Kitchen Talk

2 Oreo Desserts + 74 Cookies = Anniversary Meeting

2011-11-21T17:51:00.001-06:00

This past weekend was my church's Anniversary Meeting. We invited Elder Gary Harvey from Arkansas to preach to us. It was an AMAZING weekend. The Spirit of the Lord was with us, and I felt truly revived by Sunday afternoon. The preaching was greatly blessed, and the fellowship...well, there are not words to describe it. My soul is knit with these people, and I love each of them dearly.

Friday night my parents housed at least 10 people, myself included. We stayed up laughing and talking, and then awoke early Saturday morning to be at the meeting house at 10:00. The song service was rich, filled with praise to our Savior. Elder Sam Bryant of Vestavia PBC in Birmingham, AL, preached first, instructing us to "awake, thou that sleepest." He reminded us that the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And, he's smart - he doesn't prey on the strong; he'll go after the weak and sleeping sheep. He shared a story that goes like this:

A young Indian boy, before becoming a Brave, was required to solo climb a cold mountain. When he finally reached the top, he found a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake said, "Please, take me down to the bottom of this mountain. It's cold up here!" The young Indian boy replied, "You're a rattlesnake. You'll bite me!" The snake, in defense, said, "I promise, if you'll take me down this mountain, I will not bite you." So, the young Indian boy picked up the snake and took him down the mountain. As soon as he reached the bottom, the rattlesnake snapped, and bit him! The young boy, in sorrow, cried, "You promised you wouldn't bite me!" And the snake answered, "You Knew what I was when you picked me up."

Bro. Sam made the point that we often know exactly what troubles await us the moment we pick them up (drugs, porn, etc.), and choose to ignore them. That is why Peter tells us to "be sober" and "be vigilant". 1 Peter 5:8

Elder Gary Harvey followed Bro. Sam, and preached the remainder of the morning service, as well as the afternoon service. His subject matter was "Human Suffering". He said there are a lot of CRAZY ideas in the world, one of them being that "a loving God would not allow all the suffering in this world". Human suffering is NOT inconsistent with a loving God. Much suffering is the result of our own sin. Some suffering is for our own growth and maturity. He gave at least 5 Biblical examples of this. I'll give you two: sheep and oxen. Sheep are dumb. They like to wander from the fold and are easily led astray. Guess who God's children are compared to in the Bible? Yep, sheep. Sometimes, a shepherd will actually break a stubborn sheep's leg, to keep it from continually wandering from the other sheep. He does this to protect the sheep from wolves and lions. (See the parallel?) One more example...oxen. An ox is actually just a male calf who was castrated at birth (suffering, no?), and whose sole purpose is to work. He is trained to work by an older ox, and once he is completely trained, his sole joy is his work. His natural drive is taken away, that he may fulfill another purpose to the utmost. God's children are also compared to oxen. Fascinating, huh?

Saturday night we enjoyed another sweet evening of fellowship with the saints. And Sunday morning, Bro. Gary preached for us again, this time on the topic, "There is Still Much Land to Be Possessed".

Sermons have been uploaded to our church website: www.zionrestpbc.org. I encourage each of you to download and listen when you time. Below are a few pics from the weekend:

Oreo Dessert! (In-Progress at time of photo)

74 Chocolate-Chip Cookies (all devoured by Saturday night)

Group shot!

Great Weekend

2011-11-13T17:26:00.001-06:00

Please excuse me if this post seems scattered. I have lots of things on my mind. Friday I seemed to experience a variety of emotion. I found myself thinking of all the veterans who have selflessly served our country and defended our freedoms - friends and family in their twenties and thirties, as well as the ninety-three year old deacon in our church who can remember vivid details of his World War II service in the Pacific. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. Happy Veterans Day.

Bro. Charles G. Kitchens and me

I also found myself overwhelmed by the Total Depravity of man. Friends and I at work discussed the scandal at Penn State, and it is utterly despicable and disheartening. We should all be in prayer for the victims and their families during this tough time. I can only look to the Righteous God we serve during times as these.

Then, Friday night, my mom and I went to see October Baby at the movie theater. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is an amazing story of the gift of life and the power of forgiveness. At 18, the protagonist, Hannah, discovers that she was adopted as a baby after a failed abortion attempt. You will be moved as she makes her journey. The showing in Birmingham was a limited release. Hopefully, it will hit theaters everywhere in the spring. Pray that funds are raised to distribute this film throughout the USA. Many of the scenes were filmed in Birmingham and other locations in Alabama. In fact, several friends are sitting in the scene at the theater.

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful fall day in Alabama. I assisted my mother and brother-in-law to rid our yard of leaves. The end result was a Great Wall of Leaves that resembled a fortress for the outer boundaries. Where is a Four-Year Old to jump in the pile when you need him/her?

And today, I heard the beginning to an amazing series of sermons by my pastor. It is titled "The Importance of Godly Parenting". I was convicted, encouraged, and inspired. I can't wait for the rest. Check them out at www.zionrestpbc.org.

Yes, it has been a wonderful weekend.

Thoughts from Isaiah

2011-10-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do some reading in Isaiah. I'm currently on September 17th in my One Year Bible (KJV), but sadly I'm not a month behind. To be quite honest, I believe I'm on year 3 trying to work my way through. Pitiful, I know. But, maybe this will be the year to finish, and I can begin again next year.

I read Isaiah 25:1-28:13. But, I was particularly struck by 25:4,8-9 and 26:3-4. They are below:

25:4 - For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

25:9 - And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

26:4 - Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

The last month has been trying. I can think of at least 6 funerals that I have attended for friends, and friends of friends. I have known of several others. Many others I know are facing difficult circumstances, whether it be illness or something else. Verses 4 and 8 provide such comfort and encouragement! Even when we've heard it o're and 'ore, Christ told even John the Baptist's disciples, "go and tell John again." We're a forgetful people. We need reminding. God said HE would be our strength. HE would be our refuge. And not only that, but death itself is swallowed up in victory. Though we often say "So and so lost the fight", truthfully, they won a great victory, for their tears are forever wiped away now, and they are dwelling in joy with Christ their Savior.

Verses 3 and 4 in chapter 26 reiterate the point again. When we trust in the Lord, He gives us peace. It's so easy in this world to become distracted, but when we keep our focus on Him, and completely trust Him, He provides peace. I can think of sweet moments when I have been frazzled, and prayed to the Lord, and before even saying "Amen," I could already feel a sense of peace. It's one of His many promises to us. And I'm so thankful.

ALA | Banned Books Week

2011-09-29T23:20:00.000-05:00

ALA | Banned Books Week

Hello friends. It has been a long time. I have no excuse, other than I really have not been on my computer much over the last several months. My iphone has proven quite helpful in that area. But, enough of that. I came across this article today, and I wanted to share it.

Did you know that it is Banned Books Week? Yes, yes it is.

I was curious to see - what books have made the list? Have I read any of them? Would I consider them controversial? Unfortunately, it was difficult to find an all-inclusive list of all books that have been challenged or banned. But I did come across a list of "classic" banned books. Books that many of us have read and/or were required to read in school. You may notice that some of the numbers skip. Originally this was a list of Radcliffe's Rival 100 Best Novels. If a number/book is missing, it hasn't been challenged or banned. So, to fill you with random knowledge, below is the list:

1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger 3. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck - read in 12th grade
4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee - read in 9th grade
5. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
6. Ulysses, by James Joyce
7. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
8. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding - read in 9th(?) grade
9. 1984, by George Orwell
11. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov
12. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
15. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
16. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
17. Animal Farm, by George Orwell - read in 9th grade
18. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
19. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner
20. A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway
23. Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
24. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
25. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
26. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell
27. Native Son, by Richard Wright
28. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey
29. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
30. For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway
33. The Call of the Wild, by Jack London
36. Go Tell it on the Mountain, by James Baldwin
38. All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren 40. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien - read last year
45. The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair - read as a sophomore in college
48. Lady Chatterley's Lover, by D.H. Lawrence
49. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
50. The Awakening, by Kate Chopin
53. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote
55. The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie
57. Sophie's Choice, by William Styron
64. Sons and Lovers, by D.H. Lawrence
66. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
67. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles
73. Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs
74. Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh
75. Women in Love, by D.H. Lawrence
80. The Naked and the Dead, by Norman Mailer
84. Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller
88. An American Tragedy, by Theodore Dreiser
97. Rabbit, Run, by John Updike

Southernisms

2011-03-25T22:48:00.000-05:00

A dear sister in our church and I have been going back and forth for a couple of weeks now describing our past week with "southernisms" as I'll call them. Then, we try to describe what they mean. We wind up just laughing and laughing. Here's a few we've come up with:

Middlin' - this means to just be doing fair. You don't feel great, but you don't feel poor either. It's somewhere in the middle, thus you are middlin'.

Piddlin' - this means to be doing something with no particular purpose. Twidlin' your thumbs is a perfect example. Whitlin' is another example. I'll cover both these next.

Twidlin' - twirling something, usually in reference to your thumbs. But I suppose it could be any other object as well.

Whitlin' - this term is used most often in reference to wood and cutting away at it with a knife. I think it probably originally comes from the word "whetting", which means to sharpen. Most people are "whitlin" with no particular purpose, thus they are "piddlin' while they're whitlin".

Fiddlin' - this term has two meanings. It could mean to play a musical instrument, namely the fiddle. Or, it could mean to attempt to fix an object. You may fiddle with a radio, a car, or anything else electronic or mechanical.

Which words have I forgotten? Do you have a different definition for some of these? Please do share!

Shuttle Discovery Launches!

2011-02-24T22:33:00.000-06:00

Latest Space Shuttle News

Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on Final Voyage

It was a bittersweet moment when I saw this article today. The Shuttle Discovery has launched successfully for its 39th and last time.

I have always loved reading and learning about the space program. I suppose I come by it naturally. My dad loves looking up at the stars at night, as do I. And since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of traveling to space. How amazing must it be to look on our tiny earth and see the immensity of space. I cannot imagine orbiting the earth and not thinking of our amazing Creator nonstop. But, alas, science was not my best subject.

For my entire life I have only know the shuttle program. I have seen its joys as we have built the International Space Station (ISS), and its sorrows when we lost the Challenger and the Columbia. I know the technology it has brought the U.S., and the advances it has made in science. Some of the most basic tech tools we have today are a result of the space program.

So, reading this article was bittersweet. The Discovery will be retired when it returns, eventually making its way to the Smithsonian Museum, where it can long be treasured and admired. And, after Atlantis and Endeavor make their journeys this year, they, too, will be retired. And the shuttle program will end. And since President Obama has cut back on funding for NASA and instead encouraged the private sector to take over, it may be a long time before we return to space.

It is my prayer and desire that this mindset be changed, and we return to the heavens soon. Thank you, Discovery, for all you have done. You and your crews have served your country well. May God bless the current crew, and return you safely home.

**Thanks to nasa.gov for the use of the picture. This is a picture of the lift-off this morning. Below picture also from nasa.gov.

The Story of Jonah

2011-02-22T23:57:00.001-06:00

Let the Countdown Begin

2011-02-19T23:36:00.000-06:00

4 months until Singing School. Get excited.

Crazy Love

2011-02-18T23:09:00.002-06:00

Tonight I went to dinner at Nabeel's. It's almost becoming a weekly tradition. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere takes you to somewhere else. Somewhere in the Mediterranean. I like it, though, because I can simply bring a book or two and read while eating something fantastic.

So, I brought my One Year KJV Bible and the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I have not followed the "days" at all, so I'm reading somewhere in June. Before reading, I asked God to reveal whatever I needed in his Word. And He did. Of course He did. I read 1 Kings 19:1-21. It tells the story of Elijah, who after defeating the prophets of Baal, runs away from Jezebel. He tells the Lord how hard he has worked and that only he is left among his servants. And God reveals himself to Elijah in a small voice. Elijah repeats the same words, and God tells him to go anoint Elisha. Usually the focus of this story is that God had 7,000 others who had not bowed down to Baal. But, tonight I focused in on the fact that God sent Elijah to anoint Elisha. At one of Elijah's weakest moments, God reminds him that he is raising up servants to serve the Lord. He is not the only one right now, nor will the ministry die with him. What a comforting thought!

Then, I started the 2nd chapter of my book, Crazy Love. I can already tell that it is going to be a perfect accompaniment to the Bible Study I started on Tuesday night. The first chapter was all about re-discovering God. Realizing just how awesome He is. If you haven't seen this, you should really take a few minutes to watch the video below:

Pretty amazing, right? That doesn't even do it justice.

