Pray for Haiti

We showed this video in church tonight as a reminder to keep the grieving nation of Haiti in our prayers.

This is a touching original song composed by Abigail Higgins after the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

What a wonderful reminder..."There is still good news...He still sees."

Dream Job

I had an interesting conversation with my boss yesterday. He frequently questions me about future plans and nearly always ends up trying to convince me to pursue a long-term career with our company. Yesterday was no different. However, as I spoke about hoping to move sometime this summer and looking through my different options he asked me, "Heidi, what is your dream job?"

I didn't know how to answer him.

How do I explain to a world so driven by status, money, and power that my desire has never been to plant myself firmly on the corporate ladder and begin the ascent? How do I convey to my co-workers that I want to spend my life serving the God who, to them, means little more than a casual swear word?

I can mutter some things about hoping to move overseas, or about finding a bi-lingual job but deep down I find myself wrestling with what God's purpose might be for this "career" side of life.

My true 'dream job' would be ministry. Serving as a missionary or pastor's wife, using Spanish, leading Bible studies, reaching out to people, playing and writing music, authoring a book, the list could go on.

Unfortunately, this 'job' doesn't always pay much, and doesn't sound very impressive to those whose life goal is to make lots of money, be powerful, and die rich and happy.

These are just some of the thoughts bouncing around in my head recently. I am trying to figure out how this 'dream job' fits into my life currently as a single college grad working a full-time and a part-time job and living at home.

For now I will sit still, keep praying, and, as always, keep thinking.

Knock, Knock...Who's There?

When you can't be original....copy someone else! I do not normally live by this rule, but today I couldn't help it.

I have been starved for originality lately. Therefore, when I saw my friend Melissa's idea (which she also copied) I decided to follow in her footsteps.

So please tell me...who is out there? If you read my blog (frequently, occasionally, or even if its your first time) leave me a note and tell me why.


I am curious

A Belated 'Happy New Year'

Well, friends, I have finally gotten around to posting something on here in the New Year. 2010 is already 13 days old. I kept hoping for a brilliant inspiration to strike me so I could write a truly eloquent first post of the year. Apparently I'm running short on inspiration.

So, rather than leave you wondering where I've been any longer, I will at least share a song with you that has recently become a favorite. Every time I hear it I get chills...meditate on this, and enjoy!

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