"5 Small Things Friday" No. 114

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. and 2. Sight and Hearing: This Christmas Video

3. Smell: Old Spice Aftershave

4. Taste: Turkey Sandwich

5. Touch: Orange

The stories behind the list:

1. and 2. Trissy was on YouTube for some reason the other day, and came across this version of "Angels We Have Heard On High". Our family has watched it probably a total of twenty times since, and we notice something new almost every time we watch it. The coordination, teamwork, talent, and creativity are almost brilliant, and the joy and Christmas spirit are undeniably contagious - if it doesn't leave you with a little spring in your step, there may be something wrong with you!

Note: It does have a sort of goofy and completely irrelevant ending. The part I'm bragging on is the beginning of the video 'til the end of the song. Just to clarify :)



3. One of the days I worked at the restaurant this week, an older man came and ordered food. That in itself was, of course, not out-of-the-ordinary at all. What made me notice was the fact that, even though I was not the one who took his order, I could smell his strong after-shave as a breeze blew in the window. I'm pretty sure I can even tell what brand it was - Old Spice. I know, because The Grandfather used to use Old Spice cologne and after-shave. When that scent blew through the open window, suddenly I was a little kid again, standing in the bathroom door, watching The Grandfather carefully scrape white foam off his face. He'd stop occasionally and teasingly offer me a dob of the stuff for my face. He'd rinse the razor meticulously, then go over his face again. He'd finish off the process with a dash of after-shave from the thick-glassed Old Spice bottle with the ship sailing across the front. Sometimes he'd use the electric razor. On those days, I'd hold my hand out, and he'd gently touch the humming little thing to the back of my hand so I could feel it vibrate. I always felt so important when he'd 'shave' my hand! Again, at the end, the heavy little bottle would come out, and I'd look at that simple yet beautiful image of the sailing ship while he smeared the nice-smelling liquid across his face.

4. Thursday Mom and Trissy and I made turkey sandwiches for lunch with the left-over turkey from Thanksgiving. Whole-wheat bread, sweet pickles, lettuce, mayo, and tiny pieces of white meat, heated in a cast-iron skillet on the stove. First sandwich I'd had in quite a while, and boy was that toasty thing good!

5. Tuesday in after-school, Joy and the two youngest of my 'Dr. Pepper kids' and I went outside and threw a football together for a while, then sat and talked. My Dr. Pepper boy went inside and got a little tangerine (or a small member of the orange family anyway) from his lunch box to snack on. I said something about how delicious oranges are, or how much I love them, or something. When her brother got back up to toss the football with one of the other boys, my little Dr. Pepper girl (the youngest of the three - she's probably about eleven) leaned in confidentially and told me, 'I'll bring you one Thursday.' Sweet dear thing!
Thursday came, and I hadn't thought any more about it. It's not that I didn't want it, or that I doubted her, it's just that I'd forgotten. But she hadn't! In the hubbub that accompanies school letting out, I heard a cheerfully urgent, 'Miss Kyrie!' from the big hall doorway. There she was, hefting her bookbag on one arm and holding the other behind her, her eyes sparkling merrily. She wove her way between people, across the foyer, to where I was standing, looking over her shoulder as if on some secret mission. She came level with me and mysteriously slipped a small round thing into my hands, her eyes shining and her lips forming that pretty little mischievous smirk of hers.
'Aww!' I exclaimed. 'You remembered!'
'Don't let [the Dr. Pepper boy] see it!' she whispered.
I obediently cupped it between my hands. 'Why not?' I asked, leaning in, copying her secretive manner.
'Cause he don't want to give 'em away!' Her shoulders shivered and her dimples deepened as she giggled confidingly. She slipped away into the milling crowd of students.
I looked down at the small round fruit. It was smooth and bright orange, a little bigger than a golf ball. It fit perfectly between my cupped hands. I enjoy oranges almost too much to describe, but the young friend's love that that little fruit represented, meant more to me than a truckload of oranges.
Later, as she and her sister and bother climbed into their mother's vehicle (their mom is a teacher at the academy, and they're usually some of the last to leave), she turned back to where I stood in the school's front door.
"I hope you enjoy your orange." she said, with a mixture of pride and shyness.
I grinned. "I will!"

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 113

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Holding My 'Little Buddy'

The stories behind the list:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Thanksgiving is always a big deal in our neck of the woods. All the family scattered over the Southern states, whose health and/or other commitments will allow them to travel, congregate at The Grandparents' for the big day. There is lots of cooking and baking - not necessarily because we need it, but because it's part of the fun and festive atmosphere!
This year was hardly different.
Uncle Alvin's oldest daugher and her family came over and made up a big part of the happy crowd. Her next-to-youngest son/child has appointed himself as my little buddy, and whenever they come over it's "Kyrie, come see this!", "Kyrie, could you pick me up?", "Kyrie, can we go over there?", "Kyrie, are you going to sit by me? Can I sit in your lap?", etc. and I absolutely LOVE it! Yesterday I had him in my arms a huge part of the day - sweetness!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 100

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: 'Big Sis Kiss'

