A Prayer Request

Gustav has some very tiny little people in his path.
Please don't forget to pray for them.

As a mom whose son was in the NICU for quite a long time, I'm very sensitive to situations like this.... having a child struggle for mere life is tough enough, but to have to battle a hurricane as well.... that would be a very difficult challenge.

Let's all pray for God to keep them safe and sound (and not scared) during this storm.

Coincidence? I Doubt It.....

I almost never buy the Sunday paper. Maybe..... 4 or 5 times a year. And when I DO buy the paper....

I almost NEVER read the comics. But for whatever reason, today I bought the paper, and flipped to the comics....

... and saw the above. Which stopped me in my tracks. I noticed the artwork first,

and then I read what it says beneath:

Keep right on dreaming...

Your Dreams,

So wonderful and grand.

Hold your dreams tonight

In your heart,

And soon you'll hold them

In your hand.

Today happens to be my birthday.

Typically on my birthday I think about the things I want to accomplish over the next 12 months. Goals. Dreams.

So was my seeing this a coincidence?

No, I don't think it was.

I think this was very clearly meant for me to see, on this day.

And I think that's pretty cool. :-)

"All American Beauty"

That's what I've entitled this photo - "All American Beauty"....

Last night inspired it: 30 minutes of daylight left...... reading a good book on my front porch..... while drinking an icy cold Mountain Dew (Suz, you don't know what you're missing, girl).... and counting my blessings, instead of my wants.....

Realizing how fortunate I am to live in this great country, to have a nice roof over my head, good food in my belly, two healthy and happy children, a husband who loves me (and whom I love), enough money that all our needs our covered (and many of our wants as well), etc., etc., etc.

It's all in how you look at it.

Definitely not a Boring "Old Guard" White Guy

I must say, I'm very pleased with McCain's pick for his VP.

I wouldn't have predicted it in a million years, and until yesterday I had no clue who this woman was.

But so far, I like what I'm learning about Sarah Palin.

She definitely appeals to this particular independent.

The race is getting interesting (finally!)

Let's have some debates!

Amanda, You Were Correct!

Update on the eye/contact DRAMA: the "goop" did work its magic overnight and at 4 in the morning I woke up to feel that contact had worked its way down, so I rushed into the bathroom and THERE IT WAS, waiting to be plucked out! (Which I did, and then THREW it on the floor and yelled at it, as though the contact had maliciously orchestrated the whole thing....)

:-)

Whew - happy to have that little bugger out of my eye!

Amanda - you get a gold star on your folder today and an extra cookie at snack time!

A Painful (and Embarrassing) Medical Situation

Late last night, while removing my contacts (I'm blind as a BAT, by the way), my left contact tore. I managed to get most of it out of my eye, but a tiny little jagged piece wound up waaaaay up under my left eyelid, where it has been all day today.

Yep, it's way up there, up high on the eyeball, and I feel it every time I blink.

As you might imagine, my eye is very irritated and quite bloodshot. And now my eye is producing "goop" (I'm sure there's some sort of OFFICIAL word for that.... but I have no clue what it might be.) Apparently it's letting me know "Um, hello. A little help here?"

All day long I've been going back to various mirrors in my house (assuming eventually I'll find the "magic mirror" that will help) with saline soaked Q-tips trying to gently DIG OUT the wayward contact fragment.

But, oh no. It's WAY up there. And it's not budging.

The worst part of this whole thing is not the pain, not the bloodshot eye and not even the goop.

The worst part is knowing that, because it's a holiday weekend (and of course I didn't think about that until late today), my eye doctor will be unavailable until Tuesday.... so more likely than not, I'll have to go to my local emergency room and have this DUG OUT by a sleep-deprived intern.

Just not excited about what awaits.....

Beauty on a Friday Morning

Trying to find beauty and blessing in the everyday.... and this morning I have found it in:

• a steaming cup of coffee while sitting on the front porch, very early this morning


• some quiet time with my husband to talk, after the kids have gone to school


• a beautiful blue sky morning, with a soft breeze, and little finches at the bird feeder

You Are The Sun.... I Am The Moon

a most beautiful song.... relax, listen, enjoy....

