Ana's Corner

Happy 2012 to me! :)

2012-01-03T14:53:00.001-06:00

:: Morning Sun ::

2011-09-19T08:10:00.000-05:00

:: Flannel sheets ::

:: Crocheted rose blanket ::

Today ...

2011-09-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

{List in no particular order}

*... waking up to sunshine filling my bedroom
*... wonderful fellowship and learning time at church
*... grilling after church with the family
*... time with niece and nephew {heart, heart, heart}
*... hot enough outside to turn the air-conditioning on inside, making it just chilly enough for me to wear a light sweater
*... hot tea in said air-conditioning
*... iced water in favorite glass
*... playing outside with beloved nice and nephew
*... puppies outside
*... wearing new shirts
*... wearing flower necklace
*... watching Greta walk around in my high heels
*... seeing Josiah's face light up when he smiles
*... babies falling asleep in Mommy's arms
*... tiny girl's painted toenails
*... Greta coloring with Gramma

{{What was your day today?}}

Thoughts

2011-09-08T08:05:00.000-05:00

Up earlier than usual ... puppies don't sleep well after 7. Up the stairs to fill a cup with coffee and take the puppies outside. The liquid sends white, wisps of steam swirling, they can be seen clearly against the dark blue cup. Early morning sun just peeking down the street as I step out into the morning cool. Puppies on the grass. Morning dew on the grass tickles my bare feet. Puppies don't like the cool wetness and come to sit and snuggle on my feet. I watch, sipping coffee, thinking of my reading from the night before ...

"God does not willingly bring affliction or grief to us. He does not delight in causing us to experience pain or heartache. He always has a purpose for the grief He brings or allows to come into our lives. Most often we do not know what that purpose is, but it is enough to know that His infinite wisdom and perfect love have determined that the particular sorrow is best for us. God never wastes pain. He always uses it to accomplish His purpose. And His purpose is for His glory and our good.

Trusting God in the midst of our pain and heartache means that we accept it from Him. There is a vast difference between acceptance and either resignation or submission. We can resign ourselves to a difficult situation, simply because we see no other alternative. Many people do that all the time. Or we can submit to the sovereignty of God in our circumstances with a certain amount of reluctance. But to truly accept our pain and heartache has the connotation of willingness. An attitude of acceptance says that we trust God, that He loves us, and knows what is best for us.

Acceptance does not mean that we do not pray for [those things dear to our heart] ... {For an end to the seeming endless singleness} ... We should indeed pray for those things, but we should pray in a trusting way. We should realize that, though God can do all things, for infinitely wise and loving reasons, He may not do that which we pray that He will do. How do we know how long to pray? As long as we can pray trustingly, with an attitude of acceptance of His will, we should pray as long as the desire remains."

~ Jerry Bridges, Trusting God (Chapter 6, Point 5)

{Rainy}

2011-09-06T21:47:00.000-05:00

New favorite hairstyle

2011-09-06T21:36:00.000-05:00

So, I fell in love with this hairstyle and wished I could learn to do it. And then I found this tutorial video and to say I was excited would be an understatement.

Of course I had to try it. {Wink}

I realize that it really looks nothing like what it was supposed to, but I was happy with it.

...~...

2011-09-06T21:13:00.000-05:00

Here I sit, the worn, loved kitchen table is a happy place. Hot tea. Favorite mug. Agave Nectar. {Heart} Hair up, twisted and messy bun. Favorite jeans, one of my many favorite long-sleeved shirts. Outside the air is cool, the crickets chirp. I love the cooler time of year when layer upon layer isn't necessary but long sleeves are. Pants replace shorts and capris. And a cup of hot tea is always a good idea.

Days have been flying by, it seems. Busy, busy. But, the little things are starting to get noticed by yours truly again. A blessing from God? A joy, certainly.

Below? The little things ...

I bought a new camera, so of course I had to try it out in the dark.

These little feet in my shoes!

This makes me want to have a cabin by a lake.

This little man.

Surprising, (really surprising,) my beloved Father for his birthday.

Because when you eat corn you must have leverage (the hand on the plate) and push as much corn into your mouth as you can.

Lil Brotha Man stopping by work, just to help fold laundry.

{Sigh}

{Heart}

Because this makes me happy ...

2011-08-27T17:33:00.000-05:00

Who knew a bag from India and a hair clip sitting in the sunshine could make me so happy?!

Oh, yes I did!

2011-08-21T19:01:00.001-05:00

So, we recently had a mini "vacation". It was actually just a weekend to Wyoming for my Grandma's 80th birthday party but I didn't have to work, so I count it as a vacation. Aaaaanyway, for those long-time readers of my blog, you know I like coffee ... just a leetle ... or ... maybe ... a lot. Okay, actually I just love coffee. So, to make sure I wasn't without the liquid love of my life for even one morning, I did what any other ~~crazy~~ big coffee lover would do.

Taking the time

2011-08-09T19:25:00.003-05:00

Sun peaks in and out of clouds in a mostly blue sky. A gentle breeze adds to the slight chill of a cooler summer day. Pants take the place of capris and a long-sleeved t-shirt where once was a sleeveless. It's a wonderful, almost chilly day.

I went back to work today after a long weekend. Camera in hand I started out my weekend with a cheerful outlook and excitement that I didn't have to go to work for 3 whole days (well, 4, but I don't work on Sundays anyway, so it wasn't really a "day off" for me). I guess working 6 days a week maybe gets to you after a while, love your job or not. Thankfully I do love my job, I am happy to be back working. But I was so thankful for a little break.

This weekend was the first time, in a while, that I have actually taken pictures of anything really. But it was a time to rediscover the "little things" in life. (Pictures will hopefully come later.)

Right now, sitting outside in the previously mentioned breeze. Listening to this song. (The one and only song that is currently on my playlist for this blog.)

A mug of hot Camomile tea, sweetened with Agave nectar. ::~

Going to read Emma, by Jane Austen. I am totally loving this book!

My parent's camera (which I have adopted as my own) rests near by, in case of a moment of inspiration.

That long-sleeved shirt I told you about? Yeah, it makes me so very happy.

{Heart} Mama talking on the phone. {Heart} I just love my Mama's voice and the sweet, gentle way in which she speaks and forms her words.

Leah sitting near me, reading a book. Wearing a sweater, capris, socks and ... wait for it ... flip-flops. {Smile} Yeah.

Keeping my feet warm from the breeze are my new, $3.00 shoes. They also make me very happy.

And speaking of happy. This pictures just fills my heart with happiness and joy! (This picture is from the weekend, not this evening, but it just melts my heart!)

What it is ...

2011-07-29T17:32:00.000-05:00

*sigh* So, here I am ... Finally ... The last time I actually blogged with pictures was November! When I actually said anything worth reading at all ... over a year. Do you ever have times in life when you wonder, "Where is my life? The one I used to love? The one where I enjoyed my everyday, day to day life?" The one when life is "slow" enough to smell the roses? Maybe it's that I'm getting older, maybe it's that life gets busier, or maybe it's that I need to take time and find out what really matters in a day. I miss the days when I would get home from work and be able to help Mom in the garden. I miss the days when I would make the noon meal. I miss the days when I was home. I miss days when I took time to notice the small things in life. I miss days that sound like this.

Birds chirp, Mama's fountain gurgles and bubbles, a short time ago Mom and Caleb sat talking in the lawn chairs next to me, their quiet, gentle hum of conversation enormously comforting. Sitting outside, in the shade, in the loveseat rocker I wonder how this year has passed this far without me knowing.

Maybe It's a state of mind, maybe it's making oneself prioritize, maybe it's finding out what really matters? Whatever it is, I plan on finding out. And I also plan on trying to be here more ... I miss my bloggie peeps!

My Latest Poem

2011-06-13T19:14:00.000-05:00

Check out my latest poem ... What Could She Ask Beside.

