hey kids,

one of my brothers (justin) and a lot of other college students are on their way to china right now. they should get there about 11:30 p.m. our time tonight. so, please pray for their safety, and that they will be able to lead people to the Lord and build strong relationships. thanks!

in Him,

Rach

i believe that the Lord places everyone in your life for a reason. i'm so thankful for all of the people i love! i can't seem to describe the blessings...maybe because they are simply indescribable. all of these people you come in contact with..there's a reason for you seeing them! isn't that amazing? God is so good to me. here are a few of the people i hold dear...

my brothers josh and justin- i don't even know where to start. they're my role-models, men that i respect and adore. i cherish them and always want to be around them. they're  the epitome of Godly men. i long to be closer to them, and i am sooo excited about our future. as much as we have different opinions, as much as we don't get along, as much as we disagree, as much as we hurt each other's feelings...i can't help but think about them and want to be near them. i'd give my life for these boys! and the funny part is that they don't even know how much they mean to me. but i love them more than life!!     

friends- i can't imagine how i'd be sane without my friends!

God's so incredible...

i saw this on a random girl's myspace. haha i like it :)

----------------Girls----------------------------
------- -----are like apples-------------------
--------on trees. The best ones-----------
------are at the top of the tree.--------
----The boys dont want to reach------
---for the good ones because they ------
-are afraid of falling and getting hurt.----
Instead, they just get the rotten apples-
---from the ground that aren't as good,
but easy. So the apples at the top think
-something is wrong with them, when in
--reality, they're amazing. They just
---have to wait for the right boy to-------
----- come along, the one who's-----------
----------- brave enough to-----------------
-----------------climb all----------------------
----------------- the way---------------------
-----------------to the top--------------------
---------------- of the tree.------------------

For everyone's information: JUSTIN HAS ARRIVED!! I'm pretty darn happy right now! pictures are sure to come later!

Also, Josh's band, Damascus Road, is on their way to Kentucky tonight. They will be back on Sunday afternoon. so, please pray that they do well and get back safely!

Just a few more days, March 24 to be exact, at 8 a.m....and i will see that face in person. This is just too much!

so last week, one of my friends and i were having a big conversation. she said, "guard your heart...no, actually, give your heart to God and let him guard it." ...hello?? i thought that i did that once...but i didn't. i fooled myself and told myself that i did. i had told God that he can have most of it, but i still needed to hang on to part of it. but i learned, here lately, that everything goes much smoother if you give God 100% of your heart. you can't hang on to part of it.

that's all i have to say!

Most all of the single people, that i know, are looking forward to romance. some even long for it. girls want to be protected; they want the "prince charming" , the roses, the affection of a man. a lot of people can't imagine their lives without a partner. we can get wrapped up in this imaginary romance. What if we channeled that longing towards a relationship with the Lord? he will give us more than any human could possibly obtain. we just have to let him in. at the end of the day, a "prince" is just a prince and a rose is still a rose, nothing more and nothing less. But God will always be God.

"...Love comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
1 Timothy 1:5

i think that this is so very true. if you seek love, your heart has to be in the right place, focused on God alone. a good conscience includes not having baggage that you cannot let go of. finally, a sincere faith is just having passion for everything that you do. knowing why you believe what you believe and applying that to everyone you come in contact with, is very crucial to loving well. every day, i come up with an excuse for not loving someone. i build up that wall, before they have a chance. love is not just the relationchips between men and women or best friends. love is your way of giving someone an honest look at the inside, before that chance fades.

i got my acceptance letter to MTSU!!!!! well, actually, i got it like 2 weeks ago. they even give u this cute little email and everything! this is so cool...oh, yeah...i'm excited!

today i have noticed imperfections in EVERYTHING...and i mean everything. (even the gross dark meat in my tuna got me thinking!) i am just so insecure about myself. i'm like, "how can i make this look smaller and this look bigger?" haha..that is pathetic. it isn't just physical, sometimes i know that i am not who i want to be on the inside. it is easy to forget who our maker is. He isw PERFECT.we are made in the image of Christ!!! that is so exciting! i know i am not the only one who goes through this daily...so i will be praying for all of us!

      The transition of going from having 2 brothers, in the same region of the country, to having 1, is well....quite hard. josh is equally as great..but it's tough these days. justin may be only a call or a text message away, but i still don't feel as complete as i should. this is a scary feeling...i miss him so much, and in a way...it scares me. i think that i just need people too much. maybe not..i have no idea how i'm supposed to cope with certain situations, and this just happens to be one of them. All i want is for my brothers to be happy. if it takes them moving across the world, then praise God that they are doing what they should! in writing this passage, i have come to the conclusion that this "transition" is just part of growing up.

