Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be.
~~Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geshia~~
December 31, 2005
Happy New Year
2005 ends today. I plan on ushering in the New Year at a Semi-formal benefit dance thing for Sweet Sleep and "clean water" project. It's where most of my friends and I decided to go. I don't think many of us have been before so we're all hoping for the best.
If I hadn't lost my job back in the day, I'd be in Times Square this evening with Laura. I keep saying "Laura, I'm going to come visit" and something seemingly always gets in my way! It's very frustrating. So Laura...I hope you have an amazing evening! Know I wish I were with you and can't wait to see you in April!
2005....hellish year for me. Or at least the last 8 months of it were. I'm excited about 2006, but I think I said the exact same thing in 2004 so I suppose it could get worse. And if it does I know I will survive whatever 2006 has instore, just as I survived 2004 and 2005.
So...There are no profound thoughts for the end of 2005....At midnight picture me yelling "ADIOS 2005!" Instead of singing...I may be dancing with joy....Not sure yet...
If I hadn't lost my job back in the day, I'd be in Times Square this evening with Laura. I keep saying "Laura, I'm going to come visit" and something seemingly always gets in my way! It's very frustrating. So Laura...I hope you have an amazing evening! Know I wish I were with you and can't wait to see you in April!
2005....hellish year for me. Or at least the last 8 months of it were. I'm excited about 2006, but I think I said the exact same thing in 2004 so I suppose it could get worse. And if it does I know I will survive whatever 2006 has instore, just as I survived 2004 and 2005.
So...There are no profound thoughts for the end of 2005....At midnight picture me yelling "ADIOS 2005!" Instead of singing...I may be dancing with joy....Not sure yet...
December 27, 2005
Christmas 2005
So…let’s see, how was Christmas. Well, I suppose I should start with the weddings.
First wedding was for Tim and Larisa. Tim was my first date…way back in the day. We went to college together and eventually ended up counseling at Good News Camp in Gladwin MI for a couple of summers. He’s a stand-up guy, and looks like a “Bruce” more than a Tim. It was funny wedding! She walked down the isle to VanHalen’s “Love Walks In.”, he sang her Elton John’s “Your Song”, the unity candle song was “Love Lift Us Up where we Belong” and they ended the ceremony by walking out to Darth Vader’s theme song! It was SO funny…and completely Bruce.
Then the Vidal/Baker wedding/event started. Personal shower/Bacholette party/rehearsal and finally the big event. Everything seemingly went off without a hitch, just small/large pockets of drama behind the scenes. Personally the biggest annoyance was the delay of the picture taking, however everything got done…and I only forgot 3 pics! (SORRY AMBER AND SHAWN!) Those three being: bride w/ ringbearer, the hands/plaque picture and I don’t remember if I did Amber/Shawn with Heather, Bri and Jenny. Whadda ya do? The wedding was beautiful…and their car was decorated very nicely! Christmas lights…it was fun. I may steel that idea someday…
In the middle of the weddings I had an amazing time with Tiffany, Jennie, Stefphan and Anna Rapa. I hadn’t seen Anna for 3 years. She’s in law school now. It was very refreshing.
Upon arriving in Mayville (aka Podunk)…I get locked out of my mother’s house. My brother had locked the door when he left to finish his Christmas shopping. I had to track down a cousin at the elementary school…I was tired and cranky. This was not a good combination. I mean, it is Mayville and there are about 1,000 people around here somewhere. When I was in high school we didn’t even lock the doors at night. I suppose it’s not as “safe” as it used to be…or my brother is paranoid his drums will get stolen again….one of the two.
I spent the day with dad on the 23rd. He gave me a laptop. I think I am still in shock. You have to understand, the last 16ish years I’ve been getting things like hairbrushes and/or Tigger stuff animals….it was a HUGE surprise. We watched Walk the Line. I had seen it before, but it was fun to watch him watch it. I still think Jacquin did a good job. I’m still trying to figure out if his eyes are really that deep brown, they were beautiful. (If y’all don’t know…I’m an eye girl)
The rest of the time was spent “relaxing”. My mother and brother yell at each other a lot. It’s not fun…they both want to control my brother’s life…it’s a hard dynamic… Mom gave me great outfits that I LOVE…so that’s fun. My brother got me a Jack Johnson cd and cousin Chris bought me some of the books on my wish list. I feel blessed to say the least.
I spent Christmas day with G Proctor. I wonder if the Proctor’s will even understand me…or my heart. They keep trying, I’ll give them that…but…yeah…
The drive back was a grueling 10 hours and my back felt every minute of it. The last two hours were in bumper to bumper traffic with everyone going 5 mph under the speed limit. I was cranky when I got home. I also finished babysitting for my roommate because she came down w/ the flu. If I get sick for New Year’s I’ll be very distraught.
