Rambling Rose

The Other Woman

2010-03-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

The Other Woman

There she was, Amy Gerstein, over by the pool, kissing my father. My mother had only been dead for two years. Who did this woman think she was trying to worm her way into our family? What was my father thinking? Didn't he love my mother? I looked away, filled with anger and grief. Two years didn't heal the pain of losing a mother. Watching them, I felt like he was cheating on his spouse. And it wasn't the first time. I couldn't stand the last woman he'd dated either. That's why I always secretly sabotaged his relationships. It had only taken two weeks to get rid of the last woman, but this time would be much harder. He seemed to like this one a lot more. I needed a good plan. I needed to dig up some dirt on Amy.

After a lot of searching on the Internet I found an interesting tidbit. Amy had an ex-husband who was a drunk. I had to track down this Mr. Gerstein and learn more. I found him in the Terminal Bar and Grill. He was sober, for a change. I played it cool as I walked up to him and started a conversation. I had to use my fake ID to get in. It wasn't hard to get him to talk. I was good at manipulating people to get what I wanted. When I found out he still wanted Amy and what a jealous man he was it only took a few well chosen thoughts planted in his head. He was putty in my hands.

A few days later Amy disappeared. My father, distraught, reported her missing. The police searched for weeks. They finally found her body buried in her ex-husband's back yard. She had been strangled.

After a lengthy trial Mr. Gerstein was convicted of murder. I had attended the trial, and even testified. As they led him away, I allowed myself a small smile. Amy was gone. No one would ever know the part I had played.

This is another Writer's Toolbox story.The sticks I drew were:
1. There she was, Amy Gerstein, over by the pool, kissing my father.
2. Watching them, I felt like he was cheating on his spouse. And it wasn't the first time.
3. I found him in the Terminal Bar and Grill. He was sober, for a change.

The Exotic Dancer

2010-03-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

My sister has a game called The Writer's Toolbox Game. The object of the game is to write a short story. At the beginning of the game, each player draws a stick with a sentence on it. That is the first sentence of our story. We write for 3 minutes, then draw another stick which is used to continue the story. We write for 3 more minutes, then draw another stick, and have 3 minutes to finish the story. All sticks are drawn randomly. At the end we read our stories. The results can be funny or interesting. This is my story.

The Exotic Dancer

After only two months, Helen decided to become an exotic dancer. The previous two months she had tried River dance but it was too rigid having to keep her upper body stiff while only moving her legs. Her whole body wanted to move. She kept messing up the neat line of River dancers. There they were in perfect unison tapping out a complex rhythm and she would throw it off with her added arm movements and wiggles. Her fellow dancers complained and her dance instructor recommended she learn another style of dance. Exotic dancing sounded interesting. She didn't know anything about it. She assumed it was a dance that came from a tropical place, like Hawaii.

Imagine her surprise the first day she walked into her exotic dance class. On Tuesday, she asked her new dance teacher a most peculiar question. "What is this pole for? Is it for those who don't have a dance partner?"

Her teacher gave her a funny look. She was standing behind the counter, giving her this root beer-float kind of smile. "Helen, have you ever seen someone do exotic dancing before?" her teacher asked.

"No, I had never heard of it before last week when I read it in a list of dance styles offered in a brochure. But I can learn any type of dance, don't worry. I'll work hard." Helen was afraid of being kicked out of another dance class.

A short time later Helen joined a group of other girls. She was surprised at how scantily dressed they were. At least there were no men around! The teacher called the class to order and started some music. Helen watched the other girls, not quite sure what to do. She became confused at the girls' body movements. As they removed what little clothing they were wearing Helen became shocked. She wanted no part of this. She ran out of the building with a very red face. This was not the dance for her.

The End

The 3 sticks I drew were:
1. After only two months, Helen decided to become an exotic dancer.
2. On Tuesday, she asked her teacher a most peculiar question.
3. She was standing behind the counter, giving her this root beer-float kind of smile.

My Daughter's Birthday

2009-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today is my older daughter's 6th birthday. I am making today a special day for her. I picked out a cute outfit for her to wear to school and pinned a birthday ribbon on her shirt. She gets to eat a special lunch - a fluffer nutter sandwich and candy corn - and I put a birthday note in her lunch. She got to take a book to school for the teacher to read to the class. She took Pride and Prejudice. When she handed it to the teacher, the teacher said, "What?! If we read that it would take all day and you wouldn't get to eat lunch." Then she laughed. So my daughter handed her the other book she brought and the teacher read My Lucky Day. We are going to my parents' house for supper and cake tonight.

Most of today I am getting ready for her birthday party, which will be tomorrow. We are all excited about the party. The theme is a surprise. I will write all about it and post pictures after the party.

I am so thankful for my daughter. It has been a joy to watch her grow up. As I care for her baby sister, I have flashbacks of caring for her when she was that little. How time flies. She has grown into a beautiful, smart, vibrant little girl. She loves to draw, write, and dance. She has a sweet spirit and likes to do things for others. She adores her baby sister and is a big helper. I love her so much!

Filling the Gap

2009-09-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

Wow. It has been a long time since I have posted anything. So much has happened since the last post. My family has moved to Pennsylvania where we bought our first home. We have a new baby daughter who is a delight. My older daughter is in 1st grade and about to turn 6 this week. She adores her baby sister. My husband got a wonderful new job allowing him to work from home, then was laid off a few months later with everyone else in the company. Now he's job hunting again. Life is uncertain, but God is in control and we can trust Him.

I Like To Move It, Move It

2008-11-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

We're gonna move it, move it
We're gonna move it, move it
We're gonna move it, move it
We're gonna... MOVE IT!

Can't wait to move it, move it
Can't wait to move it, move it
Can't wait to move it, move it
Can't wait to... MOVE IT!

I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
We like to... MOVE IT!

It's official now. We're moving to PA! Yaaaaay!

Sir John Hawkins' Secret Treasure

2008-10-13T14:57:00.001-07:00

For my daughter's 5th birthday we had a pirate themed party. All of the children (and some of the adults) dressed up as pirates. One of the activities was a treasure hunt. To introduce the treasure hunt to them, I made up this story.

Most of you don't know this, but I am related to a real pirate: Sir John Hawkins. He was a famous pirate, but there is something about him you won't find in any books . Sir John Hawkins had a secret; a secret treasure that he didn't tell anyone about. He didn't even tell his own crew because he wanted to keep it all for himself. To keep anyone from finding the treasure, he buried it in a place that only he knew about. Unfortunately, he never got to enjoy his treasure. Shortly before his last voyage he made a map. But he didn't want just anyone to find the treasure and was afraid the map would fall into the wrong hands. So he tore the map into several pieces and hid each piece in a different place. Then he gave one piece to his son and told him about the treasure. He said that if he could find the rest of the map he could have the treasure. His son never found the rest of the map or the treasure, so he passed his piece of the map on to his children. And so it has passed from generation to generation and finally to me. Today I am passing it on to my daughter. Maybe with your help the long lost secret treasure of Sir John Hawkins will be found. You will know when you have found a piece of the map because he hid a gold nugget with each. Each piece of the map will lead you to the next. Once you have found all the pieces, put the map back together and it will lead you to the treasure.

