Pray for Genesis

Genesis is the nephew of one of my mom's friends. He's five and was diagnosed with Stage IV Embryonal Parameningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma with METS to the lungs. He's doing well considering, but please remember to pray for him and other children with Rhabdo. I was reading his CaringBridge Journal and the story of a little girl was so sweet that I wanted to share it.

"I continue to be humbled and so grateful for the love and support we are receiving from so many wonderful people. I am especially amazed by the support from people we do not even know. Last week, after we had had a long day at clinic with his chemo and blood transfusion, we came home to find a great surprise in the mail. A 6 year old girl who is the daughter of a friend of my sister, Maria, had just had her 6th birthday party. Instead of presents, she had decided to ask for donations for Genesis. She has never met him but was willing to give up her presents to help him out. This was beautiful for so many reasons and was uplifting to both of us. This is just one example of the generosity of many around us. It is hard to put into words how incredibly thankful we are for each thoughtful act of kindness."

Monday Thoughts...

I just finished a very interesting article on Polio in Manitoba. It actually lasted there for almost 25 years--from 1928 to 1953!

The cures proposed varied from gamma globulin research, blood serums, nose sprays (which often turned your nose yellow), and nursing therapies.

Just a thought from the article:

There was a nursing shortage in the last part of the epidemic because many nurses were either scared to work with "contagious" polio patients, or they didn't want to work the strenuous schedule. Power outages were often (mostly in the winter, I'm guessing) and THREE nurses were needed to manually operate ONE iron lung. Also, the iron lung patient (someone with bulbar polio [1953 polio that attacked the brain, spinal cord, and respiratory system]) was never allowed out of the iron lung until they had recovered enough to breath on their own. Nurses had to reach inside four little holes in the machine to wash the patients' bodies as well as they could.

This was the part I found most interesting, because of the book I read for school about five years ago. In the book, the main character's brother has bulbar polio and must stay in an iron lung. I'll Watch the Moon is a great read by Ann Tatlock, as well as the rest of her books. I have read A Room of My Own, I'll Watch the Moon, and The Returning.

I wrote an article about the virus, but I can't share it because I'm afraid my instructor might find it and think I stole it offline. It would probably bore you to tears, but I found it interesting.

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Yesterday, we went to White Top mountain and walked around. We found mushrooms and salamanders and plan on hiking the mountain again next weekend.

And this is my verse for right now:

1 Tim 2:1-6

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we
may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is
good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all me--the
testimony given in its proper time."

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Have you heard of Noise Trade? I found all these great Cds there for Free!

• The Hawk in Paris: His and Hers
  


• Josh Garrels: Love, War, and the Sea in Between
  


• Steve Moakler --love this one!
  


• All About Worship --absolutely great!
  


• Plumb Sampler
  


• Andrew Peterson: the Far Country --love this one too!
  


• Sleeping at Last
  


• Weekend Warrior Worship: Your Word
  


• and (my sister loves this Cd) The Vespers

What is free now will expire from the website in the future, so get it while you can. About 1/3 of my iTunes is from NoiseTrade.
I've also found a few Christmas Albums, so watch for those too!

Well, it's been a long, hot summer. We haven't had any rain for weeks and now we're getting a downpour. I'm so thankful for the respite in the muggy weather. School has been in for a few weeks and, although it's been hard to make friends, we have enjoyed our classes so far. All of the framing, roofing, and most of the wiring is done...now for insulation! The sheet-rock can't be installed for a few weeks since the workers are VERY backed up. I'm itching for it to be done so that I can paint my room, start decorating, and MOST OF ALL, move in!

Looking back on all we've gotten done, I'm so thankful for my hardworking family. I didn't think we'd get this far since we don't have Noah or Josh to help.

I'm just SO glad for the fun things I did in the past few months. Although going to the beach tops them all, we also

• had many barbeques
• had Isabella and Wesley for two sleepovers
• went swimming
• went shopping
• had many birthday parties

• went to the Highland's Festival with this little Diva and her Mommy:

• Had two bonfires and roasted marshmallows:

Wes loved watching the fire.

He got marshmallows all OVER his hands!

Bella loved the marshmallows.

• And Noah visited before school started!

• The funniest part of the summer:

The pig at the pound!

• The prettiest part of the summer:

Granny's beautiful garden of Zenias.

