Prayer Request

This is not to be the greatest or longest post I have had in mind. However, since I consider you all my dear friends, I have a prayer request for you. Apparently, the Lord decided that I should be sick today. After a wonderful evening at church, complete with a finger food fellowship and playing spoons, I started complaining of a sore throat. (Actually, singing "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" without accompaniment didn't help it much:-) So, it bothered me as I tried to fall asleep, and today, it has been not just in my throat, it has been my nose and eyes. In fact, it is driving me crazy right now!

However, as many of you know, I have my piano competition this Friday evening. If I were to stay sick until the end of the week, I don't know if I could get my date changed. That would absolutely devastate me! I have worked so hard on all of my pieces, particularly Mozart. To miss it would put such a damper on all that I have worked for. I have been anticipating the challenge on playing a hard piece such as this.

Yet, I finds this post to be selfish on my part. The Lord's ways are SO much higher than mine. Everything goes through his hand; he knows what he is doing. I know that I must have joyful flexibility on my part. Yet to possibly miss a crucial piano lesson tomorrow and the competition... I just covet your prayers. Please pray that God would do His healing in His time. Yes, I have my desires, but I want His more! (However, you could pray that I would be able to play; I wouldn't mind in the least:-) Anyway, I am going to go lay back down. God bless ya'll.

Amazing Grace

My week has been very busy of late; I think you all could gather that by my not posting. Life has been well, though. The past weekend has been really great. My dear friend, Hannah, finally was able to spend the night. We had gone to the S.'s house, and then she came back with me. Since we didn't even get home until 1 am, Hannah and I didn't go to bed until 5 am. I know that is bad to do, but I rarely do it! Anyway, we slept in Saturday; I think we needed that. Then, we had a quiet few hours, and then, my family went to the movies.

Now, our family hardly goes to the movies. Why would we? There is never anything decent to watch anyway. Plus, there is little thing called money! Well, I had seen the movie trailer for Amazing Grace as did the rest of the family. We decided that was worth going to, and since Hannah had spent the night, she came with us.

You all know what it takes for me to recommend a movie. Well, Amazing Grace meets all of my criteria. It is a really good use of time, as far as movies go. The life of William Wilberforce is an amazing story of how a man has to "do hard things" in order to see things fulfilled. William had an uphill battle in order to see slavery removed, and several times, he was about to give up. However, his faith, and his wife, helped him keep going. In fact, it was Mom who reminded me of the saying that, "behind every great man there is a great woman!" (And she didn't even "work.")

One of the other aspects of the movie I enjoyed was Wilberforce's friendship with William Pitt, the youngest Prime Minister of Great Britain. Yes, they had difficulties, and even had a brief falling out, yet they did make up. William was heavily responsible for Wilberforce's abolition views. The movie can serve as a reminder that sometimes, we need friends to rally around us, to keep us going when we are about ready to give up. This is a prefect case of that. (Spoiler Warning: I do cry in their last scene together. I won't give away any more than that;-)

However, the movie is called Amazing Grace, so what does the hymn have to do with it? Well, yes, Wilberforce was friends with John Newton; he was a 'spiritual mentor.' Yet, I think there is a different significance. God gives us the grace to go on even when we have messed up or feel like giving up. Well, this was true of Wilberforce, but it also so true of us. Why God doesn't give up on me, I will never now, but I am so thankful that he doesn't! He gives us second chances and helps us up when we are down. Like John Newton, a former slave trader, no one or nothing is too impossible for God to change.

So, I am recommending Amazing Grace to you. Our family loved it, and it's one of those, "we'll own that movie" type of movies. It's not just the great talent and storyline, it's the story within the story. It will give us food for thought....if we let it.

Creamy Garden Spagetti

I just want to share a recipe that my family really enjoys. In fact, I made it for dinner this evening. And Dad has some for lunch tomorrow. I will give you the recipe, and then the G Family's alterations:-)

1/2 pound broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
1 1/2 cups mushrooms
1 large carrot
1 TBSP olive oil
8 oz. uncooked spagetti
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet, saute the broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots in oil until crisp-tender. Remove and set aside. Cook spagetti like usual. In another saucepan, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, bouillon, and thyme until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat and stir in cheeses until melted. Add the vegetables and heat through. Drain spagetti and toss with vegetable mixture.

Ok, we have cahanged the recipe in these ways. I use penne noodles instead of spagetti. (It is easier for your fork to get a hold of:-) Also, I use parmesan and swiss cheeses as a general rule. (today, though, it was parmesan and mozzarella.) It is best to have everything cut, measured, and rady to go, or else you are bound top burn the milk or something. Other than that, I haven't come up with any improvisions yet. Have fun! And Happy Cooking!

Ramblings

I had a desire to post today, but I also had writer's block. I didn't know what to say or how to word it. (I guess that happens sometimes.) However, I think you all would just like a brief glimpse into my life right now.

My life is the same as usual....that means, school, school, and more school. Okay, I might be exaggerating a tiny bit, but I am speaking the truth. However, I am really enjoying my books right now. My history book, which isn't listed on my sidebar, is rather dry. Thankfully, it is short. I think I will be done with it sometime this week. My literature/English book is The Scarlet Pimpernel. A dear friend has been after me to read it for some time, and it was my next book to read, so.... It is really good. I am trying my hardest not to look ahead and see who is the Scarlet Pimpernel. (This friend knows that I have a bad habit of peeking.) However, I must confess that I have seen the end, but I don't know who it is, honestly. I do have a suspicion, and that because I think I know who the author intended. It's not the person I would choose, but nobody asked me! Anyway, I am really enjoying this one.

Piano is going to be crazy these next few weeks. Some people detest playing an instrument; I love it! In fact, I love it more than when I first began. Mrs. W. has been the best teacher I have had by far. (In piano that is; Mom takes the top teaching prize:-) However, it is that time of year when I can let myself get very nervous. Besides my normal lessons, I am playing in church on Sunday, and I decided to play I Surrender All. Then, I have both my piano recital and my competition in the next two weeks. I do feel prepared, yet I can get so wound up and all, that I could easily lose God receiving the glory. That is why I play after all! I will be doing a post about this subject, but I am learning the lesson of playing for God's applause and not for man's. (I have a long way to go before I get this down!)

I baked a new recipe over the weekend. It was a plum/cranberry tart with a linzer crust. A linzer crust has nuts in it to the point of them being a flour. Anyway, I had gotten the cookbook a few weeks ago, and I received the tart pan for a birthday present from my loving parents. So, with the essentials in hand, I set to work. It was pretty messy; I need to get a pastry bag not only to pipe out stuff but also for decorating cakes. (I want to get into that.) However, taste is more important, and it tasted really, really good. I can also make savory tarts, and I plan on cooking one of those sometime this week or next.

Well, I think that is all that is new in my life, or at least what can go in a "ramblings" post. I hope you didn't mind a respite from practical living/ godly stuff. I just wanted to give you an update on what is going on my family. I hope you are all doing well! God's blessings on you!

My Parent's Anniversary

In today's society, it is a milestone for couples to make it past five years. That is something terrible and pathetic to say, but it's true. Now, you can't use Hollywood for a typical example, but if you do, tabloids can state it plainly: People can't stay together for even a year or two. Well, I have the pleasure of telling you that my parents are an exception to the "new rule."

My parent's got married 21 years ago today. Wow!! Now, I know they would be the first to tell you that married life hasn't been easy. They have had trials, tears, triumphs, and everything in between. But the point is is that through it all, they have remained together, and their marriage is even stronger than when they began life together in 1986. The have both become believers since their wedding day, and you can see evidence of how the Lord has changed them both, and is continuing to, into His likeness.

