Blog Challenge...

I found this on a friends blog... so I thought I would join in on the fun!  :-) Let's see if I can faithfully post each day for 30days, with the help of these topics :-D
Day 1: A favorite song.
Day 2: A favorite movie.
Day 3: A favorite book.
Day 4: A favorite television program.
Day 5: A favorite quote.
Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.
Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.
Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.
Day 9: A photo you took.
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.
Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).
Day 13: A guilty pleasure.
Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.
Day 15: A person you admire.
Day 16: A song that makes you cry.
Day 17: An art piece.
Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.
Day 19: A talent of yours.
Day 20: A hobby of yours.
Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.
Day 22: A website.
Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.
Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.
Day 25: A recipe.
Day 26: A childhood memory.
Day 27: A physical feature you love.
Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.
Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.
Day 30: A motto or philosophy.

Here it goes :P

  For once I don't really know how to start this blog! Ha! I'm at a loss for words...not the first time in my life, but certainly one of the few times this has happened :-P I guess I'll just jump right in and tell about what has been happening in my life. 

  Independence Day weekend was a lot of fun for me. I spent the three days I had off with my Aunt and Uncle. We did some projects, visited the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, the St. Paul Rodeo, and a friend's firework show in Butteville. It was such a blast! At the Blues Fest we got to listen to some really neat artists and saw a silver man...so cool! On the flip-side of that we were also bombarded by some people's incense and subsequently their smoke...there were just a few flower kiddos there....next we were introduced to the "chair hoarders". There were tables and chairs set up for the public to use for eating when the purchased such consumables from the vendors. when we had arrived with our dinner in hand to find a place to eat we found a chair for my Aunt and my Uncle and I stood while we ate. I had no problem with this arrangement until my legs began to get tired after my belly was full. My Uncle and I ended later sitting on the grass next to the table and later went to see the silver man. While we were gone, as we later learned from my Aunt, a lady came with a plate of food and was looking for a place to eat. 

There were two chairs folded and leaning against the table near a group of ladies at the other end of the table and she asked if she could use one of the chairs to which she received an emphatic refusal. After a little while she asked if she might use it just to eat. They debated a bit and then let her use it with the understanding that she return promptly when she was finished. My Uncle and I returned with this new addition to the table and completely unaware of what had taken place. As we sat there enjoying the music the lady was finishing up her meal and as she did she leaned over and informed me of her impending departure and that as soon as she got up she wanted me to sit in the chair and not give it up because the lady behind her had this odd idea that she owned the chair when they already had a few extras. As the woman rose and left I got up off the ground and sat in the chair...not a minute later the lady from the group at the other end of the table realized someone different was in the chair and marched on over and grabbed the back of the chair i was now sitting in and leaned over and spoke into my ear informing her that I was sitting in HER chair and that she had just lent it to my "mother" and she would like it back now. I informed he that the woman was NOT my "mother" and that I was given the chair by her as I had been sitting on the ground. My Uncle soon came to my rescue and informed the woman that the chair was NOT hers and that it was meant for public use for those people that had bought food to eat. She seemed quit miffed and informed us that this was indeed her chair as she had been there since four o'clock and had saved said chair, even though she had not been using it for the almost hour that we had also been there. As I'd just gotten off work two hours earlier and was beginning to grow quite weary I let my Uncle do all the talking. She soon left us and started telling her friends about what we'd done, but before she left us alone for good, she leaned back over to my ear and told me how lazy she thought I was and how she hoped one day I would experience the same thing. She then proceeded to take the one other public chair they had that they'd saved and weren't using and wedged it behind another of the chairs they were using so that no one could use it.  We stayed for the rest of the artist that had been playing and then left, not returning the next day as planned. We had a good time, but unfortunately some people don't understand sharing for the good of others. I guess she thought because I was young I could be classified as Lazy and unfeeling....what Uncle stands up for a lazy, self-centered youth??? I should hope none! It really pounded into me that sad state of assumption and quick judgment without facts. What an odd way to learn something like that. It felt weird refusing to give up a chair to an older woman, even when she didn't need it! If I had been in the wrong I would have been willing to admit it and give her the chair, but even when the rest of their friends came back, from who knows where, they still had at least one extra chair that wasn't being used and when she realized that she still left the chair wedged between the chair she was sitting in and the table. 

  The next day we went to Craft Warehouse and got some crafts to do and I got mine done in 3 hours!!! I made three boards to decorate my room...when I finally get it rearranged and organized. My Aunt was most gracious and helped me to pick out the fabrics and other coordinating colors to match my room. 

I also made a couple dresses. One for myself and my sister, and then two for two of my nieces. It was so much fun! Especially after having not made any clothing for over six years!

