Pilgrim Priest

Christ, My Protector

2008-10-15T15:19:00.001-04:00

I saw this video for the first time about a year ago. It had me in tears then, and again today when a friend gave me a link to it again. Where would I be without my Savior?

I Found a New Poet to Add to My Favorites

2007-10-20T16:22:00.000-04:00

A BETTER RESURRECTION

I have no wit, no words, no tears;
   My heart within me like a stone
Is numbed too much for hopes or fears.
   Look right, look left, I dwell alone;
I lift mine eyes, but dimmed with grief
   No everlasting hills I see;
My life is in the falling leaf:
   O Jesus, quicken me.

My life is like a faded leaf,
   My harvest dwindled to a husk;
Truly my life is void and brief
   And tedious in the barren dusk;
My life is like a frozen thing,
   No bud nor greenness can I see:
Yet rise it shall--the sap of Spring;
   O Jesus, rise in me.

My life is like a broken bowl,
   A broken bowl that cannot hold
One drop of water for my soul
   Or cordial in the searching cold
Cast in the fire the perished thing,
   Melt and remould it, till it be
A royal cup for Him my King:
   O Jesus, drink of me.

Christina Rosetti

Baby Pictures

2007-01-30T21:43:00.000-05:00

For those who follow my blog and not Jess's, here are the links to pictures and story, and video of Jude.

Baby!!!

2007-01-27T19:20:00.000-05:00

Woo-hoo!!! I have a new nephew! Jessica had her today baby a month early: Judah Spencer James. He will be called Jude. Jude is 5 pounds 14 ounces and Paul didn't know how long when he called!

Mama's doing fine, though I hear Baby is under oxygen. He's having just a little trouble breathing, but they don't expect it to last for long: maybe a day. Just because he's so early.

When Mommy posts pictures I'll post a link!

Congratulations, Jessica and Paul! Welcome, Jude!

Cultural Differences

2006-12-27T14:38:00.000-05:00

A friends of mine living in northwest China made a post about his recent experience with a local Uigur man. It's a very amusing highlight of the difference in cultural viewpoints!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

I hope you all are having as relaxing and blessed family time as I am!

We had our family Christmas yesterday.

Table set for dinner. I had fun making the stuffing and a dairy-free, gluten-free pumpkin pie.

The living after all the presents had been unwrapped. Most of us recieved books, which you can see several enjoying. You can't see the styrofoam packing peanuts that Levi was getting a kick out of crumbling all over the carpet!

Here are some of the things I got:

Today Nathan and Andy were with their in-laws. The four of us slept in and went to The Nativity Story. It was really good. Not perfectly Biblically accurate, but it gave such a sense of the story, and the wonder of it. I didn't expect to be so moved, but I cried through almost the whole thing.

New MP4 Player - a lesson learned

2006-12-25T20:25:00.000-05:00

Well, maybe technology isn't as wonderful as I thought! I got scammed. The mp4 player is actually 1 gig instead of 4. I found a site devoted to these cheap no-brand mp4 players from China. Word to the wise: check out MyMPxPlayer.org's blacklist before you buy any player from eBay or other auction sites.

I probably will still keep the mp4 player because it was so cheap. But I will put bad feedback on seller e-britain on eBay. Next time I know to check into things better before I buy. It was just an accident that I ended up with this one, anyway!

New MP4 Player

2006-12-23T14:40:00.000-05:00

Check out my new mp3 player! 4 gigs, smaller than a credit card, and about a third inch thick! Isn't technology today amazing?!

Babysitting today!

2006-12-22T11:32:00.001-05:00

I get to spend today with Levi!

He Had No Rights

2006-12-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

This fits in with recent discussions and study on humility in Philippians.

He Had No Rights
He had no rights:

     No   right to a soft bed, and a well-laid table;
     No   right to a home of His own, a place where His
              own pleasure might be sought;
     No   right to choose pleasant, congenial
              companions, those who could understand Him
              and sympathize with Him;
     No  right to shrink away from filth and sin, to
              pull His garments closer around Him and turn
              aside to walk in cleaner paths;
     No   right to be understood and appreciated; no,
              not by those upon whom He had poured out a
              double portion of His love;
     No   right even never to be forsaken by His Father,
              the One who meant more than all to Him.

His only right was silently to endure shame,
     spitting, blows; to take His place as a sinner at
     the dock; to bear my sins in anguish on the
     cross.

He had no rights. And I?

       A   right to the "comforts" of life? No, but a
              right to the love of God for my pillow.
       A   right to physical safety? No, but a right to
              the security of being in His will.
       A   right to love and sympathy from those around
              me? No, but a right to the friendship of the
              One who understands me better than I do myself.
       A   right to be a leader among men? No, but the
              right to be led by the one to whom I have given
              my all, led as is a little child, with its hand
              in the hand of its father.
       A   right to a home, and dear ones? No, not
              necessarily; but a right to dwell in the heart
              of God.
       A   right to myself? No, but, oh, I have a right
              to Christ.

All that He takes I will give;
All that He gives will I take;
He, my only right!
He, the one right before which all other rights
     fade into nothingness,
I have full right to Him;
Oh, may He have full right to me!

Mabel Williamson, miss. to China

Christmas Program

2006-12-18T20:33:00.000-05:00

Last night is the first Christmas program in a couple years that I haven't sung in. Instead I was called on to shepherd the littlest sheep, but he saw his daddy and refused to go up front! You can see more (better quality!) pictures on Davis' blog. Andy and Jenelle have video of the best part of the program on their blog. (Check the archives for December 19, 2006. Their blog is weird, so I can't send you straight to the page.)

A sober sheep!

A cheerful king!

In the Christmas spirit at my brother's after the program. (About 2AM!)

My favorite little boy

2006-12-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

My favorite little boy on my birthday last month.

Him again with two cousins. I missed the picture of his littlest cousin wiping his dirty face with her napkin!

(I wonder what I'll call him when his brother and new Morris cousin are born?)

Car News

2006-12-16T13:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got word on the coverage I'll get for my car. I hope the money comes soon. Dad and I looked over various choices to replace it this morning.

Top choices were this van, this minivan, and this pickup. There is a reason for size! I'm looking for something I can use for hauling bulk garden things around this year. But I also need something to drive the kids I take care of around in. If I end up with the van or pickup I'll probably add a hitch to it.

Danny!

2006-12-14T23:21:00.000-05:00

Here is Danny's latest trick - hands on the floor, feet on the ceiling!

New Garden Blog

2006-12-13T17:15:00.000-05:00

I started a new blog for my market garden. Check out In His Hands Garden blog! I plan to keep garden updates, news, recipes, and discussion on interesting articles there.

A New Opportunity

2006-12-12T19:13:00.000-05:00

I've written and talked over the past year about my interest in gardening and nutrition through it. The Lord seems to be opening the way to start a market garden this year. I've applied for a class through the New Agrarian Center's City Fresh program.

Their Market Gardener Training Program teaches organic gardening/farming, small business skills, helps you find land, the assignments add up to your business plan by the end, includes the possibility of a start-up grant, and provides several hands on sessions at an organic farm in Oberlin. I'm pretty excited about it and mom and dad both think it's a good idea.

They're not quite so sure about my first year garden plans. Mom thinks I'm biting off more than I can chew, and Dad says he's exhausted thinking about it! (My paraphrase!) They're probably right, but I think part of what this class will do is help me figure out what I can handle on my own.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your prayers for the Lord's leading on starting this up. I have plenty of ideas, but I don't want to jump into them if they're not coming from Him.

Car Issues

2006-12-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

I finally got my car driveable on Thursday. It just required having the muffler fastened up so it didn't drag. I had been waiting for insurance money to come through, but I finally was notified that my claim was denied because the driver was uninsured for that car. Thank the Lord I'm covered for uninsured drivers. But now there's another whole process to go through with my agency.