2. Hearing:

3. Smell: Chicken Feed

4. Taste: Meatballs And Rice

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Tuesday I got to the academy about ten minutes early, as is my habit, and sat in one of the chairs in the foyer by the secretary's office/corner to watch all the activity as school got out and one by one the students were called and helped into 'their' car of the waiting line outside the front door.
Two little girls who usually ride together, the older about 9 and the younger about 5, were called and came from their respective classrooms to the front door, the bigger girl speaking softly to the smaller one, her hand on the little one's shoulder. I'm not sure what the relationship is between them, whether they are cousins, neighbors, or family friends, but they seem very close, and the older one 'mothers' the younger one with a very attentive, mature, and responsible manner. This day they evidently were riding separately, and as the little one's ride pulled up, the older one leaned down and quickly kissed the younger girl's forehead before releasing her to the lady waiting at the door to put her into the car.
I think I was the only one who saw - one little instant in the scene of bustling activity. But it warmed my heart - the big girl's responsible maturity, posessive kindness, and tender expression of care, and the little one's trust and confidence in her young protector.

2.

3. I'd gone out to feed the animals, and was out in the shed at the barrel with the chickens' feed in it. I opened the barrel, picked up the bucket, and scooped up a scoop-full of feed to fill it with. The wholesome country smell blew up to me and I breathed it in - a little dust, a little grain, a little out-doors - that small-town farm-supply store smell.

4.

5. Mom made 'Swedish Meatballs' and Brazilian-style rice this week - one of my favorite meals. The white gravy soaking that delicious palm-sized meatball and washing over the rice and onions... add some green beans or corn or carrots and, whew boy! you've got yourself a meal fit for a king!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 99

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: 'Praying' Hands Shadow

2. Hearing: "You look cute." / Conversation With Bro. Dennis

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Blueberry/Pomegranate Smoothie

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Wednesday night as Bro. Nick was teaching, a shadow on the door caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. The door is to the left at the front of the room, and when I turned to look, I saw it was a shadow of what looked like hands folded to pray cast on the door.  Bro. Nick, in his earnestness to make some point, had pressed his hands together, pointing them toward his young audience, and their shadow was cast on the youth room door by the lights on the opposite wall. The symbolism made it an image of striking significance. I caught my breath. Oh that the Lord would indeed make this room and this youth group a place characterized by prayer, so that any who go through that door would feel it's power!

2. Sunday I tried something a little different (for me), style-wise. I found belts at Dirt Cheap for a dollar this past week, and (besides getting two narrow brown ones that I've been wanting for months) I decided to be adventurous and get a sortof indigo/perriwinkle blue one too. I usually stick to simple and neutral when it comes to accessories (shoes, belts), so getting a blue belt was a little different for me. But for a dollar, I figured if I ended up never wearing it, I could give it away!
So Saturday I was getting in my closet to decide what I'd wear the next day to church (I don't like having to do that Sunday morning with all the other church preparations going on; I'd rather have at least my clothes ready the night before) and I stumbled upon a light-periwinkle blue cotton print skirt I'd made several years before. I hadn't worn it much recently because the white blouse I'd always worn with it was needing mending (and is actually still hanging up in the sewing-room closet, waiting). But that skirt made me think of the belt. And then I remembered an off-white cardigan I'd gotten really cheap somewhere a few months ago, thinking it'd work with another outfit. It hadn't, but I like cardigans, so I'd kept it. I had an off-white sleeveless top I'd made to go under something else a year-or-so ago too. And beige patent flat shoes I'd bought for Toby and Lindy's wedding. All these pieces began popping into my head when I saw that skirt, and I wondered if the outfit would 'work'. But it was supposed to be hot, and I didn't want to suffer in a sweater, so I picked out something cooler.
Then Sunday morning came, drizzly and a little chilly, and at the last minute I pulled those pieces out of the closet, hastily ironed the skirt and cardigan (it had been smashed between some other things in my closet), and dressed in that outfit. The belt was too long, so I poked another hole in it with Mom's ice pick on my way out the door. I wasn't sure if the 'look' was that great on me after all, but there was no time to evaluate, so off I went.
Later after church, Autumn came up behind me on her way out and picked a couple of loose dark hairs off the back of my light-colored sweater (oh yeah, by the way, I really went out on a limb and wore my hair down - I never do that!), saying, "You've got hair all over you!"
'Oh, thanks!' I said gratefully, turning around, 'Just another reason I never wear my hair down!'
"I feel your pain!" she smiled, dropping the last one. 'My hair does the same thing.' She started to walk on, but gave me a once-over. "You look cute!" she complemented.
"Thanks!" I tried not to seem shocked, but I was so surprised! Autumn doesn't just dish out complements, so I knew she must not be flattering me - she really meant it! It made me feel really good.
/
Thursday afternoon, Bro. Dennis came through the restaurant drive-thru, about fifteen minutes before I was supposed to get off. I was carried back over a year as we made small talk and I handed him his order. It was so natural, I could hardly believe it. Just as if he'd taught Sunday School class a couple of days before, as if there had never been those months of silence and strangeness, like he was who he used to be, the Bro. Dennis I knew... ages ago. He wasn't 'faking' or 'putting it on' just so I'd give him his food and let him go - he was simply, matter-of-factly, carrying on a conversation with me as if nothing strange had ever happened and he hadn't figuratively disappeared from my world, or spoken to me only twice in almost a year. It was a very simple conversation (i.e. 'Hey, I've never seen you here before' 'Yeah, I'd come more often, I just forget. I like the food here better than most places actually' - something like that, you get the idea) but it was so much like old times that my heart was gladdened and my hope was renewed that - one day - restoration will happen.

