Trip to the Falls

Last weekend, our family took a car ride to the Falls about two hours away. They are the West's equivalent to Niagara Falls and indeed, they are slightly "larger" in some way.....but I can't remember what =) The run off has been fabulous this year as there was quite a bit of precipitation. Unlike Niagara, our falls cease to run in the summertime.....so we decided we should go and see them while we could.

I hope you are blown away by the Creator's majesty from these pictures. Only He could create something of this magnitude. Who could believe a big bang made all this?!

Another Giveaway!!!

Listen up!! I have another copy of Sense and Sensibility on my hands. You know the one--Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant....Well, I found the DVD on a great price and thought, "I will do another giveaway."

This time, though, there are a few stipulations:

**Open for US residents only (I hate to do this--but rising postage costs force me to)

**You have to have commented on my blog at least three times (It doesn't matter if you are a newer reader or have been here since the beginning, but you have to have commented. No silent lurkers)**

**And Miriam, you won last time. So you can't enter =)**

So, if you don't have this DVD and want it....or you want it for a friend....or shock me and have never seen it and want to....enter! The drawing will be on May 1, 2009!

Life Keeps Rolling On

You all know how it goes. Life keeps rolling on and evidently, something gets put on the back burner. For me, blogging has taken a back seat, more or less, this month. I thought I would give you a brief update....through pictures.....of what has been going on.

The past two weeks have been "spring break" for me. So what if I am not in school anymore. Mom and Garrett have been taking it off so I am as well. I needed it; it has given me the opportunity to get caught up on some things.









ON what nice days we have had, I have been trying to get outside. Flowers and trees are slowly budding and flowering, which is such a blessing. It is still on the cold side occasionally, but I fear summer will come as quick as a flash. I think it is supposed to be 80 degrees on Tuesday....This always happens.

A big chunk of my break has been spent keeping an eye on Ginger. Our little puppy is six months old now, which means......she can be spayed! We don't want to deal with the puppy thing, so she went to the vet. She was SO lethargic the first day (as is evidenced by the picture.) She is still wearing the "cone" around her head, but her energy levels are back to where they are supposed to be.....only she is supposed to remain still and quiet as well. It has been a challenge.

Having time off has enabled me to do some crafty projects. A dear friend is getting married in August, so wedding presents are being prepared. Alas, I cannot post pictures, as she occasionally reads this blog and it is supposed to be a secret! So I keep my hands busy as I watch movies. I am currently on part 2 of Wives and Daughters. I love that movie, but at this point, Roger Hamley is definitely being idiotic =)

And last but not least, I have been getting used to my glasses. I still don't have it all figured out yet. I hate having something on my nose....but I can see better with them on. I decided, perhaps against my better judgment, to post a picture of me wearing my glasses. This is should be interesting.......

So there you have it....an update from me. I hope you all are having a wonderful April and that the Lord is revealing things to you, awesome things you couldn't have even imagine!

On My Cross

Every Good Friday, my "song" comes to mind. I once heard it at a concert and I have loved it ever since. It sums up all of my thoughts, my feelings, my thanksgiving in ways that wouldn't sound nearly as good.


On My Cross--sung by FFH

How wide is Your love
That You would stretch Your arms
And go around the world
And why for me would a Savior's cry be heard
I don't know
Why you went where I was meant to go
I don't know
Why You love me so
Those were my nails
That was my crown
That pierced Your hands and Your brow
Those were my thorns
Those were my scorns
Those were my tears that fell down
And just as You said it would be
You did it all for me
After You counted the cost
You took my shame, my blame
On my cross
How deep is Your grace
That You could see my need
And choose to take my place
And then for me, these words I'd hear You say
Father no
Forgive them for they know not what they do
I will go
Because I love them so
(Repeat chorus)

May you be encouraged by the words of this song. It is so true! Because of His grace, His unfailing love, His compassion, His mercy---Christ took everything off of my shoulders, your shoulders, and put it on His---for the rest of eternity.

My God! My God! How thankful am I that you have never, and never will, forsaken me!