Now the car is having another set of problems. When I tried to take it to be fixed it wouldn't start. My dad charged the battery. SundayI stopped at a store for five minutes. My mom was in the car and turned off the engine, leaving the lights on. When I came back it wouldn't start. Roger came and picked us up for AWANA. When we came back later to jump it, it started up without a problem! Crazy car!

Wicked Witch of the West

2006-12-09T19:06:00.000-05:00

Here is the covered part of my outfit for my concert on Saturday night! (It was fun and went well!)

Personality Test

2006-11-27T15:53:00.000-05:00

You Are An INFP

The Idealist
You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.
You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

HopiQ posted the link to this.

New phone

2006-11-26T00:33:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of November I got a new phone with a camera. I just figured out how to mobile blog (as you can see!), so I'm sending all the pictures I took through the month! I'm pretty impressed with their quality. It was hard to tell on the tiny phone viewing screen.

Accident

2006-11-26T00:24:00.001-05:00

I got into an accident on the way to work on November 7th. I was pulling to a stop behind a pickup. The car behind me rear-ended me. I swerved to avoid the pickup and scraped the front passenger side. Here are photos of the damage. Mirror is hanging down, as is muffler, and the trunk can't open.

I haven't heard back yet from the insurance company on what they're paying. Hopefully enough for a new-to-me car, and then some!

Trip to the zoo

2006-11-26T00:01:00.001-05:00

I took the little boys I take care of to the zoo November 9th. I was a gorgeous day!

Trek Reward Party

2006-11-25T23:34:00.001-05:00

Our first reward party for Trek - junior high AWANA, back in October.

Daniel, DJ, and Roger are on the bottom, Merc and Jocob in the middle, and Julia on top!

Story out of China

2006-11-01T00:04:00.000-05:00

I recieved this true story out of China from a friend today.

"'Little Red' met for prayer several times each week with her mother and other Christian women of their rural village. They would pray for the gospel in China, and when Little Red went to the city for college, they prayed that she would meet some American missionaries. Almost immediately, she found the couple who told me this story, and began spending time at their house, learning and also reading fairy tales such as "The Ugly Duckling" and Max Lucado's You Are Special.

"One day as Little Red sat at the front door of the home, 'June' walked by. June held a high office in the Communist Party, and prided herself in the fact that she was able to get any religious people (including Christians) to renounce their faith in order to work at the companies she controlled. That day June happened to drop her wallet, and Little Red, in an act of honesty rarely seen in China, picked it up and returned it. June, surprised by this barely-literate country girl's actions, began talking with her, and eventually befriended her, taking her around in her chauffeured vehicle. However, when June offered Little Red a high-paying position with the usual compromise, Little Red declined, and instead shared her testimony and the gospel with June.

"Over the next weeks, June kept talking to Little Red, and re-offered the job several times, always with the same response. This had never happened before, and June could barely believe that such character could be found in a poor country girl. June began to tell her business and Party contacts of this incredible young woman. Skeptical, her friends arranged a meeting where they offered Little Red a briefcase full of U.S. currency to say she didn't believe in Jesus Christ. To all but June's amazement, she turned it down, and again shared the reason for her faith.

"June has not yet trusted in Little Red's God, but has gone so far as to conference with movie producers about filming her story. They decided it could not be done because of the political problems it would bring them. Similarly, June's position and the financial and political consequences hold her from surrendering to the sovereign God of the universe. But at the current rate, Little Red's unwavering faith, backed by her mother's prayers, could convince June yet."

Please pray for "Little Red" and "June".

Suffering - A Choice?

2006-10-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

I finished reading Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper today. It is one of the most life-changing/attitude-changing books I've ever read.

The final chapter is called "Suffering: The Sacrifice of Christian Hedonism." He begins by telling of a Cistercian abbot who was interviewed by Italian TV.

[The interviewer] asked the abbot, "And what if you were to realize at the end of your life that atheism is true, that there is no God? Tell me, what if it were true?"

The Abbot replied, "Holiness, silence, and sacrifice are beautiful in themselves, even without promise of reward. I still will have used my life well." ...

Paul's answer to the interviewer's question was utterly contrary to the abbot's answer. The interviewer had asked, "What if your way of life turns out to be based on a falsehood, and there is no God?" The abbot's answer in essence was, "It was a good and noble life anyway." Paul gave his answer in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied." This is the exact opposite of the abbot's answer...

Why didn't Paul say, "Even if Christ is not raised from the dead, and even if there is no God, a life of love and labor and sacrifice and suffering is a good life"?...

It seems that most Christians in the prosperous West describe the benefits of Christianity in terms that would make it a good life, even if there were no God and no resurrection... So if we get love, joy, and peace from believing these things, then is it not a good life to live, even if it turns out to be based on a falsehood?...

Paul tells us the best way to maximize our pleasures in this life [if this is all there is]. "If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrrow we die" (1 Corinthians 15:32). He does not mean something so naive as sheer epicureanism and debauchery. That is not the best way to maximize your pleasures, as anyone knows who has followed the path of alcoholism and gluttony...

But what he does mean by the phrase, "Let us eat and drink," is that, without the hope of resurrection, one should pursue ordinary pleasure and avoid extraordinary suffering...

When Paul says, "If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink," he does not mean, "Let's all become lechers." He means, there is a normal, simple, comfortable, ordinary life of human delights that we may enjoy with no troubling thoughts of heaven or hell or sin or holiness or God--if there is no resurrection from the dead. And what stunned me about this train of throught is that many professing Christians seem to aim at just this, and call it Christianity.

Paul did not see his relation to Christ as the key to maximizing his physical comforts and pleasures in this life. No, Paul's relation to Christ was a call to choose suffering--a suffering that was beyond what would make atheism "meaningful" or "beautiful" or "heroic." It was a suffering that would have been utterly foolish and pitiable to choose if there is no resurrection into the joyful presence of Christ.

This was the astonishing thing I finally saw in pondering Wurmbrand's story about the Cistercian abbot. In Paul's radically different viewpoint I saw an almost unbelievable indictment of Western Christianity. Am I overstating this? Judge for yourself. How many Christians do you know who could say, "The lifestyle I have chosen as a Christian would be utterly foolish and pitiable if there is no resurrection"? How many Christians are there who could say, "The suffering I have freely chosen to embrace for the cause of Christ would be a pitiable life if there is no resurrection"? As I see it, these are shocking questions.

And I would agree. I've been in the process of re-evaluating my life for a while, and here is another call...somewhere...but where? How do I choose suffering - in my life, now?

Extreme Weekend Adventure

2006-10-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

September 29th through October 1st was Extreme Weekend at MTYC. Here is a link to an Emmaus student who blogged about it.

The weekend was fun. I had a terrible adventure!:-) On Saturday I was still fighting a cold and could feel that I was reacting slow to everything. However, it was my one yearly chance to go rappelling, so I grabbed it. About eight or ten feet down I slipped and ended up sitting on the cliff face with my feet above my head. That was not my adventure!

I was sliding my feet around to get them under me again, when my left braid got caught and pulled into the figure 8 ring with the rope! I was stuck! There was no wide enough ledge to pull myself onto so I could take weight of the rope. Philip and Luke were my heroes! They had to perform a whole rescue operation to try and help me, while dangling 50 or 60 feet (pure guess) above solid ground. Matt and Rachel helped from above, too.

I thought they would have to chop the braid off. It happened before to another girl who was there! Five or ten minutes into the whole thing I was saying, "Just chop it off and get me out of here!" But eventually, since I was close enough to the top, they were able to haul me up on the rope hand over hand.

When I got to the top and my hair was released, (sitting rather than trying to stand on shaky knees!) Philip asked me if I wanted to go back down. I gave a very emphatic, "No!" I'll have to wait for my next yearly chance to get up courage again!

I felt shaky for a couple hours, but I must have scared the cold out of my body and dropped it down the cliff, because I didn't have another sneeze or runny nose after that.

