tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025043760823160342024-03-13T10:15:47.490-05:00considering the liliesConsider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-13130900729654934202011-12-06T20:13:00.006-06:002011-12-06T20:33:09.736-06:00Ho Ho Ho-lohaSince we are moving in (less than) two weeks (to an undetermined location - Mom's: Don't freak out!), and because we had very little room in the suitcases we brought over from the mainland for the year, the Christmas decor at the Kologe house is...<br /><br />...in progress.<br /><br />Meanwhile, enjoy a limerick on the Kologe Christmas Decor.<br /><br />Dear friends, like Eunice chops off the top,<br />Like <span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree </span>she lopped it right off!<br />So we now we have a homemade wreath with real, green prawns!<br />From friends who can spare, we now have decor that won't make you yawn. (?)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02d8Uop6Uz0/Tt7NEAwIl3I/AAAAAAAAA18/FARCbUiZ23Y/s1600/wreath.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 457px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02d8Uop6Uz0/Tt7NEAwIl3I/AAAAAAAAA18/FARCbUiZ23Y/s400/wreath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683205248593205106" border="0" /></a>It hangs from the door with such tender care,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcU0BsIQdrM/Tt7MSWWeLWI/AAAAAAAAA1k/OXw7b9B_gG4/s1600/front%2Bdoor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcU0BsIQdrM/Tt7MSWWeLWI/AAAAAAAAA1k/OXw7b9B_gG4/s400/front%2Bdoor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683204395397688674" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Who knew a hanger and some string keeps it there!?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNVOd6LBhTk/Tt7MSm8AM7I/AAAAAAAAA10/bL8fBucph6E/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNVOd6LBhTk/Tt7MSm8AM7I/AAAAAAAAA10/bL8fBucph6E/s400/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683204399850075058" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The tree inside needs some special attention,<br />And a very Charlie Brown Tree gets honorable mention.<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No6JPYMbkto/Tt7MSAbItpI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/EtMJSxiwP48/s1600/Ho%2Bho%2Bho.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-No6JPYMbkto/Tt7MSAbItpI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/EtMJSxiwP48/s400/Ho%2Bho%2Bho.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683204389511673490" border="0" /></a>Don't forget Santa (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)<br />He holds up our stockings without a grudge.<br /><br />He won't be here long, in a blink he'll gone!<br />But for now, and before he takes flight,<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYljW2IOvQk/Tt7PwqpiPKI/AAAAAAAAA2I/xv_tim4QGcs/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYljW2IOvQk/Tt7PwqpiPKI/AAAAAAAAA2I/xv_tim4QGcs/s400/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683208214777314466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!</span><br /></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-8205819059978681602011-12-02T00:32:00.002-06:002011-12-02T00:32:59.105-06:00I haven't......given up on this blog entirely. I love it so.<br />But I think I will be updating OUR blog a bit more.<br /><br />Check it <a href="http://obiwankologes.blogspot.com">here</a>.Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-30391302952809668562011-07-04T01:16:00.014-05:002011-07-18T19:08:36.067-05:00no wordsSo much has been happening this last six weeks (moving, packing, driving to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">STL</span>, Wedding Week, getting married, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">honeymoonin</span>', moving to Hawaii, starting work in Hawaii...) that I have severely neglected a few things, namely, thanks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;">I wanted to take this blog post<br />to shout out my loving, humbled, gracious thanks to the dear, dear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hennighausens</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kQwm5Q5CI/TiTBZTh2W2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/PZan2H3IVM0/s1600/fred%2Band%2Bmary.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kQwm5Q5CI/TiTBZTh2W2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/PZan2H3IVM0/s400/fred%2Band%2Bmary.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630838074603101026" border="0" /></a><br /></div>What would I have done? Seriously. WHAT would I have done without dear Fred and Mary (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Frary</span>, if you will) in my life this past year and a half? We kept saying as the days drew near for my departure that it felt like our time went by so quickly. I'm hoping that their expressions weren't just casual pleasantries, because I felt the SAME way.<br /><br />It feels like yesterday when Mary was busy whipping me up some Jell-O on my second day there because of an impending - yet ultimately not occurring - root canal. And it feels like merely last week that they were schooling me in how to properly enter the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hennighausen</span> home (no knocking allowed).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">AH.<br /><br />SIGH.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am making myself sad with this thankful post.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, onto lighter times. Some of my ABSOLUTE.HANDS.DOWN. favorite moments with these two include (but are not limited to) the following:<br /></div><br />1. Becoming <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Beli</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bers</span> (in 3D), with Fred and Mary (and her seated-dance moves).<br />2. Enjoying my VERY FIRST Christmas Eve breakfast and white elephant gift exchange. Thank you, Pea, for the more-than-life-sized picture of some a '78 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mavs</span> player. Thank you, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hennighausens</span> for letting me in on the tradition.<br />3. EATING Mary's delicious food/ cakes for birthdays, holidays....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">fridays</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">justbecausedays</span>.<br />4. Fooling Fred and Mary when Anne came home a few days early from Track. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Buahahah</span>. The 1.2 seconds of confusion when she walked in the door was priceless. ("What!? Jennie! Did you know!? You KNEW! You're so bad!")<br />5. Enjoying (though not eating...) a chocolate covered Spam moose head (thank you, Kroger), because I won a bet with Fred.<br />6. Becoming privy to many secrets of 6918 which I will always hold close to my chest. *** Unless the public announcement of which is too hilarious to avoid***<br />7. "Hello there, girl!" A daily Fred greeting. And "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jennnnieeeeeee</span>," (spoken like "Gilly") whenever I may have become mischievous with above aforementioned 6918 family secrets.<br />8. When Fred was silly enough to leave Mary and I during finals. There may have been an incident involving a more-than-the-usual apportioned lot of chocolate. Eek.<br />9. Finding Santa at my wedding. They said it might happen so I couldn't possibly hold it against them, now can I?<br />10. The many times Fred had to sit patiently with me and explain EVERY.TIME how to work a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Fredsheet</span>. (A monthly budget sheet made by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">FLH</span>). Specifically though, the very first time. I arranged my budget sheet and had to sheepishly worked in a bit of savings into my monthly income to work with for the month's expenses. