gifts ...

: what it is :
* visual symbols of love
* a tangible object that says , "I was thinking of you. I wanted you to have this. I love you."
* can be any size, shape, color, or price
* can be purchased, found, or made
* have to learn the person's interests, be the student ...
* be sensitive to the way your partner responds to gifts

: what it's not :
* no strings attached
* not to smooth raffled feathers

: Q : What is the last gift you gave & to whom did you give it?
: Q : Is it hard or does gift giving come naturally to you?
: Q : Do you consciously listen for gift ideas in your conversations?
fr: "The Five Love Languages for Singles" by Gray Chapman

... I'm not a gift giver. I didn't receive many gifts growing up. I never learned how to select gifts. It doesn't come naturally for me" ........ CONGRATULATIONS, you have just made the first discovery of becoming a great lover. Love requires effort. Often love requires learning a love language you never spoken. Fortunately, gift giving is one of the easiest love languages to learn.

People speak about what interests them. If we listen carefully, we will pick up numerous clues as to what would be appropriate gifts for an individual.

If you are to become an effective gift giver, you may have to change your attitude about money. Each of us has an individualized perception of the purposes of money, and we have various emotions associated with spending it. If you have a spending orientation, you will feel good about yourself when you are spending money. If you have a saving and investing perspective, you will feel good about yourself when you are saving money or investing it wisely.

Suppose you are a saver. Your emotions will resist the idea of spending money as an expression of love. I don't purchase things for myself. Why should I purchase things for others? But that attitude fails to understand the truth - that you are purchasing things for yourself. By saving and investing money you are purchasing self-worth and emotional security. You are caring for your own emotional needs in the way you handle money. If you discover that someone you care about has the primary love language of receiving gifts, then perhaps you will understand that purchasing and giving gifts to him/her is the best investment you can make. You're investing in your relationship and filling the other person's emotional love tank.

... it is the gift that came out of the thought that communicates emotional love.

Please don't hear me saying that you speak only the primary love language of the people you care for. Love can be expressed and received in all five love languages. However, if you don't speak a person's primary love language, that person will not feel loved, even thought you may be speaking the other four. Once you are speaking his/her primary love language fluently, then you can sprinkle in the other four, and they will be like icing on the cake.
fr: "The Five Love Languages for Singles" by Gary Chapman

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
outside gift giving . . .
I am horried that no matter how much of the other four love languages I spoke in a LDR, it proved ineffective because his primary love language is touch. I knew because we talked about it. I tried to incorparate touch in what I gave. I am miffed no angry that I could not fill his love tank. No wonder is he is MIA. However, I totally believe LDR's can work at least from my own tenacity! {No proof that I will find a match.} For the toucher's out there in a LDR, please appreciate the love that is coming to you from the other four languages. It wouldn't hurt for you to suggest ways for us touch you. It is a must have conversation.

This brings me to the receiver of the any love language and especially if it is not your primary love language to appreciate the time and effort given. Be a good sport and soak in the love! It is far better to receive the other four love languages than starving!

inside the gift giving . . .
I am one of those savers but I am a student of people. I do find it difficult at times to find the perfect gift. I must admit at times I just want to throw in the towel. If it isn't right, why waste money on it. I am learning to be a better giver so there are small steps taken. What really blows me away is when I find the perfect gift. It is usually an Act of God .. meaning that I love my gift to give a message. It must speak more than just the gesture. It must go deep! When this deep stuff happens, I know God was in it and it makes me smile .... until the receiver misses the meaning on the love given.

I don't need someone to give me gifts. I sometimes find it hard to open gifts in front of people or the giver. I am afraid of my first reaction but give me time and I will compliment you. I always wear the clothes or jewelry when I am with the giver. I have had where someone will say 'oh, I love that on you.' And I reply saying 'you got this for me ...' . Half the time they had forgotten but it proves to them I remember. That in itself is saying 'love you back'.

I believe the gift represents the person. I will have certain things around my house and I will go back to the memory connected to that moment. If you catch me in that moment, a smile bursts upon my face.

To be a true lover you must deeply understand how to give and to receive love in the form of a gift.

love tank : words of affirmation

comfort (verb)

~ strengthen by being with ...

In shattered moments, be quiet ...

{Love = preparing, provision, proof, PRESENCE}

Presence is all the Love they need. Let them journey through the pain and grief by being with them. You are bearing witness to their journey and feelings. You honor and value their very being with presence.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of Compassion and the God of All Comfort,
who 'strengthens by being with' us in all of our troubles,
so that we can 'strengthen by being with' those in any trouble
with the 'strength by being with' we ourselves have received from God.
II Cor 1:3-4

The comfort we recieve allows us to overflow another's life with this God-Given Comfort.

ie: {what worked for one who received comfort}
* silly cartoons to get their mind off the pain
* you know the christmas chains? a prayer chain was made with people praying 24 hrs a day and given .... was comfort when they couldn't pray anymore they knew they where covered
* game times

word sleuth: aerate

don't take the girl ...

