Say Anything!

Ok, so you gentlemen out there may not know what I am taking about, but read along anyway. As teenage girls, we used to read this magazine called YM. Every girl's favorite section was the one called "Say Anything" where girls would write in their most mortifying moments so that other pre-pubescent girls can read and be like "OH MY GAW! Can you believe that! I would have died!" etc... etc.

While there were always about 5 or 6 new stories in each magazine edition, each and every story pretty much had the basic ingredients : a crush, being on your period, falling down, revealed boobs, and the party of the year that your reputation depends on. The result is something like this...

Ok, so it was the day before Matt Stone's 16th Birthday party and I was totally stoked to be the hottest girl there. I headed out with my best friend Misty to find a totally rocking outfit to steal Matt away from his snobby cheerleader girlfriend Jenny. So we stopped by the Limited Too and as I walked in the door I spotted the most BEAUTIFUL! pink mini skirt... I HAD TO HAVE IT! Misty and I went to the tiny dressing rooms in the back to try on what I call my "rock Matt Stone's world" skirt. Just as I was pulling the skirt up around my knees, I stepped on my bonnie bell cotton candy lip gloss, lost my balance and went crashing out the dressing room curtain and onto the floor. As I was lying in the middle of Limited too, I looked up to realize that not only was I on the floor with my "rock Matt Stone's world" mini skirt around my knees, my left boob had fallen out of my bra ! And what was worse...my maxi pad had flown out of my panties and had hit Matt Stone (who was there shopping with that hoe Jenny) in the head, knocking him unconscious! Matt was out cold for quite a while, but once he came to his senses, he said that he loved me and we have been together ever since!

Ha-ha! Please... share with me your greatest made up embarrassing moment!

The Vine

With roots firmly in the ground, the vine stretched tall towards the sky. Intertwined along the sides of the vine, the branches wrapped around as if in a continuous group hug. The branches that were not intertwined were weak and could not stand alone, instead they broke, falling to the ground. Supported by the vine, the branches were stronger with every inch of growth. The branches that had reached the top were then branched out and as the tips arched backwards, the ends bore the most most beautiful of fruit. The fruit was big, plump, and refreshing... a joy to all those who pass. We are called to be branches, intertwined with the body of believers and one with the central vine... Christ. Apart from the vine, we can not grow, we can not stand alone, and we definitely can not bear fruit. My Father is the gardener, pruning me to bear more and more fruit and cutting away the branches of me that do not. Held strong by my vine, I will be fruitful... I will be beautiful... and I will nourish all of those who pass by... I will be grown in Him.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5

* picture taken in a vinyard in Tuscany, October 2005

First Love

Foolish is the first love,
Believing it's the last,
The innocence and fun,
And memories of the past.

If I had only known,
How much better it could get,
I would have walked away,
Never fearing I'd forget.

I wouldn't have been ready,
To meet the perfect man,
If my heart had not been broken,
If we had met outside God's plan.

Once two we are now one,
God prepared our hearts to meet,
His timing, it was perfect,
Two people, now complete.

Foolish is the first love,
I've found one that's for real,
My last love is my first love now,
This forever love God seals.

Sunday Scribblings Topic : First Love

House

I want a house.... It doesn't have to be big, and it doesn't have to be fancy, but I want it built right. You see, I have always dreamed of owning my own house... coming home from work, walking in the little white picket fence and up the cobblestone path. When greeted by precious dog, I would pet him and then dash up the porch stairs and inside to what I call "home". A house can become part of you, an extension of your family. On the other hand, I feel that a house is made of the people who live there... just like a church is not a building, it is a community of believers. I want to build my house on rock. Not on sand, or gravel... I want something strong, and firm, never to be shaken or blown away. I want it to be a shelter, to protect my family from all that the world will beat down on us. Together, we will make sure that my house won't leak, won't crack, and won't shift. Although my house is only a dream right now, I already have a foundation. It was given to me by my family and I carry it with me no matter where I go. I want to build on that... a foundation... a home built on the rock... a life built on God.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25

Change

Voltera, Italy- October 2005

Change is traveling down a new path.
Change is not knowing where I am going.
Change is being excited about what God has in store.
Change is embracing God's plan for my life.
Change is learning what I don't know.
Change is realizing that I am growing up.
Change is starting the new, but never forgetting the old.
Change is seeing the sunshine ahead.
Change is letting go and letting God.

