under the Son

May. 29, 2007

Extreme: going to the utmost or very great lengths in action, habit, opinion, etc

Aloha! Isn't it wonderful out?? Except of course when you have to wear jeans. Which seem to always stick to your legs in the most impossible way, and boots which trap heat and soreness in a way which is unknown to man. And I vote that such information should be included in bold print when signing on for the WIT program at Camp Hebron. But on the bright side. This is the kind of weather, which you put all the windows in the house up, and a sweet breeze runs through. When people like to act like dogs and stick parts out their car windows. Flowers stretch for the sun and bright colors are produced. In our yard, freshly dug holes and race tracks are entered into the earth. That is made certain by our dogs. Neighbors in their own ways, maintain their yards. Some taking ultimate pains to manicure and polish their yards, always bringing new flowers home and spending each evening pulling unwanted weeds. While others are plain or unseen but the smell of grass clippings always issue from behind their fences. This leaves me with a very logical and reasonable explanation! People love being outside on a nice day. Now there's a sign of brilliance!  Whether we admit or not, people long for the sun, wind blowing through our hair, and seeing laundry on the line. This is yet another practical explanation for creation. I mean how perfect weather this is! Only a perfect achieved by God, only a desire instilled in EVERYTHING to enjoy it by God.  I dared myself recently to get up extra early in the mornings to go bike riding. This way, I don't have to kill my shins, and still get exercise. You know that wonderful sun craving that people get, there is no better way to quench it than going out early and catching the freshest rays of sun and vitamin d. And only a few people know this "secret". So I decided to share it with you! Don't you feel special and privileged!?! Not only that, but God's providing ways for me to get back on track without practically murdering myself. Like the bike idea: God put that idea in my blank bubble. How incredible is that??? And along with this welcome temperature comes a Brio 30 day challenge for me. Not just any 30 day challenge. But a super-sized 30 day challenge. Challenging readers to a new level of kindness, spiritual growth, brain stretching, healthy chowing, and an overall cleanup of you. Clearing away all the winter's damage and instilled laziness. Yes I said it. Laziness. I've decided to not only finish this 30 day challenge, but I added some of my own rules. One of which states that I have to say the words "I", "ME", "MINE" as little as possible. My goal is to focus on others, and what they have to say. So I need to be thinking words "YOU","EWE", "U", and "yoo" -hoo. Alright, I'll admit. Beyond this point there is a " no sign of intelligence: turn back now!" sign flashing. And can there be at 10 at night??? And so I  think I'll listen to the voices in my head. Everythingurl

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May. 23, 2007

One Question

Just one question.... Who said *Jordin Sparks* would win American Idol??? everythingurl

