rachelforhim's Xanga

It's been awhile since I blogged!

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:18:52 GMT

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since my last blog. I think it was around Christmas time. Facebook has kind of taken the place of xanga lately, but I thought I'd visit here from time to time as well. Since my last post, I have some exciting news. The Lord has blessed me with the most amazing boyfriend...ever! He is so wonderful and treats me so well. I love it that he is not only my boyfriend, but my best friend. His name is Nathanael Vincent but everyone calls him Nate. We met about 8 years ago when his family first came to our church. Since then, Nate and I have been good friends. About 3 years ago, I started seeing Nate as someone I could like for more than a friend. Obviously nothing ever became of that until April. God is so good and I'm so thankful to have Nate in my life.

God also gave me a nephew in June! My sister, Leah, had a beautiful baby boy on June 16. His name is Hunter Allan Castle. He weighed 7 lbs. and was 20 inches long. I am in love with him!! He is the sweetest baby ever!

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to post more frequently.

Here are some pics of Nate & I.

This is at my friend, Athena's, wedding.

Here is Hunter...

My Mom and Hunter

Christmas is coming...

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:52:01 GMT

Christmas is, in my opinion, the most wonderful time of the year. People are, for the most part, always smiling and in a super good mood. It's the time of the year when we reflect on God's goodness to us in sending His Son to this Earth 2000 years ago. It's the time set aside to show love to our family and friends through the giving and receiving of gifts. It's the time for traditions and memories, laughing and giggling, decorating and wrapping presents. It's the time for love, joy & peace. So, this Christmas, may you all find yourselves basking in the love of the Lord, the joy of His presence & the comfort of His peace. Merry Christmas, friends, from my heart to yours!

Pics from Florida!

Mon, 14 May 2007 19:09:15 GMT

I don't have a lot of time, but Florida was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Here are some pics until I can give details! Have a great day!

It's been so long!

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:51:06 GMT

I can't believe it's been so long since I last updated. This must be a new record for me! Things have been going well. I'm so excited to go see my sister graduate from college in a few weeks. She has worked so hard and I'm extremely proud of her. She gives all the glory to God, because she never could have done it without Him. He has been so good & faithful! I miss her so much. The only sad part of her graduating is that she'll be getting married in July. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle that. The Lord is going to have to pour His grace over our whole family. We are all very close and very emotional. It will be hard to wipe away our tears on July 7th. I'm so happy for her, but we are only 18 months apart and we've always been the best of friends. I know that she'll still be my sister and that will never change, but I'd be kidding myself to think that everything will stay the same. Craig will be her best friend and her main focus in life...which is as it should be. I'm just praying I don't get my nose broke in the process! Leah has been the best sister I could ever ask for. I know that God has great things in store for her & Craig. So, here are a few pictures of Leah...in honor of her graduation, upcoming marriage, and for just being the best sister ever! I love you, Le!

Leah & our cousin Abbie

Leah...a few days after she received her engagement ring!

Leah & Craig at my cousin's wedding!

My cousin Abbie, me, my cousin Sonny, my sister Leah, my cousin Lois & my sister Lydia.

Leah...being cool!!

Craig & Leah

Happy Birthday, Momma!

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:20:06 GMT

Today is my Mom's Birthday! For her sake, I won't tell you how old she is! I asked her once if it bothered her to have her anniversary on the 17th and her birthday on the 18th. She said it did because she usually only gets one present from Dad for both events! Poor Momma! Honestly, I have THE BEST Mom in the whole world. She is the perfect picture of the virtuous woman. She is so hard-working and diligent. She has sacrificed so much for us kids over the years. She has driven 2 hours a day since I was in 9th grade (that's over 10 years) to take us to a good, fundamental, Christian school. She's always been at every game, concert, play, competition...you name it...she was there. Her children are her life and she loves us more than she loves herself. She would do anything for me and I appreciate and love her so very much. If the Lord ever allows me to be a wife & mother, I would be thrilled to be even 1/4 of the woman my Momma is. Thank you, Mom, for giving me a living example of how to be the woman God wants me to be. I love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

All my love,

Rachel

Momma & Lydia at my birthday party.

Momma & Leah at the fountain outside Bravo!

Momma & Great-Grandma

Momma & Lydia at Meckley's Orchard

Momma at Grandma's house

Momma in the Bahamas last year

Happy Anniversary!