3.

4. Wednesday evening before church I took Joy, Piper, and Abigail to McDonald's for an ice cream treat. Joy and I got one of the McD's blueberry/pomegranate smoothies they've been promoting this summer. I'd been wanting one since I first saw them advertised right before the Chicago mission trip, and finally got to try it. It was not too sweet, just very blueberry-y and pomegranate-y! Very good!

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 97

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Firefly

2. Hearing:

3. Smell: Candles

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Hand Hug

The stories behind the list:

1. During a slow spell at the restaurant, I was leaning on the ledge that goes around the inside of the front service area, looking out the window. When I glanced down, on the outside ledge there was a firefly walking along. I hadn't seen a firefly in such a long time.

2.

3. We have a gas cooking stove, and when the tank gets about empty, you can start to smell gas in the house a little bit. It's not dangerous, but the smell is pretty annoying, and makes Mom feel sick. The tank is getting low again, and there's been a nagging gas smell in the kitchen the past few days. So we lit some candles to help burn the gas smell off, and produce a countering nice candle smell!
I absolutely love the smell of candles. Even if they don't have a scent, the smell of the match after it's blown out, or the burning wick of the candle itself, gives me such a wonderful comfortable feeling. It makes me think of Fall, chilly weather, craft projects or reading inside while it rains outside, pumpkin pie, leaves on the ground, Thanksgiving Day. And then later in the year, scarves and gloves and hats and comfy coats, hot chocolate, Christmas music, Christmas decorations and lights, the central heating turned on in the house, standing over the floor vents warming bare toes, curling up on the couch on chilly mornings with a fleece blanket to read my Bible, Winter, Christmas traditions, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years. Memories, pictures, friends, family, warmth, love, laughter. All this from the smell of a candle being lit. Even in August.

4.

5. My S. ladies came by the restarant early Wednesday morning. Their big silver van was having some work done on it at the shop next door, and they saw my Tilly parked at the restaurant and stopped just to say hello to me! Before they left, Piper reached in through the window and showed me how to give a 'hand hug'.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 94

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: D-Now Pictures / Austin

2. Hearing: Autumn, Julia, And Julia's Mom Laughing

3. Smell:

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Hug From Julia

The stories behind the list:

1. Months before he left, Bro. Mike gave me a plastic box full of youth group pictures to sort and organize. We'd been having some conversation about the pictures around the youth room (he always tried to have a bulletin board or display out with pictures of the latest youth event or mission trip Victory Rd. had been involved in), and I asked what happens to all the pictures when they got taken down to be replaced. He replied that there was a box full of them somewhere. I expressed disappointment that they were just stuffed in some box instead of people being able to enjoy them still (me being the history buff that I am). Long story short, I volunteered to go through them and see if I could get them put into albums, and Bro. Mike was happy to let me. Well, since then, I haven't had much time to work on them. It turned out to be a little bigger and more involved project than I had invisioned, and the plastic box has been sitting in a corner for several months. This past week I decided to tackle the project, and it has been a neat experience.
I came across the envelope that had all the pictures from D-Now in 2011. My, how time flies. I spent a long time going through that stack of photos, re-living memories, studying faces, thinking of all that life has brought to the people in the pictures since that time. Looking at many faces that are gone from Victory Rd., and studying some that are now leaders in the youth group.
It was a bitter-sweet experience, going through those photos. But mostly sweet, knowing the God that was great then is great now, and still may have wonderful surprises in store for those lives.
/
Austin came to the restaurant Wednesday to get lunch for the lawn-care crew he works with. It surprised me when he came around the corner, and his big grin and teasing really gave me a pick-me-up.