I desire to get married someday. What girl doesn't? Yet, I want to use my parents as an example to follow. Now, since my family is not doing the dating game, I won't have all the guys in the world to choose from. However, I want to marry a man who will stay with me for the long haul in "sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part." My parents have remained committed to their vows, and that is something I can boast of with pride. I pray that the Lord will bring someone as wonderful as my dad into my life, and that I will be as great of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 wife as she is. Now, they both would tell you that they are far from this description, but they aren't in my eyes. Yes, they have problems and make mistakes, but they both grow through them, and that means so much.

So, Mom and Dad, I wish you both a very Happy Anniversary. May the Lord bless your day and many more years of married life together. I pray that I will have a marriage like yours to show one day, one that my children would be proud to acknowledge! I love you both so very much!

What Will Happen

Tomorrow is my seventeenth birthday. It is such an amazing thing to think about. I know my day will be wonderful: the plan is to have lunch with Dad at one of the parks downtown, provided the weather is nice. I will have piano lessons as usual. We'll come home and have my traditional fattening dinner, not to mention my cheesecake. We'll play Taboo, my favorite game, and just have a wonderful day as a family. They will make me feel blessed, as I have already begun to feel so with my friends and their cards, gifts, and prayers.

However, what will happen after February 13th? I mean, if you go by my calendar, I have the little kid's Valentine party that I have been asked to direct at church. (That's not forgetting doing something at home beforehand.) I will have Mom and Dad's anniversary on Thursday with my making dinner. The Boise Philharmonic will enthrall me with the melody of the Wedding March and other such pieces. Yet, what do I have looking at me after that, or even in between.

A new year of life is an exciting adventure. I wold be lying if I said that I didn't hope for easy, not roller coaster like, adventures. Yet, I also can't say I am in control of that either. You all read my post on this "nostalgic" attitude already. I just wanted a place to say thank you to all of you for being there for me when I was sixteen and I know that, if God wills it, you'll all be even more there in my seventeenth year.

However, don't expect me to change much. I detest when people think that now they are a year older, they need to act like it. I know that I need to be myself. However, my prayer is that the only change I will make is in growing more into his likeness, maturing in my faith and my walk with Him as one matures with age.

I also want to thank my parents and brother who have been with me for sixteen years and going on seventeen. (Never fear, unlike Liesel in the Sound of Music, I am not infatuated with boys right now:-) My family knows me better than anybody, on the planet Earth that is. They were the ones who have been there from the beginning. I am indebted to them! I expect them to continue to aid me in the years and decisions to come.

Well, this is the last post as a sixteen year old. Thanks again, my dearest family and friends. May God bless you all and I will be "seeing" you in the days, years, and adventures to come. To God be the Glory! Great things He will do!!

Some Good Movies

Ok, I have a set rule that unless a movie is really good, I am not going to recommend it. However, what is my opinion of "good?" That can mean anything nowadays. On this blog, if a movie is decent, with no sexual content or bad language, and if you can watch it with your whole family (and that includes your 15 year old brother) then it is okay to tell your friends about. Well, I have that such movie, or a series of movies actually.

Thanks to two very dear friend's recommendations, not to mention their incessant talking or mentioning them, I have gotten swept into the realm of the Janette Oke movies. Who couldn't? Ok, maybe my brother, but deep down, I don't think he minds them as much as he says. :-) Now, I have only seen the first two, Love Comes Softly and Love's Enduring Promise, so those are the ones I am telling you to watch as of now. (We have the third one on order at the library! I like them so much, I intend to own them all someday.)

These movies serve as a good reminder that decent movies are still out there and they can be good ones too! I mean, secular raters might slam them, but what kind of movies do they encourage you to go see? They approve of movies that have so much cussing you need a bleeper (and then half of the movie is silent!) There's often blatant sex and cheating with someone they aren't married to. More often than not, they are immodestly dressed and with attitudes/demeanor to match! How can that be a good movie?!

On the flip side, secular people have rated movies like Facing the Giants poorly. I haven't seen that yet, but I have heard enough to know that it is a really good movie. It will be interesting to see what they rate Amazing Grace when it comes out.;-) Anyone want to take a guess?

However, these Janette Oke movies are different. There is no cussing, which is such a good thing. (Am I the only one who cringes when that happens?) It takes place in pioneer times, so undoubtedly, the clothes are modest. There are a lot of positive messages in these movies, though not necessarily the "Roman Road to Salvation." Now yes, there is romance. Those of you who really know me know that I am a sucker for that. However, the romances in these movies are pure, innocent, decent ones. In fact, in the two movies that I have watched, there was only one kiss before they were married, and it was a pure, sweet kiss, nothing too long or inappropriate. (Unlike the passionate grossness that has infiltrated Hollywood's movie industry.)

I don't know about the rest of you, but I would much rather fill my mind with the issues in these wonderful movies. Yes, I do occasionally watch one or two "best-seller" movies that are mostly decent. However, we are told in Philippians 4:8-9 to think on things that are pure, things that are noble, things that are lovely, things that are right, whatever is admirable. My opinion is that the Janette Oke movies follow this list, and they are best-sellers to me!

A Sense of Accomplishment

So, what did I do? Those of you that know me might be thinking I finished memorizing my piano competition pieces. Not by a long shot!! (Well, that's not true...I do have them in the beginning stages of memorization.) Regardless, that's not it.

If you had paid attention to the books that I keep in my currently reading section, you would notice that the Ronald Reagan one is off the list! It has been for a while. Yet it was yesterday that I finished the report forever. That's an exaggeration. I have to do the editing stuff, but that's the easy part. It was the getting it into a concise, easy to understand, format that can be difficult. See, I have a tendency to want to put my little comments/tidbits into my writing; giving it my own flare, that sort of thing.

I wanted to encourage you all that when something seems impossible or hard to finish, you can do it. Now, be prepared that it might take you a while. (Yesterday, I was finishing the research paper from 3:15 to 6:30. My neck was so sore from sitting at the computer for that long:-) Yet, you can do it! The Lord will give you the strength to finish what you need to do. I am not saying it will easy all the time. Believe me, you will want to give up plenty of times. You also will want to put it off until the last minute. I am living proof to those things! However, rest assured, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish what you put your mind to. With God's help, we can finish the race and finish all of our essays, piano pieces, sewing, whatever! We can do it! We just have to stay positive! And, later, we can look back and see all that we were able to accomplish; it'll be a great feeling!

Can You Believe it?

It's hard to imagine, but we are already into February. I don't confess to being busy, but didn't the year just start?! Where does the time go?

Well, since it is the start of a new month, things on my blog have been updated. The quote and scripture verses have changed. I will explain why I chose the ones that I did.

For those of you who know me, my birthday is this month, the 13th to be precise. So, I wanted to do somethings that either had some significance for me or things that I should be reminded of. Psalm 139 serves as a good reminder to me, but it can to all of us. In the past, I have felt that the Lord isn't near or that he doesn't know what I am going through. Now, I know that the opposite is true, but we all do listen to the voice of the Evil One sometimes:-) These verses just remind me that as I am about to embark on another year of my life, I don't need to be afraid of the things that I can't see. God will be with me every step of the way. He knows my thoughts, feelings, dreams, and I don't need to remind Him of them. My life is mapped out and it always has been, though I am not the one looking at it:-)

That brings me to the next thing I changed...my quote. I stumbled across this one (I don't even remember where!) Since it had to do with the piano, I was drawn to it. Life is like a piano; it needs the Master's touch. That's also something I need to remember. Despite how I, as a pianist, try to play the great works of Beethoven, Mozart, Pachabel, and countless others, I will never master them the way these composers did. Sure, I can do my best, but face it, my trills will never sound as good as Mozart's! (Though my piano teacher is trying to help me get close:-) The same is true about life. Yes, I can take the wheel into my own hands, but I will make a mess of things, probably even more than Mozart's Sonata in C. I need to recall to my mind the fact that having Jesus at the wheel is far better than Ella being at the wheel. I know that as I will get a year older, I will continue to have that urge that says I can do things, which is the falsest truth. Only by CHRIST can I do things! Besides, since the Lord has the guidebook and knows what direction I am headed, He's bound to be the Master. I would only be an amateur.

