Light and Darkness

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 13

2011-12-30T06:01:00.001-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Eggnog With Nutmeg On The Top

2. Hearing: Children Reciting The Christmas Story

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Potato Soup

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. I think eggnog is probably the best Holiday treat, not counting the ones my Mom makes :) ! If it has a little nutmeg sprinkled on the top, it's also one of the prettiest!

2. Our children's Christmas program was part of our Christmas Day service at church. Towards the end, the kids stood in a group and took turns reciting verses from Luke 2. They recited the whole 'Christmas Story' from memory! It was such a wonderful thing, the dear young voices retelling the precious age-old story.

3. and 5. I forgot to record a 'Smell' thing and a 'Touch' thing for this week. Actually, I think I may have had one, but I didn't write it down right then, and if I don't record it right away, I forget... :[

4. Trissy made a batch of potato soup one night for supper. Potato soup (especially with cheese and bacon crumbled up in it) is amazing on a cold night, when you're tired and worn out. Or even when you're not, for that matter :) .

Merry Christmas - 2011

2011-12-25T04:57:00.000-08:00

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 12

2011-12-23T06:05:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Bro. Dennis And Mrs. Carrie Holding Maxwell In Church

2. Hearing: A Bunch Of Crows In A Tree

3. Smell: Mrs. Renae's Youngest Daughter's Hair

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Maxwell's Hand

The stories behind the list:

1. So many Sunday mornings over the past two years, as I've listened to Bro. Earl's preaching, my eyes have wandered to where Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie sit, a little ahead and to the right of where my family is. I have envisioned a small round head resting in the crook of those sheltering arms. I have ached and prayed for the day when that image would not be imagined, but real.
This Sunday morning, it was. And I have felt joy like that only a very few times in my life. Joy, and the real-life realizing of the faith that believes in the result of Work you cannot see.

2. Have you ever been near a tree where a whole bunch of crows are having a gossip party? My what a ruckus they make! But what a nice, country-ish sort of ruckus :) !

3. The Wednesday night before Christmas, Victory Rd. has a church service by candlelight, and the classes aren't divided up like usual on Wednesday night, everybody's together. I got to the church early, since I went straight from work. Mrs. Renae's youngest daughter, who's about six and the type that never meets a stranger, came to me about as soon as I'd gotten sat down and asked, "Miss Kyrie, will you braid my hair?" Of course I was happy to. She chattered the whole time, and informed me that if I smelled strawberries, it was her hair because she had just washed it and her shampoo smelled like strawberries. I told her it was very nice :) !

4. I actually forgot to record a 'Taste' thing for this week... :[

5. Sunday after church, Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie were getting ready to leave, and Bro. Dennis was carrying Maxwell's carrier to the door. I had hurried over to where they were, hoping to get a better view of the baby (I'd only seen pictures), but when I saw they were ready to leave, I stepped back, not wanting to delay them. Bro. Dennis noticed though, and stopped and turned the carrier so I could see. I don't think I've ever seen a newborn baby that I could honestly say was good-looking - until Maxwell. He is beautiful, end of story.
One of his tiny little hands was out from under the blanket, and I couldn't resist reaching out to touch it with one finger. He stirred a little in his sleep, and I wanted to cry for sheer happiness.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 11

2011-12-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: A Sweet Text Message From A Teacher At VRCA / Pictures Of Maxwell

2. Hearing: Sunday Morning Music Service

3. Smell: Vanilla

4. Taste: A Poached Egg Over Rice

5. Touch: Flannel Sheets

The stories behind the list:

1. Two really special 'Sight' things this week. One was a sweet text message from a VRCA teacher whose young daughter I have befriended, thanking me for including the younger girl in some of my activities.
The second was my first glimpse - through pictures - of Bro. Dennis's and Mrs. Carrie's precious little son.

2. The music service this past Sunday at Victory Rd. was so powerful. Not that it isn't always uplifting and beautiful, it's just that this Sunday it was somehow just, I don't know, exceptional. Each song had such a strong message, the musicians seemed at their best, a feeling of expectancy seemed to flow from the audience, and there was such a spirit of joy and peace that could only come from the Lord. I wanted to sing my heart out. I wanted to be able to somehow pause or freeze the moment, to be able to take it out later and experience the spirit of that morning at some time when I might be down or discouraged. But perhaps the Lord will allow me to keep it in my heart!

3. I don't remember what we were making this week, but I think it was some kind of Christmas goodies. It was something with vanilla in it anyway! Wwwwwooooowwwww... I think vanilla is one of the best smells in the world :) !

4. Mom made chicken and rice the other day and after we'd finished eating it, there was just a little bit of rice left over that she needed eaten up. It's so good anyway, but she poached eggs for Trissy and me one night for supper, and with the left-over rice, that makes one of the best 'comfort food' suppers ever!

5. We got some flannel sheets at Wal*Mart one year at the after-Christmas sales. Those are so nice to put on your bed when it starts to get a little chilly! I climbed in bed one night this week, and I was so tired, and the sheets were so clean and soft and wonderful!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 10

2011-12-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Christmas Greenery And Lights In The Church

2. Hearing: George Beverly Shea's CD "Christmas Wonder"

3. Smell: An "Evergreen" Candle

4. Taste: Oreo Bark

5. Touch: The Warmth Of A Cozy Kitchen At Christmastime

The stories behind the list:

1. This past Sunday when we went into the auditorium for church, the handrails up to the balcony, and the edge of the baptistery were all hung with greenery, gold ribbon, and little 'white' lights. The big lights were dimmed before services started, and the effect was so peaceful and beautiful - almost magical. It just felt like the true spirit of Christmas filled the room.

2., 3., and 5. I believe it was Thursday night when Trissy and I got back to the house after our College Bible Study and we walked in the back door, Mom had the kitchen lights off, evergreen-scented candles going, and a Christmas CD by George Beverly Shea playing softly. The atmosphere was so cozy and warm and sweet and inviting!

4. Have you ever had Oreo Bark? MmmmmMmmmm! Trissy and I got together Tuesday evening with a group of Victory Rd. friends to make candy to sell at the college's Christmas festival. One of the things we made was Oreo Bark. I don't remember ever having any before then, but it will definitely be something I want to add to our recipe box!

Dennis Joseph - A.K.A. "Maxwell"

2011-12-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

HE'S HERE!!

Dennis Joseph (A.K.A. "Maxwell"), born Dec. 8, 2011, late in the afternoon, 20 inches long, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz.

"And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him." Isa. 30:18

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

P.S. More later!

"Safety is of the Lord"

2011-12-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

“For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Ps. 91:11

Yesterday afternoon on her way to choir practice, Mrs. Carrie was in a wreck. It had been drizzling all afternoon, and the road was just wet enough to make the oil on the road slick and more dangerous than a heavy rainstorm. Coming around a curve near their house, she lost control and hydroplaned, her SUV ending up on it's side in a ditch. If it had been a car, it would have rolled completely over.

Bro. Dennis was already at the church practicing with the musicians, and Bro. Blake (who went with him when they got the call) told us later that he had to beg him to slow to 80 mph on their way out there. They had no idea what they would find.

But the Lord was merciful. Mrs. Carrie only had a burn from the seatbelt on her arm, and when they took her to the hospital just to make sure everything was alright, they said the baby's heartrate was normal, and they were both fine, though obviously shaken up. Bro. Blake said Bro. Dennis's heartrate was probably what they needed to worry about!

How many prayers have been prayed for this precious child! Both for his creation, and for his future. Just yesterday morning in his sermon, Bro. Earl mentioned how he was praying that this grandbaby would grow to become a godly man, teach his own children the ways of God, and serve the Lord with his life - like his daddy has. How I've prayed, that the Lord would save him while he's young, that he would grow to be a godly man and a preacher for Christ, that he would lead many people to the Lord, and that he would raise his own family for the Lord, that until the end of time, there would be a man of this line serving God.
And the whole church it seems, has been praying for this little miracle, and now is anxiously waiting for him to arrive. That baby will never lack for love - or attention!

Could it be that the devil is trying to stop him, even now? The Lord is SO kind and merciful! We could have lost one or both of them. Yet, He left them both to us - alive and well.

My heart is overwhelmed by His graciousness, His compassion, His pity, and His indescribable goodness.

Words cannot express how I feel. But He hears the words my heart is singing!

What else can I do but worship?

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 9

2011-12-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Law Praying.

2. Hearing: "Harvest"

3. Smell: A Fresh-Peeled Satsuma

4. Taste: The First Eggnog Of The Season

5. Touch: A Warm Cornbag

The stories behind the list:

1. I have mentioned Archer's younger brother, Law, before. He is so talented, so full of potential. He plays the bass guitar on Wednesday nights in the group of young people that leads the music (and does an excellent job), but I long to see him pour himself into the cause of Christ.
Of the S. family, Law is probably the one I know the least, though that is changing. He seems to be the type that hasn't succeeded in going deep with the Lord yet.
Of course I cannot know his heart, but how I pray for that dear young boy! How I long to see the Lord work mightily in his life, and use him in amazing ways for the glory of God!
Wednesday Bro. Mike was gone to a conference, so Austin presented the lesson. After the lesson, Bro. Mike always has some music played and gives the young people a few minutes to think about the message, and go to a corner and pray if they would like to. Almost like an 'invitation' in a church service.
Austin did the same at the end of his lesson, and Law went to the prayer corner. He was the only one. He stayed there on his knees quite a while, with his head propped on his arms on a stair. I wondered what he was thinking, what was going on in his heart. I pray the Lord is working in his soul, molding him into the great man he could one day be.

2. When I was younger, Mom always had a record or a tape playing. We still keep music on alot. I grew up listening to "Mary Jayne and Polly", "The Florida Boys", "Jim Reeves", and others. And a cassette tape Mom's youngest sister had made for her from one of their tapes. It was titled, "It's Alright Now" and was by a band called "Harvest".
I still love listening to all that 'old' music.
When I got older, I made myself a copy of our copy of "Harvest", fearing the tape was getting so old it would disintegrate one of the times we played it, and that would be that.
The other day one of the songs started going through my head as I was getting ready to go to school. I hadn't thought of Harvest in ages, so I have no idea what made me think of it. It made me want to listen to it again though, so I grabbed my tape on the way out the door, and listened to it on the way to school. It brought back good memories, besides just the wonderful lyrics. I thought I'd share some of my favorites here.

"Behold God":

"It's Alright Now":

"Because I Am":

"Mountain Climber":

3. Aunt Winny and the two little cousins (who aren't so little any more. I guess I really can't call them that much longer...) came to visit from off the mission field for the holidays. I hope to elaborate on their visit in another post. Anyway, they went to see her parents in another state before coming here, and they sent a truckload of satsumas and grapefruits to us for Thanksgiving! I absolutely LOVE anything in the orange family - satsumas, tangerines, oranges...
And there were so many we could eat them to our heart's content and not worry about taking them from somebody else who wanted them! I started to peel one, and the scent when the outer skin first broke was so amazingly sweet. Probably one of my favorite smells in the world is the smell an orange lets off when the peel is first broken.
There's got to be an object lesson in that somewhere.

4. With the company coming, The Grandmother bought about six half-gallons of eggnog! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! That first sip after a year, was pure bliss.

5. On a cold night, when you're using your heaviest blankets, toe socks and flannel pajamas, nothing is quite so effective at warding of cold misery like a home-made cornbag. If you do not know what a corn bag is, you can find lots on Etsy.
Here are a couple of examples:

This one is more like the ones we make and use, and is more flexible.

This one is probably more sturdy, but not as effective.

We make little pillow cases (or use odd ones we have laying around) for ours. It protects them from getting dirty (you can't wash the corn bag, but you can wash the pillow case), and adds sturdiness to them too.

Just FYI, I hope to start making them available in my Etsy shop this coming year.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 8

2011-11-25T15:49:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: My Hope Star On The Horizon

2. Hearing: Rain On The Roof During An Afternoon Nap

3. Smell: Woodsmoke

4. Taste: Home-made White Fudge

5. Touch: My soft red fuzzy scarf

The stories behind the list:

1. There is a star that is bright and clear, and in the Fall it appears in the western sky above the horizon in our neck of the woods. I call it my "Hope Star". I want to find out if it really has a name - it is so bright and definite that I'm sure it must.
I call it the "Hope Star" for a sort of long-story-reason. Maybe one day I'll get the story told here. Until then, lets just say that once I was very discouraged and I looked up and saw it, and somehow it gave me hope. So when I see it now, it gives me a warm feeling.

2. One day this week, (Tuesday, I think) we were afforded the luxury of an afternoon nap. It was raining too - a perfect, steady, soothing, pitter-patter type rain. Absolutely delicious to sleep to. That nap was so refreshing!

3. I was driving either to school and work for the day, or back from school and work at the end of the day - I can't remember which - one day this week, and suddenly I smelled the smell of a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Or it could have just been someone burning in their woods. Anyway, it was the smell of cozy nights, winter weather, roasted marshmallows, and Christmas. It made me smile.

4. Mom made white fudge for Thanksgiving. I usually do not care for white fudge very much, but I tasted a crumb of it after she made it, 'cause it was making me so hungry, and it was delicious! I don't know what she did different this year, but that fudge was A. May. Zing.

5. This one is kindof funny... A couple of years ago, during the winter, Mom and Trissy and I were grocery shopping in Wal*Mart, and we passed a rack with a bunch of those knitted scarves out of that fuzzy 'yarn'. There were white, and black, and red, and blue, and lavender, etc. etc. They looked so soft and tempting, so I touched one as we went past. It WAS soft! I wanted to rub my face all in it :) ! But I would never wear something that outlandish in public, and they were ten dollars - way too much to spend on something just because it was soft!
Every time we went back to Wal*Mart I checked to see if they'd gone down in price. They fell to $7. Then to $5. Still too much to spend on a 'just for fun' item, without it being practical as well.
Several more days later, maybe even weeks, I can't remember, we were in again, and I went and looked at them. By this time there were not that many left, but there was still a red one - my favorite color. Only this time when I checked, there was a $3 tag on them, and a worker taking them off the rack and putting them into a cart. If I was going to get one, now was the time.
Yeah, I did. And yeah, I sleep with it every night. It's so soft! Don't judge me! I know alot of y'all still sleep with stuffed animals, and this isn't so much different... :D

"I'm thankful for..." - Week 2 of 2

2011-11-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

Friday:

Woodsmoke
Helpful maintenance men
The fact that God understands why bad things happen even when we don’t
Free honey buns and chocolate milk
God-made coincidences
Modern-day Barnabases
The beauty of the sparks of a copper-colored bonfire on a black-velvet night
The Grandmother’s voice
Clean sheets

Saturday:

Home-made French Toast
Simple Fall-ish table decorations
Early mornings
Three good meals a day
Blue wheelbarrows full of leaves
Family soda-can-smashing sessions (selling for scrap metal)
Family leaf-raking sessions

Our cat Bobby

A camera
A clean room
A washing machine and dryer
Laughing hard

Sunday:

A pastor who leads by example and not words only
Church members who follow their pastor’s good leadership
Musicians who pour themselves into doing their best
Teenagers with good attitudes
Kindred spirits
Willing helpers
Beautiful night-time foggy mists
Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie's baby
Early mornings

Monday:

The smell of Vanilla
Strawberry wafer cookies
Oreo balls dipped in white-chocolate-mint Almond Bark
People that share
Home-made white chocolate fudge

Tuesday:

Naps on rainy days
Raspberry chocolate chips
Plastic toy dinosaurs
The medieval paintings of Edmund Leighton
The sound of a group of Christian ladies talking and laughing as they clean a kitchen
Potato soup with shredded cheese and bacon crumbs in it
A quilt that my Dad's mother made, now reinforced by my Mom
Bonbon sunflowers

Cute pennant banners

Wednesday:

Stars on a clear night
Thanksgiving cooking with family and friends
White-chocolate-dipped Ritz-cracker-and-peanut-butter cookies

Soft red fuzzy scarfs

Thursday:

Big get-togethers that turn out well
Organized jobs
Clocks and watches that go "Tick-tock"
Meaningful conversations with relatives
A star on the horizon

Thanksgiving Day

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Ps. 107:8

His Mysterious Ways

2011-11-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was grabbing my laptop, charger, books, and papers I would need for school, and trying to get it all in my bag, I was frantically looking for anything I could leave! That bag gets very heavy, and even a few papers sometimes seems to make a difference. I unzipped the outside pocket to drop in a CD I had to return to one of the teachers at VRCA, and found my DVD copy of "Lost Or Found". It has been there literally for a couple of months, waiting for me to get a few minutes (and the memory!) to run by Victory Rd. and ask our secretary to make a copy of it for The Grandparents. I took it out for a minute, then shoved it back in. If I took it out now, that copy would never get made! Hopefully it would be safe.

In art class today, all we had was a vocabulary test. That only took a couple of minutes, so I moved to the next room to use one of the computers in her Mac lab for the rest of the time that would have been used for class. It was in that same room, on one of those same computers, that I made "Lost Or Found" last Fall. Funny, touching a Mac keyboard still gives me a nice feeling and brings back all those memories!

I'd been there about an hour or so, when Mr. Smith, my instructor last Fall for the class where we made the movies, stuck his head in. "Oh! Hello! Just the person I wanted to see!"
He's what you'd call "hyper", I guess, always bouncing, always unpredictable, but a great teacher.
Now I wondered what on earth he would want me for, but as he came into the room, a whole string of students was following him, and he was talking to them.
"...in last year's class...made a movie...you wouldn't happen to have a copy of the movie you made with you, would you?"
I blinked, then nodded slowly.
"Yes sir, I do."
"Do you really? Would you mind if the class saw it? They were wanting to see an example of what the finished product is supposed to look like."
I got up and went into the other room where I'd left my stuff, praying all the time.
My little movie was going to be shown - again - to a group of students. The very same class in fact, that I'd made it in, and for. What's more, some of my classmates from another class were now in this one, and would see it as well.
I unzipped that outside pocket, and took out the DVD case. I'd almost left it at the house that morning.
So sure enough, he turned my computer screen around so most of the students could see it, I popped the disk in, and after a few minutes (where my mind blanked out and I could not for anything remember how to play a DVD on a Mac), the menu screen came up, and I hit "Play Movie". As I got up and stepped away from the computer, I heard the familiar "Boing!" of the intro, and Mr. Smith's voice explaining how an intro was a requirement...that I hadn't used a video camera...a digital camera to photograph...put the images together and used the Ken Burns effect to create the illusion of movement...about 3 or 4 minutes long...
My legs were so wobbly! I was standing sortof a little to the side and behind the screen so as not to block anyone's view, but as the soundtrack to Chris Rice's "Come to Jesus" played, I could see the images playing in my mind.
It was interesting to watch the faces. Boredom, curiosity, thoughtfulness, skepticism, etc.
But when it finished, one of my classmates from last Spring leaned over and said, "That was really good Kyrie." I was surprised she even remembered my name! I got to chat with her for a couple of minutes before they had to begin their work.

What an opportunity! There was no way all that was a coincidence!
Me putting that DVD in my bag in the first place, all those weeks ago.
It staying there, me forgetting to take it to have a copy made.
Me deciding at the last minute to stick it back in this morning.
Me staying over after the test to work on one of those computers, instead of going on up to the library, like I usually do.
Staying that long. I'd intended to leave after just a little while, but I was still there when Mr. Smith's class came in.
My classmates from another class, now being in this one.

It had to be what they call, "a God thing".
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
May He be glorified, and continue to use this little movie for His purpose - for that was why it was made in the first place!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 7

2011-11-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Glittering morning frost on my car

2. Hearing: Sunday-afternoon choir practice working on our Christmas cantata

3. Smell: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

4. Taste: Home-made Peanut Butter Chews

5. Touch: A thunderstorm wind

The stories behind the list:

1. Have you ever seen a clean surface, covered in pure white frost, early in the morning, and the glittery effect it has? Much more perfect and stunning than anything man could make.

2. I am SO thankful to be allowed to be part of the choir at Victory Rd. I can't sing that well, and sometimes I feel like I should just quit. I know how my part is supposed to sound, and I can read music, and even hit the notes, but the quality of my voice is a little too grainy to be really nice, and I feel like I'm just messing up some of the others, and making myself look silly in the process. But then we have a session like this past Sunday, and I just can't quit! I love it too much! It's such a great time to get closer to people, to learn more about them as individuals, and to learn more about music. Bro. Dennis really works hard to whip us into shape. Right now we're working on our Christmas cantata and it is probably the best and most beautiful one we've done since my family has been at Victory Rd.
Then there's the great camaraderie and joking that is such a part of any small-ish gathering at Victory Rd. The Bass section sits behind the Tenor section in choir, and all those guys do like to carry on. The fun and banter is mixed with serious moments of concentration and friendship. It's wonderful.

3. The other night Mom made grilled cheese sandwiches for supper. I had already been thinking how wonderful a grilled cheese sandwich would taste, and that aroma as they were toasting - WOW! Toasty, cheesy, perfect.

4. Henley makes the best peanut butter chews. She brought some to our church Thanksgiving meal Tuesday evening and they were SO good.

5. One of my favorite outdoor 'activities' is a walk during a summer thunderstorm. Obviously it's not summer now, but I was out momentarily during the wind before a storm this week, and the fight with the wind is always so exhilarating - and comforting. The force, the power, the energy, the amazing beauty... I feel almost like I am being hugged by God, and I mean that in the most awe-filled, reverent way. Many of the moments in my life when I have felt His presence the strongest were when I was out in a storm.

"I'm thankful for..." - Week 1 of 2

2011-11-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

I have really been challenged recently in the area of Thankfulness, stewardship, and using what you have (even if it seems small) to glorify the Lord.
This week, the author of the blog Simple Delights, had a great idea and invited her readers to join her: For each day of the last two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, compile a list of the things you are thankful for that day, and post your lists each day, or the whole week's worth at the end of each week. She is planning a link-up so we can share our lists with each other.

