Sustainable Agriculture

Lets talk about being sustainable. What does it mean? What can I do? As my journey begins, I need to find out the answers to these questions myself. It's one thing to say that I am a sustainable eater, but I need to be ready to answer any questions that are thrown at me as to why (and also when they ask what it is) I have become a "sustainable eater".

One of the main things that I want to make sure about my food is that it was sustainably grown--that it caused no harm to the environment. Sustainable agriculture has become a huge topic especially in today's society. What makes agriculture sustainable?

• Conservation and Preservation--basically, what ever was taken out of the earth is put back in so that land resources, such as water and soil, will be there for future generations. Also, what ever waste the farmer generated stays within the farmer's ecosystem (his or her property) and does not cause spillage and/or waste build up
• Biodiversity--this is HUGE! Sustainable agriculture really focuses on raising a variety of different plants and animals. This prevents from disease and pest outbreaks since the farmers are not raising a mono-crop. Pesticides and other chemicals are used minimally and only when needed. Most sustainable farms do not use any pesticides or chemicals
• Animal Welfare--animals are treated humanely and are well cared for. They are allowed to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting, and pecking and are also fed a natural diet based on their nutritional needs
• Economically viable--farmers are paid fairly and they do not depend on subsides from the government. They also support local and rural communities
• Socially just--workers are treated fairly and work in a safe and friendly environment. Wages and benefits are competitive

These are just some of the basics to what sustainable agriculture is. There are many products out there that are labeled sustainable, but there are no set regulations for this. For example, chicken may be labeled "cage free" and they are raised cage free, but could still be overcrowded in an indoor barn which is still inhuman.

Sustainable living isn't a law but a way of life.

I hope that this information was helpful and interesting. Maybe you could challenge yourself to see what types of sustainable labels there are and check some of the products out! All of the information that I presented today was taken from the website Sustainable Table--check it out! http://www.sustainabletable.org/home.php

some artwork.

I've decided to post some of my artwork on for your enjoyment! Sorry about the quality of the pictures, they were taken with my computers webcame! Drawing is a hobby of mine and I especially love to draw wildlife (birds seem to be the focus here though). Thanks for viewing! (:

a new face.

So, it's been over a month since I have been back from summer project. The transition was the strangest thing ever, but now, I seem to be back in the routine of things. College is off to full start and my homework load is incredible! I REALLY need to make sure that I can keep my relationship with Jesus as strong as it was during project.

What's with the title, you wonder? Well, I have decided to use this blog not only for sharing Bible Studies, thoughts, and awesome things about God, but to share my new journey--becoming a sustainable eater.

At this point, I have just been eating as though I am a vegetarian, which has been great and I feel really healthy and awesome! Currently, I am still researching exactly how to become a sustainable eater, but all I know is that I want to be as "green" as I can in order to make this awesome environment that God created healthier and in better shape!

Caring for the environment and God's creation is a HUGE passion of mine (which is why I am now a natural resource major--emphasis wildlife biology-- instead of pre-veterinarian). God's awesome hands made EVERYTHING in this earth and I am not going to let His creation fall apart. I am very, very excited about where God is leading me and I want to share with you what He is leading me to do and all of the things He is teaching. So, pretty much, this "new face" of my blog is still the same as the old one, but now it is focused on what God is teaching me about the environment and how He wants me to help!

I sincerely hope to be a lot more active on my blog from here on out, but with college work loads hitting me hard every week, I will try my best! Until next time,

God Bless!

Finally

Ok, so now that I have actually sat down and set a time to update everyone, I am finally going to share what God has been doing in my life for the past month. I'll just start with the big things that have really been awesome.





June 27--my birthday:





What a blessed day this was! Having a summer birthday was usually a disappointment because I never got to have a party in school and a lot of people were on vacation so I couldn't really have an awesome party. But now, I am so thankful for a summer birthday because God really blessed me and gave me such a wonderful celebration. This year, it was on a Sunday and as I was leaving to go to Sunday school, a bunch of people sang "happy birthday" to me as I left my apartment. When I got to church my bible study girls had bought me balloons and a cookie sandwich along with a tiara that I was to wear all day! I went out to lunch with 3 of my close friends at IHOP and had a wonderful time there. The rest of the day I relaxed at the beach and then in the evening, I was treated to an awesome Italian restaurant by my discipler, Lo. My impact group went to dinner also and they all went around and said something that they enjoyed about me--I've never heard so many wonderful compliments and felt so loved and honored in my life! God really blessed my birthday and it was the best birthday that I have ever had!





That week:





was the last week that staff was here. It was definitely really sad to see Lo (my discipler) leave because her and I were able to get so close and become really good friends! I had shared parts of my life with her that were hidden from a lot of people and she really taught me how to be a women of grace and of God. Students stepped up and became leaders and now project is running so well! The leadership from fellow students and myself has really allowed me to grow and there are so many things that I am super excited to bring back to campus with me in the fall! God has really given all of the students amazing talents and strengths and project has really took off.





The 4th of July:





We had our first Sunday afternoon outreach and it was super successful! I had many awesome conversations and shared the Gospel with a couple of people! Overall, the students had a really successful day of outreach because the beach was packed with so many people who really needed to hear God's truth and hear what He has done for us. That night was really fun! We went down to the beach to watch fireworks! There were so many fireworks everywhere on the beach and you could see fireworks going off for miles down the shore! It was definitely a sight to see and the fellowship was really awesome! I definitely missed having a campfire, but overall, this was an awesome 4th!