The treasure hunt was a huge success. There was only one snag. About halfway through the hunt I realized that the treasure had driven off. We hid the treasure in the trunk of our car and my husband had gone home briefly to grill the hotdogs. My father-in-law came to the rescue. He went and fetched back the treasure and by the end of the hunt the pirates found the treasure in the trunk of his car. The treasure was a pinata.

What's the Magic Word?

2008-09-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I volunteered in my daughter's kindergarten class. I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of my old job. For the most part the children were delightful and very polite. During recess I sat at a small picnic table watching the children and chatting with them. Then I met a little boy who stood out from all the rest. He plopped down on the bench next to mine, flung his foot on the table in front of me and demanded, "Tie my shoe" in a very obnoxious voice. I was slightly taken aback by his tone after talking to all these polite children. I replied, "Excuse me? Could you ask me nicely?" He said, "No, we don't talk nicely at my house." I told him, "Well, that's not going to get you very far. People won't want to help you if you don't ask nice." He demanded several more times that I tie his shoe for him, refusing to be polite. Each time I told him that I would be glad to tie it for him when he said "please". Finally, he kind of glared at me and grudgingly said, "Please tie my shoe for me." It wasn't quite the response I was looking for but I gave him credit for for saying please and smiled at him as I tied his shoe.

I feel sorry for the rude little boy who hasn't been taught even the basics of courtesy and politeness; who lives in a place where "we don't talk nicely at my house."

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Second Generation Christians

2008-09-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

I've recently had a few discussions with a friend who was saved later in life. We were talking about the differences between Christians who were saved later in life and second generation Christians who were saved at an early age and lived a very sheltered life. Both types of Christians have their pros and cons which can strengthen or hinder their work in various ministries. As a second generation Christian myself, I have experienced the negative aspects and am working on trying to figure out how to fix them to make them positive. My friend who was saved later in life has helped me put some things into perspective.

Heather, who is also studying second generation Christians, wrote in her blog post that she believes strongly in exposure to and interaction with the "real world". I agree with that. Some Christians try to keep themselves and their children too separated from the world. This can create some problems. It can hinder their ministry to the unsaved and new Christians because they can't identify with them or understand them. Sometimes it can cause them to look down on "worldly" people and they could end up unintentionally offending them. Christians who have been exposed to the world know where they're coming from and can tactfully present the truth without offending. I'm not saying a sheltered Christian can't do the same but it will be harder for them.

Children who live an overly sheltered life will have a big shock when they grow up and enter the "real world". If they are not prepared it could lead to problems later in life. They may end up experimenting in worldly things to see what they missed out on. Or they might become very legalistic, defining their spirituality by the "good deeds" they do and the moral lifestyle they live.

Faith is strengthened by the trials we face and many Christians saved at an early age are sheltered from the challenges that could anchor their faith. People who are saved from the world know what they are saved from. One of the problems I faced as a young Christian is that I didn't notice a big change in my life when I was saved. Yes, I was a sinner and did bad things, but how wicked can a four year old be? Those saved later in life can appreciate their salvation much more as they experience the power of the Holy Spirit turning their life around.

I'm not saying that people should put off salvation until they're older or that Christians need to experience a worldly life before they can be used by God or appreciate their salvation. I heard the story of one man who lived a sheltered life. Then he heard the testimony of another man who talked about how he was saved out of a life of drugs, immorality, and who knows what else, and praising God for saving him out of that life. After hearing that testimony, the sheltered Christian said, "Wow, I need to go out and get me a testimony like that." And he proceeded to go out and live a wicked life. The experience didn't give him a better testimony; it ruined his testimony and his life. One of the things I praise God for is that I was saved from a wicked life, not out of one.

I led a fairly sheltered life but I don't consider myself to have been completely sheltered. From a very early age I faced internal spiritual battles. I can remember at the age of 5 or 6 thinking things like, "Even though I'm a Christian, I could go out and steal something or even kill someone, and God would still love me. I would still go to heaven." I would contemplate doing some really horrible things, but then I would think, "If I did those things, it would make Jesus very sad, and I don't want to do that." So I chose not to live a wicked life. God has helped me to stay away from really bad things, but I have still been tempted by things in this world, and made bad choices. Most of my convictions today aren't ones my parents taught me or ones I learned in a Christian setting. My strongest convictions are ones I learned the hard way or studied myself to find out why I should believe or live a certain way.

When it comes to interacting with the "real world" I believe there needs to be a balance. The Bible teaches that we should be separated from the world. So we shouldn't try to look like them and act like them and think we'll reach them that way. But we also can't bury our heads in the sand, then look down on unsaved people and act shocked when they act worldly. Without partaking in worldly sins, we need to be aware of the ways of the world, understand where they're coming from so we can best help them.

Time Changes Everything

2008-09-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

An unintentional gift given
A lesson learned
A test passed
A wrong forgiven
A grudge ended
A heart mended
A relationship restored
A peace delivered
A freedom gained
A new beginning
True love discovered
Real joy uncovered
A life changed

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Time changes everything.
98-08

Sleeping Beauties

2008-09-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Heather sleeping

My daughter sleeping

Somebody takes after their aunt.

Interview with a Kindergartener

2008-09-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

My daughter just started kindergarten and she loves it. Every morning she runs down the sidewalk cheering, "Yay, I get to go to school!" I barely get a hug and kiss goodbye when I drop her off. I am so proud of her. So I decided to interview her about school.

Mom: Are you excited about going to school?

Shell: Yes, I'm lots and lots of excited!

Mom: What kinds of things do you learn at school?

Shell: I sing funny songs. I learn about some books we can read. I go to recess.

Mom: What kinds of books do read?

Shell: The seal one, a school book about a little boy who goes to school, and If You Take a Mouse to School.

Mom: What are you learning about numbers?

Shell: We did a number song. We made numbers with play dough. We counted to 30 today. Mrs. Ellis said I had to do it even though I already knew how.

Mom: What kind of things do you draw or paint?

Shell: I was an illustrator. I had to color Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf in Grandma's bed. I colored the cape red, hair yellow, left the skin white, and made the tongue red.

Mom: What kind of special things do you do at school?

