Okay, so actually this is like my 104th post, but close enough... here's the 100 facts about me! Get comfy, grab some coffee... it may take a while to get through them all!

~

100 Things Jessica...

1. I was born May 12, 1974 in Streator, Illinois.

2. The doctor who delivered me looked just like Drew Carey.

3. It was Mother's Day. So, that means I am 'Sunday's Child, full of grace'.

4. I've spent my whole life debunking that theory. I ran into everything as a child! And, still do on occasion today.

5. I am the youngest of two girls.

6. My older sister is Jodi, 2 and a half years older.

7. Yes, that half year matters (though probably not as much to her).

8. I could play for hours by myself when I was little.

9. Jodi couldn't stand it.

10. We did play together sometimes, for a while, before getting sent to our rooms.

11. In the summer, we would use our Barbies' heads as squirt guns.

12. We were not what you'd call 'girly girls'. :)

13. When I needed time away from mom and Jodi, I would climb to the roof of our house to get away from them. I thought it was great and knew neither of them would follow me up there.

14. Jodi got me a sweet bunny for my b-day one year, as a surprise.

15. I loved him and named him Rascal.

16. The bigger surprise was when Rascal had had enough of being 'cooped up' with the chickens and 'ran away'.

17. It absolutely broke my little heart.

18. He came back a few days later, just long enough for me to know he was okay. That was all I needed.

19. I could spend hours in that stinky chicken coop.

20. I named every last one of the chickens.

21. They all looked the same except for one plump white one with really bad feet.

22. She was 'Snow White'. The rest were all 'Brownie' -One, -Two, -Three...

23. Yes, I believe I knew the difference between all the brown ones.

24. Dad tried having a couple for dinner a time or two.

25. I went to bed hungry those nights.

26. I can be quite stubborn at times. Though, I prefer the term: principled.

27. I've never been much of a 'follower'. I do my own thing - not really all that concerned about what anyone else may say or think.

28. I never realized what a gift that was, growing up.

29. Though, many times, I was somewhat of a 'loner'.

30. We moved to Georgia the summer going into my Junior Year.

31. It was not easy, though at the same time, very surreal.

32. Jodi had just started college and stayed in Illinois, so it was just me.

33. My friends back home and I wrote ALL the time.

34. It was rare for me to go a day or two without a letter from someone.

35. God bless them. (Oh, if only we'd had E-MAIL back then!!)

36. Girls can be a bit 'clickish' in high school, so my primary friends were guys.

37. I took two years of floral design as an elective, so my guy friends were all 'Ag guys' from joining FFA.

38. I got 2nd place for a floral arrangement I made for the local fair.

39. I still have the ribbon.

40. All the plants I have are named. My favorite is: Bobby, my Scheflera. It's supposedly a 'money plant', so I thought, money = denaro = Robert De Niro = Bob De Niro = Bobby! (The second one I bought, I named Johnny - I bet you can follow that train of thought a bit easier!)

41. Although I did not go on to be an actual future farmer of America, I did go on to attend Piedmont College up in the NE mountains of Georgia.

42. I loved my time there.

43. Even though my Sophomore year was the 2nd hardest year of my life.

44. I had 8 room-mates in 4 and a half years.

45. That doesn't make me look good, does it?

46. One was crazy (not an exaggeration), one was wild, one was very sweet, one was not-so-sweet and the last 4 were actually house-mates who were all very nice and got along quite well.

47. Yes, it took me 4 and a half years to complete a 4 year program.

48. I was lucky to accomplish that.

49. I hated school.

50. Since the first day of Kindergarten. (Mom said I went the first day, tried it, decided it wasn't so much for me and then continued to cry every morning after that. And even tried not eating lunch in order to not be sent to school... didn't work. I just went to school hungry. I blamed it all on mom. Said if she hadn't registered me, the principal never would've known I was there.)

51. However, I did manage to go from making the Dean's (probation) list Freshman year to making the Dean's (good) list Senior year! And that's not easy to do!

52. I majored in Psychology.

53. I sat in my advisor's office for 3 hours one day, trying to determine a major (since Spelling wasn't an option and that was my only strong suit all through school).

54. We never settled on one that day, but I signed up for a basic Psych class the next semester and I found it interesting, so I stuck with that.

55. However, I also ended up sticking with my college job, so never actually put my degree to official use.

56. Though we do get our share of case studies at the Blue Willow.

57. Most of whom work there! :)

58. One thing stuck with me from my years of Psych studies... "Correlation does not mean causation". (Dr. Vance would be so proud. She said if we learned nothing else, be sure to learn that... that's all I had to hear!)

