It's sunny and 70 degrees, a perfect afternoon weather-wise. I'm riding in the cab of an old, red Ford truck. The windows are rolled down and the breeze is pouring in. Grandpa's truck smells familiar, like childhood. The red leather seat is warm, but not scorching.
The rolling fields pass by, intermittently broken up by farmhouses and faded red barns. The occasional foal or calf is cause for great excitement in the truck. The goat in the back bleats from time to time, her bell ringing merrily as the truck bounces down the road.
The sun warms my face and the wind strokes my hair. An Amish man waves as he passes us in his buggy. As the goat bleats again, the smell of freshly mowed grass tickles my nostrils.
I lean back on the seat next to my grandpa and my cousin. Three generations of Bakers, riding home from doing farm chores. This is happiness, I think, as I close my eyes contentedly. This is what it's all about.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A Blank Page
A friend made a comment in passing a few weeks ago about giving God a blank page of your life. That has been stuck in my mind ever since, repeating itself over and over.
So often, I tell God I want to do His will, IF His will includes *insert activity I can't miss here.* If His will means missing something I want to do, I'm upset.
I'll pray and ask God to tell me what He wants with my life, but I assume it will include an activity I'm currently in. I'm taking Spanish, so God must want me to end up in South America. I'm in debate, so maybe I'll do some sort of public speaking. I love kids, so I'm probably be a teacher- and so my thoughts go.
A completely blank page is nearly incomprehensible to me. To say to God, "Here is a BLANK PAGE of my life," is hard for me. I like to be in control, to know what's going on, to have things planned out.
I need to give Him a completely blank page. Free of MY hopes and dreams, my "commitments," my friends- for Him to fill with HIS hopes and dreams for me.
So often, I tell God I want to do His will, IF His will includes *insert activity I can't miss here.* If His will means missing something I want to do, I'm upset.
I'll pray and ask God to tell me what He wants with my life, but I assume it will include an activity I'm currently in. I'm taking Spanish, so God must want me to end up in South America. I'm in debate, so maybe I'll do some sort of public speaking. I love kids, so I'm probably be a teacher- and so my thoughts go.
A completely blank page is nearly incomprehensible to me. To say to God, "Here is a BLANK PAGE of my life," is hard for me. I like to be in control, to know what's going on, to have things planned out.
I need to give Him a completely blank page. Free of MY hopes and dreams, my "commitments," my friends- for Him to fill with HIS hopes and dreams for me.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Band of the Week- 3/6-3/13
I've decided that I'm going to start posting a "Band of the Week" entry... This one's a little late, but I want to get another one in before... um. Yeah. It's a secret. Anyway.
This week's band is The Classic Crime. Hailing from Seattle, The Classic Crime consists of Matt MacDonald (vocals), Justin DeQue (guitar), Robbie Negrin (guitar), Skip Erickson (drums), and Alan Clark (bass). The band is "labeled" as alternative/indie/rock. However, these vague labels come nowhere near describing the sheer beauty and energy of their music.
Although the band does not label themselves as a "Christian band," they are signed with Tooth and Nail Records. Many of their lyrics speak of a deep faith, hope in something more than the world, and love. Their latest album, "A Silver Cord," is a metaphor taken from the Old Testament.
This band has incredible talent and a sound all their own. The songs are catchy without being annoying, and make you think without shoving anything down your throat.
Lyric samples:
Don't waste your time if you've got it /The tides are turning now/You are not alone
-We All Look Elsewhere- Albatross- 2006
And I hope you know that Someone out there loves you/So don't give yourself away/and don't listen to them when they say/"This is the way that you are."
-The Way That You Are-The Silver Cord-2008
I've got a sneaking suspicion/That hindsight only favors good vision.
-5805- The Silver Cord- 2008
So I will sing/and you will hear me/and join the chorus so we can start again/Our voices raised
are flawed but freeing/our souls so we can change and start again.
-Sing- The Silver Cord- 2008
I still hold the belief that we are free/that we don't need the rules to see/that despite what we've done, we're not alone/We're closer than we think to home
-Closer than We Think- The Silver Cord- 2008
Oh, all the memories we had/framed in our minds like photographs/take a second, take a second/and make this last/here's where the future meets the past.
