| Your Eyes Should Be Gray |
 What's hidden behind your eyes: A sensitive soul |
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
No time, so here you go...
Friday, May 26, 2006
Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hope Against Hope
(I haven't written in traditional, stanza, set meter form in quite some time. So I thought I'd give it a whirl once again.)
Though I'd hoped against hope,
And brought my desires to God,
I'm still trying to cope
With heaven's disappointing nod.
Why does it hurt so bad?
I knew this end was probable.
Why do I feel so sad?
This just didn't seem possible.
Was it that hard a task?
I wanted something very small.
Was it too much to ask
For this one to give you his all?
The only one who's proved
To want more than friendship with me.
Why couldn't You have moved
That our hearts could beat in unity?
So many wasted years
Holding fast to an empty dream.
Why not just face my fears
And release this hopeful gleam.
But no. I see God move--
Slightly, but unmistakable.
I'll just wait while God proves
His word to be unbreakable.
So I'll hope against hope
And commit to prayer once again.
And pray I can cope
With what I find in the end.
Though I'd hoped against hope,
And brought my desires to God,
I'm still trying to cope
With heaven's disappointing nod.
Why does it hurt so bad?
I knew this end was probable.
Why do I feel so sad?
This just didn't seem possible.
Was it that hard a task?
I wanted something very small.
Was it too much to ask
For this one to give you his all?
The only one who's proved
To want more than friendship with me.
Why couldn't You have moved
That our hearts could beat in unity?
So many wasted years
Holding fast to an empty dream.
Why not just face my fears
And release this hopeful gleam.
But no. I see God move--
Slightly, but unmistakable.
I'll just wait while God proves
His word to be unbreakable.
So I'll hope against hope
And commit to prayer once again.
And pray I can cope
With what I find in the end.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
She's Da Dawg!
So, Cinnamon suddenly decides she's gonna take it upon herself to be tough Little Miss Guard Dog! She has made it her duty to protect me from anything and everything that seems even a tad bit out of the ordinary. Ha ha ha. (I get such a kick out of this--cuz she's so tiny, ya' know, but she thinks she's really tough. Sorta reminds me of me!)
The other morning, I took her outside as usual to take care of business. As I do, there's a man going for a morning run out in the street. Cinnamon bolts like lightning, tail tucked, ears back, racing after this guy, and starts barking it up. (I've only heard her bark one other time, and it was a little, quiet bark, so naturally, I was really surprised!)
I called her back to me, and she comes struttin back, holding her head high and proud, with the look on her face like, "Aren't you proud of me? Look what I did! I chased that man so far; he won't ever bother you again. I just protected you from sure death or other countless, horrible things. There's no telling what he might have done. Did you see how fast I ran, and how scary my bark was? Yeah, I know, I'm sooo good! I'm DA DAWG, YO!"
Okay, so maybe the look didn't say ALL that, but you get the point!
Anyways, last night I decide to do some sit-ups and push-ups before I go to bed, since I haven't been at the gym, and I'm starting to notice it! So, I get down on the floor and start doing some sit-ups. Cinnamon comes over, and starts looking at me like I've lost my mind!
After about 10 sit-ups, she'd had enough of whatever these weird movements were I was doing. So she puts her front two feet on my chest and pushes me back down to the ground. Then she procedes to climb on top of me and stand on all fours just daring me to try to sit up again. She glared at me like, "I will NOT have you hurting yourself. I didn't let that man hurt you, I don't let anyone hurt you, and I definitely won't have you hurting yourself!"
How can I say no to that? So, as much as I wanted to keep doing sit-ups, and as much as it just killed me to stop, I decided for her peace of mind, I would have to, just this once until she gets used to me doing sit-ups!
Have a great weekend, y'all!
The other morning, I took her outside as usual to take care of business. As I do, there's a man going for a morning run out in the street. Cinnamon bolts like lightning, tail tucked, ears back, racing after this guy, and starts barking it up. (I've only heard her bark one other time, and it was a little, quiet bark, so naturally, I was really surprised!)