59. Before my (many) years at the gift shop, I worked in several different manufacturing plants.

60. Not to brag, but I am a champ when it comes to mass production. :)

61. The most enjoyable was Stanley-Proto Tools.

62. The worst, by FAR, was Wal-Co (packaging VHS tapes for Maxell).

63. It was about 90 deg. outside. And about 190 deg. inside the warehouse. I don't do heat.

64. I was the only white girl working there.

65. At first, they all hated and resented me. But, the longer I stayed, the more they grew to respect me.

66. Most temp. workers didn't come back from lunch there (no exaggeration).

67. I like proving myself to those who may not believe I have what it takes.

68. I must've fit in better than I'd thought, because one day at lunch, the supervisor kindly asked me what my name was and after I'd told her "Jessica", she said (in all seriousness) "Shenequa?" (Now, I couldn't be a whiter white girl and I wanted to say: "Do I look like a Shenequa to you?" but knew better. I was out-numbered.)

69. One day, they put me at the receiving end of the line, stacking the product on pallets... and about 3 hours into it, the supervisor came over and informed me that they all had to be re-packaged. They didn't pass inspection. All on account of me. (In my defense though, she didn't tell me I was supposed to be checking them... just to be stacking them.)

70. They didn't like me much after that.

71. Come to think of it, I didn't like me too much either that day.

72. BUT, I did keep going back! Even after that. And even though they didn't speak to me again.

73. I interned at the Boys and Girls Club during college.

74. I loved it.

75. The kids were great.

76. And I promised them that I'd still come back to see them, even once my internship was completed.

77. They didn't believe me. They had heard that before, from other interns.

78. Turned out, they were right.

79. I still think about them and hate that I didn't prove them wrong.

80. My two favorite kids now are my niece and nephew.

81. They both already love music.

82. I like to think they got that from me. :)

83. My greatest passion is music.

84. I listen to it - and not just passively... I really listen to it. Most all kinds. All the time.

85. I read up on it (the singers and where the songs came from...). I drink it. I breathe it. It's my greatest medicine.

86. Dad said once there was no way I could listen to all the cd's I have. I said, "Sure, I do. It just depends on my mood to what I listen to." He said, "Well, in that case, you probably have listened to all of them." (?) Now, wait just one minute... did he just call me moody??? :)

87. My first favorite songs were "All I Need" by Jack Wagner and "99 Red Balloons" by Nena. I still remember listening to them on my transistor radio that hung on my headboard. It was a ladybug. Such a product of the '80s...

88. I especially love back-up singers, for some reason. ("Leavin' on the Midnight Train to Georgia... WOO HOO!") Gotta love it!

89. And I LOVE when a song starts out soft and then builds up to something really great, just to then end real soft and quiet again!

90. I learned all of Enrique Iglesias' spanish versions of his songs.

91. I enjoy singing along with those more than I do the English versions.

92. I can't sing worth a flip.

93. And I don't know a lick of Spanish.

94. I took 4 years of French (two in high school, two in college).

95. I don't remember much of it, but for some unknown reason, to this day, I can't see sugar without thinking 'sucre' first (?).

96. I've never really had much desire to travel overseas.

97. However, I would love to see the Pacific Northwest one day.

98. My favorite place to visit is Boston, Mass.

99. I love taking pictures of fountains everywhere I go.

100. I love a good joke, too, but when I go to re-tell them, all I can ever remember is the punch line... so even though they still crack me up, nobody else knows why I'm laughing!

In the Lane, Snow is Glistenin'
(Memory Lane, that is!)

With snow falling yet again today (though much to our dismay, not sticking all that well), it's taken me back to our snow days as kids.

In Illinois, snow wasn't quite the deal it is here in Georgia, but we loved it just the same.

Jodi would come running in to wake me up and get me going, we'd get all bundled up (not quite to the extreme of the little boy in "Christmas Story") and we would just go - all - day!


Could not get enough of the stuff!

And, I guess still can't! :)

But, we had a ball.

We were fortunate enough to have the best plot of land in Illinois for sledding. For those of you who've been to (or more likely through) Illinois, you know it is flat. As a pancake. From end to end.

But, we actually lived on a nice little hill that had the BEST driveway for sledding!! Not only was it just the right slope, it had just enough twists and turns in it to keep it exciting. It was awesome.

And, when we got snow... we - got - snow!

So much fun... and so many great memories from those beautiful wintry days.





* From top left:

me and Jodi on our sleds 12/78,

Fluffy riding along with me 1/1/85

me with my prize-worthy snowman 12/80,

Jodi and me going out into the great land of snow 12/78,

Jodi sledding down the drive successfully, as I wipe out (!) 1/79,

and me doing much better 1/79!

*** Yay!! ***

We actually got to see snow today, for the first time in a LONNNNG time!!! And I can't believe it takes so little of it to get us so excited anymore. ANY little bit just gets me jumping out of my skin! I LOVE it! And it was such a nice, fluffy, beautiful snow. Such a rariety here in the South.

Something not so much a rariety here in the South, however, is the 'bread and milk' mentality. You Southern born and bred know what I mean.

Now, I love "y'all" to death. I have grown to love your fried green tomatoes and cherish your sweet potato souffle. I whole-heartedly embrace your laid back way of life and sweet way of talking. But, I will never understand why, at the threat of even a flurry, you feel the compulsion to run to the nearest store to stock up on bread and milk?