The 2nd chapter, then, is all about death. That may seem strange, but Chan points you to the fact that the "Movie of Life" is not about you. It's about God. He makes this parallel. If you were an extra in a movie, and only your head was seen for about a second, yet you rented the entire movie theater out so people could see it, they would think you were crazy. The movie obviously isn't about you. And so it is with life. We are here for a fraction of a second, and our entire purpose is to glorify God. That's what it's all about (not the hokey pokey...sorry, I couldn't resist). Let us be about our Father's business.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Colossians 3:2,17

Birmingham Sunset

2011-02-17T00:40:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about seeing God in the nature all around us. I've always known that to be true, but I've really tried to dwell on it lately and not miss it. It's so easy for a day to pass by and truly miss all the beauty that surrounds us and testifies of a magnificent Creator.

Tonight, as I travelled to Jasper, I couldn't help but be amazed at the sunset right before my eyes. Now that spring is approaching, I don't leave work in the dark. I can actually see the sun in its waning moments. Sunsets are absolutely beautiful. They leave you speechless and completely inspired. Whether it's trying to comprehend the light itself or the magnitude of its size, or trying to count the many colors the sunset inspires - purples, blues, pinks, oranges - it all points back to Christ. He is our light. He sees and knows each of us individually. He loves us.

Food Court Surprise!

2010-12-13T14:41:00.001-06:00

How fun would that be? A LOT! Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a Saviour is born."

Gift Exchange

2010-12-09T23:39:00.001-06:00

I have a Christmas party to attend tomorrow night where we are having a gift exchange. There will be males and females there from ages 22 to 50+. So, what do I get? Oddly enough, I found it hard to find a good list of " great gifts for both genders under $15-$20". I wandered around the mall tonight for a while, and came up with a list of my own. Hope it helps anyone else out there struggling for an idea!

1. Blanket/throw (I gave this last year and it went over well.)
2. Ornament
3. Flash drive
4. Hand sanitizer, lotion. (my gift this year - perhaps slightly on the girlie side, but who can't use hand sanitizer, especially during the flu season?)
5. Serving pieces (nice platters, cake knives, salad tossers, etc.)
6. Movie package (vouchers or DVD rentals)
7. Cocoa and mugs
8. Homemade gift, for the artsy types! Someone did a painting last year that was a big hit.
9. Magic 8 ball? Magnetic poetry? Rubix cube? These just came to me spontaneously. You probably wouldn't buy it for yourself, but you know you can't refuse to pick one up if someone else has it and just play with it.
10. And of course, if nothing else, gift cards are always wildly popular. Chic-fil-a was a popular one last year for grabs. Any restaurants or coffee places are great.

What ideas do you have? Comments? Thoughts?

All Clean

2010-12-07T17:35:00.001-06:00

Last night I got in a cleaning mood. I came home from work about 6:00 and I cleaned until my phone rang at 9:00. I...

washed the dishes
laundered my bed sheets and clothes
cleaned the fabric softener dispenser, which was starting to look gummy
wiped my counters (AND) polished them - Ok, so I cheated. It's a cleaner/polisher solution all-in-one.
Disenfected and Sanitized my sink, toilet, and tub
Scrubbed my bathroom floors (think Cinderella...on the floor on my hands and knees scrubbing)
Dusted all my furniture
Vacuumed my floors

It was a very productive evening! I felt much better sitting down and relaxing after that, and not somewhat lazy as I usually do. :-)

It also probably didn't hurt that I had Pandora Radio blaring over my phone for the entire 3 hours. It helps pass the time so much more quickly. It was set to my favorite customized station - Blackbird Radio. LOVE it. You should check out Pandora for yourself here.

Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com.

Thanksgiving

2010-12-03T14:36:00.000-06:00

I would say that I am late, but it is never to late to give thanks. I have so many things to be thankful for. If I tried to list them all, I don't think I could. But, it is so important to make every effort as often as possible to give thanks and see what the Lord has done in our lives. If we fail to remember, it will be easy to forget. So, without further delay, a wee glimpse of my thanks:

Family - immediate, extended, church...I love them all.
Friends whose love is unconditional
Living in the United States of America - still the greatest country in the world to live, though I pray for it daily.
My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his gift of hope to each and every one of his children. Without this solid hope, I would be lost many days.
Chic-Fil-A - My food pyramid some weeks really does consist of 1) Chic-Fil-A, and 2) everything else.
Sweet Tea
Music
The Written Word and the Preached Word
Blankets and Gas Heaters
Health
Grace

So many more...The Lord has been so good to me, I want to sing his praise, I want to glorify his name, all my remaining days.

Abide with Me

2010-12-02T22:30:00.001-06:00

I feel as though I have been in a spiritual rut for the past year. I knew I needed to come back to Jesus. "Draw near to me, and I will draw near unto you." But, I felt myself turning farther and farther away.

The Monday before my church's anniversary meeting, as I was walking on the treadmill listening to one of my playlists in my iPod, I heard the song by Third Day, "I've Always Loved You". I was struck by the words - "Though you turn away, I tell you still, Don't you know I've always loved you? And I always will." The song is written as if spoken by Christ, and I felt like I could hear what he was trying to tell me. "I love you. I always have. Why are you turning away? Come back beloved."

Then, on Wednesday night at church we sang this hymn, "Abide With Me". I've sung this hundreds of times probably, and never truly paid attention to the words.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Again, it was like Christ was speaking to me. And, if he was speaking to me through these songs, then when the meeting arrived and the sermons were preached, I think he actually grabbed me and shook me! I had been praying all week for the meeting to be blessed, but I was still amazed that God blessed ME. I felt as if the messages were being preached directly to me. I was humbled and awed. And renewed. And thankful. It was exactly what I needed. Rebuke, exhortation, encouragement.

The Lord is good and very good. Praise his holy name.

Halloween Pics!

2010-11-23T11:32:00.001-06:00

Yes, I'm a little late - such is my life these days. But, I wanted to share these pics. I haven't carved a pumpkin in about 4 years, but I was invited to a carving party this year and had a ton of fun. I love being creative when I have the time. I decided to go with a spider, and was quite happy at the spooky effect it had in the dark.

Mark of the Beast?

2010-11-09T14:59:00.000-06:00

Look out, your medicine is watching you | Reuters

Well, probably not exactly. But, it is disturbing that these "chips" are becoming closer and closer to a reality. Stomach today, wrist tomorrow.

I think if I eat Chic-Fil-A every other day, that's my own business. And they can get my vitals the old fashioned way. No, thank you, big brother.

Whew...that was a long break!

2010-11-05T22:57:00.001-05:00

It seems I have been away for a few months. And I have missed you. So, let me explain...

Sometime after my last post, my computer decided to go CRAZY on me. It started by shutting down on its own. And failing every time I wanted to run media, or a large application. Seeing as my lappy is eight years old, I began to be concerned. So, I researched my little problem. I discovered after searching several sites that it appears that my screen is trying to go bad...something about the battery being next to the driver and over time it just goes bad. As unfortunate as this sounds, I began to feel very blessed the more I read. Most owners had lost their screens within 3 years. And the manufacturer had stopped making a replacement at this point. So, as I said, having had mine for 8 years, I felt very blessed. But, all this information didn't solve my problem. I disabled my driver, but now my screen will often appear in a checker-board pattern. And, it appears the only solution will be to break down and buy a new lappy. This has not happened yet.

So, my computer spends most of its days looking pretty on my desk, untouched. I'm hoping for some good holiday sales. Some REALLY GOOD holiday sales.

And then, I will return. (Or post from an alternative computer.) Until then, my apologies.

What Does a Raven Have in Common with a Writing Desk? Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-08T22:27:00.001-06:00

I really appreciate the vision of Tim Burton. Ever since I saw the first announcement that he was re-making Alice in Wonderland, I have been super excited. I knew it had potential. Tim Burton has a reputation for darker, edgier, creative, artistic visions and an amazing talent for making it all beautifully come together. The story of Alice in Wonderland lends itself to all of these things. A hookah-smoking caterpillar, talking flowers, a mad hatter, a talking rabbit, a queen who loves to take the heads of unloving, unthankful, unobeying servants, and a young girl who finds herself in the middle of this strange land.

And, you ask, did he succeed? Yes, most wonderfully. If I had any disappointment, it was that he didn't take his vision futher, deeper. He created a beautiful, confusing, mad, mad world, that at the same time helped our young heroine find her own way back in her real life. I think that is what I appreciated most. He took Alice and gave her journey through Wonderland meaning. She wasn't just visiting a strange Wonderland, she was exploring her own values, decision-making capabilities, and her inner strength. But, you don't have to get bogged down in the deep-thinking aspects if that is not your thing; you can simply appreciate a well-made, funny movie. Even the approximately four year old beside me was chanting, "Off with her head!" You will fall in love with the Mad Hatter, and find yourself wishing to return.

I give it an A+ and cannot wait to get it on video.

In keeping with Women's History Month, I must highlight three notable performances: Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Absolutely amazing performances. Each completely nailed her role.

And of course, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter must be mentioned. Charming, adorably crazy, perfect.

Women's History Month

2010-03-05T00:13:00.000-06:00

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? I didn't. Maybe I did, and it had gotten lost in my brain somewhere. But, now it knows. So, what can I offer to honor this month? A book recommendation, of course. :-)

Many years ago a dear friend of mine recommended I read 5 books by one of my now-favorite authors, Francine Rivers. These 5 books comprised the Lineage in Grace series. Each book tells the story of one of the women listed in the lineage of Christ - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. First, if you haven't already, go read each of these women's stories in the KJV Bible. What better way could you kick off Women's History Month than to read about the amazing women in the Bible? They are a few of several examples for us, for good and bad, after all. Then, when you are finished, go buy, borrow, etc. these books. If I remember correctly, they are written from a 1st person perspective, giving you an idea of what it may have been like to have been each of these women - what they might have been thinking, feeling, circumstances, etc. These are things we should think about each time we read the Bible, but we rarely do. Put yourself in their shoes. What would your thoughts have been? The Bible isn't outdated. We are just like each of them. What a wonderful blessing to be able to learn from them.

New Music

2010-02-27T21:50:00.001-06:00

I love music. My tastes are various. Lately I've been digging the sounds of a well-played acoustic guitar, violin, and upright bass (think Act of Congress or Nickel Creek). But, on another day, you may catch me listening to Fleetwood Mac or Jim Croce. And on others, it's a 90's Christian kind of day with the likes of Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay, and DC Talk. And let's not forget acapella, instrumental, etc. This list could go on and on. So, this week, I bought some new music. I have been wanting these CDs for months, and well, Barnes and Noble was having a VERY good sale. :-)

She & Him is the work of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. You may recognize the name of Zooey from the movies - Elf, Failure to Launch, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Her voice is silky smooth, and unlike anything my generation typically hears. It takes me back to a sound reminiscent of perhaps The Andrew Sisters. It's a clean album, with beautiful, unique poetry. It's something you should check out. :-)

I bought the first Glory Revealed cd a couple years ago. This collaborative effort, led by Mac Powell of Third Day, puts the Word of God to music. Verses from all throughout the Bible are sung by these various artists. It's a great way to worship in your car, in your house, where ever you are. I love Christian music, but I especially love that this is taken directly from the Bible. What better things could you listen to?

So check them out. Let me know what you think!

Avatar

2010-02-17T00:30:00.000-06:00

I finally joined the masses and went to see Avatar yesterday at the recommendation of a Mr. Logan G., among others. I went with a friend to the 11:15 am 3D showing, hoping to get a matinee price, which we did. But, being 3D, it only helped a little.

Everyone I had spoken to did not have much to say about the plot, but rather spoke about the beauty of this film. And I have to agree - this is a beautiful film. James Cameron's creativity and terrific cinematography shine through, and the actors portraying the various characters were spot on.

Pandora is a beautiful world, and whether you consider yourself a tree-hugger or not, I think saving Pandora and it's native people is a cause you can get behind. Think, saving the rainforest. Have you ever heard anyone say, "No, we should destroy the rainforest. Destroy, destroy!" No. Why? Because of the diverse life that lives there, and the possiblities it holds to cure diseases, etc. There are other plot depths that make this an interesting film and has probably fueled additional controversy, but I think it's worth seeing for yourself and making the decision.

And do go see it in the theater. Even if it's the dollar theater. You want to see it at its biggest and fullest.

Snow Day!

2010-02-12T18:44:00.000-06:00

I stayed up until midnight last night - no snow. I awoke at 7:00 am - no snow. And then, all of a sudden, the beautiful, cold, whiteness, each flake completely unique, began to slowly descend at 10:00 am, right on time. The office was mostly quiet until that moment, and then the excitement grew and grew. We could hardly tear ourselves away from the windows. It was SNOWING! We had an inch within an hour. All I wanted to do was run out and play in it. And, at noon, I did just that. Our office closed early, and I went to my apartment, stunned by the beautiful winter wonderland that surrounded me. I saw God all around me, in this white, still, quiet world. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow...Isaiah 1:18.