This goes so well with my goal of trying to notice and be more grateful for all the wonderful little things the Lord provides to us, and I am grateful that others are doing the same thing.

I may not have long lists, but they certainly do not include all the things I am thankful for! Mainly I just jotted down some of the things that were really brought to my mind during the day, but I am actively trying to cultivate a constant attitude of thankfulness. Certainly that should be our goal every day!

I started making my lists on Friday, but I included things from Thursday that I had on my mind and was thankful for as well.

Thursday/Friday:

Good times with good friends
Cream of Chicken Soup
Blogging time
Creative ideas

{Photo and idea by Unoriginal Originality}

Canceled college classes
6-year-old boys with brown eyes, sandy hair, dimples, and a huge appetite for learning and friendship
The safe arrival of Aron and Henley's Timothy, and all
Babies born to Godly young couples
Crochet
'Adopted' brothers

Saturday:

Finished Algebra homework assignments
Godly teaching
Cheery candles in red glass holders

Symphony music, specifically this song:

Doughnuts
Mid-week church meetings

Sunday:

My own Bible
The health and freedom to be able to go to church
Christmas music
Good teachers
Impressionable young friends and the chance to influence them for the Lord
Victory Rd.
Beautiful fall weather
Being picked on by good friends

Monday:

Psalms 107:8-22
Being able to read
Tall trailing bushes with yellow flowers that drape over wooden fences

Text messaging
The kids at VRCA that call me "Miss Dr. Pepper" and my friendship with them
Michael O'Brien's CD, "Be Still My Soul"
Thunderclouds
The texture on a coffee cup from my favorite coffee shop

Cool brisk wind

Tuesday:

Prayer
Rain
Sleeping in
Easy Algebra
Rainbows
A laptop
Pet chickens
A rare phone conversation with an out-of-state friend
Good grades

Wednesday:

"The Conference" - a Bible conference in the north part of the state that has become a family tradition for the week before Thanksgiving
Mild weather after it's been cold
Meeting new friends
Spending time with old friends
Long denim skirts
Good music
Safe journeys
Answered prayers
My Rebelution t-shirt

Thursday:

Hot showers
Grilled cheese sandwiches
College-age Bible studies
Giant peppermint sticks

Mom-made home-made hot chocolate
Pecans
Visions for the future
Hilarious choir practices
Hand-pumped flashlights

A soft bed and warm covers
My own room
Physical and spiritual protection

The Lord is so good to me. This is just a scratch on the surface, but these things are some that really touched me this week.

"...Jesus Christ, Is Coming Soon"

2011-11-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jenn from Unoriginal Originality for sharing this gorgeous music with her readers. She made my week - my family has been listening to this over and over since she posted it!

It's long, but it's SO worth it! Please listen first, then read my thoughts on it below.

This is a comment I left on her post:

"I'm back, listening to the symphony. Again. I let my sister hear it, and she said, "I wonder what the music in Heaven will be like. It sounds like a triumphant hymn."
And really, as I listened to it, I realized she was right. The beginning is our life here on earth: waking up into existence, then happy sometimes, complicated sometimes, adventurous, and a little uncertain at times, but exciting! About 3:40 is the end of our life, or the end of time itself. Solemn. A little sad. Yet hopeful (5:10) because Christ still reigns. And He's coming again (5:20)! Look! There He is! And victory belongs to those who will remain faithful and true to Him (6:00) ! And He will take us in His arms (6:40) and He will wipe our tears away, explaining the reasons for each sorrow, or simply lovingly wiping them from our memory. Then He will stand and open the doors to His glorious land (7:15), revealing to us it's unspeakable beauty and awesome glory for the first time. And we will stand in awe and wonder (7:50), then enter, slowly, like children being shown a great surprise. And forever after will be peace, safety, new adventures just around each corner, and our King always beside us. Forever after."

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 6

2011-11-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: An autumn yard arrangement.

2. Hearing: "Miss Dr. Pepper"

3. Smell: Hot biscuits and gravy.

4. Taste: Cream of Chicken Soup.

5. Touch: A hot shower.

The stories behind the list:

1. The house closest to ours is The Grandfather's brother and sister-in-law's house. They have both past away, and now our neighbors are the youth minister from The Grandparents' church, and his family. They are really nice people!
The yard is beautiful and old-fashioned, and they have added their own touches without taking away from the wonderful old memories of the place. I was driving up to The Grandparents' the other day, and noticed a wonderful autumn arrangement they had made next to the old mailbox, using hay bales, pumpkins, and squashes.

2. I talk alot about the kids at VRCA, but they are such a big part of my life, that many of my recent, treasured memories come from them.
A few weeks ago, I took a can of Dr. Pepper to after-school to use as a prop for some photos I was taking for my Etsy shop (I like to multi-task, and am always taking projects to work on while I watch the kids). Some of the new teachers' kids didn't know my name yet, but when one of the students (who knows me well) thought it would be fun to steal my can of Dr. Pepper, that can began making rounds of the boys' pockets, with the hopes that they could persuade me to forget I had brought it, and they could have it :D ! It was a fun joke, but after that, a couple of the new teachers' kids (a brother and sister) began calling me "Miss Dr. Pepper". The first time the boy called me that, it caught me off guard - I had no idea what he was talking about! But when I asked him he said, 'Cause you brought the Dr. Pepper to school, and I did't know your name!'
They all know my name now, but that brother and sister still call me "Miss Dr. Pepper", instead of "Miss Kyrie", and I love it.

3. Last Friday night I came in cold, tired, and hungry from school and work, and (we pretty much always go to The Grandparents' house for the evening on Fridays) The Grandmother had made biscuits and gravy for supper. One of my favorite smells in the world. My spirits rose from knee-level to the tree-tops.

4. Last night before Thursday night College Bible Study, Trissy and I opened a can of Cream of Chicken Soup for a quick (and hot) supper on the way out the door. Cream of Chicken Soup has got to be one of my favorite "comfort foods".

5. How often do I take a hot shower for granted! So much of the world does not even enjoy indoor plumbing, let alone hot water. Yet after a long day, I find that a hot shower is one of the most comforting, relaxing, soothing things, and I am taking them less for granted. They are also extremely conducive to creative thoughts. I come up with my best creative writings and ideas while in the shower. Often Trissy has come running to my rescue and slid a piece of paper and pencil under the door for me to make soggy notes on!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 5

2011-11-09T14:20:00.001-08:00

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Persimmons on a china saucer.

2. Hearing: A car-load of kids on the way to school.

3. Smell: Taco shells frying.

4. Taste: The first home-made hot chocolate of the season.

5. Touch: A soft white scarf.

The stories behind the list:

1. There is a persimmon tree in The Grandfather's brother and sister-in-law's yard, next to our place. They always let us have persimmons from it, and it's persimmon season now. They are so delicious! We've been having them as snacks in the morning, and the other day Mom made a little party out of it, cutting them onto china plates, and setting out our nice silver-ware to eat them with.

2. Thursday morning at the Thursday Morning Breakfast at the church, we had probably the biggest group of students since the school year started. After breakfast when it was time to get the kids to school, there weren't enough vehicles to get all the kids to school, so I volunteered to take a car-load. It was so much fun! We fit a little person between Trissy and me in the front seat, and four in the back. Yes, they were all buckled, though a couple of them had to share a seatbelt :) ! They were having so much fun, and the merry chatter was such a sweet sound. One of the older girls decided we needed a theme song and started whistling the theme to "The Andy Griffith Show". We dropped them off at the academy, and there were cheerful cries of "Bye!" and "Thank you!" as they all scrambled out of my little 'Tilly-bus' and hurried in to school. It made my day.

3. Trissy made tacos one day, and she was frying the shells when I got in from work and school. Ohhhh it smelled good!

4. It is finally starting to really get cold. Mom has gotten hooked on those fancy creamers for her coffee, like French Vanilla, and Irish Cream and all that. I was tired and cold from sitting still at the computer doing homework, so I got up and made myself my first home-made hot chocolate of the season (I had bought a hot chocolate at the little local coffee shop a few days before). Mom wanted me to use her French Vanilla cream in it, just to see how I liked it ;) . I don't drink coffee, but that cream sure was good in the hot chocolate!

5. Mrs. Gayle, the assistant administrator at VRCA, was one of the ones that went on the church mission trip this past summer that Trissy and I went on. While we were there, she discovered that I know how to french braid my hair. She was so excited, and asked if I would do hers :) . She is so funny! I french braided her hair the rest of the time we were over there, and since school has started, she asks me to come by the academy on my way to college and do it once a week or so. I enjoy getting to do it :) !
Last Friday, she came in to after-school to get her kids and she was wearing a nice black scarf. I'd been trying to find a white one almost just like it and I commented on it, and asked her where she got it, but she said she didn't think they had white ones.
Sunday between Sunday School and the church service, I heard her voice out in the foyer asking where I was. She has a trumpet voice that comes in very handy at the school, and has just become part of her personality :) . It made me smile. I called back to her, and she came around the corner with a gift bag in her hand, holding it out to me. "What's this for?!" I asked her.
"It's because I love you!" she answered. "Do I have to have a reason?"
She wanted me to open it right then. "I want to see if you..." she paused. "If it's what you're looking for".
I couldn't imagine what it was, but I sat down, took out the dark green tissue paper, and there was a beautiful white scarf! It was a really nice one, and SO soft.
I didn't know what to say! She just grinned. "It's for braiding my hair!"

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 4

2011-10-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday". And yes, I know I haven't posted No. 3 yet. There was another post hinged on it that I haven't finished yet, so I'll be posting them at the same time when I get them finished.
For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: A group of kids playing football.

2. Hearing: Victory Rd.'s young musicians.

3. Smell: An evergreen candle.

4. Taste: A snacky supper - a bowl of green beans, a corn dog, a piece of cheese toast, and a little bowl of strawberry yogurt.

5. Touch: Warm snuggly blankets on a chilly night.

The stories behind the list:

1. In after-school, one of the things the kids love to do is play football. The teachers' kids will come out and get the game going with the after-school children. They'll get their teams together and play for hours and hours. It's so fun to see them - from thirteen to about six, all out there running their hearts out, having a ball, and they're all pretty good too! The light is just beautiful - that late-afternoon light - and it adds such a neat affect to the scene. This Wednesday after-noon was like that.

2. Every Wednesday night when they play and sing, it seems like the group just gets better. This past Wednesday was no exception.

3. One day when I got back to the house, Trissy had a candle burning on the kitchen table. It was Evergreen scent, and it made the whole house smell like a pine fire. Oh, it was SO nice!

4. Saturday evening, I think it was, The Grandparents came to the house for supper. Alot of times for supper we do a kindof 'every man for himself' thing, and we just have whatever. It's fun! This time Mom made tomato soup and cheese toast since we had guests, but I went ahead and fixed myself a hodge-podge of some of my favorite things out of the left-overs we had in the fridge, in addition to the already-delicious meal :) .

5. One night it was supposed to get cold, so I put an extra quilt on my bed and when I woke up the next morning, I was snuggly warm against the chill. Mmmmm!

What Have I Learned In Three Years?

2011-10-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, today is my blog's third birthday. Three years ago today I was sitting at a computer in this same row, in this same library, in this same school, clicking the "Publish Blog" button, and starting on a whole new adventure in journal-keeping. How little did I imagine the enjoyment I would get, and the lessons I would learn from it.

What have I learned in three years?
Well, I know alot more about HTML than I did then!
I've learned that the 'outside world' really is as heartless, depraved, and sad as I'd always heard.
I've learned that there really are other Godly people out there - there is still hope for this heartless, depraved, sad world!
I've learned how to cook (a little bit better, anyway)!
I've learned to fall in love with photography. I've learned about photographic styles, and which I like best. I've learned Gimp is just about as good as Photoshop - and it's a whole lot cheaper (Gimp is free)! I've learned that I just don't have much photographic talent - yet!
I've learned that to plant Flowers, you've got to get your hands in the Dirt.
I've learned how to set up an Etsy shop.
I've learned to never take a good church for granted.
I've learned to never take good friends for granted.
I've learned that writing is rewarding. And that it's tough.
I've learned that God is sovereign.
I've learned to find pleasure in the small things.
I've learned alot about art.
I've learned alot about determination, perseverance, and how to "Do Hard Things".
I've learned that sometimes if you really want something to happen, you've got to go after it and make it happen.
I've learned that sometimes being introverted is a choice. Being extroverted is too.
I've learned that I love the color combination black and ivory.
I've learned that there are some books that are just not worth reading - even if they come highly recommended.
I've learned (again) that good people aren't perfect; the best and most mature Christian has a chink in his armor. The young and inexperienced Christians have a bunch!
I've learned that a mission trip is one of the most rewarding experiences a young person could have.
I've learned that prayer really is the greatest force on earth, and that if people know you believe that, they will open up their hearts to you and ask you to pray for things in their life.
I've learned that saying "goodbye" is sometimes the hardest thing you ever go through. I've also learned that there is no such thing as a wasted life in the kingdom of God.
I've learned about Christian apologetics and thinking logically.
I've learned that love must be tough always.
I've learned that thankfulness is the key to happiness.

Of course I'm being a tad facicious with some of the things on this list, but these really are areas where I have 'learned' in the past three years. Some things I learned from the ground up, some things I learned more about what I already knew a little bit about, some of the things were just transfers of what I knew in my head, to what I now TRULY BELIEVE, through tests and results, and seeing firsthand that they really are true.

Like about planting flowers in the dirt. Of course I knew that you plant flowers in dirt! But there's a two-fold meaning there. When the Lord told us to go into the world and tell others about Him, He didn't mean for us to do it from the safety of our own little clean, white, comfort zones. He didn't! He got down among the 'dirty' people He loved, and He planted seeds of beauty and Godliness in the Spiritual dirt. If we expect to share His saving grace with those who don't know Him, we must expect to get in among them, love them with His love, and be willing to get our hands dirty to show them how much we care. In my time at college, I've had a hard time getting past barriers like dress, bad language, inappropriate topics, and other things about the people I'm around that I have nothing in common with. But the Lord has helped me work on that (after all, these people don't know Him; how else would lost people be expected to act?!) and learn how to try to be a friend and show HIM to them, through how I conduct myself and how I care about them.

I've learned alot in the past three years. And the above is by no means an exhaustive list!
It's been an interesting journey. I wonder what the next three years will bring... Maybe it's best that I don't know now.

"5 Small Things Friday" - No. 3

2011-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Visit this post to learn about "5 Small Things Friday".

Two of my things are from today, instead of last Friday through yesterday, but since I came up with this "5 Small Things Friday" idea, I guess I can bend the rules :) . And these two seemed to fit the idea better than other things that happened this past week.

My list this week:

1. Sight: Rebelutionaries.

2. Hearing: "Jesus Christ is Lord."

3. Smell: Cold Autumn air.

4. Taste: A gingerbread man.

5. Touch: A hug with Mrs. Renae.

The stories behind the list:

1. I'm working on a post relating the amazing experience of being at the last "Do Hard Things" Conference of the last Rebelution Tour. What a blessing! I'll try to post soon.
We got to the church early, and the huge church building and campus was already buzzing with activity. There were groups of sunny, fresh-faced teenagers with huge smiles (and that early in the morning too!), waiting to greet us in the parking lot and at the doors as we walked into the building, teenagers behind the registration table, teenagers giving directions, teenagers handing out the keypads we'd need for interaction during some of the sessions, teenagers manning the book tables, teenagers running equipment, teenagers praying, teenagers there for the conference. I only saw a handful of adults in actual positions of coordination or leadership during the whole event - almost everything was handled by young people, whether pre-teens, teenagers, or those in their early twenties. It was a breathtaking experience - all these hundreds of busy young people were here for THIS!

2. To hear each tiny voice make a distinct echo in that huge room - it was so powerful. Listening to "...the harvest come in."
A young girl, "Jesus Christ is Lord." A college-age young man, "Jesus Christ is Lord." A small boy, "Jesus Christ is Lord." Two friends in unison, "Jesus Christ is Lord." A mom, "Jesus Christ is Lord."
"Jesus Christ is Lo..." "Jesus Chri..." "Jesus Christ is ..." "Jesus Christ is Lord."
Then that one final thunderous shout as we all join together - hundreds of voices proclaim, "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!"
Gives me chills all over, just remembering. Even when I'm old and my mind may be gone otherwise, I hope this is one memory that stays with me all my life.

3. Last night Mom went outside to get something out of Dad's truck. I offered to get it for her, but I was already in my pajamas, so she wouldn't let me. But I hung out the front door waiting for her, soaking up the chilling air. I blew out my breath into clouds that billowed like fog against the black sky. I closed my mouth and breathed deep and long of the pure cold air, and felt it fill me all the way down to my toes. It was exhilarating!

4. Today all I had for lunch (well, until late afternoon anyway) was a Little Debbie gingerbread man and some milk. I know, why eat store-bought when my Mom is such a great cook?! Because several boxes of these conveniently-individually-wrapped gingerbread men were given to us, because I was at school and these cookies are already wrapped and I can just grab one for a snack, because my Mom has not had time to make gingerbread for quite a while, and because these store-bought ones are very good, I've got to admit! Gingerbread is great - it gives you just that "little something sweet" you want at meal time, but it's not terribly overloaded with unhealthy ingredients.

5. Dear Mrs. Renea. I'll tell you a secret - I didn't really like her when we first started going to Victory Rd. That's horrible, I know, but they say confession is good for the soul. Now I can't think why I didn't always love her! Probably because I just didn't understand her. She is very quirky, but aren't we all (especially at Victory Rd. - we seem to attract "extreme" personalities :D )?! She is so fun and lively, yet so sweet and wise. Today there were a bunch of us from the church and Victory Rd. Christian Academy working on a fundraiser for VRCA and Mrs. Mandy was the one in charge. Long story short, things were getting hectic, and I think it was one of those "I just want to sit down and cry" moments for Mrs. Mandy. We were all busy and running around like crazy, but at one point she came to grab something that was near where I was, and I just reached out and gave her a quick one-arm squeeze to try to cheer her up. She pressed her nose against the side of my face and hugged me back - hard :) .

"5 Small Things Friday" - No. 2

2011-10-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".
For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: A living evidence of an answered prayer.

2. Hearing: A happy wren's evening song.

3. Smell: Bacon cooking at Waffle House.

4. Taste: Cool clean water after a 2.5 mile walk/run.

5. Touch: A child's hand in mine.

The stories behind the list:

1. Every year, on a Wednesday night in October, Victory Rd. meets at the college's football field / walking track instead of at church. We have a devotional on the bleachers, then the rest of the evening is spent eating supper, visiting, and walking/running on the track. The walk/run helps raise money for Life Word broadcast ministries.
This past Wednesday night was our walk/run. At one point I took a break and climbed up the bleachers to watch those on the track down below, and I saw Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie were walking together. 'Strolling' is a more accurate word, though, since Mrs. Carrie's size is preventing her from moving very fast anymore :) . Bro. Dennis loves to 'work the crowds' and usually manages to seem like he's everywhere at once, but this time he was just walking with her. It was such a beautiful picture - him slowing down for her, the two of them chatting away as they walked, and the obvious evidence of answered prayers and new life. As I watched them, my heart overflowed with thankfulness, joy, and tremendous gratitude to the Lord for His goodness, compassion, and kindness - to them, and to those that love them!

2. I was washing my car Saturday evening, enjoying the fresh fall air. Suddenly a wren started singing at the edge of our yard. He was singing his little heart out, and it sounded like he was just so happy he had to praise the Lord :) . It made me glad.

3. As I got off work the other day, the Waffle House next door to the Academy was warming up for the supper crowd. It smelled SO good!

4. Wednesday night at the walk, I walked and ran a total of 2.5 miles. That's not that much, but a big drink of cool fresh water was so refreshing afterward! So many people don't have clean water at all - the Lord has been so good to me, even in things like clean water that I take so for granted sometimes.

5. During a huge part of my time on the track, one of my little after-school girls trotted along beside me. Her and her two brothers usually get picked up from school and taken straight to the church and dropped off for class on Wednesday nights, but since the church was meeting to walk this night and there was no class, they had come ahead anyway with the group of kids on the church bus. Their family situation is so sad and mixed up. I try to be a friend and a good influence during the time I have them at after-school, and I've gotten pretty close to them I think. She followed along beside me chatting away lap after lap, and she's only nine or ten. Once as we were walking along, she slipped her hand into mine. My heart ached for her and all others like her, but I was so thankful to think that maybe I could make a difference in her life.

Gulp!

2011-10-17T11:48:00.001-07:00

Well, as you can see, my design is now somewhat different. I was just going to try to tweak something, Blogger assuring me that I could revert to my original design if I wasn't satisfied. Yeah, right. Bologna. Never, never, NEVER believe Blogger! My whole blog disappeared, and I sat here for almost a minute in stunned disbelief. Two years' worth of writing. Gone.
Gulp!
I guess the Lord just directed my fingers, 'cause after going through cardiac arrest, coming to, and praying that the Lord would help me get my writing saved, at least, I just randomly tried something else, and it all appeared again. Granted, the 'look' is different, but at least it's there! I've spent a little time tweaking the design now, and I'll admit it's beginning to grow on me. Just a little. There are pros and cons. I now have both a left and a right sidebar, and I LOVE that. There are other things I could do without, but it's okay.
I'm just thankful my blog is still in existence!

"The Key To Happiness..."

2011-10-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

I was scheduled to do the devotional yesterday at the Thursday morning breakfast, and I knew I didn't want to get up and say just anything. Here was an opportunity to speak to these kids, to maybe influence them, to hopefully plant a good seed in their mind to grow during the rest of their day.

