Monday, July 31, 2006

What would be your favorite book of the Bible. Everyone has one that is special, meaningful, or they just like. Mine would be the book of Ruth. As I said earlier today, our guest preacher talked about that yesterday. Normally, I won't talk about sermons and things (though it is nothing against Pastor Jeff:) but today, I just wanted to impress something that I was again reminded of.
I have read the story of Ruth many times, but it wasn't until sometime either last year or two years ago, when the story came alive for me. I was going through some really rough times, personally and as a whole family. Dad was without work, we had moved twice, and I was in a church body that was rather oppressive and totally opposite of the way I was being raised and encouraged. Anyway, I began doing a study called Journeys of Faithfulness, Sarah Clarkson (which I highly recommend.) It went into the lives of Mary of Bethany, Mary, Jesus's mother, Esther, and Ruth. Looking back, I can see that Jesus's mother and Ruth ministered the most to me. (I am straying from what I wanted to talk about! That always happens!:)
What struck me was Ruth 1:16-17: But Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and I've wherever you live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us." (Great wedding verse, but that's not the point right now.) These verses showed Ruth's unswerving devotion to Naomi and to the Lord. Ruth was more than willing to abandon all that she knew as familiar and normal, in order to follow what God's path appeared to be. Can you imagine how hard that would be? I have often had upheaval in my life, and it is difficult!!! Change is always hard to get accustomed to, and I am sure Ruth knew that. Yet, she would not be swayed; she went, depending on the Lord, her God, to see her through.
This ministered to me in that 1.) The Lord is ALWAYS with us. He holds us in the palm of his hand, and he gives us the strength to go on in all the seasons of life, whether they be joyous or painful. Nothing is too big that makes him appear small. Ruth entered into uncharted waters, but she knew that called her to it, and she would be ok, regardless. The most happy part is 2.) that Ruth's obedience and ultimate faithfulness led her to great rewards. She wound up marrying Boaz, and bearing him a son named Obed, "who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David." She was the great-grandmother of King David, the man after God's own heart, and a descendant listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings! What an awesome privilege, but what would have happened if she had stayed behind in Moab? Who's to say.?
The point is that she did not stay behind, and she was ultimately rewarded for her obedience. That's why my verse on my blog is Galatian 6:9 : "Let us never grow tired in doing good, for we will receive a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." This is a promise; it was fulfilled for Ruth (though written in the New Testament) and it will be for you and me. So, my encouragement is that keep on following the Lord and doing what he asks; you wouldn't be disappointed. Not only might you attain an earthly reward, you might hear him say in the end, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" What's more amazing than that?! Yet, don't do the right thing for that reason. We are called to obey His call and leading, so how can we not?
It's Monday, the start of a brand new week. Wow! Where does time go? Can you believe that tomorrow it's going to be August? Unbelievable!
I wanted to write earlier this week, but I just didn't take the time. Things have gone well. Let's see if I can remember what all went on. Friday was pretty good, though I did have some struggles. I won't get into it, because it could be gossip, but let's just say, the Lord had to remind me of what is truly important. As always is the case, and even if you don't think you are putting others first, He wants my mind and time invested in Him and in my family. I did wind up having a nice evening with just Mom and Dad. (Garrett was with some friends.) I made Dad sit through a chick flick, or girly movie, whichever you prefer, and I don't think he minded it. However, maybe he was sleeping, and he said he liked it so I wouldn't know! Anyway, that was fun. We also got to go out to dinner which was a treat. (Whatever you do, don't ever get the Tuscan shrimp salad at Applebee's; the dressing is far too vinegary. Yet, maybe you like that. It's too sensitive on my mouth.)
Saturday, we got to go rafting down the Boise River. I so enjoy doing that. I also got a surprise; Hannah got to come with us. I was shocked; I wasn't expecting that at all. So, she went in a tube, though attached to our raft. I wish for once we could avoid the trees along the way, but as of yet, we have not been able to. Thankfully, we didn't get hurt, and I don't think the raft got punctured. Still, it's always scary. The last thing you want is to get your eye gouged out or the raft to get swamped with water. We got home, and Hannah stayed a few hours longer. We started watch a movie, but she didn't get to finish it. I was really glad she got to spend some of her day with me. The Lord sometimes does beyond what we think. He did in this case. Thanks, Dad, for letting Hannah come, and surprising me!
Yesterday was church!!!! How wonderful it was to be with my "family" again. Oh, it was so good to be home! It was embarrassing at one point, because Dad showed Pastor Jeff the picture of his bass, and HE showed it to the congregation. How awful, but we were laughing as he did it. We had a visiting team there, and he preached out of the book of Ruth. That's my favorite book of the Bible. (I'll tell you why sometime.) The sermon was very good. Then, we had a food fellowship afterwards, and I tried Mom's zucchini pie. Sounds disgusting, but it was so good!! If you like apple pie, you would like this. In fact, ifyou didn't know it was zucchini, you wouldn't be able to tell. It was that good!! The pie was gone, and when people discovered it was zucchini, they were surprised. Mr. D. thought it was apple, and when Dad told him, he was like, "really?" Mr. L. looked ready to try a piece, but then he heard, and he was like, "no thanks." It was great watching people's expressions. Mine was one of amazement.
Nothing much else to update you on. Perhaps I will post about the book of Ruth later on, or tomorrow. I hope you all have a great day. I am going to make some cards, and then do my cross-stitch. I do have a research paper to do, but I don't exactly want to do that right now. Am I a procrastinator or what?!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