:~:Another giveaway :~:

2011-01-19T15:30:00.002-06:00

~-~ Give away ~-~

2011-01-10T07:53:00.001-06:00

~::A Bucket of lights and Christmasy balls::~

2010-11-24T16:22:00.000-06:00

~...Jars of light...~

2010-11-23T21:18:00.000-06:00

~::~ ... ~::~

2010-10-24T16:12:00.000-05:00

This post kind of had a before picture of my wall and board ... These are the after ... and then some. *smile*

Under Construction

2010-10-22T09:29:00.001-05:00

Please note my blog is currently under construction ... please be patient with me as I change to rearrange things. Thank you.

~A bit of coziness coming your way~

2010-10-21T18:54:00.000-05:00

Humming Bird Watching

2010-09-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

~::The Evening of September 14th ::~

2010-09-18T19:08:00.002-05:00

There are a ton of pictures in this post ... so I won't be offended if you skip some (not like I will ever know anyway *smile*). I just had such a wonderful evening I just had to "document" it all! I realize that some pictures are very, very similar but each one is (believe it or not) different, and each one makes me happy!

The very beautiful sheets my little brother bought me!

I. Love. This. Picture!

Wearing my sister's clogs (like three sizes too big) out to the herb garden to clip mint for the iced tea!

The mint.

Garlic chives.

Said mint in iced water (no tea yet).

Now there's tea.

While I was out, crouching in the herb garden, I could hear the humming birds flying around. They are such tiny, cute birds.


The dinning room

On the wall of the dinning room.

My nephew, Josiah.

My request for supper. Black-eyed peas, and rice!

Sweet Mommy made me iced tea too, even though I didn't think to request it!

My niece, Greta.

After supper we went out front to stand on the window boxes and watch the humming birds. They've been known to sit on your finger if you stand still enough. Leah and Greta are waiting for the birds in this picture.

She sees one.

"Right there, over there, the hunning birds."

Then I got to hold Greta.

The hummer watching group, minus Greta.

Greta's curls.

The surprise birthday cake!

Smile!

It was really good cake.

My new mug, I got from a friend.

He fell asleep on the floor.

~~::~~Refocusing~~::~~

2010-09-13T19:24:00.001-05:00

So, you ever have those days when things are going great and then you fall flat on your face and all you can do is run ... or more like crawl ... to Jesus and cry before Him? Yeah ... *sigh* ... me too ...

One view from the swing in which I sat.

The other view from the swing.

The swing. :)

Then I moved to the dock.

The clover flower I saved from the bees ... which has now been put into my journal.

*Sighs* I just love my Bible ... inside and out!

Some leaves I found in the garden while working on my roses the other day, they too are now in my journal.

Journaling.

Little piece of Lavender that rests safely by Psalm 145, reminding me each time I see it that I love (!!) Psalm 145.

One (of many) reason I love Psalm 145 ... verse 13 and 14.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-09-09T19:45:00.000-05:00

This recipe is actually from Melissa. So I cannot take credit for it. But I love it. It's so simple!

2 C firmly packed brown sugar

1 C unsalted butter, softened (I actually use salted butter)

2 eggs

1 and 1/2 tsp. real vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 heaping tsp. salt

3 C flour

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream brown sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Then add chocolate chops, mix just until blended.

Drop balls of dough onto cookie sheet. Bake 11-13 minutes.

::~...Happiness...~::

2010-09-08T15:51:00.000-05:00

My new cup! It's so beautiful!

Favorite potholder.

Making cookies this morning.

*Sighs*

I love candles.

Need I say anything?

New plaid sheets, bought for me by Sister!

Sparkle-y lights on my bedroom wall.

Cozy socks ... love these, too.

Bible reading and journaling.

From Romans.

Hebrews 4:16 ... also on my bedroom wall.

Love this colored chalk. It's so much fun to write with.

Starting piano lessons again.

Sun-drying sheets.

Part of my lawn furniture set.

Clogs!

Roses! Poor abandoned things. Today was the first time I'd done anything with them (trimming, weed, etc.) in over a month. :(

The same. :)

Edith.

Morning Glory.

Hammock swing. I have great affection for this thing, too. :)

Mom and birthday boy!

Making real whipped cream ...

... almost done ...

... done.

Mama's new magazine!

Momita!

Birthday bro.

Popi.

Leah,

Sunlight through cotton curtains!

Ta-Da!!!

2010-09-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

Beware: Loads and loads of pictures. If you only want to see before and after pictures look at the first few and then scroll all the way down to the end (this will allow you to skip the "getting there" process).

The beginning

The black is the remnant of the "carpet", as some people called the felt squares glued to the bottom of this little door space and the bottom of the drawers! Whose idea was that anyway?!

See the big gaps in the wood? They don't last too long. *Smile*

All moldy. Yuck.

Yeah, this needed replaced.


The drawer on the left shows the "carpet". And don't you love how the drawer-pulls don't actually match. It's the new thing ... or not.

The "beautiful" color is just too much for me! *Ahem* What is this color anyway? Again, who had this wonderful idea?

*****

Sanding!

Yes, I work barefoot. What can I say?

But apparently I'm not the only one working barefoot. *wink*

The drawers no longer have bottoms.

See the razor marks? Someone attacked the top of the poor little wash table.

Look, the grand canyon! Oh, I mean, just the gap in the top of the table.

Spraying on the paint stripper stuff.

The spray ...

... The result!

Filling the gaps. Yay!

Primer.

Wahoo!!! Paint time! It was the part that I couldn't wait for. I kept asking, "Can I paint now?"

The first coat all done.

My fancy ear-ware Daddy put on me while he cut the wood for the bottom of the drawers with the table saw.

Said cutting process.

New door space.

All the drawers have bottoms again.

All painted white.

*****

The end!

And of course I had to show ya'll what it looks like in my room!

Blankets!

And of course with the lights on. *smile*

So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Coming soon ...

2010-08-30T21:30:00.000-05:00

Those of you who're on Facebook already heard about this, but for those of you who aren't here ya go. :) I saved a small wash table from someone's basement and I'm fixing it up! I have to say I'm pretty pumped about it! Soon, there will be before and after pictures ... probably sometime this week. I got the first coat of paint on tonight, another coat maybe tomorrow, and then doing drawer pulls and drawer bottoms and last details things! I can't wait to get it done and use it. I'm very excited! Stick around!

~Rain~

2010-08-10T10:13:00.000-05:00

::~God All-Sufficient~::

2010-07-24T22:15:00.002-05:00

King of Glory, Divine Majesty,
Every perfection adorns Thy nature
and sustains Thy throne;
The heavens and earth are Thine,
The world is Thine and its fullness.
Thy power created the universe from nothing;
Thy wisdom has managed all its multiple concerns,
presiding over nations, families, individuals.
Thy goodness is boundless;
all creatures wait on Thee
are supplied by Thee
are satisfied in Thee.
How precious are the thoughts of Thy mercy and grace!
How excellent Thy lovingkindness that draws men to Thee!
Teach us to place our happiness in Thee,
the blessed God,
never seeking life among the dead things of earth,
or asking for that which satisfies the deluded;
But may we prize the light of Thy smile,
implore the joy of Thy salvation,
find our heaven in Thee.
Thou has attended to our happiness more than we can do;
Though we are fallen creatures Thou has not neglected us.
In love and pity Thou hast provided us a Saviour;
Apply His redemption to our hearts,
by justifying our persons,
and sanctifying our natures.
We confess our transgressions, have mercy on us.
We are weary, give us rest,
ignorant, make us wise unto salvation,
helpless, let Thy strength be made perfect in our weakness,
poor and needy, bless us with Christ's unsearchable riches,
perplexed and tempted, let us travel on unchecked, undismayed,
knowing that Thou has said,
'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'
Blessed be Thy name!

Found in

"The Valley of Vision ~

A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"

~::Sister Time::~

2010-07-22T16:53:00.000-05:00

My feet ::~*

My cool new shirt ... please ignore the death stare that I'm apparently giving ... was just trying to get my shirt. :) ::~*

The bottom half of my shirt ::~*

Then I decided to try to take a picture of myself in the mirror ... never done that before ...

