I had a very nice surprise today. This morning when I went out my back door, I noticed that my 12 foot Lilac bush (more like a tree) is in full bloom, and it smells WONDERFUL.
You can smell it three houses away. Lilacs and Roses are my two most favorite smells. I just hope that it doesn't rain anytime soon. It seems like whenever it rains, the blooms blow off, and the smell disappears.
I have decided that Heaven MUST smell like Roses and Lilac....... That SURE WOULD be paradise. :)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
Easter and making a new friend? I hope!!
Our family met up at Aunt Becky's and Uncle Rick's for Easter dinner. I was finally able to meet my grandma's neighbor, Jill.
Grandma had told me about Jill and how she was abused as a child. She was abused in EVERY sense of the word. I won't go into details, but let's just say it has really affected her adult life.
Jill is a very timid middle aged woman who lives alone in the next apartment, and doesn't trust anyone. She really helps keep an eye out on grandma.
She's so afraid of people, that I was told that whenever my dad (or anyone for that matter) would come over, if she was outside, she'd hurry in, and grandma could hear her locking the doors. That was until the day my dad went over, and Jill was trying to fix her bike. His back and knees were killing him, and she could tell he was in pain, but that didn't stop my dad from getting on the ground and fixing her bike for her. She was so amazed, that she and my dad have become friends.
I was also told that she NEVER misses church. She arrives late, sits in the back, and leaves before it's over. She loves to knit, and takes brown grocery bags FULL of things she's knitted, take it to church, and writes FREE on the bag. She even went so far as to knit my mom a pair of booties when she was in the hospital.
So, when I was finally introduced to her, I was first surprised to see that she was willing to meet my WHOLE family. Then we started talking, and we became friends, especially since I found out that she used to work at the same factory I do.
She's one of these people that had such a horrible life, that you can't help but feel like you want to do something nice for her. I'm just hoping that now, she'll be more comfortable speaking to us when we come over to visit grandma.
Grandma had told me about Jill and how she was abused as a child. She was abused in EVERY sense of the word. I won't go into details, but let's just say it has really affected her adult life.
Jill is a very timid middle aged woman who lives alone in the next apartment, and doesn't trust anyone. She really helps keep an eye out on grandma.
She's so afraid of people, that I was told that whenever my dad (or anyone for that matter) would come over, if she was outside, she'd hurry in, and grandma could hear her locking the doors. That was until the day my dad went over, and Jill was trying to fix her bike. His back and knees were killing him, and she could tell he was in pain, but that didn't stop my dad from getting on the ground and fixing her bike for her. She was so amazed, that she and my dad have become friends.
I was also told that she NEVER misses church. She arrives late, sits in the back, and leaves before it's over. She loves to knit, and takes brown grocery bags FULL of things she's knitted, take it to church, and writes FREE on the bag. She even went so far as to knit my mom a pair of booties when she was in the hospital.
So, when I was finally introduced to her, I was first surprised to see that she was willing to meet my WHOLE family. Then we started talking, and we became friends, especially since I found out that she used to work at the same factory I do.
She's one of these people that had such a horrible life, that you can't help but feel like you want to do something nice for her. I'm just hoping that now, she'll be more comfortable speaking to us when we come over to visit grandma.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Nashville countdown.
We know the trip is set for May 8th which is exactly 24 days away. We need to finalize this. :) We need to decide where to meet, and what time.
I was thinking that Carol, Chris, and I could meet up, and then the three of us could meet Carrie somewhere. The times will be determined by where we decide to meet up. If someone runs a little late, No biggie..However, Carrie would have the most understandable excuse. KIDS.. LOL..
I am starting to believe that all kids are built with a sensor that goes off when mom or dad is in a hurry or running late. This sensor tells them to move more slowly, and get distracted with other things. I think this is the same sensor that tells kids to wait until they get up in the morning before telling their moms they need their purple shirt. The purple shirt that's in with the dirty clothes. LOL.
I was thinking that Carol, Chris, and I could meet up, and then the three of us could meet Carrie somewhere. The times will be determined by where we decide to meet up. If someone runs a little late, No biggie..However, Carrie would have the most understandable excuse. KIDS.. LOL..
