncle and Aunt might not make it up here for Christmas either.... anyways, it got old. It's still WAAAYYY cold, and there's still a lot of snow, but I'm ready for summer again. :)

So. As far as my last post goes, I guess I'll just answer some stuff right here. :)

First: Hey Sarah! :) Yeah, I kinda do think like that a lot. I mean, not like I'm crazy or somethin' but when I'm writing it all just comes to mind. :) I love to write and I guess this is just where I keep in practice. lol. ;) Sorry guys. Anyways, I hope you're able to make it up here next time ya'll are in the states! We'd totally have a blast! :D

So here are the ages:

• Julianna (that's me, of course): 21
• Jordan: 20
• Justin: 19
• Jeanne: 17
• Joy: 16
• Jason: 13
• Janna: 11
• Jeannette: 8
• Joanna: 5
• June: 3
• Jack: 8 mos.

And there we are! :D

Second: Hey Belinda! :) We really miss you guys! :( I am so glad I don't have your snow though! That's just so crazy! And I totally would love to have Shelby for a sister-in-law! That'd be so awesome! That'd would make me your what?? Your daughter-in-law-in-law?? sigh.... That's weird. I'll stick with best friend. ;D Anyways, I'll start workin' on him. :)

Love you too! :D

Third: Hey Tiff! Haven't heard from you in forever! Can't wait to come down in a couple weeks and see everyone! Stay safe in this snow stuff! :D



So that's the update for now. I have to leave my nice warm coffee shop and go home. Well, it's nice and warm at home too, I guess, but I'm pretty much being a wimp about driving home in that stuff. Hey! I hope you guys appreciate the risk I'm taking in coming and updating this blog thing of mine! lol! :)

I'd better go. We've been playing Catch Phrase with Uncle Jason and Aunt Beth, and my team has been winning. :D Between that, and listening to Mom and Uncle J reminisce about the bad ol' days, we're having a blast! :D

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Day! :D

We're Snowing!

I mean, IT's snowing. Well, ok. So it's not really "snowing" but it's really cold and raining. That still counts, right?

So I'm really confused. All week long they've been telling us that we're getting snow on Friday. Well, here's Friday, and it looks more like rain to me. Of course, all this is based on what they're telling us, and I'm not even sure who "they" is!

But regardless, it's cold. ("It" being the weather, you realize.)

So I want to be sure to update everyone on everything going on in my life, so I'm going to go down this list I have:

Family: We're all doing good.

• Jack has a couple more teeth.
• June has a runny nose (but it'll be fine... we've got her upper lip slathered with Vaseline... real attractive).
• Jo-Jo thinks she's going to be an Opera Singer (this is no surprise... when Joy was her age, she informed us that she wanted to be an Opera Singer. But she gave it up to be a nursery worker).
• Jeannette caught a cold.
• Janna is driving. (I'm just kidding.)
• Jason just played a tournament with Tiger Woods and won. (Well that's what he said! It took me two days to figure that it was just a computer game.)
• Joy has just recently purchased the last in stock at all of our local department stores.
• Jeanne is working at the public library and learning how to read.
• Justin has so many girls smiling at him he has to keep checking to make sure he doesn't have toilet-paper stuck to his shoes or something.
• Jordan is working at an airplane interiors factory place or something (I'm not sure what it is, I just know I've stopped traveling by plane...).
• I'm just my wonderfuly normal self (of course, what else did you expect?!?!).
• Dad and Mom are doing good. They're expecting again. I'M TOTALLY KIDDING. :D Bet I had some of you going there for a minute despite my "totally kidding" remark in all-caps. Ha! :D

Well, that's the first item on my list. Wow. I was supposed to get all the items on my list, but I guess I'll have to wait 'til later. (Aren't you lucky?) Oh well, everybody have a Happy Day! :)

And here I am again! (where's the cheering??)

I didn't really realize how little I actually post stuff! I mean, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm getting tired of reading a little more about me every time I log on. :D However, Not much has been happening.

