Hollyhocks

Since everything in my life right now is related to what is going on at my parent's house. I thought I would post some pics of my favorite flowers: Hollyhocks. Actually, they are my favorite garden flowers and Dahlias are my favorite cut flowers. Anyway, I saw these Hollyhocks on the way to visit my grandma, and I made my dad pull over so I could take some pictures. It's nice to look at something beautiful for a change.

Farmutshet

I spent all day out at my parent's house. They had a fire this weekend (see previous blog) and I went out to more or less lend them support. The house is a complete wreck! So my parent's have a long road ahead of them. So many people have been very kind and generous to my family. And we are very appreciative.

It's strange because if you were to see the outside of the house you would think nothing was wrong... but when you step inside it looks like a war zone!

I'm very tired so I am off to bed...

Like an Episode of Rescue Me...

This became the never ending weekend. Which was funny because I actually watched the NeverEnding Story with my mom this weekend. But I digress.... It was quite eventful, to say the least. I'm not sure if I should begin with today and go backwards to Friday? Well I think I will, just because today was the craziest day! Hmmmm... Lightening struck my parent's house! We were coming home from my Grandmas house and we received a call from a friend who works for the Fire Dept. So we rushed home to find a bazillion fire trucks all along our driveway!

There are so many "Thankfullys" that it it makes me want to cry! Because God was very good to us.

Thankfully the neighbors who live across the field smelled smoke and decided to see what was going on. Thankfully those same neighbors work for the fire dept. Thankfully they rushed over and called the fire dept. Thankfully our other friend Vanessa, who works for the fire dept, though on maternity leave, rushed over to our house and saved 2 dogs, 1 cat and 2 birds! Thankfully the local fire dept responded so fast and were able to contain the fire to the attic. Thankfully they were able to move all the furniture out of the house before they took down the cieling and thankfully my paren't have a huge barn to put all their stuff. Thankfully we were all together and no one was hurt! We are so grateful to all the fire departments that came out, probably about 5 different ones. They did a great job! I respect what they do sooooo much!

So it was scary, but we are ok, the animals are ok... and that is what matters... everything else can be replaced. Ahhhh... God was good to us! But then again isn't he always?

Well before the fire fiasco I was at my grandma's house. We were celebrating her birthday and my cousin Erin's birthday who just returned from Cambodia. We hardly get to see Erin so it is such a treat to have her back for awhile! My other cousin Chris just moved back from Colorado, so it was great to have my cousins back home! I made red devil cake with cream cheese frosting, and to color the cream cheese I used beet juice! It was very pretty... and it was also very pretty when Chris wore his new wig! :)

On Saturday I spent the day with my two friends from High School, Shannon and Cindy...

We went up to Cindy's cabin on Friday night after waiting for Shannon to get done with her job at the restaurant she works for. In high school the three of us were Trouble! And I can't even begin to tell about all the crazy things we did together! Back then we used to be Beaner, Tweaker & Sindy... And we were insane!

But truly, I had such a great time with Shan & Cindy at the cabin. We went out on the boat and enjoyed the hot day. I also made steaks on the grill! First time for me because usually a man makes them... but little miss independent was able to make them all by herself! And I must admit they weren't too bad! After steaks, we went swimming with our air mattress. We were complete idiots out on the water... but we laughed and it was so nice to be crazy with some great girlfriends! I love you guys!

My bad A$$ Steaks!

Well to begin my weekend... I spent most of the day on Friday with my friend Monika. We decided to get crafty and make things. Monika went for decoupaging a bench, and i did some needle pointing. Which I'm not as good as I thought I would be. But nonetheless, it was great to hang out with Monika and be completely silly!

Beach Day!

Day 5: Today was a beach day with Kelly... ahhh

Sun, Sand & Swimming

With my Frida bag, sunglasses and big hat...

Ooh and this is going to be a busy weekend, so my posts may be on the few and far between... but here is a preview:

Friday will be spent with Monika who is back from the Dominican Republic... Friday night i am meeting up with Shannon & Cindy to head to Cindy's Cabin to spend the night & Saturday having fun out on the lake... Saturday night I'll be at my parent's place making a cake for the birthday party on Sunday. I'm making Red Devil Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Though Kelly gave me the brilliant idea of adding beet juice to the frosting to naturally color it! I love it!