I am soooo sorry everyone. I said I would post yesterday, and I didn't. I am bad at this. Anyway, I will try to finish all that I wanted to say now, but I do have to go and make some huckleberry scones. So.... where did I leave off?
Oh, we got to the campsite, after a dinner in Sandpoint and grocery shopping, and set up. For once, the guys didn't go fishing, if I am remembering correctly. We set up the camper and just walked around, seeing the lake and things like that. Even though we were camping in Pacific Time, we stayed on Mountain Time, and it wasn't a problem. It got dark earlier there than I expected; big difference from here in the valley. Not only that change from home, it was still warm up there. I was thinking that since we'd be in the mountains, it'd be cool. Yeah, right! Come to find out, it was hotter down here while we were gone, but still, it was rather weird.
Every morning the guys would get up and leave to go fishing for several hours. That's the way it always is. Some mornings I heard them leave, other times they were more quiet. While they were gone, Mom and I would eat breakfast and then read and do cross-stitch. By the time they would get back, it would be nearly lunch time, but they wouldn't have eaten much. So, they would do that, and then, for a few hours, we would do something together. The first day, we took Nikki for a walk on one of the trails. It was strenuous at times, and then, like I said, it was hot. So, the walks not only wiped us out, Nikki was tuckered too. Thankfully, we brought along some water bottles. I wound up giving in to the temptation of dumping some on my head. Not very lady like, but I needed to cool off.!:)
Another day, we took a drive. I think we G's are known for that. This time, we went up to Priest Lake. You have seen the pictures already. That was the trip where we went huckleberry picking. I was excited to do that. Surprise #2! It takes you forever, and it was hot, so it made the work difficult. I think we all enjoyed it though. We are still enjoying them now. (It's that fruit I am going to use with my scones.) We all were very careful, and kept our ears open for bears, snakes, and child abductors. That was my main concern. We also made sure we never got too close to an edge or something. The last thing we want is to go tumbling down an embankment. It was also on that expedition that we discovered another campground we might go to. I am in favor of it. The water is warm to swim in. Again, we were surprised, especially when we toched river water, and it was freezing!
Another day we went the opposite direction in Idaho and went around Lake Pend O'relle (I am not sure if I spelled that right. But the pronunciation is ponderay.) It was nice, but I think we all liked the other drive better. I liked that we got to out to luch and eat on a floating restaurant. That was unique. Mom felt queasy at times, and I would get a little dizzy, but nothing happened, We all really liked the food.
Evenings were spent the same way the mornings were. The guys caught fish, Mom and I stayed around the campsite, and then we played games. One night, we had a campfire. Mom really likes those. For a joke, we held hands and sang Kum Bi A (hehehehehehe) Dad filmed it; I was cracking up the entire time, so you can hardly hear me. Plus, we were way off key.
The only side note of something we did was get sugared stuff galore. But I have mentioned that before. So, I won't again.
Sunday, we left, getting a little bit of a later start than we had intended. Oh, well. We didn't make it back to church, like we had hoped. Everything went fine the first part of the trip. Then, we had to get gas and eat. So, in Lewiston, we got gas, and went to Arby's. There, we ordered, Garrett getting a southwest chicken chipotle sandwich. We started eating, when, all of a sudden, I looked over and saw Garrett staring at his sandwich. He showed it to Dad and asked if that was raw chicken. Dad said it was, and boy, Garrett spit out what was in his mouth fast. As Dad went to show the sandwich to the manager, Mom and I were talking about if he would get salmonella, and what we would do. We said he could throw up into the cherrio box if need by. Well, Dad got a refund, and we left. Thankfully, Garrett never did throw up, but I bet he weill think twice before he orders another one of those sandwiches.
Problem number two came next. We started driving, and we felt the car chugging. Dad was confused, but then the engine died. He started it, but by then, we all were on edge. The truck had done this before, but we were least expecting it again. We thought the problem had been corrected. It died a few more times, andwe weren't sure if we could go on, at least Mom wasn't. Dad got fuel injector, and saying bunches of prayers, we headed down Whitebird Pass, about 3,000 ft. Mom was edgy and scared to death, Garrett was fine, Dad was tense, and I was gripping the seat and praying with every turn. Praise the Lord, he got us down. After much deducing, Dad thought the front fuel pump was going, so we always used the rear pump, and we got back home safely. Now, the pump is fixed, and hopefully, there will be no more issues.
