People say...

People say that my Mom and I look alike.

 

 Maybe you agree?

:)

Where are you going?

{I read this today and was greatly blessed by it. I'm hoping you are too. It is by James Orr and I believe it is from the book, How to Live a Holy Life.}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We have only one life to live--only one. Think of this for a moment. Here we are in this world of time, making the journey of life. Each day we are farther from the cradle--and nearer to the grave! Solemn thought! See the mighty concourse of human lives; hear their heavy tread in their onward march. Some are just beginning life's journey; some are midway up the hill, some have reached the top, and some are midway down the western slope. But where are we all going? Listen, and you will hear but one answer, "Eternity!" Beyond the fading, dying gleams of the sunset of life--lies a boundless, endless ocean called Eternity! There, you and I are daily traveling.

Time is like a great wheel going its round. On and on it goes. Some are stepping on--and some are stepping off. But where are these latter stepping? Into eternity! See that old man with bent form, snow-white locks, and tottering steps. His has been a long round, but he has reached his end at last. See the middle-aged man. His round has not been so long, but he must also step off. See the youth. He has been on only a little while--but he is brought to the stepping-off place. He thought his round would be much longer. He supposed that he was just getting started--when that icy hand was laid upon him and the usher said, "Come, you have made your round, and you must go!" The infant that gave its first faint cry this morning--may utter its last feeble wail tonight. And thus they go. But where? Oh, where? Eternity!

If you were to start today and ask each person you met the question, "Where are you going?" and, if possible, you were to travel the world over and ask each one of earth's inhabitants--there could be but one answer, "Eternity!"

"Oh, eternity, Long eternity!
Hear the solemn footsteps of eternity!"

Only one life to live! Only one life--and then we must face vast, endless eternity! We shall pass along the pathway of life but once. Every step we take--is a step that can never be taken again.

This world is not a play-ground--or a place to trifle with time. Life is not given us to squander nor fritter away. To trifle away time, is indeed, to be the greatest of spendthrifts. If you squander a dollar--you may regain it; but a moment wasted--can never be regained. God gives us all the time we need to accomplish all that He purposes us to accomplish--but He does not give us one moment to trifle away.

We have only one life to live--only one.

A Simple Gift

Our World Vision Christmas gifts catalog came yesterday.

Since then, scarcely an hour as gone by with someone looking at it- whether it's K and I or the twins "finding the duck."

We've been "picking our presents" too. I'm thinking about a goat, while Kristin is considering some chickens. Nicholas -sweet thing- picked out the cow. I think he might be buying in on my goat though. :)

Have you received the catalog yet? It's really worth looking at and there's so much you can do; build a well, buy bicycles and school uniforms, plant fruit trees and dig fish ponds. You can provide a family with a whole farm or just an animal or two.

These gifts mean so much more then you could ever imagine. Tasting a fresh egg or warm milk for the first time is an experience that we would take for granted, but for a little boy in Africa, it might be just what he needs to press on- to know that his life is worth living and that he can make beauty out of the ashes.

And really? You can buy a set of chickens for the price of that scarf you were just looking at. {ahem.}

So click over. Let Jesus pull your heart towards what He wants you to give. Pray for these people. And then come back and tell me what you bought. 'cause I love hearing how my Savior works. :)

~L

Because some days...

Some days the school piles on and and siblings are angry and I just want to scream.

Some days my fingers hit the keys all wrong and the music that is supposed to come out doesn't.

Some day the pages of the Book seem dry and I just can't find the strength to go on.

But the friends pray. They text and they email, their hugs hold me tight, with simple words that mean so much.

Through Him... You can be strong.

And then...

Somedays the schedule works perfectly and the day ends with a sigh of satisfaction.

Somedays my music is beautiful again.

Somedays I can't get enough.

Somedays I am gleeful.

Somedays I miss them.

But every night before bed, as I look over my day, my week, my year,

I think to myself,

source

And Somedays?

That's all that matters.

A Night to Remember

It started with a simple conversation around the picnic table on August 31st. We were in a giddy mood because we were finally at camp, and it was showing itself in our speech. “Did you know that Abigail and Brian are eating dinner on top of the dune tonight and watching the sunset?” turned into “Today’s a really good day....” and then we started wedding plans. It was all in fun though, and we knew better then to expect anything. Soon it was sunset time and the whole idea was forgotten.