We were just strolling the grounds near where I lived. His strong hand holding mine as we talked about our dreams for the future. It was a chilly spring evening but I as aglow from just being with him. I felt so giddy and beautiful walking with such a strong man. It was to be a nice finish to a great date, but two men in ski masks changed our course.

They seemed to have appeared from the blackest night. They shouted for us to stop and give them our money. If we didn't, they would shoot. My boyfriend being a cop moved to show his badge as he reached for his piece. I can remember four shots as Scott moved in front of me. A scream filled my body. We fell together on the cold sidewalk. A scramble to stuff the wounded shooter in the car and doors slamming as the screech of tires echoed in my ear.

I fumbled to reach him. My hand slipped as I realized he was shot. My screem finally was released as I held Scott to me. I can't remember anything more except for the red and blue lights of emergency and Scott's brotherhood swirled around us.

For the next twenty four hours as I took my vigil, I watched as Scott's family, friends, and his brotherhood spoke and prayed with him. He suffered several strokes and then slipped into a coma. There was not a dry eye. This was happening way to fast and our hope was fading. I laid my face against his as I held his hand. I whispered my love and appriciation. Then he was gone from this world. I can't remember anything more . . .

Scott lived his life to the fullest. He loved baseball. He loved being a cop. He dreamed of working on the K-9 unit. Whatever he loved, he did with all of his heart. I knew I was dating a cop and that it was a dangerous job. I could live with that because Scott's attitude was one of passion and warmth. I did wonder if he had enough space and attention for me in his crammed full brilliant life. I need no longer wonder, he took 3 bullets for me and gave his life for mine. Memories of Scott singing Tim Mcgraw's song "Don't Take the Girl" overwhelm me.

Why was I spared? Scott lived his life with a whole lot of love even in a job that can take a lot from you. He had a brilliant future. He was so full of life. My life is on a smaller scale. He could give more than I... so why was I spared?

No ... how will I live now? I will honor Scott... I will live my life fully .... I will love more fiercely ... I will not let the whys take my life from me ... instead I will give my life and my love more deeply...

''To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of arts.''
henry david thoreau

United 93 ...

I am not going to rate or critique this movie. Being a writer and creator, I may have told the story differently. But it isn't the telling of the story, but the questions and statements the actual event stirs in our hearts. To remember ...

: Q's :
* Does your faith insite love or hate?
* What are you going to say when you have one last call to make?
* If you are receiving the last call, what will you say to inspire and to encourage?
* Will there be anything you wished you would have done differently?
* Will you act or freeze?

: statements :
* Faith becomes religion if you have a bunch of rules to follow and the breaking of the rules calls for your death. Faith in God has one rule and that is to recieve God as Lord and Savior. Faith has one action: to love.
* Though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
* There is more here than you can see.
* Move to what you can control.
* Listen.

Color is deeper and richer against the backdrop of black.

movie review: take the lead

living in contrasts...

I believe we live our lives in front of backdrops of contrast.  It is not something you can explain.  It is a learning place where we so often rush by without notice.  And in those times when we are knocked to our knees in pain, we tend to lose our hope and even our faith.  If only we stop and take time to observe … If only we hold to our faith … If only we look full in the Face of God unashamed, the Mystery of life’s contrasts will only enhance our living a lifestyle of love.

Tomorrow they will be laying to rest a community hero, a police officer who was off duty Friday night out with his girlfriend when two young men chose them to die for money in their pockets.  Three generations of instincts kicked in as this policeman moved in front of his girlfriend while getting his piece to fire.  Three bullets to his head did not stop him from wounding the shooter.  After 24 hours of struggling through several strokes, the policeman walked into eternity.   Today I found out that this policeman’s choice of song to sing was Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take the Girl”.  Almost 37 years… third generation policeman… working to get into the K-9 unit like his dad before him…  back in his old neighborhood… a man courting prospect of uniting with a woman… A life warm and bright against the backdrop of desperation and evil… This is an extraordinary event contrasting good and bad.

Then there are just plain ordinary life events.  I know of someone who goes MIA a lot.  I have tenaciously stood my ground and waited for his comeback.  I know the issues he is dealing with.  As the days stretch into a year, I wonder at my reasons for staying the course.  My gut and God-reaction says I need to prove trust.  What happens when he comes back?  Is he staying away because he thinks I won’t be there waiting? Or anger will be my first retort?  Of late I have boiled it down to contrast not conflict.  Sure, I would love to sit down and talk this out.  Sure, it is painful with all the terrible thoughts that pound in my brain.  All it is living a contrast of staying and leaving.  I refuse to do anything but stay.

Contrasts can inspire hope even if it doesn’t make sense.  I chose to live my love out tenaciously…even if it is excruciating.

words of affirmation ...