Current:

God has been doing so many wonderful things in my heart. He is really breaking my heart for lost people who don't know the Gospel and really need His truth. Yesterday, I talked to 9 people about Jesus! For me, that's a good start! I definitely want to continue to reach as many people as possible, besides on outreach days, before the end of project. I also want to really start an outreach team back on campus and reach many of the lost college student. I am so excited to see the plans that God has for me back on campus and I am really praying for a revival on campus. I am hoping that I can get others to follow and have a heart for revival as well!

God has also been really teaching me about how much I need to rely on His word. I have been spending a lot of time reading His word and taking it to heart. I am really hoping that I can continue to put my heart in His word even after project when I will be away from the "Christian atmosphere". God has really been using His word to teach my a lot of things and I am so thankful for His word and the wisdom that He has allowed me to have through His word.

Prayer continues to be something which I need to work on a lot more! But God is really breaking my heart of prayer and really teaching me the importance of it. Prayer really allows for a lot of things to be done and it is an awesome way to be with God. I hope that God will continue to break my heart for prayer and the importance of it!

Well, I'm once again sorry that this took so long and I promise that I will update this a lot more regularly! Thank you for reading and continued prayers that God would really change my heart and my life to Him! God bless!

Sorry!

Ok, so it's been over a month since I last went on my blog and updated you all on everything that has been happening to me. This entry is more of an apology than an update. I am planning on writing a full entry including everything that has happened over the course of the past month. It's going to be quite an entry and I have to go somewhere shortly, therefore I am not able to update you at this time. Thank you all for being patient with me and I am super super sorry that I haven't updated you in so long! But trust me, it's coming tomorrow!

I am really excited though, for this coming week because my boyfriend and his family is coming down! And, that there are only four more weeks left and then school starts soon! Also, I'm really looking forward to outreach/sharing today and I know that today will be a great day! God has been doing so many awesome and unbelievable things in my heart and I can't wait to bring all of these things back with me to my family, friends, and my campus back at Stevens Point. So, until tomorrow, adios!

update!

So, it's been a while since I last made a post. But all for a good reason--I've been working full time and then spending my evenings doing a variety of events, sharing my faith, and building sweet relationships with some super awesome girls! Work has been crazy busy and super tiring! For the past three days I have been working on register, which is fine and all, but I've been really wanting to do other things and work to get a feel for what goes on at McDonald's. Today, I was finally able to be a runner. A runner is someone who brings food from the "Hot Loading Zone" (haha, i know, right?) to the people who ordered it. It's really tiring, but my feet hurt less because I am not standing in one spot the entire day and I get to burn a few extra calories! (:

This week's theme is "Killing the Giants". These "Giants" are things that get in the way of sharing; things that we may be scared of, worried about, don't think we can do, ect. One of my giants is sharing to people during house parties. Since North Myrtle Beach is a huge party area, we are surrounded by people, mostly high school graduates, who party like this is their last day to live. I've been super scared of this because I have never been to a party with alcohol and I have never witnessed face-to-face young adults binge drink and choose to make poor decisions. It is really heart breaking to see all of these lost students who put their fulfillment in alcohol and other associated behavior. I haven't actually "killed" this giant yet, and I am definitely praying that God will give me strength to, but I do have all summer. Also, I've been praying for these students who are just so far away from the awesome Truth of God!

Tonight, is "date night with Jesus" and after working all day today, I could really use some alone time with Jesus and really reflect on all of the awesome things He has been doing in my life! There has been so much that has been going on and I really need to take time and sort it out with the help of God and really rely on Him!

So, with that said, I hope y'all (yeah, that's right, a southern accent) have a great evening and have enjoyed reading my update!

Identity in Christ

So, during one of the orientation mornings, we were taught about our identity in Christ. The person speaking used the "4 C's of the adoption process" to describe God's adoption process with us. Enjoy!

The primary verse that we focused on was Galatians 4:4-7

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba,' Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

What we learn from these three verses is that:

• we have full right as sons (and daughters)
• we are heirs
• we are no longer slaves

This verse clearly explains our identity in Christ--it is that we are His sons who are no longer slaves and are heirs to His throne. This is really awesome! But, despite how awesome this is, we don't always live up to our identities. Here's why:

• we've been wounded and hurt in the past
• we search for worth in wordly things (ie. money, clothing, the latest stuff)
• or maybe we feel like we can't be forgiven

Here's where the "4 C's" come into play.

1. Choice (Ephesians 1:4)

• God chose us
• He made an adoption plan for us before time

2. Cost (Ephesians 1:7-8)

• the ultimate cost was paid to adopt us--Jesus at the cross

3. Condition (Ephesians 2:1-4)

• God know our true condition
• we were once dead
• BUT because of God's great love for us, we've been made alive through Christ

4. Completion (Ephesians 1:13-14)

• by accepting the Gospel we have competed the adoption process
• we are now guaranteed to be children of God

I love how simple it is to be children of God. There is no messy, lengthy paper work that needs to be filled out, no background checks, no hidden fees. Just by accepting the Gospel, we can be children of God. It's that easy.