Thursday, November 12, 2009
Second Best Surprise EVER!!
Hey!!! It hasn't been a seven month interval since I've last blogged!! YAY!! Well, anyways, my friend Zody invited me to go with her to this Songs of Hope concert that was held on Tuesday night. Bethany Dillon was singing, which is why Zody had really wanted to go. There was also another band that I didn't know... Robbie Seay Band or something like that? Anyways, Zody and I got to Peace Lutheran Church, where the concert was held (it was a fairly small concert...) and we were just talking about the people who were singing. Zody read her ticked and it said that Caleb Chapman was performing. I just about died. And I just about died even more when I found out that Will was there too! (For those of you who don't know, Caleb and Will are the two sons of Steven Curtis Chapman) Ever since the accident with Maria 18 months ago (I only know that because I read an article online today that CNN did about it), I've prayed for them A TON. I've never really stopped. Some weeks or days more than others, God really puts them on my heart. I actually almost wrote them a letter a few months ago, but never got around to it. So this was amazing that they were there and so unexpectedly!! Neither Zody nor I had any idea they were going to be there. So afterwards, Zody and I stuck around so I could meet them. :) I bought their CD, which has 4 songs on it, but 4 songs that I really enjoy, and they signed it for me. The whole concert I had been thinking of different things I had wanted to say to them, but when I got up there, all that came out was that I had been praying for them a bunch and God had really put them on my heart. It was really awesome because as I was talking to them, I really felt like I had no control over what was coming out of my mouth. I completely forgot everything else I was going to say and as Zody and I walked away, all those thoughts came rushing back in, but it was perfect. God had me say exactly what He wanted me to say. Anyway, like my title says, it was the second best surprise EVER. Coming second only to Bekah's surprise arrival back home from Jerusalem and walking into church totally not expecting to see her for another three months, but having my such dear friend be there!!! Yes, I definitely screamed, but it was a good scream. Pretty much the best scream I'll probably ever scream. :) The end. :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Update
Hm... long time, no.. type? Well, whatever it is, I do apologize for being so awful at updating this. So here's some quick updates on my life:
-I got a job at Fazoli's and have been there for three/four-ish weeks. I'm really liking it, for the most part...
-I quit my after school babysitting job. I was really having no time with my family and I was so tired all the time, and that stunk a lot. I figured after school time is critical to recooperate and a good time to spend with my family since I often work evenings at Fazoli's now.
-I was in my first accident... Luckily, nobody else's property was involved. I was home alone and was going to run to Wal-Mart to get some things. I went to go back out of the garage, but underestimated how far away I was from the wall... the side mirror on the passenger side caught on this metal shelf we have and not only did I make a pretty bad dent in the shelf, but I completely ripped off the mirror. I called my parents and was totally freaking out. They were on their way home and my dad told me to just calm down and they'd be there soon. They got home, my dad inspected the damage and just started laughing. I cried. Not a good day for me. Anyways, the mirror is just being held on my duck tape now, so I guess it's all good?
-So I've wanted to be a special education teacher since I was in 5th grade, right? Well, this morning at church when we were singing, it just hit me BAM! that that's maybe not what God has planned for my life. What I mean, is that God just kind of said to me today, "yeah, that's what I put in your heart before, but now, I want you to look into other things as well." And it was crazy. So now, I'm kind of not sure what I'm going to do with my life. I'm still thinking about special education, but another major one I'm going to look into is teaching English as a second language. Anyways, as I type this, it seems like it's not that big of a deal, but it toally hit me hard this morning and I guess it still kind of seems like a big deal to me, but when I say it or write it out, it doesn't seem like it would be that big of a deal to anybody else... Not the point! That was just my big, um, can't think of the word, so fill in with what word you find appropriate, of the day.
-I got a job at Fazoli's and have been there for three/four-ish weeks. I'm really liking it, for the most part...
-I quit my after school babysitting job. I was really having no time with my family and I was so tired all the time, and that stunk a lot. I figured after school time is critical to recooperate and a good time to spend with my family since I often work evenings at Fazoli's now.
-I was in my first accident... Luckily, nobody else's property was involved. I was home alone and was going to run to Wal-Mart to get some things. I went to go back out of the garage, but underestimated how far away I was from the wall... the side mirror on the passenger side caught on this metal shelf we have and not only did I make a pretty bad dent in the shelf, but I completely ripped off the mirror. I called my parents and was totally freaking out. They were on their way home and my dad told me to just calm down and they'd be there soon. They got home, my dad inspected the damage and just started laughing. I cried. Not a good day for me. Anyways, the mirror is just being held on my duck tape now, so I guess it's all good?
