Reformation Day

Have any of you ever been to a Reformation Day party? Do you even know what Reformation Day is?
Well, I have known October 31st as Halloween for the past 17 years, but this year I was introduced to Reformation Day.
Of course, I knew that it was on October 31st that Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the church door, but I never knew that anyone celebrated it as a holiday.

Complete with a historically accurate meal, historical dress (which we finished up on the way to the party!), dancing, skits, first person interpretation, it was celebrated as much like a holiday as any one I've ever been a part of.
From sitting behind the stage yelling out lines to Jessica when she forgot them, to trying to get everyone to dance on beat ("Can't anyone here count to eight!?!"), it was a blast!

My sister made me a beautiful black velvet dress with an empire waist. I shall have to post pictures of it one day so you can see it. Tiffany made herself and Jessica dresses for the event as well, both of which turned out very nicely.
Mr. McDonald was portraying Martin Luther so he and Caleb got new capes out of the deal.
When it was all said and done, all of us were in historic dress except James VI (though he did carry around Merisha's sword for a while, just for effect).

Well, as always, there is much to do, but I will post very soon (hopefully!)

~Robin <><

Birthdays!

In honor of the 21st birthday of Christa and the 15th birthday of Jessica, I write you the following post.

To my new found sisters: Two of the most woderful, godly young ladies I know.
I pray that God will bless you in this next year and that we will celebrate many more birthdays together!

Happy birthday to you both, my friends. I love you!
~Robin <><

Howdy Y'all!

Fear not, dear friends I didn't turn into salt as I left New Orleans. Of course, I didn't look back (just in case), nor have I acquired a Texas drawl.
The reason that you haven't heard from me is because I have been SOOOO busy.

Since I got here in a nutshell:
Mr McDonald, James VI, Mr. Hildebrandt, and one of the Allison sons came down and packed us up into trailers and moved us here. On the way, we had a blow out. Of course, I (who have been driving since July) was the one driving at the time. Typical, isn't it?
We were traveling with walkie talkies, so we called Mr. McDonald and James to come back and help us. It was a trip, and we didn't get home until 11:30 (and had a very late dinner).

Just a few days after we got here, the family who was running the tea room resigned. We now are at the tea room sometimes until in the wee hours of the morning getting prepared because there is just so much to do. It's getting better as we are learning the systems better etc., and we are still so grateful to be here.
The McDonald family is full of very wonderful and very distinct people and personalities. Here is my take on the oldest 5:
James VI - well, I really don't know him personally at all, but he does a great job on the magazine! :)
Christa is sweet and quiet. She's sensitive, and very loving
Tiffany is JUST like me (yeah, I know you're terrified now) but we get along great
Melissa is quiet and loves to be at home caring for the children and house
Jessica is a TRIP! Quite the Drama Queen. She's always smiling and spreading good cheer!
The younger ones are too young to really have much differentiation.

Anyway, this hasn't turned out how we expected (because of the resignation etc) but we're still thrilled to be here and settling in to our new home.

Later,
~Robin <><

PS The Astro's won and are going to some kind of big baseball thing. Everyone's thrilled. Go figure.

"Remember Lot's Wife"

Well, today is the day! The men will be here this evening to load up our stuff, and tomorrow we will head across to Texas.

As we draw so near to the day when we will be gone from New Orleans, I have really worked up an understanding for Lot's Wife. Here I am living in a city that is well known across the country for it's wickedness and perversion, but yet, there is something about it that I know will want to make me look back as we leave.

I always wondered "Why in the world did she look back? That place was so evil!"
The Bible doesn't tell us why she looked back, but if it's anything like my attachment to New Orleans, she looked back because it was home. Because the city was captivating and interesting. Because she had friends there that she was leaving behind. They were wicked, no doubt, but a certain portion of her life was spent in this place with these people.

Of course, an angel didn't come to my house and tell me to leave New Orleans and never look back, and I'll not pretend to think that it's as bad as Sodom (though some would disagree with me), but I've always known that whenever we got out of this place, it would be a deliverance.

So, we are being delivered tomorrow :)
I wonder what the next year will hold?

~Robin <><

What does the Bible have to say about us?

Matt 5:13
I am the salt of the earth
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

Matt 5:14
I am the light of the earth
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."