The Home Stretch

Many of you will remember the post I did several weeks ago about my "Lenten" fast. Since the end of February, I have not tasted a dessert. I can't get rid of sugar entirely as it is in everything. But eating sugar in things like ketchup, yogurt, and salad dressing isn't the same as having pies, cookies, cakes....all those yummy things that make your mouth water.

It has been extremely hard for me to remain true to the "vow" I made before God. Dad and Garrett have continued to eat little pies from WalMart and Dryer's ice cream. I have wanted to bake in the kitchen, but the temptation would be just too much for me. If I made things like peanut butter cookies, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies.....I would totally set myself up for failure. So, I didn't make them.

I didn't realize how tempting even the little things are. I mean, I go to get baking powder out for a recipe and just behind that, chocolate chips are calling my name. The one time I made cookies (oatmeal raisin--which Dad loves and I don't like) I really really wanted to eat some of the dough (before the raisins of course). I had to "wage war" with Satan; he kept telling me no one would ever know.....but I resisted. After all, God would know.

Four people have been immensely helpful in keeping me on the right path. Mom has not been eating desserts also, so it is great having someone else in the house, besides yourself, on the same fast. And then, there have been my "Sisters of the Heart." Each of them, Anna, Miriam, and Jen made the same decision--they haven't been eating dessert either. We are accountable to each other. I must say, that was a big thing that kept me going. I didn't want to have to admit to them that I had caved in before the ending date. Prayer....that is the only thing that has gotten us through.

I have learned a lot about myself these past few weeks. Christ has given me just the right amount of grace to say no to the temptations. Apart from Him, we can do nothing--even avoid sugar. After Easter and after enjoying my long awaited for dirt pudding, I have decided that I will do a far less strict version of this fast. I will eat sugar sometimes, but not nearly as often as I used to. I know I CAN do it--with His help.

So, I have seven days left to go. Like the little engine that could said, "I think I can. I think I can. I know I can." Lord, keep giving me the strength.

March's Reading List

I read quite a few books this past month--I thought I would share them with you. Knowing my readers as I do, I know which ones will please/intrigue you the most.


The Beside, Bathtub, and Armchair Companion to Jane Austen--This is a compilation effort by three authors. It is more on the "humerous" side of studying all things Jane; there are interviews with other Janeite fans and such. However, I think I prefered Jane Austen for Dummies. Indeed, if I had to chose between owning one or the other, I would pick the latter. But don't let my opinion deter to. It isn't bad, just not my favorite.


Painting the Map Red, by Hugh Hewitt--March found me reading a new genre of books: current events and political ones! If you didn't know already, that (government "stuff") is a major passion of mine. So, this book is dated; it was written for the 2006 election cycle. It was interesting to know what races Mr. Hewitt thought we would win and the arguments that would help us (Republicans) do so......we lost everything and talking about certain topics was anything but helpful. But there were numerous insightful things. I enjoyed reading who he though were going to be President and Veeps going into 2008.


Upstream, by Alfred Regnery--I discovered what publishing house prints Conservative books =) The subtitle to this one is: The Acendence of American Conservatism. I had to get it when I saw Ronald Reagan on the cover =) I really enjoyed this one. I discovered what the Conservtive movement has had to go through (since all of it was before my time) It also made me hope that we are in 1976 again. Jimmy Carter flopped, the nation was ready for a Conservative....I want that to happen in 2012.


The Princess Adelina, by Julie Sutter--I was given this book for Christmas by Mom and Dad and I finally read it. It is the story of a young Christian maiden who is made the wife of a pagan ruler. It is a lot like the book of Esther. I will confess, I enjoyed it....and yet I didn't always agree with the ideolgy. The maiden knew full well that the man she was marrying wasn't a Christian, but she did it because she felt she would be saving her people. That seems to fly in the face of Scripture. The book also has a lot of false gods in it, as it takes place in the 4th-5th Centuries. S0, read it at your discretion. I do think you will enjoy it.


Oolong Dead, by Laura Childs--Another episode in the tea shop mystery books I like so well. The characters are the same and the plot is the same. You have to solve a murder. The only thing is that there is speculation if someone is having an affair....and you know, they never really tie it up. (That happened a lot in this one) The recipes in the back make my mouth water, but I had to restrain from trying any this time, since I am not eating desserts right now.


