Seasons of Grace

Bike Excursion

2006-06-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! I'm still feeling the good effects of a twenty-six mile bike ride we took yesterday. (Minus a few sore spots.) We joined Matt and Helen on the Mohican Valley Trail, riding from Danville to Mt. Vernon on a paved path, which used to be a train track. Mile after mile, easy-going, beautiful country and woods, imagining the train rides of years gone by, crossing the bridges, watching the river flow, throwing pretzels into the currents to see whose would win, drinking Cokes and peeling clementines for break, talking and laughing,... I loved it... I felt so ALIVE. The last five miles proved to be some of the best for me...not necessarily the most enjoyable... but rather a lesson in sheer determination... having my mind on a goal that seemed impossible but making up my mind to pedal those last miles.

Hey, Happy Birthday, Monica! It's so unique that you and James have the same birthday! Probably sort of a bummer in the sense of not having the special days spread out. For us, we even think ours is plenty close... three birthdays and our anniversary all within 2 1/2 months.

Discoveries

2006-06-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

I made two neat discoveries this week...

First, I was reading John and Kendra's site, and found the radio stations they like. Nice praise and worship to listen to through the day. Meet The Mullets... our great friends from church. http://web.mac.com/jnkmullett/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
Click on "About Us" to find their favorite music.

Second, it works great to do my ironing outdoors! Gerald put up a retractable clothesline around my porch, where I always hang our shirts and dresses to dry. So about 3:00 the other day, I went out and ironed the clothes before I brought them in. I felt accomplished.. laundry and ironing finished in one day.

The Early Christians

2006-06-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Gerald and I have been reading the book, "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up" by David W. Bercot. It's a fascinating book, comparing the beliefs of the first generation Christians to ours today. They had the advantage of talking directly to the apostles, living in the culture of the day, and not having Scripture tainted with assumptions passed from generation to generation.

Here's a few quotes to give you a peek into their way of thinking. They knew that to choose Christ meant to carry His cross.
"He who chooses to live well for eternity, will live in discomfort for the present. He will be subjected to all types of troubles and burdens as long as he is on the earth, so that in the end he will have divine and heavenly consolation." --Lactanius
"The prison does the same service for the Christian that the desert did for the prophet. Our Lord himself spent much time in seclusion so he would have greater freedom to pray and so he would be away from the world. ... The leg does not feel the chains when the mind is in heaven." --Tertullian
""Bring on the fire and the cross. Bring on the packs of wild beasts. Let there be the breaking and dislocating of my bones and the severings of my limbs. Bring on the mutilation of my whole body. In fact, bring on all the diabolical tortures of Satan. Only let me attain to Jesus Christ! ... I would rather die for Jesus Christ than to reign over the ends of the entire earth. " -- Ignatius (In a short time, he was torn to pieces by wild animals in a Roman Colosseum)

Let's see, how does that compare with my outlook on life? How often do I try to pray away pain? Do I expect God to give me a comfortable life if I love Him... the American dream? Is my mind in heaven or is it consumed with the things around me?

Lovers in Mansfield Gardens

2006-05-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Thought you might enjoy a picture of Jamon and Rhonda, who are getting married in September. We went with them to Mansfield Gardens to take their engagement pictures. Brought back many memories for us... five years ago, we were the happy couple taking our engagement pictures among the tulips. Maybe I'll post then and now pictures of us... we don't really look five years older, do we?

Impatiens are Planted

2006-05-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone was praying for me this week in relation to what I wrote Monday... but I had an awesome peace of mind all weak. It really helped to be aware of what was behind my frantic thinking ... to ask God who He wanted me to be. Like today, I ENJOYED cleaning my house, which is not the norm.

Earlier this week, the weather was calling for severe storms and thunderstorms, so I gave up on planting my impatiens. The storms turned into some sunshine. I was thrilled on Wednesday to plant my flowers and have them mulched by Gerald the same day. Makes for extra beauty today as the lazy spring showers accents all the green. Sometimes I like living in the woods... like today. (Just wanted to post a flower picture... what kind are they? We don't have a digital camera, so picture options are limited. =-))

We're going tonight to Zion's school program... haven't attended for several years... but this year is what my class will call their graduation, which is from eighth grade. We look forward to it... except for the question we will get asked over and over... "So, do you miss teaching?'