" I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

here lately, i have been having bad headaches, but last night's was the worst one yet. i was on my way home, and my head started hurting. it was just like normal, though. i was only less than a mile away from my house, so i kept going. then, all of a sudden, my vision went completely black, and i ran off the road. the next thing i kind of remember was waking up with a random guy, (he had stopped to see if i was ok), was trying to get my door open and asking me questions. i don't remember our convo, though. i think i blacked out again. the next thing i know, i'm getting on the stretcher and being loaded into the ambulance. thankfully, they did x-rays and stuff and finally decided that i could go home. so, i didn't have to stay the night. i have to go to the doctor next week, then to a neurologist. i'm doing fine right now. my head, neck, and back are the only things that hurt. Praise God that it wasn't worse! please pray that they will find out what has been causing my headaches and that they will get better...thanks!

ok, i think that, during Christmas break, im' going to get my colored...an adorable shade of brown. (i.e. reese witherspoon in "walk the line")...i have had this same natural color of blonde my whole life! so, please leave a remark and be honest...i want to get opinions! God bless! :)

so, justin is moving to Hawaii for 4 months...

ok, so this whole thing about "holiday trees" instead of "Christmas trees" is killing me.. it could be the most rediculous thing i've ever heard. aparently, these people are afraid of offending other people..well, they are offending me! gah...

"If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He does not ask you to put it right; He asks you to accept the light, and He will put it right."

I found this quote online...don't know who said it...but they are smart. i think a lot of times, we get so consumed in how to make something right, or whatever, that we forget that all we have to do is to ask God to forgive us. I'm not saying we do not have to be truly sorry for our sins. I often am overwhelmed by the little stuff and by what i will have to act like or who i will have to be to earn God's trust again. I've messed up so much, constantly, that i feel so guilty about his grace. Am i the only one who is like this?? God doesn't ask us to fix it ourselves and then he might forgive us...he already forgives us with no strings attached. He is amazing...i'm so thankful that i he takes me back all the time!

 

P.S.

i found another really fantastic quote...what do u think about this one??

"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
-Studd, C.T

so, cream of wheat is one of my heros...seriously..it makes me happy!!!

and my beagle, Maddy, went outside with me for a while tonight...and she came inside and smelt like nothing else i ahve ever smelt before! we cleaned her off, but she just still isn't the same. it's too late to give her a bath tonight...but she'll be getting on tomorrow....we live in the country, so there is no telling what she got into.

also, i work at the Piggly Wiggly...and since it is almost Thanksgiving, we are crazy busy. between the double-locked cigarette case, little kids who say anything, and the little old women with purple hair...i'm having a very interesting time.

that's all i have right now...my life isn't that interesting besides the Pig at the moment, and even that isn't all it's cracked up to be. i need patience!

have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

much love

Michael is doing better! he broke his leg, and it is hurt pretty badly. there is some more stuff wrong with him, but he should recover. PRAISE GOD!...However, he wasn't wearing his seatbelt and was thrown from his truck...moral of the stroy: WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!

hey guys,

this boy at my school, Michael Baxter, had a wreck tonight. all i know is that he was life-flighted...so PLEASE pray for his healing! thanks!!! -R 

HOW CAN A WOMAN NOT LOVE THE LORD?

*He is a gentleman
 
*He is confident

*He is a provider and
protector

*He is rich and powerful

*He owns everything

*There is nothing He wouldn't do for me

*He perfects all things concerning me

*He anticipates my wants and needs

*Every day He tells me and shows me how much He loves me

*I don't have to perform in order to earn His love

*He keeps all of his promises

*No one can influence His opinion of me

*He is the ultimate intimate partner

*He can't "disown" me because I am a part of Him
 
*He prepares a table before me

*He covers me and doesn't expose me

*He wrote His loving words down so
that I'll never forget how He feels about me!

now THAT is a REAL MAN

This is an eye opener; some probably  never looked at Psalm 23 in
 this way, even though they say  it over and over again.

The Lord is my  Shepherd
That's  Relationship!

I shall not  want
That's  Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green  pastures That's  Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still  waters
That's  Refreshment!

He restoreth my  soul
That's  Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of  righteousness That's  Guidance!

For His name  sake
That's  Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the  valley of the shadow of  death That's  Testing!

I will fear no evil
That's  Protection!

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
That's Consecration!