2. Trissy and I were some of the last to leave church Wednesday night because of the visiting we like to hang around and do. When we finally headed outside to leave, Autumn was still parked there, talking with Julia and Julia's mom at their car, so we stopped and chatted and joked with them a little bit. All of us were needing to leave, but it seemed like every time we'd 'finish' the conversation, someone would say or think of something else to tell, and we'd keep going.
Finally we said good-byes and Trissy and I went to get in my car. I slid in, adjusting myself in the seat. When I turned around to reach out and pull my door shut, a little 'shape' was perched on my steering wheel, staring back at me unblinkingly in the half-light. I jumped and yelped, and an erruption of ecstatic cackles exploded from the three ladies parked on the other side. I realized almost immediately what the 'thing' was - a giant black and gray horned beetle, probably two-and-a-half inches long and an inch wide. I'm not afraid of beetles (even giant ones), but the unexpectedness of seeing 'something' on my steering wheel, about ten inches from my face... Well, I think I had a right to be startled!
My mind was working in a whirl, trying to figure out if it was real or rubber, if Autumn and Julia had brought it back from their recent mission trip to Central America, and what made them play the joke on me - I actually felt quite honored (you'd have to understand these two girls - they'd only play a prank like that on someone they really liked)! Autumn was by this time beside my driver door, laughing hysterically. I got back out, laughing and congratulating them on their cleverness, and she reached in and plucked the beetle from my steering wheel.
Law had found it and somehow it had come into Autumn and Julia's possession, and they decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up - they needed somebody to prank! They noticed my windows were rolled down a little and they tried the door. When they found it unlocked, I was chosen as the 'victim'. And you know the rest of the story! Evidently they had been waiting all that time in the parking lot, just so they could see my reaction!
We said good-bye again and left, laughing the way back to the house, my evening made!

3.

4.

5. When Julia went on that mission trip to Central America, I gave her some money and asked her to pick me up some souvenirs. There have been teams or individuals from Victory Road taking mission trips to a country in Central America since 2010, and I wanted a couple of specific items like ones they'd brought back before. Julia said she could get them for me.
Wednesday night when she came in the room before class and saw me, she threw up her hands. 'I forgot to bring your things!'
'It's fine!' I assured her. 'Just whenever you can get them to me is fine. Hey, and I want you to keep the change and save it for your trip next year,' I said as she gave me a hug (which is rare - she doesn't just give out hugs). There had been about $30 worth of things she hadn't been able to get for me because she'd been sick on the day they were going to do their main souvenir shopping.
She shrugged it off exclaiming, 'I won't keep track of it 'til then!' She's planning to be down there for the whole summer next year, and I knew good and well that she'd be starting to save for it soon.
'Sure you can! Put it in a bank account or something!'
The conversation moved on with other people in the room, but before she left (it was her turn to take care of the babies in the nursery this week) she whirled and gave me a long, super-tight-squeeze hug - the kind I'd only seen her give to people I know are really special to her - and I wondered if, in her own way, she was thanking me.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 93

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Hot Dog And Tomato Sandwich

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1.

2.

3.

4. There were some hot dogs and tomatoes left from our family's Fourth of July cook-out, so I decided to have a hotdog and tomato sandwich for lunch Monday. I love BLTs (bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches), so I didn't figure substituting a hot dog for bacon would be too different. I split a hot dog in half, both length-wise and cross-wise, and put the four pieces flat side down in a skillet with the fire on very low under it. When a lot of the grease had cooked out and they were a nice toasted brown, I spread a little mayonaise on some toast, laid my hot dog pieces on, added a nice thick slice of a fresh garden tomato, and I had me one humdinger of a delicious sandwich!

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 92

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Milkshake

5. Touch: Lake Water / Hug From Piper

The stories behind the list:

1.

2.

3.

4. On the days when I work at the restaurant, I've started taking a home-made smoothie/milkshake for my lunch. It's quicker, easier, and just as healthy (or maybe better) than packing a 'lunch', and the food at the restaurant is too unhealthy and expensive for me to get all the time. I've got a recipe that I've altered from the one Mom makes for our family breakfast on Sunday mornings, and I personally think it's pretty good! But at work Tuesday, when I went to the refrigerator, got my milkshake, and took the first swallow, I thought, "Wow! That's good!" The perfect chocolat-y/peanutbutter mix. I think it was just about the best one I've made!

{Note: For anyone who's interested, I'm including how to make this shake. Warning though: I don't measure, I just estimate my ingredients then taste the finished product. If it tastes like it is lacking a little bit of something, I add some. Also, this shake is not very sweet. I'm used to not eating alot of sugary foods though, so it's delicious to me.

Kyrie's Healthy Chocolate/Peanut Butter Shake

1 1/2 frozen bananas
1 raw egg (we raise our own chickens and eggs, so feel that it's fine to use them raw for this purpose)
1 1/2 tablespoon Hershey's unsweet cocoa
1 level tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
20 oz. skim milk

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
(If anyone tries this, I'd love it if you would comment and let me know what you think!)}

5. At the church picnic, later on in the afternoon after we had eaten, Joy, Piper, and I were waiting beside the pavillion for a couple of others and we were going to walk down to the lake together. We were just standing, talking and waiting. The weather was nice and mild, and the late-afternoon light filtered through the trees. After a few minutes, we stood silent, quietly absorbed in our own thoughts. Suddenly without warning, Piper turned and put her arms around me. She rested her forehead on my shoulder, sortof standing with her feet farther back so she leaned against me at an angle. I was caught completely by surprise. She said nothing before or after to indicate her reason, whether she was tired and I provided a comfortable 'rest', or if she was sad for some reason and needed the comfort of a hug, or if it was just a simple gesture of friendship and trust. But whatever it was, after I got over my surprise, I put my arms around her shoulders and leaned my cheek down against the top of her head. And I had an incredibly strong desire to protect this precious little friend, to be a friend worthy of her trust, and a Christian worthy of her imitation.
/
For this story (also at the church picnic), visit this post.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 90

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Strawberries And Cream Smoothie

5. Touch: Church Bus Floor

The stories behind the list:

1.