'The tongue has the power of life & death'
dialects:
*gratitude
*inspire courage / encourage
*words of praise
*kind words / said in kindness / not just what we say but how we say
*able to clear hurt & forgive
*affirmations of character & actions
*appreciation
*claim victory
*declaring His Attributes
*giving voice to what you delight & savor
*ask kind questions to avoid pressing your personality/behavior upon others

If one wishes to be a lover, he must look carefully at the words he uses when he talks to coworkers, neighbors, close friends, parents, former spouses, roommates, and the sales clerk at the local store. What I say and the way I say it will influence the climate of my relationships. Words of affirmation enhance relationships. Harsh, condemning words destroy relationships.

Remember, love is a choice. Choose to love others.
fr: ''The Five Love Languages for Singles'' by Gary Chapman

Q: How freely do you express words of affirmation in your relationships?
Q: Is there a relationship you would like to enhance? Do you think speaking words of affirmation would be meaningful to that person?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~
My native love language is words of affirmation. I bask in the warmth of affirmations. I give out compliments all the time. I have learned from my Joy Journey to always delight and savor. It is my greatest strength to declare and stand firm on His Attributes. I am sensitive to the tone in which others speak. It says more than the actual words. I notice too that when I feel stretch thin and feel my love tank is empty, I tend to become quiet. I strongly despise people who spatter themselves all over me. They just take over like an elephant in a china shop when a meek and soft question would allow me to let them in. It is all about affirming words no matter if it is in the form of a question. I do have areas here that I want to improve especially when it comes to my eyes. My eyes tell too much and I hide them when the other person has hurt me or has annoyed me. To be a true lover, I must connect my eyes to what I say to empty the hurt and heal.

tank'en on love : place of beginning

liberty (noun)

~ freedom, independence, autonomy, liberation, right, authorization

"Our liberty is under God and can be found nowhere else. May our faith be...not merely stamped upon our coins, but expressed in our lives."~Peter Marshall, US Senate Chaplin after WWII

word slueth: aerate

from the horse's mouth ...

There is just something about getting it straight from the horse’s mouth.  I don’t like to get info from others second handed.  They often put their own spin on it.   I don’t like to have to make mental guesses to why someone acts the way they do.  I may act out in an entirely unusual way according to my own personal life experiences.  I need quality answers.  By having the channel open directly from the source, allows true answers to explain crazy actions.  No misunderstandings.  No guessing.  No anger for no reason…

a place of beginning ...

get a notebook ....
*Start where you are
*Be active not passive
*Choose a strategy for loving & expressing love

I love notebooks and I love lists. I am going to be more conscious. I recently had great success with hugs. Two ladies at church help chip away my fear. Because words offen get in the way, I choose to hug my dad. Our relationship is blossoming ...

I am excited to see what God will reveal in this mystery called love.

tank'en on love : covenant love

Covenant Love ...

blind love || Covenant Love
blind love = chemistry that sparks between two. All you see is perfection and none of the flaws.

Covenant Love is conscious love. It is intentional love. It is a commitment to love no matter what. It requires thought and action. It does not wait for the encouragement of warm emotions but chooses to look out for the interest of the lover because you are committed to the other's well-being.
fr: "The Five Love Languages for Singles" by Gary Chapman

Woo hoo, I am not blind to real essence of real love. Sure there where times where I was infatuated, but I have made a private covenant to love someone. I saw his flaws as well as his dreams. Let me tell you that it sure isn't fun right now. However, I see growth in me and I have to declare victory in that growth. Not blind when it comes to loving .... but I still have growth potential in touch ....

tank'en on love : relational creatures

relational creatures ...

We are relational creatures. All humans live in community, and most people seek social interaction. In Western culture, isolation is seen as one of the most stringent of punishments. Even criminals do not aspire to solitary confinement.

Positive, affirming relatinships bring great pleasure, but poor relationships bring deep pain. I would be so bold as to suggest that life's greatest happiness is found in good relationships, and life's deepest pain is found in bad relationships. If you feel loved by your mother, then the maternal relationship brings you a feeling of comfort and encouragement. On the other hand, if your relatiohsip with your mother is fractured, you probably suffer feelings of abandonment. If you were abused by your mother, you likely feel hurt and anger, maybe even hatred.

Another reality about relationships is that they are never static. All of experience chages in relationships, but few of us stop to analyze why a relationship gets better or worse.
fr: "The Five Love Languages for Singles" by Gary Chapman

What do I say? I have felt isolation as a little girl not having friends so my bike and my books became my place of excape. I felt isolated when I wanted to play in a neighborhood game but brother said I couldn't. I grew up in isolation as others around me found boyfriends then marriage and then families of there own. I have fought hard to reach out. Now as I have made friends isolations turns to abandonment. They leave me. My heart aches and arches against them as I scream out that I will not be where I am not wanted.

However, I choose to walk in soft beauty. I will continue to refine my loving. I will first love myself and tend to my heart's tears, but I will still reach out even when I am afraid of the bite that could come. I will entrust to God this journey I don't understand and the man I tried to touch. God promises to Guard what I give for that day. I am struggling with the waiting. Yet, I kneel in awe of empathy. I am returning to my journey of Joy. I turn my eyes to My Horizon. I delight and savor in Him.

tank'en on love : questions for five love languages

questions for five love languages ...