Carolyn's Sorrow

2006-05-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

I write about a old friend of mine who lost her baby this week. For weeks, Carolyn and Linford knew their baby's body was not growing big enough to give room for his organs to function. She carried her little one, knowing he would not live long at all. Marcus Neil was born on Wednesday, which was her thirtieth birthday. They held him through the night ... he lived about twelve hours. I can only imagine the sorrow of saying "Good bye" so soon. Pray for Carolyn and family.

The Service is Saturday morning... Krista and I just made plans for the two of us to go be with Carolyn sometime in May, when we can have more time with her.

In the picure, Carolyn is sitting in the front beside me. The picture is probably eight years old... I don't have any of her with Linford and their daughter.

Monday's Ramblings

2006-05-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm at Helen's house today... notice, I said her house... not with her. I think it's a real bummer that she has to work today. Gerald's working close to Columbus, so we came last evening and plan to stay another night. I went with him last fall to check out the job... the house had been torn apart for months, about half of it being refinished. The doctor and his wife agreed to have Gerald go ahead with the trim. Well, everytime, he scheduled them in, the lady would call and say she just didn't get the painting done. Could they put it off? We were thinking she is quite queer not to get on the ball... why live in your torn up house for at least two years if you could do something about it. We concluded she was trying to manipulate her husband into hiring someone to paint. He had told her that since she chose to remodel so much, they would save money by her doing the painting. Whatever... I'm going to be shocked if the painting was even finished for today. Guess she'll get the hard job of painting around the trim then. Hope her husband doesn't give in. =-)

Changing the subject....I've been pondering... Am I trying to be a superwoman with all the best qualities of each of my friends combined into one person? I scold myself throughout the days... "Grace, you should be more orgnaized. You should always have whoopie pies for Gerald's lunch and, help, at last make sure there's snacks for unsuspected company so you don't embarrass Gerald. You should keep your windows cleaner. You should have the car washed for Sunday. You should send out more cards and stay in better contact with your old friends. Pity, Nicholas hardly has shirts to wear.. you can't even keep your child in clothes. And if you could sew faster, you'd have a new dress by now." I picture so and so baking up a storm that day... another friend perfectly cleaning her house... someone else speedily sewing... the list goes on... always trying to live up to each person's good points. Because I can never measure up to being the perfect organized, accomplished homemaker, I often feel in a frenzy around my house.

Saturday night, Gerald and I were going to have a date and I about screwed it because I was in this frame of mind. I had been gone all day Friday, cleaning Gerald's last basement job and I knew I would be gone all day today. I was feeling like a failure!

This morning, I started to link some of these thoughts with a sermon from church last Sunday.... "We need to find our identity in God. Instead, we often try to live up their people's expectations of us, wanting their affirmation. We live out of pain in our past and make up our set of ideals to try to avoid the same pain again. We need to ask God to give us new names... like he did for Abram, Sarai, and Jacob. Allow God to show us His purpose for us and live out of that calling. "
Is there a connection?

Gerald

2006-05-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is one of those extra sweet weeks of marriage. I used to think years ago that our marriage would be like this all the time! =-) We are just plain having a lot of fun together. It can almost be scary... like, wait, doesn't God give special times to people just before someone dies? I know, I know, but did you ever think stuff like that?

I want to honor Gerald today by saying that He is a wonderful husband whom I feel unworthy of having as my own. Because of his love for God and others, I can feel confident telling Nicholas, "Follow Daddy."

PA Pictures

2006-05-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

April

2006-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Now, for the monthly update! =-)
The highlight of April was a week's trip to PA to see friends and family. Our first stop was Shippensburg, where we stayed with Ken Wadels. I lived with them for two years while I taught at Anchor. (A long time ago! That fact really hit when I tried picking out some of my former second graders at church who are now fifteen.) Vera, who used to be such a Mom for me, now was Nicholas' Grandma. He loved her from the start. Seemed like old times, especially singing together one evening. Bethann caught me up on all her dating news as well.

We stayed with Darrell's all day Saturday... I helped Fonda (my sister) lay out a comfort... Gerald went with Darrell to pick up a load of eggs... Nicholas loved all his cousins and their animals, especially the rabbit he got to hold.