I probably sound nostalgic. These thoughts were just ones that I was having as I was updating this blog. I can't say I know what is in store this upcoming year, as I turn seventeen. All I do know is that the Lord is directing the show, he'll tell me where to move, and I have the complete assurance that my director is there every step of the way; my lines and actions having long ago been written in the script called, Ella's Life.

It's Mom's Day Now!

In our family, we have two birthdays in January. Dad's was on the 25th, Mom's is today, the 27th of January. As I did with my dad, I want to take a minute and tell my Mom publicly how much I love her and how much she means to me.

Where is a girl without a mom? I don't have the faintest idea. I know that I could not live very well without her. Mom has been there for me all the time. She has been there with Algebra (yick!) all of the crazy hormone changes one goes through, when friendships have gone haywire, she has encouraged me and given me a shoulder to cry on. Whenever I need someone to talk to, she is right there with a listening ear. She is my confidante and my best friend.

Mom has taught me a lot about how a godly woman should live. She has been teaching me things like how to submit to one's authority (though she is the first to say it isn't always easy) She has taught me that being busy isn't the greatest thing world. She has reminded me that the best thing a girl can be is be a wife and mother. She has helped me remember that it is more important than the world cracks it up to be. Mom has also shown me ways to guard, protect, and care for my future children.

However, one of the things I appreciate most is that she is my prayer warrior. I can go to her with a prayer request, regardless of how dumb it might be, and she will pray about it. She knows the struggles that I have in my daily life and she is more than happy to pray about it. She has also been my biggest cheerleader as I have striven to live as the Lord has called me to. Mom knows that my earnest desire is to seek the Lord, and that has been her desire for me all of her Christian life.

Typical teenage girls don't like doing things with their mother; I do! She is fun! We go to tearooms and the Boise Philharmonic together, bake together, walk together, we have even of late been playing rounds of Scrabble together. I am not ashamed to be seen with my mom!

My hope and prayer for Mom this year is that our relationship will grow to even greater heights than it already is, that she will grow ever closer to the Lord, and that her Hopes and dreams will be realized this year. Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you soooo much!!!!! As that book says, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I am living, My Mommy you'll be!" I hope you have a great day today!

My Dad and Me

Today, January 25th, is my Dad's birthday. I love him so much! He is wonderful, and yes, goofy too. (I couldn't find a picture of him and me where he wasn't making a face of some sort:-) However, this picture isn't all; read the post below.......

It's Dad's Day

I wanted to take a minute and publicly acknowledge my wonderful dad. Today is his birthday, and no, I won't tell you how old he is. Yet, that doesn't really matter. What does is that he is very special to me.

I don't know where I would be without my dad. He is there for me in many ways. Dad doesn't always express his feelings in words, but he does in actions. He is always there to help me fix a computer problem that happens at the worst possible time. He has bought me three birds and trusted me to take care of them. He gives me a shoulder to cry on when they die too. :-) Dad takes me out to breakfast occasionally--just the two of us. He is willing to let me use the remote when we watch tv (though he might be watching the back of his eyelids instead of Emma or something:-)

However, the things I really appreciate about Dad are the bigger things. Dad never mocks the way I dress or the convictions that I have. In fact, he is there encouraging me. In fact, he is always right there helping me better myself (meaning with my posture or manners) He is right there to help me when friendship things go haywire; he reminds me of the truth, and that Mom, Dad, and Garrett are always there with me.

Dad also prays with me and for me. That means a lot. I might not know what he prays in private, but I do know that he wants what the Lord has in store for me. Dad's faith is constantly growing, and I am looking forward to seeing what ways he will change in the Lord. Dad does want to do what the Lord and His word says.

Well, I have pumped up Dad a lot, but that's my purpose. I want to make it clear how much I admire, appreciate, and rely on him. My prayer for him is that in this forthcoming year, Dad's and my relationship will grow even more, and that his relationship with God will grow as well. I love you, Daddy!!!!!!! I am so thankful that you are my dad. My friends might have great dads, but I have the greatest! :-)

Still Nothing Much to Say

I had hoped to have something really cool to post about today. Yet, I don't. My entire family still has this infernal cough/sore throat thing! We are on the tail end, but that seems to be the part that always takes the longest to heal! I don't mean to sound like a complainer, but I don't love being sick, either!

You know, it's funny, though. Even if both the teacher and the students feel a little blah, you are still able to do school. :-) That sort of bothered me, but then, I am glad that Mom did decide to just stick with it. As I said in the last post, I finished The Red Badge of Courage. I am able to say that it was one of the worst books I have ever read. (There are only two that are on that list: that one and The Yearling.) I don't know how many of you have ever read that book, but if you haven't, you aren't missing anything. It's a bore, and the main character isn't anything to write home about.

I also said that I finished the Ronald Reagan research. Now, I am in the process of putting all my notes together. I am glad I am doing it this way. It would be so hard to write a paper when details about his assassination attempt are scattered throughout five pages. My hope and plan is to be done with the entire project sometime in the next week or two.

I am reading So Much More and it is one of the best books I have ever read. I would encourage all the girls who read my blog to read this book. However, you have to have the heart for its message. You either have to agree with their standpoint, or be seeking to do what God says in certain matters. Anyway, if I could call the book awesome, I would. (Our family reserves the word awesome for God alone.) I have enjoyed reading it, and it has reaffirmed my views/beliefs on things. In my opinion, it is a book that every Christian American girl should read. Maybe then our country wouldn't be as far off the wall as it is now!

I don't have much planned for today. I think I am going to take a quick shower for starters, take a prayer time, and then read my great book, do some cross-stitch, clean dishes, and watch a movie or the Broncos celebration parade on tv. Sounds like a great day to me! I hope you all have a great Saturday as well. Thanks for reading my ramblings; I hope you enjoyed seeing what goes one in this gray matter of mine! God bless ya'll, my friends!

Enough

I wasn't sure what to post about today. I don't have anything of great significance to report and I haven't been infected with a rare disease that would shock the medical community. Life is good, and it's normal. It has the same occurrences that it usually does. I have been consuming my time with schoolwork (though if you noticed my book log, you would see that I have finished both The Red Badge of Courage and my Ronald Reagan research. Now to get it all together!) I have piano lessons with my festival/competition looming ahead of me in March. I have been baking various things like gingerbread. (Yum!) So, unless you want to just hear about my normal, happy, contented life, I will get on with what I was going to say.

I decided to change the music on my blog. I love what I had, but it was time for a change. So, I began looking at what to put. Well, I thought of a song by an artist that I sort of like, Jeremy Camp. (Yet he can be too rocky for me at times.) Well, they didn't have the song, but I knew of another artist who sings it. So, I typed it in, and sure enough, they had it. As I started to play it, I paid really close attention to the words.

With music, I always try to hear the message in the songs. I don't like music that doesn't have something positive to say. (Unless you just want to get a dumb song stuck in your head.) So, I listened to the lyrics. "You are my supply, my breath of life, still more awesome than I know. You are my reward, with living for, still more awesome than I know. 'Cause all of You is More than Enough, all of me, for every thirst and every need you satisfy me with Your love. And all I have in You is More than Enough for me. You are my sacrifice, my greatest price, You are my coming King, You're my Everything. Aren't those words great?

Mom and Dad routinely say that my name means God is my Strength. Well, when I get down on my name not having any apparent significance, they remind me of that. When I really think about it, I see how true it is. God IS my strength, my sustenance, He's More than Enough. Now, I do need things like family, friends, clothing, shelter, and things like that. Yet it all pales in comparison with having a Friend beside you at All times; a friend who always has a ready ear and an encouraging word; a friend who loved Me enough to suffer and die that I may have the promise of life with Him. How can He NOT be more than enough.

I do struggle in my walk with the Lord at times. Yet I always need to be reminded that He is my everything, and he will satisfy my every need. One way He does that is by giving me my wonderful family and my like-minded friends. I am thankful to Him for you!

