The view from my family's house.
My brother, Jack. He's 8.
My sister, Ruthie...I think she looks like Mowgli from Jungle Book. And, no, she doesn't have a shirt on. She rarely does. This is going to be a problem in too few years.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A Few Pics
The view from my family's house.
My brother, Jack. He's 8.
My sister, Ruthie...I think she looks like Mowgli from Jungle Book. And, no, she doesn't have a shirt on. She rarely does. This is going to be a problem in too few years.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Mr. X's Wiggidy Wac, Shiggidy Shack
So, here I am in St. Kitts. It's absolutely, beyond words beautiful here. Tomorrow, I'll look at something other than my sister's face and tell you about the scenery. :) I'm so excited to be here with my family! To be more accurate, I'm so excited to be with my family and I'm so happy to be here! :)
My day today started out at 430 this morning. So early. I flew to Miami on a flight of about a million children, most of whom cried through take-off and landing. Got to Miami with just enough time to walk off my plane, down a hall to the next concourse, and right onto my next plane.
A story about my flight from Miami to St. Kitts: when I got on the plane, there was an older lady in the seat behind me. She was wearing a sleeveless, red sweater-shirt. And by red, I mean, RED. And she was letting everybody know how hot she was going to be sitting by the window (where the sun would come in) on a flight to the Caribbean. During the flight, she hit/kicked/pushed my seat so many times in rapid succession, I actually turned around to see if she was have a seizure. She wasn't. She was just crabby. Anyway, we landed in St. Kitts, I stood up, turned around and watch her put on a sweater that matches the shirt. A sweater. So, it's time to get off the plane and I'm stuck behind this woman going down the steps to the tarmac. She takes about four steps away from the bottom of the stairway, stops, puts down her carryon and takes off the sweater she had been wearing for approximately 3.7 minutes.
I'm not sure why I'm so fascinated with that lady.
So, I got to see my family and we went to dinner at this restaurant called Ciao's. Fantastic. Fantastic. Lobster Thermador. Spiny tailed lobster...lots of cheese...mushrooms. Mmmmmmm...might have to do that again while I'm here. After dinner, my mom and I went to the Marriott for coffee and desert. Again I say: Mmmmmmmm...
Right now, I'm sitting on the couch watching MythBusters with my brother. To my right, the French doors are open to the (gorgeous) deck complete with pool and really great chairs. It's actually raining right now, but it's a great, relaxing rain.
On tap for tomorrow: sleeping in, going out on the boat, eating more seafood. I'm hoping that the going out on the boat part also involves a little tubing and wakeboarding. :)
Oh! After dessert at the Marriott, my mom decided to drive along the beach area. Along the beach area, there are two "must-go" beach bars...even if you don't drink, these are two places you have to visit just because they are "famous," and, I think, they are significantly less bar-ish during the day. One of them is called 'Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack.' I want to go there just because its called the Shiggidy Shack. I'm hoping they have t-shirts.
Heather: I told my mom that when you come down with me, we would have to go there b/c you'd love it just 'cause it has the word 'shiggidy' in the name. :)
Love you, friends!
My day today started out at 430 this morning. So early. I flew to Miami on a flight of about a million children, most of whom cried through take-off and landing. Got to Miami with just enough time to walk off my plane, down a hall to the next concourse, and right onto my next plane.
A story about my flight from Miami to St. Kitts: when I got on the plane, there was an older lady in the seat behind me. She was wearing a sleeveless, red sweater-shirt. And by red, I mean, RED. And she was letting everybody know how hot she was going to be sitting by the window (where the sun would come in) on a flight to the Caribbean. During the flight, she hit/kicked/pushed my seat so many times in rapid succession, I actually turned around to see if she was have a seizure. She wasn't. She was just crabby. Anyway, we landed in St. Kitts, I stood up, turned around and watch her put on a sweater that matches the shirt. A sweater. So, it's time to get off the plane and I'm stuck behind this woman going down the steps to the tarmac. She takes about four steps away from the bottom of the stairway, stops, puts down her carryon and takes off the sweater she had been wearing for approximately 3.7 minutes.
I'm not sure why I'm so fascinated with that lady.
So, I got to see my family and we went to dinner at this restaurant called Ciao's. Fantastic. Fantastic. Lobster Thermador. Spiny tailed lobster...lots of cheese...mushrooms. Mmmmmmm...might have to do that again while I'm here. After dinner, my mom and I went to the Marriott for coffee and desert. Again I say: Mmmmmmmm...