I mean, first of all, this is Georgia. Even if it's the worst ice storm in years, it will most assuredly be over in 24 hours or less, will it not? And, even if not, worst case scenario, you're housebound for days and days... why bread and milk? Two of the most perishable items in your house?

Me? I'm more practical. I say a little Merlot to keep the ole body warm and a good supply of chocolate to make the time all the more enjoyable as you look out on the winter wonderland!!!

~editor's note~ By the time I've finished this post... snow has completely stopped and now just rain and slush. It may have been brief, but it was beautiful while it lasted.

For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.

Many people say they have a 'problem' with the Bible because there are just 'too many contradictions' in it. Well, that is so very true, but once you've come to learn some of these contradictions, you come to appreciate every one of them.
Here's my Top Ten for the week. Top Ten Contrary Christian Truths. A few of them, I didn't find exact scriptural back-up, but I can definitely vouch for every last one!
And I, for one, just LOVE the way He takes what we think we know or what we tend to expect and just totally flip it over and reveal those things true in an entirely different way!


1. You must lose your life to truly find it.

Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

2. It's often in the 'foggy' times that you wind up finding the most clarity.

3. It is in brokeness that you are then made whole.

Isaiah 53:2 The fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole.

4. The best way to 'get a grip' on life is to simply 'let it go'!

5. The best way to stand firm is to fall on your knees.

Job 33:26 Or, you may fall on your knees and pray—to God's delight! You'll see God's smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God. You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet, testifying, 'I messed up my life— and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it. But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!

6. The surest way to 'win' is to surrender completely.

7. It is often in the depth of darkness that true Light is finally revealed.

Psalm 112:4 Light arises in the darkness.

8. Forgiving someone else is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

Proverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven.


9. You soar the highest when you humble yourself the lowest.

Matthew 23:12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.


10. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

The Week in Pictures...

I took a bunch of pictures of the restaurant decorated, for future reference, before it all comes down...
But, this turned out to be my favorite of them all! I love fountains anyway, but I just really love it when this fountain gets all frozen over! Isn't it pretty?!?

And nearly every night, coming home from work, this time of year... I get to see these amazing sunsets over to the west. Each one is so different from the one before, but they're all just unbelievable. This is the best one I've 'caught' on film since the one I shared last time. I just love it. (I've even grown to accept the lovely mile marker.)

Resolutions:

There's a first time for everything!

I have never been one to get into the whole New Year's Resolution craze. But, actually before this year even started, I already had some 'good intentions' in mind, so I might as well call a spade a spade and chalk 'em up to Resolutions.
Now, who's to say how any of them will pan out or how long they will last (if they ever get started), but at this point, I'm game.
So, here's to 2008 and here (in no particular order) are my Top Ten Resolutions to work on!

(cue drum-roll.....)

1. Pay my bills as soon as they come (or at least as soon as I can) instead of waiting 'till the last possible day and then hoping they get there by the due date! (I know, like.... DUH)

2. Turn the t.v. off more (or better yet, just leave it off). I believe most nights it is the main culprit for my laziness and why I don't ever do anything productive at night! (Even though I'm a major night-owl and could get major things done, it never fails - I end up just sitting on the sofa flipping channels just hoping to find something actually worth watching! - usually not very successful.) Maybe I'd even get some of those fore-mentioned books read!

3. Set aside a specific time to do my daily devotion/bible study (I wish I was a morning person, but I do so much better with that at night before bed - it's just a matter of turning off that darned t.v.!)

4. Go through my mounds of old paperwork (bills, check stubs...) and get them all shredded and GONE.

5. Figure out my camera and how to better use for things other than still-life!

6. Make more to-do lists... I think that would give me a much greater sense of what needs to be done and accomplishment when you get to check things off (it's always worked for Jodi!)

7. Try folding my clothes right out of the dryer, for a change, instead of heaping them on the sofa, letting them get all nice and wrinkled and just digging through the pile all week to see what I want to wear! (You'd think I lived in a frat house, but when it's just you, who cares! :) One of the perks to living alone, I suppose. ... or is it? I don't know...)

8. Finish transferring the rest of my millions of cd's over to my I-Pod.

9. Figure out what all I need to do to get my new computer hooked up and going and get onto DSL, so I can actually keep up better with my blogging and emailing without either pulling my hair out or having to take over my parents' computer.

10. Continue to enlighten you all with future Top Ten Lists (assuming I get #9 nipped in the bud, that is!)

BOOK 'MEME'

I’ve been tagged for a meme by Jodi. And although I don't read at the same pace that I buy books... here are some that I've managed to read in the recent past.

1. One book that changed your life ~ My Bible (Can I get an "AMEN?!") :)

2. One book that you have read more than once ~ I don't know if there are any that I have actually read all the way through more than once, but I have several that I keep on hand for a quick re-reference back to. The one I turn back to most is "Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On" by Stormie O'Martian.

3. One book you would want on a deserted Island ~ "Streams in the Desert" - can't go any time at all without that one.

4. One book that made you laugh ~ The two-part series: "Dreaming in Black and White" and "Dreaming in Technicolor" by Laura Jensen Walker.