The Ladies of Longbourn, by Rebecca Ann Collins--Yes, I just read book 4 in the Pemberley Chronicles Series, the one that none of you can seem to find. Once again, I loved being exposed to my favorite characters both old and new. This time, the story primarily focuses on Jane Bingley's granddaughter, Anne-Marie. You could say there are some "feminist undertones" but for me, they by no means distract from reading the story. In fact, you learn about England in the......let's see....1860's. A lot of people were struggling with things like the slave trade, average people not getting to vote, things like that. As always, I can count on a wonderful story....and now I have to bug the guy at the library to locate book 5 =)

Hope you all have been transported into the world of reading as much as I have! What have you been reading?

I'm Not What I Used to Be

At nineteen, I feel my body is wearing down. After talking with one of my "sisters," we have bemoaned the fact that we have issues like back pains, weird feet, strange abdominal cramps, headaches, low energy, etc. I mean, aren't we supposed to be young, with springs in our step, not worrying about these problems until in our sixties and seventies? It is all a result of living in a sin filled, fallen world.

For me, that has taken on a whole new element.

If you would have observed me these past few months, you would have discovered that I squint. I have problems seeing far away; for the life of me, I cannot read signs until I am very close to them. This tiring of my eye muscles has lead to an increase in headaches which leads to one of sin issues: that of being a hypochondriac (but that is another post.) Finally, it got to the point where I had enough.....so today found me at the eye doctor.

Now this was a big deal for me. I am positively petrified of doctors; I can't stand them. I always think they are going to tell me I have some rare disease that has a mortality rate of 100%. But I knew I had to go. Shrouding myself in prayer, and knowing that family and friends were doing the same, I took a deep breath and experienced new things.

When all was said and done, I discovered that I do need glasses. I am 20/80 in one eye and 20/100 in another eye. Both of them have slight astigmatisms (which I can't remember the definition of right at the moment. It has something to do with the shape of the retina.) With dilated pupils, I walked out of the office with two things: 1.) the prescription in my hand and 2.) the knowledge that I handled myself better than I anticipated......that was something that God alone did.

It's hard to admit that I need glasses. It shows that I am not a perfect person with a perfect body, one that looks and functions correctly in every area. It's going to be weird getting glasses; it will totally change the way I look. Now, the Lord has to work on the vanity issue in me.

So, if in a few weeks and months you see pictures of me with glasses, that's why! I now have the task of finding some frames I like. (I need to try them on, but I love Sarah Palin's. Whatever you thought of her personally, you have to admit she had great glasses!)

Do any of you wear glasses? What was your experiences at the eye doctor like? Do you have any tips on what kinds to look for, etc? And for those of you who don't.....how do you feel about people who wear them?

Step into the World of Cranford

I absolutele love BBC movies. Honestly, I don't think there is one that I have disliked. Wives and Daughters is a very, very close second favorite to my all time favorite girly movie, which is the A&E Pride and Prejudice. My whole family has watched North and South and while Garrett can take it or leave it, Mom and I heartily enjoyed it.

So, when I heard about Cranford, I knew I had to check it out from the library!

From the same pen of the authoress who brought you Wivees and Daughters and North and South comes the story of an English village who loves the way the live....and yet, the winds of change are sweeping through it. The town of Cranford is mostly populated by women, but that doesn't mean the story is devoid of romance, intrigue, and secrets. For like all Elizabeth Gaskell novels, there is more to Cranford than meets the eye.

For those who are well versed.....or uh....watched in the girly genre realm, you will find SO MANY familiar faces. That only adds to the enjoyment of watching this movie. There is nothing objectionable in it (though there might be one or two feminist undertones...but very faint) Find your own copy and watch it. Step into the world of Cranford.

I don't think you will be bored. =)

Change....Everything Does but HE Doesn't.

Change. It is a word that is very commonplace in today's society. It was the mantra of the election; everyone was dying for change. They were ready to cast off the old of President Bush and revel in the new of Barack Obama. Now, it seems as if everyone uses the word "change" in a slogan, or on an advertisement, or it precedes the phrases "yes we can" and "yes we did."