... Ok that's kind of a lie. My life is never boring. I've been working non-stop. And trying to get ready for Christmas with an income as limited as mine, is like cleaning the house with a two-year-old. Every time something seems to get done, something else has just been "un-done." Well, regardless, things are still going well. (I think)

One good thing! We're seeing people saved every week! And this past Sunday we had 5 baptisms! Praise the Lord! My sister Jeannette, Hannah, and Briahna, and two of our little bus kids! Those little guys are brave! I'll have to post pictures soon. They're all smiling, and it looks like a nice sunny day, but the photos don't tell you that the temperature was about 40 degrees! It was freezing! But they did it! :D Of course, it wasn't half as cold as when Eddie and Larry got baptized in the Nooksack River... in JANUARY! :D

Anyways, I'm sitting at the office right now. Waiting for everybody to show up for soul-winning. Yup! I'm back out soul-winning again! Happy Day! My ankle's doing much better! Happy Day again! I'm not going to be trying any athletic stunts like last time though... Oh no. I completely learned my lesson.. I hope.

Let's see... what else is happening.. Oh! I'm supposed to have a recital for my piano students next Monday. It should be quite interesting. I've got four students and they've each got their little songs they'll be doing. It should be pretty cute ------ or funny ---- or sad ---- I think I'll stop thinking about it and just pray that they're all practicing right now. ;)

I'm trying to work on Christmas cards this year. I know, I really don't have to. But I guess it's just another way that I can try to keep in touch with people. Don't worry though, I'm smarter than the average bear: I'm doing my cards via email. Yup! If I ever finish designing them, they'll be in your email! (That is.. if I have your email address...) :) If you'd like one, and don't know if I have your address, just shoot me an email and then I'll have it! (technology is wonderful that way..) If you're lucky, I may get them out by Valentine's Day.

Oh. And I was thinking. Except for Sarah, I really don't know who reads this blog! I mean, my sisters read it too, but that's no fun. (I'll get punished by them for that statement later..) But if you're reading it, let me know! :D I'd love to hear from somebody out in the "real world" sometime! ;)

A little bit more about me!...

I found this in a really random place, but thought it was sorta fun! :) Soooo... Knock yourself out! Let me know if there's something about me that you didn't know! :D

1. What time did you wake up this morning? 9:50 It's a long story, but one of my three clocks stopped and I overslept my four alarms... :D

2. What is your favorite food? Chinese. I like to try new things though... I'm simply dying to try shark!

3. What is Your Favorite TV show? Umm.... Andy Griffith! (I'd say "duh" but that's childish..)

4. What did you have for breakfast this morning? Pepsi and Dark Chocolate M&Ms (don't scold.. it was delicious!)

5. What is your middle name? Lee (Yup! and my cousin Ben has the same middle name.. I've always sorta regretted that...)

6. What foods do you dislike? Liver. (Maybe cauliflower, but I'm not sure yet... I like lots of foods..)

7. What is your favorite Cd at the moment? "Old-Time Gospel Singin': Volume 1" by: Sacred Heritage Quartet.

8. What kind of car do you drive? '88 Ford Taurus (I know.. it's pathetic. I'm being wasted on a car only 1 year younger than me!)

9. Favorite sandwich? Oh, this is tough. Well, I really like Chicken Salad on a Croissant, but I also like a regular turkey sandwich with all the accessories! :D

10. What character quality do you despise? Unfriendliness. There's just no excuse for being mean.

11. Favorite items of clothing? well..... Kinda complicated, but just to be safe, let's say tops. I've found the cutest shirts at Kohls, and they're easy to dress up or down (depending on what skirt you're wearing that is...). :)

12. If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would you go? Scotland.

13. Favorite brand of clothing? Ralph Lauren, AE, Gap.

14. Where would you retire to? I haven't really thought about it. I'd really like to be like Dad who says: "Don't Retire, REFIRE!" :D

15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 17. My parents gave me my own room! (hey, it's a big deal when you're in my family!) ;D

16. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball! (I'd insert another "duh" right here, but it's really childish to say "duh"..)

17. When is your birthday? July 29

18. Are you a morning person or a night person? Well, I prefer night: I love to look at the stars and see a huge moon or stay up late watching old movies. :) However, since last spring, I've been a morning person and lovin' it! I swear God made those beautiful sunrises just for me! :)

19. Shoe size? 5 1/2

20. Pets? None. But if I ever have a dog, he'll be either a pug named "Snorky" or a mini-schnauzer named "Charles" (say it with an English accent).