God has REALLY blessed us with such a wonderful world--it's so hard to remember that this isn't our home.
We're sojourners, blessed by God's grace, looking for Heaven in His creation, and finding hope of Glory in Jesus' life and resurrection.

No way to get far away from you...

Just like Jonah, sometimes I try to hide from God. From His will, from the words of His Spirit in me, from the obligation I feel to honor and glorify Him. I especially try to hide the workings of my heart from Him.
Thankfully, I'm not strong enough to get away from His gaze or His arms. His embrace isn't wide open...His arms are wrapped tightly around me and I am bound to Him by chains of redemption. I don't have the key to unlock them. Only He can let me go.
That isn't something to hide from--it's something to shout from the tallest mountain!

Why does it matter if I understand?

God holds my heart, God holds my hand.

A Short Film

Pineapple princess,

...he calls me pineapple princess all day
As he plays his ukulele on the hill above the bay
Pineapple princess, I love you, you're the sweetest girl I've seen
Some day we're gonna marry and you'll be my pineapple queen

post title: Pineapple Princess

When I grow up, I want to be a little boy...

...one with a milk mustache...


post title: Joseph Heller

Kitty, where have you been today? In the meadows, asleep in the hay. Kitty, you are a lazy cat, If you have done no more than that.

Good Morning, Tiger Lily.

Here's your breakfast meal.
The aroma isn't quite as pleasing
as my oatmeal and peach preserves were;
I hope you don't mind.

What's that? A pudgy groundhog on a morning stroll?

Did you hear me whistle for him?
(The groundhogs usually stand when you whistle.)

All done, Tiger?

Good day, kitty. Stay dry in the wet weather.
And don't get struck by lightning.

post title: Nursery Rhyme, "The Lazy Cat"

"I read a book once that a rose

by any other name would smell as sweet,
but I've never been able to believe it.
I don't believe a rose would be as nice
if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage."~ Anne Shirley
Oh, Anne, I agree.

photo: Sarah

I'll fly away to another state, I don't care what my friends say. We'll dance and sing 'till broad daylight...Skip to my Lou, my darlin'!

My 63 year old grandmother...
did 3 intervals of almost 30 counts on the skipping rope!

Lord, let be me that healthy when I'm her age!

post title: "Skip to My Lou," Meet Me in St. Louis

I'm on the merry-go-round of life I want to get off but I don't know how I could try to jump off right away But there's no guarantee I'd make it...

Life is so very hectic right now (so the Rosie-Daisy wont be daily for a while :P).
We're heading out on Friday...so every day until then is for packing. We're taking what we need for now--we probably won't see the rest for a year!! (aaaah!!!! What will I do without my piano?!?!)
We said goodbye for the last time to our friends on Sunday.
Meanwhile, my brother and his bride are on their honeymoon! I hope the weather warms up for them. Their beautiful wedding ceremony was on Sunday.
But while my life looks and feels so crazy, I really am blessed compared to others. Especially those recently hit with tornadoes.
Let's keep them in our prayers, for 'the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.' (James 5:16)

post title: Tal and Acacia, "Merry Go Round"

I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright!

After a long break from Photoshop, I've started using Picasa's Picnik to edit and make my pictures more chichi (yes, a real word meaning spiffing/spiffy).

This is the purse that my brother and sister got me for my birthday. It's the side-by-side tote from Vera Bradley. It is so awesome and spacious and I love the way it carries and looks.

I was caught in the Vera Bradley Outlet in the Mall and my Mother spotted these grocery/shopping bags. Aren't they cute? Makes me wants to go to the market!
And THIS is my new wallet. It's part of the frill line in Vera Bradley. That's what I call chichi!It also works as a clutch. Unbutton and inside is silky blue--a pocket for your phone, a zipped space for coins, a slide-in for cash, and id and card slots. Oh, and the wrist-handle clips on and can hold your keys!
We also went to Kohl's where we found a lot of new clothes and stuff. I got a set of colored and silver half-ball studs for my second piercings. I also purchased a headband set. The one with the flowers is my favorite.I played this piece for my senior recital. It's so lovely, I will try to record it to share with you.And last, but not least, my piano teacher gave me these two suites as a graduation gift! My favorite piece is Ballad for Nashville.

