Of Carols, Bells, and Snow!

This week......ummm, I only had to work the first 3 days which was WAY cool! My boss went to NY on a business trip. So my week was DELICIOUSLY short. I thought I would have to work late hours because of it being short and because they were getting ready to go on a trip. However, they had the entire week off, both of them so I had easy hours, like 9-5 all three days. This is my very first time in my life that I get paid vacation! It just doesn't sink in, that I'm getting paid for having fun! Not that my job isn't fun, cause it is! But I mean just plain old fun like visiting with friends!

Monday night I went over to my mentor's house and visited with her. I love my mentor! She's been such a tremendous blessing in my life! I love her to pieces! This is totally weird, and I have only talked about it once with someone......(and that is because they told me they have this weird feeling)...but have you ever wanted to just disappear inside someone because you liked them that much? Okay, don't get any dirty ideas because I don't mean it in any dirty way. I hope no one reading this is the kind of jerk that would get a dirty idea! But sometimes I love people so much that I just want to disappear inside of them and be held there, right by their heart! Okay, laugh at me if you will, I know I'm strange. I'm the girl that smells every book that I lay hands on! I love the smell of old books and the smell of new books! Shall I stop now, so you don't find more out about how weird I am? LOL!

Tuesday night was shelter, like always. Wednesday night I was going to go to my mentor's house again and taking 2 friends along but that fell through so I went to my family for family night. That was enjoyable. Thursday all day I was with a friend I had not seen for a few years, I had went to school with her. We had lots to catch up on. Thursday night I went singing with Steve & Rhonda Hurst, we caroled at the Cocalico home. Friday all day I was at a widow's house with my mom and grandma. We talked alot and played Rummicube. The day flew so fast! I'm telling you, it is so COOL to get paid to do fun things like that.

Now this is what I have to write about Friday night...

Bells
~Edgar Allan Poe

Hear the sledges with the bells
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!
While the stars that oversprinkle
All the heavens, seem to twinkle
With a crystalline delight;
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells
From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells
From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

II

Hear the mellow wedding bells,
Golden bells!
What a world of happiness their harmony foretells!
Through the balmy air of night
How they ring out their delight!
From the molten-golden notes,
And all in tune,
What a liquid ditty floats
To the turtle-dove that listens, while she gloats
On the moon!
Oh, from out the sounding cells,
What a gush of euphony voluminously wells!
How it swells!
How it dwells
On the Future! how it tells
Of the rapture that impels
To the swinging and the ringing
Of the bells, bells, bells,
Of the bells, bells, bells,bells,
Bells, bells, bells
To the rhyming and the chiming of the bells!
III

Hear the loud alarum bells
Brazen bells!
What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!
In the startled ear of night
How they scream out their affright!
Too much horrified to speak,
They can only shriek, shriek,
Out of tune,
In a clamorous appealing to the mercy of the fire,
In a mad expostulation with the deaf and frantic fire,
Leaping higher, higher, higher,
With a desperate desire,
And a resolute endeavor,
Now - now to sit or never,
By the side of the pale-faced moon.
Oh, the bells, bells, bells!
What a tale their terror tells
Of Despair!
How they clang, and clash, and roar!
What a horror they outpour
On the bosom of the palpitating air!
Yet the ear it fully knows,
By the twanging,
And the clanging,
How the danger ebbs and flows:
Yet the ear distinctly tells,
In the jangling,
And the wrangling,
How the danger sinks and swells,
By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells
Of the bells
Of the bells, bells, bells,bells,
Bells, bells, bells
In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!

IV

Hear the tolling of the bells
Iron Bells!
What a world of solemn thought their monody compels!
In the silence of the night,
How we shiver with affright
At the melancholy menace of their tone!
For every sound that floats
From the rust within their throats
Is a groan.
And the people - ah, the people
They that dwell up in the steeple,
All Alone
And who, tolling, tolling, tolling,
In that muffled monotone,
Feel a glory in so rolling
On the human heart a stone
They are neither man nor woman
They are neither brute nor human
They are Ghouls:
And their king it is who tolls;
And he rolls, rolls, rolls,
Rolls
A paean from the bells!
And his merry bosom swells
With the paean of the bells!
And he dances, and he yells;
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the paean of the bells
Of the bells:
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the throbbing of the bells
Of the bells, bells, bells
To the sobbing of the bells;
Keeping time, time, time,
As he knells, knells, knells,
In a happy Runic rhyme,
To the rolling of the bells
Of the bells, bells, bells:
To the tolling of the bells,
Of the bells, bells, bells, bells
Bells, bells, bells
To the moaning and the groaning of the bells.

I have loved this poem for years! But what prompted me to look it up and share it with you all? This is what inspired me......last night we went on a hayride pulled by horses to Christmas carol. It was hanging around 29 degrees, so very cold. But so neat! There were two wagons, one that had no sides at all, just a lip to keep the hay bales on. The other one had seats and was a bit smaller, but also no sides. The one I went on was the one with haybales. The horses were work horses, with their stocky thick legs! They had bells on the horses. I was very mesmerized with the horses, watching their rumps bounce up and down to a rythmn of their own as they pulled us along. They were not always in sync though! It seemed as though they tended to drive in the middle of the road and they were lazy cause they are used to walking to do their work, not jog! Or whatever the proper word is for a horse who is walking faster than walking....maybe cantor??? It was so cool though to be on an old fashioned horse drawn caroling party! I had lots of clothing on and I was fine for most of the trip but I sure got cold for the last 45 minutes. We started at 7pm and got back at 10:45. We sang at 3 different places. Then we had lovely hot chocolate and cookies and cheese and meat for a snack afterward.

Today, Saturday I was going to go to a Christmas banquet, but that got canceled due to the weather. Oh, lovely snow. I cannot say how thankful I am that it came over the weekend. Glorious beautiful snow! Always a reminder that my sins are washed away, my heart is whiter than snow, thank you JESUS!!!!! I am loving this day, I keep looking out the window, it's hard for me to get anything done fast because I keep glancing out the window to see the awesome slideshow God put on just for me! It's captivating, to stare at the falling snow.

Sharon came home so it's nice to have someone to talk to and be snowed in with. I was going to have Junise overnight (a girl from the shelter) and take her to church in the morning but I'm not going anywhere now! And I wonder if there even will be church in the morning? I guess I'll have to wait and see! Sunday afternoon I was going to take Junise to carol on the streets of Lancaster with the Heart to Heart but that might be canceled too, I just don't know! Sunday night I have a family dinner with Mom's side of the family. Then after that I plan to carol with Steve's again, this time at Rhonda's parents! So I have a full weekend, and it was going to be fast paced and busy, but now it is so very deliciously lazy, thanks to the snow! My Jesus knows just what I need! Sometimes (too often) I have a hard time slowing down and when it snows like this I am forced to slow down and take it easy!

Anyway, I am totally "written out". Goodbye til next time!

Life is Good!

Well, it's been kinda long since I've taken time to write. I have some people reminding me that I need to get busy typing again! It's not that I don't enjoy keeping up a blog! I do enjoy it! It's just that it is hard to find time these days. Maybe I need to straighten up my priorities, eh?!:) I just wonder how many people even read it! I had given it only to certain people. Later on I found out maybe half of the people don't even read it. Oh, they did a few times but they don't follow up on it. You know what, that doesn't exactly encourage me to keep writing! If I'm going to bother to take the time then I would hope somebody reads it. I still want it to be private and only for certain people, those whom I select but.......well.....anyway, I know at least 2 people are reading it and I guess it's worth it if those 2 are at least! You know who you are, so I won't mention names!:)

My fingers hurt. I have two cracks in my hand. One on each hand. It hurts to type as well as every time I bump those spots, which is like constantly! So why am I typing when it hurts? Well, I finally have a bit of time to do this so I just have to grin and bear it! What does a person do for dry hands. It's worse at my new job because I am forever changing diapers and of COURSE I wash my hands after each change! I'm forever wiping things up so that doesn't help matters any. I clean every day and that is rude for my hands too:( I will have to find out what I can do for my hands besides putting lotion on often!

Well, this coming Saturday, Lord willing, I am having some friends over for a cookie bake/exchange. That should be fun! And I'm having a Bible study here and then in the evening I am going to my family Christmas dinner. That will be a fun day! Sunday is full too, I am going to church, then practice for a Christmas program that I'm helping with in the church, then go Christmas caroling on the streets of Lancaster, then help put on the program in my church Sunday night. Wow, I hadn't realized it's gonna be that full! Looks like one of those weekends that will have no rest for the weary. But I should be okay I think! I don't know when I'll wash but I'll worry about that then I guess!

Next week should be easier on me I believe! I have off for Thursday and Friday. But I'm already packing those days full! Thursday I have some errands to do as well as visit with a married friend I have not seen in ages! Friday I plan to spend with a widow friend who is like family to me. So my special days off are taken up already! But it's with good things, things that don't just benefit me!

Life is not all good. I wrote that title because I want to focus only on the good! I have had some struggles recently and they were nasty ones that were hard to shake off! But as far as I know, for the moment anyway, Me and God got it all taken care of. But even as I speak, I'm sure that spiteful old enemy is seeing what he can come up with next, nasty old devil. I sure can't wait to enter that realm where he will not be able to mess with me! Maranatha! I used to ask God to wait to rapture His church til I get married, I want so badly to experience married life and I know there won't be marriage in heaven! However, I fully believe that our marriage to God and all the other pleasures there will far exceed any joys that an earthly marriage can bring forth! So with that being said, I am ready to be beamed up to my Abba this very moment! Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Work is going well. I really like my job. I do wish someone would give me advice on how to get the children to respect me more. I know they like me but they don't respect me. This meaning that they don't listen to me very well. I don't know if I need to be more firm. I don't want to be this meanie old ogre that is forever putting them on time out but at the same time if I let everything slide now, will I ever be able to establish order and immediate obedience? This is not a boot camp, but it surely would be nice to hear a "Yes Dawn" when I ask them to do something instead of a "NO, NO, NO"!!! Little Evan used to say "okay" so sweetly alot of the time but more and more I hear him copy his brother and say NO when I ask him to do something. Even simple things like when I ask him to come here he simply ignores me and doesn't come or he says no. I am forever running after him because he simply don't listen. And at home I was taught that when you are told to stop something, you do it immediately, we got punished if we did it one or two more times, like say you were making an obnoxious noise or hitting someone or spraying water or whatever it was we had to stop PROMPTLY. Well, these boys don't know the definition of obedience or PROMPT!! ARGH! I do hope I can come up with something to help them listen! I can't lay a hand on them so I need to be creative in other ways........