21. What did you want to be when you were little? a teacher.

22. How are you today? Pretty Amazing! lol! :D

23. Favorite candy? anything Dark Chocolate!

24. Favorite flower? I love hydrangeas, but if these are going to be given to me -- Roses (preferrably red).

25. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? January 5&6! Preacher's Delight @ Faith Baptist and I get to see my best friend! woo-hoo! :D

26. What are you listening to right now? I have no idea. I'm at some random coffee shop.

27. What did you last eat? Dark Chocolate M&Ms.

28. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Navy Blue.

29. How is the weather right now? Cold. Wet. But it's not yuck or anything... just sorta normal.

30. Who was the first person you spoke to on the phone today? Dad. :)

31. Favorite soft drink? ok. a confession. My bus director totally got me loving Red Bull. Yup.
Basically addicted. :D

32. Favorite resturant? Anywhere with good friends and awesome food. :D

33. Real hair color? Brown. (I thought about going blond since my friends and family say that's how my mind works, but I don't think I'm up for that yet..) ;D

34. What was your favorite toy as a child? I was a very creative child, I remember making toys out of the most random things! :D

35. Summer or winter? BOTH!

36. Chocolate hugs or kisses? Kisses!

37. Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate! Lots and lots of DARK chocolate! (up! here's another place for a good old-fashioned "duh!" but of course, that's waay childish...)

38. Coffee or tea? Oh coffee of course.

39. When was the last time you cried? Just never you mind about that one..

40. What did you do last night? I went shopping with Justin and then took him out to eat (I'm such a wonderful sister!). :D

41. What are you afraid of? Being misunderstood. :S

42. Salty or sweet? Both

43. How many years on your current job? Which one? I've only got seven or eight. ;)

44. Favorite day of the week? Sunday. Definitely Sunday.

45. How many keys on your keyring? 3

46. How many towns have you lived in? 3

47. Do you make friends easily? Oh yes!

48. Favorite fragrance? Well, I've got several. I adore AE's "Seventy-Seven" perfume, but I found another perfume I really like called "I Love Love." lol! :D

49. Biggest pet peeve? Oo! Oo! When I'm out soul-winning and people slam the deadbolt on their door after talking to me! erg!

50. Favorite verse? 2 Timothy 2:20-21

I'm back... finally...

Wow. It feels like forever since I've been on here! I have been laid up for a while after a sprained ankle accident. : S Not good. So here's the story... (and here's a beginning tidbit that most of you probably know: I'm not the most physically inclined person I know.) lol : )

Anyways, a couple weeks ago now I went soul-winning just like any God-fearing, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving young lady should! When I reached my area, I realized,

Oops! I forgot to grab some more tracts. Hmm. Well... I've got seven or eight in my purse..

"Hey Joy, do you have any in yours? Two?"

Well that's not gonna cut it. I know: Dad is just down the street, and since we just left him, he probably hasn't started yet.. I'll call him and just get more from him! Aren't I brilliant?? (Yes, I knew you'd think so.)

"Hey Dad, it's me. I just realized I don't have enough tracts. Is it possible to get some from you before you start?"

"Sure! Meet me at the corner of your street, and I'll drop some off with you!"

"Oh good! Thanks! See ya! -- Say Joy, we're going to go up to the corner and meet up with Dad to get more tracts for tonight."

So we start walking. Get this: we are now walking. This requires physical excersise. Can I do this? Of course. I may walk like a girl, but I am quite capable of walking, thank you very much.

Oh my stars, is that a honk? It is! Oh mercy, Dad's up there already and waiting for me! I'd better hurry!

This is where I do something completely.... uh... dumb. I start running. Note: I am not the most physically inclined person I know. Also, I'm wearing 1 1/2 inch clogs.

I can do this! Wow! I am totally running! I'm in better shape than I thought! Happy Day for Nan!

"Nan, STOP RUNNING!"

That's just Joy.. she's probably soooo embarrassed 'cause I'm running in public. Yeah, yeah.. I run like a girl. So what? Dad's up at the corner waiting for me! I have to keep going!

"Nan, you're going to hurt yourself! I just know it!"

The next thing I know, I'm peeling myself up off the pavement. Hoping that my pathetic holler as I fell wasn't heard throughout the entire county, I struggle to my feet and realize that I must've left part of me back down on the blacktop because I'm in grande amounts of pain.

