When life gets crazy, take a nap. Sure, it may not be a proven pharmaceutical cure, but it works for me! Things can get crazy in the way of school & work, but I think I can keep it on track - with much prayer of course. Warren's in CA now, he left yesterday. It's official: my entire family hates DFW Airport - every time we get back from that place we're always minus one. It's quite a cruel joke. I only like it when we leave 1 person heavy! It's weird to go in Warren's room and be able to see the carpet - that'll take some getting used to! Hey Warren! I know you're gonna read this since you're stuck in you hotel room! (Love ya!) It still smells kinda funny in there, like Warren often does, so it's kinda like he's still here. (Until the room airs out!) Keep us all in your prayers, (please!) Warren especially!
"Many are the plans of a man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Prov. 19:21

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, now that I've got that out of my system I think I can make it - for now anyways! College is kicking my glutious maximus, and I've only been going to class for 1 week! The work is not hard, just overwhelming. Work, school, church, military - where does the madness end?! For all those who encouraged me to pursue the English degree, what were you thinking? Next time I decide to try something 'brilliant' stop me. I mean, I won't listen, but then you all get the satisfaction of saying "I told you so." I am enjoying most of my classes - they just come hard and fast. If I were satisfied with mediocrity I'd totally put a half-hearted-I-just-want-to-pass-&-graduate effort into it, but I'm one of those weird overachiever types. Thanks Mom.

Life has been compared to many different things; a box of chocolates (mmm, yummy!), an assortment of games, ect., ect. But right now I'd have to say it's like driving down an old, unfamiliar, unpaved, country road. You're not quiet sure where you're going or exactly how to get there, but the scenery sure is nice! Then, out of nowhere - a sharp turn! You didn't know what was ahead, so - obviously, you weren't expecting it. Now your car's stuck in a ditch, because you missed the turn, and you have to call for help. Except, you're in the middle of nowhere, so the cell phone doesn't have a signal. And then it starts to rain. Crap. Yup, that about sums it up! Most of you know about Warren's deployment - so you can probably see where this is coming from. To us, it seems like the bottom dropped out and it totally caught us by surprise, because (duh!) we didn't see it coming. God, on the other hand, was not surprised by any of this. He knew this would happen before the existence of the flying tree squirrel, so we can all take comfort that God will be there to catch us when the "bottom falls out" - every time.

One unnaturally sunny winter day last week I was driving home from work with my sunroof open. Nice... The sun streaming through, wind blowing through my hair, radio blasting - I was lovin' it! Then, out of nowhere - rain drops. Most people would've closed the sunroof, but of course, I'm not 'most people.' I smiled & turned the radio up! Then, genius that I am, I stuck my hand through the sunroof. Usually, rain is a gentle, replenishing gift from God - but at 70mph it's not so gentle. It stung my flesh, as if there were hundreds of tiny needles pelting my hand. Now, most people would've retracted their hand, but again I remind you that I'm not 'most people.' Then I got to thinkin...' (Notice: I've got one hand on the wheel, the other out of the car, traveling @ 70+mph on a back road where the speed limit is probably 45mph and NOW I start thinking. Hey, what can I say - I'm a multi-tasker! Please pray for my safety.) Anyway, I started thinking; God uses rain to replenish the Earth, grow crops, give people stranded in the middle of the ocean drinking water - it's basically used for good things. I love to run around outside and dance in the rain, and a main reason it's fun is because it's not painful! (Except for the whole lightning thing...) Rain reminds me of several other gifts from God, and if we enjoy them in His perfect design then we reap His blessings and benefits. Yes, sometimes we get the urge to break life's speed limit and stick our hands outside the car - and yes, it feels awesome! But in the end, I find much more satisfaction when I'm dancing around, barefoot, in God's gifts.

Sour cream. Mayonnaise. Spinach. Gross, gross, gross - and then some! These have to be the yuckiest (yes, of course it's a word!) ingredients known to man; but, mix them together with some dry soup mix and you've got some pretty tasty dip! I guess that's how it goes in our spiritual lives too. There are a whole mess of things we may find absolutely gross, but God is able to mix things up and surprise us with something incredibly yummy. God - mmm, mmm good...