Notes from Nicole

I am proud to say that I have read most of the Bible. Well, maybe proud isn't the word I should use...privileged, that is how I feel everytime I open this great book. It IS a privilege to be able to open my Bible and read it anytime and anywhere that I want to. Some people do not have this gift of freedom. I will say that some books of the Bible are more interesting and fascinating to me than others, but I know that there is wisdom hidden even in those books which I struggle to get through. One of those books that just didn't appeal to me is the book of Job. I vaguely knew Job's story and I just couldn't seem to get myself in the right frame of mind to read about his trials and suffering until just recently. Whenever I start to read a new section or book in my Bible I always write the start date on the beginnning page. So, for Job it was December 2012....my ending date was today, January 22, 2013. No, the book of Job is not a 1200 page novel and no, I do not ne...

One of my earliest childhood memories from church is hearing about and memorizing the 10 Commandments. In our SS classroom we had a poster with man that I first thought was Santa Claus holding these two big rock like things with words on them and funny looking letters-which I learned later were actually roman numerals- (gimme a break I was only about 8 years old!) So, anyway, we could earn a prize if we could memorize all of the commandments and recite them outloud to the class. It was a really big deal to me! I remember studying them with my mom and I eventually did memorize them all and get my brand new SS pencil!!!! Ahhhh, the small pleasures of childhood:) I also remember after learning about these 10 Commandments anytime I got into trouble or I would "sass" my mom she was always quick to remind me of what one of the most important commandments is; "Honor thy mother and they father!" Oh boy! Do you know how many times I heard that one??? I think God put...