Moonlight on The Cove

If You Give a Girl a Dust Rag...

Have you ever read the children's books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, or If You Give a Pig a Pancake? Well today I created my own little story. A true story, no less. Some day when I am famous I will sign it for you.

Ladies and Gentlemen......*drumroll* Introducing.......

If You Give a Girl a Dust Rag

If you give a girl a dust rag, she'll want to dust the living room with it.

While she's dusting, she'll notice some dirt on the windowsill.

Most likely, she'll decide she'd better clean the window too.

While she's in the kitchen trying to find the window cleaner, she'll notice that the kitchen windows are pretty dirty, too... so she decides to do all the windows on that side of the house.

When she's done cleaning the windows, she'll notice that it doesn't look very clean, because the screens are still dirty.

She'll decide to go outside to wash off the screens.

While she's outside, she'll look up and happen to see the outside of the windows.

They're dirty, too, so when she's done with the screens she'll grab a bucket, rag and squeegee and wash those too.

When she's done washing the windows on that side of the house, she'll walk around front to dump the water.

On the way, she'll see that the windows on the other side of the house are dirty too, so she'll start washing them as well.

When all the windows are sparkling clean, she'll sit in front of the picture window in the living room and admire how clean it is:

While she's sitting there, she'll see the dust rag laying on the windowsill.

And chances are,

If she sees the dust rag on the windowsill,

...She'll want to dust the livingroom. :)

Oswald Chambers on humility

I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also —Matthew 5:39

This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.

The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, “Do your duty,” but is, in effect, “Do what is not your duty.” It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, “Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.” Every time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of filling “up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” ( Colossians 1:24 ). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.

Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.

Unbelievable!

Honey has been staying at the Gren's house for the past week, and she leaves tomorrow. She's become a dear friend in this one week that I've known her and I am so, so grateful for the bond we share in Jesus that makes us sisters as well as friends! It's been a special time with her; sharing special moments with Miss Elisabeth, watching old Carey Grant movies together, talking and praying late into the night.

Today was the grand finale of her visit, with a whale watching tour, then lunch and a lazy walk around Gloucester!

Among about 8 whales that we saw (plus a pod of porpoise) a mummy and her baby visited us. So intelligent, curious, majestic, ...peaceful.

As you can imagine, we were just a little sad that the whales didn't come closer to the boat. But... I don't mean to complain or anything.

(...Yeah. That was a joke.)

God.... if your "artwork" is this spectacular, if your design is this overwhelming, I am amazed by you because YOU are indescribable!!

Life in Massechusets

Here's a picture post (an excellent solution since I want to share some pieces of life here with you, but don't feel particularly verbose this evening.) :)

Things are going well and though there are a few bumps in the road every now and then, the Lord's helping me to get used to life here. I love so many aspects of it, which you will see below. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. :)

My exemplar, dear Miss Elisabeth

A breathtaking view of the coastline from my bedroom window: this picture does not at all do it justice! As I lay on my bed and type this, I can hear the crashing waves and see the fluttering light of a lighthouse beaming through the darkness in the distance. It's beautiful here; refreshingly, restoringly, beautiful. Oh and, I am going to swim off those rocks soon. I'm bound and determined.

God is so kind: I wasn't expecting to have friends here so quickly! Curt and Melody are neighbors of ours and I really enjoy their company. They're the kind'a people you feel comfortable just "popping in" to visit... and I know I will take them up on their offer to do so. :) They had us over for dinner before mom left last Tuesday. The girl behind the Grens is Honey, another new friend God gifted me with this week. In fact, we are going whale watching tomorrow. Pictures and maybe a video of that are forthcoming! (I say that as if all you, my readers, will now be on the edge of your seats all day waiting for them! Sheesh. Is that a little egotistical of me!? I don't mean it that way.)

It was wonderful to have mom here for my first week at the Grens. She charmed them with her cooking (since I had no hope of doing so with mine...) and helped me get acclimated to life here. Mom's have a knack for that sort of thing. :) We loved touring around the area a bit and made lots of memories. Thanks Mumsie.

"It ain't easy bein' a lobstah in these pahts."

Mr. Gren persuaded me to try some of the greenish, disgusting, thick yucky gross mushy guts inside the head of the Lobster. I did it because he said he'd give me money if I'd do it and well, desperate times call for desperate measures, as they say. Cruelly, though, he wouldn't let me gulp it quickly or take a sip of water until 5 minutes later. I did it, and I won the money. I also got queazy later that night as the thought of eating the pancreas and kidneys of a lobster churned in my mind. That simply can't be healthy. Urp.

There is something I didn't know about this beautiful place:
No cell coverage. And no internet connection for Mac (my aptly named laptop).
The cold chills and withdrawl shaking began approx. 12 hours after I arrived here and realized that.
But really.... it's good for me. :)
I do welcome emails and calls.... just have to wait until I get into town to recieve them. But don't let that stop you because I love to hear from my friends. :)
Once I get a WiFi connection going, I will post more with pictures!