Well, I must close now and I promise I will try my best to write again sooner!!!

2 Weeks Into my New Job

I cannot believe it's been 2 weeks since my new career started! I love it so far! I have not had terrible much time alone, Lorelle has been coaching me most of the time. I had some half days alone though. The time flies when I'm there though. I think it helps that I have to keep a schedule. Everything takes so much time because kids are slow and dawdle around alot and make excuses and run their mouths, etc.! It varies so far as to what time I have to start. Sometimes it's 6:30 and sometimes it's 7:30 and sometimes it's 8. It's always going to be one of those 3. But this week since Heather is going to be home to be available if I need her, I start at 9. Lorelle is completely done now and I'm on my own. It's nice that Heather will be there, probably mostly upstairs in her office but just knowing she is there if I need someone....well.....that's comforting. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I do the laundry. Reece goes to school Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. It's easier when he is in school. But I have done 2 crafts with him so far on the day's he's been home and that goes well. He is a smart 5 year old and catches on fast. He colors very neatly, it amazes me. He could be in 4th grade for the way he colors. He is a totaly genius except for his social skills, they really lack. He gets frustrated when he gets punished or when he is told to do something he doesn't want to and he back talks, etc. He has an odd way of showing affection, as in he comes up and does karate kicks and punches and is FOREVER pretending to shoot me. His dad says they figured out that is his way of showing a display of affection. That will take some getting used to for me, because I do NOT take kindly to those kinds of displays!!!!!! They irritate me greatly! I must remember at all times that he doesn't mean anything bad by it. I see how his 2 year old brother Evan watches and mimics and I just hope and pray that he does not imitate that weirdness! I don't know if I can abide 2 boys coming at me with punches and kicks and machine gun noises and play pistols right in my face! But Reece is very loveable all the times he's not acting like that and we have intelligent conversations, well, intelligent for his age anyway!:) He does lie sometimes and that is gonna be something I hope to work on because lying is one of the sins I hate the worst.

Evan is very loveable and sweet but his downfall is being Mr. Whiny Pants! He does alot of that if he doesn't get his way. But then other times when I tell him something he says, "OKAY" in a precise enunciation! He is so cute.

Lyla is a dolly and she is a content child most of the time. She crawls so fast and it's a challenge to keep after her. Seems I turn my back for literally only 3 seconds and she is completely out of sight that fast. She likes to put small things in her mouth----yikes! I cannot leave her for even 1 second without putting the baby gate at the top of the steps (when I'm cleaning upstairs) because she immediately heads for the steps. How does a baby know exactly what she must NOT do??? GRRRR!

One day when I was cleaning the bathrooms and all 3 boys were playing in the bedroom across from me, she got her finger slammed in the door. And another day I was cleaning upstairs and I had Lyla in the crib. Evan was walking around and I turned around just in time to witness him bite Lyla's finger through the crib rail! What next? Can't I EVER take my eyes off Lyla? Good grief, I would have thought he is old enough not to bite! Argh!

The other day I made cupcakes and Dexter said it smelled like heaven. I know they like baked things and he said they will be delighted if I bake. I love baking, so maybe I'll get to do that some days. I have a feeling it won't be on days that Reece is home and not wash days so that leaves Tuesday only to bake!

This week will be sweet because I have Monday-Wednesday as a 9-5 day and then I get Thursday off of course. Friday I am planning to go Black Friday shopping and then go to work. I hope to be at work by 9AM.

On Monday a good friend is taking me out for dinner. So that will be great.....to just relax and not cook. It would be my week to cook. Sharon is gonna be in NY all day so she won't be here to eat anyway. Thurs. I won't have to cook either because it's Thanksgiving and I won't be home!

On Saturday I felt like I got alot done. My car is cleaned, inside and out! Looks so jolly good handsome!:) And I changed my plate to a different one. I got a box of crafts sorted very neatly so that gave me satisfaction. Now I will be able to find things in it once again. I got some shopping done. In the evening I went to Hoss's with Heart to Heart as a farewell for James. Then I went to a candy making party and helped to finish up on that.

Tonight I don't know what all I will do. First I got to get to bed and nap instead of typing on the computer!!!!!! God bless you all with a wonderful week!

A New Path

I can hardly believe that the day is all but here....the day that I have been dreaming of for a whole year! No, it's not the day that Jesus raptures His church! That has been on my mind for many years!!! I'd choose that above all else! No, this is the day I start my dream job, a nanny job! Will I know how to act? Will I know when to be firm and when to let things go? Can I go from a single's life to a "mom" of 3 children without being stressed out? Oh, I won't have a problem loving the kids! You see, I have spent 2 half days already with them and that is definitely not a problem! They are sweet children! I think I shall bond quickly with the 2 youngest. But it's the oldest, the 5 year old, that I hope I can win. I hope I can keep from being irritated at him. He seems to crave attention and he is very intelligent for his age. I hope I can spur him on to learn more and not just get frustrated when he gets smart alecky! I will have to get adjusted to shooting motions and loud "pow! boom!" noises. I really don't like loud noises but boys seem to like them and the 2 half days I was there, the oldest seemed to be all over that! Sigh! I don't like when kids act like they are shooting others either, so I will have to learn to put up with that too, unless I decide that I have the authority to tell them they may not pretend to shoot around me!

My heart's plea to God is that I can impact these little lives for His kingdom. I need to be a consistent godly example, one that they can fully trust, that they can respect and honor. God, help me to do that! With YOUR help I can! I believe that the parents might go to church but I have no idea what their relationship with God is. The fact that they go to church doesn't say a whole lot, only that they might have an interest in God.

I'm really hoping that I can get on a schedule of taking the kids to the library every week or every other. I love books and I like reading to kids so if I can take them weekly and have them pick out some books that'd be swell. It might be interesting to have to keep them together and make sure no books get lost but I think it could be done! Moms do it so I guess I can too! I'm also hoping to do crafts with them. I like crafts alot and I think I could get them excited about crafts. I never had a hard time being a sales lady, in other words I do have the gift of persuasion in some areas and I believe I could get the kids interested whether or not they are already!

Today was a fine and dandy day. I slept in of course. Why not, on my last day before my new job! Last night I got my last pictures put in an album....they'd been out the entire year so far and now my table is finally clean. Looks so nice! Now my printer is finally off the floor and I won't have to bend over to print stuff. My scrapbooking stuff is all tucked away and in it's case under the table. I finished some of my odds and ends that I really wanted to finish before I start work. Now updating my blog is the second to last thing on my list. The next thing I have to do is write letters. I don’t know if that will get done because soon I have to get ready to sing. I’m singing in the quartet tonight, with the Hursts.

Today my sister and mom came over. My sis just got back from Kentucky last night. She was there for 3 months, helping at a home with prison babies and handicapped people. I had not seen her for those 3 months. She stopped in last night a few minutes after midnight so I saw her then but just briefly. So she came over at noon and we had Papa John’s pizza and we had a nice time. She looked at the 4 picture albums I did while she was away and I looked at her pictures from Kentucky. Now I’m feeling sleepy but I must soon eat and get ready to sing. I feel like I’m coming down with a sore throat. It really doesn’t hurt yet but you know how it sometimes just feels like you’re getting something, kinda like a draggy feeling. Yuck! I hope it’s just a notion and doesn’t amount to anything!

Oh, how could I forget that I was at the dentist this morning! I was not in the mood, not that I’m ever in the mood! I was so afraid I’d have a cavity but I prayed and I asked my mentor to pray and thank you Jesus I had no cavities. I have so many fillings in my mouth that I don’t want to think about any more of them!

Well, I guess I won’t write again til I’ve started my new job. I’ll have lots to write about, I suppose!

Church, hayrides

I'm not sure what I'm even gonna write about this time around! I have been told that I need to update again! I have a faithful friend who faithfully reminds me when I'm slacking off! You know who you are girl! ARGH!:) Love you anyway!

Sunday night was a good night. Well, let me start with the morning! In the morning I went to a friend's church. She told me it's the penecostal/holy roller type of church where people get slain in the spirit and speak in tongues. Now I don't have a problem with being somewhat charismatic, with moderation. I tend to be charismatic and emotional myself! I don't have a problem with the speaking in tongues type of people either because that is biblical as long as there is an interpreter. But when it comes to "slain in the spirit" well, ummmm, let's just say it makes me uncomfortable. I cannot speak against it directly because I don't know what spirit is making them fall over but it surely gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it. I was brought up to use moderation and be in control of your body, one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. So anyway, I shall not speak against it because I cannot judge but I surely don't welcome it to happen around me! So I went to that church and it was okay. I liked the worship and the preaching. No one fell over so it was alright!

In the afternoon I went to visit some friends and then in the evening I went on a hayride. Was a nicely crisp evening for that.

Tomorrow I am having a teaparty for an 8 year old girl. She loves pretty things so this will be fun for both of us. On Thursday I'm taking supper to my cousin in Myerstown. So my week is really cut out for me.

Well, it's time for work. I'd have more to write but I need to go to work. God bless til next time.

On Some ordinary day......

