~Animal Profile~

Tonight I was at dinner with several friends to celebrate April's Birthday. Welcome to the 29 forever club my sweet April!!! We had dinner at Petrucelli's, one of my fav's. After dinner we began to discuss animal profiles for people. I began the discussion but it grew into a group discussion. I like to do something fun and active in groups and ok, I consider this fun. I appreciate my friends playing along even if they don't find it fun. I love games and guessing things! So here are the results from the evening. I had some help from my good friends Amy and Kristie, they were channeled into the power. Richard, not so much, but he attempted! I have to give props to Amy, though, she was right there with it.


Brandi-Maltipoo. Ok so I picked Maltese for her but she said she would like a maltipoo which is a cross between a maltese and poodle so close enough!





Amy-I see her with a fluffy white cat with blue eyes. This is not a strong profile, I'm not clear if this is what I'm going with for her.




Wendy and Chris-I picked this dog for both of them and Wendy agreed and I think Chris said a lab.





Noelle(I hope I spelled her name right). I picked a Shizu for her and she told me she had one growing up!





Christina-A Collie. Although I had help from Kristie on this one. She's good!




Mary and Sandy-A black lab. I'm not sure if Mary agreed, but she smiled when I profiled her! Sandy said she prefers a brown lab. Close :0)







April-Amy picked a poodle for our birthday girl and I agreed. April added she would like to get their nails painted! Right on Amy!






Tracey-Amy and I went with a Beagle but I believe Amy also suggested an Irish Setter.






Kristie and Julie-Siamese kitties(which we both have already!) Fellow bloggers, please pick a dog profile for me. I have a few in mind I would like but I'm interested to see what you guys pick for me! I will give a prize to the blogger that gueses 1 of the 3 I am thinking of.




Jackie-I picked a Shnauzer and she said she had one growing up. Jackie also was profiled by Amy for a Scottish Terrier.




Richard-Ok so I picked this for Richard and he was offended. Now this is a picture of my sister's teacup, but I see Richard with a standard size yorkie, but he wasn't having it! So I'll go with boxer for Richard since that was one he likes that I could see for him. I also see Stephanie with some type of Yorkie!

~Luminous~

I watched a movie tonight that reminded me of my love of jazz music. These are 2 great songs. The moon and stars are luminous just as love is. I am in a sentimental mood tonight.





Artist: Duke Ellington
Song: In a Sentimental Mood
(Feat. John Coltrane) In A Sentimental Mood

I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet

In this sentimental bliss you make my Paradise complete
Rose pearls seem to fall
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing since you made me this night a thing divine

In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt that you'd be loving sentimental me

I Wish You Love
Written in 1946 and performed by many jazz greats, including Ella FitzgeraldMost recently recorded by Gloria Lynn 1964, hit # 28 on Top 40 chartsAlso a great song for Father/Daughter dance at a wedding

Frank Sinatra - I Wish You Love Lyrics
Goodbye, no use leading with our chins,
this is where our story ends,
Never lovers ever friends.

Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day,
but before you walk away,
I sincerely want to say.

I wish you bluebirds in the spring,
to give your heart a song to sing,
And then a kiss, but more than this, I wish you love.

And in July a lemonade to cool you in some leafy glade,
I wish you health, and more than wealth,
I wish you love.

My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be,
So with my best, my very best, I set you free.

I wish you shelter from the storm,
a cozy fire to keep you warm,
But, most of all, when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.
(musical interlude)

I wish you shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep you warm,
Most of all, when snowflakes fall, hot time, I wish you love.
All kinds of love, a whole gang of love.

~Whispers~

Whispers(taken from Dayspring)
A line in a popular hymn states, “As He whispers in my ear, I am His and He is mine.” What are the things God is whispering to you today? His voice will speak the best words you will ever hear. Quiet your heart. Hear Him saying to you, “Come to Me. Draw close to Me. Come closer still. Let Me comfort you with My mercies… encompass you with My grace… assure you with My presence… embrace you with My love.” God has so many tender things to whisper to you. Each day He invites you to come close, to draw near, and to listen.

Rachael Lampa ~ No Greater Love
Before I knew Your Name,
You knew my ev’ry breath.
Before I found my way, You knew my ev’ry step.
Before I knew everything that I need,
You gave it all to me.