Shell: I did a magnadoodle because I got my jobs done before it was time to clean up. I also did cubes and strings. I had to do blue, red, blue, red. I did puzzles and cutting (mouse to cheese).

Mom: Have you made any friends at school?

Shell: Yes, there's Jaylin, Jacklyn, Makenna (not sure if I spelled them right), and I can't remember the name of one of my friends.

Mom: Do you like your teacher?

Shell: Yes, 'cause she's nice and I like the stuff that she talks about. There's also no running the classroom.

Mom: Do you ever get into trouble at school?

Shell: No, never. I got moved today but not because I was in trouble. Kayla was talking. I never get my name written on the board either.

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do at school?

Shell: Playing on the playground at recess. I also really like scissor cutting. I also like hopscotch, running on the grass, playing duck, duck, goose. I also like reading books. The seal book is my favorite. It has cute little seals and the whale tries to eat them. It's funny. (laughs) I really like everything I talked about today.

African Safari

2008-06-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

This past week we had Kid's Krusade at our church. It went very well and many children got saved (over 30). I even had the privilege of leading a girl to the Lord. God is so good!

The theme for Kid's Krusade this year was "African Safari", which was of special interest to me since I used to live in Africa. I was able to talk to the 5th graders about life in Africa and show them pictures.

My daughter got to attend Kid's Krusade for the first time this year and had a blast. While we were decorating the auditorium the night before the Krusade, someone brought out a large, life-size tiger to decorate with. (There are no tigers in Africa, by the way.) My daughter went over to the tiger and was looking it over. When she was done she went over to the youth pastor's wife and asked, "Why does that tiger have a little triangle thing under it?" Miss Angie tried not to laugh as she answered, "That just means it's a boy tiger." You never know what's going to pop out of my daughter's mouth.

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day I made a special video for my husband of him and our daughter using their special song, Bubbly. Happy Father's Day! I love you, Stephen!

Santa Lucia

2008-02-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas I decided to carry on an old family tradition. When I was a little girl, on Christmas morning, my mom would dress me up as Santa Lucia, complete with electric candles in my hair, and I would carry hot cocoa and a piece of swedish tea ring to each member of my family.

Last year my mother-in-law, who grew up in Sweden, told me the story of Santa Lucia and how it is celebrated in Sweden.

"Lucia was a saint, a very good person who brought food to the hungry people in Sweden during the longest, darkest, winter night, a long time ago. [She] wore a crown with candles to brighten the dark days in Sweden."* She was later martyred. This is just part of one version of the legend.

Now, Santa Lucia ushers in the Christmas season. Early in the morning of December 13th, the oldest daughter in the family in Sweden has the privilege of being the Lucia, wearing a long white gown sashed in red, with a wreath of lingonberry leaves on her hair. Candles - now usually run on batteries - are set into the wreath. Her sisters wear white gowns with tinsel in their hair and around their waists. Boys in the family wear tall pointed hats with stars on them. The "Starboys" traditionally are associated with the three wise men. The children awaken their parents and offer them coffee, saffron-flavored buns called Lussekatter and ginger snaps, called pepparkakor.*

This past December my daughter was Lucia. Since my husband leaves for work early in the morning I invited a friend over to celebrate Lucia Day. On December 13th, I got up early and made cinnamon buns and coffee. Then I dressed my daughter as Lucia. Since I didn't have a Lucia robe, she wore one of my husband's white t-shirts. She did a wonderful job serving us and later that evening serving her daddy. For Christmas her nana got her a book about Santa Lucia and a Lucia robe.

Santa Lucia is a fun tradition and I celebrate it in honor of both my moms. I know the holidays have come and gone but I wanted to share that story anyway.

*Taken from Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker

Celestial Wonders

2008-02-24T23:50:00.000-08:00

Reading Heather's blog post, "Contentment on a Moonlit Night", stirred some nostalgic memories in me. Watching the eclipse of the moon was just the beginning of our delights in God's celestial wonders.

Who needs fireworks when God puts on a brilliant lightning display?

Try outrunning a storm with the rain beating down right behind you.

Watch a gorgeous sunset from high in the branches of a flamboyant tree. The most talented artist could not create anything more colorful or beautiful.

Invite your friends to a night around the campfire, complete with shooting stars... and deliver. Don't forget to make a wish!
What can compare to the amazing star-studded skies of Africa?

How comforting to look out the window of the plane and see a perfectly round rainbow with the shadow of the plane in its center. God promises to watch over us.

All of these things I experienced with delight and wonder. Since I have left Africa it seems I am too busy to notice the wonders of heaven I once enjoyed. Too long has it been since I gazed at the stars, watched an entire sunset, and marveled at God's amazing handiwork. I have forgotten to look up. As the Psalmist says, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man that Thou art mindful of him?" "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork." Look up!

Signs

2007-08-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Last evening we were driving to church. A couple blocks from the church my daughter asked, "Are we almost there?" Before we could answer she suddenly pointed and exclaimed, "Look! There's a sign: L-I-Q-U-O-R," she spelled, "we are almost there!" I don't know why she pointed out that sign instead of the Baskin Robbins sign across the street.

My New Hobby

2007-06-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

I have recently started a new hobby: digital scrapbooking. It is so much fun! Most of my scrapbook pages are of my daughter but I'm working on making pages for everyone in my family and some of my friends too. If you want to see my scrapbook pages you can view them online at http://www.scrapbookflair.com/rambling_rose. I will put a link to it on the right. Here is a sample of one of the latest pages I made.

Full Moon at Noon

2007-04-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

While we were in St. Vincent we had a surprise party for my mom’s 50th birthday. We went to a beach to have a picnic and met a fisherman who sold us some freshly caught fish. Then I took Mom out snorkeling while the rest of the family decorated the pavilion with streamers and balloons. When Mom and I got back to the pavilion she was so surprised. Some of my parents’ friends were at the party too and we were all having a great time.

Shortly after lunch however, our pleasant little party was crashed. Some European vacationers decided to have some fun at the beach too, which was fine, until they started to undress inappropriately right in front of us. One of the ladies in our group went down to them and respectfully asked the ladies to put their tops back on or go farther down the beach out of site. (St. Vincent has no nude beaches.) There was a language barrier but they understood what was being asked. One of the ladies started to redress but one of the men in her group (who was photographing the ladies) came forward to put up a fight. Mom went down to try to figure out what language they were speaking and better communicate with them. The man got very angry and acted like he was going to shove my mom but she backed off. He started yelling at us in his language and we decided to ignore them. A little while later they were getting ready to leave. Apparently the man was still angry with us because he decided to come over and yell at us one last time then he turned around and mooned us before storming off to his taxi.