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">FLH</span> merely laughed and said, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Jennieeeeee</span>. That's not right." He was so kind never to sit me in the corner with a dunce cap, and was always able to gently explain the process of "not spending more than you make." I think it FINALLY took hold...nearly 9 months later when I began to tackle my SNOWBALL OF DEBT! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">WOOT</span>!<br /><br />I really have to recount the reasons/ways I am thankful and CHANGED because of their gentle kindnesses.<br /><br />1. I believe they taught me about listening. (Yes, still a work in progress...)<br />But FRED is possibly THE best listener EVER. I'm serious. If you're having a bad day, and just need a good ear, he's there to ask about it. He's there to inquire about it. He is legitimately interested in the way you cook your coffee brownies and in how your family does birthdays and how you make your bed. He is genuinely, amazingly, humble in a way that you literally FEEL cared for by the way he listens. I strive to learn this trait. It seriously is something that I've taken note of and said to myself, "Now that is something that is of solid, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">goldy</span> character. I must have it." The hard part is, as it were, to actually become a good listener. It is hard. It takes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">selflessnesss</span>. It takes patience. It takes....listening. Lord, let me carry that with me.<br /><br />2. They taught me about laughing.<br />I LOVED the way we laughed and related over many, many delicious dinners together. Whether we were laughing brainlessly over Kristin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Wiig's</span> latest skit on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">SNL</span>, or at the latest blooper one of us experienced that day, we LAUGHED a lot. It seriously brought me so much joy, lifted so much of "life" off of me to come home to a wonderful home cooked meal and a lovely laugh that made my sides hurt. I think there's something amazingly special about laughing with people. It draws you together. It brings you in tighter. It muffles the noise of life outside. I think Jesus must have shared amazing laughs with his peeps - it feels that holy.<br /><br />3. They taught me about selflessness.<br />Mary and Fred were parents to the nth degree. They were people who did life in a way that allowed their children to flourish and succeed and fail and triumph with grace and gentleness. Once, Fred told Jordan that their best advice for parenting was that if what it took to raise a child was the size of a table, and the parents' part was the size of a thumbprint on that table, that they did their very best to "take that thumbprint very seriously."<br />And it shows. It shows in the way they've lived selflessly. Mary reads to her aging Dad. Fred is always on call for his girls. Mary returns your laundry to you with all the holes patched up and the clothes ironed and folded. How on earth do I gain this kind of attitude?<br />Not quite sure, but I'm aware the learning curve for sure.<br /><br />4. They taught me about generosity.<br />Seriously. So, so very generous. In a place of great need, they literally opened their home to me. I KNOW that this is not easy. I KNOW that it can come as an inconvenience to welcome in someone to your home and say, "What is ours is yours." But they did. And I never once felt not a part of the family. Including the time when Fred and I had to only mildly-successfully hold a garage sale. My shift was the first. Never once did they ask for anything in return for their generous gift of a spacious place for me to hang my hat, and always was there a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">prizey</span> for me during Easter, Christmas, birthdays...<br />Eek. I'm tearing up.... onto the next....<br /><br />5. They taught me about.... what to call it? I'm not sure there's really words for it. I mean, so great is what they gave me. They held me in, held me close. They gave me laughter - or well, we SHARED laughter. We shared meals. We shared set backs. We shared an ongoing joke about a transient Christmas decoration. And I guess, if I could put words to it, it seems they taught me about godly LOVE.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">I am so grateful for where I came from, and how I came a Christian home. But, still growing up, I find there are SO many people that continue to pour into your life even after the "growing up years." And I am thankful for the life that Fred and Mary poured into me. I am thankful how they called out godly integrity in Jordan and I as we dated and were engaged in my time at 6918 ("No being home alone with boys of a boyfriend persuasion.")<br /><br />I think that they are missionaries in their own right. They have served faithfully at their home church; they've invested deeply into the lives of their children; they've given <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">unselfishly </span>and ceaselessly to those who needed it.<br />They have LIVED out the Gospel by being HIS hands and feet.<br />(And I don't even feel dorky using that reference because of how true it is!)<br /><br />May it be multiplied back to them in life, love, and laughter.<br /></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-51789903767124150422011-05-02T15:03:00.004-05:002011-05-02T15:39:47.165-05:00for my dear aeh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtoCmlfY9x4/Tb8V_-RytTI/AAAAAAAAAnI/NCp0JfNapLs/s1600/anne%2521.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtoCmlfY9x4/Tb8V_-RytTI/AAAAAAAAAnI/NCp0JfNapLs/s400/anne%2521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602220650265752882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I love birthday posts. </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">They give me the extraordinary opportunity to GUSH unabashedly about friends and family who give my life so much meaning. </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">And this one is for Annie. </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br />Oh, Anne.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">I know for certain our friendship was 'ordained' or something, since the first thoughts I had about you were for sure divinely appointed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">flashback</span>: She and I were in the same sorority, but she had studied abroad the first semester and so we didn't really know each other that well. She was back in the States, and back at school, and I introduced myself to her and tried to be nice (Some times, sorority life tried me so. It was certainly an effort to be outgoing sometimes...sorry President Frita). ANYWAYS, I smiled at her and the thought ran across my mind:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >You should be kind to her. </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Strange, I know, especially because I'm always nice. (Jk)</span><span style="font-family: courier new;"> But I do remember thinking </span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> she had a friendly smile. Little did I know she was one of the KINDEST, most gracious, generous, HILARIOUS and wonderful people in the universe, and I would be lucky enough to call her best Friend in the near future. </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">And so we began a journey into a friendship that is certainly God ordained. </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Why do I say "God ordained" like we ended up sharing kidneys or something? </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Well, only because I feel like God has used her in my life to </span> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">challenge,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">strengthen,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">encourage,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">sharpen,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">refine,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">teach, </span> </span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />and of course,<br />make me laugh until my sides bust.