Missing Laurel

Some days it is still so hard for me to realize that she is gone.

She was more than just my friend.  She was my best friend, my sister, my soul-mate.

I talked to her every day about every thing.  Multiple times a day as well.

We had a never ending text conversation that we would just picked up where we left off through the day when we had a chance to answer.

We could talk about anything and everything.  We were happy for each others accomplishments and sad for our losses.

We talked each other through raising our boys and living with our husbands and  dealing with family issues.

There is still hardly a day goes by that I don't miss her.  Some days the pain of losing her is still so real and so raw.  I am quite often still brought to tears when I realize that I can't just call or text her.

Not long ago, Hubby and I saw Fast & Furious 7.  Since we have seen every one of these movies together, we too felt the loss of Paul Walker.  The end song "See You Again" made me ball like a baby.

I often listen to these words and reflect on what I have lost as well.

But in the end, when I have my wits about me and the strength to think about things clearly, I know that she is pain free.  I know that she is in peace with our Father in heaven and I will see her again soon.  What may seem like many years for me, will be just a blink of an eye for her.

I know that I will never be able to replace her, but I hope that some day I can once again have a friendship so deep and so strong with someone.

-Stacy

PS - For those that are new to this blog, my best friend passed away from breast cancer on Feb. 11, 2014.

Esther - Beth Moore

I have done several Bible studies and book studies in my life.  But I have never done one that I needed to be completely dedicated to.  I have to admit that I am good at starting things but terrible at following through and completing things.

This summer I joined an online (private fb group) Bible study.  We are doing Beth Moore's Esther.  I have never done a Beth Moore study but I did hear her speak once at Women of Faith many years ago.

We started the study on Monday and I have to say that I have already learned more in these two days than I have learned in some studies I have taken months to do.

I really enjoy that it is a small lesson every day.  But it digs deep.  I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Biblical history but she actually makes it easy to follow.  She always refers back to other books to back up her history and view points.

There have been a few words that I had to look up (sanguine - being one of them). But I am doing this to learn so if I am expanding my vocabulary as well, then that is another plus.

One of the questions yesterday was: What are you hoping for as you begin this Bible study?

Me?  I'm hoping for a better understanding of the scriptures.  I want to fall in love with God's word.  I want to 'want' to read and study His word every day.

If you are interested in learning more about this study or joining us, please leave me a comment or drop me and email.

Here is the link to the book: Esther - It's Tough Being a Woman

Blessings,
-Stacy

Gone tomorrow

My hair finally reached enough length that I was able to cut it and donate it again.

10" braided and cut and ready to go.  I will be sending it to Pantene Beautiful lengths.

I am getting a little old to do it again.  They will only take up to 5% grey hair and I prob have that amount now.  But at least now I can color it and do different things than I could before.  

Cutting so much at once is freeing but odd at the same time.  I loved having long hair but it got to the point that I couldn't do much with it except a ponytail or bun.  It is still shoulder length so now I can do many different things with it if I wanted to.

Blessings,

-S.

Hello Again

It has been a terribly long time since I have written here.

I'm not even sure that anyone is still around.

There have been so many changes in my life that I could probably fill a months work of pages just catching up.

I would really like to get back to blogging and journaling.  I have missed it.  It used to be my safe haven where I could share my thoughts and every day mundane things and get a little feedback, but mostly, I would get relief from things that might be building up.

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can share the changes in my life - good and bad.  And get back to where I can share again.

Blessing,
-Stacy

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 9

Yesterday's question was:   What is a manger?  (Bonus: What is it made of?)

Did you say a feeding trough made out of wood?  You would be right on one part, but not the other.

(1) A manger is a feed trough found in a stable. In Bible times mangers were made from clay mixed with straw or from stones held together with mud; sometimes they were carved in natural outcroppings of rock.

(1) This information was gathered from http://www.padfield.com/1999/manger.html

That poor babe (Our Lord Jesus) was laid in such a hard place.  I always thought (as you probably did) that he had a  nice straw bed.  Take a minute and go to the above referenced site and take a look at the photo of what he was probably laid in.

The reference for this is Luke 2:7


Day 9 Question:

In what type of structure was Jesus born? 

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 8

Day 7 you were asked what exactly are swaddling clothes.


(1)It was a common belief of the day that in order for a newborn infant's arms and legs to grow straight and strong they needed to be tightly wrapped at birth. Babies were wrapped from their shoulders to their feet with long strips of cloth 4-5 inches wide and 15-20 feet long. The act of wrapping the child up so tightly and completely was called "swaddling"; and the strips of cloth were called "swaddling clothes".
Ironically, these same strips of cloth used to wrap the limbs of babies were also used for wrapping the bodies of the dead. How appropriate that Jesus' life on earth would begin this way...

(1) http://copiosa.org/christmas/swaddling.htm


Day 8 Question:

The lay him in a manger.  What is a manger?  (Bonus: What is it made of?)

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 7

Day 6 you were asked what sign the shepherds were to look for.  Did you get it right? My first answer was wrong as I was not thinking, I was just trying to answer the question quickly.

The correct answer is a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12

I was too quick to answer this and said a star...oops!

Day 7 Question:

When Jesus was born, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes.  What are swaddling clothes?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 6

The question from yesterday was: What is a heavenly host?

The answer: A heavenly host means an army of angels.  I personally can't imagine being a shepherd out in the field and being approached by an angel in the first place.  But then after the angel speaks a host of angels shows up and starts talking....WOW!  I think I would have fainted dead away.