When I Least Expected it

You know, I am so glad that the Lord's ways and thoughts are so much bigger than my own petty ones. This past weekend, I was able to see that in an amazingly personal way. I want to share the story with you, and maybe, it will minister to you.

Some of you know that back in October, I applied for a job in HopeChest Magazine. No, I wouldn't be getting paid or compensated in any way, but I felt it was something for me to consider. I have had this desire to use my God-given writing abilities in some capacity, but I didn't quite know where. Once I read this plea in HopeChest asking for an editor, I prayed about it, and decided to go for it. Well, I heard from Anne (one of the girls who runs the magazine) She gave me many particulars, liked what she saw in me, and stated she would get back to me in two weeks.

Those two weeks came and went, and I never heard anything. The weeks turned into months, and my expectation dwindled. I wasn't hearing from her, and I assumed that meant I did not get the position. As much as I tried, I was unable to get in touch with her. I think God had a purpose in that being so.

The weeks and months of uncertainty and silence were difficult for me. I had thought it was something the Lord had desired. Maybe I had gotten some miscommunication somehow, somewhere. I surrendered my wanting over to Him, but I still had issues leaving it there. (Don't we all..all of the time?) I tried to accept His decision, but it wasn't easy. Yet, in the weeks that went by, I gradually let it go. Perhaps it wasn't going to be the best thing for me!

Yet, on Saturday, out of the blue, I heard from Anne! I hadn't anticipated hearing from her at all, so checking my e-mail and finding a letter in the inbox was a big surprise. Imagine my further surprise when I discovered I got the position! I was going to start right away and she was looking forward to getting to know me.

You can imagine my thankfulness to the Lord. Anne had said she was sending me out a package of material to be edited, and I prayed that it would come soon. I had a deadline after all! On the day I prayed, the envelope arrived at my house, only a day after she had sent it. Again, I had reason to thank God.

Through this interesting turn in the journey of my life, I think the Lord was trying to teach me something. I need never despair of the quietness that is around me. Yes, the answer might have been no, but He was giving me the time to turn the desire over to Him, so I wouldn't be too heartbroken. Yet, it didn't turn out that way. There was silence for several months, but God knew the outcome all along. (Though why He can't reveal it every now and then is beyond me:-) So, when there appears to be silence for years, I still have no cause for alarm. It is a time where the testing will develop perseverance, and that those who wait (patiently and trusting) will receive blessing at the right time.

So, that's where I have been these last few days. Aside from my schoolwork, chores, and everything else, I have entered the world of editing. I have been correcting girls' submissions and have been choosing what should go in the next issue. I would appreciate ya'll's prayers for me. Not just that I would know what to put in and what to not, but more importantly, that the Lord would be high and lifted up as I seek to minister to other young women. I want Him to be glorified in this role and not me! God bless!

How will I respond?

If you have gone on various blogs, you would have seen that I went bowling with several good friends. (Though some were missing:-) Well, bowling is a character test for me. I love to bowl, but I think I love the idea of bowling. My scores are nothing to rave about. I am a perfectionist, so doing bad is difficult for me to accept.

In the past, I have gotten really down about myself. I have even cried on some occasions. I am not sure what I require. Is it getting this huge score and getting lots of strikes? I can't say. I can tell you that it never happens...much to my chagrin.

However, I didn't want to break down about my performance this outing. I don't suffer from peer pressure, but I don't want my friends to see me act ridiculous over a dumb game that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. So, I made up my mind to have a positive attitude, regardless of how I did.

Well, we first went to the D.'s house and ate pizza and watched a movie. (I am not recommending this one:-) After the van finally got there, we all headed off to the Boise State Student Union. That's where we bowl, due to the fact that they don't allow smoking or drinking. We got lost on campus, though we have been there a few times. (Shifty was being a back seat driver!) Anyway, we got there and began bowling. Now, the beginning is also a test for me. I have to rent size 5 shoes. Thankfully, they had shoe laces!!!!! :-D I have had to deal with velcro before. I also use an eight pound ball. The others are too heavy for me.

So, we start bowling, and sure enough, I go in the gutter more than I want to. I do manage to get pins down, and that's what I go for. Yet I have an odd way of bowling. I go up to the line, stop, and then throw the ball. Everyone thinks it's nutty, including myself, but that's the only way I can seem to do it. Well, I do get a spare, with all ten pins going down. I was excited about that. Then, I started going down again. All of my friends gave me advice in joking manners. (I was told to do it granny style more than once.) Well, how was I doing to respond to this?

I knew what I had to do. I took deep breaths, and joked about what they said. I still would go in the gutter, and if I felt that I was beginning to get angry, I would stop and cool off. I am so thankful to the Lord that I never busted down crying. I never even came close. Also, no one laughed at me; they all laughed with me. (Or if they thought me stupid, they all had the courtesy to keep it inside.) We bowled three frames, and it was a lot of fun. We laughed a ton, and we enjoyed each other's company.

Not meaning to be prideful, but I am pleased with myself. No, not with the bowling scores, which were in the forties twice and the sixties once. I was pleased that I responded the right way this time. I think that's because I prayed on the way to the D.'s house. I really wanted to come away proud of how I acted.... And I am!

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again, if you didn't see the pictures I got, go ahead and look at them. I hope you enjoy them. Also, once again, this isn't an uplifting post. I said I would talk about Boise State!!!! Well, we won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say it was a great game to watch!

You knew that we were going to watch the game. Well, we had the tv on all day. I hardly paid attention to the other games. Boise State, on the other hand, was a game that we were glued to the screen. I said that we aren't excessive sports fans, and that's true. However, you couldn't have been able to tell that last night. :-D Well, Boise State was winning for most of the evening, and we were feeling pretty good. In fact, Dad called Mr. L. and "rubbed" it in. Yet, I think we learned not to count our chickens before they're hatched. Oklahoma came back and tied the game. Then, another lesson we saw was that quarterbacks are human. Ours threw an interception. I was despairing. Then, Boise came back, and tied the game to send it to overtime. I think about that time we all had sore throats for screaming, stomach aches, shakes, racing hearts, the whole nine yards. (And we aren't major nuts!) Oklahoma got ahead, and then, we tied it again. Coach Pete decided to go for two points. I thought he was crazy! (That's why he's the coach and not me.) And..........we got it!!!!! The Boise State Broncos won 43-42! Wow! And if that wasn't enough, our running back proposed to his girlfriend. Now, you know that I am NOT into that thing, but it was cute.

So, the game is over, but it is the talk of the town, and the subject of this post. (If you want, go to Garrity's blog; he has a different spin on it than I do. He also has pics.) I hope you don't mind my slipping into a sports mindset. I did enjoy it!!!!!! And I loved the time with my family! Ok, now I will be back to my normal, trying to be uplifting self. But..................Go Broncos!!!!!!!!

Pictures of Game Day..Sunday's that is

Well, I got the pictures. I won't write in between them like I usually do. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. (You know the saying plenty by now!) The first picture is of the adults playing Balderdash. The rest are of us kids hanging out. I only wish there was a shot of a spoon fight! :-) Anyway, I hope you enjoy them. Guess where I am?

Game Day Yesterday....and Today.

Welcome to the first post of 2007! Did you all ring in the New Year? My family did. If you noticed the title, we had a game night last night. Normally we have them every Friday night at home; last night, it was at church. Instead of having Sunday evening service, we had a food and game fellowship. (Our church is know very well for that. I wouldn't be surprised if we were known world-wide:-) Anyway, we went to church at six like usual. Pastor Jeff had us sing a hymn, and then, we ate..and ate..and ate. That makes us seem like gluttons, but we aren't. I think we just like to eat.

After some of us were done, finally, eating, we played various games. I know Mom and Dad played Balderdash. I have never played it; they will have to teach me. What was I doing, you might ask? Well, some of the teens, and a few adults, played Apples to Apples. We brought the game, and most people knew how to play it. If I remember correctly, I think Wyatt won with four cards. Normally, we have people get seven or eight, but when you are playing with twelve people, it takes far too long already!