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">From living hilarious, awkward and Arrow-worthy adventures of college, to exploring post-college life through YWAM, to parting ways as "adult life" took us different directions, to me refusing to part ways and moving into her parent's back house,<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I can only say that I am so grateful to be a part of her life. </span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:courier new;" ></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >And so, to celebrate, I've put together a brief list of the things I've learned because of AEH:</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />1. How to not say the first thing that comes to my mind (Priceless)<br />2. How to say the things that come to my mind in a more loving way (Priceless)<br />3. How important it is to check on baked goods 60 seconds after they are placed in the oven (No charge?)<br />4. How to create lovely things out of scraps of paper from Michael's (Approx. $5.99)<br />5. How to make someone feel so LOVED and CELEBRATED during Birthday Week (One Million Dollars)<br />6. How to peruse the world wide web and find things like wedding contest entries and great wedding hair (Priceless)<br />7. How to lay down your life for a friend and for the least of these (Eternal pricelessness)<br />8. How to confront lovingly (Owie. No charge)<br />9. How to pack all sorts of important and necessary things into a bag over and over again (No monetary value)<br />10. How to manage to listen to things going on in another's life when your life is equally as nuts (seriously priceless)<br /><br /> </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">It does seem as if I could never repay her (or God) for her in my life. What to do, what to do... I guess that means I just enjoy it? Just enjoy the crazy </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">joy to know someone who you can be SO FULLY yourself. I can be totally terrible, selfish, uncouth and sarcastic and she will only laugh at me like that's not REALLY who I am. I can be totally unselfish, giving, kind, considerate, gracious, and holy, and she will be there to encourage the crud out of those behaviors. She's like the best behavioral therapist and friend all rolled into one!<br /><br />And that's why I feel like our relationship is God-ordained. It's with her like it is with Jordan, so freeing and yet still so binding to our Jesus' side.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One day, Annie, I aspire to be just like you. I can't wait to see where your adventures bring you next. And I can't wait for you to move into the Duplex and for the next part of our adventure together to begin.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;">LIKE TEN T-REXES, FRIEND!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;">love,</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;">me</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-21367465472594176012011-04-15T22:11:00.006-05:002011-04-16T21:08:39.823-05:00jmk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0r4U_5jqwc/TakI7sStn3I/AAAAAAAAAnA/fejwFk-B4VM/s1600/jordan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0r4U_5jqwc/TakI7sStn3I/AAAAAAAAAnA/fejwFk-B4VM/s400/jordan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596013833579503474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">happy birthday, love.</span><br />this is your birthday post.<br />these are the reasons (among MILLIONS)<br />that I am so glad to be marrying you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE</span><br />hello.<br />we met in hawaii.<br />where you had become the staff leader for<br />youth with a mission<br />after traveling and serving with them<br />in Perth and India<br />as a result of<br />your traveling with IV to<br />Thailand.<br />hello.<br />let's go.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR SENSE OF PURPOSE</span><br />yes.<br />you were perfectly comfortable selling<br />practically your life's worth of possessions<br />to move toward simplicity<br />and<br />you've served with IV<br />and invested in so many<br />college students' lives<br />that i know<br />your mansion in heaven<br />will be filled<br />with beautiful markers<br />of the souls<br />you encouraged to find their way there<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR COMMITMENT TO HILARITY</span><br />it is. unmatched.<br />you make me laugh<br />you laugh at me<br />you laugh by yourself<br />you laugh when you're not supposed to<br />(that's my favorite)<br />your humor<br />is<br />my<br />favorite<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR UNWAVERING KINDNESS</span><br />is why<br />we<br />are<br />still<br />together<br />i still have never met<br />someone as kind as you<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR INTEGRITY</span><br />what great<br />strength<br />it<br />takes<br />to submit oneself<br />in humility<br />toward<br />a best * crew<br />of men<br />striving for<br />righteousness<br />together.<br />i<br />respect<br />you<br />(chicken head)<br />and<br />can't wait<br />to<br />walk<br />with<br />you<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">YOUR AFFECTION </span><br /><br /></span><blockquote> <p class="quote"><em>This present glory, love, once-given grace,<br />The sum of blessing in a sure embrace,<br />Must not in creeping separateness decline<br />But be the centre of our whole design.</em></p> <p class="quote"><em>We know it’s love that keeps a love secure,<br />And only by love of love can love endure,<br />For self’s a killer, reckless of the cost,<br />And loves of lilactime unloved are lost.</em></p> <p class="quote"><em>We build our altar, then, to love and keep<br />The holy flame alight and never sleep:<br />This darling love shall deepen year by year,<br />And dearer shall we grow who are so dear.</em></p> <p class="quote"><em>The magic word is sharing: every stream<br />Of beauty, every faith and grief and dream;<br />Go hand in hand in gay companionship -<br />In sober death no sundering of the grip.</em></p> <p class="quote"><em>And into love all other loveliness<br />That we can tease from time we shall impress<br />Slows dawns and lilacs, traceries of the tress,<br />The spring and poems, stars and ancient seas.</em></p> <p class="quote"><em>This splendour is upon us, high and pure<br />As heaven: and we swear it shall endure:<br />Swear fortitude for pain and faith for tears<br />To hold our shining barrier down the years.</em></p> </blockquote>***<br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Proverbs 16:32</span><br /><br />***<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">He ha<span style="font-family:courier new;">s shown you, O man, what is good. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> And what does the LORD require of you? </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">To act justly and to love mercy </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> and to walk humbly with your God. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Micah 6:8</span><br /><br />***<br /><br />all my love,<br /><br />jcb(k)<br /></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-76854848106111847882011-03-25T17:02:00.004-05:002011-03-25T17:10:41.811-05:00My Desk Lately<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35vXzRgpvSk/TY0SPdOoyGI/AAAAAAAAAm4/t4jkYH-Kehs/s1600/layen%2B1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35vXzRgpvSk/TY0SPdOoyGI/AAAAAAAAAm4/t4jkYH-Kehs/s400/layen%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588142769390012514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: courier new;"> Something has happened.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Either I am:</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;">(a) the beneficiary of an amazing burst of friendship-love from two dear friends across the sea as a result of a strange twist of luck from the universe and/or lottery<br />(b) I am finally being rewarded for being mildly to mostly average<br />(c) need endless amounts of encouragement as I am virtually a vat of need (this answer is right no matter what)<br />or<br />(d) God laid it on the hearts of these two ladies to speak truth, love, loveliness, and wonderful selflessness to me.