Joy?! I'm Counting on God!

The end of the semester is drawing near and I need to do everything in my ability to keep my sanity. So I do the logical thing that every high school/college student would do: bake and reminisce about camp! My routine recently has been: Come home, watch Walker Texas Ranger, bake, facebook, look at homework and such, get overwhelmed, watch youtube videos of camp songs, take a shower and go nuts singing camp songs, get down to business (Mulan pun) and work on studying and/or papers! Also to keep my sanity I have allowed one caffeinated beverage per day. Thank you caribou milk chocolate turtle mochas and their sticker card thing!

So recently I haven't been living the life God's wanted me to do rather I'm focused on worldly things such as school and other things in my life. My recent blogs have been about how God's pointed out very obviously the places I need to improve upon. One of the most basic things I have needed to improve upon is spending time with God. So I rehung up my favorite verse sign, "Pray Continually" -1st Thessalonians 5:17 and I am working to put God first. So far, going way better than before.

Oh, and to put God first I love to worship. Being the camp fanatic I am, I love songs I can dance to and go nuts! I have now dedicated my shower time to singing and dancing and praising God. Just to let you know, my ten minute showers are now half an hour! I go nuts singing silly songs like the Hippo Song to songs like How He Loves Us and everything inbetween. Just a sidenote: do not go nuts during the Lord's Army when "riding in the cavalry" you may slip and almost die! Alternatively I always sing undignified and do the chicken dance due to Nick Whittenhall! Anyway my shower worship has help respark my flame for God.

Here is a video of one of my favorite Timber Ridge songs:

No youtube video could ever come close to the excitement and passion of camp, but I thought this one did a pretty decent job. I sang this song many times in my head today and so I got to thinking about the lyrics. This song pertains so much to my life. Many times I have been told I am joyful, and the reason MY GOD! No matter how great the battle with Satan is and how down I get, I am leaning on God. He fills me up with an uncomprehendable joy that lasts forever and in those really rough moments He is right there giving me enough strength to make it through that day. God sets me free from my bondage or sin. He is so powerful, He gives me so much joy.

If you can't tell I am so excited right now! God is so great! I wish you could just feel the passion I have right now...oh wait...YOU CAN!

Steps to joy like Michaela is experiencing:

1a) Start a relationship with God by accepting Him into your heart or...

1b) Rededicate your life to God

2) Treat God like your best friend, talk about everything

3) Worship Him and allow Him to fill you up with overflowing joy

4) spread overflowing joy to others

5) repeat 2-4 infinitely and your joy will never cease ©*

*Disclaimer: copyright was just for fun, if you have any questions about the above process I would love to talk with you about it! Joy and happiness are not the same thing, happiness goes away when things get rough; joy is found only in God and lasts forever.

To My Future Husband

So I have this wonderful prayer journal and it's plastered with things that I pray about. Recently I have been focusing on one thing my future husband. I thinks it is important to start praying for him now. So hear is my blogged version of a letter to my future husband:

Dear Prince Charming,

I know you are out there somewhere. Maybe we have already met, maybe not. I pray for you constantly. I cannot wait for the life we will share together. I pray that God satisfies you and fulfills the desires of your heart. I pray that your heart will be so engulfed by God that I will have to go through him in order to get to your heart. I pray that I will be the wife you always dreamed of. I pray that we respect each other and love each other with everything we have, second only to God. Prince Charming, I am waiting for you!

Love,

Michaela.

I know it might be incredibly sappy, but I think it is important to be prepared! Oh and future husband, here's a video for you!

God Can

So today is Monday...usually I'm that annoying chipper person all the time including early Monday mornings. However, I must admit today I was crabby. Due to the snowpocalypse, my bus was running half an hour late, which means I was 20 minutes late to class. Drove my OCD up a wall. I got to class then went to section, which as always lightens my mood. Today my French Canadian friend learned how to properly pronounce juniper! The internet then failed. I went to the writing center to work on a paper which I had to turn in the next day. The writing center was so backed up, it took 2 hours before I finally got to my appointment (which took about half an hour.) Got help with my paper, and had to take a later bus than I usually do. Not to mention I also had to skip a class.

I got on the bus happy that the day was near done. On the way home I spent my time reflecting on the day and semi-zoning out. I was thinking about how overwhelmed I was and how there was no way I could humanly get through this week thanks to finals. Just then a car passed by...its license plates said, "GOD CAN." It just got me to thinking that I can't humanly get through this week, rather I had to rely on God's strength to get me through this week.

Happy Monday!

Owl City

Yup! Today I'm talking about Owl City, aka Adam Young who just so happens to live in the same great ice tundra as I! Now originally I refused to like Owl City due to their popularity and I didn't want to like them because everyone else did, I wanted to go against the crowd. However, upon hearing Fireflies I did have to admit it was unique.