So I followed an old piece of advice:

"Write (or in this case, speak) about what you know."

I decided to speak on something the Lord has been teaching me lately. Here it is, not word-for-word obviously, because of variations I thought I should make in the moment, but nearly word-for-word. I didn't deviate much. The breaks were so that if I got lost, it would be easy to find my place again :) .

"Pro 17:22 'A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.'

I’d like to focus on the first part of this verse. It talks about how a person’s mindset affects their life. A merry heart… If someone is happy, it does more for them than any medicine.

I heard a quote quite a while back related to this, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently. Several things have been happening in my own life lately that have brought it to my mind. It says:

'The key to happiness, is a thankful heart.'

Think about that for a minute. The key to happiness is a thankful heart.

Everyone wants to be happy. It’s just the way humans are! But obviously not everybody is.

People try to buy happiness all the time. Some people think if they just have this thing or that, like a new phone or some other fancy gadget, then they’ll be happy. Or if they get to go on their dream vacation, it will make them really be happy.

But it doesn’t work that way. You can’t buy happiness! Now, you can buy fun, but you can’t buy happiness, and 'fun' doesn’t last. As soon as the vacation’s over, you’ll be looking toward next year. As soon as the new model comes out, your 'new' phone won’t be so great any more.

The key to happiness, really is a thankful heart. You can only be happy if you decide to be happy. What I mean by that is, if you’re always looking for what you don’t have, to satisfy you, you’ll never be satisfied.

You’ve got to make a decision to be thankful for what you have. But you can’t just be like, 'Oh… yeah… you know… I’m happy that I have food… and I’m glad I have a house I can sleep in when it’s raining, and that I’m not like those poor people in down in South America or Africa or somewhere…'

I don’t mean like that. I mean REALLY looking at what you have, and enjoying it. BEING THANKFUL for it!

Just as an example, say there’s this popular person at your school. Or they don’t even have to be popular, it’s just someone you’d really like to be friends with. But they have someone they always hang out with, and are good friends with, and they don’t really seem to notice you that much.

So you’re unhappy, because you can’t have that special friendship. Then say there’s this kid in the grade below you. And for some reason they don’t have a lot of friends, it’s not that they’re a bad person, everyone else just already has their little groups, and this kid has kindof gotten left out. And you don’t really notice them that much either.

But then you realize they always seem to be around where you are. They really seem to pay attention when you give your opinions about something. They seem to look up to you.

So you take the energy you were spending being sad about this person you wanted to be friends with, and instead you take a look at this kid. And you get to know them, and turns out even though they are younger than you, y’all have a lot in common, and boom! you had a really great friend right there waiting to be discovered!

That’s an example of being thankful for what you have. Not focusing on what you don’t have. And that’s just one example!

When you do that, you have made a conscious decision to be thankful, and in doing that, you notice how great the little things are , and it’s made you happy!

Everyone wants to be happy. And right here the Bible gives us the key to it. And this is just one verse in the Bible that talks about this idea.

A merry heart, or a thankful heart, is the key to being happy, to really enjoying all that the Lord has put in our lives.
So, I’d like to challenge you to notice the little things, and be thankful for what you have today."

"5 Small Things Friday" - No. 1

2011-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is something new I want to start. You see these weekly things on so many blogs, like "Hello Monday" or "Terrific Tuesday" where you post on a specific topic on a specific day of the week, then link up if you've done it.

I don't this to be quite like that, but maybe a little similar. For one thing, if you decide to join in, I don't want you to link back to this blog. I am not one of those bloggers who blogs for an audience. If people stumble across my blog, fine, and I hope they get something good from it. But I keep this journal of sorts for myself. I don't want alot of 'publicity'.

Also, if you do decide to do this with me, I don't want you to feel pressured to keep it up. If you miss a week, that's okay! If your schedule is so busy that you've got to drop it, I hope it was a blessing to you during the time you participated!

And third, even people without blogs can join in if they'd like.

Here is the idea behind this idea, and also the 'rules':

The idea behind the idea is to help me notice the little things in life. The amazing mundane details that make existence enjoyable. Those little things we tend to not notice until they are gone.

In the last year or so, the importance of not taking for granted these special things has been pressed upon me in many different and unique ways, probably more than at any other time in my life. Or maybe I'm just starting to notice more than at any other time. I've found myself focusing on, noticing, and really appreciating these things. Small things. Like the laughter of a friend. A child's trusting eyes. The natural glitter in a flower petal (I'm serious! Look for it - it's there!). The smell of the earth after a rain. Or the rough texture of a concrete floor under bare feet.

I want to capture these moments. These memories. I want to learn to be even more grateful for them. And I want to notice more.

So here is the challenge. For each sense God has given us - Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch - I'm going to record one 'Small Thing' I noticed in the past week. From Friday to Thursday, and then post my list on Friday. You're welcome to join me!

1. If you choose to post on your blog, you're welcome to use my image.
2. Please do not link back to this blog, but say you got the idea from a fellow blogger.
3. I'd love it if you left a comment with a link to your post, so I can see what 'Small Things' you're noticing!
4. If you want to post pictures or the story behind the 'Small Things' you noticed, that's fine too. I will probably be doing that off and on, depending on how much time I have to post.
5. If you don't have a blog, you can still do this! And, once again, I'd love for you to comment here on the Friday post for that week, and let me read what your list is!

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: A friend's smile.

2. Hearing: A child memorizing a Bible verse.

3. Smell: Clean towels.

4. Taste: A garden salad.

5. Touch: My cat 'hugging' me.

The stories behind the list:

1. I want to do a post on the whole story, but in a nutshell, the college kids hosted a game night this past Sunday night after services for the Junior High and High School kids who came to church. The whole idea is to build relationships and hopefully influence the younger ones in Godly ways. We're hoping to branch it out more too, and that these kids will bring their friends. If you want to come to the game night, you've got to come to church too.
Anyway, we played this great new game (well, new to me) called 'Spoons', and it was a blast! It was good to see the smiles.

2. I usually don't work the after-school program on Thursdays, but the lady that does, had worked for me Friday so I could go with my family to see Courageous. She had to go somewhere yesterday, so we just traded days.
The kids have got to do their homework before they can play, and Scripture memorization is part of it. One of the little girls wanted me to listen to her work on her verse.

3. The other night after we'd washed laundry, we had to get out clean towels for showers. I just shoved my nose into one, and breathed deep. Mmmmmmmm!

4. The other day for my lunch, Trissy fixed me a salad to take to school. I love salads, and she'd put lots of good stuff in it - lettuce of course, and carrots, grated cheese, tomatoes, boiled eggs, and topped with Ranch dressing! Wow.

5. I don't know if I've ever told about Winky, a.k.a. "The One-Eyed Wink". My kitten I rescued from the parking lot after work one night last winter. He only has one eye. We think he was just born that way, because there were no scars. He is so loving. Almost like he realizes how indebted he is to us :) ! He loves to come up when we're out in the yard, and raise up on his back legs, and 'hug' our legs with his front ones.

Even if you don't keep a list, take the time to notice the 'Small Things' that make up life.

Courageous Is Coming!

2011-09-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Courageous - In Theaters Today!

My family, including The Grandparents, and along with Lindy, are all planning to load up and head about 45 minutes away to the nearest theater to see the newest Sherwood Pictures film on opening day!! I am so excited, both to get to see a great movie, and to see what the Lord will do with the efforts of these dear Godly people who are seeking to honor Him with the talents He has given them. What a joy to know there are still good clean movies being made - and all for the purpose of glorifying the Lord!

Hollywood judges the success of a movie by how much support it gets on opening weekend. If you are planning to go see it, please consider going today, tomorrow, or Sunday, to get the biggest audience for your supportive voice.

Hope to see you at the theater!

SOLI DEO GLORIA! -Kyrie<>< - a 'Dear ____, Love, me' post

2011-09-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Dear book collection,

I'm so happy to have you with me! You never get old. In fact, the older you are, better you get!

Dear dessert,

Why do you have to taste so good? Especially when you take the form of Cookies 'N' Cream ice cream, strawberry wafer cookies, biscuits and jam, or Butterfinger cake?! Temptations, temptations.

Dear grapes, apples, peaches, bananas, strawberries, and raisins,

Thank you for being so delicious ;) . I love you.

Dear night-time bicycle rides,

You're wonderful. I love your cold air stinging my cheeks, the smell of the fresh wind, the crunch of a gravel-and-dirt road under my tires, and the exhilaration of being the only living thing out under the stars.

Dear Nikon D3000 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera that I don't have yet,

I want you so much. But, I'm trying to have patience until I have enough money saved up to get you. Until then, I hope our little family point-and-shoot will stay alive so I am not totally without a camera...

Dear creativity,

You're the best! I'm so happy that you come to visit me every now and then, especially when I have the time, opportunity, and resources to make good use of your appearances!

Dear late nights,

You seem to help me get so much done. But then, the next morning it is SO hard to leave the soft bed, and I think our relationship is not a healthy one, and so must soon end ...

Dear early mornings,

I really enjoy you! We should get better acquainted.

Dear rain,

You are so amazing. Sometimes I wonder if the Lord thought of me when He made you - not really, but you know what I mean. I love you so much! Come again soon.

Dear Mixed Berry candle,

One dollar, plus tax, at Dollar General. One dollar for a little jar of pure joy. Who can beat that?

Dear yard-sales-where-I-get-stuff-free-because-I-know-the-people-who-are-having-the-sale-and-they-just-want-to-get-rid-of-the-left-overs-so-they-give-it-to-me-and-I-get-to-keep-what-I-want-before-donating-or-consigning-the-rest,

I could seriously get used to having you around.

Dear Fall,

Why can't you be here all year long? I know, I know. If you were, I wouldn't appreciate you as much. But oh, how I love you!

Dear blog,

I'm glad I have you. It is nice to have an outlet for my writing bug, while at the same time keeping a record of what's happening in my life. Even if I do take a little while to get my posts published...

Dear friends,

I love you. I'm so thankful that I have been privileged to know you. You make my day - you encourage me, tease me, love me, teach me, and bear with me. You make me smile. I take you for granted sometimes, and I'm sorry. Don't give up on me, okay?

Dear God,

Thank You for everything You've blessed me with. And I don't mean to be cliched. Thank You for a house to live in; thank You that I live in the country. Thank You that I live in the South. Thank You for soft clean sheets, for a hot shower, my sister sleeping in the next room, plenty of clothing, for chocolate milk and wafer cookies, for good-natured grins and happy, mischievous eyes. Thank You for my wonderful friends and Godly church family at Victory Rd.. Thank You for a job, and for how much I enjoy it. Thank You for finished projects, thunderstorms, good books, and Christian movies. Thank You for old telephones, antique buttons, and recycled treasures. For color, and for eyes to see it with. Thank You for Autumn.
Thank You for surprises.
Help me to be more thankful. Help me not to take for granted what You have given me. Help me to use it frugally, efficiently, wisely, and for Your glory.
Thank You. I love You. Help me love You more.

Dear everyone,

Thank you for reading. That is all.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><

Note: I got this idea from Carlotta, who got it from another blogger. I really liked the idea, and hope it is okay for me to use it. I had fun.
Also, I hope to add photos to this post soon.

Storms I Never See

2011-09-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

There's a song that's sung by one of our favorite Southern Gospel groups called, "Storms I Never See". The person is thanking the Lord for all these different things, then prays, "Lord, I'm also grateful for the storms I never see."

This morning in our college Sunday School class, before class actually started, we got to talking briefly about dangerous experiences. One of my college friends told how, when they were younger, they had been riding a four-wheeler and didn't see the zip-line wire in front of them. It caught them right across the throat. The wire was tight and they were not going slow, either.

That situation could have turned tragic very easily.
Yet the Lord chose to give protection.

How merciful the Lord was!! He spared this friend a terrible death. He spared their family a horrendous loss.
He spared me, and others who have come to know, love, and grow from the friendship of this dear young person now.
Who knows what many other lives He spared, that will be touched by this Godly individual in the future?

How many nightmares has the Lord protected us from, that we don't ever know about? How many ways has He kept something from happening, years ago even, that - if it had happened - would have made our lives radically different? How many things do we take for granted because we've just gotten used to them being there, and don't realize, the Lord could have taken those things from us before we ever HAD them! And we forget to thank Him for the storms we never see.

VRBC

2011-08-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

It's time the church had a name.

In my musings and chronicling of my life that I record on this blog, I have carefully tried to protect the privacy and identity of the people and places I talk about. I have chosen, with care, the names the characters in this little 'story of my life' are known by. One of the most frequently mentioned entities however, has, up until now, not had a name of it's own in my records. That is the church. The church that first caused me to start this blog - to record the lessons I learn there, the relationships I form there, the challenges I face there, and the encouragements I gain there.

It's time I had something to call it other than "the church", "my church", or "our church" (depending on the context I'm writing from at the moment). "The church" could be too broad, since those words (as a term) are often used to speak of the Church as a whole - Christ's Bride, the body of believers.
"My church" is technically incorrect, as is "our church", because even though I'm only using the terms to denote the local church I am a member in, "my" or "our" expresses ownership, and I do not feel comfortable doing that. The church is not 'mine' or 'ours'. It is His - it is Christ's!

So the church needs a specific name that I will call it by here on this blog, and I believe I have a fitting one for it.

From now on when I speak of the church I attend and love so much, I will be referring to it as Victory Road.

There are several reasons I have chosen this name. Some people who read this may even be able to recognize a few of them.
The Lord has used this place as a change in my life's road. I have encountered certain types of bumps and curves that had never been in the pathway of my former travels. Hard, rough, and painful places. I have also encountered some of the most sheltered, tree-lined avenues of dappled sunshine I have ever been through. Beautiful places where the Lord's presence is so real beside me that at times I almost felt I could reach out and He would physically put His arm around my shoulders.

I am thankful beyond expression that He chose to take me down this Victory Road. I pray I may learn the lesson behind every hard rock in the way, and that I may soak up, treasure, and share the smooth soft places full of Glory.

Note: It follows that the Christian Academy will now be "Victory Road Christian Academy" or "VRCA" in the post labels.
Also, as time permits, I will probably go through all the other posts I have done about the church, and change the name.

Existence Vs. Living.

2011-08-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last night before family prayer and bedtime, Trissy made a comment on the difference between 'living', and 'existence'. She told me that I "know how to 'live'".

Do I?

What is 'Existence', and what is 'Life'?

Existence is breathing, one's body working properly, going through the motions of life. A dead - or dying - soul that cannot escape, simply because it's earthly prison of flesh and bone is too healthy to release it.
Or, it's the act of moving through life, but not living it. Trissy described it as in a scene from one of our family-favorite movies: Rafting down the river. Landing at a sandbar where we will camp. Hurrying to get the rafts unloaded, hurrying to get camp set up so we can hurry and get to bed so we can get up early in the morning to hurry and get the rafts loaded, and hurry down the river - to the next camp site.

Life is physical, just like existence. But life is something more.
Life is Joy. Life is Peace in the midst of deepest pain. Life finds it's greatest pleasures in little things like working with it's hands, the glittery sparkles naturally embedded in a flower petal, or even the brilliant color of some man-made item; the feel of a cool, hard-wood floor beneath it's bare feet; a well-written article. An exceptional voice. A lovely form. A fine face.
Life has (or takes) the time to smell the roses, right an over-turned bug, or dance in the rain.

Existence endures. Life enjoys.
Existence mourns. Life marvels.
Existence is miserable in hard circumstances. Life is hopeful, in spite of hard circumstances.
Existence is uncaring. Life is unselfish.
Existence struggles. Life shares.

Do I Live? I pray so.

What Else Can I do But Worship?

2011-08-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

"Thank You" is not enough. He is too great. It is all too amazing.
"Thank You" is not enough. What else can I do but worship?

Note: Details later.

More Recent Happenings

2011-07-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is another 'Recent Happenings' post. I have to go such gaps in my posting that when I do get to post just a 'journal' type post, there is SO MUCH to tell! Maybe someday I can get on a schedule that allows for regular blogging - I don't want to forget all these memories! Until then, I'll just do my best.

Mission Journey 2011 - my (and Trissy's) first mission trip was an amazing blessing and experience! Ten from our church went, as well as the churches former pastor who agreed to come to do the preaching. Our team did a series of services that lasted five evenings. Each night about half of us led special classes for children, while the rest had a church service for the adults. We worked with the local church, and were blessed beyond measure, besides the added blessings of their testimonies of how we had blessed them!
We also worked on their church building, helping with some fixes that needed to be done.
The story is so long and wonderfully full! I will not tell it all here. Suffice it to say, I believe I will never forget my experiences there, the bonds and friendships made, the lessons learned, and the tremendous blessings poured out. I pray the Lord used us to impact lives to such an extent, that the local Christians will be able to water the seed we planted, and that God will give such an increase that all we can do is praise Him!

Oliver got married this past month to a girl he met in Bible College. He'd brought her down here a couple of times on school breaks this past semester, and Victory Rd. got to meet her, but it still took us all a little by surprise, I think, when we heard he was getting married! Bro. Mike said the church would be taking our bus over there for anyone who wanted to go to the wedding (Oliver stayed over in the state where the college is, instead of coming back here for the summer). It ended up only being five of us who went. Bro. Mike and his wife, Toby, Lindy, and me.

We drove over Friday, the wedding was Saturday evening, and we came back Sunday afternoon after going to the church Landon attends when he's there.

That was the most 'different' wedding I think I've ever been to. I don't guess it was bad, it was just... nontraditional, shall we say. But I was glad I went. Some of Oliver's church family from down here needed to be there to support him and show we still love and care about him, even though he's not here any more.

We gave our old (well, young actually) mean rooster to Mom's cousin and his family who live up the road from us, and their little grandson LOVES him! We had him out in the pen, and Mom and Trissy were afraid of him because he would try to spur them whenever they went into the pen. Dad and I were the only ones he respected - we made sure he knew who was boss!

Mom was so tired of being afraid in her own yard that she was about ready to put him in a pot, but he'd been part of the first batch we'd hatched in the incubator, and we hated to eat him ourselves, so we gave him to our cousin. They keep him in a smaller cage by himself, and they can just reach in to feed him. The little grandson loves to look at him and hear him crow :) . So we're glad the matter was 'disposed of' so satisfactorily to everyone! We got rid of a menace, and they got a pet!

The chicks we hatched were getting so big, and as soon as we got rid of the rooster, we put them out in the big pen with the hens. Two of the banty eggs and one of the medium-sized ones from Mrs. H hatched, and also four of our own. When we let them out into the big pen, they were so happy to be out and able to 'fly' around!

Day before yesterday though, something got the little banty rooster chick (bottom left in the picture). We thought maybe it had been one of our cats, but they acted hungry at feeding time, and just didn't seem like they would do that - they're pretty used to the chickens, and leave them alone.
Then yesterday something killed the little medium-sized one (the white one at the top), but left most of it (the banty was completely gone except for a little pile of feathers). Trissy had seen a squirrel in the pen yesterday, and we are wondering if a squirrel might have gotten them. Does anyone know if squirrels eat chicken?! There's getting to be somewhat of an over-population of them around here, and if they can't find enough of their normal food, would they go for a small chicken?
Anyway, we've locked the last five chicks in the chicken house with food and water, and put a nesting box out in the yard for the grown hens for now. We hope to get some wire soon (today if possible) and totally enclose the area.

We had VBS in June, and really enjoyed being involved again this year. Trissy went 'out on a limb' this year, and was the assistant teacher for ages four and five, with Lindy being the teacher. The young Spanish woman who our family's having Bible studies with, brought her two little kids, and they all seemed to really enjoy it.

I've finally gotten the top of my bedspread made! I've been wanting to make a denim bedspread for several years, using our old denim clothes and scraps given to me by friends and family, so it will be sort of a memory quilt. I finally gathered enough scraps - it took 315 squares!

I wrote on little scraps of paper where each denim piece came from, and pinned it to the fabric. I plan on embroidering on the back of the quilt, who each square came from.

I got the top pieced a couple of weeks ago. I had to lay it all out on our living room floor, because that was the only place big enough to leave it spread out until I got all the squares sewn together!

It took me almost two weeks to get it done, working in my spare time. Mom was very patient to let me leave it spread out in the middle of the floor so long!

On the Fourth of July, Trissy made a delicious 'fruit pizza' desert using sugar cookie dough for the crust, and a whipped cream/cream cheese mixture for the 'sauce'. She loves decorating those things, but this year we didn't have much fruit except blueberries, so that's what she used.

I thought it turned out so western/country/rustic looking - I love that style - and it tasted SO good!

Dad, Mom, Trissy, me, and The Grandparents all took a little 'field trip' out to a blueberry farm near where we live, and got to see how blueberries are picked by a machine, and how they are examined, sorted, and packaged for selling.

One of the men who works there goes to the same church as The Grandparents, and he told them they aught to go out and see how it was done! The owner is also a friend of his, and took us around, giving us the 'grand tour'. It was fascinating!
Before we left, we bought some of their blueberry lemonade - it was so cold and refreshing!

Last month, we were outside one evening at The Grandparents, and kept thinking we heard a kitten mewing. We eventually found it up inside the motor area of our van! It was dark by this time (we were getting ready to go back to our house), and the kitten was black, so we had quite a time finding it and getting it out of there. We think someone probably didn't want it and dropped it off near our place. Anyway, we'll probably end up keeping it instead of giving it away. We've gotten kind of attached to it, and Trissy wants it for herself, since Bobby is sort of the family's cat, and Winky is mine. We've named it Magnolia, after a black kitten in a Christmas story we have :) .

The S. family came over a few weeks ago one Saturday evening to bring us a little banty rooster. He was from the first batch they hatched and raised, but he was getting picked on at their place by the other chickens, so they offered him to us.