  We then had dinner with my Aunt and Uncle's neighbors and then had a nice campfire with s'mores! They were very yummy s'mores as we used Reese's PB cups instead of the Hershey's chocolate bars. It was so good with the marshmellows and graham crackers! I'm not one that likes chocolate either! I love campfires in the evening and the wonderful conversations that often times surround said fires. Being this was the day before Independence day, we got to enjoy the neighbor's fireworks as they lit them off while we enjoyed the warmth of our fire.

  The next day we did some more sewing and listened to a message by Allister Beck. It was a very good reminder for me of the story of the Sower and the Seeds and how it isn't just another story, but a lesson God intended us to learn from. After enjoying a relaxing afternoon and playing a little on my Aunt and Uncle's keyboard (it felt so good to be able to play again), we headed off to my Cousin's house for a BBQ dinner. She had some yummy BBQ ribs, green salad, pasta salad, veggies, rolls, and cookies. Although I did not eat any of the ribs I heard they were most excellent. I'm more of a steak girl :-P After some nice conversation we all hopped in the cars and headed off to the St. Paul Rodeo! I have been to only one other Rodeo in my life and was pleasantly surprised at St. Paul's. I had heard lots of good things about it, but never had the pleasure of attending until then. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time and I got some really good pictures of the action.  

A little after nine o'clock, just before it ended, we left for our friend's firework show about 20 minutes away. We arrived and were quite glad to see that they hadn't started just yet. After finding a good spot on the lawn, spreading out our blankets, and settling in, we watching the thoroughly impressive fireworks show. I truly believe that in my entire 20 years existence I have never seen such a wonderful display of fireworks! They had a DJ there playing music while the fireworks went off and I was pleasantly surprised at how well they corresponded to the fireworks going off. I don't think there was ever a time in the whole of the 45 minute show that didn't have a firework in the sky and many times had several going all at once! It was spectacular and we were all so very close to it all that when the wind shifted just right we had ash falling on our heads, but only for a short while, as the wind shifted back again.  It was all in all a wonderful show and enjoyable day!

  Monday I had off as well, so I slept in and hung out for a while with my Aunt and Uncle and had a nice long chat with my mother and father on the phone. My Father had gone to the ER on the first and I was calling to see how he was recovering. He had passed out and had a mild concussion, Praise the Lord. We were all very glad he had not suffered a stroke or anything else that could possibly be life-threatening.  He does better each day and is now close to being back to 100% :-D This incident made us all think back to 6 months ago when my beloved brother passed away, and how fleeting life is. We all take so much for granted and my parents still worry about what will happen to some of us kids if anything ever happens to them. But I've found that we must trust that everything is in the Lord's hands and that we will all make the right decisions when it comes time and that we will look out for each other's best interests. 

  When I got back to work that night I learned that Gwen had gotten to see quite a firework show out her living room window as well...even though they were still a bit in the distance she got to see about three or so different shows. I had a certain peace for a few days before struggling again with some waiting and contentment issues, I seem to have to continually be keeping those in check. I think waiting on things is the hardest. Even waiting to see people from weekend to weekend can be hard for me. And then I feel guilty and frustrated when I don't get to visit everyone as frequently as I'd like, but one only has so much time. 

  Last weekend I went to my beloved second families home and helped out with my best friend's baby shower! It was a smashing success and God gave us some wonderful weather for the outdoor party. I got to see some people I hadn't seen in quite some time and meet some new people. But most of all I got to see and spend time with my beloved second family! They are all such a blessing to me and I love them so dearly. They are talking of moving from Newberg to Sweet Home at some point and I'm hoping that it isn't too terribly soon, as that is a bit farther of a drive and I'd like to take advantage of their being so close, as much as possible :-)

  Well, another long post...I guess that is what I get for procrastinating about posting and continually telling myself I don't have enough time to sit down and write all I want to :-P I'm thoroughly surprised I got all this out as it was just supposed to be a draft :-P 

 Thank you all who have persevered through this long and tedious reading! God bless you all!

How Time Flies...

6-21-10

  Well, last weekend was Father's day. I drove to my parents Friday night and had some really good time with them. The next morning we chatted some more and my dad showed me the coffee machine my mom got him for Father's Day...such a cool little thing! Then my sister and I went roller blading for a little while...until I was tired, which didn't take long :P Next we played a little baseball in the field across from our house...my mom pitched while my sister and I took turns batting and fetching the ball. After that we did your facebooking :P then we headed for the Y to help supervise my nephews pool party. We had  lots of fun. It is amazing how fast kids grow up! I remember when my nephew was just a little toddling around...and now he is 8 years old!!! How time flies! 