... it was great fun. ::~*

STARBUCKS!!!! ... need I say more? ::~*

Posing with the Starbucks! ::~*

The Only Ultimate Love

2010-07-19T19:23:00.000-05:00

"God's loving us is a means for our joyfully glorifying Him. ... The love of God is not God's making much of us, but God's saving us from self-centered sin so that we can enjoy making much of Him forever. And our love to others is not our making much of them, but our helping them to find eternal satisfaction in making much of God. The only ultimate love is a love that aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead a person to the only lasting joy, namely God. Love must be God-centered or it is not the greatest love; it leaves people without their deepest need and only hope."

~ John Piper ~ Taste and See

Meet Josiah

2010-06-28T15:31:00.000-05:00

Josiah was born June 25th about 9:00pm in the middle of tornado weather. Sirens were going off and I believe there were a couple funnel clouds and maybe actual tornadoes spotted outside of town. God brought him safely into this world and he's a beautiful healthy baby boy! Note: pictures in this post are all from the next morning 6-26) To see Katie's pictures click here.

Josiah and Grandma

Josiah and Grandpa

This was his, "Don't look at the camera, don't look at the camera. Well, maybe I'll just sneak a peek," look. And then I snapped the picture. *giggles* Go me!

~Contentment~

2010-06-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

Heavenly Father~

If I should suffer need, and go unclothed,

and be in poverty,

make my heart prize thy love,

know it, be constrained by it,

though I be denied all blessings.

It is thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants,

for by these trials I see my sins,

and desire severance from them.

Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations,

if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil,

and be delivered from it with gratitude to thee,

acknowledging this as the highest testimony of thy love.

When thy Son, Jesus, came into my soul,

instead of sin, he became more dear to me

than sin had formerly been;

his kindly rule replaced sin's tyranny.

Teach me to believe that if ever I would have any sin subdued

I must not only labour to overcome it,

but must invite Christ to abide in the place of it,

and he must become to me more than vile lust had been;

that his sweetness, power, life may be there.

Thus I must seek a grace from him contrary to sin,

but must not claim it apart from himself.

When I am afraid of evils to come,

comfort me by showing me

that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch,

but in Christ I am reconciled and live;

that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest,

but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace;

that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good,

but in Christ I have ability to do all things.

Though now I have his graces in part,

I shall shortly have them perfectly

in that state where thou wilt show thyself fully reconciled,

and alone sufficient, efficient,

loving me completely,

with sin abolished.

O Lord, hasten that day.

Found in

"The Valley of Vision ~

A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions"

Chapter 2

2010-05-05T07:43:00.000-05:00

For those of you who read Chapter 1, I just wanted to let you know that I've posted Chapter 2. It's been probably about a week, since I posted it, I just kept forgetting to link it. Sorry. :)

Bike Ride with E

2010-04-30T20:50:00.000-05:00

Soooooo ... Ethan asked me to go for a bike ride with him this evening. I wasn't going to at first because I'd been up since 6:50am and had been gone all day (until around 6:30-ish). I was tired, but I thought I should go with him. Plus he got a new bike this year and I thought it would be fun to try it out with him. So, the first time I ride bike, at all, this year, and we decide to go around the lake trail. Which isn't all that bad, but it's 3 miles around. Which also isn't so bad, but right as we got to the tail it started to rain, and then rain some more, and then it rained pretty good for a while. E and I decided to tough it out and ride in the rain, which wasn't bad (okay, I realized just now that I've said that phrase or something like it three or four times now) but the wind after the short rain shower was a killer. It blew very hard for a while. So hard that I almost turned back. But we didn't, we stuck it out. :) Go us! And I snapped a few shots with my phone (yes, with my phone) to show you all what it was like. Thankfully it only rained for a few minutes, and although it was windy most of the time, the ride was very nice once the clouds cleared up and the sun came out.

This is a picture of the rain, the shiny things in the air are the raindrops.

I'd taken my contacts out before the ride ... now you all must suffer my glasses look.

Country speed-bump ... or just tractor mud tracks. :)

~Abundant~

2010-04-26T20:28:00.002-05:00

"Oh, how abundant is Your goodness,

which You have stored up for those who fear You."

~Ps. 31:19

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

~Ps. 103:8

"They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness."

~Ps. 145:7

"The LORD is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

~Ps. 145:8

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

His understanding is beyond measure."

~Ps. 147:5

Pslam 103 ~ Which I call the Mercy Pslam

2010-04-26T20:13:00.001-05:00

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Chapter 1

2010-04-22T23:42:00.000-05:00

Check it out. I posted the first chapter of my new book on my Scribbles blog. Click here.

I Spy ...

2010-04-22T22:35:00.001-05:00

... Loads of cuteness! These are from last year, but they are so cute that I just had to share them.

Trying to be an "Old man."

"Peek!"

Then we went out side and played I Spy. Little A, pictured below, kept saying "I'm spy-ing on somping ..." He's so cute!

~... Lavender ... ~

2010-04-22T21:25:00.000-05:00

They're piling up

2010-04-14T18:13:00.001-05:00

Do you ever do something and then think, "This would be a good post for my blog"? Yeah? You, too? Well, good. I'm glad I'm not the only one. ... Wait, you mean you actually post your blog ideas? Well ... ahem ... I do ... sometimes ... too. *weak smile*

The truth is, I have a sticky note on the top of my computer so every time I open my computer and turn it on, I see the list of "things to blog" and, well, the list is long, and growing. So yes, there is a post (many actually) in this blog's future, but I don't know how soon it will be ... hopefully sooner rather then later. :) So, stick around, I'm hoping to post again soon.

400th Post!

2010-04-03T16:29:00.002-05:00

Wa-hooo. Just wanted to let you know, this post is my 400th post!!!! :) For me, that's a lot!!

Time with Momita and Ethan

2010-04-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

Mom, Ethan and I went out to eat on Friday night because Leah and Dad went to the Twins' game (so jealous). Then after we ate we went bowling! (LOVE bowling) Or at least Ethan and I bowled, Mom just watched and talked to us. Just a note, these pictures were taken on my phone, so if they are grainy and dark that's why.

Psalm 145

2010-04-02T17:00:00.007-05:00

1 I will extol You, my God and King,
and bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You
and praise Your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

and His greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend Your works to another,

and shall declare Your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds,
and I will declare Your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and His mercy is over all that He has made.

10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
and all Your saints shall bless You!
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and tell of Your power,
12 to make known to the children of man Your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all His words
and kind in all His works.]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand;
You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and kind in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him;
He also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,

and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.

Okay ::~*

2010-04-02T16:44:00.002-05:00

The dreams were many,

the thoughts were more.

I thought too much,

on what I thought was real.

But the Lord showed me,

as was my prayer,

that I had been making

this almost more than He.

And so, with many tears,

along with some sobs,

I realized it was not to be,

and perhaps God was just testing me.

The pain was real and strong,

as I thought of two things.

One: I made this too big,

two: God is enough for me.

So as I cried in the dark,

my heart prayed and cried, too.

"Lord help me love You,

much more than this."

I asked for peace and trust,

to do what I knew I must.

And with a sense of being weary and worn,

a word formed in my heart and mind.

A word I hadn't thought of,

in my cries for comfort and peace.

"Okay," my heart said,

"Okay, my Lord.

I know You are all,

I know I need no more than You.

I know You love me,
I know You are kind.

So when You ask me to resign,

I say, with a heart of love and faith,

pain, hurt, awe and peace,

such wonderful, all-consuming peace,

Okay."

~4-2-10

Apparently I've been adopted ...

2010-03-30T15:43:00.000-05:00

... As Mom. :)

Check it out!

Lookie!

2010-03-29T17:03:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited ... I started a blog for my writing!!!! I'm excited to start writing on it. Check it out! (Click on the picture to go there.)