Donald Miller Interview - 8.25.08

I've been a Donald Miller fan for many years. Blue Like Jazz is one of my favorite books, and when he came to speak at my church a couple of years ago I just loved how funny, humble and REAL he was. He definitely explodes the sterotype of what a committed Christian "should be". And especially here in the South, where it's assumed if you're a committed Christian, well then surely you're a registered Republican.

(For the record, I'm a registered Democrat.... I registered "BLUE" way back in college... when I was still a starry-eyed idealist. These days, I'm an Independent, and I find myself increasingly wishing there was a VIABLE third party in this country. A party that had the good parts of the Republicans and the good parts of the Democrats, without all the JUNK that they both bring along with them.)

Regardless, the below interview is interesting. Don gave this shortly before the opening of the DNC convention kicked off on Monday. I found much of what he had to say very thought provoking. I certainly didn't agree with all of it, but I found it well thought-out, and not mean spirited. (Unfortunately there's far too much mean-spiritedness and finger-pointing in politics.... on both sides of the fence. )

A Tribute to a Strong And Resilient Woman

Here's a visual tribute to the amazing Suz who is like the mythical bird Phoenix.... emerging from the fires of life stronger than ever before.

YOU GO GIRL!

Hubster Having Surgery Today

UPDATE: Hubster did very well with his surgery today... he's now downstairs resting on the couch with one dog in his lap, and the other at his feet. The doctor said everything went well, and he expects Ron will feel substantial relief from his back pain. Thank you all for your prayers, emails, sweet comments, and well wishes. Good friends (both local, and way out there... floating in the blogosphere) are the BEST! :-)
________________________________________________________

Hubster is having a surgical procedure on his back today. He's having something done called a facet neurotomy which is supposed to help with his chronic back pain (he's already had 2 back surgeries - one in the early 90's, and one in '05....). This is what happens when you are a career UPS man, and lift Really Heavy Stuff several times a day, year after year after year.

Anyway, please pray for Hubster today (Hubster's real name is Ron) that the surgery will be successful and will give him relief from his chronic pain and hopefully relief from his (related) moodiness and depression.

I would love nothing more than to have my happy, playful Hubster back....

Thanks.

Amazingly Beautiful Sand Art Metamorphosis

Au Revoir (for now), mes amis....

I'm going to take a break from the Blogosophere for awhile.... I find myself struggling to find Good Things to write about.

I want to write things that lift up others and explore the side of life that is intangible and unseen, and the side of life whose beauty tends to remain hidden.

So, if you don't see me around as much, don't worry. I'm still here (and still reading your blogs), but just choosing what I write about much more carefully.

What precipitated all this?

Well, Kevin's message yesterday really resounded with me. In a big way.
I'm trying to have NO GAPS in my life, and live as authentically as possible.

A Beautiful Little Story About Why God Allows Suffering In Our World

The Brave Little Soul
Written by John Alessi (and borrowed from Holli's blog)
____________________

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world.
She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with God.
One day, however, the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world.
She approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts."
The little soul was confused. "What do you mean?" she asked.
God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."
The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love.
I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world to suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle - for the good of all humanity."
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go!! I would love to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!!"
God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave, you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you." God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed."
Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through her suffering and God's strength, she unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys - some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. People sent notes of encouragement. People made and brought meals to the family of the suffering. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened.

StillLife With HappyWife

OK.... D'Arcy and Jason.... your comments encouraged me to do some "self portrait photos"...
Considering I'm always the one TAKING the pictures, there are very few pictures of ME on my blog. (Except my profile picture, which is 3 years old. And the picture of me snuggling with Hubster which is way WAY old.....)

So, here are a couple of recent self-portraits of me (ie - taken YESTERDAY!) for your viewing enjoyment! :-)

Ponytailed me. My daughter saw this and pointed out that my "gray is showing" and "you really need to dye your hair, Mom". Nothing like stating the obvious. :-)

I thought I'd take a self-portrait in the mirror. Problem is, I forgot to turn off the flash... however, I kind of like the way it turned out.... it's different, that's for sure. :-)