"They did get married."

What a glorious day! The Lord is so good! His mercy and kindness never fail!
This afternoon saw a host of friends and family gathered to witness the marriage of Austin and Ava - and Trissy and I rejoiced at an answer to prayer. At some point in mid-2011 we began praying that the Lord would send the perfect girl to Austin - the one most fitting him and most able to complement him in their service of God together - and that while he was a certain age, they would be married. Austin met Ava in December 2011, and today, thirteen days after his birthday, we got to be at their wedding.
What joy and gladness I feel! How pleasured and blessed I am to have been able to witness the holy uniting of one of my dearest 'adopted brothers' and one of my best friends - for such are Austin and Ava to me.

Looking Forward

I must confess, in many respects I am not looking forward to January. In fact, I'm dreading it. The new year is expected to bring many changes. And not all of them are happy ones.
I don't like change anyway. At least not to a large extent. I like things to get comfortable - and stay that way.
A few things this January is bringing that I am not looking forward to:

(1) Bro. Mike and his wife and Camille leaving as missionaries to the Philippines.
(2) A new youth pastor and his family coming to take Bro. Mike's family's place.
(3) Justice and Noel (who'd applied to fill Bro. Mike's position but were not chosen) possibly moving to the 'big city' a few hours north to be over the youth ministry at a church there.
(4) Archer leaving the youth music group to go to college an hour away, and therefore also
(5) The beginning of the disintegration of the youth music group as it is now: Austin, Archer, me, Julia, Simon, and Law.

A few things this January is bringing that I am looking forward to:

(1) Another church mission trip to the children's home and ranch in a neighboring state.
(2) A week-end retreat/youth conference led by the church The Grandparents attend. The youth pastor has asked our youth music group to be the music leaders for it.
(3) The Strength to Stand conference in Tennessee.

Besides these things, I have a mild but uncharacteristic fear when I think of the coming year. So much has changed this past year that I so completely did not see coming. Good and bad.
I have an indomitable hope that the new year will bring the kind of change that will move us as a church back to the blessed ground we stood on at the beginning of 2012, and even move us higher! For that is the goal - higher, always higher; in service for the Lord and growth in His ways.
The struggles and losses and heartbreak of this past summer, especially coming after the soaring gladnesses that there had been... I shudder when I look mentally at the mountain that is before us, taunting us to try to overcome. Us as a church. Us as individuals.


Where are we going? Will we be strong in the face of discouragement or worse? What does 2013 bring us? When Dec. 31, 2013 comes and we turn to look at the past year for the last time, will we see loss or gain? Victory or defeat? Tears of joy or tears of sadness? Black clouds or bright sunlight?
And so I fight my battle against worry. Against fear.

I am afraid. I am hopeful, but I am afraid. Is it wrong to admit it? I don't think so. For I know in Whom I trust. I know my Lord has it all planned out, and nothing that happens, or doesn't, is outside of His doing and control.

God help us be true!

The Christmas Story

The reason for Christmas. The reason for life. God almighty, Maker of the universe and all in it, coming to this poor sick world to be our Savior and Healer.
This is the story.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas.

Newsletter 2012

Below is a 'newsletter' of sorts I sent out to my friends and pen-pals this year, catching them up and filling them in on a few of the goings-on of my life in the past year. Much of it will mean little to most of you, but I included it here on my blog for those interested, and for my own record.

"
Dear friends,                                                                    Dec. 20, 2012

I thought when I finished college last fall that somehow I would have ‘time’ again. Time to pleasure-read, time to write letters, to journal, to go for walks, to craft to my heart’s content, to study subjects other than school requirements, etc. What a myth! While I have been freed from late-night studying for tests and from stacks of impossible homework assignments, all that ‘free time’ that was supposed to materialize never showed up :) . I say all that by way of hopeful explanation for the neglect I’m sure some of you feel for my long letter-writing silence, and to warn you that it may become regular for my letters to be very few and far between :/ . I usually don’t like the idea of a mass mail-out – though those letters are just as heart-felt, they somehow seem not quite as personal as receiving a hand-written note with your own name at the top. But, I am learning that if I put off writing until I can write a personal letter to each of my dear friends, none of them will get anything! So here I am, doing the end-of-the-year-newsletter mail-out. Please be assured though, that each of you are personally thought of and loved as I type :) . So, on to ‘news’.

2012 has been a year of learning for me. Come to think of it, I could truthfully say that of the two years before it, for I spent them in learning of not only a spiritual and personal, but also an academic sort. But in the spiritual category, 2012 has seemed to be the ‘final test’ at the end of the semester. Seems like all the Lord has taught me 2009-2011 has been put to the test. I myself have been put to the test. My trust in the Lord’s power, my faith in His wisdom, my hope in His unfailing love, and my submission to His plans have all been tried. I was given success, realized dreams, and answered prayers. I was also given betrayal, hurt, and tears. Trials I had prepared myself to face never showed up, and instead I was presented with a series of entirely unexpected situations that have shaken me brutally. But praise God for the lectures and repeated lessons of the years before, and because of them the test, though hard, was not impossible to take, and I believe I made a passing grade. The fact that the Teacher is always available certainly is the greatest comfort!

With the Lord’s help, I did finish junior college last December, and ‘officially’ graduated in May with a technical degree in Web Development. As of right now, I do not have any plans to go on to a university.

I continue to work as an after-school employee at Victory Road Christian Academy, the Christian private school started by Victory Rd. Baptist Church – the church I am a member of. There are good days and bad days, but I love these kids so much! I can see so much growth in them, and they have taught me so much as well. My prayer is that I can be a Godly influence and use my time with them in the best possible way – they are so alert and eager and soak up whatever is going on around them. I want to always keep good examples and wholesome options present before their amazingly observant eyes and ears.

In September I took another small job, working at a little restaurant owned by a couple in the church. It’s uncomfortable at times, as I work closely with others who are not Christians and act like they are not. But it is a great witnessing opportunity and I am trying to build friendships with them. Two of my co-workers came to church a couple of weeks ago, and I was so excited – it was a big step for them. I love the fact that I am in constant contact with other local people. Even if I don’t have an opportunity to talk with them very long, at least I get to smile and wish them a great afternoon or a Merry Christmas. People notice a smile, and I love when one of the many hard or sad faces that comes by asks why I’m so happy. To get to tell them about the One Who gives real joy is the ultimate satisfaction.

Twice this year I have had the opportunity to go on state-side mission/service trips with Victory Rd., and since another mission trip to Trinidad was out for this year, Trissy and I both went on these two. In January we went to [a neighboring state] to a children’s home and ranch near [the state's capitol city]. It was cold, but it was a great time of hard work and also of fellowship and bonding with the other church members who went. In June we went to Illinois and an area near Chicago to help a church there. Again, lots of hard work, and lots of wonderful memories of time spent with church family. This trip may very well be the highlight of my year. I had hopes and even expectations for it, but the Lord gave me abundantly above what I even imagined!

When school started back in the fall, I was asked to help teach the junior-high class at church on Wednesday nights. Not being much of a teacher, I was hesitant to jump in, but there was a need for more help in that area and even before I was asked, I felt like the Lord was encouraging me to consider getting involved. Besides, for years I’ve had a great love for teen-agers and desired to be able to minister to them somehow. This wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind, but it would be good to get out of my ‘comfort zone’ a little. It has been very different than I imagined, even to the point of discouragement. Several times I’ve thought, “What am I even doing here?” But sticking with it, the Lord has showed me at least one young thirteen-year-old reason I think He has me there, and I myself have begun receiving great blessing from it.