  After swimming my sister and I rushed back to my parents home where I got dressed and then she did my hair up in a rolled fashion, fairly common in the World War II era.  After getting a few pointers on Era appropriate make-up my sister snapped a few pictures and I was off to McMinnville for the ECD World War II Ball. I met my friend there and we had a lovely evening of talking and dancing.  Since moving to Washington I haven't been able to attend any of the dances due to my schedule with my new job, but thankfully I was able to arrange to attend this one! After the clock struck midnight(well, acutally only 9:30) and the last dance was over, I hopped in my carriage and was off again, back to my parents house and present day america :P

  It is amazing what happens in a day! On Father's day we went to church and my youngest brother and the family he lives with showed up too! After church we went to lunch and then hung out for a little while. I got to stay at my parents until the were getting ready to leave for evening church and then I headed back to Portland to do some shopping before I went back to work :) I am very much still enjoying my job, but it seems that the highlights to life anymore are the days I have off to spend with my friends and family. 

  I'm sort of excited for Independence Day as I will have the 4th and 5th off and possibly the 3rd as well....but the sad part is I don't have any plans to go anywhere yet...But I'm sure something will come up :D So many exciting things to look forward to.

  Recently I read a book called "Before You Meet Prince Charming" and was very encouraged and challenged with what I read.  It was just what I was needing to hear at that time and was glad to have gotten the recommendation to read it!

Lord Willing...

6-14-10
  This past weekend I spent at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Vancouver. It has been so very nice to get to know them better now that I am older. I don't remember much of them when I was younger...not really sure why...I guess they were just busy people, and we didn't really go visiting relatives.  Anyhow, it has been fun to hang out with them and learn family history and hear their stories. Saturday night we went to their neighbors to sit around a fire and talk. It was fun...very smoky, but fun. We finally got out of there and returned to their house to go to bed. I didn't sleep terribly well as I had alot on my mind with several different things that have been happening, and not happening, in my life. The next morning we got up bright and early for church and were joined by an old friend of theirs that I'd met once before.
  The service was wonderful and really hit home for me. It wasn't so much a new concept for me either, but a timely reminder. As soon as the pastor announced the passage he would be preaching from I found the place in my bible and realized that the first part of the passage was underlined...which means I either memorized it at one time or it held great importance to me...this didn't seem very strange since one of my favorite books is James...but after starting to read the passage I realized that the napkin in the back of the bible held the same passage along with a treasured note from a very dear friend of mine that had felt led to give me such cherished guidance over a year and a half ago while we were in San Miguel, Mexico. And once again these were the words I once again needed to hear. Who am I to make plans for myself without seeking God's guidance!? God will bring the right thing at the right time and I just have to trust Him and follow Him.
  I sometimes wonder why God has put me where I am. Everything has turned out so differently then I had originally imagined and nothing seems to happen or go the way I think it should. But the continual comfort to me is that He knows what He is doing and He has a plan for me that is far better than anything I could ever imagine! I only pray my step does not falter, but that I will carry on and seek Him in all things.

James 4:13-17
"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Support our Troops!

4-24-10
   Well, my brother is back from Iraq. We are so glad to have him home. My mom commented that because he had come home twice during his 10 months and did alot of video chat, it didn't really seem like he was gone for long. I do agree with this, but it is still nice to know he is no longer in a battle zone and is back taking care of all those lovely life issues here at home. He is indeed VERY glad to be home and in familiar territory with friends and family.

   It is so amazing to see God's working in the people's lives around you and all the things in one's own life too! I have some friends preparing for missions in Uganda. They are a family of 8 and have been so encouraged by what God is doing in their lives and how He is providing for each and every thing at just the right time. They just found a buyer for their house, they have been trying to sell it for a couple of years now. It is wonderful to see all of God's wonderful blessings and see people talk about the peace God has given them with the direction they are going and the steps they feel God leading them to take in their life.
  God has been taking my family through alot of trials lately, but we all are encouraged that He gives us no more than we are able to handle and that through these fires He is refining and strengthening us! What a blessing! Even though it is hard, the outcome is what we look forward to.
  God bless to all!