I, however, have a different view of change. As I pondered what I wanted my next post to be about, I discovered that I classify change in many forms.

* There is the welcome change--like the blue sky and warming temperatures that come with springtime. Seeing flowers like crocuses and daffodils begin to bloom are very welcoming things. I am slowly beginning to see these changes take place....and you can be sure I am passionately cheering them on.

* There are the exciting changes--It is a new experience to be in the midst of adopting a child. I don't know if you would call home studies and politically correct classes exciting, but the end result is.

* Life is full of unwanted changes--These are probably the most prevalent in my life and in everyone else's. They consist of, but aren't limited to, friendships being broken up, experiencing new health issues, paycuts and moves. They are the changes that yes, shape us into who Christ wants us to be (they are the fire in which we are being refined) , but they are painful in the process.

* Changes that make you sad--It is the loss of familiar faces on your local evening news cast. You didn't know them; they didn't know you. But they came into your home...you would recognize them if they sat across from you at Applebee's. You end up forgetting about them, but that doesn't mean for a moment you feel a twinge of remorse at losing them.

* And of course, changes can bring about angry emotions in you--Trust me, I have this emotion very heavily right now. The American people got their "change" and golly, it is a change for the detriment of this nation. I still pray for President Obama, but not a day goes by without my cringing at what he does and looking forward to 2010 and 2012. (Did any of you read about his latest thing?)


All these thoughts coursing through my mind have made me so thankful of one small, yet so important truth. Though my country may go down a path of destruction, my family discover what it is like to be "under a microscope," familiar faces and names come and go through my life, one thing never changes. It is my Lord Jesus Christ.

He was on the Throne yesterday, He is today, and will be tomorrow. He doesn't change his mind about my being His child. I can always count on Him to remain true to His promises and plans for me. This world is corruptible, but He is incorruptible. His grace will always be all-sufficient. His faithfulness will always be great. His love will always be enduring and unfailing.

How I praise Him for that today!

I Killed Mr. Elton!!!!

Calling all Jane Austen fans! I have brought The Pemberley Chronicles to your attention. Now it is time for me to do another one.

I stumbled upon Lost in Austen--Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure, by Emma Campbell Webster quite by accident. I was looking up something else with the same title and I discovered this book. I checked my library, saw they had it, and thought, "why not get it?" I did and it has been so much fun.

Picture this: You are Elizabeth Bennett but you have the ability to change the outcome of her life! The book presents you with choices and then, you have to suffer the consequences. You end up crossing paths with the majority of Jane Austen's beloved characters from ALL her books. You discover, if you choose one way, that Mr. Knightley is a friend of your father's. Or you create the Persuasion scenario and you have an uncle appropriately named "Mr. Bennett." (You know, it was Mr. Elliot in Persuasion.)

Now, I have to warn you. Some of the situations that result are highly unrealistic and not all that Jane Austenish. (Like I don't think Jane would have written where Elizabeth accepts Darcy's cousin, Lady Catherine shoots you because she is mad, Fitzwilliam shoots her, and then Darcy shoots him, do you? =)

Also, cheating by looking at all the paths doesn't ensure you success. Trust me, I found that out. I thought my way was going okay.....but all of a sudden, I found myself in a scene from Emma. Mr. Elton starts paying attention to "me." I find it annoying, so I leave the Weston's party. He follow me and is crushed by "my carriage" and I got to jail for killing a man of the cloth! Interesting, isn't it?

A lot of the dialogue is strictly Austen, so all of you true fans will appreciate that. But I think all of you would like the story. So, go get Lost in Austen for yourself!

My, As of Now, Six Week Fast

I have never done a fast of any sort before. I have known of people who have; my mom, for a while, fasted during her lunch hour once a week. But it was something that I had ever tried. I guess I might as well be honest--I like food and to go without it......it would be hard, especially as I think I border on hypoglycemic. However, this Lenten season, I decided it was time to try.

I had felt the Lord impressing upon my heart the need to give something up that I really love for Him. It isn't for any reason like the Catholics; I don't think that celebrating or not celebrating Lent makes you more or less of a person. Actually, it was Mom who said she was going to give up desserts from the day Lent begins until Easter and I thought, "I could do it too."