John 1:12
I am God's child
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

John 15:1,5
I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:16
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

1 Cor 3:16
I am God's temple
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

1 Cor 12:27
I am a member of Christ's body
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

2 Cor 5:17,18
I am a minister of reconciliation for God
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Eph 1:1
I am a saint
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus

Eph 2:6
I have been raised up and I am seated with Christ
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Eph 2:10
I am God's workmanship
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Phil 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

Rom 5:1
I have been justified
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Cor 6:17
I am joined to the Lord and I am one spirit with Him
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

1 Cor 6:20
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Cor 12:27
I am a member of Christ's body
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

2 Cor 5:21
I have been made righteous
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Eph 1:5
I have been adopted as God's child
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

Eph 2:18
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Eph 2:19
I am of God's household
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of the saints
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household

Eph 3:12
I may approach God with boldness and confidence
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Col 1:14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Col 2:10
I am complete in Christ
And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

John 1:12
I am a child of God
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Rom 8:28
I am assured that all things work together for good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:35
I cannot be separated from the love of God
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Rom 8:1
I am free forever from condemnation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Rom 8:33
I am free from any condemning charges against me
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

2 Cor 1:21
I have been established, annointed & sealed by God
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us

Eph 1:13,14
I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge, guaranteeing my inheritance to come.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Col 1:13
I have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Christ.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves

Col 3:3
I am hidden with Christ in God
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Phil 1:6
I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2 Tim 1:7
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Heb 4:16
I can find grace and mercy in time of need
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 John 5:18
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

The Sad Days of Farewell

For the last two days we have had many hard goodbyes to say. It has been quite emotionally draining. Yesterday we said goodbye to our very dear friends with whom we go back many years. Today - our church family. First at Berean, the church where I grew up, and second, our home church. I shall miss my dear brothers and sisters very much.

At the home church, we had one final theology discussion (debate?). It all started when my friend, Christian, said: "So, Leah says you're becoming a Presbyterian. How in the world could anyone be a Calvinist?" And so it began. This is the only theology discussion he and I had ever had, so I was surprised that he ever brought it up in the first place. We are usually the ones who walk out when the conversation makes the turn towards this subject. We talked for some time, he and I, then others started gathering around and adding their two cents. This was fine, but it did change the dynamic of the conversation. We ended up all agreeing to disagree and acknowledging that we're all still going to heaven, even though we disagree on the subject (which is how every theological conversation on this Calvinistic vs. Armenian theology has ended up for our church). It was a typical Sunday, an apt farewell.

When I told him "Well Christian, I shall miss arguing with you" he replied (with his usual quick wit) "Hey, there's always e-mail debates". He always makes me laugh, then wonders what I'm laughing about. Though 5 years my junior, we got along nicely. I wonder what he shall grow into?

Monday is fast approaching...and the men will be here to move us on Friday! Everything is happening so very quickly!
In the midst of it all, I was reminded today of the hurting, broken city that we live in as we drove further into the areas with the most destruction from Katrina. So much despair, darkness and hopelessness looms for most. I can't imagine going through something of this magnitude without the grace and peace of our Savior.
With this I leave you:

"O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, harmony. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sorrow, joy. Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

Goodnight, dear readers!

~Robin <><

Ahh, the feeling of autumn!

Autumn is definitely in the air today, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I woke up at 3:30 this morning sneezing, sniffling and stuffed up...a sure sign of weather change. After two big glasses of water and two cups of steaming Echinacea tea, I felt infinitely better and decided to go back to sleep. When I woke up, lo and behold, it was cool outside! And not just slightly cool, mind you; it was cool enough for me to have to go inside and put on a sweater before returning back outdoors. It's quite heavenly.
God was so kind to give me some coolness during my last days in New Orleans...this shall be a wonderful way to remember my last week in Cajun Country.

Did I say one week? Ah yes, I had almost forgotten. The wonderful families from our new church in Texas are coming to move us on the fourteenth. That is very soon.
We have gotten rid of a TON of stuff, though. We're just about finished with the de-cluttering stage, which is the hardest part, so packing should be easy riding from here.

Saluti!
~Robin <><
The-cool-calm-and-collected-soon-to-be-Texan.

Sold?