Speaking of teenagers and my desire to minister to them, one of the great joys and sorrows of this year has been a young friend in the church. Satan is trying – through discouragement, misunderstanding, and bad advice from so-called ‘friends’ – to destroy the spirit and testimony of one of the young people of Victory Rd. The desire to serve and please the Lord is there, but difficulties and struggles are hitting hard and fast, knocking down good intentions and belittling the efforts of others to help. The highs and lows and ups and downs – the past few months especially – have been exhausting and discouraging for those who love this dear young person. Please pray for all involved, at least now as you read, but continued prayers would be SO appreciated! Pray for courage and spiritual strength for the teenager, wisdom for those who are trying to help, and ultimate great victory over Satan’s evil plans – for the glory of God.

And if you would, as you pray, please pray for Victory Road Church as a whole. The Lord has been using us in great ways, and I guess Satan decided he wanted to get busy and mess things up. We have faced a lot of hardship this past year. Ridiculous but effective attacks from inside have been the most harmful and hurtful. Thank you for all prayers!

Well, my time is running out and so is my mental energy :) . I’m sure I have hardly scratched the surface as far as all the opportunities the Lord has given me and all the things I have been involved in this past year, but I’ve tried to catch you all up on a couple of the highlights that have been the most influential on my life :) . I have no big job or career, I’m not in college any more, and I’m not married – things that I think many, if not most, people measure a successful life by. But I find my life very fulfilling. I love my two little jobs, the people, and the opportunities involved in both. I love my church, the precious dear friends in it, and the opportunities and doors the Lord has opened to me through it. Of course there are things in my life that I am not happy with, but no one could appreciate perfection if there were no such thing as flaws. So, if my life was ‘just perfect’, meaning, ‘just as I’d have it if I could’, I’d soon begin taking it for granted, forgetting the God Who gave it to me, and growing soft and weak. I hope I learn from the difficulties in my life, grow closer to God because of them, and become stronger through the struggling.

A very Merry Christmas to all of you, dear friends! Thank you to those who have kindly continued to keep me updated on your own lives :) . I hope the Lord has been proving Himself as mightily to you, and more, as He so mercifully has to me.

Closing with a verse that has come to mean a great deal to me in recent months,

'Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'

Joshua 1:9 

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Your friend,

-Kyrie<><
"

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 64

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: My Half-Card Matching Lindy's

2. Hearing: The Grandmother Playing The Piano

3. Smell: Earwarmer

4. Taste: Chicken Salad

5. Touch: Nicole Sticking A Bow In My Hair 

The stories behind the list:

1. At a church Christmas party Tuesday night, at the end of the evening, a basket was passed around full of Christmas cards cut in half. Each person took half a card, and when the basket was empty, everyone went around looking for the person who had the other half of their card. That would be your 'Prayer Partner' for the coming year. My half matched Lindy's, and we had a great conversation sharing prayer requests, needs, concerns, and blessings we could pray for each other about.

2. I was at The Grandparents' house yesterday and The Grandmother went into the living room and started playing the piano that had belonged to her mother. She was playing "Trust and Obey", probably from memory, and I stopped to appreciate her old-school style and the great words of the song. It's a privilege I won't have forever.

3. Months ago, Piper asked me to teach her to crochet and to knit. Long story short, we never could seem to work out our schedules so that we could get together and do that, so she began gathering knowledge from her grandmother and on her own, and basically taught herself to crochet. She is getting more and more creative with her skills, and I have been so proud of her determination and persistence. One Wednesday night, she had on a beautiful cranberry-colored earwarmer with a white snowflake embroidered on it. I noticed and mentally admired it at a distance, but when I got close to her and saw it was crochet, I realized she must have made it herself! I complemented her on it, and she said Joy was going to give her some yarn to make her one. I asked if I brought her yarn, would she make me one, and she said yes of course! So the next Sunday I took her some, and this past Wednesday she brought it to me. Sweet Piper! It's soft blue cotton thread, crocheted well - firm sturdy stitches, but loose enough to be limber and comfortable. I put it to my face, savoring the softness, and realized it smelled like Piper from being near her - a fresh, clean smell, like a spring breeze, rich with warmth and wildflowers.

4. One of the church ladies took chicken salad sandwiches to the Christmas party Tuesday night. I love chicken salad anyway, but that was some of the best I've ever had!

5. At the same Christmas party, Nicole (one of the college girls - I don't think I've ever mentioned her here), after the gift exchange, found a bow off a package and teasingly stuck it in my hair.
Nicole has always sort of seemed like her own person - not really a 'loner', but not really mixing alot with the rest of the college group. She's a mix of country and classy, sweet and saucy, aloof and friendly, and just 'Nicole'! There's really no other way to describe her - you'd just have to know her! She went to Trinidad in 2011 on the mission trip Trissy and I went on, and the three of us became pretty close on that trip. We've had a special friendship ever since.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 63

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: VRCA Christmas Program

2. Hearing: "The First Noel"

3. Smell: Breakfast

4. Taste: Cappuccino

5. Touch: Archer's iPhone

The stories behind the list:

1. Last night was the academy's Christmas program and they had it in Victory Rd.'s gym. It was a simple enactment of the Christmas story. The students who didn't have a character part made up a red-shirted choir that flanked the little 'set' on both sides and sang between 'scenes'. It was a heart-warming thing to witness - all those squeaky young voices singing lustily the dear old Christmas carols, or costumed little figures stumbling bravely through lines and motions and parts. It reminded me of a treasured story my family has a recording of, about another school's little Christmas play.

2. Joy has been taking violin lessons for about six weeks and is doing very well at it. At one point during the service Sunday morning, she played "The First Noel".
Except for that pure sweet melody, there was complete silence as the congregation sat watching and listening. I was in the choir, behind her, watching the lights among the decorative greenery and the quiet joy on the faces of those listening.
It was pure Christmas.

3. Thursday morning Trissy decided she was going to get up and make us all a little country breakfast, and enjoy one of her seemingly favorite hobbies - inventing recipes, or putting new 'spins' on existing ones. I began to smell it before I knew what she was doing. Home-made cheddar bay biscuits and scrambled eggs. The biscuits were the experiment. And a huge success!

4. Friday night was the night for the annual Christmas festival held at the local junior college, the same one I went to. A little bunch of us Victory Rd. folks ran a booth selling loaded baked potatoes, and a s'mores bar. We do a booth each year, and those that help run it divide up the money to use for mission trips, conferences, or other church activities. It's always a fun night of fellowship with the other Victory Rd. folks working, and a wholesome, fun, family-friendly Christmas event.
Abigail and Piper were two of the others working and Trissy and I had a nice time chatting and working with them, as always.
It's usually really cold, but this year's winter weather has been pretty much non-existent (Southern weather keeps you guessing) and people were out in light shirt-sleeves or t-shirts. But there was a booth selling cups of hot cappuccino, and in a thrill of Christmas spirit, Piper bought Trissy and me each a cup. Then Trissy bought her one, and we stood laughing at each other and sipping our hot, but very delicious, Christmas cappuccino.