My cup.

Drip... Drip... Drip... slowly each drop of water dripped down and onto the ground. The earth was so dry that it disappeared the minute it hit the surface. Drip... Drip... Drip... On the ground there was a small ring where you could tell there once sat a cup.

The cup had been removed. Taken by its owner on a journey to find something that could fill it up faster. Every time she would find something to fill up her cup, it would somehow be gone faster than it had entered. It was as if her cup had a hole in the bottom, never to be fixed. She was constantly searching... searching for something else... something more... to satisfy her thirst.
For years she had been a wanderer, always knowing how to get home, but never wanting to go there. She had a map in her pocket, but never wanted to read it. She knew how to quench her thirst, but kept on searching for something else. It was fun to wander, it was exciting, risky, and bold... but deep down in her heart, she wanted to be held, to be taken care of, to be satisfied.

Exhausted, tired, and weak... one day, she finally fell. She couldn't do it anymore. She sat down on the dry soil, cracked and hot. She reached into her back pocket and found what she knew and yet had never used... her map. Excited for her new journey, she read the map carefully, understanding the new path that she would travel on to get home. She didn't need all the things she had been carrying, so content and happy, she picked up her map and her cup and began walking.

Drip... drip... drip... she could hear the water as she neared. Timid, she placed her cup back under the drip to catch just a small amount of water. It didn't happen right away, but as her cup sat under the water, the drips became larger and faster. Driiip... Driiip... Driiip... She couldn't believe her eyes, not only was the water going into her cup, it was staying there... it was hers. The more thankful she was for the small amount that she had, the more the water poured into her cup, filling it to the brim and overflowing it onto the ground. Pretty soon, her cup was filled, overflowing with blessings... and her heart was overflowing with love for the God that put them there.

My cup runneth over.

Butterflies in my stomach

Ok, so I currently have butterflies in my stomach due to some nervousness and anxiety. I HATE this feeling! Singing solos, big tests, first kisses... this feeling re-occurs to me every so often when things getting me nervous.

So in order to calm myself down I decided to find out what it was causing these butterflies. Come to find out, scientists say, "that the body has two brains - the familiar one encased in the skull and a lesser known but vitally important one found in the human gut Like Siamese twins, the two brains are interconnected ; when one gets upset, the other does, too. The gut's brain, known as the enteric nervous system, is located in sheaths of tissue lining the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Considered a single entity, it is a network of neurons, neurotransmitters and proteins that zap messages between neurons, support cells like those found in the brain proper and a complex circuitry that enables it to act independently, learn, remember and, as the saying goes, produce gut feelings."

CRAZY huh? So, does that mean that when my gut says that it wants an entire roll of raw cookie dough, that I should "go with my gut" haha!

Foreigner

I am a foreigner, an alien, an outsider. I am not a citizen... I am merely a resident. I live and work here just waiting for the time when I can go home. This place where I now live is comfortable. I like it here, but I think it is because I don't really know what home is like. I haven't ever been home, but I know that it is going to be AMAZING when I do. I often feel alone here, in this distant land, and I wonder if I will ever fit in. It's ok if I don't fit in, because I know that I am different from this place. My heart has been molded, shaped, and changed and for that reason I am often cast away. I have to admit, I don't really want to conform to the way people are here. I know it might make life here easier, but I am proud to be the way that I am... and I am proud to call Heaven home.... I can't wait to get back home. My citizenship is in Heaven... Heaven is my home.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Phillipians 3:20-21

Prayer warriors... on guard!

As silly as it may sound, I have been burdened with quite a bit of worry this week. I am worried about what is going to happened tomorrow, and what will continue to happen for months to come. The world will be taken by storm tomorrow with the opening of "The DaVinci Code" Movie. I have read the book, and I will be the first to admit that it is a wonderful piece of literature. I also, however know enough to know that much of the book is fictional. It is one thing to have an intelligent book present ideas to an intelligent reading audience, and it is another thing to present a MOVIE to anyone who is able to pay $8. Please pray for the hearts of the unknowing, that they will not take this fictional movie as factual, but instead that they will dig deeper to find truth. Please pray for the unsure... for Satan's plans are to hit them the hardest. Pray for the hearts of those who know what they believe, may they not waiver, but instead speak with confidence about what they know is true.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
1 Peter 3:15

Thump, Thump

Thump Thump... thump thump... thump thump... with each thump, the blood shoots throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Each thump is vital, keeping us strong, healthy, and alive. The lifeline doesn't start on the surface, it is rooted deep within each of us at the core... the heart. The body is helpless without it... broken down... wounded.... hurt.

