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Thursday, October 29, 2009

My Best Friend...

A week or so ago I had an English assignment to write a paper on my best friend. The paper had to be very descriptive and had to tell you everything specific about the person. Since we started the blog as a English program I decided that I would share my paper with you!

My Best Friend

Nine year old Mallary O'Riley, is my only sister and best friend. She lives with my family and I in our home in the country.



Mallary
is 4'8" and quite the growing girl! She is right at my nose and I am sure that before long she will be much taller than I. She can already wear all of my clothes! Mallary has a muscular body frame and is much stronger than me due to how much exercising she does.

Her beautiful, fair skin tone is accented with shades of tan, proof of the long hours she spends in our pool each summer! Her complexion is perfect and spotted with light, brown freckles across her nose and cheeks.



My sister's dark blonde curls caress her face and add warmth and softness to her appearance. Whether they are pulled back or down around her shoulders, she looks like someone from a fairytale.


Mallary's deep brown eyes are always filled with wonder and excitement. Normally, if I look her right in the eye I can tell what she is feeling and thinking.



For the most part her voice has a normal pitch, but when she gets excited or angry, her voice rises. I so enjoy listening to her read a storybook because she adds so much expression to each of the characters! Mal is always singing, whether doing school, playing, or just relaxing, she always has a song on her heart and it brings so much joy to my day!

Mallary
has many hobbies and the majority of them involve spending time in God's creation. She is an expert in kicking a soccer ball in between her feet and into the goal. She is also a very talented swimmer and enjoys floating on her back while watching the clouds.



Our mom home schools Mal along with me. She is in the fourth grade and incredibly intelligent. Her favorite subjects are spelling and science where she is currently learning about plants.



My sister and I both enjoy watching TV and her favorite shows include, 'Full House', 'Sister Sister', and an educational show called 'Imagination Movers'. She also likes watching Disney movies, especially 'High School Musical'!

Mallary
is very special to me and we greatly enjoy spending time together. She is a wonderful listener and has a very compassionate heart. She is always willing to encourage me as well as others! I love her very much!!!

I praise God for Mal every day of my life!!!

Some of Mal's favorite people:


Momma and "Miss Mal"...

Daddy and "Mally"...

Special cousin Bri...

Mal and "Jordan J"...

Uncle Mark and "Sweetie"...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Where I Find Myself...

I Find Myself today so thankful for
A God who knows...
A God who sees...
A God who understands...

I Find Myself in a season-of-life where I perceive that most anyone and everyone does not - can not understand...
where I am...
who I am...
what I am doing...
why I do what I do...
therefore I find great comfort knowing that...
GOD KNOWS!

He sees my heart!
He understands my thoughts!

I can recall Mom sharing that through various moments in her life she faced the reality of being "alone"...
unable to share with anyone what was taking place...
times that it was just she and Jesus.

Although I don't know the specifics of those times she walked through,
lately...


I've Been Finding myself
in very similar situations and circumstances.
Situations and circumstances where it's just Me and Jesus...
I would agree that this "spot" feels isolated and lonely yet I feel unexplainably secure knowing that I am firmly and tenderly held in the cleft of the Rock!

The place I find myself would be a place I would not choose yet I trust God that I am here for a specific reason and purpose!
The tears I have cried...
the pain I have felt...
the loneliness I have experienced...
the insecurity I have faced...
all things had I had my choice, I would have avoided...
yet God in His sovereignty has allowed me to be here...
now.

I Find Myself
so thankful for a God who loves me...
who carries me...
who heals me...
who restores me!

I Find Myself
so thankful for a God who nourishes this heart in a dry and weary season-of-life and although no one else may understand
who I am, where I'm at, why I do what I do...
HE DOES!

I Find Myself
humbled and sustained with the knowledge that He holds my tears in a bottle and He is for me! (Psalm 56:8-9 KJV)


I'm Finding Myself learning to let go of...
the fear that accompanies not being understood...
the uncertainty of how others see me...
the anxiety of who others perceive me as...
so that I can tightly cling to the One who walks with me!


