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  • Inside The Circle, Part One

    August 28th, 2010

    Over the last few weeks, my dad has been going through Psalms 37 with us. I thought I knew the verses, especially verses 4-5, like the back of my hand. It’s the ones every girl pulls out when she’s discouraged or longing for whatever dreams she has.

    Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

    But through this devotion, I’ve learned some things that for some reason never struck me before. It’s one of those things that are so obvious and yet it’s never really hit me before. So over the next few weeks, I’m going to try and share it.

    Anyway. Dad used the illustration of a big green field, and in that big green field is a circle. And in the middle of that circle is you. God has placed you in that circle, and everything He wants for you to have is in that circle with you. Sometimes there seems to be things outside of that circle that if we could only just step out of the circle, we could reach. But God wants us to wait inside that circle, so that when those things are brought into the circle by Him, we know that it’s by his doing and not ours, that He was the one that made it happen, not us.

    I’m sure everyone has something like that in their life, whether it’s marriage or dreams or choices for the future or getting a job or wanting to go from point A to point B, if only you knew what point B was or whatever, where sometimes it seems like you’re stuck and the solution to that desire seems so close if you could just barely step past that line, past that circle. But then even if you achieved that dream and got that desire, would you be stuck your whole life wondering if you did this and not God? How much better to submit to His boundaries that He has placed around you and let Him bring it in His timing? Because then it’ll be perfect. Not as in you’ll never have another problem, but you won’t have to make it work, conform your desires and standards to make that solution work. God has a totally perfect plan and will bring it in your circle in His totally perfect time.

    At Jasmine Baucham’s blog, she recently said something that struck me profoundly.

    Our faith is never so tested -our reliance to the Lord never so strengthened -our weakness never so magnified -as when we are called to wait upon the Lord’s perfect timing, and to obey despite the outcome as we watch his sovereign plan unfold.

    And no, I’m not talking about marriage here, because I know that’s what everyone’s probably assuming from the view I’ve had since I started the blog. But I’ve realized that marriage is not the ultimate goal, that the choice is not just about marriage, and that waiting on the Lord for your desires means all desires. I hope I’m making sense. I’ve realized that I considered marriage the ultimate point, the great achievement. Nothing really matters until then, and nothing really matters after then. I realized that I was missing out on being a part of my family, of preparing for my future (a future that…gasp…may not include marriage for a long time (if ever)) by fretting over that. That is not the point of the post, but I just wanted to address that. I’m not talking about “waiting on the Lord for marriage”.  I’m talking waiting on the Lord for everything.

    There’s so much more swirling in my head right now. This devotion has opened a huge train of thought that I’m sorting through and figuring out and hopefully will share over the next few weeks. I guess this is just a sampling as I’m trying to get my thoughts together. ;-)

    See you later…

    Where Have I Been?

    August 11th, 2010

    Sewing.

    I’ve been working on this project  for this festival and it’s been so much fun. But it’s taken a lot of time! Like my mom said, you can tell I’m into it when I give up my precious computer time.

    So the dress progresses! And that’s all I’ve been doing lately. ;-) I’m wanting to get back to blogging, but you know…it’s been busy! Nick’s graduation went well, and I’ll…well, you know. I’ll try and post pictures. Soon. As soon as I finish the dress. ;-)

    So off to work on it some more…just thought I’d check in and reassure everyone–if anyone’s here anymore–that I’m still here!

    Congratulations, Nicolas – Class of 2010!

    July 24th, 2010

    A big congratulations to my “big” little brother, Nicolas, as he joins the ranks of the Class of 2010!

    I am so proud of him and his accomplishment, his character, and his love and passion for the things of the Lord.

    Congratulations, Nick! I’m praying that the next years ahead will be wonderful and that the Lord will show you His will for your life! Love you!

    The Dreams of Girlhood

    July 13th, 2010

    I would not chill the warmth and animation of happy girlhood. If I could see the clouds and storms of life just ahead, the cares that would bend your back and break your heart, would they be any less painful of difficult if you knew? Laugh and play now, for this is your day. Dream your bright and happy dreams, and aspire to your lofty heights. I should be a pessimist indeed, if I did not encourage you in the radiant dreams and fair hopes that now brighten your skies and make your path light.

    In a few short years, oh! so few, these guardians and burden-lifters will be all taken away, and you will step into the full care and responsibility of womanhood. So laugh and play and rejoice in your youth, dream your glorious day-dreams, sip the honey and nectar from every passing hour: but guard well your feet that they do not slip into one of the snares and pitfalls along the ways. Be pure, be true, be sincere, be earnest, and life will bring you peace and happiness.

    ~From Beautiful Girlhood

    Helping Little Hands…

    July 7th, 2010

    Today I was keeping myself busy shucking corn, going quickly so I could get on to the next task–you know how that goes–when Emma came up and asked if she could help.

    I paused, with a “oh, no thank you, sweetie” on my lips. After all, I could get it done in a tenth of the time that she could, right?

    But then I thought about it. One, we want to train them to help, but then when they want to, it’s in the way. We want to invest time in them, but it’s never the right time.

    Em shucked one ear in the time it took me to finish all the rest. But it was a great time just the two of us.

    I think that I can miss so many opportunities by rushing things, when I should slow down and enjoy the time investing in and participating in every day life with my siblings.

    I need to let them help stir or fold or put in the laundry or load the dishwasher. Because I may get it done faster, but how much will I miss by spending a few more minutes and making a few more memories?

