Have you ever . . . .

Have you ever put your hope into something that you know will never happen, but you continue to hope because hoping for it has become a habit?

Have you ever wanted to give up on something so desperately, but hope got in the way?

Have you ever hoped for things to go differently?

Have you ever hoped for something to change?

Have you ever hoped for something new?

Have you ever hoped for love?

Have you ever hoped for something good?

Have you ever hoped for faith?

Have you ever been frustrated by a hope deferred?

Have you ever been disappointed by a hope destroyed?

Have you ever stopped and realized that the only way you managed to get through a day, a month, a year, a life was because of hope?

Have you ever discovered true hope only to realize that you’ve been putting hope into all the wrong things?

Have you ever wondered if we could survive without hope?

I have.

Sometimes I wish I was 2 too!!!

The more time I spend with toddlers, the more I love 'em!! Sometimes after a day of teaching or after a visit with my niece I think to myself, 'wouldn't it be nice to be 2 agian.' :)

Ten Reasons why being a toddler just rocks!!

1. Everything you say or do is absolutey adorable and people are smiling around you all the time.
2. You can act silly or crazy and not be judged by anyone.
3. There's so much to learn and so much to explore.
4. Everything is an adventure, from going to the potty to combing your hair - everything!!
5. You're not afraid to try anything.
6. You get to play with the coolest toys.
7. Giggles are common.
8. You're not afraid to say what you think.
9. The songs you sing are fun fun fun and silly:)
10. Your imagination is starting to flourish and the simplest things can be the most extragagant.

mmmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmm!

It's that time of year again, Blood Orange season. Ahhh how I love blood oranges! My Mom bought me some today, cause she knows I love 'em and thought that I needed some cheering up. I didn't have any of those sweet, yet bitter, yet scrumptious crimson tainted oranges last year because for some reason they are not exported to small town Indiana . . . or they weren't last year anyway and I do recall being utterly disappointed.
The Blood Orange, yet another reason why I'm still appreciating being in my sweet, yet bitter, yet scrumptious, crimson painted Home, even after almost 6 months of being here.

Opera Quotes

" Tenors are like the diarrhea,

you just never know when they are going to start running!"

- Giuseppe Macina

I just can't resist but posting some of the great quotes from our beloved opera director at TOR. He just seems to come up with some real gems on a regular basis that make us all smile:) What makes it really cute is the way he says it in his dramatic Italian accent:) I'm sure that there will be plenty more where that came from for me to post in the next few months.

Hiding in Thee

(Painting - The Psalmist- Gwen Meharg)

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Blessed be the Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,Thou blest Rock of Ages,I’m hiding in Thee.

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Blessed be Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.


Hymn - William O. Cushing

Radiate

This is a prophetic piece of art created especially for me by my friend Joy. Unfortunately my photo doesn't do justice to the real life vibrant pastel drawing. I'm not entirely sure what it all means. Joy described some of the images to me and I know that it addresses a part of my heart that needs to see it because I feel absolutely encouraged when I look at it. The only word that comes to mind is "radiate" so that's what I titled it. How amazing is it that God would use His creativity through us to encourage, to heal and to inspire. Thanks Joy for giving me such a beautiful gift:)