* Quality Time * Words of Affirmation *
* Gifts * Acts of Service * Physical Touch *
I read the first book "The Five Love Languages" and I kept it with my game plan for understanding myself and others. Along with it I keep the "Personality Profiles" and the "Seven Smarts". Because of my studies, we tend to favor one characteristic over the others but often we are a combination of all.

Q: As a parent shouldn't we express Love using all five languages to raise our children to be more rounded and fluent in Love? I am asking this only after expressing the child's primary love language first.

Q: As the receiver of your primary Love Language, woulded expression of the other languages round out love for you?

Q: I know of someone whose primary Love Language is Touch. Being millions of miles away, I could not express love in that way. I used all other languages but they did not seem to faze him even when I tried to incorporate touch in them. What is one to do? Especially, when he wasn't touched as a child and as an adult touch became a bad thing? I am not most fluent in Touch but I know it heals.

About Touch... Touch probaby comes last in my Love Languages. So when he said his Love Language was touch, I immediately opened up to his world. I wanted to understand it better. Deep in the corners of my heart a need to be touched screams in the dark. Lately, I have seen hugs say more than any word that can't come to mind can. I have always knew that touch was special if not down right sacred.

tank'en on love : search for meaning

search for meaning ...

Here I go AGAIN ... but it is my journey and I am admitting to wrestling with my God and this journey of abandment or singlehood ... whatever word works best. A name of a book made its perch in my head. So off to the library I went to find it. As thoughts twirled about, what do I see at a church on my book trip? A car decorated with just married in the rear view mirror. Yeah, like that will ever happen in my life! No, I don't care about the wedding ... it is the journey of two people traveling this life adventure together is what I think I was made for and has eluded me.

Happy to find my book, my thoughts are that I am NOT finding another self help book in finding true love. Rather the reading of this book is to live more FULLY my single life. I have prayed that God would shut off this want to be on a team of two. He said no. I would love to go about my life unafraid and without care of this need that burns inside. He said no. He said that empathy is a gift He gives and Love is the fuel of life.

What you focus on expands. So my focus is going to shift to loving those who are brought into my life. My team will be God and I. (About abandment? He is still cherished in my heart and I will still be here... He was a good gift that came into my life ... huge doubt that is goodbye forever ...)

'' ... as a single adult you want to feel loved by the significant people in your life. You also want to believe that someone needs your love. Giving and receiving love is at the center of the single adult's sense of well-being. If you feel loved and needed, you can survive the pressures of life. Without love, life can becaome exceedingly bleak.

Love is the fundamental building block of all human relationships. It will greatly impact our values and morals. ... love is the most important ingredient in the ... search for meaning.
fr: "The Five Love Languages for Singles" by Gary Chapman

loving (an action) => meaningful life

a perfect spring day ...

I am a lover of all four seasons. (I cannot stand moaners who slash any weather but a nice summer day.) I like the different holidays and the weather clothes these different passings. (Christmas is a chilly warm holiday with snow and woolen mittens. To experience a hot Christmas on a beach in Australia at that castle 'someone special' told me about would absolutely blow my mind.) Oh, back to the Northern Hemi ... Today was a perfect spring day.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was quite sad about the trees. They were looking old and heavy. They seemed at odds with the world with their naked branches in a tangled fight with each other. I chastised my ugly thinking. I shot back that it isn't winter nor is it spring rather it somewhere in-between.

Happy to say spring has arrived with it's warm cool breezes. Rains have nourished the weary dormant grass into a deep green. The trees have freshed up and are wearing the bright green of newly hatched baby leaves. Bushes have flowered in canary yellow. Cherry trees and other flowering trees have brought out there fairy dresses of all shades of white to pink to fusha. The clouds are more fluffy and cottony. What a beautiful surprise! Thank You, Awesome Creator of all seasons. I am in awe! Love You, right back!!!

moment captured : last snow

aerate (verb)

~ ventilate, air, let breathe, expose, freshen, circulate air, refresh, revive, neaten

I hate the word change.  It gives me bad ‘heebee geebees’!  Aerate is better … it is like taking winter toes out of woolen socks … stretching them out and letting fresh air tickle and excite for a new adventure ...

word sleuth: blook

aerate to breathe ...

Well, I did it … not sure that I want to admit to this but I have been upset for so long about this guy who chooses to be absent in my life.  A couple of years ago I tried out the personality profile on eharmony to see if what I was feeling inside about myself was accurate.  I revisited last night to round out my profile but really to aerate the darkness I feel.

I already have a formula set in the deepest part of my heart to know the future Mr. Keeper when he comes walking into my world.  It is a life philosophy of sorts and it fits quite well with what I want and need.  

I am most proud of my listening to God’s voice when I was friends with this absent man.  When I look back, I know I gave the best I could.  I thought I wasn’t hearing God’s voice about this guy recently, but I very sure that He has been saying ‘wait’… The most recent whisper to wait was from a co-worker.  We were in a discussion of failed marriages.  His one comment stopped me:  “People give up way too quickly.  There are parts in a human heart that no book or no therapy session is going to fix only God can unlock and it might take awhile.  The other person has to be empty of trying to fix and simply wait.”