No greater love than this…
That You should lay down Your life
For someone such as me;
I’d spend a lifetime wondering why.
The Beauty of Heaven Is here in my heart
And I know there can be
No greater love than this.

I never understood How merciful Love could be,
Until I felt His Flame Light every part of me
And I would give everything that I am
’ Cause I have been saved; Yes, I have been saved!

No greater love than this…
That You should lay down Your life
For someone such as me; I’d spend a lifetime wondering why.
The Beauty of Heaven Is here in my heart
And I know there can be No greater love.

Oh, oh oh, oh oh, woah…
The Beauty of Heaven Is here in my heart
And I know there can be No greater love...
For someone such as me. No greater love...than this

~The Constant Gardener~

Great movie. I like Ralph Fiennes and now I see why Rachel Weisz won an Oscar. I loved Tessa. I liked this love story. So 2 very different people but united in love and not focused on changing one another. I like how Justin gave Tess room to be herself but guided and protected her when he could. I loved the line when she wanted to rescue, as was her nature, but he told her "No, I have to put you first."

I loved Tessa's role in this movie. Her passion, her call, her drive, her following which ultimately leads to her death. What a beautiful reminder to die to ourselves daily and pursue the call of Christ passionately. The political undertones in this movie slap you in the face. This movie has birthed a desire to look deeper into the issue that was proposed in this movie. Is this really happening? I don't know but I hate to say I wouldn't be surprised.

Check it out and let me know what you think. I have several more movies to go. It's that time of year for me, get in all the 2005 Oscar movies I missed! Saw In Her Shoes, too. Not an Oscar winner but a good movie about families reconciling and the bond of sisterhood.

~What A Man~

Top Row:
Brian,Patrick,Bill,Dan,Ryan
Lou,David

Bottom Row:

Greg,Scott,Richard,Kyle,Chris

Yesterday I thanked the Lord for some of the men I am blessed to know and call friends. However, the Lord convicted me and reminded me of my need as a woman to respect them more and to truly look for and encourage them in their leadership. I pray for a godly man to come into my life one day as a husband, but am I missing opportunities to truly appreciate the godly men I have in my life right now as friends?

The other night I was hurt/offended in a group setting by some words said to me. As I was driving home that night Richard called to check on me and asked if he could intervene in this situation. At first, I said "No...I'm fine..." My pride was up and God reminded me the next day that the very thing I am looking to see more of in men around me was delivered to me in the form of a friendly phone call. I quickly called Richard back the next day to thank him for this gesture and I am praising and thanking him again. What a man!

God also brought to mind a situation that I believe was a man stepping up in protection and leadership over me when I heard Dan one day at lunch stopping a conversation about nicknames he had heard others call me and he told somebody that it was not appropriate to call me a certain nickname. I took the whole incident in humor, but looking back I can sense the tone in Dan's voice and what he was saying was God ordained manly leadership. Thank-you Dan for that moment and many others. I crave more of those moments.

Thank-you Scott for stepping up tonight to take care of Brandi after she twisted her ankle on the field. And may I add, that was an awesome slide, way to take one for the team! This is leadership!!

GQ is our coach and he is so encouraging, optimistic, prayer and God centered in our practices and games. GQ is displaying godly sportsmanship and leadership. Thank-you GQ!!!

Thank-you Bill for providing me support, prayer, and godly wisdom as director of our Sunday school class. At times I feel a little overwhelmed but I can truly say I have felt your covering and your support over the past couple of weeks. Thank-you for your strong convictions and your warm hug and smile. This is truly godly leadership.

Brian, thank-you for always opening up your home to provide a place for fellowship, fun, and ministry. You are a joy to be around. Thank-you for your leadership. Be strong in the Lord, Brian!!

Lou, thank-you for your kindness to newer people in our class and for stepping up to drive our class to the aquarium this Saturday. Thank-you for the care and love you have given to one of my closest friends over this past year. I am truly thankful I met you.

I love to be in S.S. when Chris is present. His wisdom is evident when he speaks and he truly speaks the truth in love. Chris you are a leader. May you find confidence and boldness in your leadership through God.

Patrick, what can I say, you are a constant, loyal brother in Christ that at times I feel speechless. Right now I am tearing up a little, you are an awesome prayer warrior and teacher. Thank-you!