2.

3.

4. The Tuesday before we left Chicago, we went again to that charming little ice cream place next to the church, one more time. I got a 'strawberries with cream' smoothie, and it was so yummy! I must have "flung a cravin'", as Mom says, on Jane and Toby, 'cause that's what they decided to get too.

5. Wednesday, on the way back from our mission trip to Chicago, I spent part of the 15-hour bus ride on the floor of the 15-passenger church bus, trying to catch up on lost sleep. On long church trips, the floor of the bus usually becomes littered with blankets, pillows, and napping young people. There's a good bit of squirming to get into a comfortable position without getting in others' space, and good-natured arguing for a turn at the largest sections of floor.
I love it when it's my turn. Not only is it a chance to get out of the uncomfortable seats and stretch out for a few minutes of rest, but it is a soothing experience in it's own way as well.
Wednesday as the miles passed beneath us on our way back South, I lay on the bus floor, and the hum of the tires was very near - a close, gentle, lulling, one-note tune. The highway vibrated soothingly and the wind of the northern flat lands caught the tallness of the bus and rocked it. My face was buried in my pillow, my light-weight blanket tucked up under my chin, and the floor of the friendly bus was warm under me as it hummed along, mile after mile, faithfully carrying us back 'home' as it had done so many times before. I felt so content, so at peace and rest, almost like I was being hugged by a dear trust-worthy friend and feeling their heart beat.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 88

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: 'Fairy Lights' In The Neighbors' Yard

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste:

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Our 'next-door' neighbors (who actually are about an eighth of a mile down the dirt road from us), are also the youth pastor and his family of the church The Grandparents attend. The road goes through their yard, kind of splitting it in half. They have a beautiful vegetable garden on the side across from the house, but that's irrelevant in this story.
I love to ride my bike. I love to ride my bike at night, by moon or starlight, along our dirt road. The other night I was riding my bicycle up to The Grandparents', and to get to their house, I pass the neighbors', whose is between ours and The Grandparents'. The neighbors have put out probably a dozen or more little solar-powered stake lights throughout their yard. The lights collect energy from the sun during the day, and then give off a twinkling blue-ish glow at night. There was no moon or starlight that night, but I know the road so well that I didn't really need it. As I rode past the neighbors' house, I felt like I was riding through a little fairy land. All the tiny blue lights glowed, scattered throughout the yard on either side of the road, twinkling cheerfully in the fresh night air.

2.

3.

4.

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 84

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Fireflies

2. Hearing: Tractor

3. Smell: Country Air

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Breeze

The stories behind the list:

1., 2., and 3. Yesterday evening I took some of our vegetable trimmings and food scraps out to the compost. I went through the front yard but left the front light off, and when I stepped out onto the porch, the gentle night breeze blew refreshingly into my face and made me forget for a minute how tired I was. I breathed deeply of the sweet, cool, spring air. It smelled of rain, growing grass, damp earth, and fresh-cut hay. A big John Deere tractor moved steadily back and forth through the field across the dirt lane that runs in front of The Grandparents' house, it's single powerful headlight casting a swatch of friendly day in front of the busy machine. Mom's cousin, who farms most of the land around us, was gathering the last of the big round hay rolls that remained from the week of frantic baling between rainstorms.
I stepped out into the yard, and looked up at the clouds through the leaves of the two pecan trees as I walked across the cool grass. The clouds promised to rain again, but a handful of brave stars twinkled through. As I walked and looked, I thought my eyes tricked me at first, glancing quickly as I was, when I saw a tiny flash of light against the dark of the leaves. But then I saw several more around in the yard, and realized they were fireflies!

4.

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 82

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Long-haired Girl

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste:

5. Touch: Sunshine And Breeze

The stories behind the list:

1. Tuesday while I was working at the restaurant, two teen-agers (a boy and a girl) came and ordered food. That's not so out-of-the-ordinary, obviously, but what was, was that the girl had hair - I kid you not - so long that it touched the bench beside her when they sat down at one of the patio tables to eat! It was healthy and thick and absolutely gorgeous.

2.

3.

4.

5. It's that perfect type of Spring weather right now - sunshine-y and warm, but breezy and perfectly comfortable. I went outside with the afterschool kids Tuesday afternoon and sat in one of the chairs, letting the soothing sunshine and gentle breeze soak deep into my bones.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 80

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Mrs. Renae And Her Girls

2. Hearing:

3. Smell: Bar-B-Q Chicken

4. Taste: Sunday Dinner

5. Touch: Hug From Lindsay / Austin And The Dishtowel

The stories behind the list:

1. Thursday morning I was working at the restaurant when Mrs. Renae, Lela, and her other little girl came through the drive-thru. Lela had made honor role at VRCA and had a coupon for a free ice cream cone. When the silver SUV's nose pulled up, I was not expecting Mrs. Renae's face to be the one smiling at me from the driver's side window, nor Lela's from the back. It was such a precious surprise to see those pretty faces. I squealed in my excitement as I exclaimed, 'Hang on, I've got to come around and give y'all a hug!' By the time I'd run through the back and out the side door, Lela was already out of the vehicle, Mrs. Renae was getting out, and the little one was waving from the seat on the other side. Oh how wonderful it was to see them! How painful, but how wonderful!