Like today the Lord will come! I had to think of that song and also the song "What a beautiful day for my Lord to come again" these last couple of days. As I drive to and from work and I see the AWESOME clouds, I just think of how it would feel to start floating up. I can just imagine those puffy white cotton candy clouds being pushed aside as my Lord splits open the sky and beams His church up to meet Him! I SURE CAN'T WAIT!! I always get teary when I think of that. With all my heart I am ready and anticipating His coming! Maranatha! There's also a song called "This may be the Cloud He's coming back in". I love that one too! You know, when I was little and we had those Arthur Maxwell Bible stories and in the 10th book there is a picture of people rising up out of their graves, that made a huge statement to me, a huge impression! I am a very visual person, with visual memory. I have not seen that picture for years but I can see it clear as day! Also, there is a picture in there of a person looking out of the window, watching for the Lord to come. That picture put some worries into my little head back then though. I was worried that what if I am sleeping when the Lord comes back? The Bible says to watch at all times! I can't watch when I'm sleeping! Oh, the innocently pure worries of a child. How little my worries were back then! How big my worries are now! I must perpetually remind myself that God will take care of His people. I have nothing to fear and what I do fear is stuff I'm bringing on myself!

Sunday was my birthday. I cannot believe that I am 28 already. Seems unreal. I feel like I am still 19/21. It's the feeling that counts, not the fact, right! At least in this situation. I had a co-worker, namely Lisa King, who was mean enough to tell me that I am OLD and that I need to start taking into consideration that it's about time for me to use a cane! She's so mean to me, but I love her anyway!:) I had a good birthday. It was pretty relaxing. I was at church in the morning. We had a very good sermon on slothfulness for Sunday school and the main sermon was on.......oh, goodness it was very good and spoke to me but do you think I can remember what it was on right now??? ARGH! It's not may age either!!!!!!! I just had a brain fart, that's all! I will think of it as soon as I close my blog, I'm sure. Anyway, then we had a fellowship dinner at church. Very nice! And then I went home and was going to sleep but I gabbed with my brother for an hour and a half and I did a few small things and maybe dozed off a little but not worth talking about. Then I went to Todd and Merci Brill for supper and the evening. They were so sweet to me and sang happy birthday and gave me nice gifts and the supper was good. Todd gave me a book that I had wanted very badly. I'd seen it somewhere and was carrying it around to buy and suddenly I put it back. I was low on money and just couldn't condone buying it at the time. And now I have it. Wasn't that a hug from God???!! I'm telling you, my Abba looks out for His kids!:) Merci gave me some hair stuff. She is helping me take care of my hair so that my hair can actually be my crowning glory like the Bible says, for my husband some day! So she gave me some good quality stuff to use on my hair. So I had a lovely birthday.

Oh, and Mom made my day, she mowed the lawn for me. I have really grown to despise mowing the lawn. So that was a wonderful gift that she did it for me. We do not have a bagger and Mom brought her mower and bagged it. So now our lawn looks very attractive! My mom's a sweetheart!

And, my dear friend Doris surprised me Saturday and she really made my day! She came to King's and dropped off a birthday cake and a gift. She made me feel loved!

Saturday night I was scrapbooking with about 6 other girls. They weren't all scrapbooking but we had a socializing party and each one was doing something. Some had needlework. So our mouths went as fast as our hands!:) We also went out for supper to Squireside Cafe. I had never eaten there before but it was good.

Thursday before we went singing, Rhonda and Steve had me over for supper. Each of the children gave me something too. It was all very special. I have such wonderful friends and family. I must remember to make others feel this special on their birthdays too! You know, like that country song "Circle of Love". Keep it going!

So now I'm already thinking of Valentine's Day. I love hearts and girly things and I'm not going to pretend that it won't hurt this year when my best friend Sharon has a sweetheart to share Valentine's Day with. I'm determined that instead of feeling sorry for myself, I will take it upon myself to make others feel loved, others who are single too. We can have a loving party for us single girls and lost love up on eachother!!!!! How bout it????!!!! We could even exchange Valentine's gifts! I always wondered how it would feel to get a cuddly soft doggie or teddy bear that says I LOVE YOU! Maybe the other girls feel the same way! I could have a fancy party at my house with dessert and send out lovely invitations and we could each bring a gift and play "Now you have it now you don't" with all Valentine stuff....Hmmmm, the ideas are really whirling in my head now!!!! Hey, Doris, remind me in Jan. lest I forget! I would have you and Bethany and Sharon and a few others of my single friends.

Well, it's past bedtime, I got a little carried away there, didn't I? Seems to be a habit here of late.........or....wait, maybe it has been a lifetime habit.........!!!

Normal Week

Well, I'd say this was a very normal week. Nothing out of the ordinary happening. On Wednesday I had my normal day off and it was maybe abnormal compared to what I have had the last many days off. For once I was a little bit more free than normal. Too often I plan things and then I don't even get to sleep in! Well, I got to sleep in and I went to get my license with Mom. That was in the same complex as Goodwill so we shopped in there as well. I miss our Ephrata Goodwill. I like Salvation Army better because they have half price items every Wednesday but I don't get there as often as I'd like because it's farther. The Ephrata Goodwill had a fire a couple months ago and I sure wish they'd open up again. I have found good stuff there. They are not as organized as Salvation Army or as big but I like em just the same! There fire was just in the back of the storage but I'm assuming it set sprinklers off and if it did, then I can understand that they'd have alot of water marks, i.e. stinky clothes to wash. Things might smell like smoke too.

Wednesday night was preparatory service instead of discipleship class. Then of course on Sunday was Communion. I like the way they do Communion. They have a pew at a time come up and get their bread and drink the wine (grape juice). It doesn't take long. Sunday afternoon I hung out with the Brills and my brother. Oh, what a nice time we had. Oh, and Saturday night I was at the Brills for a cookout. That was a great time as well. Sunday night Bethany and Sharon Martin came and we played Bible Challenge. I have really begun to like the game. My friend Amy Bryant was kind enough to read the directions and teach me how to play. I don't like reading the directions, it drives me crazy. So I am grateful to Amy because now I know how to play the game and others love it too. First we played "oh, my word" and then Bible challenge. We had so much fun that the last girl left at 12:10.

Tonight, Monday, I was at a birthday party for Trivette Rhoads. He turned 3. What a cutie he is. His parents had cake and icecream and a little party for him.

Tuesday night is the work banquet for King's employees. I look forward to that. I usually have fun at those.

Wednesday night is discipleship class and Thursday night I have free and Friday night I get Johann Brill for the weekend. We'll see how he likes working with me at King's cause I have to work that day. I got tickets for a Ken Davis night and I look forward to that. Saturday night I'll probably go out to eat with him.

Well, have a good week everybody!

Talents, Inspirations, Discipline!

Oh, boy, where do I begin? I'll start with that I've been struggling with this past LONG while! Can you guess? Discipline! Who can tell me the importance of discipline? What must I do to learn it? Must a great calamity fall upon me so I get the drift? God forbid, but let me learn an easier way! But how can I teach it to myself? Let me explain what I mean by discipline! Eating is one of them. Our body is supposed to be subject to us, not us to it. So I should teach it that it does not get whatever it wants, when it wants it, right? Why is it that I have a huge problem with that? It seems like I cannot stand it when my stomach is growling, I just have to eat! But sometimes it should not be hungry, it just thinks it is! Why can't I ignore it and not eat? The other huge thing is bedtime. It's only gotten worse this past while and I'm so annoyed with myself. I know that our body is the temple of the Holy God and as a Christian, it is my duty to take as best care of it as I possibly can. So why can't I hike off to bed when it's time and my body is saying it's tired? It's like I'm possessed with an insane urge to finish certain things first and night after night after night it gets way too late for a girl like me to be up! It'd be one thing if I'd be up that late praying. But no, that's the sad thing, I get into bed and it's so very late and I just crash, I don't have time to say much of a prayer, just a short one for a few of my favorite people. GRRR! But if I go to bed without geting certain things done, I'd probably lie there and not be able to sleep because I know that work is still waiting to get done. Oh, can someone help me discipline myself. I don't want to get mono or some other sickness, if I do I will be so sorry that I did not take better care of my body. Maybe I should be accountable to someone. Sigh, but that's a bother too! Oh, and excercise is another fault of mine. It's not a first priority, and how do I make it one? I need to burn more calories but I will be honest and say I just really don't enjoy exercising. It's just not very fun and there's oh, so much other stuff to do that is more appealing. Can someone scare me or convict me or something so that I put my priorities on the right place and use self discipline before God takes it into His hands!

Okay, the other thing is talents. I am so inspired today, being at Uncle Dick's memorial. He was such a wonderful man. If I live to be 79, will others be able to say as many good things about me as they did about him? He was talented in so many things. The list is just long. But, he used every one of his talents, he milked em for all they were worth. I feel so little and useless compared to him. He would not want me to feel that way at all, I know that. He would hate that. But at the rate I'm going right now, what will I have to show for my life by the time I'm 79? What do I have to show for being 27? Have I used the talents that God gave me to their fullest or am I just floating along with the breeze, enjoying what happens to come my way? Am I grumbling that I don't have more talents or that I don't have the talents that I wish I had? There was not a lazy bone in Dick's body. He worked like an animal, yet somehow he had time for all his friends. I am a workaholic, but I don't always take time for my friends, and that's scary because friends do not stay friends if you do not nurture relationships. I tend to spend time with them when it suits me best, and if they call and I have other things planned I say no. I don't think Dick was that way at all, if someone wanted to visit him I believe he dropped his things and spent time with them. I know I have writing talent and I do use that, but I don't think I'm using it as much as I could be. I don't know, I'm just feeling pretty small right now and wondering where to even start! I just really have not done as much for others as I wish I would have by now. How can I know when it's time to just let my work sit and go make some old lady's day by visiting her, or let my work sit and go help a busy mom who's in despair with her workload? I have the ability to go farther in school. Why didn't I? I loved school and I could have gone to college. But I didn't want to spend the money, I wanted to earn money instead. Was I selfish? But do you have to do everything you are capable of doing just because you have the capability to do it? No! LOL! I know that much! I guess I just need to get prayed up some more and ask Jesus to show me where I am not using my talents to the fullest and to help me be in the center of His will, not just on the outskirts!