That about sums it up. It was a busy week…but refreshing. Thank you Jesus.
First wedding was for Tim and Larisa. Tim was my first date…way back in the day. We went to college together and eventually ended up counseling at Good News Camp in Gladwin MI for a couple of summers. He’s a stand-up guy, and looks like a “Bruce” more than a Tim. It was funny wedding! She walked down the isle to VanHalen’s “Love Walks In.”, he sang her Elton John’s “Your Song”, the unity candle song was “Love Lift Us Up where we Belong” and they ended the ceremony by walking out to Darth Vader’s theme song! It was SO funny…and completely Bruce.
Then the Vidal/Baker wedding/event started. Personal shower/Bacholette party/rehearsal and finally the big event. Everything seemingly went off without a hitch, just small/large pockets of drama behind the scenes. Personally the biggest annoyance was the delay of the picture taking, however everything got done…and I only forgot 3 pics! (SORRY AMBER AND SHAWN!) Those three being: bride w/ ringbearer, the hands/plaque picture and I don’t remember if I did Amber/Shawn with Heather, Bri and Jenny. Whadda ya do? The wedding was beautiful…and their car was decorated very nicely! Christmas lights…it was fun. I may steel that idea someday…
In the middle of the weddings I had an amazing time with Tiffany, Jennie, Stefphan and Anna Rapa. I hadn’t seen Anna for 3 years. She’s in law school now. It was very refreshing.
Upon arriving in Mayville (aka Podunk)…I get locked out of my mother’s house. My brother had locked the door when he left to finish his Christmas shopping. I had to track down a cousin at the elementary school…I was tired and cranky. This was not a good combination. I mean, it is Mayville and there are about 1,000 people around here somewhere. When I was in high school we didn’t even lock the doors at night. I suppose it’s not as “safe” as it used to be…or my brother is paranoid his drums will get stolen again….one of the two.
I spent the day with dad on the 23rd. He gave me a laptop. I think I am still in shock. You have to understand, the last 16ish years I’ve been getting things like hairbrushes and/or Tigger stuff animals….it was a HUGE surprise. We watched Walk the Line. I had seen it before, but it was fun to watch him watch it. I still think Jacquin did a good job. I’m still trying to figure out if his eyes are really that deep brown, they were beautiful. (If y’all don’t know…I’m an eye girl)
The rest of the time was spent “relaxing”. My mother and brother yell at each other a lot. It’s not fun…they both want to control my brother’s life…it’s a hard dynamic… Mom gave me great outfits that I LOVE…so that’s fun. My brother got me a Jack Johnson cd and cousin Chris bought me some of the books on my wish list. I feel blessed to say the least.
I spent Christmas day with G Proctor. I wonder if the Proctor’s will even understand me…or my heart. They keep trying, I’ll give them that…but…yeah…
The drive back was a grueling 10 hours and my back felt every minute of it. The last two hours were in bumper to bumper traffic with everyone going 5 mph under the speed limit. I was cranky when I got home. I also finished babysitting for my roommate because she came down w/ the flu. If I get sick for New Year’s I’ll be very distraught.
That about sums it up. It was a busy week…but refreshing. Thank you Jesus.
December 16, 2005
Merry Christmas!
Greetings!
In just a few short hours I'll be making the trip to Grand Rapids, MI and thus starts the holidays for me. I'm finally excited about them. (I could tell when I didn't fall back to sleep after I hit the snooze button)
Tomorrow..Tim Clouse is getting married! Woo-hoo!! Congrats BRUCE! I'm so freakin' happy for him! He was my first date, then we spent two summers at a camp being camp counselors and so the others from camp are coming and I'm WAY excited to see them too. And meet the girl who said yes to Bruce. Not to mention meet my friend Andrew's new wife, Christina. Wow...2005 has been busy.
Then it's more visiting with friends, bridal showers, bachloerette parties and another wedding! Congrats Shawn, Best Wishes Amber!! (apparently that's the "correct" way to greet an engaged couple...I learned that here in the south) Thanks for letting me take your pictures! I'm uber pumped. (I just said uber...weird...)
The 21st it's off to Mayville and family. I'm bringing the afghan home that I started last Christmas to show my grandma and I got my dad the line dance video he's been wanting, so that should be entertaining if nothing else. And I hope to take my brother to see The Chronicles and spending time baking, doing this and that with mom...it should be fun, not to mention busy.
So..my favorite quote from the Chronicles movie "There is more than hope...Aslan is on the move."
There is more than hope....God is moving, sweeping the nations...
