Ohana Means Family

Keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.

When you walk, they will guide you; 

when you sleep, they will watch over you; 

when you awake, they will speak to you.

- Proverbs 6:20-22

Today my grandparents and sister came to visit me for an early birthday surprise. I knew my grandparents were planning on visiting, but when my sister peaked out of the car window and yelled "Surprise!" I was so happy I almost cried.

I live three hours away from home and sometimes it can be hard. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the life I have with my fiancé in Elmira. It's just every once in a while I miss the familiarities of home. I miss the scent of my clothes after my mom does the laundry, I miss being able to hear my dad laugh even when he's all the way upstairs, and mostly I miss laughing with my sister every day and eating dinner with my family every night. But even though the distance is difficult, I know God is blessing us through it.

Inside of me I have all the teachings, lessons, and love of God and my family. Even though I cannot see them every day I am guided by what they have taught me, I am encouraged by their words and advice, and I am motivated by their love. The famous saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is true. Now more than ever I love every moment I get to spend with my family. In our case, oddly enough God provided the distance to bring us closer together as a family.

While shopping with my grandparents and sister today we saw a sign that said "Only God can turn a mess into a message". The message isn't always clear to us at first, but I hope you trust God enough to wait and see what He has in store for you. Also, I hope you can take time this week to enjoy and appreciate moments with your family. I know I would be lost without mine.

- Nicole

God's Handiwork

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
- Psalm 139:13-14

Whenever I read those verses I can always feel myself start to smile. As far back as I can remember I have always had the urge to create. Whether it was baking cookies from scratch or crocheting scarves and hats, I love the feeling of taking seemingly ordinary things and making them into something special.

My new project this month is quilting. I am currently taking the class "Women and Quilting in American Society." When beginning this class three weeks ago I didn't even know how to thread a needle, let alone sew an entire pattern. Within a few days I learned the running stitch then the back stitch and the blanket stitch! I was so proud of myself, but most importantly, I was falling in love with this new art form.

 

Ohio Star Pattern and Double Wedding Ring Pattern

When piecing together my quilt blocks, I chose color combinations that would stand out, picked just the right fabrics, and lovingly stitched them all together by hand to create a beautiful pattern. Instantly, I was reminded of my Creator. I love knowing that God planned every part of me, knew me, and loved me before I was even born. If I feel so proud and happy over two quilt blocks can you imagine just how much love God has for us? I stitched pieces of fabric together, but He knit me together in my mother's womb. It's so amazing!

Today I was reminded that God planned every aspect of me, He created me, He set me apart, and He has a plan for me that was lovingly stitched together by His hands. Thank you, God, for everything... literally!

- Nicole

God's Amazing Gifts

Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time.
 - 1 Peter 4:10 (The Message)

Right now I am at work at the Mark Twain Study sitting on the front steps with the sun shining down on me through the trees and I can’t help but to feel thankful.

This morning at church I had an unshakeable feeling of uncertainty. During prayer I just kept asking God for a sign. “I need guidance Lord; I need You to show me where to go and what to do with my life”. I needed to hear God’s voice. I needed Him to point me in the right direction. I needed to know that I am making Him proud by the way I am living. God did not shout down from Heaven or place an iridescent arrow in front of me pointing me in the right direction. Instead He showed me the way through the love and understanding of a friend.



My amazing friend Heather and I... we are proud and beautfiul women of God!



On the ride home from church I told one of my best friends about the uncertainty I was feeling. To my surprise, she said she felt the same way sometimes! Now this friend is one of the strongest Christian women I know. She is the kind of woman I aspire to be like, so full of faith and living every day for God. Right then, in the car I believe that God worked through her to give me what I needed the most: someone to listen and understand. I didn’t need all of life’s answers right then, I just needed someone to reassure me that I’m not alone and that I am doing God’s will.

Flash forward to now. I’m sitting outside just reflecting on all the wonderful things God has made and all for a purpose. Now more than ever I know I have a purpose too. Deep down in my heart I know God has given me the gift of serving others. I have always loved doing community service and helping others in any way I can. God has filled my heart with the need to serve and I know that by doing that I am going in the right direction and fulfilling my Heavenly Father’s will for my life.

Speaking of service to others, this Saturday, May 14^th, my youth group is doing a Park Clean-up. We will be choosing two parks in the Elmira area to clear away trash and make the park a clean and safe place for families to go to. I feel this is something God is calling me to do. To make the place I live a place where families can visit, children can play safely, and God’s word can thrive. If you would like to join us Saturday morning in cleaning the parks please feel free to contact me for more information!

Just remember, even if the road isn’t always obvious or certain, God does have a purpose and path for your life if you choose to follow Him. God has given you unique gifts… use them serve Him and make your community a place that honors and praises Him! Keep a look out for more community service projects in future posts J

Give Me Your Eyes

“For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16: 7

Self-confidence is something I lacked most of my high school life. I was the awkward girl who wore band shirts, long shorts, and didn't even dare to put on make-up. I dated a boy, who constantly broke-up with me for other girls, and made me feel like I didn't deserve to be loved. This was all before I met God.

After high school, I decided to attend Elmira College (three hours away from home). This was a huge step for me. At first I missed my family and all the comforts of home, but after the first few weeks I began to transform. I met new people, became more social, and actually started to be comfortable with who I am. While my first year at college helped me "blossom", it was my second year at college that truly changed my life forever.

My sophomore year was unlike any other, I chose to attend church for the very first time. At first I felt like that awkward high school girl again. I didn't know the Lord's prayer, I didn't know any Sunday school songs, I didn't even know where I should sit. But as the service went on I felt more and more at peace. I realized that attending church isn't about knowing everything, it's about learning about God and praising Him. Each week I kept coming back to church and each week I opened my heart a little more to God. It was a few months later at Youth Councils when I went to the altar and officially gave my heart and my life to God.

Fast forward to this week. I've been thinking a lot about how I see myself and how God sees me. Even though I left that feeling of high school shame behind when I met God, it still creeps up on me every once in a while. This week alone I've tripped over countless sidewalks, poked myself in the eye at least twice, and hit myself in the face while carrying my laptop. It was yesterday, at my fiancé's softball practice when that feeling of "what's the matter with me?" came upon me. I started comparing myself to other people, wishing I was more graceful, and then God stopped me. I thought back to a book I read in Women's Group last year called Shame Lifter: Replacing Your Fears and Tears with Forgiveness, Truth, and Hope by Marilyn Hontz. I remember one part of her book speaking on how God created every part of us. He created the features of our faces, the colors in our eyes, and the hairs on our heads. He gave us each of our talents and our different personalities.

Right then, on the metal bleachers looking out onto the softball field, I closed my eyes and prayed to see myself through God's eyes. Instead of seeing an awkward girl, I saw a woman who is brave, a woman who tries countless things and although does not succeed at all of them, never gives up. I saw a woman who picks herself up when she falls. I saw a woman who gives love and kindness freely to others. Finally, I saw a woman with a heavenly Father who loves her more than she can imagine. Thank you, God.

This week when looking at yourself and the world around you, try to take a look through God's eyes. You'll be amazed how much you see differently.

Check out this video "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath... this song goes perfectly with seeing the world and ourselves through God's eyes.

-Nicole