I called her back to me, and she comes struttin back, holding her head high and proud, with the look on her face like, "Aren't you proud of me? Look what I did! I chased that man so far; he won't ever bother you again. I just protected you from sure death or other countless, horrible things. There's no telling what he might have done. Did you see how fast I ran, and how scary my bark was? Yeah, I know, I'm sooo good! I'm DA DAWG, YO!"
Okay, so maybe the look didn't say ALL that, but you get the point!
Anyways, last night I decide to do some sit-ups and push-ups before I go to bed, since I haven't been at the gym, and I'm starting to notice it! So, I get down on the floor and start doing some sit-ups. Cinnamon comes over, and starts looking at me like I've lost my mind!
After about 10 sit-ups, she'd had enough of whatever these weird movements were I was doing. So she puts her front two feet on my chest and pushes me back down to the ground. Then she procedes to climb on top of me and stand on all fours just daring me to try to sit up again. She glared at me like, "I will NOT have you hurting yourself. I didn't let that man hurt you, I don't let anyone hurt you, and I definitely won't have you hurting yourself!"
How can I say no to that? So, as much as I wanted to keep doing sit-ups, and as much as it just killed me to stop, I decided for her peace of mind, I would have to, just this once until she gets used to me doing sit-ups!
Have a great weekend, y'all!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
SCENE IV
Familiarity is quickly exiting to backstage as all manner of unknown, uncertain, unproved, untried, and untested characters prepare to dominate center stage for the next scene in my life. Comfort flees with familiarity and a new guy, Uneasiness, takes up residence as these new and strange surroundings arrive.
The change of caste accompanies a change of places, people, situations, and relationships.
However, the most captivating detail of all is watching the transformations during each scene. Somehow, throughout the course of events and happenings, Doubt morphs into Trust, Uneasiness into Peace, and Unknown into Familiar.
See, this character Constant is a proud fellow. He thinks that if he is not occupying center stage, then Peace, Trust, Hope, Confidence, Comfort, or Joy could not be on stage either. After all, how could Peace be acting along side of Change?
But that is where this all begins to make a little sense. See Constant IS present. No matter how uncertain the future is, what career changes and location changes lie ahead, what people move out of my life, and what new ones move in, no matter how many dreams have not come true, and how many times this heart has been broken, one relationship is always constant. One Person is always present to ensure that yes, peace, trust, hope, confidence, and joy can all be present even while Change occupies a piece of the stage.
How does this work? Because this relationship is with the Director, Jesus Christ, and He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He provides stability in such an uncertain world. He's the One who transforms doubt into trust, uneasiness into peace, and unknown into familiar. The Director alone knows when and how this scene will end, and if it will perhaps be the final. Therefore, a relationship with Him is a must if I am to have any certainty at all about my future.
I think of all the uncertainties looming in the minds of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Ruth, Mary, Peter, Paul, and John as the play of their lives was being written. But each one of these gave their uncertainties to God and moved by faith.
Yes, Change in many different forms is beginning to take over the stage. Yes, doubt and uneasiness lurk in the shadows. However, I have faith that the Director knows what He is doing, and that brings Peace and Contentment into the limelight as Scene IV unfolds.
The change of caste accompanies a change of places, people, situations, and relationships.
However, the most captivating detail of all is watching the transformations during each scene. Somehow, throughout the course of events and happenings, Doubt morphs into Trust, Uneasiness into Peace, and Unknown into Familiar.
See, this character Constant is a proud fellow. He thinks that if he is not occupying center stage, then Peace, Trust, Hope, Confidence, Comfort, or Joy could not be on stage either. After all, how could Peace be acting along side of Change?
But that is where this all begins to make a little sense. See Constant IS present. No matter how uncertain the future is, what career changes and location changes lie ahead, what people move out of my life, and what new ones move in, no matter how many dreams have not come true, and how many times this heart has been broken, one relationship is always constant. One Person is always present to ensure that yes, peace, trust, hope, confidence, and joy can all be present even while Change occupies a piece of the stage.
How does this work? Because this relationship is with the Director, Jesus Christ, and He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He provides stability in such an uncertain world. He's the One who transforms doubt into trust, uneasiness into peace, and unknown into familiar. The Director alone knows when and how this scene will end, and if it will perhaps be the final. Therefore, a relationship with Him is a must if I am to have any certainty at all about my future.