So I did and let me tell you, it has been so hard. I am not baking a single solitary thing until Easter, because I do not want to set myself up for failure (and trust me I WOULD fail) If Dad and Garrett want something sweet, they either have to go out and get it or have it be something I cannot stand (like pistachio almond ice cream, which I can take or leave) Yesterday, as I went to go and bake Garrett some cookies, I discovered that even the jar of chocolate chips makes my mouth water and causes my resolve to do down........

I am using this time to grow more in my prayer life. There are some things I need to work through and plus, I cannot do this dessert fast apart from the Lord. It isn't in me; my flesh loves pies, cakes, cookies, etc. But by His grace, I will make it through these next 42 days and I will have an amazing sense of accomplishment when all is said and done. To Him be the glory!

In the meantime, I won't deny I am dreaming about what I want to eat for my first dessert. I am thinking dirt pudding =)

When Balls Start Rolling....

I don't know about you, but I love when things happen. Good things, mind you, the kind of things that you have been working towards and praying about for the longest time. More often than not, it seems like life is a proverbial "yellow light;" we're always in a stage of waiting for the Lord to say, "Okay, things can start happening." My family is finally seeing prayer requests get answered.

For the past fourteen years, my parents have battled infertility. We have wanted more children for the longest time, but for some reason, the Lord wasn't allowing us to have any more. It wasn't anything Mom and Dad had done--God had decided that fact. Yet despite this, none of us was content with our looking like the average American family. (You know the picture, Mom, Dad, two kids, and a dog.) We wanted to be more unique than that; we wanted to increase our family.

James 1:27 talk about taking care of orphans and widows in their distress. So, what better way for us to follow God's calling than by adoption? In October, after much prayer, we decided to begin the paperwork for State adoption. (We would have loved to go international, but the cost doesn't make that feasible right now.) We began what we had to do.

For the longest time, we struggled with waiting. Mom, Dad, and myself all had to get fingerprinted, so as to ensure that we weren't some offenders or pedophiles. Mine came back quick as a flash--like I knew it would. Dad's were on the quick side too. But Mom's.......she had to get them retaken and then, we had to wait, like, six weeks on the FBI. (Did you know you can lose your fingerprints? We didn't until now.) It was so hard to wait during this time. After all, we felt like we were doing what God would have us to do. So, what was up with the "yellow light?"

I don't know the answer to that one, other than His testing us to see how we would respond. But finally, Mom's fingerprints came back. And now, balls are definitely rolling. For the next three Saturdays and the next three Wednesday evenings, Mom and Dad are going to be having classes that they have to take. We have finally been assigned a social worker. Mom and Dad have already met with her once and Lord willing, this month will also find us doing the home study.........it's all an adventure.

I long to get married and have a family of my own someday, but like I have told several of my dearest friends, I wouldn't miss these times for anything. If I was courting now, I wouldn't get to enjoy the planning and getting ready stages for another sibling; I wouldn't get to do the things with them that I hope to. I am enjoying watching this ball roll.........and yes, when it comes time for my love story to unfold, I will enjoy watching that ball roll as well.

God's time table isn't my own; it never is. I don't know why my family did not have more children before now. But I think I wouldn't get to see Him act as much if He had. So all I can do is stand is awe of Him right now, praise Him for what He has done and praying that He will continue to pave ways and make balls roll as only HE can.

February's Reading List

I am rather on the happy side----I got several books read this past month. I count it a blessing that I know how to read and that I LOVE to do it!! I have ever since I was a little girl and that carries over into now. So, you want to know what I read:

Netherfield Park Revisited, by Rebecca Ann Collins--This is Book 3 in the Pemberley Chronicles Series that I love so much. It is fun to follow the lives of Jane Austen's beloved characters, their children, and their grandchildren. This book follows the life of Jane and Bingley's son, Jonathan, the most, but everyone plays a role. Sadly, I think in book 4 many of the originals will die.....I will let you know. Honestly, if you can find them, you should read the series. It is a must for the Jane Austen fan.