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May. 19, 2007

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

Hello blogging peoples! So today was my Grandpa's funeral. The service was wonderful. My sister played two songs on her violin, there was a great time for remembering, a great turn-out, which showed just how many people he affected in his life. Because he served in World War 2 and was honorably discharged, we had military honors at the grave-site. You will never know how Taps can cut loose the tears or the folding of the flag which was given to my Dad with three shot in it's fold. We each got a rose and with the flag we have a little piece of Grandpa to hold on to. At the meal afterwards, there was a small display table with pictures to show what a wonderful life he lived. And even though I had made him a scrapbook previously as a Christmas gift, I hadn't seen some of these pictures. One portrayed a newspaper from Palestine which my Grandpa was on the front page of. The bold title: "An Important Visitor from America" was above it. In others one could see how he loved my Grandma, for they were everywhere together. Literally! They spent years after retirement traveling the world, they were together 52 years. And there were recent pictures showing what a large family tree the Crum's have, and how he had started it, ending with 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. As I looked at the pictures I remembered back to the service where so many stories were told. One took place on a snowy day where it was so deep he couldn't get the car out of the driveway. But because his family needed milk and bread he walked two miles to the store and two back. And no, it's not one of those stories that gain more mileage as you tell it. The rest shared how he been a family man, and took time to spend with his children and wife. He was also quiet and soft spoken. Only saying things when he had something to say. I think I got a portion of this nature. One that stuck in my mind, was how he put aside time every single morning to read his Bible, and every Sunday could be found with his family in the back row of a small church in Falmouth. We were left with one blessing in particular before he passed. My Aunt Deb had been staying with him, in the last few days he wasn't able to be left alone. They went to bed, and just as my Aunt was laying down, she heard a voice. Piecing it together, she realized it was my Grandpa praying. She was only able to hear bits and pieces, but it was enough. He asked forgiveness for his shortcomings, for missing church that morning because 'the pews are so hard and my back hurts so much'. He also prayed about not wanting to be a burden or an invalid. He missed Grandma so much, and had been slowly falling away for years. He knew it was time, and he was ready. It hit me during services, just how much he had affected not just his family but this crowd of people who surrounded us with tears in their eyes and tissues in hand. It hit me what a great man my Grandpa was, and a great pride swelled within me to be able to call him Grandpa. I was seeing Grandpa in a different light. He was always modest and humble. There is not one time I can remember him saying anything to put himself up or above others. But from what these people said and from what my Aunts and Uncle and Dad spoke of was a new version of Grandpa whom I never knew before. It was this mark that he left behind. That makes him always with us in a sense. The mark that is always left on a person and can never be erased or forgotten. A mark that he himself didn't purposely establish, but left because he strived to be and for something better, and through God left a mark. It also hit me, "What mark am I to leave behind?". If I died today, would people be able to say, to an extent the same of me. I've heard this before from my Pastor. But to be sitting in your own Grandfathers funeral and realize this, it makes you want to get up, walk out, and do something drastic. Something that could change a person, a town, a country, or even the world. Which is not impossible! But this thought, this realization hit me fast and hard. And it tugged at my heart and challenged me to make a sharp turn and head the other way. Back towards Christ. To make small changes that effect me largely. To pursue my dreams even more, and not get caught up looking at others, which are not my own, on the way. To set aside extra time to read my Bible and pray. To serve God all the more. Because people notice that! And it's not to be showy. But instead to work on a mark. Walking with God makes a difference in anyones life who chooses it. People will see the difference in your actions, the way you talk, and what about. The list goes on and on. But people will see! And that, is one way you can leave a mark. One way to witness to others, is to show that difference, to help them discover a difference. My Grandpa was a quiet man. But his children distinctly remember his spiritual life. It affected them, and though he may not have said out loud. His actions provided an example for them to follow. There are so many ways to leave a mark. Some people have lots of time because it may take them almost a lifetime to learn how. Others are given less, but maybe, just maybe God has blessed them by allowing them to leave a mark instantly. But one I thing I know for sure. Leaving a mark, always starts with God. Also, do not wait until you are looking back upon your life to learn this lesson. Do it now! Because leaving a mark can take a while. Mostly a lifetime. Ya know, some of you may laugh. But I learned something today, at McDonalds much less. While passing two Mennonite girls smoking cigars and flashing dirty looks, I learned that the Mennonite and Amish believe that their children have a time before they are of age to join their church to "run free". Their parents turn a blind eye, and wait to see if what they taught earlier is going to stick. You can take whatever perspective on this that you want to. But the thought that came immediately to me, is 'Why would anyone want to spend part of their life serving themselves, then spending the other half serving God when all of it could be spent on Him.' My point is, why wait?  Why not now? Start making your mark now! Especially when we have our lives, at least as God wills it, stretching out before us. We have a whole lifetime to make a difference. Isn't that incredible? YOU, can make a difference. No matter who you are, whatever age, whatever background you have so far, whatever currently occupies your mind and heart, whatever personality type you are. In that special way that God created you, you can do something great! I don't know about you, but that's pretty encouraging! Consider your life. What will people think of you now and then after your life? What difference have you made in their lives? Was it for the better? worse? or none at all? I hope and pray that you exude of beam of light for others, that your trails lead always to God, that when you leave this earth no matter how soon or far away you will have made a permanent mark. An everlasting mark for Christ. Everythingurl "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." - Albert Pine "There are only two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein "The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles du Bois "Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still." - Lou Erickso "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." - Winston Churchill "Begin at once to live..." - Seneca "Try not to become a man[woman] of success, but rather try to become a man[woman] of value." - Albert Einstein "Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love." - Don Miguel Ruiz