I am starting to believe that all kids are built with a sensor that goes off when mom or dad is in a hurry or running late. This sensor tells them to move more slowly, and get distracted with other things. I think this is the same sensor that tells kids to wait until they get up in the morning before telling their moms they need their purple shirt. The purple shirt that's in with the dirty clothes. LOL.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Johnson Bible College
Wedensday afternoon my parents dropped Austin, Shawn, and I off at JBC. I spent the night with Ashley and her roomy, and the boys stayed with Brandon and his roomy.
Brandon was at work when we arrived, so Ashley was going to put the boy's things in her room. We went in and she yelled down the hall "Boys in the hall, don't worry it's only my little brother." Several girls came out of their rooms to see what was going on.
Ashley drove us and another friend, Amber, to Little Ceasers Pizza. Which was pretty amazing since you can buy an one topping pizza for $5 and breadsticks for only $1. So, We bought 2 pizzas and took them back to the girl's dorm. We went to the Lobby? I guess that's what it's called... to eat. Since Ashley, Austin, and Shawn can't stand sausage pizza, and I can't stand pepperoni we had tons of sausage left over. So, Ashley wrote "FREE" on the box, and put it in the fridge in the kitchen. Yes, the dorms have a kitchen that any of the girls can use. I saw several girls in there cooking their dinner. It's pretty neat.
That evening,while Ashley was busy doing a paper, her friend Amber and I watched a movie. Halfway through, Jo Beth came in and half watched it with us.
In the morning,we went to chapel, and afterwards I went with Ashley to her Litature class. They were discussing poetry. After class we had 20 mins. until her next class, so we went to the bookstore. I bought a few things, which included a Johnson hoodie and long sleeved T shirt.... Okay, so it's a 3 quarter sleeved shirt, almost long sleeved.
Then we had to get to her next class....... Old Testament Poetry. The class was interesting too. In the book of Job, there's chapters where Job and his three "friends" were talking... Well, the students had divided up those verses and rephrased them in their own words. Then they had to take turns reading their "verses". It was interesting what those kids came up with. Afterwards, we went to lunch and waited for mom and dad to come get us.
I really enjoyed myself, and it was fun meeting all of my sister's friends.
Brandon was at work when we arrived, so Ashley was going to put the boy's things in her room. We went in and she yelled down the hall "Boys in the hall, don't worry it's only my little brother." Several girls came out of their rooms to see what was going on.
Ashley drove us and another friend, Amber, to Little Ceasers Pizza. Which was pretty amazing since you can buy an one topping pizza for $5 and breadsticks for only $1. So, We bought 2 pizzas and took them back to the girl's dorm. We went to the Lobby? I guess that's what it's called... to eat. Since Ashley, Austin, and Shawn can't stand sausage pizza, and I can't stand pepperoni we had tons of sausage left over. So, Ashley wrote "FREE" on the box, and put it in the fridge in the kitchen. Yes, the dorms have a kitchen that any of the girls can use. I saw several girls in there cooking their dinner. It's pretty neat.
That evening,while Ashley was busy doing a paper, her friend Amber and I watched a movie. Halfway through, Jo Beth came in and half watched it with us.
In the morning,we went to chapel, and afterwards I went with Ashley to her Litature class. They were discussing poetry. After class we had 20 mins. until her next class, so we went to the bookstore. I bought a few things, which included a Johnson hoodie and long sleeved T shirt.... Okay, so it's a 3 quarter sleeved shirt, almost long sleeved.
Then we had to get to her next class....... Old Testament Poetry. The class was interesting too. In the book of Job, there's chapters where Job and his three "friends" were talking... Well, the students had divided up those verses and rephrased them in their own words. Then they had to take turns reading their "verses". It was interesting what those kids came up with. Afterwards, we went to lunch and waited for mom and dad to come get us.
I really enjoyed myself, and it was fun meeting all of my sister's friends.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Lightning, Prayers, and Songs OH MY
The night we saw Fixin' 2 Rain, a HUGE thunderstorm came up.(I know, I know, pretty ironic.) My parents and Austin were in the camper, Shawn was in the van? camper? and I was in my tent.