So, that's the gist of our vacation. I must admit, it's good to be home. You don't realize what you miss until you're gone. Family, yes, is most important, but there were other simple things, like blogging, my church, my room, etc. that are special too. I must get off. Perhaps tomorrow I will talk about the rest of my life!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Ok, here it is Tuesday, and I said I would fill all of you in on Wednesday. However, I don't know how long I have to be on the internet, so perhaps I will do this in two installments. Anyway, you have all seen the pictures, but I figured you would want some text about my week away from home.
Well, we left the house at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The plan was to leave at 7, so, not bad! There isn't nuch to say about the drive, aside from the fact that it was LONG!!!! I am not exaggerating at all. I don't think we got to my grandparents' house in Kila, Montana until around 8 at night. That's all to say about that. We had no glitches that trip, we ate in the car, and listened to several different cds. We all took turns picking what we wanted to hear.
Sunday, I don't overly remember what we did. I think we just stayed around the house and talked. Things went really well that day. And we had holey board, or washers, tournaments. I was bad, and I got down on myself, but everyone else had a great time. I did in my own way. (I wish we had kept score by how many you didn't get in the hole. I would have won!)
Monday, we went for a drive around Kalispell. That's the town where my mom went to high school and stuff. I remembered certain places, but I hadn't been up there since '99, so it had changed. Mom said it had a lot, but I thought it hardly had at all. I guess I am used to the growth, seeing how Boise and the Treasure Valley have changed so much. Kalispell seemed still small to me. We drove through subdivisions that hadn't been there before, and things like that.
Tuesday, the four of us went on another outing of Kalispell and the surrounding area. I really liked Foy's Lake. (You saw the picture.) I wanted to go swimming so bad! Yet, I wasn't wearing my swimsuit. We drove past Mom's high school. That was kind of cool. I have no desire to go to public school, but it was neat to see where she had spent some years. I wish we could have gone inside. Then, we drove by her first house in Montana. That was nifty too. Oh, yeah, we also went to the mall there. It isn't any Mall of America:)
Now during all this time, we were eating great. Sounds odd to talk about, but Grandma did cook really well. We had a different every night. My favorite was a pumpkin cake with browned sugar icing. Yum! I am not sure what my favorite dinner was. Maybe it was taco salad in eatable bowls.
Wednesday morning, we left Grandma and Grandpa's. We got an earlier start than we had intended, so that's when we made a quick detour into Canada!! That was an exciting surprise. When Mom looked at the map and saw we were only thrity miles away, we decided to go. Then, it became an adventure.... Where to start? We reached the Canadian border, and the lady asked to see identification for all of us. Garrett and I don't have any, and we told her that. She then said that we should go back to the U.S. border and make sure they would let us back in. We turned around, while laughing about this crazy thing, and the guy over there said there was no problem and he would let us back in, except his shift was over at 3. We only had about forty minutes to get postcards and take some pictures. We did that in a hurry. In that process, we saw gas at $1.15. Wow!! We all were excited, until we discovered that it was per liter. (That annoying metric system!) Luckily, we discovered that before we did something foolish. With that, we headed back to the border, knowing it was past 3. I was praying up a storm that we would get back in to the good United States of America. When we got to the U.S. side, Dad told the guy the situation. He asked Garrett and I if Mom and Dad were our parents, which we energeticly did, and we got back on our native soil. It was a really cool experience to see somethig new, but home is best!
Ok, I will stop for now, so this post isn't a LONG read, but I will finish up tomorrow!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Enjoy all of the pictures everybody!!!! I had better get off, but I will post in definite detail on Wednesday. Then I will tell you about the car dying on a mountain, Garrett eating a sandwich with raw chicken, and Canadian border problems. Ok, I'll leave you in suspense until then.....

