Give and Take- Do Unto Others

God has a funny way of showing us what we are supposed to be doing in life, and how we should be responding to others.

You know the old adage Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Well, I learned a bit about that today, as I continue to as I live my life. Today, I had a throw out of an argument with my beloved boyfriend because he wanted to study, and he needed some time to do his homework. You know, when life just sparks your little ignition though, and your monthly moon cycle rains its horrible emotions that is comparable to gasoline on an open fire. Yes, that's how it was today.
So, after I somewhat sadly managed to get my beautiful boyfriend to call me, we worked things out, like gasoline on fire, and then it was good.

It was all really because I needed someone to talk to so I didn't explode, just for a minute.

Later on, God gave me my own people to encourage. First, one of the girls I usually spend time with in the middle school youth group called me, so I picked her up for an hour. Then, on my way home, I had a text which I turned into a phone call to another one of my youth kids. For their privacy, I won't go into detail, however if you could pray for them, that would be amazing. Their problems are great, but God is greater and I know He has a plan in their lives, just as He has a plan for mine, and for other people who are following him.

So, today was a challenge for me to do unto others. I hope that next time someone calls me or needs to talk, that I will remember how I felt today when I needed to talk to someone so that I may have the same compassion on them.

:)

Love Courtney

The Problem Is

The problem with the world today is that there is no problem at all.

Yes, no problem at all. 

Everything is deemed acceptable, everything is okay. 

So what do we end up with? 

Problems.

Yes, problems, all over.

The problem is that someone will always excuse anything you know is wrong. In fact, if you have no one to excuse your problem for you, you can look online, and someone will excuse your problem there. 

We never type in the search que: it is wrong to ___fill in the blank. 

We type "Is it..." And what do we get? We get the answer we are looking for.

Or are we really looking for that answer? 

I'd say, we wouldn't be searching, if we weren't looking for a better answer.

Sin, sin is okay. That's what they say. You have the right to be angry, you have the right to do this or that. 

That's a problem.

Yet, they say, it's not a problem.

You go for advice, and you get the wrong advice. You keep searching and you are lost. The people in your life have the same problems, so they don't know how to help. 

This is today's problem.

The Tornado that Hit our Town!

Today at the University of Wisconsin there was a tornado warning! We were all directed to seek shelter. It was an exciting experience as everyone was down in the underground tunnels beneath the building! It's funny how you never realize how many people are there until everyone is together! My classmate wanted to find the exit, so we were searching the tunnels. On our way, we ran into an area where people were dressed in suits and playing music! People were dancing! It was so exciting! I guess they must have had a folk group or dancing session up in the ballroom and a lot of people were there! I attached a little video below of the folk dancers! So you can enjoy in the experience! 

Today, I will never forget! It was a truly once in a lifetime experience~! Best of all the building didn't get knocked down by the 60mph tornado and everyone was safe! :)

PS to Mary Ellen: Doesn't the little with the yellow shirt almost look like she could be your mother's twin!?

Meet Ashoka Fellow David Flink

When A Little Means A lot

Sponsor A Child from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Obituary: What Will You Be Remembered For?

It's not everyday that I pick up a newspaper and read the obituaries for the day. Yet, everyday there is a new face printed in the newspaper with a life story of who died. Today, 18 new (or "old") faces showed up in today's printing. Everyone has a different life story. Some people are old, some people are rather young. Some people have owned and operated businesses, worked hard in factories all of their life, enjoyed hobbies such as cabin making or wildlife, and some have had the pleasure to stay at home. Even, some, have not a description of all, except of the death and the age. 

These people, all so different are actually all so common. They have faces, they have bodies, they have an amount of time they've been allotted here on earth, and the strongest thing of all: they all died, today.

Everyone who has ever lived long enough to see the beauty of life has run into the realization of the fact of death. A lot of us don't like to talk about. It's preferred shoved beneath the many cold steel shelves in our brains. Yet, we embrace it at one point or another.

Today, I had the opportunity to embrace this facet of life, or rather death today as I read the newspaper.  The obituaries pulled at my interests as it's a reminder that we are all human, and despite our differences, we all have a lot in common. I think the biggest thing I saw is that most of us, at the center of us all, have "me" in the middle of our lives. There was rarely an obituary wrote about a person who was not selfish, or who lived their lives for other people. 