On Saturday, the day after we returned home from Mississippi, before most people knew we were moving, before most people even knew we were home, and long before we had a chance to put a "For Sale" sign in our front yard: someone found out through the grapevine that our house might be getting ready to be up for sale.
That person came to look at our house as soon as we gave them the okay. Today we found out that they definitely want it.

Could it be? Before it was even on the market, the first person we've ever shown it to wants it. And they not only want it, but they have the resources (because of some newly acquired inheritance money) to pay for it cash. No going through realtors, no going through mortgage companies...

It's not definite yet, mind you, but if they back out, we've got at least 1 other person who is really interested. If they fall through as well, the realtors are calling wanting us to list with them.
When I said that the house market was really hot right now, I didn't know it was quite this hot!

So, if this one goes through, they want it at the latest by the end of the month!
The pressure is on! I think I'll get back to packing up the Library now.

~Robin <><

Back to Belle Chasse...(to pack!)

Finally - it's final! We are back in Belle Chasse to pack. As soon as I entered what is home, at least for the next few weeks, I began preparing to leave it again - this time forever.
Forever is a very long time. To think of being out of this place which has been a my home for my entire life forever seems so final, so abrupt, and yes, though exciting, still a bit scary.
Being out of the house itself isn't what I find so difficult to imagine...it's leaving New Orleans.
I can hear all of you saying "How can it be difficult to leave New Orleans?!?"
Simple: It's home. I was born here, raised here, have been through all of my major joys and struggles here, and I was beginning to think that I'd die here.
The city itself is intriguing, the history is fascinating, there is no comparison to the food anywhere else on the planet (Begniets and Cafe au Lait aren't the same anywhere but Cafe du Monde!)

The friends we have here are very dear. Our church families from Berean - the church I have attended since I was six, and from the Home church in Franklinton. Also our re-enacting and musical friends. These I shall be sad to leave.

Though in one sense it shall be hard to leave, on others it shall be quite easy.
First on my list would be the wonderful families in the Houston area who have taken us in and treated us as their own. The love that they have shown to us is incredible, and their love of Christ is contagious! They truly live out what Christ said when he told his followers: "They will know you are Christians by the love you have one for another."
I am looking forward to getting to know my newly met sisters and brothers even better in the time to come.

Besides the wonderful fellowship and fun, the opportunities for studies, working as a family and being closer to extended family are also big draws.
Yes, I hear Texas calling my name! It must be in the blood...

We'll be de-cluttering and packing for the next few weeks and the plan is to be at our new home by mid to late October. The mixed emotions run strong, but trusting that this is God's will for our lives, I begin to abstain from worry and resign myself to peace!

And now I am off to bed, dear readers...unless I can't help but pack up another box!

~Robin <><
The Louisianan for a bit longer

The Calm Before the Storm

Stocking up on water...















...and on homemade bread!















The fort in the back yard where we rode out some of Rita.





































Merisha and Grace. (above this picture: Emma at sunset)

Random Ramblings on Rita...

On the day of the storm, we swam all afternoon with the McDonald girls and Caleb (8) at their neighborhood pool. It was quite fun, especially when we started getting mellow gusts.
After dinner, the winds started getting stronger. Several of us went out to the fort to experiance the beginnings of Hurricane Rita. When the gusts strengthened more, we enjoyed the winds from the back porch.

Other than the winds and rain, the only thing remotely interesting that happened was when the lights flickered and the house alarm started howling. I jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs into the living room. It wasn't until I reached the bottom that I questioned the wisdom of such a dicision. With Mr. McDonald and his 22 year old son in the house, me (of all people) going to check out why the alarm went off must have seemed strange.
How embarrising! They must have thouht that I was such an idiot...the 17 yr old guest frolicking down the stairs when the security alarm went off!

"It'll go East"

My favorite statement whenever a hurricane is coming is: "Don't worry; it'll go east...they always do." So far, this has been true. Even Hurricane Katrina did veer east, away from home, at the last moment. It wasn't far enough east to keep 80% of New Orleans from flooding, but my statement still stands true. I am now in Houston, and it looks like this one will go east from us as well.