Does anyone else struggle with any of these things? Am I alone? No, I won't believe I'm alone! The devil likes to isolate people in their problems, but that strategy doesn't work with me because I know better. If no one leaves comments then I will know you all are just not admitting to anything:):):)

Sometime I have some other questions that I want folks to answer on but right now this is enough. I want to hear your advice and suggestions on this first! So, now your job is to let me know what you think!!!!!!!

Another week of God's Grace

Well........I keep wanting to post another question for my readers to comment on but time keeps running away from me:( One of these days........so in the meantime I'll just write normal stuff that doesn't take much thought or many brains.....

Last night I got word that Dick James may not live more than a week.....or a day for that matter. Sounds like he's doing very poorly. I know it sounds awfully cruel to pray that someone could just die, but that's what I pray because the poor man has been suffering so much from his cancer. I hope he just dies in his sleep and very soon, too. He is not eating really anything and hospice is helping him to be comfortable as much as they can. His poor wife Pat is run ragged. She doesn't sleep much when she hears him stir or moan. Their dear daughter Cindy is there alot, pretty much every night, God bless her. Cindy's reward will be great in heaven because she has helped out the Jameses so much as well as taken care of her inlaws. I'm just waiting to get a call any day now that Dick has moved to his new home.

I was sick all day yesterday. So far I feel good today........do I dare to even say that???? Oh, well, I do not believe in superstition so I may say what I wish and that will not change anything! I do not normally get stomach flues, hardly even once a year, but I sure had something yesterday. I had a bitter taste in my mouth all day and didn't know if I dared to eat but I managed to keep food down. I wasn't sure if I should sing with Steve's in the evening but I did that too. I felt very refreshed to sing and wished we could have sung longer. I miss choir so badly, wish I could be in it this time.

Speaking of choir reminds me why I am not in it this time around. The church I attend, Living Waters, is having their discipleship courses every Wednesday night for anyone transferring membership. So I am married to that, every Wednesday night. So far we've had an introductory one and lesson 1. 11 more Wednesdays to go, which will take us into the first week of December. Yuck, December, let's not think on that:( I don't want winter to be here yet. Sigh! I am forever bothered by how fast time flies, and no one encourages me, but they rather discourage me because they all say it gets worse as you get older........wah!

On Saturday if nothing changes, I think I shall just be lazy and scrapbook my heart out again! Well, that's not really lazy at all, it's just working as you're sitting down:) So I hope I can do that because I need to get my pictures in so badly! I have not done any pics for this year yet besides Israel pics. I have not even put in my moving pictures......I was working on that when I went to Israel and now I've been doing Israel pics ever since. Work fast, Dawn, work!:) But I want it to be really neat and full of new ideas so I'm taking my good old time. Rather neat and slow than fast and sloppy.

Sunday I have a tea party to attend. I am SOOOOOO looking forward to that. I love dressing up Victorian and it just sounds like a pile of fun. Then in the evening, I have a baptism to attend. Johann Brill gets baptized. So my weekend is cut out for me, not a chance of boredom.

Well, that's all for now, maybe next time I will actually get to write my debateable material for you all to comment on!

Longwood Garden, Misc.

Well, it seems like awhile since I wrote. Well, this weekend from Thursday til Sunday morning, I had a guest at my house. My friend/adopted sis Amy Bryant stayed at my house. It was great to see her again. We had fun shopping at the Tanger Outlets on Friday. Amy got some goodies. On Saturday we went to the BEAUTIFUL Longwood Gardens. I had not been there for a little while. I saw it over Christmastime twice and saw it in the summer once when I got my pictures taken there. So this was at least the 4th time I have been there. Oh, but it is so worth the money. Now that I have my own house, I appreciate it even more when I see all the work that goes into a flower garden. It’s time consuming and tough to keep everything in tip-top shape! We enjoyed the water fountains in the Italian garden, especially. I could write poems to that sound, if only I was left to myself at that spot. And, I would love to spend time there with God, just me and Him. I need to find that sign that they have on metal, you know, to put in a garden. The sign reads: The ___ of the ___ for pardon, the kiss of the sun for mirth, one’s nearer to God in a garden, than anyplace else on earth! I forget some of the words but anyway I love the saying. After we got done at the gardens, we ate at Applebee’s and then we went to Lancaster to a furniture shop. We found an ice cream place where they actually make the ice cream on the premises. It’s really a cute place and all kinds of unique flavors. I had a banana nut bread ice cream, so yummy! I tasted a mint sample and that was very refreshing. Next, we went to Salvation Army and Ollies. Then we went home and I had the Brill boys for the evening. We ordered Papa John’s pizza. It was a lovely evening. Amy liked the Brills like I thought she would.
This week was normal. Today I worked for my aunt. It’s been ages since I’ve been there. I cleaned her pantry. I love organizing stuff so that was right down my alley. I shopped at Horning’s a little. Found some pears for $6.50 a basket. Found some cream of chicken soup for 3/$1. I wish the bent and dent places down this way would be as cheap as Horning’s. It seems like food is more plentiful and better priced up through. GRRR!
By the way, I love living at my house. I am so thrilled we get to stay another year. God is so good! I did not want to move and it just seems like an awful lot of work to only live there a year. What will happen after that? I’m not gonna worry about that. That would be borrowing tomorrow’s trouble and I have enough in the current time to add to that! Now that Sharon’s dating, I could perhaps have to find another housemate til then but I’m not going to think about that either. For all I know, maybe I’ll be courted by my future husband til then too! Part of the adventure of serving God is that you never know what the future holds. It could be mighty exciting, or it could have a lot of grief, or some of both. But, this one thing I know: my God is bigger than life itself and because I am one of His kids, I get to inherit a mansion in the end so whatever it takes to get there is okay. I already know He is in control and He promised to take care of me and give me the best. What more could I ask for? I feel bad for those who don’t claim Him as their Daddy. They’re missing out BIG TIME!
I really had a stressful day yesterday. This is a holiday weekend and we expect to get some extra business at the store. So yesterday I was putting out the Christmas stuff. Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s ridiculous how early we have to put seasonal stuff out. I don’t like it at all. I get tired of the season before it’s even here. And, you know how fast time goes? Well, it seems to even hurry the year along! And, we got tons of stuff in and I was so tired til I was able to come home. And we had gotten a lot of Dunn plaques and picture in and there’s a bunch of walls to do Sigh! My feet were sore by lunch time already from working so hard.
Wednesday night we went to church. It was the first of 12 more meetings for the discipleship program they use for transferring membership. That will be every Wednesday night til December. I have to skip choir this time around, which really disappoints me but that’s part of life I guess.
Well, that’s all for now.

So Much to say, so Little Time!

Oh, goodness, me, where do I start. I was planning to start writing this quite some time ago today and I keep getting interrupted with other things. And, a certain person (you know who you are) threatened me that I had better get my blog updated or else! LOL! So, I can't back out even though it's late:) Oh, well, that's okay then it's done for the next few days!

I am excited to see my friend Amy Bryant from VA. She is coming on Thursday evening and staying til Sunday. I am already planning meals and what all we might do together. The main thing is to gab! We have so much to talk about! I have not see her since.......I don't know when. Could be 6 months. I first met her when I went to Israel the first time. We really hit it off. So that's my highlight for the week. I have to work til Thurs then I'll have off Friday-Sunday to be with her.

I just got back from a very enriching vacation. I was at Harvey Cedars at a Bible conference. I was there an entire 7 days. What a pleasure. We had solid meals every day and yippee, I didn't have to cook!:) I like cooking, but it's nice to have a break too. There was a session in the morning, and one in the evening but in between we had time to go to the beach, which was walking distance. You know, the place was so different from anywhere I've ever been. The place was just permeated with God. All my friends know how closely I lock things, I am so very private and I don't trust anyone for anything. Well, guess what, more often than not, I let my door unlocked to my bedroom and sometimes not even latched! So that tells you something about the place. So there was my purse with all my credit cards and wallet and my laptop and camera and I felt free to come and go as I pleased, never once worrying that it might not be there when I got back! And the beach, I don't know how to explain it, but I felt God there too, in a different way than any other beach. Instead of it just being a beauty show, or a "Let's see how close to nude we can get" show, the majority of the folks dressed decently, and some of they guys even wore shirts. I didn't sense the spirit of lust there.

Oh, what fun I had on the beach! The Brills are who I went with. Johann helped me learn how to boogie board better. He often told me when to jump on it and head in on the waves and most of the time he judged right! He taught me to body board. And this was the first time I ever jumped waves. We went to the beach every single day and I saw one full sunrise on it. Talk about feeling little and insignificant! Go watch it yourself if you need to be put on your face before the Lord! It's humbling and yet exciting to know that the God we serve is the one who paints such glorious sunrises! It gives me great joy to be able to say, "Hey, that's my Daddy!" If He can do that, why in the world am I afraid of anything? Surely if my Daddy can do such dazzling artwork then he can and he will take care of me. Which brings me to my favorite verses at the end of Romans 8: Nothing can separate us from the Lord....and we are MORE than conquerers. I just love dwelling on those verses!

The sermons at the conference were very inspiring and challenging. I love having church every day. If I could make a living by listening in church every day, well, you'd know where to find me!:) We had 2 different speakers and the funny thing is that the one with the least amount of training is who I liked best! He never went to any seminary school, etc. Yet the Spirit of the Lord just poured out through him. It was such a blessed retreat to meet God there every day and to be with the Brills every day, who I love very much. Oh, and the singing at the worship service was great! I love praise and worship songs. One evening we sat on the porch and sang. That was a highlight.

One day we went to the Barnegate Light. It was so beautiful. The waves were mesmerizing, almost hypnotizing, how they kept smacking against the rocks and spraying up in the air. I loved it! I stood there for an awfully long time just watching. Merci is a shell collector so she was busy finding treasures. The lighthouse was so nice to see too. I remember I went deep sea fishing here before, but oh, how sick I was then! I hope to never feel that sick again. I really didn't care if I died that time. I don't think I will ever try to deep sea fish again. So now I have a new memory of Barnegate light, one much more pleasant to remember.

