Thursday

Okay, so in yesterday's post I mentioned going to bed early... that was the plan. I was ready to go to sleep at 10:30. but... I couldn't. I tossed and turned for soo long, and eventually got up for a little bit thinking that would help me go to sleep, but no... I didn't end up falling asleep until close to 2:00am. boo. And then, I woke up at 6:10am. woot. I eventually got up at 7:20, because I figured that I might as well start out my productive day early!

Things I Love About Today-
talking with mom and dad before anyone else was awake
being on the ball with laundry
organizing papers and "files"
not having butterflies in my stomach all day
sight-reading hymns just for fun!
practicing my piano songs from last semester
Mary's lesson with no tears or raised voices :)
having my laundry all clean, folded, put away, and hung up by the middle of they day!
(that usually takes about 6 days)
good talks with my Daddy and Mama
talking to my two best friends right in a row :)
cooking dinner!
Daddy chopping the huge sweet potatoes because he was worried I was going to cut myself :)
yummy rosemary-sweet potatoes
being amused by (harmless) miscommunication on facebook
actually running and working out, even though I put it off all day
watching a snippet of Gone With The Wind while I ran

Verse of the Day-
Matthew 6:25-34,
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kindom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Poem of the Day-
On Another's Woe
by William Blake

Can I see another's woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another's grief,
And not seek for kind relief?

Can I see a falling tear,
And not feel my sorrow's share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, or be with sorrow fill'd?

Can a mother sit and hear
An infant groan an infant fear?
No, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!

And can He who smiles on all
Hear the wren with sorrows small,
Hear the small bird's grief and care,
Hear the woes that infants bear,

And not sit beside the nest,
Pouring pity in their breast;
And not sit the cradles near,
Weeping tear on infant's tear;

And not sit both night and day,
Wiping all our tears away?
O, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!

He doth give His joy to all;
He becomes an infant small;
He becomes a man of woe;
He doth feel the sorrow too.

Think not thou canst sigh a sigh
And thy Maker is not by;
Think not thou canst weep a tear
And thy Maker is not near.

O! He gives to us His joy
That our grief He may destroy;
Till our grief is fled and gone
He doth sit by us and moan.

Wednesday

Things I Love About today-
getting up at a decent hour
making my room look spick and span
helping mom and the kids organize the "study hall"
coming across some of my old old Humanities papers
organizing things
reading VBS director books :)
having lunch with my awesome Lindsay-friend!
talking about Hebrews, baptism, predestination, and freewill
catching up on life
meeting with Josh to plan VBS stuff
being prayed for :)
celebratory wine with mom and dad
hilarious rides to and from choir with mom, Mrs. Harris, and Mrs. Hoard!
going to bed early!
"scratching backs" with Mary Rose :)
listening to the rain

Verse of the Day-
Hebrews 5:11-14, "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Quote of the Day-
(amusing speakerphone conversation between Mrs. Hoard and her mom through the phone in her car... we were all laughing a lot)

Mrs. Hoard's mom: have y'all been drinking??
...no!...later...
Mrs. Hoard: I'm sorry I did this to you Mom; you'll probably be mean to me for a few days.
Mrs. Hoard's mom: Yes, that's probably so.
Mrs. Hoard: I love you Mom!
Mrs. Hoard's mom: I like you a lot too. Goodbye.

:)

Tuesday

Things I Love About Today-
trying out chicory coffee in my french press
scrubbing and wiping down all the kitchen cabinets (and we have a big kitchen- there are a lot of cabinets!)
feeling productive :)
reading Mansfield Park! I've been reading it for so long because this time I've been going through it slowly, analyzing the characters and themes. It's very interesting.
poems by romantic-era poets
St. Charles Family Arena not being as far away as I thought
going to the Mobap graduation!
sitting with Kinsey and Amanda
my beautiful college graduate Kendra
getting to see Jessica for the first time since December
family resemblances :)
misty rain
delicious strawberries and fresh pineapple
laughing at Amy's newfound video-making power

Verse of the Day-
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Quote of the Day-
girl at graduation: "Way to get your edumication, Momma!"

Monday

Things I Love About Today-
going on a run in the rain!
having lunch with my Daddy
finally turning in my application for Covenant Seminary!
-I've been talking about taking a class there for 1 1/2 years-
the atmosphere of the mall
my mac not having huge problems... just little ones
coincidental meetings
getting lots of errands run
grocery stores
lots of flowers everywhere :)
40-hour-project presentations!
my beautiful Madsey-friend

Verse of the Day-
Lamentations 3:21-26, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Song of the Day-
This is a beautiful ballad by Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvTwFl6OIAk&feature=PlayList&p=04272118E8CD9BB3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=63

"If I got down on my knees and told you I was yours forever
Would you get down on yours too and take my hand
Would we get that old time feeling
Would we laugh and talk for hours
The way we did when our love first began
Would you tell me that you miss me too
And that you've been so lonely
And you've waited for the day that I returned
And we live and love forever
And that I'm your one and only?"

Polyvore of the Day-

farm girl? by RachelDorothea featuring Golden Goose boots

Sunday

Things I Love About Today-
the Lord's day
pearls and updos
not being late to church when I'm in charge
the youth singing In Christ Alone!
fellowshipping with friends
talking about Art in Sunday School
going to lunch with all my siblings-and Johnny :)
spending literally all afternoon outside
this absolutely beautiful weather
laying on the hammock
reading
listening to Country music
folding, hanging up, and putting away ALL my laundry- finally!
making Caleb laugh for his senior pictures, and helping Aunt Courtney by holding the light reflector
chinese take-out with my family
finishing my Covenant application essay!

Verse of the Day-
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

Song of the Day-
That's What I Love About Sunday
by Craig Morgan

Sing along as the choir sways;
Every verse of Amazin' Grace,
An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.
Go home, into your blue jeans;
Have some chicken an' some baked beans.
Pick a back yard football team,
Not do much of anything:
That's what I love about Sunday.
...
Havin' a Hallelujah good time
A smile on everybody's face.
That's what I love about Sunday!

Thursday/Friday/Saturday

wow, I didn't realize that I hadn't posted anything... these last few days have flown by! Probably because I'm on summer break and don't have any schedule at the moment!

Things I Love About the Last Few Days-
reading on the hammock every day
the bEAUtiful weather!
country music!
my french pressed coffee
friendship bread
summer clothes
baby showers
planning birthday parties
making Amanda wear a bumblebee costume
pasta parties with the girls- including but not limited to- Hannah, Anna, Amy, Amanda
iced tea
iced coffee
Jane Austen
Annie's piano recital
watching Disneynature's "earth" with my little siblings
God's incredible creation!
"saying prayers" with my little siblings
Benjamin (10 yr old) always praying "for a good wife and good kids" :)

Verse of the Day-
Revelations 14:7
"He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.' "

Song of the Day-
Always the Love Songs
by Eli Young Band

"...get away from the city lights
We'd find a little wood and build a fire
Sonebody'd always bring a couple guitars
And we'd take turns singin' songs and watching it burn"

Polyvore of the Day-

buttons and bows by RachelDorothea featuring Hayden-Harnett hair accessories

Pictures of the Day-

Wednesday

Things I Love About Today-
getting up early enough to have breakfast with my family
stringing pasta with Mary
going on a 45-minute walk/hike!
enjoying the beautiful and fragrant wild phlox!
the beautiful outdoors!
hanging out at Carey's
summer break :)
grilling and eating outside
choir practice!
Hannah's amazing creativity...
hanging out with Madeline!