How rude! Some people are so immature that all you can do is shake your head. But don’t stoop to their level. Looking back, I find the situation kind of humorous.

The rest of the party was great. We ate fresh fish cooked over an open fire, enjoyed chocolate cake, drank from coconuts, snorkeled for hours, and had a great time. One of my parent’s friends brought his boat and we were able to snorkel while holding on to the side of the boat as he took us on a tour of the reef. That was so much fun and we saw so many fish and other sea creatures. My husband, dad, brother, and sister even snorkeled in a bat cave.

It was an exciting day. Mom, I hope you enjoyed your party. And I promise, we really didn’t order the strippers.

Stories from the Caribbean

2007-04-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean with my family. We spent two wonderful weeks in St. Vincent visiting with my parents, brother, and sister. St. Vincent is a beautiful island with sandy beaches leading to clear blue water, beautiful mountains, palm groves, and cool waterfalls. Every day was an adventure, whether we were snorkeling, hiking, walking the busy streets of Kingstown, or just driving around the island.
Driving on the narrow windy streets of St. Vincent is like riding a rollercoaster; up and down steep hills, around tight corners, abrupt stops. They drive on the left side of the road and their traffic laws are very different from here. But the drivers seemed a lot more patient than drivers here. They didn’t seem to be in a hurry and their honks were to let others know they were on the other side of a blind corner, not out of anger or impatience.

We met some really sweet people who welcomed us to their island and made us feel at home. They introduced us to many new things and delicious foods. I really enjoyed the fellowship with them.

So much happened while we were in St. Vincent that I cannot fit it all in one post so I will share more stories from the Caribbean in posts to come.

The Voice of an Angel

2007-04-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

The lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd. Instruments started playing behind the curtain and a deep voice filled the place, seeming to come from everywhere. As he sang, the curtain slowly rose revealing a band and a small orchestra on a beautiful hardwood floor. Cheers erupted as Josh Groban rose up through the floor, his powerful voice crescendoing. I sat on the edge of my seat feeling the music with every part of my being. I was speechless. All I could think was “wow!” No words could describe what I was feeling. I had never heard anything so beautiful. His voice is so rich, pure and dynamic, and he sings with such expression and passion.

The first time I ever heard of Josh Groban was a few years ago when my husband told me to listen to this song on the radio because the guy had an incredible voice. So I listened to him sing “To Where You Are” and was very impressed. However, as I listened to the voice the first time I pictured an older fat man, kind of like Pavarotti. I was quite surprised when I saw his picture and he was a young good-looking man. He soon became my favorite singer.

For Christmas, my husband surprised me with tickets to a Josh Groban concert. I was so excited and finally, last Wednesday, we got to hear him live. It is an experience I will never forget. He was really funny, especially when he tried to dance and got distracted by the chicken dance. I enjoyed every song and held on to every note.

There was a violinist that caught my attention too. She was very good. At one point she played a solo. The music was pretty but I couldn't help laughing at her expressions. She looked very angry and seemed to attack the music as she played (which was fitting to the music she was playing). I leaned over to Stephen and asked if her boyfriend had broken up with her right before the performance. She looked like she was trying to kill someone.

As the concert ended, I sat quietly trying to absord the memories, his voice still ringing in my ears. It was the best concert I have ever been to. He really has the voice of an angel.

Thank you so much, Stephen, for taking me to the concert. You are the most wonderful husband in the world. And don’t be jealous, I think you are more handsome than Josh and I like to hear you sing too. He may have an incredible voice, but you have everything else, including my heart.

My Most Precious Gift

2007-04-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

I have found what many people have spent their lives searching for and some never find. Not only that, I have found it twice, in two different ways, by two different people. What is this amazing thing that everyone wants; that those who have found it consider themselves most blessed, and those who have not found it spend their lives searching for? And how did I find it twice?

What I have found is simply love. Not temporary, conditional, selfish, false love. But the real thing; true, unconditional, faithful, eternal love. Where did I find this kind of love?

I will tell you about the second place I found this love first. I found true love in my husband, Stephen. He loves me unconditionally, in spite of my faults, and helps me grow. He loves me faithfully, staying true to the vows we made on our wedding day. He loves me eternally; I never have to fear that he'll leave me because I know that he won't. He loves me in the rough times as well as the good. He taught me what true love is and I know that I can trust him. He is also very handsome and irresistable. He loves me with the most perfect kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. This type of love is extremely rare and valuable and I am more than blessed to have found it.

But there is another true love I found long before I ever met my husband and it is a love that is still alive today and will last forever. It is a love even more precious and important than the one I share with my husband. (Don't worry, he's not jealous because he has this love too.) The love I am speaking of is a love with my heavenly Father and my Savior. It is a sacrificial love. I was lost in my sin and on my way to hell. But Jesus, God's own Son, died for me, paid the penalty for my sin, and then rose again from the dead, breaking the curse of death. By trusting in what He did for me, I became a child of God and have a special relationship with the One who created me. I am now complete. The void in my life is gone. And I am sure of my future after I die: an eternal home in heaven with my Savior. I can't wait to see Him face to face!

I hope that everyone finds true love. It is a precious gift. Not everyone will find true love in the sense of a soul mate. But everyone can have the second love relationship I talked about. God offers that love to every person on earth as a free gift. All you have to do is accept it.

God Is Enough

2007-03-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

When things aren’t as they should be
God is enough.
When people you trust betray you
God is enough.
When you don’t understand
God is enough.
When you are lost and confused
God is enough.
When your world crashes down around you
God is enough.
When you don’t know what the future holds
God is enough.
When no one understands you
God is enough.
When you lose everything you work hard for
God is enough.

He sets things right.
He is faithful.
He will show you in time
He will guide you.
He fixes your world.
He is your future.
He understands.
He will reward you.
God is enough.

God is your strength.
God is your comfort.
God is your Friend.
God is your hope.
God is your leader.
God is in control.
God is all that you need.
God is enough.

Green Eggs and Ham

2007-02-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not eat them in the rain.
I will not eat them on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I will not eat them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them ANYWHERE!

You do not like them.

So you say.
Try them! Try them!
And you may.
Try them and you may, I say.

Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would eat them in a boat.
And I would eat them with a goat.
And I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
They are so good, so good, you see!
So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.
Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do like green eggs and ham!

Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

I fed my daughter green eggs and ham one morning then read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss to her. Of course, she loves green eggs and ham! Yes she does, Sam-I -am!

My Little Big Brother

2007-02-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

This handsome man is my brother and this post is for him. Today is Tim’s 25th birthday.

Tim, you are a quarter of a century now. Do you feel old? Well, don’t feel old. As of April you will be only half Mom’s age. (Wow, last year Heather was half Dad’s age.) They are half a century! 25 is a wonderful age. It was one of my favorite ages. You are only half way through your 20s and still young. You have your whole life ahead of you.

