"In Life There Are Many Roads"

I blogged this for MySpace but wanted to share it here as well. The thoughts below did not come to me overnight, but overtime. And this is really a condensed version of it. I could expand on it more I'm sure, but this pretty well sums up something that God has been teaching me.

Have you ever felt like you were standing at the end of a hallway lined with doors and you didn't know where to go? Which door is right? How will you ever choose? What if you go through the wrong one? My mother always says, try all the doors until you find one that is unlocked.

I have come to the conclusion that I am one of those people that goes down many roads perhaps. And maybe after awhile I decide that this is not the road for me. So I move on and go a different way. (Some might say that I have a hard time staying in one place, but that's not exactly how I see it). Does the fact that I've turned around mean that I went the wrong way in the first place? Not necessarily. But now I know a road that I'm not suppose to go down. And along the way, I met people and had new and different experiences and all of those things help to make me who I am.

So if you find yourself going a direction and you're not sure if it's right, turn around and head a different way. But don't beat yourself up over where you have been or the decisions that you've made. Yes, along the road of life you will make bad decisions, but God forgives and you can learn from your mistakes. The will of God is not that narrow and He can use you in a number of different places.

So what are you waiting for? Start trying doornobs!

It was actually cold!

Well, it's been a little bit since I updated, but life has been busy as well. In less than a month I will be home for Christmas. :) I'm excited. I've pretty much just been going to class and working and doing schoolwork. On the weekends, I really look forward to going to Madge's. This weekend we went to the Christmas tree lighting at Channelside in Tampa. It was cold. Seriously. Below are a few pictures. Enjoy! :)

Jacob, Me & Eric
The cutest 7 month old I know :)
Madge & Lauren
Madge & Mel
Mandy & Lauren

Mandy Jr. & Eric
It Snowed!!! (ok, not for real)
Isn't she adorable... ;)

Not Too Much To Report

Wow! It's already November. Time goes by so quickly. The last couple of weeks have been stressful and a bit overwhelming at times, but God is good and the stress has subsided. I find that when I am feeling that way, it's usually because I'm trying to take control of my life rather than letting God have control. I was reminded of this fact again just the other day and I realized that I'm not surrendering daily to Him. It has to be a conscious effort sometimes, but it's worth it. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Classes are about the same as they have been. Things are starting to pile up as the end of the semester is just around the corner.

Work is going well. I love the kids that I work with, though there are the days when they can really push your buttons and try your patience. I also really like everyone that I work with which makes for a good environment.

I must say that it is going to be nice to go home for Christmas and I truly am hoping that there will be snow :)

Hi Everyone. Wow, time goes by so quickly. Life has continued to be busy although I did get a little break last week. Didn't have class on Thursday or Friday and I took off from work as well. I stayed at Madge and Mandy's for the long weekend and Samantha Smith came down to visit. We had a great time. Went to the beach on Thursday. (It was hot here last weekend). Then on Friday we pretty much spent the day at the mall. Samantha left Saturday afternoon. It was so hot on Sunday. Madge and I did a little shopping and tried on Winter coats at Kohl's (in like 90 something degree weather). :) We had fun though.

The last few days it has cooled off a lot and is B-E-A-utiful! I love it! It's been in the 60's and 70's.

Feel free to send and email or give me a call anytime. :)

Girls Beach Trip :)

Can't Believe It's October

Well, life has been busy as usual, but after a little over a month of being here I'm finally feeling like I have more of set schedule rather than just craziness and not knowing what I'm doing that I felt for several weeks. A huge praise is that I got a job, though I haven't started yet. I'll be working at the YMCA with the kid's program. The hours worked out really well and I'm looking forward to starting. It should be fun!

Last week was the annual missions conference (quite different from NBBI's though). It was good. The speaker was excellent and the workshops we went to were really helpful as well. I learned quite a bit and walked away with more to think about (not sure I needed that part, but...).

Classes are going well and it is hard to believe that mid-terms are next week. The time is going by so fast. In just a little over 2 months I'll be home for Christmas! Wow!

I am continuing to enjoy having family so close. I have been to Madge and Mandy's on a few occasions and went out with Barry, Melissa, Brian, Diane, Gene, Zack and Olivia a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time. Family is wonderful. Although I have never really had to chance to get to know them real well, it doesn't feel that way. I feel like I've always known them all. And of course I've fallen in love with Jennifer's kids. They're just too cute.

I never thought that I'd miss the cooler weather, but I do. It's still pretty hot down here, but I'm not complaining. I'm told that the end of October and November are beautiful.

I am still seeking the Lord as to what to do about church. I've been to several and have my idea of where I want to go, but not sure if it will work or not. So if ya'll think to, that is a prayer request that I still have.

Smoke and Leaves and Potatoes

Harvest Vacation!

In my childhood, those were the best words this time of year. Getting out of school for 3 whole weeks so that the farmers had extra hands to help them pick potatoes. When I was a kid, there were still farmers in Hodgdon, Maine that used pickers, not harvesters. I was too young to actually be "employed" to do the job, but when they got to the fields beside my house, I'd go join my older cousins and pick right beside them. I wanted to be a part of it and to say I had the experience. Due to my age, I don't have all the fond memories that others do of those early, brisk mornings, rainy afternoons and long hours in the fields. But I have my own memories...

Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year (though I really enjoy summer as well). There is a distinct smell in the air that comes around the end of September and early October. It's hard to explain if you have never experienced it. It's a crisp smell. A clean smell. The smell of earth being turned to harvest crops, smoke from a pile of burning leaves and colder days on the horizon. Spring brings the smell of mud and new life. Fall brings the smell of the earth preparing for winter.

Yes, the days are colder, but it's a wonderful feeling to wrap yourself in a warm sweatshirt and sit beside a crackling camp fire roasting hot dogs or marshmallows. Or sit on the back of a awaken and ride through the dark woods and farm roads while the wind whistles through your hair. To get up in the morning and be greeted with a chilly day but know that by afternoon, it will be warmer. (Those days will soon be gone and the cold will be there to stay).

But more than the smells and more than anything else, there are the COLORS! If you have never had the privilege of seeing the leaves turn all colors of reds and yellows and oranges, then you, my friend, are truly missing out. It is an experience that I believe you should have before you die. It is AMAZING! God is amazing. Amazing that the leaves change so beautifully and gracefully before quietly, falling to the ground is such a romantic thing. The leaves are most definitely my favorite part of Fall. How could they not be?

So, why do I write this? Why express this to you? For this reason my friends: This year, I will miss it. I will miss it all. And it is strange. It's strange to get up in the morning and have it be warm. It's strange that it's still 90 degrees during the day, every day. It is strange that everything is still so green. No special smell or change of colors.

And yet, it is wonderful how God did not make the whole country the same. That we can go to a different part of the Land we call home and experience such different things. I like where I am (the south), but I LOVE where I'm from (the north) and no matter where I go or end up I'll always be a "County Girl" from Maine, "The way life should be".

And a few more...

At a Mexican Restaurant in a Greek Village

Swimming in the Weeki Wachee River




The water was crystal clear before we got in it :)

Weeki Wachee Trip

Now, about this one...

Pictures from Florida

Finally, here are some pics...

ME :)
The Beach in Tarpon Springs
The Admin. Blgd. on Campus
The LibraryMy Dorm

Feels Like Home, Sorta

Wow, I've been here 3 weeks. However, I must confess that it feels like a lot longer than that. I feel as if I've been here for years. I am really enjoying being back and school and I'm really enjoying being at Trinity College. Yes, there have already been some real struggles and continue to be, but God is good and faithful.

Classes are going well. I'm enjoying and learning. Intro to El Ed is by far my favorite class this semester. It's neat because I took an education class last fall through the University of Maine so that was the secular perspective on education. Now I'm getting the Christian perspective. Some similarities obviously, but differences as well.

I've had an answer to prayer this week. I am going to be doing a small on campus job that involves some cleaning and will only be a few hours each week in exchange for lower room & board fees! I'm really happy about that. And I should still have time to get another job as well.

Tomorrow I'm going canoeing/kayaking.

I truly will have some pictures posted within the next week. Keep checking.

Snow Storms vs. Tropical Storms

I guess if you're from the south, then the concept of "snow days" during the school year is a bit inconceivable. However, when you're from the north the opposite is true - school calendars have "hurricane days" built in??? I guess I should have figured that. This time, no cancellations for us here in Pasco County due to Ernesto. I must admit to a bit of disappointment. Oh, I wasn't looking for anything really destructive, but a little excitement is always good (in my book). So whoever is praying the hurricanes away, it's working.

Okay, let's see. I've put in a week of classes. So far I like class. Some of them are very similar to classes that I have previously had, however, I'm hearing things from a different perspective and of course learning some new things. That's the great thing about the Bible. You can always learn something new even if you've read the passage fifty times before. I love being back in an atmosphere where I'm surrounded by Christian friends and sitting under the teaching of the Word everyday. I missed that and I know that I will not always be able to be in this type of setting so I'm trying not to take any of it for granted.

I have some great Christian friends. The dorm is small and there are so many commuting students that there are very few who live on my floor. However, ever one of them is great and unique in their own special way.

I have a wonderful roommate as well. Huge answer to prayer. Her name is Katie and she has the sweetest personality. We get along great.

There are a lot of opportunities for ministry and getting involved in various types of clubs and the like. I'm still looking for ways to get involved and yet not become over-committed and stressed out. I'm still trying to figure out schedules and get to the point where I really feel settled in. It will come. Especially after I find a church and can get involved there. For now, I'm still lovin' Florida...

First Impressions, First Days

WOW! The last few days have been REALLY busy and crazy.

On Thursday, August 17, I flew to Florida to begin my "journey" of going back to school. Everything went well. No problems with the flights. I spent the next couple of days at Aunt Madge and Uncle Mandy's house. They're fabulous and were so gracious.

