Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving is tomorrow....

We're going to Long Island!!  With us at our cousins' house, and the Hugos having relatives and friends over all day, I don't know if I'll get to see Torie, but I'm hoping something gets worked out...!!!

This last year has made me very thankful....the things I'm most thankful for --

• God -- He is always there, even when things seem horrible.  To lift, assist, or calm you down in many strange way -- He's always there.
• Friends -- Friends are a huge part of life.  When you stumble across one who is truely a loyal close friend for life, there is nothing better.  Nothing.
• Family -- While you don't always get along with your family, there is no better support system then your parents and siblings.
• Health -- You don't realize how important health is until you lose it!!!  I'll never take it for granted again.  I'm very grateful for my drugs.   

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

"Praise You In This Storm" ~Casting Crowns

I have listened to this song a lot over the last few months, and it has come to mean a lot to me.  Up until about the beginning of this past summer, I had never listened to Casting Crowns before, but they are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands.  With all that has gone on this year -- my Papa, my Grandma, and even me -- this song just completely expresses what I have felt so many times.  Life can be extremely overwhelming and even depressing at times, but this song has really served as a check on that for me.  God has been and always will be with us.  He is who He is, no matter where we are...or what we are feeling.  Hearing that whisper through the storm that He is with us is the biggest comfort we can have in troubled times.  For me, this song has been that whisper on many occasions.  It is amazing how the littlest, most random things can remind us of who is standing behind us supporting and carrying us through our problems.  Music is incredible that way.  I remember one time just a couple weeks ago, I was feeling the worst I had felt since August.  I turned on the TV and tried to get FOX clear (oh the joys of no cable) so I could watch the Red Sox game, and for some reason, there was major interference.  As I played with the antennaes, a strange sound came through the speakers.  I twitched the bunny ears a little more, trying to get the sound in clearly.  As it came in stronger, I realized what it was.  I froze as soon as I recognized it, and just sat there listening.  The song played out, no connection to the commercial that was flickering by on the screen.  As it came to an end, I took a deep breath, feeling suddenly completely relaxed and relieved.  The deejay cheerfully came on, "And that was 'You Raise Me Up' played by Josh Groban here on 96.1 WSRS."  A completely non-Christian radio station, playing "You Raise Me Up," while I happen to be fiddling with my TV antennaes trying to get a BASEBALL game in clear.  Hello?  Talk about an amazing small way of whispering through the static.

"Praise You In This Storm"
~Casting Crowns~

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day,
But once again, I say "Amen," and it's still raining.

And as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away .

I will praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands;
For You are who You are,
No matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand;
You never left my side.
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm .

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind.
You heard my cry to You,
And raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone,
How can I carry on
If I can't find you?

And as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

I will praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands.
For You are who You are,
No matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand;
You never left my side.
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.

I lift my eyes into the hills,
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth

I lift my eyes into the hills,
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth

I will praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands.
For You are who You are,
No matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand;
You never left my side.
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm .

And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.

A bit late....

but....

RED SOX

WORLD CHAMPIONS

!!!!!!!!!!!2007!!!!!!!!!!

WORLD SERIES GAME 1...TONIGHT!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I'm excited or anything.

!!!!WOOOOOOT!!!!

Once again I have ignored my xanga.  Whoops.  I'm not much of a blogger...what can I say? 

My trip to New Mexico was great.  We left 4pm on Friday, September 21, and got there Sunday the 23 around 5:00.  Two days, roughly 2200 miles.  Wahoo?  lol.  I added four more states to my list that I have visited, which I believe brings my total to 32.  Only 18 more to go!    I also added to my city list - St Louis, Albequerque, Sante Fe, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City. 

The conferences went really well, although it was really hard not having a few certain people there.  There were many times throughout the week where I caught myself in the middle of something thinking, "Ughh I wish they were here...they'd enjoy this."  Or even just catching myself thinking about them.  That stunk, but it was still fun.    Next year, thank goodness, we don't have a very long drive to get to Nationals.  Buffalo, NY, baby!! 

Also, I found out what has been plaguing me since July.  I have been diagnosed with ulcerative chronic colitis...which basically means I won't ever get better.  I'm on pills for it (12 a day), and those have me back to feeling "normal" even though I am not better.  I'm just happy that they know what it is so I can be treated!!  It was driving me nuts how low my energy level was...and the weight I was losing!  That was horrible.  I am now back to my normal weight, and I have energy again...and I'm back to soccer!!!  Which basically makes my life.    I know, you're stunned.    baha.