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:36:20 GMT

Today is my parents 26th wedding anniversary. Right now, Daddy is on an airplane flying back from a visit with my sister at college in Florida. He's been gone for a week and we really missed him. Momma and the twins are on their way to pick him up. I just want to say that I have the best parents in the whole wide world. I am so thankful for the family that God placed me in. My parents have always been there to encourage, support, love & guide me. They have kept me from making some major mistakes in my life and I could never thank them enough!!! Sometimes they have had to use "tough love" with me...it was hard at the time, but I'm so thankful now when I look back and see what a mess I could have made of my life. They are so fun & full of life. Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad...I love you so very much!

-Your oldest daughter, Rachel Rebekah

Mom & Dad with Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision

Mom & Dad with my sister, Leah

Mom & I

Dad & my sister, Lydia

My Dad...he's an awesome fisherman!

He won "Captain of the Year" with his fishing club!

A Snowy Easter???

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:32:09 GMT

Can you believe we had a white...Easter??? How bizarre is that?? No white Christmas, but we got a white Easter. That's Michigan for ya! Our Easter Cantata went super well. God was in it and 1 soul was saved as a result! Praise the Lord!!

I also played the piano for my friend, Colette's, wedding. It was lovely and I'm so happy for her. She's one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. Once again, I forgot to get my camera out until the last minute, so I only have a picture of Mariah & I.

May God bless you all this week!

A song that has been running through my mind lately:

If I never get to see another rainbow

Or share another life with a friend.

If I never stand barefoot by the ocean

Or get to kiss my child goodnight again.

If I never have another prayer that's answered,

Or have another blessing come my way.

If this is all I know of Heaven's kindness,

Father I would still have to say...

You have been good.

Pics from the pistol range...

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:01:55 GMT

Finally...here are a few pics from my first experience at shooting a gun!! Oh, my soul!!! It was so amazing!! I am hooked and can't wait to do it again! We didn't get a lot of good pictures because we were too busy enjoying ourselves. I can't believe we didn't get a picture of our instructor...thanks, Nate, for being brave and doing such a good job!

Miss Bethany Vincent

Miss Sarah Bourgoin

Just Me...

I'm holding a gun...and it's loaded!!!

I'm so excited!!!

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:23:45 GMT

Can I just say that I am extremely excited???!!!! Nate called me last night and he is going to teach me how to shoot a gun!!! That's right, a gun! I can hardly wait! Can you see me at a pistol range holding a...gun?! I've been practicing my "Charlie's Angels" pose! I'm sure it's nothing like that, but I'm so stoked! I told Nate to watch out because he may create a monster. I could really enjoy this and be hooked! I guess we'll have to wait and see. I'll have to let you all know how it comes out! Here's praying I don't shoot myself in the foot or something. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! In any event, it will be fun and a new experience. Kudos to Nate for being willing to teach a blonde to shoot! Have I mentioned I'm excited???

Friends, Fish & Firetrucks...

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:23:30 GMT

I had another wonderful weekend. They never seem to be long enough, though! On Thursday, I went to the Evans' house and Mrs. Evans made a wonderful turkey dinner. It was so good. Jer, Lisa, Rayne, Jesse, Terry, Hillary & Riley were all there as well. We had so much fun. After dinner was over, we sat in the dining room while Jesse & Chelsie played their guitars and we sang and sang and sang. Here are some pictures from the night.

Terry & Lois

Chelsie

Mr. Evans & Riley

Lois & I...kinda looks like my background, huh?

Jesse being Jesse!

Mrs. Evans & Chelsie

Riley & Hillary

Lois

On Saturday, we had the Evans' over for a fish fry. Boy was that good! The first fish fry of the season... We usually have them at least once a month when the weather is nice. It was so wonderful to be able to be outside enjoying the nice weather. We had a great time of fellowship and fun with them...until the firetrucks showed up!! Ben & Caleb had started our Christmas tree on fire and a passer by thought our barn was on fire, so they called 911. They had 3 counties on their way to put out a huge barn fire, when in fact, it was just a little ole' Christmas tree! It was very entertaining!!!

Sunday was wonderful...as usual. Pastor had a great message on loving your enemies. That's a really hard thing to do sometimes, but he reminded us of how important it is to God. So, I'm praying that God will bring that to my remembrance the next time I'm hurt and offended by someone.

After the morning service, Mom & I went to a bridal shower in Hillsdale for my friend, Colette. She's getting married the day before Easter and I'm playing the piano for her wedding. She's such a sweet girl. I'm so happy that God has blessed her with a wonderful, godly man.

After church in the evening, I went over to the Vincents house and had popcorn and watched Hogan's Heroes. I'm beginning to think this is a becoming a Sunday night tradition.

I can't believe the weekend has already come and gone, but it was great. This next weekend, I'm going to Illinois. Can't wait for that!!! It should be really fun.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!