On Saturday, August 19, I arrived at Trinity College of Florida. First impressions.....SMALL. I thought the NBBI was small, but Trinity's campus is smaller. It's consists of 3 yes, THREE buildings. I'm not disappointed. It's just smaller than I thought. It's nice though and really close to everything (restaurants, malls, stores, etc.). The dorms rooms are about 2 1/2 times the size of the ones at NBBI too. Sorry I don't have pictures yet. Hopefully I will soon.

Everyone here is really nice. I feel like I've been here longer than 4 days. Already made some good friends.

Sunday, we had a service here on campus that we went to (Indian Rocks Baptist North Campus Church). Next week I start "Church Shopping". Then on Sunday afternoon we had a photo scavenger hunt. Loads of fun. And I great way to get to know people as well.

Monday was a full and long day of sitting through seminars.

Tuesday went to Tarpon Springs to the beach and the sponges docks. It was really relaxing and lots of fun.

Today was the first day of classes. I was ready and excited to start. So far, so good. Wednesday and Friday are my full day with three classes. Tuesday and Thursday just two classes. No classes on Mondays.

It's nice to be on a small campus again. Makes it easier to get to know people. However, there are a lot of commuters so, there may be several that I'll never really meet or get to know.

So far, I'm really enjoying everything. I'll try to post some pics soon.

Pics from Jill's Wedding

Here are a few pictures from Jill's wedding (they're mostly from the reception). Enjoy!

Nova Scotia & Packing

This weekend was Jill and Amos' wedding. It was beautiful!
I left Maine Friday afternoon with Stephanie and Annie and we picked Beckie up in Woodstock. The ride was fun and crazy!!! We stayed at the Clarks in Southhampton Friday and Saturday night. Drove to the wedding Saturday (about a 2 hour drive). Changed for the wedding at a gas station (that was interesting). By the time that we left the wedding it was pretty late so the ride back trying to stay awake was crazy:) Good times though.
It was great to see people from school, people that I haven't seen in a long time, and get caught up with them. Jill was a gorgeous bride. The ceremony was really nice. It was a great weekend.
Steph, Annie, Bex and Heidi - Thanks for the memories. It was a fun weekend.:)
Back to life here......Only 9 more days til I fly to Florida! I'm in the process of packing and mailing stuff to myself and cleaning and all that fun stuff. Hard to beleive it's almost time to leave. I'm excited and will be ready to go when the time comes. For now, there's still lots to do.........

Hey everyone. It's been a little while since I updated. Not too much to report, but a couple things.
Well, I only have 4 more days of work. The year has gone by so quickly. There will definitely be mixed emotions when I walk out the door on Thursday. I'm excited to be moving on but sad to leave the people I work with. They've been more than great. I have learned SO much this year.
As far as school goes..... I found out yesterday that none of my classes from NBBI will be transferring. That was discouraging news but I've gotten over it. Right now I'm taking things one year, really more like one day at a time. I'm still excited and ready to go.
In the mean time, I'm enjoying the summer. Miss camp and everyone there. Especially the kids.
Special "HI" to all my International friends. How is everyone? Sorry I haven't emailed some of you for a while. Amy Laird, are you still alive, girl???

Sjoberg Summer Tradition

Melena, Erik, Colleen & Britta
Melena, Britta and Colleen

Every year, ever since we were kids, it has been a tradition to take a picture in the dandelions. This year, although we did take a couple of "normal" pictures, we got a little more creative. The four of us and Dad had a great time. We laughed so much as we kept coming up with ideas. These 2 pictures are just a couple of the ones we took.

To My Fam

I have one if the best families in the world. And I'm not just talking about my parents and siblings (they're fabulous though). But my extended family as well. They are funny (some of them are even hilarious). They're great people and really, what's not to love about them?!?! Both sides of the fam.
We spent Monday with Mom's side. Let me just say that my cousin Rick is one of the funniest (and craziest) people that I've ever met in my life (believe it or not, I just met him for the first time this summer). We sat around the camp fire and I think that we all were laughing at some point.
Then on Tuesday we were with the Sjobergs. Good times at Paul and Marilyn's. Wendy, your kids are so cute and fun.
And both sides of the fam make the BEST food. I love you all. You're all FABULOUS!!!!

The Beginning of....

Hello to all who are interested in reading this. I've had good intentions of starting a blog for quite some time, and here it is.
Quick update on my life (sorry if this is repeat info for some): After having completed 2 years at New Brunswick Bible Institute, I felt that the Lord was leading me in a different direction. After alot of prayer and thought, I decided to take a year off, stay at home and work. Let me just say this, it has not been easy. This year has been far more difficult than I ever imagined it would be. However, I have never questioned my decision and God has taught me ALOT. I still have a long way to go though. I can truly say though that God is good and His mercy and grace still blow me away.
So since August of 2005 I have been working at a law office as a legal secretary. I have learned so much. I love the people I work with and will miss them.
I will be done work in early August 2006. I then head off to Florida to go the Trinity College of Florida planning to study Elementary Education. I am really excited! Excited to see what the Lord has for me. I also love meeting new people and seeing new places.
Thank you to all who have prayed for me and continue to. It means more than you know.

"By the grace of God I am what I am."