Getting Serious About Getting Married, by Debbie Maken--This is not your average book for Christian singles. Actually, it is the total opposite. Mrs. Maken presents the case that singleness is NOT normal, that it is OKAY to want something more, etc. I didn't agree entirely with everything in the book, but I don't think you ever agree with something 100% (except the Bible, of course.) I would encourage you to try and find a copy of this book. I would enjoy discussing it with y'all.


Thirteen at Dinner, by Agatha Christie--I love mysteries. Now that I am older, I have outgrown the likes of Nancy Drew (she was always predictable) and am now on to the tales of Hericule Poirot (who always stumps me and I can never figure the story out.) I can ruin this mystery for you: it is the most obvious person =)


Death on the Nile, by Agatha Christie--I think I liked this one more than the one above. You have about nine characters you get to know "intimately" and the murderer is one of them.....not to mention two of the victims. The murder scenes are never graphic; you always discover them along with Hericule Poirot.


Set- Apart Femininity, by Leslie Ludy--Per my "sisters" Anna and Miriam's recommendation, I order this book via inter library loan. I was so thankful I got to finish it (since I have been sick, I was running low on time) Once again, I don't agree with everything in the book (I am on that struggles with the "if you remain single, that's just as good as being married" thing....even though Leslie doesn't exactly say that) I will say the chapter on prayer is AMAZING, definitely my favorite in the whole book. I am resolved to pray more boldly and honestly.


Mountain of Spices, by Hannah Hurnard--I loved "Hinds Feet on High Places" and I loved this lesser-known sequel to it. It follows Much-Afraid (now Grace and Glory) as she does back to the Valley and her influence on her relatives of Fearings. Sadly, I got the book from the library, so I couldn't underline. I am going to buy it so I can!!

Yes, I read all of that. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Joyful Flexibility

Agendas and schedules are made to be broken. I had so much planned for the end of last week and the beginning of this. I have HopeChest deadlines to meet, I have chores and studies that need to be done. I have thank you notes to write and e-mails to respond to (especially one in particular) But obviously, the Lord had some other things on the docket for me. He wanted me to get sick.

I hate being sick. I detest having a cough that racks my body, or keeping a handkerchief to my nose, or having chills that make me go from hot to cold just like *that*. But every year, either in January, February, or March, I seem to get a respiratory infection. It makes me feel miserable for several days, days that need to be spent more profitably than just lying around, drink tea, and watching The Walton's. I am slowly on the mend, but I don't feel up to par yet. I know I couldn't run a marathon; I still have tiredness from my body fighting off an infection (and from not getting adequate sleep because of a cough)

My days and plans are not my own. I am reminded of that all the more when I am sick. All that I am, all that I do each and every day, is because of Christ. He can "throw me a curveball" that changes my plans as often as He wants; after all, He is GOD. He expects me to be joyful about it, to buck up and bear it. He wants me to always be in a state of saying, "Okay, Lord. Whatever will be will be."

So, in the midst of the unexpected things that come up in your life this week, rest in the knowledge that Christ expected them......that He wants you to be joyfully flexible..........and everything will be okay. Your own agenda can be met another day.

A Bit of Rambling

I had a different post in store for today. However, I need some pictures for it. I mean, I could do the post without, but then you wouldn't get the full effect. So, I decided to wait and just ramble about something. It's probably not up your alley......but have you ever had that feeling you just need to get a subject off your chest (and put it on someone else's?) Well, I am in that mood right now.

Today, President Obama signed the 767 billion dollar economic stimulus package. You know the one--the one that has an exorbitant, much more so than necessary, price tag--the one that really does NOTHING to "stimulate" the economy--the one that bails companies and individuals out of their problems when they really should deal with the consequences.......yep, it is that bill.

I wasn't in favor of it before it was signed and I am not a fan of it now. I am very proud and pleased to say that my entire delegation to Washington was not in favor of it either (and one of them is a Democrat!!!!!) Congress has done what they do best....they pass measure after measure of wasteful spending and expect either the rich or future generations to foot the bill.

