One word

In college we did these poems with one word lines, and they are my favorite! So here is a new one!

hallow
wasted
week
sometimes
holy
focused
hopeful
future
seeking
clouded
taken
stand
tall
beyond
hype
further
happiness
soft
joy

A little late

April is poetry month, so I thought I should write something. I will try to add a few more this week, my poetry month will carry over to May, which is my birthday month! If you have a poem, attach it, I would love to read it!

Enough

not so bright eyed
enthusiasm has faded
truth has settled
I know this is going to be work

no easy choices
but choices indeed
to allow them to see inside
even if just for a moment

stregnth lies strong inside me
it has shown true in the past
but my will lies dead
show me how to revive it

unlock my fear of staying
being just enough

Serving lessons

This Sunday we had our first Servefest at church. We met for about 2 worship songs, prayed and then separated in groups to serve the community in different ways. I helped in two different groups. I made cookies Sat night for the kids to take to the fireman. They first frosted them of course. I also helped with the brunch we hosted for the homeless and people who may have less. A different group actually comes in and serves lunch every Saturday to this same group of people at our church. We serve every quarter and I usually am a part of that group. We just served a few weeks ago so I had remembered quite a few of the people. One of the ladies who was there a few weeks ago was there again yesterday. This lady was kind of harsh to a few of us last time we saw her. This time was totally different. She brought up our church announcement sheet and asked about the singles mom dinner we host and if she could come and I told her of course. And then she said something that has been repeating in my head all day, "your church is spoiling us, you know we are going to get used to this" It was sweet and sad at the same time. We have fed her and her friends a few times and have learned her name and shared grace to her on maybe a not so great day and this is "spoiling." I receive grace and kind words everyday and I expect it. It's a challenge to me, not only to reach out to my community more and all the people who are a part of the community but to not take advantage of the kindness that is given to me so freely by others.

My favorite Brunch Recipe

I have taken a recipe for Creme Brulee french toast and made it my own, here it is

1 stick of butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 T light corn syrup
1 loaf of round Hawaiian bread
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups of half and half
1 T Grand Marnier
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, sturring, until smooth. Pour into a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking dsih.Place nuts on top of syrup if using. Cut 1 inch pieces of bread. (I cut the loaf in half, cut of the edges and use the 1 inch slices) Arange bread sllices in one layer. In a bowl whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours. I always make it the night before.

Preheat oven to 350 degress and bring bread to room temp. Bake uncovered in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 min.

The best thing about this recipe besides the taste is that you make it the night before and all you do is bake it the next day. I like to serve with fresh berries and fresh whipped cream!

God loves Oprah!

I am not sure why so many Christians hate or shall I say extremely dislike Oprah. It seems like a lot of people feel threatened by her. I know that a lot of her beliefs are not Bibical, but why is that suprising? I think it may confuse people that she says she is a Christian but then she supports new age ideas. That is not that new though either. Oprah has a lot of influence on people and I think that is the threatening part. I understand that people are concerned that she is like a wolf in sheeps clothing and that she says she is a Christian and that she gives a lot to good causes but then she tells people to read new age stuff. But here is the thing, as Christians if we did our part by living lives that support what we say we believe than it wouldn't matter what Oprah said.
I don't mind Oprah at all. She keeps me on my toes and challenges me to back up my words with actions. I try not to let Oprah beat me out in giving (you can give without always giving money) or being kind. Of course giving and being kind doesn't make you a Christian, but it sure does make people ask questions. It comes down to I trust God for everything, so I can trust enough to give to others when possible, and I can trust that God is bigger than Oprah.

Because I have the CUTEST niece!

I love this picture and had to share with the blogging world!

Connecting to Ezra

THE GARDEN

En robe de parade.
Samain

Like a skien of loose silk blown against a wall
She walks by the railing of a path in Kensington Gardens,
And she is dying piece-meal
of a sort of emotional anaemia.

And round about there is a rabble
Of the filthy, sturdy, unkillable infants of the very poor.
They shall inherit the earth.

In her is the end of breeding.
Her boredom is exquisite and excessive.
She would like some one to speak to her,
And is almost afraid that I
will commit that indiscretion.


Ezra Pound

Dreams of Prophets

I started reading Ezekial last week and it is amazing. Ezekial has a dream (I have a feeling C.S. Lewis got some of his ideas for the creatures of Narnia from this dream) where 4 creatures come out of a fire ball, each creature has four faces and four wings, hoofed feet and the four faces were one of a human, lion, ox and eagle. The creatures have tongues of fire and a wheel of diamonds echo every move they make. Then comes a throne surronded by fire and the voice of God calls to Ezekial. The voice of God calls Ezekial to speak to the Israelites while they are captive in Babylon.

I have read the Bible straight through for school years ago but because it was for school I am not sure I really was focused on everything except for the questions I needed to know for the test. This time as I was reading I was blown away by this vision. I have had dreams of 4 headed animals since I read it last week. Seriously. Last night I had this dream that I was dreaming Ezekials dream and that we were dreaming at the same time and when I awoke (in the dream) I didn't hear the voice of God before I awoke but I felt his presence. I woke this morning wondering what God was saying to me. I am reading the rest of Ezekial as if there is a message in there for me. It's all so exciting and a bit scary. If you have any dream translations, bring them on!

Single and Satisfied

Last week my pastor started a sermon series on love and marriage. He started the series with a sermon called Single and Satisfied. It was very good. My friend who is single gave a "testimony" I guess you could call it that on how she has become single minded and focused on the Lord. In the sermon my pastor mentioned how as humans we tend to have a "the grass is greener" mentality. I think especially in America, it is so true. I love most things about my life. I really do. I love the freedom I have to do what I want when I want to for the most part. I mean there are limitations to everything. But if I want to go to Nashville next month and have the money to go, I can. I love how I have so many wonderful friends who I can spend a lot of time with and I can be very flexible with my schedule.

I also know that relationships are hard work, and I see people in marriages working really hard. I know that is what it takes, and to be honest sometimes I am grateful that I don't have to work that hard. This might not be a good thing, but it's true. Comprimise is hard to do when you don't have to do it that much.

There are some things that a relationship would bring that I wouldn't mind having, but for the most part the Lord fills those voids for me. I think no matter where we are in life, single, married, parents, we sometimes need to stop and think of what we have and be thankful. This single life of mine might end one day, and that is okay and it might not and that is okay. I am thankful that I am single and satisfied.

Luke Marceau Renaud

My nephew was born on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 5:02pm. He weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long. He is adorable and I am a very proud Aunt!

Aunt again!

I am going to be an Aunt again today. My sister-n-law and very close friend is birthing my nephew today. I am so excited. I love, love, love being an Aunt! I will have more news when little boy is here. (no name yet)