Right now, I'm sitting on the couch watching MythBusters with my brother. To my right, the French doors are open to the (gorgeous) deck complete with pool and really great chairs. It's actually raining right now, but it's a great, relaxing rain.
On tap for tomorrow: sleeping in, going out on the boat, eating more seafood. I'm hoping that the going out on the boat part also involves a little tubing and wakeboarding. :)
Oh! After dessert at the Marriott, my mom decided to drive along the beach area. Along the beach area, there are two "must-go" beach bars...even if you don't drink, these are two places you have to visit just because they are "famous," and, I think, they are significantly less bar-ish during the day. One of them is called 'Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack.' I want to go there just because its called the Shiggidy Shack. I'm hoping they have t-shirts.
Heather: I told my mom that when you come down with me, we would have to go there b/c you'd love it just 'cause it has the word 'shiggidy' in the name. :)
Love you, friends!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Seattle...
I went to Seattle last month (hence the name of the last post) and used my new camera for the first time. I still don't really know how to use it, but I love some of the shots I got and I thought I'd share.
A store front at the market...just down the street from the original Starbucks. I have a friend who works at a Starbucks here in Snell-vegas and she says that everyone she knows who goes to Seattle always sends her pics of themselves at the first Starbucks...just for her, I purposefully did NOT take a picture of the first. :)
On the far left: Mt. Ranier...we think.
'Those who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.' Psalm 65.8
Driving up to the market...I was in the middle row of van seats...I leaned over and took this through the front windshield while we were at a stoplight. Love it!
Along with Starbucks, this is the other obligatory Seattle shot. :)
In other news, the rumors are true, ladies and gentlemen...I did indeed cut my hair. Fourteen inches of it, to be precise. I did it for Jesse...donated it to Locks of Love in his name. If you don't know Jesse or what his story means to my life, ask...it's cool. :)
Love you, friends!
A store front at the market...just down the street from the original Starbucks. I have a friend who works at a Starbucks here in Snell-vegas and she says that everyone she knows who goes to Seattle always sends her pics of themselves at the first Starbucks...just for her, I purposefully did NOT take a picture of the first. :)
On the far left: Mt. Ranier...we think.
'Those who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.' Psalm 65.8
Driving up to the market...I was in the middle row of van seats...I leaned over and took this through the front windshield while we were at a stoplight. Love it!
Along with Starbucks, this is the other obligatory Seattle shot. :)
In other news, the rumors are true, ladies and gentlemen...I did indeed cut my hair. Fourteen inches of it, to be precise. I did it for Jesse...donated it to Locks of Love in his name. If you don't know Jesse or what his story means to my life, ask...it's cool. :)
Love you, friends!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Bored in Seattle :)
1) Answer the questions below
2) Take each answer and type it into Photobucket
3) Pick a picture from the first page of results, copy the html code to the bulletin and post
1. Your name:
2. A place you'd like to travel to:
3. Your Favorite Place:
4. Your Favorite Object:
5.Your Favorite Food:
6. Your Favorite Animal:
7. Your Favorite Color:
8. Town in Which You Were Born:
9.Town In Which You Live:
10. Favorite Movie:
11. Favorite Celebrity:
12. Your name/ nickname/ screen name:
13. Favorite Band/Musician:
14. Your Middle Name:
15. Your Last Name:
16. Your First Job:
17. Favorite Season:
18. Dream Car:
19. Dream Job:
2) Take each answer and type it into Photobucket
3) Pick a picture from the first page of results, copy the html code to the bulletin and post
1. Your name:
2. A place you'd like to travel to:
3. Your Favorite Place:
4. Your Favorite Object:
5.Your Favorite Food:
6. Your Favorite Animal:
7. Your Favorite Color:
8. Town in Which You Were Born:
9.Town In Which You Live:
10. Favorite Movie:
11. Favorite Celebrity:
12. Your name/ nickname/ screen name:
13. Favorite Band/Musician:
14. Your Middle Name:
15. Your Last Name:
16. Your First Job:
17. Favorite Season:
18. Dream Car:
19. Dream Job:
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What a week...
I found out about Ruth Gustafson (see 'In Shock') on Monday as I was getting some last minute stuff together at work so that I could leave for Orlando to attend the memorial service of sweet and beautiful little Ellie.