Well, that will have to be enough for now because my bed is calling me. Goodbye til later!

Rubies continued

I can't figure out how to edit my former post.....my internet connection took a dump and I couldn't seem to get it back to add so I guess I'll just finish it on another post. Happened before and I always figured it out before but I'm feeling too dim to try it now. Well, I already did and I'm tired of it! So another thing they did for mini class was gel candles. They did not look forward to Ballfield activities. I think it was fun once they were out there but they'd never admit that. It was mostly relays. We all enjoyed swimming.

On Thursday night since it was the last night we had a party. I had taken chips, cookies, and soda and we played a candy game, with 30 different candies. A few of them were not familiar with the candies but some of them were. The ones that got alot shared with the others. Thursday night we helped with the Talent Show. We did a play on Tacky and the Emperor. I had never heard of that before but it seemed to be well known. My cabin was with April's and she was there for years so she knew how to organize our play. We also put on a program of songs for the parents when they picked up their girls.

4 of my 9 girls made a decision for Christ, including the two that I thought would have attitudes. So I really had a great time. God was good to me........again!

Well, I must get ready to go away.....even though it's storming. See you all later!

Rubies Camp

Well, what a week! I was at Rubies Girl Camp all week as a counselor! Here's an excerpt from my journal on Tuesday: Looks like I don't have internet access. Yesterday was okay. It looked like a terribly long week ahead of me:( We are having more cabin time than what I was informed of and over my years of traveling, I have learned to pack less and less, instead of taking the entire kitchen sink! So I had not really brought extra stuff to do along:( You can tell I'm not a teacher, because I did not take into consideration that the girls might be deathly quiet til they get to know eachother! Nor the fact that the silence would be very uncomfortable and that they would be all relying on me to make the conversation! I guess I am used to the city girls and they warm up fast, normally. Depends on their personality but usually they are talkative pronto. So, they had a small talk with us counselors and made us feel a little more in control. But then we got to our cabins and were to wait til the girls come in, little by little. I didn't wait long but it sure was uncomfortable.......one comes........you ask their name......they say but then silence.........you ask where they go to church.....then silence.......where they go to school.....silence.........what hobbies they have.......silence.....another girl comes in......same questions..........silence.....only answers and nothing else! Sigh! I had assumed alot would know eachother because alot of them have come here for years in a row. Well, I have two girls who are in a click, but all the others didn't really know eachother. How incredibly hard at first, to keep them occupied. I finally started the Apples to Apples game and even then I tried to encourage table talk and it was only me talking.......:( I really worried if they are even going to like me. City girls are the huggy type normally and when you ask them questions they get friendly right away and you can touch them and they're just a blast. Mennonite girls.....well, it felt like a bunch of icecubes that I didn't dare touch to make them melt! Silence and a few exchanged glances.....yikes, I wish it was Friday! Lord, can't it just be Friday already? Please? Oh, and I was slightly intimidated by the counselor closest to me......she was putting welcome gifts on each girls bed, a pack of gum with a little note. She was there for quite a few years so she's used to this. And today I saw all her girls carrying water canteens. I just hope my girls don't think I'm a dud. I seriously have to be tight right now and I think what I am giving them is enough but I know teen girls can get attitudes. I hope they don't look at the other counselor and wish they had her instead.

Well, we finally did a few things on the schedule but then we had more free time. Thank God I thought of Swat. That really got us to learn eachother's names. I am lacking greatly when it comes to memorizing names but I found out it was as hard for them to be in the middle as it was for me. We played it for almost a half hour and I say that really engraved the names in our minds. Before that, one of the organized games they had was to put on a frozen T-shirt. The shirt had been frozen (while it had been saturated with water) and we had to pull it out of a ziploc bag and unthaw it with our bodies and unfold it and have someone put it on. That was a challenge. My cabin was one of the winners. By this time they warmed up just a little.

By bedtime we actually had everyone talking. What a blessed relief! Maybe it will be fun after all and normal. I'm praying for 0 attitudes. The only ones I have to watch with eagle eyes are the two girls that know eachother. Sometimes they whisper or exchange looks so I have to somehow be a boss yet a friend simultaneously. Where do you draw that line?

It's tiring to me, to be so constant on watching the clock. Is that what teachers have to do all school term? Wow, tiring! It makes the day go fast but it's just plain tiring. Last night we really had fun talking and telling stories and I had to command them to stop talking finally! I would rather have that problem than silence.

Today has been good. Last night I gave them the pencils and I had a devotional on a pencil and how we are like pencils. Today during cabin freetime I have them the journals and stickers and got out my markers, pencils, etc. Some of them really seemed to like it but the two girls who know eachother kind of acted like maybe they thought it wasn't cool. They are the kind of girls who are COOL, and they have fashion and right from first sight of them I could tell they are the "clickish" kind of girls who can make fun of others they don't think are "in". So I have to be careful with them. So far it's been good though. One of them asked me if this is their gift then and I said it is. She didn't say anything so maybe she was just asking but I hope she wasn't thinking she wishes it was more. Okay, I have to stop trying to read into something that may not be there! You know I do that sometimes!:) I had them decorate them and one girl had the awesome idea to all sign eachothers on the back. So they all did that. Kelsey, one of the "click" girls even had me sign hers!

Now tonight I will have them use their new pencils and their new journals and they will have to each face a wall, looking at NO ONE and write down 10 things they would do if they only had a month to live. Then I have a devotion prepared that I got off an email.

Right now they are at mini class. I will look forward to mini class because we get free time then. Ah, bliss! It is good to rest! We get one Wednesday and Thurs. but not Friday. So all in all, I am having fun but I wonder if I will make it to work Saturday. I should not even be thinking of that already but I can't help it! They said the counselors will need 36 straight hours of sleep after they get home and I think maybe they are right............I am not used to being in total charge of 9 girls and their schedules. It's usually challenging enough to get myself ready in time! Is God preparing me for a family?

That's my excerpt. The rest of the week was alot the same, busy, busy, busy! The first night I made them be quiet at 10:30 but then we had the assistant counselor in our cabin the next two nights and they wanted to stay up late. Plus they claimed another cabin let them stay up til 1pm. So I gave in, decided I don't need to be such an ogre. So they stayed up til 12:30, then 12:30 again, then 12:15. Sigh! Is it any wonder I came home drained? And, they had all brought sleeping bags. I had brought a sheet set so all I had was a thin sheet to cover with. I was grateful for the AC but they cranked it down to 60. I am sure it never reached that because it was constantly running but it sure got colder than what I am used to at night. I woke up just SOOOOOO cold and my nose felt like ice. Normally I can't sleep when my nose is cold but I guess I was that exhausted that I slept anyway! What I should have done is turn the AC up a little when everyone fell asleep but how can you know when 9 girls are really sleeping.....probably someone would have heard the beeping and caught me, plus, I needed to sleep ASAP, not wait til I was sure everyone else was! So now I have this dreadful sore throat and I blame it on that!

It seemed like the girls liked their mini classes. To name a few: Slate painting, fresh flowers, calligraphy, frame your name, fabric painting, flag football,

Crazy Week Coming Up

Oh my, what a week is next week going to be! I am going to be at camp, being a mother/counselor/friend to 9 girls between the ages of 13/14. I am looking forward to it but I am nervous. I am used to working with city girls. This will be different. These are churched girls, so it should be easier, right? Ummm, I don't know about that. It's going to be a challenge to not treat them like I do the city girls. I can only pray that God will give me the words to speak that would help them on their Christian journey. And, maybe not all of them are saved yet so I need to hear the Spirit on that so I can help to lead them that way. I have never been to this camp before so I hope it's not complicated to find my way around. It's very embarrassing how directionally challenged I am so I hope I don't make a dummy out of myself in front of the girls. When you think about me, please pray that I can be all God wants me to be and that He uses me for His kingdom while I'm there. He's gotta help or I'm going to flop everything. I'm not sure why I bit off such a huge chunk but I will remember that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Yesterday was a pleasant day off. In the morning I went shopping to Flo-Ann and Ken's Joys with Merci and Johann. I got a few things for camp and Merci got a few things and Johann found a pocketknife he liked and I bought some birthday gifts. I stopped in at Rhonda for awhile to see the parrot they are keeping temporarily. It says alot of things but it did not talk much while I was there. It mimicked Joash's gurgling water noise, it mimicked Stephen's sneeze, it said, "Can you say that" and I think that's about all. But it has a long list of vocabulary, the bird is smart! It even says some dutch words. I wish my parakeets could talk like that. I just do not want such a huge bird because the mess it makes is much bigger than a parakeets and they have strong beaks, I'm afraid it could hurt me:( So I'll stick to my sweet little parakeets! These that I have now do not talk like my Sunshine did but I spent more time with her so that is probably the problem. I really should talk to them alot more.

I went to Weaver's Store then and got a bunch of camp devotions, etc. together when I got home. Sharon and I hung out together for a relaxing time in the evening. I talked to my brother for awhile too, which is unusual because we hardly ever talk on phone!

Well, breakfast is calling me and I must sweep the floors before I leave for work..

Guess I won't write again til I get back from camp and I should have LOTS to say then!!!

Family Fun

Well, why didn't I hear any comments on my last blog? I challenge you readers, let me know what you think!!!! Am I crazy to wonder those things about war? I felt foolish for writing them for others to see and now that everyone is so deathy silent, I feel even worse!!! Speak up, all you'all!!!!!! Don't make me stop writing my personal ideas! I want to hear if I'm off my rocker or what others think. You all know my email! Speak, for your friend will listen!

