Fall

I'm officially embracing fall on my blog now. My title doesn't always seem to fit, but I chose it because I love the sun and I try really hard to stay on the positive. It's not always possible, of course, but I do try. After Summer and Spring, Fall is my next favorite season. I love the beautiful colors and the warm, cozy drinks, sweaters, activities, etc. that come with the season. I hate to see Summer go, especially when we never get much of one here, but rather than hoping for it to come back, I decided it was time to embrace it and enjoy it, because all too soon, it will be winter and dark and dreary. :( Today was in the 70's, and is still in the 70's outside, despite the fact that it is raining. Even the breeze was warm. I think we're having what's called a Pineapple Express. The major problem I have with Fall around here is that is usually rains like crazy and is windy. I hate wind. But, it does make pretty pictures with leaves. :) So, welcome Fall!



I heard this great quote of Bro. Branham's that has become one of my favorites. It helps me, especially on those cloudy days:

"The sun is always shining. The only thing that keeps it from shining on you is clouds. If you get rid of the clouds, the sun will be shining." - If God Be With Us, Then Where Is All the Miracles?

Be Free Little Bird Giveaway

I just started reading this website and am loving it! I love the photos and interesting links. I just ordered a sweet coffee mug from a link from her website. Lauren, the author of the blog, is having a give-away this week! Visit here to find out more.



Sweet necklace, eh? :)

*The picture is taken from her giveaway blog and is not mine.

First Day Back To School

I had my first day back to college on Wednesday. It's sweet, I get to go to school, and get paid to do it, and don't have to study or take tests or do homework. All went well with my new buddy* except one thing...I lost him. Yes, on the very first day I lost my buddy. He was going up the elevator, so I took the stairs and told him I'd meet him at the top. I got up there and walked across the skybridge to the other elevator and waited and waited. I thought it was very odd that he wasn't coming up yet. I walked around a little, waiting, then finally it dawned on me...The elevator goes up! Not up and over! I walked back across the skybridge and there he was, on his phone telling his mom, "I think I lost her." I was laughing and so was he. I felt so stupid. All was well after that, but I couldn't help laughing the rest of the day when he'd go up the ramps and I'd take the stairs. I had to make sure to tell him I really would meet him at the top. :)




*That's what I'm going to call my friend's brother from now on.

September Update

Although most of my very few readers are already aware of most events in my life, for you others, I bring you an update! Yes, you are welcome. :)

Well, just about 2 weeks ago, I was not exactly sure what to do with myself for this quarter, or even this year, not going to school at the moment. I'm still on the waiting list and we'll see what happens next year. So, I was talking with a friend about figuring out my life and jokingly told her, "I'm off to figure out my life." I got to my car and got a phone call about a job offer. It was completely unexpected and has been an answer to prayer. A friend of mine from high school has a brother with a disability. He's very smart and is taking classes at WWU, my former school, and needed an aide for his classes. It's a dream schedule, everything has worked out quite well so far, and I am still able to keep my job at the library and volunteer at the church school and camp, and I get weekends off! For now, it's a great job! I am very thankful that God always provides just in time. :)

Well, that's my big news. Nothing much else new. My younger cousin, who's in 11th grade, is starting Running Start tomorrow! Very weird! She's excited about it.

Oh, my dad is going to be able to have surgery pretty close to here, rather than going half-way across the country. They think it'll be a successful surgery. Please keep him in prayer!

Nothing else I can think of. I still haven't gotten my camera or USB drive back. Please keep those in prayer, especially my USB drive. I need it! Thank you all, you very few readers and even fewer commenters. :) May the rest of your September be very blessed!

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

~ Alexander Graham Bell

We Shall All Be Changed

I just read a post about the passing of a loved one on one of the blogs I read. It's crazy that no matter how long it's been since their death, it still hurts. And the oddest things remind you of it, and some not so odd, like that post. Before my friend Miriam passed away, death didn't hit me so hard. It made me sad, but I didn't have much of a concept of losing a loved one. Since then, it's my immediate thought if anything out of the ordinary happens. Especially calls that start: "I just wanted you to know you don't have to worry..."

Death isn't such a scary thing when you're a Christian, and I'm so thankful for that. But, it's still just as tough. Nothing prepares you for it, even when you expect it. My Grandma passed away a few weeks ago. I still keep expecting her to call and whenever my mom answers the phone I immediately wonder if it's her.

I realized, after reading the above mentioned post, that I didn't post about Miriam on here. She passed away on Monday, July 10, 2006. That date is etched in my memory, just as where I was when I got the text and call about it. I will never forget that horrible, sleepless night and having to go to work the next day and barely making it. I remember the gathering at a friend's house the next night and the heavy sadness in the air. I remember being ok with it for a few moments during service the next day, and then questioning God for months, maybe even years after. I think that's normal. I didn't think I was questioning Him, but I was. It really shook me. Nothing since then has shook me as hard.

It's been 4 years since she left us and I still cry about it. I'm like that though. I can't wait to see her. And my Grandma. I imagine they're enjoying themselves together. They'll know each other because my dog is there too. They both loved my dog. Ok, ok, Miriam hated my dog, but there's only perfect love in Heaven so now she has to love him. :)

I don't have a real purpose in this post. I don't have profound words of wisdom or comfort. My only words are to cling closely to Jesus and treasure your loved ones as much as possible while you still have them. You never know when it'll be the last time you say good-bye. Try to tell them you love them as much as possible. I so wish I could call my Granny one more time and tell her that. And I wish I had texted Miriam a hello that day.


"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. " I Corinthians 15:51-52

Small Town Service

Anyone who's never had the experience of working in a small-town library has missed out on a lot. I've been working at my local library for 4 years now and it has been a great learning experience. I have gained a lot of confidence in my people skills and have changed my outlook on people since working there. I have gotten to know all of the locals and have gotten close to a lot of them. Even a few of the newer patrons enjoy talking to me and having me help them. When I first started working there I thought it was just to earn money for gas, but now I realized I've become more of a part of the community and have learned so much.

It's funny to me how comfortable people are around me, because I don't think much of it, but this one really nice lady had been looking at some magazines and as she was walking past me, commented on how much junk is in magazines now. She said they were such a waste of money because of all the terrible advertisements and other things. It makes me feel really good about my job that people feel comfortable enough to chat and share their thoughts.

Today, I helped with a good deed for a lady who comes in quite frequently and sometimes is annoying because she always wants us to look up famous people's birthdays for her. She'll bring in a huge list and it gets a little much. Today, a young guy came in and said a lady was having trouble with her oxygen tank. I didn't know what to expect, and when I got outside, it was this lady and she couldn't figure out how to hook it up and turn it on or off. Between the two of us, we got it figured out for her and I showed her how to use it. She came in a little later and told me she was very impressed with how I was able to help her and thanked me. Then she told me I looked like Chelsea Clinton. :P I thought that was funny and asked her if she meant it as a compliment and she said, "Oh, I think she's just beautiful." It was funny. But I was thinking about her after she left, and I realized how much she and other people depend on their library, not just for books and resources, but for companionship and someone who will listen and care about them.

In a day in which there is such a lack of customer service and care for others, it's nice to know you can depend on your local library. And now I realize I've become a part of that and it makes me smile. :)