I don't think I've even begun to really process all of this. Tuesday morning, I watched a mommy and daddy grieve and hurt for the little girl they will never have the opportunity to see or hold again. And they had no choice in the matter. And, I thought of a woman who had every choice...and chose the option that will never allow her children to be held by their own mommy ever again.
Quite the...yeah, I don't even know the word. But it is surely a perversion of the way the Lord intended us to experience life and relationships.
Anyway, I know this news about Ruth would have shocked me at any time. It's mind-boggling. I can't wrap my brain around it. But, I think maybe the reason it is messing me up so badly is the timing with sweet Ellie's service and all that it meant to my heart to be there...which was so, so much more than just celebrating her life.
My life...the direction of my life was profoundly changed by Ellie's amazing grandmother. Jesus has asked so much of Nancy and Nancy has given what Jesus asked (her husband 15 years ago and now her oldest grandchild) with grace and humility and gentleness and all those other things listed in Galatians 5. So, having been so impacted by her and having watched her grieve this sweet, sweet girl...I have very little emotion left for Ruth but anger.
I hope that doesn't sound heartless.
Actually, I don't, really. It's the truth.
And, it's why I'm headed back to Florida tomorrow for her funeral. I know that if I don't go...if I don't take the time to work through whatever I feel about her or toward her, I will hate her for the rest of my life. And I don't want that. I want closure on this now. And, I pray that the Lord will grant me that this weekend.
My heart breaks for the people I know who loved her: Joe and the kids...Pastor and Miss Dana...Becky.
So, after this crazy week of mourning and loss and grief and celebration and rejoicing...
It blesses my heart every day to be able to check in on Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth and see how both beautiful girls are progressing and that the Lord is blessing them all with more and more days together. Continue to pray for them. And, read this post and join them in praying for others who are waiting on transplants.
And pray for me on these journeys this weekend. Really, I'm making two journeys, one of geography of the earth, and one of geography of the heart.
Love you friends!
I don't think I've even begun to really process all of this. Tuesday morning, I watched a mommy and daddy grieve and hurt for the little girl they will never have the opportunity to see or hold again. And they had no choice in the matter. And, I thought of a woman who had every choice...and chose the option that will never allow her children to be held by their own mommy ever again.
Quite the...yeah, I don't even know the word. But it is surely a perversion of the way the Lord intended us to experience life and relationships.
Anyway, I know this news about Ruth would have shocked me at any time. It's mind-boggling. I can't wrap my brain around it. But, I think maybe the reason it is messing me up so badly is the timing with sweet Ellie's service and all that it meant to my heart to be there...which was so, so much more than just celebrating her life.
My life...the direction of my life was profoundly changed by Ellie's amazing grandmother. Jesus has asked so much of Nancy and Nancy has given what Jesus asked (her husband 15 years ago and now her oldest grandchild) with grace and humility and gentleness and all those other things listed in Galatians 5. So, having been so impacted by her and having watched her grieve this sweet, sweet girl...I have very little emotion left for Ruth but anger.
I hope that doesn't sound heartless.
Actually, I don't, really. It's the truth.
And, it's why I'm headed back to Florida tomorrow for her funeral. I know that if I don't go...if I don't take the time to work through whatever I feel about her or toward her, I will hate her for the rest of my life. And I don't want that. I want closure on this now. And, I pray that the Lord will grant me that this weekend.
My heart breaks for the people I know who loved her: Joe and the kids...Pastor and Miss Dana...Becky.
So, after this crazy week of mourning and loss and grief and celebration and rejoicing...
It blesses my heart every day to be able to check in on Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth and see how both beautiful girls are progressing and that the Lord is blessing them all with more and more days together. Continue to pray for them. And, read this post and join them in praying for others who are waiting on transplants.
And pray for me on these journeys this weekend. Really, I'm making two journeys, one of geography of the earth, and one of geography of the heart.
Love you friends!
Monday, January 14, 2008
In shock
I went to a really small Christian high school in Florida. Graduated in 1998 in a class of 14...small. The school is connected to a small Baptist church. Pastor and Mrs. Gustafson started the school 30-something years ago (I think this is the 33rd year) so that their three girls could go to a Christian school.
Pastor (we all called him that...even when he was head-coach of the baseball team, I think they called him 'Pastor' rather than 'Coach.')...anyway, Pastor pastored the church and the school and Miss Dana (his wife) was the school administrator.