::~... 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV ...~::

2010-03-25T14:37:00.002-05:00

~Tuesday afternoon~

2010-03-25T14:06:00.007-05:00

*~:: ... Bible reading, journal-ing, picture taking, praying, music listening, lake viewing, bracing against the wind blowing, gently swinging, thinking. These took up an hour or two of my afternoon on Tuesday, much like this day. ... ::~*

Psalm 103:8 NET

Job 41:10-11 ESV

My night

2010-03-25T11:44:00.009-05:00

11:15 p.m. Settling down beneath the covers of my bed. Making sure the big, stuffed, silky bear, known as Snoopy, is settled just right under the covers, too.

11:18 p.m. Darkness fills the room. I can feel my dog rearranging the blankets just so to get comfortable at the foot of my bed. Big breaths, almost like deep sighs, come from the form next to me. His little 2-year-old form moves ever so slightly as he gets comfy. Little TM and his three older brothers are at my house because their mom gave birth to a little girl yesterday morning.
11:32 p.m. His little body scoots closer. His little searching fingers find my hand. His body begins to relax and I know he's starting to fall asleep. His little hand rests over mine, content to know I'm there with him in the dark room.
Many times throughout the night I woke to find him close enough to me that I could almost be sure he was glued to my side. The heat emanating from his little footie-jammie clad body made it nearly unbearably hot, but not quite. Also, throughout the night I woke to feel his little fingers intertwined in my hair, one of his favorite things to do is play with people's long hair.
This morning I woke to his little hands searching out strands of my hair to play with and his big brown eyes looking intently at my sleepy face. Cuteness! What a way to start a morning.

*~ Evidence of the little man ~*

Nappin' with Uncle E

2010-03-19T20:21:00.007-05:00

Yes ... This one and the one right below it are very similar ... but just slightly different. :)

*~ I think this one is my favorite ~ Look at her button nose!! ~*

Time with Jesus

2010-03-18T18:12:00.005-05:00

My Journal entry from this afternoon ...
"Sunshine!!
You do not even know the joy I have right now ... 56 F (yes, that is the temperature :), sunshine, just a whisper of a breeze, purple-plaid clogs, French Vanilla Cappuccino, 2 of my favorite Bibles, Jesus in my heart, finding all I need is Jesus, K. J. plays on my MP3 player, Leah's freshly washed sheets and blankets hanging on the line a few feet away, my green rose table, bench and chairs! My list could go on ... but I won't.
The sun feels so warm on my face and arms, but not even close to being as warm as the Son in my heart!
Oh, Jesus I love Thee!!
God has so graciously answered my cried-out pleas for a love and joy for Him! Oh, the joy and fullness Jesus brings!! These feeble words don't even begin to touch how I feel. I feel like singing out praises to my Jesus at the top of my lungs!
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD ... " Psalm 34:8a " (emphasis mine)

My table at first ...
Keda was enjoying the sunshine with me ...
Said clogs ...
And again, this time you can see the wool socks I have on ... :)
My two bibles, two journals, pen bag, cup of cappuccino, MP3 player and pen ...
Velvet-y ribbon I glued onto my journal for a bookmark ... it's very soft and pink! ...
The one of the many pictures in my Bible to help my find my favorite verses quicker ...

Yum!

2010-03-18T18:01:00.004-05:00

Green Peppers and Onions fried ever so slightly in butter to make them warm and just crunchy. Eggs whipped with a little bit of milk so they are light and fluffy. Scrambled. Just before done tomatoes go in and then topped with cheese, salt and pepper! Yum!

... pretty new things ...

2010-02-26T19:16:00.005-06:00

I Envision ...

2010-02-20T16:38:00.007-06:00

This is just something I wrote one day while many things were turning around in my brain. ;) I realizing it's probably the longest post in the world and if you don't really want to read it that's fine. But if you do, here it is. I hope you are encouraged with it, as I was. I cannot, however, take credit for the words, they just poured out of my pen and I know that God was the one giving them to me! Praise be to Him!

