Psalm 122:1

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

This past weekend I was blessed to be able to attend Five Mile PB's annual meeting in Akron, AL. The people and place there hold a special spot in my heart. Elder D. Pyles from Jackson, MS, was the invited minister.

My mouth dropped as Elder Pyles began his sermon Friday night. His sermon was going to be "What happened to the nation Israel?" He said that first, though, he must define Israel as the Apostle Paul defined it in Romans 9. I was very excited for this reason: Elder Pyles preached at my church's annual meeting in April, and on Saturday night, he, Elder L. Mozingo Jr., my dad, and others, were discussing this point. I came in half-way through the conversation, and I never quite grasped what Elder Pyles was saying. Elder Pyles was richly blessed to elaborate on Romans 9 and 10 over the course of the weekend, and I greatly rejoiced.

We spent Friday night with some wonderful cousins of mine. When I and my siblings were around the ages of 4, 6, and 8, these same cousins used to stay with us, who at that time were the same age as us now. Now, we are staying with them and their children, who are 2, 4 or 5, and 6 or 7. (I can't remember their exact ages.) Table of Stone, Elyow'eynay, my brother, Eugene, and Eugene's brother discussed how old we would be when my younger cousins turn 16. We will be in our thirties, and Lord-willing, with children and husbands of our own. We giggled in the fact that one day they might be staying with us. "Let the circle be unbroken..." :-)

Sunday I was able to visit another dear church in Tremont, MS. There you will find some of the sweetest people on the earth. I have some very fond memories of visiting there one Sunday a month when I was younger. I particularly remember being told by my mother, "Do not get off this blanket, or you'll get a whipping!" Before there were pews, there were theater seats, and since my dearest mother was afraid we would fall into the seats and get stuck or pinch ourselves, she put us on blankets in the aisle. I also remember how cold the toilet seats were in the outhouse during winter, before the bathrooms were built onto the church. :-)

So, basically, I just wanted to share what a blessed weekend it was. I am so thankful for times such as these when we can "leave the world", and enter a place of worship, fellowship, and encouragement.

Bird's Eye View

Bird on Telescope



I just wanted to try to post a picture. And...now I have. This picture was presented to me by my graduate teaching assistant in Astronomy during my freshman year. That was a really great class. I didn't necessarily agree with everything that was taught...but, I did gain an even greater appreciation for God's creation. I could only laugh when we were taught about "dark matter." Scientists have discovered that 95% (I may have to check that number...may be 99%) of the universe is made up of somthing that they cannot see. It holds everything together. They call it "dark matter." I call it the Word of God.

Each day our class was presented with a really neat picture of space - a distant galaxy, a nebula, etc. This picture, however, is of a bird's bottom. It happened to sit on a telescope one morning, and the scientists, finding it amusing, took a picture. I found it amusing myself. :-)

The Pilgrim's Progress

Ever since moving to Tuscaloosa for school, I have been an avid supporter of the Friends of the Library Bookstore. It sits on the edge of Tuscaloosa's Public Library, and it opens three or four days a week. The books, as well as magazines, tapes, etc, are all donated. The books are then sold for 25 cents or 50 cents, and some of the older or hardback or first edition books are $2.00. (All the money raised supports the library and its events.) I love to spend my free afternoons wandering through my favorite sections of the store, looking for a good find.

Last week, I found one of my favorite finds thus far - The Pilgrim's Progress on audio cassette! Unfortunately, it is the abridged version, but in this case, I decided to not be picky. I am on the second cassette now, and I feel that I will spend quite a few trips back and forth to Jasper or Birmingham or wherever enjoying this great story.

We can relate to Christian in so many ways. The people he meets. The trials he faces. Yet, Christian tells each person he meets of his journey, where he came from, and where he is going. He constantly refers to his "good book." He knows what it says, he believes it, and it comforts him.

I pray that I would "take the name of Jesus" with me wherever I may go, and I pray that I would be more dilligent to read His holy word, from which I can draw strength, encouragement, comfort, and instruction.

