Thursday, August 28, 2008

Many a good man has failed...

Many a good man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Family extensions

The rest of my family finally met my half-brother, Shawn, two weekends ago, which is really neat. :)

Sadly, living in Raleigh, NC is not very conducive to taking a weekend trip to Michigan. So I am the only one who didn't get to meet the new bro. I'm sure we will meet sometime soon, though.

Thought I'd post some pictures from the event...



Above is Aaron, Shawn, Evan, and Collin. Below is Shawn and my dad. (I think they look alike.)

Welcome to our giant, extended, all-encompassing family, Shawn!!

Perfect is...

I wanted to share the motivation behind my last blog...and it was that I was thinking about heaven and spending eternity with God. If you thought of moments in your life that you did consider perfect, take that and multiply it to the bagillionth power and that's heaven. How amazing!!! I think about the times in my life that, just as several of you mentioned, seemed perfect. And then I realize that actually, they weren't perfect...it's like Erinne said in her comment..."perfect is something we have a deep longing for, an eternity that's etched in our hearts, so deeply that it's not something that can be seen in the world..." I couldn't have described it better myself. :) So thinking about how life's "perfections" are actually full of imperfections makes me even more excited for the day I get to enter eternity with God. It will be better than our human minds can ever comprehend.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Perfect?


In response to an email from me today, one of my friends said "PERFECT!" I sat there and looked at her response and thought, hmmm, "perfect." What exactly WOULD consistute perfect? Could I ever imagine something being perfect? We use the word all the time, but really, is anything ever perfect?

I'm curious if anyone can think of something that has been perfect. A day, an event, anything. Think about it hard. There cannot be a single flaw. There cannot be anything that...despite how wonderful that day or moment was...absolutely NOTHING that wasn't the way you wanted it. Not a bug buzzing around your head, not a breeze blowing in the wrong direction, not pants that are too big or too small. Not the wrong music in the background, not allergies, not internal stress about something coming up. NOTHING wrong.

Can you think of something? I'd like to hear what your ideas are. Share your comments. :)

It is better to be silent and be considered a fool...

It is better to be silent and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. - Ecclesiastes 10:3

Bottom line: If you don't have something good or knowledgeable to say, keep your mouth shut. :)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

My brothers' loss


I just wanted to type a little blog post as a tribute to the life of LeRoi Moore, the saxaphone player from Dave Matthew's Band. He died yesterday due to complications from a car wreck he experienced in June. Although I enjoy the band's music from time to time, my enthusiasm is nothing compared to that of my brothers. They have always been huge fans. My brother Collin is a saxaphone player (a very good one, may I mention) and was greatly influenced by Moore's style. Evan used to (and maybe still does) practice his drums to the band's music. (He's good too. :) ) The two of them are pretty upset, according to my mom. (I don't know about my other brother, Aaron...I wouldn't be surprised if he's upset too. And just in case he reads this, he is also a good drummer. :) ) Collin and Evan were members of a band with two of their other friends (I have their CD if you want it..it's good!) and their music was also influenced by the Dave Matthew's Band. So I know they're really bummed.

I'm not sure how this will affect the future for DMB, but in any case, I did want to post a little blog and let my brothers know that I feel for them.

Love you boys!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

My Crazy Weekend

This weekend may have been one of the most productive weekends of my life. Here's what I did:

1) Rearrange pictures in living room, hang up pictures in upstairs hallway and master bedroom.
2) Rearrange living room, decide I don't like it, put it back the way it was.
3) Turn our extra reptile tank on tv stand into something that looks somewhat on purpose. I put the leftover reptile cage docoration in it with some plants and rocks. No, it has no purpose. No, it makes no sense. But it looks like it's supposed to be there instead of like we're storing an extra reptile tank in our living room. (Yes, I realize that's still what we're doing, but it allows me to deceive myself so just let me be.)
4) Clean master bedroom. (Anyone who has seen our master bedroom lately realizes that this in itself is a weekend project.)
5) Go to Walmart to buy cleaning supplies.
6) Scrub down new (craigslist) patio table and chairs.
7) Scrub down new (craigslist) grill that was the most covered-in-gunk thing I've ever seen in my life. (It took me a couple hours.)
8) Go to pool and lay out for an hour.
9) Paint master bathroom.
10) Clean master bathroom.
11) Decorate master bathroom with shelves and picture.
12) Go to church.
13) Go to lunch and shopping with Sam.
14) Clean up random junk laying around house and put it in attic.
15) Clean kitchen.
16) Clean living room.
Yes, I did all that in 48 hours. I also slept, showered, watered the plants, and took care of the amphibians and dogs. I'm not sure how I did all that, but I definitely wanted to share my great achievement. :)

Friday, August 15, 2008

Free worship CD :)


My friend Erinne just told me this free worship CD that's available by Phil Wickham. I'm always up for some free worship music, and I thought I'd pass along the information in case anyone else enjoys it too. :)


PS Thanks for the link Erinne. :)

The grass may look greener on the other side...

The grass may look greener on the other side,
but it still has to be mowed.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. - Hebrews 13:5

So often I look at what another person has and think, "Wow, if I only had what she has..."
But oftentimes I forget that what that person has brings other complications and responsibilites with it beyond what I see. God gives us all what He wants us to have. There is a reason we have what we have. God knows what we can handle at certain times in our lives. He knows what we need. Sometimes he keeps something from us for a purpose greater than our eyes can see or our mind can comprehend. And we just have to trust, believe, and follow anyway.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Thoughts and Update 8.11.08

Sometimes, as a Christian, I sit here and think, "God, what DO you want me to DO????"

I know I've got the Bible. I know I've got prayer. But life has a funny way of handing you situations that are just slightly different from what you've ever seen before. The Bible almost but not quite describes what you're going through. So, once again, you're left sitting there thinking, "Seriously God, write on my wall. Give me direction through a dream. But please, I need SOMETHING!!"



My life updates:

My nails are shorter than ever. To stop biting them would require self-control that I need to save for other areas in my life.

Rogan still loves to poop and pee in the house. I had to order a super-size jug of Urine-Off from online to save our light cream carpet.

I've discovered that I have the most amazing husband ever. When I'm upset about something, I approach him, and he responds better than I could have ever asked or imagined. It blows me away. God has blessed me.

I have finished all but two rooms in the house. If you'd like to come visit, there is now a spare bedroom and bathroom for your use. There are even fluffy white towels for after your shower. :)

Work goes in waves. I'm either swamped or I'm filling my days with education and reviewing school notes.

I have the most ridiculous newfound craving for knowledge and understanding of the world. I am constantly googling and reading new books. I can't stop. If I could, I'd read a cookbook, a theology book, the Bible, a book on marriages, a book on anxiety, a book on nutrition, a book on fitness, and a book on pets simultaneously. Prime example of the amazing things I discover: Did you know that latex and avocado allergies are related???

I'm trying to break my addiction to the sun. It's not working too well. I managed to stay inside this weekend, only to find myself frustrated when Emily and Lael showed up from the beach with fresh tans. Then I wished with all my heart that I'd spent hours outdoors in my suit.

I now have a joint banking account with a man. It's a slightly odd feeling. When people ask my last name, I still say "LewisImeanSnoke."

My parents are meeting my half-brother next weekend. I'm slightly jealous.

I have found a plant I cannot figure out how to raise. I already killed one and I'm on my second and it's not looking too hot. This is really challenging my view of myself as a super plant woman.


Guess that's all for now.
Love.