This week's band is The Classic Crime. Hailing from Seattle, The Classic Crime consists of Matt MacDonald (vocals), Justin DeQue (guitar), Robbie Negrin (guitar), Skip Erickson (drums), and Alan Clark (bass). The band is "labeled" as alternative/indie/rock. However, these vague labels come nowhere near describing the sheer beauty and energy of their music.
Although the band does not label themselves as a "Christian band," they are signed with Tooth and Nail Records. Many of their lyrics speak of a deep faith, hope in something more than the world, and love. Their latest album, "A Silver Cord," is a metaphor taken from the Old Testament.
This band has incredible talent and a sound all their own. The songs are catchy without being annoying, and make you think without shoving anything down your throat.
Lyric samples:
Don't waste your time if you've got it /The tides are turning now/You are not alone
-We All Look Elsewhere- Albatross- 2006
And I hope you know that Someone out there loves you/So don't give yourself away/and don't listen to them when they say/"This is the way that you are."
-The Way That You Are-The Silver Cord-2008
I've got a sneaking suspicion/That hindsight only favors good vision.
-5805- The Silver Cord- 2008
So I will sing/and you will hear me/and join the chorus so we can start again/Our voices raised
are flawed but freeing/our souls so we can change and start again.
-Sing- The Silver Cord- 2008
I still hold the belief that we are free/that we don't need the rules to see/that despite what we've done, we're not alone/We're closer than we think to home
-Closer than We Think- The Silver Cord- 2008
Oh, all the memories we had/framed in our minds like photographs/take a second, take a second/and make this last/here's where the future meets the past.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Honey Garlic Chicken Fried Rice
Per Jenney's request. Keep in mind that besides the sauce, this is entirely my own creation. Feel free to tweak it :)
Serves one famished person, two hungry people, or three people with virtually no appetite. Basically, serve it to two.
Sauce:
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mustard
3 tsp soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar- I would recommend red wine vinegar, but white works too
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup ketchup
Combine ingredients in a small mixing bowl, beat with whisk until mixed, set aside
*optional* add 2-3 tsp fresh squeezed orange juice to taste.
Chicken:
Bake two boneless skinless chicken breasts. (20-35 min each) Halfway through baking time, slit with a knife and pour 1/4 cup of sauce on each.
Cut chicken into one inch cubes, or shred it if you prefer.
Rice: **wait until chicken is done cooking for this step!!**
one cup instant rice
2 tbsp butter or margarine
one egg
small skillet
Cook instant rice following normal instructions. Melt butter in a small skillet. When butter is melted, drop in the egg. "Scramble" the egg as usual. When egg is fully cooked, add the rice and approx. one cup of sauce. Stirring continuously, add the chicken breast.
Pour in approx. 1/2 cup of remaining sauce. (Note: You kind of have to "eyeball" how much sauce to use. The sauce will soak in to the rice as you cook, but you don't want it to end up soupy.)
Pour into bowls and serve.
Goes great with the egg drop soup from Sam the Cooking Guy.
Serves one famished person, two hungry people, or three people with virtually no appetite. Basically, serve it to two.
Sauce:
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mustard
3 tsp soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar- I would recommend red wine vinegar, but white works too
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup ketchup
Combine ingredients in a small mixing bowl, beat with whisk until mixed, set aside
*optional* add 2-3 tsp fresh squeezed orange juice to taste.
Chicken:
Bake two boneless skinless chicken breasts. (20-35 min each) Halfway through baking time, slit with a knife and pour 1/4 cup of sauce on each.
Cut chicken into one inch cubes, or shred it if you prefer.
Rice: **wait until chicken is done cooking for this step!!**
one cup instant rice
2 tbsp butter or margarine
one egg
small skillet
Cook instant rice following normal instructions. Melt butter in a small skillet. When butter is melted, drop in the egg. "Scramble" the egg as usual. When egg is fully cooked, add the rice and approx. one cup of sauce. Stirring continuously, add the chicken breast.
Pour in approx. 1/2 cup of remaining sauce. (Note: You kind of have to "eyeball" how much sauce to use. The sauce will soak in to the rice as you cook, but you don't want it to end up soupy.)
Pour into bowls and serve.
Goes great with the egg drop soup from Sam the Cooking Guy.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Updating...
It's March 1st. Wow, it's March 1st. How strange... I still hadn't accepted that August was over. (By the way- "August is Over" by We The Kings= good song.) Anyway, I haven't updated since February 14th, so here we go...
