Andrew and I impulsively decided to go out and see a movie tonight. The new Wallace and Gromit movie (rated G; always a good choice) seemed like the best option at the cinema closest to us, so we headed out into the brisk night, grabbed a quick chicken dinner at El Pollo Loco, and made it to the 9:20 showing.
We were the only ones in the theater!
Granted, it was one of their smaller theaters, and the movie has been out for a while now. Most people were there to see newer movies. I suppose everyone who might have wanted to see Wallace and Gromit late on a Monday night was either at a Halloween party or recovering from trick-or-treating. So it was a good night to go!
I commented to Andrew how cool it was that we rented a whole theater for ourselves, for a private showing of the movie, for less than $20!
And the movie was pretty funny, too!
10/31/2005
10/29/2005
I love life!
I'm so thankful to the Lord for the gift of life! How wonderful to be able to enjoy this world that He's created, and to have fellowship with sisters and brothers in Christ. I have so much to be grateful for, and I am! Here's just a sampling of all the reasons I have to smile each day. I have...
...the privilege of being God's daughter, of having my sins forgiven and the assurance of a home in Heaven, where I'll be with Him forever!
...an amazing gift of a husband -- Andrew and I have been blessed with a loving, serene relationship. We get along so well...I can't imagine my life without him! I am so grateful for the lack of stress and tension in our home!
...two of the most beautiful cats on the planet, who provide lots of snuggles and opportunities for amusement!
...the chance to own lots of books and have my own mini-library. For a bibliophile like me, that's a definite reason to smile!
...all of my basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) more than amply provided for. Thank you, God!
...opportunities to serve God and others using the gifts and talents He's given me. There's nothing more satisfying than doing something productive that you know will bring God glory!
...the privilege of living in a world where such things as flowers, trees, oceans, and sunsets exist.
...the ability to laugh and have fun with family and friends.
You know, I could go on and on... What makes me smile the most, though, is knowing that God is in control of my life, that everything that happens is part of His perfect plan to make me more like Jesus, and that He makes no mistakes. His will for me is perfect, and who can argue with perfection?
God is so awesome! I don't even care if I come across as too positive, or like I have my head in the clouds...I know evil exists in the world, and that life isn't without its problems, but these things are merely passing shadows. I choose to set my mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 4:8)!
May your love for life and your joy in living it be ever increasing! :-)
...the privilege of being God's daughter, of having my sins forgiven and the assurance of a home in Heaven, where I'll be with Him forever!
...an amazing gift of a husband -- Andrew and I have been blessed with a loving, serene relationship. We get along so well...I can't imagine my life without him! I am so grateful for the lack of stress and tension in our home!
...two of the most beautiful cats on the planet, who provide lots of snuggles and opportunities for amusement!
...the chance to own lots of books and have my own mini-library. For a bibliophile like me, that's a definite reason to smile!
...all of my basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) more than amply provided for. Thank you, God!
...opportunities to serve God and others using the gifts and talents He's given me. There's nothing more satisfying than doing something productive that you know will bring God glory!
...the privilege of living in a world where such things as flowers, trees, oceans, and sunsets exist.
...the ability to laugh and have fun with family and friends.
You know, I could go on and on... What makes me smile the most, though, is knowing that God is in control of my life, that everything that happens is part of His perfect plan to make me more like Jesus, and that He makes no mistakes. His will for me is perfect, and who can argue with perfection?
God is so awesome! I don't even care if I come across as too positive, or like I have my head in the clouds...I know evil exists in the world, and that life isn't without its problems, but these things are merely passing shadows. I choose to set my mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 4:8)!
May your love for life and your joy in living it be ever increasing! :-)
10/25/2005
I had a wonderful weekend!
There's nothing quite like a beautiful fall day in the Northwest...and I was blessed to experience one last Saturday!
I had flown into Portland that morning. The sun was shining; the weather was mild. So we decided to take a drive to the Vista House at Crown Point (http://www.vistahouse.com/photos.html). It's often quite windy there, hence the nickname we always called it in our family: The Windy House. I've been there on days when you could practically lean backwards and not fall over because the wind holds you up! But this day, there was barely a breeze. It was perfectly lovely, with patches of blue sky and puffy white clouds overhead, and the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in the background...(deep sigh). We ate frozen fruit bars from the little concession stand, and climbed the stairs to the top of the building for the best view! Here is a photo of me with my parents:
I had flown into Portland that morning. The sun was shining; the weather was mild. So we decided to take a drive to the Vista House at Crown Point (http://www.vistahouse.com/photos.html). It's often quite windy there, hence the nickname we always called it in our family: The Windy House. I've been there on days when you could practically lean backwards and not fall over because the wind holds you up! But this day, there was barely a breeze. It was perfectly lovely, with patches of blue sky and puffy white clouds overhead, and the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in the background...(deep sigh). We ate frozen fruit bars from the little concession stand, and climbed the stairs to the top of the building for the best view! Here is a photo of me with my parents:
Later that evening, we visited our alma mater in Portland (Multnomah Bible College), where Anna's husband, Matt, played in an alumni basketball game against the current team. The alumni team lost, but they had fun trying!
