Spastic Polka

I have recently discovered the greatness that is "Gilmore Girls". It's the best therapy! Today's episode featured Lorelai and her mother Emily spending QT together at a spa. I loved this quote from daughter Lorelai regarding her tumultuous mother-daughter relationship...

"Life with my mother is 1 step forward and 5000 steps backward. It's like the spastic polka." - Lorelai Gilmore

Thankfully, I have a wonderful mom, who is completely unlike Emily on Gilmore Girls.

Anniversaries, Pergolas and HOA's...

My sweet husband planned a very special getaway for our first anniversary. We traveled to Fredricksburg, Texas and stayed in an authentic log cabin built circa 1882. It's called Allen's Log Cabin. He also surprised me with a laptop for our anniversary gift. I am very thankful for such a thoughtful husband. I know I'm loved, because smack dab in the middle of the NBA playoffs, my DH (dear husband) found the time to plan such a great surprise!

And now with my new laptop, I am able to stay connected with my friends through blogging. I have been hesitant to post because I didn't think I had much to contribute...But tonight the blogging bug hit me and I decided to try it.

In other breaking news, we are attempting our first ever home improvement project. We are erecting a cedar pergola

(noun - An arbor or a passageway of columns supporting a roof of trelliswork on which climbing plants are trained to grow.) [Italian, from Latin pergula.]

I know you were dying to know the definition and origin. I could have included the pronunciation, but I stopped myself.

Currently, we're trying to expedite the HOA's appoval so we can really complete the project this weekend. It's a little frustrating that we have to pay an annual fee to have someone tell us what we can or cannot build in our backyard.

*Well, I had pictures uploaded, but blogger ate them??

What lights your fire and won't let you go?

I just got off the phone with a precious friend of mine. Talking with her always brings up difficult questions. I've known her since she was in 4th grade. She is now 20 and her life has been full of challenges. She was born into a cycle of poverty. Her father was killed early in her life and her mother raised her and her two brothers. I met her through a program at ACU called Treadaway Kids. Meeting her and her brothers changed my life.


Why is her life so hard? What can I do to help her? Over the years, we have grown as close as sisters. I am always amazed at her strength and courage. She is unselfishly loyal to her family. She wants to go to college and repay all those who've shown kindness to her along the way. However, everytime she sets out to break the cycle that she's in, she faces another crisis. Most recently her brother was stabbed (he will make it). He was mistaken for someone else.


I want to learn how to help her. I know there are so many people like her trying to survive and break the cycle of poverty. Why was I so blessed?


These questions haunt me but also light a fire in my soul. I know Jesus had a reason for saying "the poor would always be among us." I also know we are to "help the widow and orphan in their distress, to give to anyone who asks of us and love the Lord with all our soul, heart and mind..." Is it my job to reconcile these statements?


And just now, I saw Rembrandt whitestrips on T.V. that are very appealing. I have a broken computer sitting in my study and lots of clothes in my closet. My friend has never had a computer and has never had the luxury of shopping for the sake of shopping.


This is my dilemma. I am constantly struggling between living by the fire in my soul and living by my fleshly desires. Thank God that He is in control. I trust Him with my friend and I trust him with these questions.