We had a great family vacation to Florida. It was nice and warm, lots of time by the pool. Aunt Kendra came and brought Ian Joseph (my 4 month old cousin), so we had a lot of fun "baby time." We went shopping (I got dresses! and vests!), ate a lot, and soaked in the sun.
Last weekend (February 27-28) was the Christian Communicators of Michigan Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament at Midland Evangelical Free Church. Whew. I'm glad I didn't actually SAY that- I'm out of breath just from typing it. Anyway, it was a fun tournament. We had seven rounds of debate, and I had 3 rounds of Impromptu.
The results? I placed 1st in Impromptu, my partner (Eric) and I placed 4th in Varsity Team Debate, and I was 1st place Varsity Debate Speaker.
Now I'm sitting at Delta College, relishing the fact that they have Macs... ahhhhh. Emistotle and I are going to go get dinner before class.
Pictures of Florida and the tournament will come soon!
We had a great family vacation to Florida. It was nice and warm, lots of time by the pool. Aunt Kendra came and brought Ian Joseph (my 4 month old cousin), so we had a lot of fun "baby time." We went shopping (I got dresses! and vests!), ate a lot, and soaked in the sun.
Last weekend (February 27-28) was the Christian Communicators of Michigan Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament at Midland Evangelical Free Church. Whew. I'm glad I didn't actually SAY that- I'm out of breath just from typing it. Anyway, it was a fun tournament. We had seven rounds of debate, and I had 3 rounds of Impromptu.
The results? I placed 1st in Impromptu, my partner (Eric) and I placed 4th in Varsity Team Debate, and I was 1st place Varsity Debate Speaker.
Now I'm sitting at Delta College, relishing the fact that they have Macs... ahhhhh. Emistotle and I are going to go get dinner before class.
Pictures of Florida and the tournament will come soon!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A Valentine's Day Survey.
For Valentine's Day, I went to a concert with two of my good friends. It was amazing. I watched some hilarious youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMYX1VDpkHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49jKeGyUCJE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9Gm-aRe5A
Now I'm going to go make White Chicken Chili for tomorrow. After that I'll watch Gilmore Girls and eat popcorn. Happy Day!
Emilyy, Sarah, Guitar Player, me, Lead Singer- Run Kid Run
Emilyy, guitar player, drummer, Sarah, me, Lead Singer, bassist- Lightswitch
I took this without a zoomIN THE LAST MONTH HAVE YOU...
Had someone buy you something?
Yes... Jared and Levi both bought me lunch. My parents bought me lots of things...
Gotten sick?
Yes.
Been hugged?
Yes, I was on retreat. I was hugged so much...
Felt stupid?
Numerous times.
Missed someone?
Every second I was awake. And most of those during which I was asleep.
Failed a test?
Nope.
Ate cereal?
Yes. Yum
Danced crazy?
Not that I know of, but I have been guilty of singing really loudly when I'm alone in the car.
Gotten your hair cut?
Yes. And dyed.
Lied?
Not that I remember.
HAVE YOU EVER...
Said "I Love you" and meant it?
Yes. I never say it without meaning it.
Waited all night for a phone call that never came?
Not all night
Snuck out?
Nope. And it's "Sneaked"
Sat and looked at the stars?
Oh, no. Never.
Ahem.
Do you swear?
Absolutely not.
Do you ever spit?
I spit out some gross food once.
Do you cook your own food?
I can.
Do you do your own chores?
mmhmm
Do you like beef jerky?
Yeah. Especially on the way home from Retreat
Do you like pepsi or coke?
Mountain Dew.
Are you happy with your hair?
I love it! I wish it was always this color.
Do you own a dog?
no.
Do you spend your money wisely?
Normally.
Do you like to swim?
mmhmm
Do you call a friend when you get bored?
Yeah.
DO YOU PREFER...
Gray or Black?
Black.
Color or black and white photos?
depends on the subject.
Sunrise or Sunset?
Sunset. And the song called "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof.
M&Ms or Skittles?
Skittles. The ones in the purple package.
VALENTiNES DAY QUESTiiONS...
Do you like anyone?
I do.
Do they know it?
Yes.
Does someone like you currently?
I would hope so. I would hate to find out that my friends and family have been pretending all this time.
Are you even worried about the upcoming holiday?
Why would I be worried?
Why is this an important holiday to couples?