I have been hurting a very long time.  I refuse to let anyone even absence take way my journey of joy.  I am emptying out my hurt and getting back to the basics of my personal journey.   I choose to create passion by falling deeper in love with my infatuation of paint and words. 

So why go back to eharmony and fine tune my profile especially since I probably won’t subscribe? Because I have traveled a rough road these pass few years and there are things I know for sure.  I saying them aloud for myself … aerate to breathe… to grow back my heart bigger and better …  Life is a journey and it is good to see others of substance on good paths … a form of encouragement …

you the gift ...

in the words of Ellen Burstein, actress :

If you don't give yourself,
you rob the world of you!

If you don't bring what is within you,
what is within you will destroy you!

Bringing forth what is in you, saves you!

layers: where two or three travel

pain > Easter = REDEMPTION

He created us unique individuals with unique dreams for this world. He loved us. He provided for us. He died for us. He redeemed us if only we accept. He took on our pain and continues to take on our pain.

This week has been a huge heavy fog for me. I felt like I was sliding backwards. Everything around me was chaos. I was quite frustrated. I felt closed off from His Voice and it was my own fault even though it seemed others where pushing me. The weekend was such a relief to feel good and more focused. But it is Easter and nothing profound seemed to be Spoken...

Wait .... maybe He is speaking about pain. How Jesus has felt every pain we humans face every day. He knows all too well. I am seeing and understanding clearly how He has felt separation, divorce, absence ... you name it, He has felt it.

So what does His Pain mean? And what does it have to do with Easter? Jesus went through intense pain spiritually, emotionally, and mentally in the Garden ... so much so it caused physical pain. Then He had to indure physically torture beyond our imagination to redeem us. Then Easter came. That is our Hope and our Horizon when we endure this earthly pain. No matter what form it takes, our hope is in the Lord.

diverticulitis ...

My mother is dealing with a very several infection due to diverticulitis. Being a health nut of late I was not satisfied with answers or the lack of answers the doctor was giving my mother. I decided that I would do research and figure this out. I ask a ton of questions and if you can't give me a solid answer than I keep on searching. This is my mother and I think our systems are similiar. So if I know how this terrible thing starts, I have a fighting chance to not let this occur in me. Plus, if my mom can fuction pain free and live without reoccurence, then I will be a happy camper.

in my own words my findings:
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is where the walls in the intestines and colon are weak and develop sacks where old food sits and festers. Infection begins.

How does diverticulitis begin?
I have never heard of diverticulis and I want to know how it starts. This is theory only, but I think it is pretty right on especially after becoming a Zone-aholic. Diverticulitis seemed to be first noticed in the early 1900's when processed foods became available to American diet. These processed foods are high in sugar and are so refined there is little of the natural fiber for digestion. So the food becomes slow moving through the intestines allowing bacteria to sit. Often constipation makes the muscles strain too hard. It is the main cause for pressure on the colon.

How do you prevent diverticulitis?
Being allergic to 36 foods and now a Zoner, eating a balance of protein, carbs, fats, and omegia fish oil will keep me from inflammation. However, the key of my food intake and prevention of diverticulitis comes from avoiding the 36 foods. My carbs are fruits and veggies the key to getting the best fiber in my diet. Fiber does not lie in grains like most people believe. Our grains today are so refined they are the problem.

However, after all my readings I am still concerned about my own intestines. I feel toned every where else but my stomach. Am I at the point for a colon detox?

How to heal Mom?
She is taking antibotics, but the inflammation has been going on a long time now. If the antibotics don't work, she is headed for surgery. This stuff is fatal if not fixed. I am very concerned. To my humble understand, this sounds similiar to the apendix bursting. The infection can come out those weak spots of the intestine. Not good when infection gets free into the body like that.

How to get her to eat the way to keep her intestines healthy?
She has been told to say away from nuts and popcorn. But I do not think this is the answer. It is saying well you have this problem and you will have to deal with it. Sure, to a point..... I feel that once she is healthy, she should move to eating like me and eat up on her fruits and veggies. Tall order ... she does not like veggies ..... but maybe I will get some headway with fruit.

here is more info on diverticulitis
mad chow: hard work payoff

100 things to do in Australia ...