5. One book that made you cry ~ "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza (and I will just say one more time, for the record... if you have not yet read this amazing account of her experience during the Rwandan Genocide, you must check it out. She is just an incredible woman with extraordinary faith and resolve!)

6. One book that you wish had been written ~ I'm sure if there's anything I could come up with, there's a book on it somewhere.

7. One book that you wish had never been written ~ The one that comes to mind now, because of its sudden attention is "The Golden Compass".

8. One book you are currently reading ~ One? Are you kidding me?? Let's see... right now, I've got just a few going... "Free Inside and Out" by Luci Swindoll and Marilyn Meberg, "Glory Revealed" by David Nasser, "When the Game is Over, it all goes back in the Box" by John Ortberg, "Holding onto Hope" by Nancy Guthrie, and "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado (just to name a select few I read regularly).

9. One book you have been meaning to read ~ As daunting as it is, I'd like to get into “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers, too.

'Nuf Said



Father, we thank You...

Not only for our food, but for sending your Son to earth 2,000 years ago, to express Your boundless love for us.

.... Arrrmen... Arrrmen! :)

*(Thank you, Emery for your lovely blessing and for being so good at reminding us should we ever forget!)

Believe in the Miracle...

*

... of God's amazing love!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! ~ I John 3:1

*

At the shop, we have a sale every year at this time. Typically, we start out at about 30% and eventually get down to 40 or even 50% off - all merchandise. We get the word out there, place it right before all the people, have all kinds of signs, try to tell them time and time again. And still, you wouldn't believe the number of people who just decide that it's too good to be true, just don't think they heard right and just walk away. Or those who continue through the shop asking "Even (such and such)? How 'bout (such and such)? Now, I know you don't mean (such and such)."

Why is it so hard for us to believe?

Are we afraid to be disappointed?

Are we content to just simply expect no more?

Why are we so quick to just assume we must have heard wrong or get comfortable with the thought that 'it's just too good to be true' and simply walk away from the Truth?

The other night, MSNBC news had on, as one of the guests, speaking to the new movie "The Golden Compass", the president (?) of the Atheist Association. I've not forgotten it since. I just keep thinking back to that interview. I sat there, both intrigued by someone who can be so very passionate about not feeling or believing in any more than science and saddened both for her (for all she's missing) and our Father, Who I know still loves her very much, regardless of her views.
One thing that specifically stood out to me was her very defensive statement that the Bible 'judges' non-believers calling them "foolish".

I thought "Is that what it all boils down to? The fear of being thought foolish? To believe in something that you simply cannot see - as opposed to science which is all around us and 100 % tangible?"

But then, why must science and God be mutually exclusive? To me, they go hand in hand. The Creator and His creation. And personally, I'd like to admire all the 'science' around me while believing in God and being one of His biggest "fools"!!



And, just for those who are like Joanne and me...

fool'ish (adjective)
1. not 'sensible'
~showing, or resulting from, a lack of 'good sense or judgment'

And, I'd say, going from this definition, you could say the Lord has loved me SENSELESS! :) Halleluiah!

Christmas Cookie Bake-Off 2007!

Well, today was our annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day for my mom, sister and me.

And, even though a few varieties got left off again this year, I think we got quite a lot accomplished!!

Everything from chocolate truffles, clusters, and pretzels to fruitcake cookies, apricot turnovers and raspberry thumbprint cookies! Not to mention haystacks and buckeyes. Pretty good, I'd say!

And now, we all have belly-aches (and I'm sure the kids will either be flying high 'till Midnight or already crashed from the sugar high before bathtime!) Oh, well. We got a lot done to be able to share with our friends all week and had fun doing it!

Hopefully, next year, it won't be 80 degrees!!!

Though I haven't given up hope on the White Christmas this year yet!

Certainly this 'heat-wave' won't last THAT long!!

Hey. A girl can dream, right?

Support for Jennifer!

Well, our ladies' bible study just finished up our intense study on "Daniel" with Beth Moore, and I venture to say that we are all better for it. Totally worth any moments of brain overload that may have happened along the way. :)

But, we had such an amazing group of ladies in this study... the best I've been a part of to date. We weren't quite ready to part company yet. So, we got together for one last hoo-rah and had Jennifer (the girl on the far right) speak to us about her upcoming mission trip to China.

She's already been, several years ago, just for a short time, but this return mission is for a two-year commitment. It certainly takes a special person to do such work and I know Jennifer will be just the girl for the job. She's got such enthusiasm for the Word and such a love for the Chinese people from her last trip. I know she will change many lives in her two years there.

She leaves next summer and is very excited to do so. But, she also knows it will still be hard to leave home. So, if you all could keep her in your prayers, I know she'd be appreciative.

*pictured above are only 5 of the 20-some ladies in our study, but by the time Jennifer thought to take the picture, we were the only ones left to be in it!
{ Me, Robyn (who led the study), Michelle, Laura, and Jennifer }

Paved Paradise

Okay. So, I'll be the first to admit it. It doesn't take much to get any of us Gift Shop Girls excited.

