Blessings 171-181

I'm back!
Sorry that I've been missing in blogging for so long. I never get half of what I want done completed, so thanks for all your patience! The bright side is that now I have a lot of blessings to catch up on!

Blessing 171-one of my friends is getting married this weekend! K.C., I wish you the very best with J.! Also, could you readers please keep K.C. in mind? She is having surgery this month for a benign brain tumour. While your at it, you could also pray for her friends and family who will be concerned about her. :)

Blessing 172-Improvement at piano. I've been trying to get in two hours of practice a day. Sometimes I reach my goals, sometimes I don't. But the great thing is that I'm improving quickly, which is good with music festival and my exam coming up!

Blessing 173-Spring. Spring is coming, folks! Of course, Good Friday saw people coming to our church's hymn sing through ice and rain; Easter Monday was stormy; there is still snow on the ground...but it is coming! Just a comment-those of you more to the south, your talk about daffodils and garden planning is funny to those of us closer to the North Pole. ;P Seriously? We don't have seedlings, we have snowballs!

Blessing 174-Self defense videos. Yesterday I was watching some self defense videos on YouTube for women. They gave some helpful tips. After taking a class in BJJ and watching these videos, I feel more confident that I won't be an easy target for the bad guys. Girls, I definitely recommend looking up some classes in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (a leverage-based, self defense martial art) or women's self defense. I will never regret having this knowledge, but if I didn't there is very well a chance that I would have regrets someday.

Blessing 175-Friends. Nothing brighten my days up so much as getting a card, letter, message, or e-mail from a dear friend. Some make me laugh, some make me smile, some make me pray, but I'm grateful for them all. Thanks, friends!

Blessing 176-Looking forward to camp. I'm working at camp again this year, and I've been busy planning ahead! I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!! Please pray for the ministry there!

Blessing 177-Whale web cams. After watching a video on whales and listening to the Solitudes cd "Journey with the Whales" (which I recommend looking up on YouTube. It is so haunting! It was well done. Very unique. You likely will not forget it.), it was natural that I look up a live web cam of whales. explore.org has lots of web cams (from pandas to sharks to puppies and donkeys!), and they have several of whales. I've seen whales in the highlights, but I don't think that I've spotted one yet on the live cams. Check them out! At least I love hearing the ocean, and they have speakers to catch those aquatic wonders' voices! So fun! You can also take pictures from the web cam and share!

Blessing 178-Answered prayer. This past week my family and church has been praying for Zion, the little boy of some missionaries that my dad keeps in contact with. Little Zion has UTI, Denghe fever, and typhoid-and he's about six years old. The doctors had pretty much given up. But God answers prayer, and it is so wonderful to see a miracle unfold across the world! The doctors say that Zion will probably be able to get out of ICU in a day or two! Please pray for Zion and his family. He still has a battle ahead, but he is improving!

Blessing 179-The Last Ride, by Susan K. Marlow. Seriously, if you haven't read this book, get your hands on it as soon as possible. I got the free e-book in an offer on Monday (sorry if you didn't get it then-you missed out!) and read it within a few hours. It was great! It has gone to my mental list of favourite books. I can't wait to get the real book-e-books are nice, but I really need this one in paper and page format! You NEED to read it!

Blessing 180-Getting my closet organized. So I love organizing. I have already got a packing list for camp prepared on my laptop. It is organized into sections under headings. Those headings are alphabetized. The items in each category are alphabetized. But in really life, my room looks VERY un-organized most of the time. So that is why I am happy with my arrangement of my closet that I did over March break. So far, I've even been keeping it pretty tidy!

Thanks for reading, folks! I'm hoping to do some guest posts soon, where I'll ask people to share  their top ten blessings! If you're interested in sharing your blessings, please let me know!

God bless you!
Indi Raine, Blest beyond Measure

P.S.  Another blessing.
Blessing 181-I love this verse. You need to read it! John 13:1. Wow! God's love.