<br /><br />I chose all the above.<br /><br />Thank you God for friends.</span><br /></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-22961950428095492672011-02-27T13:27:00.003-06:002011-02-27T13:38:22.737-06:00For Mo & Clay<span style="font-style: italic;">Sweet Jesus,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I want to lift up to you the Wooten family.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I cannot.imagine.how scary things must be for them.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But, I do know that Monique and Clay both have unwaveringly,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">unfaltering, pursued you and your purposes for their lives. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, their lives have encouraged my walk with You. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And I know even now in the midst of incredible doubt and fear,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">that their prayer is still for you to be glorified.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So, I am asking that You would be glorified in their lives in this season.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Father, bring healing to Clay.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bring restoration.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bring joy and hope when it's just scary.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lord, let Hazel be a symbol of promise of LIFE in their world. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I know that you hold all things together, that by you all things have their substance.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I know that you hold them and sustain us. </span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So let this prayer be like incense before you, and may it rise to bring glory to YOUR name,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And healing for Clay. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Amen. </span><br /><br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">May my prayer like incense rise before You<br />The lifting of my hands as sacrifice<br />Oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me<br />For I know there is mercy in Your sight<br /><br />Your statutes are my heritage forever<br />My heart is set on keeping Your decrees<br />Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion<br />Let Love keep my will upon its knees<br /><br />[Chorus]<br />Oh God, You are my God<br />And I will ever praise You<br />Oh God, You are my God<br />And I will ever praise You<br /><br />[Verse 2]<br />To all creation I can see a limit<br />But Your commands are boundless and have none<br />So Your Word is my joy and meditation<br />From the rising to the setting of the sun<br /><br />All Your ways are loving and are faithful<br />The road is narrow but Your burden light<br />Because You gladly lean to lead the humble<br />I shall gladly kneel to leave my pride<br /><br />[Chorus]<br /><br />[Selah]<br />To all creation I can see a limit<br />But Your commands are boundless and have none<br />So Your Word is my joy and meditation<br />From the rising to the setting of the sun<br /><br />[Chorus]<br /><br />[Bridge]<br />I will seek You in the morning<br />I will learn to walk in Your ways<br />And step by step You'll lead me<br />And I will follow You all of my days</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-69647441342977549792011-02-22T09:36:00.004-06:002011-02-22T09:45:34.838-06:00Bleach and the Day of LoveValentine's Day.<br /><br />Jordan came to pick me up after a few hours of being on my hands and knees cleaning toilets, baseboards, and sinks for the little house cleaning business I have. On my walk home, Jordan intercepts me with my car.<br /><br />I open the door to him holding (in his bare hands) two chocolate-dipped strawberries in one hand, and a single flower in the seat.<br /><br />"Happy Valentine's Day!" he exclaims. He's delighted.<br />I laugh and get in the car. The smell of bleach and PineSol and lots of other weird things fill the car immediately (I'm feeling very grubby....)<br /><br />"I cleaned your car, and...." he points directly to the gas tank indicator on my dash (because he knows I'm not observant enough to take notice of the now-full tank).<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />He cleaned my car. Filled my gas tank. Brought me a flower and some chocolate-dipped strawberries.<br /><br />Does the boy know me or WHAT? Ha. I mean, what else could a girl POSSIBLY want?Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-68428115550569013832011-01-30T21:46:00.002-06:002011-01-30T21:53:23.090-06:00dear annie across the sea<span style="font-style: italic;">dear annie goes away</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">across the sea, far from me</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">my heart is happy for her heart</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">but still i hate the parting part</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">she goes and goes on the tips of her toes</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">dashing over oceans and snows</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">so fast goodyes and hellos</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">come back, anne h,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">we need you - if only to bake!?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and plus also to reason me from stupid mistakes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">sigh. ok, all's well with me</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">i'll just be waiting under the BFF tree</span>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-92135989551737687242011-01-22T21:34:00.003-06:002011-01-22T21:41:22.877-06:00lovely little thingscame in the mail for me the other day.<br /><br />lovely <a href="http://laysay.wordpress.com/">layne</a>, a friend who became a friend through the weird fact that we are basically the same person except that she eats hamburgers and I don't.<br />Really. I mean, sometimes it's strange how much we think/act/are alike.<br /><br />ANYWOO.<br /><br />in true layne fashion, she sent me a lovely little celebratory package (ALL THE WAY FROM ACROSS AN OCEAN, I"LL ADD) for my recent engagement.<br /><br />how thoughtful! how kind! how generous!<br />(see? I told you she was like meeeee)<br />Jk.<br /><br />Lovely Layne. I'm glad to share so much with you.<br />you're cooler than I am, though. i mean, you're currently traveling ALL over the WORLD (literally) using this wonderful expression of art to glorify God and bring justice to the mistreated.<br />You.Are.Legit.<br />so.<br />that's why we're friends.<br />And i'm only a tid bit sad that you are much cooler than I am.<br />BUT<br />i will rejoice in that because YOU would rejoice in that if I were cooler than YOU.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TTujIqs3LkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zFZjoBBTHrQ/s1600/layne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TTujIqs3LkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zFZjoBBTHrQ/s400/layne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565221133843115586" border="0" /></a>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-79586725866133736352011-01-07T18:47:00.002-06:002011-01-07T18:48:19.826-06:00so.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TSe0QS1183I/AAAAAAAAAmU/fIDg_dFCNxE/s1600/love.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TSe0QS1183I/AAAAAAAAAmU/fIDg_dFCNxE/s400/love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559610457040745330" border="0" /></a><br />someday soon i shall marry my love and friend.<br /><br /><br />eek.Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-66765074243361626952010-12-09T12:36:00.003-06:002010-12-09T12:38:08.620-06:00So.I'm writing for a blog now called <a href="http://getliquid.com/">Liquid.