I have been at Blue Willow for over 12 years now and we've been told for probably 10 of those 12 that we were getting the parking lot paved... Well, this fall (of course, the worst week of the year... week of Thanksgiving) it finally got paved!!!

(before...)

(...after)

Amazing what you can do with thousands of dollars, huh? :)

But, as much as we hated to see all those old trees go, and the old buildings out back... all we keep thinking is... YAY! NO MORE SCUFFED SHOES!! NO MORE MUDDY-BOTTOMED PANTS!! And not NEARLY THE DUST ON THE SHELVES!!!

By April or May, we should be looking out across at a new shopping village of sorts and a natural history/creation museum. So, should be interesting. (But, you can certainly understand why this song plays through my mind day in and day out!)

This morning at church, Pastor Gary shared with us a story of his children and how they've begun disciplining them as of late.

He and his wife, Leslie have come up with a "Job Jar", out of which the children are to pull a respective job anytime they've misbehaved. (He said he sure has appreciated this system, as he has had a LOT more help around the house!)

At any rate, they've been using this system for some time now and the other day, as Gary came through the door, little Mitchell was just so excited, repeating "Daddy, Daddy! Guess what job I pulled from the jar! Guess what job I pulled from the jar!..."

Gary stops and thinks: What job could possibly have Mitchell this excited?

Mitchell says "Grace!"

Unbeknownst to Gary, Leslie had tucked a couple of "Grace" slips in the "Job Jar".

It was an opportunity for Gary and Leslie to acknowledge and address the wrong-doing, and yet demonstrate the act of grace and mercy.

How much more excited should we be, that our Heavenly Father knows of all our wrong-doing, and yet shows us unrelenting grace and mercy! The verse that so often gets overshadowed by its predecessor, John 3:17 tells us~

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

No judgment. No punishment. No condemnation. Just unconditional love and unending second chances. "How great the Father's love for us"!!

Father~

In this season of Thanksgiving, I would just like to take the opportunity to give thanks to You for your incomprehensible love for us. A love so deep we could never either earn or even realize the extent of. Please help us to simply receive this blessing of love on us and in turn, continue to strive to show that love and light to all of those on our paths, extending that same grace and mercy to others that You've so graciously shown to us. ~Amen.

Welcome to My World ~ Where the FUN 'never Ends'!


Well, I did it.

I don't know how it happened.

I always swore I'd never be 'one of those people'.

And yet, last night at Target, I finally broke down and got my sweet -albeit- spastic kitten a 'Circle of Fun'. (I think I can still technically refer to her as a kitten as long as she remains unruly and out of control. Although, she has grown quite a bit by now.)

Here, I've always been one to look down at the crazy cat people out there who bought the cheesy cat toys and horrid scratching posts and such.

But, having this wild little feline, (who is running around, bounding off the furniture as I type) I've really been put in a 'corner'... along with my scratching pad (complete with catnip), odd-looking little half-ball cat toys with feathers sticking up, and now my most newly acquired 'Circle of Fun'.

As soon as I got it home and discovered that it required putting together 60-some odd parts, I could already tell that it would prove 'unending fun' for all. (ha-ha) I think by the time it was all said and done, it took me longer to put the darned thing together than it took her to become disinterested in it.

She did find it exciting as she 'assisted' in my putting it together. And did check it out right away, but for some reason, she's still more intrigued by my Christmas tree and its lovely tree skirt! (The whole reason behind my purchase of the 'Circle of Fun'.) I guess running around in a nylon 'wheel' doesn't hold a candle to hanging from the 3rd row of branches on Old Tannenbaum!

Oh, well.

Who knew.

So, can anybody tell me just how much longer before this girl settles down?!? I mean, as much fun as it is to get awoken each and every morning to play 'fetch' and get to clean up kitty litter that's been flung as far as possible (on account of her spinning out in the box (!) just for entertainment purposes), I'd love to just have a 'normal' lazy cat once again!!

And yes, Jodi... her eyes are pretty much dialated like that ALL THE TIME!!! :)

Governor Sonny Perdue Prays For Rain in Georgia


Submitted by WDEF on November 14, 2007 - 2:05 am.

Governor Sonny Perdue lead a public prayer service today for rain in Georgia.
Several hundred people attended the service outside the state Capitol. Although it was announced as an interfaith event, only three protestant ministers joined the governor. And 20 protestors demonstrated outside.

Gov. Perdue: "GOD WE NEED YOU. WE NEED RAIN."

Sonny Purdue, Georgia's Governor, today became the state's chief pastor. He led a prayer for rain, right on the front lawn of the State House. Lake Lanier, North Georgia's main source of drinking water, dropped more than 17 feet below normal. So low, boaters walk way out to get in. This year the lake's had barely HALF its typical rainfall.

In a very public way, Purdue looked to the sky for answers.

GOV. Sonny Purdue - (R) Georgia: "WE DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. WE DO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE MIRACLE CREATOR."

Bruckner: "IT'S A PUBLIC DISGRACE."