-So I've wanted to be a special education teacher since I was in 5th grade, right? Well, this morning at church when we were singing, it just hit me BAM! that that's maybe not what God has planned for my life. What I mean, is that God just kind of said to me today, "yeah, that's what I put in your heart before, but now, I want you to look into other things as well." And it was crazy. So now, I'm kind of not sure what I'm going to do with my life. I'm still thinking about special education, but another major one I'm going to look into is teaching English as a second language. Anyways, as I type this, it seems like it's not that big of a deal, but it toally hit me hard this morning and I guess it still kind of seems like a big deal to me, but when I say it or write it out, it doesn't seem like it would be that big of a deal to anybody else... Not the point! That was just my big, um, can't think of the word, so fill in with what word you find appropriate, of the day.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Summer
So pretty much, I've been really bad at posting this summer, in case you didn't notice. My apologies for that. I've had a pretty crazy summer, but I don't feel like I've really done a ton. Here's ten things that I have done with my summer, though...
1. Spending A LOT of time with my family. Jadon coming home has been a struggle, but God is definitely using it in so many ways in our lives. I can't even begin to describe all the ways that He is using it to work in us, and each in incredibly different ways, too. Jadon has been fun to have around, but sometimes, well, he hasn't been. But I guess that's the way it goes with pretty much any sibling...
2. Flambeau canoe trip for youth group. Early/mid June, our youth group took a three-day canoe trip. Our first day, we canoed 13 miles and it was pretty insane. But our second and third days, we only did about 3-5 miles each day. After only about an hour or so canoeing our second day, we stopped and camped on Cedar Rapids and it was AWESOME!! Katie, Kaera, and I actually walked across the rapids, which was probably my favorite part of the trip.
3. Calling Laura a couple times each week while she was in Maine. She was there for a little over a month and a half, but finally got home last night!! We went for a really long walk, and it was SO good to see her again!!
4. Youth group Mississippi trip. We spent a week in Lakeshore, Mississippi helping a church down there build a bunkhouse for their volunteers to stay in. Katie, Kaera, and I mudded and sanded a couple rooms most of the week, but on the last day, we were finally able to prime the two rooms.
5. Reading. On our way down to Mississippi, our youth leader, Jer, started reading to us A Voice In the Wind by Francine Rivers, requested by Katie and Jessie. We didn't get to finish the book, so when we got back, I aksed our pastor's wife, Brooke, (who had lent it to us for the week in the first place) if I could borrow it so I could finish. I will admit, I did cry at the end and then had to immediately go pick up the second book. Of course, it took about four days to get to the library, which was painful waiting for it, but it was okay. I didn't like the second book as much as the first, but the ending is what made it worth it.
6. The occasional hanging out with friends. Although I love my family to death, sometimes I just need a break and need to get out of the house. Jadon is very good at wearing us all out, and we all come to that point where we just need to be away. So I've especially enjoyed my friends' company this summer!
7. Coloring. Last week, Jessie and I decided that we really wanted to color and went to Gordy's and each got a coloring book and crayons. When we got back to Katie and Jer's we colored for a while and came to the conclusion that it was one of the most relaxing things you could probably do. When you're focusing so much on staying in the lines, that's pretty much all you think about, and it was relaxing to not think about all the craziness going on in our lives.
8. Kind of running... I'm doing cross country in the fall and we were supposed to be running this summer. Due to my kind of recently healed leg (okay, it's been two months now, but at the beginning of the summer it was recently healed), I started out only doing like a mile per day. After I got some new shoes (because when I went to see the foot doctor, I was banned from running again until I got new shoes), I looked up on Google Maps what route would be a mile. The route I came up with seemed kind of short, but whatever. The next few times I ran, my time was significantly better and I was so excited. Except then Andrew did a route that seemed super long and I did Google Maps for that and it was only two miles. I was kind of confused as my route didn't seem proportionate to his route and went back and found out that I had really only been doing .8 miles and was super disappointed. After that, I lost some motiviation. So then a few weeks ago, I started running with a few other friends, but they don't go nearly as far as I wish and they stop and take breaks and go at a much slower pace than I'm used to. So that, too, is an adventur and a half. Cross Country training starts in two weeks, so we'll see how that goes...