Sunday, we ate a quick lunch with Joel and Barb, a Maranatha Bible School acquaintance. Then we traveled to Lansdale to be with Andy and Valerie Lakjer. Wow... so good to catch up with them... Valerie was my loyal co-teacher and friend while I taught at Anchor. Andy gave us quite the education, especially Gerald. Andy is a mortician and funeral director, so he took Gerald with him on several runs to pick up bodies. One scene was a motorcycle accident which was awfully gory. Their pictures ended up in the newspaper! Visiting the crematory was enough for me!

We spent two days in Mifflinburg with Gerald's Uncle Jays, seeing some of the cousins, too. I really enjoyed the time there, since we could have personal time with them. Most often we see them only at family get togethers which isn't as personal. Uncle Jay is recovering from a stroke... remarkable how he has come through with his speech.

Other special moments from April: Rhonda and Jamon announced their engagement... Jason and Linda decided to come back from Belize July 1rst to stay... Gerald and I committed our fears of another tubal pregnancy to God through a special annointing... We enjoyed helping our church have a food stand at an auction...My sister Eppie had another boy last week, Dennis Wilson...

Helen's Birthday Party

2006-04-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

I've been teasing Gerald that we'll have to get two computers. I get too busy during the days to go blogging, so then I'm ready to go 8:00- 10:00 PM, just when he's still doing business stuff. I'll post a few pictures and sign off again.
My little sis turned 23 the end of March. Dear friends from church helped me with a surprise spring shower for her... bulbs, garden tools, flowers, whatever fit the season.
Go to www.kraftfoods.com if you want to make the Flower Power Cupcakes. Did you know that you can receive free magazines from them? Sign up today. =-) I really enjoy using their ideas!

Home Sweet Home

2006-03-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

"There's no place like home," as we all say. I relaxed all week-end and soaked up the familiar at Mom and Dad's. First, of course, the love and the presence of the two. Then mom's good ol' cookin' and Dad's family devotions. Simple things can bring back fond memories as well... the same clock's chiming, the Holly Hobbie quilt that use to be on my bed, or the doll furniture that Nicholas now likes to play with. And then the fun we have playing Scrabble (my favorite game) and Acquire.

I like to go home and be inspired by Mom and Dad's dreaming and projects that they are pursueing at 63. Dad's writing his third book in "The Conquest" series and Mom's painting beautiful china. Makes me remember all the dreams I had as a girl, I miss the homeplace (picture above) where I dreamed... the beautiful country, the paths to our pond, the blueberry bushes to pick, the massive yard to mow, Mom's flower gardens. Gerald and I are looking forward to someday living in the country and raising our family on more than two-thirds of an acre. =-)

Dad's now have 27 grandchildren, one to finally carry the Landis name. Beryl and Beth had their forth child last week... Winston Beryl!

Some verses that I'm claiming this week are Philippians 4: 6,7. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I struggle off and on with fears of having another tubal pregnancy (last fall I went through that experience for the first.) And the biggest reason that I can feel troubled is the question "what will we do if God allows it again?" I'm told that to have the shot or go through the surgery to remove that little life makes sense because it can't grow and live. Besides, my own life would be in danger. But the whole idea makes me shudder and I still wonder, "Does that make it right?" Please cry out to God with me to save us from this situation.. that we could hold another baby in our arms instead. God is faithful in giving peace when we commit all to Him.

Thanks, Jolene, for stopping by! And Rebekah! Hey, sounds like Matts had fun with ya'll. Made me jealous!

Home Alone

2006-03-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

I get to stay home for a whole day... in my corner of the world...alone...almost alone, except for Nicholas. Just what I was ready for. I got back from Ladies book study last night and I was burned out of being around people. The last week and a half I've been with folks every evening, having wonderful times. But suddenly, enough was enough. My brain was aching and every bone in my body shouted for me to hold still for a while.
I'll give a little update on all the goings.
Last Thursday-- Went to visit some of our Houlderman friends in Loudonville
Friday -- Spent the night in Columbus with Matt and Helen
Saturday -- Lounged around and also shopped at a thrift store
Sunday -- After a carry-in meal at church, we stopped in at Dad's briefly before going to supper with a family from Living Waters. Gerald was in charge of a song service at Living Waters, over an hour from here
Monday -- Studied a book "Strong Women, Soft Hearts" with the church ladies
Tuesday -- Went to Holmes County for supper with two other young families, the one being up from Haiti for a little
Wednesday -- Church (we gave our testimonies to become proving members!) and then we invited Mikes over for snack
Thursday -- Went with the church ladies to Columbus for Helen's Sensaria party and supper
Friday -- Spent the day helping sew backpacks for Haiti with my former students at Zion... had Jim and Carla for supper
Saturday -- Craig and Celia Good (cousins) spent the night here
Sunday -- They had lunch with us and stayed til 4:00... then we spent the evening with John and Kendra

Now, I have a few days to get ready for the week-end... company comes Thursday night and we're planning to leave Friday for WV to see my parents.