So, we're really busy, but I'll try to update again this week. My grandmother and brother come in Wednesday night for my eldest brother's wedding!
I'm so proud to have such a wonderful brother and new sister-in-law.
post title: Leonard Bernstein, "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story

When the road looks rough ahead And you're miles and miles From your nice warm bed Just remember what your old pal said Boy, you've got a friend in me

Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye.

And sometimes it's easy.

Depends on whether you like the person you'll never see again, I suppose.

I had to bid farewell to my dear, dear friend today. She's a lovely, godly art teacher here at my community college. (We both love British Tele--Doc Martin, Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford, etc.)

I will miss her so much...I wish I had a picture of her.

I felt like crying as I walked for the last time out of that familiar classroom. After three semesters in the same class, it was so hard to say goodbye. To her and to my fellow classmates.

But it's one of those things that you have to do.

I can't believe it's only 14 days before we move!

I'm nervous and very excited.

And I'm trying not to be happy and not afraid of what's coming around the bend.

"Might as well share, might as well smile

Life goes on for a little bitty while."~Alan Jackson, "Little Bitty"

post title: "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman

Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height...Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring!

"The bonny blue sky
waves banners of white.
Unravel the strings,
up, up goes my kite.

I run through th' grass;
I can't let it fall.
I tug on the strings--
'tis too much to haul!

Up, up through the air
I fly, fly, fly...
high up past the banners
of white in the sky.

I look to the earth,
wave to everyone.
Then higher I go,
up, up to the sun."

Spring is finally here--the sun is shining and everything is turning green.
Out here in Colorado, the wind is blowing wildy...

So, come on, let's go fly a kite--who knows? You might be in for a ride!

post title: "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins
poem: "Kite Ride" by me

Put a chain around my neck and lead me anywhere Oh let me be your Teddy Bear

I'm in love with theses necklaces made by Bel Kai Designs...now to save up for them!

post title: "Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley

God knows about ev'rything, about the birds up above and why they sing...

When I was little, I used to do Saxon Math. Many times, I would tell my mother my grade and she would say, "Were those silly mistakes or did you really not understand what you were doing?" More often than not, I would have to answer, "Silly mistakes."
I'm a daydreamer and those silly mistakes would pop up while I had my head in a cloud. I've always hated silly mistakes--not only do you already feel bad for messing up, you feel worse because if you'd really been paying attention, you would have easily seen the right answer.
I made a very silly mistake today. I got up and got ready for my piano lesson and my mother asked, "It's at 10 o'clock, right?" Ever since I switched to a different day and a half an hour later in time, she's been confused about the lesson. And I've gotten used to her being confused, a half hour off. So, when she said "10 o'clock," I immediately assumed she was wrong. "No ma'am. It's at 10:30."
I wasn't very kind to my mother and I made a point of reminding her that she was "always wrong" about the time.
But she was right. And my piano teacher was forgiving, but she couldn't fit me in because of her next student.
I was so afraid that my mom would be angry with me, but she wasn't. She simply told me to come on home, without so much as one 'I told you so'--something I find hard to resist saying when I have the chance. I'm so blessed by her kind, forgiving spirit.
I went to the library on the way home and had the pleasure of a gentleman holding the door for me. That always makes me feel special. So, to return the favor, I held the door for a short lady and her husband.
She looked up at me and said, "You're a tall young lady, how tall are you?"
"5' 8"."
"Wow." She went on about how short people envy tall people.
"Well, tall people envy short people because of their little feet," I answered.
She laughed, "What size shoes do you wear?"
I looked down at my flats and giggled, "10."
Her husband smiled, "That's the size I wear."
And the lady apologized, "Oh, you didn't have to answer that question. You have a nice day."
I really didn't care that she asked me how big my feet were or how tall I was...I was just glad to know that people are friendly.
As I drove home, I looked up at the sky--it's one of those bright Colorado days where the every cloud is perfect--one my mom would call a "Toy Story" sky.
And I wondered how today couldn't be a good day.
I'm so amazed by God. He used a kind man to hold the door and a little lady to bless me, even after I'd messed up the whole morning. And, when I thought about it, if I had gone to the lesson, I would've missed out.
He knows the plans He has for me. He really does. From piano lessons to shoe sizes, He really knows it all.
I can't help but smile at this cute song: (it might be an old one, but it's a good one!)


post title: from "God Knows Everything" from the Donut Man