**I guess with 49 of the 50 United States being covered with snow, we should all start to be really worried about global warming.**

Completely & Officially Tied & Knotted

2010-02-11T22:52:00.004-06:00

My dearest sister has married her best friend, my new brother. I don't have any pictures yet (we are anxiously awaiting!), but as their own personal paparazzi for the last several years...here's a few of them for you to enjoy from my archives.

Lilies That Fester

2010-02-02T12:17:00.004-06:00

I read some of Shakespeare's Sonnets last night, and I happened upon the following:

XCIV

They that have power to hurt and will do none,
That do not do the thing they most do show,
Who, moving others, are themselves as stone,
Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow,
They rightly do inherit heaven's graces
And husband nature's riches from expense;
They are the lords and owners of their faces,
Others but stewards of their excellence.
The summer's flower is to the summer sweet,
Though to itself it only live and die,
But if that flower with base infection meet,
The basest weed outbraves his dignity:
For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds;
Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.

–William Shakespeare

I was especially moved by those last two lines. What an apt description of the importance of our conversation - our behavior, our conduct, our speech. These things require daily tending. And we must always be aware of the temptations lurking at our door.

It's a new day, it's a new dawn

2010-01-18T21:39:00.003-06:00

I started reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers on Jan. 1st of this year. Each day has a short, one-page devotional with an excerpt from scripture included. A friend gave me this book several years ago, and I have read several passages from it, but I have never read it all the way through, each day for a whole year. I hope to shares passages as they inspire me, encourage me, convict me...as they teach me. The very first one of these was on Jan. 4th:

"When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you..."

This devotion spoke specifically to waiting on God. Do not try to rush God or act before He would have you to act. If you are uncertain, wait. God may be trying to teach you something. Mr. Chambers gave the example of Peter in the Bible. Peter said he was ready to give his life for Christ, and Christ told him he would deny him three times that night - because God knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. Peter needed to be converted first.

I have been thinking over these words, and particulary the phrase "blank space", for several days now. (I guess 14 days to be exact!) When it seems like you have been sitting on the bench game after game (can I use a sports analogy as a female?), it's reassuring to read that God knows exactly where you are and who you are, and try to learn in the blank space.

I'm happy! Are you happy?

2009-12-18T09:08:00.003-06:00

Happiest States Revealed by New Research

Is it any surprise that 6 of the top 10 happiest states are in the South?? Have you ever met anyone living in the South that said, "Gee, I really wish I lived somewhere else. " I don't think so.

We have the best of the best. Four seasons. Grits. Fried food, and just good home cookin' in general. Trees of all shapes and sizes. Hospitality. And thousands of other things.

I'm so thankful to live in my happy state.

With a Grateful Heart

2009-11-11T22:29:00.003-06:00

Thanks to all my Heroes. Thanks to those who have given me my freedom and who keep me free. Thanks for your service and selfless devotion. Thanks for all the many things words can't express.

You are not forgotten.

Poetry Ceilidh via The Beehive!

2009-11-10T13:04:00.003-06:00

Eletelephony

By: Laura Richards

Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant-
No! No! I mean an elephone
Who tried to use the telephone-

(Dear me! I am not certain quite
That even now I've got it right.)
Howe'er it was, he got his trunk
Entangled in the telephunk;

The more he tried to get it free,
The louder buzzed the telephee-
(I fear I'd better drop the song
Of elephop and telephong!)

Thanks to the Beehive for suggesting this poetic week! This is one of my favorite poems from childhood. I am so very thankful to my first grade teacher, Mrs. Peccorino, for introducing me to it, and making us copy a poem each morning. Your class stands out among all the rest for your devotion to creative writing.

Daylight Savings

2009-11-02T22:27:00.003-06:00

Twas a quarter 'til five when I looked out the window,
And there I was met with a great reminder.
Our summer has ended, long days are gone.
Winter is upon us - shorter, colder, and dimmer.

High Places

2009-10-29T09:05:00.003-05:00

God setteth the solitary in families... (vs. 6)

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (vs. 19)

-From Psalm 68

Ponder that for just a moment. Let it fill you up inside. The Almighty God of the universe doesn't leave us alone. He places us in families. He gives us brothers and sisters. He doesn't want us to wander through this world alone. Our pilgrimage is not to be isolated. We have a family. Families, to be exact. I have families sweetly settled in Jasper, Tuscaloosa, Akron, Birmingham, Orlando, Dallas, all throughout the U.S., the Phillippines, Kenya, Tanzania...EVERYWHERE!

And not only does he bless us with families, but he daily loadeth us with benefits! I cannot begin to comprehend the innumerable blessings the Lord grants me each and every day, from the seen to the unseen.

What a mighty, merciful God we serve and love because he first loved us.

Music to Motivate

2009-10-27T23:36:00.003-05:00

As I was flipping through my ipod Sunday evening on the way home, listening to an assortment of songs, I decided it was time to make use of my playlists in iTunes. There are several songs I flip to on a regular basis to get motivated, praise Jesus, and renew my inner man. Thus, tonight, I created the playlist, "Christian Motivation". (Although, I've decided I like the title I gave this blog post even better. So, I might have to change it.)

I'm a HUGE fan of Christian music from the late 90's and early part of this decade. I think I have almost every Point of Grace CD, and several CDs from Third Day, Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Twila Paris, etc. I'm constantly adding to the collection. Because you can never have too much Christian music, right? Right.

So, I thought I would share my newly created playlist in its current form. It may change, but this is how it looks right now. If you have never heard some of these, I highly recommend you do so. Let me know what you think, and be sure to share your favorites with me.

Song Name - Artist - Album

1. Who Am I - Point of Grace (Steady On Album)
2. I've Always Loved You - Third Day (Time)
3. By His Wounds - Various (Glory Revealed)
4. Son of Man - Eden's Bridge (The Best of Celtic Praise & Worship)
5. Ocean Floor - Audio Adrenaline (Greatest Hits Album)
6. Because You Are - Point of Grace (How You Live)
7. Nothing Compares - Third Day (Offerings II)
8. I Surrender All - Clay Crosse - (WOW: The 90's Album)
9. What If His People Prayed - Casting Crowns - (Casting Crowns)
10. You Are the Answer - Point of Grace - (Life, Love, & Other Mysteries)
11. God of Wonders - Third Day - (Offerings II)
12. In Remembrance of Me - Cheri Keaggy - (My Faith Will Stay)
13. The House That Mercy Built - Point of Grace - (The Whole Truth)
14. All the Heavens - Third Day - (Offerings I)
15. What Did He Die For - Twila Paris - (Where I Stand)
16. Waters Gone By - Shawn Lewis - (Glory Revealed)
17. Crucified with Christ - Phillips, Craig, & Dean - (WOW: The 90's Album)
18. Sometimes By Step - Rich Mullins - (WOW: The 90's Album)
19. Jesus Freak - DC Talk - (Jesus Freak)
20. Any Road, Any Cost - Point of Grace - (Life, Love, & Other Mysteries)
21. Good Life - Audio Adrenaline - (Underdog)
22. Better Days - Point of Grace - (Steady On)

The Color of Leaves

2009-10-25T23:06:00.005-05:00

The leaves have turned magnificent shades of yellow, orange, and red just overnight it seems. It began about two weeks ago, but with this sudden cold snap this weekend, the colors just burst forth. It is so easy to overlook when we see it every year, but it truly is marvelous. This past week we had the great privilege of not only hearing Elder Martin Onyani from Kisii, Kenya, preach to us, but he also stayed in my parents' home. The equator runs through Kenya, and Elder Martin has never been outside Kenya or Tanzania until this past week. He was amazed at the colors of the leaves. He asked Dad, "What makes the leaves change color?" Dad's reply: "God." (As Elder Harold Hunt has said, "The Gospel is simply profound, and profoundly simple.")

So, I started thinking about Elder Martin's question. Usually, we tie the seasonal changes of the leaves to the time periods in our life. In the spring, new life buds forth, and full growth is in the summer. Then, in the fall the leaves fade, just as we grow older, and in the winter, the leaves die and fall to the ground. And, we even take that further. Some leaves fall "early", just as some of us leave this earth at tender ages. And some hang on until the very last days of winter. I was pondering all these things this afternoon, and then I took it another step.

I decided that perhaps the color of the leaves represent something, too, about our "older" age. For example, the brown leaves are the crusty, bitter older people who always seem to be in a sour mood. Not very pretty, nor fun to be around. Then, you have your red leaves - those people who are firecrackers. Always telling you exactly what's on their mind. Or the orange ones, the mellow ones, cool and content. And let's not forget the yellows. Bright and cheerful, bubbling over with excitement and energy.

I'm hoping to be more yellow and orange when I get older. How about you?

Readings

2009-09-24T00:08:00.002-05:00

Hosea 11

(7) And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

(8) How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

(9) I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

In three verses we have both man's complete depravity and God's innumerable mercy. Truly, the whole book of Hosea is about God's people turning their back on Him and worshipping idols. They seek fulfillment in the world, and have forgotten their Maker. God tells His people through Hosea that judgment is coming. But, ah, look at verses 8 and 9! Admah and Zeboim were cities that were destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. God says he will not execute the fierceness of His anger. He will not destroy his people, as with Admah, Zeboim, Sodom, and Gomorrah. And why? Because He is God, and not man. What a truly marvellous thought in seven words.

I Dreamed A Dream

2009-09-14T21:27:00.002-05:00

Initially, I was in a car with my cop partner. Suddenly, we were chasing a car through downtown Birmingham, following it until it stopped at a small hole-in-the-wall diner. I was the only one who had gone unnoticed, so the task fell to me to go in and make the arrest. I walked into the diner, and moments later, the crooks were in custody.

Suddenly, I was hiking a long, long journey. I did not know my destination. Only that the journey was to be long. My companions and I made a small camp fire and had a meager dinner. The next night we found ourselves camping in a Wal-Mart. I searched for the perfect spot to watch the Alabama football game. Instead of watching it on the big screen tvs, I had to resort to watching it on a smaller screen. And the cost of a coke was ridiculous - $4.75.

Then I awoke.

And this is what I really did over the last couple of days:

Thursday night I watched Police Women of Broward County on tv.
Saturday I went to Walmart to pick up a few items, and watched football games at home later that day.
And, at various points throughout the weekend and over the last week I have been reading The Fellowship of the Ring - they just started their journey South.

Coincidence? No, afraid not. It happens quite often. My reality often gets mixed with my dreams. Confusing at times? Sometimes.

My Life According to Alison Krauss & Union Station

2009-09-10T19:51:00.003-05:00

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions.

Pick your Artist: Alison Krauss & Union Station

Are you a male or female: Molly Ban

Describe yourself: The Lucky One

How do you feel: Restless

Describe where you currently live: Bright Sunny South

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Faraway Land

Your favorite form of transportation: Choctaw Hayride

Your best friend is: Crazy As Me

You and your best friends are: Missing You

What's the weather like: Rain Please Go Away

Favorite time of day: Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Crazy Faith

What is life to you: A Living Prayer

Your last/current relationship: You're Just A Country Boy

Your fear: Every Time You Say Goodbye

What is the best advice you have to give: Forget About It

Thought for the Day: How's the World Treating You

How I would like to die: My Poor Old Heart

My soul's present condition: Happiness

Most Faithful Companion: But You Know I Love You

My motto: Wouldn't Be So Sad

He Found My Accusations Amusing

2009-08-26T08:42:00.006-05:00

Time: August 23rd, Sunday night, 9:30-ish
Place: Wendy's

Table of Stone: Yes, I would like two small fries and a small Frosty.
Cashier: That was two small fries and a Frosty?
Table of Stone: Yep.
Cashier: That will be $5.72.
Me: WHAT??? $5.72??? He must have gotten something wrong. There is NO WAY it could be $5.72. I thought we ordered 99 cent items. Even with tax that doesn't add up to $5.72. I'm going to ask him about it.
Table: Yeah, that doesn't make any sense!

We discuss this until we reach the window, while our friend in the car behind us is laughing. I'm reminiscing my college days when I could pay for a Frosty with change collected in my car. For you "young folk" out there, that was before a Frosty could be "vanilla", or mixed with oreos. If my total is $5.72, I figure I might should ask if he gave us chocolate, since we didn't specify, even though everyone knows that a TRUE Frosty is chocolate.

