The Voice of an Angel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.