Once we finished that game, the teens played spoons. I, like Balderdash, had never played it, but it really was easy to do. Let's see.....who played: Shifty, Garrity, Wyatt, Isaac, Owen, Peter, Cody, Jason Lav, Angela, Christina, Grace, Brianne, Shelley, and Myself. (Not all of those are "teens," but our church doesn't make a big deal about that.) I am surprised that I did very well. No, I didn't win, but I thought I would have gone out in the opening round. I even won a fight for the spoon. :-) It was a lot of fun. I think the teens will have to do it again.

Now, I wish I had pictures. We were almost to church, when, all of a sudden, I started calling myself a knucklehead. I had planned on bringing the camera, but I forgot it. However, plenty of other people brought their's. Mom has e-mailed a friend of hers, and she will get some to us. So, if I decided to post this now, I will do the pics once I have them on my computer. Sorry you can't see them now!

Now, it's game day again. No, we aren't playing board games or having friends over. It's football! To set your mind at ease, our family is not major sport fans. However, our Boise State Broncos, the college football team, is playing in the Fiesta Bowl. (Our colors are blue and orange; thus the colors of this post.) We aren't the people who paint their chests or other gross things, though we are wearing blue and orange shirt, scarfs, vests, etc. We are all geared up for to tonight. We are going to eat snack foods, including tostitos! I will let you know who wins. Hopefully, I will have favorable news. Go Broncos!!!! (Brianne, if we do lose, don't rub it in my face:-) I know it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but we are looking forward to spending time together watching it and rooting for our underdogs.

Again, this isn't an overly unlifting post, but I want you to see that we love doing things as a family. I don't always need to find my meaning in peers, though I love being with them. My family is soooo cool! So, expect more on this post later!

Looking Back

I cannot believe it is the end of 2006!! Where has the time gone?! I can recall Y2K and everyone's nervousness with that. I can even remember '98, or was it '99, when I watched the ball go down in Times Square for the first time. And here it is 2007! Wow!

As I look back at all that has happened this year, I can thank the Lord for being there every step of the way. Now, for those of you who know me very well, you would know that this year was not as hard as previous ones! (Thank goodness!) Yet, there have been ups and downs. Let's look back at some of those together.

I didn't get into the blogging world until March, so in February, I celebrated my 16th birthday. I agree with Mom; it seems impossible. I think it's because I look 12 or something. This was the year when I received my beautiful hopechest, made with love by Dad and Garrity. (Of course I cried when I got it!) How thankful I am to the Lord for blessing me with 16 years, and I am excited to see what He is going to do in the many years to come!

March was a highlight because I did get into blogging. Yes, I have to be cautious on the internet, but I love that I have made some like-minded friends. I know friends come and friends go, but you all mean a lot to me.

This year found my family seeing both sets of grandparents. Dad's were here in May; we went up to Montana in July. Even though I differ with them in matters of religion and politics, I am so thankful that they are alive! By God's grace, I have never been to a funeral, and I don't have itchy feet for one any time soon! Yes, both visits had their issues, but I think the good outweighs the bad, or at least, I hope it tries to.

Various other occurrences this year have been all the harvesting we have had to do....Doing MANY things with our church family....Going to the D.'s and L.'s for Thanksgiving and Christmas...Mom and I going to the Philharmonic every month....It has all been fun. (Though I am glad that fruit isn't growing right now! :-)

However, life wouldn't be complete without its hardships. I lost Melody this year. I had some...hmm...what word to use....interesting friendship stuff happen. I quit the bi-weekly get together. It was rough when it all happened. You can't know how many tears I cried. Yet, they are gone now. After you are able to look at a situation sensibly, you can see that it was all for the best. I have Juliet now, and who knows, maybe I can train her to ride on Nikki's back or something:-) The friendship stuff showed me that those weren't the best friends for me. Now, I can't say they would've led me done wrong avenues, but I can't say they wouldn't have either. No doing the get together has opened up my schedule a little more, enabling me to concentrate on schoolwork and I hope to start a group of my own.

This post seems like a Thanksgiving post, and maybe it is. But I don't see how one can look back over the past year and not be thankful. I am not here saying that a relative died or things like that. I know that there are people who could do that, and I am thankful not to be one of them. So, I close the book on 2006. If I had to give it a title, I think it would be: God is Faithful, and How Great is He! For that is what I have seen in my life this past year. God bless, and I will see you in the book entitled: 2007--God is at the Controls; Enjoy the Adventure!

My Christmas 2006 Memories

Well, Christmas is over, at least for the next 362 days. In our house it's back to normal music, and the tree will be gone this weekend. I haven't felt too pressured to post, since I have seen from other blogs, that no one is posting yet, either. Maybe I will get the ball rolling or something! Anyway, I am now able to look back and tell you all about this past weekend.

I think most of you knew that I was to play the piano on Christmas Eve, both in the morning and in the evening. Well, I was nervous, plain and simple. I don't like playing in front of people, and I don't like getting the credit, for God should be getting it. Anyway, I spent most of the morning, up until I played, in silent prayer. I didn't pray for perfection; I prayed for peace. I wanted my nerves to settle down. By His grace, the Lord got me through it, and I played pretty well. I also assisted up in children's church and did puppets, again...But the kids loved it. After service, our family went out to lunch. Now we used to go out on Christmas Eve night to a really fancy restaurant, but that wasn't in the budget this year. So, since we had nothing planned, we went to Macaroni Grill. Our family likes that place, and it was a nice change from past traditions. We then spent a few precious hours at home, and like usual, went back to church Sunday evening for the candlelight service. I was playing the piano again, this time in a duet with the piano player. Well, it didn't go well. I didn't make mistakes that you could notice, but I knew about them, and one of my issues in life is that I am a perfectionist. I don't like that, but it's something I will admit. So, I spent the remainder of the service silently crying and kicking myself over and over. Now, I can tell you the service was beautiful, and that Pastor Jeff sang very nicely, but I can also tell you that the Lord was working in me. He made me realize that I was more concerned with what people thought of my performance, instead of Him. Oops! I had something to confess.

Christmas morning was pleasant. We did our devotional, ate orange bread (the traditional..unhealthy..breakfast) and gave our gifts to Jesus. That was a special time. Then we opened presents. I received some nice ones. I got some dvds that I have been wanting really bad, a painting that I did not expect to get at all, and some books, among other things. Two of the books are more practical living ones entitled: So Much More, by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin, and Before You Meet Prince Charming, by Sarah Malley. I look forward to reading these two immensely.

(One brief piece of advice for you: Always check your dvds to make sure they work. I had to return the 6 hour Pride and Prejudice because the dvd was chipped, and The Little House on The Prarie Special Edition dvds had to be exchanged because I had two discs of one thing and was missing another. Talk about joyful flexibilty!)

We went over to the L.'s for Christmas dinner. Mr. L. jokes alot about my height, but I take it in good humor, and tease him right back. We ate ham, potatoes, green bean cassarole (at Christmas!!!) rolls, a relish tray, peppermint cheesecake (another tradition) brownies, and fudge. I ate too much, but it sure was good! We played several different games, including pinochle :-) We opened more gifts, and just had a great time. We left their house around nine or thereabouts, came home, did another devotional, and watched, A Christmas Carol. Which, just for your information, that movie creeps me out at parts. The music is so devious.....Ooh!

I believe that is the jist of my Christmas. It is about time to close this chapter of the book, and also of this year. I can't believe it is almost 2007, but that's not what I wanted to talk about. I hope you all felt the Lord in your holiday; I know I did. You can have no idea how much!! I am so thankful to the Lord for the most perfect gift of all this year, one that isn't chipped or wrong...His son, Jesus!!

