Cougar our love...

Our cat "cougar"named after our Alma mater team at Washington state University, didn't enter our lives as newly weds in a peaceful manner.

I(yes,just I) brought the little kitten home to a very dismayed Justin. Dismayed because he had specifically told me we could not get a pet. Being in our first year of marriage and 2nd year of pharmacy school it was hard enough feeding ourselves,never mind animals. This was the reasoning of my very logical husband.
I, never known for being logical,had decided that Justin, never having a pet growing up, needed this experience desperately! Maybe I was still testing the waters of his authority or just knowing a tear shed and a bat of my eyes would immediately make him relent, either way, I was not prepared for the response I received.
After a day and a night went by of shocking silence from a couple who normally never stopped talking I admitted my defeat of the battle. I silently prepared to gather up the perfect, sweet, little kitten and take her back to the cruel shelter, the minute my shift ended that night.
On my way up our hillI I mentally prepared the apology speech and delectable dinner I would present to my new husband, as I truly was very sorry and disapointed in myself for dishonoring his request.
I trotted up the stairs, sad about the kitten but pleased at the maturity I felt I was reaching as a wife.
I opened our apartment door to Justin and the cat curled up in a perfect snooze together.
The little kitten had swiped up his heart! He talked of what a great kitten she really was and that loving a pet really was something he always did want to experience. Of course the one stipulation would be that she must be named "cougar" :)

Six happy,rocky,grace filled years later we are happy to have our "cougar" curl up with us still.

She is currently in love with my electric blanket my friend gave me recently, so I took a picture of her on it tonight. Cougar not only is a sweetheart,but every time I look at her I'm reminded of that fabulous first year.

Shopping for a big reason

On Saturday I went to one of our local churches that was hosting a shopping fair for the amazing organization, "ten thousand villages". They are a fair trade non-profit retailer committed to introducing artisans around the world, normally with little chance of being known, to us....shoppers. When we purchase their amazing creations we are supporting their families, providing them with income for food, housing,education and healthcare.
I absolutely love the idea of helping these precious people in such a way, as well as finding unique and beautiful gifts for my loved ones!


This is the sculptor who created the beautiful hippo I found at the market on Saturday. Sculpted out of kisii soapstone only found in Kenya. I have this little hippo resting on our tabletop. He reminds me to pray for this country that has taken hold of my heart, Africa.(Which I will be writing more about soon :))



Shop at this great cause yourself at www.tenthousandvillages.com

I'm Thankful for....

"name one thing you are thankful for"
Being asked that question every year since I can remember, I'm reflecting , this morning, on all my very different answers over the years.

In the beginning: "for my doll "brook"
"for my bike"
"for my baby brother and sisters"

Later: "my best friend Katie"
"my second best friend Julia"
"my third best friend Mindy"

Later: "my family"
"God
(quite a few years of these same answers:))

Later: "my boyfriend Justin"
"my husband Justin"
" good friends to share thanksgiving with while we are away from family"

Recently: "being back with family"
" for mom's strength this year fighting"

Last year: "I'm thankful to have one more thanksgiving as a family"

Today: "that my Mom is healed"
" that I still have Justin"
"that I still have most of my family"
"that I have amazing friends"
"That I'll always have my Saviour"

What are you thankful for at this season of life?

Be "Radical"

This book has changed the way I walk. Recommended by my Uncle, I got it and was immediately humbled. A tragedy has happened in America, our churches and our faith have been sized down to fit our schedules, our comfort levels and our needs.
In 2 Corinthians Paul say's...."I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

That's radical. The bible is radical and so is faith! Why are we so organized, so methodical in our worship, so schedule oriented, and in the box??
Read this book. If your new in your faith and relationship...perfect...maybe you won't ever waste the time I feel I have. If you have a long relationship I pray it will charge you as it has me.
Because of my new "radical outlook" events are happening in my life and I will be excited to share....soon.
Find it at www.radicalthebook.com or of course amazon:)

Back on

It's Monday and my running shoes are back on!! Though now attached are handy ice and snow tracks, no slipping:)
Not being able to run the last few weeks has been very hard. It has become such a great release for me at the end of a day.
I have some goals to run a few races this summer and plan on attempting a half marathon. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Though our Alaska winters are so so cold(brrr) I'm thankful companies such as, "The North Face", "Under Armour","due north" and "REI" make such great cold gear to keep us toasty!

"If one could run without getting tired, I don't think one would often want to do anything else."
C.S. Lewis, "The last battle"

"Wicked" excited....

I'm so very excited to see this show when we are in New York next month!! My husband got our tickets tonight. "broadway" ...so much, excitement,talent, anticipation!! The smells, the feeling you get when you look up at the beautiful theater ceilings. I'm so blessed I get to experience it all again soon. And with my amazing husband this time, he is going to love it!!!

"streams"

"The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,
Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that incloses
Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.
The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,
Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;
The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen
For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.
O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,
Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,
Heaven in the forget-me-not;though sorrow now be sorrow,
Yet sorrow shall be beauty in the magical of the morn."
-Katherine lee Bates
How can a poem, thought and written down over a hundred years ago be written just for me? On the very day I needed it so? I'm so thankful for artists who walked and walk out their gifts every day. It encourages and inspires me to write more,think more,pray more and dream more....