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://getliquid.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 116px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TQEh8QDdJpI/AAAAAAAAAmI/U7Svw2E6Ojo/s400/getliquid.com.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548753534882490002" border="0" /></a>You know you want to read.Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-64319172645742999662010-12-07T16:32:00.003-06:002010-12-07T16:43:09.343-06:00what i love about kh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TP64RAQMkBI/AAAAAAAAAmA/By29vhWpqVo/s1600/katie%2B1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TP64RAQMkBI/AAAAAAAAAmA/By29vhWpqVo/s400/katie%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548074393232248850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />what can I even say about miss katie h?</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">i love her so dearly.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">1. i think she has one of the most keen, witty sense of humor I've ever come across. It's like quick satire meets sassy understatement.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">2. i think her heart is full of courage. i think she will go and do things that many people won't.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">3. I think she is SO dang cute. i mean, seriously.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">4. i think she has a healthy balance of independence with respect for others. basically, she's becoming a proverbs 31 woman even if she doesn't know it.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">5. i know that when things are hard, she still pushes forward. i hesitate to use the word tough, but she's tough. yet, oh so tricky to use that word, b/c she's also delightedly feminine and soft.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">6. i think there's a peace about her spirit even in the midst of the troubled waters.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">7. i think God has purposed in her something sweet and special and will probably be realized in a brilliant creation of the shade of gray (not as in sad, just as in gray, the sweetest color out there right now....). It will have to come out in some delightfully artistic expression, because she practical oozes delightful artistic expression</span>. <span style="font-family:courier new;">8. i respect her love for all things chocolate cookie.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">9. i respect her for seeking God even when it doesn't feel like it.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">10.</span><i style="font-style: italic; font-family: courier new;"> "For The Lord's portion is His people, Jacob, His allotted heritage. He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple [ee-shone</i><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: courier new;">] of His eye."</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> Deuteronomy 32: 9 - 10.</span><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TP62Fr5oZEI/AAAAAAAAAl4/xrFnAKaAVLk/s1600/katieapple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TP62Fr5oZEI/AAAAAAAAAl4/xrFnAKaAVLk/s400/katieapple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548071999767077954" border="0" /></a>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-6307728785232388032010-11-09T17:32:00.004-06:002010-11-09T17:34:34.864-06:00don't let me forget...to be thankful for this week.<br /><br />Gracious. Thank you Jesus for opening doors, for giving favor, for giving exceedingly abundantly beyond.<br /><br />Thanks to my sweet small group of girls who gave of themselves to help me out with my new job.<br /><br />So so thankful.Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-78697676448054646962010-10-16T10:19:00.010-05:002010-10-16T12:44:27.954-05:00happy birthday, jefe!<span style="font-family:courier new;">Holy moly. I'm tired. Kasey (the sister-in-law) and I and another of my brother's friend hijacked my John from work yesterday for his 30th birthday. He was subsequently blindfolded and taken skydiving. Then dinner with way too many people and karaoke afterward - John did an entire Snoop song (wound up so out of breath that a lung nearly collapsed, but still...). It was epic. And exhausting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">But it was worth it!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">And I of course wanted to take this post to honor him on his 30th bday with a list of my favorite moments of all times with<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">John Stanley.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. When I was jogging on the Bear Trail in college</span> (It was the cool thing to do. Be seen. Be in shape.), John and his friend were driving past me. They decided it would be funny to swerve onto the curb to spook me while I was in the zone and not paying attention. They did. And in my ever-present agility and bodily awareness, I managed to trip, face plant and break my walkman. (YEAH, IT WAS A WALKMAN. SO?). John had to drive me home because I managed to hurt my hip in the incident. THANKS A LOT, JOHN.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. My freshman year at Baylor,</span> all three of us older siblings were at the same school. It was epic (not for my parents....), in that literally, everything I said or did wound up coming back to them. I hated/loved that. Being a naive little freshman, I went out to a frat party with some nice guy that I met in the Baylor Symphony. (He was a first-chair bassist - how dangerous could he be??). I was being cool, hanging and the party, minding my own business, when in stomps Mark (second oldest brother). He walks straight up to me (in mid-awesome dance move) and says,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">"Jennie. This is the worst place you could be." I was so confused. I brushed him off saying, "What are you talking about? This is Kevin, he's nice!" Mark stomped out of the room. Two minutes later, he walks in, cell phone in hand. He shoved it in my face.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> "Hello?" I answered.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">"Jennie!" John's voice barked, "That is the absolute worse place you could be right now. You need to leave immediately."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I literally was so confused. How did they even know where I was? I mean, it's a fairly large campus, and I didn't regularly check in with them on my Friday night plans. Whatever. I stomped out of the party, humiliated, with Mark trailing behind me, making sure I went safely home to my freshman dorm. Apparently, that fraternity was infamous for slipping things in girls' drinks. Who knew? Later, when I was a little more aware of the social dynamics at Baylor, I realized, that was the worst possible place I could be. Ha. I most certainly DID NOT thank them then, but came to gratitude later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. This moment</span>. I don't even remember it, but I love it.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TLnGpyjZTrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/cwoJBhAc-Po/s1600/john.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TLnGpyjZTrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/cwoJBhAc-Po/s400/john.com" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528668438821162674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: courier new;">For some reason, it reminds me of a time in college when I had a pretty dramatic anxiety attack - I called John (of course) and he came over while I cried and cried. He ended up sleeping on the couch in the living room and praying for me that night. What can I say? He's good at comforting sisters while they sleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Going to Haiti with John </span>and a group of people he had helped organize back in 2007. I got to see him walking out as a leader who led with humility, hilarity and wisdom. His heart for the nations and for God's purposes in him and others is astounding. I've been on a few mission trips, and I think he was my favorite leader - the jefe! He was of course responsible and wise, but also a doofus and a lot of fun. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. The morning Josh passed away,</span> John was the first person I called. Sobbing and so scared, I will never forget what he told me. I had been so afraid of the fact that Josh went to hell, and all John said was,</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Jennie. Our only hope is that when we get to heaven, God will look at us and say, 'I'm more gracious and more loving than you could ever imagine.'"</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love that John lives out that truth. That our God is more kind, loving and gracious than we could even hope for. When John talks about his Jesus, he knows Him.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. The face that John married one of my best friends, Kasey.</span> I think who you choose for a mate says a lot about who you are. She is sweet, gracious and so kind - maybe some of John's more latent traits. HA. I love that he found for himself a sweet friend and companion and love for him to travel through life together with. They are awesome!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. When I played in the Baylor symphony, the concert hall was posh and refined.</span> And then there was my ape brothers and their friends acting a fool in the back row. Fist pumping and dancing, they were there to cheer me on at my first college performance. Sweet brothers. John even sent me flowers that day for the event. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. The fact that whenever he says he loves me he always says, "I love you so much it makes me angry."</span> HA. Jefe wouldn't be Jefe without unexplained, unavoidable angst.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. The day before John left for college,</span> I remember being so so sad. It was this weird moment of realization that our life as a family was about to change (haha...little did I know that we'd all end up at college together later...HA). John, being the sap and sensitive guy (he is hidden by a demeanor of a heart that's 3 sizes too small), played Garth Brooks' "Your Song" for us and as we all sat around and cried. I don't think I've even heard the song since then, but all I remember is that he was telling us that he loved us in his own way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. The endless, pointless, redundant jokes that we beat mercilessly to the ground.</span> Jefe's humor is like mine: strange and a little distorted, and maybe slightly inappropriate. He likes awkward humor almost as much as I do. I LOVE it! It keeps me laughing whenever we are together, whether in the slums of Haiti or in the metropolis of Dallas. He is so much fun to be with. I appreciate that humor allows us never to take ourselves too seriously.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">I love you, John!<br />I KNOW that this new year will bring new and amazing things for you and Kasey. As you walk forward, I'm praying that you'll find new life as a leader, a father, a friend and a son of God. Your gifts are irrevocable (no matter how hard you try) and<br />the calling God has on your life is as plain as the deviated septum in your nose.<br />Hopefully, you'll get over your awkwardness<br />as you leave your 20s.<br />If not, at least I'll be hear to remind you it's still there.<br /><br />For you this year:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."</span><br /><br />Psalm 73:25-26.<br /><br /></div></div></div><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TLnDEmdcLJI/AAAAAAAAAlo/D0ftUXN7b4Q/s1600/jefe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TLnDEmdcLJI/AAAAAAAAAlo/D0ftUXN7b4Q/s400/jefe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528664501384916114" border="0" /></a>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-46613142835798447972010-09-28T12:47:00.003-05:002010-09-28T12:56:22.297-05:00congrats, pea!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TKIq5L8v5_I/AAAAAAAAAlg/sWjuFru7UOY/s1600/p+and+j.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TKIq5L8v5_I/AAAAAAAAAlg/sWjuFru7UOY/s400/p+and+j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522023255058147314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Lovely Jill is getting marrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiied.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">EEK. I am so excited for them.<br />Jill is one of the most gentle, gracious, (sneakily hilarious)people<br />that I know<br />and I am SO glad she has found love and life<br />and will be getting hitched in the near future.<br /></span><br />(please ignore weirdness of my face in above picture, pea, it couldn't be helped. I need one of<br />you and Brison!!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-family:courier new;" >Can't wait for you to be "Mrs. Pea Williams"</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">"I</span><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">f I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">I Corinthians 13: 1- 13</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-65682961829638907362010-09-07T13:13:00.005-05:002010-09-07T13:55:02.534-05:00things not to communicate over IM<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">“I mistakenly told them you had Gonorrhea.” </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">She said that and then smiled. Her cheeks were like little cumulus clouds of delight as she found such humor in the mishap that managed to land me somewhere in the land of wild, unbridled promiscuity and her in the unaffected audience of the theatre of my demise. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I wanted to punch the life out of those clouds. Not really. But, well, really. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">It had come to my attention that sometime earlier in the week, after I had left the office building where I was temp-to-hire, my friend alerted the office that I had Gonorrhea in a horribly disastrous attempt to correctly name the tropical disease I contracted when I went overseas. (Noted here that the disease was called “Dengue Fever.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>My friend told me later, “I just got stuck on the ‘G’ and then couldn’t get out of it!”)</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Nonetheless, after things were cleared up (with a few over the counter meds and a vitamin regimen), I needed to make a point to talk to the HR manager about the full-time position they’d offered earlier in the week. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Enter: The intra-office Instant Message (IM) program used both professionally and unprofessionally by the office staff. Often the program is used in an effort to be polite and allow mildly-pressing business discussions to be submitted via IM and then responded to when convenient.</span></em></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I then, took the opportunity to IM the human resources manager to ask if there was a time - at her convenience - when we could discuss the impending job offer in order to clarify roles and salary.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Jennie to HR manager: "Hey, when you get a minute, can we talk about the receptionist offer?"<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">HR manager to Jennie: "Oh yeah. About that. We've decided we don't want to move Elisa from her current position." {inserted FROWN-Y FACE}<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Jennie to HR manager: “Oh. Haha.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">End of chat.