I envision a mountain, a huge mountain, bigger than you can imagine. I stand at the base of the huge mountain and look up, I can’t even come close to seeing the top. But this mountain’s peak, unlike any other mountain, is glistening. But not just glistening as sun would glisten off of snow, but it creates and emanates its own light. And the light on this mountain peak is so bright, the sun pales in comparison. So although I am unable to see the peak, I am able to see the shine, the glory, the effect of the peak.
My goal? To reach that peak!
I envision myself looking down at my apparel. Hiking boots … check. Hiking and climbing equipment … check. Backpack … check. Provisions for nourishment … check.
As my apparel and items on my person are adequate and sufficient for a short climb only, I look around for the helicopter that will carry me to the top of the mountain when I am tired of climbing, but I see none. I look for, perhaps, a lift of some kind to whisk me away when I grow weary of such a long climb, but again my searching eyes find nothing.
Am I to climb the whole way in naught but my hiking boots?
I envision, as I’m standing there, becoming discouraged at the prospect of such a climb, I see a man come leaping and bounding down the mountain in such a jovial mood, that I am suddenly distracted in my discouragement.
Such a happy, joyful face this man possesses and he seems nearly bursting at the seams with some sort of news.
When I am within hearing range he begins to shout, “Glory, glory, glory! All praise to the King of this mountain!”
He is so excited and bubbly that it is contagious and I begin to feel excited as well.
He comes to me and takes my hands in his and I see his face is not the only thing shining. His eyes, also, contain such a happy light.
“I see you have come. We’ve been waiting. I am Jonathan.”
I frown. “We?” I look around and see no one else.
“Why yes. We servants of the King of this mountain.”
I frown again.
“The King of this mountain lives up there, at the peak. Dwelling in the unapproachable light that you see even from down here.”
I look to where he is pointing and to where he has turned his own eyes. Awe and admiration shine forth from his eyes at the very mention of the King.
“I am one of many, many servants of the King, dwelling with Him in holiness. And we’ve been waiting for you.” He turns his eyes back to me now.
“For me? How did you know I was coming?”
He smiles. “The King called for you. And then we waited. His call went out over the mountains and valleys until it reached you. And then, even when you were still far off, the King’s eyes saw you coming … and again we waited.”
“But I did not hear a call,” I say.
“Your heart did. And it accepted the call and you’ve been changed from who you once were. Which is why you are here, to climb this mountain. I see the King has given you all you need for the climb.”
Again I look down at what I possess. I was wondering how these items came to be about me … they seemed to have just appeared.
“Is this all I am to have?” I hope he will say when I am tired of climbing the King will send a plane or a helicopter for me.
“Yes. But your supplies from the King will be new every morning. If you carry too much you will be weighed down.”
He then eyes my bag. “Perhaps even you wish to lay aside some of these things?”
I then watch as he unzips my backpack and pulls pictures and computer-like screens out of my bag. The screens are playing videos of my memories, both happy and sad. The pictures, also, show memories.
Then he pulls many other things, dear to my heart, from my bag.
I watch, my heart starts to beat faster, as I begin to think of laying these things aside and moving on without them.
“No,” I say, as I begin to pluck the things back out of his arms and place them back into my backpack. “No, I think I’ll be fine carrying them.”
He looks unconvinced but lets me pack them up again before he smiles again.
“Then I welcome you to the King’s mountain and welcome you also, now, as your fellow servant.”
“Fellow servant?”
“Why yes, when you heeded the King’s call you became His servant.”
I envision then that we hear footsteps behind us and turn to see another person coming up the path I walked not long before.
“Welcome Marta,” says Jonathan as he turns to greet the new lady.
“Thank you,” says the lady known as Marta.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
Marta’s face beams and her joy and happiness seem to match Jonathan’s.
“Perhaps you want to lay this extra weight aside,” he says to Marta, unzipping her backpack. “It will only be heavy and hard to carry.”
“Yes,” she answers eagerly, “Yes, help me lay these things aside!”
I watch, feeling slightly guilty about the things I did not lay aside, but I conclude that my things are obviously more precious to me, than hers were to her. I watch as Jonathan then fills her bag with lighter, more necessary things for her journey up the mountain.
“Come, both of you. Let’s start the climb together. But I can only go with you a short while before I must leave you two on your own.”
I envision we begin to climb the mountain.
At first the climb is easily made. Things are relatively smooth and even, but yet I grow tired.
“Please,” I ask. “Can we please stop for a rest?”
Marta and Jonathan joyfully agree to stop and rest with me, though it is obvious neither is tired.
A tug at my mind makes me wonder if maybe, had I laid my things aside, I would not grow tired so fast. But I tell myself it is only because I’ve never climbed a mountain before.
Before long Jonathan must leave to welcome more servants to the mountain. We bid him goodbye and thank him for his help as we head off in the other direction, further up the mountain.
We climb a while more before I’m tired again. I ask Marta if maybe, we can rest again. She agrees but I can tell as she waits with me that she is growing weary of waiting to continue her climb.
Although I would like the company, I decide I should not be the cause of her not attaining that for which she climbs so eagerly.
I tell her I will be fine alone and that she should go without me. At first she hesitates, unsure if she should leave me alone, but soon the anticipation of seeing the King is too much and she hastens away, unhindered by heavy burdens.
I envision that I start my journey again, alone and still slightly weary.
Soon I lift my eyes to see where my path should take me next. I stop and shift my heavy bag on my shoulders. I sigh, I did not think my things would be so heavy.
“Lay them aside. You do not need them,” a whisper comes to me on the breeze.
I look around for the owner of the voice, but I see no one.
A ray of light crosses my eye and I lift my eyes to the mountain peak.
“Trust Me, you do not need such weights,” the whisper comes again.
But this time I know it is the King of the mountain who is whispering so gently to me.
I consider laying my things aside but can not yet give them up. Again I shift the straps on my bag and head forward.
Although I have ignored the command to lay my extra weight aside, the whisper continues to come to my ears.
I envision lifting my eyes again to discover my path and see the form of a person, ahead of me on the trail. The form appears to be a man, hunched over and weary.
I try to quicken my steps as best I can with my burden. It appears that this man also carries a burden, but as I overtake him in a short time I conclude his burden must be heavier then my own.
“Hello Sir,” I greet him as I come along side of him.
He says nothing, but brings his eyes to my own. He appears to be very worn out, weary, and tired. The deep lines on his face speak of trouble and struggle.
“Are you alright Sir?”
He nods.
“Where are you going, Sir? Are you also a servant of the King?”
He takes a few more steps and then falls to his knees, under then heavy burden upon his back. I quickly kneel next to him, helping him if at all possible.
He sighs and moves to a sitting position on the ground.
“Yes,” his tired answer. “I am a servant of the King and I am going to the peak to dwell with Him in holiness.”
His face brightens some at this statement and a little flicker of excitement jumps in my chest.
“Shall we go together? I can help you.” I try to help him to his feet, but he is much too weary. I try then to remove his backpack from his back but it is much too heavy for me to lift off of him.
“Sir,” I say, “You should lay aside this heavy burden. No wonder you are so very tired. How long have you been climbing with this burden?”
He takes a few deep breaths, trying to muster the strength to stand. “Years,” he says as I slowly help him to his feet. “Many years have I carried this burden.”
My eyes widen. “Then why do you not lay it aside and come along with me?”
He shakes his head. “I cannot give up these things. They are precious to me. And even though the King continuously urges me to lay them down and come to Him, I cannot. I must have them.”
He takes a few weary steps and I stand, unable to move. His words sound much like my own. Will I too, grow so weary that I will climb this mountain for years?
I am afraid and unsure. I take a few steps to catch up with the man, who hasn’t progressed much further and has once again sat down.
I look at him, seeing myself in his situation as the King’s words come again to me, “Lay aside your burden and come quickly to Me.”
I stand for a while, not knowing if I should stay and help him, or continue on my way. While I stand, I shift my bag again and the tug at my heart is stronger now.
“Sir?” I start, “Do you need help?”
A moment passes, his deep breaths the only sound between us. Slowly he shakes his head. “Many a person has come to help me, but I am unwilling to let my treasures go. I only hinder their progress. Go, I shall be fine alone. Maybe one day, I will see the King at the peak of this mountain.”
I look at him a while longer before slowly turning to continue on my way. Every now and then, however, I stop to look back. Each time I see him, further and further away, he continues to sit on the rock upon which he sat when I was with him.
The tug in my heart grows and grows, but I continue to push it aside.
I envision I come to a flat place and stop to take a rest. My burden is much heavier now than when I first started. I take it off my back and unzip it. Looking inside I see if there is anything which I could do without, for my pack is so very heavy. Rummaging through my memories, dreams, hopes, desires, music, movies, books and other things that occupy my pack, I come up with nothing that I feel I can live without and once again zip up the bag and slip it back onto my shoulders.
As I stand up I hear footsteps coming up to where I am. I wait to see who it will be.
A cheery face comes to my eyes.
A smile and a happy, “Hello,” are shared between us and I move toward her.
“My name is Edith,” she tells me.
“Pleased to meet you, Edith. Are you also a servant of the King going to the peak?”
She smiles. “Yes, yes I am. Are you, too?”
“Yes,” I nod.
“Wonderful. Shall we continue on together? Encouraging one another as we go?”
I’m uplifted by this thought and quickly agree.
We turn to leave but she stops. “Oh, just a moment.” She slips off her backpack and opens it. Taking out one of the things in her bag she holds it in her hands. Examining it, as if it is very precious to her. Then we both hear the King’s whisper. “Lay it aside,” again is the always soft whisper.
Edith looks down upon the dear item in her hands and tears fill her eyes. “Must I?” she whispers softly.
“Yes,” is the gentle reply.
Lifting her tear-filled eyes she looks upon the peak. The light of the King shining off of the tears in her eyes, she smiles and the item, once so precious and dear to her heart, falls from her fingers as she quickly steps away and comes to me.
Grabbing my hand, she pulls me up the path with her.
Soon, however, I am tired and panting for air and I ask her if we can stop.
We stop and rest for a while. While we are resting, I voice the question that has been on my mind since we started off together.
“What was it that you laid aside Edith?”
She brings her eyes to my face, all trace of tears gone, and the light of the King filling her eyes from within. “My dreams.”
I gasp at her. “Your dreams? All of them? Surely not all of them, just one or two?”
She shakes her head. “No, I laid them all aside.”
“All of them? But why?” I don’t understand. They were so precious to her.
“Because seeing the King is so much more important to me. And my dreams only weigh me down.”
I stare at her, unable to understand how she could do such a thing. Dreams are so precious, and I have so many of my own in my pack, I do not think I could do such a thing.
She guesses my thoughts. “It’s not so hard, when you keep your eyes fixed on the King. Everything else fades in comparison. Try it. Lay something aside for the King. You’ll never regret it.”
I think about it and slowly slide my bag from my arms. Slowly I unzip it and peer inside at my treasures therein.
Reaching in, I push some things to the side as I reach for something that isn’t quite so precious to me. Pulling it out I gaze upon it.
“But it’s not a bad thing.” I blurt out, tears coming to my eyes. I look up at Edith.
She comes to me and kneels before me. “Maybe not, but it is heavy, is it not?”
I look down upon it again. Slowly I nod my head. “Yes, it is heavy.”
“The King commands we lay it aside and to come to Him, quickly. Do not you wish to obey?” The eagerness in her voice encourages me.
Again I nod, stronger this time. “Yes, yes, I do.” Slowly I bend over and lay the item in the dirt by the rock I’m sitting on. I look down on it only a moment before my hand is taken by Edith.
“Look,” she says. “Look at the peak. Look at the glorious light and know that you have pleased the King and will reach Him sooner because you have laid aside this heavy weight.”
I lift my eyes and as I take in the wonderfully glorious light, my item is forgotten as I stand and shoulder my bag again. Keeping my eyes on the peak I make my way through the path.
I envision many more such times. Many such items removed and laid aside from my bag. And, I am surprised, I do not miss them, nor the weight they once were.
My heart is becoming happy and joyful and my step lighter and quicker. What a joy it is to have Edith at my side, encouraging me toward the peak.
Many times we sing and laugh and quote verses to each other and those times are precious to my heart.
I envision one day as we are walking along that we are overtaken by a young man. His smile is warm and he is very kind. He asks if he may accompany us on our way and we gladly agree. We go on encouraging each other as the days go by. More songs, more verses, more talking. It’s a joyous time to be together. But one day as I am again laying aside a burden from my bag, Edith comes to me and takes up my hand in hers.
“He has asked me to go along with him,” she tells me, a smile of joy and happiness on her face.
I don’t understand. “But we are going along with him.”
“No,” she says. “With just him.”
It hits me hard. “You’re leaving me?”
“I am sorry, but can you not be happy for me?”
I start to feel angry and unwanted. I want a man to walk with me, too. Why should she get asked to go along with him? She gave up her dreams, laid them aside. Why then should she get what I dream of?
But as my heart is angry and sad, my eyes lift to the peak and the anger melts away. The King sends those we need, when we need them. I’ve learned that on my journey so far. And if he has sent this man to walk along with Edith, without me, I should be happy for her, truly happy for her.
A smile comes to my face. “Yes, Edith, yes. I am happy for you. And I hope you two will be happy on your journey.”
Edith gives me a big hug, which I return gladly and then we part ways. I watch them go, so happy together and long for the time when, maybe I will have a man to walk with me.
I envision that there are many times now, without the encouragement of Edith, when I lay weights aside, but as I continue on my way, alone again, I begin to feel sad and alone and run back to snatch up the treasure I laid aside.
Many steps have been lost as I have only retraced them again and again and my progress up the mountain is slower and slower each day.
One day I am sitting on a rock feeling alone and discouraged that I am not making much progress in my journey when the King’s voice comes to me.
“Why are you sad and why is your heart heavy?”
“I am alone, my King. I have no one to walk with me.”
“But I am always with you.”
“What?”
“Even though you cannot see Me, I am there with you and will never leave you.”
I look up at the peak. “Always with me?”
“Yes, My servant. I am always with you.”
This new knowledge encourages me and I jump up from the rock and quickly head up the path again.
Walking up the path the King’s whisper comes softly again, “Lay your burdens aside.”
With my newfound joy in the King I gladly lay aside my burdens again, much as I did before when Edith was walking along with me. What a joy it brings to my heart to know that the King is always with me.
I envision many more days go by. My bag gets lighter and lighter until there are only a few pictures, screens, and dreams left in the bag.
One day I am sitting on a rock again, enjoying the provisions the King gives me every morning. I do not know how, but every morning my provisions are newly filled and resting safely in my bag, just as Jonathan said they would be. And each day I find my provisions new, it encourages me and I start my day with a joyful step.
Today I am looking into my bag again. This time, however, I take out the memories, dreams, and pictures. I look at the different events in my life that are played out on the screens and tears stream down my face. Some happy scenes, some sad. But all a part of who I am. They are so precious to me. And my dreams. If I lay aside my dreams, how will I ever know what I want?
I look at the faces of those in my memories, in the pictures and on the screens. Some of the scenes that play are good and I’m happy to have the memories and some scenes I should not remember and cling so tightly to, but I’m afraid to let them go, because they mean so much.
“Why do you cling to them so tightly?” the King questions.
“I don’t know, my King. They are so very precious to my heart that I feel I cannot let them go.”
“Aren’t I more important to you than these mere memories? I am real and these memories are only what they are, memories. You cannot have anything from them any more.”
“But King, they are so treasured.”
“Am not I treasured as well?”
“Yes, but …”
“No,” his voice is gentle. “You cannot have both. I must be the only thing you cling to. No memories, no dreams, no desires.”
“What?! How can that possibly be?”
“Because I am all that matters. And I will fill your hands and your pack with things so much better then these simple memories.”
I look at the memories. How can that possibly be when these are so precious to me? Can the King really give me things that could be more precious. Can I really cling only to Him?
“I don’t know my King. I can’t.”
“You can! Come! Lay them aside!”
“No, King, I can’t.”
“You can. Come!”
Teas fill my eyes and I cannot see. “I cannot.”
“Come!” he says over and over.
Finally I feel I can deny Him no more and I drop the memories from my hands. I dump out the rest of my dreams and memories and desires onto the dirt. I drop also the bag and run away from the place, crying and weeping.
I am not sure where I am going but I run and run, trying to get away. Suddenly I trip and fall onto my knees.
“King, I’ve done it. I am sad and empty. Please King, please. Fill me as You said You would. Please King, please.”
I cry for many more minutes before I lift my eyes and look into the light coming from the peak. I am much closer to the peak than I thought. In fact, perhaps I could get there today.
I stand and slowly, wearily trudge up the pathway again. Closer and closer the peak comes.
As I walk I am suddenly surprised to find I do not miss the dreams and memories that I’ve left behind but in fact, my heart is filling with a joy I never thought I’d ever experience.
“Didn’t I say I would fill you again?” the King softly speaks to my aching yet happy heart.
“Yes King. How truly wonderful You are!”
My step becomes lighter and lighter and I begin to run. Faster and faster up the trail I run until I suddenly burst out of the trees into a clearing.
Taken aback by the sudden light I shade my eyes and step back. Taking a few moments to try and figure out where I am, I realize I’ve made it to the peak!
Oh the wonder and joy filling the top of this mountain! Servants of the King are moving everywhere, greeting one another, singing, rejoicing, praising the King. And as I look around I notice, all around the edge of the trees are paths that lead down the mountain. From these paths servants of the King are emerging, stunned, like myself, at the unapproachable light surrounding the dwelling place of the King.
From in the crowd someone calls me and I look to see who it is.
“Edith! Oh, Edith.” I run to her and fold her in a hug.
“You are here. I’m so glad,” she says to me.
We talk a short while before I inquire about the different paths leading to the peak of the mountain.
“Each person must go on the path that the King has laid out for them. Each path is different because the servants that come to the peak have different needs. Some of the paths are for the weary and they are much easier to climb. Some are for the strong and self-sufficient and they are much harder to climb so they learn to trust only in the King and not themselves. And some, some are for you and me, for those who need to let go of burdens and come to the King empty so that He may fill us with naught but Himself, and we may live in unapproachable light, filled with loving only Him and praising His name.”