The pondering question then is, "What will you be remembered for?"

Ghandi

Mother Teresa

Apostle Paul

Survey

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Patience in Times of Trial

Man, why is it easy to want to be right all the time? It's such a trap. At the time, it feels so wonderful and it feels like you are making a point, but what you aren't realizing is the destruction that it is bringing along with it. People are hurt, relationships are misunderstood and broken.
I guess rightness turns into wrongness.

Today, I hope to handle my emotions and experiences with a correct understanding and empathy for others, and be willing to make an apology whether deserved or not. 

I think that this is true rightness.

Banks

Banks really know how to rake your money in. You think, what a great service they offer, free money holding- and yet, then you see the little scams they try to pull with you. Yikes. I had a business account open as I sold books on amazon. All of a sudden, I realized that my account was gradually declining. Now, I don't make that much money at all selling books, so I wondering what was happening. The bank, which I will state is Associated Bank, was taking out $18 dollar service fees because I didn't suppress paper statements, which I did request to have suppressed at the original opening of the account. Then, I got another email saying that if I had a daily incoming amount of $2,500 coming in, then there wouldn't be a charge. I only make a couple cents on some books, and I certainly don't even sell them everyday. So, that's a far ways off. So, nevertheless, I'm very upset at my bank and I'm going to close my business account. I'm also writing this, so that you are all very careful when you sign up for an account to keep a careful eye over it, before they steal all your money and then there's nothing you can do.

SU Wisconsin Trout Ice Fishing Derby

The big ice fishing tournament was January 31st, 2015! I had the awesome privilege of watching the sunrise that morning. It was so beautiful! I had never before had the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the very nothingness of the great Lake Michigan to an amazing horizon of light lighting up the entire world! It was by far the most special and amazing thing I had ever seen! 

Of course, we didn't end up catching any fish, but the amazingness of the sunrise kept me going strong all day!

Here's some shots of the day:

The Ice Fishing

Inside the Ice Shanty

Dad and Dan have it all set up and ready to go!

One of the eight of our holes

The great bait who sacrificed their lives!

Working together

The beautiful sunrise appearing

I love the large chunks of ice on the railing!

Love All People

The Happy Grey Sky

The Happy Grey Sky by: Courtney Dunn January 19, 2015

There once was a sky, full of grey colors

Swirling amidst was the happy sunshine screaming down at the sky…

“You will never be as bright and beautiful as me”

“I am the happy sunshine, people love and adore me.”

The sky was sad at first.

The sky wanted to be as beautiful as the sun and make people happy.

Then, all of a sudden the sky realized something.

Loudly, he expanded his grey color all throughout the sky.

The entire sky was filled with grey.

The people looked up.

They were so sad.

The beautiful sunshine has gone away.

All that is left is this ugly grey.

The sky heard their insults and he began to shiver.

He shivered so hard, the atmosphere turned so cold.

The sky began to cry loudly with deep sorrow.

“I tried and tried, but all I produced was more grey!”, he cried.

Then, one by one, his tear drops fell.

The teardrops created flurrying snow that landed on the ground.

The people looked up, once again, but this time, their words were very different.

“What a wonderful sight!” The people said.

They all watched the earth fill with bundles of white snow.

The people cheered!

“Look in the sky!” They would all shout.

“A beautiful array of art!”

They filled their hands with balls of snow.

They filled the ground with snow creatures and forts.

They filled their mouths with flurries of snow.

But best of all, they filled the sky with great joy.

From that day on, the sky was never sad of his grey colors.

The sky knew that he had a great gift too.

So, whenever the sky felt sad or alone, he’d cry his tears that would turn into snow and all the people would rejoice and cheer!

Then, if you stood real still, you could hear the sky whisper, “I will always show my true colors”.

The END!

Huevos Rancheros

Good Morning friends! Here is a wonderful recipe I just made this morning for breakfast. In preparation and cooking time, it only takes about 35 minutes! :) It's a great wake up meal, but it tastes wonderful for an afternoon lunch as well.
I would say that this recipe makes about 4 corn tortilla's - as it says on the ingredient listing- but they are really filling. :)! I ate two for lunch, but I think I really should have stopped at one.. or one and a half! :) So, enjoy this---- and eat up! This recipe is really awesome. 