Officially A "Responsible Adult"

4-16-10

Okay, so alot has been happening in the last month. I have moved and pretty well settled here in Battle Ground, WA.  I started renting a storage unit here to store any of my "excess" stuff. I bought my first car...doesn't seem much different though because it is the same car I've been driving for over two years now. Yesterday I went and purchased auto insurance for the car and am rather pleased with what I got! :-)  I've gotten to know my Aunt and Uncle living in Vancouver better. (alot of fun knowing them more). I had the worst Crohns "flare-up" I've ever had in the 2-3 years I've been diagnosed. It lasted a total of 7 days. Not at all fun and, God willing, I will be able to avoid such an attack in the future. I was given my first fishing rod and hope to go fishing in the near future, but have yet experience the pleasure with my own pole :-D  I got to visit my best friend in Salem on my way back to BG on Wednesday. We got talking and before I knew it I was 30+mins overdue to head up to BG. We went out to the car and were saying our good-byes when her husband pulled in from being at work and so I got to say good-bye to him too and then vamoosed :-P I was so glad to see and spend time with them though! What a blessing it was to see their wonderfully happy faces! God has blessed me so much with my wonderful friends and family. How thankful I am for them all!!!

The Ultimate Update...

3-9-10

Well, That is what this is, "The Ultimat Update". I've put it off for so long because there has been so much going on, but now I shall fill you all in :-)

I'll start with January, the most trying month of them all. On January 4th, my second oldest brother, Michael James Davis passed away in his sleep of a MayoCardial Bridging of the Coronary Artery. We've all been checked since then, it is hereditary, and none of us appear to have it. We are at peace knowing he is with our Heavenly Father. No longer in pain, physically or emotionally. It happened very suddenly. He was a happy, vivacious, healthy young man of 27 years. We all miss him very dearly.

February started out slow as we were still dealing with the aftermath of my brother's death, but soon it was my younger sister's birthday and we had a quiet celebration between the four of us living at home. It seemed I was working my hind end off when all the sudden it was my birthday and we had another quiet celebration of my 20 years of existence. The rest of the month flew by without much happening. My best friend found out she is pregnant! Due in September...I'll be an Aunty all over again! We are all so happy and excited for her.

March has been the most interesting by far and has pivoted my life at a 90 degree angle. Everything I'd been wanting to do for so long, but hadn't been actively pursuing happened in a matter of only weeks. On February 21st my pastor's wife approached me after our Sunday School class and asked if I'd be interested in moving to Battle Ground, WA to be a live-in Care worker for a 94 year old Christian lady that used to attend the church. I said I was as I'd been wanting to ultimately be a live-in care worker since I began Caregiving, but had not yet found such a job. True I was working full time as a Secretary and had TWO part time Home Care clients, but I knew in my heart none of that mattered if God really wanted me to move to Washington to take care of this lady. I discussed the few details I knew with my parents that afternoon over lunch and knowing that this is what I'd been wanting, told me to pray about it and find out more details. The following Tuesday I got the information to call the people and learned that they were still interested in finding a caregiver and were excited to talk to me and see if it would work. That evening I called them and talked with the daughter, who is a nurse and lives next door to her mother. We talked about details and answered eachother's questions as best we could. We both pretty well knew by the end of the conversation that it was definitely going to work out just fine, but there were still some things that needed to be figured out and we both said we'd continue to pray about it.

I had planned a trip with my sister to Yakima that following weekend and decided to try to stop by and meet my prospective clients on the way home on Sunday. I made it there safe and sound and all week had been thinking about what this kind of change meant for me. I would have to quit the three stable jobs I had while still unsure if this prospective job was going to work out. After visiting with the mother and daughter and getting a tour of the lovely old house we determined that my employment was dependent on the agreement of terms of pay, which we were both going to investigate to figure out a reasonable rate for us both.

After talking to a friend in the Home Care business I figured out my asking price and e-mailed the daughter. I didn't hear back from her as we planned to meet at the hospital she worked at on Wednesday when my sister and I were there for our doctor appointments. She arrived a few minutes before my appointment and we confirmed a price and determined the date I'd be moving in. I'd given my two weeks notice to my boss and both my clients on Monday. I continued praying about it and half expected a door to slam shut and find myself completely jobless. In all this though I realized that for any of it to go forward I had to either turn and run scared or jump in feet first and put ALL my trust in God, not just lean on Him, but fully trust Him.  So I have 4 days left of my two weeks and 7 days until I move up to Battle Ground. So much has changed in such a short amount of time and I've made the quickest and most life-changing decision I've ever made in my entire life. I try to answer the questions people have presented the best I can, but some things are just hard to explain and others I just don't know the answers to yet. I'm very excited for this opportunity and glad that, being this is my first time moving away from home, it is so close to home. Come to find out I'll only be 20 minutes from my Aunt's house, so I'll get to see her more often! It is closer to my dear second family in Salem and surrounding area. An hour closer to my "home away from home"- Yakima. And closer to some of my HSA friends in the valley! How fun is that?!

Well, I suppose that is it for now...as I will have more time on my hands I imagine my updates will become a bit more regular :D