</span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><o:p>My own meagre "haha" was merely a cursory response to answer in like light-hearted terms. I literally had no idea what I was supposed to say to the fact that the job they offered was now un-offered over intra-office IM and with an, albeit empathetic, emoticon. </o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:courier new;">:( says: <em>Goodbye income, goodbye benefits. Goodbye autonomy and ability to pay off debt. Goodbye Christmas. Goodbye Birthdays. Goodbye job offers and 401Ks. Goodbye stability. Goodbye steady regimes. Goodbye freedom from anti-anxiety medicines. </em></span></o:p></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-family:courier new;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Hmm.</i> I thought. It’s interesting though that despite the more-than slightly devastating news, the frowny face DID make me feel a bit better. Cheap empathy, maybe. But how would I have felt if she would have delivered that line WITHOUT the frowny face? Terrible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, I continued with my temp work and reasoned, especially after I heard the Gonorrhea story, that their disinclination to hire me was not entirely unfounded.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">During that same temp-to-hire stint, I worked in my brother’s office. We are pretty close, as family goes, and generally have been known to enjoy one another’s company. However, until working with him in the office setting, I had no idea that he maintained such an air of stodgy professionalism at all times. This obviously was hard to swallow since I had in my immediate possession some incriminating pictures of a certain office professional’s buttocks as he streaked through a Phi Chi party my sophomore year of college. At any rate, I played a few mild pranks on him during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nothing detrimental or too distracting, but fun nonetheless. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Since he had a fetish with floss, I decided that should obviously work in my favor in my little pranks. One night I swiped one before I left and let it find a new home in a Jell-O mold that subsequently found its way into the office refrigerator with a large sign with his name on it. After the Jell-O mold-ed floss was planted, I plodded diligently along in my cubicle, waiting for the fun. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>{overheard}HR manager: </em>“John, I think someone just pulled a Dwight Schrute on you. I’m thinking maybe Jennie.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>John {walks to Jennie’s cubicle}:</em> “Jennie, what did you do?” </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I could see the big vein coming out of his forehead already. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Jennie:</em> “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>John:</em> “Did you put something in Jell-o?”</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I couldn't smile yet, so I made myself think of something sad, like the fact that most of my college friends still can't differentiate between "your" and "you're" or my dog that died in second grade. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Jennie:</em> “What in Jell-o?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>John:</em> “I don’t know, in the break room?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Jennie:</em> “Huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>John:</em> “Did you put a piece of office equipment in Jell-o?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Jennie:</em> “No.”</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I answered sure and swift. He turned and marched so bow-leggedly to the break room that I was sure he was going to accidentally pivot on an axis. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">HR manager: {peaks in Jennie’s cubicle}<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Jennie: {smiles}<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">HR manager: {sits back at her cubicle}<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>John: {plops down Jell-O mold/mound container, now half-empty}</em> “Where’s the top?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he said in a hoarse whisper, “Jennie, this is too soon. Are you trying to get fired?!”</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;">My favorite vein of his to monitor was pulsating visibly now to the beat of something like "Hammer Time."</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Jennie: {looks up meekly}</em> “It wasn’t a piece of office equipment.”<br /></span></p>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-89280410500603522232010-09-01T16:29:00.004-05:002010-09-03T18:01:20.756-05:00life and times of the job huntSooo I've become very un-picky about job-hunting lately.<br /><br />Translation? I was doing my due diligence and putting a face with a name and all that networking nonsense by bringing my resume and a cupcake to a local grocery store's bakery manager (I'm thinking I'm very clever at this point). I had already filled out an application online, this was just the proverbial icing on my bakery job cake. (I am also thinking I'm very clever just now at that bit of writing).<br /><br />So, I march myself right up to the manager and introduce myself quite awkwardly.<br /><br />Me: "Hi, I'm Jennie, I understand you know the Hennighausens."<br /><br />Manger: (Response should go here)<br /><br />Me: "Er, well, they are loyal patrons of this wonderful Kroger."<br /><br />Manger: (Response should go here)<br /><br />Me: (Clears throat...losing confidence) "Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I applied online to the position open in the bakery and wanted to drop off this cupcake while I introduced myself personally so you could put a face with the name."<br /><br />Suddenly, physics turned its ugly - but hitherto even unnoticed - back against me. All that I know and understand about gravity and/or my own bodily functionality changed.<br /><br />As I finished the word "name" a bit of spittle flew from my mouth and landed on my cheek/eye area. I say it was a "bit," but let the records show that it was enough for me to need to wipe it away (two strokes), and for her to look down awkwardly at the cupcake, which now had just lost all appeal entirely.<br /><br />I stood there blankly for an eternal 2.3 seconds before I then spouted out,<br /><br />"You don't have to eat that."<br /><br />I'm afraid my ill-timed spasm of the mouth might have shut that door.<br /><br />Oh well.<br /><br />ONWARD!Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-43899706151147864192010-08-24T14:02:00.003-05:002010-08-24T14:11:59.249-05:00grateful heartIn spending time with the Lord today, I was OVERWHELMED with how generous He has been through others to me.<br /><br />I am so thankful for life here at 6918. I am thankful that I have a lovely space to call my own; a place to bake incessantly; a family to sit around the dinner table with; and laughs to be shared constantly.<br /><br />I am so grateful for the help/advice/instruction from FLH on budgeting/finances. I am thankful to be learning principles of saving and of simplicity because of it.<br /><br />I am so thankful to those who believe in me and who give generously to allow me to pursue counseling without incurring further debt.<br /><br />I am so so thankful and humbled by friends who pray regularly, consistently for me in the secret places with our Heavenly Father.<br /><br />I am thankful that my sweet brother and sister-in-law are generous with me even in their own need (because of which, I now have lovely, freezing, air conditioning in my car!!).<br /><br />I am grateful for my job that is life-giving and FUN.<br /><br />I am thankful to Suz and Sean and Corinne and John who gave computers to me!!!<br /><br />I am thankful to the FLH and MGH who celebrate half-birthdays.<br /><br />I am so so thankful for my health and the health of my family.<br /><br />I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father continually reminds me that the lilies toil nor spin, but are arrayed more splendidly than Solomon. I am thankful that He wanted Mary to just sit as His feet.<br /><br />I know that His gifts are more than physical, but I am SO THANKFUL for the ones that are.Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-13517974574856034422010-08-14T10:01:00.003-05:002010-08-14T10:06:08.252-05:00today's page in my journal<div style="text-align: right;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family: courier new;font-size:180%;" >good grief.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">before I forget and have to do more dang character development,<br />I wanted to write a few things down.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;font-size:130%;" >This is what I know:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- ev</span><span style="font-family: courier new;">eryone has a perspective, a background, a history, a frame of reference and it probably involves some amount of hurt or need or suffering that I couldn't understand.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">-death to flesh hurts sometimes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">- "His ways are higher." His thoughts are not my thoughts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">-His 'goodness' may not look like monetary or physical means. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">- I have a roof over my head</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">- I can usuallly find something to be grateful for (or repent of)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">- sanctification is not really a pretty process (at least for me)</span><br /></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-60133824743013532862010-08-12T20:37:00.007-05:002010-08-12T21:38:17.729-05:00for sister.i made these for my sister for her 17th birthday. wow. she is such an adult. UGH.<br />they're little pins to decorate shirts, jackets, hats, bags. the white one with the band is a headband.<br />hopefully, she will love them.<br /><br />because i love her.<br /><br />happy birthday, sister.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSi5mFSneI/AAAAAAAAAks/MR_UsNOvhdk/s1600/DSC_0027+%281%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSi5mFSneI/AAAAAAAAAks/MR_UsNOvhdk/s400/DSC_0027+%281%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504703754912570850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSkAziT0RI/AAAAAAAAAk8/tniW0o3GvCU/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSkAziT0RI/AAAAAAAAAk8/tniW0o3GvCU/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504704978294657298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSjp8pzQOI/AAAAAAAAAk0/wAX49XxUKOY/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TGSjp8pzQOI/AAAAAAAAAk0/wAX49XxUKOY/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504704585605005538" border="0" /></a>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-82484668515994702372010-07-31T20:55:00.002-05:002010-07-31T20:57:31.118-05:00"please see attachment. I am pleased to tell you that you are hired. please report to NC immediately for details. (chocolate provided). love, jordan"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TFTUK1pOBkI/AAAAAAAAAkc/87WsViK9Mb4/s1600/HW0_185118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EJONW2H216A/TFTUK1pOBkI/AAAAAAAAAkc/87WsViK9Mb4/s400/HW0_185118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500254327589963330" border="0" /></a>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-36297400922554973122010-07-14T17:41:00.004-05:002010-07-14T17:47:11.026-05:00sometimes when i feel a bit down...I close my eyes and ask for His presence.<br /><br />And usually, it feels like He puts His arm around me,<br />presses His cheek against mine, and says,<br />"It's ok, Lovey."Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-41211131873968650462010-07-01T07:01:00.000-05:002010-07-01T13:02:22.122-05:00happy birthday FRED(a few days late...)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I definitely</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> want to take this post to honor one of my favorite senior citizens...<br />(And SC status is confirmed directly from Kroger. Kroger never lies.)</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" >My top 5 favorite moments with F.L.H.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">5. When I came over a few days before I moved in to the Hennighausen house, </span>I knocked politely at the back door. Fred (and Mary!), however, merely cracked the door wide enough so I could see the huge grins on their faces and said,<br />"No."<br />Door shuts.<br />I laughed, then knocked louder, thinking my polite little knock wasn't sufficient to get their attention.<br />Door cracks. Smiling faces.<br />"Noooo."<br />Door shuts.<br />A light bulb finally goes off, and this time, without knocking, I walk straight in to find Fred and Mary standing ready with a hug and a<br />"YEAHHHH!!!"<br /><br />They were teaching me how to come into the house (no knocking allowed).<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I felt so welcomed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">**** </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">4. When I found myself virtually jobless (again),</span> I was standing in the kitchen telling FLH my news, near tears, and feeling very sorry for myself, and he simply responded,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Wow. What a good heavenly Father who knew in advance this was going to happen and provided you this home as a safe place to land. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">What an adventure you are on."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I felt so inspired/humbled/grateful.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">****<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">3. One word: "Combo-ing"</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >I felt so thankful. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">****<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">2. When I came back to my little Rose Cottage to find </span>a tiny little mini-flosser wedged into a tiny little nail hole at eye-level near my door.<br />(RUDE! And, warning: It will find you.)<br />It was a tiny little way to give a nod to hilarious inside jokes about people's idiosyncrasies.<br />I love that FLH can celebrate people with humor <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>respect.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I felt so light-hearted. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">****<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Not that there can be any one favorite thing</span> about knowing FLH and having his influence in my life, <span style="font-style: italic;">but I am so grateful for how he listens so unselfishly, so intentionally</span>.<br /><br />Whether it's in a "FredSheet" budget meeting<br />(shudder),<br /><br />or talking over things about boys,<br /><br />or talking about life in the fast lane in the business world,<br /><br />or talking about my Substitute-of-The-Year award<br />(self-appointed),<br /><br />He listens in a way that makes you SWEAR he is interested in every word you say.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I always leave conversations feeling<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">HEARD,<br />UNDERSTOOD,<br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">LOVED,</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">and </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">INSPIRED.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRED!!!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">***** </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102504376082316034.post-54709556844916443012010-06-28T17:01:00.005-05:002010-06-28T17:06:31.364-05:00march 2011...is the next time I will purchase clothes. for one year i am going to (attempt to, at least) refrain from purchasing items to wear. it's been 3 months so far.<br /><br />why?<br /><br />many reasons.<br /><br />One being<span style="font-style: italic;"> "and why are you anxious about clothing? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."</span><br /><br />.....Like a Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15297633866889249132noreply@blogger.com1