Well, the reason I did not write on Saturday or Sunday is because I was at the cabin with my family, my boss's cabin, that is! There is no wi-fi there of course. Oh, but we had a blast! I reserved it for my family, my grandparents, and my dad's two brothers. So often the two sisters do things with my grandparents and this time I thought it's nice to do the brothers. We got there Friday night. It had rained a little and wasn't as warm as would have been nice but the boys swam anyway. We were up pretty late, like around midnight. Saturday morning was gorgeous. Alot of the crew went to the Haiti benefit auction since it was so near and the rest of us swam while they were gone. I had fun sewing my new brown dress, started and finished while there! Fun! It was great to be away from home and not see the work and therefore not feel obligated to do anything. I went through some forward emails that I got weeks ago and had not time to go through. I sifted through gobs of other emails and trashed alot. My computer feels less cluttered. Ever know your computer has feelings? Don't ask me how I know, I might freak somebody out! Oh, and Sunday was great with lots of relaxing and more swimming. I went to a concert in the evening but I did not enjoy the concert. At least I enjoyed the fellowship. Ever since I've gone for voice lessons I am much pickier and don't like as big a range of people's voices anymore. On the other hand, I like others I never liked before so maybe it all balances out! I guess you could say my taste in voices has changed.

Today I had the day off and I had a delicious morning of just getting things done around the house and shopping. I had lunch at a park with a friend and her children. I babysat part of the afternoon. I have church tonight, have to leave in 10 minutes and I'm not even dressed yet..........HELP! Oh, and I made salad, corn on the cob, Zuchinni quicke from a friend, and peanut butter cup bars all for dinner. Oh, I feel so full but it was healthy, well, most of it! And I took a 30 minute brisk walk today! Goodness, if I don't go now I won't be ready for church in time! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!

War and What do you Believe?

Here is a question that has plagued me for some time. Let's talk about Christians who go to war, first. Why do you go to war when the Bible says to "turn the other cheek, do good to those who spitefully use you and persecute you". It even says, "if a man ask you to go one mile carrying something for him, do two, and heap coals of fire on your enemies and pray for them." Another thing it says is to love your neighbor as yourself. How can you be obeying all of this when you participate in war? One of the 10 commandments is to not kill. Also the 11th commandment that you love one another. Killing is not loving!

Now on the other side, this is for non-resistant Christians. In Bible times even though all the above verses are spoken, still God endorsed war. In fact, He actually asked the Israelites to go to war and to kill certain peoples. He purposely gave them victory different times. Why? If it's not right to kill, if you are to love your neighbor as yourself, then why did He have his people kill others? Where would America be today if no one had fought for our freedom? Would their be freedom? If everyone would just sit back like the nonresistand Mennonites, wouldn't we all just be killed or taken captive and made into servants? Why don't you stand up for what's right with the law? Why don't you fight abortion, why don't you fight the gay rights, why don't you fight for anything? Is it actually God's will for His people to sit back and just pray for the right things to come to pass without any action on your part?

I'm just confused about war right now. I wish someone had some opinions or could in some way educate me more. I don't like when I am neutral on an issue such as this. And neutral is what I am, because I don't know what to believe. All my life I've been taught the nonresistant Mennonite stance on war. Yet, I have questioned it for years, and it's just building up. I need answers. I am not one of those who is willing to just do/believe certain things without knowing why and without having to be totally convinced. I want to know why I do the things I do. I want to know why I believe what I believe. The Bible says to always have an answer for every man. How can you do that when you don't even know what you believe or if you are neutral? That's my point, you can't. Somebody help me out!!!!

Now that I got that puked out of me, I can think about something else for the moment. Oh, by the way, this was a scary subject for me to let others read so I trust that the people who have my blog will be wise enough to not talk about my ramblings to other people. The reason that I only give my blog to certain people is because I only trust certain people with what I write in this thing, so please don't defeat that purpose by broadcasting my ramblings to anyone else. Oh, what an uproar this one would cause if it were to be read by the wrong person! Oy, please no! You who are reading this and are not Mennonites might not understand what I mean, but just trust me when I say Mennonites tend to be judgmental on their own people. Anyone with strange ideas is not exactly looked up to and my question about war would certainly be a cause for their alarm! That's why it's not easy for me to ask people questions. They usually ask others and soon EVERYONE knows that Dawn was doubting ______ and she must be unstable, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!! I only ask questions of people I fully trust.

Oh, that's right, I was going to talk about something else now. Sorry! Well, this week looks pretty full. Wednesday on my day off, I plan to spend most of it in Lebanon County. In the morning I want to visit Darlene Eberly. I have not been to her place at all this year yet. She is an hour's drive away but I guess that's not a good excuse, considering how close we were as friends at one time. So I will visit her for the morning. Then I will go over to my Aunt Karen and probably shop or swim in their pool. Last I will stop in at Doris and I was planning to stay for the evening but then I had this thought that that is my only evening that I don't have something planned and this is my week to mow. So I guess I will have to come home and mow instead of visit.

Then this weekend I will be at Wolfrock, my boss's vacation house. My grandparents and cousins and Dad's two other brothers will be there. Oh, I'm taking Sharon F because otherwise I'd get bored.

Last night I was at a hot dog roast and before we ate we went hiking. It was a peaceful evening. I gave a friend the computer she ordered through Dad and she was excited to finally have her own. Her brother didn't really like when she used his and he moved out recently so she was without one for sure then!

Well, I think that's going to have to be the end of this post because it's time to eat breakfast and go to work!

July 4th

I hope you all had an excellent holiday! I had to work July 4th:( I don't get off on holidays so it was kind of annoying. We were not busy and I was so bored I was silly. My cousin Karena was with me all week so she was at work too and she was bored as could be. We had a good Friday but I guess everyone was doing anything BUT shopping at King's. After working we went to my Grandma Weaver for the celebration. It's an annual thing, she always has us for a cookout. I had a good time. I was glad my cousin Angie was there. She has only 3 more weeks to go if her baby arrives on schedule. Angie goes to the same church I do and she talks. I have another cousin that does not talk much. She sits there and smiles pretty. I thought it was going to be maybe only her there and I was dreading it but then Angie did come.

After that, I went to see some fireworks at the Lititz Park. I met Michelle and we walked the railroad tracks til we had a good view. It was a Mennonite hangout. The fireworks were good but I would have been just as happy to have a little more light so I could see what all aquaintances of mine might be there. I was no more than sitting down when my phone rang and it was Karena's brothers. They live in Berks county but came all the way to Lititz to watch. I thought it was funny that Karena got to see them! So she sat with them then. I was glad she did because Michelle had a heavy heart and Karena would not have had any fun sitting with us. I thought the fireworks weren't too bad.......but now since I saw Sunday's display, I changed my mind!

Sunday I was back to my regular church. I really liked the Grace church I was at two Sundays out of June but there's something that feels really good when you go back to the church you're a part of. It feels like home, oh, so good. The pastor was going to preach but he had a......I forget what it's called but something like a mini stroke on Thursday so he chose not to preach this Sunday. He was there though. Duane preached instead and I always get fed from him sermons. He preached on bearing one another's burdens.....and showed how the Bible is interesting in that if you were trying to be a pain you could try to say it contradicts itself. It says not to take thought what you are going to eat or drink but to just trust the Lord. In other verses it talks about going to the ant and working like her and how only those who work shall eat!!!!!! What's up with that???? And how...shoot I forget the passage.....but it says to bear one another's burdens and like 3 verses later it says that each shall bear his own burden!!!!!! Excuse me???????????? LOL! He was explaining how it's kinda like moderation in all things..........and when you bear someone's burdens you are not making it go away, they are still bearing it themselves, only you're helping them to get through it!!!!

Ah, Sunday afternoon and evening were so lovely I don't even feel like writing about it because that would take away from the loveliness! Karena, Jeremy, and I went to Long's Park with the Brills. Got there around 3pm and we picked our spot and then walked around. They had a wonderful concert there. They had an army band there. They had some dancing. We ate a picnic lunch and just had a good time visiting. Oh, the cannons were awesome! Loud, but awesome! I wonder why I never went to Long's Park before. It was so neat and the best part is that it was all free! The fireworks were MUUUUUUUUUUUUCH better than Lititz park. And they played music, like march stuff the whole time the fireworks were going off. Totally cool! Jeremy and Yitzhak were off by themselves alot and I was a bit annoyed that Jeremy did not tell us what they were doing so we wouldn't worry but it was alright, they came by the time the fireworks were almost over. There's something special about sharing something fun with friends. I would not have had near the fun if I wasn't with some of my most precious friends.

And, today is a lovely day. I get to have off. It is so rare I get to sleep in on a Monday morning. Never mind the fact that I have to go to work 5 solid days in a row. Yuck! I'll worry about that then, not gonna let it ruin my day off! It was fun having Karena at my house. She did an excellent job at work and I'll miss her. She helped me clean my house. On Wednesday I took her over to the Hursts and we went swimming to some folks down the road. We ate pizza and hung out til bedtime. Ah, that's the life!

This week I am going to church Wednesday night. They have a music topic that night. I will eat anything up like a starved puppydog when it comes to music. I cannot ever get enough teaching on music. Thursday I sing with Steve's at the home. So my two nights are packed for this week.

Well, I think that is enough of jabber for now.

