Day 30: Faith

Picture by Grant Cummings

Comfort Healing Serenity 

 Forgiveness Grace Peace

 Trust Desire Passion

Beauty Wonder Reverence

 Devotion Healing Tranquility

Faith Hope Love

Thankful for God.

Thankful that my faith allows me to believe that He can provide all of these things when others can't.  Thankful that I can continue to strive each day to follow His lead.

I had a long week full of family and friends...like (in a valley girl voice) jam packed every minute.  Generally, this is how I prefer my days to be spent.  At the beginning of this week an English proverb was ringing all too true in my head.  Yesterday I was contemplating hibernation (not attending social functions for a while, disconnecting from fb, etc.) because I was focused on "You can have too much of a good thing".  You can spend too much time with friends.  You can attend too many gatherings.  You can get too wrapped up in problems and drama that aren't even yours to worry about. You can eat too much pie.  Too much.

 Is seclusion the answer?  Is distancing myself from the world and the people that I love going to solve anything? If I don't invest my time and energy to help others, is that the person that I want to be?  I would expect them to be there for me if I needed them.  If I don't offer forgiveness when I expect forgiveness, is that a good example? Would He pull away when the tension was high and the risk seemed far greater than the reward?

Nope.

I was reminded by a few friends that drama is inevitable, it's part of life.  How I choose deal with it is my choice.  Even though I would prefer to avoid the drama altogether, that's just not the way life works.   I went to bed last night knowing that I was going to wake up refreshed and renewed. I prayed for it, I focused on it. Today, I'm ready to face the world with a smile rather than with my grumpy pants on (that I've had on all week).  I looked in my rear view mirror this morning and smiled at the magnificent sunrise pictured above.  I was hoping Grant would capture it for everyone to see (Thanks Grant)!

Super dooper excited to start the Advent/Christmas Bible Study!  I know a few of my favorite friends from church have decided to join the group. Just the thought of seeing them and Pastor Jen on a weekly basis, when I am feeling fresh out of strength, makes my heart happy.  I have a few special friends on my prayer list that could use the extra prayers and the Bible Study will allow extra time to focus my thoughts on them as I learn more of His word. 

Prayers for my Grandma.  Prayers for my Mom as she is once again in the position to call the shots with the doctors. Silent prayers of my heart.

I'm thankful for my faith.  I want to possess grace and give forgiveness. I want to help with the healing and see the wonder.  I want to feel, with passion, the words at the beginning of the post.  Even when the reward doesn't seem like it's worth the risk.  Even when it would be easier to fold on a hand.  Even when the pieces of glass are scattered about and sharp and out of place.  Because when the pieces are all fit together in a mosaic they are magnificent and beautiful.  Because I believe.

Friday's Friendly Fun: Turkey Day

 Pilgrim Benjamin

 Chief Aaron and Pilgrim Hosts

 The wildest Indian!



No, I was NOT kidding...we ALL wear head dresses or Pilgrim hats.  We had a wonderful evening full of food and fun.  We played Apples to Apples with Lilly...she's getting SO big!  I think our new tradition with my Mommy joining and Tori coming to play too, made this year easier for me. I was able to visit with friends every night this week, so no writing...just lots and lots of fun.  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

2011 Diva Fashion Sleepover

Lots and lots of wild and crazy girls.  Happy BirthMONTH children...can't wait for Christmas!

Friday Friendly Fun...Random Facts #3

Since I have already written two posts this week and still have to do one for Keegan, I really don't want to write one for Friday Fun.  (Sorry, just being honest)  But for the few people that follow via google reader, as a follower, or email subscription rather than clicking on the facebook link, I'll do a quick one for you guys:)

I'm picking to do a Random Facts though since it's fun and easy! I think it's number 3?