Thanks to Sunny Anderson - Food Network Magazine

Ingredients:

2 small tomatoes

1 small onion

1 medium jalapeno pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic; 1 chopped, 1 smashed  ((I just used garlic salt- but this is probably better!)

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 15 .5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

4 large eggs

4 6 -inch corn tortillas, warmed   ((I just heated them by themselves on the stove- no pan or

---- anything- and also I doubled up on these because corn tortillas are small and rip easily. 

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions
Prepare the salsa: Set a grater in a large bowl; grate the tomatoes and onion into the bowl.

 Add the jalapeno, chopped garlic, hot sauce, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a 

medium skillet over low heat and add 2 teaspoons olive oil. Fry the salsa in the oil until it 

thickens slightly, 3 minutes. Remove to a bowl and set aside.

Add the beans to the same pan along with the smashed garlic, 1/2 cup warm water and a 

pinch of salt; cook over low heat until warmed through, smashing slightly with a fork.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another skillet. Fry the eggs sunny-side 

up; season with pepper.


Place 1 warm tortilla on each plate. Divide the beans among them, then top with a fried egg, 

some salsa and cheese. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with the remaining salsa.

Per serving: Calories 360; Fat 19 g (Sat. 6 g; Mono. 9.5 g; Poly. 2 g); Cholesterol 228 mg;

Sodium 430 mg; Carbohydrate 33 g; Fiber 7 g; Protein 16 g


Recipe courtesy Sunny Anderson for Food Network Magazine

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/huevos-rancheros-

recipe.html?oc=linkback 

Say 'No' to These 5 Things for an Immediate Life Improvement by Matthew Toren

JANUARY 20, 2015 

WRITTEN BY MATTHEW TOREN 

Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com

The word "no" gets a bad rap in the entrepreneurial community. It can feel like a selfish assault to say "no" to someone when you heavily rely on the help and support of others.

However, there’s an enlightened difference between saying "yes" and "no" that is dependent on the circumstances surrounding the request or event.

Saying "no" to things can be just as important as "yes" in your growth as an entrepreneur and for the growth of your company.

How can you tell when you’re saying "yes" or "no" at the right time? Honestly, it’s all in a gut check about how the response makes you feel.

Saying "yes" to the right things makes you feel good. You get energized, pumped up, excited and eager when you’re saying "yes" to the people, places and actions that bring you closer to your vision.

If you’re saying "yes" and feeling drained, lethargic, dreading the next step or wondering why you agreed to whatever you’re about to do, you need to learn the positive effects of saying "no."

"No" sets boundaries. "No" creates more room for the “yes” stuff in your life. "No" can feel just as rewarding, positive and fulfilling as "yes" when it’s done right.

Here are five important things to say no to this year:

1. "No" to tasks you can easily outsource instead.

Entrepreneurs consistently need more of two things: money and time. You can create more money, you can scale more income, but you can’t create more time. There will always be 24 hours in a day, no exceptions.

Since you can’t control the amount of time you have access to, focus instead on the amount of time you can leverage from others. Outsourcing is a fantastic way to keep momentum in your life and your business.

Is your time best spent cleaning? If not, hire someone to clean. Is your time best spent preparing meals or answering phone calls? You can outsource both those things. Look for all the ways and places you can say "no" to tasks that you could easily (and probably affordably!) outsource.

2. "No" to actions that don’t match your vision.

Before you say "yes" to any request, ask if it matches your vision. There are a lot of great speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, charity events, mentoring opportunities and so many more potentially limitless lists of activities and events to get involved with in your life. However, just because something is a good cause, great product or smart idea, doesn’t mean it’s intuitively the right fit for your vision.

Say "no" to actions or events that don’t match your vision. Remember, you need to leverage your time because you can’t create more, so say "no" to things that don’t contribute directly to your best version of your vision.

Related: Why 'No' is the Most Important Word You'll Ever Say

3. "No" to things that distract and destroy your time.

We’re already back to talking about time! Time is your most precious resource, so why let any activity distract or destroy that? This is about setting boundaries with others, regardless of business or pleasure.

