Blessing 59

My blessing today is...
Blessing 59-Giving Fish Room to Swim.
   Ever seen bettas at a pet store? They are in little cups. Yes, they can breathe and live and survive (if the water is changed enough and they are fed and not stressed), but it is wonderful to see them put into an area that they can explore and swim in without bumping into their own tail. I just put my two new fish-Zion and Zally-into new containers (for Zion, a fish bowl; for Zally, a plastic kitchen container that will hold her comfortably until I can find an even larger dish-at least she can swim now!). It is fun to watch fish explore as they are put into a new environment. Zion's no longer dashing at his own reflection or rushing in a tiny space-he can swim! So that's my blessing-happy fish! I also changed Zen's water and gave him his new plant. I'm now looking forward to learning about Zally and Zion's personalities!

If you don't have the blessing of a betta, I'd suggest that you get one (if you are able and allowed to become a fish owner). My three are beautiful and will give me lots of company in my room!

God bless!

Indi

Jer. 29:11

Blessings 54-58

I'm back with some more blessings to share! Right now I'm excited to start school in a week from today. So today I'll be sharing some blessings about school!

Blessing 54-Being Home Schooled.
   Being home schooled is a giant blessing! I have been home schooled all of my life. It gives me a Christian perspective on life. Since one of my home schooled friends had to enter a public high school I have become even more thankful for being home schooled. Her stories are awful. Thank God for being home schooled!

Blessing 55-A Beka Book DVD curriculum.
   I do a Christian program for school-A Beka Book. I've been enrolled in the DVD program for several years (this may be the fourth or fifth year). I have classes with teachers and lessons that I watch on DVD. Its a unique way to learn.

Blessing 56-New Notebooks.
   I love notebooks! With all my journaling, notes, and writing, notebooks will never go to waste with me!

Blessing 57-New Pencils and Pens.
   I almost always have some kind of paper or notebook with me along with a pen or pencil. I actually can get upset or concerned if I forget it-what if I learn something new or want to write if I feel bored? What would I do if I don't have a working pencil or pen?! Pencils and pens are necessities!

Blessing 58-Bible Class.
   I'm glad that I have the blessing of having Bible class nearly every day. It gives me yet another way to learn about my God!

   What blessings do you have going into the school year of 2015/2016? Share them in the comments below!

God bless!
Indi

A Devotional on Contentment and Thankfulness

So I've decided to try writing up some devotionals-maybe be able to share some of what God shows to me in my Bible reading and conversations with godly friends with each of you. Today I wanted to share some thoughts on contentment and thankfulness.

Two of my key verses were in Philippians 4 when I thought of this subject, which has been on my heart lately in a certain way. So, I decided to read the whole chapter of Philippians 4, and found some more verses and the ever-important context! I invite you to read on and join me and God reveals some blessings in His word!

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 (KJV-just to note, not to spark contention, I only use the KJV for personal beliefs that it is the best translation from the original languages for me to use in personal and public worship). I cannot honestly say that I live this verse. Paul clearly states in this verse that he was in want (for more context, read the chapter or just verse 12). However, doesn't this verse give a powerful challenge to be content despite circumstances? For me it does! Some of you may know this, but I have some specific things in my life that I REALLY wish were different. But then I look back and see that God has used these circumstances to mold and make me into the girl that He wants me to be. I've become stronger and more compassionate-but it has been painful and continues to be painful. I don't live in a dream family (probably none of you would say that either-but in mine an important person is missing in my life, so it does have some challenges, you could say), and some things hurt me. But lately God has been showing me that I need to be thankful for these "thorns" and that I need to count even what seems like cursings as blessings. That's hard, but two other verses in this chapter leap out (and these are both special verses to me!)-"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," (Phil. 4:13) and "Rejoice in the LORD always: and again I say, Rejoice," (Phil. 4:4). If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of being content and thankful in your circumstances, trust me, I understand! It seems too big of a job, too hard, too lengthy, too emotional, too (dare I say) unselfish. How do you even DO something like that? God gives a great clue to me in Philippians 4:6-"Be careful for nothing; but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Yes-PRAYER!!! You know, "whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon, whisper a prayer in the evening to keep your heart in tune". Perhaps when we feel ourselves struggling with contentment and thankfulness, we simply need to whisper a prayer. I've had someone give me that advice the other day in an e-mail, and I'm trying it (for other reasons, but prayer is like a cure-all for all spiritual ills and ails!). Yep, I believe that we could all use a bit more prayer and a little less self-pity. (I'm talking to myself most of all.) It'll be hard, but I have one closing verse-"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," found in Phil. 4:19. God will supply us with contentment and thankfulness when we run low. Praise God!