Ironic that the basic signs of heart attack are uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or pain at the center of the chest. Sometimes the pain even spreads to the shoulders neck or arms. Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath are common as well. You are wondering why I said ironic, aren't you? Well, I say ironic because the hurt that we cause others can do the same thing. Hurtful words, conflict, disappointment, rejection... when we hurt those we love, it pierces straight to the core of us... deep down and into the heart, effecting the overall strength of our entire body. When we are hurting, we don't just feel it in our chest, we feel it all the way through our bodies and often into our daily life. We get stressed, we are short with others, and we feel just plain sick to our stomachs. When the heart is attacked, our quality of life suffers.

Lord, I pray today for hurting hearts. Heal them, so that they may beat even stronger with your love... a love that runs through our veins like nothing else can. I pray for resolved conflict, I pray for those disappointed and deceived, I pray for friendship to help us through... but most of all I thank you for these times in life when we feel pain, for we know that wisdom and strength are nothing more than healed pain. Amen.

Perfect

To be without flaw. To be without defect. To be without error. To be without fault. To be perfect.

Every day, from the moment we wake up, we strive to be perfect, and we fail miserably. We fail to love others unconditionally, to love ourselves fully, and to love God before all other things... we fail. Perfection does not exist for us as humans. We can always do better and we can always grow. To live life is to experiment, experience, and to learn... to be imperfect is a prerequisite. Excellence is attainable, but perfection is God's business. I am perfectly made, but I am not perfect.

Rich Man, Poor Man

The large wooden door to the bank lobby swung open and from behind the door stepped a man. He walked confidently through the lobby and towards the counter. He neared the teller and smiled as he placed his hands on the counter. His eyes were mesmerizing and his smile was warming.

"Good morning" the man said as he reached in his back pocket to get his identification.

"Good morning, sir" replied the teller, "What can I do for you today?"

"Well, I am here to transfer some money. You think you can do that for me?"

"Of course, sir." Confused, she asked for his account number. As she pulled up his account she was quickly aware that this man was not just a man off the street, he was a VERY rich man. "What would you like to transfer, sir?"

"I would like to distribute all of my money equally to the other bank accounts here at the bank."

"Excuse me?" she said, wanting to make sure that she had heard the man correctly. "You want to give ALL of your money to the other patrons who bank here?"

"Yes" he said without a single bit of hesitation in his voice.

The young teller didn't understand why in the world this extremely wealthy man would want to give away all his wealth so that others at the bank could be rich, but she had been taught to obediently take the patron's requests without question. Slowly she transferred the man's wealth equally out and deposited them into the other accounts. Slowly the man's bank account was depleted to nothing.

"So do you have a deposit to make as well today?"

"Nope." the man replied as he turned quickly to go.

With his back now to her, she yelled, "But Sir, wait! Did you want your receipt?"

"You can give it to my father" he said over his shoulder as he strolled through the lobby and toward the door.

As she waved the receipt in her hand, she realized that she too had just become rich. She banked here, and that kind man had just transfered his wealth to her.

The large wooden door was almost shut as the young teller yelled through the lobby one last time, "THANK YOU JESUS!"

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9

Hero

To be a hero you must be,
Strong and wise and brave,
Fighting for the ones you love,
Never hesitate to save.

A hero fights the good fight,
For the things that they hold dear,
To shield, protect and guard against,
The things that we all fear.

I have a hero in my life,
She is my longest friend,
She's been there through the ups and downs,
To love and to defend.

She sometimes makes me angry,
We say sorry after we fight,
Although I don't admit to her,
I know she's mostly right.

Her love is unconditional,
Even when I treat her bad,
She knows and sees what's in my heart,
Despite the mistakes I've had.

My hero is what I hope to be,
I could never find another.
She is the one I look to first,
My hero, I call Mother.

Happy Mother's Day, I love you Mom!