Ed Bruckner wants rain, too. But like these protestors, mostly atheists and agnostics, Bruckner sees a clear church-state violation. A public prayer on state property led by Georgia's top executive.

Ed Buckner - Protestor: " MY PUBLIC LEADER IS MAKING A FOOL OF HIMSELF AND ACTING AS THOUGH ALL THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AGREE WITH THIS FOOLISHNESS."

In desperate droughts, praying for rain goes back thousands of years, from this African tribal group to Indian rain dancers.

And Georgia's tried everything else.

In a growing crisis, the state's tried water bans. Water cops. With thousand dollar fines for violators. And now the power of prayer.

Gov. Purdue: "THANK YOU LORD, FOR THE RAIN TO COME."

Mark Strassmann reporting:
"GEORGIANS CAN DEBATE WHETHER POLITICIAL LEADERS SHOULD CHAMPION RELIGIOUS SOLUTIONS. BUT NO ONE ARGUES ABOUT THIS STATE'S NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT RAIN. AND SO FAR, IT'S ONE PRAYER THAT GOES UNANSWERED.
MARK STRASSMANN CBS NEWS, ATLANTA."

If you'd like to contact: Sonny Perdue


"All we can do now is pray" - why is that such a commonly heard statement? We should be ashamed to say such a thing. God is our last resort. How that must crush Him to hear those words from us.
You know, a while back, I had shared with you all one of my all-time favorite songs I had been blessed enough to 'stumble upon' - by Nichole Nordeman. It is called "Gratitude".

It begins with this:

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
‘Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But, maybe not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case…

We’ll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If you never send us rain

How hard do these words hit home right now with all of us Georgians? I just keep going back to these great verses and all the controversy that Governor Perdue has stirred about in our whole nation thinking... They just don't get it. The whole point of prayer.

You know, Anderson Cooper had on a couple of 'prayer experts' last night... oddly enough, neither one a self-proclaimed Christian and all they kept trying to determine was whether or not prayer actually 'serves' US. Is it actually worth our precious time and energy? Like God is just some big Genie that we should be able to run to and request endless things from. Then go on our merry way and do as we please. They just don't get it. They just don't see how great a blessing can actually come from not even getting what we ask for sometimes.

How much more have we appreciated such a simple, yet precious thing as water in the last couple of months?

And at LAST, we have a controversy worthy of discussion: "Is it really appropriate for a state official to actually PRAY (gasp!) for RAIN" (something actually out of our control!) (gasp! gasp!!) as opposed to: "I don't know... do you think Paris is in fact 'reformed'?" or "Can you believe Britney lost custody... again!?"... "I wonder if Lindsay will ever get her act together??"

What non-believers do not understand and what we as believers often forget is very well stated by David J. Wolpe ~ "Prayer is less about changing the world than it is about changing ourselves."

God is more interested in changing us than our circumstances! In tendering our hearts and bending our knees! In acknowledging Him and bringing us into His loving arms!

Not so long ago, we were the nation who instituted a day called "Thanksgiving". But now, we have sadly become a society who just feels we deserve and are even owed anything and everything our hearts desire. But, if we desire everything in the world but Him... then what are we here for?

Think back to the last time every church had every pew filled on a 'regular' non-holiday Sunday. I guarantee it was September 16, 2001. The Sunday following the greatest assault this nation has ever experienced.

I feel that we are programmed with a deeply planted seed that desires to know our Maker. Some of us are blessed enough to have that seed nourished and 'fed' throughout our lives. Others never even seem to realize the seed is there.

Until tragedy strikes. Then, suddenly more people seem to recognize God's hand in our lives. Whether thankful or angry with Him, they acknowledge Him.

Perhaps this drought of ours is just that. A plea for us to recognize Him once more in our lives. Thank God for a governor who withstood a lot of 'heat' to recognize Him publicly. Now, whether or not we get the answer to his prayer is still in God's hands.

But, how awesome it is, to be a believer and know that even if the rain never comes, we've got all we need in Him - the never-ending Living Water.

And maybe one day... they'll get it, too.
We can 'only' pray that they do.

A LETTER FROM YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!

The following words come from the heart of God. After all, God loves you, and He is the Father you have been looking for all your life. This is His Love Letter to you!

My Dear Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps 139:1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)

I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30)

For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)

In me, you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)

And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.(John 8:41-44)

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (I John 4:16)

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (I John 3:1)

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (I John 3:7)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11)

For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17)

For I am your provider and I meet your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18)

And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3)

For if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

So, delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest Encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When you are brokenhearted, as a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5;18-19)

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (I John 4:10)

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (I John 2:23)

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-29)

When it's time for you to come home, I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)

I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)

My question is....Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)

I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

With Love,

Your Father,

Almighty God

I was Just Thinking... !

Oh, my gosh! I just had the most exciting day at work I've had in some time. And to think it may have even been MORE amazing had my mind actually been functioning at full capacity at the time!!