5. Victory Rd.'s youth music group has been asked to lead the music at a camp in January, put on by the church The Grandparents attend. At music practice Tuesday night, we were getting started practicing for that. Archer had the list of potential songs we plan on doing in his phone and was passing it around for us to look over. I don't think I'd ever held an iPhone before :) . And it was warm from the hands that held it before me.

S.O.A.P. Journaling - Mark 4:3-8 and 14-20

Date: Dec. 11, 2012
Passage: Mark 4:3-8 and 14-20

Scripture:
"Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

The sower soweth the word.
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

Observation:
Here Jesus, as He did so often, was using an object lesson to make a point. He used a concept His listeners were familiar with (farming) to illustrate how freely His followers should spread His Message. The farmer scattered his grain generously, knowing some would grow and some wouldn't. Christians should spread the Love and Word of Christ as urgently and freely to people we come in contact with as this farmer scattered his seed.

Application:
I love this story. It used to discourage me almost - how sad to think of all the seed scattered but refused. All I used to see was that out of four types of soil/people that received the seed/message of God's love, only one group took it and grew.
But a couple of years ago I saw a wonderful encouraging picture in it. Yes, some will be unaffected and flat out refuse. Some will be discouraged and hindered and distracted and choked out. But some will receive and grow. And even of those, some may only grow a little, but some will flourish amazingly.
The kicker though, is that even in the discouragement, there is hope. And that is why I love this story.
The hard-packed pathway that the birds stole the seed from could, over time, be softened, worked, plowed, fertilized, and replanted, and bring forth fruit after all.
The place full of rocks that had no depth could be, with much sweat and labor, cleared, the stones hauled away, and the earth plowed and planted and bring forth fruit after all.
The briar patch that choked and wounded could be chopped and mowed down, the briars be burned, and the soil plowed and planted and bring forth fruit after all.
Each type of ground or person, though at the moment it looks hopeless, with patience, determination, hard work, and love, can become receptive and made to grow.

Prayer:
"Dear Lord, help me not to give up hope in Your power to change a life! Help me to be able to do what I can to soften hard hearts or encourage discouraged ones so that they can take in Your Word and love and be made to grow in Your new Life. Help me to be generous in my sharing of the seed of Your Salvation. Help me to see results through my efforts; but if not, help me to remain faithful and never give up."

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 62

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing: Mom Singing "He Leadeth Me"

3. Smell:

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Young Hands On My Shoulders

The stories behind the list:

1. Saturday morning as I had my personal Bible study, I was thinking on all that has happened in the past year, especially in relation to Victory Rd. and the people I know and love there. Memories of good times and victories; memories of discouragement and change. And I felt a mixture of hope and melancholy. But just as I sighed, I heard Mom start to sing from her room as she so often does at the beginning of the morning - almost as a signal that the day is officially starting and we should all begin gathering for breakfast. She was singing the hymn, "He Leadeth Me". Coincidence?

2.

3.

4.

5. I love my little after-school kids at VRCA, and I'm pretty sure they love me too. The little ones say it to me, and the bigger ones - in various shy and awkward, or boisterous and amiable ways - show it.
They are always interested in what I'm doing, whether it's knitting a scarf, eating an apple, reading a book, looking at Pinterest, or helping another student with homework. Or they want me to join them in what they're doing - drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk, playing chess, swinging, tossing a football, etc.
Tuesday it was cold and damp so we couldn't go outside to play. There were only a few kids left, and they had settled down and were playing either 'school' or 'puppies' or a strange combination of both.
I pulled out my laptop and got on Pinterest - my new favorite site (besides Etsy) for crafting inspiration.
Presently I heard a cheerful quiet young voice behind me sing-song, "What-cha do-in'?" and felt two small hands on my shoulders. I smiled.
Though I love all my after-school kids deeply and each one of them is dearly special to me in his or her own way, this one touches something in my heart in a way the others don't. Nine years old, but she often seems to prefer my older company over that of the other children's. She'll sit for ages looking at project ideas with me, pointing occasionally to something that strikes her fancy, and reading aloud instructions or captions. Or she tells me about herself; her dreams of becoming a polymer scientist (something I'd never even heard of until I asked her one day what she wants to be when she grows up), difficulties with siblings, getting to talk on the phone to her dad (her parents are divorced), a drawing she'd entered in the county fair, a book she's reading, or a science project she's doing. She's quiet, but not shy - quiet in the intelligent sort of way that causes some people to just not waste words. And she's got a thirsty, searching spirit. That, I think, is what touches me most deeply.
'Looking up craft ideas,' I motioned to a chair beside me. 'You can sit down if you want,'
She did :) .

Christmas Door Star

I saw this branch star on Pinterest the other day, and thought I'd like to try to make a similar one for our front door. Tonight we're having some of the ladies from church over for a movie and Christmas snacks, and I asked Mom if I could try to make a star before they came. She was okay with it, but asked if I could make something that had some red and green in it :) .
So with only about a half-hour before I had to leave for work at the academy, I grabbed the clippers and dashed out to a nice hedge of bushes behind our chicken house and cut five thin switches that still had nice green leaves on them.

Back inside, and armed with Mom's trusty old die-hard glue gun and some newspaper to protect the counter, I laid out the twigs in the star shape I wanted, and started hot-gluing. I normally don't like to to use glue on things like fabric and wood projects, but I was in a hurry this time.

With Trissy's help, I glued both at the joints where the ends met, and at the places in the middle where the branches crossed each other to make it a little sturdier.

Trissy found a bright ribbon in the scrap bag, and voila!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 61

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: First Christmas Lights Of The Season

2. Hearing: Noel's Concern

3. Smell: Plaid Shirt

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Peeling almonds (sat.)

The stories behind the list:

1. On my way to Justice and Noel's house for the college supper and fellowship Sunday night, I passed a house decorated tastefully for Christmas with strings of twinkling lights. The first lights of the season, and I felt a happy rush of the Christmas spirit.

2. In Sunday School I must have been a little more quiet than usual, because during a lull Noel suddenly looked at me and asked, "Are you okay?"
I was a little surprised, for of all recent Sundays, this day my heart was more at peace about things than usual, and all my thoughts were restful ones. But I told her laughingly that I guessed I was fine. She shrugged, almost self-consciously, and said I just didn't seem to be smiling much.
Her friendly concern warmed my heart.

3. I got out a plaid shirt to wear Wednesday night that I hadn't worn since I went with the church group to the children's ranch in January for that mission trip. The shirt still smelled like the washing detergent we used on our clothes there, and as I put it on the scent washed me back to those wonderful memories.

4.

5. Am I the only weird person out there who likes to put almonds in their mouth, and try to peel the brown skin off with just their teeth and tongue? I've enjoyed doing that since I was a little kid, and Saturday I wanted a healthy snack that would take my mind off of how much I wanted an unhealthy one. So I went and got a mouthful of almonds and spent the next hour or so peeling them as I went about my Saturday afternoon/evening routine.