I Find Myself surrendered to the Shepherd...
I Find Myself protected by the Shepherd...
I Find Myself nourished from the Shepherd...

A little while ago, I did a post on a few of my favorite things. I mentioned that I would have to do it in two parts due to how many favorite things that I actually had...

My Favorite Things ~ Part Two
* Potato Soup

* Artist- Chris Rice

* Jane Austen Movies

* Mom's Homemade Noodles with Mashed Potatoes & Corn

* Artist- Steven Curtis Chapman
* Horses
* Special Times with Grandpa Billy

* White Chocolate Carmel Cappuccino
* Sewing

* Cheesy Potatoes

* Reading

* Artist- Nicole C. Mullen

* Cheesecake

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* Design- home, clothes, hair
* Stove Top Stuffing
* Cranberry Limeade from Sonic

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I am so very thankful for the people and things that God has so richly blessed me with and I give him All praise and glory!!! I am thankful that each of the things that I enjoy also define me...make me unique and allow me to stand out as a child of God!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Officially Fall!!!

I have this thing each year that it's not "officially" fall until...

Punkin' Pie!!!

It's always better with whipped cream... :-)

Enjoying it with special people...

The "long awaited" bite!

Fall is my ultimate favorite season. I love the colors, the leaves, the smells, the memories! But, I never really consider it fall until the first pumpkin pie is made! It is definitely a comfort food to me whether because of its rich creaminess, its bright orange color, or its cozy smell! I love the atmosphere of watching mom make it and adding the different spices to the mixture, each with their distinct scents and tastes! I love eating it after it has had time to chill in the refrigerator, with a small glass of milk! I love the special moments!!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

"D's" Wedding...

Danielle's wedding was absolutely busy, wonderful, beautiful, memorable! It was everything we had hoped and so much more! The preparation time provided special opportunities with Marci's family and when it came time to return home Sunday afternoon, our family of four was regretful and sad to see it all come to a close! Essentially we spent from first-thing Thursday morning until late Sunday afternoon cooking, decorating, celebrating, sharing and cleaning up. It was three days of early mornings and late nights getting less-than-usual sleep but oh how I wouldn't trade the moments the Lord afforded us for any amount of sleep. I look back on those times and my heart is full to overflowing...it couldn't have been any more wonderful!Hanging lights...lots and lots of lights...

More lights...

And even more lights!!!

Lots of potatoes...55 pounds to be exact!!!

Lots of eggs...10 dozen to be exact!!!

Lots of onions...12 pounds to be exact!!!

Awesome kitchen help...and I love em' too :o)
Arranging flowers (table decorations)...

Lots and lots of flowers...

The finished product!!!


Rehearsal was a bit chilly...


...down-right cold to be exact!!!


BEAUTIFUL...
...before...

...during...

...after!!!

Headin' to the wedding...
Baby Boo and Fifi

'D' and her awesome momma...


Our "Other Girls"...

The Friedman Family...

One very proud dad...One AMAZING moment in time!!!

Thanks 'D' for letting us be a part of your most special day! :o)




Sunday, October 4, 2009

Precious Times



Wow! What a blessed weekend this has been! Thank you Father for the special times we shared with Danielle and Lee and their wedding. Being with all of the family and friends was so nice and such a beautiful wedding. We were talking tonight, the girls and I. Mendi was asking MaKayla and Mallary what their favorite part of the weekend was and they said dancing or coordinating. I said my favorite part was dancing with the "Bride" my beautiful "D", Danielle. My little angel is all grown up and married. It's my prayer for you both, Lee and Danielle that you make Jesus the center of your marriage and your lives. He can complete you both and make your marriage so strong and fruitful. I am blessed to be apart of it. Thank you again Father for Your love and the love of family.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

Getting Excited...

We're down to just a little over a few days until Lee & Danielle's BIG DAY!!! and we are SO EXCITED!!! The girls and I are getting around to head to Blockton to help Marci and Danielle prepare food and decorate for the reception! What fun!!! We are grateful and honored that we can share in this most special time of her life! :o)