Our roomy campsite. It was a nice, shady spot. The picnic table did have to be protected from the mosquitos:)
What an amazing view of God's creation in Idaho



Mom and me. What a pretty picture!!

Ok, it made my blog. Dad and his 21 inch, 7 and a half pound bass


Dubs Drive-in in Sandpoint, the place for huckleberry shakes and sundaes. (That's not including other places where we got huckleberry ice cream and lemonade.)

Beautiful Priest Lake, about 30 miles from where we were camping in Sandpoint, Idaho.
"I have to sit in a hot car whil these people pick berries that I can't eat? Weird!"

All of us picking huckleberries (Another surprise.) No bears or abductors were hiding behind these bushes. Whew!


Back in the good old United States of America

Garrett and I in Creston, British Columbia

A big plus in this trip was getting to go to Canada. We weren't expecting that! We were 30 miles from the border, so we decided to make a small detour. Here is the Canadian border. (I am not sure if this was taken the first time or the second time we tried to cross. There's a story, but we'll talk about it later.)


Really nice waterfall. (If you can tell what that is from this angle) My mom loves waterfalls, and we make it a point to stop whenever we can see one


Foy's Lake in Kila, Montana. (This is the actual town where Gma and Gpa live.) Anyway, this lake made it seem as if I was in the Caribbean. It was beautiful, and it was warm. I wanted to be swimming so bad


Another picture of Homer. Is Dad trying to get him to fly?
The picture of "Homer Pigeon." This was a bird that Dad and Garrett found, and it would not fly away. Try as they would, it would not budge. Finally, they gave it to a local lady who said she would try to reuinite it with its owners if it had any

One of Grandma's many beautiful petunias

Grandma and Grandpa's house in Kalispell, Montana


Something else you do when you're bored: you take pictures of Nikki wearing sunglasses!
I am not sure how long into the trip this was. Driving in the car can make me sleepy, and plus, I couldn't do anything besides:)

Friday, July 14, 2006

Ok, I said I would try to post every day, and I have lived up to that. Here it is. My Friday post, and the last one until probably the 24th. I am sorry that I will be out of touch. You all will be in my thoughts, but there is nothing I can do.
The plan is to leave here no later than 7 am. Ick!!! I am not one for getting up early. I know that I should, but I prefer being a nightowl. Anyway, we leave bright and early, (Some might not call it that, but hey!) and then we drive on to my grandparents in Montana. I think it is about a 10-13 hour dirve. Also ick!!! I have taken plenty of long car rides, but by the end of the day, my bottom just can't take any more:) Plus, I can't really do much; I get a headache if I try to read. So, Iwill content myself with listening to music and Adventures in Odyssey and looking out the window. That doesn't sound bad. However, that routine might get tiring after awhile.
We stay with Grandma and Grandpa until Wednesday and then we head back into Idaho, the panhandle, where we will be camping on the lake. There, I will occupy my time with my cross-stitch, some Jane Austen books, a Violet Travilla book, my story that I am writing, and some crossword puzzles. (For those of you who wonder some things: 1. my cross-stitch is progressing slowly but surely. Who knows maybe I could finish it! 2. I have not finished Tribulation Force; I have just decided to leave it at home, because it is so good. Sounds weird, but it's a quirk I have. I want to savor it, and since I read out loud sometimes, that would annoy everyone else. Lastly, 3. I am bringing all this stuff to do because Mom and I are often left at the campsite while the guys go fishing. Sure we will walk Nikki and go on hikes, but you can't do that all of the time.
Anyway, today has gone well. I am all packed and ready to go. Everyone else is doing something, so I decided that I should post now while I have the chance. I am sure once I am done, I will find something that needs done:) I had to go to Walmart and buy another pair of capris. (I wear skirts mostly, but it rather impractical ehile one is camping.) Other than taking Melody to the Ransoms, that was all the excitement for today.
Oh, Glory Road was a good movie. They portrayed the racism almost too well, though, and the "n" word was in there liberally. Other than that, I liked it. I got teary-eyed twice. (Does that surprise anyone?) I don't have to own this movie, but I would watch it again.
Well, I suppose this ought to be it. Keep me in your prayers, for safety and for the Lord to do above and beyond what I ask or think. So, good night, good night, parting is such sweet sorrow. (Uh,why did I just quote that. I don't even like Shakespeare!)

