To believe in me is to believe in my dreams.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

God Is So Good

God is so good
God is so good
God is so good
He's so good to me

He answers prayer
He answers prayer
He answers prayer
He's so good to me



I had quite the scare last night when my best friend Tessa called me just after 5 in the morning. She was crying hysterically and couldn't get me to understand her words. All she could say was "I can't see. I can't see. I need to go to the hospital. I can't see." She hung up before I could say anything.
It turns out that while she was working on a weed eater, the carburetor cleaning fluid back sprayed into her eyes. She was in agonizing pain. A few years ago, Tessa contracted a sickness called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which is a life-threatening skin condition that affects the mucous membranes. Her eyes were damaged severely during that time and still have not healed completely. Her eyes are very sensitive to sunlight, and the right one was messed up so bad she no longer can produce tears in that eye. Whenever anything gets into it, she has to use artificial tears and eye drops to flush it out. So her eyes cause her constant agitation. Having this chemical sprayed full force into these already-damaged eyes has caused her major discomfort. And that's a huge understatement. In her own words, "It was horrendous. I never, EVER, want to feel pain like that again. NEVER."
She was blinded immediately. It was a wonder she could find the right buttons to push to call me on the phone. She somehow made it to the bathroom and started flushing her eyes with water and her special eye drops. The chemicals had already eaten through the top layer of her right eyeball.
Several hours passed before she would  finally answer all of my frantic texts. I didn't know what was going on or what had happened to her. The only answers I got then were "I can't see text. I can't see. Can't text." I finally was able to get a somewhat clear answer around 10 this morning. I asked her where she was, the hospital or at home, and drove out to see her at home. The entire 30 minute drive, I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to heal her. I begged Him to restore her sight. To take away her pain. When I arrived, she was asleep. I knew she had not slept all night so I did not try to wake her. When she did wake, she was still in pain. But it had lessened. And she could start to see bright lights and dark shapes.
Within the first 15 minutes I was with her, her left eye had cleared up. The right was still unbearable to even try to open. But my prayers were heard. God chose to answer them as I requested. By the time I left her at midnight, her left eye was back to normal and she was seeing clearly through it. The right is still very agitated, but she was able to force it open to check her vision. Her vision has been restored. The burns will heal. Praise God for miracles and thank Him for His goodness!


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Owatonna


No words can describe how I felt when I first caught a glimpse of this town. I felt like I was returning home after a long and tiring vacation. I was excited. I was energized. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. I did both. I wasn't in the city limits for five minutes before I knew: This is where I want to spend the rest of my life. This tiny town an hour south of Minneapolis captured my attention and my heart.
Here's to brighter days ahead :)

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Musings


"Can you send forth lightning that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'?"
Job 38:35

Lightning storms used to terrify me. They no longer do. Why not? Because God is in control. In Job chapter 38, God is speaking to Job about how powerful He is. He is in control of the lightning and thunder. He is in control of the rain and floods. He is in control of the morning.

 “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning,
and caused the dawn to know its place?" 12

“Who has cleft a channel for the flood,
          or a way for the thunderbolt?" 25

These thoughts comfort me, and leave me awestruck at the same time. Deep, deep stuff...

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Reality is a Lovely Place

But I wouldn't want to live there.


I spend a lot of time daydreaming. All day long, countless dreams and fantasies flutter through my mind like butterflies on a sunny day. I sometimes sink so deep into my thoughts I am startled when reality awakens me. I long to not only chase my dreams, but to live them. To be them. They are not impossible to achieve; it's just hard to get started. I am a procrastinator when it comes to living my dreams. I need a little push now and then. A little encouragement. Someone to stand beside me and cheer me on.

Many people in my life have doubted me, told me that I could never make my dreams a reality. I push those people out of mind. I don't need to be discouraged. I try to surround myself with friends and family who believe in me. To believe in me is to believe in my dreams.

Thank you to all those who have helped me so far. I couldn't have made it to where I am today without you.

I Need A Hug

It's been sort of a blah day. Not even a cherry vanilla cream Dr. Pepper with extra cherry and extra cream could cheer me up.

Monday, June 11, 2012

I Like Dreamin'


I like dreamin'
Cause dreamin' can make you mine
I like dreamin'
Closing my eyes and feeling fine
When the lights go down
I'm holding you so tight
Got you in my arms
And it's paradise 'til the morning light

I see us on the shore beneath the bright sunshine
We've walked along St Thomas beach a million times
Hand in hand, two barefoot lovers kissin' in the sand
Side by side, the tide rolls in
I'm touching you, you're touching me
If only it could be

I like dreamin'
Cause dreamin' can make you mine
I like dreamin'
Closing my eyes and feeling fine
When the lights go down
I'm holding you so tight
Got you in my arms
And it's paradise 'til the morning light

Through each dream how our love has grown
I see us with our children and our happy home
Little smiles, so warm and tender looking up at us
Blessed by love, the world we share
Until I wake and reach for you
And you're just not there

I like dreamin'
'Cause dreaming can make you mine
I like holding you close and touching your skin
Even if it's in my mind
Sweet dream baby, I love you
Oooh, my sweet dream baby
Don't keep me waitin' all my life
I need you
Sweet dream baby, I love you
Oooh, sweet dream baby
You in my dreams every night

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Bum, Bum, Bum, Bum...

Two of my siblings are trying to play the Veggie Tales theme song on trombone... Key word is "trying."

I Was A Happy Child

Thinking back on my life as a child, I realize I spent a lot of time dancing...

2 AM

The lingering question kept me up
2 AM, who do you love?
I wonder 'til I'm wide awake