I have always wished I had an older brother, but since I am the oldest that couldn’t happen. But I kind of got my wish anyway through my little brother. Ever since he got bigger than me (if not before) he has acted like my big brother. Yes, he even used to boss me around. But he also looked out for me. He’s a good protective brother. I think even though he’s far away he would still look out for me.

What kind of person is my brother? Well, on the outside he looks like a tough guy (and he is) especially when he’s holding one of his many weapons. He loves martial arts and hunting. (Maybe one of the reasons I always feel safe around him. I know he can defend himself.) But under that tough exterior he is a gentleman and has a heart of compassion for others. He is dependable and hard working. Most importantly, he loves the Lord.

So Tim, am I totally embarrassing you yet? Honestly, that is not my intention and don’t worry, only about 5 or 6 people read my blog as far as I know. I just wanted to let you know that I am glad you are my brother. I couldn’t have asked for a better one. I am very proud of you. And even though you are bigger than me, you will always be my little brother.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!!

Motorcycle Chick

2007-02-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

My daughter went on her first motorcycle ride last night. Stephen took her around the circle in our gated community a few times. She loved it. All she needs now is a leather jacket and a real helmet and she'll be a real motorcycle chick.

With the wind blowing through my hair
I will ride from here to there
On my cool motor bike
I will go where e're I like

I will cruise up to the mountains
Then along the ocean shore
Drive around the city fountains
And the whole world I'll explore

With the open road before me
I like to get there quick
There's so much to go and see
I'm a motorcycle chick

Stolen Expressions

2007-02-01T15:38:00.001-08:00

I often envy people who are talented; people who can express themselves through music or art or written words.

As I listen to music, I hear a person’s soul and emotions dance upon the notes he sings or plays. It echoes through my being and I wish I could put my feelings into beautiful music; music that would bring tears to your eyes or make your heart soar with joy and hope. Music fills me and I wish I could move with it gracefully so the beauty inside flows out.

I see a painting and know that it is so much more than a pretty picture. It is the mystery of a person. It hides within its layers secrets of the past. The colors the artist chooses give me a glimpse of his personality. The style of the painting shows his passion and the images show what he loves and cares about. I wish I could paint from my heart, revealing who I am inside or who I want to be.

Words may seem like an obvious way of expressing yourself but there is a difference between writing words on a piece of paper and using words to create another world or describe your innermost being. I wish I could make my words flow poetically or use imagery to convey my deepest thoughts or at least sound like I know what I’m talking about.

There is so much trapped inside of me and I don’t know how to let it out. My music is just noise, my movements jerky and clumsy. My paintings are senseless splotches of color and my words are meaningless mumbo jumbo. My thoughts, feelings, emotions, everything I am swirl around inside me. Joy, sadness, love, hate, compassion, anger, contentment, frustration, calm, restlessness, passion, loneliness…all bottled up in such a small space that they get mixed up, pushing and pulling me from one emotion to another until I feel like I’ve been riding a roller coaster. There is no way for me to express myself, no outlet. I open my mouth but no sound comes out. My canvas is twice as thick as when I started from the layers of paint covering up the images that were not right. Words flee my brain as my pen hovers over the blank paper.

So I try to substitute my feelings with those of another. I listen and move to music that mimics what I feel, but it is not my music. I admire paintings that look like what I would want to paint, but it is not my art hiding my secrets and revealing who I am. I read poetry and books that portray close to my thoughts and who I want to be, but they are not my words. They are merely reflections of other people while my own remain locked away inside of me longing to be released.

Click, Clack, Moo

2007-01-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

I am writing this post for my sister, Heather. One of her recent blog posts inspired me to rewrite this childrens story. In her post she was looking for the word that you would use to describe the incorrect use of a thesaurus. I couldn't find that word. The closest word to it I found was "malapropism". So I decided to greatly misuse the thesaurus to rewrite this story. I chose this story because it is one of Heather's favorite childrens stories.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin;
rewritten by Valinda Rees

Farmer Brown has a botheration.
His cows like to type.
All day lofty he heeds

Click, clack, moo.
Click, clack, moo.
Clickety, clack, moo.

At first, he couldn’t accredit his ears.
Cows that type?
Inconceivable!

Click, clack, moo.
Click, clack, moo.
Clickety, clack, moo.

Then he couldn’t regard his eyes.

Dear Farmer Brown,
The stable is extensively brumal at duskiness. We’d like some stimulating blankets.
Sincerely,
The Cows

It was abominable enough the cows had found the geriatric typewriter in the barn, now they demanded power-driven blankets! “No way,” said Farmer Brown. “No juiced blankets.”

So the cows went on mutiny. They marooned a dispatch on the barn portal.

Attritional. We’re sealed. No bovine extract today.

“No formula today!” blubbered Farmer Brown. In the remote, he hearkened the cows industrious at work:

Click, clack, moo.
Click, clack, moo.
Clickety, clack, moo.

The neighboring day, he implied another commentary:

Dear Farmer Brown,
The hens are glacial too. They’d like rousing blankets.
Sincerely,
The Cows

The cows were evolving petulant with the farmer. They left a new agenda on the barn door.

Bankrupt. No moo juice. No ova.

“No hen apples!” sniveled Farmer Brown. In the background he ascertained them.

Click, clack, moo.
Click, clack, moo.
Clickety, clack, moo.

“Cows that transcribe. Hens on boycott! Whoever heard of such a thing? How can I perform a farm with no cream and no embryos!” Farmer Brown was furious.

Farmer Brown got out his own typewriter.

Dear Cows and Hens,
There will be no magnetic blankets. You are cows and hens. I summon milk and eggs.
Sincerely,
Farmer Brown

Duck was a neutral party, so he accompanied the ultimatum to the cows.

The cows held a plight meeting. All the beasts gathered around the barn to interfere, but none of them could fathom moo.

All night long, Farmer Brown tarried for an answer.

Duck knocked on the door prematurely the next morning. He relinquished Farmer Brown a scratch:

Dear Farmer Brown,
We will reciprocate our typewriter for electrifying blankets. Leave them yonder the barn door and we will propel Duck over with the typewriter.
Sincerely,
The Cows

Farmer Brown ascertained this was an admirable deal. He left the blankets parallel to the barn door and anticipated for Duck to come with the typewriter.

The subsequent morning he got a diary:

Dear Farmer Brown,
The lagoon is quite arid. We’d like a diving board.
Sincerely,
The Ducks

Click, clack, quack.
Click, clack, quack.
Clickety, clack, quack.