"Squash And Green Peas" On Facebook

Squash And Green Peas (my hand-made business) is now on Facebook. The Lord has been blessing my business and I have had several people interested in items, and a couple of sales recently. One thing I've kept hearing is, "You should advertise your things on Facebook!" I am not on Facebook, and I do not want a personal account :) but it seemed like a page was the next step for my business. Look me up, Squash And Green Peas!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 60

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Pimento Cheese Heart

2. Hearing: Bro. Dennis Laughing 

3. Smell: The Grandfather's Purple Heart Case / Corn On The Cob

4. Taste:

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Friday morning got off to a little bit of a rough start for me. Grumpily I dug through the refrigerator, looking for something to take to work for lunch. I pulled out a Tupperware box and took off the lid and a bright orange heart shone back at me cheerfully.
There had been a little bit of pimento cheese left, and Trissy had taken a knife and formed it into the shape of a heart for someone to find. I had been that someone, and I was both cheered in my discouragement and shamed for my bad mood.

2. Sunday night was the 'community Thanksgiving service', hosted by another local church, so Victory Rd. canceled services that night and went over to it. Afterwards the host church served a light meal of 'finger foods' (sandwiches, cookies, bottled water, etc.). In the crowded fellowship hall, the Victory Rd. folks sortof congregated together at two different tables on opposite sides of the room.
I was eating with my family and some others at one, when within the comfortable din of crowded chatter I heard a vibrant, distinct, throaty laugh from across the room. It was Bro. Dennis, sitting with Bro. Blake and his family, overcome by the hilarity of some joke he'd just heard or just told. I hadn't heard him laugh like that for months. He used to all the time.

3. I spent the day Saturday helping The Grandmother do some "deep cleaning" - cleaning out drawers and closets and desks that had been collecting stuff for years. It was something that needed doing, and with my busy schedule I hadn't been able to spend much time with The Grandparents for a little while. They seemed to really enjoy having me around that day, and I think The Grandmother had as much fun as I did sorting through all those drawers and corners, finding unexpected treasures and making organization out of clutter!
In the course of cleaning up and clearing out, she gave me The Grandfather's Purple Heart and other stripes and pins to put away. The Sunday before was Veteran's Day I believe, and she always puts his medals and pins on his suit coat to wear to church on days like that.
I found the little burgundy-colored box of his war mementos on the top shelf in their closet, with the Purple Heart's medal case nearly on the top. But instead of just putting it in the case and putting the box back on the shelf, I sat down in the big recliner in their room to take a more deliberate and respectful moment to put the things away.
I must have seen the things in that box a dozen times over the years. Letters to and from his sisters during the war. His rifle and other pins. A small Nazi flag with the cruel black spider coiling in the center and victorious messages from fellow G.I.'s scrawled along the sides and in the corners. A few foreign bills and coins. And the Purple Heart. I held the black case for a moment, scuffed and a little cracked in places. I opened it up and breathed in the strong old scent of the age-spotted cream velvet. It had probably been white originally. It smelled old and rich and full of history, if history has a smell. I laid the Purple Heart and it's stripe in their places, stroking the purple ribbon. It wasn't faded at all, and General Washington's profile stood out in bright gold on the face of the purple field.
Maybe I've taken for granted a little my Grandfather's contribution to freedom. I've grown up with the stories; and, though I love history and know he's a hero and how significant it is, it's part of my life and I probably haven't let it soak in as much as I should.
As I sat in The Grandmother's recliner, a ton of sorting and cleaning still waiting for me in other parts of the house, I took a minute to be swept away by that rich old scent. To realize how much had been given up by soldiers and their families for ages and in multiple wars so that young people like me could clean through old treasures in peace.
And my grandfather was part of it.
/
Mom fixed corn on the cob as part of our Sunday dinner and put it in the middle of the table in her big metal pressure-pot. When she took the lid off, the steam billowed out, breathing the scent of garden-grown goodness into our faces. Took me back to days spent at my great-uncle's (The Grandfather's oldest brother) old farmhouse and the smell of my great-aunt's country kitchen. She's gone now and he's in poor health, and the smell was both warm and happy, and a little sad at how times change. I'm so thankful for the wonderful memories I have, and the fact that I realized - even as a child - that they were precious, and worthy of being cherished.

4.

5.

Things I Am Thankful For - 2012

This year I haven't done any 'special' Thanksgiving post or post series yet. I hadn't really thought I would. It's not that I'm not thankful; I'm just not huge on doing commemorative posts simply because everyone else is.
I'm huge on being thankful! You can visit THIS page for an ongoing list of my life's simple special blessings that I treasure as gifts from my loving God.
In the past, I've written many posts on things I'm thankful for. I try to make thankfulness a year-long habit, one of my 'life's missions', if you will.

But this year I hadn't planned on posting anything specifically to acknowledge the Thanksgiving holiday.
I've changed my mind.

So much has gone on the last year or so. So much to be thankful for, and so much heart-break. It is primarily because of the heart-break that I decided it's important for me to take this opportunity and muse on some of the great things the Lord has put into my life that I dare not take for granted.

At first I was going to make a list. Then I thought I'd actually write out things.
Now I've decided to just type, and let it flow.

So, for your musement or amusement, here are a few of the many things I am thankful for this year...

Trissy sings nearly every morning she spends at the house (she often spends the night with The Grandparents to be there to help them if they need something). Before I get out of bed many mornings, I can hear her in her room, already up, softly singing a hymn or some new song we've learned. I've never mentioned it to her, but it has been such a lift on many mornings I just didn't want to get up and face the world. If you read this Trissy, here is my 'public' thank-you.

I'm thankful that my only living set of grandparents lives within hollering distance from my house. I can easily ride my bike or walk to see them. I'm thankful they are still in good enough health to live alone. I am thankful my family lives so close to them so that we can be there and care for them when they need it. Though sometimes tasks are difficult, I'm thankful for opportunities to serve them, and even the 'distasteful' jobs are not really all that bad if met with the attitude that service is a privilege, not a burden. I'm thankful for the example my mom has set as she cares for them. I've never heard her be disrespectful to them, even when a situation is frustrating. She always puts aside whatever she is doing to go help them if the phone rings and they need something. I'm thankful for my dad's example and willingness to help her and them. They aren't even his parents, yet he willingly does or helps with tasks for my grandfather that require a man's assistance. He always respects them and is gracious. I'm thankful for Trissy helping them by housecleaning, cooking, and doing other things for them when I am gone.

My family is patient with me and so gracious to allow me to 'go' and do all the things I am involved in. Two jobs, both with at least somewhat irregular schedules, Tuesday night practice with the church youth music group, leading a junior-high age small-group at church on Wednesday night, Thursday night college Bible study, and various other odds and ends on the side.

Plaid button-up shirts. I love to wear them and I love to see people in them.

The letter the Lord led me to write to Law. Even though looking back, it seems to only have made the proverbial 'recording needle' jerk, there is no doubt that it made an impact on him. He cannot wholly forget it. And I am thankful for the on-going 'Bible-verse-every-Sunday' agreement. Every week during the week, I ask the Lord to show me a verse that Law may need the message of that week, and I write it on a small piece of paper and give it to him on Sunday mornings. I am thankful it's not something I just started doing, but that he eagerly agreed to it and expects it each Sunday.
I'm thankful the Lord is patient and knows perfectly how to deal with each of His children. I'm thankful He is looking out for Law and will keep him and guide him and make him into the man He wants him to be.

I'm thankful for precious little Maxwell. What a joy. What a gift. What an unaware little comforter he is. If ever I need a tangible reminder that God answers impossible prayers, I can think of him and know it's true.