Pastor and Miss Dana's youngest daughter, Ruth, graduated a year ahead of me, but because our school was so small, we all knew each other and were friends. Ruth and I played both volleyball and softball together and where in NHS and a few classes together. A couple years (I guess) after she graduated, Ruth married Joe Tyndale, a guy she had graduated with and with whom I was also friends.
Last week, Ruth had her third child and some intense post-partum. I think she and Joe and the kids live in South Carolina. Yesterday, Joe found Ruth out by a lake with a gun...he begged her not to do it...and she shot herself, in front of him.
She's left three kids, a husband, two sisters and 4 or 5 nieces and nephews, not to mention her parents. Pastor and Miss Dana are still running the school/church, but I hear that Pastor has taken this really hard (understandably) and has gone into some sort of shock.
I'm a little shocked and numb myself. I think with going to Ellie's service and all, my brain is setting Ruth aside until I can deal with Ellie. I mean, really? Ruth really was that girl in school. A star on the volleyball and basketball courts, softball field, in the NHS and high school ensemble, Homecoming Queen...I don't remember but probably Senior class President, and she dated the cute guy...her Junior year, the cute guy changed schools for his Senior year so he could go to school with her.
Wow.
Pastor (we all called him that...even when he was head-coach of the baseball team, I think they called him 'Pastor' rather than 'Coach.')...anyway, Pastor pastored the church and the school and Miss Dana (his wife) was the school administrator.
Pastor and Miss Dana's youngest daughter, Ruth, graduated a year ahead of me, but because our school was so small, we all knew each other and were friends. Ruth and I played both volleyball and softball together and where in NHS and a few classes together. A couple years (I guess) after she graduated, Ruth married Joe Tyndale, a guy she had graduated with and with whom I was also friends.
Last week, Ruth had her third child and some intense post-partum. I think she and Joe and the kids live in South Carolina. Yesterday, Joe found Ruth out by a lake with a gun...he begged her not to do it...and she shot herself, in front of him.
She's left three kids, a husband, two sisters and 4 or 5 nieces and nephews, not to mention her parents. Pastor and Miss Dana are still running the school/church, but I hear that Pastor has taken this really hard (understandably) and has gone into some sort of shock.
I'm a little shocked and numb myself. I think with going to Ellie's service and all, my brain is setting Ruth aside until I can deal with Ellie. I mean, really? Ruth really was that girl in school. A star on the volleyball and basketball courts, softball field, in the NHS and high school ensemble, Homecoming Queen...I don't remember but probably Senior class President, and she dated the cute guy...her Junior year, the cute guy changed schools for his Senior year so he could go to school with her.
Wow.
On the Road Again...
Sort of...
In 2008, this is the 12th day the store has been open. I've worked 10 of those days...but I've only been in the store for 5 of them. I worked a book table at a conference near the airport for four days, and was at the Mart for 2 days. I stayed at the hotel during the conference since I was working 8am-11pm (straight) each day...we, obviously, came home from the Mart...but I feel like I've been gone. So, even thought I haven't really been on the road, I feel like I have.
And I'm leaving again today.
Remember sweet Ellie? She went to Jesus on December 19th. She lived most of her life in Orlando, but had moved to Montana for a while for treatment. When she first passed, they had a memorial service for her up there. Tomorrow morning is the service in Orlando. A friend and I are leaving this afternoon to be at the service.
Pray for us. It's going to be a rough trip. We're making the same long drive twice in 24 hours...not to mention going to a service celebrating a life cut way too short...well, in our perception it was too short.
In 2008, this is the 12th day the store has been open. I've worked 10 of those days...but I've only been in the store for 5 of them. I worked a book table at a conference near the airport for four days, and was at the Mart for 2 days. I stayed at the hotel during the conference since I was working 8am-11pm (straight) each day...we, obviously, came home from the Mart...but I feel like I've been gone. So, even thought I haven't really been on the road, I feel like I have.
And I'm leaving again today.
Remember sweet Ellie? She went to Jesus on December 19th. She lived most of her life in Orlando, but had moved to Montana for a while for treatment. When she first passed, they had a memorial service for her up there. Tomorrow morning is the service in Orlando. A friend and I are leaving this afternoon to be at the service.
Pray for us. It's going to be a rough trip. We're making the same long drive twice in 24 hours...not to mention going to a service celebrating a life cut way too short...well, in our perception it was too short.
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