       001 - Overload your senses
       002 - Dive into the GBR
       003 - Find freedom on the Big Lap
       004 - Visit the remarkable pebble
       005 - Climb the Coathanger
       006 - Cruise the Kimberleys
       007 - Visit Ningaloo Reef
       008 - Explore Sydney Harbour
       009 - Drive along a 75-mile beach
       010 - Drive the Great Ocean Road
       011 - Our oldest living museum
       012 - Sail the Whitsundays
       013 - Time’s nearly up at the Top
       014 - Go Walkabout
       015 - Take in an Opera at the House
       016 - Visit the home of Aussie Rules
       017 - Go bush for a week
       018 - Spy a platypus in the wild
       019 - Conquer the Gibb River Road
       020 - Peak at Cradle Mountain
       021 - Be the Man From Snowy River
       022 - Stay at a great Aussie Pub
       023 - Swim with Dolphins
       024 - See an Indian Ocean sunset
       025 - Have a whale of a time
       026 - Paddle the mighty Murray
       027 - Meander the Katherine Gorge
       028 - See the oldest art in the world
       029 - Explore the Flinders Ranges
       030 - Rediscover Mungo Man
       031 - Follow the Nullarbor
       032 - Do some time at Port Arthur
       033 - Venture into Arnhem Land
       034 - Shed an ANZAC tear at dawn
       035 - Catch the sun’s first rays
       036 - Take a rest on Lord Howe
       037 - Parade with the penguins
       038 - Noodle for opals
       039 - Have a flutter at Flemington
       040 - Explore the nation’s capital
       041 - Take a Cable Beach camel ride
       042 - Experience a waterless regatta
       043 - Line the streets for Mardi Gras
       044 - Bound over to Kanga Island
       045 - Play with the Devil’s Marbles
       046 - Magnificent Macquarie Harbour
       047 - Betting at Birdsville
       048 - Board our Great Train Journey
       049 - Get a raw hide
       050 - Visit the Green Room
       051 - Visit Australia’s Bay of Fires
       052 - Walk the line at Kings Canyon
       053 - Ride the world’s steepest railway
       054 - Walk Our Greatest Bushwalk
       055 - Grab a seat at the Slam
       056 - See the sculptures at sunset
       057 - March with 100 million crabs
       058 - Wipe out or win through
       059 - Cook a barbie on the beach
       060 - Retrace our tragic Great Race
       061 - Trek the Larapinta
       062 - Go on an Aussie safari
       063 - Dine on Gourmet Island
       064 - Sip from the big Wineglass
       065 - Immerse yourself in Europe
       066 - Catch a barra at Lake Awoonga
       067 - Stand at Eureka Stockade
       068 - Fire up with sugar cane
       069 - Get country in Tamworth
       070 - See Florences spell
       071 - Sun yourself with seals
       072 - Perouse Botany Bay
       073 - Ride round Rotto
       074 - Soar into Seven Spirit Bay
       075 - Feel like fish bait
       076 - Savour Margaret's wine
       077 - Have lunch with a croc
       078 - Retrace old tin head
       079 - Watch native surfing
       080 - Wind through the Tablelands
       081 - Pad up with Bradman
       082 - Take a long reach back
       083 - Eat crayfish on Thursday
       084 - Dance with the Devil
       085 - See the wildlife on Bondi
       086 - Follow the French Line
       087 - Navigate the Yarra Valley
       088 - Bathurst Island Footy Final
       089 - Ooze along a lava tube
       090 - Play captain on the Hawkesbury
       091 - Relive Sydney’s Olympic history
       092 - Hang out at Old Melbourne Gaol
       093 - Drive the Savannah Way
       094 - Oysters at Constitution Dock
       095 - Explore our maritime history
       096 - Pinch yourself at the Pinnacles
       097 - Shelter at Mawson’s Huts
       098 - Go uderground at Mount Isa
       099 - Be Manly on the Beach
       100 - Shop till you drop in Melbourne

taken from: the Australian Traveller
check here ----^ for great armchair travel or for planning the real thing!

1st basket ...

I was so happy to reflect back on my first night of basket weaving and to find I hadn't been muddled in dark thoughts of lost friends and loved ones in pain. Now that I am seated to write out this latest victory, I should have done a happy dance. Hmm, but I am doing a happy finger dance instead right now sharing the moment with you!

A girlfriend at work wanted to make baskets but I didn't want to mess up my painting or writing with another hobby. I already have so much I want to get done with no time to get it done. I made a rule that I would only basket weave on these nights and owning such a small space, these baskets could be gifts. After tonight I can keep the first rule, but the second part will be difficult as there where so many baskets that would be useful around the house.

There where three of us girls. One a bit more loud who took the edge off for me so I could sit back and work. We got to pick two accent colors. If you know my decorating style well, you know I wanted it to be red and blue so it will fit perfectly in my house.

Wooo hoooo!!! {happy dance} I am a proud owner of a self handmade medium size basket!!!!!!! To top it off when I get it stained, I can paint on the soft wood part of the basket!!!! I just love being able to incorparate my love of paint onto the lastest creative craft.

The biggest gift of all tonight was that while I was learning something new, I forgot all about the trouble that was whirling around my insides!!!!!!!

where two or three travel ...

When it comes to the many journeys on our path of life, I have a theory that is proving painfully true.  There are two sides to every journey you travel even if you are the only one traveling a lone trail.  If you do not allow both sides to journey and grow together, the marriage or relationship falls apart because someone has left the other behind.  You wake up one day to find that you are in a different place alone.  I am pretty confident that God did not design journeys and adventures to break us from our relationships.

In a journey of physical pain you begin to feel very isolated and detached from your family and the things you once did.  It is good to communicate this isolation so that your support system can better keep you in the loop of things and to take the pressure off of having to be at special events when you just can’t handle it physically.

