Prayer Life

I have been pretty down on myself about my prayer life and lack of prayer lately. Thinking that I've really sucked at keeping up my part of the conversation. After I asked for prayers for those in the path of the hurricane, I got to thinking about my prayer habits and what they have really been like over the past few months.

I've been struggling with most daily activities, so I thought that prayer obviously had gone by the wayside. Daily, people tell me that they are praying for me, for my comfort, my treatment, for more good days. And every time I say "yes, please do, I really appreciate it." All of this time I was thinking about how I was lacking in this department, that I wasn't praying the way I should be in this time of my life.

And then I got to thinking about people who I find important in my life, people who are struggling with things that may be similar or vastly different than what I am handling. I was thinking about friends from home, friends in Columbus, friends across the country, and how often I think of them. And I realized that every time I think of them, and imagine what it would feel like to be them, I offer up a little prayer for their safety, for guidance, for comfort. So, my prayer life might not have dried up as much as I thought it had.

I sure am grateful for all the prayers I have received, and for all the ways I've been blessed in my life, and I make that gratefulness known on a regular basis. But how often do I actually pray for myself? I keep everyone else in my life so uplifted in prayer, that I often forget the one person I am closest to. Then I get down on myself because I am not praying the way I should be. I've been rereading Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies and she talks about sometimes her prayers consist of "help me, help me, help me" and "thank you, thank you, thank you." If this is enough for her, could it possibly be enough for me?

I also recently read Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love where a friend tells her that she should not be afraid to ask for exactly what we want. Glibert like myself does not feel comfortable doing this, but her friend encourages her do to so, explaining that her case will at least be heard. This makes sense, what I want, may not be the thing that God wants for me, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Just like it doesn't hurt to ask Santa for a pony. I'm going to try not to be disappointed if what I want doesn't line up with what God is doing in my life... But who knows maybe I will get even just a portion of what I ask for.

So I will continue to pray for those who I love and care about, for those who I haven't met yet, and I will continue to give praise for all the blessings I have received. But perhaps from now on, I will add a little petition for myself, in hopes that I will be led in the direction that works for everyone.

Know that I am praying for you.

Gustav Update

Overnight the winds of Gustav died down to a category 3 hurricane. This doesn't mean much, considering they can build again at anytime. The storm is expected to fall west of New Orleans, but again, also can change course at anytime. It's still important to remember that even if the storm doesn't directly hit those affected by Katrina, the flooding can still be significant. This can be scary for all those still living in trailers on the coast.
Keep praying.

Hurricane Gustav

The 3 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina just occurred this past week in the midst of preparing for an eerily similar storm, Hurricane Gustav. Please keep Katrina victims, residence of the Gulf Coast, evacuees, their family members, and the workers who are preparing for the storm in your prayers.

I've been keeping an eye on the storm and anxiously hoping that things will not be as bad as they look. As most of you know, last summer I visited the Mississippi Gulf Coast twice to help with the Katrina Recovery efforts and they were not even close to attaining any sense of normalcy in their lives. Now with Gustav lurking just around the corner, I can't imagine how the people who I met are feeling.

I am hoping with all the hope that I have that the government gets it right this time. That evacuations are being planned and aid is being sent to those who can not evacuate on their own. I am also hoping that people do not make the mistake of sticking around thinking that this will all just be a false alarm.

This afternoon while comfortably watching the first week of college football at Paul's house, he called his friend Matt who lives in Mississippi. While Matt is only an acquaintance, I had been thinking about his preparation for the storm. He owns a house a few block away from the beach in Mississippi and this is his second hurricane season in the area, but it is the first big storm that he has prepared for. He was getting ready to evacuate with all important documents and irreplaceables, including a cat. Without much idea of where he would go he was heading north as soon as he was done packing. Ohio is about 12 or so hours away, and he was thinking he might just come this way to be with friends and family during the storm. I pray that all will go well for him, and that no damage will come to his house.

Please pray with me for everyone, and keep your eyes on the weather and gulf coast. I will post here as there are more updates, and if I hear anything from Matt. You could do me a huge favor by posting here that you are praying, as just a little show of support for all of those involved in the storm.
Thank you.

P.S. You can go to campcoastcare.com to see any updates and needs that the camp I attended last summer might have. Keep the staff in your prayers as they pack up, they are all amazing people and really care about all those who have been victims and are potential victims.

With the Nephew

From Pottery

Kids

I like spending time with kids.

If you let them, they will get as close to your face as possible. They study the way your face looks, the way your eyes move, they even look at your teeth.

Yet, my face, under all the scrutiny of a child's eyes is never judged. It might be questioned, and mine certainly has been questioned. On more than one occasion, a little friend of mine has asked me about my nose ring. She questions it, always while she is only inches away from my face, and usually tracing my nose and its ring with her finger.

The first time she asked I explained to her it was a piece of jewelry, like she might wear a necklace, or someone else might wear earrings. Even at her young age, she wants to know how it got there, and why it's there, and if it is always going to be there.

By now she knows the answers to these questions, but she still gets in my face looking at it again to make sure nothing has changed. And she asks the questions again.

Maybe by this time, it becomes a game that we play. I hope it doesn't stop for a long while. Because I like the closeness of a child's face. I like to be studied, I like to not be judged.

For mom

Me on Etsy

A friend of mine commented a few photos down, that she would "so buy a poster of this"!

Hold on to your hats! Because now you CAN buy things that I post here, and oh so much more.