*~ Miss Anastasia -- 2-3-2010

Christmas Day Fun

2009-12-25T15:27:00.017-06:00

Look out! Hit the deck! In-coming snowball. ... *makes a snowball and throws it back* Yes! Victory ... no, wait, don't throw one at me ... rrrreeeeeetrrrrreeeeeeeat! .... AHHHHHH!!!! *Thud, pushed into a snow pile*

Awkward as it sounds that's what my Christmas morning sounded like ... or close any way. While outside I discovered the snow was sticky *evil laugh* so I hurled one at Ma. This snowballed (Ha! pun totally intended!) and soon Mom, Dad, Ethan, Leah and myself were taking turns throwing snowballs at each other. Some of us *ahem, dad* used snow shovels to throw snow instead of making snowballs ... and some of us *ahem, dad, Leah and ... ahhh ... me* just gave up and shoved people into snow piles. :)
Leah and I also got in on the snow blowing as well. Dad showed Leah and Ethan showed me ... okay, so yes, I'm 22 and my 14 year old brother was showing me how to use the blower. But hey *shrugs* now I know.
Snowball fights continued here and there and snow angels were made as well. Nearly dripping wet from snowballs and from the trees dripping on us we headed in for a meal of ham, salad and such. It was Dee-Lish! Let me tell ya peeps!

I had a wonderful day and I hope you all did as well!! Here are some pictures from the morning and sort of afternoon-ish time. There are a lot of pictures, so I won't mind if you don't want to look at them all. To see Leah's pictures, and some short videos, click here.

