Friday, February 27, 2009

Okay, small percentage, you're caught

While reading tons of quotes and arguments about whether or not cell phones should be banned while driving, i came across this one and had a good laugh.

"Nearly 90% of respondents said they have used their knees to steer the car to help keep them on the road while their hands are occupied elsewhere, while 22% use their elbows, and a small percentage even admitted to using their chin."

I think it's just the picture of a person leaning over to steer with their chin that makes me laugh. Have any of you actually done this?

Thursday, February 26, 2009

How's that for encouragement!?

As Ivy dribbles the ball and runs full speed down the basketball court, Kaitlyn runs behind her yelling at the top of her lungs: "RUN IVY, RUN!! RUN!!!"
And everyone on the bench immediately owns a smile.

Win/Win

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

Please

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Monday, February 23, 2009

discontented

"I just hate this old purple one!" The seven year old reminded me as she once again tried to fit the "grown up" appearing shoulder rest on her tiny violin. "I can't wait to get a bigger violin!" Her words stomped around the living room three times and then back into my ears before i could think of what to say. "You'll have to be patient," I told her, "Some day very soon, you will be ready for a new violin." She proceeded to carry her sorry attitude to the music stand, and into each painful note of her scales. She slouched like she couldn't hold the violin up with the old shoulder rest. She sat down between songs like she couldn't stand under the intense desire for what was to come. And she wore a frown for the rest of the lesson, like she wouldn't smile until the new violin arrived.

I would have been frustrated. I would have thought, "It's been a long day, she's my last student, and i don't have the energy to deal with this attitude." I would have...if i hadn't identified with her so much.

I've been that little girl. My discontented and childish words have stomped around my heart more than a few times. And i've heard those hard words, "You'll have to be patient."

But, you know? The old purple one works just fine for today. And it doesn't make me slouch, or sit down, or frown...it doesn't even slip off my shoulder.

Friday, February 20, 2009

less than satisfying

"Hot tub was cold & pool was hot! I'd change it."

-another unsatisfied Super 8 swimmer

comical...for some reason

grown men in the back of a fifteen passenger van.

my morning...

5:31- BEEP.....BEEP...BEEP..BEEP.BEEP.BEEP
5:32- Snooze button hit
5:40- BEEP.....BEEP...BEEP..BEEP.BEEP.BEEP
5:45- (I think, hmm...25 min till i need to leave...i'll sleep for five more min)
5:50- Get up
6:00- Dressed and eating breakfast...alone...in the dark kitchen
6:10-brushing teeth, dreading the cold outdoors and the big green van
6:12- Van won't start...and it's cold...and did i mention dark?
6:15- Interrupt dad's loud snoring
6:20- (although i really don't know the time because i can't get the clock to work in the van) Finally leave
6:31- Check in at the YMCA
6:35- get downstairs and walk in the gym after practice has begun...grr
So i don't have time to get my finger taped...and i don't have time to put my secret pal's gift in the bag...
But i'm just in time for TEN minutes of continuous motion!
And i was planning to be there early...

PS During practice i put on my practice jersey and started to do a drill. I had been wearing it for probably ten minutes, and then i feel this bump on my back. It was a sock stuck in between the red and white layers! Probably got there in the wash because it wasn't even a sock i would wear for basketball. I laughed :)

What a morning.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

free

So rejoice, my friends
Because, my friends
You've got a friend indeed....It is for freedom He set us free.


-Jimmy Needham, For Freedom

familiar...and yet, completely new

"is it really spring today sweet surrender to an old familiar friend"


-Katy Kinard, Spring

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Why I LOVE CYIA

...the people.

"I hope you come and we can put our beds together that is the greatest fun of the week almost. Throw Michaela in the mix and it is real hoedown."