In a journey of emotional/spiritual wrestling with God, you feel faithless and swear that God isn’t listening.  Who better to get assurance than to go to a fellow believer so that they can get on the spiritual warpath of prayer on your behalf?  No, they cannot get into the ‘holy mud pit’ with you and they shouldn’t even try.  However, in my experience they have gone taken themselves from me.  I don’t even know how to pray for them any more.  My own heart becomes heavy because I have missed out on their journey and with the absence, who is to say we will be in the same place when they come back?

In a journey of a spiritual quest like a mission trip, most understand the need of prayer support.  On the flipside the prayer support is a learning process.  From experience my prayer had very little heart beat until most recently.  My prayers have come more alive.  Declaring His Attributes has blown me away.  Here in this journey type often there are outcomes of different places.  Yet, if you are barbaric in prayer, I have great hope the journey’s end finds you in the same place.

Journeys are definitely God-Made to share with others.  If you exclusively travel it alone, you have taken a special gift and opportunity away from those that support you.

Rhinos can't see 30ft in front of them. But rhinos run together full force. In plural form rhinos are known as crash ~ tBW

take the lead ...

Of course I would go see this movie! It is about dance transforming lives! Yup, I give movie a 9.9 rating.

"Everyone deserves culture." Dancing teaches you how to treat another human being. A man can learn how to touch a woman in the correct way. A woman can find her confidence and not allow herself to be used.

It is very moving. Sure there may be many stories made to movies where a teacher transforms his students or a coach transforming his players. But we need these stories to grow on. We need to learn how to touch our world. So keep making these stories. Every human is valuable.

movie review: 8* below

God divorced Jesus! did you know?

* I know of someone who has decided to divorce her alcoholic husband. She has been separating her money from his and has added a second job to her already full plate. She will finish this semester of school but won't be going back in the fall. She tried theraphy and decided it wasn't for her. Instead she is journaling. At this time she is angry but it has helped to get her moving and not wallowing. She has a huge support system of girls. With each disclosure to her personal hell, she is finding that there is support.

!¡ I believe angry helps you move to where you need to go, where sadness and depression just leave you powerless. I have experienced both emotions so angry ain't so bad after all.

!¡ I believe 'shrinks' are NOT for everyone. There are other 'theraphy' out that works like writing about it. It allows your soul and emotions breath. I was once told to go to a shrink ... I refused. Now I know for sure that a shrink would have harmed my journey into Joy.

!¡ I still strongly believe in marriage and I will not allow another divorce distroy it. Marriage is the picture of God Warrior and God Beauty. I got to 'see' it briefly. I still hope ... I still dream .. I still long for it ... However, I am thankful for the fullness of me that I have found in this single journey.

!¡ I know it to be true that Jesus experienced divorce first hand! On the cross God turned His Back on His Only Begotten Son ... divorcing Him from Himself. Can you imagine that the Almighty Who is with us Always removing His Presence from us? How Great is the Love God has given us to have made such a Provision. I know it to be true that Jesus can carry us through any journey even when it involves separation. He knows every emotion....

I know of someone : I thought I was the only one

i thought i was the only one ...

who knew someone ...

* I know someone who’s probably hurting all by himself all alone in a sea of people, who I want to reach out to but he doesn’t let me and I think others do to but maybe it’s something he needs to ride out himself and maybe one day I will see the man I once knew for the briefest of flashes but got to know.

*I know someone who doesn’t let anyone in, really, even people she knows well, but is another lovely person and has loads of friends and who I wanted to get to know but she wouldn’t let me and I wasted more units on her than she will ever know and I did everything by the rules, for once, and for what it was worth nothing came of it and so she makes me sad when I see her and it makes me sad that you can try so much and be so nice and that people forget there is no such thing as a free lunch and sometimes you just want to be nice and sometimes you just want to talk to someone who you are starting to get to know and want to get to know them better because you can see that part of them is like part of you and so they will know, really understand, really truly understand, some things in your life and who you are and who you just want to sit down with and talk to and nothing happens and sometimes makes you feel empty and wonder what everything is all about and why you makes so much effort and whether you should just let go of everything, everything, everything since there is nothing left at all, despite what others might think and others might see and others might hear.
:|||written by Chis |||:

small world isn't it?

when faint ...

She cried herself to sleep.  She tries to avoid chattering about him to God right before bedtime because of the frustration it causes inside.  Tonight the build up was too much.  Soon tears began to flow.

 She knows that her journey is a path of oneness with her God and she wants to walk contented.  The ache is still there for love.  Coming to her Heavenly Father she can hide in His Everlasting Arms.  She knows His Heart is pained as He collects her tears.  She feels His Presence in His Hug.

 Even though she will feel the cry tomorrow in her head, she will feel better from the cleansing.  The tears needed to come.  Who better to confide her faintness than the One who designed her path and who can make her steps sure?

. . . though none go with me, still I will follow . . .

When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is You who knows my journey.
(ps 142:3)

hard work payoff ...

