Whispered Memories

Have you met Rebecca Steele from Sutherland, IA?- South O'Brien Graduate. Well, I met her again briefly. I was placed back in time yesterday. My mother took me to my high school. I walked the halls and I had glimpses of another time that I hardly remember. I heard whispers of past conversations and glimpses of embarrassing moments. I saw my senior picture in the class of '94 picture frame mounted on the wall. Who was that girl? - I hardly remember her. In the 13 years since I have graduated this is just the second time I have been back in those halls. The highschool looks great, they have added on and remodeled. Later that day I walked into where I went to elementary and middle school. It isn't a school any longer. Where the gym used to be there is a swimming pool and where classrooms used to be, they are now apartments. Just walking through the halls took me back to another place and time, it really was quite strange and sad really. It seems like a lifetime ago. It has left me feeling a little melancholy. My memories are mostly happy, but now I am filled with "I wish..." Mainly, "I wish that I studied harder."

Our airplane trip to Omaha was pretty smooth. The two oldest did really well. Son#2 on the other hand made the trip a little rougher. The last hour and a half he finally slept, so I could finally relax. Thank you for your prayers. Besides the trouble with my youngest, everything worked out perfectly. It definately could have been worse. We miss daddy, but we are enjoying family. For some, it has been 1 year since we have seen them. I will post pictures when I get back.

The Lord of the Rings: My Favorite Parts

Recently my husband and I watched, "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." If you have read my profile, you would know that these are my favorite movies and books. Most of my female friends are not interested in the movies, but I get caught up in the plot. So in honor of my love for the story, I am going to quote my favorite lines from the three movies. You are welcome to share your favorite lines with me.

The Fellowship of the Ring - In the mines of Moria, Frodo is telling Gandalf that he thinks that someone is following them. They have a conversation about Gollum. Frodo then says, "I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish that none of this had happened." Gandalf replied, "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world besides evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, which case you were also meant to have it."

The Two Towers - At the end of the Battle of Helm's Deep - the battle is going badly, Aarogorn and King Theoden decide to ride out and meet their enemy. Kind of like going down in a blaze of glory. Right before they ride out, Theoden says, "Fell deeds awake." I know that it is a short quote, but it gives me chills to hear. They ride out and at that same time Gandalf the White comes with more men, and instead of dying - they are victorious!

The Return of the King - During the Battle at Minas Tirith, the Riders of Rohan are fighting. The Lord of the Ringwraiths sweeps down on his Nazgul and knocks King Theoden and his horse down - immobilizing the king. The Ringwraith tells the Nazgul to feed on the king's flesh - out jumps Eowyn, the king's neice disguised as a soldier, and cuts of the Nazgul's head. The Ringwraith steps down and says, "You fool, no man can kill me, die now." Merry the Hobbit comes to Eowyn's aid and plunges a sword into the Wraith's leg, momentarily destracting him. At that time the soldier takes off his helmet - showing that she is a woman, and says, "I am no man." She plunges her sword into the Wraith's head and he disappears.

I love that in this story, the people that are small, seem unimportant, or their cause seems hopeless are the ones who conquer. They muster their courage and are victorious. Isn't that the story of God. He uses weak people to show His Strength. I hope that will let God use you, by stepping out and doing something that you are uncomfortable with, for His Glory. If you need to be inspired, watch The Lord of the Rings.

I am doing something uncomfortable tomorrow - I am flying back to the Midwest all by myself with my three munchkins. Please keep me in your prayers. The kids might do great, but they might not. We fly out at 5:30 pm and are suppose to get to Omaha at 12:25 am - with a lay over in Las Vegas. Kirk is staying here to take the youth to the Oregon CIY. We won't see each other for 17 days - thats the most we have been apart since being married. But I am excited to see family and friends. I might not blog for awhile, but I will post some pictures of my trip when we get back.

What do you do at 3:00 a.m. and a baby that is wide awake?

Here I am typing with one hand holding my 17th month old. He won't go back to sleep. He woke up around 11:30. I am frustrated, but I don't want him crying and bothering the rest of the family. I have to get up and clean a house in the morning. I am regretting staying up to watch LOTR: Return of the King with my husband tonight. I have some thoughts on that - I will try to post later.

I just got an forward from a cousin - it is memorial video of Ruth Graham. After I watched it, I became very inspired. Of course, everyone is going to say nice things after you die, but it seems like she was an exceptional mother and wife. If you would like me to forward it to you, just let me know.

Hope you got a good night's rest, treasure it.

Fourth of July and A Birthday Party

We celebrated the 4th of July on the 1st and the 2nd. This turned out to be a good thing because Daughter and Son #2 were sick on the 4th. Daughter and I went out and watched our neighborhood illegal fireworks late that night waiting for daddy to come home from working the fireworks booth. When we walked out of our door, the air was thick with smoke from all the fireworks . I can't enjoy the fireworks much - I just think about all the money going up in smoke.

We celebrated the kids' birthdays a little late - a month later. We were busy with VBS and fireworks booth, so it got put off and then postponed. Finally we had it last night and I think that it was a success. I have been getting ready for the party since Monday. Wednesday, I spent the whole day making the kids' cakes and making the food - beans and potato salad. (We also had hamburgers, hotdogs, carrots with ranch, and chips). I didn't want to make things too complicated and afterwards, while we were surveying the distruction, we decided that we should get together with our friends more often. Thank you Mom for praying.