Yup, I did it again.. My entire knee is scraped and bleeding. I've just ruined a brand new pair of nylons! (In case you're wondering: Yes. That was my first concern. Bodily injury is always secondary to a good pair of semi-expensive nylons.) Oh great. Dad wasn't here after all. I think my ankle's busted. Oh yes, definitely busted. If I walk, I faint. Ok so maybe not that bad. Now, slowly go over and sit on the curb. Oh good Lord, I look terrible! Nice.. here comes Dad. Oh MERCY! He's got Paul and one of the boys in the back! This isn't happening. Please tell me I'm dreaming. Nope I'm not dreaming.

"Oh Honey, what happened? Are you ok?" (this is Dad)

"She can't walk! Take us back to the cars and I'll rush her to the hospital! (this is Paul)

"I remember when I sprained my ankle... It hurt for months and months... and just kept getting worse and worse..." (this is a little boy who shall remain nameless...)

"I knew she was gonna hurt herself!" (this is Joy)

"Just let me die peacefully." (this is me)

So. I ended up waiting in the car while everyone finished soul-winning (hey, I wasn't going to have the blood of some lost soul on my hands! They finished soul-winning just as planned! ...only, without me.)

Fortunately for me, Randy and Justin got finished early and ran to the store for an emergency medical supply kit, complete with stretcher and cute paramedics and everything! Well, ok. Not really I guess. But I made it home. Finally. Dad actually had to carry me into the house (now that was funny!) I was able to throw the crutches away after a week (I've determined where crutches come from.... but never mind about that...).

Anyways, here it is... Almost three weeks later. I'm still limping, but I'm doing better. Thanks to all who prayed for me! I really appreciate it! This is a mile-stone for me! My very first injury! I'll have to take pictures of my first sprain and put it next to the pictures of my first cavity! (I'm totally kidding. Please don't get all disillusioned or anything, I'm not all that excited about it..)

Hope you're all having a Happy Day!

This week's services...

Yesterday was such an amazing day! Well, let me back up... this past week was amazing! :) On Saturday Dad went soul-winning and was able to lead a man named Kyle to the Lord! It was so exciting!

There were two baptisms after the morning service: Kyle got baptised and so did Joey! (Joey is Paul's brother..) So altogether this week we had 2 saved, 2 baptised, and 7 first-time visitors on Sunday morning! Praise the Lord! It was such a great day! :)

We had fewer kids on the bus this week, but those who were able to come were soooo excited! We had "Cupcake Sunday" and some of our members brought huge cupcakes from their bakery. (yup, we had some pretty sugared up kids... but they were still good..) So I've been teaching the kids on my bus "The Devil Is A Sly Ol' Fox" (a song my parents taught me a long time ago...). :) Anyways, at the last part of the song we sing:

"...I'm glad I have salvation -

I'm trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ!"

I asked the kids to raise their hand if they had asked Jesus into their heart, and almost every single one of our kids raised their hand and said that they knew they were going to heaven! I was so thrilled! (Especially because I know that it was at Evergreen that they got saved!)

I hope you had a great day in church as well! I have a few pictures from this weekend.. I'll try to post them tomorrow! Have a Happy Day! :D

Sunday Services...

Last Sunday was such a great day! We had two kids get saved downstairs during the morning service, while two adults received assurance of their salvation upstairs! What a blessing!

We had 21 on my bus, and I had 17 kids in my Sunday School class! Another blessing: they were soooo well behaved! (that always helps.. I know the glazed, crazed look on my face after a crazy day downstairs is worth millions in entertainment value, but I love it when my kids are having a good day...) :)

Another blessing to finish the day: Anna, Fransisco, and Belen came to church that night! Mom and I were able to lead this sweet family to the Lord during Wednesday Night Soul-Winning a couple weeks ago, and we were very excited to see them in church with us! :)

Hope you all had a Happy Day in church as well!

Our trip to Ocean Shores....

This past August we were able to get the whole family together for two days and go on a mini-vacation. :) It was soooo much fun and we all had a blast! Here are some pics of Justin, Jeanne, and Joy going horseback riding on the beach. (I would've gone, but I was afraid they would make me wear one of those crazy riding helmets... As you can see, they didn't. Oh well, I'll go next year.) :D

Here I Am!

Well actually, I doubt anyone has been waiting around for me to finally start my blog.... I'm sure you've got better things to do with your time (if you don't have better things to do with your time..... well, don't tell me). But here I am, and very excited to let everyone know what the latest news is in my life and in the Shaver house! Happy Day!