Me: How much is your Frosty these days? (trying to sound nonchalant, but having a slight edge nonetheless)
Cashier: (smirking behind the counter) It's $1.75.
Me AND Table of Stone: THAT is OUTRAGEOUS! When did they get so expensive? We thought they were still 99 cents. I'm sorry, this is not your fault. You do not have any control over this. We're just shocked.
Cashier: (not responding, but trying desperately not to laugh)

So, we drive away. With our two small fries and single Frosty. I could have bought a whole meal for $5.72.

I Don't Get It

2009-07-29T10:27:00.004-05:00

WHY do they always have the Food Network channel on the t.v. in the women's locker room at the YMCA? Why must I always listen to Rachel Ray or Paula Deen whipping up something delicious right before I go do my yoga thing? Does someone think it is good motivation? A new torture technique being tested?

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the Food Network. I love watching Iron Chef and the amazing cake competitions. Perhaps I'm even subconsciously hoping that some of it will sink in and make me a better cook.

But, I'd rather not watch it while I'm about to sweat and try to avoid too many delicious sweets, like the petifores and green icing that Mrs. Deen was preparing yesterday.

On a different note, I haven't given a yoga update lately, so I thought I would give a brief update on my progress. I had to skip most of June due to various engagements, and boy did I feel it when I returned! We have a new instructor on Thursday nights, and I absolutely love the change. She has been focused the last couple of weeks on really strengthening our core, which is essential to yoga. My abs are sore the next day, but it's a good kind of sore. My arm strength is still not where I would like it to be, but it is so much better than a year ago when I began yoga. (Has it really been a year?? Wow.) She is also really encouraging, and I end up laughing at myself as I attempt some of the various, more difficult poses. Poses I would have sworn were impossible, but I keep pushing myself in the hope that one day I can reach the full expression of them. Like this one. Or this one. It's a building process, so you don't just go straight into them. You work your way into them. Or, attempt to anyways.

Yep. Maybe one day...

These conversations are my favorite

2009-07-24T16:48:00.002-05:00

On the way home from church Wednesday night, the following conversation was started:

Austin: Who would win in battle, Harry Potter or Optimus Prime? I don't think Avada Kedavra would work on Optimus.

Me: Well, Harry wouldn't use Avada Kedavra anyways.

Austin: Optimus has the big cannon, so you would have to stop that.

Brett: What if Harry used Petrificalous (? - the petrifying one)

Me: I don't think that would work either. I think it only works on organisms - living things. Optimus is made of metal.

Brett: Could he use Reducto?

Me: That could work. Just make him a lot smaller.

Austin: He still has the cannon. What's the spell Professor Umbridge used to make the wall explode? Harry might could use that on Optimus.

Brett: I think Harry would win.

Austin: I think Optimus would win.

It went silent for a moment.

2009-07-22T10:04:00.002-05:00

Or, at least, that's what is sounded like in my head. Yesterday, I stepped up to the counter at Chic-Fil-A, my favorite restaurant in the whole world, and I ordered a Chicken-Salad Sandwich. [Shock! Gasp! WHAT???]

I couldn't quite believe it myself. I NEVER order anything but a #5 8-nugget combo meal with a sweet tea. Unless it is a 12-nugget combo meal upgraded (on my super hungry days), or the rare #1 chicken sandwich combo (for a meal on-the-go). I can almost quote the prices by heart. (Pathetic, I know. I did say it was my FAVORITE restaurant.)

So, when I ordered the chicken salad sandwich, I thought everyone behind the counter might just stop what they were doing, and stare at me blankly, like I had lost my mind. But, nothing happened. The hectic lunch hour continued.

I kept reminding myself I was trying to be healthly. And, I truly do love chicken-salad. I had just never tried it at Chic-Fil-A. But, it was only decent. I had just had my favorite chicken-salad sandwhich the day before, which may have had me a bit biased. (Urban Standard, dowtown Birmingham - you must try it!) The best part was eating the whole thing and filling completely full. No fries needed.

Table of Stone says I need to try their wraps. Maybe. But I bet time really would pause if I ordered two new things in the same week.

Verdana, Font Size 9.5

2009-07-22T09:54:00.004-05:00

See this font size....this is about how small I write. It's normal to me. I've been writing this way since about the second grade. I remember very distinctly a teacher telling me she would start taking points off my grade if I didn't start to write bigger. So, I did in her class. But, my small handwriting wouldn't stay gone long. It just seems more natural to me that way.

5 more days...

2009-06-16T09:09:00.003-05:00

...until Harmony Highlands!!! Woo Hoo!!! Yes, it's almost here. Get excited people. Get very excited. And, if you aren't already excited enough, maybe this video of photos from last year will help.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Continue in prayer that next week will be a tremendous blessing, filled with joy, love, peace, fellowship, and as always, lots of singing. Can't wait to see you there.

Summer Freebies

2009-06-11T20:49:00.005-05:00

Chic-Fil-A + Free Food = Me at Chic-Fil-A (with the rest of Birmingham)

Chic-Fil-A is giving away food over the next couple of Thursdays as part of a summer give-away. Tonight, it was an 8-count nugget. So, I drove myself over to Chic-Fil-A and took part. I'm addicted to Chic-Fil-A. ADDICTED. I probably would have eaten there tonight had it not been partially free, but free food made it even more enticing. I think next Thursday you get the strips free, and the next Thursday is the sandwich. Birmingham only (sorry!). 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Bless 'em.

We Don't Mix

2009-06-10T09:51:00.005-05:00

Okay, so I know I'm going to be a pharmacist and all. But, up until a couple of months ago if you gave me one of these babies I was on the floor in about 5 minutes. And it isn't the pain. I mean they really don't hurt that much. It's more the thought of a needle going into my skin. So when I found out that I was going to have to give a shot to my friend in school I thought...uh no. Not me. But then I did it. Just in and out. No biggie. So I was done with that right. Never again would I inject anything into anybody. And then my grandmother gets sent home with Lovenox. And you know who gets volunteered...that's right me. I've given injections before. Nevermind that it was only once and it was saline and there was a teacher standing right there beside me and it was my friend who of course was being super supportive because she was about to give one right back to me. But yea, you can do it Emily. Are these people crazy??? Ok, seriously, I'm not that bad. But this is my last time...never again;)

Strike 2

2009-06-09T12:18:00.003-05:00

I attempted to eat sushi for the second time last night. I can't remember what I had the first time, but I went with a friend, and she showed me the basics of how to eat it. Put a SMALL, and I emphasize SMALL, amount of wasabi on it, dip it in soy sauce, and stuff the whole thing in your mouth. So, I did. The taste itself isn't terrible. Just different. Very different. And, the texture, well...I think that's what bothers me so much. I'm not sure I can even describe it. Think soft blob of small, cold rice, and other small, cold, raw things. Last night, it was a roll called Happy. It didn't make me sad, but I'm not sure I can say it made me "happy". It was filled with crab, avocado, cream cheese, apple, and cucumber. I ate two, as I did the first time I ate sushi, and then passed them to everyone else around the table. No wasabi this time. I tried it plain the first time, and with soy sauce only the second time. And, two was plenty for me anyways. It's a very, very filling dish.

I did learn how to use chopsticks correctly last night, so that I might even try to use them again. (Thanks, Morgan!) But, as for sushi again, let's just say, one more strike and I'm done. Can't say I haven't tried.

While on the way to Memphis...

2009-05-18T22:15:00.002-05:00

...we had a couple of hours to entertain ourselves. The "we" being me, Table of Stone, our sweet Mama D., Elyow'enay, and BirdTrainer. I brought along 4th Grade Brain Quest, just to be silly and to add a little diversity to our car games, since we usually break out Bible Trivia at some point. We just keep it in the van and quiz ourselves at random. (I'm a nerd/dork/geek/whatever...I know.)

Now, in fourth grade, this Brain Quest set was very hard. There are questions like 1)Is cabbage stem, leaves, or root? or 2) What is the simplest form of 1/8 + 1/8? or 3)Who sang songs like Hey Jude and Let It Be? But as we read through them in the car, we laughed and answered most all of them without problem. I guess you could say it was our own version of Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader?

The following is an excerpt of our conversation:

Owl of the Desert: Before becoming President, was Abraham Lincoln a lawyer or a teacher?

Elyow'enay: Abraham Lincoln was a pimp!

BirdTrainer: "Yo, Mary! Go fix me some bread, 'cuz I'm skinny as a rail!"

Good times...oh, yeah.

Happy 9 Months To Us!!!

2009-05-06T09:16:00.004-05:00

So not that 9 months is anything special but....9 MONTHS! Oh my gosh, that is really soon to me. Every time I tell people that we are getting married Feb. 6 of next year they are like...oh you have forever. People....negative. One, what bride wants to hear that? Two, it ain't forever its mere months. Months!!! So, yea for us. I'm ready, let's do it.

Why does it Rain?

2009-05-02T13:01:00.002-05:00

Why does it rain when....
1) I can't sleep in
2) I step out of my car after having just washed my hair and I am umbrella-less
3) at that very second I am stepping out of the door of Panera to run to my car with now a delightful soggy bagel to eat for breakfast

Bummer I tell ya.

Honeysuckle

2009-05-01T09:55:00.004-05:00

I LOVE the smell of honeysuckle. It is an undeniable sweet fragrance that I tend to notice before I visually spot it.

It takes me back to days at the church when all of us kiddos would gather at the honeysuckle bushes after services were over and try to delicately pinch off the ends and try to get a drop of its sweetness. Yeah, those were the simple days.

I was running/walking on the trail by our apartment yesterday and the smell of honeysuckle filled the air. I took it all in, completely enthralled with this 80 degree weather, the lovely sounds, and the complete beauty of God's creation. What an AWESOME Creator we have.

For I will go to the altar of God

2009-04-23T16:55:00.003-05:00

Have any of you ever noticed that right before a church meeting for which you have been greatly anticipating and anxiously awaiting and praying for a blessing that the Devil seems to know how to attack you best and wear you down?

Yeah, he's been on my case this week sending me stress factor after stress factor.

But, I'm going to the altar of God tomorrow. HIS holy mountain. For I will yet praise HIM. My Saviour, and my God.

And THAT makes me happy in the midst of a crazy week. Can't wait to see you all there.

Zion Rest PBC Annual Meeting
Elder David Crawford and Elder Michael Gowens, invited ministers
Friday night: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.,lunch, 1:30 (?), dinner, 7:00(?)
Sunday morning: 10:30 a.m., lunch, communion

Sounds like...

2009-04-16T15:14:00.002-05:00

I love it when I'm vacuuming and all of a sudden I hear, "Flllpppppppttthhhhhhhh."

You know the sound I'm talking about. The sound of a vacuum taking in chip crumbs, or tidbits of cereal, or whatever else lies around your floor that you may or may not be aware of until that sound is made.

It makes me feel productive. And happy. Because the sound of dust is boring.

Driving Lesson #112

2009-04-13T22:34:00.002-05:00

When did you learn that when a traffic light is out it automatically becomes a 4-way stop??? Hmmm??? Because today, it would seem that nobody knew.

I learned sometime around the age of 19 or 20. We went to Memphis for a church meeting, and a tornado had just come through the town the night before. Traffic lights were out everywhere. I must confess, I didn't know I was supposed to stop. But, I learned quickly! (On a side note, that is also the trip where I dodged a wheelbarrow - yes, a wheelbarrow, on Hwy. 78, now Corridor X. It was quite an adventurous trip.)

This morning, I thought I was going to get ran over as I stopped at the out-of-commission-due-to-the-storms red light on Hwy. 280. People just kept flying by. And, I was looking at the poor people at the stores to my left who had no idea how to cross 3 lanes to the opposite side of traffic. Now, one or two people accidentally forgetting or not knowing, I could understand. But, everybody?

This Is The Day!

2009-03-30T15:37:00.003-05:00

I've been feeling kind of down lately. There are numerous reasons that I have come up with for that but that is not what I want to talk about. In light of my temporary "blueness" I have decided to think of all the great things in my life right now. Okay, probably not all but some.
So here we go:
1. I'm engaged to my absolute best friend in the world
2. I don't have another test this week.
3. I got an awesome preceptor/project for my 4th year 615/616.
4. I'm graduating in about a year and one month. (7 years of school is SO enough)
5. I just finished my favorite Starbucks drink (Grande Iced Caramel Latte) which is guaranteed to increase the mood.
6. I have the best mom in the entire world who basically picks up all my slack when I get overwhelmed.
7. I've got friends (can't ever underestimate that greatness in your life)
8. April is full of church meeting weekends that will no doubt be awesome
9. I get two weeks in May off and the whole month of June
10. This daunting DLE project will be over next Friday..YES!!!
11. Everyone in my family is healthy including myself
12. I live in a nice two bedroom, two bath apartment that is a little temper mental sometimes but certainly does have heating/air conditioning and hot water which is more than some.
13. I am reading the 6th Harry Potter currently and do not want it to end
14. Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing two really awesome sermons of which you should request the tape because I even laid down last night thinking about them (WOW!)
15. The Lord granted me today.