A Tribute to Bling-bling

2007-01-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

It is with deepest sorrow that I sit down and write this eulogy in memory of a dearly loved member of our family. I did not get to write about him when he first came into our lives so I feel I must do him this honor now that he is departed.

Bling-bling came into our lives a short two months ago on November 2, 2006. He was my daughter's first pet. She chose him out of dozens of other fish she could have had, then lovingly picked out a home for him and stones to cover his floor and plants to make him feel at home. I was so proud of her when she made him her responsibility and fed him carefully and took care of him. They soon became good friends. Before long the whole family fell in love with him and he became part of our family.

Bling-bling was not an ordinary fish. He was a handsome betta fish, with scales of amethyst and mother of pearl, and fins of the bluest sapphire. It was because of this jewel-like beauty that my daughter named him "Bling-bling". He was not a timid fish, like so many others who go into hiding whenever someone approaches, but a friendly happy fish. He eagerly swam up to greet us whenever we came near, his tail fin wagging excitedly like a puppy's tail. Full of life, he entertained us with his animated personality, showing off and playfully nipping at my fingers when I put them in the water. He brought us such joy.

During Christmas time we had to leave him in the care of a young girl while we traveled for the holidays. I'm sure she took good care of him, but when we returned and brought him back home, he was not the same. He was no longer the happy, energetic little fish he was when we left. Now he was sad and sick. What happened to our poor little Bling-bling? Did he think we had abandoned him and become sick from a broken heart? He had such a healthy appetite before and now he refused to eat anything. I tried to nurse him back to health. I sat by him, minutes at a time, trying to coax him to eat, offering encouragement, but to no avail.

He was brave to the very end. I could tell he was trying to get better. He made feeble attempts to wag his tail fin for me and even tried to swim in circles, but his movements were jerky and slow. Finally, last night, I made what became my last attempt to feed him. He was near the bottom of the bowl and made a valiant swim to the top. But it was too much for him and he nose-dived back to the bottom, his nose buried in the stones below. He tried one more time and could not make it.

This morning I checked on him but he was gone, standing on his nose between the branches of his plant. It was a heartbreaking sight. Tonight I will have to break the news to my daughter.

The funeral will be held this evening as we gather around to send him to his watery grave via the porcelain express. His life was too short.

Farewell, beloved Bling-bling. May you find peace in fish paradise where there are no predators and the clearest water and best fish food to make a fish happy. You will be missed.

* All condolences and flowers will be graciously accepted.

** Anyone who wishes to start a scholarship fund for the Alpha Betta School of Fighting Fish in honor of Bling-bling may do so with our blessing.

Bling-bling
Nov. 2, '06-Jan.11, '07
Beloved Fish

Violin Prodigy or Just Enthusiastic?

2006-12-29T19:40:00.000-08:00

My daughter loves the violin. She has wanted to learn to play the violin just like her Aunt Heather since she was 2 years old. This summer she received her very own 16th violin. She was so excited. She immediately took it out of the case, went up to Aunt Heather, and said, "I want to play the bumblebee song." She was referring to Flight of the Bumblebee. Then she proceeded to move the bow rapidly across the strings, screeching horribly. She was completely convinced that she had played the bumblebee song.

Whenever my sister comes to visit she gives my daughter violin lessons. She already knows all the parts of the violin and bow, the names of the strings, how to hold the violin properly, and can pluck strings on command. She is just starting to learn how to hold the bow properly.

Soon I want her to be able to take real lessons and maybe someday she will be a great violinst. One day when she learns to really play Flight of the Bumblebee I will have to show her a video of her first attempt at age three.

Mary Did You Know?

2006-12-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

- by Mark Lowry

I think this song is a beautiful reminder that baby Jesus, Who's birth we celebrate this time of year, was not just a ordinary baby, but the Son of God, the great I AM Himself! What a wonderful privilege Mary had to be the mother of the One Who would save the world from their sins. As you celebrate this holiday season, don't forget that Jesus didn't stay a little baby. He is the Savior of the world and He is still alive today, just as powerful as He was back then.

Merry Christmas to you all and have a Happy New Year!

My Alien

2006-11-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Four years ago I married an alien. He had come to earth from Saturn seeking...no, no, that's not right. He was only an alien from Canada, a Newfie (sounds like a kind of dog). Well, for the last four years I have enjoyed being married to an alien. He's quite proud of being Canadian and we enjoy teasing each other about our countries. But for four years two countries were united and respected in our home.

Unfortunately, I am sad to say, I am no longer married to an alien. No, we did not split up. He just decided to become one of us. Last week he became a citizen of the United States of America. So, even though he is still a proud Canadian at heart (he wanted to wear a Canadian tie to the oath ceremony) I can no longer say I am married to an alien.

I'm not really disappointed that he is American now. I am very proud of him. God bless America...and Canada!

God Is Listening

2006-11-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

God is amazing! He knows just when I need to hear from Him. I have been praying about a lot of things lately, seeking direction, but feeling like He's not listening. Then last night God answered one of my prayers that I prayed for months ago. It wasn't anything big or amazing, but it was like God was saying, "See, I am listing to you. I do care about you and will help you." It was a huge comfort to me and it gave me hope. Now He has given me an opportunity to be used by Him. And I pray that He will use me to make a difference.

What Is God's Will?

2006-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

What is God's will for my life? What is God's will in certain circumstances? How do you know God's will? I have been searching for an answer to these questions since I was a teenager. The answer that has been given to me by several people is that God's will is to please Him everyday in everything I do. As a result of that advice 2 Corinthians 5:9 has become my life verse: "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."(NIV) But even that still doesn't answer my questions for big decisions.

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

This verse has been popping into my head a lot lately and I think God is trying to teach me this same lesson He taught Paul. (Thankfully I haven't had to go through anything as drastic as what Paul went through.) I think He wants me to learn "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." He seems to be trying to teach me that in more than one sense of the word "state".

One thing about me is that I like to know what's going on and be prepared for whatever is coming next in my life; to have a plan. I hate being in the dark. I don't like surprises (unless they're good surprises). Well, God seems to have other plans for me. He likes to keep me in the dark. And it drives me crazy. So maybe God is trying to teach me to be content and trust Him even in the dark, even when I don't know what's going on. It's really hard to be content with the unknown because I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing to prepare for the unknown.

There is also the other sense of the word "state" that I am struggling to be content in. We are considering moving. As my husband comes across various job opportunities, we are again faced with the question: "What is God's will?" There are some states that I would be happy to move to, and other that don't sound so exciting. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter where I want to live. Wherever God sends me I will need to be content. But how will we recognize God's will when we see it?

