Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Good Friends

If you have read much of what I post you know already that I am a bit sentimental. I have good reason to be, because I have been blessed time and again with the dearest of friends and a precious family.

I recieved an email yesterday from my college roommate, Kristi, announcing her recent engagement. It is amazing how a flood of warm feelings and smiles can overwhelm you from just a few written words and a picture of a good friend's smiling face. I just want to take a minute to say this young lady is one of the sweetest and most gentle souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. And I am thankful for the time we shared as roommates. I remember the night of my first date with Luke, the man who would eventually be my husband. I returned to our dorm room all filled up with a gush of excitement and feelings, plopped down on her bed and poured out my heart to her. Throughout those months she was a patient ear to my "gushing," in the whirlwind of falling
in love. I think that's one reason I enjoyed reading her email so much. Hmmmn. Life is so much sweeter with dear friends who can celebrate with us and cry with us and laugh with us. Today I'm celebrating! Congratulations, Kri!

Friday, October 14, 2005

Peach and Daisy





Just had to post these pictures of my gals! Several months ago, my oldest daughter began calling herself Peach and her little sister Daisy. It's always fun to hear them playing and seeing little sister responding to her new nickname almost as quickly as her given name.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Lesson 2: Listen More, Talk Less

As a zealous, somewhat long-winded 19-year-old, I was given the unexpected opportunity to be camp counselor to a cabin full of teenage girls at a district church camp. Being my enthusiastic self, I was very excited to be well recieved and liked by the girls in my cabin and took every opportunity given to pour out my words of wisdom gained by my few years of life experience. Looking back, I'm guessing that I gained more from my orations than the girls. In fact, I'm willing to bet that I really did take away a greater life lesson than any one of those gals who sat figiting, counting ceiling tiles waiting for me to finish talking.
One young lady in my cabin stood out from among the rest and made a lasting impression on me as a person. One evening as I was out walking by myself she came up to me and asked if she could talk with me. Of course, I was expecting her to ask me advise or something like that. Well, I was surprised when she said to me in a very gentle way, " Ruth, I really like you, but you talk too much. You need to learn when you've said enough." Those may not be her exact words but they were her exact sentiments. Constructive critism is a tough pill to swallow. Having someone point out your faults really hurts. But this young lady, in her boldness and honesty, endeared herself to me forever because of her wisdom and gentleness. Her words opened up a whole new area of growth in me....learning to embrace a gentle and quiet spirit, learning to listen, to think and be wise about my words and to say more by saying less. Thanks, Jill. Your kindness has left an imprint on my life and I can never forget you!

"Our 24 Family Ways"

Yesterday my six -year-old son asked me, "Mom, do you think you could make me a list of my jobs so I could do them without having to be asked?" What more need I say? It is really a blessing to see such signs of maturity in our children.

For anyone interested in some great reading on the topic of parenting, may I suggest anything written by Sally and Clay Clarkson? I have been encouraged and equipped by their books. My children and I are particularly enjoying their Our 24 Family Ways color book right now. We are reading and discussing each "family way" and corresponding picture, working on memorizing each and applying them to our daily lives. I have seen some great results in all of us!