read it and weep

I ran across this blog today while on the whocares blog. I don't know this woman or her family, but felt compelled to post her blog here....Please read it, specifically the post dated February 21, 2007.

http://wilhoite.blogspot.com

And after you've wiped your eyes, please pray for Amy and her family. Especially you JCFCers who lurk around our blog! (you know who you are) My parents sent me a piece of paper listing some different Hebrew names for God this week, and I pulled it out just a minute ago to find this:

Jehovah-Rapha: the LORD my Healer, and the one who makes bitter experiences sweet. He forgives our iniquities and heals all our diseases.

Amen. I hope that you find that true in your life. If not, let's talk! I want to hear your story.

Please comfort Amy's family with your prayers this week. Don't comment here - comment and encourage Amy on her blogsite.

twenty-seven

Yesterday we went out for dinner for my birthday. Authentic mexican food and Baskin-Robbins ice cream - does it get any better? I'm sure it might - but last night, fresh salsa and some enchiladas really hit the spot. Add some pistachio ice cream to fill in the cracks, and you had one full fam. Rhys had her first ice cream cone (we shared - she is a big fan of World Class Chocolate), and as a former B-R dipper, I was proud to serve it to her. A gastronomical delight!

...and one more thing

I must be in a candy-heart induced delirium, because I wanted to share the lyrics from the song "All I Ask of You" - yes, from the "Phantom of the Opera". Listen to the song if you can, because the melody's gorgeous. And yes, you could say the song is cheesy....but if your heart isn't melted just a little, then you need to rediscover romance, my friend! Not only are these lyrics sung between a man and woman, but they are also a heart's cry for a loving God to satisfy the soul. So anyway. I promise, this is the extent of the syrupy cheesiness you'll find on this blog, so relax. Here you are:

No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you -
my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.

Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime.

Say you need me with you now and always.
Promise me that all you say is true -
that's all I ask of you.

Let me be your shelter, let me be your light.
You're safe: no one will find you -
your fears are far behind you.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night -
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me.

Then say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime.
Let me lead you from your solitude.

Say you need me with you here, beside you.
Anywhere you go, let me go too -
Christine, that's all I ask of you.

Say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime.
say the word and I will follow you.

Share each day with
me, each night, each morning.
Say you love me...
You know I do.
Love me - that's all I ask of you.

Anywhere you go let me go too.
Love me - that's all I ask of you.

---------------------------------
....all right, you are now free to dust off the sugar coating, and move on with your day!

music of the night

On Saturday night, Michael and I went to see the "Phantom of the Opera" onstage. In a word, breathtaking. Literally. A. Ma. Zing. I've seen a few musicals before, but this - we were riveted. And by that I mean, I got a cramp from sitting in rapt attention for so long! When intermission came, we could barely move. The man who played the Phantom had the best tenor I've ever heard (he's in the picture).....strong, passionate and tortured. Michael said he got shivers when the Phantom sang "Music of the Night". The sets, the singing, the special effects, the great seats, it was too much! I wondered how many women in the audience (besides me) wanted to be Christine (the female lead) that night. By far the best birthday present I've ever received - thanks, baby. It was a night we won't forget. I almost cried when it was ending...I fear I am turning into a big sap. If I could have purchased a ticket for the next night, I would have. We were singing "Masquerade" around here all day yesterday. Michael usually hates going to the theater, but the "Phantom" made him a believer. If you haven't seen it, GO next time it's anywhere near you. I'm still trying to shake off the feeling - you know that feeling?....When you see an epic movie, go to a rock concert - and it takes you somewhere else? Yeah - I'm still trying to shake it.

Anybody else seen "Phantom"? What was your experience?

waxing poetic

I was cleaning out some old folders on the computer last night and ran across some poetry I had written a few years ago for my first poetry studio class in college. I found this poem, and although it hasn't been revised (calling all literati: please critique!) in awhile, I thought I'd post it. Written three years ago, not long after the War on Terror commenced, I think it's strangely apropos today.

Chasing Courage

Mortar shells fly gracefully through the desert
air. In the living room, Tom Brokaw furrows his brow
and ekes out sympathy for one more casualty.
In the kitchen, the mother of three listlessly stirs macaroni
in the pot her mother gave her on the day she found out
her daughter was pregnant. She will be told soon
that to wear bravery you have to drive your transport
over a land mine, roll a few times, crawl out and face
a firing squad who will instead slit your throat
and, with a twist of your neck, leave you crumbled
in the sand. Then it will be her turn to sit and listen
to Taps and finally understand it, feel the bugle
under her skin, grasp the starched flag, and teach her children
not to hate.

mini me

I find myself doing double-takes at Rhys sometimes: she is just so like me in many ways - the way she laughs, smiles, gestures, plays. She's seen me on the phone, and has become obsessed with 'talking' on the phone. Michael bought her a little play phone, and here's how she mimics real life:

jubilee

My friend, Jane, has a little New Year's tradition that I've adopted: she asks God for a single word that she will focus on throughout the coming year. Not as self-fulfilling prophecy, not a goal, or an end; but a year-long life-study. I've found that fascinating. So, through my blog-rolling, googling, and wikipeding, I've come across this word: jubilee. It just struck me, and as soon as I read it I remembered Jane's tradition. So I've read about the Year of Jubilee in the Bible (Leviticus 25), been pondering the meaning of the word, looking back at mine and Michael's lives this past year, and ahead, talking with Michael about it....and I think that's the word. Jubilee. A solemn celebration, total reliance on our Lord: a lesson in trust, a lesson in giving back. Something that requires restraint on our part, and provision coming from the hand of God. Holding things loosely. Should be a fascinating celebration, this year.

our little yogi

The other day I got out my yoga mat and said, "hey Rhys, let's exercise!", which usually means she monopolizes the mat while I struggle to complete a few moves. That day, this is what she did. I could not stop laughing....she was so serious about it.


here, we have the downward-facing-dog pose


and here, the plank pose

floorcovering

World Market had a 40% off coupon this month, and since my dining room floor is cold and bare (it's right above the garage--which this time of year makes the room downright arctic), we decided to finally spring for a rug. What a difference! Can you tell I have a thing for chocolate brown? The placemats and napkins were handsewn by Cheryl (and they're absolutely perfect!).....and we got the rug to match. Lime green and chocolate. Yum. Lindsay likey.