Catch up some more

2006-10-16T14:36:00.000-04:00

After we returned from Sioux Falls I spent a week down at Mountain Top Youth Camp cooking, a long weekend over the Fourth at Uncle Bud's in Illinois, and another week at MTYC cooking again. Unfortunately I have no photos to display.

The rest of the summer was normal life, nannying and working on my garden.

This fall I joined the Community Choir at LCCC again. We're singing Ritter's Gloria for our Christmas concert, along with some selections from the Messiah and some carols.

Catch Up - Sioux Falls

2006-10-16T12:49:00.000-04:00

From Colorado we drove up past Mt. Rushmore, on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for an outreach that the Good News on the Move team was doing, hosted by Larry and Natalie Sax. About 200 people from across North America arrived to help. I spent my morning in prayer for what was going on, and my afternoons helping Mike Fitzhugh with a music ministry in one of the parks. The evenings were given to gospel meeting by Jabe Nicholson. Check out the photo gallery and the reports of the trip at Uplook.

The Sax family is continuing to do follow up and praying for fellow workers to come join them in Sioux Falls. The results have been wonderful there.

Mike singing at the park.

Talking about the Lord to some kids who came to listen to the music.

A music group (including me) singing some hymns.

The courthouse where the first three gospel meetings took place.

Jabe preaching in the courthouse.

Catch Up - Colorado

2006-10-16T11:51:00.000-04:00

Well... finally time to start catching up on the events of the past six months in my life. Starting with Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. Dad, Mom, Dan, and I drove Grandma Morris to Uncle Bud's house in Illinois, then headed out to Colorado to visit Grandma and Grandpa Weeks. Good trip - we saw all the Colorado cousins except Danielle in Brazil.

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park with Cousin Ed.

More hiking.

Elk shedding their winter fur.

And more pictures will have to wait until Blogger decides to cooperate!

If you're feeling ignored...

2006-08-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

Click here!

(Yeah, I know it's been a while since I posted. I'll catch y'all u on my crazy summer later!)

Our house

2006-04-21T22:56:00.000-04:00

Here are the photos I promised several months ago of the outside of our house! I'll have to take more in the woods now that it's green. (Can you tell I downloaded all the photos of the past few months off the camera today?)

Front

Back

Backyard

Bridge across the ditch to the woods

Path through the woods

Snowy Sunrise

2006-04-21T22:30:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture I meant to upload and share a while back.

Useful plants

2006-04-21T21:54:00.000-04:00

The woods behind our house are fascinating to me. Watching them turn green (and purple and white and orange) and come alive over the past couple of weeks has been my favorite pasttime. I know so few of the plants I found that I decided to start researching them. Today I checked Peterson's Guides to Edible Wild Plants and Medicinal Plants and Herbs and started working on identifying what is out there.

American Brooklime. You can eat the leaves as salad greens.

Spring Beauty. You can boil the corm, or root, and eat it as a potato.

Crabapple. I think. I plan to make jam from the fruits, Lord willing.

Plantain. Ugly weed, I know, but a great healer for sores, an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic.

There is so much more out there, but these were some of the more interesting or beautiful.

Been a while

2006-04-21T16:43:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so I've been busy! It's springtime's fault!

I've gotten my garden up and almost running in the past couple weeks. When the plants started to pop, I suddenly realized that I really did want one. So I pulled out the plans I made last December and started working. I made a raised bed, no dig garden based on a plan I found in an ebook at Sustainable-Gardening-Tips.com. Plants aren't in yet but I have some ready to go.

I've been pounding nails, shoveling compost, spreading soil additives, shaking out straw with all my available energy over the past week!

I've built three 4 by 13 foot beds. Here is one with newsprint spread on the bottom. It blocks weeds.

Here is another with the first load of compost spread in it.

I've really built muscles loading, pulling, and spreading compost. At least it was all free from the township. I need to take another couple photos now that the beds are finished and covered with straw, then again once some plants are in. I'll post more later.

Springtime

2006-04-08T16:10:00.000-04:00

I love spring! I've been doing work in the yard for the past couple of weeks. (For about the first time in my life!) And watching the green things begin to grow. I feel a little like Mary in The Secret Garden when she finds the way in and and begins discovering all the green things growing in the rich soil.

Since we're in a new house we don't, or didn't, know what was planted in the yard. I've been enchanted finding all the new things coming up. There are all sorts of bulbs all around the perimeter of the yard, crocuses, and some blue and white bell shaped flowers, and others that look like they'll probably be daffodils and tulips.

All the new green reminded me last week that I wanted to garden this year, so I pulled out the garden plans that I made last December and started working on them. I'm making a raised bed, no-dig garden. While I'm waiting for Dad to cut the wood so that I can build the sides, I started some seeds in peat pots on Tuesday night, and already some sprouts are starting to come up: broccoli, romaine, and cucumbers! Exciting! I spent half an hour today just hovering over them, examining!

I also saw yesterday that a green mist has formed in the lower part of the woods behind our house. The leaves of the small bushes and underbrush are all starting to push out of their buds. Green is beginning it's creeping takeover!

Long live Spring!

Hello, my name is Becki and I'm a sugarholic

2006-04-07T16:19:00.000-04:00

But I'm 10 days straight and counting! Actually, Jen told me that a treat every ten days would not be a big deal, so I indulged last night at the Ladies' Time Apart. It was good but I'm glad to be back to a normal diet.

Actually, having no refined sugar was a lot easier than I expected considering how much I had been eating. It's just a matter of a change of attitude... a change of belief, I guess. If I see chocolate, I can't look at it and think how good it would be. If it enters my consciousness I can't more than glance, and think, "I don't eat that anymore."

Kind of like sin actually. If you dwell on some temptation, it becomes almost impossible to pull away. You have to turn away immediately.

Robin Williams' plan for world peace

2006-04-06T11:32:00.000-04:00

Check out Paul's blog on The Plan. Very amusing and satirical!

Up and Away...

2006-03-29T22:10:00.000-05:00

I picked up Uncle Jim and Aunt Fina from the airport today. The sights and smells set me off daydreaming about just leaving for China. I really could just do it. I don't have huge responsibilities here. I don't have the money for a ticket, but I could obtain it with not too much difficulty. I wouldn't have to worry about getting a new car! I could stay with friends when I got there until I could get a job teaching English somewhere. It could really happen!

(sigh) But it won't. I do feel like the Lord has me here for a reason. He's teaching me a lot. And money is probably a bigger drawback than what I let it be in my imagination. But the imagining is sure fun!

(Don't think that this means I'm not happy here at home. I am. I just don't want everything to become "business as usual." There's a whole beautiful world out there and I don't want to become so focused on my little circle that I don't see the bigger picture. Part of that is dreaming of the possibilities.)

It's our one month anniversary...

2006-03-24T14:09:00.000-05:00

Mine and exercise's, that is! Monday was a whole month that I've been regular about going to the fitness center at LCCC to work out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday!

Friday Game Night

2006-03-24T13:45:00.000-05:00

We had a fun time last Friday night, playing games and hanging out at Peggy's new house. We finally got pictures of one of our Friday nights, too! You can check them out on Jenelle's blog in her entries for Friday, March 17th and Saturday, March 18th.

And if you're wondering why I don't post a link directly to those posts, it's all Andy and Jenelle's fault! Something's the matter with their blog!

Job Change

2006-03-24T13:03:00.000-05:00

My nanny job changed around a bit this week. Because of some difficulties at work, the lady I work for asked if I would come two full days a week instead of two half days and a full day. So I'm in Strongsville all Tuesday and Thursday now.

This works out really well for me. I'm spending and hour and a half less driving, and getting two and a half more hours of paid work time. And my days are less cut up. It's easier to focus.

Children's Book Site Progress

2006-03-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

I finally made a little progress on my site Classic Stories for Christian Children. After barely looking at for two and a half months, I got two more pages built on it in the past week. I'm pretty excited!

So if you're interested in Bible coloring pages or free flannel board resources, check them out!