The Infinity Dreams Award

I was nominated for another award-this time, the Infinity Award. Thanks to Faith, who nominated me. (I love the heading of your blog, Faith! It's so pretty! Maybe I should update this blog when I run low on projects. *cynical laughter in my head because when will that happen!* I'll fit it in sometime. I love editing stuff like that.) I never knew how many awards there were to be nominated for until I started getting all of them. Maybe I should start watching more blogs so that I actually people to nominate myself. I'm really bad about following blogs. If something sounds REALLY interesting in a post title then I'll check it out. Or if I'm catching up on all the news. Mostly I read the titles of blog posts and keep updated that way. Cut me some slack-I've got lots going on at home. If I tried to be as active at blog reading and writing as I'd like, I'd have no time for, well, sleeping and eating and breathing. (He he!) Looking ahead, I'm going to be busy until the end of July. After that, hopefully I can get a job. Then it'll be back to school.

Are you wondering what I mean? I'll give you a schedule of my life for the next few months:

February-almost over. Just keep doing school, raising funds for my missions trip, and practicing music (piano, two tin whistles, recorder, and fife. More about my instruments later.)

March-Keep raising money for missions trip. Keep working on school. Be getting ready for spring. Probably do school tests. Be memorizing more songs in music.

April-a family birthday. More raising money. Keep getting ready for missions trip. Guess what I'll be doing with music. (If you said practicing you were correct!)

May-Missions trip month! Wow! Also music festival and preparing for exam in June. Try to get all my school done before May 19th if possible.

June-Get home from missions trip. Take my piano exam for RCM Grade 8 piano. Take part in my dad's wedding. That will be busy! Day of the wedding, after the weddings over and the bride and groom leave, I'll be shipping out with some of the guests (Lord willing) to drive to the camp where I volunteered last year (and have said that I will work this summer). I love working at camp! So, while I'm helping prepare for the wedding, I'll also be packing for camp. :) That'll be great, but busy. Stress like crazy!

July-I'll be very busy at camp. As always, I'm trying to convince people to attend camp. It is such a great experience! I hope that the camp year will go well.

August-I'll be finishing up at camp and coming home. Hopefully I'll be able to get a job. I also want to go swimming at the beach and visit with friends and enjoy some great ice cream.

September-I start grade 12 homeschool. Then I'll be trying to figure out college applications, I'm sure.

By the time that I finish all that, it'll be time to start planning Christmas presents! :) And Christmas programs and music....!

That's the way that life goes. 

Now, back to the Infinity Dreams award.

These are the rules:

- Use the Infinity Dreams Award picture

- Thank the blogger who tagged you

- Tell us 11 facts about yourself

- Answer the 11 questions

- Tag 11 bloggers

(I copied this from Faith's blog.)

I can't seem to copy the picture. It is a nice one, blue with the name of the award across it.

Thank you, Faith!

My eleven facts are:
1.) I love naming my instruments.
2.) I once had a guppy named Sunshine who died within 24 hours of getting it. I can remember crying and singing, "You are My Sunshine" to that little guppy!
3.) I used to want to be a ballerina when I was a kid. When I was around 13 I discovered Irish step dancing, which is now one of my favourite hobbies. I've had about two dance lessons.
4.) I love Guinea pigs.
5.) I would love to have a large family.
6.) I already plan on teaching my children music at a very young age.
7.) I am a Christian! Can't forget that!
8.) I am searching out God's will for my future life. I have been looking into missions in Ethiopia for years. I want to be able to help orphans.
9.) I've actually never been a camper at a teen camp. I've been at some retreats, but not the "official" teen camp that runs for a week of competition and personal spiritual growth. I've worked at it.
10.) I am extremely pro-life. I'm hoping to get 220 signatures in total divided over three petitions that I'm gathering signatures for. One of them is against sex-selective abortion, one calling for the most restrictive law possible in Canada, and one trying to stop government funding for abortions in Saskatchewan.
11.) I LOVE names! Seriously LOVE them! I have an account on Nameberry (IndiRaine) and I love that website! I've read through a baby name book here at home many times. I love meaning of names. I have tons of lists. Some of my current favourite names are Jocelyn; Wesley; Michael Jane (girl); Joy; Gilead James; Cherish; Harvest Blessing; Harley; Archer; Aspen; Aster Rain. I guess that I have a unique style.

So, those are my eleven facts.

