My Beautiful People

This is a sort of prose 'poem' I composed off the top of my head this afternoon. I was thinking about how beautiful people are, how detailed and exquisite God's craftsmanship is, and how it blesses me to look at it, and I just started writing about (some of) the beautiful people I know. I wrote about some of them as they are now, and about some of them as I have known them and as I know they can be again.

{Aug. 10th Note: I have edited and added to how it was originally; below is the edited version. And I will most likely continue to add to it in coming weeks - I know many beautiful people :) ! There is not necessarily a particular order, though I have tended to edit related people to be in groups. The paragraphs mostly just flowed from pictures of people I love that popped randomly into my mind's vision.}

"My Beautiful People"

I love how people are so beautiful.

I love Mrs. S's hair, flecked with a bare sprinkle of silver,
how it falls in a dark wing above her forehead.
I love how her words are always soft
but always significant.
How she tilts her head
and makes everyone who talks to her feel like
they are special.

I love how Austin's grin is worth a million dollars.
I love the little wrinkles at the corners of his eyes
and how he is one of the greatest examples of humility and undemonstrative compassion I have ever known.
How his eyes are sometimes contented green,
sometimes quiet caramel,
and sometimes snapping black.
How his thick hair is that dark gold color,
and how he absently plays with that lock in the front when he's thinking.

I love how Ava's brilliant deep blue eyes fill up half her face
and how her huge smile fills the other half.
How she braids a strand of her hair away from her face sometimes,
and how she ducks her head and does this awkward sort of dance up to you
when she wants a hug.
I love how perfect she is for Austin.
I love how understanding she is,
how easy to talk to,
and how she's the one I think of when I have a desire to do something really wacky or childish,
knowing she'd understand perfectly
and would probably do it with me.

I love how Bro. Dennis's laugh fills him up
and fills the room up
and fills the listeners up
so that they want to laugh too, even if they don't know what's going on.
I love his caramel eyes
and brown hair
and sideburns.
How he's so square and stocky.
I love how he cocks his head and glares at you with his eyebrows way up, when you've done something without thinking and he wants to call your attention to it, but in a teasing way.
I love how he thinks about everything, analyzing it until it's broken down and he can look at all it's parts
and then show them to someone else in a way that they can understand it.

I love how gentle-faced
and dignified Mrs. Carrie is.
How slim and tall she stands,
and how she can get from one spot to another quickly, but never appears to be hurrying.
How quietly elegant her style is.
I love her silky hair
and how it falls to her shoulders with gentle waves towards the bottom.
I love her dark-honey eyes
that observe keenly,
and speak volumes if you have the eyes to listen.

I love Oliver's passion,
his dreamer's heart.
How his grin could light up a dungeon
and how his black eyes squint when he is really smiling,
or get big when he's passionately trying to describe or get a point across.
How his black hair and tan skin make him look great in white.

I love Toby's humility,
his resilience,
and his quiet passion for the spread of the Gospel.
I love his blue eyes and dark blond hair,
his kind smile,
and the way he coins phrases or starts using already-invented ones in such a way that use of the expression seems to spread and become part of the every-day vocabulary of most who know him.
I love how devoted he is to Lindy,
how respectful he is of her,
and yet how they goof off and tease each other almost like siblings might.

I love Lindy's powder-blue eyes.
How healthy and gentle her face is.
I love how she's so powerful,
but so lady-like.
How she bends over backwards to make
the others in the situation feel comfortable.

I love Mrs. Renae's deep brown hair
and how it has red-ish highlights.
I love how when she's laughing,
her left eye squints just a little bit.
I love how she rejoices in life like a child might.
How she worships the Lord like no one else is watching,
or like the whole world is.
How she dresses so classy,
and modestly too.

I love how deep 'my brown-eyed boy's eyes are,
and how deep his voice is,
though he is so young.
I love how his hair is such a rich dark brown -
almost black.
How great he looks in dark teal.
How polite he is.
How, when he laughs, it's a squeak deep in his throat;
how it contrasts with his speaking voice.
I love how he gets in 'beast mode' when there's a job to do -
how his focus narrows so that he gives his best to do his part.