Bro. and Mrs. S., Law, and Piper all came, Archer was at work I believe, and Abigail was gone to church camp with a friend. It was the first time any of them had been to our place; after releasing the rooster into the pen, we stood around 'talking chickens' and caught some of the chicks to hold. We showed them our garden, fruit trees, and the rest of our yard, our basktetball goal, and our cats. Piper got attached to Magnolia :) . They stayed for about an hour and a half, and we just chatted out in the yard. It was so nice to have them! We wanted them to come in for a while, but they had to get on back. Church in the morning, and it was getting on toward sunset. They are such dear people.

I have been so thankful for the personal projects the Lord has helped me accomplish the past few weeks! My denim quilt top, and also the seat to my desk chair, and my 'window mirror'!

I found saw this chair by the side of the road one Wednesday night on our way to church about four years ago. Trash pick-up was the next day, I think, so I asked Dad if we could stop on our way home from church, and see what kind of condition the chair was in.
When we stopped, it turned out the frame was in great condition, only it's rush seat was all torn up. So we took it back to the house, and I tore off the ruined seat, sanded and stained the chair frame, and sat it at my desk until I could order the cane to put a new seat in.
Well, there it sat for approximately four years, waiting for me to spend the money on some cane for a seat (there always seemed to be something more pressing the money I had needed to be spent on).

So this past month, I finally got the cane ordered, and put that seat in (I ordered the 1/2 inch flat reed from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, and it only cost $15.54, including tax)!
I love it! I can actually sit at my desk now to do my work :D !

I also got my 'window mirror' stained and hung. I've wanted one of these since I was about eight years old, and I saw one in my uncle and aunt's house. This frame was given to me by The Grandfather's brother and his wife, when I found it in the loft of their old barn. The glass was broken out of it, and the various layers of paint were peeling, but I wanted a natural stain anyway. Mom stripped it, and Dad and Mom paid someone to put the mirrors in as my Christmas gift last year. I was so excited!

So this month I got it stained, and Dad helped me put a wire hanger on it.
We hung it above my bed. It's across from my window, and makes my little room seem larger and so much more airy!

One Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago, Dad, Mom, Trissy, Toby, Lindy and I went about a half-hour away to a baptism service of one of the Spanish churches up a little north of us. Our family is in charge of the Spanish ministry at our church, and Toby and Lindy are two of our most involved and enthusiastic in the ministry. We've been getting advice and help from the Guatemalan pastor of this church that was having the baptism, and on his last visit down to a small Spanish service we had, he was telling about the baptism that was going to be taking place, and told us their church was praying that the Lord would prepare twelve people to be baptized that day. We decided we'd like to go up and be there, both for support for them and also for the experience ourselves. We invited Toby and Lindy to come along. There ended up being eleven people baptized!

It was quite an experience! We were the only 'white' people, and we stood out like sore thumbs! But it was really neat and very moving to see how the people loved the Lord, and wanted to learn about Him. They met in a park so they could use the lake to baptize in, and it was raining that morning, but people just stood out in the rain for their classes like it was nothing! We are so spoiled.

This past week I finished Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I read the full version. You know, the one that's twenty inches thick? Ok, well, maybe not twenty inches...

I must admit, I was extremely disappointed. I believe it's considered one of the classics, besides, I've heard people rant and rave over how wonderful it was.
I love to read, and am always looking for good material, so I borrowed it from a cousin and read it. The story was extremely interesting, there were lots of surprise twists, narrow escapes, and gripping scenes. It was very good - from a literary standpoint.

But the author's seemingly wishy-washy attitude on things like drinking, loose living, and using anger and animal-like violence to get one's way, disturbed me greatly. He seemed to rant and rave to a huge extent on the injustices and flaws of certain areas of society, yet be condoning and even approving of other ungodly and distorted ways of thinking.
Anyway, I could not in good conscience recommend this book to anyone. Just saying.

Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie are supposed to go Tuesday to see how things are going with the baby, and find out whether it's a boy or a girl (it's a boy though, I know it is ;) ).
Mrs. Carrie just seems to glow all the time. Praise the Lord for His goodness!

Justice and Noel will be leaving Aug. 5. I miss them already. Austin will be going to join them and go to the same seminary as Justice, after he finishes this next year of college. He and Justice believe the Lord may be calling them to start a church together, though they don't know how, when, or where. Aron and Henley announced Wednesday night that they will probably be moving to another state within a couple of years, for Aron to go to Bible College as well.
It's sad to think about everyone dispersing, but so exciting too, to see how the Lord will use these dear young lives for His purpose and work.

Sunday evening after church the young people met for supper together (as we have been doing for quite a while now), and after the usual banter and fun that always comes when we all get together, we fell into a discussion of 'preference vs. principle' - how so many churches do things because 'that's how we've always done it', and not maybe because those preferences have their root in Scripture. We must carefully examine the Bible, and determine what among our habits (both as a church, and as individuals) are preference, and what are principle. We may need to throw out some preferences that can not truthfully be called principles, while carefully preserving the 'preferences' that are also 'principles'!

As I sat listening (and discussing!), I couldn't help thinking, "How many groups of college-age young people, even among 'church youth groups', would have a conversation that so easily and naturally turned to Biblical things, without being urged by an adult?! Praise God for this dear group who have HIM as their center!! Praise Him for allowing me to be a part of it!"

I am now on Etsy! Praise the Lord, another project checked off my list that's been there forever! I've had an account since February, but hadn't set up the buy/sell side of it yet. I got that done yesterday with the gracious help of a local friend who's an Etsy seller. Praise the LORD!
My shop is empty right this minute, but I hope to start listing things soon!
HERE is the link to my shop. If anyone who may be reading is an Etsy user, I'd appreciate any support :)

Victory Road Christian Academy starts back to school Aug. 8th, and I'm so excited! I love working there, and can't wait to see all my little after-school kids again. Bro. Earl announced Sunday that there are over a hundred students enrolled, and the school now goes up through twelfth grade. Praise the Lord! That's a few more that the public schools won't get to poison for a while anyway!

Note: I'm not bashing public schools, I know there are many good Godly principals and teachers out there who are trying to fix a sick system. But I am afraid that public schools are nothing more than a disaster waiting to happen. Most of the ungodly and dangerous influences that children are exposed to come from their school. Public schools are especially dangerous to children of Christian families. They are little sheep being fed to the lions - what control do loving parents have over what the little eyes see, what the little ears hear, what the little minds soak up about a world that is saturated in filth and evil, when they are away from them? Church gets them maybe a couple of hours a week. School gets them most of the day, most of the week, and most of the year.
The ideal is homeschooling. The second-best is a Godly, Christian, private school.

School starts back for me Aug. 19th. This is my last semester, and is basically just a 'clean-up' one. I'll be taking my last few required classes, and also an art class, simply because, as a crafter and 'artist', I'd like to learn a little more about good design.
I'm hoping and praying this semester will be easy! I have so much else I'd like to have time to be involved in!

{Zig-zags courtesy of Jones Design Company}

Darkness, yet Light

2011-07-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Life is filled with joys and sorrows, ups and downs, sunshine and shadow, light and darkness. The Lord balances these things in our lives for reasons of His own. I suspect one of those reasons to be something along these lines: He gives us joys so that we will know His goodness, and rest in it, being thankful. He gives us sorrows so that we will not get too comfortable and forget Where the goodness comes from, but remember He is the great Comforter, He is the Maker of the ‘All’.

Recently a similar situation was bestowed on two separate families among some of my dear friends. So many of the 'little' details were the same, it was fascinating. So many were, of course, unique and different.

But things come that we do not foresee, unexpected – and undesired – twists in the plots of our lives. Now one family is yet rejoicing, and the other is bereaved.
Light and darkness. In my life, in the lives of those I love.

But “…the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) and in the end, the darkness must be driven out by the Light, simply because the Light is more powerful than the darkness - the darkness must bow to the Light.
Those who have the Light, cannot continue traveling in the darkness. They may walk the sad road for a while, but it will not stay dark forever. Day will come again. Perfect love casts out fear; light casts out darkness; though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. Woe to those who have not the Light; and oh what a Refuge – what a Brightness – for those who have!

"For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. ... Thy thoughts are very deep." Ps. 92:4 & 5b

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

"Go Ye"

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am experiencing a sense of gentle melancholy. I’m not really sure where it comes from, unless it’s the fact that our group of college-age young people will soon no longer be what it once was - which sounds a little clichéd perhaps, but is true nonetheless. Nearly half of us will soon be gone, dispersed into the world to ‘begin again’ - in a sense - putting into practice the lessons and experiences we’ve been storing up from our time here. Landon and Oliver have been gone, attending Bible College in a next-door state, though Landon is back visiting for the summer. For the others, Austin, Camille, Lindy, and Russell will be moving to a four-year college an hour away – Austin and Camille returning there for their last year, Lindy and Russell for their first. They may or may not be able to return for mid-week services and events. Toby will be moving 4 hours away to the state college, driving back only every other weekend to save gas. Oliver is married and settled in the college there, and Landon will be going back when the summer is over. The hardest though, is Justice and Noel, who in just a couple of weeks will be moving several states away for Justice to go to seminary (needless to say, our time with them will be practically non-existent). It seems when they go, our college group as we know it will ‘officially’ be over.

The gang is disintegrating. The time we have here right now for a few more days will never be the same again. This past year and a half or so together has been a priceless time that can never be made back just like it was, once it has gone. We are all growing up. We came together at the beginning of a dramatic time of change in all our lives, enjoyed a precious time of camaraderie and enriching friendship, and now must separate to make our own ways, complete the change, finish the process that will make us into the individuals and adults that the Lord had in mind when He created us. We’ve laughed together, learned together, prayed together, argued, agreed, disagreed, discussed, lived together (some of us), worried about each other, loved each other, exposed and been exposed, and even wept together at times. We’ve shared secrets and hidden secrets. We’ve withdrawn. We’ve bonded. Once we’ve separated, we will never come back together in just the same fashion again. This time can never be reproduced. Yet even this sadness is sweet. It is colored with the good memories and friendships that cannot be erased. And the parting is itself proof that we have grown, that we are benefitting from the lessons the Lord has put us through. We are moving on, spreading out, flying away from the dandelion head one seed at a time, to light again in another location and give rise to another experience like the one we came from. And some of us will stay, falling only an inch or two from the old stem, or clinging to it to continue it's life and work. Who those will be, only the Lord knows, and only time will tell.

And though I am in a sense depressed at the undeniable fact that this season is over, I am also excited. This dear group of which the Lord has so graciously allowed me to be the most insignificant part, is full of potential! Full of brilliant minds, bright eyes, eager hearts, and exalted souls. Full of life, youth, and the typical undaunted zeal and unconquered invincibility of the young. Naïve in some ways, it must be admitted, yet wise beyond their years in areas where the typical college-age young person is sadly and sorely lacking. Each one has unique talents, temperaments, oddities, and virtues. Each one is invaluable. Each one is irreplaceable.

Camille, with her confidence, brains, and compassion. Autumn, with her quietness, skills of observation, and servant’s heart. Austin, with his courage, meekness, and charm. Justice, with his boldness, desire to learn, and no-holds-barred attitude. Noel, willing, frank, and practical. Aron, thoughtful, impetuous, and honest. Henley, sweet, unselfish, and giving. Toby, mission-minded, humble, and fun. Lindy, reliable, self-effacing, and brave. Archer, wise, opinionated, and generous. Russell, happy, tenderhearted, and our entertainer. Landon, adventurous, kind, and undaunted. Trissy, quiet, hardworking, and friend of the oddball. And the others.
For myself, I leave others to critique. All are passionate.

So that contributes to my melancholy that is not wholly melancholy. Those who are departing are going with great goals – to be impacts on their new corners of the world – to be used by the Lord to do His work. To become great for His name. Those who will stay will carry on together until the Lord again divides the group. We will continue to learn, to grow, and to challenge and be challenged. We will continue to uplift and encourage each other. We will continue on. We will serve our Lord where we are.

And if each continues to seek their Lord to this goal (may it be so, dear God!), then He will toughen their determination, strengthen their strengths, gently and gradually reveal to them their faults and foibles, help them to lay those aside, and press them on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, for the glory of Jesus Christ.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Ps. 126:3

With God, All Things Are Possible

2011-06-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"

Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie are expecting a baby, due December 10th.

I am overwhelmed.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Having Patience When Life Seems Unfair

2011-05-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

"When Life Seems Unfair"

Read: Psalm 73

Focus Verse: "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." - Ps. 73:3

Have you ever felt that life is unfair? For those of us who are committed to following the will and ways of Jesus, it's easy to get frustrated when people who don't care about Him seem to do well in life. A businessman cheats yet wins a large contract, and the guy who parties all the time is robust and healthy - while you or your loved ones struggle with finances or medical issues. It makes us feel cheated, like maybe we've been good for nothing.
If you've ever felt that way, you're in good company. The writer of Psalm 73 goes through a whole list of how the wicked prosper, and then he says, " Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." (verse 13). But the tide of his thoughts turns when he recalls his time in God's presence: "...then understood I their end." (verse 17).
When we spend time with God and see things from his point of view, it changes our perspective completely. We may be jealous of the nonbelievers now, but we won't be at judgment time. As the saying goes, what difference does it make if you win the battle but lose the war?
Like the psalmist, let's praise God for His presence in this life and His promise of the life to come (verses 25-28). He is all you need, even when life seems unfair. -Joe Stowell

All wrongs will one day be set right
By God Who sees both bad and good;
All motives and all deeds will then
Be fairly judged and understood. -D. De Haan
Spending time with God
puts everything else in perspective.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every morning except Sunday, Mom, Trissy, and I usually do the daily devotional from Our Daily Bread (Dad's usually at work by that time). The above was today's devotional, and it seemed directed specifically to me and how I envy the wicked who have many children but do not appreciate them, while people like Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie have none, but would love them and raise them for the Lord.
Below is the one from another day, that we did not do on that day, but that I saw when flipping through the book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Patience To Be Patient"

Read: Psalm 130:1-8

Focus Verse: "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope." - Ps. 130:5

Children want things now: "But I want dessert now!" "Are we there yet?" "Now can we open our presents?" In contrast, as we get older we learn to wait. Medical students wait through training. Parents wait in hopes that the prodigal will return. We wait for what is worth waiting for, and in the process we learn patience.
God, who is timeless, requires of us a mature faith that may involve delays that seem like trials. Patience is one sign of that maturity, a quality that can develop only through the passing of time.
Many prayers in the Bible come out of the act of waiting. Jacob waited 7 years for a wife and then worked 7 more after being tricked by her father (Gen. 29:15-20). The Israelites waited 4 centuries for deliverance; Moses waited 4 decades for the call to lead them then 4 more decades for a Promised Land he would not enter.
"My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch fro the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning." wrote the Psalmist (Ps. 130:6). The picture comes to mind of a watchman counting the minutes for this shift to be over.
I pray for the patience to endure times of trial, to keep anticipating, keep hoping, keep believing. I pray for patience to be patient. -Philip Yancey

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:13
God seldom does great things in a hurry

Recent Happenings

2011-05-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

So, before anything else really happens, I wanted to record a few of the things that have been going on lately.

First off, I am SO thankful to be done with yet another semester of school! Lord willing I only have one more (this Fall) and I'll be done for good! YAY!!! :)
The Lord was good, and gave me A's in all my classes, too. I've done well, as far as grades, but I want to finish off the rest of what I have to do, with all A's.

We have a busy summer ahead though! Right now, Trissy and I are trying to get ready for the mission trip we're planning on taking. Several people from our church are planning to be going on various mission trips this summer, and our church itself is planning two of our own. Trissy and I are planning on going on the first one, which is just a little less than three weeks away!

Last week Jaylyn helped us get set up with a Skype account, so now we can talk with them when they go back to the mission field! We're really excited. But they'll be another continent away... that seems so far, yet with the blessings of modern technology, not nearly as far away as when The Grandparents were missionaries overseas!

Mrs. H said for us to keep her incubator over the summer and try to hatch some more chicks. We'd tried right before the end of school, and had put more than twenty eggs in, but not one hatched! We've got thirty-one this time (including eight eggs she gave us from her chickens), and we are hoping and praying they all hatch, are healthy, and are mostly hens! Our hen population is down to three, and Mom is missing getting to do all her cooking with 'home-grown' eggs.

The ones in the first picture are two of the ones from Mrs. H. She gave us four of the little tiny white banty eggs, and four others that are real small, but I don't think completely banty.
The ones in the next picture are the two sizes we put in.
The last picture just shows a comparison of all four sizes together.
(Sorry about the marker on the shells. We wrote the date we gathered each egg in Sharpie on the shell, so we could tell later how the age of the eggs affected how likely they were to hatch.)

Uncle David came over for a week-or-so's visit, and The Grandparents have been thrilled to have him here! His whole family was hoping to get to come right after Christmas, and the funeral of the oldest uncle, but were not able to afford the plane fare for four people across the ocean. Someone in their sponsoring church, though, gave an offering of enough for Uncle David to come and see his parents. He is so hyper and fun and joking, and yet so willing, hard-working, and one of the most respectful-to/of-his-parents people I know. It's been good having him around to 'increase our endorphins', and we can tell The Grandparents have really 'perked up' to have his lively spirit around.

Yesterday, was Justice and Noel's wedding. The bridesmaids wore black dresses, and the groomsmen wore black suits. The women carried red roses and the men wore red rose boutonnieres. Justice's coat was white to match Noel. Somehow I did not end up taking a single picture! Oh well...
We ended up going to two weddings yesterday. Justice and Noel's, and then one of a young man whose family we have known since the kids were just little bitty. They are home school friends, and we were part of the same home school group for years. I did take a few pictures there.

Lindy and her family used to go to church with their family, so she was there too, and sat with us.

While we were in town yesterday, we went by Lifeway and I picked up 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' that I had pre-ordered before it came out. Dad took Trissy and me to see it in the theater - Mom was sick, and couldn't go with us :( - and that was the second time Trissy and I had been to a theater (the first was for Fireproof). I would NOT want to go regularly, but I'd like to support good movies. We hope to go and see Courageous when it comes out in September. But anyway, Dad really liked 'Dawn Treader', so Trissy and I are going to give it to him for his birthday :) .
While I was there, I also got 'Pendragon' which I have been wanting ever since I saw it several months ago. If you want something good, clean, imaginative, and exciting to watch, (not including Sherwood Pictures movies) I would recommend this! It is excellent! Uncle Alvin's are supposed to come down tonight, and Jaylyn and Jewel have been wanting to see it again, so maybe we can watch it after church.

Toby hurt his knee playing basketball a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor thinks he may have torn his ACL. If he has, he'll have to have surgery to fix it, and may not get to go on the two mission trips he was planning on being a part of this summer. Lindy said he's pretty discouraged about that, but still hopeful. He has an MRI on Tuesday, to find out for sure what's wrong, and after that, he and his parents can make a decision on what he's going to do.

Mrs. Shannen, Bro. Earl's wife, recently learned she has a hole in her heart, and she's going to have surgery this week, Lord willing. A week or so ago, she was at work, and one side of her face went numb, and she felt lightheaded. After alot of tests, they found out that the hole in her heart that all babies have when they're born had never closed up, and it was letting little clots through, and causing minor strokes.
It kind of gave us a scare, but she seems fine now, she's just going to have to have it closed up.

Bro. Earl's got laryngitis, so he couldn't preach this morning. Bro. Dennis preached for him, and it was excellent as usual. He preached on what true success is, and how to obtain it. Success is not health, wealth, and prosperity. Success is being satisfied with where the Lord has you, and doing your best for Him in the situations you find yourself it.
That's the sermon in a very small nutshell :) .

About halfway through the sermon, the electricity went off! I mean everything, the microphone, the lights, the recording machine, everything. He was just talking along, and all of a sudden there was kindof a snap, and the whole big auditorium went dark. Nobody missed a beat, just 'rolled with it' as they say, and Bro. Dennis just kept preaching and would say something like, "Now, if you can see your Bibles, please turn to this scripture reference" every now and then.
It was actually kind of cozy :) ! Some of the men got up and opened the doors into the hallways and the foyer, to let the sunlight in, and we just kept going. I am just sad that the recording machine couldn't work, because I had wanted a copy of the service to re-watch later.

"Austin and The Band" as Bro. Mike calls them (our young people who play and lead the singing for the youth class on Wednesday nights) led our music this morning and did an excellent job. I suppose they did the music because Bro. Dennis was preaching and couldn't do both.
They are getting better and better. They're all good musicians, but when they first started, they sounded like they were just starting, if you get my drift ;) . Now they blend and seem to play off each other really well. It seems like they're better every time I hear them just about! They usually pick out really good music and songs too, which of course, is half the thing, right there. And they use their great talents to glorify the Lord; that's the best thing - knowing these kids want to love and serve Christ - that's so rare these days in young people. These are such a blessing!

Dad had made hamburgers Friday, and we had them for left-overs today for lunch. Mom usually likes us to cook a 'Sunday dinner', but with all the running around and other things that have been happening lately, and since we had plenty, we just decided to do left-overs today. Trissy started fixing Dad's burger, then she called me over and showed it to me and said, "I'm going to call him to finish it!" :) .

She's real cute with things like that.

Well, I think that's about it. Besides, Trissy and I need to scoot on off to choir practice. Bro. Dennis let us all have a couple of weeks off after Easter :) .

I just wanted to record a few of the things that have been happening around and to me.
This morning church especially was SUCH a blessing and refreshment from the Lord! I can never cease to thank Him for leading us to this place, and the wonderful family He has given us, and the lessons (both easy and hard) He has taught us here. He is so amazing; so good.

{Zig-zags courtesy of Jones Design Company}

"...for the LORD will do great things."

2011-05-15T12:24:00.001-07:00

Note: This post has been compiled and added to over the course of several weeks, and is not yet a complete account. I may be adding to it.