On Sunday, after church, I visited two friends in Vancouver (Washington, where my sister lives). It was nice to see both Irina and Galina again! Sunday evening, my parents and my aunt and uncle came to Anna's house for dinner, and after everyone left, Anna and I settled down with home-brewed decaf lattes and home-baked shortbread to watch Sense and Sensibility -- that is such a great "sister" movie, and I loved watching it with my sister!
Of course, one of the highlights of the trip was getting to see and play with Benjamin, my adorable nephew who is now four months old. Here's a cute shot I snapped of him in the car:
Monday morning came all too quickly, and it was back to Sacramento. But we will be in the Northwest again in November to spend Thanksgiving week with them, so I have that to look forward to!
I thank the Lord for my family, and especially for such a special friend and sister as Anna!
10/20/2005
Going On a Plane Ride!!
On Saturday morning I will be flying to Portland, where my lovely sister and my adorable nephew will pick me up! I'm so excited to see my family again! It will be a quick trip (I fly home Monday morning). But better than nothing!
Praying you all have a wonderful weekend, too!
Here's a random photo of my cats for your enjoyment:
Praying you all have a wonderful weekend, too!
Here's a random photo of my cats for your enjoyment:
10/13/2005
Wait
I'm sure most of us have prayer requests that God has yet to answer with a clear "yes" or "no." This poem has been an encouragement to me, and I have found it to be true in my life that, as the poem talks about, there are wonderful blessings to be found in the waiting!
"Wait"
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."
"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
from an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss, if you lost what I'm doing in you.
So be silent, My child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".
"Wait"
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."
"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
from an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss, if you lost what I'm doing in you.
So be silent, My child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".
10/10/2005
God is good...
...all the time!
That is a truth that never changes, no matter our circumstances...
I'm so glad we have a good God!
Praising Him today for the gift of life (both physical and spiritual)...and thanking Him that He gives us hope for the future!
That is a truth that never changes, no matter our circumstances...
I'm so glad we have a good God!
Praising Him today for the gift of life (both physical and spiritual)...and thanking Him that He gives us hope for the future!
10/04/2005
Missing Anna...
No, my sister Anna isn't missing. But I'm missing her.
With Anna, I can just be me. I can be goofy and silly, or serious and deep. We share inside jokes, reminisce about the same songs and TV shows, and often find that we say something at the same time or are making the same gesture at the same time. It's sometimes eerie! I miss being able to call her and say, "Hey, want to go see a movie or come over for lunch?" Because she lives 10 hours away by car, and that would be impractical. I love being her big sis, but I also love being her friend. Seeing her a couple of times a year is just not enough. I was spoiled this summer by getting to spend five weeks with her when she gave birth to my nephew, Benjamin. We knew that an opportunity like that would probably never come again, so we treasured the time together.
In my opinion, sisters were never meant to live far apart -- we're supposed to share each other's lives. So we do our best with the resources technology has given us (e-mail and phone calls). But it's often not enough. I miss my sister. A lot.
10/01/2005
October Already?
Where has this year gone? It's hard to believe it's October (even more so because it's still so warm here and I had to turn the air conditioning on for a while today). I can't wait for the truly autumnal weather, and to be able to wear sweaters again...
Speaking of sweaters, another thing I like about the cold weather is that I don't have to get irritated by seeing so many immodestly dressed girls, either on the university campus where I take my Russian class, or even at church! It's nice when they have to wear sweaters and jackets that cover up the things that only their husbands (or future husbands) should see! Seriously, ladies, give the guys a break (and respect your purity in the process)! Well, I could go on, but this is a "soapbox issue" for me, and I'll refrain!
I'm going to work on organizing my library this afternoon...I love the sound of those words -- "my library" -- OK, so it's still technically combined with my office, and only one wall has bookshelves, but it's better than nothing! And better than what I had before we remodeled! It's fun to finally have a place to display all my treasures...
So I am off to shelve and dust and organize my paper friends...
Until next time, keep your eyes on eternity!
Speaking of sweaters, another thing I like about the cold weather is that I don't have to get irritated by seeing so many immodestly dressed girls, either on the university campus where I take my Russian class, or even at church! It's nice when they have to wear sweaters and jackets that cover up the things that only their husbands (or future husbands) should see! Seriously, ladies, give the guys a break (and respect your purity in the process)! Well, I could go on, but this is a "soapbox issue" for me, and I'll refrain!
I'm going to work on organizing my library this afternoon...I love the sound of those words -- "my library" -- OK, so it's still technically combined with my office, and only one wall has bookshelves, but it's better than nothing! And better than what I had before we remodeled! It's fun to finally have a place to display all my treasures...
So I am off to shelve and dust and organize my paper friends...
Until next time, keep your eyes on eternity!
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