Tonight we watched Master and Commander with the McDonald family (Mr. McDonald wanted to watch something with weird weather in it). I slept through it. Not that it wasn't a good movie, but I had seen it before and knew that I wanted to stay up and watch the hurricane come in tonight.
Now the whole house is asleep except me and Mom. There wasn't enough weather action to keep anyone awake.

We bought lots of stuff to sew while we're here, dresses, aprons for the store etc.
Perhaps I shall learn to sew. Who knows?

(30 minute interlude)

I have just returned from coaxing Emma (almost 3) back into bed. She woke up and realized that she was no longer in her mommy's bed. Poor thing, she's afraid of the hurricane.
She was quite easy to bed back down, though. All I had to say was "Would you like me to lay down with you?" Ah-ha! I have found the golden ticket. I was a bit surprised that she was so easily comforted...usually when kid's want their mommy, nothing else will appease them.

Anyway, perhaps tomorrow (er, later today might be more accurate) I will post some pictures. Won't that be exciting! Jessica has said that I can use the pictures that they have been taking of our families and that she will show me how to put them on my blog! Yay!

If this post is incoherent in places, notice the time and remember that I am not typically a night owl :)

Until next time,

~Robin <><

Blogging on the Road...

After returning home at 4:00 pm on the day of the last post, we emptied two VERY repulsive refrigerators, packed up some of our things, got a few hours of sleep and jumped in the car early the next morning to check out rather or not we should move to Houston.

We stayed with one family for about a week or so (it's hard to keep track of days at this point), then headed off to stay with the McDonald's.We have been having a great time with their wonderful family. Their daughters are quite delightful, but are also REAL PEOPLE, which I wasn't sure at first if that would be the case. I guess since they're pretty well known (at least in the Homeschool community), I figured they must be snobs who never broke a smile. Quite the opposite, I assure you! They even do historical dancing...a typical Townsend Ladies' favorite.

We've worked at their store, Books on the Path (http://www.booksonthepath.com), almost every day to try out working there. It's a very nice store, and the tea room is coming along quite nicely – it’s getting busier and busier!

Anyway, we're considering this as a possibility and continuing to pray for dierction and guidance in this very large decision.

Saluti!

~Robin <><

Home Sweet Home

Today we will return home to see what damage we might have sustained and to pack up some of our things (it's a good thing home is where the heart is...I'm never at my house!).
We are going out of town again, this time we will be searching out a job that has been offered to us in the Houston area. It looks pretty promising, but not by any means definite yet.
Your prayers for rather or not this is the direction for us to go in would be appreciated.

Hopefully I will see most of my readers in a few weeks when we return - hopefully with some answers on what our future holds.

Saluti!
~Robin <><

Katrina makes a visit to my Parish...

When I made my last post stating that I would never forget this summer, I had no idea just how true that statement would be.

Though from what I understand, our little town in the New Orleans suburbs seems to have sustained minimal damage, we are unsure how long it will be before we can reenter to gather our things (much less reenter for good).

Everyone is more than welcome to pray for us! Wisdom and guidance will be needed to determine what to do for the few months before we can go home and if we should relocate or not.

Thanks everybody!

~Robin <><

The Wonderful Summer Vacation

This summer is one that I will look back on with a smile for the rest of my life.
A strong statement, you say? Indeed, it is.
This is the summer that I spent 5 ½ weeks away from home visiting family in Texas.
Yes, you read correctly…5 ½ weeks. It seems like a long time when I see it in writing, but while there, it really seemed quite short.

One might ask what induced me to spend 5 ½ weeks away from my Dear Mother and all that is familiar and march off to Texas.
I shall tell you now what it was: A new baby in the family.
Seven days after my sister and I arrived in Texas, our Cousin’s wife gave birth to her sixth baby boy. With two mothering sisters, six curious brothers, two doting cousins and two thrilled parents in the house, you can imagine that our new bundle of joy lacked none for love and attention.
They say that it is impossible to spoil an infant, but if it is, we managed it in the weeks after his birth.

I forgot to mention a small detail. The night that we arrived, the mommy-to-be went in to false labor and decided to drive 2 hours to her hospital, just in case. Well, if you were paying attention above, you will remember that baby did not arrive until day seven of our stay. They waited near the hospital for that entire time. Therefore, my sister and I watched the other seven children while Mommy and Daddy waited for Baby to make his grand appearance. Keeping that many children who we don’t know all that well (we haven’t seen them in a year) for such a long period of time was a bit intimidating at first, but we quickly enforced a routine and settled into what would be “normal” for the next several weeks.