I love Piper's freckles,
her round-ish face,
her piercing eyes,
that are so wise.
I love her meek and quiet spirit,
her calm sensibility.
How she stands at an angle and looks at the ground ahead of you and sort of leans toward you with her near arm out just a little, when she wants a hug.
How when she wears her glasses,
she looks even cuter. And sortof scholarly.
How she is the perfect size to hug and prop my cheek on the top of her head,
but how she will probably end up taller than I am.

I love how Abigail is so brown and healthy-looking
from all the time she spends outside.
How she sometimes sweeps a little of her hair away from her face on either side in a sortof vintage style.
How she closes her eyes and then sweeps her head to face you and opens them dramatically when she's making a point.
I love how she blinks and sniffs at the same time,
how it wrinkles her nose and shows off her freckles
and her lovely eyelashes at the same time,
but how she doesn't even know she's doing it.
I love how she's always got a pun or corny joke to share.
How her giggle sounds light and free and pure.

I love Law's eyes; that amazing summer-forest color - a patch of sky, a few leaves, a glimpse of loamy earth.
How his light brown hair sweeps across his forehead like his mom's does.
I love how tall and broad-shouldered he's getting to be,
how brown he is from working outside in the sun all the time.
I love how when he smiles it lights up his whole being,
how his eyes get big and round and excited.
How fun-loving he is,
and yet, how responsible
and serious he can be when it counts.
I love how the joy of the Lord seems to fill him up
and pour out of him to bless and admonish others in his life.

I love Archer's sharp brown eyes, one of only two pairs I've ever known that could truly be said to 'twinkle',
how he smirks when he finds something amusing,
making that slight dimple come out in his cheek.
How he rocks back on the chair legs when he laughs, his chuckles starting as a squeak in his throat, his eyes squinting, and his nose wrinkling up.
How carefully and yet unknowingly he lifts a wing of dark almost-black hair away from his eyes with his fingertips, or rakes his hand through the top and pats it down.
His biting sarcasm that he then softens with a smirk and a twinkle as he cuts his eyes slyly at the victim.
His heart for service,
and how he doesn't back down from his decision unless presented with what he considers intelligent, compelling reasons.

I love how Julia's so pert, almost sassy,
in the way she teases her friends;
how her rude comments (that probably no one else could get away with) are her way of showing her friendship,
and how she hurries to assure you she was joking, even though you already knew she was.
How frank and honest you can count on her to be.
I love how naturally scrunchy/curly her blond hair is.
I love how she's the queen of crazy faces,
how she can make this bug-eyed stare and hold it long after you've given up staring back and are doubled over laughing.
I love those brilliant blue eyes of hers,
how she uses them with her fine blond eyebrows and
how she tilts and moves her head to be so expressive.
I love how she and Autumn (not being related at all) can be such close friends that they're like sisters.

I love Autumn's naturally scrunchy light brown hair,
her almond-shaped dark brown eyes,
how her smile shows how straight and white and perfect her teeth are,
and makes her dimples come out.
I love how she's not very tall,
but is so athletic
and sturdy.
How she doesn't brag,
but her talents just randomly come out when they're needed
and everyone thinks, "Wow."

I love Camille's strength,
not only physically,
but inside too.
How tall she is.
How thick and rich her brown hair is
and how it can get so long so fast.
I love how bright her green eyes are
and how clear and bright her complexion is
when she doesn't wear make up
and her hair is up out of her face.
How she seems so brusque
and almost tough,
but is really such a softie.

I love Bro. Mike's gray-ish hair
and short goatee
and slightly pointed ears
that earned him the nick-name, The Garden Gnome.
I love his kind blue eyes,
his short stocky build,
and how he believes in hard work
and in doing your best.
His wise,
calm,
loving,
understanding spirit.

I love Landon's good-natured spirit.
How he is the image of country-boy charm,
with his work boots, faded jeans, worn t-shirt (or button-up with the sleeves rolled up), and white-and-blue ball cap.
How that white-and-blue cap is almost as much a part of him as his name is!
How round his brown eyes are
and how high his eyebrows get when he's telling about one of the adventures that seem to constantly seek him out.
The air of hospitality,
kindness,
gladness,
and friendliness
that is part of his character.

