the strike of reality

I have been reading this book with my Sunday School class. We have not gotten far simply because of how much is packed in the first 2 chapters and the preface. But this past chapter, ch. 2, was all about living for the glory of God in whatever you do. No matter what. That death is something not easily grasped by us and the reality is that we don't know when it will come.


(scroll to the bottom to turn the music off)

This morning I found out a close friend from middle school was killed in a car accident. When we were 12ish we were pretty close. When I moved away 6 years ago contact dwindled so the feeling of loosing someone "close" was not there but the reality struck, hard!

This month will mark the 2nd anniversary of another friend's death. He was also killed in a car accident. That hard part about it is that we were not out of touch because of distance, but because we were not on good terms. We had a disagreement and I went with the flow instead of forgiving him and letting him know that Christ in us was greater than the events that occurred.

With both the these instances they were unexpected. No one knew it was coming. We couldn't say goodbye. That was it.

You never, NEVER know when your time is the time. It is hard to understand that concept that literally the breath you are exhaling is the only one you are guaranteed. "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" James 4:14

I am struggling with my "vapor" right now. What am I doing that is Kingdom focused? How am I eating or drinking or doing anything for the Glory of God?" 1 Cor 10:31 Am I waking up simply to bring praise to my Savior?

I was asked again today to pray for someone I knew in middle and high school. Since graduating high school her already ungrounded life was sent spinning in a downward cycle. Eating disorders, late night parties, under aged event, etc. Everything she was raised up in was forgotten. Now she is a very needy 20 year old looking for someone/thing to meet those needs in ALL the wrong places. What am I doing to impact her for the Kingdom? If she was to die tomorrow can I lay my head down at night knowing that I did all that God had asked me to do concerning being Jesus to her?

Then there is my Friday friend I have mentioned on here before. I have recently discovered some news about her that breaks my heart. I long for her to love Jesus the way that I do. I pray constantly for her to find her rest in Him. But, what and I doing that encourages her toward that goal? Am I loving her like He did? Am I doing my everything?

Maybe I am but there is a part of me that just wants a little more. So if you think about it, pray for my Friday friend, my other friend and the families of my two I mentioned first. God has not called me to be comfortable and while I wait, I want to be as uncomfortable as I can get.

Guess who's a big sister?!

That's right! My Boo is going to be a Big Sister Boo! In Spring my grand total will rack up to be 3 but in the fall Monkey will head to preschool leaving me with boo and boo'ette! I keep calling it a girl but we won't find out what it is for quite a while!

The second forth

Wow! I award myself with the boring blogger award! Geez, how many weeks has it been?! It's been crazy! Our new house of 9 allots little time for computer per person. This specific post has been in the works for several...SEVERAL days! =) Oh well!

As promised here - this is the second part of our celebration of our nation's birthday! On July 4th with "minor" convincing on my part we had a small intimate gathering of about 68 people (just an estimate) at our house. I think fun was had by all! Even my parents who were originally persuaded on the 3 or 4 families that might be in attendance...but, as one of our guests put it, "if it's at the W------'s house, I'm there!" So, what can I say, we're irresistible! =)

It was a nice comfortable day of about 100 degrees and intense humidity!

No caption needed!

Praying for the food!

Popular baby!

Like I said, small gathering!

Of course, card playing was present!

On a separate note, Peru is coming fast! Plus, we have so much going on between now and then that it will fly by! This weekend is our family's day trip getaway, next weekend camping(?), in 3 weeks family beach trip (?), next month my sisters 16th birthday (post coming soon), our church family retreat, then I LEAVE! Oh so very very excited! Still playing around with the idea of a separate blog...

Hope everyone had a wonderful August!

A different kind of Birthday

I first wrote this for my nephew that I was never able to meet. Today I am posting for another special, sweet angel! Happy Birthday little boy! Even though we never met you, you were definately loved!

A mind not yet formed,
and eyes not yet shaped.
God slowly stretches each arm and leg,
and with fingertips forms his head.
A process slow an at times long,
But God’s great design He demonstrates,
As He forms each feature with no mistake,
To complete a being only He creates.
Sometimes we see the end of the road,
And others the step right in front cuts short.
Time short or long is precious either way,
and all hopes and dreams still remain.
The gift given to us in all but a breath,
Is in our minds at times classified death.
What but truth is much greater than what we perceive?
A dream far bigger and out of our reach.
Death, no, not so.
Rather life to it’s fullest.
The way God intended
our purpose to be,
With Him to fellowship and His glory see.
Here for a moment,
A moment not grasped. J
oy He brought in His short stay,
That causes thankfulness for God’s way.
He took his first breath in the arms of the Father,
He first inhaled the sweet aroma of Christ.
He opened his eyes and first things to see
The splendor of Christ and heaven’s glory.
The first sound he hears is the angels’ song,
Now lulling him all the days long.
He first grasped the fingers that formed the world,
And is comforted in the hands that made each boy and girl.
To miss him is right,
To mourn his leaving is natural.
But cling to the truth God has made,
And the promise unscathed.
Although we can’t see him,
We can’t hold him close
And he is not in our sight,
I know he is sleeping with Jesus tonight.

keeping my distance

Where does being stupid begin and being Jesus end?

As a single female I tend to keep my distance from anyone while out in public alone. I try to get in, get done, get out as fast as I can. I am not a cold person. I am not one to be mean. But, I feel that there is a certain amount of smarts one should have in the increasingly sick world. I just want to and try to be wise.

Today I was headed into the grocery store to pick up a few items. As I was walking to the door an elderly woman motions for me. At first I assumed that I had been in her way and so I sidestepped to go around her. When she motioned again, I realized that she was trying to communicate with me.

I am not sure if she could not speak English or if she could not speak at all but in either case I didn't understand a thing she said. She had one hand on the handle bar and the other hand firmly grasping the back to the child seat that collapses when pulled to yourself. After a few more minutes I assumed that she was pointing to the seat. I reached to grab the back myself and close it but she began to get agitated. I stepped back and kept asking her to repeat what she was saying.

After a few minutes I asked her if I could go get some help for her and she shook her head yes. I stepped inside and asked one of the store clerks to help.

I didn't want to get too close. I didn't want to risk any safety. I know it seems mean. I know that it was a cold thing to do. After all, she was just an elderly lady.

So back to the original question. When does being Jesus end and being wise begin? I don't want to miss an opportunity to love like Christ. I want to be His hand and His feet and show up at His time in His story.

Is there a way to be Jesus and be wise about it? Sure. I am just still figuring it out!