That bothers me. The rich should have to pay taxes, but that doesn't mean I think the poor people should be exempt. I am not into smoking, but I don't believe smokers should have to pay for children's health care coverage. And I don't believe in being so far in debt you can never get out.

I absolutely love this country, don't get me wrong. I am just having a problem with these latest economic decisions that the God-chosen leadership has made. It borders on.....um.....Socialism to me. And that isn't something to be proud of.

Okay, I got it off my chest! =) Do any of you have thoughts on this?

The Day After Valentine's

The day after Valentine's Day finds all arrangements of flowers on clearance prices....though no one seems to have a desire for them anymore. Chocolate candies and cards are either just removed from shelves or are also on discount. Reds and pinks are exchanged for the greens of St. Patrick's Day and the pale colors of Easter. Men are glad that it is another three hundred and sixty-five days until they have to worry about giving their significant other any "token of their affections." Yet in my family, the "love" is put on hold until February 15th, Mom and Dad's anniversary.

Commitment is, like, an out dated word anymore. Honestly, I would like to know the statistics of those who give flowers and say "I-Love-You's" How many are giving to the same male/female year in and year out? Or how many have a different other each Valentine's Day? For the past twenty-three years, my wonderful Mom and Dad have been husband and wife. Even though Mom doesn't really get flowers, Dad hasn't given them to anyone else in a long time.

Their legacy means a lot to me. I think it becomes even more so with each passing year, especially as I have gotten older and hope for a romance of my own. Having a success rate with them, on my mom's side (49 years and nine months), and my dad's side (55 years and nine months) is such a blessing but it also challenges me. If I had to choose between romantic happenings now and yet have a marriage that doesn't last.....or wait a few more years and have more of a legacy.....I will take the latter, despite how hard it is to hold on for God's best.

I am so thankful for Mom and Dad today. I want to thank them publicly for their years of commitment and service to each other. So it hasn't been perfect; they have had their moments of good and definitely their moments of bad. But they have something for which I long--a marriage that works.

I love you both so very much!!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Gabrielle

Today is my precious daughter's birthday, so I decided to hijack her blog today in order to write a post in her honor. However, given that I know the password to her Blogger account, I don't guess I'm really hijacking.

I'm not sure how it's possible that the sweet little six pound bundle of joy we brought home from the hospital is now nineteen years old, but the calendar says it's true. The years have positively flown by, and that sweet little baby is now a kind, beautiful, godly young woman.

I am so thankful for the precious gift God gave me in this child. She is the resident encourager of our home, always brightening our days with kind words and little acts of love. She regularly writes me encouraging notes and is always ready with a warm hug. She is the kind of person that I would easily choose as a friend, and, in fact, she IS a VERY dear friend, whom I love spending time with. She is a HUGE help to me around the house, taking on more and more responsibility all the time. (She'd actually like to cook dinner more often than twice a week, but since I love to cook as well, I'm not willing to relinquish that job to her completely.)

Even more, though, she is a young woman committed to honoring God with her life. She has been willing to stand alone on several occasions, instead of conforming to the crowd. As one who ALWAYS followed the teenage crowd, I am very proud of her willingness to not compromise Biblical truth.

On this, her 19th birthday, I just want to say how very much I love her and how very proud I am of the young lady she has become. I look forward to watching her continue to grow in the Lord in the years to come.

Happy Birthday, Gabrielle. May the Lord bless you abundantly today...and may He grant you the desires of your heart.

Love,
Mom

Though I am on Autopilot.......

This past week has been a crazy one for me. I have been taken out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions; I have had to do things your normal eighteen year old doesn't. I know what needs to be done each day and I do it to the best of my ability....but usually something comes up and interferes. I guess you could say I have been mentally exhausted.

My head has been swirling in a million different directions. It is difficult to process things like business licenses (and whether or not I even need it), 501 (c) 3's (and if you can qualify), opening accounts, writing articles, talking with absolute strangers about their subscriptions, and the all important seeking God about it all.......all at the same time. Due to everything that has come about as a result of my job with HopeChest, I have been questioning as to if I should have done this in the first place. After all, I am a follower and not a leader, someone who likes things easily understandable. None of what I am doing is.

