My Top Ten Pet Peeves

10. Wet bathroom towels that are left anywhere but on the rack.
9. Highway drivers that don't wait in the line for the exit, but instead drive all the way up and then cut over right before time to exit.
8. People who ignorantly debate politics
7. When people say "aks" when they mean to say "ask"
6. Dogs on furniture (especially beds)
5. Dealing with Customer Service departments over any of my bills... power, cable, cell phone, etc. (you've been there, I know!)
4. America's obsession with Brittany Spears... enough said
3. Crying babies in quiet places like church, movies, or a restraunt (I realize that someday I will have my own and I will then understand this)
2. People who can't carry a tune and yet still feel the need to sing out loud... this hurts my ears.
1. Mass text messages on Holidays

Remembering Pat

With spunky hair and faded shirt,
Old coffee cup in hand,
She smoked out in the garage,
As she made her next art plan.

My aunt, she taught me of so much,
Encouraged me when young,
I learned of creativity,
And that art was always fun.

In Chicago, we drew the pigeons,
In New Mexico, we made cows,
But no matter where Pat was,
Artistic freedom, she allows.

The earth it was a special love,
She recycled everything,
Doing her part for years before
It was cool to say “I’m green”.

She never criticized,
Accepted all for who they were,
Unique made them more beautiful,
Those different, she’d prefer.

She was strong and independent,
Brave and gentle in her fight,
You're lucky if you knew her,
Inside you saw God's light.

No longer does illness hold her,
Heaven is her new start,
Cancer took her body,
But God still holds her heart.

For my precious Aunt Pat.
May she rest in peace... 11/7/07

Happy Blogiversary to Aim Claim!

Today is my first Blogiversary! For those of you who aren't really in touch with Blogger world and haven't heard that term before, it means that I have been blogging for a year now. Yup, that is right, I wrote my first blog entry on Nov 21, 2005. I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday that Kpinion's amazing writing influenced me in such a way that I felt moved to start a blog. I needed an outlet. I needed a way to express the amazing things that God was doing in my heart and in my life.

As I write today, I realize how distant I have been lately... and I am sorry for that my friends. I really miss writing... both for me AND for those who enjoy reading what I write. I started a new job this past summer and ever since then, I just haven't really had the extra time during the day that I used to at my old job to put toward being introspective like I once did. I know that really isn't an excuse, because I still have a computer at home that I could use to post. I will try harder. I miss you AimClaim.

Anyway, I just wanted to post today to say thank you. Thank you to those of you who love and support me each and every day, to those who encourage me to use my God given talents to share and grow, and to my loving Father who lets me crawl up into His lap to reflect, love, and learn!

So... Happy Blogiversary Aim Claim!

Heavy

The heavy clouds that hang on me,
They weigh my shoulders down,
The highest highs, the lowest lows,
Please bring me back around.

The rain, it falls, to drench the soul,
The dry earth turns to mud,
I want to fix all that is wrong,
For all of those I love.

My cup flows over, blessings full,
It pours down to the ground,
Why can't I trade my cup for theirs,
The graciousness I've found.

Those who love me, give too much,
I don't give back enough,
To understand that nothing's free,
That life is always tough.

I pray for peace inside my soul,
I thank God for what's mine,
The reason for my blessed life,
My joy in Him I find.

A Father's Wrath

She cowered in fear under the stairs as she heard her father's large feet carry him up and downstairs looking for her. He was angry. REALLY ANGRY... and she knew that it was directed at her. He knew exactly where she was hiding, but instead of revealing her, he merely made his wrath known as she remained curled in a ball under the stairs thinking about her actions. A tear rolled down her face and onto the floor... she had let him down... she had broken his rules... she had broken his trust. She had known wrong from right and she knowingly chose the wrong. Walking in disobedience was dark, lonely, and most of all unsafe. She wished now that she had thought about the consequences of her actions, and about the pain that she would cause herself and others. The darkness consumed her as she sat alone on the cold concrete floor. "I'm sorry Dad" she whispered, and then she lowered her head into her lap and began to cry.

Just then, the small door opened and light poured into the small closet type room. Blinded by the light, all she could see were the arms of her father... reaching out to hold her... to love her... to protect her.

The same passion that left her father angry, was the intense love and compassion that he had for his precious child. She was lifted up and out of the darkness and into his lap. As the two sat, she nuzzled her head into his strong shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking her peacefully. "You are forgiven, child" he whispered back... "Love forgives."

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

The perfect gift.

It was the most beautiful package she had ever seen. The box was gold in color, with a shimmer that made you want to touch it. The ribbon, tied with such delicacy, seemed to float as it wrapped from the bottom of the box, up the sides and into the most perfect bow that sat on the very center of the top of the box. The bow was the deepest of red in color as it swooped along the box. As she neared the box, admiring its beauty, she realized that attached to the bow was a gold card. Her curiosity drew her in as she reached her hand out and opened the card to see who this lovely gift was for. Inside the card read...

My precious child I give you,
a gift you'll never see,
don't leave the ribbon tied,
it's the blood that's shed of me.

The box I give you holds,
A gift from me alone,
So open up the pretty box,
Your sins it will atone.

This gift, it is forever,
So don't forget its there,
Keep some of it for you,
The rest of it you share.

She smiled as she picked up the beautiful box, for she had realized that this most perfect gift was for her.... for her to open, for her to keep, for her to share, and for her to LOVE. God's most perfect gift was for HER.

9-11

Bravery is fighting for something you believe in.
Bravery is serving your brother.
Bravery is loving even when you don't want to.
Bravery is putting others before yourself.
Bravery is continuing to pray for a hurting nation.
Bravery is standing for freedom.
Bravery is forgiving those who have done wrong.
Bravery is looking past fear and into the eyes of HOPE.

I am proud to be from a country that continues to stand strong and brave through the trials of tragedy and war.
To those who have lost, those who fight, and those who lead...
We remember September 11, 2001.