-Kelsey Carr, my bed neighbor for the past two years

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

mzeal...all new

Thanks to Jeremy...lookin alittle different huh?

ps i bet you wish your brother was as amazing as mine

keep a good hold

In his book, At the Back of the North Wind, George MacDonald depicts the following interaction between a little boy named Diamond and the mysterious creature called the North Wind.
After convincing the boy to follow her wherever she goes, the North Wind speaks-

"If you see me with my face all black, don't be frightened. If you see me flapping wings like a bat's, as big as the whole sky, don't be frightened. If you hear me raging ten times worse than Mrs. Bill, the black-smith's wife- even if you see me looking in at people's windows like Mrs. Eve Dropper, the gardener's wife- you must believe that I am doing my work. Nay, Diamond, if I change into a serpent or a tiger, you must not let go your hold of me, for my hand will never change in yours if you keep a good hold. If you keep a hold, you will know who I am all the time, even when you look at me and can't see me the least like the North Wind. I may look something very awful."

got my hand

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13

Sunday, February 15, 2009

hoping for the extraordinary

I wake up. The sun is shining. The snooze button is attractive. It's another morning. I've had plenty of these mornings. I know what they're like, and i know what to expect. These ordinary mornings lead to ordinary afternoons, and ordinary evenings, and in the end, ordinary days.

But, in my lifetime there have been a few days that are more than ordinary. They stick out in my mind. They're like red flags against the rest of the grey days. Like the day i met a now beloved friend. Or the day i led a little boy to Christ. Or the day i climbed a mountain. As i remember these days, i catch myself assuming that, at their start, God must have decided, "i'll do something big for michelle today." I think about how He must have been excited and almost itching to add a new dimension to my life through a new experience or realization. How He must have been waiting for that perfect day to jump down and move. But really, those days were just like all the other ones. They all started with my eyelids opening to the brand new morning, my finger reaching for the snooze button and the sun shining through the window. They were all ordinary days.

So, what if God is always itching to do something big? What if, each new day, he plans to do something that could change our lives? Or, what if it's all a journey and God doesn't sit around waiting for that special day to make His move. What if he's moving right now, through it all, and making each new day one of extraordinary worth? If every day has meaning then- there is alot more hope than i could have hoped for. And there are alot more red, extraordinary days than the grey, ordinary ones.

the cat and me

a love hate relationship.

Friday, February 13, 2009

in the hand of a font

Tonight i changed the font on my phone back to the old girly looking one. The one my brothers told me they didn't like. The one i used during the months of August, September, and October of last year. The one that carries all those memories. And...it's incredible what a simple font can hold.

don't ask me why...

but i just love that 70 divided by 14 = 5

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Pure Grace

When i throw the basketball up without thought from the three point line, i have terrible form, i have terrible expectations, and it goes "Swish" right through the net.

Isn't that kindof like what we do everyday?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

what's it better than?

is it better than laughter?
better than family?
better than a good day?
better than a spring walk?
better than the violin?
better than basketball?
better than a good meal?
better than best friends?
better than a perfect vacation?

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

M.B.D

"Wow! I think your middle name is Beethoven!"

-Jeremy being sarcastic about my simple composition

said straight

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."
Jonah 2:8

Monday, February 09, 2009

she likes all of me

"And you know why i liked it? Because it was completely YOU."

-Mrs. Figg talking about a card made and wrote for her

mmm

"...So i watched her as you put me in the dirt...she had my wallet tucked inside her skirt."

-Betrayal, by Jon Foreman

Sunday, February 08, 2009

no one at all

What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

"Next we'll sing- What a Friend we have in Jesus..."

and the woman in the back of the nursing home lobby replies, "I sure need one."

Then, with great intent, she studies the words to that hymn for the next ten minutes.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Monday, February 02, 2009

moment of sheer terror and pure delight

when daddy's rough hands wave in front of me, his face wears a certain suspicious grin, and i know i'm about to be helplessly pinned on the ground underneath tickling fingers and breathless screams.

:)

"yay! for grace"

-Julia

Encouragement for the weary

"Keep climbing! The scenery gets better and better!"


-George Beverly Shea speaking about his 100th birthday yesterday