I don't know how many of you are familiar with our own Atlanta-based apologist Ravi Zacharias , but I listen to him many times a week. Most weekdays at 9:30 and then on Saturday mornings at 8:30. I LOVE to listen to him. I could listen to him for hours. He is just a very interesting, funny, yet serious, knowledgable guy with the coolest Indian voice.

I found him on 93.3 a couple of years ago on Sundays, coming back from church and then just kept finding him on more and more and found myself listening to him more and more.

Well, this morning, while I was getting ready, listening to his program, I thought: "You know, I would just love to have the chance to meet this guy... I'd have a question or two for him that I would love to hear the answers to!"

... Fast forward to about 1:00 this afternoon, in the gift shop. A good-sized group came in and we filled up pretty fast. We had helped one particular international couple with several purchases. They were very sweet. Then, I turned around and looked up and thought 'Huh. That guy over there looks just like Ravi Zacharias.' And went about my business. Didn't think another thing about it.

About 2 hours later, the sweet international couple (I don't know where they were from... they just spoke with a strong accent) came back from lunch to pick up their packages. And then the lady who seemed to be 'hosting' them proceeded to check out. I looked down at her charge slip and the name on it was Margaret Zacharias !!! It WAS him!

I wanted to say "Oh, my gosh! Do you know who you are?!?" But, even in my excitement, I knew that was a silly question. :) And he, being a guy, didn't come back down to the gift shop. :( I would've LOVED to at least said "It is so good to meet you! I love your programs! Please, keep up the great work."

But, turns out, I didn't even know what to say to his kind wife. So, as far as my big questions that had been on my heart earlier that morning... even if given the chance, I guess they would've just turned to "Uhhhhh....................." So, I guess I'm better off just listening to his programs after all!!

"The Silver Lining"

~

You know, I already shared this picture the other day, but I just wanted to make mention of it once again. Not because I just want you all to admire the handiwork behind the camera (ha!) but because of what the image itself represents.

Tonight, in our Daniel bible study, we had some really heartfelt emotions brought to the surface by Beth's powerful study. But, the one that particularly touched me was that of my dear friend Anita.

She is so special to me, as she was the very first person I got to know at Eastridge when I first started attending by myself 2 and 1/2 years ago. We were both new to the church, but both very eager to learn and grow in our faith. She's a precious lady with a big heart and for whatever reason, I believe our paths were meant to cross. We just seem to have been connected... and I strongly believe, not at all by accident.

Tonight's study, oddly enough (and yet, not surprisingly at all) followed along the same lines as our sermon this Sunday. More or less, fighting the good fight of faith and becoming wise to the ways of the enemy. And just when I feel like I must be the only one fighting this fight here, I come to find out, my sweet Anita is having a lot of the same struggles. She's just had a very hard time lately, with unspoken situations at home and work. And she's just been trying like a champ to keep that faith up and keep believing... but it's so hard to do when situations remain the same, or in her case, seem to only get worse. And, boy can I relate!

But, I would just like to offer up this encouragement (to both Anita as well as myself!). Just like you see in the picture, many times, it takes the clouds of life to really begin to see God at work and to see His glory really magnified. To get an image that awesome, you have to not only have the magnificent Light to shine upward, but also the clouds to reflect that beautiful Light.

So, Father, thank You for Your magnificent Light and even though sometimes it's hard to see past them, thank You for the clouds. For, it's in those clouds that Your Light is most gloriously reflected and realized. Thank You for Anita and the friend she's become to me and I ask that You please continue to be with her and strengthen her through this trying time and allow her -if only a glimpse- of Your powerful hand at work in her life. Thank You so much. It's in Christ's name I pray. ~Amen.

"Heart Stress Test"

Yesterday in church, Rob said he had recently had a stress test done to see how his heart measured up and functioned these days. And he related it to our spiritual health. Similarly, many times, our spiritual heart can experience blockages and below average functioning. So, he gave us a test to see where we register on the spiritual stress test.

Where do you fall?

Tired a lot .......................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ............ Energetic/In shape

Pessimistic .............. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Optimistic

Bored ........................ 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Challenged

Spiritually Empty .................. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Spiritually Growing

Distant/Alone ................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Near/Connected

Insecure .............................. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Secure/Confident

Wounded/Hurt ..................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Loved/Understood

Bitter/Angry .......................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Forgiving/Forgiven

Sad ................... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 ................. Happy

Alienated ........ 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 .................... Close

.

.

He had us throw out all the 5's, because he knew we'd all play the safe 3's - happy medium. This way, we had to really sway one way or the other and 'own' that answer a bit more.
See how you scored:

Scores:

30-40 You are in good shape!

20-30 Be careful

10-20 Dangerous Territory

0-10 You may be in real danger

.

His whole point to this exercise was to bring about a better awareness of our strengths and weaknesses, as it is our very weaknesses that satan will prey on. He won't waste his time on those we scored 3's and 4's on, but rather those that we circled 1's and 2's. He knows our every weakness and prowls "like a lion seeking to devour" and destroy us and our faith. So, we must "set our minds to better understand and to humble ourselves before our God" (Daniel 10:12).

.