March 14th ~

D-Now started it.
I have been receiving lots of lessons on prayer lately it seems, and have been provoked to deep thought, and encouraged by these lessons in my prayers for children for Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie. I've been praying that, before Mrs. Carrie's birthday (May 1st), they will find out that they are expecting a child.
The week before D-Now, Trissy and I and Autumn were at the church working on painting and things in preparation. Autumn found a CD player, and turned it on. One of the songs was called "That's What Faith Can Do".
We were busy working, so I wasn't paying really close attention, until the chorus:

"I've seen dreams that move the mountains,
hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling.
I've seen miracles just happen,
silent prayers get answered,
broken hearts become brand new.
That's what Faith can do."

Then of course, as I've said, the series we used as our 'curriculum' for the weekend was focusing on prayer. Persistent prayer. For sake of the amount of time I have right now, I won't tell all about it, but I'll try to come back later.

During the revival then, the preacher made several comments regarding powerful prayer. Here again, I'll try to come back later and fill this area in.

Yesterday evening at church, as Trissy and I were waiting on everyone to gather for choir practice, Aron's mom came in absolutely beaming, and spoke to a couple of ladies who were also sitting visiting, and waiting on choir practice: Aron and Henley are expecting their first child after being married less than a year.
How happy I am for them! And yet oh how it tore my heart to think, as more people came in and the news spread, how dear, sweet Mrs. Carrie must be hurting amid the hub-bub. Aron's mother could hardly talk about anything except becoming a grandmother during the lulls between songs at Choir Practice. Of course, she should be excited and proud!
Yet I wondered what Mrs. Carrie was thinking, and Bro. Dennis, as he led the practice and kept us in stitches with his merriment.

How tempting it is to think, "It's not fair."

But, of course, it is - God decides what's fair, not us.

This morning during my devotional, I was struggling to stay awake after getting up earlier than usual. I've been reading in the Old Testament, and am now in Joel. For various reasons, I read only the first half or so of chapter two yesterday morning (I usually read a whole chapter), and was going to finish today. So this morning I was fighting my droopy eyelids and trying to be attentive as I read, when I came across verse 21, and was jerked to attention - it seemed the Lord called to me with that first verse, and kept speaking gently, personalizing the verses as I read them:

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
(Don't be afraid, you that are Mine, because of what you think might or might not happen. Be glad! Rejoice! I the Lord will do great things.)
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring,
(Don't be afraid, you who I take care of; the barren place is barren no longer - it is Spring! - the time of young and growing things, and they are springing to life. )
for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
(the wife is fruitful; her husband is strengthened.)
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God:
(Be glad then, My child, and rejoice in the LORD your God)
for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain
(for He has rained blessings on you before with answered requests - He will bring down more and more)
in the first month.
(at the time you have asked.)
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
(There will be a full reason for rejoicing - and no end to the rejoicing itself.)
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,
(I will restore to you the years that seem to have been wasted and lost)
My great army which I sent among you.
(but I sent them - and for a reason.)
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied,
(And you will have more than you thought or asked, and will be satisfied)
and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed.

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed."

Joel 2:21-27

Also today, as I was looking at the list in my dashboard of blogs I'm 'following', I noticed a post on prayer. Though the subject was a different one, at the bottom of the post was a 'quotable' that just whacked me in the face when I read it:

"God does answer prayer. All the time. Just not how you think He will."

I don't know what's going to happen. But the Lord does.

May 1st ~

May 1st - Mrs. Carrie's birthday. Nothing.
"We Will Understand It Better By And By". "Farther Along".
Yet will I trust Him - I must trust Him, or my faith will be crippled to such an extent as I must never allow it to be while I am able.
The "Why?" question. They say people always ask, "Why?". I used to pride myself on the fact that I did not. But I haven't been able to honestly say that for a while. I do ask "Why?", though mine is more like, "WHY?!"
Why does He award children to wicked, sensually-minded, selfish, ignorant, unmarried, unashamed sinners, who then thank Him for the gift by throwing it away, when the Godly, pure, humble, faithful, patient husband and wife weep at the death of a miracle, and wait broken-hearted in tentative hope?
I do ask "Why?". I am asking "Why?".
What more could one want in a real man, than Bro. Dennis? And what more is to be desired in a real woman, than Mrs. Carrie?
Are there two people more qualified to be entrusted with the care and raising of a new soul?!
Yet will I trust Him. I MUST trust Him. What right have I not to trust Him? Am I so arrogant to pretend to know better than God Almighty?! To shake my head disbelievingly when the Maker of everything chooses to not follow my plan of proceeding?
No, I don't mean to!
So why do I doubt?
If He is Who I believe He is (and He is) then why do I feel so betrayed? So broken? Why does my hope feel mangled? My dreams mocked?
That old Serpent. Could he be tempted with faith such as what I had, and let it lay peaceful and unchallenged? Now that I think of it, this could be a very real and quite probable answer.
I did have faith. I firmly believed that we would find out today that Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie were going to have a child. My mind even subconsciously envisioned the senario. And as I watched it play out in my mind, my heart would almost stop for joy!
I believed, but it did not happen.
So my belief, or faith, or lack thereof, did not cause the denial of my request.
That means God had it planned a certain way all along (well, of course He did - I'm just thinking/reasoning out loud, trying to sort things out here in my own mind).
And if He had it planned out in such a way as could not line up with mine, I wonder if it hurt Him to go ahead and do it, knowing how it would hurt me.
I'm even envisioning now a senario of finding out some time later this week, that things worked out like I asked for them to, I just didn't find out about it under the timetable I had imagined :) . Wouldn't that be funny? People say God has a sense of humor, and I hope that's not disrespectful, because I'm sure it's true!
But I have no right to expect or even hope for that. He will do things as He wants them done. And that's always the way they should be done. But OH how hard it is sometimes to say, "Not mine, but Thy will be done."

I wonder if the above type of conversation is what the Bible is talking about when it says in Proverbs, "
Ok. Boy! What is He doing?!
I was just about to say how the conversation I've been having here with myself must be what the Bible was talking about in Proverbs when it said to commune with your own heart upon your bed. So I was going to look it up to get the right wording, only it's not Proverbs, it's Psalms!! So I went to search for it in another tab, and when I realized it was Psalms, I searched again for "KJV Psalm 4:4".
The link I clicked on took me to Psalm 37:4 - nothing to do with "Psalm 4:4" except "Psalm" and "4"

"4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Oh. My. Goodness.

And I just noticed, it doesn't have Psalm 37:4. It has Psalm 37:4-5

"4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

I don't know what to say right now. I'll come back later. I've got to think. Without trying to type my thoughts at the same time.

May 2nd ~

I'm the last one to bed. It's fairly late. I was feeling all confused and muddled, and my soul was restless and disquieted. I'm not sure what to think about all the input I've been getting, and needed a verse or promise to 'hang on to' amid the confusion.
I sat down on my bed, reached over, and took my Bible from my desk. I opened it to Psalms, and my eyes fell on Ps. 4:1 & 4:

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou has enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. ... Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."

How appropriate.

When Words Hurt

2011-04-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been hurt by someone you love? Has a sharp word, an unkind remark, or a thoughtless come-back cut you deeply and left you wondering what to say or how to respond? I'm sure it has. I think it has happened to everyone at some point in their life. I know it's happened to me.

There are some people in my life who I love very much. We can have great times together - fun, fellowship, idea-sharing, games, discussion, movie-watching, you name it.
Yet, sometimes, it seems it's all a front - the goodnatured-ribbing has an ugly counterpart of brutal, biting mockery; the other side of the thoughtful discussion can be a bitter contest of wills and the conviction that "my way, my opinion is the right one"; the movie topic inspires stubborn argument over what is appropriate as far as content. At times, it seems that, really, they can't stand me, and since they are forced to share my company, they might as well make me as miserable as possible.

I know I am very strong-willed, and if I feel I am in the right, I am not going to back down until presented with logical arguments. I know I have a tendency to blurt out my opinion at times.
Yet, sometimes it seems that these people go out of their way to hurt me. I ask a simple question, with no other motive than curiousity, and my head is bit off for my thoughtless arrogance! I'm doing a job, and I am calmly ignored, stepped in front of, and the job taken directly out of my hands with an "I am qualified to accomplish this" attitude. Or I am drawn into a conversation where I am led to believe my opinion is being sought, and then sit in speechless hurt while I am ripped to shreds.

What should be my reaction in these circumstances? I know what it should be.
I should calmly turn the other cheek. Be respectful. Walk away. Pretend they were never unkind, and treat them just as if they were never unkind, as if I had no reason not to love them completely.

But it's hard. OH so hard! I am a bold soul, and yet I shrink from being on "the bad side" of anyone. To have a living thing displeased with me - for whatever the reason, whether it really is my fault, or whether I am totally innocent - is one of the horrors of my soul. It's worse when I'm innocent, for then I cannot in good conscience appologize - I've done nothing wrong! If I was in the wrong, I can at least try to fix it by an appology. But it's dreadfully hard either way. And when it's someone I love - someone close to me - the pain becomes almost unbearable.

There is no 'solution', only to beg for the Lord's mercy to help me react, or not, in a way that would bring Him no blame.

Shelter In The Storm

2011-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Lord is Merciful beyond measure; He will not put upon us troubles harder to bear than we are able.
At times, He puts us through sorrow and difficulty to draw us closer to Him, or to teach us some lesson that we could not learn any other way.
But so many times, He shelters and spares us from danger and sorrow of world-shaking (at least, our world) proportions, and we do not even realize it. And when we do, many times we do not even think to thank Him.

This past week, Clinton, MS, has been in the news because of the tornadoes it has been experiencing.
Toby, Lindy's boyfriend and one of our dear young men friends of our College group (he also played the part of the "Friend" in "Lost Or Found"), is big into tennis, and has been traveling around to all kinds of places for tournaments with his tennis scholarship.
He was in Clinton for a tournament this past week, and was telling us Sunday of looking out the window of his hotel and watching the tornado, and cars being flipped on the highway as it went through. The buildings on either side of where he was were either damaged or destroyed.
I made the comment later to Mom, that I wondered if the hotel where he was would have been destroyed too, if he hadn't been there in it!

Uncle Alvin's have been down visiting for a few days, and today Mom was telling them about it. I was busy around, and was only listening with 'half my brain', until Mom asked The Grandmother what the verse was that the situation had reminded Mom of? Something about, 'lest we should have sorrow upon sorrow'?

I stopped short to listen, and it hit me suddenly like a 'ton of bricks', as they say:
Toby could have been killed!

Dear Toby, who we've nicknamed "The Little Missionary" because of his rather shy ways, but passion for the salvation of his lost friends.
It had not hit me like that Sunday.

Though he would be in the presence of Christ ("...which is far better:" Phil. 1:23), oh what sorrow it would be for us who were left behind! How we would miss him!

And how gracious the Lord is - He made a shelter in the storm, and protected this dear son, brother, friend, for the sake of those who love him.

Here is the verse Mom was talking about:

"For indeed he was ... nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow."

Phil. 2:27

Image Source

Law And Grace

2011-04-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

{To most of you who may read this, the title of this post will not appear to have much, if anything, to do with the post itself. But it has significance to me, and I have my reasons for naming it this way.}

During D-Now, as well as great triumphs, there were a couple of major disappointments. One has to do with a specific person, the younger brother of one of our dear college friends.

Even though I don't use real names here, I still hesitate to specify who it was. But it is a young man who has been raised in a family setting very similar to Trissy's and mine. When they first came to the church and we began to get to know them, we were refreshed and blessed by their Godliness and old-fashioned sense of values and living. When the three youngest kids were enrolled in the Christian Academy, and this young man became good friends with another young man in the school who seemed to be needing some Godly influence, I was so glad and thankful, and hoped the one would be that Godly influence on the other.
That was well over a year ago, and though I haven't become "close" friends with him, as I have with his older, college-age sibling, and with his two younger sisters, I've still enjoyed watching him grow into - seemingly - a maturing and God-honoring young man. As an example, he is very accomplished musically, and around that same time, another young person publicly praised his talent. He looked them pointedly in the eye, and stated emphatically, "This is for Jesus."
Though just in his early teenage years, he showed great promise of becoming a dependable and great man.

Then D-Now, and at one point I happened to overhear him make a comment to someone that, though not terrible by most standards, did not strike me as being completely appropriate, and I frowned slightly to myself, thinking that was a rather poor reflection of the general standards of his family.
Later that same evening, my heart felt as though it had been torn open, when one of the other young people made a sort of off-hand remark about a supposed incident this same young man had been involved in. I could not believe it, and though hanging on to the fact that the story was, as far as I could tell, still just a rumor, I hurt so bad to think that it actually could be true.

I hung onto my faith in this dear young brother's integrity, watching and hoping for an opportunity to verify whether the story was true, or just another silly teenager's idea of a bad joke on a friend.
I have not been able to find out for sure on that particular story, but as the weeks have passed since D-Now, incident after little incident have occurred, giving evidence that he is not the same as he once was.
He's been caught texting during at least one church service; he skipped church one Sunday night to play instruments with a friend, who also was supposed to be in church (the same friend, I might add, from the Academy who I and others had hoped he would be a 'good influence' on); during Wednesday night small-group time, he has expressed indifference; and he just generally has an attitude that seems to indicate he may be slipping from a firm foundation, to go floating off listlessly into a sea of indifferent apathy.

There are several people in the church who are very concerned about him.

Yesterday I was in Wal*Mart for something, and I kept passing young people there, and I thought, 'Who will save them from this wicked and perverse generation?! How many will fall prey to the wiles of the Devil - the Destroyer of all that is dear and precious and young and tender? If our own are 'falling away', what is to become of the rest, who have no foundation?'. And of course I understand, nothing will happen that Almighty God does not see, allow, and possibly even cause, to happen. Yet so many times I feel I am being torn apart with the realization of my frailty and helplessness to rescue the thousands, millions even, of starfish that lay dying and vulnerable on the scorching sand.

But, like the starfish story, I can help to rescue one, ten, or maybe even (if I work diligently without delay) a hundred or even a thousand.
I hope the Lord will use me greatly, in the life of this young man, and in the lives of the other struggling young people I have had the honor of influencing and knowing here at the church.

People will disappoint you - no two ways about it. The Lord will not.
And this is not 'the end'. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and of great mercy. Perhaps this dear boy is struggling with some unseen doubt or enemy, that no one knows about, and in his confusion and hardship, he's reacting in the wrong way - pushing away the only true Help that there is.
But there is always hope. While there's life, there's hope. And the Lord works in ways we can not always see. He gives Grace.
Last night after church I was so sad over him. Before I went to bed, I opened my Bible to the book of Psalms, looking for something to give me comfort and reassurance of the Lord's presence and control.
It opened to the first chapter (there was a bookmark there), and I started to flip through it, turning the page. On the next page, in chapter 4, were some verses I'd underlined months, perhaps years, ago; they had been an encouragement in another situation, and as I re-read them, I felt comfort and hope again:

"...commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
Selah.
...put your trust in the Lord.
...
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."

I went back and read the whole chapter, and it all seemed to strangely apply to this situation.

To anyone who reads this: Please pray for this friend. I don't know how to pray, how to ask you to pray - just do.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

"Things" That Make Me Happy

2011-04-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

"Things" aren't what make life. After all, it's just stuff.
But I believe the Lord gives us little yapas (pronounced "joppa" - Paraguayan Spanish for 'bonus') sometimes, just to make us smile, to make the way a little easier, to provide a little shower during a drought, or even just to help teach us to appreciate the little things.

I've been wanting to do a picture post for a while, listing a few of the "things" in my life that make me smile. Some are big, some are small, but all have been given by the Lord, and each one makes me happy.

1. The Lighthouse

This is actually a microwave tower or something, in a bend of the little highway a few miles from our house, and you can see the top of it above the trees, from our property. Trissy and I call it "The Lighthouse" because of the blinking light at the top.
I don't know why this tower has meant so much to me, but a couple of years ago when I was particularly burdened and discouraged about something, I was outside and I looked up and across, and saw it's light blinking steadily, reassuringly, and I felt comforted. The Lord has used it as a reminder of Himself - the ultimate saving Lighthouse - and that He has the Power to accomplish whatsoever He will. All is in His hands.

2. "Shirley"

Jaylyn (the older of Uncle Alvin's two daughters that I mention here from time to time) brought this yawning little hippo back to me from Africa where her family are missionaries. Since I was a child, I have loved horses with a passion. Jaylyn said in Africa, the name for hippo means "River Horse". She couldn't resist bringing me this soapstone one when they came back to visit a year ago :) !
So now "Shirley" (yes, I still name things) sits happily on the top of my chest-of-drawers, reminding me of merry times with cousins, and a testimony to lives lived for the glory of God.

4. Bolacha Marias

This is a wafer-like cookie similar to a graham cracker, found in Portuguese-speaking countries, like Brazil, South America, and Mozambique, Africa. Some missionary friends brought some to The Grandparents a few weeks ago, and they shared them with their neighbors up the road (us ;) !). I love everything about this little cookie! Lovely stamped design (even with it's name!), light honey-sweet taste, thin delicate texture - mmm! A delightful experience!

5. My cross keychain

This keychain was given to me by a friend years and years ago for my birthday. My thirteenth or fourteenth, I think. I'm not even in contact really with that friend anymore, but I treasure her gift. I carry it with me basically all the time, and I've handled it so much, that it is polished and worn in certain places. Aside from my Bible, this little keychain is probably my most cherished possession. Not of course for it's monetary value, for it has basically none - but for it's reminder of this most tremendous promise. SO many times, I have been held up, only by the knowledge and assurance of this fact:

"With God, all things are possible"
You would need to know more about me than anyone on earth does, to understand all the reasons and stories behind why this keychain, and this promise, mean so much to me. But for the sake and purpose of the here and now, lets just say... It means alot!

6. These jeans

Recently one Wednesday night before church started, some of us friends were standing around talking, and I happened to notice one of the young men had a hole in the knee of his jeans. Well, there was a lull in the conversation, and me being the random, free-advice-giving person that I am, I piped up and said, somewhat jokingly, somewhat seriously, "Boy, you need to get someone to mend your jeans for you!"
Now, whether he detected the kidding aspect of my remark or not, he reacted as if it was a serious problem he'd given alot of thought to, saying despairingly, 'I know! But I don't know anyone that has the time and knows how!'
Well, I might not have the time, but I know how, and knowing this friend did not have much to call in the way of family besides his Christian family, I eagerly volunteered. He seemed appreciative, and evidently that hole had been bothering him, 'cause he began describing the way he wanted it to look when it was done, and that he had a patterned scrap of fabric he'd been saving, that he wanted used to patch it :) !
So a couple of Sunday nights ago, he approached me after church, and asked if I remembered the conversation, and if I really meant it. I answered of course, and he said he had the jeans and the scrap in his truck, if I wouldn't mind patching it for him.
He said he knew I was busy with school and all, but just whenever I could get them back to him it would be great - he had another pair he could wear in the meantime! Poor guy! If he was relying on them that much, I felt like I had to get them back to him as soon as possible! So that next Tuesday night, I had a few minutes, and put the patch in. It was a little bit of a sewing challenge, because I wanted to use the machine, but the hole was way down in the knee, and I didn't want to have to take out a leg seam to get to it, then sew that back too! Anyway, I got it done (he'd asked if I could put a bit of denim behind the cotton scrap so it wouldn't bust out, and I thought that was pretty observant of him to realize it needed a reinforcement), and gave them back that Wednesday night after church. You'd have thought I'd given him a hundred dollar bill he was so thrilled with that little plaid patch!
Anyway, the ending moral of this long-winded story is that the Lord can use you to bless someone's life in little ways that seem small to you, but it may mean alot to a struggling brother or sister. Remember to be open to opportunities He sends your way - and don't forget to realize you are receiving a blessing as well.

7. "Lost Or Found"

I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but "Lost Or Found" makes me happy. I have such great memories of that stressful, hectic, pressured, fun, creative, challenging, fellowship-with-friends, time in my life. The Lord used this school assignment as a teaching tool to teach me more of patience, trust, prayer, and reliance on His sovereignty. I hope it is still blessing and witnessing to people where it is on YouTube.
For those of you who don't know what "Lost Or Found" is, read the posts here, here, and here (in that order) to get the story.
I've also made a button for my sidebar. I made this little 4:44 movie to bring glory to the Lord, and hopefully to lead people to Him. If you see it, and then feel led to share it with others in your life, please share the stories with me!

8. My bug bracelet

This past Saturday we had our annual 'town celebration' or whatever you'd call it, celebrating the historical side/history of our town. It takes place mostly on the oldest street in town, that (until recently) was still paved with it's original bricks! About a year ago, they re-did the street, and I believe replaced the old bricks with new ones, which made me sad.
But anyway, this street and a couple other near ones are lined with booths selling arts and crafts, food, and giving out information about different organizations and things. I think there is usually an antique car show and a pet show also.
This year, Trissy and I went in with a lady from church to rent and share a booth selling funnel cakes. Trissy also baked cookies and muffins, and I had a bunch of my hand-made items. We also sold bottled water, which went over pretty well.
We're trying to raise money to go on one of the church mission trips, and this seemed like a good opportunity (I don't know if I've told about the mission trip plans here yet or not. I'll try to do that soon).
Anyway, we ran into some dear old friends from our 4-H days (the S family, Jaylyn and Jewel), and had a WONDERFUL time fellowshipping and catching up with them. The two oldest girls both had these neat bracelets that caught my attention. They said they'd gotten them from a booth on another street. I was fascinated with the beautiful beetles! I've always loved nature, and what a wonderful display of God's creative genius!
The picture doesn't do the shininess of the beetle justice - it's green, green-yellow, blue, and purple, with copper-colored antenas! I'll try to take a better picture sometime.
Before the day was over, I went and got one too.