Hershey Time, and NYC

Well, to be quick and sum everything up......Wednesday was my day with Stephen and Joash. I took them to Hershey, using up some Hospitality Day coupons. We went to Hershey Chocolate World. How I lOOOOOOOOOOOVE that place! I hope there is chocolate up in heaven, or something very similar!!!! We did the new Chocolate tasting experience thing. That was great, I got to eat............you guessed it, chocolate! The boys loved it too. The only disgusting thing was that they only allow 2 hours of free parking. I guess it's fair on their part, they could charge us for all parking. However, it's mean when you know you might go just 15 or so minutes over that! So the whole time I had to try to mete out our time and get everything all done. The tour doesn't take long but then there's the factory hands on tour and the chocolate tasting thing and then the boys had a tiny bit of money to spend in the gift shop. And, I had to shop in the chocolate part of the store for some gifts and some for myself of course:) So that was stressful, knowing it would be cut close. They charge $10 for anything over 2 hours:( And, when I saw we have to be at the car in 5 minutes, I got lost. I'm serious, don't laugh, it happened to me last year when I took Rachel too:( Why is it that when you really NEED to be somewhere at a certain time, everything wants to go wrong:( GRRRRRRRR! So I took off in the area I thought was right, only to come to a dead end. Then I tried another way and that was wrong. Stephen was trying to help me and I don't know what he thought of this dumb directionally challenged friend of his:( But on our way out I found out that Joash had been holding his free piece of chocolate in his hand the whole time and had it all melted and popped open and all over his shirt and some on his shoes. I could have cried. I did not have time to wipe it off and yet I didn't want that chocolate in my car. So I threw the chocolate in the trash and away we ran towards the car. Joash was almost crying, he said he did not want to run but I said we have to. I was not willing to pay $10 for being 2 minutes overtime. So I made it a minute early, praise the Lord. Then I stopped as soon as I could pull off the road and wiped the chocolate off of Joash as best as I could. It was not a good job though, it was already dried into his shirt. We went for lunch at a Wendy's next and I tried to wash it off with water in the restroom and it would not come off. So the poor guy had a big chocolate spot on his shirt the rest of the day. What a pathetically miserable mom I'd make:(

Before we went to the chocolate world, we went to the Hershey Auto Museum. That was great. They loved the old cars. I'm not a big fan of them but the tickets were free and boys like em so it was fun seeing them have fun. Probably the highlight for them and me was at the one cycle there was dressup clothes to pose with. We spent a bit of time there.

The third place we went was the Hershey Rose Gardens. I can NEVER get tired of seeing and smelling roses. I just think heaven is going to have gobs of roses and new colors and with our senses that are so much beyond what we have now......just imagine how it's gonna be! Can't wait! Stephen loved the place, he begged to take pictures with my camera and he didn't do too badly! It was just tiresome a little because he'd beg to take one everytime he'd see me taking one but we had to keep stepping and he didn't grasp that concept very well. I gotta give him a break, he's only a child! Joash got tired of the flowers soon after we were there:( Once when I was taking pics of Stephen, Joash said, "I just don't know why you don't like me". When I asked him why he said I was taking alot of pics of Stephen and not of him! Right before that Stephen had dropped a handful of pennies and I had told them to wait to pick them up til I took the pic. They had been in a perfect pose. Joash did not listen and started picking them up anyway. I said it pretty forcefully and in a no nonsense tone again that he must stand up and let me take the pic first. He ignored me and kept picking up the pennies. I was very frustrated, I can't stand outright disobedience but I left it go. However, I think he knew I was pretty stressed out at that moment and maybe that was part of the reason he thought I don't like him! Children can be very sensitive so I must be careful! After that, I was careful and went out of my way to include him and make him laugh. So, that was my Wednesday.

Saturday the Heart to Heart Tues. night shelter group went to NYC to hand out cds and tracts. There was only 5 guys and 2 girls. Sharon F went with me. She is not part of our mission but I had not other girl so she went with me. I had a blast. It's sad that not more of the group came along. Out of maybe 10 or 11 girls, I was the only one. It is extremely hard to plan something in the summer. Everyone is so busy, it's almost impossible to get them suited. I was expecting alot from the Lord an I had such a wonderful time. My big prayer was that the joy we have in Jesus would shine on our faces so they could see we have something to live for. That prayer was answered, what a confirmation, it make me so happy. One woman that I gave a cd said I look like an angel straight from heaven. She kept saying she can see the peace on my face and the joy of having been with Jesus on my face. She was saved and she asked for another cd to give to a friend. Sharon was nearby so she came over since I had no more and she gave her two more. The lady said so many people are Christians but the joy is not reflected on their faces because they are not Christians the whole way and have sin in their life they do not want to give up. She said I look like I never sinned. I assured her rapidly that I have been forgiven of MUCH, she has no idea! So that was indeed my confirmation from the Lord that God was reflecting His presence off of his daughter! I was so blessed to see some of the people reading the literature. Some grab it as they walk by and you don't know if they will even read it. But others I saw reading and it really blessed my heart. When we first started on our way to NY the talk was "What are we going to do?" I thought our goal was to hand out tracts. I would have been happy to do that for a few hours. The others thought we could do entertaining things and kind of weave that in with it. I was glad we did it the way I originally thought. I was pumped about handing out stuff and did not want distractions. After we did that, we went to a fabric shop where we found some nice pieces. And, I would write more but it's time to eat breakfast and go to work so............adios til next time!

Busy Week, Wonderful Fun

Oh, goodness, this week was crazy busy! Sunday night was when Bible school started. I made it 4 out of the 5 nights. I could not make it Tuesday because the shelter picnic was. If it had been a normal Tues. night, I would have canceled out and went to Bible school. Every night that I went, I picked up Rhonda's children. They loved it. Rachel really liked her teacher. They all did, but Rachel is like me, every little thing counts for something and her teacher went out of her way to make her feel special. on Thurs. was the last night of Bible school and they had an icecream machine and snack there. The kids got alot of loot too! I was surprised at all the stuff! They were delighted of course!

Wednesday I made jelly with my mom and Merci. We had a high old time! The jelly didn't get as thick as it should have but it's alright. Still tastes good! Merci and I shopped for some fabric. Merci is going to help me sew a dress. There's a ruffle pattern that I would like to do and am not sure how to do it. I am afraid of botching up a good piece of fabric and if I sew the dress and it doesn't look right, I won't wear it and then it's all that money and time down the drain. Two heads are much better than one. Merci used to sew a lot of clothes so she's going to help me figure this ruffle stuff out! I guess the little girl in me is coming out! I do so love ruffles and lace and pretty things! One thing I have to start believing is that dark colors are okay on me. I wear pastel colors and some brights in the summer and then dark colors in the winter. I don't like many dark colors on me but I will wear them for winter. I've been told that dark colors make me look thinner! I didn't want to believe that but now Merci is telling me the same thing. So I'll have to look into wearing darker colors and smaller prints. I usually picked out big prints. I have to revamp my brain! Oh, what we do to look thinner:):)

Friday night I was supposed to go to my grandma's house for family night. I was planning to but I got a call at work from my aunt. She said Karena never saw my house (that's my cousin) and they were coming down to Lancaster to a sale and she would love to hang out at my house while her husband was at the sale. So, that's what we did, hang out at my house. My grandma was not impressed but I had just seen her last week so I didn't feel too bad. I had fun with my aunt and cousin. We watched a movie and had a good time talking.

Saturday was the highlight of the whole week for me. I had Steve Hursts and the Brills over for mountain pies. I was planning that we have them at my house. Then the landlord told us we may not do open fires, she does not want the liability. Sigh! So I got the pavillion at my neighbors by the creek. All morning it rained :( Then in the afternoon it rained and the sun shone at intervals. It was crazy how much it switched back and forth! I kept not knowing whether I'd be making pizzas or if we could have the mountain pies. So finally I gave up and said we'll do pizzas with all the stuff everyone was bringing. Then the sun came out so bright I did end up going over and having the mountain pies there. We also did home made strawberry icecream. This was the first time the Hursts and Brills had really met. Two different cultures but it looked like everyone got along well. Todd got out the fiddle and Merci the guitar and we sang and had a good old fashioned sing! Emily got cold so we hurried over to my house and sang some more. I did not know my piano is out of tune.........what is wrong with my hearing that I can't pick that up? GRRR! But now that I know, I hope I can get it tuned. However, if I remember from last time, it cost me $70/$80 to have it done and if I move next year it will have to be done again:( It costs alot to live:( I never did have it tuned after it got moved so I guess it's my fault. Every time you move a piano you can pretty much guarantee it's going to need a tuning. The different climate can even put it out of whack! But I got out the keyboard and Johann played that. Waaaaaaaaaaaay too soon it was time for them to take their sleepy kids home. Sniffle, sob! I wish good times would not fly by so fast. That's one of the things I will love when I'm in heaven. I will be able to see my favorite people EVERY day and not ever have to say goodbye. I don't even like saying "goodby" here on earth, because it's actually never "goodbye" for the Christian but rather "see you later". The location might change but not the fact that we'll see eachother later! Sometimes I get a little down after looking so forward to something and then it's all gone. I had maybe 5 minutes of that and then I decided not to let it get me down this time. There's more good times like this, Lord willing!

This morning I was at Mom & Dad's church for Father's Day and then to them for lunch. Now I'm supposed to be in bed sleeping.........speaking of which I'm going to do right now!

The Incredible Unknown

I believe as long as there's life, there will be adventure. If it's not drama, then it's some other adventure happening. Oh, well, it makes for an exciting life. At least my life's not boring. I wonder how big a chance there is that someone could get ahold of my blog that I had not given the address to. There are so often things that I want to write but I'm scared to. I'm scared that just what if a certain person got ahold of it somehow, stumbled across it and the stuff I'd want to write in here would surely get me in trouble if a certain wrong person found out! GRRR! I sure don't understand how someone could get it without me giving it to them but it's possible.:(:(

Well, I think all of you who read this though, know of the big decision I needed to make that would affect my life quite drastically. Well, I decided the Lord likes to teach me flexibility, because when I finally made the choice and it was going to happen in Sept., I soon got a call that it would not happen til April of next year. Sigh, fine then, God, if you want to bounce me around like that, I'll deal with it!!!!Understand, I'll deal with it!!!!!!!! Okay, so I was hugely disappointed but I got over it. I came to the place where I don't even care anymore. Whatever happens, happens! So, guess what, now it might happen in Nov. of this year! I'm excited again, but maybe I shouldn't be. Who knows, God might change it again on me!

