The Hiding Place

When I was a freshman in high school I read this book "The Hiding Place" The triumphant true story of Corrie Ten Boom and then I copied the diagram of the Beje out of the book for a book report on it.

There are times when I think, I've got it hard, why me? But then I think of this woman, and her family who were the courageous rescuers of many Jews and others who were targeted by the Nazi's during WWII.

What sticks out to me, is the strong faith and Christian kindness of the Ten Boom family. I love both of the sisters, Corrie and Betsey, I love how they support and care for each other.

They were such honest and simple people who continually lived their religion. Even in the midst of the concentration camp that they were sent to after being captured by the Gestapo, they were able to help and inspire others.

These women lost everything, Corrie eventually lost her family and her beloved Betsie, yet she was a beacon of love and hope for many years after her rescue from the camp.

I always seem to gravitate to these types of stories, these types of people when I am going through a hard time myself.

At times I need courage, and I find it through others words, others faith, others strength. I am so grateful for what I have, even when times are tough.

Shalom means peace, can I have some?

Today has been crazy busy, but nice...

My cousineth Julene came over and watched Roxie for me so that I could run around and get errands done, thank you, thank you Julene! It was nice to talk to you and catch up a bit.

Angie is a narrator in an elementary school adaptation of the classic "A Christmas Carol" so I had to bring her up there at 5, then I came home to cook dinner but then ended up being late for the play (and thus missing it, OI) Lucky for me I have a second chance as they have another performance tomorrow.

I found out that I had somehow missed the fun "Night out with Santa" that we were invited to... why? Because I was up in AF applying for a job... we'll see if I get it... it made me sad that we missed the Santa thing though because the kids would have enjoyed getting a nice gift...

After picking up Angie from the play the kids and I went over to Blockbuster and rented a few movies... which we put to good use as soon as we got here. :)

I've been filling out job applications all night, yippee.... it is so much fun, you all should try that as a relaxing hobby, or maybe I need to treat it like it's a relaxing hobby... maybe it'll send out good happy vibes... hehe

Let's all link arms and sing now, Koombia me lord Koombia... (I've probably misspelled that btw... the suggestions from the speller though are "Kumquat," "Columbia," or "Kookaburra" so I think I'll stick with my version) Well I will wish you all peace then Shalom...

In Sickness and In Health

The Christmas Spirit

Grumble, Grrr... Yawn

Hello world out there, this is a quick update to say that nothing is going according to plan, everything planned has been rescheduled until further notice and that new plans are in the process of being made...

Er, yeah, that's it right?

Why is it that even simple plans like going up to see my brother in SLC get sidetracked from one night to the next morning... yeah, that's how things go sometimes. I spent the night with an onrey grouchy critter, namely my 3 year old with a fever, going from one room to the next to lay down and sleep (getting drinks of water in-between). From my room, to Angie's room (yes I was in a delusional stupor good thing I didn't wake Angie up when I lied down on her bottom bunk with Roxie), back to my room, down to the living room where I found myself early this morning snuggled up against 3 pillows, Roxie ensconced by my side, the cat on top (in a particularly warm spot on my chest), and Sione at my feet at the other end of the couch.... well trying to slip out of that didn't work, I woke Roxie up from trying to escape. So I brought her upstairs and we went to sleep again in my bed.

Needless to say, I feel like a lawn mower ran me over... as much as I wanted to go up to SLC I just couldn't Argh!! I'm so tired, can someone take over my life for a bit so that I can take a nap?

Anyway, good wishes to ya'll out there in the big ol' wide world.

What does it feel like to be happy and carefree? Oh yeah, even kids complain about life... so I guess I'll just have to fake it till I make it... :)

How we do it

What is it that defines success in today's world? Status symbols, security

I could go for a bit of security just now

It seems that in today's world beauty and youth symbolize success, how fleeting

How incredibly ironic

It feels as if I am in a race, trying to churn out the talent that I need in order to land a job, anywhere

and I am here, with my daughter, age 3

She's the smartest little thing, constantly saying new things, things that make me realize how much she really knows.

My other kids, they work so hard, they are so sincere

But I fear

Fear that the world with its message of amusing stupidity will send them down a path that they will struggle to recover from.

Can they afford to lose these years in a cocoon of ignorance?

Yes I fear

I talk to them, I sincerely am trying to emphasis how much they need to know

but it is hard for them to grasp that isn't it?

I have to just sigh, and relax a bit, live life

and hope

That this world will be a little kinder to them then it has been to me

But then, my future stands to be good as well

I've learned the reasons, the modus operandi of life

Will it be enough? Well I hope so

On a more concrete level,

I'm trying to buy a little Honda Accord that our neighbors are selling, is it a fantastic car? Well at least the parts are cheap, at least I will have something to get me and the kids around, I won't be walking everywhere. It can be slightly dangerous in this winter weather to drive such a small vehicle but still, it's better than nothing.

Trying to pay off debt, luckily I will scrape by without too much damage to control in the debt department... a few thousand on a credit card (um, I didn't put it there) and a slight college loan (under a thousand). The only danger zone here is the Yukon which, well I didn't want this car in the first place because it's a gas hog, mainly though I don't get to drive it. I've had it this week due to certain circumstances, but I figure it isn't going to last, thus I'm fixing up the Accord.