I love how courageous Bro. Earl is,
how he can narrow his vision so that he can focus on the job at hand, and shut out the rest of life's difficulties for the time being.
I love how he always has a complement,
a joke,
or a pleasant remark
for whoever he runs into.
I love how he's so squarely built,
how he stays in shape even though his job is not one that requires much physical activity.
How his style is both relaxed and yet classic.
How he always has time to talk,
and how he will tell you if he doesn't have the answer,
but will try to help you find it.
How he's a preacher, a pastor, but he's just a regular guy too,
he's not hight-and-mighty,
he's humble,
and willing to learn.
I love his teal-blue eyes
and dark-gold hair like Austin's.

I love Mrs. Shannen's nod -
the way she bobs her head and smiles Bro. Dennis' grin when she agrees with something.
The way she says, "Goot!" instead of "Good!",
that would sound annoying on anyone else,
but is part of her.
How her short hair flips out just a little.
Her gentle spirit
and meekness.
How she's so motherly,
so kind,
how she keeps on going,
even when the going is tough.

I love the way Russell dances (almost litterally) through life,
using his flambuoyant tendency toward the dramatic (singing, acting, dancing, etc.)
to entertain us,
to put smiles on our faces,
to lighten the heaviness that life sometimes is.
How his striking blue eyes contrast with his brown hair,
and how they squint and disappear when he grins.
How he'll pull out the 'grandma voice' when he's talking to little kids,
or the Scottish accent when he's ordering at a restaurant.
How he gets so serious and technical when there's a job to do,
rushing around on his long legs like a grasshopper.
How his eyebrows raise and wiggle,
and his eyes sparkle when he's goofing off.
I love how he's joyful even when his life's hard.

I love Trent's sense of humor when you get to know him a little bit,
but how he's just an ordinary teenager otherwise.
How 'dressing up' is, for him, a white button-up shirt, unfaded jeans, and boots.
How thick and rich his blond hair is,
how quiet and observant his eyes are,
how slender he is,
and how tall he's getting to be.

I love Aron's strength, both of body
and of character.
How protective he is of his wife and child,
how he serves them
and guides them.
I love how he is such a hard worker
and such a loyal friend.
How his jet-black hair and dark eyes and deep tan skin are so striking, and
how his laugh is so powerful, but
so boyish and freeing.

I love Henley's sensitivity to people,
her down-to-earth outlook
and kind heart;
the way she draws others in, making them at home.
I love how her long, straight, dark-blond hair has natural bright-gold highlights in it.
Her big blue eyes.
How patient she is,
always trying to see the positive in a situation,
how she respects her husband Aron,
and protects her little son.
How she has chosen to stay at home and serve her family,
instead of trying to make 'her' place out in the world.

I love how Joy is so tall,
how I hug her and it's more comfortable for her arms to be around my shoulders while my arms are around her waist, even though I'm ten years older.
I love how her eyes are the color of dark copper
and her hair is just a little darker than that.
I love how she calls herself my long-lost sister because we're so much alike that it's uncanny sometimes.
How she lights up when she's telling me about something that stood out to her in her Bible reading.

I love Justice's confidence,
how his voice has such a low pitch that, if you're not used to it, it almost makes you want to plug your ears to lessen how much it makes the room vibrate.
I love how his Irish blood comes out
in his stocky form,
curly brown hair,
bright blue eyes,
pale freckled skin,
and passionate nature.
I love how tender-hearted he is toward things of God;
how he has a heart for young people,
and how he has such a gift as a teacher.

I love Noel's curly black hair.
I love how she looks up to Justice, her husband.
How she defaults to him in any decision.
I love her child-like simplicity,
and how she tries to make the best of a hard situation.
What a grateful spirit she has
and how matter-of-fact she is.
How she's willing to serve wherever she can,
and how quick she is to point out other's talents and strengths.
I love how she tucks her chin, cocks her head, raises her eyebrows, and looks at her listeners from the tops of her eyes when she's making a point.
I love how she leans her head back and giggles.

I love how Trissy's hair is so straight
and fine
and long
and golden in the sun.
I love that she doesn't wear make up,
but is still attractive.
I love how she makes that self-deprecating smirk
and shrugs when she does or says something that everyone except she thought was funny and they all laugh.