My love for this band grew stronger. I ended up working at Trout Lake Camps and spent a few weeks of my summer there in the kitchen. In case you didn't know, working in the kitchen there is tons of fun! From freezer games, to dance parties, to giant dinosaur shaped cookies, there is never a dull moment. The kitchen dance song just so happened to be Hello Seattle Remix by Owl City. If you walked by the kitchen and ever saw us jumping, dancing, going insane, and partying through the dishroom...odds are that song was being played. Needless to say I have a deep love for Trout and a love for Owl City.

One day I was waiting for swim practice to start like I always do. I was listening to music and doing homework on my laptops. One of my friends from the team, Zoe, asked if I had heard Owl City's latest song. I had not. She told me I would love it and check out the blog. The moment I go to the blog I hear this song:

Just lovely! So beautiful and I love the song. Most importantly it reminds me of my love for God and His unending love for me. The sunrise in this video and the fact that the song is by Owl City reminds me of Trout. This song couldn't be any more perfect. Right then and there my day was made. So over excited me is probably looking like a dork, glowing. I decide to read the blog post with the song. I have the utmost respect for Adam Young.

Not only does this wonderful young man have a great musical talent and a hilarious sense of humor, he also has a good head on his shoulder, and I'm not just saying that. He went from a small town Owatonna boy to a world wide music star. Unlike every other artist that lets their stardom get the best of them, he is firmly rooted. He not only says he is a Christian, but lives the lifestyle of a Christian. He also informs the world of his deep love for Christ in his blog. I highly encourage you check it out: http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/.

Have a wonderful day!

Do Something

This one is less of a facesmack than the others, but yet still prominent and important. This is hopefully going to be just something quick. A song came onto iTunes and well...listen to it yourself:

I dare you to move. What did this get me to thinking? It got me to thinking about how I'm lazy and I haven't been doing much. This morning I was on the computer looking at my prayer journal and thinking about taking it out, but didn't...why?! Because I was too lazy. So basically don't be lazy in life. Isaiah was seeking to better his life so he said, "here I am, send me." He didn't say, but I would rather sit on the couch and veg out to my favorite sitcom. He said OOOH! PICK ME! I'LL GO GOD! I WANT TO! He was that overly enthusiastic person that sometimes just annoys the crap out of you. But that is what we are supposed to do. Check out Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Not only are we supposed to not be lazy and just race: we are supposed to do it with perseverance and get rid of anything holding you back. What's holding you back? A bad relationship? A TV show? Interweb? Get rid of it! Strive for God. Think about it if I were lazy and had something holding me back (say a 50lb weight) during swimming, what would happen? I would sink. I wouldn't survive. We have to be on guard against Satan and get rid of every sin big and small as best we can.

Another quote I like is by Carl Sagan (I know he is an evolutionist but he still is a smart guy!) "Anything else you are interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air or drink the water. Don't sit this one out. DO SOMETHING! You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet." Pretty much, nothing will happen if you don't do anything. Now is the perfect time to take action, there is so much going on in the world, so many opportunities, take advantage of them.

Challenge yourself today: when you catch yourself being lazy, do that task you are procrastinating and then do beyond what you have to!

Overthinking

Today was another slap in the face day. This time it happened at a swim banquet.

I got all dressed up, got to see friends and coaches again, and of course there were laughs and awards. The moment I was anticipating was to see whether or not I was team captain or not for next year. It is the last "award" to be announced. Before then is varsity letters, all state honorable mention, MVP, hardest worker, team spirit, rookie of the year, the Abby Duncan Show and all those other great awards. Then comes the fun award, hairy leg contest....I came in close second, by 3 votes! They announced the captains, Maddie Olson and Laura Ledray...two WONDERFUL ladies who I'm so excited for. Yes, I was disappointed because I wasn't going to be captain, but as I was thinking about it...that wasn't it. I was upset for another reason.

As I was listening to the various awards being called off and the characteristics and recipients being described, I thought to myself, "well that can't be me" or "well that's kinda me." You can't just be "kinda" the hardest worker. It is either all or nothing. I had been giving nothing. The 2 things I received were certificates of participation: one for having nasty hairy legs and the other for showing up to practice to do laps. The entire way home I was beating myself up wondering why I even wasted all the time, money and pain if I wasn't making anything of it.

That got me to thinking about life. Godsmack part 2. I have been living a mediocre life and being a lukewarm Christian. Yes I have done good, yes I show up to church every Sunday, yes I volunteer...but is my heart with it? Am I really trying? The answer: NO! Then I thought the same thing I did about swimming: why even waste all the time, money and pain if I wasn't making anything of it.