I hope that that devotional was a blessing to you, one Christian to another.
See you soon for more blessings!
Indi Raine
Phil. 4:13

Blessings 35-53 (We'll Make It!)

This will be a list of the "guess why I've not blogged in a bit" blessings I've had lately! I hope you've gotten to enjoy at least several of them this week or at some point this summer! Autumn is coming soon, and with it a whole new level of blessings, but enjoy the summertime while it lasts!


Blessing 35-Beautiful Weather!
Need I explain? Even today when it rained I still had lots of fun and it didn't hinder me from jumping into...

Blessing 36-The Ocean!
...for...

Blessing 37-Swimming!
Warm water, spinning, swimming, floating, wetness, cold spots, warm spots, seaweed, sand, shells, rocks, bubbles, swimsuit, fun!

Blessing 38-Raindrops on the Waves
Today when I was swimming it was raining for the first bit-true beauty! It was astoundingly gorgeous! If you haven't seen it, than you'll need to go to the beach sometime to see it. That reminds me...

Blessing 39-The Beach!
And a nice one nearby! Two scores in one blessing! So I'll add...

Blessing 40-A Nice Beach Nearby!

Blessing 41-My Paddle Board!
My paddle board is red, is a sports utility version, has been used a lot lately, and is named "Sweet Destiny". Great times have been had on that board!

Blessing 42-The Sport of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding!
If you were wondering, that's what I do on my paddle board!

Blessing 43-The Parade I got to See Today!
One of my siblings was involved, so that was exciting!

Blessing 44-My New Female Betta!
She's big and blue (blue stripes, I believe). She needs a "Z" name-I'm considering Zally. Suggestions are welcome! I just got her today, and I'm hoping to breed her!

Blessing 45-My New Male Betta!
He's big and blue (no stipes-gorgeous fins instead, all darted and spiky with a veil tail). He seems feisty. I also got him today. He also needs a "Z" name. I'm thinking "Zion". Suggestions, once again, are welcome! Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, he will be Zally's prospective mate!

Blessing 46-Zen
I may have mentioned him before, but Zen is my other male betta. He is lovely-all gorgeous colour and jazz! He flares beautifully (and frequently, to my chargin as I worry over his health!) and is so relaxing to watch (when he is simply swimming, not charging his own reflection like heading into WW3, which is stressful for me!). His nickname is "Zenbow", as he is my rainbow.

Blessing 47-Zipper
My first betta that got me entranced in the breed. RIP, little Zip Zip.

Blessing 48-Zipporah
My third betta that I got (Zipper, Zen, and then Zipporah). She died this month, sadly. RIP, little Zah.

Blessing 49-Bettas
Yes, I'm just flat-out thankful that God created bettas! They make my life better! God sure is good to me!

Blessing 50-This Blog
I'm realizing as I type that there are so many other blessings that I have! Its good to do that sometimes-just be thankful for what we have, because being honest we all have SOOOOOOOOOOO much, especially in North America. Even a poor person has many blessings. Often we forget to give God the praise that He so richly deserves, and this is a great public place for me to acknowledge that all of God's blessings are wonderful in my life! Maybe I'll never count up to a million blessings on this blog, but I know that I have more blessings than that, thanks to my wonderful Lord!

Blessing 51-Jesus!
This is one blessing that I can never post too often, you know?

Blessing 52-Teddy Bears
Random, but isn't it nice to hug something soft without poky, little bones (or big, sharp bones, or etc.) sometimes? I enjoy having one on my bed, despite allergies to dust. As you can tell, I can't exactly hug my pets!

Blessing 53-All My Other Blessings.
We'll expound more on that some other time! Good night!

God bless you with more blessings than you could count in eternity,
Indi

Blessing 34

Blessing 34

Well, here I am again by the grace of God! I'm leaning against my bed, laptop in my lap, fingers busily tapping away. And it seems like forever since I wrote on my blogs, almost a lifetime. My life has changed since the last time I was working on my blog. I believe that God used this past month (well, 38 days) to change my heart to one that will better serve Him, but let me start somewhere nearer the beginning. And I'll do it in story format...

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   Indi Raine sat next to her bed, flustered and tired. She glanced at her alarm clock-11:30 P.M.. Hopefully nobody would wake up. She HAD to finish her blog posts for the month of July-without new content, readers would disappear. Even if it was only songs, she needed to schedule something. And maybe the blog scheduling buttons would work this time. As she copied and pasted the codes for YouTube videos Indi was surrounded in mess-bags, clothes, notebooks, chargers, nearly everything she would need for the next month-the month she had given to God. The month of volunteer work at a Christian camp. And that time away was going to begin tomorrow-the tomorrow that was approaching rapidly as the red numbers on the alarm clock changed in unceasing regularity. Finally, the last post was scheduled and Indi wearily made her way to bed. After praying for friends, self, and family, she drifted off to sleep.