So, maybe things aren't so horrible after all huh?

Right Before Adam and Brett Have to be Super Nurses

2009-03-05T21:46:00.009-06:00

So I can't get my text where I want it. Nothing new there.

Basically, two saturdays ago it was relatively nice outside and we thought, hey, let's shoot guns. Come on, you know you've had that thought before. So basically we called up Ranger Buck whose always up for a good shootin, yes, that's what I said and went out to the farm for target practice. Now, Laura and I are still learning but I think improving? and we've got excellent teachers so it makes for a good time. These aren't all the pics so maybe I'll post more later. Enjoy.

Graham with the crossbow
Laura with the "lever action rifle" (I think)....that thing kicks!

I just thought the clouds were awesome in this picture.

Adam showing me how to hold the gun. After this, I think I was pretty good.
Check out the smoke from Ranger Buck's gun! How sweet is that!
Yea, don't mess with us.

So How Bout that Diet?

2009-01-21T15:45:00.003-06:00

Today in class....obesity 101.

McDonalds Quarter Pounder with Cheese 510 calories
26 grams of fat
McDonalds Medium French Fries 380 calories
20 grams of fat
Medium Coke 210 calories

Grand total 1100 calories

But it's all so gooooood!!!!

A Thought Worth Pondering

2009-01-15T18:04:00.001-06:00

" Failure's hard, but success if far more dangerous. If you're successful at the wrong thing, the mix of praise and money and oppportunity can lock you in forever"
---Po Bronson (Starbucks #26)

What do you guys think?

Tacky Christmas Party!

2008-12-24T16:25:00.002-06:00

I love these kids! Last night we had our first (but should be annual) tacky Christmas party! Everyone dressed in the ugliest Christmas sweater they could find and we all got together to eat good food, fellowship, and play games. It was lots of fun. We hope you have tons of fun and eat lots of good food this holiday also. Merry Christmas!

Recent News Headline

2008-12-20T12:37:00.003-06:00

Religion May Help Extend Your Life

Yes, yes. This one had me talking for a couple of days. See the excerpt below:

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Attending a weekly religious service, regardless of your faith, may lower your risk of death by 20 percent compared to people who don't attend services, researchers are reporting.

WOAH! This is serious business. This article proclaims that by attending church, you have a decreased chance of dying. This should get people really excited. Immortality??? People have been searching for that since the beginning of time. Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. Aren't you glad to know that you don't have to spend your entire fortune and health looking for eternal life? According to this article, all you have to do is go to church.

Joking aside, it got me to thinking. Here are the real percentages. I'm certain I have a 100% chance of dying. For the wages of sin is death. But, I also have a 100% chance of living eternally. Not because I go to church, but because Christ paid my debt in full by dying on the cross. I have been adopted into his family, and will live in heaven one day with him as a joint-heir. Now THAT is exciting.

But, if funny news articles aren't your thing, here is a funny picture from my work Christmas party.

Conversations with Pooh

2008-12-04T22:54:00.006-06:00

They had come to a stream which twisted and tumbled between high rocky banks, and Christopher Robin saw at once how dangerous it was.

"It's just the place," he explained, "for an Ambush."

"What sort of bush?" whispered Pooh to Piglet. "A gorse-bush?"

"My dear Pooh," said Owl in his superior way, "don't you know what an Ambush is?"

"Owl," said Piglet, looking round at him severly, "Pooh's whisper was a perfectly private whisper, and there was no need--"

"An Ambush," said Owl, "is a sort of Surprise,"

"So is a gorse-bush sometimes," said Pooh.

"An Ambush, as I was about to explain to Pooh," said Piglet, "is a sort of Surprise."

"If people jump out at you suddenly, that's an Ambush," said Owl.

"It's an Ambush, Pooh, when people jump at you suddenly," explained Piglet.

Pooh, who now knew what an Ambush was, said that a gorse-bush had sprung at him suddenly one day when he fell off a tree, and he had taken six days to get all the prickles out of himself.

"We are not talking about gorse-bushes," said Owl a little crossly.

"I am," said Pooh.

Taken from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, "Expotition to the North Pole".

Christmas/ Finals 123's

2008-12-03T16:54:00.002-06:00

1 week till I'm done for Christmas
2 hours wasted in Therapeutics today
3 exams to study for
4 people who get to go to Bible study without me tonight
5 minutes till I start studying again
6 packets that need reading
7 minutes I'm wasting typing this

Peace till Dec. 10!

Family of God

2008-11-23T17:08:00.003-06:00

Adam spoke this morning in church on the family of God. It was really good, he was really blessed of the Lord this morning. As he was speaking a song came to mind by Casting Crowns. I've always loved this song because it makes me think. If you haven't heard it or even if you have, maybe it will make you think about getting real with the family of God.

Stained Glass Masquerade

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Chorus:
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Chorus (x2)

But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Another no-brainer...

2008-11-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

Study Links Television, Teen Pregnancy

Happy Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T20:03:00.004-06:00

Out of all the holidays we celebrate as a nation, I find Veteran's Day to be up at the top of my list. Memorial Day would probably have to be tied with it. These are two days out of the year that we truly honor and remember our heroes of wars present and past. It was announced on the news today that there are still a few (it may actually be only one or two) surviving veterans of World War I. Can you imagine the things they have seen? They witnessed the first world war when everyone thought the world would end, only to witness a second world war, when again, everyone thought the world would end. (Matthew 24:6) Since then, numerous other wars have been fought. I have had the great privilege of knowing several World War II veterans. Each has a different story to tell. And slowly, members of this generation are "fading." My dad preached the funeral of two gentlemen this past week, both of whom we discovered later were serving in the India/China/Pacific region of World War II at the same time. He quoted General Douglas McArthur in his farewell address to Congress after returning from the war:

"Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

We owe a tremendous amount to our soldiers, past and present. Our nation would not be what it is without their faithful, selfless service. We owe the very protection of our freedoms to each and every one.

I was touched today by the post on msnbc.com's Field Notes:

4 Hour Shoeshine Honors Nation's Military

You can find stories here that won't make the headline news, but are most certainly worthy of reading. This post highlights the sentinels that guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetary. If you have ever been and watched the changing of the guard, it is an experience you will never forget. But, reading this article I learned some new things about the guard. For example, everything is done by 21 (21 steps, 21 second pause, etc.), because 21 is a perfect number in the military. Each sentinel also spends an additional 4-6 hours simply shining his shoes for the next day's 2 hour shift. They stand by perfection. And they honor those who lost their lives in the call of duty, and were simply labeled "MIA", because their remains were never found.

So, although late in the day, remember the veterans you know, and those you don't. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for their service. And honor them not only today, but every day.

I Beat Them to the Punch

2008-11-02T17:03:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, my dad installed his speakers for our computer. It's basically surround sound for our computer. We've had them for a couple of years now, but they haven't worked properly until now. To celebrate, he brought me downstairs to listen to "Christmas with the Rat Pack".

Dean Martin's silky smooth voice echoed throughout our basement singing, "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." Then, "Baby, It's Cold Outside", followed by my request, "White Christmas". Dean Martin had a voice unlike any other, and dad and I talked about how Frank Sinatra was great, but his voice couldn't compare with Dean's. Dad said when Dean performed, it was just "effortless". It didn't look like he was even trying. "Frank was more popular and sold more records, but Dean...Dean was the singer."

So, this morning, November 2nd, I woke up and started singing in the shower. Not completely unusual so far. But this is how I beat "the man" to the punch...I was singing Christmas songs. On November 2nd. Barely into the month of November, and I'm singing "White Christmas" and "Joy to the World" in my shower. Before all the stores, before all the radio stations. At least as far as I know. I win this year. I'm in the Christmas spirit before everyone tells me I'm supposed to be in the Christmas spirit.

Leonardo da Vinci exhibit / Flint River PBC 200th Anniversary Meeting

2008-10-27T13:01:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, after attending the 200th anniversary meeting of Flint River PBC, John and I went to the Birmingham Museum of Art to see the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit: Drawings from the Biblioteca Reale in Turin. We thought this might be our only weekend to see it, and it will be leaving the museum on November 9th. So, we headed to Birmingham after lunch and arrived at the museum around 3:45. The wait was approximately 30 minutes, and the museum was closing at 5:00. The wait went by fairly quickly, although we got behind a couple who preferred to spend the entire time in a public smooch session. My goodness. I could say more on that, but I'll try to refrain myself.

The exhibit itself was absolutely marvelous. It included several of his sketches: a portrait sketch that was probably practice for his Virgin of the Rocks painting; human anatomy sketches, and horse anatomy sketches. The walls and frames were unique, because he drew on both sides of the paper. They had to create a way to show both sides. Also on display was Leonardo's Codex on the Flight of Birds. It was fascinating to see his attention to detail, as well as precision. When using metalpoint to draw, he couldn't erase! Beside each sketch was a little paragraph with some info about it. I found it interesting that several of the sketches were practice for paintings that he began but didn't finish. Everything was VERY small, too. They gave us a magnifying glass when entering the exhibit to aid us. I didn't realize this, but John said even the Mona Lisa is very small, compared to how we typically think of it.

It was a wonderful experience. The drawings have never traveled outside of Italy before in a group, and they are only coming to the U.S. to Birmingham and San Franciso. And one of the nicest parts - it was FREE!

It was a great end to a wonderful Saturday. The meeting was a great blessing. I traveled up to Huntsville on Friday night with Josh & Sam, and I met John there. It had been several years since I had the opportunity to visit at Flint River, and I loved getting to visit with all the sweet people up there, as well as see several other friends from various places. It was a wonderful celebration of a group of people meeting together in the same area for 200 years! As Elder Gene Thomas commented in his church history on Saturday morning, that means Flint River PBC was meeting before Alabama was even a state!! Several ministers were in attendance, and I felt that the common theme in several of the messages was continuing forward and how to ensure the church is there for another 200 years. I particularly enjoyed Elder David Montgomery's message on "Witnessing and Waiting". He used the example of his children on a long trip from Texas to GA and another trip to Maryland. On the way to GA, his son asked him over and over, "Are we there yet?" On the way to Maryland, he managed to wait all the way to NC before stating that he knew that they weren't there yet, but that he sure did hate the car, the seatbelt, etc., and if he didn't get out of that car soon, he thought he would just die. Elder Montgomery responded by saying, "Try playing a game, or taking a nap, or reading, or talking to me and your mom. It won't make the trip any faster, but it will seem to go by faster." He related that to our wait for the Lord to come back. By witnessing, it won't make it get here any sooner, but it will seem to make the time go by faster. He also brought out a lot of other good points about witnessing to others about what we believe.

What a blessing to be able to celebrate 200 years, and if the Lord doesn't return before then, I sure hope future generations can say they are excited to be celebrating 400 years.

We're At That Age

2008-10-21T11:39:00.007-05:00

Laura and I are at that age. Wedding after wedding...seriously. I think this is probably # 6 or 7 for me this year. But I love it!

If you are a follower of Kitchen Talk then you probably know my friends from Auburn, Brigette and Swafford. This weekend I had the privilege of attending their wedding and it was most definitely a celebration! These kids are just great for each other and two of the most godly people I know. I admire their relationship and am so happy for them both. So that is what the next "couple" of pictures are all about.

Brigette Lesch and Daniel Swafford Wedding

I love this picture! They are married and off to the honeymoon!

I've never seen this before. We tossed lavender at the bride and groom as they left. Our hands smelled like soapy flower goodness afterwards.

Brigette's 7 real bridesmaids
Morgan, Lou, and Bridge being goofy while waiting to take pictures.
Me and Pam

Brigette and Swafford dancing at the reception (took place at the Historic Rucker Place)

Dancing! This was difficult because the band was jazz/swing. It seriously sounded like the same song over and over again. But we improvised and danced like they were playing 90's music.

Roommates! (me and morgan)

Lou, Bridget, and Catie Anne
Yep! 7 real bridesmaids and 10 honorary bridesmaids! Crazy, yes but lots of fun. So of our group, Catie Anne was a real bridesmaid and me, Lou, Bridget, and Morgan were all honorary. Swafford only had 7 guys if you were wondering but also had 3 ushers that were friends of ours.
The cake! I always make sure to get a picture of because well I love wedding cakes!

Overall, a great time! Especially nice to have a reunion with college friends. We all live in different cities now and life just doesn't afford us many opportunities to hang out. I miss them. On a happy note though, Mr. and Mrs. Swafford will be living in Birmingham. Hopefully we will get to see each other occasionally.