The good thing is though I realized I could quit swimming and quit life, but both are stupid options. That would solve nothing. Instead, I have to make an effort to change. I have to put my all into both life and swimming. If I can't be the next Abby Duncan, well I can at least sweat as hard as her, I can cheer as loud as possible and put my all into it. For life I can add care and meaning, working on relationships and making things worth while. Making these changes because I want to, not because I have to. Yes it is easier said than done, but practice makes perfect.

This blog is called Swimming the Race of Life...read the verse at the top. Now I can just swim to finish that race or I can swim to win the prize. God has once again pointed me toward what I need to do in life, via facesmack...now I just have to make the change. What about you? Are you giving it your all? Whether it be life, relationships, sports, or something else...think about why you are truly doing it, and if you aren't giving it your all...well now is the time to change!

My plans?

WOW! That is all I have to say about the last few days! Recently I have been rather selfish. I have been putting myself first and God way down on the list. And it isn't like I'm just forgetting God, I've been thinking, "hmm, would God really want me to do this?!" and deliberately disobeying him. Deliberately straying away from God=bad. So these last few days I have been completely slapped in the face, figuratively. So let me give you a run down of my "queen me" mentality.

I'm going to skip the majority of the stuff and skip straight to the most eye opening one: my recent job search. I have been TELLING God I need a job and asking Him to give me one. I finally got asked to come in to Target for an interview. Many people were praying that I get the job. Which I did. God answered my prayers the way I wanted them to be answered. Funny thing happened though. Right before the interview, I prayed that if it was God's will let the job work out. Well within 16 hours of getting the job offer, I had to turn it down. I actually knew 2 hours after I got the job that I would have to turn it down. I was thoroughly upset.

This is where it gets good and the God smack comes in. I was not happy with my family so I wanted to get out, so I went to church. The realization didn't happen at church though, it happened on the way home from church. I was flipping through radio stations, then I heard a song I loved from camp on Air 1. The song is Our God is Greater by Chris Tomlin listen to the lyrics:

"And if our God is for us, than who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, than who could stand against." Right then that was when I realized that this was God trying to get my attention. God just kept talking to me through my radio. All of the song I have been hearing (even on Pandora) have been about letting God have control over my life. Here are just a few examples:

*The Stand by Hillsong United ("heart abandoned, my soul lord to you surrendered" giving everything to God)

*Roaring Like a Lion by David Crowder ("living on the inside roaring like a lion" He was definitely roaring this time)

*Let the Waters Rise by Mike's Chair ("so let the waters rise if you want them to, I will follow you." enough said)

*Glory Defined by Building 429 (there will always be better, but that is for God to choose)

*You Found Me by The Fray (when everything was falling apart, God was there guiding me)

*Happy Day by Fee (it was played at my baptism where I said quote, "I'm no longer living by my plan or by my will, but by God's")

*Beautiful Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli (God is what makes me beautiful, following His plan is what makes me beautiful)

*Rescue by Newsong (the world has nothing for me, but I need God and His plans for me)

*Be Still by Rush of Fools

I talked to my big seester Kate Rabago, and she also was telling me how it wasn't God's plan and pointing out how God gave me what I wanted, but then took it away and made me realize it wasn't his will. Also there was a blog by Steven Furtick, I recommend you read that blog. It is called perfect for you. Everyone was posting it on fb, so I read it and it hit home. It was about trusting God and following His plan. What God knows is the best for me, might not seem like the best for me...but God can work wonders through any situation.

I'm just going to end with a few verses that fit in:

"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:10-13

"Be still and know I am God." -Psalm 46:10

"'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Tenth Avenue North: Times

Another day, another Tenth Avenue North song. Todays tune is Times. And of course there is always a video for you to enjoy!

I truly love how much raw emotion is in this video. Read the verses, they are just wonderful. The song is about someone who is seeking God. We all need God, but sometimes we stray away. Let me repeat that WE stray away. God is always with us, it is us who wander away. Even through our mistakes and through turning away, God is faithful.

Then the second part is about how God is saying He will love you no matter what. There are 4 kinds of love in the Greek language: storge (store-gay) is the love of a parent to their child; eros (air-ohws) a sexual love; Phileo (Fil-lay-oh) is the love between friends; Agape (uh-gop-ay) unconditional love. Only God can give unconditional love.

1st Corinthians 13:8 says, "love never fails." and Lamentations 3:22 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail." Lord is not talking about Voldemort (oops, did I say the forbidden name...kinda like Macbeth.) Lord is talking about God. God's love is never-ending, it is so hard for us to comprehend. He is our father. Fatherly love is pretty much the closest you can humanly get to agape love. Speaking of fatherly love, if you have 10 minutes check out this video:

There is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Just a reminder.

Quick note: that is a picture of my sharpie tattoo on my wrist. Design adapted from Danielle Freiermuth and tattoo project credits go to Kate Rabago. It means his love is never ending (infinity sign) and the cross is a reminder of how he loved me so much he sent his son to die for my sins so I wouldn't be condemned (john 3:16.)