We have seen David begin to open up more these past couple months and I can truly see God working in your life David. You are courageous and genuine. I sense your empathy and care for others, this is godly leadership. You are also awesome at Broomball and poetry!

I appreciate Ryan stepping up to volunteer to help keep our class website updated and I appreciate his good attitude on the softball field. I can sense a change in you Ryan, God is calling out the man inside of you in a meeker way. This is leadership, strength under control.

There are so many others, but this is a start. I love you guys! Keep on growing in the Lord and don't be afraid to assert your leadership. We need it men!




1 Corinthians 16:13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

~Seein' Stars~

I love to watch the Academy Awards. I like to watch movies. I have definitely decreased the amount of movies I watch, but it's still something I enjoy. Here are some of my fav's from the Oscars this year:

Favorite Dress: Uma Thurman-Versace

Favorite Commercial: "Sparkle" Diet Coke (Ok so this has been one of my favorite commercials all year, glad they played it tonight for the Oscars!) "Light It Up!"

Surprises: "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp"-Winner for best song and funniest joke made by Jon Stewart about those keeping score at home for oscars won:Martin Scorsese- 0 Three 6 Mafia-1.

Movies I want to See: Every year after watching the Academy Awards I make a list of movies I still have yet to see and want to see. For 2005 the movie list goes as follows:

1. Don't Tell 2. The Constant Gardener 3. Munich 4. Brokeback Mountain 5. Crash 6. Junebug 7. Capote 8. Memoirs of A Geisha 9. March of the Penguins 10. Transamerica

Movies I saw in 2005 that were either nominated or won different oscars that have stood out in my mind:

1. King Kong

2. Walk The Line-I will never forget this movie experience with my brother

3. Chronicles of Narnia

4. North Country

5. A History of Violence

~Postcards~

I can't wait to check out this entire CD. I've missed Cindy Morgan. I like the song Postcards. I love to send letters and postcards. I guess I love it because I like to travel and I like to share what I experience when I travel or share what I'm experiencing at home to those far away in cards and letters. The computer takes away from that a little, but I still love to write letters and cards.

This album cover is great, lovin' the piano she's sitting on. This post is for Jackie, Amber, and TJ! I thought of these 3 when I heard this song. Enjoy your journeys!!

~There's No Crying In Baseball~

Maybe not in baseball....but how about softball? I have done the unthinkable and joined my Sunday School Class's coed softball team. We had our first practice tonight. Let me just say I am impressed that I could at least stop the ball a couple times before going deep into the outfield and I was able to hit the ball a couple times during practice. Go Me! It was funny, though, my friend Steph told me I was "Swinging Blunts" when I was batting and that was a good thing. I thought she said "Swinging Blondes" so I told her I would try to "Swing some more blondes!" Everyone cracked up when I asked what do we need to wear Monday night? I thought this was a legitamate question. This is going to be an interesting season!

Yesterday was my Mom's 60th Birthday. I'm really starting to appreciate her more and think about how precious life is and how quickly time flies. My Gramma, her Mom, will be 90 this year, Mom turned 60, and I turn 30 this year. Pretty cool! Not that I'm turning 30, but the 30 years between each of us! Happy Birthday, Mom! You're inspiring! I'm having a hard time on the softball field and she is preparing to climb some mountains out west in a couple of months. Mom and I have talked about taking a Mother/Daughter trip to the Cascade Mountain Range. One more positive enforcer to get in shape!!

~God is the Strength of My Heart~

I love the verse today, it's one of my fav's!

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

This verse is also one of my favorite praise and worship songs. I was reminded of this song as I read this verse. I used to sing this at my old church.

God Is The Strength Of My Heart~Lyrics

VerseWhom have I in heaven but You
There is nothing on earth I desire beside You
My heart and my strength many times they fail
But there is one truth that always will prevail

Chorus:
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heartand my portion forever, forever

I have been thinking a lot about faith, hope, and love over the past couple of months and God has revealed to me how these things need to be present in my future mate. I am looking for Love, but I am also looking for faith which is evidenced by works prompted by love and an endurance insprired by hope... belief in me despite how I may appear at times. I am looking for a mate that has a godly love for me which is only enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit. Love completes. So I'm not looking for "Him" to complete me, I'm looking for "Love" to complete us.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 1 John 4:12-17