I learned many things while I was there, though “learned” might not be the best choice of words…perhaps “realized in a whole new light” or “learned by heart” would be more accurate.

1) A baby is always a blessing.
2) Almost everyone disagrees with the above statement.
3) Disciplined children are happy children.
4) Routines are a homemaker’s best friend.
5) You can never hug or tell a child “I Love You” too many times.
6) The mother (or the mother stand in) sets the tune of the home
7) We can do no great tasks, only small tasks with much love. (yes, I stole that)
8) Children learn by example (“Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t fly)
9) If there is unity in the marriage, the children sense it.
10) If there is tension in the marriage, the children sense it.
11) Boys play rough but naturally want to protect their sisters (and cousins!) from other boys.
12) Children ask profound questions and are often curious about God.
13) There is a special, unbreakable bond in our family.
14) Patience is a virtue.
15) The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD!

The last one might seem like a strange thing to say that I learned-by-heart while I was away.
But it’s not odd at all when you consider that we had a much unexpected death in the family on this trip.
My cousin lost his only brother and gained his eighth child on the same day.
It was hard to know how to feel at first. Elated by the birth, or grieved by the death?
It was a hard time, but number 15 - the quote by Job ­– came very alive to me.

After we returned from the funeral, we slowly trickled back into routine and normalcy. The children wanted to do a unit study on the Middle Ages. So, we went to the library and got as many children’s books on the Middle Ages as we could find. They seemed to much enjoy it.
Unfortunately, we ran out of time and weren’t able to pull off a Medieval feast before we had to go back home. Perhaps next time…

The weeks flew by and as I sit at my computer now, I miss the children that, if I were there, would be flocking around me and climbing onto my lap asking “wacha doin?, what’s it say?” And the others who would interrupt asking for a “dink a wota” (drink of water). Still more, I miss hearing the baby softly cry, and running to pick him up and comfort him. If I were there now, I’d probably be returning to the computer after picking up the baby only to find 4 or 5 children gathered around the computer, editing this post with gibberish.

But alas, I am alone in our library, wondering when I will return to the wonderful land with children…

~Robin <><

Summer Evacuations!

Well, though Dennis looks as if he'll head to Alabama we decided that it was better safe than sorry and came up to Mississippi to Grandparents' house.
I told my Mom yesterday, "We evacuate 5 times every summer and nothing EVER hits! Doesn't this seem insane to anyone else?"
I haven't been alive long enough to remember the two major hurricanes that devastated New Orleans in the 60's, so I guess in a large sense I don't take hurricanes seriously.
To me, hurricane season (known as "summer" to some people) consists of watching the weather station, seeing that New Orleans is in the "likely to hit" zone, evacuating, hurricane turning east, and coming home. Repeat this scenario 5 times. After all of those false alarms, I have stopped believing that hurricanes can really hit New Orleans. This is ridiculous, of course. Anyone who remembers hurricane Betsy can attest to that.

I made an interesting "discovery" yesterday which I have discovered and rediscovered several times in the past few years: Believing something doesn't make it true.
We all know this, but it's interesting to hear people's reasoning so foundationally based on "Well, I don't believe it, therefore it's not true."

I have a wonderful friend who was in from California. She was telling me yesterday that she doesn't believe that there is a hell. My first thought was "well, that's interesting, but that doesn't lower the tempature down there one degree!"

Instead of saying "What says the scripture on this subject?" I tend to try to find an answer that pleases me and makes me feel secure and happy and make myself believe it.
Now, this is different from misinterpreting a scripture or holding a different view on it. That is not what I'm referring to. What I mean is convincing myself of a doctrine that is unbiblical without ever really looking into it simply because it would make me uncomfortable to do so.

So anyway, though I believe that a hurricane will never hit New Orleans as long as I live there, I am still evacuated to Mississippi. ;)
Oh well, in a few days I shall be off to Texas for a month...out of any projected path of any hurricane.
Speaking of which, has anyone ever had to pack for a whole month?? Talk about scary! Anticipating what you'll be doing, who you'll be seeing for that long of a period of time can be frustrating. So, my solution was: BRING IT ALL!! haha, never know when you might need 5 thousand sermon tapes, the vision forum library, lots of arts and crafts (what I have the sudden urge to knit??? must be prepared by bringing knitting needles and extra yarn...) and a million sets of cloths (two sets for every possible scenario)!