Easter - 2013

The day began beautifully, with Dad, Trissy and me attending the Easter Sunrise Service in the parking lot of The Grandparents' church.  It was a lovely morning - fresh, and a little chilly. There was a deep fog overhead and curling around the trees in the woods at the edges of the church property, but the sun was coming up high behind the mist, making our atmosphere under the fog bright, cool, and full of a sort of 'wondering'.
The dear song leader, who's been at that church since my childhood, led us acapella in the hymn, "He Lives" and our lifted voices sounded small in the lovely space of the outdoors.

The dear pastor then stood to preach. He'd been a missionary in Albania years ago, at the same time Uncle Alvin and his family had been there. They'd become friends, and his family and ours never lost contact. Now he's the pastor of the church The Grandparents are members of. A Godly man, and a tall, big man; he's always struck me as one of those "larger-than-life" types that legends and stories might have been written about in the old days. And what a heart for good and for God!
He used 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as the Scripture reference, and spoke on "the evidence, the essence, and the effect" of the Gospel.
My (somewhat limited) sermon notes:

"
Bro. _____ ______
Easter Morning - Mar. 31, 2013
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1) The Essence of the Gospel
* What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
* Christians have Hope.
* All other religious leaders (the creators of all the other major religions) are in their graves still.
* We serve a risen Savior!

2) The Evidence of the Gospel
* He was seen of Cephas (verse 5)
* then of the twelve (verse 5)
* then of more than 500 at once (verse 6).
* How many witnesses do you need?!
* Blessed are those who have not seen, but believe (John 20:29).
* Our present-day Salvation is just as real as their encounters with Him then.
* He's alive, and He's still 'in business' today.

3) The Effect of the Gospel
* verses 2a and 10
* What does God want for/from/through you/your life?
* None of us is living out the full effect of Christ in our lives.
"

It was the first "sunrise service" I'd been to in years; probably the first since my family moved from that church years ago. It was so good to experience one again!

When we got back to our house, Trissy and I quickly ate breakfast and hurried on to Victory Rd. - we were singing in the choir for the Easter program, and Bro. Blake wanted all the choir members to be there early. Dad and Mom would come closer to time for the service to start.

It was a good morning. The morning was still foggy, but bright, as choir members arrived one by one. We convened in the choir room, greeting each other and laughing as we found our formal Easter- and Christmas-Program choir robes and slipped them on over our Sunday outfits, adjusting the reversible collars so the mauve side showed and they hung straight. Bro. Blake led us in an acapella run-through of the first song as a warm-up. People began arriving and filling the auditorium, soon it was time to start, and we lined up and filed out into the choir as we do every Sunday morning.
Bro. Blake led the congregation in the hymn "Because He Lives", and then the choir began our presentation. I think it went the best it has of all our practices and everything! It's a great cantata, using strong songs like "What Held You On The Cross", "The Story Goes On", and "Crucified With Christ". The Lord blessed Bro. Blake to direct us, and our voices to blend and harmonize and soar high, and I hope those who heard it received as big of a blessing from it as I did!
When our program ended, Bro. Jeremiah preached a stirring and victorious sermon about how we, as Christians, have joy and victory and fulfillment in life because of "the third day" - when Jesus our Lord rose from the grave!!
One of my co-workers from the restaurant was there with her grandparents (who are members of Victory Rd.) and as soon as I could after church was over, I went to hug her and talk a few minutes, and say hello to her little two-year-old son. I was so glad to see her! I don't think she knows the Lord - she doesn't live like it anyway - and I want so badly to be a Christian friend and example to her. I hope and pray she soon will accept Jesus's love and peace for herself.
Dear Toby was at church, even with his leg in a brace, and though he had to hobble in on crutches. Lindy sat with him and his family, lending her sweet touch and support. Poor guy, his mom said he's been trying to not take so much of the pain medicine, and he was hurting pretty bad by the time church was over. Between him and Russell (who was home for Easter and is practically an adopted member of that family), after church that pew was pretty much surrounded for a while with church members glad to see those two boys back - wanting to say hello to Russell and express sympathy over Toby's knee.
Trissy had found out that Bro. Nick and Lydia didn't have any plans for the rest of the day, so after a brainstorm, a request to Dad and Mom to invite them over for dinner and the afternoon, and a spur-of-the-moment affirmative decision by our parents, Trissy and I swung by their house as we left the church. We caught them about to leave for lunch, but when we presented our proposition, they gladly accepted.