I was okay, until the thunder woke me up. It was the "earth shaking" type of thunder. I unzipped the window, and the lightning looked really dangerous. It was coming straight down. To say I was scared would be a gross understatement.
My tent was right under a tree, so I didn't want to stay there, but I didn't want to leave either. By this point, the rain was pouring down. I pulled my sleeping bag up over my head, and did some MAJOR praying. Then a song came to my mind. It's a song the kids sing down in Sunday school, so I started singing softly................
Don't be afraid Jesus is watching you
In the dark night He is protecting you
Talk to the Lord, ask Him to make you brave
Jesus will hear when you pray.
(Chorus)
Jesus is caring for you
Jesus is helping you too
Jesus is always there keeping you
for He loves you.
Jesus is caring for you
Jesus is helping you too
Jesus is with you whatever you do.
You're not alone Jesus is there with you
He can't be seen, but He is there it's true
He is your friend, He'll keep you in His care
He goes with you everywhere.
(Chorus)
After I sang that, my cell phone rang. Mom and dad were concerned, so they had Austin call me and see if I was ok. I was honestly able to tell them I was fine. After hanging up, I fell into a peaceful sleep.
Later that morning, my coworker, Lois, who was vacationing in Flordia, TEXT me to see if I was ok. After telling her I was fine, she said "I saw the storm on the weather channel, and I was praying for you guys."
That simple little TEXT mess. was really touching.
I discovered later that three tornadoes touched down and 26 people were killed. Which only proves that God takes care of us, even when we really don't know the extent of the situation.
I was okay, until the thunder woke me up. It was the "earth shaking" type of thunder. I unzipped the window, and the lightning looked really dangerous. It was coming straight down. To say I was scared would be a gross understatement.
My tent was right under a tree, so I didn't want to stay there, but I didn't want to leave either. By this point, the rain was pouring down. I pulled my sleeping bag up over my head, and did some MAJOR praying. Then a song came to my mind. It's a song the kids sing down in Sunday school, so I started singing softly................
Don't be afraid Jesus is watching you
In the dark night He is protecting you
Talk to the Lord, ask Him to make you brave
Jesus will hear when you pray.
(Chorus)
Jesus is caring for you
Jesus is helping you too
Jesus is always there keeping you
for He loves you.
Jesus is caring for you
Jesus is helping you too
Jesus is with you whatever you do.
You're not alone Jesus is there with you
He can't be seen, but He is there it's true
He is your friend, He'll keep you in His care
He goes with you everywhere.
(Chorus)
After I sang that, my cell phone rang. Mom and dad were concerned, so they had Austin call me and see if I was ok. I was honestly able to tell them I was fine. After hanging up, I fell into a peaceful sleep.
Later that morning, my coworker, Lois, who was vacationing in Flordia, TEXT me to see if I was ok. After telling her I was fine, she said "I saw the storm on the weather channel, and I was praying for you guys."
That simple little TEXT mess. was really touching.
I discovered later that three tornadoes touched down and 26 people were killed. Which only proves that God takes care of us, even when we really don't know the extent of the situation.
Fixin' 2 Rain picture
Ashley, Austin, Jo Beth, and Shawn got a group picture taken, and it's really funny. For some reason, I couldn't post it here, so if anyone wants to see it, let me know. I'll email it to you.
The lady taking the picture laughed really hard, and she said they'll probably use it as a promotional picture, and she couldn't wait for the manager to see it. Everyone was laughing when they had it taken.
It really is priceless.
The lady taking the picture laughed really hard, and she said they'll probably use it as a promotional picture, and she couldn't wait for the manager to see it. Everyone was laughing when they had it taken.
It really is priceless.
Fixin' 2 Rain
We just got back from Gatlinburg about an hour or so ago, and I couldn't WAIT to tell about this show we went to see...........
The show was at the Govenor's Palace, which by the way is an AMAZING theater. They serve FREE popcorn and of course you have to buy the drinks, but at $2 a pop it's not completely unreasonable.
My parents, Austin, my unofficially adopted little brother Shawn (not sure if it's Shawn or Sean), Ashley, her room mate Jo Beth, and I all went to see it. Oh, and if you're planning on seeing it, it's around $26 a person, UNLESS you can prove you live in TN, and then you get your ticket for $7.50. So, Ashley and Jo Beth got theirs a LOT cheaper.