I think of all the uncertainties looming in the minds of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Ruth, Mary, Peter, Paul, and John as the play of their lives was being written. But each one of these gave their uncertainties to God and moved by faith.
Yes, Change in many different forms is beginning to take over the stage. Yes, doubt and uneasiness lurk in the shadows. However, I have faith that the Director knows what He is doing, and that brings Peace and Contentment into the limelight as Scene IV unfolds.
Friday, May 12, 2006
And now for the picture version...
My friend Mary and her new orange convertible VW Bug.
Harmony and Trint
Kc, Corry, and Amber at Bellingrath Gardens
Another shot from the Gardens
Did I mention that I went to a rodeo with 4 crazy guys?
And here's Cinnamon, chillin in the shade under my chair at the beach.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
One more road trip under my belt!
Five and a half days and 1525 driven (not flown... although some could contest that my driving is quite similar to flying) miles later, I suppose I'm none the worse for wear, and I now have quite a nice tan after only a few hours on Pensacola beach!
I did have a great trip! Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers for safety and a good time. I was able to catch up with so many friends, and even meet new ones. I managed to navigate through Birmingham, AL during a major thunder/lightning/hail storm, and meet my friend Mary (who I haven't seen in 5 years) for a great BBQ dinner.
I went on to Tuscaloosa and spent a day with Harmony and Trint--good friends from college. They've been married almost 2 years now, and are just as cute as can be!
From there, I headed down to Mobile to meet Kc and Corry, and their daughter Amber. We had so much fun. I was greeted with some wonderful steaks straight off the grill, salad (just the way I like it!), corn on the cob, delicious bread, on and on.... They know how to feed ya' down there, let me just tell you! Oh yeah, and a bag of Reese's peanut butter cups too... can't forget those!
We talked, and chilled, and relaxed. Then Kc got his guitar out and we started jammin'. Okay, not really "jammin" but it was fun anyways! =) And Corry surprised me with a great drawing she did from my profile pic! She's amazing! They took me to Bellingrath gardens the next day, and let me add that God was really gracious with the weather the whole time I was there. The forecast did not look good, but God gave us perfect weather. Anyways, this garden place was absolutely beautiful.
I will post pictures once I see how they turned out. Kc posted some pics on his blog, but I don't have time to do the link-thing now. (What am I talking about?... I don't have time to even be doing this right now, but oh well!)
Anyways, I eventually had to leave these sweet people after such a short visit, and head to Pensacola. My brother's performance in the play was outstanding! He's a natural I guess. But while I was there, I ran into so many other college friends from my infamous days there as a student. I did manage to rip away from all of them long enough to sneak in a few hours alone (well, Cinnamon was with me) at the beach.
Can I just add that Cinnamon (my little dog) made a great travelling companion. I'm glad I decided to bring her with me. She seemed to enjoy it too.
Also got to hear Pastor Schettler (Campus Church in Pensacola) preach again. I really respect and admire him. His ministry has really helped me a lot.
I was able to spend a little time with my brother's girlfriend, Monica, which is always tons of fun! She just informed me that she does read this, but is not able to comment for some reason, so HI! Monica!
On the way home, some good friends of ours were travelling with us until we got to Montgomery. Then they headed north on 65 to 59, and my bro. and I got on 85 north. Well, a couple hours later, they had a flat tire and were stranded in the middle of nowhere. Everything was already closed for the night in the closest little town, and on top of all that the cell phone went dead and they didn't have a charger. Poor guys! Well, we finally heard from them 4 hours later and they said someone had come to help them, and they were back on the road again. Those poor guys! I'm glad they didn't have to stay there all night though.
Anyhow, I'm back at work now. Woo-hoo! I was really enjoying a life of 100% socializing. But, back to reality! Work this summer is going to be even more hectic than predicted, because a guy in my department just resigned. So, the work that is usually split between 3 of us will have to be split between only 2 of us. But, it's okay. We'll get-'er-done!
I'll post pictures just as soon as possible. My digital camera is broken, so it's not quite as easy to get them from the camera to my blog anymore! All in good time.
I can't wait to catch up on what's going on with all of you.