Lord, keep my family in Your protective care as we go away. Watch over us, watch over Melody, and even our house. Give us a blessed time as a family, and please don't let us get quick with one another. Help me, especially, to show love, honor, and respect to those who I come in contact with, particularly when it's hard. In the difficult situations with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Michael, please let everything go better than I anticipate, like it did with Nana and PopPop. I know that You are capable of this. I surrender these things into Your hands. May You be evident in all that I do, and all that I am. I love you, Lord. Amen.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Well, I said that I had planned to post everyday. I didn't. I perfectly intended to yesterday, but it was late when I got home, and then Garrett wanted to use the computer. So, being a loving sister, I let him. I apologize to everyone who was hoping for posts. However, I will make it up to you. I will post rather long today, and then once again tomorrow.
Roaring Springs was sooooo much fun!!! I was there from when it opened at 11 o'clock in the morning until it closed at 8 at night. That's a long time. My feet are now killing me. Walking on hot concrete for nine hours has given me some blisters on my big toes:) Anyway, Hannah, Brianne, and I went on every ride. I did not go on the Avalanche, however, since I wasn't allowed. The new ride was great, but I think I like the four-person ride the best. The lazy river is also nice, if all you want is relax. Brianne wanted to go on the ride she dubbed "the squeaky" several time... which we did! Hannah got her wish and went in the wave pool, but I didn't stay in long. It makes me feel sick:0
As to the skimpy bathing suit thing, it was rather bad. I won't get into details, but suffice to say, I am glad my brother wasn't there. I am extremely protective, and being in that atmoshpere would be the last thing I would want for him. It was nice to be around girls that feel the same way on issues like this as I do. It helped. Also, there was the flirty behavior I expected. That stuff repulses me. It is just sickening that people MY age act like that, and they think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I am glad that I don't know anyone who is that way. So, overall, I was upset with the ways of the world that I saw. But, you see it everywhere, don't you? I am thatnkful, though, that the Lord has chosen me as his own, and he has given me strong convictions, and strong parents and friends who encourage me that way.
Today, I went to my get together at Meghann's. It was enjoyable, for the most part. I got the answer about Brianne joinging us that I was hoping for. We decided that we would do things with her over the summer, so she would develop comfort around everyone, and then find out if she wanted to do the group. Anyway, I did suffer some disappointment, in that I found out I was not invited to Ashley's birthday party. I won't deny that I was mad at first, but I have prayed about it. I took it personally at first; I have been extremely in my beliefs and she doesn't always see eye to eye. But, then I realized that sometimes that you need to cut people out in order to keep it small. I was surprised it was me, but she did it to another friend at church too. I don't resent Ashley at all. I understand why she had to do it. But, my flesh, like always, can struggle, and it is going through that a bit right now. Lord, only You can ease the tiny sadness that I feel. You know that I harbor no anger, but I also thought Ashley would invite me. Just help me, and always remind me that you have a purpose for things. Perhaps, since there are going to be boys that I don't know, you are protecting me. I can't understand your ways, but I do know they are the best.
Tonight, Garrett is out mowing the lawn, and I think Mom and Dad are going to set up their new food dehydrator. Then, we are going to watch Glory Road. We have had it on hold for a long time, and since it finally came in, we have to see it before we leave on Saturday. Or else, we would have a huge fine, and since it could be on my library card, I definitely don't want that.
Oh, yeah, I said I was going to mention who won the baseball game. Up until the ninth inning, it looked like my National League team would win, but the American League had a rally in the top of the ninth, got ahead by one run, and then the N.L. could never bounce back. Big bummer!!!!! I was disappointed, but after all, it's only a game. It wont matter in the scheme of things. The world will go on regardless.
I had better get off. We haven't eaten yest, and I might need to help with dinner. So, this is it for today. Tomorrow, I will be cleaning, packing, hopefully reading an e-mail from a friend, dropping my bird, Melody, off at the Ransom's, and then get to bed. Sounds busy, doesn't it?! Oh, yeah, throw posting into the mix too!!! Wow!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Ok, I am on my way to fulfilling what I said I would do. I am posting two days in a row. I figure that I will run out of things to tallk about, but then I will be out of touch for about seven or eight days.
Today was ny final day of 10th grade. Wow! It is hard to believe. I spent two hours and ten minutes writing a four page report on Robert E. Lee. (I'll talk about that in a minute.) I wanted to get to my report on Abraham Lincoln, but there wasn't time. It was around 4 o'clock, and I still had dusting to do. So, that will have to be done over the summer. Disappointing, since I wanted to be entirely done, but perhaps it will be on Mom's desk by Friday or something. Ok, now about my report.
I learned something about Lee that I did not realize. While he detested slavery, Robert did see negroes as inferior and that they were better off as slaves in America than free in Africa. Is that weird logic or what. I was a little upset to read that. Lee seemed so great, and he still is, but I liked my picture of a slavery-abhorring man better.
Not much else is new. Garrett and I are watch the Major League All-Star game on tv. I am rooting for the National League. (In case you didn't know, I am an Astros fan. I have never been to Texas, except driving through, but they are my favorite team in baseball.) So, despite the fact that only two guys from my team or playing, I will always choose the National League over the American League. And, my side is winning, but only by one run. I have watched baseball enough to know that the game isn't over until it's over. Tomorrow, I'll let you know who won. You probably could care less, but I will mention it anyway:)
Tomorrow is Roaring Springs! I am excited. I wonder if I will run into anyone I know. I am not looking forward to seeing skimpy bathing suits and boyfriend/girlfriend behavior, but being with like-minded friends will help. I probably will get a sunburn, despite the fact that I will wear sunscreen. That always happens.
Ok, I don't think I have anything else to report. So, this is a short post, but at least I posted, and you know what is going on in my head right now. Hopefully, I will be able to post for third day in a row. Wouldn't that be something?
Oh, did you know that pesto pizza is really good? Mom made that for dinner. Boy, was the crust crispy!

