On Vacation

So I haven't posted in a few days. I've actually been slowly putting together some blog posts, but it's hard because I don't have my computer.


I'm only a family vacation in Northern Michigan right now, and I won't be back until Sunday evening (so I won't have my computer until then.) So I really won't be able to blog much this week.


I am having a great time though swimming and boating, cooking and eating, and hanging out with old friends.

I'll try to blog about it a little this week and I hope you all come back to visit me! :D

Be Random

It was random.

They weren't even dating.

(Shame on him.)

But they made history. :)

Read the story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-edith-shain-20100624,0,4968153.story

Dance in the rain, friends. Be random. Love life.

(Just please don't kiss any strangers.)

Tell me the crazy, random things you've done this summer!

Dream Homes

I think I'm supposed to live in one of these places. ;)

In this place I would be Snow White. (I once dressed up as Snow White for Halloween.)

On Friday nights I would chill with birds and deer and

rabbits and skunks and all those kinds of folk.

(I once dressed up as a skunk too. I think it was my Dad's idea.)

I'm not sure who I would be here, but I think I would be very happy.

I think I'd plant even more flowers than there are though.

Flowers are great.

And if I lived here I would get around in a boat,

because I could conveniently park it in the adjacent boat house.

That would be the best part, getting around in a boat. Boats rock.

Which one is your favorite?

What's your Dream home like?

Midnight Dilemma

I have a problem. It's big. Really big. Like it's a really huge, gigantic dilemma in my life.

*I'm too lazy to go to bed.*

I'm tired. I'm sleepy. But I'm too lazy to get off my computer, brush my teeth, clear the stuff off of my bed, and climb in.

So on that note, sweet dreams.

Grace and a Green 3X5

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

I have this verse written on a little green (I’m a big fan of green) 3x5 flashcard and pinned on my bulletin board. It’s in plain sight that way, so I have to see it and think about it whenever I look at my bulletin board.

I came upon this verse during my Bible study a few months ago and it really impacted me. I’ve had several chances over the past year or so when I think I could have answered non-Christians with much more grace or with more wisdom than I did. When confronted with the challenging questions of non-Christians or with statements that offended me I either answered with ignorance or lashed out. I know I’ve hurt some friendships because of this and also lost opportunities to witness for Jesus. I’ve been left with a lot of regrets.

But this verse inspires me to prepare myself by studying the Bible and by praying, so that I will always be ready to answer challenging questions. But more so, it constantly reminds me that my words mean nothing to people unless they are full of grace and love. If we do not have love, we have nothing.

Anyway, colored flashcards are great to write inspiring notes or quotes on. Put them up where you can see them all the time. You’ll be forced to re-read them over and over, and in a jiffy they’ll get stuck on your mind and heart.

My Little Green Notebook

A few weeks ago I spent the weekend with an old family friend. She had come to visit me and my family for the first time in several years and we spent the time playing sports in the backyard, eating, giggling and driving around doing nothing.

During her visit, I noticed she carried a pretty planner/notebook with her wherever we went. At times she would take it out of her purse and jot down notes. I’m not sure about what, but I’m sure it was something beautiful (she happens to be one of the prettiest and sweetest girls in the world). Anyway, this inspired me to carry a notebook with me now wherever I go.

Now, whenever I have something non-practical or sentimental that I want to get down on paper, I write it in my little green flowered notebook. I write quotes from the book I’ve been reading, and lyrics from songs. I write funny things that people say, and random thoughts that come to me when I should be doing something useful. In a way I use it as a journal. I’m not sure I get anything out of my little green book, other than that writing in it seems somewhat therapeutic. Carrying it around with me gives me something pretty to look at, and I enjoy re-reading what I’ve written. It helps me deal with life when I can put my thoughts on paper. Just a thought.

I Saw Love Today

I saw Love today at Sam’s Club.

My sister and I were picking up a few groceries this afternoon. As my sister browsed through the deli, I noticed a man about in his 60s selecting some lunch meat. Next to him was another older man (I guessed his brother) in a wheel chair. He appeared to have Down Syndrome. The first man who was accompanying him carefully maneuvered his grocery cart as well as his brother’s wheel chair, while smiling kindly at everyone he made eye contact with. He acted with perfect patience as he made his way through the store. I don’t know for sure that they were brothers, but I do know one thing for sure: I saw Love today at Sam’s Club.