Part 2 of recent events: Mickey Mouse

I am in Florida (said in a taunting way ;) So we made it to florida and most of the big events are over now. We have been planning this super mega trip for months now and it came faster than I could say "uncle Tom" (who is really my uncle) I am kind of rushing cuz im doing 3 things at once so this blog will not be perfect. Anyway tomorrow I go to disney!! woohoo! and i will see mickey and cinderella and the others. See ya'll later, miss everyone!

Part 1 of recent event: Dreams

A few things have piled up to blog about, so I'll do it in parts! On Tuesday mama Dossie took me and some of my girlfriends to "The Dream Center" in Jackson. It's a former school building that has been made into a home for battered women and children.

You could hardly call it a home, it was still mostly a school. Classrooms had been made into bedrooms and the only 'homey' things were a wicker couch, table and chair. When we got there we had no plan whatsoever as to what we would do. We were just going to find out what God had for us there.

I pretended I knew what I was doing and just started playing with the kids. I made quick friends with one 4 year old little black girl (I'll call her Aryanna). She lived there with her mama. We colored and read stories and occasionally I had to (try to) break up a fight between Aryanna and Joey (one of the little boys. I renamed him too)

There was one boy, Cody, who made such an impression on me. He was a little shy to come color but soon came over to join us when Joey went away. He was quiet and so sweet. He colored so nicely, too and talked to me about school. I was so glad that he gave me his picture, all signed and everything, when we left.

Aryanna gave me hers too and asked if we were going to come back. I totally want to go back! I gave them all hugs and told them I loved them as we left. I admit I did get a little tired of coloring but I am so glad I got to go and make a difference in a kid's life...

How do I look in Yellow?

A few months ago Mema gave me a coffee cup with a sunflower on it.  She told me that I was her sunflower.

Now this particular member of the floral species has not ever really been my favorite. When I was, like, nine I had a cow trough full of morning glories.  My dear brothers had to water them every day for me cuz it was too big of a job for a princess like me to undertake.

 ANYWAY, lately sunflowers have begun to grow on me :)  After I got that cup I brought it with me (with tea in it)  to a morning singing time at "Abba's Swing." Mama Faith noticed it and pointed it out. She said that I was a sunflower because of my cheerful attitude. Then everyone started commenting and someone else said "Yeah and they're strong, their roots go deep."

Ever noticed a sunflower? I've started to. They're tall and they grow straight up reaching for the sun! And one thing I've learned (when I tried to grow some in my backyard) is that they can't survive unless they are completely in the light of the sun -- Always. They are so bold and yellow - cheerful. They're also really hairy! Ok! Dont want to be a sunflower in THAT way!

Sooo, I hope I'm a sunflower. I hope I am always growing towards the Son, I hope I am ever-cheerful and take things in stride (as long as it's not a lawn mower) I hope I can be strong, bold, beautiful and a wonder to all who see me.   Just one question:  how do I look in yellow?

Christianity is NOT for Wimps!

     Recently I had a talk with a friend. I did not like the way I had seen him treat someone younger than himself. The younger one was rude but this rudeness was not met with patient correction. My friend thought that what he did was OK and that is was just the way things were between older and younger boys. I did not think it was right at all especially in the kingdom of God.
     I got to thinking and thought of someone else this friends age whom I have a lot of respect for. I knew that he would never mistreat someone younger even if he did not particularly like that person. I knew that he would be kind and respectful.
     Oh how easy it is to choose rudeness! Oh how difficult to say something nice when sarcasm is shoving forward on the tip of your tongue! What a fight to be good, humble, kind, patient, respectful, silent! When was the last time you had to struggle to say something mean when someone was annoying you? Probably never, right?
     Respect. You can get it by two methods:   Intimidation or love. The former is a respect where others end up not knowing how to be around you. They probably learn to stay away and not to stand up to you. When you are never contradicted you may think you have gained respect, but you have really lost it.
     The latter (love) respecting others, treating them as if they really matter, as if they are equals. What a more stout respect you will find! Others will want to be around you, they will desire to please you and they'll talk about how they love you. They know you respect them, that you care. You are respected, and, miraculously, loved. This is the way it should be - at least in the kingdom of God.
     Many people who are tough and mean look really strong but deep down they are just afraid and have fallen back on the easiest thing to do. They put on a false outer layer. Someone meek and kind may look very weak in the worlds eyes but they have found the truth and have stepped out in courage to stand up for what they believe. Christianity is not for wimps!
   


   

..the best way to know God is to love many things (and many people) -vincent van gogh

(I added that last part on the Van Gogh quote above. I dont think he meant things when he said things.
I think he meant flowers and hummingbirds, trees and waterfalls and, yes, people) I feel funny blogging because I don't have many major things happening in my life at the moment like others do.

I was going to write about myself but... I think I will talk about those I love.
Papa Shammah. He is one of the sweetest dads in the village and he has always been such a papa for me. We haven't necessarily had amazing conversations or done really fun stuff together or anything. He's just been there as a shoulder to lean on. Someone to stand next to and sing with during worship of our God. I love how he sings. I love how, when most everyone else is silent, he is singing in his most not-self conscious way! I've started doing that same thing after him, singing at random times. Caleb does it too :-)

I love the Horsts. Papa Asher is like papa Shammah. He is there for you and he's just so comforting to have around. I love Mama Gannah's spunkiness, kindness, wisdom, and bravery. She is wonderful.
Evelyn. She is so beautiful. She has the loveliest smile and she uses it a lot. Evelyn is a great friend and she is so tender. She loves God and her family so much and cares so much for others!

Suzie. What a friend! She really cares about people! She takes care of me. I love her very much. Friday I got in on the bowling trip at the very last minute. Suzie was very concerned that I didn't have a ride and she got a whole other vehicle just for me!! Gosh she is great. Nobody tell her about this blog post! She hates being fawned over, and I admit I am one of the biggest offenders!