Best of 2009

This will be my last opportunity to blog in the year 2009. In honor of this occasion, I would love to share some pictures that highlight some of my favorite memories from the past year.


COLLEGE

Being an RA to this wonderful group of girls...what a life-changing experience.



Conducting class...learning an art form, striving for excellence, and having loads of fun during "conducting parties". This pic was taken around midnight before the final.


Musical opportunities! Our wonderful piano, clarinet and violin trio during "Evening of Classics".


Random adventures that involved getting up at 4:30 a.m. to go to a "chocolate breakfast" in Des Moines!



GRADUATION

After five wonderful, exhausting, precious, short, challenging, life-changing years...I finished college.


Getting an achievement award


BABIES

One of my best friends had her first baby! I became an "aunt"


WICKED:THE MUSICAL

Seeing this show live was a highlight of my year and probably my entire life!



Seeing it with dear friends made it even better!



CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY

Celebrating at Grammie and Papa's house


Goofing off with cousins


Laughing with my mom


Spending time all together...


Farewell 2009...I will miss you.

The Potter

A couple of weeks ago a friend encouraged me through the gentle reminder that, like a Potter, my Savior is fashioning me and His strong hands will never let me go. I was touched and inspired by that reminder, and through that inspiration came this...maybe one day I will turn it into a song.

A weary pilgrim, tired of walking,
Is fighting to keep up the pace.
The load he carried, is not forgotten,
Yet removed by grace.
As he struggles and cries in despair,
'I just can't go on one more day'
A still small voice, pierces the silence,
And says, 'Child, I will show you the way.'

'Because my everlasting arms are around you,
And like a Potter, I am shaping your soul.
Though the darkness seems to surround you,
My light is guiding you home.
You need not fear midst the trials,
Though fears wage war in your soul.
In the valley I will not leave you,
And through brokenness I will make you whole.'

Copyright: Heidi Robbins 2009

I'll Be Home for Christmas...

Christmas in the Robbins' household is drawing to a close. It has been a beautiful, fun-filled time.

In our little family of four the Christmas celebration always takes place on Christmas Eve. As children, my brother and I impatiently waited until evening to open our long-awaited presents. Now that we are adults the wait is not quite as painstaking but instead is viewed as the way things should be done.

I stumbled through the door yesterday evening exhausted from a stressful day at work. Being a manager at a grocery store during the holidays requires loads of energy, patience, and good humor. I was feeling low on all three by the time I clocked out that evening. However, in my 30 minute drive home I turned on soothing Christmas music and tried my best to revive my Christmas spirit.

I arrived home to see the lights from our Christmas tree glowing through the window, beckoning me to come inside. My brother greeted me with a freshly baked cookie and the announcement that supper was almost ready. We sat down to consume our traditional Christmas meal of steak and homemade french fries. (A tradition started in the Robbins' family by my great-grandmother). After the delicious meal we moved into the living room to open presents.

Before we open presents my dad read us the Christmas story out of a children's book. Every year for as long as I can remember he has read to us this story to remind us of the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Afterward we sang a few Christmas carols in four-part harmony (after arguing about the correct key in which to begin singing :-) Following this we began opening gifts. It is our custom to open gifts one at a time. After someone opens his or her gift it is then their turn to pick a present for the next person. This procedure often lasts late into the evening and allows us to enjoy the pleasure of giving and watching each other delight in the gifts. The time was filled with much laughter and the taking of many pictures. Afterwards we finished the evening with a movie and ice cream.

I woke up this morning to a sadly green Christmas. A few snow flurries were blowing around in the air, but nothing stuck to the frozen ground. However, the green did not spoil the Christmas spirit. We started the morning lazily with coffee, cinnamon rolls, and the opening of stockings.

The rest of the day was spent enjoying time together as a family. We played some intense games of Scattegories, Clue, Masterpiece, and Sorry. Any games turn into a wild time in my highly competitive family! This was accompanied by more eating, laughter, and thankfulness that we could simply have a day to spend together without the pressures of work and the stress of day to day life.

Now that the day is nearly over we can look back with thankful hearts on the privilege we have of being with family and having a reason to celebrate.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

On the Job: Incidents and Insights

Today while at work a little girl (roughly 3 years of age) informed me that all she wanted for Christmas was a Barbie that sings (in the shower) and a ring with a butterfly on it.

Childhood is precious.

Abundant Life

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

Abundant life. Many times I get the picture in my mind that an abundant life is an easy life...a life of leisure filled with relaxation, sleep, time with friends and family, time to pursue hobbies, and never having to worry about problems like finances, work, health, relationships, etc.

But that kind of life is a fantasy life. In fact, that life would eventually become rather dull.

It is through the trials, pressures, routines, and challenges of living that we are forced to grow. It is in the midst of these circumstances that God reveals Himself to us more fully in all of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and wonder. True joy comes with the realization that God is behind and overseeing everything in life.

The abundant life comes when we are able to understand that God has given us all that we need; that our lives are His to touch and mold and control; that His Word and His grace are sufficient.

Abundant life is what I have received.

Abundant life is knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and being able to read the Bible and pray.

Abundant life is being able to wake up every day thankful that I have another day of health, another day to work hard, another day to treasure my family and friends.

Abundant life is seeing God in the details.

Abundant life is recognizing God in the pain, trials and heartaches.

Abundant life is serving, growing, witnessing, hoping, and waiting.

Abundant life is knowing that this world won't last forever, but that Heaven is waiting on the other side.

Abundant life is eternal life.

Unexpected Furry Surprises

One week ago had any of you asked my opinon about cats, I would have gladly shared with you my general dislike of that animal species. In my opinion, cats were obnoxious, lazy creatures, and I had little interest in them. (With the exception of kittens which, unfortunately, grow into big cats).

However, a week ago, my dad made a small discovery. (May mention here that he and I are of the same opinion about cats, only he is also allergic to them). While looking for something in our storage shed he discovered that a stray calico cat had taken up residence there... and not only that, she had given birth to seven tiny bundles of fur that we call kittens. Oh dear. This is a problem for my non-pet-owning family.

Out of the goodness of our hearts we let the little furry family stay. Then we had to bring the mama cat water. Then we bought her food because she looked so skinny. Now I make almost daily trips to the shed to make sure all is well in the family. Dare I venture to say that the mama and I have become friends? She purs and loves being scratched, and climbs up into my lap for some attention, and presumably, some warmth. Today she let me close enough to hold one of the tiny kittens who was just beginning to crack open its eyes.

I believe I have fallen for this furry family. And I will enjoy watching them grow for as long as we are privileged to have them with us.