Mom, Me and Ethan, shortly into the morning. Ethan looks like he's trying to WD-40 my face.
Oh, yes, much better. Not so much WD-40-ing in this picture. :)
Ethan eating icicles. Mom, in the background, is trying to show me that they were in fact clean to eat, I did not believe her ... obviously, then, Leah took this picture.
I assure you, my bangs were, in fact, curled when I exited the house that morning, and my hair was also dry ... it is neither of those things in this picture, as you can unfortunately see. You can also see the water on my face, the trees were dripping ... odd.
Me and Leah, starting to get wet from melting snow from snowballs and such.
Dad, the expert snow blower man.
Dad showing Leah how to run the snow blower.
"Look at me, I have no idea what I'm doing, but take my picture anyway, cuz I'm cute!" Okay, so Leah actually did a good job ... she just looks like she doesn't know what she's doing in this picture. :)
Concentrate ... concentrate .... concentrate ... Me trying to blow the snow.
My pretty Mama with snow in her hair! Luv ya Mom!
Snow angel gone wrong ... *giggles* Leah was trying to "throw" herself back in the snow far enough to make a decent snow angel, but all she accomplished was getting herself stuck in the snow. :) It was funny.
Me and Leah ... as you can see from this picture, my hair had some sort of order to it now. :)
Me, Mom and Leah ... the ladies of the house.
For any of you how know my father this picture makes me look tall. :) But truth be told I (at 5 foot 7 inches) am not even close to being as tall as my dad (at 6 foot 3 inches) I told him to "shrink" and he "squatted" next to me. :)
Me, Dad and Leah!

My WAY Cee-ute parents! I love you guys!!!
Merry Christmas from my family to you!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T10:24:00.005-06:00

So, I don't post, don't post and then don't post. I'm sorry I've continued to neglect my poor little blog. I just have had nothing to post about.
But I'm now posting to wish you all a merry Christmas! We are currently in the middle of a "winter storm" according to the weather station. We've had a total of about ten to twelve inches of snow so far with more on the way ... needless to say we canceled our Christmas plans to go to my aunt's house. But it's great to be home for a holiday. I'm always going and always doing every day and sometimes I like being home, especially on holidays when you just sit around, play games, drink tea, eat yummies, read books, just look at the snow ... etc., etc., etc.. :)
What do/did your Christmas plans hold? Are you all experiencing a white Christmas? Are you having family and friends or just being home alone?
Let us, also, not forget, in our hustle and bustle, or our sitting at home just being, that Jesus Christ, ruler and maker of the universe (not just earth, the UNIVERSE), came from heaven, took upon the lowest human form (a bond servant) as a baby (!!!) and grew in the wisdom and knowledge of His Father and God and then gave His life, willingly, for us, that we may no longer be slaves to sin or to the king of this world (Satan) but that we may be called sons/daughters and heirs of Him!!!! May we not forget the wonderful gift God has already given us: His life, death, resurrection and life for us in Him!
May your Christmas be blessed and happy, in the Lord!

Welcome to the Himalayas!!

2009-12-03T09:29:00.007-06:00

*Snow blows with the wind and beats against your face and the temps are freezing! Needless to say, it's cold!*

How does that fit with Himalayas? Anybody ever seen Monsters Inc.? The abominable snowman who is banished to the "Frozen waste land"? The place where Mike and Sully get banished after helping Boo? Yeah, kinda like that. Sarcasm and all that jazz.

Aaaaaaaannnnyway, it was snowing and blowing and freezing yesterday. It was pretty, but cold and cold and snowy and cold. Something that is better observed from the indoors. Or from a hot tub? :)

Greta Rosie had her first hot tub experience last night and she was so cute!! Well, I guess she sat on the step of the hot tub and only her feet dangled in the water, but I guess you could call that "in" the hot tub.

But, I'm just saying hi, since it's been a while. And I'm sharing Greta pictures and wondering how your Thanksgiving went. Let me know! I was with my Grandma, Grandpa, Caleb, Katie, Greta, my family, and a bunch of cousins and aunts and uncles. :) It was great! It was warm and we stayed outside almost the whole time. We had dirt-bike races and some of us learned to ride the bike and some of us just watched the whole thing (yes, I'm lumping myself into the later category on that one). Either way, it was really fun. So, as I already said, fill me in on your thanksgiving! Tell me how you're doing in life in general and anything else you wanna share ... I'm always excited to read comments about everyone!

Anyway, here are the promised picture of Greta "in" the hot tub! (First picture taken by Ethan. The others are taken by moi. Auntie Leah is tickling her, that's why she looks like she's squirming. :) ) Enjoy! Leave me a comment! Talk to you later but hope to hear from you sooner!

Still Human!

2009-11-16T22:40:00.002-06:00

November 16 ~

"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

The great marvel of the Incarnation slips into ordinary childhood's life; the great marvel of the Transfiguration vanishes in the devil-possessed valley; the glory of the Resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anti-climax, but a great revelation of God.
The tendency is to look for the marvelous in our experience; we mistake the sense of the heroic for being heroes. It is one thing to go through a crisis grandly, but another thing to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, no one paying the remotest attention to us. If we do not want medieval haloes, we want something that will make people say --- What a wonderful man of prayer he is! What a pious devoted woman she is! *If you are rightly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the sublime height where no one ever thinks of noticing you, all that is noticed is that the power of God comes through you all the time.
Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God! It takes Almighty God Incarnate in us to do the meanest duty of the glory of God. It takes God's Spirit in us to make us so absolutely hymanly His that we are utterly unnoticeable. The test of the life of a saint is not success, but faithfulness in human life as it actually is. We will set up success in Christian work as the aim; *the aim is to manifest the glory of God in human life, to live the life hid with Christ in God in human conditions. Our human relationships are the actual conditions in which the ideal life of God is to be exhibited.

~Oswald Chambers
~My Utmost for His Highest

*Emphesis mine.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

2009-11-08T16:38:00.005-06:00

Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bossom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!

Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am, Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; Make and keep my pure within.
Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart, Rise to all eternity.

Words ~ Charles Wesley
Sung ~ Fernando Ortega

In the mood for snowflakes? I am.

2009-11-08T16:16:00.004-06:00

Give Away

2009-11-07T18:58:00.001-06:00

The young ladies at the I Don't Date blog (IDD) have a special give away!! Go check it out!

Content ...

2009-11-01T19:08:00.002-06:00

I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.

But He said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

~2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NET Bible)~

Of new cups, pearl-ies, Monopoly, brother and sister

2009-10-30T19:22:00.014-05:00

Sick of cup pictures yet? *wink*

Picture courtesy of Ethan (pictured above).Another picture by Ethan.

Apparently it was a scary part in the movie ...

2009-10-27T19:23:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not little A, (three, almost four in this picture) was watching The Iron Giant. But, I guess it was scary enough to need the security that only hiding under a blanket can provide. But, honestly, when I watch movies and I think it's going to be a scary part I, too, hide my face (but mind you not my eyes, so I can still see the scary part *Rolls eyes, silly me*) behind either a pillow or the blanket I'm covering myself with. :) Anyway, I thought it was too cute to pass up.

It's a new Superhero!

2009-10-26T18:30:00.005-05:00

Introducing ... *Drum roll please*

CAMO-BUG

Well, actually it's a cicada. But look at the "camo" on his ... er ... her ... ahhh ... it's *smile* back. It's so neat how God made it able to be "camo-ed" to the tree when they climb up and down on it!

"Huuuu ... yeah. Yeah, that's me. Look out. Here I come, world!"

As before "promised"

2009-10-26T16:17:00.009-05:00

Here they are ... the pictures I mentioned in my previous post. But be warned ... there are many. (Click on the pictures to get a closer view.)

So ...

2009-10-26T11:29:00.009-05:00

I know what you're all thinking ... *Gasp* It's a- It's a-a-a post!!!!

