1 1/4 inches???!!!

My parents have a special wall in our kitchen. It's covered with names and dates, lines telling how tall we were and are, the story of our growing.

I was surprised today, by that wall. My dad was measuring my 5 year old brother. He grew about 1 1/2 inches since last September. So I asked him to measure me, knowing that I am done growing, and would be exactly as tall as the last mark, which was in January of '07.

I grew 1 1/4 inches! I couldn't believe that I would grow between my 23rd and 25th years. I hadn't grown taller in several years before that.

But maybe it is a symbol. I had a huge spiritual growth spurt during that time period. Maybe my King just wanted to give me a physical reminder that He cares about my growing.

Who knew I'd grow 1 1/4 inches taller while I was growing closer to my King! Thank you Jesus, for caring about all of my life :) I love You!

Hmm...summer's finally on it's way??

Did you know that it is uniquely difficult to find worthwhile subject matter for this blog? Maybe I just don't find much of interest to share from my life these days. Or maybe I'm too busy living it to take the time to share it! For example, in the past two weeks I've lived:

One ninth birthday...complete with special breakfast, dinner, presents, and "cake." (it was brownies).

Two days of gardening...planting potted herbs in my particular spot, tilling and raking the larger vegetable garden, testing the soil, adding compost (mmm!) and beginning to plant the veggies.

One beautifully restful Sunday complete with Pride and Prejudice...the book.

Four days of preparing and enjoying the company of my sisters Cher and Rach, including another Birthday celebration and all that it entails.

Three days on the road searching for a prom dress.

One sister's first prom.

And today? Marissa and Sully have been wearing the goggles they got for her birthday and dunking their heads in a bucket of water (ya, my idea). Then they run to the swings saying "we did it, we did it," in a singsong voice, and repeat. And repeat. And repeat. Hey, they're having fun!

Hope you are also having some summer fun.
I dread the busy life I will have soon.

My Family

Family; baptism; "Only Alive" by Jars of Clay; being identified with His death and resurrection; being in the same family as those who are tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus; saying yes to Him no matter what! Whew! I'm tired now. :)

Few and Far Between

Some friendships are for awhile, while interests coincide. Some last only until the ocasion ends that brought the friends into each other's company. And still others are friends only until trust is betrayed, or character changes. And then there are friends for life and eternity.

Such a one is my sweet friend Jenna. We share great desires for Jesus, purity, music, worship, faith, and holiness. Kindred Spirits come few and far between these days, so I treasure every one.

You will not be surprised at my joy, then, when I heard that she would be coming to stay with me for about a week this winter break. We had one of the nicest weeks ever. Just hanging out was precious to us, because we don't know when we will see one another again. I will be leaving the country, and college dominates her schedule.

We went walking, in the semi-country, the golf course.
We spent talking time, relaxing time, movies and puzzles.
We played piano duets till my brain ached.
And we watched One Night With the King--one of the most romanticist movies ever.

Thank you God, for friends who know You, understand love for You, understand the choices of following You.

Thank you God for Jenna.