I have no idea. Valentine's Day was created to honor St. Valentine. It originated as a day to show EVERYONE love. Not just your "significant other." However, as with so many other good things, the world and Hallmark teamed up to corrupt the day forever.
See here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/note.php?note_id=50059994863
Have you ever gotten something from someone on the day?
Yes. School valentines, back in the day.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Life is a Highway
I'm home from Winter Retreat 2009. There are so many emotions and thoughts flying through my head. I just slept for 12 hours. I talked Emily's ear off the whole way home last night.
If it was possible to freeze moments forever, these are the ones I would freeze:
Brandon telling us to make love our identity, not our strategy.
Singing Mighty to Save with one arm around Kimmee and the other around Levi.
"That's a huge fan."
Making videos about the wood flavored soup with Joci and Taylor.
Looking around the room as a hundred or so of my peers cried and worshipped together.
"What the E-sharp?!"
Joci's asthmatic horse.
Hugging Kimmee until I couldn't breathe.
Levi-Alyssa Talks on the bus.
Dancing with Kimmee during "I am Free" *Charlie Brown!*
Talking to Megan by the sinks in the bathroom every day :D
That part of one of the videos Rocky made where David Anthony tries to kiss the camera.
Teaching Jerry what REAL music is.
Playing spoons, butter knives, "Bible Study," and Egyptian Rat...slap? screw? I refuse to enter THAT debate.
From the Inside Out
Lip Sync. All of it.
Never calling Mallory by her name, just "Twin."
Begging to be humbled.
The multiple epic failures that were videos with Rocky and Joci.
Finally being on the winning team.
Realizing that I was completely surrounded by people who WOULD NOT let me fail.
Kat & Emmy rocking out to Born to be Wild *Kat
The "camp situation" that turned out to be pizza *Kat
The pillow attack of death *Doug
Levi's sardines *after everyone is done yelling and holding their noses* "Want some?" "NO! I DO NOT WANT ANY!!!" *Jess
"So, how do you want me for this?" *Jess
Connie, Rocky, Jess, Me, and Jenna- getting ready to leave the Farm.
Eric, Jared, Me, Kimmee. Epic
Me, Jess, Jenna, Grace- on the bus.
Eric, Kimmee, me, Joci, Rocky- "Biker Ball" :D
Jess, Jenna, Me, Amanda, Rosie- Cabin 7 Remnant
Emilyy, Joci, Rocky, Me- Emilyy came to pick me up!
If it was possible to freeze moments forever, these are the ones I would freeze:
Brandon telling us to make love our identity, not our strategy.
Singing Mighty to Save with one arm around Kimmee and the other around Levi.
"That's a huge fan."
Making videos about the wood flavored soup with Joci and Taylor.
Looking around the room as a hundred or so of my peers cried and worshipped together.
"What the E-sharp?!"
Joci's asthmatic horse.
Hugging Kimmee until I couldn't breathe.
Levi-Alyssa Talks on the bus.
Dancing with Kimmee during "I am Free" *Charlie Brown!*
Talking to Megan by the sinks in the bathroom every day :D
That part of one of the videos Rocky made where David Anthony tries to kiss the camera.
Teaching Jerry what REAL music is.
Playing spoons, butter knives, "Bible Study," and Egyptian Rat...slap? screw? I refuse to enter THAT debate.
From the Inside Out
Lip Sync. All of it.
Never calling Mallory by her name, just "Twin."
Begging to be humbled.
The multiple epic failures that were videos with Rocky and Joci.
Finally being on the winning team.
Realizing that I was completely surrounded by people who WOULD NOT let me fail.
Kat & Emmy rocking out to Born to be Wild *Kat
The "camp situation" that turned out to be pizza *Kat
The pillow attack of death *Doug
Levi's sardines *after everyone is done yelling and holding their noses* "Want some?" "NO! I DO NOT WANT ANY!!!" *Jess
"So, how do you want me for this?" *Jess
Connie, Rocky, Jess, Me, and Jenna- getting ready to leave the Farm.
Eric, Jared, Me, Kimmee. Epic
Me, Jess, Jenna, Grace- on the bus.
Eric, Kimmee, me, Joci, Rocky- "Biker Ball" :D
Jess, Jenna, Me, Amanda, Rosie- Cabin 7 Remnant
Emilyy, Joci, Rocky, Me- Emilyy came to pick me up!
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