I think if I lived in the city, I would literally die of suffocation. But I don't. I live in the country, in the deep South, surrounded by cow pastures and woods. I can see the stars at night and hear the birds in the morning. I can smell the pungent fragrance of cattle and the honey-like scent of wildflowers. I can hear rain on the roof and the wind in the leaves of the trees and can see the sun rise in gold and sink in fire over the rim of the world. I eat vegetables grown in my family's garden, fruit grown on our trees, and drink pure water from our own well. My street is a dirt road and my nearest neighbor lives in a house friends built for my orphan grandfather and his siblings when they were children.
And I live in America.

My 'college' friends at church (though only a couple of us are actually still in college). How precious they are to me. Aron and Henley, Justice and Noel, Austin and Ava, Toby and Lindy, Russell, Archer, Camille, Julia, Autumn, and Landon, Oliver, and Oliver's wife, though we don't get to see those last three much. How good God is to give them to me.

I'm thankful for my laptop, and internet access. So many opportunities have opened up to me through this. Not only for my own enjoyment, but also for ministry. Blogging, Pinterest, my Etsy shop, research, journaling, doing media work for church, preparing devotionals and lessons, e-mail, website creation, photo editing, and on and on. It's like a door. And I am thankful to have a key.

The mission and church trips and events the Lord has allowed me to take part in this year. The Strength To Stand conference in Tennessee and the mission trip to the children's ranch in January. The 30 Hour Famine in April. The mission trip to Chicago in June. What memories, what blessings. I went expecting blessings, but the Lord did for me "... exceeding abundantly above all that we (I) ask(ed) or think (thought)..." in several areas. Such a treasure-trove of memories.

I'm thankful for my 'girls trio' at Victory Rd. - Lela, Piper, and Joy. I'm thankful Lela still goes to VRCA and that I still get to see and hug her every few days. I'm thankful for Piper's poised, mature, wise, fun, refreshing spirit, and for her friendship - so often I forget that she's eleven years younger than me. She is a spot of silver when the day is gray. I'm thankful for silly Joy's goofy friendship, and for the opportunity to influence her spirit to grow.

The S. family has (other than my own family) probably had the most effect on my life this year. Each member in various ways has had a significant impact on me in the past months.
Bro. S.'s firm, quiet example. His hard work ethic, his commitment to and love for his wife and children, his desire to live pleasing God. I know there is hope for America while there are still men like this alive and well.
The way Mrs. S. lives life - unhurried but purposeful. Her simple tenderhearted wisdom, her perception into the needs and troubles of others, and her willingness and efforts to help them; her old-fashioned unaffected hospitality. I want to be like that.
Archer's calm and unapologetic confidence - he does what he does (or doesn't do) because he feels like he has a good reason for doing (or not doing) it, and if you want to change him about it, you must offer his analytical mind well-presented, legitimate, logical arguments. He's a thinker, passionately compassionate, a lover of good, and one of my best friends - one of my 'adopted brothers'. There are things we don't agree on, but there is also so much I have learned from him.
Law. Dear Law. So much like me and so close to where I was at his age that it's almost scary. He is such an amazing person, and when he allows the Lord to be the one in the driver's seat, he's going to be unstoppable. His energy, his love of laughter, his fascination with going against the flow, his appreciation of optimism, his quick wit, his attraction to the stars, his desire to do good, his charisma, his loyalty to a cause. How I have prayed for/fought for him, how I long to see him become the man God wants him to be, how I love this boy, only the Lord Who loves him more knows. How I rejoice in hope.
Sweet Abigail, my 'corny joke buddy' - she knows I will laugh! I love her calm excitement, her love for good, her pretty style, her sturdy spirit, and her willingness to work hard. She's like a flower in the spring, a sunbeam in the summertime, a copper leaf in the fall, and a snowflake in the winter - the spirit of the best and most beautiful of the season. She has written me several notes over the past few months, and with each one I am reminded that younger eyes are watching how I live my life. Oh how I want to be worthy.
And Piper. Precious Piper. She defies the stigma attached to the title 'teenager'. Her perception and wisdom are startling at times. Her thoughtfulness, her sympathy, her light, her uplifting conversation, her love for simplicity and beauty and family - I never fail to be encouraged by a meeting with Piper. To talk with her, whether the conversation is silly or serious, is to be a tired traveler and to be refreshed from a shimmering stream - clear as crystal, rich as silver.
What richness they have brought to my life, what color and texture and depth. How I praise God for merging this family's path with mine.

Victory Rd. Much, if not most, of the heart-break this year has come from it. But the blessings the Lord has used it to accomplish in my life are immeasurable. I have nothing to say that could express my awe and thankfulness effectively for His gift of this church.

It is Thanksgiving morning and there is much to do, so I must be moving on. A Biblical example is always appropriate, so I will close in the style of the writer of the book of Hebrews...

And what more can I say? For the time would fail me to tell of blessings I would praise Him for; of running water and electricity, of food stored up for months ahead, of a stable family life, of access to good books and audios and even some movies, of good friends and Godly examples and family members serving the Lord on the far sides of the globe, of my own copy of the Bible in my own language and the ability to read it, of fresh breezes and thunderstorms in the summer, of hot chocolate and blankets and bonfires in the winter, of craft supplies and ideas and the satisfied feeling after finishing a project, of the sound of a rooster crowing and the friendship of a soft black kitten with a permanent curly-cue at the end of her tail: which encourage me when I'm down, thrill me when I'm happy, comfort me when I'm thoughtful, fascinate me when I'm excited, and calm me when I'm discontent. All these things and more would I name, God having provided them to reprimand my fretfulness, solace my sadness, and rejoice my thankful heart - to make me more into the Christian I should be.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! And Happy Thanksgiving, 2012.

"A Primer In Southern Expressions"

I stumbled onto this article in a local newspaper in 2007 and thought I'd share it here for those interested, since many of my readers are not even American, and certainly not Southern! I've altered a little bit of it to conceal place names, and changed some wording that I felt might be a little confusing to a non-Southerner. My edits are in [ ].

"Hey, y'all, welcome to [the South] !

If you are new to [this state], you might find some of our expressions quaint, or even difficult to understand. Southerners have a colorful way of speaking. We enjoy playing with words and creating funny new expressions.

It's a mistake to think that Southern drawls all sound alike. The way [someone in this state] sounds is very different from the way [someone in another Southern state] sounds, although both states are considered to be in the South.

Accents also vary from one part of a state to another. [This area] is heavily influenced by [a near-by large Southern city].

Southerners say 'ain't' even when we know it's grammatically incorrect. 'Ain't' is often used for effect.

We often drop the 'g' at the end of words. That, too, may be done for effect.

Here are some Southernisms that are popular in this neck of the woods:

Words

-Y'all: Contraction of you all. Use it when you are talking about or to more than one person.
-Catawampus: Crooked or askew.
-Chifforobe: A tall piece of furniture for hanging clothes, like an armoire.
-Coke: Generic term for any soft drink.
-Downright: Very, as in 'He's downright mean.'
-High faluting: Someone who thinks too much of [him or her]self.
-Lollygag: To waste time.
-Plumb: Very, as in 'I'm plumb tuckered out' (tired).
-Pot liquor: Juice left in the pot when greens [or beans or peas] are cooked.
-Tump: A cross between turn over and dump, as in 'Don't tump that over.'
-Yonder: Over there.