Sunday we will be celebrating my Grandma's 79th birthday and my cousin Erin's birthday! And even better, Erin is back from Cambodia and it's been ages since we've seen her!

And I will top Sunday night off with Connecting the Body group...

And then I will start all over again on Monday!

Peace.

I'm Free!

Happy 4th of July!

Ahhh the joy of fireworks, friends and freedom...

I spent most of the day relaxing, cleaning and being alone in solitude... but that gets old after awhile. Yesterday I was so busy! Lunch with my aunt Sandy at PF Changs (yummy jioazi!) then dinner at Krua Thai with Jeanelle (yum and Jeanelle you are a sweetheart!) and then late night Badminton with Kyle & Kelly. Good Times!

So after spending part of the day alone, you would think that would be OK by me.. but I actually was anxious to be with people again! How can that be? Little ol' introverted hermit crab Sabrina coming out of her shell??? WOAH (say it like Joey from Blossom!)

Thankfully Tabitha came over and we chatted for awhile and she brought over some really delicious cookies! We met up with Sarah, Ellen, Mark & Bonnie at TGI Fridays before fireworks. I love when people who have never met can sit and eat a meal and talk and share parts of their lives... Maybe I just love to hear other's stories and where they were in life and how they got to where they currently are. For example, I knew Mark back when he was just getting his life together and finding Jesus... and I have seen how he has grown leaps and bounds in his faith... and now he is on his way to Seminary! God has been faithful to Mark!

The same goes for so many people in my life. It's just a beautiful process to witness... Freedom!

Hopefully, I am on my way too... Although I have a long road ahead of me, I have grace matching me step for step.

I love the book "Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard... it's as if she is writing about me, my life and my journey! Love it!

The main character comes to a point on her journey where she can begin to see her life changing and this is what she says:

"...and she knew within herself that with that acceptance a gulf had opened between herself and her past life, even between her past self; a gulf which could never again be closed...

...and she said to herself, "I was that woman, but I am not that woman now."

Well it's a good thing that God has never given up on me, and he never will! PTL!

Haimisheh Mensch

Day 3.... I'm seriously loving this not having to go to work thing i got going on! Last summer i was between jobs and I wasn't working... but i was kinda a hermit and didn't do much and I only hung out with my boyfriend... now I am blessed with wonderful friends and fun things to do!

Last night at my small group it was fun to sit and chat and have real conversations with real people. But at the same time, I am in constantly reminded of the pain people carry around. For so many people in my life, there are hurts, sickness, pain, disappointments, loneliness, sorrow and everything else in between... I so wish and pray that there wouldn't be sadness and pain in this life. I hate to see people suffer, heck I hate to suffer... but truthfully, I find the ones who are the most compassionate, who are beautiful in character are the ones who have gone through pain. Of course it is easy to get bitter and angry with the hurt and then to get stuck in that... but for those who can embrace the hurt, are the ones who triumph the most.

When I say that God is good, I am not being cliche... or trite... The Lord is good! In every way possible... even in the midst of sorrow... He is there.

Hope, wait and trust... blessings are on the way...

Or as my friend Ellen said, "a new day, a new cupcake"....

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and I am ready to get my fireworks on!!! ooooh ahhhhh! Truly Truly Truly Outrageous!!!!

Something Shmek Gut!

Awwww... JULY! My beloved month has finally arrived! 31 absolutely wonderful, amazing, and joyful days laid out before me!!
As I sit here the sunshine is already streaming in from my window and I lean my head back and let it engulf me with all it's goodness. I was praying earlier this morning for blessings, not just for myself but for everyone else in my life who needs a blessing, that and a big dose of grace.
I myself, have many questions and uncertainties about my future, and I am always in need of God's grace... ALWAYS! But God is good, and who am I to question?


Well I decided to start this month off by doing some baking and cooking! I am going over to Bonnie & Mark's house tonight for the third night of Connecting the Body fellowship.
I pulled out my trusty Better Homes and Garden's Cookbook and I think I am going to make a Thai Chicken & Nectarine Salad. And for dessert, I am going to make Vanilla Cupcakes with Banana Pastry Cream and Chocolate Frosting! I like it A lot! (Think Dumb & Dumber)



So I sit back and drink my chocolate rice dream w\ bananas and protein powder smoothie, listen to the birds and let the sun shine in... It's going to be a good month!

This is my Happy it's July smile....