30 by 30

I have to admit, I stole this idea. I shamelessly lifted it from a blog I follow --> http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/post/3818064/3425249653 Check it out, her list was great! I loved the idea of setting 30 goals to accomplish before reaching the age 30. As I am nearing my 25th birthday, 30 is closer than ever, but still seems a long way off. However, I'm catching on that life slips away faster than you can imagine, so I wanted to record some ways I want to grow and change over the next 5 and 1/2 years. I even got Hubs involved on this one! The ideas that were his are marked with an (*). Also, these are in no particular order (we are planning on paying off loans before getting a house before we have kids!)

1. Have at least 2 children (or 1 and pregnant)
2. Own a house
3. Vacation in Seattle
4. Obtain a blog following of 100 or more
5. Learn and memorize  an hour's worth of piano classical music
6. Have at least 15 piano students
7. Host a major holiday with more than just Matthew and I
8. Mentor a young lady
9. Learn how to can fruits, veggies, and jams
10. Eat "clean" 75% of the time (as opposed to the 20% we are currently at)
11. And along with that, learn to scratch make the majority of the food we eat
12. Plant and maintain a garden
13. Own an animal (chickens, goat, etc)
14. Host a Bible Study for at least one semester
15. Visit at least 5 cities neither Matthew nor I have been before
16. Memorize one book of the Bible (most likely Philippians)
17. Help lead someone(s) to Christ*
18. Develop a household organization system
19. Compose at least two pieces of music (one modern sacred and one classical)
20. Pay off student loans (hopefully way sooner than 30!)*
21. Go camping
22. Buy a new (to us) car (or maybe brand new, you never know!)
23. Write and edit a novel with Matthew*
24. Learn to use Essential Oils
25. Make my own cleaning supplies and laundry detergent
26. Develop a habit of regular Electronic-Free days
27. Help Matthew publish and sell the game he created*
28. Learn to play the violin or guitar (or both!)
29. Set up an Etsy shop
30. Grow to be more like Christ

Well, that's my 30! It seems like a lot, looking back over the list, but I am so excited about the possibilities that are in store for me and my adorable husband! God has richly blessed us in the last 3 months or marriage and I can't wait to see what amazing things He has in store for us.

So what are your goals in the next year or ten years? Let me know in the comments!

A Dream is a Dream...

I just had the strangest dream I've ever had in my life. Normally I dream silly, funny dreams, but this one is about as serious as it gets. I woke up at 5:45 after the dream and couldn't fall back asleep and now feel compelled to post this. It's a long read but I hope you stick through to the end.

I was in Dubai doing missionary work. Five children, the sons and daughters of a political leader were kidnapped and tortured. Pictures of them began circulating. They were starving, naked, and terrified. Christians began rallying in defense of the children, demanding their freedom. This blossomed into a poverty relief campaign and donations from other countries began pouring in. Soon a Christian revival erupted and hundreds of missionaries came to assist in the soul harvest. Countless people came to Christ.

The government grew afraid of us, paranoid that we would try to take the country by force Slowly, almost imperceptibly, they grew intolerant. It started as a few arrests of key Christian leaders and soon forced the entire revival underground. But still, the fire of Christ swept the country and more and more were saved each day.

One day I was asked to help sort donations that had just come in. As I arrived, I saw someone holding the poster of the five children that started everything. I entered the building and found a long line. I got in the end of the line and waited. As I stood there, I started feeling more and more uneasy (I'm getting the same feeling now, even as I type). The further and further I moved up in the line, the more I was convinced that I was there to die.

I rounded a corner and saw my friend, Jill, sitting against the wall, handing out posters and reminding people to pray for the children. We had shared an apartment during our time working in Dubai. I almost broke down right then, convinced I would never see her again. As I bent down to hug her, I realized that she knew it to.

Finally, I reached a table and a man sitting behind it, marking things off on a clipboard. He pointed to little squares on the table. Each one had a few drops of liquid on it. "Take one," he said, "and follow the line. Don't drink it until you get into the other room."

I did as he said and continued. We filed in silently. The next room we entered was a large reception room filled with round tables. As we started finding places to sit, I saw more and more people that I knew that had come to help with the mission work. I sat down and realized that the liquid on my piece of plastic was poison.

I stood back up and raised my square. "Friends," I began and stopped after I noticed how shaky my voice was. An elderly couple asked me to speak up so they could hear.

"Friends." I started again, stronger this time. "I don't know how much time we have left to together. It seems fitting that we should end our time here on earth in the presence of God. Let us drink together and pray."

We all raised our squares and drank the sticky sweet poison.

We prayed together, thanking God for His mighty hand and great work in the country. We prayed as one until 20 minutes later, we all stood in the presence of the Lord.

Dreams don't normally impress feelings this strong on me. I don't usually think that my dreams have meanings, but I feel like this one might. I'm still on edge from it. Thoughts and comments are welcome.