9. I got my results from the AP Exam... and I got a FOUR!!!!!! I was super excited!! I guess that's not really something I've done this summer, but it's something I'm excited about from this summer.
10. Finally, I took my drivers test yesterday morning. I was so nervous beforehand and felt like my stomach had just POOFED and left a big void where my stomach was supposed to be. When I was actually driving, it wasn't quite as bad, except for when I did my parallel park and hit the curb the first time, but then was able to fix it on my second attempt. I don't think he took any points off for that... So we get out of the car at the end of the test and my dad comes out and went over some things that I would need to fix, but... I PASSED!!!! So now I'm officially a liscensed driver. :) Yesterday, I drove myself to Best Buy and bought The Truman Show and a 60's CD, to which I half-blasted on my way home. It was fun. :)
And that's my summer so far. Two months down, one to go...
1. Spending A LOT of time with my family. Jadon coming home has been a struggle, but God is definitely using it in so many ways in our lives. I can't even begin to describe all the ways that He is using it to work in us, and each in incredibly different ways, too. Jadon has been fun to have around, but sometimes, well, he hasn't been. But I guess that's the way it goes with pretty much any sibling...
2. Flambeau canoe trip for youth group. Early/mid June, our youth group took a three-day canoe trip. Our first day, we canoed 13 miles and it was pretty insane. But our second and third days, we only did about 3-5 miles each day. After only about an hour or so canoeing our second day, we stopped and camped on Cedar Rapids and it was AWESOME!! Katie, Kaera, and I actually walked across the rapids, which was probably my favorite part of the trip.
3. Calling Laura a couple times each week while she was in Maine. She was there for a little over a month and a half, but finally got home last night!! We went for a really long walk, and it was SO good to see her again!!
4. Youth group Mississippi trip. We spent a week in Lakeshore, Mississippi helping a church down there build a bunkhouse for their volunteers to stay in. Katie, Kaera, and I mudded and sanded a couple rooms most of the week, but on the last day, we were finally able to prime the two rooms.
5. Reading. On our way down to Mississippi, our youth leader, Jer, started reading to us A Voice In the Wind by Francine Rivers, requested by Katie and Jessie. We didn't get to finish the book, so when we got back, I aksed our pastor's wife, Brooke, (who had lent it to us for the week in the first place) if I could borrow it so I could finish. I will admit, I did cry at the end and then had to immediately go pick up the second book. Of course, it took about four days to get to the library, which was painful waiting for it, but it was okay. I didn't like the second book as much as the first, but the ending is what made it worth it.
6. The occasional hanging out with friends. Although I love my family to death, sometimes I just need a break and need to get out of the house. Jadon is very good at wearing us all out, and we all come to that point where we just need to be away. So I've especially enjoyed my friends' company this summer!
7. Coloring. Last week, Jessie and I decided that we really wanted to color and went to Gordy's and each got a coloring book and crayons. When we got back to Katie and Jer's we colored for a while and came to the conclusion that it was one of the most relaxing things you could probably do. When you're focusing so much on staying in the lines, that's pretty much all you think about, and it was relaxing to not think about all the craziness going on in our lives.
8. Kind of running... I'm doing cross country in the fall and we were supposed to be running this summer. Due to my kind of recently healed leg (okay, it's been two months now, but at the beginning of the summer it was recently healed), I started out only doing like a mile per day. After I got some new shoes (because when I went to see the foot doctor, I was banned from running again until I got new shoes), I looked up on Google Maps what route would be a mile. The route I came up with seemed kind of short, but whatever. The next few times I ran, my time was significantly better and I was so excited. Except then Andrew did a route that seemed super long and I did Google Maps for that and it was only two miles. I was kind of confused as my route didn't seem proportionate to his route and went back and found out that I had really only been doing .8 miles and was super disappointed. After that, I lost some motiviation. So then a few weeks ago, I started running with a few other friends, but they don't go nearly as far as I wish and they stop and take breaks and go at a much slower pace than I'm used to. So that, too, is an adventur and a half. Cross Country training starts in two weeks, so we'll see how that goes...
9. I got my results from the AP Exam... and I got a FOUR!!!!!! I was super excited!! I guess that's not really something I've done this summer, but it's something I'm excited about from this summer.