9. Real mint tea

I love mint tea! I've drunk the store-bought tea bags of it for several years, but recently Mrs. H shared with me a few plants from her Chocolate Mint! I have most of them in a pot on our back steps, and they really seem to like it there! It's done really well, and a few days ago I decided it was plentiful enough to warrant picking a tiny handful of leaves for my first cup of real mint tea - and from my own patch too!
It was so good, with a cool, soothing, wonderful minty flavor, and so naturally pleasant that I didn't even feel the need to put honey in it, like I do with the store-bought kind.

This is just a sample of some of the "things" that the Lord has blessed me with, that cheer my spirit. The Bible tells us to count our blessings, and this is one way I'm trying to fulfill that.
I plan to add items along. For now, these are a start.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

D-Now 2011 - Results

2011-03-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well, D-Now is officially past, and I thought I'd record a few of my thoughts about how it went, what I thought we did right, and what I feel needs improving for next time.

It's strange the things I've gotten from this D-Now thing. I've been challenged in my own walk with the Lord, encouraged by hearty meals of a spiritually satisfying fare, learned more of the 'stories' of friends He's given me, worked hard, slept little, prayed much, loved more. And, as is so often the case, with 'highs', come 'lows', in battle there are not only victories, but casualties also.

Y'all up for another prayer request? Several things happened that were so discouraging - people I thought were so 'on track' so to speak, in their thinking, and then to find out they are extremely lax (or worse, indifferent) in areas that are REALLY important! People who are really strong in some areas, but so sure of themselves, in a way, that they refuse to admit they might be wrong in another area. And then, perhaps most of all discouraging, a rumor involving someone I would have bet my last dollar (not really, it's a figure of speech) that they could not lower themself to such a flippant disregard of holiness. This one is maybe the worse, both because of the person, and also that I'm not sure whether to believe the rumor or not. You know the saying, "innocent until proven guilty"? I'm hanging onto that, but (figuratively) not too hard, because the original source of the 'rumor' assured me they would not joke about such a thing, and also another witness, when questioned, verified that something of the sort had happened - this person though, was not sure of who had actually been involved. I'm hanging onto that small doubt. I really don't know what to ask you to pray, except that somehow I would find out that my faith in this person would be rewarded with assurance of it's validity.

On the other hand, there were a couple of big encouragements! One was getting to talk to some of the 'band members' and hearing their courting beliefs. The younger girl, the sister, is 16 and the young man who is courting her went to school with Archer when they lived up north, so I'd guess he's Archer's age, which is 18. Her parents want them to wait until she is at least 18 before they get married. Neither one of them have ever kissed anyone, and I found that so refreshing! - you wouldn't believe (well, maybe you would) how flippantly that practice is treated, even among 'Christians', or people who call themselves such. I used to take it for granted that pretty much all believers followed that standard, but I have been sadly surprised, and rudely awakened to the fact that that's just not true anymore. That little visit was one of the great encouragements of D-Now for me - there are those out there still who believe that what is "true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, [and] ... of good report" is the standard by which we should seek to live.
The other, is the two young people who professed Christ during the event!

Probably the biggest part of D-Now was the "Prayer Walk". An amazing set of 18 'stations', each focusing on a different area of prayer (I'll try to post the details on each one, a little later, with some pictures too, maybe), and such a potentially powerful experience. We did it the last night (Saturday), and had scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00, I believe, to go through it. The plan was that each group (and it's college-age leaders) would go through one behind another, with one person in a station at a time, with the directors at the beginning sending people in in about 5-minute intervals. As I said, we'd scheduled 2 hours for everyone to go through. After about an hour, those that were waiting (who were more than half the number) realized that we were not going to get through in two hours, so it was agreed that the leaders who were left would wait and go through some other day, and just get the kids through.
The last ones finished after 12:30 the next morning.
Trissy and I went through it several days later, and I can easily see why it took so long. I could have spent an hour in some of those places. I pray the Lord used this experience to touch hearts and work in lives.
Sadly, some of the leaders didn't ever get to go through, because many of the rooms we were using as stations were also Sunday School and class rooms, and needed to be put back in order. With school, work, and other interfering schedules, many of us just were not free during the time before it was taken down. I think only about half of us leaders were able to do it.

So, now, here is my opinions list:

What I think we did wrong:

1. Just two days of D-Now.
It was too short. It started on Friday night, went all day Saturday, and unofficially ended after church Sunday morning. It took until the middle of Saturday for everyone just to calm down, focus, and get our minds off of the things that were cluttering and pressing in on them. By the time the 'momentum' was gained, D-Now was over.

2. Too few 'church' services.
There were only two times of preaching messages, and only three music services. 'Revivals' in the old days used to go on for weeks! It took that long for people to let go of things that they were hanging onto, and let the Word of the Lord take effect. You don't cook meat for a few minutes, and hope it's done! The best way is to put it in the crock-pot, surround it with an environment of permeating onions and spices (prayer, Bible study, good music), and let it simmer for a good long time. Then, it becomes tender.

3. No 'closing' service or meeting.
We should have had some sort of congregational ending, to officially close D-Now. As it was, the students just strung out and on home, at various times Sunday morning. There was no follow-up to the Prayer Walk of the night before, and many of the groups were so wiped out that the scheduled Saturday night small-group time was just skimmed over.

4. No meeting of leaders and workers after the event was over.
It would have been good to have a sort of 'debriefing' time with all the leaders, workers, and volunteers who made D-Now possible, to discuss what we did wrong, what we did right, and what we would change, should there be a 'next time'.

5. Little group prayer.
We did have one prayer service with the leaders and most of the core workers on Friday evening before the kids started arriving. I think it would have been good to have a sort of walk-through prayer time, going through the rooms and buildings, and praying for the Lord's blessing and guidance during the event.
Also, we should have had a designated prayer time afterwords (possibly during the 'debriefing' meeting?), spending time to thank the Lord for the blessings He provided, and the two precious souls who were saved during the event.

6. Too little 'structure' sometimes during activity time.
Some of the kids were beginning to get distracted and into mild mischief during some of the lulls between games.

7. Too little time for the Prayer Walk
Maybe next time, the groups could go though it at different times during the event, while other groups are otherwise occupied, allowing each person to take more or as much time as they need, while going through it.

What I think we did right:

1. Made the college kids the group leaders.
We are young adults. We need to be given positions that will stretch and challenge us to become leaders for Christ. Now of course, if one is not spiritually ready to lead others, then they should not be in a primary position of leadership. But in that case, put them with someone who is spiritually grounded, where they can learn what it means and how important it is, to grow in their faith and abilities for the Lord. I think Bro. Mike did a pretty good job of pairing up the leaders (each small group had two college-age leaders).

2. Had alot of small-group, one-on-one type discussion time.
People (kids especially) will open up to someone in a close, cozy, comfortable, and non-threatening situation. There were reports of good discussions and serious, thoughtful questions that took place between students, leaders, and host-home adults during the group session times at the host homes.

3. Had preaching as well as the more informal small-group settings of teaching.
Meeting as an entire group, being in a more 'formal' environment, encouraging attentiveness, and listening to a preacher teach from God's Word, is an invaluable experience. The Bible says that the Lord uses the "foolishness of preaching" to work in hearts and lives.

4. Used a great small-group study.
I thoroughly appreciated Andy Stanley's teaching on this subject of Prayer. Some of it was just a tad modernized for me, but the basic foundation stones, and the firm roots in Scripture were very much intact! If you ever have a chance to go through that study yourself, watch the entire messages (not just the small-group sessions), and I am convinced you will learn so much, while being encouraged and strengthened in your walk with the Lord.

5. The Prayer Walk.
This was an absolutely wonderful tool, and such a powerful experience. I know some of the adults of Victory Rd., who weren't even personally involved in D-Now itself, took advantage of it being available, and many expressed their appreciation and blessings they'd gotten from it.

6. Much prayer.
I believe, even though there was not alot of collective prayer among the workers, that D-Now was held together by the glue of persistent, passionate, pleading prayer. So many times little things kept happening that could have potentially stopped (certainly hindered) the event from even taking place, but there were always people praying, and I believe the Lord acknowledged and blessed our efforts to please Him.

7. D-Now.
So much we learned! So much that was gained that we could not have experience quite like this, any other way. It was a step of trust, a huge project to tackle, but the Lord guided us in this experiment, this endeavor, and with His guidance came His blessings and encouragement.
I hope we do it again!

-Kyrie<><

Thoughts of Spring Blog Party

2011-03-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

Found another blog party! This is the last day, and I love 'trivia' (as I've said before) so decided to jump on the tail end. :)

1. How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.)

That's a kind of funny question. I mean, how would I know what word OTHER people would choose? I guess I could take a poll and find out a common word...
Until then, some words I think some of my friends would choose, would be "enthusiastic", "opinionated", or "loyal".

2. Are they right?

Depends on the context, but mostly yes :)

3. What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?

Hmm, not really any, I don't think. There are several I'd like to meet, but they're just regular people like I am - the only difference is more people know their name than know mine.

4. Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

Wow! I could not pick a "favorite"! I enjoy too many. But Jenna, Josh, and their mother, Mrs. Regan have been some of my biggest inspirations and encouragements in the faith. I love their honesty, their imperfections, their passion for the Lord, their love for family, for farming, for frugality, and for fun. I'm challenged by their examples, I'm encouraged by their less-than-perfect-ness. They have become dear friends - even if only blogging friends.

5. What is one of your comfort foods/drinks?

Potato soup!

6. Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

I believe birth control is just as wrong as abortion.
I believe it is wrong to kiss someone who is not your spouse.

The reason I listed these two opinions as something 'weird' about myself, is because recently I have been rudely awakened to the sad fact that many 'Christians' do not believe either one of these things. I won't go into detail here, but I plan to do a post on both those topics soon.

7. Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done?

Oh yes!

8. What is it?

Goodness! Lots of things!
One that stands out would be going to Scotland.

9. Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

Action, historical fiction, documentary, adventure, etc. But always from a Christian standpoint, and I am VERY strict about content. So, I have more 'favorite movies' rather than 'favorite genres'.
I love Sherwood Pictures' movies!

10. Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

Here again, like movies, I have more 'favorite books' than a whole category. But I love Christian historical fiction, biographies and autobiographies of great missionaries and historical people, Christian resources, and about anything worth reading I can get my eyes on.

11.Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

Ew yuck, some of those. I love old-fashioned Southern Gospel - four-part harmony, men's quartets and trios, and toe-tapping convention-style music. I love the old hymns. I love quality, inspiring, stirring orchestra and military music. I like some of the WWII era big-band music. I also love Celtic - of course, if the words are appropriate.

12. If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

The first thing? That would be to tithe it, and give the tithe to my church or to missionary work.

13. Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

Miniatures. HMMHMM I LOVE miniatures! Almost miniature anything - but not everything.

14. If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

Well, some of my loved ones may have other places they'd want to live, so it would seem a little selfish to drag them all to my place... But I understand the question.
Scotland or Tennessee, but I'd need to think a little before I could decide between the two.

15. Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?

Hmmm. Well, I can sit flat on the ground with my knees bent and flat on the ground so that my heels come back and can touch the sides of my thighs! I can also make the back of my tongue vibrate forwards and backwards really fast, so that if I say "Ah" at the same time, it sounds like, "Yoin, yoin, yoin, yoin" but really fast and run together. Don't know if that one counts - probably lots of other people can do that, but Trissy can't - she's always exclaiming, "How do you DO that?!" whenever I'm going around doing it ;) .

16. What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).

Caring.

17. What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

Mmmm! The perfume or cologne of a friend. Gives me a good feeling.

18. When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?

Well, of course it depends on what I said, and what I didn't. Usually some of both I guess.

19. If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

Etsy
Hobby Lobby
Michael's
Books-A-Million
And if money wasn't a factor (in other words, I had all I'd want to spend), then probably other stores too.

20. What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?

Greatest fear: Disappointing the Lord.
Strange phobia: Bears. I hate bears. Real ones, that is. Stuffed ones are fine :)

21. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Glorifying the Lord.

22. What are your favorite animals?

1. Horses
2. Dragonflies
3. Pigeons/doves
4. Dogs

23. Are you a hopeless romantic?

Um NO-OO!

24. What movie or book character can you most relate to?

Dan, from the book "Little Men"

Well, some of that 'about me' I've already covered in other posts or blog parties. But I had fun doing it!

D-Now 2011 - Expectations

2011-03-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

About a month ago, I guess it was, Justice began sending a daily e-mail out to each person of the college class with a quote from a preacher, missionary, or author, or something thought-provoking or encouraging, and then a little note from himself at the end. Now for the past week or so, leading up to D-Now, he's been sending quotes on prayer, since that's the theme. D-Now begins this evening about 6:30. This is his e-mail from today :) :

"DNOW IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im not putting a quote today, but I just want to encourage everyone to be ready for tonight. It is going to be a great weekend! Archer and I got to spend most of the night with the band, and after talking with them and learning where their hearts are at, I think I can speak for us both that we were impressed. We are going to have a great time of worship, and I can not wait to hear what God has given [the visiting preacher] to say. Remember group leaders try to be at the church around five if not earlier to make sure everything is ready, and to greet your groups as they come in. Hope everyone has a great day, because I know the night is going to be great. Love you guys!
-Justice"

The 'band' he mentioned is a group from up north. They are all in their teens or twenties, I'd say, and there are two girls and four boys. Archer went to school with one of the boys, so we invited them to come on his recomendation. Yesterday, as I mentioned, we canceled College Bible Study and worked on finishing up what needed to be done to get ready for the weekend, instead. Trissy and I got there as the 'band' was unloading, so we went out and met them. A couple travels with them, who are the parents of two of the boys, and one of the girls. The other girl is married to one of the sons, and one of the other boys is courting the daughter. The last boy is a friend (hope all that made sense!). Trissy and I were thrilled to find out that they were homeschooled! Well, the brothers and sister were, but all six of the young people were either homeshooled or private schooled.
I am looking forward to finding out more about these kids. I would not have guessed by looking at them that they believed in courting or homeschooling, but that goes to show (again!) that you really can't always judge a book by it's cover. The daughter-in-law especially struck me as having what the Bible called 'an excellent spirit' - gentle, kind and friendly, honest, open, meek, and cheerful.

I must admit, I have no idea what their music is like - I pray the Lord will be glorified.

I'm fixing to head on over to the church to help finish up the last-minute stuff.
Please continue praying.

Oh! One more thing before I go: the high school was supposed to have a parade Saturday and anyone in the high school band HAS to be in it (supposedly. *rolls eyes* Dumb Mardi-Gras! Anyway...). That means ALOT of our youth group, would miss a big part of D-Now tomorrow, to have to be in the parade!
A 70% chance of rain had been predicted, and Bro. Mike said Wednesday night that he was praying it would rain so the parade would be canceled. We started praying too, and ( :D ) yesterday evening when we were there at the church working, he told us that it HAD BEEN canceled! Praise the Lord!

Ok, I'm gone for real now ;) .

{Note to Uncle Alvin's girls: Please forgive the lack of a recent e-mail! I AM working on it, just with school, and work, and the grandparents, and church, and and and... *sigh*
Maybe you can gather at least some of the news from here. :/
P.S. Y'all let me know what you want your names to be on here - preferably something that matches your initials, since you've already left comments with them. You need something more than 'Uncle Alvin's two youngest daughters' as a title ;D !
P.S.2. Please pray for this D-Now thing!
Love y'all!}

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

D-Now 2011

2011-03-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend (Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning) Victory Rd. will be hosting a youth (Junior High and Highschool age) event called 'D-Now' - it stands for Disciple Now, and these events evidently go on all over the contry. The focus is always on discipleship, and ours will be teaching on prayer. I'm really excited, and kind of nervous at the same time. There is alot of potential to really change some lives through this conference, and I know maybe that wording is somewhat over-used ('life-changing'), but prayer is such a powerful thing, and there has seemingly been such a resistance from Satan as we've worked so hard getting ready for this, as if he knows what an impact it could have for the Lord's glory. Bro. Mike is almost running ragged trying to coordinate all the details, and the college kids have been given the primary roles and responsibilities related to the event. But we have definitly also experienced the Lord's help as we've gotten ready. There has been unity among the workers, unselfish giving of time and resources and hospitality, and little details that have just fallen into place.

The study series we are going to be using is called "Permission to Speak Freely" by Andy Stanley. It's taught from Matthew 6:5-15 (the "Lord's Prayer"). Bro. Mike wanted all the small-group leaders and primary workers to watch the sermons before D-Now, but Trissy and I have only gotten half-way through them; so far it's seemed good and thought-provoking, and I feel like I've learned from it, even though I've grown up in a 'Christian' environment. I'm hoping we can finish them today.

During the day, there will be small-group sessions in host homes (which is where the college young people are going to be group leaders and where we will use the videos), and in the evening there will be a preaching and service at the church building, then there will be anther small-group session when everyone has gone back to their host homes after the service.

Dad didn't want Trissy and me to be group leaders since that would mean spending the night at someone's house, but we are working in other areas, and hopefully we can go to the sessions, just not stay the night.

Saturday night will be the 'climax', in a way, ending with the 'Prayer Walk'. There are 18 'stations' set up in various classrooms in the church, each focusing on a specific area or caegory of prayer, and the students will go through it one at a time, taking as long as they need to at each station, with adults postioned along the way to help or guide. This has probably taken the most work to put together, and I can see it REALLY having an impact.

Please be praying that the Lord will use this D-Now thing to really work in the lives of these kids, and the adults too! All involved. So many of the young people that come to Victory Rd. are the only believers in their families, have troubled lives, or are not even saved, just come because of the kindness that is shown them. Pray that the believers would be encouraged and strengthened and 'grown' in the Lord. Pray that those who do not know Christ as their Savior would accept Him. Pray that those who are struggling would be comforted. Pray that those who are fighting would surrender.

We are canceling our Thursday Night College Bible Study and going to all work on the last-minute touches and details.

I don't know if I've even made coherent sense through this post; I just knew that I wanted to record some of my thoughts before tomorrow night when it starts, and also to ask anyone who reads this to be praying for it.
Thanks!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><
{Graphic image ceated by Kyrie McAlan and copyright 2011}

Got Away With That One!

2011-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

"One day, I got a wed fathe, and Miz. Gway fo'got to paddol me! *Snickers* Ah'm weally glad abou' that!"

One of my little after-schoolers said this when she and another little student were discussing the difference in what the penalties are when they get a green "face" for the day, a yellow, an orange, or a red. I think she learned her lesson though; the lack of a spanking seemed to impress her as much as getting one would have!
The kids are always doing or saying such cute things! I wish I could remember them all. I love my job :) !

Influence And Oreos

2011-02-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you Trissy. It's just what I needed - and right then.

Purple Memories

2011-02-23T11:35:00.001-08:00

Spring is definitely moving in our direction! For the past couple of weeks, we have had nothing but sun (well, ok, we did have a drizzle ONE day), fresh wind, and 70-degree weather.

Sunday, as is the norm., we went up the road to eat Sunday dinner with the Grandparents. As we drove up and got out of our car, we were delighted with the beautiful patches of brilliant purple flowers in their yard. The picture below really doesn't do the effect justice, but this is one of the patches (click on the image to view it larger).

This is what the flowers/weeds look like up close. Does anyone know it's name?
All the cousins have been fascinated with these flowers as they've grown up, and I'm sure the little juice cups in the Grandmother's cabinet have held literally thousands of these little purple blooms over the years.

{This post posted in loving honor of Trissy and Uncle Alvin's two youngest daughters - Jaylyn and Jewel - and in memory of the countless hours making mudpies under the pecan trees. I love you!}

Influence And White Carnations

2011-02-21T19:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's just those little things that mean the most - that make the difference between life and existence, happiness and ho-hum-ness, success and mediocrity.
Little things like a kind word, a smile, or a white carnation.

I used to wonder if I had any impact, any influence on the people around me. Now, you may think, "That's silly! Every person's life affects someone else's!" and yes, that's true. Because of me, my Mom had one more person to cook for, one more batch of laundry to do. My sister had someone to nag her, my dad had another reason to work long hours. But I longed to be a positive influence in someone's life. Sermons and lessons of other types, stressed the fact that 'someone is watching what you do, and then acts accordingly; someone follows your example; someone is influenced by who you are'. But (at least in my own mind) I had no one. No one looked up to me, no one admired me, no one based their decisions on what they thought I would or would not do. Or so I thought. Looking back, I've realized how foolish I was. My sister (though of course we experienced the normal amount of conflict and challenges) adored me, my parents' lives could be made easier or harder depending on how I acted, the Christian clerk or shopper in Wal*Mart could be encouraged by seeing a well-behaved child. Just because I had no 'friends', because my little corner of the world was made up of just a handful of people, meant in no way that I didn't have influence; it just meant my influence was effective on a handful of people instead of a crowd, on my relatives and close relations instead of 'friends' and peers.

All that being said, as life has progressed, the Lord has brought into my life people who, at the time of my life I described above, would have seemed like 'prime targets' for my influence. Perhaps He waited intentionally for me to gain a little wisdom and experience before He 'trusted' me with someone!