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May. 14, 2007

Oh what a crazy world I live in... part two, because one simply wasn't enough

Then i thought that one little note wouldn't satisfy my eager readers, and could reduce the amounts of fan mail i receive. :] haha To be totally honest with you i haven't felt like writing, nor have i had much time to think about it. i've been reading excellent books lately that have my thoughts churning and a shiny new Mp3 player to download both old and new songs onto that i forgot my responsibility as a blogger. and so i write... ya know, i've been amazed at how gracious God is. just today mom and i were reflecting on the past year saying how impossible it would've been without God. i hadn't realized it's been almost a whole year that i've been sick. but i'm so happy because i've learned so much and through all of it God always gives some small reassurance or encouragement. just to say "i'm here!". i'm not sure if i'm just high on Endorphins or God's grace but the world has taken on a happy glow that no one can take from me. and it not because of all the things i've gotten to do or be a part of, but it's the fact that God let me do them and has given them to me. once again he shows he cares. i won't bore you with all the goings on in my life, but i'll leave you with a thought. I've been reading "and the Bride wore White" by dannah gresh. it is incredible and has challenged me at new levels. but one of the things that has intrigued me most is how society downplays innocence. i cannot tell you how many times i feel pressured to act tougher or more "mannish" to prove i can be independent. our pastor even mentioned it in his sermon, how women feel they have to prove themselves or be part of a man's world. it helped me to realize that I am ok. i don't have to be this or that person to appeal to so and so. because i am me. and that's ok. as basic as that sounds, it's taken me years to get to that point. one of my weaknesses being lack of confidence in certain areas. i spent way to much time being jealous of a friends talents instead of cultivating my own, or in a sense not being happy with who God made me as and trying to "re-create" myself in a sense. and i'm not getting high on my horse, just humbly thanking God for giving me a chance to experience life and his amazing love. Don't worry if you didn't really follow along on that speel, it was more the need to get it out of my system whether it made sense or not. Ok, i will try to remain faithful though it may be difficult when i start my MySpace. so you'll have to come visit me there. to blog another time, everythingurl

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May. 14, 2007

Oh what a crazy world I live in...

Apr. 19, 2007

Reasons...

Some of you have asked me "what on earth are you doing in a cemetary?", or trying to reason " how do i know what's not in your purse?", so i decided i would give the reasoning behind my answers. trying to win back my sanity, and clear up any questions left unanswered. 1. What color is my retainer? Answer: Green This question has no real reasoning, to be 100% sure you have to know my dental history. But ask yourself "what is her favorite color?". Then ask yourself "is she a sparkles kind of girl or not?" Simple! 2. What brand of Perfume do I wear? Answer: Jasmine Three ways to know... 1.] you really know the smell of Jasmine.. 2.] you know straight-up what i like .. 3.] another personality ? which fit's me better. there is a hang-up however! i'm very beach-esque so Tropical Mist could prove a dilemma. but i have yet to hear of anything named that. 3. What is NOT in the bottom of my purse? Answer: A.C. Moore Coupon Simply said, i used it already! if you were along on the N.O. trip you would know Colby lent me two rechargeable batteries that i have yet to give back to him. don't get scared! i know where the other one is. and the Napoleon socks, well you should know me by now. 4. My favorite sport to watch on the Olympics. Answer: Gymnastics Why? because though i love to watch all of the above, gymnastics is the only one which i could not ever participate in. besides it's amazing to see people do all the fancy back-flips, etc. 5. What is my spiritual gift? Answer: Faith Do not ask me why. out of all the options that is the last one i would've guessed for myself. it's something that i feel i'm always struggling with. but that's what the quiz i took to find that out told me. 6. One of my favorite places to go and think and explore? Answer: the Cemetary Actually i would consider all the options correct to a degree. i do have a deed to my own little corner of the world, i love my bedroom, and my grandparents farm rocks. but the cemetary harbors a place i can go to where no one else usually is. odd? yes. but it's still provides a place to get away from everyone, to think, to pray, to run, and to just sit there in peace. yes, i even have my own tree! think what you want to think! 7. Do I still keep a diary? Answer: Like totally Anyone who knows me knows i love to write, so really who is a writer that doesn't keep a diary!?! 8. What is my favorite book? Answer: the Last Sin Eater Have you taken the time to ask what book i love to read? or do you just assume? the Last Sin Eater is amazing, i would recommend it to anyone! the author has an awesome style and talent, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you really feel like you are in the story experiencing all the emotions. finally for once in a long time i couldn't put the book down. try it! 9. What is my dream date? Answer: Starbucks, talking, and a coffee Can you tell?  10. When was i saved? and when did i recommit my life to the Lord? Answer: 6/13 Wanna know the story? ask me sometime, i love to share how God worked and is still working in my life. more reasoning... i had to put down tricky questions, otherwise volleybabe would know pretty much everything, and we can't have that! ... this quiz proves how much you actually know or even want to know a person. but i guess you now know 10 possibly new things about me that you never would've known or have cared to ask. your still sane blogging buddy, everythingurl

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Apr. 14, 2007

NEWSFLASH!

