We also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces
perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his
LOVE
into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us.
Romans 5: 3-5
I am thankful for...
91) Beautiful summer nights
92) Playing water balloon toss...endless laughs always ensue.
93) Window AC units
94) Smiley faces at the ends of emails :)
95) Weekly small group meetings
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
image originally from Haribo's photos
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Baptism Sunday
My name is Rachel, and I was baptized in Lake Michigan today.
After calling myself a Christian for over two years, today was the day that I finally decided to show this publically to my friends, family, and church.
Today was a day of celebration, hope, and love. What happened today is a true testament to the power of God's love and grace...and the transformation that His presence has had on my life. Those who are close to me know my testimony of what brought me here today. I'm so happy to say that my life has been forever changed.
Thank you to everyone who has played a part in getting me to where I'm at today. I could have never gone on this journey alone.
I didn't take many pictures, but here's a brief slideshow of my baptism:
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Pslam 33:22
I'm thankful for...
86) Times when the love that surrounds is palpable
87) Everyone who woke up early to celebrate with me today
88) My church home
89) Pedicures
90) Smilebox slideshows
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
After calling myself a Christian for over two years, today was the day that I finally decided to show this publically to my friends, family, and church.
Today was a day of celebration, hope, and love. What happened today is a true testament to the power of God's love and grace...and the transformation that His presence has had on my life. Those who are close to me know my testimony of what brought me here today. I'm so happy to say that my life has been forever changed.
Thank you to everyone who has played a part in getting me to where I'm at today. I could have never gone on this journey alone.
I didn't take many pictures, but here's a brief slideshow of my baptism:
![]() |
![]() |
Slideshow design generated with Smilebox |
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Pslam 33:22
I'm thankful for...
86) Times when the love that surrounds is palpable
87) Everyone who woke up early to celebrate with me today
88) My church home
89) Pedicures
90) Smilebox slideshows
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Marathon Training: Week 7
This week was a big week for marathon training because I ran the longest I've ever run in my life! I ran 11 miles with my training group yesterday, and it went really well. I was nervous beforehand since this was completely new territory for me. Up until now, 10 miles was the longest distance I've run. I got up bright and early on Saturday morning (6:30 am! Yikes!), had my Gatorade ready to go, and a running playlist all ready to go. I felt great through the whole run, and I'm actually excited to run even more next week.
As you may remember from my first blog about marathon training (click here), I am running the marathon on the Special Olympics charity team. Please take a few minutes to visit my fundraising page. Click here to see more information about this amazing charity. Thanks for your support!
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
As you may remember from my first blog about marathon training (click here), I am running the marathon on the Special Olympics charity team. Please take a few minutes to visit my fundraising page. Click here to see more information about this amazing charity. Thanks for your support!
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy
Happy is...
1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate.
2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy.
3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous: a happy turn of phrase.
4. Cheerful; willing: happy to help.
Here's what has made me happy over the last year...
I'm thankful for...
81) The people in my life who make everything better
82) Lazy days off of work
83) Seeing a matinee on a too hot summer day
84) Aloe vera gel
85) Selling things on craig's list
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate.
2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy.
3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous: a happy turn of phrase.
4. Cheerful; willing: happy to help.
Here's what has made me happy over the last year...
![]() |
![]() |
Free picture slideshow made with Smilebox |
I'm thankful for...
81) The people in my life who make everything better
82) Lazy days off of work
83) Seeing a matinee on a too hot summer day
84) Aloe vera gel
85) Selling things on craig's list
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Fourth of July!
I hope that you all are enjoying this lovely long weekend. Happy 4th everyone!
I'm thankful for...
71) Laid back barbeques with good friends
71) When it's warm enough during the day to be a perfect temperature at night
72) The calm Lake Michigan waters
73) Day trips to my grandparent's condo in Michigan City
74) DVD's of favorite tv shows
75) Public transportation
76) Laughing so hard your stomach hurts
77) Lazy Sunday mornings
78) Grapefruit
79) Smiles from strangers
80) Free concerts
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Sunday, June 27, 2010
New Job, New Outlook on Life
A week ago, I started a new job, which explains my absense from the blog world. Over the last few weeks, my life has been full of surprises.
Four weeks ago, I was feeling at a loss....confused about what was going to come next and wondering about whether or not any of the changes I wanted would ever happen. My patience was being tested. Thanks to the wonderful women in my small group, I was reminded that I needed to just trust in God's timing for it truly is the best timing.
A few days after I reached my low point, I received word about a job opening. I sent in my resume. Less than a week later, I had interviewed, received a job offer, and put in my two weeks notice. This new opportunity was a huge answer to prayers, and probably the most direct answer to prayer that I've ever experienced. I had been waiting for almost a year for a new job or new opportunity to come along. I had put myself out there in so many ways, and I didn't understand why nothing was working out. I was confused and impatient. I was beginning to doubt that He was even paying attention.
Now at the end of my first week at my new job, my doubts are gone. Everything happenned so quickly and the timing of it all was too perfect for it to be anything but God's work. I'm so grateful for everything, and I'm so looking forward to seeing how my life changes and develops as a result of this new job. I'm feeling so positive about the future, and I'm couldn't be more ready for it to start.
Thanks to everyone who has been there for me as a friend along the way. There are times when my strength comes from those who are close to me, and I am truly the luckiest person in the world.
I'll be sure to get back to blogging regularly. With my new job, I'm more busy during the day, so my posts may be more few and far between....but I'm beyond grateful that I'm being challenged at my new job, so if blogging has to take a back seat for a while, I'm ok with that.
I'm thankful for...
61) Hot summer days
62) First dates that are so good you don't want them to end
63) Sweet text messages in the middle of the day
64) Blue painter's tape...it just makes painting so much easier.
65) Trashy reality tv...it's my guillty pleasure
66) Public transportation...it's good for the environment and saves me from driving in traffic
67) Kraft macaroni and cheese. so yummy!
68) Ribs from Smoke Daddy
69) Park Community Church
70) The lakeshore path. Aren't we so lucky to have that all along Lake Michigan?
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
image from New Wine Today
Four weeks ago, I was feeling at a loss....confused about what was going to come next and wondering about whether or not any of the changes I wanted would ever happen. My patience was being tested. Thanks to the wonderful women in my small group, I was reminded that I needed to just trust in God's timing for it truly is the best timing.

Now at the end of my first week at my new job, my doubts are gone. Everything happenned so quickly and the timing of it all was too perfect for it to be anything but God's work. I'm so grateful for everything, and I'm so looking forward to seeing how my life changes and develops as a result of this new job. I'm feeling so positive about the future, and I'm couldn't be more ready for it to start.
Thanks to everyone who has been there for me as a friend along the way. There are times when my strength comes from those who are close to me, and I am truly the luckiest person in the world.
I'll be sure to get back to blogging regularly. With my new job, I'm more busy during the day, so my posts may be more few and far between....but I'm beyond grateful that I'm being challenged at my new job, so if blogging has to take a back seat for a while, I'm ok with that.
I'm thankful for...
61) Hot summer days
62) First dates that are so good you don't want them to end
63) Sweet text messages in the middle of the day
64) Blue painter's tape...it just makes painting so much easier.
65) Trashy reality tv...it's my guillty pleasure
66) Public transportation...it's good for the environment and saves me from driving in traffic
67) Kraft macaroni and cheese. so yummy!
68) Ribs from Smoke Daddy
69) Park Community Church
70) The lakeshore path. Aren't we so lucky to have that all along Lake Michigan?
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
image from New Wine Today
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