"Goooood Morniiing, Portland!" I woke, groggily finding my grandmother moaning at the cheerful radio greeting. I guess if 5 am doesn't come easy for me, it certainly wouldn't for her either. We lay silently, both wanting to just ignore the exuberant weather forecast of a 90 degree day. Nana rolled over and sniffed the air. I sniffed too--I thought something seemed a little off. "Do you smell a skunk?" she asked. "YES! That's what that is." I wasn't sure if I should mention that I thought the room smelled nasty, so I was glad she'd both brought it up and figured out the source. We thought for a second, and she woefully said, "I sure hope the cat didn't get in a fight with it." I groaned. Then I laughed, picturing my 76 year old grandmother trying to give her cat Thomas a tomato juice bath. It may get rid of the smell, but it could be more trouble than it's worth. She and I both got up, with her worrying about the skunk getting under the house. I went into the guest room where my Mom & Dad were sleeping. I asked them about it, and mom said, "Yeah, Gary already noticed that. He was wondering whether it was Tim." We all burst out laughing, and I looked at Tim in his sleeping bag. At age nine, anything is possible--including smelling not unlike a skunk. But it wasn't him. I closed their window, as it was getting cold, and as I did so, I saw a black & white animal. The skunk! No. It was Thomas. Whew. I certainly didn't want more stink. But later, as we found out, Thomas wasn't quite free of odor either. He proved that he'd had some tango with that skunk in the wee hours, and certainly didn't understand why we wouldn't want him in the house. As my uncle Greg would later say, "But it stinks out there!"
I got shot several times today, and survived (so far), I'm happy to tell you. I had to get my meningitis vaccine, and had to redo my MMR because some fool nurse didn't do it right when I was a kid. So I went in to get my shots, and they talked me into two more. They tried to talk me into a fifth that a Christian girl should never need, and I had to practically bat my way out of the room to get the nurse to stop. I cannot believe the hard sell I got. When they've already pricked me four times anyway, I can't imagine that they wouldn't expect me to be a little sore at them. Ha.
Anyway. I can't believe how much fun college preparations are. Where's the Tylenol?
One good thing to report: Much like Tony's experience, my iPod seemed to have died, not to be consoled by its friend the recharger for anything. I wasn't sure what to do. But I saw Tony's post, and he inspired me to try again. He inspireth me, he inspireth joo. Anyhoo. This time, it WORKED! I can't believe it. If your iPod ever goes dead, wait about a month and try to recharge it again. It sounds like this may be more than a one-time occurance.
We had the Marks over tonight. (So I guess that makes for more than one good thing to report.) It was fun to see them, but sad to say another goodbye. I wish them well in the new land God has for them. They have been so great to get to know, even if it's been a short time. It's a good thing we have the internet & email to keep in touch. Otherwise, I don't know how I'd be able to keep in touch with so many people via snail mail. I mean, I love the handwritten note as much as the next girl, but honestly. Email does make my life easier.
I love my neighbor Stacia. She is the sweetest neighbor I've ever had. She's actually more like an aunt to me. This picture is of us on the 4th of July. You seriously have to check out her blog. I am so excited about all that the Lord has been doing in her life. She's the coolest sparkler-toting chick this side of the Mississippi. Although I'm not sure I know any east of the Mississippi either. She makes great cupcakes, too. (See video for proof)
Today Mom, Tim & I went to coffee with Mrs. Israel, and had a delightful time of sweet conversation, sweet coffee & sweet-smelling flowers from Mrs. Israel's garden. (She wore her Master's shirt just for me!) Here are some pictures of the flowers:
I got it night before last, but haven't had much time to play with it yet. Today after church, we had some company over for lunch. To tell the truth, we'd never met any of them before. It all goes back to one evening at Red Robin. I was waiting on several tables, and actually brought up my college plans to them (which normally I don't really do). They asked me specifically what college I was going to in Santa Clarita. I told them about Master's, and they practically jumped out of their skin. They told me, "One of our best friends is going to Master's too! She'll be a freshman." They glowingly told me all about her and recited her phone number to me. I got in contact, and she & her parents came over for lunch today. She is very sweet, and we're considering working in PBC's childrens ministry together. Pretty amazing how God works. I just keep meeting wonderful girls who are going for their first year at Master's! Haley & I will be going to our friend Jessica's wedding, where we're expecting to meet her (future) sister-in-law, also named Katie, also going to Master's as a freshman. And Stefanie B., who I met in Berlin three years ago is going as a freshman this year. The Lord is just so good to me. I can't really wrap my mind around it all.
When I was four, I was coming home from Bible Study with my mom, and I asked her, "Mom, why does everything we do have Jesus in it?" She said, "Because before I came to know Jesus, my life wasn't worth anything." And it must've gotten me thinking, because shortly after that, I was riding in the car with dad, and asked if I could get to know Jesus too. So we pulled over and prayed together, and that's when I first met my Savior and Lord. I was a sinner, an enemy of God, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for my sin so that if I just believed, I would be set free from the penalty of sin--eternal separation from God, in hell. I am so thankful for all that God has done in my life. Since that point at age four, I have grown in my faith, realized it as my own, and have loved the Lord more and more. It is my prayer that you come to know Him too. Ask Him to take away your sin and make you a new person. This is the most important and wonderful decision you'll ever make!