   "Bye! I love you!" Indi told her siblings, busily rushing out the door while stuffing her tooth brush and tooth paste into her purse, wondering when she would find a time and place to buy breakfast along the way. Two duffle bags (one quite small), one carry-on bag, one purse, one camera case-all was ready for the bus ride, except possibly Indi herself. It would be a new experience, but she loved to travel and did not mind trying new things. Within half an hour she had decided that she liked bus travel even better than travelling in the family mini van, although the latter certainly did not rattle and shake as much. Her constant writing in her journal was messy and shaken by bumps, but the content would be saved for future reminiscence. Eventually the bus approached her stop-Indi gathered her things together, wondering where the camp director would be for the pick up. After claiming her luggage, she recognized a lady who she knew worked as camp secretary. The camp director had sent the two office ladies to collect her and her belongings. Indi soon met the other office worker-a sweet lady-and they made several stops in town before driving to the camp. Now, those stops were the two most critical stops for workers during that summer-Tim Hortons and Wal-Mart.  Indi picked up several necessities that she had wanted to buy at home but had not found a chance to purchase before departure, including sunscreen and bug spray.

   By the time staff training began, Indi had begun to learn her way around the camp. By the time staff training ended, she felt like she knew the other staff members and the facilities quite well. She had made friends. Well, friends/enemies, depending on whether Indi had just driven them crazy with the many pranks she executed within the time at camp. As the summer went on it became a swirl of prayers for strength and guidance, evening sessions, hours spent mixing and serving drinks, time spent with friends while cleaning cabins, 1:00  night talks filled with laughter and tears, well-worn flip flops, sunshine and rain, being crazy, living life whole heartedly while coming out of her shell. The thought of leaving became sadder each day as each week of July skimmed past. Each day further instilled Indi's love for the camp and the people there-even the teasing and annoying of the other workers was enjoyable. It was like finding a family that she had never known existed.  Indeed, family dynamics would be the best term to describe the relationships between the majority of the staff. Even sibling rivalry showed itself. But God had set all them together, and as they often laughed, occasionally argued together the bond between them held a lot of Christian love.

   July 21, 2015 was a special day for Indi, for that night she learned the joy that comes with the salvation of a loved one-one of her younger siblings, a camper that week, had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Many tears were shed, many explanations given, many exclamations of joy and delight heard. Indi and one of her friends ran in a field on campus. When alone, all Indi could pray was, "God, You are amazing! Thank You! Thank You! You are amazing, God!" It seemed so inadequate, but it was all. However, her desire to become a missionary and to serve God with all her life and lead others to His unfailing love was cemented that joyous night. Nearly every staff member would hear that night and the next morning of the miracle God had done that night. It made all the camp work worth it-all the blisters and back aches, exhaustion and breaking points-to know that more souls would be heaven bound because of that summer. It was a wondrous thing.

   Finally the day came for Indi Raine to go back home. But as she left, she left the camp with the desire to return the next year, to stay even longer. As the camp director said, "Jehovah-shammah". Indi looked it up-it meant "the Lord is there". With a smile, she shared it with her blog readers. "Jehovah-shammah" was the perfect description of the camp. She would pray for God's leading back to that ministry for the next summer.

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So, friends, what did you think of that blessing? Have you ever gotten to volunteer with a ministry you believed was doing God's work? This past "summer" (aka end of June to first bit of August) has been the perfect blessing and best summer ever-one that I truly needed at this point in my life.

Sorry that this entry has taken so long to get up! I hope that it was worth all those other posts scheduled near midnight-thanks for not complaining about them and continuing to follow this blog!

More posts coming soon...!

God bless you with amazing blessings!

Love from your camp staff friend,
Indi Raine

Last Song before Normal Post

If you knew the circumstances I was scheduling these last posts under, maybe you would understand my whole lack of...well, everything. I appreciate your longsuffering (the Bible encourages that, if you are about to give up on me!), and trust me, normal posts will be back soon! Just give me a day or two!

Now, here's a great song to enjoy until I get back here! Great song about salvation, and (aptly) "The Value of One"! :D Yep, I'm so original there in my description!
God bless, and I'll be back soon (like, writing and then posting, not just scheduling!)!!!!!
Indi Raine
John 3:16