Have a friend who loves to gossip? You don’t have time for that anymore. Either say "no" to that conversation or don’t answer the phone. Do you have staff members who are prone to long stories or talks of sports scores? Decide carefully whether those activities enhance your time or kill it. Friends want you to go to Happy Hour every Friday night? If you aren’t getting real value out of those interactions then it’s time to let them go.

Say "no" to the things that don’t make you better and that waste your time. 

4. "No" to things that aren’t healthy for your mind and body.

You don’t have time to be sick or feel sluggish. You just don’t. Take your health and well-being very seriously, because right up there with time is your health so you can enjoy your time and your business.

You know the saying, garbage in, garbage out? Make sure you’re saying "no" to any garbage you’re putting into your mind and body. "No" to negativity. "No" to fake, bad food. "No" to lethargy. Just say "no" to the thoughts, activities and fuel that isn’t good for you. Fuel yourself with the right no’s to stay healthy.

5. "No" to things that aren’t up to you or in your control.

There are things in this life that are inevitably out of your control -- lots of them, actually. So you have a choice. You can fret and freak out about things such as the government, the economy, your partner, the weather or any other variable outside your power, or you can chose to say "no" to the stress that comes from getting upset about things you can’t control.

This isn’t about giving up, it’s about knowing you’re going to get through whatever storms may come. Frankly, giving in to worry or the illusion you can control the outcome only creates stress and wastes time.

Say "no" to the belief that you can always be in complete control. Say "no" to the undue stress that comes from trying to change outcomes that aren’t up to you.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241965  

Your Basic Power Tool

Uganda- I miss You

It's been a while now since we got back from Uganda, and I've been actually missing it and longing for the good, sweet, slow times we had there. Everyday was filled with friendly faces, new sites, and simplicity. The smallest things were the most grateful things to be had. The food didn't sit well with me and I got sick, but even if it happened again, I still have an inward longing for a return. I miss the smiling faces of the people there, the laughs of the ladies sewing as mama tried on a dress that was just a little too small- and then too big for her, the hospitable favors of those around us- my brother's friend Den-ish who was all too kind, showing me around- and helping me throughout the town. When I was with him, I felt secure, protected, and like Uganda was my homeland- however, the feeling faded as he left for the evening. Yet, every time, I got together with the Ugandan people, I felt like they were my family, like they were my home- strangers- once- but felt like I knew them my whole life in a matter of seconds. What brings them so close together? Partially, past wars, partially poverty, partially culture. I miss it. Today, I want to go back. Today, I want to be a part of the world where I am considered a family member of society. Today, I want to be in a group that loves and helps- works hard and long- and appreciates the fact of living, living another day- together.

This is one of my favorite pictures. 

This is me with kwon or kalo (millet posho) on my finger - how Ugandan's eat with their hands

& this is our good friend Denish with a fork.

I thought it was a humourous combination, especially we were laughing because I didn't like the taste of kalo. :) 

Denish is so special- his skin is so silky and smooth.. wow. It was like looking at a beautiful portrait, like still milk on a star-lit night. I've never seen any skin that looked so creamy before. :) 

I wish everyone could see his skin and meet him. He is so nice!

Good Morning Sunshine

Good Morning Sunshine
I'm so glad you are here
You make me awake
And enjoy being in the atmosphere

Good Morning Sunshine
Thank you for alighting my day
Around me I can spot
All the things for me to do today

Good Morning Sunshine
Without you, I'd be so sad
You make my day 
Such a beautiful and glorious array

Good Morning Sun
Thank you again
Once again 
For your warm gracious rays

Aggravation and Alleviation

Fool me now

Won’t you please

The lies, the strife, the vandal

Just leave

Frustrated

Yet unexplainable

In pain

Yet, unable

Torment

It’s all around

My life

Upside down

Your life

Not real nice

My life

Still not worth the price

Thankfully

Saved

Yes Saved

One day, I’ll be saved, yes saved

Hope

Around the corner

Hope

In Tomorrow

Peace

Come peace

Strife,

Leave strife

Wait and see

Patiently

Winning the prize

That’s not far out of sight

Endurance

Yes, endurance

Here but far

Worth the while

Green

The color of envy

Red

The color of love

Come red

Go Green

Peace here

Life here

This is the way

I will live

In peace, in life, in hope

Endurance, yes endurance

To My Future Children

Baby, This is for you.