We had two of the local cousins (Uncle Alvin's oldest son and daughter who live only about 45 minutes away. The son's wife was sick, and the daughter's husband had to work, so they weren't there.) and their children and Bro. Nick and Lydia's family all at The Grandparents for lunch. After cleaning up the kitchen, we sat around and chatted and visited and fellowshipped, while all the kids had a wonderful time together playing in The Grandparents big yard, and in the playhouse that Dad built for Trissy and me when we were small.

Bro. Nick and Lydia left fairly early in the afternoon, but some of the cousins stuck around. Evening church services were canceled at both Victory Rd. and The Grandparents' church (which seems absolutely ridiculous to me - the most important holiday in our Christian faith and church services are canceled?! Makes no sense...), so we spent the rest of the day at The Grandparents, just spending time together.

Most of the adults found a couch or chair or a spot on the floor and curled up with a throw pillow and blanket for a nap. The kids that weren't put down for a nap played outside or read or colored quietly.
Sitting at the computer blogging, I looked over and noticed my cousin's almost-thirteen-year-old son had a thick book with him where he was curled up on the couch, and asked him what he was reading. It was "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis, in one volume. We got started talking about books and authors and styles, and I found out some of his thoughts and opinions on different ones. It was a really great conversation! Come to think of it, we had several really fun conversations throughout the day! He helped The Grandmother get the TV in the living room fixed so that they could watch videos and DVDs on it, and it hasn't worked in months; and over lunch he showed me this neat math trick with nine squares drawn on a piece of paper. I remember when that kid was born, and to see him now growing up so smart and with such good tastes is just such a happy feeling!

When everyone started getting up from naps, the kids asked The Grandmother if they could watch an episode of "Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye" (she has the collection on DVD). Soon the house was humming again - some sitting around the kitchen table looking at pictures and discussing Pinterest ideas, some watching Sue Thomas in the living room (I joined this group and sat and crocheted while watching the show), some raiding the kitchen for a snack from the lunch left-overs, and some of the littlest kiddos still napping on the den floor.

It was a peaceful, fun afternoon that faded to an enjoyable evening.

Trissy wasn't feeling good, so as people began getting ready for bed (one of the cousin's and her kids decided to spend the night), I took her back to our house and then went back to help Mom finish cleaning up. On my way back, I flipped on the radio and heard "I Know My Redeemer Lives", one of the songs from one of the cantatas we did at Victory Rd. several years ago (That seems strange to say, "several years ago". Strange to think we've been at Victory Rd. long enough to be able to say it). Probably my favorite of the Easter cantatas we've done. As I pulled up to The Grandparents' garage, that song ended and the next one started. It was "Great I Am". Sigh.

Mom was still talking with my cousin, so I finished gathering our things and loading up our food and all into our van, then sat and listened to their conversation until Mom was ready to go. Not that I was anti-social or anything, it had just been a long day, I'd been missing alot of sleep lately, and I was really tired.

When we got back to the house, I helped Mom unload everything, got a couple of sheets, and sank into the recliner in our living room. I was so tired, I didn't even want to change out of my regular clothes into pajamas so I could sleep in my bed. But I went to sleep with a full, grateful heart, and slept probably the best I have in weeks.

Memorial Day 2012

The S. family had the college crew over to their place for a Memorial Day cook-out this year. Actually, they pretty much turned over their place to the college crew for a Memorial Day cook-out this year :) ! Bro. S. was at work, and Mrs. S., Abigail, and Piper all went to the beach, so Archer and Law were the hosts. Trissy and I got there just as the ladies were leaving, and the girls jumped out to show us how the house was coming along (very well! The siding is on, sheet-rock up, bathroom's finished, washer and dryer in, doors hung, and I think all of the painting is done.) and the color of their freshly-painted room (teal).

It was a wonderful, simple, wholesome, fun day!