Monday, July 10, 2006

My apologies for taking so long to post once again. I really don't know what is up with me. I am busy trying to finish school, which ends tomorrow. Plus, I have to go pick 80 lbs. of cherries for a lady. I don't know if we even have that many. I hope we have something relatively close to that.
So, let's see. Yesterday was church, and it was wonderful. I played during offertory, and I was scared to death. Though I knew Day by Day extremely well, that didn't make me any less nervous. Every time I lifted the pedal, I could feel my feet just shaking. I am sure if people could see my feet, they would have picked up on it. Anyway, it went pretty well, and for that I am pleased. I just don't like being the center of attention. I want people to be focusing on the Lord, and not on me. That's why I play anyway; it is for his glory, and his alone. And when I play, I feel that that isn't everyone's focus. Oh well, I prayed just before I went up for his strength and his ability, and he answered that prayer.
I went to the music store on Friday and bought 20 dollars worth of music. I wound up updating my version of Pachabel's Canon in D to a harder one, an easy to play, but still difficult, Moonlight Sonata, the music, As Time Goes By, which is from the movie, Casablanca, and then the entire music from the movie, A Man From Snowy River. Whew! I have a lot to keep me busy. Garrett wanted me to get the music for Pirates of the Carribean, but I didn't right now. The music, I must admit though, is so good. Don't worry, it's not secular lyrics; it's all instrumental. I can just picture sword fights and everything. It really is some fine work. Who knows, I might wind up getting it one day. However, I think I have more than enough to keep myself occupied; I still have my pieces for lessons to continue practicing anyway.
I am going to have a marathon two days if I want to be entirely done with school. That, again, means a lot of history. I also have two research papers that need done. I will be ready to be done with those for the year. I feel as if I have done enough to last all of next school year. It is hard to believe, though, that I will be a junior next year. Wow!
So, I am going to have a marathon days of school, but I will be crazy busy the rest of the week too. Wednesday, I get to go to Roaring Springs with Brianne and Hannah. I can't wait! That will be so much fun!!! Thursday, I have my get together with Meghann, Ashley, and Ivy, all of whom it will be nice to see. Friday, we will be preparing the camper and packing to leave, which we will do bright and early Saturday morning. I guarantee that I will probably fall asleep in the car on the way up to Montana;)
Well, I am not a hundred percent sure of what else I have to say. I need to go get this cherry order done before it gets super hot. I need to finish school. I probably need to practice the piano, even though I am not have lessons right now. I don't know what else. So, I will close, but I promise that I will definitely post again before I go. It might only be on Friday, but I am positive you will get that. But, you might be in for a surprise. Wouldn't be something if I posted everyday until I left?! That would be a sight to see:)