I may not know you or maybe I will

But there's things in life I want you to know

In case I never have the chance to show


Baby, The world can be a happy place

If you just keep a smile on your face

You'll have hard days,

But God's there


Baby, Obey what your parents say

Honor, Respect, and Care

You may not always agree

But just listen intently


Maybe you will agree then

However, you may not

That's okay too

As long as you have a good excuse


Baby, I love you so

That's why I am telling you everything I know

Now, I'm young so maybe you can relate

To what life is like until now


There will be many people and things trying to get your attention

Boys, Girls, Women, and Men trying to impress you with affection

Just hold tight to what you know is right

And everything will remain beautiful in your sight


I'm warning you child

Don't get swept away

It's easy to do

Just, first, stop and think it through


Baby, Life is amazing

There's so many beautiful sights and sounds

The glorious smells of freshly blooming flowers, riptides of water, and gently swaying trees

City streets filled with people and loving country-side people too


Baby, wherever you go

Just know, there are three always with you

God, my words to you, and your soul

These are with you wherever you go


Baby, this is what I know about love

Be patient, dear child

So many will look like love to you

Yet, the best love is found when you are not looking


This is how I know you should love

Love All, young and old

Take care of others and yourself

Love God and yourself and the earth too


Child, dear child, I love you so

May God's blessings be with you

May love, life, and mercy follow you

Cherish life, cherish love, cherish friendship, cherish the good, conquer the bad, be strong, be bold, be humble, be meek, be patient, be courageous, and never give up no matter how hard the road is--- the price is always worth it in the end.

To my child, my baby, my delight, my love- whether we meet or not- I love you so.

So Thanks God

Today I stumbled into the awestruck realization of God creating every good and perfect thing. Everything we know and enjoy comes from the very Lord, Creator of the Universe himself.

As I dwelt on this thought this morning, I realized that even language comes from God. In the beginning was the Word (God created language)- and the word was with God (Jesus) and the Word was God. Jesus is a language in himself. That’s amazing.

Well, then, God created all great things both big and small by His words. He created the sun that blesses us with warmth and the moon to bid us goodnight every evening. He created the lustrous shores wherewith we enamor in the beauty and strength of the rolling waves. We think about all the wonderful times we have outside enjoying the flowers and the green grass, the sand between our toes and the tickle of feathers on our cheeks. A wondrous feeling, so good and so perfect.

Yet, then, we think of what else we people love so very much. Food. Oh yes, food. The many memories we have with the delicious food God has given to us to enjoy. The sweet bites of pumpkin pie, hot sips of chai tea, and the delectable greens we eat to stay so healthy and strong. Food, such a blessing to us. We love it indeed.

Yes, we enjoy life when we bathe in the riches of the goodness God gave to us. We enjoy life with the other people God has created. We enjoy life in the creation all around us, the wonderful seashores and the cute animals we see that are for our enjoyment and pleasure. We enjoy life when we eat our favorite foods that make our heart rejoice and our soul want to sing.

So, why then do we pray for our food I asked? Well, what a blessing it is to even use the very words God gave us to be able to thank him for the food that he very well gave us to enjoy.

In my heart of hearts, I feel so surrounded my God’s goodness that my day has been very wrought for me by God himself. I’m blessed today, through the midst of my turmoil, I can throw it aside and realize the countless blessings that God himself has handed down to me. I’m grateful, I’m truly grateful.

One last thing, I drove in the cemetery today because I felt pulled to drive in there today (something I would normally avoid intentionally and drive by with all speed); however I felt driven today by the Spirit perhaps to enter in. So, I went in. There, in the front, was a statue of Jesus on the cross. Well, normally, I would judge the picture from a viewpoint that might be considered harsh, today looking around the cemetery, all of the bodies down under, and yet in the front stands Jesus- Jesus who defeated death for us so we could live. So, as I looked around the cemetery, I had a different feeling today. I didn’t think about the bodies underneath, for they are no longer souls existing on earth, but rather I felt the joy of Jesus beautiful gift to us of life. Life. Life. Those people are dead, they are living. They are living in joy and celebration, while some of them, however, are not in joy as they aren’t in heaven, those that did follow Jesus are in heaven. They chose to choose life. They chose to choose life before they died, so they could live forever in joy. This is Jesus. This is life. This is our gift. <3 J