***Just a word from me concerning the blog. I know that I have Christmas music and all that still up. The plan is for it to be changed this weekend. I might get to it ahead of time, but I am not sure. Besides, I said I would change things once a moth, and December isn't over yet!***

What Shall I Give Him?

Ok, I will be honest. I enjoy receiving presents. I look forward to unwrapping them and seeing what people have given me. However, giving gifts outweighs my own fleshly desires. I enjoy picking stuff out, wrapping it, and keeping it secret. That is so much fun! Yet in the hustle and bustle of things, I think we all can tend to forget someone on our "shopping list." After all, whose birthday are we supposed to be celebrating? We don't, at least intentionally, forget our friends; therefore, how can we forget our Heavenly Father, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Now, I don't want you all to think that I have a problem with presents and that we shouldn't give them to one another. Nor do I want you to think I am belittling you. I just wanted to write about something that has become very dear to my heart for the past two, now three, Christmases.

Mom was the one who started this. She said that we all needed to give a gift to Jesus. I liked the idea. I spent hours trying to figure out what it was that I should give God. Now, I knew he had zero interest in Nintendo, ipods, novels, etc. So, what was I to do? Well, I figured out that He didn't want something material; he wanted something internal. He wanted me to surrender a portion of my life over to Him. So, that first year, I gave him the gift of spending more time in His Word. By the time last Christmas rolled around, I was the one who was all excited to be giving a gift to Jesus. It was pretty much the same as the previous year.

This year, though, I felt him telling me to do something different. At first I wasn't sure, but as I thought about it, I just knew it was the right thing. Do you ever get that feeling? Once I got what to give nailed down, I didn't know how to give it. Again, I spent some time thinking about it. I felt that a poem was the way this year, and that's what I did. So, with my brain going to work, I wrote down what I was going to give. I printed it out on some decorative paper, and wrapped it to be opened on Christmas Day.

Now, it is really difficult keeping true to what I said I would do. I think it will be especially hard this year. But, you know, I believe to know where the key to success lies. If the Lord knows that I really want to remain true to my promise, and I really pray about it, He will give me the strength to leave it in His hands. (However, I think it will STILL be hard!)

Perhaps not giving a gift to the Lord is for everybody, yet I want you to think about it. It doesn't even have to be with family; it can be in the privacy of your own room, just you and God. He knows your heart. I really think He would enjoy hearing from you this Christmas.


(Well, I think this will be my final post until after the holidays. I could surprise you and post, but I think that will be very unlikely. So, may you have a very Merry Christmas. May you have a wonderful day with family and friends as we celebrate this holiday. May the thought of Bethlehem, of the faith of Mary, and the love of Christ, be first in your mind this forthcoming weekend. It will be hard for all of us to remember, but let's try! I love you all, and will be thinking of you. I can't wait to hear of your Christmas Memories! God Bless!!)

White Christmas

Ok, so it isn't Christmas day, but there are two things correct with that statement I just made. The first is that it has been snowing out. There isn't much to speak of, especially compared to the Denver area right now, but hey....it's enough for me. Mom said the roads were slick when she was out, and Dad said they were getting that way. Frankly, it makes me concerned for my piano teacher. Her family were driving to Iowa today, and I know they are going to get involved in this nasty stuff. I hope they didn't leave this morning. Sounds terrible, but I would rather have her family be save than sorry!

The other correct thing with that statement was that I just finished watching White Christmas. That is one of my favorite Christmas movies. (Have I said that before?) I am sure that the tunes will be running through my head for the next few hours. Will it be, The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing, Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, or will it be the title track, White Christmas? What is ya'lls favorite Christmas movie? (I know we have that forward going around, but some people didn't get it.)

Ok, this was a rather short and mindless post, but I wanted to tell you those two things. I hope to post a longer post tomorrow, but I could be very busy. I promise I will do it to the best of my ability. God bless, and be safe!

It's all Commercial

Well, for those of you that read my last post, you would know that I had something else to talk about, but I didn't right then. I made that decision for space and time sake. Now, I have a whole new entry, and plenty of room for what I wanted to say.

I had mentioned that I had an interesting time on Saturday. Dad and I were out and about in the Treasure Valley, finishing up the little bit of Christmas shopping I had to do. Now, since I was partly getting stuff for Mom, I couldn't go with her; it had to be Dad time. (Not that that is a bad thing! I love my dad!) Anyway, I did get mostly everything, but that's not what I wanted to talk about.

Does anyone get the feeling that Christmas is no longer about the Lord and His Coming to earth in the form of a baby? I mean, you can that impression as you look at people's houses. You see reindeer and Santa and lots of lights. You might see a Nativity once in a blue moon, yet it could be in a house with Santa. It's all backwards to me. Sure, my family every now and then watches Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and we laugh. But, that's not what Christmas is all about. However, I believe if an alien dropped in from outer space and you asked what the holiday was about, I don't think he would say Jesus.

Well, I was really confronted with this fact on Saturday. You watch people go to and fro, waiting in line with several high-ticket items. Lines are sooo long, and usually the people in them are grumpy, rude, or just checking things off their list. No one says, "Merry Christmas. Have a great day." Cars push and shove, not letting people get in traffic or make a turn. All of these things I had to deal with in one from or another. It was sad, really. I tried to spread cheer into people's hearts, but by the end of the day, I was emotionally wiped. I had had enough of dealing with the crowds and the materialistic society in which I live.

If you are familiar with the Steven Curtis Chapman song, "Christmas is All in the Heart," you know that the bridge goes: "No it's not in the snow that may or may not fall, and it's not in the gifts beneath the tree. It's in the love Heaven gave that night our Savior came, and that same love can still be found wherever you are....." Well, I don't think that really holds true, despite the fact that I wish it did. I love Christmas, and all that it is supposed to stand for. Yet, it really is getting a distorted view; I don't like it. I guess you could call me a little bit like Charlie Brown, except that I know what Christmas is all about. It's how to deal with all the other "stuff" that I am trying to figure out.

"Now there were in the same country, shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were greatly afraid. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you great tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For their is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Suddenly, there was the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men." ~Luke 2:8-14

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."-Linus

An Edition of the ENG Weekend-Recap

Good evening one and all. I am Abigail Johnson, and this is an edition of the ENG Weekend-recap. The Gardners have had a very busy weekend, but are now available to talk about their memories. With me is Ella, the daughter of the family, and she is my guest tonight. Hello, Ella. How are you?

Ella: I am doing very well, Abigail. I hope you are as well.

Abigail: I am great. Are you ready to begin? Ok, let's start with Thursday.

Ella: Well, Mom and Garrity had to go into town, so I stayed home. I am not sure what I did, but once they got home Nikki, our beagle, had a seizure. They aren't the convulsive kind, but they're still terrible. I am so glad Mom got home before they started. I won't deny I was upset that she had them, but God wanted her to, and it's up to him. In the evening, we went to Pastor Jeff's house for chili and It's A Wonderful Life. Mom supplied the yummy chili, and Mrs. E made corn muffins, a salad, and two different pies. We ate far too much. Thankfully, we were able to veg on the couch and watch George Bailey vs. Mr. Potter in the fight for Bedford Falls. We heard it on their new stereo system, and it sounded great. Nikki came over with us, and while she wasn't allowed in the house, we checked on her while she hung out in the garage. Our family departed the E.'s house around midnight!!! That was probably a bit longer than we should have, but it was great fun!

Abigail: It sounds like you did have a great time. I bet you are so happy that the Lord led you to Fellowship Baptist Church! You spend a lot of time with your pastors or some member of the congregation.

Ella: Yeah...It's funny, actually. I never would have dreamed this would be the case, but it is!

Abigail: So, what about Friday, the start of the weekend.

Ella: I did school. Not much to say there, except that I got more of my Ronald Reagan research done. There's still alot to do, but I am making progress. That night, our family decided to spend time together as a family, instead of Garrity and I going to the youth party at church. (We don't have a youth group, but we do things about once a month.) So, our family went to a living nativity. We did something of the sort when we lived in Florida. It was a fond memory that we all have. Anyway, when we heard there was something like it, we all wanted to go. It was a nice evening. It only took about 20 minutes, and it was on a smaller scale, but it was nice. The story was very well done, and it served as a reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Christ came!!!