Expressions

-Give me some sugar.: [Give me a kiss.]
-Older than dirt.: Really old.
-Knee-high to a grasshopper [or other tiny creature].: Very young, as in 'I've known him since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.'
-That's the pot calling the kettle black.: [Accusing someone of doing the same thing you have; being two-faced or hypocritical.]
-That dog don't hunt.: [That's a lie.]
-Act like you got some raising.: [Be respectable.]
-Go cut me a switch.: Said by a parent to a child when [the child needs a spanking.]
-Dinner on the ground.: A potluck dinner at church.
-Madder than a wet hen.: [Really really mad.]
-Fixing to.: [Getting ready] to, as in 'I'm fixing to go to the store.'

If you want to make friends here, don't make fun of our accents and/or our expressions. We love the way we talk, it's one of the many wonderful things that make Southerners unique.

And just remember, Newcomer, around here, you might be the one with the funny accent."

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 59

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing: Simon And Law / Piper: "It's 'Pepper'! Get it right Joy!"

3. Smell: Shoe Polish

4. Taste: Ham Sandwich

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1.

2. I tell about listening to Simon and Law practicing Tuesday night in THIS post.
/
On the Chicago mission trip, for some reason I adopted "Pepper" as a nickname for Piper, and still call her that every once in a while. And though I don't think she particularly cared for it at first, Wednesday night when I called her that, Joy overheard, but misunderstood. So in a few minutes, Joy said something to Piper, but called her "Popper", and Piper - rolling her eyes with that unique teasing bossiness - came right back at her, "It's 'Pepper'! Get it right Joy!"
It was absolutely hilarious!

3. Thursday we (The Grandparents, Mom, Trissy, and me) went to the northern part of the state to a Bible conference. Our family goes way back with alot of the folks who go to it every year, and we always look forward to it. Wednesday night I was polishing my shoes, getting ready for the next day. The house was quiet - I think everyone else was in bed - and the smell of the polish took me back to memories of Dad and Mom polishing our shoes years ago, getting ready for church on Sunday morning. Besides that, leather shoe polish just seems to have such a wholesome smell somehow.

4. Thursday night on our way back from the conference we ate ham sandwiches in the car that some of the ladies up there had put together real fast for us. The Conference lasts almost all week, and usually the people who go stay in the dorms on the little campus there. But we haven't gotten to do that for several years - since The Grandparents' health has gotten where they need special help. It's just too difficult for them to stay and spend the nights there. So, for the past several years we've just driven the three-or-so hours up one morning and stayed 'til late afternoon, then driven back that same evening. At least we get in on part of it that way!
So the ladies who cook, when they heard we weren't going to be able to stay for supper, went to the kitchen and quickly made us some sandwiches to take with us.
That sandwich was one of the best I've ever had I think. It was made with a wonderful big biscuit and pieces of real ham. We were hungry and tired and disappointed to not be able to stay longer, and that sandwich was just "what the doctor ordered", as the saying goes.

5.

Where I Love To Be

Last night I got to leave work at VRCA a little early, which meant I got to go to the church early before music practice. Simon and Law were already there playing together. We exchanged hellos, and Law told me that Archer said practice would have to start around 6:30 'cause he had to work late. That would give me almost a whole hour to rest and listen. What a treat!

The boys went back to their playing of random bits of song, switching instruments, giving each other advice, and discussing chords and rhythm and such.
After taking off my coat and putting down my things, I found a pen and a piece of paper and wrote:

"It's enough just to be here, sitting in a corner, knowing they don't mind my presence, listening to their voices and their music. I have no idea what they're playing, but I like it."

I dug my current read out of my bag, got my coat (it was pretty cold!), and curled up in the big old recliner at the back of the room.

But I didn't read my book for a while. I reclined the chair, stretched out with my coat over me, and closed my eyes, resting in the softness and listening to their voices and their music. A wonderful deeply satisfying peace was in my heart. Rest and contentment.

Few, if any, places thrill me like my church does. To just be there, even if no one else is, but especially if there are others, is to remember hard and precious lessons, priceless experiences, complete laughter, beautiful faces, joy, tears, praise, love, mercy, hope, and the unbelievable compassion of almighty God. I never tire of that place.

This morning in my devotional reading, I ran onto this verse, and it expresses my spirit quite well:

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Ps. 27:4

S.O.A.P. Journaling - Matthew 22:37-40

Date: Oct. 29 and 30, 2012
Passage: Matthew 22:37-40

Scripture:
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Observation:
Jesus was so incredibly clever. Of course He was, it's just that sometimes my little completely-unclever mind is in total awe! When the religious hypocrites of His association thought they'd trip Him up with tricky questions, they quickly found they were in over their heads. When they asked Him what could be the most important command of all their 'holy' law (probably thinking all the laws were equal and that they could 'get' Him when He elevated a single one over the others) He simply answered, 'Love God - with everything you have.'
Who could argue with that?! Of course that one would be the most important! They probably felt really foolish.
But then Jesus takes the situation a step further, turning it from a 'Q & A session' into a sermon - one perfectly balancing love and rebuke.
'The second-most-important command is like the first: Love others the same way you love yourself.'
And He adds a final punch to these guys who felt like keeping all those laws was the most important thing in their lives: 'All the laws are based on these two commands.'
Basically, get these two down pat and you won't need to worry about the rest; all the others will just fall naturally into place.

Application:
Oh how I long to Love! How I want to love God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind! My Lord first, above all else, other people even, of course. God help me love You More!
And others. Oh how I want to Love! To love all others the same way I love myself - that sounds at first very easy, but how hard it really is when taken literally! Naturally, like all other people, I subconsciously look out for 'me', first. Not necessarily on purpose, it just happens. When it gets close to lunch time, I start thinking about how hungry I am, automatically. When my stomach growls, I don't immediately think, "So-and-so needs something to eat." I think, "I'm hungry." When I don't feel good, I'm not thinking of extra chores I can do to lessen Trissy's load - my mind is automatically distracted by my headache or sore throat. To love others is a conscious decision - humans automatically look out for themselves first.
So how would it be to love others as we love ourselves? Like the first command, it is one that will require constant practice throughout life. Oh that I may come closer everyday!

Prayer:
"God help me love You More! Help me love You with all my heart; that everything I consider important or special be something that is important or special to You - something that will last, that will effect eternity for Good. Help me love You with all my soul; let me never look to something or someone else to satisfy my hunger and thirst for You and Your Word. Help me love You with all my mind; may all that I consciously put before my eyes (anything I read, watch, or look at), put into my ears (music, conversations with others, etc.), or allow myself to think about, be only what would help me grow closer to You, and help me to serve other people better.
Oh Father help me Love! Help me love people! Cause my love to shine out so brightly that others can see I care about them. Help me to help. Use me to bless those that have blessed me, and those I long to bless. Help me to be open to loving the 'unlovable' people. Give me wisdom - show me how to turn my love into appropriate action that would accomplish Your glory in their lives.
Cause my love for You and for others to only grow greater, and to be a light to direct the wandering to You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen."