2.

3. Mom made bar-b-q chicken as part of our Sunday lunch and when I came in Sunday morning from going to make The Grandparents' breakfast, I could smell it. Oh man it made me hungry! It smelled so good!

4. In addition to the bar-b-q chicken, Mom and Trissy made scalloped potatoes (I think they were about the best I've ever had), cooked black-eyed peas, and toasted buttered cornbread in a skillet on the stove (what we call 'fried cornbread'). A king never ate a tastier meal.

5. I tell about these two stories in this post.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 79

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Man Praying Over Lunch

2. Hearing: Clocks

3. Smell: Cologne

4. Taste: Strawberries

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Thursday morning at the restaurant, a hunter in camouflage, big tall boots, and a camo hat came and ordered a burger meal. When it was ready, I took it to the pick-up window, and he came and got it. He went to one of the concrete tables, sat down, took off his cap, and bowed his head before he ate. I've only seen a couple of people do that in the seven months I've been working there, and it was so refreshing and encouraging.

2. Last night I was ready for bed, and I knelt beside my bed to pray before I crawled in - a practice I started a couple of years ago. I love the thought of my God being the last person I talk to before my day ends.
Anyway, I was kneeling by my bed with my arms resting on it, and my head leaned forward on my arms. Suddenly in the silence, I noticed my watch ticking by my ear. Then my little alarm clock on the shelf above my bed. And then the wall clock in Mom's sewing room beside my bedroom. But they weren't ticking in sinc. Each one was slightly ahead of the next one. Or slightly behind, depending on how you look at it. So together in quick succession, the three ticks sounded, "Tkshnk, tkshnk, tkshnk." It was kind of amusing :) .

3. Wednesday evening I was in the gym with Lindsay, Abigail, Piper, Lindy, and Autumn. It was still a little while before class started, so we were just talking or playing basketball. The outside door opened and one of the teen-age boys came in with a gym bag on his shoulder. He looked a little hot and out of breath, as if he'd come from work and had been rushing. He said hello as he passed through the gym and turned down the hallway that leads to the kitchen. The bathrooms are off that hallway, so presumably he was going to change. In a couple of minutes he came back through in different clothes and looking quite refreshed. A little later I went through the hallway for something, and the strong scent of cologne hit me. It wasn't unpleasant, but I had to laugh!

4. Strawberries were on sale this week and Mom bought some as a treat. We've always been fruit-lovers, but since we've been cutting back even more on our sweets and desserts, we've been eating alot more fruit. Tuesday Mom went grocery shopping and I asked her to get two extra cartons and I'd pay for them. When she got back to the house, I helped her unload nad put away the groceries, ant then washed and ate nearly all of one of those cartons of strawberries all by myself!

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 77

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Tiny Yellow Flowers In The Grass

2. Hearing:

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Sloppy Joes

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Last Friday afternoon I was on my way out to feed the chickens or something, I don't remember exactly what. Anyway, I was walking across our yard toward our shed and our little chicken house, and as I walked along, I noticed all the tiny yellow flowers on the tiny patches of miniature clover, growing almost flat with the ground. They were sprinkled generously throughout the grass in our yard. I've always loved these hardy little clover plants and their miniature, brilliant-yellow flowers. This day, combined with the fresh March breeze, the bright sky, and the warm air, they seemed to be announcing that the winter season is officially over, and that spring is here.

2.

3.

4. Sunday, our youth group at Victory Rd. went to visit another church about half-an-hour away for the night service. I'm not sure of all the details on how it came about, but as I understand it, that church had asked for our youth music group and Bro. Nick to come and lead their youth service that night, and Bro. Nick decided it would be a good thing for our whole youth group to take a couple of the church vans and go too. It was a good experience - getting to minister in another place, interacting with the youth of a neighbor church, and spending time among ourselves as well. After the service, the church served sloppy joes for supper. I don't know if they serve supper every Sunday night, or if it was just in honor of the occasion, but it was a nice gesture, gave the two youth groups more of a chance to get to know each other, and those sloppy joes were the best I think that I've ever had!

5.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 75

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Stars

2. Hearing: Justice And Noel Are Staying

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Ava's Red Velvet Cake Balls

5. Touch: Shower Wall

The stories behind the list:

1. When I came in from work Thursday night, I was pretty worn out. But I was still trying to get a bunch of my stuff done around the house that gets put off because of work. I had something that was supposed to go in my car to be taken somewhere, so I hurried outside to put it in my car for the next day. But when I got outside, I stopped hurrying. The stars were amazing. It was a perfectly clear night and I could see them laid out in text-book clarity. The sky was a dark rich blue deepness and the stars were scattered diamonds, shining in the brilliance of something reflecting perfect light. Points of glitter, shining perfection piercing my desperate haste.
Their stunning beauty, and the resulting implication of how incredible their Designer has to be, brought back the words of a dear young friend: 'Hey, the stars are powerful!"

