it's too cold in Kansas.

how about a tropical cruise. warm beach. virgin daiquiris. sunglasses. something. . . anything.

warm hotel room will do!

it's 1/1/10. . . full swing with a 2 week+ nanny gig, huge expectations for '10 and being a grown up.

love it

stories.

Life never ceases to amaze me. . . I was driving through a small town the other day, watching a woman carrying boxes out of her house and children playing down the street and cars passing by in the other lane. . .

and it took my breath away. There were probably five-hundred people living in that little town. Which means:

Five-hundred different lives. Young, Old, Happy, Sad, Sick, Healthy, Leaving, Coming, Hopeless, Healed. . . all encompassed in that sweet small town. Five-hundred different stories.

Some people hide their stories; they duck behind busyness, crazy lives, half-hearted smiles and merely exist. Others share their stories willingly...

and it is because of one person's story that I have been changed...

encouraged. blessed. MOVED to make a difference.

cancer. cancer. cancer. cancer. There is no way to sugar-coat or simplify it. I don't have cancer- but I know a lot of people who do. . . TOO many! Even ONE person is too many for me-

Thanks to my dear friend Teresa and her "Little Handbook of Cancer Etiquette" I am equipped to face it and fight- to stand by my friends and family instead of cower in fear. I am ready to do what I can to be a part of the BIGGER battle.

Everybody has a story- and EVERYONE'S story is worth sharing! Start with Teresa's and be moved!

(email TERESA (soulart02@hotmail.com) to purchase her book-

save a life!

I made two goals to meet before the end of the month- 1. donate blood and 2. register on the marrow list as a potential donor

. . . I registered online today for the marrow list. There are millions of stories to be told, faces to see, people who are waiting, people who have died waiting. . .

YOU could save a life. Most people instantly think "It REALLY HURTS to give bone marrow". . . it starts with a cheek swab, folks...

Maybe someday you will receive that phone saying: YOU could save the LIFE of a child- or an adult- a mother- a son- you'll realize you are helping someone fight, live, & survive! I guarantee you are brave enough to give something so simple- (in the grand scheme of things) think of all the things these patients go through EVERY single day...

Sign Up! Recruit a friend! Promise to stand together on every leg of a journey and don't let FEAR hold you back from being a HERO

www.marrow.org
These codes allow you to register on line at no cost until June 22, 2009: Marrow493LC and BTM493LC

H.I.S.

has it really been a whole year without grandma? 

. . . 

"wish I could see the angels faces

when they hear your sweet voice sing"

. . .  (Vince Gill, Go Rest High on that Mountain)

*little things

I wish I had $1 for everytime I got on facebook and said,

"when did they have a baby"

or

"they're MARRIED?"

thank you, internet, for online networking. I honestly love it!

I've been realizing lots of things about *me* lately. things that have defined who I am and who I will be- even weird things, like how much I LOVED (and still do) Up Up with People- and even though I never got to "be" one, that idea of travel and diversity grew in my heart- as I belted that song in the car today *and missed my exit* I was reminded of just how much our hosted students meant to my young heart!

ever since the 7th grade I've wanted to get those little beaded flowers in my hair- b/c one of my buddies, a cool girl in school, came back from a cruise with her hair braided with the little beaded flowers. It only took me 10 years to fulfill that dream :D I've gotten the braids numerous times, but thank you, Progresso Mexico, and this sweet woman, who gave me beaded FLOWERS.

it's the little things. . .

fly that flag!

I'm back.
I'm refreshed

God spoke so much truth into my life and heart

and one thing I felt SO strongly about
was

I'm not afraid
to be who God made me to be

I'm letting His light- and joy- shine.
and sometimes, it looks a little crazy to other people

and sometimes, it's just what they need.

thank You for this life!

I love KS airports, MCI and ICT both have free, wireless internet. Which is perfect for the 1 hour delay before the flight. I'm going to stow my huge book bag overhead and sit with my Angela Thomas book and Ipod.

Favorite Reads of the past few months:

The Shack

Do You Think I'm Beautiful

Good Morning, Holy Spirit.

Loved them- all- read them- fast. and I've been listening to a book on CD. . . "Sister chicks in sombreros" that is marvelous as well

I'm embarking on a little sisterchick cruise- I probably won't purchase a sombrero but I am so excited for some fun in the sun- some fellowship- and learning even more how REAL God is.

My heart aches thinking of life without Him- and I'm not just talking about people who don't go to church. I'm talking about people who do, and haven't grasped the fullness of walking in Him- a relationship, a Spirit-filled life of truly LOVING Him... and others... and even yourself.

I love the place I'm in- and I love what God's doing that I haven't even seen yet . . .