Katie Leach and Jeff Johnston Wedding
This was a really sweet wedding. Family photo beforehand.
Jeff, Katie, and the bridesmaids. (All of which were from Jasper I might add)
Again, the cake!

My favorite parts of this wedding were 1) acapella singing, mary-John singing, and Maggie playing the cello (basically the music) 2) bottled coke at the reception 3) Mr. Leach crying more than Katie...it was so sweet.

Komen Race for the Cure

2008-10-16T22:52:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday a group of us participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Birmingham, AL. We participated for the first time last year, running/walking in support particularly for Queen Shenaynay over at the Beehive, and also for all the other women we know and love who have had breast cancer.

The race starts at 9:00, and we tried to be there between 8:00 and 8:30. I learned that next year, we will definitely need to be there around 7:30. Several of us met at Table and I's apartment and rode to the race together. We ate bagels and had juice to get us going. And of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get some pics on the way.

We managed to get a quick photo of our group, but I think it is missing a couple of people. Brother Bucky managed to take a quick nap before heading off to walk.

There were 10,000 + people there this year. Maybe as many as 13,000. Unfortunately, our group got seperated, so we weren't able to all walk together. But we all had a great time and had some great stories afterwards. For example, John and I thought we were about to see a fight break out, between two women! The lady in front of us whipped out a cigarette and started smoking while walking. (Yes, yes. We all considered the irony and desperately wanted to ask her, "what are you thinking?") Well, the lady to our left started coughing exaggeratively (don't know if that is a word, but it fits). Then, she started talking to the lady about how she has asthma and what does she think she's doing walking for breast cancer research and smoking at the same time and why doesn't she just go smoke in a room all by herself and kill all the brain cells she wants...on and on and on. It was crazy. But, she finally hushed.

Sis. Lauretta did a good deed during the race. She had just got started walking when she saw a little boy crying and screaming. So, she went over to him and he had lost his mother. They guessed he was about 5. So, she told every police officer she saw the situation and gave them her phone number. Finally, they caught up with the mother somewhere in the middle of mile 2 or 3.

So, that story makes this picture even funnier. After the race, we saw a mother and child strapped together. That child wasn't going anywhere. That's the way to do it.

Great friends. Great cause. Great day.

UnAutomated

2008-10-07T23:48:00.003-05:00

This incident happened a couple of weeks ago, but I was just reminded of it reading Amy's post over at Shadows and Dust.

As Hurricane Ike prepared to cross Galveston, TX, one of the companies we have to call occasionally at work had to be evacuated/relocated temporarily. I did not realize the company was based in Galveston and tried calling them regarding a question.

The following took place:

Ring....Ring....

"We're sorry but the (company name) customer service center is temporarily unavailable."

In shock and somewhat dismay over not being able to get my question answered, my natural response was...

"WHAT???"

(Not too loud mind you. I work in a cubicle. So it was only slightly exaggerated and exasperated of a sound. Anyways, it's not like someone is on the other end...it's just a recording...)

To which someone responded:

"Yes. I'm sorry. Please try your call again later."

In shock at someone actually responding to me, I quickly put the phone back on the hook, and started laughing, beginning to tell my co-worker the story. Who would have thought it?

Swimming...It's not as easy as it looks

2008-10-01T12:22:00.003-05:00

In addition to the yoga I've been doing over the last couple of weeks, I have now added swimming to my weekly workout. On Mondays, to be specific. The pool at the YMCA is open year-round, and it's heated, which is a plus for me. I don't do cold water. (As in, nun-uh, ain't gonna happen.)

Let me tell you, Michael Phelps and the other Olympians made it look way too easy. I was never on the swim team, but I know the freestyle stroke and back stroke, and a very, very poor breast stroke. After 50 yards (which is one lap down and back), I was panting. It really increases your heart rate! In my very unexpertise opinion, I think it has something to do with the breathing (besides all the other work your body is doing!). In yoga, you are supposed to be very focused on your breathing, taking deep breaths in and out through your nose. Even when I used to run (also very, very poorly for anyone that knows me), I was told to try and stay focused on your breathing, in and out through your nose, very steady. But with swimming, it's a whole different ballgame, because you're holding your breath, and then breathing very quickly. I haven't quite got used to it. I was explaining my problem to Brett on Sunday night, and he suggested breathing every 3 strokes. I tried it, and it did help, but it's just going to take some getting used to. And, getting back in shape wouldn't hurt either.

All in all, though, it's a lot of fun. It's a really quick workout, and something I enjoy. I can't imagine what it takes to swim all day, like Michael Phelps does. I certainly have a greater appreciation for everything the Olympians accomplished. Here's to all of you.

Love this one!

2008-09-29T17:48:00.001-05:00

A favorite of mine from childhood. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Southbound on the Freeway by May Swenson:

A tourist came in from Orbitville,
parked in the air, and said:

The creatures of this star
are made of metal and glass.

Through the transparent parts
you can see their guts.

Their feet are round and roll
on diagrams--or long

measuring tapes--dark
with white lines.

They have four eyes.
The two in the back are red.

Sometimes you can see a 5-eyed
one, with a red eye turning

on the top of his head.
He must be special-

the others respect him,
and go slow,

when he passes, winding
among them from behind.

They all hiss as they glide,
like inches, down the marked

tapes. Those soft shapes,
shadowy inside

the hard bodies--are they
their guts or their brains?

When life gets busy...

2008-09-26T23:01:00.003-05:00

you start thinking about the better things in life. So this week has not been fun for me. I have a HUGE test Monday afternoon and pretty much have done nothing this week but study and study some more. So tonight when I got home from the library at 10:30 on a Friday I started thinking about my favorite place, the place that relaxes me the most....this may seem a little weird...but its definitely the Great Smoky Mountains. ( I guess this was some odd exercise of mine to get my mind off of HTN, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis...you get the point). But anyways, this is where we went on our August vacation. It was the perfect vacation, no agenda, just sleeping, laying out, and of course the OLYMPICS! We stayed up almost every night to either see Micheal Phelps swim or Nastia Lukin and Shawn Johnson compete in gymnastics. So fun. I love it there. You should visit.

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Sister

2008-09-18T20:22:00.003-05:00

A big shout out and holla going to my sis, celebrating her 23rd birthday today. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without you. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Book Review

2008-09-16T12:30:00.007-05:00

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine recommended a set of five books to me and graciously loaned them to me to read. It was called The Lineage of Grace Series and was written by Francine Rivers. Each book told the story of a different woman within Christ's genealogy. These five women are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheeba, and Mary. I was instantly hooked. She had taken characters and stories from the Bible, and written a work of "fiction", which gave me the opportunity to discover what these people had possibly felt, experienced, etc. It's easy to forget that these people were real, or that they had emotions, and all the circumstances surrounding their particular situation. She had taken these real people, and put them in perspective, if you will. It gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for these women, and Mrs. Rivers instantly became a favorite author of mine.

This past spring, I finally got around to reading The Scarlet Thread, which I devoured in about a week. And, over vacation, I read Redeeming Love in about three days. (Seriously, I must warn you. You cannot put these books down. They pull you in and you will find yourself staying up til the wee hours of the morning to finish one more chapter. Okay, consider yourself warned.)

My sister had previously read Redeeming Love as had several college friends. Many said, "It will change your life." Now, I can't say it "changed my life", but I did thoroughly enjoy it, and it paints a BEAUTIFUL picture of God's amazing grace and the work He does in His children's lives. It is a powerful retelling of the story of Hosea from the Bible, set in the 1800s, I believe. If you are unfamiliar with the Book of Hosea, I'll give you a short summary. Hosea is a prophet who was instructed to marry a prostitute. God talks to Hosea about what he goes through each time the children of Israel rebel against him. If you think of it this way, we are the bridegroom of Christ, and we continually turn our back on him to run to our other idols and things of this world. To put it plainly, we go whoring after the world, when we have been redeemed completely from it. Yet, he continues to love us, and always will love us. He wants us to find complete fulfillment in Him, and not in anything else. God talks to Hosea about how Israel has valued the things of this world and runs to those things, when he is offering something so much better. In Redeeming Love we get to know Angel, who has been mistreated since she was young, and sold into prostitution at a young age. We travel West with her, where Michael Hosea meets her, and takes her from the brothel to come and be his wife. And from there, well, you'll have to read it!

When you finish it, you will continue to think about it for some time. It's just one of those books. I highly recommend it, along with any of Francine Rivers' other books. Next on my list... And the Shofar Blew.

YOGA!

2008-08-27T22:42:00.003-05:00

I joined our local YMCA Sunday night for the sole purpose of starting Yoga. I have been wanting to excercise for months now (see earlier New Year's Resolutions), but unfortunately, I can't motivate myself to go run, or lift weights. Probably because I don't particulary enjoy running. (You should hear stories from my cross-country running days. As much as I would like to enjoy running, I've never hit that "runner's high" I've heard so many people talk about, and my times were always terrible. You can ask anybody in my family.) But, I just knew if I could take up Yoga I would enjoy it. It seemed like my kind of workout - peaceful, relaxing - yeah, that's my kind of workout.

So, I looked at all the classes all the different Y branches offer, and I chose to go to Hot Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45. Last night was my first night. I walked into the room and it was completely dark except for two very dim lights on both sides. It was also very quiet, and very warm. Thus, the "hot" part. When we started, the instructor played some soothing music, and we slowly progessed from the various positions, or asanas (sp?). The workout (from what I could tell) slowly built up. The most strenous excerises were in the very middle of the workout, and then you slowly work you're way back down. The entire class lasted an hour. At the very end, we laid on our backs and completely relaxed, eyes closed. I didn't realize how relaxed I had become until I moved back into the sitting position!

At the end, I felt I had worked every muscle in my body. I'm looking forward to seeing how my flexibility and strength increase. I'm still learning a lot about it, but it's very focused on stretching and breathing. Best workout I've ever had. I'm definitely looking forward to going back tomorrow night!

If one time is not enough...

2008-08-04T18:16:00.003-05:00

Try FOUR times! If any of you have ever had any doubt that we should be singing praises to God, read this ONE verse:

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."
Psalm 47:6

I was struck by this verse when I read it today. As my dad is fond of saying, "If the Bible tells us something once, we should pay attention to it." In this case, we're told four times in the same verse to sing praises to God. It's so simple and wonderfully refreshing. In the New Testament we're told to "sing and make melody in our hearts." So, it doesn't even have to be audible. We can sing praises anywhere.

"Praise Him, praise Him, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer."

A couple of favorites!

2008-07-30T12:57:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it?? This is the ONLY picture I got of the two of them together ALL WEEK!

Games

2008-07-30T12:46:00.003-05:00

So, here are a couple of pictures of the games. It was intense, as always!

Singing School Cuties

2008-07-30T12:35:00.004-05:00

Singing School was a blast this year! Several of you may have already seen some of these pictures elsewhere, but I wanted to share a few anyways. I took over 200 total, so I can't post them all on here, but I wanted to share a couple so you could see some of the scenes. Below are just a few of the kids I got pictures of this year. It's so fun to photograph people, and then look over the years and see how they've grown and changed!

Movie Review

2008-07-28T22:40:00.003-05:00

So, I'm getting back into the swing of things now. For those of you who may not have known, I have been studying for the CFP exam for the last 6 months or so. I took the exam two weekends ago, and I will find out my results in 6-8 weeks. (I'll just say this...it was Brutal, Terribly Hard.) But, for now, I have put my books aside, and I am getting my life organized once again, and I've even been able to enjoy a couple of hobbies. I've picked up my guitar and have played it a couple of times. I bought an easel and some paint and brushes, and I've finished a painting. I have really, really enjoyed painting. I haven't painted in years, but I always LOVE it. There is just something about the colors and the brushes that stirs me deep inside and gets me super excited. I'm no Picasso, but I have fun.

After my test two weekends ago, my family and Adam and John went and saw (drumroll...) ... The Dark Knight! It was AMAZING. Heath Ledger delivered a flawless performance of the Joker. I couldn't see Heath at all. All I could see was this crazy psychopath. He was completely believable, and he definitely deserves the Oscar nod. Christian Bale is also my favorite Batman to date (although Michael Keeton wasn't so bad). I think part of it has to do with the way he changes his voice and it becomes much deeper when he puts on the Bat suit. This movie is action-packed from the beginning and has something to offer everyone. I give it 4.75 stars out of 5 stars.