Surprises of Today!

Today was marvelous! I couldn't ask for a better day, let alone a better life. It was a day full of excitement and camp friends! I got picked up by Todd and taken to my friend, Lauren's play. The musical was Thoroughly Modern Millie. I loved it bunches! Lauren was amazing. I also got to see my friends Elle, Danielle, and Hannah! It was exciting! After the musical, Todd and I went to the MOA! It was a blast.

The day was full of shrieks, hugs and over excitement which I always love. I ended up sweeping Hannah off her feet and carrying her back to her seat during intermission. It is so amazing how much we all bonded throughout the summer! I appreciate friendships like that!

Hopefully I'll post pictures later! That was just an FYI about my awesome day full o' fun!

Tenth Avenue North: Satisfy

Good Morning! Ok, well it most likely isn't morning when you read this, but still. So this morning I'm going to continue the Tenth Avenue North Series, tonight I shall post about my day which is packed full of fun plans and surprises! Today I'm going to focus on the song Satisfy.

One of the reasons this is a morning post is because of the verse that goes with it: "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days." -Psalm 90:14. We truly need God to fill us up every morning. Before I go any further, listen to the song:

Satisfy. My good ol' friend Mr. Webster says satisfy means, "to make happy; to gratify to the full; to put an end to doubt." We all like being satisfied. When we are satisfied we are completed, filled with a sense of satisfaction. There is only one true source of satisfaction, God! My awesome plans that you will find out about later, it may please me, but cannot fully satisfy me.

We need to rely on God first thing in the morning and last thing at night, as well as every moment in between. When we don't rely on God we turn to other things to fill us up, such as addictions, love from others, things of that nature. We need God to satisfy us. Just a thought!

So today, start out with God as the first thing on your mind!

Tenth Avenue North Series

Recently, I have fallen in love with Tenth Avenue North and the meanings behind their songs. I've decided to do a mini-series on some of their songs. To start off with the song I am most in love with currently, "You are More." First off check out what the lead singer has to say about this song:

My favorite quote from this, "You can't live for God until you learn to live because of God, and you can't go and make good choices for God until you understand the gospel that says the choices you make don't make you who you are. What Christ has done for you makes you who you are." SOOOO TRUE! Every one of us is more than our best deed or our worst deed. We are worth God's love! "We are not struggling to be free; if we are in Christ, we are free to struggle!" We have to rely on God!

Here take a second and listen to this song. I encourage you to Google the lyrics, really get an understanding for the song. Also pay attention to the video!

Man this video hits me hard every time I listen to it. Seeing all the words and phrases on the chalk board...so many resonate with me. They do with everyone in some way or another. This song is about guilt. It is reminding us that we are forgiven by God if we ask for forgiveness and because of God's love, we don't have to worry about it any more. Our sins have been forgiven. There is no reason for us to feel guilty. Listen to what God has to say, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1st John 1:9.

I always think of Tenth Avenue North as the voice of God. Here God is saying, "you are worth so much more than your sins, don't let Satan get you down or use your past to hold you back." This happens to me so often, where I am so caught up in my past. My past has been forgiven.

I also love when the water starts pouring down the chalk board. Literally washing away the past of other's (our) sins. It symbolizes how God makes up pure. At the end it repeats, "You've been remade." God has re-made us. He has taken away our sins and created us into His children.

Don't let the past hold you back, confess and trust in God!

The Standard Intro Post...

Hola! That is hello in Spanish in case you were wondering. So I have decided to embark on this journey of blogging. Well, it isn't really a journey...more like people reading (or lack there of) my thoughts. I've had a few blogs before, but deleted them for various reasons. So this here be my official blog.

What will this blog be on you may ask. Well on life of course. It will be about different things happening in my world and my perspective on things. We'll see what becomes of this blog.

As for a background about the story behind this blog. It is called Swimming the Race of Life as you probably already know. It also has one of my favorite verses at the top. 1st Corinthians 9:24. That is the verse on my shoulder at EVERY swim meet. I have changed the wording slightly (replaced run with swim) but it still holds the same meaning. It says, "Do you know that in a race all the swimmers swim, but only one wins the prize? Swim in such a way as to win the prize!"

Taken literally this means, kick your butt into gear and swim fast. Get that prize. It sounds like something my coach would say. In fact, he quite likes my verse! Spiritually speaking though, it takes on a completely different and deeper meaning. It essentially is talking about swimming the race of life...hmm...sound familiar? In life I could just complete the race, like most of the people...or I could try my best to win that prize. How do I do it? By following God. In order to win the prize I am living my life for God, not for this world.

So my blog, will be full of fun stories, interesting stories, life lessons, and yes about God and how I'm striving toward him and how you can to. Feel free to comment or ask questions at any time! I'd be more than glad to answer!

First post: success!