But now another big unkown thing that I can just come out and say no matter who reads it....... I will have to move the end of this year. We love this house dearly and it hurts to think of leaving so soon. This house was perfect and so much good happened since I live here. If I was to design a house, this would have been about what it looked like. All the work of moving, it was NOT my definition of fun! And all the holes I put in the walls that I will have to patch up........yuck! Not cool! But, the reason we are going to leave is that it is taking up almost every penny we earn. That's not cool when you know nothing is going into savings. It's all being used up:( So we need to find a cheaper place. So sad. I love this location and being so close to Mom and Dad and the transition wasn't as hard since I still live in my own hometown. I don't want to leave. I hope and pray that my next house is near this one. I love this area so much. So close to the highway and Goodwill and Kmart are only 7 min. away, the Library is 8 min. and Walmart is 10. This place was really just too good to be true. However, I am finding out that you can get nice places for a bit less. So, that would help save money! We need to do something. But hopefully I can just enjoy the here and now and not worry or let it ruin my days here in the meantime.

So, those are major things to me. This week is a busy week. I had Bible school tonight and for the next 4 nights. I picked up Rhonda and Steve's children. They loved it! Poor Joash is only 4 and he is a little shy and when we got to church it was 3 minutes before starting time. I wanted to be there sooner but you know the story, it always gets later........so I thought they would sit with me but right away they were to sit with their age on a certain bench. So each was on a different bench. Well, when they were dismissing them, Joash pulled at Rachel to get her to come and then he tried to get Stephen to come. He didn't understand that different ages get dismissed to different rooms, etc. They finally got him to his room and he enjoyed it. Just watching them have fun was enough for me to make it worthwhile. Their faces lit up at some of the songs. They are all bubbly now and excited for the next 4 nights.

I had to go without Sharon. She was not feeling well and I missed her but I made it! This morning I was at a different church. It was a neat church. The people were very friendly and I really enjoyed the worship. My friends were there to lead worship and I knew most of the songs. I took my brother and one of his friends.

Goodness, I am so tired I can barely stay awake. I think I'd better go to bed so I can be awake for work tomorrow and Bible school.

Creation Museum

Well, my poor neglected blog appears to need a facelift again! Hmmmmm! Well, I just got back from a trip from the Creation Museum with my family. Had a wonderful time. I don't know if we will ever again travel as 6 in our family, so I'm glad we had this special time together. My sister wanted to bring her boyfriend along and she was not allowed to. I like her boyfriend alot, but I'm glad he could not come along because I thought it was nice to do one last trip with just our 6 family members. Vernon hardly ever goes on trips with us anymore so this was fun that we went as a complete family.

I'd say it was the most relaxing family trip I've been on in years. Funny that I say that, because I was as miserable as can be. But it was relaxing in that everyone has finally become old enough to entertain themselves. Instead of getting bored and bickering and fighting, everyone recluded to their own little world. We were all prepared with things we like to do to keep our minds occupied. I can honestly say I was not bored at all during the driving. I used my MP3 alot and I had my computer along. I didn't even take time to play music games then. I have some really cool music games/lessons and I didn't even touch them:(:( I did take my scrapbooking stuff along though and I got 8 or 9 sides done. So that was worthwhile to me! I wrote emails even though I couldn't send them I wrote them awhile. I didn't even read any of the books I had along. I think maybe I should ban myself from scrapbooking this week and make it a point to read some books and do music lessons on the computer. Ha ha, we'll see how long that resolve lasts. I did take new interest in learning a song on the piano so I will continue that this week.

Now, for those of you who do not know why I was miserable...........I had the worst and longest sore throat I've had in my entire life! I used to rarely get sore throats. Only in the past maybe 5 years have I started getting them. But they have never been strep throat and never last longer than 2 days. Well, this one lasted 8 days and it was RAW! I could hardly swallow, it was so painful. I went to the doc the morning we were to leave and took a strep test. It was negative. So, $75 later I was on my way. How frustrated I was that I wasted that $75 but how was I to know? It hurt way beyond any sore throat I've ever had, and who wants to go on a trip not knowing if you have strep throat? So I had to deal with that the entire trip. Lots of stuffy/runny nose and coughing spells. Bleh! Usually it's the older folks with all their aches and pains that can't wait for their new body but I sure wanted a new one during this time! But, here I am at home and feeling alot better.

We started out Wednesday morning and came back in the wee hours of Saturday morning. We drove the 9 hours to Indiana to a motel Holiday Inn Express. Very nice place, I'm used to the Econo Lodge, Super 8 and Days Inn so this was luxurious for me! When we got there, Mom informed me that the 4 children were sleeping together and my parents had a room to themselves. That did not work out then because I didn't think it was nice to make Sarah sleep in the same bed and get so close to my cold and most of all because I had not brought an appropriate nightie along. If only Mom had told me ahead of time.............after living by myself for a few months now I do not have to have appropriate nighties on hand! Well, Sharon's here but we're both girls, and Sarah wouldn't have minded.........but this was maybe a godsend because I cannot abide to think of sleeping in the same room as my little brother. He's too bratty. My nose was stuffy and I had to blow it and cough alot and he would have either made fun of me or told me to "shut up" so it's nice Sarah and I were by ourselves.

Then we went to the museum on Thursday. I'd been there 2 years ago so this was familiar to me, but fun to see again. I'm not the brightest star in the sky when it comes to studying science, so it was a treat for me to just believe everything and not have to figure out what's true and what's not. I really enjoyed the grounds outside as well. We took some nice family pictures there. I wish all my friends could see that museum. Alot of my friends did, but there's alot that have not.

We left the museum to go to friends in Kentucky, 3 hours away. They are from a Team Mennonite church. We got there at 10pm and stayed up to talk til 11pm. Then we got up at 6:30 for breakfast and visited some more and did a little shopping locally. I found some beautiful mint green fabric. I don't wear any other shade green but this mint green was just perfect. I have not seen that print in that color around here so I feel like I got something different.

We left to come home around 11am. We had 12 hours plus all the potty stops and eating. Sigh! But I slept alot and it was relaxing.

I am glad I had off today. I really needed the extra sleep and time to do things. I mowed the lawn, it was beginning to look like a hayfield! Then I washed my car and chamoised it and swept it out and wiped the interior. Next I washed my hair and I've been relaxing on my butt for the last hour or two.

Tonight I am going to a mountain pie supper at the Ephrata dump. I am ready to see my friends again. They are going to sing around the campfire and I guess I'll go home then. I can't sing yet, my voice is still recuperating and it would be too hard on me to hear them and not help along. I know what would happen, I'd try to sing along and end up in a coughing fit and embarrass myself good and proper! So I'll just come home early. It's time I do that anyway! I am bad for staying out too late.

Sunday I am invited to a picnic lunch. I think I'll do that. Hopefully I won't sound so croaky til then! Some people manage to sound sexy when they have a hoarse voice, but not me!!!!!!!! I sound anything but cool!!!!!!! Sunday night I don't know yet what I am doing. Time will tell.

Oh, I wanted to mention that the friends we saw in KY did not have electricity or a phone. It was kind of cool, to rough it for a little! But they are the jolliest people around, I could learn alot from them!

Well, that's all for now!

Decisions, decisions!

Well, here I am again. Life is not very boring, somehow there's always either drama going on or some major decision. I really wish blogs were safe. I've been pretty transparent on some of my blogging but sometimes it freaks me out that someone I really don't want to share/bare my heart to, might stumble upon my blog. So I'm gonna keep being pretty transparent but the big decision I'm facing right now, I will not mention because I could get in serious water if I did. So just pray for me that I make the right choice, that God makes it very clear to me which way to turn. Maybe in a few weeks I'll be able to share what it is. I know what some of you are thinking. Sorry to burst your bubble but it has NOTHING to do with a man! LOL! Admit it, you know you were thinking on the line of boyfriends! But nevertheless, the decision is huge and I'd appreciate prayers!

Last night was a fun night. I had friends over. Sharon Martin came over to scrapbook and for the night and to go to church this morning with me. Sharon Fox was going to be gone for the night but she came home after all. I was still glad Sharon M. was along though. Last night Janice, Susan, Cindy, Deb, Lynell, Sharon M and I were hanging out here at the house. Sharon and Janice and I scrapbooked while the others entertained us with their talk. We went over to my parent's place for icecream then since they had the icecream machine. Lovely summer evening to party.

Then this morning church was great like usual. But better than the last two Sundays. I was more awake, that's why! This time I was awake enough to pay attention. I think it's so cool how the Lord speaks through other people. I was definitely spoken to by the Lord. Some of the things I am facing I could apply from the lesson.

Duane spoke on relationships and taught from Josua 22 and how they confronted the others about the altar. They did it the right way, not pointing judgments but hearing their story and being peaceable about it. Because they handled it the right way, the others were not defensive but admitted they were wrong. So they repented and changed their ways. I have to confront 2 people very soon in the future and I don't want to. But I've been understanding that when you know to do something and you do not do it, it is sin. With knowledge comes responsibility. Sigh! It seems like I really do have that gift, I can see both sides of a story immediately and honestly, I do appreciate the wisdom, but the responsibility scares me. I don't always like seeing into things that others don't see because then I have to risk what others think of me, etc. But Duane said that we need to be willing to risk relationships in order to obey God. So, I guess in this case I am a watchman and I must follow God. Sigh!

This next week looks easier than some. Monday night I plan to go shopping. Hopefully Ollies has a Memorial Day sale. I have to work of course, King's doesn't close for much of anything! If Ollies doesn't have a sale, it's okay because I have a coupon for 15% off my entire purchase. I need a watering can and some groceries for the week. I have to cook this week. Tuesday is shelter, and lovely Wednesday, oh, lovely Wednesday! I shall have a glorious day. I am going to have Merci here and we are gonna have a blast. I'm gonna scrapbook and she's gonna make cards. It's her birthday so we shall celebrate doing what we love to do best. Can't wait! Thursday I am going to take Doris' pictures to hand out to her friends. I look forward to that as well. I do so love photography although I don't know as much about it as I wish I did! Friday is family night as always.

Okay, I don't have really anything else to say. Sorry I'm so boring this time around. Hopefully next time will be better!