When you have a lot to do, you usually don't function well. Or at least not with optimal results. Something is going to suffer. The fact that I have only blogged twice this month so far is one of the ways I have let things slide. Today, I find myself so thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ who is everywhere, all the time......and everything He does is perfection.

While I might be running on autopilot trying to get things done with HopeChest that need to get figured out, the Lord never runs on empty. He is always on "full," able to do everything without getting frustrated, tired, and crotchety. He can do above and beyond what my fleshy body can.

What a Mighty God I serve. What a Mighty God I serve. Angels bow before Him. Heaven and earth adore Him. What a mighty God I serve.

Thankful For......

Today, I am very thankful for some of the most unimportant things in the world. Have you ever had one of those type of days? Well, for me, I am so thankful to whoever invented electronics of all sorts. Oh sure, a lot of junk has come as a result of this technological age, but there is so much good as well.

The phone.......I got to spend a half hour with a dear friend who I have never met (face to face that is) It was her birthday, so while I called to say "Happy Birthday," we got caught up about each other's lives.

The computer.......The computer is my life line in many ways. It keeps me connected with my peers (whom I haven't met either.) I am able to jot down something quick and they will get it just as quickly. I also use the computer for my HopeChest work now; it's where my address database is.

Whitepages.com.......I can easily verify an address for someone who has less than legible handwriting.

The television.......I can watch a Biology segment that is interesting as opposed to reading a boring textbook. The TV also provides some family fun and entertainment in the form of classic movies that we discuss.

MP3 players......I can listen to all of my favorite songs without having to tote around several CDs.

Okay, so maybe this post was dumb. All I know is that I am thankful for these things today!! What is something "dumb" you are thankful for right at this moment?

January's Reading List

I hope you all managed to keep busy with having a book in your hands this past month. There is such enjoyment in being transported to other worlds; it is one of my favorite hobbies. So, here is everything I read in January.


Cinderella, by Steven Curtis Chapman--A head's up, this is a great gift to give your Dad for Father's Day (though I did mine for Christmas.) It is a short "gift book" with mostly lyrics to Steven's hit song. Mixed in are his (and a few others) memories about his daughter growing up, how he lived spending time with her, etc. It really is a sweet book!


Jane Austen for Dummies, by Joan Klingel Ray--Okay, so I don't think myself a dummy =) But I have to admit, this book was such fun to read. It broke down everything Jane Austen: her life, the times, her novels, the movie adaptations. If you wanted to know the difference between a barouche and a carriage, the book would tell you. (That was pretty random for a topic, but seriously, it has everything.) For the Jane Austen fan, it is a must read. For the not-so-much Jane Austen fan, I think it would help you have a better appreciation of her! =)


A Walk With Jane Austen, by Lori Smith--This isn't the greatest book around, but at most spots it was enjoyable. Miss Smith went on a month long journey through all of Jane Austen's haunts back in England. This book is more or less a journal of her experiences and the ramblings that went through her head.


Quo Vadis, by Henryk Sienkiewicz --I cannot recommend this over 500 page book to you. If you absolutely want to read it, I would say ages 17 and up.....and even then use your judgment. It takes place in Nero's Rome (which is where the problem lies.) Quo Vadis is the story of a Roman tribune who falls in love with Lygia, a Christian. At first, he will do anything to get her, but when he fails, he begins a journey of coming to Christianity himself. Peter and Paul are central figures in the story. However, Rome was a place of debauchery where they, like, idolized the human body. (Do I need to say more?) If the topic sounds interesting, I can TOTALLY recommend the 1951 version of the movie, starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr. Because it was made in the '50s and censorship was still around, all of the junk is removed and it is a great story.


Every Now and Then, by Karen Kingsbury--Karen Kingsbury shares the honor with Brock and Bodie Thoene of being my favorite Christian fiction author. Every Now and Then is the third book in her 9/11 Series; I positively loved the first two. The story takes place eight years later, but for Alex (who lost his firefighter father) it was just like yesterday. He is closed off to everyone and has walked away from the Lord. Characters from the first two books are integral to the story of seeing him change. I sob at the ending!!!! I recommend this book with no reservations.


So, what have you been reading?