Peace.
I did have a great trip! Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers for safety and a good time. I was able to catch up with so many friends, and even meet new ones. I managed to navigate through Birmingham, AL during a major thunder/lightning/hail storm, and meet my friend Mary (who I haven't seen in 5 years) for a great BBQ dinner.
I went on to Tuscaloosa and spent a day with Harmony and Trint--good friends from college. They've been married almost 2 years now, and are just as cute as can be!
From there, I headed down to Mobile to meet Kc and Corry, and their daughter Amber. We had so much fun. I was greeted with some wonderful steaks straight off the grill, salad (just the way I like it!), corn on the cob, delicious bread, on and on.... They know how to feed ya' down there, let me just tell you! Oh yeah, and a bag of Reese's peanut butter cups too... can't forget those!
We talked, and chilled, and relaxed. Then Kc got his guitar out and we started jammin'. Okay, not really "jammin" but it was fun anyways! =) And Corry surprised me with a great drawing she did from my profile pic! She's amazing! They took me to Bellingrath gardens the next day, and let me add that God was really gracious with the weather the whole time I was there. The forecast did not look good, but God gave us perfect weather. Anyways, this garden place was absolutely beautiful.
I will post pictures once I see how they turned out. Kc posted some pics on his blog, but I don't have time to do the link-thing now. (What am I talking about?... I don't have time to even be doing this right now, but oh well!)
Anyways, I eventually had to leave these sweet people after such a short visit, and head to Pensacola. My brother's performance in the play was outstanding! He's a natural I guess. But while I was there, I ran into so many other college friends from my infamous days there as a student. I did manage to rip away from all of them long enough to sneak in a few hours alone (well, Cinnamon was with me) at the beach.
Can I just add that Cinnamon (my little dog) made a great travelling companion. I'm glad I decided to bring her with me. She seemed to enjoy it too.
Also got to hear Pastor Schettler (Campus Church in Pensacola) preach again. I really respect and admire him. His ministry has really helped me a lot.
I was able to spend a little time with my brother's girlfriend, Monica, which is always tons of fun! She just informed me that she does read this, but is not able to comment for some reason, so HI! Monica!
On the way home, some good friends of ours were travelling with us until we got to Montgomery. Then they headed north on 65 to 59, and my bro. and I got on 85 north. Well, a couple hours later, they had a flat tire and were stranded in the middle of nowhere. Everything was already closed for the night in the closest little town, and on top of all that the cell phone went dead and they didn't have a charger. Poor guys! Well, we finally heard from them 4 hours later and they said someone had come to help them, and they were back on the road again. Those poor guys! I'm glad they didn't have to stay there all night though.
Anyhow, I'm back at work now. Woo-hoo! I was really enjoying a life of 100% socializing. But, back to reality! Work this summer is going to be even more hectic than predicted, because a guy in my department just resigned. So, the work that is usually split between 3 of us will have to be split between only 2 of us. But, it's okay. We'll get-'er-done!
I'll post pictures just as soon as possible. My digital camera is broken, so it's not quite as easy to get them from the camera to my blog anymore! All in good time.
I can't wait to catch up on what's going on with all of you.
Peace.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
A Little Less Face Time for me.
With May now upon us, my life begins to get hectic. In the work that I do, the busiest time of year is May, June, and July as we balance and close out the old fiscal year, and establish the budget for the new year. I'm telling you this just to simply say that my posts here will not be as regular as I would like for a few months. I will get on here and visit you all as often as possible, but I may have to do most of that over the weekends. We will see. Feel free to drop in and send emails or whatever. I will do my best to respond to those in a timely manner.
I am leaving this Thursday afternoon, and slowly making my way down to Florida. I say slowly, because Thursday night, I'll be staying with my college friend Harmony and her husband Trint, and then Friday night, I'll be staying with Kc and Corry. Then sometime Saturday afternoon or evening, I'll head over to Pensacola to see my brother and pick him up from college for the summer. He's got the lead role in the Shakespeare play "Much Ado About Nothing", so I'll get to see him perform Monday night.
Well, that's about it. I'll be around, just maybe not as much.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Keep it real,
Kristi
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