I've opened a store called The Pink Woobie and it can be found at http://thepinkwoobie.etsy.com

Etsy is a store devoted to people selling handmade things. It's a great idea to get people involved in the gift giving process. Sure you could go to the mall or to Wal-Mart (please don't) for your next holiday shopping spree, but it would be more special to buy handmade. You will feel good about it, I promise, and the person who receives the gift will be impressed of your thoughtfulness.

What's a Pink Woobie you might ask? Well, while I don't want to spoil the surprise for the unveiling of my actual Pink Woobies, I will let you know that a pink woobie is something that is soft, and comforting, and always puts a smile on your face.

I only have a few things posted at my store at this time, which includes hats, scarves, and photos, but I do take custom orders and special requests. So please feel free to check it out, e-mail me through the site or contact me however you know how.

Also I have a "gadget" in my sidebar that will show you some of my products and link you directly to my store. Please check it out. I'd love to have you as a customer.

taughannock falls

taughannock falls, originally uploaded by pnkwoobie.

i almost look professional.

You are the music

music lasts, originally uploaded by pnkwoobie.

This picture, from a friends collection, inspired my last post.
Thanks Sarah!

Mountain Top Removal

Mountain top removal makes me sad. I am actually sitting here almost crying just to think about it.

The worst part is, it's so easy to not think about. I live in central Ohio where there isn't a whole lot going on mountain wise. Just a few hours away however mountains are being blown up for cheap coal. This process isn't just destroying beautiful mountains, but are polluting the waters of the communities that exist within them.

I always get so frustrated when I'm reminded of how insufficiently I am think about not just my impact on the environment, but what others are doing as well. Especially when it can be stopped.

I'll be posting some information on my blog for you all to learn a little more about mountain top removal and hopefully spread the word. In the meantime go here: ilovemountains.org

Think about how you would feel if your favorite mountain disappeared.

sometimes i feel inferior to everyone else.

you've always heard, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

well all i have to say are horrible, wretched, angry things right now. so i've been posting nice things for you to look at.

Neon India

oink

peace signs

"peace signs are what hippies use." -- johnny the five year old

self portrating

self portrating, originally uploaded by pnkwoobie.

I Hear Them All

Emotions

I was one of the most emotional people on earth this weekend. I just did a big project of scanning old pictures from high school into my Mom's computer and then posting them on my facebook. I will post some of them here too.

I was just remember all the great and crazy things I use to do. I didn't have stupid doctor's appointments or bills to pay. I've had the hardest year of my life and it just makes everything that much more emotional.

I wasn't sad, or mad, or anything. I wouldn't change what my life has become for anything (I mean I could do with a little less illness) but I don't regret any of my decsions. Just missing all the really great times I've had in the past. But that is life I guess and everyone moves on, whether they want to or not.

Forutnately I was able to spend some time with a really good friend, Holly, tonight. She has two boys and they came over and played with my nephew while we visited. She's been such a good friend and I am so lucky to have her. I just hope that I'm being the same kind of friend in return.

Good friends are hard to come by these days. Not that I don't have any good friends. I have many, probably more than I deserve. Sometimes its just so hard to return the favor. Not to mention those times when you are having a bad day, sometimes you want one particular friend, no matter how great other friends are. But when you are longing for that one person, sometimes you find that they aren't there anymore. And that sucks more than anything.

Now I'm crying again....ugh. Enjoy the pictures if they ever get loaded.

It's me.

If you are ever wondering who is reading your blog, checking out your facebook page, or googling your name for cute pictures. It's me. I pretty much have no life.

Blog Action Day 2008

Hi folks, I've gotten in on the action early and have registered for Blog Action Day 2008. It will take place on October 15th and this years topic is poverty.
Seems like this should be an easy one, but with all there is to write, I will have to think long and hard about it. It will give me something to do, in between dreams.

You should get in on the action too. You can sign up at http://blogactionday.org.

Now That's Something You Don't See Everyday

So like I've said, I've been having these wonderful conversations with my nephew Johnny. This week he is participating in Camp Invention, and he is soaking all these great skills up, ie. problem solving, creating.

Yesterday was "bad hair day" but because of his short blond hair there isn't much on that front to make it all so bad. So in the car the conversation turned to my hair. Before he has called my dread locks, funny weird, and crazy. But he never actually knew what they were called. So I explained that my hair style was called dreadlocks.

Without missing a beat he says "Now that's something you don't see everyday."

I suppose I am something you don't see everyday. You (the reader) recognize that in me, or at least I percieve that you do. If I'm lucky, I will always be something you don't see everyday.

Mostly I'm a Mess

So I haven't blogged in a long time. My friend Jim e-mailed me yesterday to say that he had been inspired by me and started his own blog. So I figured I better at least post SOMETHING here if I'm going to be inspiring people.

Mostly I've just been a big medical mess. On paper I'm super healthy. In real life not so much. I have a bunch of appointments coming up soon. So hopefully I will get some answers.

I also go back to school on the 26th. Only trying one class, we will see how it goes. I'm excited to see people again.

I've been writing, so I think I will post some of that. And then maybe, eventually I will post some pictures I have taken recently. But I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I've been spending time in Ithaca NY with my sister and her family. It's been wonderful. It's a great place to be, and I've had the best conversations with my nephew who is five. We get a long great.

Right before I left for here Ryan and I moved into a new apartment in Columbus. I like it, but haven't seen it in awhile. Looking forward to being more in the center of things, but will miss my Delaware friends.

That's about all I can type in one sitting... School should be fun huh?
Stayed tuned for some hopefully good stuff.