people stop and stare, a shadow covers the sun, what is this earth-shaking event? a black screen appears with the bright, bold, italicised, underlined, size 70 letters gracing it. Cheryl got her formal gown! it's a long, flowing, light purple gown. yes purple. people will gasp, they can run in the opposite direction, they can even cry... but i still got a purple gown. i know it's very un-cheryllike. but the more i look at it, the more i like it. i think once i get tanner, and get make-up on and the hair up, well... we'll just have to see. actually. the dress was kinda a God-send. we had been all over this wonderful creation, but not to see creation. no. we spent our hours inside crusty, perfume drenched malls run by employees who think 100 watt lighting is the sun. am i against the malls. oh no. but it is amazing how physically and emotionally draining it can be. yes i'm serious! walking around gazing into windows making your wish list longer and longer. instead of being thankful, we turn into selfish, always wanting strangers. nothing can satisfy, we just buy, and spend. it's a really boring, and tiring world. i wonder what people would act like if they saw the beautiful hills of montana or the open skies of kansas? i'm glad i got out into the Son. but anyway, now that we've explored that bunny trail. after days of searching for just the right dress. even getting my pap so worried he was ready to get out of bed, rip out the IV, hop on a motorized wheelchair and buy it himself, [ which he would!] finally, God gave us one diamond in the ruff. great price, perfect fit, although not my first choice. i still have to be thankful, and really it's just 5 hours! i guess i've gotten so caught up in stunning people, when i should be concerning myself with stunning God. it's terrible how people get sidetracked. so pray for me that i won't be so selfish and terribly self-absorbed! anyway, continue to pray for my Pap. he's been off and on. we think it's just starting to hit him what he's really going through. also his blood sugar has been going up and down, causing him to feel terrible. he was moved into a hospital room in the same building, so they could keep an eye on him. hopefully tomorrow, he'll be moved back into his room. on another look i've just realized how truly friendless i am. my best friend scoring in the range of a 60 percentile!! i feel so alone all of a sudden. jk. i guess all the words that come out of my mouth are blah blah blah blha bhal balh labh b! well if that is the case, i stop blah blahhing now. blah blah...bluh blab blah! blah~blah, blubberty blub blub

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Apr. 13, 2007

Yours Truly

OK, so i made a quiz too!  Check it out at... http://www03.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=070413210720-373846 Have fun!

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Apr. 10, 2007

Happyness

4:40 PM .... everythingurl sits at computer, looking blankly at screen 4:41 PM .... a big blank bubble pops up above everythingurl's head 4:42 PM .... a thought! oh..never mind 4:43 PM .... self- resentment and stupidity enters big blank bubble above everythingurl's head 4:44 PM .... tries to say big blank bubble 3X's fast 4:45 AM .... doesn't work so well believe it or not up until 4:44 PM everything you see is true! my pathetic, wanting mind is actually and factually a big blank bubble! ok, so right now i'm wishing i could harness all the creative humor volleybabe or the eloquent descriptive wording vbsmily possesses, but God chose to make me not so. so i even bore myself.... however, i've been thinking tidbits here and there, ah yes a sign of intelligance from the still life. alert the scientists, tell the reporters.... but i'm actually serious. i've found that admist all of this. "this" being everything that's gone on in my life for the past 10 months. i've finally found an everlasting joy, happiness. i haven't been intolerably miserable, but i've finally latched onto this sensation of peace. for three reasons mainly: 1.  in James 1, God instructs us to take joy in everything, even the things that seem the most impossible to find joy in. even though it sounds like God's been on happy gas, when you really focus intently on having joy and pray persistently for it. one day it just hits you. you find that you're able to smile at the small trials that used to bother you and have you wound tight for days.not laziness or ease. but the knowing that in all things God is in control. that no matter what He will ALWAYS be there! 2. in every way i am being stretched. it can be taken as a pain, a burden, or the end of a long road. but only when you walk on the optomist's side of life and just for once trust God to catch you instead of worrying about our fall we can see how we are being ultimately stretched. i believe at one point or another we are all stretched in our own ways and times. and it is at these times that God reveals to us who we truly are, and we grow in Christ because it's all we have to hang on to, then experiencing this peaceful bliss of trusting in the Lord. at times we have to review even the most basic lessons, like trusting in the Lord. something we've always been taught. but it takes on a whole different meaning now than when you were chewing on graham crackers, staring at a white-board, and marking sticky stars on your attendance chart. when we take the time to come out of our little pity-parties for one and see what can and is actually going on we get joy. because we finally have the blinders removed to reveal that we're not dead or dying...in fact we are more alive than before and becoming more so as we slowly grip onto the fact that pain isn't pain. or at least how we usually define it. pain is real, but it can be turned into something good, useful, and life-changing. i found that though pain was real in my case, i made it even worse. Because instead of focusing on growing and keeping my gaze on Christ. i looked at all my sorrows and made it a deep pool that i wallowed in. kinda like the mouse in the pudding story. sometimes we let ourselves drown because we've simply given up, instead of trying and trying to get out. and once we get out, we learn from it. we become more knowledgable and more prepared than before. 3. And now i'm still learning all these incredible character building lessons, and i guess always will be. but i have a story to share. a testimony to tell! God does everything for a reason. and now i have a way to reach people. it's an incredible feeling. that in a way you know God is going to use whatever it is that you've gone through or learned to help other people. not that i'm worthy of doing this. but that God through me might possibly use me in His giant plan....is comforting and worth while. if only the whole world could grasp this simple concept! oh, how we would be a different people! a concept that no medicine or doctoring up could explain or improve. but an everlasting dose that can heal us in every situation! i don't know about you....but that's a God that I want to serve! a God that i've done a poor job of exalting, and praising, for there can never be enough. unfortuanatley, i know i'm going to mess again, but i'm glad i have God by my side. and this past year has been proof of that! oh, and really i don't have a spelling problem! happyness was taken from the movie "the Pursuit of Happyness". yet another take on happyness. now, i know it's been a long blog. that only everythingurl is capable of! believe me! but i dare you to go on this journey for true joy, try faith on for a size, test yourself and be stretched, and trust God in everything. and i do mean everything! He really does know what He's up to! hope everyone has a blessed day no matter what! everythingurl                          "Do not pray for easy lives.           Pray to be stronger women[men].           Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers.           Pray for powers equal to your tasks.           Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle.           But you shall be a miracle."           Philip Brooks                          "To uncover your true potential, we must first find our own limits           then have the courage to blow past them!"               "Our greatest glory in not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" ~ Confucius