    Just a thought.

    Happy Independence Day!

    July 4th, 2010

    american-flag-2a

    Oh, say! can you see by the dawn’s early light
    What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming;
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
    O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
    And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
    Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
    Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

    Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
    Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
    Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
    Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
    Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
    And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
    And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
    –The National Anthem of the United States

    Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.
    –Ronald Reagan

    The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered… deeply, …finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
    –George Washington, First Inaugural Address

    “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
    Leviticus 25:10

    “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
    2 Corinthians 3:17

    Happy Birthday, Emma!

    July 3rd, 2010
    Today is Emma’s 8th birthday! A very happy birthday to the sparkle in our life! With her exuberant outlook on life, Emma Pa-Pemma is truly such a joy to our family.
    Happy Birthday, Em!

    Eudaimonia Blog Parade

    July 1st, 2010

    Summertime is a time full of happiness, right? I mean, what’s not to love about it (I hear you now…the heat! That doesn’t count…)? Anyway. Rebecca Jane over at Sewing in the Past (a lovely blog, by the way) headed up this blog parade! (Eudaimonia means “happy”, I guess. ;-) )

    Here are the rules:

    The summertime is chopped full of fun, right?! Well, to celebrate summertime, I decided to have a mini blog party. All that is required to join is:
     


    Create a post on your blog with a list of your “top ten things that make you happy.”

    Try to be original and specific. Pictures are not required, but are always appreciated. The event will last five days and will close on the last day of June.

    I originally posted this on my other blog, but I thought I’d share it here, too. To spread the eudaimonia, you know! ;-)

    So…here’s my top ten things that make me happy:

    Being with my family
    They’re the bestest ever and a constant source of joy! How can being around the most adorable kids in the world not be? I’m telling you, Joey, Prissy and Zach will keep you in stitches. And don’t forget Benjamin…and the girls…and the boys with the riots we have…oh, yeah. My family makes me happy. ;-)
    Finding a verse just when you need it
    Always so encouraging to see how the Lord works–just when you need it, the Lord miraculously brings the perfect verse for the situation. That just gives me goosebumps at how awesome the Lord is.
    Wall-E
    This movie is just one of those “happy” movies…the kind that just make you happy watching them (Mary Poppins is another for me). Plus Wall-E is just too adorable. I love him to death. ;-)
    Fellowship with Church folks
    The best church family in the whole wide world…they’re the most amazing blessing!!! I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing, awesome, encouraging church family if I custom ordered it.
    Michael Crawford
    Oh my goodness. My favorite singer ever, ever, ever. His voice is just incredible, goosebumps and chills running down the spine and all that. Listening to him always makes me very happy–even if it sometimes makes me cry. Inspirational is the word I’m looking for. ;-)
    Singing
    My life. More than oxygen and all that non-important stuff. Singing does for me what nothing else (outside of the Lord, of course) can. Have you ever felt the incredible feeling like you’re flying or something when you sing? If not you’re missing out.
    Listening to Music
    Ok, as you can see music makes up the majority of my life. Listening to music of some kind is as daily ritual. I absolutely cannot live without it. ;-) As Mrs. Elton says in Emma, “without music, my life would be a blank.” ;-)
    A good costume drama
    What a lovely way to spend an evening! The costumes, the settings, the “simpler” times (even if they in reality weren’t any simpler than now)…oh, and the romance, of course. ;-)
    Being with dear friends after long time no see
    We don’t see each other very often even though we keep in touch daily, so the times when we can get together are absolute bliss. Nothing like sisters in Christ–the kind that you can talk about everything with all the time.
    Dark Chocolate
    Last but not least. One of the best things in life. There is absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing in the world like good dark chocolate. I mean, it is incredible. Coffee is close, but not quite close enough. Dark chocolate can calm the worst day and make the gloomiest day happy. ;-)
    So there you are…top ten things that make me happy. I didn’t have room for “a good book”, which also makes me happy. But oh, well.;-) Join the parade and do this, too! I’d love to see it…

    Happy Birthday…

    June 30th, 2010

    …to two very special people!

    The first is my wonderful, adorable, scrumptious little brother Zachary Sean, who turns two years old today!

    He is sooooo much fun, and his obsession with sports, particularly golf, is absolutely hilarious in a boy his size and age. ;-) Plus he’s such a beautiful little guy with the most darling smile ever, ever, ever, and his growing vocabulary makes him even more cuter, if that’s possible. ;-)


    (Tori and I–2009)

    The second “Happy Birthday” goes to my dearest sis in Christ, Victoria Ann Rooney, who turns nineteen today! A very happy birthday to you, dear sis!!! Hope you have a lovely, wonderful, amazing, stupendous day and can’t wait to see you soon!!!!!!

    Happy 16th Birthday, Jon!

    June 22nd, 2010

    Happy 16th Birthday to Jon! Jon has always just been the life of the party, and his (intentionally) cheesy jokes and laugh always just make the day.

    There’s no man in town as admired as you,
    You’re everyone’s favorite guy
    Everyone’s awed and inspired by you,
    And it’s not very hard to see why!

    “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:”—Proverbs 17:22a

    For there’s no one as burly and brawny,
    Perfect, a pure paragon!
    You can ask any Tom, Dick, or Stanley
    And they’ll tell you who’s team they prefer to be on!

    “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”—Proverbs 15:15 

    Happy, happy, happy birthday, Jon! Thanks for being the life of the party! Love you!

    (The Gaston reference is an inside joke ;-) )