Note: The words of Jesus in single quotes are my paraphrase of the actual quotes from the Bible.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 56

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing: Archer's Comment About Abigail And Law

3. Smell: The Gym At Victory Rd.

4. Taste: Lunch Thursday

5. Touch: Ava Braiding My Hair

The stories behind the list:

1.

2. Long story short, Wednesday night after prayer time, we got to discussing how different people 'grow up' differently and mature at different rates.
Archer said Abigail was really difficult for about seven years before they came to Victory Rd. Then he said, "Abigail's grown up alot, and Law will too."
Especially coming from him, and in the context of the rest of the discussion and recent events, I can not even begin to describe what an encouragement that statement was to me.

3. I went to the church yesterday for something, and as I walked into that big empty gym, I was overwhelmed by the smell of memories. I have no idea what the 'smell' in that gym actually is - probably a combination of many smells - but it is a precious one. So much history has been lived in that gym. So much before I came to Victory Rd. So much since I've been here.
As I walked across the floor, it just overwhelmed, slowed, and stopped me. I knelt on the basketball court and prayed for Victory Rd., for the children and young people that have crossed that floor and that cross it every week, and for a particular one especially.

4. Yesterday I took left-overs for my lunch at work: Meatloaf, canned (store-bought) french green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, and home-made macaroni and cheese.

5. Thursday night at College Bible Study I had my hair in a side ponytail and Ava started playing with the curl it made. She asked if I ever braid my hair (I do alot actually, I guess I just haven't much recently) and if it was okay for her to.
Sweet, funny, random, wonderful Ava. Of course I let her.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 55

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Fall Mornings

2. Hearing: Bible Pages Turning

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Apples

5. Touch: Abigail's Hand

The stories behind the list:

1. I've been doing alot of bike riding recently, trying to get a constant routine of exercise going. I love to ride my bike, and since we live in the country it's even nicer. We have a path Dad's cleared through our woods around our land, and I've been riding that circle. These fall mornings are so beautiful and make it even more enjoyable - the sun streaming through the trees, the dewdrops like tiny diamonds flashing from the tips of every leaf and grass-blade, and the rich red-ish soil of the neighbor's freshly-plowed pasture next to us.

2. Sunday morning Bro. Earl used alot of different Scripture references in his sermon, and really encouraged everyone to find each one and follow along in their Bibles.
Each time he announced a new reference, the whisper of pages turning would wash gently across the auditorium like a refreshing summer shower through the leaves of a forest.

3.

4. I've always loved apples, but recently I've found myself almost starving for them! Wednesday, over the course of the day, I had four!

5. This past Wednesday night was Victory Rd.'s yearly walk/run that I told a little more about in this post from last year. Towards the end of the night, Abigail and I were walking together, joking, being silly, and generally enjoying each others' company. We each had a cold water bottle and she decided the chilly moisture on the outside of hers would be fun to wipe off and rub down my bare arm!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 54

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Wildflowers By The Road / Ava

2. Hearing:

3. Smell: Magnolia Spice

4. Taste: Red Velvet Cake With Vanilla Frosting And Ice Cream

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. It is early Autumn in the South and the Black-Eyed Susans, Goldenrod, and numerous other unnamed wildflowers are alive in riots of color along the highways. Gold and black, soft powdery purple and rich dark purple, green and tiny explosions of white, their simple pure beauty sings the creativity of their matchless Maker, and cheers the tired hearts of those who pass.
/
Ava came with Austin to Tues. night music practice this week, and sat curled up in the big comfy chair in the corner, reading her homework while we played. What an answer to prayer she is! How perfect she is for Austin! How good the Lord was to send her to us!
I'd look up at her across my music from time to time, and she looked so comfortable and sweet and dear curled up in that chair, content to just be near us, patting her foot to our music.

2.

3. We have a Magnolia tree in our front yard and every year during the fall, when it's pods fall and the little red berry-like seeds fall out, it gives off an amazing, sweet, spicy smell. It's like the excitement of fall/coming winter turned into a scent. I was out mowing the other day and when I passed under the tree, that smell was like breathing a rich soothing happiness.

4. Mom made a red velvet cake with vanilla frosting this week and we had it with vanilla ice cream - A. Ma. Zing.

5.

Birthday Gift - Birthday Weight

On my birthday recently, Mrs. S., Abigail, and Piper came over for a couple of hours. They'd asked the Sunday before if they could, and I'd so been looking forward to it!

A polite knock sounded at the front door, and Trissy, though she was practically there, stepped back and motioned for me to get it.
I swung the door wide, and there stood the three S. ladies: Mrs. S. on the top step at the door, Piper on a step below her - holding a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a small brown paper bag tied with beige ribbon - and Abigail with a red paper sign and a bulging black garbage bag standing in the grass at the bottom of the steps. As the door opened, they all called, "Happy Birthday!!", Piper waving and Abigail holding up the red paper sign with my name on it.

I invited them in, giving and receiving hugs as they filed by into the warm house.
They'd made the cookies, and Piper stressed that I was not to return the plate - it was for me too :) . It's a lovely ceramic fall plate, with a simple painted design of a red maple leaf, a yellow oak leaf, and a cluster of orange pecan leaves, and the word, "Thankful" in gold across the center. They know me so well.

The small brown paper bag was a late birthday present for Trissy - a nice paperweight with a redbird on it, and a lovely little round pop-open pocket mirror that has a colorful and intricate mandala design on the lid.

The red paper sign was designed and made by Abigail, using red paper, navy paper, and white star stickers. She had doodled my name in marker in the center, framed it with popsicle sticks marker-colored dark blue, and hung it with a red white and blue ribbon. On the back she wrote me a *letter I will always treasure. So perfect - handmade and patriotic.

The big garbage bag had me quite curious. Abigail lifted it easily over the back of the couch as Mrs. S. explained that it was an idea they'd seen online - blow up the number of balloons as birthday years, and put a note to the birthday person in each balloon. They've got to pop the balloons to get the notes. What a meaningful gift!

We all sat on the couch or in the chairs of the living room. Mom and Mrs. S. chatted as I began taking balloons out of the bag. I winced as I popped each one with a pearl-headed corsage pin Mom found me, and silently read the notes inside.

There were notes from Julia, Julia's mom, Autumn, Henley, Joy, Mr. S., Mrs. S., and many from Abigail and Piper - one note for each year of my life. Piper said Archer had wanted to write one also, but just forgot and then didn't have time before leaving for work that morning. They had wanted to get alot more people in the church to write some of them, but had run out of time and opportunities.

Each note warmed my heart, and sobered my conscience. Some showed insight into myself that I didn't know other people had noticed. All said something about my life and character and how it had touched others.

What a gift.
What a weight.

Oh how I desire these things to be true!! As I took out each bit of colored paper and read each message of love and affirmation, what a monumental responsibility I felt and realized that I have that I must live up to! How I pray that God would help me be worthy of the love and respect of these dear dear friends. May He give me grace to never let them down, and wisdom to be a friend and influence that would always point them to Him.

*Note: I decided to record here the letter from Abigail on the back of the sign she made me. Words of love from a teen-age heart. Such an encouragement. Such a challenge. Such a treasure. I want to always remember.

"Happy birthday Kyrie!!!
I hope this is the BEST birthday EVER!! You are so special to my family and I! I love how you always have a smile on your face, and how you bring smiles to everyone elses face! =)
Everything you do, I see Jesus in it! You make me want to be a better person!
Thank you for always being there for me, and I will always be there for you! <3
Love you lots and lots <3
Your friend,
Abigail S."