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Apr. 8, 2007

THE easter bunny, the resurrection, and sugar highs....

So it's Easter today! As if you didn't know. But for once i actually didn't stuff myself! Of course we visited my Pap in rehab! yes in rehab! he's doing great. the nurses love his blue eyes, he can complain and get away with it, and has a flatscreen tv right above his bed, literally above. He also has a room mate that was watching a Shirley Temple marathon all day. quite the character! It actually wasn't odd like i thought it would be to see him with only one leg. but his positive personality really amazed me. As far as sugar highs i just finished off a nerd's rope, two reeses peanut butter cups, and a very rich peanut butter egg earlier. not much you say? well that's not the whole list. i don't get sweets like this everyday! Did anyone read "Mutts" today? ok so i have to get off....maybe sometime this week i'll type in something thoughtful! ... just maybe if you're lucky! oh BTW, is anyone able to get the video playing on my here? our computer is being rediculous. alright... HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

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Apr. 7, 2007

just to let cha all know....

I just made an exciting discovery! some pictures from choir festival are now posted on the website.... www.clchomeschoolmusic.googlepages.com/home Check it out! I just received the main festival picture, but it's not on the website yet. Make sure you come next year!!!! everythingurl

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Apr. 5, 2007

Years of prayer..and God finally said yes!

I realize I' ve been absent from the blogging atmosphere...but i've come back! I have lot's to tell so i'll shorten the story. basically, my pap went in for surgery to restore circulation to his left leg over two weeks ago. unfortunately everything went wrong. he had to go back in for surgery two times after that in 5 days. first for clotting, then for an obstructed bowel. there was an on and off decision whether or not he should keep his leg. finally last teusday they made the decision and the surgery was scheduled for today. thankfully the surgery went well, and he's doing better than before except for phantom pain. through all this there is amazing news.... two teusdays before, my pastor made a visit to the hospital. a few hours after that i received a call from my Granny that both of them had decided to accept Christ into their hearts. you cannot imagine the feelings and emotions that went through me at that point. after years and years of praying, God was faithful and answered our prayers! for the past two weeks we've been spending the week, Sunday to Thursday down at my grandparents. it was wonderful, our grandparents farm is beautiful so it awesome for reading and writing. so please pray for my pap as he gets ready for re-hab, etc.  he is in a perfect state of mind, very understanding and positive. and my granny is much more at ease than she was before. the whole thing has been a wonderful work of the Lord. i do mean to write more...for those fellow buddies who are disappointed. and i will try. it gets pretty tricky when you're only home for the weekend and your grandparents don't have internet! yikes! but for now, i'm tired...getting kinda cranky...so i will blog later! tata!

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Apr. 5, 2007

Mar. 15, 2007

!!!!!!!!

to those of you who were complaining of being blasted out by the sound when you viewed my page, I apologize, there were not supposed to be twenty kazillion video codes, unfortunately i have a computer. and if u don't recall learning how to use one is a goal of mine for this year! i am going to try and fix now! thank you and good day! everythingurl

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Mar. 14, 2007