Honestly, I'm kind of thinking the same thing. What has happened to the last month (over actually) since I last posted!? Do you ever have those times when you get this GREAT idea of something to post, but you're not home, or at least not around your computer, and then when you actually HAVE the time to post you think ... "Why was I going to post THAT?!" ... Yeah, that's kind of been my story the last many, many weeks. I've even taken pictures to post and then when I look at them I think, "Aww, that's kinda dumb."

But, here I am. Finally posting again on this poor abandoned blog. I've missed posting and missed hearing from all you guys. Your comments honestly brighten my days! So, leave me some. What are you all up to? But most importantly, what is God doing in your life? I do check your blogs when time permits, but I don't always have the time to sit and read a lot. But I'd love to know, and since there is a comment box ... well ... I'd shaw be grateful ta ya iffin ya used it. *wink*

Yesterday evening I rearranged my room ... well, actually it started Saturday night because Leah was feeling rearrange-y and rearrange-ied her room which inspired me to at least try my hand at this rearranging and *gasp* could I honestly mean ... Decorating! My ideas of decorating consist of pounding a nail in a wall and putting a picture on it or tacking something onto a bulletin board. Thankfully Leah's idea of decorating is something more like this. One of her great ideas that she shared with me, when I was trying to beautify said bulletin board was instead of using pins or tacks to pin pictures up, use old earrings. And instead of just having a bookshelf, light it up with a string of lights intertwined within and around the things on the shelves (actually, I just came up with that one just now, as I was sitting here typing, but it sounds like a Leah or Katie decorating thing.)

Anyway. That was just a little unnessiscary up-date for all ya wonderfully faithful readers out there. :) And just so ya know, there will be pictures ... eventually. Yes, I AM going to try to keep up on the blogging again. We'll see how that goes! Thanks for stopping by!

Just give 'em away

2009-09-08T19:57:00.002-05:00

So what do you do when you don't want to eat your veggies at the dinner or supper table? Well, you do what anybody else would do ... or at least what my little brother tried to do.

::~::Bath Salts and Bubble Bath::~::

2009-09-08T19:05:00.009-05:00

Bath Salts
*2 C. Epson's salts
*1 C. Sea salt, rock salt (ice cream salt) or coarse salt
*Food coloring
*1/4 tsp. Glycerin
*Essential oil for fragrance, such as vanilla, lavender, citrus or peppermint

**Combine salts in bowl and mix well. Add a couple drops of food coloring and mix well. Add glycerin and essential oil (4 or 5 drops) and mix well. Spoon salts into jars and close them. Make a gift tag with the scent (if you used one) and suggest using 1/3 to 1/2 C. in the bath. Makes 3 C. of bath salts.

Bubble Bath
*2 C. soup flakes or grated soap (two 4.5 oz. bars)
*1 Gallon water
*1/4 - 1/2 C. Glycerin
*2 C. shampoo or liquid dish washing detergent
*Scented oil of your choice

**Mix the soap flakes, water and 2 Tab. of Glycerin in a pot and set over low heat, stirring occasionally until the soap has dissolved (this liquid soap can be stored in a covered container and used as an all-purpose soap or hand soap in the kitchen). In a bowl, add 2 C. of this mixture to the rest of the glycerin (4 to 6 Tab. glycerin), shampoo and add a few drops of your scented oil. Put into a quart container and store covered at room temperature. When you're ready to bathe add about 1 C. to your tub as it's filling. If the soup or bubble bath turns into a gel simply put in pan and melt again on the stove.

***My notes: I didn't use scented oil in the bubble bath, because generally the shampoo I use is already scented. However, for a stronger scent I would add essential oil.

Peek!

2009-09-08T16:25:00.006-05:00

The puppies trying to crawl over the side of the "wall" now ... within a day or two we expect them to be able to get out. They are just too cute, so there are quite a few pictures.

Charlie

Gabe

GabeLeft to right: Charlie, Tavy, Gabe

See above.

Left to right: Charlie, Gabe, Tavy.

Apples

2009-09-08T16:20:00.002-05:00

Manly hands ...

2009-09-08T16:09:00.003-05:00

... Making yummy pizza.Sorry this one is a little white ... believe it or not, all of these pictures were taken in a rather dark room and required the flash.

Mercy

2009-09-03T09:53:00.003-05:00

Today ...
another dawn appeared. The sun in its striking fullness rose.
The songs of the cardinals broke forth heralding a reminder
of God's ordained declaration from the beginning of time --
Another Today!
To this we awoke, breathing ...
This is Mercy!

Yesterday ...
we struggled with our weaknesses, with the battle between our will and His, the warring of flesh and spirit. We struggled with our own selfishness and, maybe, we lost. A harsh word tumbled out, an old hurt or wound was unearthed, and the chill of doubt challenged our hearts. Wrong attitudes showed their ugly heads. Impatience and irritability wormed their way into our spirit and stealthily stole the joy of early dawn. A cloud of heaviness came over us, formidably unmoving and we even despaired. We battled with an aching body, a throbbing headache, the persistent pain of a chronic illness, and even a simple cold. We struggled with a loveless marriage and loneliness seemed our only companion. We labored with a fevered child, a wayward son or daughter. We wrestled with shattered dreams, the seemingly endless black hole of addiction and we thought we could not carry on.

Yet night came ...
and with it, the ancient display of majestic, twinkling splendor, and we remembered the omniscient One who flung these twinkling miracles into the heavens and called them all by name.

This morning ...
we came again and knelt, or simply stumbled from our bedroom to the kitchen, lifted up our voice and told *Him EVERYTHING. The One, the ancient "I AM" who aligned the planets and whirled the galaxies into space with pinpoint precision, the One who holds it all by the power of His word, our Redeemer, called us by name, and bent *His ear, and heard our cries!

This is Mercy!

By ~ Kate Marchiniak
Found in ~ Above Rubies ... Issue: Seventy-seven

* I capitalized these words.

Meet ...

2009-08-24T16:40:00.003-05:00

Chuckles ... the little rose Mama bought for me a few months back. She finally bloomed and she is so beautiful!!! I picked her and put her on the table to brighten up the Sunday dinner table.Right after I picked it I was feeling slightly "tropical" so I stuck it behind my ear ... just being silly.

Yes ... I AM posting three pictures of the same cup

2009-08-24T16:25:00.006-05:00

Why? Because I LOVE IT!!! A dear, sweet friend bought it for me (and one for herself). It is so fun to drink out of ... so very much fun, in fact, that I brought it to church Sunday and sipped tea out of it at church instead of using the Styrofoam cups. But, it reminds me of a little brick coffee shop and totally makes my day. So here I am, sharing it with you. In the pictures the cup is filled with sweet iced tea, as it was a little warm, but since it has held many cups of hot tea as well.

Will your car survive?

2009-08-17T15:31:00.004-05:00

I saw this at work today ... the kids are fond of taking stickers off of one thing and sticking them on other things. I couldn't help laughing. Things like "the car wash for the super dirty car ... if your car can make it through this car wash it's truly a muscle car ... for only the bravest of cars" ran through my mind. Apparently the car to the right of the picture, currently trapped under "car wash of doom", didn't survive.

Recipe by a 7-year-old

2009-08-17T15:26:00.002-05:00

Skittle and Peppermint Stew

Cut skittles in half and then stick different kinds together. And then put them in a bowl. Then break a peppermint stick in to pieces and put it in the bowl, too. And then put the bowl in the refrigerator, let it set for 4 minutes. Then the dessert is done.

How do you know you've been talking to little kids a lot?

2009-08-17T15:19:00.003-05:00

Well, it's when you get your laptop out, set it up on the table, and turn it on. Then you think that maybe you should plug it in. So you get out the power cord. But, as you try to unwrap it and try to plug it in you accidentally drop it. And what is your response? ... "Oops, bonk," said in your "Oh no. Sweetie got an owwie" voice. *Heaves a sigh and rolls eyes* Oh my.