Abigail: Is there anything particular that jumps out at you that you want to tell us about?

Ella: Well, as we were waiting to start, a man in a costume came up to me. He asked where I was traveling from, and I told him. Next, he asked how I got here. I started to think about an answer that would be something like Bible times. So, I said that I came on a four-wheeled machine. That was a dumb thing, because I bet they didn't know what a machine was. The guy then was like, "What's a machine?" Dad got involved, and he and I both replied, "It's like the speed of 450 horses!!! :-) The guy then made a point to tell the Romans that we were rich people. Needless to say, our family got a laugh. (And no, our truck isn't 459 horsepower:-)

Abigail: (giggling...:-) That sounds very funny. It's cool that you were able to play around with the guy. That makes things fun. So, I believe Saturday comes next.

Ella: I had an agenda for Saturday. I needed to go shopping. I had most of the things I needed for family and friends, excepting a few odds and ends. So, I asked Dad to take me. I love Dad time, and also, Mom couldn't be there. Christmastime is a secretive time. Anyway, Dad wanted to leave early, so I was ready about 8:50. Now I know that might not appear early, but I do like sleeping in on the weekends. Well, I had hoped to be back home relatively soon, but that didn't happen! I was gone until 4:30, and I felt emotionally wiped afterwards.

Abigail: Oh, why?

Ella: Not to be disrespectful, Abigail, but I was intending to talk about just that in a later conversation. I hope you don't mind.

Abigail: Not at all.....just so long as it is not with a rival.

Ella: It's not at all. Despite the issues I had, I got mostly everything.

Abigail: That's a good thing. I still have my shopping to do, but enough of that. Was that all you did Saturday?

Ella: No, it wasn't. Our family watches movies every Saturday. This week, as well as next, we watched Christmas movies. We watched a brand new one called, Christmas Child. It was very good, as well as decent. (I never recommend negative things.) Our family intends to buy it after the holidays. Then, we viewed The Christmas Box. That is one of my favorite Christmas movies. So, it was a good movie night.

Abigail: Well, this weekend sounds great. We are almost out of time, but fill us in a little bit about Sunday.

Ella: Ok, I will try to go quickly. Sunday is one of the best days of the week, since we love our church so much. I worked upstairs with the children, and they were great. We did a puppet show; I think that was the highlight. After service, I spent the day with Brianne and her family. They taught me to play pinochle. I wasn't too good, but with practice..... Brianne and I did beat her parents, but they partly helped me! :-) So, that's the end, or at least, that's what I will try to do.

Abigail: Thanks, Ella, for taking time to tell us. We look forward to your discussion on your shopping experience. Well, this has been an edition of ENG Weekend-Recap. I am Abigail Johnson, and to all of you, good night!

The Other Conversation Starter

I had some spare time on the computer, but I wasn't overly sure what to write about. I intend to do a weekend re-cap on Monday, yet I want to write now. So, as I pondered a few minutes on the computer on what to do, I thought to write this.

As I mentioned before, I had wanted to have two different conversation starters at my party last Saturday. Time just got away, and as I think about it now, I think I should have done this one first. It is the more important of the two I had planned. Oh well. Perhaps the Lord wants me to do it with ya'll, instead. Who am I to know his plans?!

So, here is the question: What part of the Christmas Story really jumps out at you? Is it something that makes an impression every year, or are you one of those who find something new upon each new reading? Well, for me, this is really the first year that I have given it some serious thought. The part that got me was Mary and her willingness to carry the Lord.

I will explain why I think this way. According to research and assumption, Mary was a young woman of fifteen or sixteen. She was betrothed. (That would be a scary thought if we did it that way now. I would be either betrothed myself, or considered an old maid!) She probably had her life planned out. She would marry Joseph, have many children, and live happily ever after. Well, that did happen, but there was a curveball thrown at her. (I don't think that is the right word.) God chose her, of all the young women of the world, to carry His son, who would save the people from their sins. Could you imagine if the Lord asked that of you? What would your reaction be? Mary's was one of submission and love. "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said....My soul glorifies the Lord, and my soul rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name." Would you use words like this? I would like to think I would, but I don't know.

Mary, though she was undoubtedly thrilled with the thought of bearing the Messiah, suffered alot of grief for it. She ran the risk of being stoned, because naturally, everyone would think that she had betrayed Joseph. Her friends probably abandoned her, and who knows what her parents thought? Yet, I don't think that mattered to her. I never read that Mary was upset with the Lord's plan. She had amazing faith. She believed that He would do what He said, and that He would not abandoned her in her darkest hours. What a woman she was! If you ponder it, Mary did get everything she had planned. She wed Joseph, had many children, including The Child, and while she might not have lived happily ever after like "Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella," Mary goes down in history as a woman who followed God's call for her life, no major questions asked.

So, that is what I was impressed with this year. What in the Christmas story speaks to you? Tell me about it! And have a fantastic weekend!

Using Words

I know that I just posted yesterday, and some of you may not have even seen the pictures. Go ahead, stop reading, and view them. Then, you are more than able to read what I have written. I just am unable to have pictures suffice for a post. It's not in me. I love to use words. I can express myself far better that way. I know the old adage that says, "Pictures are worth a thousand words." If I was to go by that, I would have to write fifteen thousand words now!!! I promise ya'll I won't do that :-) However, I want to give a first-hand account of the party through my own eyes, and not that of a camera's shutter.

Well, as I had posted previously, I had done a considerable amount of the work already. That was a good thing, since Mom and I had a lot to do on Saturday. In fact, though I had guests arriving at 11:30, I helped Mom in the kitchen for a hour. I didn't want to leave her with all of the work. She had been kind enough to let me have the party anyway. So, that's the beginning part.

I had guests arriving at all different times, so I had to figure our a schedule. I am not that kind of person, but you have to do what you have to do. Well, when Hannah and Melinda got there, I was able to really get started. I had everyone go downstairs and I read, Annika's Secret Wish. After the story, I used the illustration of how the almond was special then, it was a golden peanut butter cup at my part. So, everyone picked a bag and looked in. I knew it was down to the last two, since those bags had been tied with red ribbon. Hannah had it, thus earning the title "Queen for the Day." She was so surprised, and she was bestowed with a lovely music box that Dad and Garrity had made. (I am so indebted to my mom for giving me the ideas of the book and box. Where would I be without her? :-)

We went back upstairs for lunch, and Hannah was served first. The first course was fruit salad, followed by four different tea sandwiches, veggies and dip, and scones with cream. We did eat alot, probably more than seven young ladies should have, but most of us hadn't eaten breakfast. Despite our appetites, we did eat with proper manners. I had decided that a conversation as we ate was to say what our favorite Christmas memory was. And you know, I am pleased with what everybody said. We all talked about the times we had with family, whether it was waiting downstairs until Mom and Dad were set upstairs, or having soup with many aunts, uncles and cousins, or going to a nice restaurant followed by looking at Christmas lights. No one was like, "Yeah...the best year was when we got this present....." I think normally you have a great deal of that. I intended to have another conversation starter, but time got away from me. (I think I will post it and get ya'lls response to it. As well as your thoughts.)

My friend, Ivy, showed up later, but I was so glad she was able to come anyway. We spent the next hour or two playing games. I finally decided on Red Handed, Finish Lines, Taboo, Scrabble, Phase 10, and Scattergories. If you don't know some of those titles, don't worry? Most of the others didn't either, so I had to explain. Thankfully, everybody caught on fast. I had it where four people where at one station and four at another. After ten minutes, you had to draw a new number, and then move to that spot. It was a lot of fun, even it got a bit confusing as to what chair number was where at times. We had the gift exchange, and those are always fun. Thankfully, no one brought junk, and I had set a $5 limit. Most people stuck with what they had except once. Melinda picked a gift and it was yarn. She is a knitter big time, so naturally, she loved it. Well, Grace stole it from her, who is getting into knitting. Ivy stole it from Grace, and then Hannah, who had the last pick stole it for the final time. It was what she brought!!!! We all got laughs out of that one! We played a little bit of Christmas Carol Chrades and then had cookies and more tea. (I wanted Ivy to have something, since she had't been able to dine with us.)