Catch Up

2006-03-17T16:26:00.000-05:00

Well, my concert went well. I enjoyed it. (Especially wearing my long black dress with red and white striped socks and black boots!) There was a performer from the faculty of Baldwin-Wallace, one who is a student at Cleveland Institute of Music, and one who was the Meng kids violin teacher, which gives a connection to almost every music student that I know!

I'm home with grandma all day today, since mom's down in Amish country helping Jen Meng.

Tonight a group of us "college and career" people are getting together to play games at Peggy's new apartment. I'm looking forward to it, especially since this is the first time in way over a month that we've been able to get together. For a while it was every Friday.

Mostly Mozart

2006-03-10T22:31:00.000-05:00

Had my last rehearsal for our winter concert tonight. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I expected. Our fall one lasted three and a half hours, but this was only a little over two.

I wasn't too excited about Mozart's Requiem when we first started singing it, but I think it was just a matter of it being out of perspective - only hearing my own part. Listening to a recording of a performance gives me shivers in several places.

The rehearsal went well, anyway. I'm looking forward to the performance tomorrow. Peggy and my mom are coming. My dad is staying with grandma. (She would not enjoy it! She only likes hymns.)

Amish Country

2006-03-07T19:31:00.000-05:00

I went to Amish country on Friday with Jen, Jesicca, Jen's girls, and one of their friends. Check out Jessica's blog for some pics.

Our first stop was at a used book store. I bought a copy of the Silmarilion by J.R.R. Tolkien. Then we went to a thrift store where I got a retro-looking blouse, What's the Difference by John Piper, Fantasy and Your Family by somebody Abanes, and a action and game song book. Fun!

Then we went to a tea house - Rebecca's. Then to a couple of Jen's friends and patients.

Favorite Movies

2006-03-07T18:45:00.000-05:00

I started brainstorming favorite movies today for some reason. Here are the top 22 or so I came up with, in only a vague order:

The Mummy - both

Much Ado About Nothing

Spirited Away

Star Wars - all six

The Matrix - all three

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Lord of the Rings - all three

Pride and Prejudice - BBC version

Pirates of the Carribean

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Signs

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - new one

Sweet Home Alabama

Independence Day

The Princess Bride

Casablanca

The Thirteenth Warrior

Braveheart

Peter Pan - new one

Moulin Rouge

Tombstone

A Legacy to Me

2006-03-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

My grandmother's great-grandmother raised my grandmother's mother, because the in between mother died young. So my grandmother's mother passed along to my grandmother this fact that she passed on to me. The greatest prayer of my grandmother's great-grandmother was that none of her descendents would be found in a lost eternity.

Apparently she was an effectual prayer warrior because as my grandma has come in contact with different branches of the family through her geneological research, an amazing number of them do know the Lord as their Savior.

Praise the Lord for His workings!

"No Scar?"

2006-03-05T23:13:00.000-05:00

No Scar?Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendent star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who has nor wound nor scar?

Amy Carmichael

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34

If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household?

Matthew 10:25

But suffering with Jesus on the Calvary road of love is not merely the result of magnifying Christ; it is also the means. He is made supreme when we are so satisfied in him that we can "let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also" and suffer for the sake of love. His beauty shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself. Jesus knew this. He knew that suffering (whether small discomforts or dreadful torture) would be the path in this age for making him most visibly supreme. That is why he calls us to this. He loves us. And love does not mean making much of us or making life easy. It means making us able to enjoy making much of him forever - no matter what the cost...

Suffering is God's design in this sin-soaked world (Romans 8:20). It portrays sin's horror for the world to see. It punishes sin's guilt for those who do not believe in Christ. It breaks sin's power for those who take up their cross and follow Jesus. And becasue sin is the belittling of the all-satisfying glory of God, the suffering that breaks its power is a severe mercy.

Whatever makes us more and more able to enjoy making much of God is a mercy. For there is no greater joy than joy in the greatness of God. And if we must suffer to see this and savor it most deeply, then suffering is a mercy. And Christ's call to take up our cross and join him on the Calvary road is love.

John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

Quote of the Day

2006-03-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

When you have come to the edge of all the light you have,
And must take a step into the darkness of the unknown,
Believe that one of two things will happen to you.
Either you'll find something solid to stand on
Or you'll be taught how to fly.

Richard Bach

Don't Waste Your Life

2006-03-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

I started reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper yesterday. Amazing book! I may have to start handing out copies of it.

Here's a favorite quote so far. (I haven't read half of the book yet, though it's short. It's so weighty I have to stop and think after almost every paragraph. Sometimes every sentence!)

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

One thing that Piper talks about is what love is. He says that our Western culture defines loving someone as helping them to feel good about themselves. We are taught, "Love is giving someone a mirror and helping him like what he sees."

Love according to the Bible is something greater than that, however. It's choosing to do what is best for the person. And that may not be what makes them feel the best immediately. But that's not all. Piper says it so much better than me, so I'll quote him again.

We were made to see and savor God - and savoring him, to be supremely satisfied... Not to show people the all-satisfying God is not to love them. To make them feel good about themselves when they were made to feel good about seeing God is like taking someone to the Alps and locking them is a room full of mirrors.

What more is there to be said about sharing Christ with those around, Christian or not?

That's only the briefest preview of the book. There's so much more to it. Please read Don't Waste Your Life.

My weekend

2006-02-27T14:06:00.000-05:00

I had a relaxing weekend. Friday I took Grandma for a ride past her old house in the afternoon. Then we all went out to the Royal Buffet for dinner. Grandma loves to go out to eat and we hadn't done it in a while.

It was a first for us at Royal Buffet, and I heartily recommend it. It's the best Chinese buffet that I've been to. They have sushi and a hibachi grill too, which I loved. (The hibachi - the sushi was so-so.)

I like the place so much that I went back with Peggy on Saturday night for dinner! She came over in the afternoon, we went to dinner, then to Davis's concert with the Akron Symphony Orchestra in the evening. Then the three of us went out for coffee afterwards.

I enjoyed the concert. The timpani concerto was particularly fun! My second favorite played was the second movement of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony.

I got home around 1 am, then woke up about 6 and only dozed after that until it was time to get up Sunday morning. Grandma had decided that she wasn't going to go. (Same thing as last week, she stewed herself sick worrying over it.) I tried tapping on her. (Check out EFT.) But every time I tapped somewhere she jerked and said, "Oh dear." I wasn't quite sure how do be more effective with it!

When she saw we were really going to leave her there alone, she decided at the last minute (or last 5 minutes) to go. I know we've all been praying that she would all week, and I think God was really working on her heart.

We went out to lunch, since Grandma wanted to. And to try to associate good things with going to meeting on Sunday. I slept for two hours in the afternoon. And I stayed with Grandma through AWANA. I enjoyed the time with her. I played the piano badly. We sang hymns and I read aloud a while. (Killed my voice, reading so loud!) Two things that we both enjoy greatly. (Except for the dead voice part!) And it went by very quickly.

So ends a quiet weekend.

I Missed my Wedding Day!

2006-02-18T10:46:00.000-05:00

Oh no! LOL!

Back in December Jenelle had a dream about me. In her dream I sent an email to everyone announcing my sudden engagement to... ummm... someone! (Ask me in person.) I wrote that my wedding day was February 18th, which panicked Jenelle because she has another wedding to go to on that day. (Probably the reason for the dream - I hope! No prophetic dreams allowed here!) It's been a running joke for us ever since.

Joined the Gym

2006-02-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Well, I've jumped on the bandwagon. Seems like everyone I know (okay, four!)has started exercizing and being careful about food lately. I finally decided I needed to do something to motivate myself, so I signed up to use the fitness center at LCCC. The orientation session was this morning - 8am on Saturday, bleah. So I can start working out this week.

Lot's Wife

2006-02-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

I was forwarded a list of funny Sunday School stories. This one I particularly enjoyed. (Reminded me of a friend in college who used to talk about how the telephone pole jumped in front of his truck!)

LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt---- when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"

Quote of the Day

2006-02-17T21:43:00.000-05:00

I don't confuse greatness with perfection. To be great anyhow is the higher achievement.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Mirror Dance

My favorite Korean Poem

2006-02-16T23:21:00.000-05:00

I got a new bookcase in my room tonight. While I was organizing books I came again upon a poem I discovered a couple of years ago. It is by Korean Buddhist Han Yong-un, translated by Kang Young-hil and Frances Keely.

I Do Not Know
There is no wind
yet quietly
the odong tree drops leaves
each leaf is worked around
in scallopped embroidery...
          where is the embroiderer?

After long dark rains
the west wind clears
a shining rim
between dark clouds
it is like the smile of a face...
          whose face?

This forest is so deep
no flower can grow and yet
about these ancient solitary towers
a sense of fragrance
clings...
          whose fragrance?

Brooks of unknown source
and destiny send currents
darting hither and thither
that pick out songs
from roots and stones...
          whose song?

At the seaside when
down to the cliffs
the lotus feet rush
and up to the infinite
long jade fingers
point
it is a sunset picture... beautiful...
          who is the artist?

In the ash of my lampbowl
old oil spurts anew
my breast not knowing how
to stop burning
trims its watchlight... waiting...
          who is expected?

Love it! Here is another translation. I don't like it so well, but the meaning is clearer. (Like reading the KJV, then the NIV!) This was translated by Kim Jai-hiun and Ronald Hatch.

I Do Not Know
Whose step is the paulownia leaf that falls silently in vertical wavelets against the windless skies?

Whose looks are these patches of blue that peep through the cracks in the dark, lowering clouds, driven by the west wind after a long rainy spell?

Whose breath is this subtle scent that wafts through the green moss on an old and flowerless tree to lure the quiet sky above an ancient pagoda?

Whose song is this little brook that continuously runs, no one knows from where, purling over the pebbles?

Whose ode is the flush of sunset that graces the dying day as it steps, soft as a lotus bloom, on the infinite seas and touches the edgeless sky with its delicate hands?

The burnt-out ashes turn to fuel again. Whose little lamp is my heart that burns, flickering all night long, I know not for whom?

WyzardWays has another translation of "I Do Not Know" and discusses it's Korean images and it's historical setting.

Quote of the Day

2006-02-15T22:57:00.000-05:00

It was never what I wanted to buy that held my heart's hope. It was what I wanted to be.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Memory

Errrrrgh!

2006-02-14T19:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, that's out.

Grandma dried dishes tonight and did a very good job of it. We've been kind of putting her off when she offered since she arrived, worried about the state of our dishes. But Dad, Mom, and I had a conversation yesterday about the importance of her continuing to feel useful. So when she offered tonight I decided, with trepidation, to accept. And there was no problem. She has a pretty good sense of what she can and can't do, strength-wise. (Memory is another issue, but we won't talk about that this time!)

I need to sit down sometime soon and brainstorm a list of activities that she can do.

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T19:11:00.000-05:00

to each and every one of you!

Baby Names

2006-02-13T15:08:00.000-05:00

For some reason I started thinking about names that I like the other day. I think the title of Jessica's post, "For my future daughter," triggered the train of thought.

Anyway, here are some ideas I put together a while back.

Girls:
Zoe Lenore
Addy Renee
Ekaterine Joanne
Honor Louise
Havalah Renee

Boys:
Jonathan Dwight
Isaiah William
Micah Daniel
Israel Leroy

Quote of the Day

2006-02-13T14:59:00.000-05:00

If you're trying to take a roomful of people by surprise, it's a lot easier to hit your targets if you don't yell going through the door.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Warrior's Apprentice

Time Flies with Grandma!?

2006-02-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Wow! Can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I posted. Unpacking, working, and caring for Grandma have been filling up my time. I'm must be getting comfortable with her since today I'm on the computer while I'm talking to her.

"So who was working around here in the kitchen earlier?"

"That was Kathy, Grandma."

"Now are any of you Don's children?"

"Danny and I are Don and Kathy's children."

"Oh. Now Kathy is the one who was working around here this morning, right?"

"Yes, Grandma."

"She seemed to be doing all of the work around here for such a long time this morning."

"Well she was the only one home this morning, Grandma."

And this is about the third time that basic conversation has taken place! Oh, well. We love her. That helps lessen the frustration when she asks the same question for the tenth time in an afternoon. You just accept that that's Grandma and you can't expect something different.

Other things she remembers wonderfully well. She quoted Isaiah 53 to me three times last night! (We would continue talking about the chapter each time and she would forget that she just quoted it to me!)

And she remembers that there is a lot of snow outside.

("Now is Kathy Don's wife?" "Yes, Grandma." 46th time since arrival!)

Toddler Tyrants

2006-02-02T23:08:00.000-05:00

By the way, I've said before that three year olds are terrifying. Now I know the hidden truth that proves it! Check out "When Genevieve Ruled the World".

Nannying

2006-02-02T22:33:00.000-05:00

My nanny job is going better. I enjoy my two little boys. Nathan is spoiled, but fairly compliant. Now that he's over crying every time I arrive, and throwing a tantrum when his mom leaves, and when she comes back, there are no real issues!

Tuesday we were putting some toys away (a task we've been focusing on lately), and he thanked me for taking care of him and John. This from an almost three year old! He's so sweet!

I pray every day as I go in that I will be an influence for the Lord in their family.

Quote of the Day

2006-02-02T22:16:00.000-05:00

Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Memory

Quote of the Day

2006-02-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them.

Lois McMaster Bujold, Diplomatic Immunity

My favorite poem

2006-01-31T21:40:00.000-05:00

Or one of them.

My Testimony
And shall I fear
That there is anything that men hold dear
Thou would'st deprive me of,
And nothing give in place?

That is not so-
For I can see Thy face
And hear Thee now:

"My child I died for Thee
And if the gift of love and life
You took from Me,
Shall I one precious thing withhold-
One beautiful and bright,
One pure and precious thing withhold?
My child, it cannot be."

Betty Scott Stam - Martyred missionary to China

Quote of the Day

2006-01-31T21:24:00.000-05:00

But pain... seems to me an insufficient reason not to embrace life. Being dead is quite painless. Pain, like time, is going to come on regardless. Question is, what glorious moments can you win from life in addition to the pain?

Lois McMasters Bujold, Barrayar

Yesterday's Bujold quote was from Shards of Honor.

Well, it's good to know...

2006-01-31T20:17:00.000-05:00

that I'm not a heretic! I found this quiz from PrairieDaisy. Here are the results for how theologically correct I am!

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451.

Chalcedon compliant

100%

Monophysitism

58%

Nestorianism

42%

Pelagianism

33%

Modalism

33%

Gnosticism

25%

Apollanarian

25%

Adoptionist

17%

Arianism

Docetism

Donatism

Albigensianism

Monarchianism

Socinianism

Are you a heretic?
created with QuizFarm.com

Quote of the Day

2006-01-30T17:44:00.000-05:00

Jessica has inspired me! Here is one of my favorite quotes to round off the day. It's from Lois McMasters Bujold, one of my favorite authors.

Tests are a gift. Great tests are a great gift. To fail the test is a misfortune. But to refuse the test is to refuse the gift, and is something more serious, more irrevocable, than misfortune.

Brothers

2006-01-25T17:51:00.000-05:00

I was just remembering a conversation between my brothers Nathan and Andy that took place a couple of weeks ago. Maybe you have to know them to enjoy it, but I thought it was funny because it presented such a contrast between their points of view.

They were discussing people's reactions to various medical treatments, and the need for a control group in studying them.

Nathan, the classical medical statistition, says, "Of course, that's the placebo effect."

Andy, the alternative medicine/self-help/personal coach type, says, "Right, they're hypnotizing themselves."