• My favorite color is purple.  The combination of blue and red has been my favorite color since I can remember! RGB (111,167,214), the one on this post, is the closest shade to my favorite I could find on blogger.
• I honestly believe that I am able to the difference between Desani water and other bottled water.  I like it better and think I could pass a taste test to prove it.
• I'm singing in a concert December 17th that I am really excited about.  Not my performance, but some of the other people that are singing are amazing! I'm really hoping the person that I want to accompany me says yes because I would like to get to know her better:)  Mark your calenders, it should be a great concert!
• I am having 12 little girls over tonight (if it were up to Lilly it would be 52)...15 kids, eight years old and under...fun fun fun!
• I started reading the Janet Evanovich series that starts with "One for the Money".  I'm currently reading Book 3 ("Three to Get Deadly") and LOVE IT.  I want to be a bounty hunter! If you haven't read any of her books, you should try them!  (Thanks Marci!)
• I have never received a speeding ticket, but I have been arrested:)

That's all I can come up with today!  Happy Friday!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Lil!

Lilly

Inspires

a Life full of

Laughter, Love and Joy

Yahoo!

Lilly read Camille's birthday post and now she can't wait to read hers...I hope I don't disappoint her! 

From the time Lilly Ayers Strong made her entrance into this world she has been a gift that never stops giving.  1:17 in room 711 on 11/17 (She will probably ask to know the exact second, too)! I remember moving back home, into the half-way house, and being consumed with fear and doubt. Soon I would be responsible for another human being, so tiny and small.  I didn't think I was ready.  I didn't know if I could do it.

I distinctly remember the little blue bath tub with green mesh, that fit so perfectly into the kitchen sink at our apartment above my Granny's house. I remember how a look of concern furrowed Lilly's eyebrow every time I carefully undressed her and placed her in the tub.  She would gaze at me, rarely crying, but always with a look of wonder and concern; as if she was deep in thought, even when she was barely a week old.  Why are you putting me into this water?  I like to be wrapped in the warm blanket and snuggled close to your heart, why are you taking off my clothes and dropping me into the unknown? As I comforted my baby, as I convinced her to trust me, I was also convincing myself that I could do it.  As I gained confidence in my ability to be trusted with this precious gift, I vowed to protect her, to the best of my ability, for as long as she will let me; to feed the wonder and excitement and to challenge her each day to be the best person she can be.

 Some of her facial expressions are the exact same as I remember from the very first months that we brought her home so teeny tiny...I could do without some of the new ones that she has learned (Eye rolling-where could she have picked that up? Must be school;)). The wonder is still very present and visible to the naked eye, no matter what task is at hand.  She still furrows her brow when she is deep in thought, when she isn't sure what the next step is or if she thinks she's right and whoever is talking is wrong!

She loves to be challenged and wants to do her very best at each activity she participates in.  She loves to sing and dance.  She takes her routines and performances very seriously, but smiles the most genuine, fun smile while she is on stage.  She likes to be the center of attention...I don't know where she gets that either! Must be school.

Reading is currently her passion.  She picks up her book as soon as she gets off of the bus and tunes the rest of the world out as she absorbs all the fun new ideas and concepts that are played out in the story lines.  She has always enjoyed reading, but lately it's all that she wants to do. She reads out loud to Camille and Keegan with inflection and expression; better than the majority of adults I have heard read out loud.

Other than when she is extremely tired, Lilly is wonderful with her siblings.  She helps them pick out clothes, put on shoes, holds their hand and so much more.  She is kind and caring to everyone she meets...sometimes because I make her, but most of the time because she wants to.  Thoughtfulness comes almost as easy to her as walking and talking did.  If she's in a bad mood it never lasts longer than 15 minutes. Her laugh is infectious. She remembers Everything. She has more friends than I do.  She's fun and funny and cherished by so many.

But what I love the most about my Little Lilly is our special bond.  She's too cool for everyone else’s kisses, but not mine.  She's too grown up to sit on people's laps, but not mine.  She gags when she doesn't want to eat something, just like I used to. We argue each night about who loves who more and I always end with loving her to infinity.  Lilly is one of a kind. She changed my life forever and I have no doubt she will continue to do so.  It is both my honor and my pleasure to be called her Mother.

Happy Birthday, Babe!