Friday, July 28, 2006

Hope

"Within every heart there exists a special place,
a place where the hopes and dreams of the soul soar,
unchained by logial or phyiscal entrapments.
For some,
visiting this unique place is a frivolous waste of time,
a mental blowing of dandelion spores.
For others this place becomes the mountain meadow within their soul,
the sweeping expanse of wildflowers and fragrant grasses,
the streams of pure glacial water,
where the spirit runs free.
It is a place where the impossible fourishes,
where dreams survive the inferno of reality to become the miraculous wonders that draw us forward - it is the place where
hope rises."
"Hope Rising", Kim Meeder
Some day, I want to be serving God in Latin America. I feel called to underprivilaged kids and teens. I want them to come to a place where they feel safe, loved. A place where "hope rises" (Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising".) A place where troubled horses meet troubled kids and they heal each other. I got my idea from a ranch call Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Orgeon (www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org) The above quote and the following quotes were taken from "Hope Rising", written by Kim Meeder. Kim and her husband own and run the ranch. The book is moving and I can barely get through a few pages without my eyes tearing up. God is so amazing, His love is so prevelant.
"What once needed healing now gives healing.
What was once broken has now been restored.
What was once lost is now found."
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"
"Hope cannot be destroyed.
It calls us to rise up;
it whispers our name.
It draws us to believe that,
sometimes,
wishes do come true."
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"
"Society teaches us that anyting less than perfect is
unsuitable,
undesirable,
unusable,
and unattractive - that it should be avoided whenever possible.
But pure reality teaches us that the Lord loves and uses the flawed,
unattractive,
and broken -
the apparently useless things of this world -
to accomplish His greatest works.
It is easy to become focused on our "defective" areas and completely miss all that they teach us. Our flaws,
our imperfections motivate us to become
pliable,
moldable,
and teachable.
And like knots in woood,
they give us our uniqueness and character.
They help to bend or even beark us to the point where we are able to recognize the needs of other and to help them.
Now when I marvel at the majest of the trees in my native forest,
I see things differently.
And if I really listen,
I can hear the Makeer laugh and say,
"See, My child, I make the knots, too!""
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"
"Joy was being carried on an evening breeze to all creation before sleep,
the embraving reminder that life is good."
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"
"...scars are evidence of the trials of life,
a testament to victory over adversity."
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"
"...every now and then if we work hard enough and dream hard enough something wonderful happens.
Hope can not be stopped.
There are times when the fiery walls of reality are not
strong enough,
hot enough,
or high enough
to stop a dream fueled by hope from crashing through.
Dreams drive through flames that
scar,
burn,
melt -
and forge us
into the creatures God wants us to be.
Dreams driven by hope,
empowered by love,
change us forever."
Kim Meeder, "Hope Rising"

Monday, July 24, 2006

Your Dream Man in 72 Hours...


Grow a Boyfriend

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Boyfriend:

10. He's Polite
9. He always shuts up
8. Never argues
7. Always there when you need him
6. He NEVER snores
5. FREE date companion
4. Hangs our with only you
3. He has eyes for you
2. He doesn't chew with his mouth open-in fact he doesn't chew at all...
AND THE #1 REASON TO GROW YOUR OWN BOYFRIEND IS...
1. He is always exclusively yours

So, my roommates and I decided to grow our own boyfriend. It's something Nicole received as a gift. Hmmm...I think we have too much time on our hands. The Top 10 reasons are actually from the packaging...which also gives instructions.

-place boyfriend in room temperature water.
-boyfriend will begin to grow within 2 hours and will become his full size in 72 hours (true love in 72 hours. It doesn't get any better!).
-and your boyfriend can be grown again and again.

I won't be able to see the finished product since i'm leaving today. But as the packaging says, he can be grown again and again! We named him too, but I don't remember it. I think that I should continue packing now. I still haven't forgotten how to procrastinate...maybe I need to be lock into my room to finish. Ahh, memories of college!

Okay, time to go. Many blessings,

Julie

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Swealtering heat...


I thought that Calgary was supposed to have hot and dry summers. We are having a hot and humid summer. It's okay, but HOT! I guess it's better than cold and snowing:)

It's a good reminder to drink more water...not coffee. I think I've become a coffeeaholic. I have a cup every morning and if I don't I can barely function until I do. But now that I am going home for two weeks, I might be going on withdrawl. My parents and my aunt and uncle only drink healthy tea and don't eat meat. I can't even go get coffee because my aunt and uncle don't live in town and my parents won't let me drive the SUV! Hmmm, maybe I can talk my dad into it, he still likes coffee...we'll see. But in the heat, caffine is bad and water is better. Should be interesting.

I served some customers yesterday at work that were in Calgary from Utah, because it's cooler here. It sounded like they always come in the summer. Would they be called "Summer Birds"? Like our Canadian "Snow Birds"?

There's my deep thought for the day...now to cleaning my old room. I'm sharing now and I have to have my old room cleaned out before I leave because there is another girl moving in while I'm away. There will be 6 of us in one house...it's feels like dorms again. God is teaching me patience in more than one way...daily!

Okay, now I am procrastinating...must go clean...does clean mean I can throw things in boxes and deal with them when I return? Don't think so, but I'll see how the day goes!

Blessings,
Julie

Saturday, July 22, 2006

The Bay

Yesterday I got a raise! That made my day. I spent most of my shifts this week in men's shoes. Normally I don't like going up to that department, but now that I have the stock room almost memorized, it's not such a big deal. The customers are friendlier and much more patient compared to Ladie's shoes. It's also not as busy, so it's almost like I'm on my break.
One more day until I go to BC! Yay!
Blessings,
Julie

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Soon...


In two days I'm on holidays and in three day's I'll be in the Okanogan soaking up the sun. Holidays are such a grand thing! Okay, cheesy I realize, but I think I'm burnt out from work, and I'm looking foward to a good break. Visit with some family and friends and just relax. I'm even going camping. Okay, camping in a tent trailer, but I haven't done any sort of camping in a really looong time. I'm looking forward to it.
Now it's time for bed and then only two more days of work...yay!
Blessings,
Julie

Sunday, July 16, 2006

All New


All this blog stuff is new to me. I didn't understand it before, but now I see it as a great way to keep in touch and share. Please be patient with me because I'm not very quick with computers.
I've had a lot of thoughts on my mind, so we'll see where this goes.
Blessings,
Julie