Now, onto those eleven questions. Clearly, Faith has some interesting ideas!

1. What's your favorite color? 

2. Do you like movie soundtracks? 

3. Would you rather run a 5k or do extra chores for two weeks? 

4. What's your favorite kind of pizza? 

5. Any books with 2016 releases that you're looking forward to? 

6. Favorite school subject? Least favorite? 

7. Favorite classic book? 

8. Would you rather walk a ridge-beam or spend 6 hours in total darkness? 

9. Do you have a fear of heights? 

10. What's your favorite animal? Least favorite? 

11. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? 

Now, my answers!

1.) My favourite colour would be yellow or blue. It depends on the shade. My room is yellow, with a brightly coloured paisley comforter and a golden brown accent style.
2.) I like movie soundtracks if I like the music!
3.) Probably I'd choose to do extra chores for two weeks. Running a 5K at this point in life would equal death.
4.) My favourite kind of pizza would probably be a Hawaiian pizza.
5.) I'm looking forward to the books that Susan K. Marlow has in the Circle C Milestones series.
6.) My favourite subjects would be Bible and Business Math; my least favourite would be plane geometry, closely followed by chemistry.
7.) My favourite classic book would be the Bible. If you're wondering other than that, probably the Anne series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I also love her The Blue Castle, The Story Girl, and The Golden Road to Yesterday.
8.) Walk across a ridge pole or stay six hours in total darkness. Faith, this sounds like Anne of Green Gables versus the plague of darkness that befell the Egyptians. It'd probably all depend upon the height of the ridgepole! If I could fall from it and not hurt myself, I might do that. But then with the darkness I could sleep or imagine. I guess that I'd have to have more info to make that choice!
9.) I have a fear of heights. I won't pass out, but I don't like them.
10.) Favourite animal-horse. Least favourite? Um, a poisonous snake?
11.) My favourite book of the Bible would probably be Psalms, because there is a Psalm for everything!

I can't tag eleven people (I don't read enough), but I'll tag those below:
Emily McConnell at emilybmcconnell.blogspot.ca
and
Jesseca Dawn at http://akansaswind.blogspot.ca

Now, I need to go. I'll leave you with a Bible verse from my devotions today.

Proverbs 20: 15
"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."

God bless!

Indi

Blessings 166-170

Sorry that I've been so long in getting back here. I guess that I can explain with my blessings.

Blessing 166-A birthday (for me).

Blessing 167-A birthday party (also for me!)! That was so fun!

Blessing 168-Depression. Now this is a strange blessing. I get feeling depressed sometimes and feel sad and downcast and gloomy. I just have to believe that God has a purpose here! (Also, I'd appreciate prayer! Life is tough lately, and I could use the extra support.)

Blessing 169-This great song on YouTube-https://youtu.be/48CfSyz8ccc

Blessing 170-A Bible in my own language. Last night at my party we watched a video where people were getting Bibles in their own language for the first time. How many do I have? Three and a new testament? I'm blest!

God bless!
I'll be back soon with a nomination thingy from Faith!
Love,
Indi

Blessing Catch-Up! Blessings 151-165

Well, I'm back.
Quick overview of life for the past few weeks. We got home from a vacation to my grandparent's house. It was great! My great aunt and uncle set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. Best fireworks EVER!!!! Being so close is really cool! We had an awesome time up there, having a second Christmas, eating lots of fantastic food, and entertaining family with songs and dance (and one of my siblings did a magic show, which they are currently working on improving and expanding. I might even get to be the "volunteer" in a future show! Yahoo!). When we got home on a Saturday, it was time for lots of unpacking (not blogging). Then we got back into school, preparing for exams (aka long school days!). Last Saturday was a birthday party for my youngest sibling (the upcoming illusionist!). That evening we got a fish for the birthday person. I got her a betta fish-who I think has been named Corporal. I don't know. She takes a long time naming her pet fish! This week I re-started piano lessons with my teacher, took lots of exams, and started into my new semester of school. The past few weeks I've also been praying about a missions trip opportunity and which college to attend. I've had a lot on my mind. :)

Now, let's get down to business and catch up on lots of blessings!