That was the jist of the day, and I loved it. I had asked people, in keeping with the season, to bring canned food for the foods bank, and most did. (Thanks girls!) As I look back, I have fond memories. How the Lord will bless these friendships, or perhaps remove them, I don't know, and I leave it up to him. Sure, I'd love to say in five years, "I am still friends with most of them," but that's, most likely, wishful thinking. The Lord knows what's best, and that is enough. (I say that now, but I bet I will question that at times. ;-) However, the memories I have of the past weekend are enough for now. I do wish some of you lived here, because I did feel that some faces were missing.

Well, I bet this far too long for you, so I will close. I hope you all felt like you were there through my glimpses back. It was nice recalling them with you. May you be having a blessed week, resting in the knowledge that Jesus is the Reason we celebrate this Season!

The Christmas Party

Well, here are the pictures from the party. I hope you all enjoy them. I wish I could post in words, but we need to do our advent book, and then it's bedtime. So, I will do way more tomorrow. I will also fix the links again. Good-bye until it be morrow!

The table setting with my homemade place cards.

The nice napkins that Dad helped me do. I couldn't figure them out on my own.

The Sandwiches and veggies. This was a side view.


Fruitcake scones and vanilla cream. Yummy!

I think it's a nice spread. Garrett bought the flower for me, though I asked him to:-)

The Guests and Games 1

I think we were talking about our Chirstmas memories

Another view. Now Grace has the teacup.

I have the teacup to my mouth, then there's Hannah, Angela, Melinda, Brianne

More of the girls playing Red Handed

The Guests and Games 2

Ivy beginning her charade.

Christmas Carol Charades again. We are still trying to figure our Ivy's. It was The First Noel. I don't think we would have ever gotten that.

We are having the gift exchange. Now that was a funny time! One particular present was stolen three times, and then, Hannah wound up with it. She brought it!


Here are Christina, Brianne, and Grace playing Red Handed.



Ok, here is Ivy, Angela, me, and Hannah playing Phase 10.

Two New Links

I need to go eat lunch, but I wanted you to know that I have put two additional links on my sidebar. (So, there is nothing uplifting in this post today. I will talk about my party on either Sunday or Monday.) I just wanted to explain the magazine links, and let you know that they are decent.

The first is Inkblots Magazine. A friend of mine puts it out, and I heartily enjoyed it. I was able to read all of the issues, and then I have subscribed. It is a literary magazine, so it focuses on either a praticular author, book, or theme. The upcoming one is all about Much Ado About Nothing. I am not a Shakspeare fan, but maybe I will change my tune after I read this edition. When movie depictions of the book are talked about, there is warning if there are negative parts in them. Overall, I have loved this magazine. Past issues have been Literary Heroes and Heroines, Anne of Green Gables, Wives and Daughters, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc.

The other is HopeChest Magazine. If you desire an uplifting magazine that encourages us in godly womanhood and things like that, this is the magazine for you. It has been of constant encouragement for me. I always have one or two particular articles that really touch and minister to me when I most need it. I really encourage you to even get a sample of it, though the editors are bad at responding to you right away. I know it would help you in your Walk with the Lord as it has with mine.

So, just wanted you all to know these things. Have a splendid day. I hope you are all doing well. Now, I had better go eat lunch, and then, Ronald Reagan research awaits!! :-) God bless!

Construction Zone

You are probably wondering what the title of this post means. Well, I just want you all to be forewarned that my blog will be under some revamping the next few days. (Hopefully, everything will be done by tonight!) I wanted some addition stuff on my sidebar, without changing to beta blogger. Well, that's a long involved process. Garrity has been doing it for me, for which I am extremely grateful. So, you will be able to come on every day, or how often you do. It just might looks different every single day. Part of me is missing my blue template, but I will get used to this pretty quickly.

Hope you are all doing very well. I am keeping busy. I was in the kitchen for about 3 1/2 hours today working on stuff for my Christmas party on Saturday. I have baby-sitting Friday evening, and then........You get the idea. I am so thankful that I did not have to go anywhere today. I like being able to stay home and veg. Mom is instilling that in me, and it's a good thing to know.

Well, that's all I have time for. I am going to let Garrity get back to work. I'll be on here very soon. Have a wonderful first weekend of December. (Can you believe that?!) I hope you are seeing the Lord in amazing ways today!

Pictures in a Second Installment

I so apologize for this. Until I know how to post more than five pictures, I have to have additional posts. Make sure you read what is after this, and probably before. (If anyone has tips for me, I would be very appreciative.)



Ta-da!!!! The finished project. it looks like I cut off the top, which I did, but there isn't much to see. The tree is touching the ceiling, so the angel was unable to go up there....

Instead, it got to go in my room. I have a little tree of my own, and I didn't want to see the angel go back in the box, so I asked if she could go on mine. Mom and Dad let me. Isn't she pretty?

My little tree that looks bare. Right now, it has ornaments and the angel but I have to get a better string of lights. I didn't take a picture of what it looks like now, but that's ok.

A picture of Juliet that I took as I was decorating my room with gold garland over the window, putting up the tree, and using artificial poinsettias. If she resembles Melody to you, she kind of does.


Ok, this isn't the cutest picture of Nikki. It's fuzzy and dark. I just wanted to show you the reindeer antlers we put on her. (No, we don't do the Santa thing; we just have these.) Nikki can't stand them on her. I was fortunate to get a picture!!!

Deck the Halls, Walls, Trees.....What Else?!

I hope you all are having a fabulous start to December. I know I am. This is always the time of year when we all get really busy with parties, various baby-sitting jobs, caroling, advent stories, and make and buying presents or family and friends. I have either done these things, or I am going to do them. Yet I want to say that I hope we don't lose sight of the True Meaning of Christmas. That happens far too much these days. Christmas has become not a holiday of giving, as God gave His son, Jesus, to us, but now, it's a gimme gimme holiday. Sure, I look forward to the gifts I will receive, but I like giving ones away infinitely better. In a future post, I am going to talk about the best gift that we can give. (Sorry, I must leave you in suspense of a few days...or a week or two:-)

I have intended to post pictures of my family decorating the house for Christmas. We did it on Saturday, and it really didn't take that long at all. We haven't done anything outside yet, and we never do much. However, we have done alot on the inside, and I wanted to show that to all of you. So, enjoy!!!

Yes, we are the people who use an artificial tree. We have used real ones in the past, but Mom thinks she is allergic to pine. We "bought" this tree two years ago, and it was a gift from God. You can read the family blog to know the story. Anyway, here is dad getting the pieces out of the box!

Boxes of garland, table decorations, and ornaments. Doing the garland was my job. Sorry I don't have a picture!

Where are we going to put things?!

Here is the tree all set up, but it's looking kind of bare, wouldn't you agree?

Looking better. Dad is stringing on the lights. The idea was to go all red, but we didn't have enough, so we had to do multi-colored as well.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Well, we did have more snow. (Enough to have footprint marks and cover the road.) It was sooo nice. I love when everything is under a mantle of white. However, I don't like the ice part that goes along with it. We were sliding last night as we picked up "Juliet," Dad had some issues getting to work, and Garrity said he and Nikki were slipping and sliding. Eww! I am not sure if more snow is in the forecast, but I have no objection is there is. Yet, let me correct that. Last night, we watched two Christmasy Little House on the Prairie episodes. One is when the entire Ingalls family has a blizzard and gets snowed in. I don't want that much!! (Though Mom does:-)