This past weekend, Table, Adam and I went and saw WALL-E. It had us laughing from the beginning. In typical Pixar fashion, we got to see a "short" film prior to the main feature. One word - HYSTERICAL! I was practically falling out of my seat laughing. Once the movie began, we were laughing and smiling all the way through. Some of you may be thinking as I did when I first saw the trailer - this looks like another clever way of pushing the green agenda on a unsuspecting (or not) American public. But, I'd heard several people say it was really cute and funny, and we should go see it. So we did. While it definitely didn't discourage taking care of earth, it wasn't the main focus. The main focus was this crazy love story between these two robots. It had all the classic elements of a silly romantic story, with hardly any speaking at all between the two. The "green" elements just made it that much funnier, while getting a point across, too. My hats off to Pixar. They've made another fantastic movie once again. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

To The Man In The Suit

2008-07-08T12:44:00.002-05:00

I ask this question, "Where is common courtesy?" "From whom," may I ask, "did you learn that it was okay to cut line in front of 100+ people?" "Where did you learn that it was okay to lie?" Oh, yes, I saw you tell that little girl of no more than 6 or 7 years old not to say anything as you swiftly and quietly slipped under the rope to cut in front of another 25+ people. Shame on you, shame, shame, shame!

I was coming back from Charlotte, NC yesterday morning. I woke up around 4:00 am ET to catch a flight that was leaving at 7:15. I arrived at the airport at 6:15 only to see an extremely long Delta line, and a security line that was getting longer by the second. I finally got checked in around 6:45 (when I should have been boarding the plane), and entered the security line. I had just approached the zig-zag part of the line that would wind its way around to the actual explosives/metal detector (approximately 10 minutes from when I entered the line), when this Man In The Suit approached and asked the lady in front of me to cut line, because he had a 7:15 flight. She was taken aback, and didn't know what to say, so I said, "I'm sorry, sir, but my flight is also at 7:15, and there are several of us already in this line that are trying to make the same 7:15 flight." (We had all formed a bond while waiting in the Delta line. This man was nowhere to be found.) Wait for it, wait for it...This Man In The Suit then asked the nice lady if we could BOTH cut in front of her!! I just stood there dumbfounded. So, he hops in line. As we make our way through the zig-zag, we have to pass by the front of the line. And, do you know what he did? He slipped underneath the roping (or at least, that's all I can figure, because one minute he's next to me, and the next he's on the other side of the rope), and was putting his finger to his mouth telling the little girl of 6 or 7 not to say anything. WHAT NERVE!!!

So, I let the nice lady, who I found out was originally from Chile, lived in North Carolina ever since she arrived here in the states marrying an American, and was headed to Aspen, CO for the first time ever to visit some friends, back in front of me. (Her flight wasn't until 7:45). I reached the front of the line around 7:05, and then made a mad dash to my gate, which thankfully was nearby. I boarded my flight for Atlanta at 7:10. 5 minutes to spare!!

But, seriously, why do so many people think it's okay to be rude? Selfish?

This verse comes to mind...

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." II Timothy 3:1-5

To which I say...

"He which testifieth these things saith, 'Surely I come quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20

These Guys are Awesome!

2008-06-18T16:35:00.002-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, Adam and I decided to go on a preaching trip to Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Dalark(sp?), Arkansas with my mom and dad. I haven't been on a trip with them in so long and I forgot how much fun they can be. We had so much fun and the church was just precious. And the best part being that we made some cool new friends. We might just share them with you in a couple of days at singing school. We'll think about it anyways;)

Right before we left for church on Sunday morning. Adam, John, Seth, and me.

These guys are extremely talented, along with their mom and dad of course. Sister Becky is on the bass, Elder Gary on the guitar, John on the fiddle, and Seth on the mandolin.

We had two little "jam fests" while we were there. Such a blessing.

They also taught us how to play the Wii. Which we have never done and it's probably good I don't have one because I would be addicted. I think Seth might be already.

This pretty much raps it up I think. We are so glad that we got to hang out with the Harvey's and I hope that we can visit again really soon.

Let the Countdown begin...

2008-06-11T12:57:00.003-05:00

10 DAYS LEFT until...

HARMONY HIGHLANDS SINGING SCHOOL!!!

I know it's hard to contain the excitement! Sometimes I get so excited I feel I could just burst!!!Just know that you are not alone. Soon we shall be together, fellowshiping, praising Jesus in song, and having just a good 'ol time.

Can't wait to see you there.

Must be at that age

2008-05-25T17:05:00.005-05:00

1 of 5/6 weddings for 2008

Josh and Lou Lafayette
May 17,2008
Many of you may remember my friend Lou from Auburn, aka the owner of the giant spoon. She and Josh got married at the Auburn University Art Museum this past saturday and it was such a happy time for all. It was great to have an excuse to see friends again. I miss them all so much. But no worries it won't be long before i see them again. In October our other friend brigette is getting married. Yea!

Wittel Women: Morgan, Brigette, Lou, Bridget, Kitch
(minus Catie Anne)

I love this pictures. It's always fun to look at the groom as the bride walks down the aisle.

Lou and her Dad

No need for a caption here:)

Friends!
This is more like it!

Adam came with me. He's friends with them too so yeah, it was fun.
Stay tune for other weddings and fun times of the season.

Want to play a game?

2008-04-29T20:55:00.003-05:00

" M&M drug bust"

Ok, here's the deal. Finals are FAST approaching and I'm almost through two semesters of pharmacology which basically means that I don't know everything about drugs but I better know something! So the game? If you don't care to post drugs that either you are on or your parents or whoever really are on, I'll need the generic name and the brand if you have it, then I will guess what they are used for and how they work. I promise to not look them up unless I have to and I'll tell you/ confess to you that I had to if I do. This will benefit me and my studying and well...I'll give anyone who stumps me 5 virtual M&M's! I mean if that isn't a motivator i don't know what is. So let the games begin!

P. S. I'll post the drugs and their results if enough people participate. :)
Disclaimer: No illegal drugs please, not the idea here;)

TAX DAY!

2008-04-15T19:29:00.002-05:00

Whoop dee doo, yippee, yay!
Don't forget. Today is tax day!

It's the deadline. Are you done?
You better hurry. You better run.

Be sure to send them by certified mail.
Then you know you cannot fail.

Are you getting money back?
Or do you owe? Do you lack?

Whichever way,
Receive or pay,

Whoop dee doo, yippee, yay!
Don't forget. Today is tax day!

*(seriously...if you're not done...you should hurry...or file an extension...) :-)

Remembering

2008-04-11T00:10:00.004-05:00

I remember riding many a mile
with Maw Maw in the right seat
and Aunt Louise in the left.
We drove to town, all around,
in comfort and style.
And in the back of the Cadillac
I sat, watching with a smile.

A tape cassette played Travis Tritt,
and I heard Achy Breaky Heart
a dozen times or more.
I never paid much attention
to what the words meant.
But my aunt belted the chorus out,
and asked, "Are we having fun yet?"

Maw Maw carried her water with her,
however short or long the trip.
And her pocketbook
was filled with every coupon
to save dimes and quarters.
I realized why she kept so much
when I studied the Depression Era.

It's odd, the things you remember
when several years have past.
And yet I can recall
my aunt's smile and my grandmother's
jumpsuits and white sweater.
Her big hugs and quiet country voice.
Memories to last forever.

4-9-2008

Bankhead National Forest

2008-04-10T23:33:00.004-05:00

John and I went hiking in Bankhead National Forest / Clear Creek Recreational Area this past Saturday. We had a really good rainfall on Friday, and the bluffs that are spread throughout the trail showcased several beautiful waterfalls. It was an absolutely wonderful day to go, even if it was overcast. The flowers are all beginning to bloom down here in Alabama, and we saw several pink, red, white, and purple flowers. We also managed to see several deer, a groundhog, and a very large frog! I love being outdoors this time of year, and I enjoy the good conversation that can be had when you "escape" the world and all its distractions for a while to enjoy God's creation.

We found this Iris blooming towards the end of the trail. It's one of John's favorite flowers.

No one else was around, but we managed to snag a picture to capture the moment anyways!

I thought this tree stump had a really cool design. The colors in it were brilliant.

John happened to look up and notice that all the leaves on this tree were in a circle. Interesting, huh? You never know what surprises you may find.

Easter Weekend - Yes, I'm a little behind...

2008-04-02T23:08:00.006-05:00

The Saturday before Easter several of us went to Bro. Charles and Sis. Hazel's farm for a picnic lunch and a ton of fun. The weather was perfect. We all brought a ton of food, as you can see from the pictures. We flew kites, threw the frisbee, sat around talking...it was great.

Cool, huh?

Don't Feel Like Studying...Blog!!

2008-03-27T20:29:00.002-05:00

Spring Break 2008

My wonderful brother and me on the beach..one of the not so pretty days.

This one doesn't need a caption.

These guys have an obsession with digging holes and burying...well anybody who will let them really. And so I have ALOT of Austin buried pictures. Like one from every day we were there.

I just thought this was funny. Shhh....she's sleeping

Our first night out to eat we went to this new restaurant that I promise you has NO inside seating at all. Even if it's raining you are sitting outside. They say it doesn't hurt business but I'm not sure I'm buying it. We were sort of cold that night even with a fire pit right beside us.

Basically it was fun, as you can see from the pictures. I love these people.

Back to studying. Yuck!

Building My Library

2008-03-06T22:53:00.003-06:00

My parents bought me a new bookshelf for Christmas. I had two that were already full and overflowing with books, so I was very thankful and excited when I got it. However, I had no way of transporting the unassembled bookshelf to Birmingham where I live since I drive a car. And, the first part of the year was really busy in general. So, at the middle of February, nothing had still been done. We finally were able to load it up in my parents' van, and mom brought it out here one night. A week later we assembled it. And, about a week later, it is now in place and filled with books.

The middle bookshelf is the new one. They didn't have the exact same model as my previous two, but this one is very close. The only difference is the top molding.

I had to take all my books out of the other two bookshelves to move the bookshelves around a little. So, here they are piled in the living room floor.

And, this is the final outcome. I was really pleased with the way they turned out. We have a little space now where we can put a few pictures, etc. Although, if I know my addiction, it won't be long before that space is filled, too. :-)

HAPPY LEAP DAY!

2008-02-29T11:55:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to share and express my joy over this one extra day in the year. The only extra day we get for another four years. For all of those who wish you had another couple of hours in the day (myself included), well here it is. One whole day for you. I think it should be a holiday.

Celebrate. Get those tasks done that you've been meaning to do for days, months, years. Be lazy. Be brilliant. Come up with a solution for world hunger. Write a book, or letter. Take a stroll outside and smell the roses.

Do what you want - it's your extra day. But use it wisely, because you don't get another one until 2012.

FL Fellowship Meeting

2008-02-27T00:02:00.004-06:00

We had so much fun at the FL Fellowship Meeting two weeks ago. I have been feeding off the sermons and the good fellowship ever since I got back. Below are some pictures I took while we were there. (Sorry they're so late!)

Brystal and John

Mom and I

Gary and Danielle

Kelly and Jim

John and I

Dad and a fellow meeting attendee

A great group of young people

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind hospitality while we were there. I really enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. And, it was great to put so many faces to names I have heard from my parents' visits down there. It seems unfair that we have to live 8-10 hours away, but it makes our visits together that much sweeter!

I don't have my notebook with me here at work, otherwise I'd join in posting what I listed as the sermon titles. I think it's really neat to see how so many people can pull so many different things from one sermon, and have a totally different subject title in some cases. And, even if the subject is the same, your mind can be pulled in different directions as the Spirit leads you. Praise the Lord when we are blessed as individuals when the sermon mixes with what we've been studying or praying about in such a unique manner!

I am marking the meeting on my calendar for next year, and do hope to attend. Until then, we have a meeting the 4th weekend of April. Please do come visit us! We would love to see you!

(And, if your calendar tends to get full...we also have a meeting the 3rd weekend in November!)

Recipe # 2

2008-02-07T23:13:00.000-06:00

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Stick of butter
Small Velveta Cheese
1 can of Rotel
1 can Cream of Mushroom
Chicken (depends on how many you want to serve)
Spaghetti ("")

Boil chicken. When done, cut however you like. Cook your spaghetti. Melt together the butter and cheese, and add in the Rotel and Cream of Mushroom. Mix all together in a large baking dish. Cook until brown. (I didn't get a firm answer on the temperature, maybe 350 or 400 degrees.)

This is also pretty quick and easy. Very filling, too!

-------------------------------

I have a prayer request tonight. My co-worker Crystal's daughter Ella had a virus starting last Thursday. Over the weekend Crystal and her husband, John, got it. Then, Ella started getting sick again yesterday. Last night they went to the emergency room when she started vomiting bile and had blood in her stool. They found a blockage and did a barium enema (sp?), but it came back three times today. Tonight, after the third one, they took her back for surgery. Everything looked really good in her bowels, and the intaceception (sp?) had dissipated. Tomorrow morning they are going to do another test, to check the inside of her bowels, and make sure it isn't a polyp causing the problem. Otherwise, everything should be fine. Please pray for Ella, Crystal, and John. Ella is only 9 months (she'll be 10 months a week from today). And, Crystal and John are exhausted. They haven't slept any in the last 24-48 hours. They would appreciate any prayers offered.