For a big part of the time, about half of us sat around on the wide, welcoming, wrap-around porch, some swinging lazily in the hammocks, some scooted back and leaning against the house where the shade was, some unable to resist the fun of sitting on the edge in the sun and swinging their legs over that nice height.
The guys grilled hamburgers and deep-fried potato slices and onion rings down by the pond. There were coolers filled with ice-cold cans of soda and bottled water, plates of cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and a dirt cake. There was potato salad, and of course, the hamburger 'fixings'.
It was hot and humid, but there was a welcome breeze blowing off the pond, and mist from the sprinkler cooling the air.

As we got hungry, we'd go down to the folding table set up beside where the boys were grilling, fix a burger or grab a bag of chips or some desert, and then stand around or sit on the ground eating. The ants loved it ;) .

Russell and Toby helped Archer spread out a plastic tarp on the little hill leading from the house down to the pond, turned the sprinkler on it, and Aron put liquid soap on it to make a 'slip-and-slide'!

One of the S. family's favorite family activities is to go kayaking together, so they have their own little fleet.
Several had brought fishing gear and were standing around the pond fishing. Russell got out in one of the kayaks to do his fishing, and after a few minutes Law dove in and swam out to where he was, keeping Russell company while enjoying a swim himself.
Others began taking turns getting out in the kayaks and/or swimming in the pond, and eventually I think almost everyone was out on, in, or beside the water at the same time. Trissy and I got to kayak for the first time, and - country kids that we are - I guess it was our first real swim in a pond too, though we've done plenty of splashing and wading in our neighbor's cows' watering holes!



I think just about everyone that has ever been part of the college group in any way was there. Only Oliver, Landon, Bro. Mike, Lora, Andrea, 'my brown-eyed boy' and Julia were missing. There must have been 25 or 30 of us there.

I love people. I love these people. I notice things about people I love. And I notice the brilliant and beautiful details God programed into them.
A few from today: Hair ruffled in the breeze. Red happy faces glistening with sweat and water drops from the sprinkler. Huge grins. Arms brown under the summer sun. Strong legs and nimble feet chasing a soccer ball. Shining eyes. Good-natured laughs. Observant personalities. Humility. Compassion. Contentment.

At one point I was sitting on the porch in the sun, swinging my legs over the side, and I suddenly noticed and became keenly aware of the importance of this seemingly trivial moment in time.
I was surrounded by friends. Christians. Archer had hooked up his laptop to some speakers, and music that praised God was filling the yard. Some were playing soccer, some were sliding on the slip-and-slide, some were fishing, some were spraying or getting sprayed with the water hose, some were sitting around visiting. It was totally peaceful. No fear. No stress. No pain for this moment. And my mind sort of took that moment and paused it as a slice of the day - a sample of the best of summer times - and as I soaked it up, the thought *involuntarily came to my mind, "This is a taste of what Heaven will be like."

A drop of ocean water is still part of the ocean. Though of course it cannot even begin to describe the ocean in it's entirety of size, content, color, or temperament, it nevertheless represents a tiny part of what the ocean is like.
If someone who has never seen or experienced the ocean were to be given access to a drop of ocean water, they would be able to touch, see, smell, and - in a sense - 'experience' the ocean. But if they were to be taken to the ocean, the experience would be much different.
So, I think, it is with moments like this one in the lives of Christians. These moments are drops of water from the great Ocean, Heaven, that the Lord gives to us in order to sharpen our craving for Home.

I thank Him for them; and for Heaven to come.

*I specify 'involuntarily' because I think that trivial earthly experiences are compared to Heaven (i.e. "This chocolate cake is heavenly!" or "Living here is like heaven.") so many times, that it becomes irreverent. Heaven is a real place people! A holy place, the home of God and those who have believed on His Son - indescribable beauty, pure happiness, complete health, glorious freedom, and total focused worship of the One Who made it possible.
I want to stress that in no way did I intend to compare a fun day with a group of friends - wonderful as it may be - to that glorious Place in a flippant or irreverent way.
But - based on Biblical descriptions of what Heaven will be like - in this case, I believe the comparison is quite acceptable.

"Go Ye"

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

"Things" That Make Me Happy

"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!