In the first Harry Potter book Harry comes across a magic mirror called the Mirror of Erised. When he looks inside it he sees himself with his parents who died when he was a baby. As Harry stands there trying to figure out what the mirror does, Dumbledore helps him out. He says, "The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desprate desire of our hearts." If I were to look in that mirror I would see all sorts of things. But if I could just learn to be content, even if I don't know God's will, I would see myself just as I am now, the way God made me, where He wants me; in the center of His will. Maybe it is God's will for me not to know His will (if that makes any sense). Maybe He just wants me to be content in the dark.

Morning Bird

2006-10-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

I woke up early one morning

The earth lay cool and still

When suddenly a tiny bird

Perched on my windowsill.

He sang a song so lovely

So carefree and so gay

That slowly all my troubles

Began to slip away.

He sang of far off places

Of laughter and of fun

It seems his winsome tweeting

Brought up the morning sun.

I stirred beneath the covers

Crept slowly out of bed

Then gently lowered the window

And crushed his little head.

I am not a morning person.

I don't know who wrote that poem but I like it. No, I would not harm a little bird that woke me early in the morning with a sweet song, though I have been tempted to let my husband get rid of the birds who unceasingly tap on the outside of my bedroom wall at the break of dawn every morning. Generally I do like birds. But I am not a morning person.

AtHome America

2006-10-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

We recently got a new youth pastor at our church. The Hargraves are a sweet couple; newly married and expecting their first child. Since Angie wants to spend a lot of time with her baby, she found a career that will allow her to do that. She is a HomeStyle Specialist with AtHome America.

AtHome America sells a wide variety of products from dishes to end tables to decorations for your home. Please check out her website and see all the nice things you could buy. The website is athome.com/ahargrave.

If you see something you want to buy, order from Angie so she gets all the benefits. Also if you decide to buy something please contact me and give me your name so I can get credit too. As a hostess I can get discounts if people order through me.

You can contact me by leaving a comment on this blog or email me. There is an email link on the bottom of my website, Beauty of the Heart. Follow the link to the right.

Enjoy browsing!

Hi Jesus!

2006-10-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

My daughter says and does a lot of cute things. Lately she has been trying to understand things about Jesus and other biblical things. So from time to time I will have to share these stories.

Today my daughter came into my room while I was studying my Bible and said “Jesus isn’t here. He can’t hear me.” I told her, “Yes He is. He is right here and heard you say that.” So she looked up and said “Hi!” Then she looked at me and said, “Will Jesus say hi to me?” I told her that you can’t hear Jesus speak out loud. He speaks to us through the Bible. So she looked down at my Bible that was sitting on my lap and said “hi!” then put her ear to it expecting Jesus to answer. I explained to her that God wrote the Bible and that is His way of talking to us, then I read her a verse.

Three Little Princesses

2006-09-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

Little girls are so cute and so much fun. Today we had a birthday party for my 3 year old daughter. My daughter had been looking forward to this party for months so when her friends arrived she was jumping for joy. Excitement filled the room as 3 little girls chattered and played their little girly games together. The excitement was contageous. As I watched them play dress-up and playdoh and tea party I remembered back to when I was a little girl playing those same games. I kind of wished I could go back to that age and join them. I definately wish I had their energy. As I look back on this day I will remember three little princesses filling my home with childish laughter.

The Joy and Delight of My Heart

2006-09-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 15:16
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts."

This was my favorite verse that I read today in my devotions. I have been noticing that when I spend time in the Word I have an inexplicable joy. I guess it's not really inexplicable since I know that the joy comes from spending time with my Savior. It refreshes my soul to study God's Word after a long hard day. And God is truly becoming the joy and delight of my heart.

My Daughter's Prayer

2006-09-04T11:39:00.001-07:00

On and off over the last few months my daughter has been asking for a sister or brother. She is about to turn 3. Yesterday during breakfast she made the request again. I told her she should pray and ask Jesus to give her a sister or brother. So she asked, "Can I pray right now?" I said, "Sure." She sweetly prayed, "Jesus, I want a sister." Then she quickly looked at me and asked, "Is Jesus here?" I said, "Yes, He's right here and He heard your prayer." So she prayed again, "Jesus, I want a brother." Again she asked me if Jesus was here and I assured her that He was here and heard her prayer.

What a joy it is to teach my daughter about Jesus and that He's always with us and hears our prayers. It's encouraging to see her pray with the unquestioning faith of a child. And when God answers her prayer she will see His love and power.

I pray for the day when she will understand salvation's message and ask Jesus to save her and give her heart fully to Him. Yesterday at church she pointed to the baptistry and said she wanted to be baptized. Then she lay down on the pew and sat back up while verbally describing how a person goes under the water and comes back up. I was amazed that she understood that. I explained to her that she couldn't be baptized until she asked Jesus to be her Savior. She doesn't quite understand that concept yet but as I keep teaching her I hope she will come to understand.

I am encouraged by the questions she asks about Jesus and Biblical things. And even more encouraged when she seems to grasp something I tell her. I've never taught someone so young about God before so I don't know what all she is able to understand or how to simplify things to her level. But she likes to hear Bible stories and even just to listen to me read the Bible out loud. I pray that she will always have a love for the Bible. She has already memorized 2 Bible verses.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Even at her young age she is a huge example to me. She makes me think about my own faith. It seems so easy for her to trust and have faith. I wish I had her faith. I hope she will never lose her child-like faith but that it will grow stronger.

What Is Your Future?

2006-08-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I go I pass places offering psychic readings of your future. These places are wicked and God condemns them, but sometimes I feel sorry for them because I know their future. The thought has crossed my mind to go up to one and tell them their future - even for free.

I see a Great White Throne and God is sitting on the throne. Billions of people are gathered around as you stand before the Throne. The books are opened as God searches for your name. Your name is not there. You fall down before the holy God, begging and pleading with Him because you realize what it means to not have your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. You will worship Him and claim to have done many things for Him. But He will reply, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness. Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 25:31-33,41-46

Now you can't see anything, just utter darkness.You can't even see your hand in front of your face. But it is so hot! You hear the roar of unquenchable flames. You feel unbearable pain as the flames engulf your entire body, yet it does not consume you. The strong scents of sulfur and brimstone churn your stomach and burn your eyes. Your tongue is swollen and your voice hoarse as you cry out for a drop of water to ease your unquenchable thirst. Worms crawl all over your body. Your voice joins billions of others in the wailing and gnashing of teeth against the anguish and torment. You are filled with despair and hopelessness. One thought haunts you for all eternity: "Why didn't I trust Jesus as my Savior when I had a chance?" You know that all believers are in paradise with God and you are stuck here in the Lake of Fire for all eternity. This is your eternal punishment for rejecting God. This is your future. This is the second death.