“The one comment and question I get about changing my eating habits to avoid all 36 food allergies are ‘Its too hard’ and ‘Are you still avoiding the food allergies?’ 

 I often wonder why others don’t make firm life changes when it comes down to chronic diseases and cancer.  Maybe my life change came from the excruciating headache pain that would affect my mood and my vision.  I know that before I knew the cause of the headaches, my progress for eating healthy was a very slow process.  I made small healthy habits.  Only after this wake up call did I make huge and sweeping healthy habits. 

 The initial step was the hardest but I was determined to survive!  After totally restocking my kitchen did I find that it isn’t that hard,” she thought aloud.

 “When it comes to making good changes in your life or to conquer an ambition, growth is going to be hard work.  Once in the development, growth proves not so hard after all.  Only gets better here on out,” he summed it up nicely.

 “Moving from strength to strength,” she said as her heart felt satisfied.

 Mad chow : abundance

God-Given Courage ...

She woke with a ‘pattern feeling’ of journey alone.  She knows she is a survivor but she has been wrestling God over her future.  Over her lifetime friends come and they go.  Boys never where interested in her.  She was as one invisible.  Only now is she beginning to attract unwanted attention. Where are the storybook friends and the prince in shining armor?

 Wanting to shake off this feeling, she started chattering to God during her morning routine.  Calling upon the verse ‘Wait on the Lord; Be of Good Courage & He will strengthen your heart.’ (ps 27:14)  Soon her day took over her time with God.

 As she laid her head upon her pillow that night, she sent her gratitude to God for encouraging her that day.  Her head was already filling up with all kinds of creative ideas.  Her God had surprised her with something new for her personal endeavors!  How much more intimate to be encouraged from an out of the blue moment with God than to demand His performance in a ‘fleece moment’!

Dearest Lover of my soul,
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who knows my journey. (ps 142:3) You have gone before me and You walk with me. You take discouragement from me and allow me to fill up on Your Good-Courage. (duet 31:8) You love me like no other. I love You. Thank You.
~always your little girl

blook (noun)

{bluk}; A printed and bound book based on a blog.

'The Blooker' {The Lulu Blooker Prize} a literary prize founded in 2005 for blooks

I was so excited to hear the annoucement for the 2006 Blooker Awards today! Plus, I learned something new!!! A new dawn for writers and for books. Got some major excitement in my camp!!!!

Dwell in possiblity!!!

lulu.com
the lulu blooker prize
word sleuth : love barbaric

loving & losing him ...

Screech of tires …
Scuffing of a yellow Harley being laid down in the road gravel …
Thud of a body hitting a car …
Helmetless …
Eerie stillness …

The phone call made … she drops to her knees.

Oh Lord,
I don't understand. He's gone! I needed more time. No, he needed more time to come to You. I am Yours but this wonderful man that I married, just needed more time. I tried to be the good wife. I tried to reflect Your Light. He would come to church with me from time to time. He did good things. He loved me and my two kids. He still was very much apart of his own kids lives. He was always helping our neighbors and our friends who might need this or that.

It is a hard yoke to bear to be a christian and him not ready to do so. I so wanted him to listen to Your knock. I so wanted him to come to You and make You his Lord and Savior. I prayed soooo hard.... now death has taken him from me!!!! I hurt so bad!
~ a heartsick wife

My child,
I do understand. I too wanted him to come to Me. Yes, he is a wonderful man and he took care of his children and you. You loved hard and well. Yes, your yoke was hard to bear.

I too carry a yoke with every lost soul. I know the 'unevenly yoke' quite well. I continue to prove My Love to each and every human. I only can carry the uneven yoke. I did so with the Cross. I weep for every child who wanders. Every day is the Garden all over again. I know your pain. I live your pain.

Hide yourself in My Everlasting Arms. My yoke is easy to bear. I am your Refuge, Shield, and Defender. Let me catch your tears.
~ Jesus, nail scarred hands for you

love barbaric (verb)

Somehow love incites both love & hate with equal force. The mission of Christ would be so easy to embrace & carry out if love always resulted in love, but it does not. It seems the world insists that love be proved. So then those who claim love are required to endure hate's most brutal tests (rejection, suffering, persecution, & death). ~tBW

Dearest God the Father who allowed His Son to be rejected and suffered until death all for the sake of proving Your Love,
What an awesome task to take on! Oh, how frail we are! Only in Your Everlasting Arms can we be safe and full of Joy even in persecution! As I prayed for Abdul Rahman, I knew of the persecution that would follow him. He knew as well. Your Hand was there to change hearts and to hide Abdul until he reached safe land. I put myself there... asking myself what would I do? What should I have hidden in my heart to endure? I will continue to ask...

Thank You for prayer! It has so changed my life. Prayer is not a list of wants or needs rather it is connection between believers and declaring Your Attributes. Thank You for such a journey and an epiphany!!
~always your little girl

layers : christian convert
layers : love
word sleuth : april

april - (verb)

comes from the latin verb aperio which means 'to open'.

whatever the season, bloom!

word sleuth: worship