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Happy Fourth of July.... a day late! I am sorry that I didn't give you all a punctual posting yesterday, but I was kind of busy with cherries again. I will be busy with that fruit for a while yet. I do appreciate Dad's idea about selling them; it has given me some extra cash. I intend to spend some of it on piano music. I have a lot, but there are certain songs that I want to learn to play. I think I will get some easier versions of the songs/compositions. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Besides, I will be teaching myself anyway, so I definitely need something simple;)
About the Fourth of July. We had a nice day. Dad had the day off but spent it making jam with Mom. Garrett and I sold cherries in the morning, and then went to pick some in the afternoon. The weather was so blustery and rainy, we were afraid that the get together at the Estes would be canceled, but the weather stopped being problematic, and we went. It was a great time; I think about sixty some people were there. We grilled out, sat around and talk, and watched the guys set off fireworks. Ours were legal, but their were plenty of illegal ones going off all around us. Where are the police when you need them? I think we got home around 11 or something, but I didn't get to bed until 1:30. That's a bit late. Overall, I had a wonderful day. I enjoyed being with both my family and my church family. I was sorry Brianne wasn't there though. Hannah and Melinda were.
Did you know that America has been free 230 years? Wow! It is such a blessing, isn't it? Many people don't realized it as such. Most take both our freedoms and the United States in general for granted. I understand the significance of what we celebrate when we celebrate the Fourth of July. Can you imagine what it would be like if we weren't free? What if we still belonged to England, or some other nation? What if our freedom was to be taken away tomorrow? I hate to say it, but our nation does deserve that. We are so messed up, it's amazing that the Lord hasn't judged us yet. However, there is nothing stopping Him. It says in 1 Chronicles that if we confess and follow Him, He will hear our land. How we need that! We have totally strayed from what our Founding Fathers first intended us to be. I wonder what they would have said if they could've foreseen that? They did see that their success relied on God; I don't think we have that mentality anymore. Anyway, I am glad that we have the Fourth of July to celebrate the past, and I always hope that it will exist many years into the future. I am a patriotic person, but I also know that the United States isn't invincible. The songs go "God Bless America/ the U.S.A." They really need to be "America, bless God."
Ok, about the rest of the week. I was sick with a cold and a sore throat Saturday and Sunday. It was terrible. I felt terrible. I am doing much better now, but I still have the residual drainage stuff . That's more annoying than anything. Due to these illness, I am unable to tell you about church or the baptism. I missed both, though I did watch movies. That's not as much fun, though.
Tomorrow, I have a "babysitting" job. It's more like just playing with the two girls. They are old enough to do things; they just can't stay home alone. It's a day job, so I will have to finish school later.
School... well, I have four or five days left. I am ready somewhat. I have been doing research paper after research paper, and I am about ready to SCREAM!!!!! I have had to study the Dred Scott Decision, concentration camps, Tennyson's poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade, and I have papers coming up about Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln. See why I am going crazy?! However, it sounds like I am complaining; I am really not. It just gets tiring after awhile.
We went to a minor league baseball game on Monday. The Hawks won, finally. There were fireworks after the game. They were nice, but the weren't in sync to the music and it was rather light out.
Mom is waiting to use the computer, so I had better let her have a turn. Hope you all are doing great. Oh, yeah, I finished Left Behind. It was fabulous!!! I am reading Tribulation Force right now. Actually, I think I will go and do that once I am done, which means NOW!