Beauty

2006-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

March is here... I can already picture springtime flowers!Time to put the greenery away and make a pansy arrangement for the front porch instead. I've been pouring over the magizines of flowers that come in the mail, and imagining gorgeous flowerbeds(... it's easier done in theory.) I get that all from my dear Mother who can make those dreams a reality. I have many memories of her getting up early before breakfast to dust her roses, transplant a few new plants, or bring in bunches of fresh cut flowers to make the boquets that made our house our home.

Want to be blessed by the beauty of some worshipful music that will draw your heart to praise? Go to www.adoptedmusic.com to hear a sample. "Adopted" is my favorite CD right now. What music inspires you? Give me some suggestions... I've wasted too much money on CDs in the past, buying ones which I hadn't heard recommendations for.

God's Leading & Care

2006-02-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

It's been a while! For one thing, life's been busy. Gotta make use of Nicholas' naptime to do the real work! Then too, my heart's been full of joy and sometimes when I feel that way, I can't think how to even start putting thoughts into words. Almost takes away from the wonder that's real.

God is bringing wonderful experiences into my life. Like...church! I love going to church... Sunday is the highlight of the week. I leave church, being challenged, blessed, filled, and ready to LIVE. Church has become what my heart has cried for all these years. The amazing part is how God brought us to this area. It was kind of last minute decision just before we were married. The housing we had planned on in Holmes County fell through. My parents thought it best for newly weds not to live too close to either set of parents. With that in mind, Gerald got the idea to live in Apple Valley for the first year. That would be close to his work, but not too close to his parents. OK , the answer. The idea of living 50 minutes from church and friends scared me a little, but I was into being with Gerald. I amagined many evenings with HIM. Somehow, then we bought a place instead of renting, not realizing everything about owning a home. Just a year isn't too practical. Well, we ended up for three years, driving to Holmes County many times a week. The church kept struggling with issues, and we kept wondering, "Should we move to be closer to a church if it isn't going well? Is God calling us to move elsewhere? Then the church fell apart the month Nicholas was born. We kept wondering what God wanted of us. Then Matt and Helen moved to OH, which they never would have done if we would have lived in HOlmes County. Then Mohican Valley Door of Hope started, just ten minutes from our place. And that's the story of God directing our path in ways we couldn't or wouldn't have chosen. Makes me think of the verses I was reading today in Hebrews 11... faith is all about being sure of what we do not see.

God showed His care for me last week in this way... I took the T-bird to Columbus to spend some time with Helen, spending one night there. We had not driven the T-bird too much all winter, but we had pulled it out of Dad's garage since the Escort had a caliber that was stuck. Anyhow, the T-bird has had low oil pressure since last fall and the check engine light kept coming on. This made me nervous. Gerald said if the gauge went in the red, there would be the danger of ruining the engine. Not to comforting when the needle is like an 1/8 of an inch away. So, I fretted the whole way to Columbus. The next morning, I kept praying about the trip back.... with the mindset "Please God, don't let anything bad happen." Suddenly, He stopped me with the thought, "You won't have peace if you keep relying on the hope that I will keep the car running. You will have peace when you claim the promise that I will be near you, whatever I allow to happen for my glory." I started thanking God for His presence... and I kept on the whole way home, having a wonderful trip without any fear. About ten minutes from home, the oil pressure needle crept up to 1/4! The next day, it went completely back to normal! Did He touch our car? I can't say for sure, but I know He traveled with me.

Gerald was my Knight once again on Valentine's Day, taking me out to eat at Mohican Castle. Rhonda and her boyfriend offered to keep Nicholas for the evening, so we had an old-fashioned date. =-)

Valentine Cookies

2006-02-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed half a day at Kendra's house, baking valentine cookies, chatting, looking at pictures... as well as, caring for little ones! I thought if any of you busy moms are too busy to make cut out hearts, here would be an easy alternative that your children might like to help with, especially if you have girls who like pink!