Rob closed out our service with a video from GodTube - a skit to Lifehouse's 'Everything'. I had already seen it awhile back on someone else's blog and it just so hits home to me. It presents very specific battles, but I just relate on the basic level - of fighting satan and all of his lies and empty promises and trying desperately to get back in sync with God and all He has for me. I tried to embed the video on my blog, but still haven't worked out whatever glitch there is, so I'm giving y'all the link instead. If you haven't yet seen this video, I highly suggest checking it out. The skit is very powerful, and as I've found, the struggle very real.

.

Lifehouse's 'Everything' skit

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"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

First of all, I know I said I'd quit blogging for an undisclosed amount of time. But, I just had a few things I wanted to share and thought "why not?" :)

First~ Chris Rice just had on his blog how tired he is of receiving countless amounts of sales catalogs and such, many of which he's never even ordered from. And I know mom and dad get several every day. So, if you have the same and would like to get a grip on it and save the environment in a small way, he recommends the website: http://www.catalogchoice.org. He said you can go there, and for no charge tell them which ones you would like to continue to receive and which ones to NIX!

Second~ Mom just started her very own blog (that we set up for her months ago now)! But, I'm sure it'll be an entertaining one, so if you want to check that out, go to: http://www.workinprogress-jb.blogspot.com! (Hopefully, she won't mind my sending you over there!!) :)

Lastly~ I had just taken a few cool pictures I thought I'd share with y'all. I've been having the best time with my little camera for the last couple of months and can only IMAGINE what I'll be able to accomplish when I actually figure out how to use it!! :)

But, until then, here's what I've managed so far...

Cardinal Climber on the lattice at work

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Lily out on our pond by the gift shop

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Our cabins up at Pigeon Forge

This one is my favorite one to date~

This lotus bloomed outside the shop

in our pond so gorgeously ~ one amazing

bloom at a time, each one only lasting

about 2 or 3 days before falling off. And as it turned out, I got this little guy just in the knick of time... this bloom was gone a day later and turned out to be the last one of the year!

*And the wonderful picture at the top... I just took Tuesday night on the way to Bible study. That was taken from our church parking lot looking west. Isn't that awesome?? I'm so glad I had my camera with me then!! So fun!

BITTERSWEET HIATUS

The other night, my sister was kind enough to try to help me figure out my apparent complications with YouTube - seeing as they just won't accept my account for some reason? And after she had looked at it, it still just would not work. So, I jokingly (at the time) said "I guess I'm just not meant to blog!"

I hadn't seriously gotten that discouraged and side-lined by a silly computer 'glitch'. If it took so little with me, I'd have given it up a long time ago!! :) (Ask Mom... it only takes my poor computer about 15 minutes to connect and then about 30 more to really get going on something... and then about 30 more before it kicks me off!)

But, the more I've thought about it, the more I've decided that it might be a good thing for me to take a bit of a hiatus from doing my blog. I don't have any idea of how long. And I will most DEFINITELY still check in on the others in the meantime! But, I just really feel like I need to kind of step back and dig into the studies I've been blessed enough to find. And get really re-connected with God and what He's wanting me to learn right now. I've been through so much with Him in recent years and want that close bond back again and have just not been able to attain it. And I think I know what He's wanting of me. Complete surrender and obedience and 100% of my focus on Him. So, that's what I intend (and want) to do.

You know, I had all these ideas for my blog, but just haven't panned out thus far... which is frustrating... but maybe after I get back on track with the Lord, He'll help me with my computing!! :)

In advance, I thank you all for standing by while I figure some things out. And I appreciate any and all prayers in my finding my way through life right now.

Who knows... maybe I'll get it all figured out in record time and I'll be back before the sun goes down! (Ha!) :) Not for this slow study!!

I promise to keep up with all the other blogs though and y'all keep up the good work!

* (In the meantime... you gotta check out "the cutest pledge ever" over at Jodi's blog!) * http://www.jodiyork.com/2007/10/26/cutest-pledge-ever/

"RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU," SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.( MALACHI 3:7 *NIV )

There are times that we may find ourselves walking far from God.

Know that if ever that happens to you it is because we have moved, not because God has left us. FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU; HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. ( DEUTERONOMY 31:8 )

Therefore if you ever find yourself feeling far from our Heavenly Father, remember that God is there with open arms to receive you back. So, BRING YOUR PETITIONS AND RETURN TO THE LORD, SAY TO HIM,"FORGIVE ALL OUR SINS AND RECEIVE US GRACIOUSLY." For then He will say: "I WILL HEAL YOUR BACKSLIDING, I WILL LOVE YOU FREELY."( HOSEA 14: 2 & 4 )

After all that is His promise always, for JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER. ( HEBREWS 13:8 )

*This was my online devotion for today and it couldn't have come at a better time. I can so relate with backsliding and a spiritual walk filled with wandering. So, it is so refreshing to know that even when I take my eyes off of Him, He's still got his loving eyes on me. And no matter how far I might wander or drift, He promises to remain as solid as a rock. The rock of ALL ages. For any and all to cling to. The same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you, Father!!