My cup runneth  over
That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That's  Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the  Lord That's  Security!

Forever
That's  Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about  you.

On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
( that's the only time i have time to work on my hair!...darn)












On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(the shoplifter special?)












On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."

(but, it's just a suggestion.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn upside down."













On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."













On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."









 


On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5 year-olds with head-colds off those bulldozers.)








 


On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."









 



On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use only."

(as opposed to what?)








 


On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."
(now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)








 



On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
(talk about a news flash)








 


On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."









 



On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."

ok guys, i am graduating this year and going to MTSU, and i have decided that my major will be PRE-MED! i will be an Obstetrician. i had only planned on being in school for like 6 or 7 years at the most, and this is 8 years of school and 4 years of residency. (pretty much school, too). that's 12 years! but, oddly enough, i think this might be my calling. if, however, it is not and school becomes too overwhelming, i will be an obstetric nurse (4 years), instead. yay for people with plans!...this could very likely not happen or work out at all. i am at the mercy of my father. this is just the vibe and calling i am getting from him right now. who knows?? anyways...in love u all and goodnight!! -R

so, as a lot of you know, i'm planning on graduating after this year. however, there ae some details i am trying to work out right now...ahhhh.....please pray for me and that it will all work out. PLEASE!!!! that would mean so much to me! thanks! < - R

Well I was reading through Bruce Gilley's journal...wow. i have just been blown away. i am almost speechless, but not quite.
Why?
that is my question. why do people care so much that they keep all of their feelings inside. all of their views on things, what they think of people, and their goals. i just cannot believe that after all fo my 16 years on this beautiful, God-made earth, i am just now getting to the point of not putting on a front for people. Actually, this happens most around my family. i think that for so long, i have worried about what people think, want, expect, or know of me, so much to the point that i don't know where to begin. i'm sure someone who reads this will think that i am just in a wierd mood or that i am just going through some awkward phase between adolescence and adulthood. but that's fine..remember, it doesn't matter!. that's it! the only one who really knows you, your thoughts, your past, future, and everything in between is God. (and praise him for that!)...

i guess the reason why people are so fake, essentially, is because of fear. fear of what will or won't happen...or fear of what has. i think that faith grows with time and belief that "life" is only a portion of our exsistence. when we get to heaven, we will worship our father, our creator, our whole reason for everything that we freak out about now, forever. FOREVER...that is a word that my mind cannot comprehend.

sometimes, i just become overwhelmed with what people think or want of me, that i blame God. that's right, i, Rachael Vance, blame God for misfortunes or misunderstandings. wow...grace is the thing that takes away that sin. what would i do without that reassurance? it's like i just dramatacize things so that if everyone is looking at the situation, no one can see through me. what if what i have to offer isn't enough? yes, that's partly human nature. i mean, we take lines from songs and movies, the world's expectations, etc. and we think that we can shape it into a mold of what we want life to be for ourselves or other people. WHY do we think that camouflaging our reality is neccessary? WHY do we constantly care about anything and everything that doesn't involve our Lord and Savior. what would happen if i wasn't afraid people could see through me? then what? how would my life be different? i am at the point in my life, (for those of u who don't know, i am graduating a year early) when i have to make big decisions that no one else can make for me. i think that is why i am just now realizing how i have wasted a lot of my life. i don't want to waste it anymore! i am sick of caring so much about big and little, good and bad, and reality and dreams to a certain extent. look, for anyone who has happend to take the time to read this far, i have a few things to say to you. LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WISHING AND HOPING THAT THINGS WORK OUT. life is about knowing that God, a god bigger than your problems (any and all of them), bigger than what u cannot let go of, and so much more than fire insurance, is ready to set u free of the camouflage that i think we all use from time to time. i just pray that u don't make a habbit of using it daily like i tend to do. PLEASE do not waste your life on thinking that once u get to a certain point, having a better relationship with the Lord will be easier...because that time will never come.

i am just going to have to change out of the world's mask and into who i really am. the way God made me. i may over-dramatacize, under-think and overthink things from time to time, but that will always be a part of me. i just pray that God will brake me from the way i have lived so far that wasn't glorifying to him. most of my life hasn't been God-glorifying. i am ashamed and ready to fall in a hole and bury myself alive. but i won't. (it isn't like God wouldn't dig me out anyways). i will not settle for a life of being whatever i have been thus far. i will not settle for that. look, i am not saying that my whole life has been a pointless waste until now. i am just making a point to not waste your life because of fear that people will see what u don't want them to, because u know what? God has always seen all of that, and he always will.