It doesn't look quite as funny written down, but oh well, I enjoyed it!

Normalcy is returning.

2006-01-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

Our internet is up and running. (After long and arduous work on Danny's part.) And I was back to nannying today. Now I just need to get a good lamp in my room until Dad can put up an overhead light fixture.

We had help from so many people in moving. Everybody was wonderful. We're all exhausted.

As soon as I can find Dad's camera and get outside, I'll post some pictures of the house and yard.

Aaaaagh!

2006-01-20T11:36:00.000-05:00

We're packing everything onto the truck and cleaning today. Moving everything over tomorrow. I keep wandering from room to room knowing there are a million things to do and too disoriented and overwhelmed to figure out what to do now. I'm also probably going to be off-line for the next couple of days, so I'm trying to figure out what needs to be done on the internet before we go. (Internet's much easier to deal with than all the clutter everywhere!)

Ah, well. Must email my customers, then pack my office.

Desiring God

2006-01-17T16:53:00.000-05:00

I found an awesome site today. Children Desiring God is a branch of the ministry of John Piper's church. John Piper is one of my favorite Bible/theology writers. I used a couple of of his books as textbooks at Emmaus, and have bought and read a couple more since. He is well-grounded, Godly, his words come straight from Scripture, and he has a gift for expressing his thoughts beautifully.

Children Desiring God offers curriculum for Sunday School and other children's programs. It appears to live up to the same standards as the rest of his work. No fluff here! Here are a couple of quotes from the site:

We believe that children can handle deep truth at a young age. We want to fill them with solid Bible truth that will give them a foundation to fall back on when they go through deep waters. For this reason, the curriculum continually refers children to the Word of God; Bibles are an essential tool for children studying Children Desiring God curriculum. We believe that the Bible must be taught in depth, yet in a child-friendly, interesting manner. For this reason, much attention has been devoted to the development of creative presentation of essential Bible truths.

We believe that before God, parents, not churches have the primary responsibility for the spiritual nurture of their children. We have made every effort to structure the curricula in a way that allows the church to "walk along side" parents, enabling and equipping them in this God-given role. For that reason, we strongly encourage parental involvement in the classroom and have developed meaningful take-home materials for every lesson to encourage and enable parents to interact with their children over Scripture and the lesson content. The curricula are also being used by an increasing number of home-schooling parents. Desiring God Ministries has also developed a number of Parenting Resources for home use to help nurture the faith of children.

I know these are things that have been discussed often recently. This is the kind of thing that I would love to teach and support.

News Bytes

2006-01-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

Not many stories to tell right now. Jessica had a surprise party for Paul's 21st on Friday night. Here is Jessica's account and Paul's account of it. Paul showed Peggy how to do an IV by demonstrating on himself, and ended up bleeding all over the floor!

Five days until we move!!! Check it out on Google maps. It's actually one house south of the one indicated by the pointer. If you can help on Friday or Saturday let Mom and Dad know.

I had the day off from working as a nanny, so spent all day packing my books, etc. I had twenty boxes of books from my room! Some of them were pretty small. But there are about another five large boxes that weren't stored in my room.

Tonight was the second Civic Chorale rehearsal of the quarter. We're singing Mozart's Requiem on March 6th at 7:30. It's in honor of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth.

Congratulations!

2006-01-14T23:30:00.000-05:00

My wonderful friend, Melissa from WA, just returned from visiting her novio (fiance), Bayardo, in Ecuador. Here are a couple of the photos she sent me of her trip.

Funny!

2006-01-14T23:21:00.000-05:00

I was fowarded these photos in an email the other day and I had to pass them on!

Prayer Answered

2006-01-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted this prayer request here, but it has been answered just the same. We were worried about whether the owner of the house we're buying would be out in time. My dad talked to the lady this morning, and she's going to be almost completely moved this weekend. Which leaves the way open for the house to close on Tuesday or Wednesday, and us to move on Friday and Saturday.

Hooray!!!

Now I can feel motivated about getting my stuff packed.

Cottage Dreams

2006-01-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

My imagination was caught the other day by Country Homes. They provide plans for small homes that an owner can build him (or her) self. Very fun! I can picture a couple of acres, building my own house, big garden, little Chinese girl in the upstairs loft... Sigh... must focus on reality. Build now what can eventually bring about those dreams. (If those dreams are the Lord's plan for me. Plenty of other dreams to choose from while I'm at it.)

Random Babblings on Routine

2006-01-08T23:32:00.000-05:00

Back to a normal Sunday again. It was great to go to Awana and then to Meng's to play games. I've missed that over the holidays.

Funny how I used to hate routine. Now it's a life saver that smoothes down most of the rough edges of life.

Flylady (who was my life-changing find of 2005) focuses on routines to get your life (and house) in order. It takes discipline to stick to them, but they give you freedom to accomplish what is important instead of being dragged down by all the everyday things that never get done.

I remember rebelling from the discovery, when I was in college, that there is no time when I can let go of spiritual, mental, and emotional vigilance. Now routines are providing the means I always struggled with to manage that vigilance.

Here's a quote by Julie Andrews on the subject. I've attached it to my computer where I'll see it everyday.

Some people regard discipline as a chore, but I see it as a kind of order that sets me free to fly.

Spiritual Beliefs in China

2006-01-07T16:03:00.000-05:00

I was surfing this morning and came upon a fascinating site called Mountain Voices. The project interviews mountain dwelling people from around the world on various topics to give a voice to the disadvantaged. My favorite section was on China. Check out the Spiritual Beliefs page for some interesting stories.

Prayer Request

2006-01-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking lately that perhaps I shouldn't be involved in the Good News Club in the public schools that Deb B. and I are trying to start. It's a wonderful ministry, but with business, nannying, and helping with Grandma when she comes (plus moving) I don't quite see where the time for another regular, time-intensive activity would come from. It's possible that I just need to prioritize and do it, but I want to make sure that this is really what the Lord wants me to do.

I talked to Deb about it and she admitted that she was feeling a bit reticent about starting just now, too. So we're going to hold back for a week and pray about it. We'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom as to whether we should press forward with this or go in another direction. We have several other ideas for outreach that might fit in better with the other responsibilities that the Lord has given us.

Thanks.

Yech!

2006-01-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

My whole family had the stomach flu yesterday. Actually, 11 people that I know of who were at New Year's Dinner together on Monday were sick or coming down with it yesterday (out of 34 who attended). I was on the lesser end. I just felt queasy all day and didn't eat. I was hungry this morning and ate something, but now I feel queasy again. I called off going in to my nanny job today, anyway. Hopefully I can go in tomorrow instead.

Gross news, I know. I'm sorry!

Book Review

2006-01-03T22:43:00.000-05:00

I met a new author yesterday. I read a book by Ann Tatlock called A Place Called Morning. I'm not usually a fan of modern Christian fiction, but Ann Tatlock manages to step out of the bounds of genre and write a story that tells Truth without being trite.

I expected a sweet romance, but the story never slipped down to that. It talked instead of family, guilt, and forgiveness. The peace that God brings when we let go of ourselves.

A Place Called Morning reminded me a little of the best parts of Francena Arnold's books. (One of my favorite authors who wrote in the fifties.) I heartily recommend the book and am looking forward to reading more books by the Ann Tatlock.

Working Girl

2006-01-03T21:46:00.000-05:00

Well, back to work from the holidays today. Nathan, the two-year-old I nanny for, cried when I arrived this morning. At least it wasn't as bad as last Thursday when he cried for an hour before he was able to calm down and get occupied with something else. I feel sorry for his mom!

I'd like to get a good start to the year for my businesses as well. Please pray that I will work with dedication and purpose on them

Hayao Miyazaki

2006-01-02T00:58:00.000-05:00

Just finished watching Spirited Away for the fifth or sixth time with Andy, Jenelle, Peggy, Dan, and my dad. It's by director Hayao Miyazaki, the best Japanese animator there is. (Acually, he's the only one I know!)