For those that I won't see until I return: farewell, dear friends!
Be nice to my mother while I'm away and drop her a line (or drop in!)

Saluti!
~Robin <><

The Psalmist on Mornings!

David penned some beautiful works which refer to the morning. I chose my favorites to post here.

Ps 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my

prayer to You and eagerly watch.

Ps 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

Ps 46:5
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

Ps 59:16
But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Ps 90:14
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Ps 92:2
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night,

Ps 130:6
My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
Ps 143:8
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

Thoughts on myself and others...

I went to a party last night.
I had a nice time and was happy to be reunited with a few acquaintances.
While there, though, I made several interesting observations.

#1 People (especially teenagers) treat me differently when I’m wearing a dress as opposed to jeans.
Not that I am treated badly, mind you, just differently. Everyone was still amiable and cordial, but there was a sort of underlying sense of not completely fitting in with the rest of the girls. I suppose it’s rather hard to explain, and I shan’t attempt it any further.
#2 I have nervous eating habits.
When I’m a little nervous, I snack a lot. When I’m very nervous, I totally lose my appetite.
#3 People think that I’m different.
Since not everyone at the party knew each other, the hostess went around the room and said everyone’s names and something about them. There was the “ghetto, preppy” guy, the girl “who screams a lot” etc. etc. When she got around to me, she said “Robin! She –” a look of shock crossed her face “- she – well…” her face went from shock to confusion. She searched for the right description for what seemed like a very long time. Finally - “Uh….she has brown hair.” “Wow, thanks…what a complement!” I said in mock distain. I was completely un-offended, but wondered at the fact that my hair color is the only thing there was to be said for me. Lovely!
#4 I think that other people are different
I shan’t blame anyone for thinking that I’m different, because it is mutual. Difference is not a bad thing, but it is still an undeniable and unmistakable development.
I look around the room of a dozen or more teenagers and thought “Dissimilar. That’s what we are.”
My suspicions were confirmed when they announced that one of the games would be rolling people up in toilet paper and sending them frolicking about the front lawn. “Mummy”, I believe the game was called. Curiouser and curiouser.

Anyway, even though age was the only thing I had in common with most people there, it was a nice evening. Celebrating birthdays are almost always such.

I have been told that my blog is too serious, and what can I say in my defense? Nothing, I suppose. I did think for a fleeting moment about attempting a humorous post, but quickly dismissed the idea. There is nothing so unfunny than someone trying to be so. So, I have resigned myself to continuing as I always have…
I have a few drafts on different subjects, so it shouldn't be quite as long between this post and the next.

So long everyone!
~Robin
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Morning Has Broken!

I love mornings.
A few weeks ago, I started getting up at what most people would call "ridiculously early." I have to admit that even for me, early bird that I am, 4:30 seemed very, very early.
This all started because I started walking in the mornings and I found that after a certin time it was just too hot for me to enjoy walking.
My solution: 1) Wake up as early as possible 2) do a few things around the house, 3) wake up walking companion(s) 4) wait for walking companion(s) 5) go for a walk.
After doing such for a few days I thought "Perhaps I should do something more productive with my time while I'm waiting for the companions". Then I remembered when Jesus told his disciples "Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Luke 22:46
I meditated on biblical prayer for a bit and decided that a garden would be the perfect place to pray. Unfortionately, the closest thing to a garden that I have is a deck with a few potted plants. Oh well, close enough.
It still seems strange to get up, go outside and admire the stars and moon. But I think I'm beginning to grasp what the songwriter was referring to when he wrote the song Morning Has Broken. There's somehthing about getting up before dawn and watching morning break, I'm not sure exactly how to discribe it. As I sit there, I hear a single bird call out in the distance. Then I hear another. Then another. Soon, their music fills my ears as I watch the sky lighten up in anticipation of sunrise.
Heavenly. That's what mornings are to me.

Since I've been quoting "Morning Has Broken", I decided to post the lyrics as well here.
Enjoy!

"Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day"