Philippians 1:3-8

My dear friends, my heart is still overflowing with joy and encouragement from this past week. I dissappeared from the world, and entered a haven of rest, otherwise known as Harmony Highlands Singing School. A place that brings many of my dearest friends together, united as brothers and sisters, and sharing a love that is indescribible. We laughed together. We cried together. Gave advice. Received advice. Learned from the older and younger in our dorm devotions. I could go on and on.

Our theme song was the hymn, House of the Lord. It has always been a favorite of mine, and the words touch my heart every time. I especially like the third verse:

You may value the friendships of youth and of age,
And select for my comrades the noble and sage.
But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road,
Are the friends of my Master, the children of God.

I have surrounded my room with memories. Green and yellow clothespins. (Sorry Ashers, I didn't have any blue and silvers in my travel bag.) My nametags...one as a counselor, and one for my tribe, the Tribe of Gad. I can't wait to get my pictures back. I think I have some great ones of the "Pregnant" Relay Race. :-) I hope somebody got some good ones of us covered in mud. I had ran out of film that day.

This morning I traveled back to Tuscaloosa. I put in my Triumphal Feast cd, and I thanked God for his blessings. He is so good to us time and time again. I re-entered the world by going back to work. And now, I can just wait with patience and great expectations for next year's singing school.

(And all the meetings in between! :-) )

Eat, Drink, or...

Tonight, I and my new roomie (for the month of June) went to Swen Chinese restaurant. My roomie ordered hot and spicy soup to go with her meal. The idea occured to me that we neither eat or drink our soup. We don't necessarily chew our soup, which usually constitutes eating, and we don't take many "sips" as one would drinking. I wanted to present this idea to you readers, and get your opinions. Also, if we don't eat or drink our soup, how do we intake it?

I want a light saber...

I have now seen Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith twice. I was so excited Friday night when I saw it for the first time. I was boucing up and down ever so slightly, while shaking my fists in amazement. I had the biggest smile on my face as the theme music began and I read the background for the beginning of the story as it scrolled up the screen. Elyow'eynay and Table of Stone joined me.

The story was absolutely wonderful. It ties all the Star Wars movies together very nicely, and Lucas's attention to detail is amazing. The acting wasn't wonderful, but there were a few scenes where the actors really came through. (I almost wanted to cry a few times, but I didn't.) I have to agree with someone who wrote a letter to the editor of TIME magazine, though. He said that although Lucas was able to present his vision more precisely with today's technology, he wasn't able to make it as real. I feel that this statement applies mainly to the various surface setting shots (which from a distant look very digital). On the other hand, the light saber fights, as Elyow'eynay stated, were much more real than IV, V, and VI.

Overall, the movie was wonderful, and the darkest one yet. You almost get a real bad gut feeling while watching the movie progress, because you know the story...you know what is going to happen. It is just a matter of watching it happen.

I would say more...but I don't want to spoil anything for anybody. So...go see it, and may the force be with you. :-)

Summer Daze

I have discovered at least two things that summer should always include: afternoons on the porch and reading on a bench in the park.

Sunday afternoon my friends and I sat on the porch and enjoyed lovely conversation (after the boys ended their destruction and violence, otherwise known as Halo). Some enjoyed Mountain Dew, although I think porch sitting should be accompanied with water or sweet tea. Our dear Sister Friend of the church has a hammock, and Table of Stone and I swapped out using it. A radio played softly in the background, and the pool water reflected the sun onto the ceiling. Our Sister Friend also provided a fan. Table of Stone stated well, "This is what every day of summer should be like."

Today, after running errands and missing a meeting, I headed for the Quad at my dear University of Alabama, found my favorite bench, and began to read. I brought two books with me, but I decided on Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs. Very good and interesting reading. I also brought with me The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. It is the fifth in his Narnia series, and also a very good book thus far. Anyways, I think this will be one of my favorite parts about working in Tuscaloosa over the summer. Reading a good book is great fun by itself, but reading a book on the Quad with just enough background noise and shade...well, it's absolutely wonderful.

I will add more "summer musts" as I discover them or think of them, and as always, feel free to share your "summer musts."