Spirited Away is my favorite of his films that I've seen. What we really wanted to see tonight, though, was his newest, Howl's Moving Castle. But it was nowhere to be found. I read the British book that it's based on while I was in Korea. I was very excited last year to hear that Miyazaki was animating it.

I hope Howl's Moving Castle is as good as Spirited Away. The artwork is beautiful. Extremely surreal at some points. I feel as spirited away as Chihiro was by the end of the movie.

Happy New Year!!!

2006-01-02T00:33:00.000-05:00

2006! Wow!

Further Chronicles of a Mouse: a prequel

2005-12-31T18:05:00.000-05:00

My mouse story yesterday reminded me of the mouse about three months ago. Just when we were getting ready to show the house we started seeing signs that mice had taken up residence in our house. Danny saw one run across the room, and holes started appearing in food containers.

It was again the middle of the night, and I got up for a drink. Returning to my room, something ran across my foot on the way back in the dark. I jumped and hoped that it got the message it was unwanted and went back out the way it came.

I was almost back to sleep with my feet outside my sheets when again, something ran across my feet! I really kicked that time, but I was too sleepy to get out of bed and try to do something about it. Not that I had any idea of what to do anything. I hoped it wouldn't chew on my shoes.

I was woken out of sound sleep not long after by very loud gnawing sound. That mouse was chewing on a piece of wood somewhere in my room! The noise and my perterbation of mind would not allow me to go completely to sleep.

I fished for something unbreakable from my bedside table. I threw a stuffed animal at my door. The sound stopped and I almost fell asleep before it started. Several pens, notebooks, and even a book followed Eeyore, but the space of quiet grew smaller after each one. I finally covered my head with my pillow and slept the best I could. (Don't ask why I didn't turn on the light or open the door. I was mostly asleep and not thinking clearly!)

The gnawing continued for at least an hour and probably more like two or three. Finally morning began and my parents woke up. My mom opened the door and asked me what that noise was.

"A mouse chewing on something," I answered sleepily.

She exclaimed over it and shut the door. I waited with some anxiety for the chewing sound to start again, but it never did.

A couple of hours later I woke up again feeling slightly better rested. When I got up a mess greeted my eyes. About an inch up and running parallel with the bottom of the door was a foot long and inch wide groove of pale wood! Under it my carpet was covered with wood shavings.

That mouse must have been just as happy as I was when Mom opened that door!

That mouse's end of residency was not as merciful as last night's. We set several traps and caught one invader. There have been no other signs of other inhabitants until yesterday.

Chronicles of a Mouse at Midnight

2005-12-30T15:23:00.000-05:00

I had an adventure last night! I was in the bathroom getting ready for bed at about 12:30. In the midst of brushing my teeth I felt something move by my foot. I squealed and danced back, catching a glimpse of something black.

I anxiously looked around for a big jumping bug of some sort and contemplated jumping into the tub to escape! When I didn't see anything, I cautiously began brushing my teeth hoping that it had been my imagination. Then I caught a movement. A tiny gray mouse was running along the bottom of the door, trying to find a way out.

I couldn't think of anything to do, so I continued to watch it. It must have come into the bathroom before I did. It kept glancing over at me then trying to squeeze under the door to get out.

It was very cute, and I started to feel sorry for it. It looked so scared as it started climbing the door frame looking for an out anywhere. At the same time I held a strong conviction that a mouse did not belong in my bathroom running over my feet!

The mouse finally reached the top of the door frame and couldn't go any higher. It sat on the inch wide ledge and poked its nose into the corner as far as it would go. I watched it shiver there as I finished everything I needed to do before bed.

I realized that had I been thinking quickly I should have turned the garbage can over it while it was still on the floor. I didn't want to leave it there while I went to find a trap or something because it would probably be gone when I got back. I emptied out the trash can into a bag in order to better house Mr. Mouse, but then I couldn't figure out how to encourage him to take up residence. I wasn't about to touch him!

Finally, I gave up and called my dad, which woke up both my parents since I wasn't about to leave him to flee when my back was turned.

Dad knocked him into the trash can with a hanger and suggested that I throw him out the second story window.

I couldn't do that. I merciful walked him out and released him by the street. He gratefully ran the opposite direction as soon as a dumped him and that was the last of Mr. Mouse! (Hopefully he didn't leave any friends and relations boarding!)

I went to bed with a smile.

Wow

2005-12-29T20:46:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness. I am shocked. (I didn't include exclamation points because this in not happy shock.)

I was doing research for my site Classic Stories for Christian Children, when I came across Kingdom Identity Ministries doctrinal statement. Please don't look it up. I don't want to send them any extra traffic. The only reason I'm including the link is so that I don't commit plagiarism.

WE BELIEVE God chose unto Himself a special race of people that are above all people upon the face of the earth (Deut. 7:6; Amos 3:2). These children of Abraham through the called-out seedline of Isaac and Jacob (Psalm 105:6; Rom. 9:7) were to be a blessing to all the families of the earth who bless them and a cursing to those that curse them (Gen. 12.3). The descendants of the twelve sons of a Jacob, called "Israel", were married to God (Isa. 54:5), have not been cast away (Rom. 11:1-2), have been given the adoption, glory, covenants, law, service of God, and promises; are the ones to whom the messiah came (Rom. 9:4-5) electing out of all twelve tribes those who inherit the Kingdom of God (Rev. 7:4, 21:12).

WE BELIEVE that the New Covenant was made with the Children of Israel, the same people the Old Covenant was made with (Jer. 31:31-33; Heb. 8:8-10) in fulfillment of the mercy of promised our forefathers (Luke 1:72).

WE BELIEVE the White, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and kindred people to be God's true, literal Children of Israel. Only this race fulfills every detail of Biblical Prophecy and World History concerning Israel and continues in these latter days to be heirs and possessors of the Covenants, Prophecies, Promises and Blessings YHVH God made to Israel. This chosen seedline making up the "Christian Nations" (Gen. 35:11; Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26) of the earth stands far superior to all other peoples in their call as God's servant race (Isa. 41:8, 44:21; Luke 1:54). Only these descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel scattered abroad (James 1:1; Deut. 4:27; Jer. 31:10; John 11:52) have carried God's Word, the Bible, throughout the world (Gen. 28:14; Isa. 43:10-12, 59:21), have used His Laws in the establishment of their civil governments and are the "Christians" opposed by the Satanic Anti-Christ forces of this world who do not recognize the true and living God (John 5:23, 8:19, 16:2-3).

WE BELIEVE in an existing being known as the Devil or Satan and called the Serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9), who has a literal "seed" or posterity in the earth (Gen. 3:15) commonly called Jews today (Rev. 2:9; 3:9; Isa. 65:15). These children of Satan (John 8:44-47; Matt. 13:38; John 8:23) through Cain (I John 2:22, 4:3) who have throughout history always been a curse to true Israel, the Children of God, because of a natural enmity between the two races (Gen. 3:15), because they do the works of their father the Devil (John 8:38-44), and because they please not God, and are contrary to all men (I Thes. 2:14-15), though they often pose as ministers of righteousness (II Cor. 11:13-15). The ultimate end of this evil race whose hands bear the blood of our Savior (Matt. 27:25) and all the righteous slain upon the earth (Matt. 23:35), is Divine judgment (Matt. 13:38-42, 15:13; Zech. 14:21).

WE BELIEVE that the Man Adam (a Hebrew word meaning: ruddy, to show Blood, flush, turn rosy) is father of the White Race only. As a son of God (Luke 3:38), made in His likeness (Gen. 5:1), Adam and his descendants, who are also the children of God (Psalm 82:6; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 4:6; I John 3:1-2), can know YHVH God as their creator. Adamic man is made trichotomous, that is, not only of body and soul, but having an implanted spirit (Gen. 2:7; I Thes. 5:23; Heb. 4:12) giving him a higher form of consciousness and distinguishing him from all the other races of the earth (Deut. 7:6, 10:15; Amos 3:2).