2. For this story, see the 'Sunday night edit' towards the end of this post.

3.

4. Sweet Ava is desperately wanting to learn how to cook. Especially since her husband knows more than she does in that department, and she wants to be the one to cook for him, not the other way around :) . She is branching out and trying new things along. She gets alot of ideas and recipes from the internet, especially Pinterest. Last week she made some red velvet cake balls. She was so proud of herself and when Trissy and I stopped by their house one evening for something, she insisted on sending some home with us! I'm really trying to eat less dessert, so I didn't try them for a few days, but when I did, I wanted to 'ration' them and make them last as long as possible - they were so yummy!

5. In December, our college group decided to suspend our Thursday Night College Bible Study until the new year, with how busy everyone was for the holidays and all. I thought to myself then, 'If we quit now, we're liable not to start back.'
And we haven't.
This Thursday night I was feeling probably the 'down-est' I've felt about it since we unofficially quit. Things have slowed back down now, and there's a Thursday evening gap in my life now that used to be filled with friends, Christian fellowship, discussion, ideas, challenges, encouragement, exhortation, fun, and Bible study. Not that those things don't exist other places as well... it's just that, those times were something extra special. Memories, priceless lessons, and I hate to know they're gone.
I felt so exhausted as I got ready for bed. Not just physically, but, it seemed like my very soul was just tired. In the shower, I leaned against the wall and prayed. And in the warm water and the solid, smooth shower wall, I felt like the Lord was sending me comfort and strength. Weird maybe, but I believe He uses little things like that.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 73

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight:

2. Hearing: "Your Great Name"

3. Smell:

4. Taste: Flour Chips

5. Touch: Hot Shower

The stories behind the list:

1.

2. So on my way back and forth from our little place out in the country, to town where I work, go to church, etc., I've become addicted to the Christian music station. I don't enjoy the styles of some of the music, but I can always turn it off if it's bothering me, and I've discovered several beautiful songs in the approximately 30-minute drives back and forth. One of these is "Your Great Name". The music and harmony are breath-taking.

"
Lost are saved, find their way, at the sound of Your great name.
All condemned, feel no shame, at the sound of Your great name.
Every fear, has no place, at the sound of Your great name.
The enemy, he has to leave, at the sound of Your great name.

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man -
You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name!

All the weak, find their strength, at the sound of Your great name.
Hungry souls, receive grace, at the sound of Your great name.
The fatherless, they find their rest, at the sound of Your great name.
Sick are healed, and the dead are raised, at the sound of Your great name.

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man -
You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name!

Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty!
My savior, Defender, You are My King!

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man -
You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name!
"

3.

4. Lydia had a bunch of the youth group girls over Monday night. Bro. Nick is still taking seminary classes, and every other Monday he is gone most of the day and into the evening. So Lydia has had a couple of these fellowship nights when he's been gone. She loves demonstrating hospitality, crafting, playing games, and sharing meals, and is very fun-loving with a great laid-back personality. Trissy and I went Monday night and had a great time. Several of the girls had brought craft projects they were working on and we all sat around in her little living room and visited or crafted or cooked our snack-y supper in her little kitchen. She made flour tortilla chips and they were SO good! I'd never seen them made (and watching almost made me not want to eat them, thinking about how unhealthy they were), but now that I know, I want to try them sometime. Not too often, because they are so unhealthy, but once in a while would be a tasty treat. And so easy!
Get a package of soft tortilla shells, and cut each one in fourths. Heat a pan of oil on the stove until very hot. Drop the tortilla fourths in a couple at a time and let them fry. Lift them out, let them drain on a paper towel, and when they are cool, eat up!

5. Sometimes I'm in the shower and I all-of-a-sudden realize again how blessed I am to have access to hot running water. When I'm tired or sad or cold, few things can make me feel better so fast as a nice hot shower!

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 72

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Mrs. S.'s Compassionate Joy

2. Hearing:

3. Smell: White Dial Bar Soap

4. Taste: Tear Bread

5. Touch: Making Austin And Ava's Curtains

The stories behind the list:

1. Mom's sister who lives a couple of states away, was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and recently had a difficult surgery to remove it. We were all praying that she would not need chemo or radiation after the surgery, but that would depend on what stage it was at. Mrs. S., with her big heart and incredible compassion, was as concerned as if she knew my aunt herself. She kept up with the situation through Mom.
When the results came back that the cancer was at stage one, and my aunt would not need chemo, we were so thankful! Wednesday after we'd found out, Mrs. S. asked me at church if they'd heard back yet. When I told her the news, her wonderful pleasant face lit up, and she clasped her hands together in pure joy. From her reaction, you could have thought it was her own sister.

2.

3. We buy the Dial brand of white bar soap for our baths and showers. The other night I was using it and put up my hands to my face, and the smell of it was like the smell of being in the mountains in the winter time. Cool and fresh and clean and lovely. The smell of bright green and fresh snow.