Anyway.......The show was called Fixin' 2 Rain which is the story of Noah's Ark set in the Great Smokey Mountains. It's a cross between "O Brother Where Art Thou" and "The Lion King." Yes, animals actually come down the aisles. Not real ones of course, but it was pretty impressive. Oh, yes, and the animals talk and sing. There were a bunch of little kids behind us that laughed so hard, that we couldn't help but to laugh along with them.
My favorite part was the preacher.......
It's supposed to be a old fashioned revival camp meeting. So, imagine a stage full of "hillbillies".This isn't the exact dialouge, but it's pretty close............
Preacher: I'm hear today to tell you about the Devil. D-E-V-I-L Can I get an Amen?
Crowd: Amen
Preacher: Take away the D and you have evil.. The devil is very evil. Can I get a Yahoo?
Crowd: Yahoo
Preacher: Take away the E and you have vil (pronounced Vile). That's what satan is vil, vil, vil, vil. Can I get a Amen?
Crowd:Amen
Preacher: Take away the V and you have IL (pronounced ill) Thats what satan is il, il, il il. He's very SICK.
Preacher: Now take away the I and you have L, and that's exactly where you're going if you follow the devil.
During intermission, a HUGE thunderstorm came up... Mom and I thought it was sound effects, since right before then the animals came down the aisles, and it started to rain onstage.(Yes, they had REAL water onstage)..... So, we're sitting there listening to the thunder, rain, and hail thinking it was just sound effects. Come to find out it was REALLY raining and hailing outside.
There's another show I wanted to get tickets for which was "Miracle". It's about the life of Jesus, which looked really NEAT. It's in Louise Mandrell's old theater. (Please forgive my spelling) Their first show is April 13. I was so sad, but maybe next time.
The show was at the Govenor's Palace, which by the way is an AMAZING theater. They serve FREE popcorn and of course you have to buy the drinks, but at $2 a pop it's not completely unreasonable.
My parents, Austin, my unofficially adopted little brother Shawn (not sure if it's Shawn or Sean), Ashley, her room mate Jo Beth, and I all went to see it. Oh, and if you're planning on seeing it, it's around $26 a person, UNLESS you can prove you live in TN, and then you get your ticket for $7.50. So, Ashley and Jo Beth got theirs a LOT cheaper.
Anyway.......The show was called Fixin' 2 Rain which is the story of Noah's Ark set in the Great Smokey Mountains. It's a cross between "O Brother Where Art Thou" and "The Lion King." Yes, animals actually come down the aisles. Not real ones of course, but it was pretty impressive. Oh, yes, and the animals talk and sing. There were a bunch of little kids behind us that laughed so hard, that we couldn't help but to laugh along with them.
My favorite part was the preacher.......
It's supposed to be a old fashioned revival camp meeting. So, imagine a stage full of "hillbillies".This isn't the exact dialouge, but it's pretty close............
Preacher: I'm hear today to tell you about the Devil. D-E-V-I-L Can I get an Amen?
Crowd: Amen
Preacher: Take away the D and you have evil.. The devil is very evil. Can I get a Yahoo?
Crowd: Yahoo
Preacher: Take away the E and you have vil (pronounced Vile). That's what satan is vil, vil, vil, vil. Can I get a Amen?
Crowd:Amen
Preacher: Take away the V and you have IL (pronounced ill) Thats what satan is il, il, il il. He's very SICK.
Preacher: Now take away the I and you have L, and that's exactly where you're going if you follow the devil.
During intermission, a HUGE thunderstorm came up... Mom and I thought it was sound effects, since right before then the animals came down the aisles, and it started to rain onstage.(Yes, they had REAL water onstage)..... So, we're sitting there listening to the thunder, rain, and hail thinking it was just sound effects. Come to find out it was REALLY raining and hailing outside.
There's another show I wanted to get tickets for which was "Miracle". It's about the life of Jesus, which looked really NEAT. It's in Louise Mandrell's old theater. (Please forgive my spelling) Their first show is April 13. I was so sad, but maybe next time.
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