Strawberry and Cream Cookies
French Vanilla cake mix
Strawberry cake mix
Add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, and 1 T of flour to each mix. Spread vanilla dough into a 9x9 dish. Then top with strawberry dough. Dip out with spoon and roll dough into small balls of swirled colors. Bake 350, 8 minutes.

A special verse for today..."for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Oh, one more thing...more dating stuff. Does anyone know Bethann Wadel and Larry Kaufman? She called me yesterday to tell me the news, and I had to laugh because... Several years ago, after I had enjoyed a term at CBS, a Beachy Bible School, I had tried to convince her to go. (Larry would have been there if she would have gone.) Then I started dating a Beachy fellow, and told her how great it was. She's the second one of my Mennonite friends to follow my example of entering into the Beachy world! =-) It's interesting, too, that Gerald knows Larry and his brother, Lonnie.

Dating News

2006-02-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

Linda, Gerald's sister, had her first date down in Belize!!! We all have mixed feelings about that... excitement, as well as, uh, I don't know what to call it. Rojo (we can't pronounce his real name!) is minister in a church down there. The possibility of marriage maybe means Linda living in Belize permanently. Seems strange too, that since we haven't met him... we can't imagine their dates. =-) We are excited that, from what we hear, he is an outstanding fellow.

One highlight of our week-end was hearing eleven of my cousins each read a five-minute tribute to grandmother. From these readings, I realized these are a few ways in which I hope to be like her:
-- She has determination and spunk
--- She makes each day interesting because she's interested in so many people, places, and projects
-- She has a grateful heart
(She's been deaf for about 60 years, but has accepted that graciously)
-- She has passed her faith and values on to those after her

The Landis Clan

2006-01-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

By the way, Nicholas has cousins, twenty-five of them. The problem is they all live out of state. We only have a complete get together every two years when my oldest sister and family travel the three day trip in from New Mexico. The family is scattered also in Tennesse, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Mom and Dad live in West Virginia (some of the time... they travel A LOT). You can imagine how special it is to have my youngest sister, Helen, living in OH with me. (She's sitting next to me in the picture)

We'll be seeing some of the family tomorrow in VA. Grandmother is turning 100, so we're going to honor her and celebrate. I dread the seven hour trip, mostly because it seems so hectic, leaving after Gerald gets home from work. Our night of sleep will begin in the wee hours of the morning. Cousin Krista and her two girls are going with us, so that will make traveling more fun.

I think God had his timing perfect again today. Listen... Irene called just after lunch and wondered if I could go be with her daughter, Kristen, who had just hit a deer. First, I needed to stop at the gas station to tell her friend who was planning to meet her there, what had happened. Just as I pulled up to tell Susanna the news, out walked Marcus, the minister from our church! He had plenty of time to stay with Kristen and get the problem solved. Perfect for God to send a man to take care of the situation. I feel helpless at a time like that! (Visit Irene at http://www.xanga.com/PeacefulLady)

My tidbit of advice for anyone who has children... supervise them very carefully around pets! Nicholas adores our cat, chasing her and giving her many hugs. Yesterday, I heard him giggling, and the cat was licking his fingers. Before I knew what had happened, he was licking the cat! And she has LONG hair! Yuck!

Have a great Week-end!

James and Doris Landis Family
Left to right: Allen (4th child) and Sandra Landis....they live in TN and have 2 girls
Darrell and Fonda (3rd)... live in PA and have 4 boys and 2 girls
Eldon and Eppie (2nd)... live in GA and have 5 boys and 2 girls (one more on the way)
Beryl (5th) and Beth Landis... live in GA and have 3 girls (one more on the way)
Paul and Diane(1rst) Kaufman... live in NM and have 3 boys and 4 girls
Matt and Helen(7nth) Petersheim... live an hour from us... Matt is studying at OH State for engineering and Helen works full time as a bank teller
Gerald and Grace (6th) Eicher

2006-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Family Introduction

2006-01-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'll start out by introducing you to the extended family. =-) This picture of the Eichers was taken just before Jason and Linda (brother and sister in left corner) departed for Belize after Christmas vacation. They serve at Cayo Deaf Institute. Rhonda, in the front, has a job painting doors and is very happily dating. Jolene, center back, is secretary at a local school. Philip, Dad, and Gerald work together in their own trimming business. Mom happily does the Grandma "thing". Don't you think Nicholas needs some cousins?! In case you haven't figured it out, Gerald and I are the folks on the far right.