Recipe # 1

2008-02-05T23:03:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the delay in posting my first recipe. My blogging always seems to be very erratic. Without further ado...

Georgia Cornbread Cake

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil (vegetable)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup self-rising flour
2 cups pecans, chopped very fine (I use just 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish (PAM also works fine). Stir together sugar, brown sugar, eggs and oil in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in flour and vanilla, add pecans and stir until evenly mixed. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes (Note: my oven takes 40 minutes). Bake until toothpick comes out clean. Try not to open the oven until you know it is done.

This is nothing like cornbread at all. Great for dessert, or as a morning breakfast snack. I made it last year for my co-workers for Christmas, and they loved it. And the best part - it's fairly quick and easy. Hope you enjoy, too!

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Movie Reviews:

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

5 stars

I saw this movie for the first time this past weekend and thought it was fantastic. It showcases a young Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Juliette Lewis. Each have outstanding performances, especially DiCaprio. He was nominated for a best-supporting Oscar, but lost. The plot in a nutshell - Gilbert Grape (Depp) is the man of the house taking care of his mentally handicapped brother, Arnie (DiCaprio), his extremely obese mother, and his two sisters. The movie centers around Gilbert struggling to deal with everything and whether he will get the chance to live his own life. I love movies like this that really dive deep into characters. It really tells a story and deals with issues. Be sure and tune into the special features if you watch the dvd.

Ocean's Thirteen

3 stars

This movie was way too predictable for me compared to the first two Ocean's movies. The plot was somewhat weaker, focusing on revenge and hurting someone as much they could, instead of the delicate intracasies of suberb, flawless theivery. The writing was fair. And, it lacked Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones. The reason for three stars, instead of 2 or 2 1/2? It did have George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Al Pacino, and Casey Affleck in it. All great actors, we know. They just didn't get a chance to really shine in this film.

Voting by Candlelight

2008-01-30T21:34:00.000-06:00

Last night, after the hard rain had ceased, our power began to flicker. It would go off for a minute or so, and then come back on. Around 10:30 p.m., however, the power went off for good. I made a quick call to Alabama Power and was told via an automated voice that it wouldn't be back on 'til the wee hours of the morning. So, with my candles lit, I finished up a couple of things before heading to bed. One of them was my VOTE! I'm voting by absentee ballot since I won't be in the county where I'm registered on the day of the primary election, next Tuesday the 5th - SUPER TUESDAY. It felt like something from the very distant past as I marked my ballot by candlelight, and sealed everything really good. I mean really good. Three envelopes, as mandated by the accompanying instructions. A secrecy envelope to put my ballot in. An affadavit envelope to put my secrecy envelope in. And a large brown envelope to put my affadavit envelope and a form of identification in. Whew. Don't want to just scan over those directions!

So, my vote has been cast. And I'm quite anxious to see how my candidate does. I hope each of you are planning your trip to the polls, if you haven't already done so. Florida, you had quite an impact, causing two candidates to drop!

Now, you may be wondering why our power went off if the rain had already ceased. Can you believe it was the wind?? We actually had peak gusts of 65 mph in Birmingham. All across the state this morning there were damage reports of trees uprooted, damages to homes, and power outages. Probably some of the most widespread damage without accompanying severe weather. It was crazy, I tell ya. I didn't go to sleep for a while, because I could hear the wind just howling outside. (Not to mention, it's really odd with absolutely no light, not even your alarm clock light.) Thankfully, though, the power was restored by the time Table and I awoke, and we were able to get ready for school and work. God bless the line crews.

SNOW!! (and other tidbits)

2008-01-24T21:26:00.001-06:00

SNOW!

You can see that it isn't much, but we did get our first "good" snow this past Saturday. The evening news was really hyping everything up on Friday night, and almost the whole 30 minutes of news was devoted to Alabama's preparation for the "big freeze". It started snowing somewhere between 7:00 and 9:00 Saturday morning, and it stopped around 11:15 a.m. Birmingham received 1/2 to 1 inch. Table and I were REALLY hungry by Saturday morning because we didn't eat any supper the night before (a whole other funny story). So, we called Brett and Brian to see who was awake at their apartment and if they wanted any Krispy Kreme donuts. The answer was, of course, yes. If you look at the first picture, looking out across our apartment porch, and look through the tree to the opposite apartment's porch, well, Brett and Adam live in the apartment left of it (if you're facing it, right of it from their direction). So, you can't see their porch - it's just barely cut out of the picture. After we got off the phone with Brett, we ventured outside where we began throwing snowballs from porch to porch at each other. It was an all out snowball fight between me and Table, and Brett and Brian. Then, when we headed outside to go get donuts, they came around the corner with snowballs. We had another snowball fight, screaming and laughing so hard. It was a lot of fun.

We returned with two dozen donuts and spent the rest of the afternoon watching the snow melt very quickly, and watching movies.

It was so much fun and so pretty while it lasted...

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Atonement

I have now seen the movie twice. The second time we were going to see 27 Dresses, but it was sold out. I was the only one who had seen Atonement, and I didn't mind watching it again. The directing was brilliant. I loved how you saw the same scene twice, usually, but from very different vantage points. The story revolves around a young 13 year old (Briony) witnessing various events between her older sister (Cecilia) and boyfriend (Robbie). The choices she makes after witnessing these events affects the lives of of Cecilia and Robbie forever. I don't want to explain too much and give it away, because I was kind of surprised by the ending. But the brilliance is that you see the same scene from both Briony's perspective and Cecilia and Robbie's.

I would give this movie 4 stars out of 5.

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Heath Ledger

Another tragedy has befallen Hollywood this week. We mourn the loss of this talented, rising actor, and wish comfort and peace for his family. If you would like to sample his work, rent Ten Things I Hate About You (a modern remake of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew), The Patriot (where he stars alongside Mel Gibson), and A Knight's Tale. I'm also looking forward very much to his portrayal of the Joker in this coming summer's release of The Dark Knight.

(One small tirade - I heard on the news today that the same Baptist church who pickets at soldiers funerals is planning to protest at the memorial service for Heath, due to his role in Brokeback Mountain. Not only do I highly disagree with their prior pickets, but I also truly hope they change their minds regarding this protest. It can serve no good purpose whatsoever.)

Hope each of you are having a lovely week.

Just a couple of news bits...

2008-01-15T22:27:00.000-06:00

It seems that day after day I can't think of something to blog about, and then all of a sudden, several things hit me at once!

First, a news article I saw on MSNBC today. "FDA Says Food From Cloned Animals Safe". Already? A decision made already? Are you kidding me? And a 100+ page report to back it up. Not only have they approved meat and other products from cloned animals (although it will be several years before it is on grocery store shelves in large quantities), but they have also said it doesn't have to be labeled. WHAT? Thankfully, the FDA did say they would allow non-cloned meat and products to be labeled as such. (Pay careful attention to how they worded it...soon, non-cloned meat will be more expensive, just as "organic" food is now more expensive. Think about the similarity...This is "organic". This is "non-cloned".) Not only will this affect our grocery store purchases, but think about the food that is consumed daily at fast-food restaurants and other restaurants. I'm sure the FDA did lots of research to prove that the meat and other products, such as milk, are just as healthy as other animals, but personally, I would rather NOT eat or drink anything that has been cloned. It just gives me the heebie jeebies. So, if you hear I've become a vegetarian...now you know. That, or I've started my own farm and am slaughtering my own meat.

Second, I'm in love with my new deodorant. I have been trying for a while now to find a deodorant without aluminum chlorohydrate and that is paraben free. I have tried JASON natural tea-oil deodorant and an Adidas brand deodorant, but I didn't like either one. My sister and I went shopping at the only 100% organic store here in B'ham a couple of Saturdays ago, and I found The Crystal, which I had read about earlier. It is recommended by Cancer Treatment Centers nationwide, and bears the pink breast cancer ribbon. It is AMAZING, and works! Please check it out on the website. (On a side note, I'm also still checking out a face wash I bought, too. BWC, or Beauty Without Cruelty. It contains no parabens, and is made from oils and herbal extracts. So far, I like it.)

And, lastly, Hollywood lost another actor today. Brad Renfro died at the age of 25. He won acclaim starring opposite Susan Sarandan and Tommy Lee Jones in The Client, but I remember watching him play the tough Huck Finn in Tom and Huck. I didn't watch the movie for J.T.T. (if you're close to my age, you know who I'm talking about :-) ),but I did enjoy watching Brad Renfro. Farewell, and R.I.P.

Resolutions

2008-01-09T12:24:00.000-06:00

2007 was an amazing year. As it drew to a close, I began to reflect on it and what my resolutions were at the beginning of 2007. One of them, I am happy to say, I actually feel like I made some progress on. The others, well, I feel like I may have failed miserably. But, with a new year, we have new resolutions, or new takes on old ones. So, without further ado, my resolutions for 2008:

1. Read the Bible everyday, or at least read the entire Bible in one year. (I bought the One Year Bible last year, but unfortunately failed to do anything with it. I am determined this year. And, I highly recommend it, based on my readings for the last 9 days. I really love that it mixes the Old and New Testament and includes a little Psalms and Proverbs each day. The only thing I would like a little more of is Proverbs - 3 or 4 verses a day just isn't enough!)

2. Eat healthier and exercise more. (This one is most certainly a repeat. I have trouble with this one every year. So, I've tried to set what I think may be some manageable goals.)

3. Write in my journal everyday. (My grandfather and great-grandfather were great journal/diary writers. It's amazing to read about their day-to-day activities. I've always "kinda" kept a journal, but not been good to write every day. This year I resolve to write every day.)

4. Communicate better. (This one is kinda hard to explain...).

These are just a couple, a good start perhaps. Somehow, writing them down makes me more confident. Here's hoping to a great 2008.

A Poem / Song

2007-12-10T20:41:00.000-06:00

Drought in Alabam’

It’s dry down here in Alabam’
We’re waiting for a rain.
It’s dry down here in Alabam’
For nine months it’s been the same.

It’s dry down here in Alabam’
I’ve been looking to the sky.
It’s dry down here in Alabam’
I see no clouds and sigh.

We’re waiting for a big storm
It needs to last for days,
And when it’s o’er,
There will be no more,
Drought in Alabam’.

It’s dry down here in Alabam’
The leaders called for prayer.
It’s dry down here in Alabam’
And no one wants to share.

It’s dry down here in Alabam’
But we keep pressing on.
It’s dry down here in Alabam’
Who’ll notice when it’s gone?

We’re waiting for a big storm
It needs to last for days,
And when it’s o’er
There will be no more,
Drought in Alabam’.

Thanksgiving Holidays

2007-11-27T23:05:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I went home to Jasper on Wednesday night, where we had a wonderful Wednesday night service at church. Many were home from college, work, etc., so there was a good crowd. Thursday, John came down early, and our whole family went to Liberty PBC's annual Thanksgiving Day meeting. Dad and Elder Howell were blessed to preach some good sermons. Then, we went to my aunt's house in "Twilleytown", Alabama, and got together with my mom's side of the family. It's always a large gathering, since she is one of nine siblings. Then on Friday we went to my Granny's house. Uncle George (my dad's brother) and Aunt Joyce, my cousin Brian, his wife Lori, and their son Gavin, all came and we got together for Thanksgiving. We had a great time watching Gavin play with all the toys we used to play with. And, since my dad and Uncle George graduated from MSU, we watched the Egg Bowl. What a win! (Next day, another coach got "Croomed". Hehe.) Saturday, we put up the Christmas tree and watched the Iron Bowl. What can I say about that...Alabama lost again for the sixth time in a row to Auburn. I've always lost, and Table's always won. Maybe next year...

Below are some pictures of all my, umm, first cousins once removed?? Second cousins?? I'm not sure how that works. They are my cousins' children. I've been doing some experimenting with photography lately. It's something I would love to learn more about and become better at. Thus, some of the black and white photos.

This is Gavin, my cousin Brian's little boy.

Derrick and Brian

Uncle George, Granny, Dad

This is Noah (my cousin Monica's little boy) and Christian (my cousin Tonya's little boy)
This is Reagan (my cousin Zac's little girl), the only great niece so far!
This is Caleb, my cousin Tonya's youngest son.
Tonya and Christian - this is one of my favorite pics!
And, the newest edition, Jace, my cousin Jason's little boy.