4. Mom has a home-made bread recipe she got from one of my cousins, and in the last couple of weeks we've gotten it out and made several batches of this quick, easy and wonderfully delicious bread. And for me (who don't like to cook) to admit that it's quick and easy, that's saying something! Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it yourself:

Tear Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar

Put yeast in a small bowl in warm (not hot) water with sugar. Stir and let set for about 10 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine:

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons oil
3 cups all-purpose flour

When the yeast mixture is dissolved, add it to the mixing bowl.
Mix it well. It will be a soft dough. Grease (or spray with "Pam" or something similar) a cookie sheet or baking pan. Dump and immediately press dough out to desired thickness in the pan, and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until nice and golden. Put a little oil on your hands before handling dough so that they won't stick.

We love wheat bread at our house, so we usually substitute a cup of the all-purpose flour for a cup of wheat flour (2 cups of white and 1 cup of wheat).

Tear you off a piece, cut that thing open with a little steak knife and slide a pat of butter inside... Whew, there's little better!

5. Austin and Ava are continuing to put the touches on their little house to make it into a home. They went shopping for curtains in January and couldn't find what they wanted. So in the store Austin suggested to Ava, 'Why don't we just buy material and ask Kyrie to make us some?' So that's what they did!
I can't describe the wonderful, warm feeling it gave me that they knew they could ask me to do this for them. That's how I want my friends to be! I want them to be able to count on me. I want them to feel comfortable asking me to help them if I can.
I was so honored to be a part of their lives like this! While I measured, cut, pinned, and sewed (and ripped out and redid at one point!), it warmed my heart every time I'd think, "I'm making these curtains for Austin and Ava - and they asked me to!"

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 71

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Friends At The Superbowl "Party"

2. Hearing: Friends' Voices At The Superbowl "Party"

3. Smell: Book From Bro. Mike's Family

4. Taste: Fried Chicken Wrap

5. Touch: Rip-sticking At The Superbowl "Party"

The stories behind the list:

1., 2., and 5. See this post for these stories.

3. Bro. Mike's family got rid of alot of stuff in preparation to move to the mission field. Though they're already gone, we had a garage sale with much of what they left behind, and plan to send the money to them. I love garage sales and left with a box of things. One was a devotional/study book I thought I might use in my discipleship with Joy. A couple of days later I opened it to read it, and as the pages flipped and blew a little breath of air into my face, the smell of Bro. Mike's family came up to meet me with it. You know how each person or family has a particular scent when you hug them or go into their house? I love that about people. Especially dear friends. Sometimes I will smell something and it reminds me of someone I love, simply because it smells like 'them'! This book did that. I closed my eyes and imagined I was standing in their living room. It was both comforting and painful at the same time.

4. When I first started working at the restaurant and Ava was still there, she gave me part of her lunch one day - a fried chicken wrap. I was hooked. We bought and split one another time after that (a whole one was more than either of us could eat at one sitting), but I haven't had one since (it's just too expensive to 'eat out' alot for my penny-pinching budget!). So I decided I'd get one yesterday, and was reminded again of why I fell in love! Bites of perfectly crispy fried chicken, shreds of cheddar cheese and fresh lettuce, bits of tasty bacon, and juicy tomato chunks, all rolled inside a soft tortilla shell spread with Ranch dressing - absolute bliss.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 68

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

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Ps. 111:1-4

2. Hearing: Austin's Charge

3. Smell: Campground Cafeteria

4. Taste: Taco Soup

5. Touch: Hug From Bro. Mike

The stories behind the list:

1. At work at the restaurant Friday, during a slow bit I pulled out my New Testament. I don't remember why I was reading this particular chapter, but I remember these first four verses seemed to sing out at me.

"Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion."

2. "Let's play our hearts out. This is for Bro. Mike and for Archer."
Go to this post for more of this story's details.

3. I'm so thankful for my sense of smell. As I've grown up, I've realized that it's responsible for probably half of my memories. I'll catch a whiff of some unknown scent, and instantly it will take me back to a time, place, person, or memory of my past. I hadn't even noticed the smell then, but it was stored in my memory and the association remains.
During this past week-end retreat where Victory Rd.'s youth music group played (for more of the story, see this post), we stayed at a campground that I'd been to more than a decade ago for church camp. When I stepped into that cafeteria building Friday evening, my first thought was, "It smells just the same." And I breathed deep.

4. I love. Love. LOVE taco soup. Wednesday night at church they had it for supper - hot and delicious, with shredded cheese and Frito corn chips liberally added to the top. Guess what I had for my supper that night?

5. Wednesday was Bro. Mike's family's last night in the States before heading to the mission field. After church, and after everyone else had said their good-byes, Trissy and I walked over to their house, next door to Victory Rd.'s gym, and we stayed and visited a little longer - putting off the parting as long as we could. I didn't let myself think about this being the last time I would be in their house - the new youth pastor's family would be moving into it in a few weeks - or that these conversations and hugs would be the last ones for years. I just spent my energy savoring it, to be able to look back on later.