In just a few short hours I'll be making the trip to Grand Rapids, MI and thus starts the holidays for me. I'm finally excited about them. (I could tell when I didn't fall back to sleep after I hit the snooze button)
Tomorrow..Tim Clouse is getting married! Woo-hoo!! Congrats BRUCE! I'm so freakin' happy for him! He was my first date, then we spent two summers at a camp being camp counselors and so the others from camp are coming and I'm WAY excited to see them too. And meet the girl who said yes to Bruce. Not to mention meet my friend Andrew's new wife, Christina. Wow...2005 has been busy.
Then it's more visiting with friends, bridal showers, bachloerette parties and another wedding! Congrats Shawn, Best Wishes Amber!! (apparently that's the "correct" way to greet an engaged couple...I learned that here in the south) Thanks for letting me take your pictures! I'm uber pumped. (I just said uber...weird...)
The 21st it's off to Mayville and family. I'm bringing the afghan home that I started last Christmas to show my grandma and I got my dad the line dance video he's been wanting, so that should be entertaining if nothing else. And I hope to take my brother to see The Chronicles and spending time baking, doing this and that with mom...it should be fun, not to mention busy.
So..my favorite quote from the Chronicles movie "There is more than hope...Aslan is on the move."
There is more than hope....God is moving, sweeping the nations...
December 09, 2005
Vote for Jones
http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/view.php?ID=526136
If you go to that link....you can vote for my picture to make a Jones Soda Bottle! :)
I have 4 pics total...if you search "Heather" and then look for the Nashville, TN ones...They're all GREAT...I promise.
(I wish I know how to make the "link" a word..but I don't...sorry!)
December 04, 2005
"Myself"
I've come to realize a few things about myself over the last two days.
First, I tend to shut down when people yell, even if it's not at me. Mentally I crawl into the fetal position and wait for everything to pass.
Second, it's much easier for me to be whomever people want me to be, rather than be myself.
This could be because I tend to think in extremes and either I like myself or I don't depending on the day or hour. At least when I act like everyone wants me to I know I'll be liked. This tends to lead to a bigger problem--commonly known as peer pressure. (Yes...all you jr. high and high schoolers out there...it doesn't end...) For us "churched" folk--we've heard it called "fear of man" Basically...we make people bigger than God.
Paul writes to the church in Galatia, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant to Christ." Personally, I like to think of myself as a bond-servant of Christ...at the same time...I try too hard to please men and a house divided against itself, will not stand.
Maybe that's why I feel like I'm going insane! It's just so exhausting trying to just be me, when over the last 25ish years I've been whomever I perceive people want me to be.
So...to help in those times of extreme disappointment--or when I can't remember who it is I actually am--here's a list of things I am:
a puddle jumper, outdoorsy, an optimist, a bad speller, photographer, musician, crier, coffee-lover, fun, sweet, honest, encourager, loyal, eclectic, brave, reflective, easily amused, happy in the mornings (well, most mornings), sensitive, flip-flops and jeans, an observer/people watcher, tour guide, compassionate, adventurous, sporty, a princess...
Daddy...my eyes do not always see the love you have for me. Remind me of who You are and who I am because of you.
First, I tend to shut down when people yell, even if it's not at me. Mentally I crawl into the fetal position and wait for everything to pass.
Second, it's much easier for me to be whomever people want me to be, rather than be myself.
This could be because I tend to think in extremes and either I like myself or I don't depending on the day or hour. At least when I act like everyone wants me to I know I'll be liked. This tends to lead to a bigger problem--commonly known as peer pressure. (Yes...all you jr. high and high schoolers out there...it doesn't end...) For us "churched" folk--we've heard it called "fear of man" Basically...we make people bigger than God.
Paul writes to the church in Galatia, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant to Christ." Personally, I like to think of myself as a bond-servant of Christ...at the same time...I try too hard to please men and a house divided against itself, will not stand.
Maybe that's why I feel like I'm going insane! It's just so exhausting trying to just be me, when over the last 25ish years I've been whomever I perceive people want me to be.
So...to help in those times of extreme disappointment--or when I can't remember who it is I actually am--here's a list of things I am:
a puddle jumper, outdoorsy, an optimist, a bad speller, photographer, musician, crier, coffee-lover, fun, sweet, honest, encourager, loyal, eclectic, brave, reflective, easily amused, happy in the mornings (well, most mornings), sensitive, flip-flops and jeans, an observer/people watcher, tour guide, compassionate, adventurous, sporty, a princess...
Daddy...my eyes do not always see the love you have for me. Remind me of who You are and who I am because of you.
December 01, 2005
Quotable
"Is the greatest truth about Adam and Eve and the fruit because it happened or because it happens?" ~~Rob Bell
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