Aim's Voice on American Idol

Ok, so I don't know if you watched American Idol last night, but if you did, you know there was a BIG STINK about Chris getting kicked off. Yup! that is right I said Chris! Everyone predicted him the favorite, and look where we are now.

How it happened: I think that America got a little too secure in Chris's victory that they decided to spend their time voting for the underdogs instead. As a result, Chris fell at the bottom.

My feeling on Chris: Ok, so I have never been one to like the rocker on American Idol, I don't really feel like the rocker belongs there. While I like rock music, I feel like the whole point of rock music is the band. Ok, lets take a look at the best in rock music... You ever heard of the Syd Barrett band, of course you haven't, that's because the band is called Pink Floyd. You ever heard of the Mick Jagger band, no way... that's because it is called the Rolling Stones instead. Jerry Garcia band... not called that, they're called The Grateful Dead. Bono band... nope, called U2. You get my point... the best in rock bands made it big because they were BANDS, not because of the lead singer! CHRIS IS A ROCK STAR SELLOUT!

My vote: I LOVE TAYLOR! I am a HUGE fan of Taylor and have been since way before the top 12! I don't care that he dances funny, I think that is what is so great about him... he has fun! He is the true definition of an entertainer. He is the black sheep of the competition and I am pulling for him! I could understand the argument that he may not be "American Idol" material, and I have to agree, I was pleasantly surprised that he has made it this far. Case and point, he pulls out GREAT performance after great performance! He is my pick for the non-stereotypical American Idol winner 2006! Sing it Taylor!!!!

So that is it... I would love to hear your thoughts. I think Chris is extremely talented, and I wish him the best of luck in his future career! Let the competition continue...

I am a backseat driver.

I am a backseat driver. Yup, I said it. I am cursed with type A personality.

I choose not to drive, but yet, I sit in the back of the car and I want control. I criticize where we are headed, and the path that we are taking to get there. I try to offer suggestions about the best way to get places and I am embarrased to say I even try to pull the wheel a certain direction. I willingly gave my keys to the driver and while I trust that the driver will get me there safely, I rarely trust without question. I get nervous when the driver drives to fast, and I get annoyed when He drives too slow. It bothers me that the driver doesn't get agitated when He gets cut off, or that He never looses His temper in rush hour traffic. I slam my foot into the floorboard when I get scared, and I curse through the window at other cars on the road. Why should I be so worried about driving when I am merely a passenger? I am JUST a passenger, along for the ride... the ride of a lifetime... my life... and God is at the wheel! I don't know where we are headed and I don't know how we are going to get there. I am not in control... I am not at the wheel... I am not the driver. I am a passenger in the hands of my Heavenly Father... my driver.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

More Today Than Yesterday

Wake in the morn to see the sun,
I grow and I learn of new to come,
Working hard so I can play,
More today than yesterday.

Friends and family I hold dear,
Without their love, my fall I fear,
Strong and proud to guide my way,
More today than yesterday.

I needed something else in life,
To be a mother and a wife,
For a man to love me till I'm grey,
More today than yesterday.

Through sickness, and through healthy times,
The ups and downs that we will climb,
For many years to come, I pray,
More today than yesterday.

My heart has found it's perfect hand,
Through it all with me he stands,
Our love gets better day by day,
More today than yesterday.

An Old Friend

An old friend is like your favorite blanket, wrapping you up in comfort and warmth.
An old friend knows what will frustrate you, before it does.
An old friend hugs you when you need a hug and leaves you alone when you need your space.
An old friend calls you just to say hey.
An old friend knows your little secret addictions and encourages them.
An old friend sees you at your worst, and loves you for your better.
An old friend can pick up in conversation no matter how long it has been.
An old friend loves your faults because they make you unique.
An old friend makes doing nothing fun.
An old friend knows the little things that drive you crazy.
An old friend takes care of your fish because you won't.
An old friend just ignores you when you are a backseat driver.
An old friend makes you dance, cry, smile, live and love.
An old friend is one who you admire from afar.
An old friend walks before you when you need to be protected.
An old friend is still there, even when you forget them.
An old friend keeps you young and will be with you when you grow old.
An old friend loves the man that you love, because he makes you happy.
An old friend makes you who you are today, and will be there for your tomorrow.
An old friend doesn't just know you, an old friend knows your heart.

To my old friends who make my life complete... I love you!