Observations

1. I like weddings; my father does not.

2. Most people don't relish cold weather.

3. Mandarin is a challenge.

4. Moses (our dog) is a weird creature.

5. I have become a slacker in the blogging world--this post is pathetic!

6. Wise is a half-back (whatever that may be)

7. I stay up too late.

8. School is about to start.

9. This is my second numerically listed post.

10. Running gets easier.

11. Pride & Prejudice is just . . . beautiful.

12. Also, Prancer is wonderful.  I'm rather nerdy when it come to Christmas movies.

Reason to be happy . . .

1. I'm free!

2. itunes is just great

3. I just had some nice green tea

4. fall is just around the corner

5. family from Alabama will be coming for a visit Labor Day Weekend

6. anticipating new subjects this year (in school--I'm sure many in life as well)

7. 42 days until China

8. just got a free download--Kate Earl, Melody (not really sure who she is, but maybe)

9. Family is healthy

10. my support for the China trip is almost completely raised

11. Someone cleaned our car out for us yesterday

12. a really cool desk chair is always a joy to have (mine is many moons older and the wheels hardly work, but it has character--and it wasn't $400)

13. I get to go to the Lodge tomorrow and help prepare for the "big to do" event

14. I could easily go on forever like this, and that is really good reason to be happy!

The Girl in the Metal Building

 There was a woman and her friend, both missionaries, walking down the road in Cambodia.  Suddenly they hear something clattering violently in a metal building.  They began searching out the problem. They open the door and find a girl, about eleven years old, chained to a board, and left completely alone.  This young girl's mother said that the purpose of this type of containment was because the girl had a "monkey demon".  Of course they want to help this girl-save her!  The mother reluctantly allows them to take her to the hospital, but said that they must bring her back.  They take her to the hospital but, of course, she has no "monkey demon", but a light case of Epilepsy that could be controlled by orally taking medication- just two pills.  Simple, right? She can be helped- healed!  Finally, a dismal end, the mother wanted her back, and if nothing has changed . . . that eleven year old girl, now a few years older, who has no "monkey demon" is still chained up to the board in the small metal building.  

Things like this remind me of how easy my life is.  How God said He wanted to save me, just like the missionary desperately  wanted to save the young girl chained to the bondage of her assumed (not real, of course) "demon".  No one was denying me the privilege of rescue from my bondage to sin- her mother did.  This story is heart-breaking, yes, but it should also spur our hearts to desperately cry out to God for these people just like the girl in the metal building. All in bondage to many diverse things, but in bondage none the less.

Anguish

This video is more convicting and more inspiring for change to a dry heart than anything I have ever seen in my life.  It cuts me past the surface and wedges deeply in my heart. Please check it out . . . . ANGUISH 

La la la la . . . .

I have yet to figure out how to add videos, so you will just have to click on this to see the song I am currently in adoration of.  It's fun and different. Trust me . . . you've heard it. 

China

So, if you have read my profile, my facebook, or my Twitter, you have probably come to the conclusion that I have an thing for China. I must say, this is very true. For a few years I have wanted our family to adopt from China specifically, but, unfortunately, we have too many kids! Really, we do. The government itself doesn't allow families with more that four minors living in their home to adopt. It was really a sad "dead end" to the hope I had that something could be done, or a rule could be waved in our favor. I've resigned myself to the fact that one day, it will be my time to do it- before I have over four minors living in my home, and after I turn 30 (another rule/requirement). Since nothing can be done on that subject (the subject of adoption, that is) at this point in time, I have decided to focus on the here and now. I have a burden for China and things can be done for the Chinese that isn't exclusive to a certain age or a certain number of children, or, in my case, siblings. I have "looked" at mission trips hosted by different organizations for about a year now, but just never found the right thing. I am happy, overjoyed really, to say that this October, 2009, my dad, two other friend and I will be traveling to China for a little over a week. I will not disclose the details of our objection on the trip right now, but would really appreciate prayer in this matter. Our original plan was to leave either the 2nd or 4th of October, but possible flights for that time seem to be saying the 1st is the most probable. I am 3/4 of the way to my goal for financial support, which is a huge blessing.

Many thanks to the Orchestrator of the trip, and for His provision in making it possible.

Wan' an!

So, yes, I am still quite alive . . .

Sorry for the tardiness of my posting.  Some of the fault lies with my just being too lazy to do it, and some with my feeling incapable of writing anything worthwhile to read.  But, what is a blog for anyway?  

I am happy to declare through out the "www" that I have finally read Jane Austin's "Pride & Prejudice".  It was, in a word, lovely.  Austin's quality in depicting her ever cherished story far surpasses all of the films made in it's honor, even the BBC version.  For some time I have said that "I am not a fan of Jane Austin, I am a fan of her work", but no more can I fully say that with any level of honesty.  Her characters have such an overwhelming depth when their life and conversations are read from the hand of their creator.  Such depth that I had never even noticed when watching the movies.  

So, summer seems like it should be coming to an end.  I must say that I am no fan of summer weather, and or summer activities.  I really prefer indoor activities above the outdoor, outdoor activities like sports, sports, sports, and sports.  I am fine with other things outside, like bonfires, hiking, walks for the sole purpose of enjoyment (I suppose that is similar to a hike), and other non-threatening things.  

Right now I should be doing noting aside from knitting. There is girl on the Rebelution Forum that is going on a missions trip and needed scarves and other knitted and crocheted items, so of course I volunteer.  How many scarves have I made?  1/20 of one.  Well, I did complete one, but I liked it so much that I have decided to keep it.  That seems rude, doesn't it? Anywho, I will do it . . . hopefully before her departure.  

This seems to be a very monotonous post.