Fixed...not fixed

2006-01-26T18:18:00.001-08:00

Okay, I confess, I don't know what I'm doing with the settings. I tried to fix the commenting problem... whatever! One of these days, I will get some pictures posted as well. Maybe, that is.

Amish Funeral

2006-01-26T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today we went to grieve with our friends, Krista and Lonnie, as they said farewell to Lonnie's Dad. It was the first Amish funeral I was at... very interesting culteral experience. The organization of several hundred people in two separate shops was fascinating to watch... also how everyone pitched in to make no work for the family for the past three days. I was very impressed at their openness in allowing Krista's Dad, my uncle who is a Mennonite, preach one of the sermons. Great to actually be able to understand something... the rest of the service was in German\Dutch.
We enjoyed seeing out of state friends from Maryland, David and Joanna Myers. Some of you would know Keith and Jeanne, who were there as well.

Thoughts of the week

2006-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

One evening, we watch the video, "The Great Escape", a story of some soldiers who escaped prison during WW II. Took me a while to go to sleep, of course. You know, that war was only about fifty years ago. There's fighting in many parts of the world today, and I started to imagine war here in the states... here in OH... here in Mt. Vernon. The fear, the violent scenes, the cruelty of death, the separation of family... we know nothing of that life. Are our beliefs and faith strong enough in God to carry us through such a time? Are we spending our time wisely in the freedoms and luxury of today?

It's been unsettling and soul-searching this week. You see, we've been believing that God is directing us to a church. Peace and happiness filled our hearts. Then the past couple days, some very dear people really questioned us. One said we are living by the power of our flesh and we are compromising. How much of it is true? Have we fooled ourselves? How much do we follow the advice and wisdom from others and yet leap out to make our own choices? Maybe we need to go by the peace that God gives... maybe he directs Christians to raise these issues, not to change our minds, but to cause us to search our hearts and to purify us. Any thoughts?

Living in the power of the flesh has been on my mind recently anyway. Philipians 3 blessed me this morning. Paul said he laid all his own "goodness" aside that He could know Christ and the power of the resurrection.

A Schedule!

2006-01-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

This feels great... my scooter (Nicholas, 15 months) is napping, the toys are picked up and the dishes are washed. That may sound simple to you... but I've been working on disciplining myself to a schedule. Gerald and I were married for three years before Nicholas showed up. I got in the bad habit of sleeping too much, eating anytime of day, and going away ALL, nearly all, the time. The last year I have been frustrated at my own inefficiency at being a homemaker. I feel God has been working in my heart, directing me to be more self-disciplined in this area. Seems that when I am sluggish in my responsibilities, I am also sluggish in the fight for truth. I want to be a victorious warrior! Simple issues can hinder!
Anyway, I now decided as part of the schedule, I'll make myself wait til this time of day to go blogging. That's hard to do because I like to get the latest on you all in the mornings.

Why am I doing this?

2006-01-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to figure out why I really want to blog. When I told a few of my friends I wanted to try it, I could tell the idea didn't appeal to them at all.
Maybe I like the idea of talking to no one in particular. As a child, I'd talk out loud to myself a lot. The problem is I never outgrew the habit. (It's really embarrassing when you realize you're rambling away in a grocery parking lot!) I often go to great lengths explaining things in my mind... blogging seems like an outlet. No one has to listen. But if they do, they can think what they want. Having it written down, I don't have to re-explain the whole scenario twenty times at midnight when I'm trying to sleep.
Maybe I like the idea of having "secret" friends. I'll never know exactly who reads it. Seems mysterious.
Maybe I like the idea of having the courage to open my life up to others. I'm a little jealous reading others' blogs that they are letting others peek inside their lives.
Maybe this is one way of keeping a journal, something I've always done in my ideals but not for more than half a year at a time in reality.
Maybe this will keep me more aware of the beauty, blessings, and timeless moments of life if I have the goal of writing them down.
Maybe... probably most of all... I like to make new friends. Changing friendships keep life colorful.