10. Finally, I took my drivers test yesterday morning. I was so nervous beforehand and felt like my stomach had just POOFED and left a big void where my stomach was supposed to be. When I was actually driving, it wasn't quite as bad, except for when I did my parallel park and hit the curb the first time, but then was able to fix it on my second attempt. I don't think he took any points off for that... So we get out of the car at the end of the test and my dad comes out and went over some things that I would need to fix, but... I PASSED!!!! So now I'm officially a liscensed driver. :) Yesterday, I drove myself to Best Buy and bought The Truman Show and a 60's CD, to which I half-blasted on my way home. It was fun. :)
And that's my summer so far. Two months down, one to go...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
JADON
Okay, so this post is WAAAAAAY overdue, but my family is in China!! They left Eau Claire a week from today and got Jadon May 4th, which is yesterday our time, but two days ago for them in China. I got to meet my newest little brother yesterday morning on Skype and what a little ball of energy he is!! He's super full of personality. He's always playing with things, he learns VERY quickly, and we're all pretty sure attatching will be no problem. Within less than 12 hours of meeting our family, he was running around the room saying, "Mommy" and "Pappy", easily going to them and sitting on their laps to talk to my aunt, grandma, and I over Skype. He recognized me and called me jeh-jeh, which means big sister! So my dad will point to my face on the computer screen and ask who that is and he'll smile and say "Jeh-Jeh!" Yesterday morning when I first talked to him, he unprompted said "wo ai ni" which is Chinese for I LOVE YOU!!! There's bunches of other super super cute things he's done and said, but to easier follow that, check out my parent's blog. rieckramble.blogspot.com
Also, be praying for Jadon as he has a cold. :( He's been coughing a lot lately and when we talked to them last night and this morning, Jadon would be sitting on my mom's lap and grab her wrist and put her hand on his forehead, showing her that he had a fever. It was soooooo sweet, but please pray that he'll be feeling better soon! Another prayer request... my AP Euro exam is on Friday!!!! EEK!!! I'm definitely not prepared. Hopefully I will be by Friday, but pray that God would keep me calm, focused, but most importantly focused on Him!!!!!
Also, be praying for Jadon as he has a cold. :( He's been coughing a lot lately and when we talked to them last night and this morning, Jadon would be sitting on my mom's lap and grab her wrist and put her hand on his forehead, showing her that he had a fever. It was soooooo sweet, but please pray that he'll be feeling better soon! Another prayer request... my AP Euro exam is on Friday!!!! EEK!!! I'm definitely not prepared. Hopefully I will be by Friday, but pray that God would keep me calm, focused, but most importantly focused on Him!!!!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The results are in...
...and I do have a stress fracture. We got a call on Tuesday night saying that I have a grade 1 to 2 stress fracture and can't run for probably something around four weeks. Then, today, I got pulled out of 7th hour French at 2:30... to go get crutches. I'm not sure how long I have to have them, but I'm not supposed to put my full weight on my right leg, and approximately 50% instead. The Viennese Ball this weekend should be interesting... Actually, I'm trying to convince my parents to let me go without crutches and let me dance at least a couple dances. The way I look at it, I can actually fake swing dance without really even putting any pressure on my right leg. Of course, then I have to stay in the same place the whole time, but it's something!
Also, WE HAVE WEBCAMS!!!!! I know that some of you (*cough* Botzets *cough* ;)) have Skype and my family got a couple webcams so that my family and I can communicate while they're in China. Anyways, I thought I might let you know so that I can talk with y'all, too! So... my screen name like thing is kirsten.rieck and I'm pretty sure that we should talk soon. ;)
Also, WE HAVE WEBCAMS!!!!! I know that some of you (*cough* Botzets *cough* ;)) have Skype and my family got a couple webcams so that my family and I can communicate while they're in China. Anyways, I thought I might let you know so that I can talk with y'all, too! So... my screen name like thing is kirsten.rieck and I'm pretty sure that we should talk soon. ;)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Quick(ish) Update
1) WE HAVE OUR TRAVEL DATES FOR CHINA!!!! My parents will leave on April 29 and return with my little brother, well actually my two little brothers, on May 14th at 5:00 pm!! We've actually had this information for about a week, I'm just a little slow...