Blessing 151-a new suitcase! I got a giant suitcase for Christmas. It is rolly (is that a real word?) and easy to move around. It has handles and pockets and everything that I'll need (besides a purse and book bag...). It is a lovely dark green colour. Kind of like a forest green. And when I say that it is giant, I mean it! Seeing as I am so small and it so large, I'm going to climb inside and take photos of myself at some point. Then I will send those photos to one of my camp friends who (when helping me carry all of my stuff around as I changed cabins) told me that I REALLY needed to get a new suitcase with wheels. That's when I decided that I'd ask for a suitcase for Christmas. It will be SO useful! Camp, here I come!

Blessing 152-My piano teacher is back! I am SO happy! She even has her grand piano here (after travelling across the country with it). I love her very much. She is such a talented and pretty much perfect music teacher; I am so blest as to have been able to take lessons from her for so many years!

Blessing 153-Homemade remedies. I do not like going to the doctor, so I decided to try the natural way of treating a painful spot on my heal. It hurts even more now, but it is working (I'm pretty sure). If it gets worse I will go to a doctor, but as it is not life-threatening I'll keep trying this way.

Blessing 154-Aerobics videos. I do not really like competitive sports. Thus I tend to be that person who sits around a lot. However, I adore dancing and aerobics. They are lots of fun! If you have never tried aerobics, please take my advice and give it a try. It can't hurt! (Well, if you're in really bad shape it might, but it can only get better!) There are several on YouTube. I really like doing this one: https://youtu.be/r3xb-RcN-QU. It's fairly simple. Hmm, if my foot doesn't hurt to much maybe this afternoon... :D.

Blessing 155-My daily Proverb. I enjoy starting the day with a dose of godly advice!

Blessing 156-David Hicken. He has such AMAZING piano videos on YouTube. I love his style and the passion he puts into his pieces. Look up his amazing piano solos. I don't think that you'll be disappointed. He also does a lot of romantic songs, but I prefer the high intensity solos!

Blessing 157-My sibling having a birthday. Several years ago she had cancer. This birthday was not guaranteed. Now she has good health and a good life. Praise to God!

Blessing 158-2016! This year will be great, according to God's will!

Blessing 159-Brunswick sheets. They are fuzzy sheets. I love them because they are so comfy and cozy during the winter months.

Blessing 160-A whole new family. When my dad and his girlfriend get married, I will be receiving a whole new family. I think of it as a "twist-tie family". Love is the twist tie, and it will hold our families together. God is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to me! May He be blest!

Blessing 161-New Year Resolutions. Most of mine were of the vein of becoming a better person. :)

Blessing 162-A Christmas gift card to a bookstore. My grandparent's on both sides are wonderful. One set generally gives gift cards as gifts. They gave me L. M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon (L. M. Montgomery, Lucy M. Montgomery, and Lucy Maud Montgomery are all the same person!), plus a bookstore gift card. WOW!!!! I can't wait to go book shopping. I'm hoping to get more Montgomery books, such as The Blue Castle, The Blythe's are Quoted, and Jane of Lantern Hill. Maybe not all at once, but eventually!

Blessing 163-Religious Liberty. People around the world are loosing theirs. I recently read about a Canadian pastor sentenced to a life in prison and hard labour in North Korea (pretty sure that's where). Why? He was going against the government in that he was starting churches and humanitarian works (like an orphanage). The article made it sound like North Korea found him guilty of a horrible crime. May God hold up that man. It makes one think, Would I give up my liberty for my religious beliefs?

Blessing 164-An opportunity to go to Ethiopia. Since I was around twelve, I have felt God leading me toward the children of Ethiopia. I wasn't sure exactly how, but God has been leading me on an exciting journey for close to five years. Now I'm trying to find out if it is His will for me to go on a missions trip this spring to work in Ethiopian orphanages. Please pray that God will reveal His will to me clearly.

Blessing 165-Being back here, sharing my heart with other people who rejoice in knowing that we are not here by chance, but by God. We know that God showers us with these blessings. Already on this blog we have 165, and that's just a small start!  

May God bless you!
Indi Raine

John 3:16 (If you believe this verse and have Christ living in you, you already have the biggest blessing in the entire universe in your heart!)