"I'm Still Yours"

"If You washed away my vanity,
If You took away my words,
If all my world was swept away,
Would You be enough for me?
Would my beating heart still sing?

If I lost it all, would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away?
If You take it all, this life You've given,
Still my heart will sing to You.

When my life is not what I expected,
The plans I made have failed,
When there's nothing left to steal me away,
Will You be enough for me?
Will my broken heart still sing?

If I lost it all, would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away?
If You take it all, this life You've given,
Still my heart will sing to You.

Even if You take it all away,
You'll never let me go.
You take it all away and I still know
That I'm Yours, I'm still Yours!
Oh, I'm Yours, I'm still Yours!"

I first heard this song about a year and a half ago, as we were getting ready for D-Now at Victory Rd. in March of 2011.
I shuddered to think of all of it being gone, but I forced myself to consider, "If He took it all away, all this He's given me, would I still sing?"
The thought of losing Victory Rd. and all it meant to me and all I'd learned from the experiences and all the precious people was absolutely heart-breaking. Yet as the weeks passed and I considered and looked deep into my own heart, I prayed that if for some reason He chose to take it all away from me, that He would make Himself be enough for me. That I would still sing. That I would still praise Him. That, like the dear man Job in the Bible, I would have the spiritual strength to say, 'The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'

Strange how life works; and yet, not so strange, for though His ways are above our ways - insofar that we can't even hope to understand them - yet if we read and believe the Bible, we know that He is quite literally in control. And perhaps in that song, He was not only preparing me for what might be, but for what would be. For now at the time of this writing, so much of what I had then is gone. Or at least it's certainly not like it was before.
And since that time in March over a year ago, He has heaped new blessings on me that I could have only hoped and prayed for and dreamed about then.
So the question is perpetually a new one, and I think He asked me again this week: If all my world was swept away, would He be enough for me? If I lost it all, would my hands stay lifted to the God who gives and takes away? If He took it all, this life He's given me, would my heart still sing to Him?

I'd still be His.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 52

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Peppers And Persimmons On The Counter

2. Hearing: Mennonite Congregation Singing "I Love You Lord" A Cappella

3. Smell: My Mint Growing / Trissy's Oatmeal

4. Taste: Cookies And Cream Ice Cream

5. Touch: Hug From Law

Experience: Witnessing to a co-worker.

The stories behind the list:

1. A neighbor friend gave us some peppers and persimmons this week and when I came in from work, Mom and Trissy had them out on the counter. The fall colors were so wonderful together - red and deep green and pale green of the bell peppers and banana peppers, bright orange of the persimmons, and the dark blue counter top.

2. Trissy was listening to a set of live sermons by a Mennonite pastor while she ironed clothes the other day. At one point the congregation sang the old song "I Love You Lord" a cappella - SO beautiful!

3. I have struggled to grow mint (and other herbs) for some time, with varying degrees of failure. The only thing that I have been what you could call 'successful' with, has been mint. A friend gave me some small plants from her garden a couple of years ago, but, long story short, I inadvertently killed them. But last year Mrs. H., my college instructor, gave me some more, and I put them out in one of our garden beds by our sliding patio door. Saturday I was pulling some weeds from that bed, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the mint has really seemed to thrive there. The plants are multiplying nicely, and the fragrance came up to greet me as I pulled weeds from around them.  I have high hopes for my future in mint now ;) !
/
Sunday morning Trissy made herself a bowl of oatmeal. Now, that may sound simple enough, but you don't know Trissy and her love of and obsession with creating *ahem* new recipes. It wasn't simply a 'bowl of oatmeal'. It was a concoction. An adventure. An experiment. A masterpiece. And it smelled amazing.
It was the strangest sensation, but it reminded me of fall, Christmas, Victory Rd., people I love, rain, reading, adventure, Narnia, and a whole mixture of many of my other passions and loves all rolled into one unbearably wonderful smell. I can't explain it. It was so strange! But I made her write down as close as she could remember, how she made it!

4. I only eat sugary desserts every other day. And since I've been working at a fast-food place for two weeks, I've eaten even less. So a little bowl of cookies-and-cream ice cream when I got to the house after work Wednesday was very enjoyable!

5. There is a long story behind this one. A story very close to my heart because of how the Lord has used it to grow me in my walk with Him, and because of the dear people involved in it. Maybe you remember me talking about Law on this blog before, and my great concern and hope for this precious young man. Well, long story short, the Lord used me to encourage him this past week, and Sunday he gave me a hug. Law doesn't just give hugs.
Note: I am working on a blog post telling the story.

Experience: Yesterday at work I got to witness to one of my co-workers at the fast-food place. She was very open, and seemed to appreciate me trying to help her. Please pray for her. Her name is Toby.


Note: Technically, this post marks one year of "5 Small Things Friday", though I plan to post one more so the dates are closer to a year.
I have created a post every week (except one, I believe, so that week's was late), though some of them have not yet been published. I hope to finish editing them and publish them.
My dilemma is this: Should I go on with the "5 Small Things Friday" posts? If you have an opinion, please vote on the sidebar at the top-right of the blog.

S.O.A.P. Journaling - Philippians 1:12-26

Date: Sept. 11 and 12, 2012
Passage: Philippians 1:12-26

Scripture:
"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;" verse 12

Observation:
As far as I can tell, and have been told, the apostle Paul was in prison at the time of this writing. He was chained 24/7 to a guard. He'd had pretty much everything taken from him: His freedom, his church, his possessions, and even many of his friends. He'd been through torture, beatings, sickness, and numerous other hardships. Yet throughout the book of Philippians, the themes of joy and rejoicing come up over and over. And he's not just joyful, but he's encouraging others to be joyful as well.

Application:
Oh how I need my joy back! There is such heartache in the church right now. Oh how we need our joy back! Yes there are happy times, times when we are thankful and feel so blessed, times when it is brought clear and bright to our eyes what our purpose and mission is. But more often than not it seems lately, we are being attacked with waves of discouragement and sadness so overwhelming they threaten to sweep us from our moorings. There is a difference between happiness and joy. We are creatures of emotion. Happiness lasts as long as conditions seem favorable and upbeat and cheerful. Joy is an anchor, a promise, a hope in the Power we have that will never fail. I think we may have lost sight of that Power. He is still there - He never leaves. But perhaps in the struggles and smoke of battle our view has become clouded, and our eyes are seeing only the losses, the wounds, and the power of the enemy, instead of our valiant Commander desiring to lead us on to victory.

Prayer:
"God give us back our Joy in You! We are so discouraged right now. And yet, there are those who are hoping, who will not let the sadness overrun them. I want to be one of them. I try to be one of them! Encourage those hearts. Strengthen us all. Help us to look to Your spirit for our strength and joy and courage and stamina. Help us to rely on prayer - our most powerful resource - and to encourage each other, instead of letting our sadness spread like a disease. Thank You that You have everything under control. Help us look at this from Your perspective, and thereby have our confidence and courage renewed. Bring us out of this dim time stronger than we ever would have been had we only been faced with ease and plenty. Cause the things that have happened to us, to me, to turn out for the furtherance of Your Gospel. Thank You for Your love. In Your Son Jesus' name, Amen."