Remembering...

So today marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania field. It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years already. Where were you on that September day?

I was in fifth grade. Our class was in Music and our teacher came in and pulled our Music teacher into the hallway. When our Music teacher came back, she told us we had to go back to our classroom. We could tell something was up. When we returned to our room, Mrs. Peck (our teacher) said she had something to tell us, but had to wait for Mr. Bok's class (the other 5th grade class) to join us. Mr. Bok took apart the accordion wall between our classrooms and his kids came and sat with us. They preceded to tell us that there had been a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in NYC. They weren't sure exactly what had happened, but felt we needed to be in touch with it. They turned on the TV and turned off the lights. There on the screen was Tower 1. Burning. The newsman was talking about a plane crashing into the tower. And then a classmate yell, " There's a second plane!" We saw the second plane hit the second tower. We just sat in awe. Soaking up everything that was happening. Then the towers fell. We saw people jumping for the towers, knowing there was no hope of them surviving. Then the pentagon was attacked, and Flight 93.

We were given the choice to go to recess after lunch or  watch the media coverage in our room. I chose the media coverage along with some other kids. This was huge! We knew our lives had changed.

When I got home that day, my mom just hugged me and cried. She said she hadn't heard until a customer came to the market and told her. That night we were in the barn working on Indian corn listening to the radio and hearing President Bush talk. It was a beautiful day and a more beautiful and  peaceful evening. I don't think I have ever heard the countryside so quiet before.

I had never been more proud to be an American that day and the days following. I was grateful that my family was safe and mourned for those who lost. 9/11 had such a huge impact on everyone's life. It influenced my dad's cousin Curt to enlist. I'm so proud of him, and grateful he's been home for several years now. I'm thankful that Grover Hill Elementary told their students that day. My brother was never informed in junior high and the other two elementaries never told their students. Our nation became One Nation Under God again.

During the afternoon service today at church, I decided to take a walk to the cemetary. You see, a classmate and my neighbor Nate died the day after we graduated two years ago. I sat by Nate on September 11, 2001. I thought it only necessary to go talk to him and tell him that I remember being with him 10 years ago today in Mrs. Peck's class and we watched our world change forever.

In the ten years since, there has been a lot of change. We've lost loved ones, but have seen new ones born. Changed our lifestyles and moved on to the next stage of life. Maybe even fell in love. But in my ten years, I just grateful that I have a God that has helped me, shaped me, molded me, and loved me.  We don't know what will happen in the next ten years, but I know one constant, God will be with me and I pray you can say the same.

It's the little things...

Well after a frustrating customer today, I grabbed a mini Starburst that was sitting on the counter. You see, my momma is awesome. Whenever it gets close to Halloween, she always buys like 3 bags of mixed candy (at a time:) ) for the market. So I opened the rapper and there they were... the two WORST KINDS! Orange and yellow. Come On! Not Today!!! Where are the good flavors? The red and pink? I never get the red and pink. I don't like I've ever had a double pink! So upset I ate the orange and the yellow. The whole time thinking they were disgusting. I wearily walked back over to the bag and thought, "This hasn't been a good day. I deserved another one." I picked one out, opened it up... and there... shining like a shine from God...double pink Starbust! Instantly I thanked God and my mood brightened quickly. Ah, Thank You Lord!

Another bonus, mom and I made some zucchini bread for the freezer today and I am trying to master the art of freezer salsa. I hope it works out. I just have to remind myself it's in the freezer in February. If not, it might be a few years until we find it again :) I will have to say I make good salsa (Thanks Jason L.) and my momma can make a mean zucchini bread. It's even better with butter and strawberry jam!

Well since I know Liss is like to only one who reads this sad little blog, I'll mention her. She is my awesome friend who I would be lost without. It's sad that we live three hours apart, but that's not the worst part. When you are young(er) and people try to teach you about being an adult, they fail to mention that your life will be so busy, you have to plan a good month to two months in advance to see your best friend. Liss and I were trying to find a free weekend to see each other. This is how the conversation went:

Liss: Well I'm open this weekend
Me: No this weekend won't work
Liss: Ok I have a wedding the next weekend and something the weekend after that.
Me: Ok Well I can't do the first weekend in October
Liss: Me too. What about the following weekend?
Me: Possible. I know I can't do the last two weekends in October.
Liss: Ok that puts us at November!
Liss/Me: Let's plan on the second week of October then.

Perfect! It's sad we are so busy with school, life, work, school, work, life, school that we have to actually plan in advance. But hey, I get to see her and here wonderful family in a month! I'm sure we will have a Blennerhassett good time:)

Well I really should be doing my Diagnostic Coding homework, but instead I'm blogging. Maybe I'll just go relax in my comfy chair. Homework can wait until sometime convenient. Blessings!

It's a beautiful day...

Well the sunset tonight was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL! Thank you Lord for your awesome painting tonight. I don't know about you, but I sure feel a lot closer to Him when I look at the sky, see a beautiful sunrise/sunset, or gaze at the abundant stars. It's like His constant reminder to us all that He is here! He is BIG! HE LOVES US! How lost we can get sometimes. Excuse me, how easily we can get lost and forget to just stop, take it in, and say, "Thank you Lord. You are amazing, loving, all-powerful, and my Father!"

Here's a view of the sunset starting from our front porch

Since we have woods across from our home, I decided to take a drive a few miles away. Sure glad I did!

Thank You LORD!

When I got home, this is what I saw from the driveway.

I am one happy girl tonight :) What an awesome way to end a Sunday.



I read recently in Psalms and boy did I get a wake-up call! God sure told me that I, me, Chelsea, was taking the lead and trying to fulfill my own wants and needs. He pointed the question, "Chelsea, am I satisfying your life? Or are you doing that all on your own?" Wow. Am I? Yes, I guess I have been slacking. Did God just set me straight? Big time. So let me ask you this... are you truly, 100% letting God be in control of your life? Is He the satisfaction in your life? Or are you filling that need with something else, on your own? Then God opened up Psalm 25:4-5. " Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Again, wow. First, God was showing me that I wasn't letting Him be in charge, and then He was telling me that I need to stop what I'm doing and look and follow. Easier said then done. But so much better than living life my way! Yes Lord, I will follow you and learn from you. Teach me. Guide me. You are my hope for each day! I think I should really start praying these two verses everyday. Isn't that a great way to start off the day? Lord, today show what I did to do, learn and go. Teach me and I will listen. Take me and I will follow. 

I hope you have a blessed Labor Day! Love and Blessings- Chels