Time laughed and soon the sun was gone. Maddie, Arie and I searched for sea glass as the waves frolicked around our feet. Nan and Lid had gone back to camp when I saw Beagle and Brian with Mr. and Mrs. L___ walking towards the road. Being as impulsive as I am, and seeing as I hadn’t hugged her yet, I ran up and threw my arms around her. However, in less then a minute, I was summoned back to a growing group of girls and waved good bye.

A trip up the dunes was in the works, but I declined. I needed to stay with my “charges” and we told everyone to go on without us and have fun. After a bit more searching, we decided to stop at the restroom and then head back to camp.

As we rambled up the sand, Lidia came by on her bike and called, “Montanna has something to tell you.” My first thought was okay, we aren’t going swimming tonight. But then Nan came riding up and exclaimed, “Lindsey. Abigail’s engaged!”

I think I just stopped dead for a pure second, not contemplating what that really meant. Then... I screamed. and kicked off my shoes (have you tried running in flipflops?!?!?) and screamed again. Suddenly the dreams and plans of the past months had become a reality.

Jesus had worked so much though this whole night. Besides working out the perfect story between the newly-engaged couple, He kept me from climbing the dune with my other friends and in many other places I saw His hand.

Nan rode back for my shoes as I stumbled across two parking lots and a rough woodchip path. It only took a minute more of searching before I shrieked again and ran into her arms. In the brief period when time stood still, it had grown dark and she shone a flashlight on her hand so I could see her ring. It was gorgeous.

The rest of the night was a flurry of excitement and calling Katherine and Jeremy and Did you hear? Did you see it? AHHHH!! We finally settled down around W_____’s fire to let the news finally sink in; although the whole next week someone would exclaim “Guess what! Beagle’s engaged!!!!” and we would all shriek and scream again. But before the clock struck eleven, we headed for the bathrooms -finally!!- and then fell into bed. And we all knew that this camping trip could not be any more perfect.

Photo by Mrs. B

*Abigail is the sister of one of my very best friends, and she is an amazing, gorgeous woman of God. Montanna and I have been planning her wedding for months and we're all so excited to finally attend it this summer. I'm going to cry. and it will be beautiful. That's all I know. :)*

Little Women~ A Remembrance

This was written last December... Yes, I still do miss these people, but it's okay now. I've moved on, but the memories are still deliciously sweet. I'm so excited for this year and the memories that are to come. More on HPA soon. :)

Little Women has officially been over for a week.

Well, a week, a day, 11 hours and 34 minutes if you want to get technical.

But if you want the truth, it feels like months.

People say I have four more years ahead of me, but that’s not true. I’ll never have that cast again. I could go on about that fact for hours, but we’ll dwell on happier thoughts for the moment.

Little Women was amazing and I loved every minute. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Those moments during a hour and a half dance practice where you do the same step over and over again? I want them back!

The times half way through a show when you just want to sleep? I want them back!

The times when you have to go to the bathroom because you drank 3 bottles of water but you have 80 costume pieces tied around you? I want them back!

Why? because it would mean that I was there. in C----------. with my cast. and we would be having the time of our lives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I miss sitting in that back corner of the make-up room with Arie, Maddie, Breanne and Brooklyn.

I miss reading Rachel’s new book entitled Letters to Jeremy and watching other people die laughing over it.

I miss Betts’ inhumanly-quick (23 second) change that Alli and I had down-pat.

I miss Asia’s hugs and I miss whispering those little words of encouragement to her.

I miss opening the make-up room door to let cool air in while I pray for the previously mentioned person.

I miss talk of calories, crashing and burning, atrociousness, and joining the circus.

I miss the prayer that surrounded us and the pumping-it-up afterwards.

But most of all, I just miss the people. They are so wonderful and I was so blessed to be a part of them.

Little Women changed my life.

I will never be the same.

Lately

Lately... Life has been laid back.

We've done a lot of "home" things... the things that keep you busy and add excitement without having to go places.

It's been quiet (as quiet as a house full of 6 children can get) and peaceful. most of the time.

And it's been a learning time. I've been reading and studying lots, and my Bible is bringing me lots of new truths.

Not only reading and studying for fun, but looking for a HPA monologue too. :)

Now that school has started, I've got some great stuff for you all. Reflections, stories, and pictures from our summer, along with explanations as to what HPA is and why it means so much to me.

Coming soon... with all you in mind!