Day 6 Question:  What sign are the shepherds to look for?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 5

Day 4 Question: Why do Mary & Joseph go to Bethlehem?

Answer: Luke 2:1-5  Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that all should be registered. So everyone had to return to their own city to be counted for the census.


Day 5 Question:

A heavenly host appears to the shepherds watching their flocks in the fields.  What is a heavenly host?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 4

Answer to Day 3

When Mary becomes pregnant, what relation is she to Joseph?

Betrothed - Matthew 1:18  & Luke 1:26-27

I really didn't understand the concept of engaged vs. betrothed vs. married so I have done some research.  The most easily understood page that I came across was: www.ecclesia.org/truth/betrothed.html

Basically it says that you are beyond engagement but not yet officially married.  Betrothment could last anywhere from one month to one year or more depending on what the family decides.  For all intents and purposes they were married but not yet living together and they had not consummated the relationship.  This time was set aside while they decided where to live, what occupation they would have, what dowry (if any) was to be given.

To read more on the subject, I would refer you back to the link above.  Today I definitely learned something.


Day 4 Question: (this one should be easier)

Why do Mary & Joseph go to Bethlehem?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 3

First the answer to yesterday's question:

When Elizabeth sees her cousin Mary, the baby inside of her leaps for joy.  Who is the baby that Elizabeth is  carrying?

John the baptist - Luke 1:41-44,60,63


Question for Day 3

When Mary becomes pregnant, what relation is she to Joseph?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 2

First the answer to yesterday's question:

The angel Gabriel appears to three people associated with the Christmas story:

Mary - Luke 1:26-38
Joseph - Matthew 1: 20-23
Zacharias - Luke 1: 11-17



Today's question:

When Elizabeth sees her cousin Mary, the baby inside of her leaps for joy.  Who is the baby that Elizabeth is carrying?

The Great Christmas Quiz - Day 1

Welcome to the Great Christmas Quiz!

The angel Gabriel appears to three people associated with the Christmas story: Mary, Joseph, and who else?

The Great Christmas Quiz

Let's play a little game leading up to the big event!  

Every day from December 1-20 I will put up a question of the day. (I promise) You have until the next morning to figure out the answer.

Some will be easy, some you may think are easy but get them wrong, and some will be hard.

Just have fun and enjoy the game. Perhaps you will even learn something. I know I did!

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 7

Today's assignment: Something Funny

Little S is creative.  He has a whole desk full of art supplies and such and is always making something.

Recently after a small kitchen fire in another apartment he went around and put signs up in each room so we knew where we were and how to get out.

Just like most kids he loves boxes.  The older boys were selling candy bars and he kept begging me to let him have the empty box.  After being asked no less than 1.5 million times, I finally relented and said he could have it.  This is what he made:

He cut the top part off and made an "E". Then he took some ribbon and tied it into the box.  It is hard to see in this picture but across the top is a note that says "Hi. I am the gretter"  (greeter - his is still learning how to spell).

He placed this on the table as you walk in the door.  He is such a silly kid but I love his creativity.

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 6

I did not do yesterday's assignment because by the time I looked at the subject it was too late.  I was supposed to do the morning sky.

Today's assignment is Books.

This is the bookshelf in my closet. Since we moved we never got bookshelves here so they are two deep and never ending.  They used to be two high as well, but I have really downsized by keeper books since I have gotten my kindle.

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 4

Today's assignment: Leaves

This was a beautiful carpet of leaves on the lawn outside the doors of the church where I am working.  I took this last week. I know I am supposed to take a new picture each day but since Sandy literally blew through here last week, we now have virtually no leaves left on our trees.

This is one of my favorite fall photo's I have taken this year.  This too was taken a few weeks ago.  I love the contrast of the bright red leaves on the front tree and the yellow/orange leaves on the back tree.  And the beautiful carpeting God has given these two lawns.

I don't think I will ever understand raking and burning the leaves.  They are just so breathtaking the way they fall.

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 3

Today's assignment is: Happiness

What has more happiness than a child just back from Trick or Treating with a bag full of loot?

His costume included gloves, shoe covers and even a mask that was all skeleton.  This was the first year he and daddy had to go alone.  Teen had to work and I had to drive Tween down to his school for his final performance.

Overall I think they did pretty good. See that shirt to his left?  There is a newer screen printing/embroidery place in town and they were handing out shirts.

Our trick or treat was moved until today due to Hurricane Sandy blowing through here on Tuesday and Wednesday.

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 2

Today's assignment is Smile.

This is Tween.  He is currently a supporting cast member of Tina 'n Tony's Wedding at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.  His character is named Lorenzo.

Not only is he smiling in this picture, but the picture makes me smile.  The silly 80's italian clothing and hair.

We went to see the performance last night with my parents, grandma, and some friends.  My mum kept trying to get him to break character and answer a question and he just wouldn't do it...lol

We had a great time and I am so glad that we were able to attend.

-Stacy

Picture A Day - Day 1

So I have been a total slacker this past year.  I really want to get back into the swing of things and decided to start with a Photo-A-Day project.

Today's photo is to be my favorite food.  Rather than taking a picture of a picture of my favorite food I decided to just take a picture of my lunch today.

A hot Sicilian wrap from the cafeteria at PSU.

It was so yummy.  The wrap was herb and garlic and in addition to the meat it had lettuce, tomato, pickles, banana peppers, black olives, spinach, and italian dressing.

What was your lunch today?

-Stacy