This is not my prediction of the future; it is God's. It is the future of everyone who rejects Him by not putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save them.

Outer or utter darkness: Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13
Eternal unquenchable fire: Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; 25:41; Mark 9:43,44,48; Jude 1:7
Sulfur and brimstone: Revelation 19:20; 20:10; 21:8
Unquenchable thirst: Luke 16:24
Worms that shall not die: Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:48
Weeping or wailing and gnashing of teeth; anguish; torment: Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; 16:23-25,28; Revelation 20:10

I do not wish that future on anyone. Praise the Lord, you get to choose your future! God doesn't wish that future on anyone either. You don't have to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. If you would rather spend eternity in heaven with God, all you have to do is believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins then rose again three days later; repent of your sins and ask Jesus to save you. If you would like to find out how to do that, click on the link to the right, Beauty of the Heart, then the top link, Beauty in Living for God.

Since I put my faith and trust in Jesus as my Savior, I have a different future; one that I am looking forward to. I am a child of God; the bride of Christ; and I will spend eternity in God's presence, praising Him, worshipping Him, and fellowshipping with Him. It is the future you can have too. The choice is yours. Keep in mind as you make your decision that salvation is not a 'fire escape'. Your motive for getting saved should not be to escape hell, but to have a personal relationship with God. Which future do you choose?

Protector Guardian

2006-08-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

I recently took a Myers-Briggs typology test just for fun. According to them I am a Protector Guardian. The first thing that popped into my head when I read that was an image of Mushu. Then I read the description of Protector Guardian. Some of the characteristics are: service to others, seeing to their safety and security, high developed work ethic, etc. That doesn't sound much like Mushu.

Now, I don't put a lot of stock in these tests, but it got me thinking about my personality, strengths and weaknesses, and my role as a wife, mother, and Christian. God wants me to be a protector guardian, not because some test says that's what I am, but because His Word says I should be.

Protector Guardian for my Husband:

Protect my relationship with him by being loving, submissive, and putting him first (Eph. 5:22)
Protect my time with him by making him my top priority and always being there for him (Phil. 2:3,4)
Protect his happiness by not nagging or having a bad attitude (Prov. 31:26; Prov. 12:4)
Pray for him (Col. 1:9)

Protector Guardian for my Daughter:

Protect her spiritually by teaching her about God, salvation, and morals (Deut. 6:5-7)
Protect her emotionally by providing a stable, safe, happy homelife (Eph. 6:4)
Protect her future by preparing her for the real world when she grows up (3 Jn. 1:4; 2 Tim. 3:14,15)
Protect her physically by taking care of her when she's sick or hurt and making sure she has everything she needs every day (Prov. 31:15,21)
Pray for her (Heb. 13:18)

Protector Guardian for my Home:

Make it a refuge where my family feels safe and are happy to come home to (Prov. 31:10-31)
Create a pleasant atmosphere that is cheerful, comforting, warm, and positive (Prov. 14:1)
Manage my home well and take care of it (Tit. 2:5)

Protector Guardian for my Friends:

Be a good friend (Prov. 18:24)
Be encouraging and honest (Prov. 12:25)
Be there in good times and in bad (Phil. 2:4)
Always have a listening ear, but keep confidences (Prov. 27:9)
Be forgiving (Prov. 15:1; Eph. 4:32)
Don't gossip or slander (Prov. 15:28)
Pray for them (Eph. 6:18)

Protector Guardian of my Relationship with God:

Spend time in His Word, studying it and applying it to my life (2 Tim. 2:15)
Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17)
Serve Him (Ps. 100:2)
Tell others about Him (Mk. 16:15)
Trust in Him for everything (Prov. 3:5,6)
Be a good testimony (1Tim. 4:12)
Do everything for His glory and to please Him (Col. 3:23)

I take my role as 'Protector Guardian' seriously. I certainly don't want to be like Mushu. His motives were all wrong. He wanted to protect Mulan so he could gain honor and glory and put himself on a pedestal. God looks at our motives and I will be held accountable in heaven for all that I do on earth, and for my motives. So instead, I want to be a servant, like Christ, doing but asking nothing in return; putting others first and giving God all the glory and honor. When others look at me I hope they never see a Mushu, but Christ.
Heb. 13:17; Col. 3:17,23-25; 2 Cor. 5:9,10

Shakespeare in the Park

2006-08-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Last night I went with my husband, daughter, and sister to see Shakespeare in the Park. They put on A Midsummer Night's Dream. I enjoyed it very much. It had been a long time since I had been to anything like this and I really like Shakespeare. But I think what I enjoyed the most about it was introducing my daughter to Shakespeare. She is not quite 3 years old and this is the first play of any kind that I have taken her to. She certainly didn't understand what was going on, but by the end of the night she could tell us who's picture was on the fans that were handed out when we walked into the park (Shakespeare's) and she understood that the people on the stage were acting out a story.

I didn't expect her to sit through the whole 3 hours and pay attention (and she didn't) but she behaved and enjoyed it in her own way a lot better than I expected. When she wasn't wandering around our seats or playing with the fans, she actually watched the play and asked questions. She even wanted to get involved in the play. She danced and waved her arms along with the faeries; she wanted to climb the "tree" on stage when she saw Puck the fairy climb it; she laughed whenever anyone fell down and clapped along with everyone else. She even seemed to understand some of the rivalry. Her favorite character was Puck, who was dressed in bright orange clothes and had wild orange hair. She also liked the man dressed as a lion at the end.

Overall it was a fun night and my daughter is already asking when we can go again. I guess it's not too early to introduce an almost 3-year-old to Shakespeare.

Schitzophrenics Anonymous

2006-07-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

These are the sort of things you might hear at a Schitzophrenics Anonymous Meeting:

"I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, keep me here."

"How do you spell 'schitzophrenic?'"
"I don't know, ask your other personality."

"I'm not schitzophrenic...and neither am I."

"The first step to overcoming schitzophrenia is to recognize that only in your mind have 'two become one'. Or is it 'one become two'?"

I wonder what happens when the psychologist asks them to break up into groups of 3...

[Ok, I know that I am incorrectly using the term 'schitzophrenic' for multiple personality disorder but "Split-personalities Anonymous" just doesn't sound as fun. So if you don't like this post, take it up with my other self, Kione.]

Why Rambling Rose?

2006-07-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

Rambling Rose? It's a strange title for someone who hardly ever talks. But it will probably accurately describe the randomness of my future entries.

I am having trouble thinking of what to write in my first entry so my sister told me to just write whatever is on my mind. In the background the Jeopardy song is playing. It stopped so I guess my time is up.

Rambling Rose? I guess it is appropriate after all. It is how my mind works. My thoughts ramble from one subject to another so fast that nothing makes sense.