Trying to get a job, hehe

Well I've started reading books to improve my employable skills, who knows what's going to help, I figure I need to go find some volunteer work and go from there, eventually the job market will improve, the question is when and will I be ready for it?

I hope my friends that your holiday's are bright

My kids helped me to put up our Christmas decorations, everything looks peaceful and beautiful in our living room

Peace on earth?

It is found while the night grows long as you stare into the glimmering lights of the Christmas tree

That is when I've felt peace

Happy Holidays everyone, life does get better

I think 2010 will be a good year, I know it will

Time to Bake GF...

Hmmm. I guess the title of this post could be interpreted at "Time to Bake, Girl Friend..." hehe

Well I wish that was the case, that I had a girlfriend around to bake pies with... I'm going to be making some Gluten Free Pumpkin pies (1 or 2)  my sis. in law is doing some GF baking today as well... I've also got to make some GF rolls and bread all for Thanksgiving tomorrow...

I'm just deciding if I want to use the basically void of fiber white "gluten free" flour to try and make rolls with (because it is a softer flour) or if I want to go with my basic "whole grain" GF flour which tastes basically like whole wheat bread (but hasn't a lick of wheat in it).

I use slices of bread to make GF stuffing which is really delicious!!

So that's the plan today, GF pumpkin pie and GF Bread wish me luck! :)

Well, It's a Monday

Hmmm... I've just not felt like writing anything lately

There are things going on in my life, some really terrific things, some not so great


Geez, what to say about today... um... it's Monday

Yeah

That's what it is

and I've been hanging out at the "Funny Farm," that was fun... they make nice baskets there I'm told, though I didn't see any evidence of it...

On a brighter note, my good friend is using my voice for a project, I'm waiting to hear how it goes... :)

I should go do something, I need to make dinner but I don't know what to make... I had a good plan last week, made dinner every night. I need to do that for this week but I haven't yet... I should hold Family Home Evening but my daughter has gone over to tutoring, she has a math test tomorrow... Perhaps I should make popcorn, pour butter and maple syrup on it and put my feet up whilst the kids go at it... Nah that wouldn't be a good thing, well maybe for after FHE.... eh... I can make dinner, pull out the creative energy (from somewhere) then hopefully I can borrow my friends car tomorrow and go shopping... YEP Sounds like a plan!!

:)

Kaleidoscope

How is it that things can be simultaneously better and worse?

So much identity is tied up to what once was that when what once was is broken it is like a kaleidoscope of ever changing possibilities

shifting shapes

future possibilities

Ah, here's hoping that things get better each and every day... :)

Here's an interesting blog The M.A.P. Maker

40 Tips for living life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: My purpose is to___________ today.

5. Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, prayer, or whatever you believe. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea & plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli,almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you!

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36. Do the right thing

37. Call your mother and father often

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished____________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you
certainly don't want a fast pass.

(Taken from this site) 

Happy Halloween

Hi blogging world

It's beautiful out today, thankfully

Trick or Treating should be good, dang!!

I know those kids'll get lots of candy, they'll stash it away before I can take it away!! OI'

Anyhow, so much housecleaning has been occurring around here. It feels good to get things cleared away, yet it brings up nostalgia as I've been sorting out my babies clothes, I've saved so much... now off it goes.

Feels good

Thankfully the pumpkins were carved earlier in the week, unfortunately they are a bit wrinkly... OI', oh well it'll add to the creepiness of em'... er, if they were creepy that is.

Happy Halloween to ya' all! :)

Things

In books it's so clear cut isn't it?

Who should be together, who shouldn't

when a divorce is justified, who is selfish, who is the victim, who is not

even television

it is always so obvious, the course of action

but that is not how real life works

things

no matter how clearly others can see

things are not always clear to the people involved

right in the thick of things

and even doing the right thing

can seem wrong

and the wrong thing

right

At some point, you have to use intuition and logic, over pure emotion

and press forward, even if it hurts.

Job Hunting, in acceleration

I am here folks

I feel as though I am slowly coming out of a shell. My true self, has been hiding behind the mistakes that I've made in the past. The tendancy there was to analyze everything, repeatedly, not letting go but reviewing again what I have done wrong... not good. I suppose that the fact that I was hanging on to something that wasn't working was part of the problem. It just wasn't working, I would think and rethink things and never got anywhere because I wasn't letting go of what was not working and moving ahead.

I am moving ahead now. I had an interview on Monday, didn't get the job, but I did well in the interview so I am taking a positive aspect from it, learning from the mistakes that I made and continuing to apply to the other jobs that are available.

Tomorrow I'm going to call up my mom and see if she will teach me the operating system up at the school, that's one factor that will give me a big leg up against anyone else that applies there at the school. She's trained many people in fact so why not me?

So that is the course of action for tomorrow, give mum a call. Go up to the school, have her show me the system... plus I'm going to look up some of my teachers and have them write letters of recommendation for me. I don't know why I haven't in the past.

Anyhow, I hope things are going well for all of you. Thank you all for the support

Feeling Better

I am feeling better :)

Something very important is happening in my life

it has been exhausting

BUT

Worth it

((Hugs))