His

I said, "Let me walk in the fields.
He said, "No; walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there.
He said, "No flowers but a crown."

I said, "But the skies are black,
There is nothing but noise and din."
And He wept as He sent me back;
"There is more," He said. "There is sin."

I said, "But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone."

I said, "I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight
If I am to miss you, or they."

I pleaded for time to be given.
He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town.
He said, "My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for a crown?"

Then into His hand went mine;
And into my heart came He;
And I walked in a light divine,
The path I had feared to see.
-George MacDonald

Hello...etc.

Dear Friends,

Hello! There have been no reports of tornado activity so...I think I am still here. Perhaps the swirling winds of a tornado could give you a bit of a picture of what life has turned out to be here. I felt busy in Florida however, this is a whole new pace. Here is a small break down of a few things that I have been up to...

1. Mode camp! I just love that place and it would be lovely to live there always, (maybe heaven will be a bit like Mode Camp?) except for the out house thing...

2. Things really began to get a bit crazy when I returned to Kansas. I think that there was a solid two week period when I was at the church every day for some reason.

3. School happened, by this I mean started...wow! I do not know if I am doing that much however, the hats seem to be many (think highlighters and keys ;) some of you will get that). I am teaching 4 art classes (mosaic unit here we come!), I help with the Jr. High and High School PE class, I am trying very weakly to get an after school Bible club off the ground, I help in the 1-5 grade room most of the time however, right now I am teaching Kindergarten in the mornings (ba- ba- ba- ba- ba- I'm lovin' it!).

4. We had a revival meeting in a barn (shocking but true)!

5. I moved twice camper trailer style to a two bed room home (hard wood floors...pictures soon I hope).

These days have been hectic days but Jesus has been working on me and helping me to grow. I want to be close to Him. I miss all of you friendly people very much. I trust that you are doing well. Thank you for every kind letter and thought in this direction. I should go and finish putting away the last few things in the home...

love ya!

Farmers, Art, and Cows

This weekend was just lovely. I am sort of missing the settled feeling while I am waiting to move into a more permanent place, however, I am discovering that nice things can happen even in Kansas (Thank you Mr. Apostle Paul)! It is such a privilege to live close to two of my cousins. They are very sweet girls who have a heart for God and a lot of love flows. I am also privileged to live near two people that were in college while I was. They have been so wonderful to invite me over and make me feel extra special welcome here. Here is a run down of what I did this weekend:

Friday evening I was invited to play games with the college friends (and their sweet 2 month old baby who will know me as aunt Rachel ...loven' it!)

Saturday morning those two friends and the sweet baby and I made the 40 min. trip to Ks City. There we met my cousins and spent some time at a huge farmers market. Very happy! I am now the proud owner of 2 zucchini (...bread anyone?).

After we finished at the market we went to yummy Taco Bell (cheap, yet tasty)! Then, we proceeded onward to an art museum. Nice, interesting, air conditioned!

Then the two friends and I made our way back to Ottawa (we stopped for ice cream, and we went to a huge Joann fabric store).

There is a family in the church who operate a huge dairy farm. It was time for milking when we arrived in town so, we went out to see the operation. It was so very interesting. I hope to be able to help there some time soon. They milk 240 cows twice a day. It is amazing to smell that many cows in one place! :)

Would you believe it I actually was able to get some of my class work done and some cleaning too? It was an invigorating weekend. I am thankful to Jesus for being with me all of the time, everywhere!

I still miss everyone at home in an intense way. I am looking forward to seeing you very soon.

The poster up above is for the Good News Club

This is the poster for our upcoming VBS ...

All Around the Town

Whew! Sorry...

Hello all of my friends where ever you are. Some people have a great ability to be sentimental, me...not so much. I do want to say that after this recent move I am feeling a twinge of sentiment. I miss my friends and family very much. However, I am quite happy and content to know that many of us have the hope of forever together!

I think that I mention this in most of my post that I am amazed at how our circumstance can change but, God never does. He is so faithful.

I wanted to post a little list of things I have been doing or will be doing in the near future...

1. I answered two phone calls in three days of sitting by the office phone
2. I went visiting with two other ladies and a baby.
3. I have completed an inventory of the art supplies.
4. By the way I found out that I will be teaching 3 or 4 sessions of art each week (Dorinda Power to the rescue...)
5. I will also be helping in the 1-5 grade classroom. (happy!)
6. I also have the responsibility of starting an after school kids club! ("Challenge!" said the girl in Ks, in a sing song voice)

I have become a bit of a cave women since I moved a week ago. I am living in a room in the basement of the church. I am very comfortable however, I am waiting for the day when I will have a more permanent place to live (perhaps the beginning of August).

At the risk of being total cheesy I will close by saying the lesson of the week is ...Trust is a Must!

New Beginnings


Have you ever had a crisis with your cell phone? It has probably been more than two months ago, in the dead of winter, that I made a fatal error. I left my cell phone in my car over night. Guess what? The crazy battery froze. Who even knew that this was possible? Anyway as a result of my carelessness I lost all of my contact information (boo+hoo=boohoo). If I had your number please do not think that I hate you. It was just an unfortunate event. This is a weak way for me to tell you I am sorry that I have not been able to share in your life recently. I know this is a crummy way for some of you to find out about my up coming plans but, I wanted to let you know. I also know that random people can stumble onto blogs but, it is ok with me if you keep readingJ. Many of you know that my location changed in October. I moved from Florida to Illinois to spend some time refocusing and reconnecting. God has been so good to me. I feel that He has allowed me to heal in many ways. For many months now a “door” has been ajar in my life. Then through a series of phone calls and a visit to a church in another state, I decided to move again. I am really excited about this new opportunity. It is my life goal to follow Jesus as closely as I can. I believe that He is going before me and with me.
I will be working closely with the pastor and his wife to reach the children of the community. I will also have the opportunity to work in the school that the church operates. I will be moving at the end of June.
Here is my e-mail address: rachelcryder@yahoo.com. I would love to here from you and answer any questions that you may have about this up coming change in my life.

~Quote~

“Faith that is sure of itself is not faith; faith that is sure of God is the only faith there is.” –Oswald Chambers

Hello Friends! There may be some more random pictures for you to look at later but, I also wanted to share with you some things that I have learned recently.

Good Lessons and Reminders for Rachel in the Past Year ...or so!

1. Jesus is always there for you.
2. Follow Jesus!
3. Jesus knows even when you do not understand!
4. Don't rush into anything. Get all of the facts you'll be thankful for it later.
5. Listen to your older sister. Chances are she's been there before.
6. Listen to your parents. Where your sister hasn't been they have.
7. Listen to your little brother. While younger he has good things to share!
8. Be patient. "He's still workin' on me!"
9. Give as much as you can. Resources, Time, Energy, Love, Laughter
10. It is going to be ok!
11. Why not me?
12. Do not be afraid to get rid of it! ...I mean possessions...
13. Love, Love, Love
14. Assume the best but, be prepared for the worst. This saves a lot of tears.
15. Stay connected! ...again...."He's still workin' on me!"
16. Oh be careful little ________ what you see, hear, go, think, trust, and sometimes even... smell.
17. Do not live for yourself! ...ever...got it...I really mean it!
18. Try to be in time. An ounce of prevention saves a pound of trouble!
19. Guard your heart.
20. Above all of these things allow the mind of Christ to controll your every thought, word, and deed! You will not be sorry.

Dear friend, I hope this list will help you on your journey today.

*Smiles*