2) I've got a prayer request. I am going in tomorrow to have a bone scan. A week ago, my right shin started hurting after I ran. I ignored it the first day, because it wasn't excruciating pain and I thought that my leg just hurt. No big deal. After it hurt again on Tuesday, just earlier in my run, I went to the athletic trainer at school, and she said I probably had shin splints and should just take it a bit easier-- do shorter/slower runs. After it only got worse on Wednesday, I was told to come in before practice on Thursday, which is when I was banned from running and told that I need to get it checked out by a doctor to make sure it's not a stress fracture. So my mom and I went into Urgent Care on Thursday night and found out that I need to get a bone scan. Also, I'm pretty sure the guy who looked at me thinks it's a stress fractures. To really freak me out, he told me that I might go and see the bone doctor and he might tell me that I can't run anymore beacuse I might be prone to these types of things. Forever? I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope not. I love running. In church yesterday, though, my dad was praying something along the lines of how everyone who was sick and how when we were in Heaven we wouldn't have to deal with that. It would all be gone. Same with my shin issues. So really, "forever" on earth, really is nothing. Even if I can never run again until I die, I really do have FOREVER to run. Just thought that was pretty sweet. Anyways, the pain has just been getting worse and worse every day, and today especially it was super bad. So tomorrow is the bone scan. 8:00 I have to go in and get an injection and 11:00 is the actual bone scan. Please be praying!
3) I will get pictures up soon. Hopefully. I promise. (If that made any sense at all...) I'm not sure how in the world I'll fit them all on here, so I might just make a video slideshow of a few of my favorites and put that on here instead. The only bummer about that is that you'd then have to wait for the movie instead of being able to scroll right through... Any better ideas??
Well, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is a big day and I'm sleep deprived. I hope you all have a marvelous day tomorrow and I will hopefully be back up with a bone scan update/results and hopefully pictures once I can figure out how to get them all on here!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
Psalm 34:1-3
2) I've got a prayer request. I am going in tomorrow to have a bone scan. A week ago, my right shin started hurting after I ran. I ignored it the first day, because it wasn't excruciating pain and I thought that my leg just hurt. No big deal. After it hurt again on Tuesday, just earlier in my run, I went to the athletic trainer at school, and she said I probably had shin splints and should just take it a bit easier-- do shorter/slower runs. After it only got worse on Wednesday, I was told to come in before practice on Thursday, which is when I was banned from running and told that I need to get it checked out by a doctor to make sure it's not a stress fracture. So my mom and I went into Urgent Care on Thursday night and found out that I need to get a bone scan. Also, I'm pretty sure the guy who looked at me thinks it's a stress fractures. To really freak me out, he told me that I might go and see the bone doctor and he might tell me that I can't run anymore beacuse I might be prone to these types of things. Forever? I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope not. I love running. In church yesterday, though, my dad was praying something along the lines of how everyone who was sick and how when we were in Heaven we wouldn't have to deal with that. It would all be gone. Same with my shin issues. So really, "forever" on earth, really is nothing. Even if I can never run again until I die, I really do have FOREVER to run. Just thought that was pretty sweet. Anyways, the pain has just been getting worse and worse every day, and today especially it was super bad. So tomorrow is the bone scan. 8:00 I have to go in and get an injection and 11:00 is the actual bone scan. Please be praying!
3) I will get pictures up soon. Hopefully. I promise. (If that made any sense at all...) I'm not sure how in the world I'll fit them all on here, so I might just make a video slideshow of a few of my favorites and put that on here instead. The only bummer about that is that you'd then have to wait for the movie instead of being able to scroll right through... Any better ideas??
Well, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is a big day and I'm sleep deprived. I hope you all have a marvelous day tomorrow and I will hopefully be back up with a bone scan update/results and hopefully pictures once I can figure out how to get them all on here!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
Psalm 34:1-3
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Home Again
Well, we're back. South Africa was AMAZING!! I'd love to tell you all about it, but my brain isn't really functioning right now, as it's used to it being almost 4:00 am. I've gotten to the point where I can't even form complete sentences when I'm talking. It should be fun doing homework tonight...
Anyways, just thought I'd check in with you guys and let you know that we got home safely and had an AMAZING time. More about the trip will come later and with many, many picutres. (That is, if my computer finally lets me put pictures on... I've got a total of 1114 pictures & videos... I think my computer is afraid of blowing up so it won't let me put stuff on... isn't technology wonderful?)
Anyways, just thought I'd check in with you guys and let you know that we got home safely and had an AMAZING time. More about the trip will come later and with many, many picutres. (That is, if my computer finally lets me put pictures on... I've got a total of 1114 pictures & videos... I think my computer is afraid of blowing up so it won't let me put stuff on... isn't technology wonderful?)
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