At the church we were at before this one, I was a huge influence on the other children, and I knew it. And, I tried to act accordingly. It was a very small church, and I was the oldest of the group that could be considered the 'young people'. Our ages ranged from about 2 to 13. Those little kids looked up to me. Especially one, who I consider my 'adopted' little brother (one of my best friends in the world, despite the almost 10 years difference in our ages). One either Sunday or Wednesday night we were out behind the church playing tag or cowboys-and-indians or some other role-playing game (the kids would all play outside while the adults visited after church). I remember we were walking along beside the church building, deep in some adventure, when out of the blue my young friend asked me (and I belive I quote), "You're alot like Jesus, aren't you?" It was more of a statement, than a question.
I was young, but I caught a glimpse of the enormity of that question, and answered as best I could, that, well, I wanted to be like Him.
But I realized, perhaps for the first time, what an impact I had on the life of that young person, anyway, if on no one else in the world.
So many times in the years that have passed, as we have both gotten older, I have wanted to ask him what he meant by that question. Like Jesus how? The way I loved the 'children', like He did? The way I unselfishly played endless hours' worth of games with them, even though I was so much older than the rest of the group? The way I tried to live, as an example? What was his little-boy question really wanting to know?
I suppose he probably does not even remember asking. That was so long ago, and any amount of time is automatically made longer in one's mind, the younger they are. And he was very young. But that question has inspired me, encouraged me, and challenged me, all these years.

This past Sunday I was reminded again, tangibly, of the influence I have as a young adult, over the younger children at Victory Rd.. I'm in a hard-to-define, but deffinitly existent, category: Not quite an 'adult', but still very grown up, in their minds, I'm sure (I remember when 6th grade was grown, 17 was the ultimate, and I'm older than that now ;) !). It is the perfect category to be in to have a dramatic influence on the 10-14 age range.
Both of Archer's younger sisters fall into that range.
My whole family loves the whole S. family, and they love us. But the two little sisters are very attentive to what Trissy and I do. Little things, numerous things, that it would take to long to try to record, have built a strange but strong friendship between us.
None of the S. family members have very dramatic personalities, and the youngest, Piper, probably the least of all. When she does something, she doesn't make a big deal about it. When she offers herself, she doesn't explain, but innocently expects you to understand her heart.
For special occasions such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Valentines, a group of the church ladies takes 'orders' for carnations. Someone can 'buy' a carnation in honor or in memory of a family member, and the proceeds go to help missions. The carnations then make the flower arrangement for the Sunday morning of the occasion, and that night, everyone gets to take the carnations they ordered home with them Sunday evening after church.
The florist got the order mixed up for us, so the Valentine's carnations weren't ready until just this past Sunday, instead of the Sunday before Valentines.
So, Sunday evening, Trissy and I were out in the foyer area, watching and visiting with various people as we milled about after church, carnations in hand.
Suddenly, Piper was at my elbow.
"Hey Piper!" I said, and reached out to hug her, for though she is so reserved, she always hugs me whenever we meet. But this time, instead of a hug, she had something else.
"This is for you." And she held out a white carnation. It was so sweet and simple and sincere, I almost cried when I realized there was nothing I could say to express how much the gesture meant to me. She turned to Trissy, "And this is for you." and gave her a red one. As we tried to express our thanks, she just smiled her funny little Archer-style smile and without another word, melted back into the crowd of people.
On the way back from church that night, Trissy and I wondered what had made her do it. Had someone had extra flowers, given her some, and she decided to share them? What made her share some with us? Had she 'bought' them for the Valentine's bouquet, specifically for us? Why? Had someone else wanted us to have them, and asked her to deliver them?
But no, I don't think that last one. They were from her. You could tell by the look on her face.
Anyway, her reasons don't really matter. All that matters is that her sweet little heart found something in us that meant something to her, and she wanted to express her love.

I don't think she will ever know what that white carnation means to me.

But if anyone is reading this, DO NOT think you have no influence. No matter who you are, even if you are an invalid who cannot get out of your house, you affect another life. If nothing else, your heart could be right before the Lord, which could cause you to pray for someone, which will accomplish great work in their life. Some of you have an audience of hundreds. Just remember that with great power comes great responsibility.

May the Lord guide and help me as I live before watching young eyes.

Update:
Here is an excellent post by another blogger on this subject.

Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 6 - Friday

2011-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

Day six! It was rainy and misty today, but we snuck out and managed to snap a couple of quick pictures anyway :D !

Me:

Denim Jacket (Same one from Wednesday. Oh, how I LOVE my denim jacket!): Birthday (2005) from Dad and Mom
~
Turquoise Knit Sleeveless Top (Same one from Thursday. Note: I only wear sleeveless shirts if I have something else on top for sleeves): Belk's for less than $6
~
Caramel-Brown Corduroy Skirt: Christmas 2007 (?) from Dad and Mom
~
Cowboy Boots (my first pair since I was five! I LOVE MY COWBOY BOOTS! Can you tell? ;D): Christmas 2009 from Dad and Mom

Trissy:

Green Jacket: Borrowed from me (Dirt Cheap for about $2, I think)
~
Purple Long-Sleeved Knit Shirt: JCPenney's for about $5
~
Hand-Beaded Necklace (Same one from Thursday): A graduation gift from a little 10-year-old friend in another state
~
Black Knit Skirt: Um, consignment shop?
~
Black Shoes: Gotta ask her (will fill in later - I'm trying to get this done so I can link up!)

Ok y'all - only one day left!

Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 5 - Thursday

2011-02-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

Day five of Bramblewood Fashion's Modest Fashion Week.

Me:

Turquoise Sleeveless Knit Shirt: Belk's for less than $6
~
Pale Blue Mint Shirt (I wear this shirt all the time in the summer for several reasons. 1) It's decent! 2) I love the color 3) It's cool in hot weather and 4) It hasn't got to be ironed! Just mist with water and hang up to dry! Doesn't get any better!): Yard Sale for $.50! (Can you beat that?!)
~
Denim Skirt (another one I wear all the time): Less than $5 from our local consignment shop
~
Slide-In Dark-Sand Sandals: Hand-me-downs from the same lady at church who gave me Monday's sandals

Trissy:

I've got to get the details on her outfit later.

Literary Blog Party

2011-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

{Note: This post is incomplete. Please wait to read it until I have time to finish filling out the questions. Unless of course you're the type that's GOT to go through with something once it's within your grasp...
Just bear in mind there's alot missing still.}

I had a few free minutes today, so decided to go blog-hopping :). In my wandering, I found a blog that is hosting a 'blog party' of sorts, with a questionair on the reader's literary opinions. Click here to read the whole post. I decided to join in because I LOVE books/reading and I like random, trivia, 'about me'-type events and things (both to be a contributor to, and an observer of others' contributions).
So, here goes.

•What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

A faith in Christ so strong that it dictates everything she does and how she reacts to every situation - no matter how small or how great.
(By the way, if anyone knows the name of this painting, please let me know)

•Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

1) Kirsten from George MacDonald's "Heather and Snow"
2)
3)
4)

•Five of your favorite historical-fiction novels?

1) Little Men
2) The Scarlet Pimpernel
3) Tree of Freedom
4) Johnny Tremain
5)

•Out of those five books who is your favorite character and why?

Oooh, that's difficult. But probably, if I really HAD to say, it would probably be Dan from Little Men. Why? Well, I think of all the characters I've met in the hundreds of books I've read, Dan has been the one I've understood and related to the most - we are so much alike.

•If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

The highlands of Scotland. I would take a few of my favorite George MacDonald books and a couple of others in a leather messenger bag, a lunch, and a camera, and treck the hills the whole time. Well, I would like to visit Banockburn too.

•What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

Wow, pretty much anything historical. I'm especially fascinated with American and Scottish history. I love historical fiction written from a Christian point of view.

•You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy,
recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Recitation. I'm horrible at 'planned' comedy - though I've been pleasantly surprised at how easily I keep my friends in a state of spontaneous merriment, just by being myself around them! I enjoy memorization, and would probably quote some of my favorite Scripture pasages and/or a few selections from my favorite books and poems.

•If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Kirsten from George MacDonald's "Heather and Snow"

•What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

It's nice, but not something I can't live without.

•Favorite author(s)?

C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia are hands-down some of the best books I've EVER read - and I've read alot of books), George MacDonald,

•As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good?

Well, good. I'm not sure about the 'angelically' part. Is that even an appropriate adjective in this case? I mean, the angels really don't have a say in what they do or are... anyway...
Just something to think about. I had to throw it in ;)

*Why?

Why did I have to throw it in? Oh! Why did I pick 'good'. Gotcha.
Ok, well

•In which century were most of the books you read written?

Hmmm, not sure!

•In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

•Describe your ideal dwelling place.

•Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Ha! Yes! Several times.

• In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

•Three favorite Non-fiction books?

1) The Bible - KJV (no offense to the non-KJVers, it's just my preference)
2) "Do Hard Things" by Alex Harris and Brett Harris
3) "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

•Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

•Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

My dream HAT?! Um, well, ok...

•Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

•Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

•And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons? 1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style?
2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 4 - Wednesday

2011-02-16T08:21:00.001-08:00

Day four of Bramblewood Fashion's "Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week"!

Me:

Red Dotted-Paisley Knit Shirt: Kohl's (I think)
~
Beige Skirt: JCPenney's, about $15
~
Sand-Colored Sandals: Don't remember, had them a long time though
~
Denim Jacket (I LOVE my denim jacket): Birthday 2005 from Dad and Mom

And yes, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm in a hurry, so I'm just including the bare minimum for now, and fill in more later.

Trissy:

Navy And White Striped 'Sailor' Sweater: Dirt Cheap
~
Navy Skirt: JCPenney's (same style as my beige one - got them at the same time)
~
Black Loafer-Style Shoes (same as from Monday): JCPenney's

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 3 - Tuesday

2011-02-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Day three of the Bramblewood Fashion "Keeping It Classy" Modest Fashion Week!

Me:

Gray T-Shirt (under sweater - if you look close you can see it's collar around the throat of the sweater): Wal*Mart at the end of the season for either $1, or $1.50, I can't remember for sure which
~
Navy Cotton Pull-Over Sweater (I love this sweater. I hardly wear it though because 1) I'm so hot-natured it's hardly ever cold enough; and 2) I love it so much I don't want to wear it out! I call it my "Peter sweater"*. Long story. Yes, I know, another of my 'long stories'. [Maybe] One day I'll tell them all): JCPenney's on sale for $?
*Peter's not a real-life person, for the information of any of you who may be nosy or gossiply inclined.
~
Denim Skirt (a nice skirt, but the waist is huge on me, so I've got to wear a belt and pull it snug to fit LOL! We bought it at a time when I was desperately in 'need' of another denim skirt or two, and it was a good buy.): JCPenney's on sale for $15
~
Leather "Tooled" Belt: A local consignment shop for $.50 I think
~
Leather 'X' Sandals (great slide-ins and they've served me well for a number of years):

Trissy:

Trissy hasn't had a chance to write down all of her outfit specifics, so I'm just going to post mine, and our pictures, and then come back and fill in details later.

How Firm A Foundation

2011-02-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

There just lacks a certain quality from so much of today's music, but that was the whole message of songs years ago. The writers often had personally gone through (or at least knew someone who had) many of the lessons and experiences they wrote about - that's why they wrote.

It is a family habit to, each morning (except for Sunday) right after breakfast, read the devotional for that day from the current "Our Daily Bread" booklet. At the end of each devotional, there is always a little thought or poem that summarizes the lesson. Today, the poem was a line from the great old hymn "How Firm A Foundation".

"When thru fi'ry trials, thy pathway shall lie, My Grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

Today was my turn to read the devotional out loud, and when I got to that little poem, it was all I could do to keep my voice from cracking. The hymn is extremely stirring and rich in meaning, but this particular section never fails to move me to tears. Even as I typed it just now.
How many times throughout the eons past, were men and women, children and old people, made heroes because of their willingness to go (literally) through the Refiner's fire? Heroes...

Did I say heroes?

Their names are not even known now. Many of them were only a face, or a number, even to the ones who sent them through the fires. Yet the reason they are heroes is not because men remember them - but because "their names [are] written in the Lamb's book of Life", and because they willingly submitted to His fashioning, purifying hand.

Many, many, times I have wondered if I will face this fire. The time is coming when it will no longer be 'safe' to say, "I believe Jesus" anywhere.
Will I flinch? Or will I go out singing, as so many of them did?

Oh how firm a Foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid on your faith in His excellent Word!

~
For those of you who may not be familiar with this great old hymn, I searched YouTube and found a video that, even though this version does not perhaps exhibit the power and potency of the music as it could, at least conveys the spiritual depth and meaning.

Soli Deo Gloria

Kyrie

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 2 - Monday

2011-02-14T11:54:00.001-08:00

Mom took pictures of me this morning before I left for school. My shirt and skirt are both cotton, so I wanted pictures before I got "rumpled" from riding to, then spending time in, school. Well, I was going to upload the pictures at school, but when I looked at them, they were really dark and grainy. *Sigh* So, I set the camera on the top of Tilly (my car :) ), set the timer, and ran away a good distance to let it take my picture. Well, apparently I ran a little too far, because by the time I cropped it down so you could see 'me', the photo ended up being grainy (and me looking 'rumpled') anyway! I didn't have any more time though (I had to get to the Academy to work), so this will just have to do :]

Me:

White Knit Sleeveless Shirt: Snitched from my Mom's closet :) Truthfully, I borrow it so much that I wear it more than she does! Don't remember (if I ever knew) where she got it, or how much she paid for it, but it's great to wear under other light-weight white shirts, or as an 'under' shirt with a button-up one.
~
Cobalt Blue Button-Up Shirt (I really like this shirt, except it's 100% cotton, and wrinkles up right away, as you can see): JCPenney's at the end of the season for about $5
~
Chocolate Button-Up Skirt (no pockets :/ - I live out of my pockets - otherwise a great skirt): A cousin's yard sale for $1
~
Tan Vintage Sandals (I love these sandals - the only problem is that the soles are so hard that my feet begin to hurt towards the end of the day): Hand-me-downs from a friend at church.

Trissy:

Dark Blue Knit Shirt: Hand-me-down to Trissy from me :) Don't remember where it originally came from
~
Dark Mint/Teal Blue (not really sure what color you'd call it, but it's a beautiful shade of blue) and Slate Blue Patterned Knit Shirt (she loves this shirt and wears it as much as she can get away with - she jokes that she doesn't know what she wore before she got it LOL!): JCPenney's on sale for about $7
~
Slate/Dark Powder Blue Sweater: From Dad and Mom. Don't remember what occasion.
~
Straight Navy Skirt: JCPenney's on sale for $?
~
Navy Knee Socks
~
Black Loafer-Style Shoes (I like these shoes on Trissy. They're nice and practical, but the tiny buckle-and-strap deal on the toes adds a nice touch.): JCPenney's on sale for $? (the box says originally $50, but I KNOW we didn't pay that much! LOL!)

As you might can see from our descriptions, we are firm believers in sewing, sales, consignment stores, and hand-me-downs!

'Til next time - Keep Looking Up!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Keeping It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 1 - Sunday

2011-02-13T14:56:00.000-08:00

Well, recently I stumbled across a blog called Bramblewood Fashion. I don't remember just how I found it, but I have been keeping (well, trying to - I truly don't get much Blogging time) up with what Ashley and Gabrielle have had to say about 'fashion'.

One of the things that caught my attention was the promotion of a "Modest Fashion" Week in February. This event's purpose was to encourage modesty, while 'proving' that modest people haven't got to be 'frumpy'.
"Hmm, that looks interesting," I thought to myself :) , as well as being needed. I'm afraid the term "modest" has come to be synonimous with the word "frumpy" in the minds of many. So, while I claim to have no fashion sense of my own (my sister Trissy suggested several of my outfits for the week), I know the types of things I like to see on other people. I guess that's got to count for something! And Trissy is planning on joining in as much as she can. She doesn't have a blog, so her outfits will be posted on my blog.
Oh, one other 'clarification' - I do not have a good quality camera, so please bear this in mind when considering the 'photography' :)
Sooo, without further ado, our outfits for the first day of the 'Event (of course, being Sunday, we were dressed for church):

Me:

Yes, my stance does look a little strange... It was terribly windy, so I was trying to just get my skirt to hang straight long enough for Trissy to snap a decent picture! So no, my arms and back don't look this hunched and strange all the time...
Ok, my outfit:

White Blouse (I read somewhere that one of the essentials for a 'classy' wardrobe is a white button-up blouse - guess I'm off to a good start ;) !): JCPenny's during an end-of-the-season sale for $10-$12 I think.
~
Tan Knit Vest (It's really soft. Basically the only time I wear this vest is with this outfit. Trissy loves it when I do.): A local consignment shop for less than $5
~
Brown Paisley Wrap Skirt (I really love this skirt, but I 'ration' the amount I wear it, 'cause it has tiny little 'dashes' of copper glitter that I'm afraid will wash off the more it's washed... :) Yeah, I know, I'm extreme): Made by Mom, fabric from Wal*Mart I think from the $2/yard section
~
Embroidered Brown 'Mary-Jane' shoes (The last pair, and they happened to be just close enough to my size that I can stuff paper in the toes and still wear them ;D I LOVE these shoes! The embroidery and style just look 'Narnian' somehow ;) !): Wal*Mart for $11

Ok, now Trissy:

Silver Mother/Daugher Circle and Hearts Necklace: From Mom for Christmas 2010
~
Bright Blue Turtle-Neck Sweater and Plaid Skirt set: From Dad and Mom for Christmas (2008 I think)
~
Black Shoes: K-Mart maybe? It's been several years, but they've held up well and are Trissy's Sunday winter 'staples'.

Ok, well, there are our Day 1 outfits! Looking forward to the rest of the week!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Last Sunday

2011-01-29T20:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am better from my tussle with the flu bug (thank the Lord!), and before another Sunday rolled around, I just wanted to post a couple of thoughts I had last week.

I'd been sick for almost two weeks, and had to miss church (or church events) I believe it was 7 times.
I was so 'out of it', that for the most part, it didn't really register that I was missing church!, though I hated not to be there at the same time. Weird, I know. But that's how it was.
Last Sunday was my first one back since I'd been sick, and I was reminded again in an amazing, fresh, way of what a great gift the Lord gave us - gave me! - when He led us to Victory Rd.. What dear friends, what wise teachers, what sincere leaders. It was SO good to be back.

Urgent Prayer Request - Update & Thanks

2011-01-24T11:06:00.001-08:00

Thank you so much to all who prayed for me (and for Mrs. H) about me giving her the Bible, like I asked you to. I was so nervous! I waited until after class, and all the other kids had left, to give it to her. She seemed so pleased that we would give her something for Christmas, but kept saying, "You didn't have to get me anything!" as she was unwrapping it :) . I hardly knew what I said as we chatted while she took the paper off, I was SO nervous! I just didn't want her to take it the wrong way; I wanted her to see the love in it. And I think she did :) . She seemed SO pleased! Dad, Mom, Trissy, and I had all signed the inside, and that seemed to really touch her. Mom had also had them put Mrs. H's name on the front in gold letters at the store, and that also seemed to mean alot to her.

So thank you to all who prayed! Please keep praying that she will read it and that the Lord would keep working in her life (He already has in so many ways!) to draw her closer and closer to Him.

Many times after class, she will stay and chat with me after all the other kids are gone (I stay after class alot to use the faster internet to blog and do homework). She loves animals and the outdoors and recycling, and all that. Almost a 'hippie' type person, but not really too, if you know what I mean - she's very educated and classy also, and doesn't consider herself a 'hippie' at all, though she says her parents were.
She loves the fact that I live in the country and enjoy some of those same things she does. She's always bringing me some little plant or other (always in a recycled container :) ), and has loaned us her incubator to hatch chicks. I save our recyclable stuff throughout the week, and bring it to school and she takes it home and puts it with her stuff (we don't have a recycle pick-up where we live, but she does). Several times I've mentioned that I shouldn't do that, as it makes more work for her to take it home; but whenever I say something like that she goes, "Oh no! I want you to! It makes me feel good to help.", or something like that :) , so I've stopped mentioning it since it really seems to distress her if I talk about stopping. But anyway, I was saying all that to say this: Sometimes in our long chats (about literally almost everything under the sun!) she will talk about things that have been happening in her life, or did happen in her life, and I just sit and listen; and I can see such an obvious picture in the story she tells - so many things, little things some of them, others bigger, that are so obviously "God things" that He is using to work in her life. I can see a change in her even in just the little-over-a-year I've known her. So obvious how He is gently leading her down this path, and she doesn't even see it. Leading her invisibly.

I think she really likes me for the combined facts that 1. I study hard, do the work, and really try to learn when so many of the others just don't seem to care, 2. I enjoy so many of the same things she does, 3. I don't mind talking (or listening, really) to her for ages at a time, and 4. That I don't think she's crazy for doing some of the rather 'eccentric' things she does.
But isn't that what the world needs?! People who will love them for who they are, and meet them where they are, and just be their friends?! Not judgmental, high-and-mighty "Christians" who really aren't! Not goody-two-shoes who've got to 'fix' everything that's wrong with them before they'll even give them the time of day! Christians - REAL Christians - who will listen when they want to talk, laugh when they are glad, sympathize when they cry, and go through life with them always directing them Higher. How many opportunities we miss. How many I miss.

This is the Bible we gave her. Sorry about the poor quality photo. I was in a hurry when I took it (trying to get the Bible wrapped so I could take it with me to school), and then didn't really get to do much Photoshop on it, just took her name off the cover.

Thanks again to all who prayed - and to those who keep praying!

Flu's Not Fun

2011-01-13T17:04:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I have the flu. First time too, I think. Temperature's 102. Not fun. Just FYI. *shrugs* Bye.

Urgent Prayer Request

2011-01-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, I don't have time to go into the whole story for those of you who don't know it, but here is the short version:

I am in college. My major is such that in each semester, I have had one main instructor and on this blog she is called Mrs. H. She does not know the Lord as her Savior, but considering the small conversations I've had with her on the subject, she seems to be at least somewhat open. Over almost two years and three semesters, I've gradually built her trust and confidence in me, so that hopefully she can see what a true "Christian" is supposed to be like.