WE BELIEVE that as a chosen race, elected by God (Deut. 7:6, 10:15; I Peter 2:9), we are not to be partakers of the wickedness of this world system (I John 2:15; James 4:4; John 17/9, 15, 16), but are called to come out and be a separated people (II Cor. 6:17; Rev. 18:4; Jer. 51:6; Exodus 33:16; Lev. 20:24). This includes segregation from all non-white races, who are prohibited in God's natural divine order from ruling over Israel (Deut. 17:15, 28:13, 32:8; Joel 2:17; Isa. 13:14; Gen. 1:25-26; Rom. 9:21). Race-mixing is an abomination in the sight of Almighty God, a satanic attempt meant to destroy the chosen seedline, and is strictly forbidden by His commandments (Exo. 34:14-16; Num. 25:1-13; I Cor. 10:8/ Rev. 2:14; Deut. 7:3-4; Joshua 23:12-13; I Kings 11:1-3; Ezra 9:2, 10-12; 10:10-14; Neh. 10:28-30, 13;3, 27; Hosea 5;7; Mal. 2:11-12).

They go on to say that the US is where God has called His people.

I didn't know that people believed this kind of thing any more. Has anyone heard of this before?

Grand Idea

2005-12-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

I have an idea that I'd love to work on when Grandma comes to stay with us. I want to put together a website or CD that has our family tree. Clicking on any person in it will take you to a personal or nuclear family page. That page will give you the basic facts of their life and more. There will be sound files of interviews with the person if they are living. Samples of any writing that they do. Sound or print stories from their life from themself or others.

Our family tree goes back thousands of years. It would be fun to include stories of some of the more historically well-known figures. Perhaps include facts about the different time-periods. Maybe make a list of important things that occurred during their lifetime and artwork from their time and place.

Any other ideas of things to include?

Christ Loved the Church

2005-12-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

We went to a Bible study at the Markovich's tonight. My convicting quote of the night comes from Shane Johnson. It was in context of dealing with the question of how to answer someone who says, "This church just doesn't meet my needs." One side is to remind them that the Bible never tells us to assemble together to get our own needs met. Shane's thought dealt with the other side.

When we assemble together I should be asking, "Lord, who do you have for me to minister to?

Prayer Answer

2005-12-26T19:03:00.000-05:00

Uncle Jim and Aunt Fina decided to put off their trip to Brazil until the beginning of February. So Grandma can stay with them until then, which leaves us the 30 days our seller wants to move, plus a week to unpack and settle in.

God is good!

Images of Success

2005-12-26T14:22:00.000-05:00

I came across this quote from Napoleon Hill today:

Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your mind's eye, and you will be drawn toward it.

He's saying to keep an image of who you want to be, your success, in front of yourself, and eventually you will attain it.

I was trying to figure out if this is applicable in the life of a Christian. Is it Godly to imagine for me to imagine the "spiritual giant" that I want to be? Won't that lead to spiritual pride? After all, I am imagining all the characteristics that I admire most. As I see myself at least partially attaining them, won't I take pride in that? I suppose the answer is not if I keep a realistic view of my sinful nature, and God's grace.

But I wonder... in the Bible, isn't it Christ's image that we are supposed to keep before us? Spiritual growth is growth in Christ-likeness. (1 Peter 1:15-16)When we get to heaven our sanctification will be finished because we will be like Him. (1 John 3:2)

So maybe, for my spiritual "success" at least, I need to be holding an image of Christ "long enough and steadily enough in my mind's eye." Keeping in mind always that His power is enough to do the job of my sanctification, and that it will not come without effort, struggle, and sacrifice (to pull in some other Napoleon Hill and Scriptural ideas).

Not that this is any big surprise or discovery. It's just coming at the concept from a different angle. Trying to think through the spiritual implications of a worldly idea.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

- most un-politically correctly - to you and yours!

May this Holy-day be an extra reminder of the greatest Gift from the Giver of all spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3

Narnia Warlord

2005-12-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

I saw The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the second time today with my parents and Danny. (My mom's first and my dad's second time at a movie theater!) I enjoyed it greatly as before. I think I cried more this time than the last time! I'm very impressed with the children's acting abilities.

One image that jumped out at me was Peter leading the troups into battle. Kings don't do that today. Rulers sit back where they can watch over everything, and direct others into danger.

There's a quick panaramic shot that shows the True Narnians at the beginning of their charge toward the witch's army. From above you can see a point of white, Peter on the unicorn, pointing his sword and leading the way. The rest of his army streams back on either side leaving him at the apex.

It made me think of our spiritual battle against sin and Satan. We don't have a king who directs the battle from a safe distance. We have a warlord who is leading us into the battle on a white horse (think Revelation 19:11), fighting with us. Even in us. He fought the key battle of the war in single combat. And He can't lose! What kind of power is that?

If God is for us, who can stand against us!

"Holiday Greeting (After the Lawyers are done...)"

2005-12-24T19:38:00.000-05:00

My mom got this in a newsletter quoting from HSI Baltimore. Enjoy!

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.

(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)

Grandma Story

2005-12-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Uncle Jim and Aunt Fina left Grandma alone for 45 minutes. She decided to go across the street to visit an acquaintance, not recalling that the lady passed away two months ago.

When no one answered the door she left and turned the wrong direction coming out. She can't see, really, so once she did that she was completely lost. Then she tripped and counldn't get back up. She called for help until someone came. That person called the police for her because she didn't know where she lived.

Uncle Jim arrived home a few minutes later. When he didn't find her he rushed outside to see a police car driving slowly by shining a flashlight around. Uncle Jim flagged him down and said, "I'm missing a 94 year old lady!"

The police officer reconnected them and no one was the worse for wear, thank the Lord.

But Grandma can't be left alone.

Prayer Request

2005-12-24T12:16:00.000-05:00

My parents signed a contract to buy the house I mentioned a couple of days ago. We're all excited, and the packing has started seriously, now.

There's one, not major, issue that we could use some prayer about. We need to move so that Grandma can stay with us. She's with Uncle Jim in Missouri right now, but he's leaving for Brazil with Aunt Fina on January 9th. Then she'll stay with Uncle Bud, but Aunt Shirley will be starting work again on January 17th. Grandma can't be left alone for long, but Uncle Bud can't run a medical practice if he's popping back to the house every 45 minutes.

We were hoping to be moved and a little settled by that point, but the seller is wanting to wait beyond 30 days before handing over possession. I guess it's a financial problem - she doesn't have the money to pay down on an apartment because all her money is tied down in the house.

Anyway, please pray that things would come through for the lady quickly and that we would be able to get moved soon so that Grandma can come stay with us without any difficulty on anyone's part.

Thanks!

The Great Story - All To His Glory

2005-12-24T01:13:00.000-05:00

I found a cool link yesterday from one of my favorite authors. John Eldridge wrote "The Sacred Romance". He also wrote "Epic", and the site Epic Reality talks about it.

Story, he says, speaks to the heart in a way that very little else does. The Bible is a story... the greatest Story. But our lives often seem purposeless, because we have lost track of that Story. We don't know our place in.

"Epic" was written to help us find our place in that Story again. Actually, most of John Eldridge's books deal with that. It looks like "Epic"'s differentiation is as an evangelistic tool. (Here's something new to go on my wishlist!)

Reading through Epic Reality yesterday reminded me to look for my focus again. I have been placed here and now "for such a time as this."

It's a daily struggle, though, to make sure that I'm fulfilling God's purpose rather than my own selfish desires. John Eldridge's books describe our Beloved's Enemy very well, but they don't deal with the enemy within. My flesh very effectively distracts me - no outside influences necessary.

Like James says, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires."

Thank God that my flesh has been crucified (Galations 5:24) and Christ now lives in me (Galations 2:20) to fulfil His purpose.

And what is that purpose? "That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:12)