Anyway, my family decided to give her a Bible for Christmas. I didn't get to give it to her before school let out for Christmas break, but it's started back now and I hope to give the Bible to her today.
Class starts in just a few minutes, so I've got to run. But I wanted to ask you all to please be praying that I will be able to present it in such a way as not to seem 'pushy' or stuck up or anything, but loving and gracious, and that she will have an open heart to receive it, and take it in the spirit it is being given.
I would appreciate your prayers sssssssooooooo much!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><

A Soft Answer...

2011-01-11T06:42:00.000-08:00

"A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grevious words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1

How wise was the man who wrote these words.

This morning I had a fresh taste of their lesson.

I was deep into a job, absorbed in all I had to accomplish before a certain amount of time went by, when the phone rang. I was in a rather ticklish position at the moment, but managed to answer it anyway. On the other end of the line was someone who many times just doesn't see things the way I see them, and many times seems to choose my most busy and stressful moments to decide they're going to call me up and let me have a piece of their mind.
Well, I was really not in the mood for it just then. But what could I do? Hang up on them? No, of course not. Didn't matter how rude they were to me, my job was me, not them. I made a neutral reply, and they continued with an unkind answer. Grudgingly I held my sarcastic words and sharp replies in check while they spouted into my ear; and when they got done, I calmly, coldly, and politely terminated the conversation and hung up. I then behaved in a decidedly unChristian manner, angrily continuing the task I had been involved in, lashing out at the empty room, pouring my caustic remarks out to the unhearing caller, preaching to them about how they should just take one moment in their life to think of someone besides themself. *Clears throat* The person I had in mind for them to be kind to was myself, naturally.
So, while I was fuming and quoting the golden rule to them in my head, the phone rings. I looked at the caller id. It was Them. "What do you want NOW?!" I rudely asked the machine. "You're only calling back because you want something else from me."

But I answered the phone anyway.

"Hello."

"Kyrie? I shouldn't have answered you so rudely. I can't see what's going on there with you; all I see is what's going on here at my house: laundry to do, clean dishes needing to be put away, dirty dishes needing to be done, breakfast to be eaten, school work to be done before a certain time. But I still shouldn't have snapped at you that way."

Well! I sure wasn't expecting that one!

After I hung up, I could hear my self-righteous arguments replaying in my head, and was ashamed of myself. Yes, that person had been rude. Yes, they had been rude to me many times in the past. But the Lord had used my forcing myself to be calm and fakely courteous to rebuke their heart, cause them to call back to admit their wrong, and then to smite my conscience with my holier-than-thou attitude.

*Sigh* Will I ever learn?

The Lord is patient and gracious. He remembers I am dust.

Life Is Sweet

2011-01-10T11:12:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to do a post similar to this idea for quite some time. So the other day when I read this post on Lucy's blog, I decided to join in :) (I stole the Roman Numeral idea from her too). Later, I may do 'mine'. Or I may do this one again, but with ten other things that bring me joy :) . We'll see. For now, I hope you enjoy this peek into what makes me "me" - what brings me joy.

I. Being outside during thunderstorms
II. Godly teenagers
III. Amazing Grace played on bagpipes
(Note: Click here to hear/see the most incredible version of this hymn I've ever experienced - just listen to it first, then go back and watch it)
IV. Working with my hands
V. A good read
VI. Laying in the wet grass at night, looking at the stars, while my friends try to find me
(there's a story to this one)
VII. Psalms 107:8-22
VIII. Pleasing someone I love
IX. Sherwood Pictures
X. Going barefoot

New Year's Resolutions - 2011

2011-01-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am again, and a new year has begun. I wonder if you remember this post from last year about this time, and my list of resolutions for 2010. In case you don't remember what they are, or in the event that you did not read that post at all, please allow me to refresh your memory:

1. Finish memorizing John 14
2. Read and return that cardboard box full of borrowed books!
3. Learn to be more understanding
4. Get my and Trissy's home-made craft business started
5. CLEP out of English Comp, Geography, and College Algebra

Now, I would like to look at each one, and see how I did with accomplishing them :) .
I'm afraid I did not do quite as well as I had hoped, yet I am satisfied. I think that under the circumstances of all that has gone on this past year, the Lord helped me to do quite well with my list:

1. Finish memorizing John 14

Check. The Lord helped me to get this done fairly early in the year. I do need to brush up though - it's been a little while since I reviewed.

2. Read and return that cardboard box full of borrowed books!

Ooh, not so good. Number-of-books-out-of-that-box-actually-finished-and-returned: zero, zilch, nothing, none
*Sigh* Not much time for pleasure reading this year... I actually finished the first book from that box this week. So here's one that goes back on the list for 2011 lol!

3. Learn to be more understanding

Whoo boy, I sure hope so. I suppose this one really can't be measured for success, or checked off a list. It's work is on-going. I would like to think it's easier for me to 'think before I act', 'turn the other cheek', and 'put myself in their shoes' more than it was last year. Honestly though, it's still hard - real hard - to always just bite my lip and be humble. In fact, I don't. Not "always".
Psalms 145:8

4. Get my and Trissy's home-made craft business started

Check. Well, sort of. This is as far as it's gone. And right now it's obviously more mine than Trissy's. But I hope to work on it more in 2011, and at least it's a start. Check it out and let me know what you think!

5. CLEP out of English Comp, Geography, and College Algebra

Hmm,
Check, ended-up-taking-it-online, and haven't-done-anything-about-it-yet. So, some accomplished, some not. At least, not yet. :)

Now what about this year? 2011? Seems so weird to write/type that - 2011. Anyway...
Will I make New Year's Resolutions this year? *Sigh* Sure, why not. I'll still keep it small, and maybe without SO much school this year, I'll end up getting more of it accomplished.
Ok, here goes:

1. Finish memorizing Ps. 107:8-22, and start on another passage
2. Read and return at least 1/2 of that box of borrowed books!
~~3. Open an Etsy shop~~
~~4. Get the internet/laptop situation ironed out and working~~ (long story - don't ask)
5. Unload at least 3/4 of the stored pictures off of the computer, save them on CDs, and help Mom start printing the ones she wants
~~6. Get brownies made for Russell and Archer, and a cheesecake for Austin, before the end of January!~~ (another long story - I'll try to get it told at some point)
~~7. Go on a mission trip~~

Yes, I added two since last year. For a couple of reasons. Number one, some of them are not that hard, I just need to get them done! So if I get them done before too long, it's not too outrageous to think I'll get some others accomplished. Number two, 7. is on the list out of faith and hope. The church is planning two mission trips for the summer, and I REALLY want to go on one of them, at least. But it's going to take a bundle of money, and I've never tried to raise that much in such a short time. Besides that, there're the issues of care for The Grandparents, permission from Dad and Mom, and other things like that. Anyway, it's up to the Lord whether that one gets checked off or not!

So I'm going to go for now, I'm hungry, and I'm going to go eat a sandwitch :)

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Well, I'm Back

2011-01-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Well, Monday we got back from our trip, and I must say I am so thankful to be back! School starts back for me tomorrow, and I have really enjoyed the past couple of days, trying to get some last-minute things accomplished before that 'rat race' starts again!

Though I was not looking forward to the trip, and many times wished I had been able to stay behind, there were enjoyable moments. Sunday night we visited a church where a preacher Dad knew as a boy was pastoring. Actually, he had been pastoring - he left in August, so we just missed him. Dad was disappointed to not get to see his old friend, but it still was a great time of refreshing, for me at least, and I think the others really enjoyed it as well. The attendance was very small, but the people were kind and gracious, and really seemed to be Godly, spiritual folks. The current pastor also preached a great message, and seemed to be one of those kinds of men who, in spite of being from a newer generation, is still one of those good, old-fashioned preachers, who's not afraid to preach it like the Bible has it. He preached from the verse about '... if My people, which are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face...'. Sorry I can't recall the reference at the moment, but I'll try to look it up, and put it in later. It's in 1 Chronicles. Anyway, he really did a good job, focusing mainly on the subject of humility. It was so refreshing, after the discouraging week, and was especially a blessing considering we couldn't be at our own church.

So that was one thing I really enjoyed from the trip. Another was the fact that we got to visit Mom's sister and her family who live a couple of states away. Mom's niece (her sister and brother-in-law's only child) and her husband recently had a little boy, and this was our first time to get to see him (they had come over to visit as well, so we got to see them while we were at my aunt's). We spent Sunday night there, and got in a nice little visit with them before heading the rest of the six or so hours on back to 'our neck of the woods'.

I'm sure the Lord is trying to teach me patience (one class I've been enrolled in for some years now ;] ) and trust through the many things that have been happening to me, and that have occurred in my life lately (I think I spelled 'occurred' wrong; oh well, spelling was never my strong point... Any help on that?). Thank you to those who have been praying for me! May I be flexible to learn the lessons. It's tough; but I'm sure I don't need to tell many of you that - you've been there!

Maybe I can post some pictures later - we drove through some beautiful American realistate!

Darkness Lifting

2010-12-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

Well, we're half-way there. We're spending the night at a motel, and one more day of driving should get us to our destination. I've gotten to do some knitting and some pleasure reading, and things look a little brighter - the dreariness seems to be lifting a little. I am trying to be in tune to the lessons the Lord is trying to teach me through this. Thank you Josh and Cora for your encouraging comments! They really mean alot. Y'all keep praying for us please.
'Til later,

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><

Dark Days And Disappointments

2010-12-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, this post really isn't as morbid as the title ... maybe ... I just couldn't come up with anything better, and I'm really discouraged right now. Mom's oldest brother passed away Christmas morning right after midnight. Her father fell and broke his hip the day before Thanksgiving, and has been in various hospitals (all at least an hour's drive away) ever since. College starts back for me Jan. 7. My registration didn't go through, so I don't know if I'll be able to get all my classes for this semester, and may be forced to graduate a whole year behind. That's not a big deal - the graduating late - it's just those eight extra months of school. I've got to get in contact with the instructors for the classes I will be taking this semester, and order books. The Grandmother is discouraged about the slow progress The Grandfather is making - they both just want him home. We all do. She, Dad, Mom, Trissy, and I are all exhausted from driving (some of us) to see him every day except two, I think, since he's been in the hospital. Trissy has been taking up my slack during school and finals, so she is tired. We were both sick with a virus all last week. Today is Mom's birthday, and instead of celebrating it, we are getting ready for a two-day drive, week-long trip, to go to her brother's funeral. Mom is tired worrying about The Grandparents, sad about losing her brother, and pressured while making plans to be gone several states away, for a week. Dad is tired from worrying about Mom all the time. And while our Christmas was nice (although very different), none of us have had a 'real' Christmas break.

So now that you've listened to my list of woes, let me say I'm sorry to weigh you down with my problems. I just had to let it out. Please pray for my whole family - we are all tired and discouraged. And please pray for me - I know I should be noble and selfless and submissive, but I am having alot of trouble right now being any of those, though I want to so badly. I just want to stay here. I don't want to go to a funeral, and I sure don't want to lose a whole week of my three-week break from school - especially since I'm really struggling with the stress of the college issues that have got to be taken care of before January 7.

I know God is soverign - He not only knows how this is all going to turn out, He planned it to turn out that way. Whenever I think of that, it is a great comfort - I know He will give me just enough strength to get through the 'schedule' He has laid out.

I wish it would rain - a beautiful, thundering, rejoicing, winter rain.
Somewhere, it is raining.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Winter In December

2010-12-27T04:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all you wonderful good-hearted northerners who conspired to answer my desperate request for ~ * SNOW * ~ after the crazy day last week when the high was 75 degrees! It was a wonderful and heart-warming surprise to see the lovely little flakes falling so cheerfully as we loaded up yesterday morning for Sunday School! It is indeed now begining to feel like winter here (yesterday's high was supposed to be 40-ish), and even though they didn't stick, those snowflakes reminded me of the great blessing the Lord provided when He invented friends!

Ok, I know y'all didn't really send the snow of course, but it was a wonderful encouragement just when I needed it, and did remind me of the goodness of God, and the dependability of good friends.

Thank You.

A Christmas Tag

2010-12-23T07:39:00.001-08:00

Ok, on a blog I just discovered recently, and am really enjoying, the young lady who authors it requested a Christmas tag. I've been wanting to do a tag for a while, so this is a good excuse! Hope this fulfills your 'want' Lucy!

1. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

2. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

3. Do you do Christmas baking? If so, post one of your recipes.

4. Do you send out Christmas cards? If so, are they store-bought, or home-made? Do you like to use 'cute' ones, 'inspirational' ones, 'elegant' ones, or combinations?

5. What is your favorite Christmas song or carol, and why?

6. Do you go somewhere for Christmas or stay home?

7. Do you usually have guests for Christmas?

8. Do you do volunteer or charity work of some kind at Christmas? If so, tell what, and some of the lessons or memories you've gotten from the experience.

9. Do you give gifts at Christmas? If so, are they store-bought, home-made, or a combination? Which do you like to give best? Which would you rather receive? Why?

10. Do you use a Christmas tree as part of your decorating? Why or why not (give specifics)?

11. Do you get snow where you live? If so, what are your favorite snow-related activities? Why? If not, what do you imagine your favorites would be, and why?

12. What is your favorite Christmas story? Please post it if you have access to a copy.

13. Is your birthday also in December? Do you know someone who's birthday is in December? If so, is an effort made to make it special and seperate from the Christmas celebrations? If so, what are some of the ways you/they accomplish this?

14. What are your favorite Christmas/Winter color combinations? (Ex.: Red and Green, Red and Black and White, Red and Gold, Green and Gold, White and Silver, etc.)

15. Are there some special ways you focus on Christ at Christmas?

Ok, I may keep adding to this tag - I had fun coming up with it, and hopefully it will be a challenge, as well as an enjoyment to all who participate! I will try to publish my own answers later.
I tag
Lucy of course,
Cora,
Grace,
Jenna
and anyone else who wants to do it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Summer in December

2010-12-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well, we had an absolutely beautiful summer day here today! Seventy-five degrees, a cheerful sun shining, and a wonderfully lovely breeze. The only problem is, this is DECEMBER 22! For crying out loud!
Ah well, such are the oddities of living in my beloved Dixie. Any of y'all northerners want to send us some SNOW?! ;D

50 Free Christmas Cards From Shutterfly!

2010-12-11T06:16:00.000-08:00

I read on Emily's blog about a wonderful promotion Shutterfly is doing this Christmas! They will send 50 Christmas cards FREE to anyone who will blog about the offer! How can you beat that?! My cousin uses Shutterfly frequently to create unique and meaningful gifts. They always turn out great, and each item has such a nice personal feel - not as if you just went out and picked something random up for the occasion, but something with meaning and thoughtfulness. I've never used Shutterfly personally, but I've been impressed with what I've seen of their work.

They have a wide variety of gift ideas to choose from, - calendars, stationery, mugs, albums, canvases, even mousepads - as well as invitations, and of course, they offer picture development.
They have such a large and varied selection of Christmas cards, it was hard to choose just a few of my favorites! I love the Family Wall card, the Red Revamped card, and the Snow Flurries Cocoa card, and that's just the first page! There are Elegant Cards, Fun Cards, and a nice selection of Religious and Christian Cards (where my most favorites are)!

If you're interested in participating in this great offer, click HERE to learn more! And be sure to look around at their other great Christmas gift options while you're there!

Thanks Shutterfly!

'An Old-Fashioned Christmas' Event - Week 2 - Fabric

2010-12-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

{Visit Grace's blog here to learn more about the 'Old-Fasioned Christmas' Event!}

Note: This is week two of Grace's Old-Fashioned Christmas event, and I am excited, because this week's topic is FABRIC! I have found so many great tutorials, besides personal experiences of my own. Because uploading pictures takes time, I may be adding to this post even after the week is over. But for starters, here are some of my fabric crafting inspirations ;) !

Satin Flowers

Felt Hearts

The link I posted above is to the blog post where I found these hearts. The post had nothing about these hearts except the picture; but as soon as I saw them, I was like, "Oh my! I've got to make some of those!!" :D
So please pardon the lack of quality of my photos - I was taking them in a hurry - and hopefully you can enjoy your own jar of wonderful little felt hearts, or do like I'm going to, and drop one in a loved one's stocking with a note reminding them how much they are loved!

First select the felt you are going to use. I got this value pack at Wal*Mart, and it has a nice color variety (the colors are much more vibrant than in the photo - sorry y'all!). If you want a Christmas theme, then obviously the red and green and white would be a nice choice.

Next decide on the size heart you want, and draw out a pattern. You wouldn't believe the time it took me to get mine just right! I wanted mine a little lopsided, to give it sort of a folk-artsy look, but I didn't want it to look totally sloppy! (If you want yours shaped evenly, try folding a little piece of paper in half, then cut out half a heart on the fold. Unfold it, and you've got a perfectly shaped heart.)

Cut out two hearts from the felt you want to use.

Go through your embroidery thread stash (or if you don't have one, go to Wal*Mart or Hobby Lobby ;) ) and pick the color that you think suits your heart.

Find a needle that has a nice large eye, but that isn't too thick and chunky to go through the felt easily.

Take your embroidery thread, pick out three strands, and carefully separate it down. You want approximately 12-16 inches of the three-strand thread for one heart. I pull the strand until it has pulled from the full length of the skein. Hope that makes sense. If you want, you can just pull and cut the entire thickness of thread (six strands), then separate it and save the other three-strand section for another heart.

Put your two hearts together ...

... and start your stitching with a double-stitch to serve as a knot.

Make sense?

When you get almost around the heart, take a tiny amount of quilt batting or fiberfill, and stick inside to give the heart a little thickness. I save quilt batting trimmings from my quilting projects, and a pinch of that works perfectly.

Finish stitching around the heart, repeat the knot, pull in your tail (I use the needle, and pull it back into the heart itself), and your done!

Some more tutorials and/or resources involving fabric (Note: I cannot vouch for the appropriateness of the entire content of each site, only the pages I've linked to below):

Fabric Labels made using transfer paper:

Fabric Postcards:

Gifts:

Gift Card Cozy:

Scrappy Fabric Rose:

Ruffle Flower:

Felt Rose:

Big Felt Flower:

Cotton Flower:

Wool Flower:

Fabric Flower:

Composition Book Cover:

Thumbtacks:

Felt Toy Truck:

Toy Pasta:

Doll House Party Banner:

Ruffle Pillow:

Burp Cloths:

Embellished Knit Shirt (Applique):

Embellished Knit Shirt (Flag):

Embellished Knit Shirt (Flowers):

Ebellished Knit Shirt (Ruffled Neck):

Re-purposed Sweater Purse:

Camera Strap Cover:

Decorations:

Stocking:

Ornament:

Snowflake Pillows:

Snowflake Table Runner:

More Sewing Project Ideas!

'An Old-Fashioned Christmas' Event - Week One - Paper

2010-11-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

{Visit Grace's blog here to learn more about the 'Old-Fasioned Christmas' Event!}

Mini Notepads

This week's theme is 'Paper'. There are several paper crafts I've been wanting to try, but this is the only one I've actually gotten to do! I plan on making several of them as stocking stuffers. I varied mine a little from the instructions, adding a front initial cover, and extending the back cover down the length of the rest of the pages. I really loved how it turned out!

Some more tutorials and/or resources involving paper (Note: I cannot vouch for the appropriateness of the entire content of each site, only the pages I've linked to below):

Fabric Labels made using transfer paper:

Wrapping:

Gift Bows:

Jones Design Company Gift Tags (LOVE THEM!):

Gift Bags:

Gift Bags and Tags:

Gifts:

Christmas Art Journal:

Woven Paper Journal Cover:

Patchwork Paper Jar:

Bookpage Canvas:

Paper Sailboat:

Printable Book Plates:

More Printable Book Plates:

Decorations:

Paper Flowers:

Bookpage Wreath:

Paper Lantern Ornaments:

Paper Garland idea number one:

Paper Garland idea number two:

Happy crafting!!

An Old-Fasioned Christmas

2010-11-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

Grace at Grace's Garden Walk is hosting an event she's calling "An Old-Fashioned Christmas".
It seems to me that Christmas is becoming more and more comercialized, materialistic, and impersonal with each year that passes. Christmas is about Christ - first and foremost - and also about celebrating the blessings of friends and family. It's about thanking the Lord for the ultimate Gift - His Son Jesus. It's about making memories, about spending quality time with those we love. Yes, for many people, it's about the gifts. About the pressure. For the stores, it's the biggest money-maker of the year. But that is so wrong.

Why do we really give gifts at Christmastime? Why do we drink hot chocolate and bake special goodies; hang festive decorations; throw celebrations and parties?
Well, it should be because we've been given so much, we want to share the blessings; because we want to put ourselves into the task of warming hearts and sweetening memories; because we have something to celebrate; because it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Anyone that knows me very well, knows this is one of my 'passions' - to bring meaning back into Christmas. They also know, I love to give gifts - and I love to include a little of myself with each one. One of the best ways to accomplish all three? - well for me, hand-made gifts that begin in the heart. That could include making decorations (and then using them!), helping a friend with a project, playing a game with a little cousin or a grandfather, sending a note, baking and giving goodies, cleaning house for someone who's having trouble juggling life, and yes, making and giving presents!

I have really been looking forward to Grace's event. With my college schedule, I'm not sure if I will be able to participate to quite the extent I'd like, but I'm going to try! Around here, my family strives to make every Christmas an 'Old-Fashioned' Christmas.

Care to join us?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T14:54:00.000-08:00

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:"

Psalm 136:1-7

Lost Or Found

2010-11-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

Soli Deo Gloria!

{If the right hand side is kind of cut off, it really takes away alot from the movie. Please visit this link to view on YouTube where you can see the whole thing: Lost Or Found. Make sure you have your sound on.}

{As always, view 'related videos' (videos that may come up at the end of original video) at your own discretion. I know nothing about the credibility or appropriateness of their content.}