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| I am an AmericanHe was a man without a country.
His father used a lifetime of savings to send him from Kuwait to America to get an education...
He'd been in America for only two weeks when he joined the Virginia Military Institute... And was the only recuit who didn't know how to do a push up. He collapsed after running two miles in 18 minutes.
Four years later...
ha!
as if I would spoil the story. 
Adnan Barqawi has a pretty good idea of what America represents even if so many of it's own citizen's have forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4_0L2ZJAvQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zejvNWt65VI&feature=player_embedded
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| When Playing Becomes RealDid I ever tell you that I grew up with
not one,
not two,
but FIVE boys?
yeah.
It was pretty much amazing.
My mom's best friend had five boys all around my age. Made for some good times. Especially when our moms were busy and didn't mind what we played so long as we were quiet. heeeheee.
I especially liked when we played 'army'... because I was the 'nurse.'
Definitely less awkward than when I had to be someone's 'wife.' ehem. Moving on...
One touch from my lil' hand would cure the 'deadest' soldier.
Very convenient, as there wasn't a whole lot of time to be wasted in convalescence.
Then came the time when playing Army Nurse seemed so so so far away.
It would take a lot more than just a friendly wack to make things better.
somewhere...
there's beautiful girl who smiles all day, but cries herself to sleep at night.
a boy in youth group who smile but his eyes plead for answers to the pain of losing everything...
there's a little girl whose daddy left and isn't coming back.
don't forget chap who thought life couldn't get any worse at school... and then his best pal slipped up and got expelled.
And just when you think it can't get any worse, your phone rings.
A girl who you were going to have coffee with just ran away from home.
oh God... where are you?
The more you seek to bandage/heal/cheer/comfort/knock sense into/meet needs of those in this cold dark world, the more you learn:
This time, only the Great Physician has what it takes to heal and make boo boos all better.
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| more to the story than you can see|
| Scene: Oldest Sister is ruthlessly ransacking and organizing the Middle Sister's closet.
The Middle Sister stands by, ready for orders.
OS: (emerges from the fray, triumphantly holding a hanger) "Oh! I love this skirt!" Never mind that the OS bought that very 'bootiful' black swirly skirt for the MS... And the MS said that it looked like an Old Lady skirt. "But it's something I would wear!" the OS protested."That's what I mean, " patiently explained the MS.
ahem. Moving on...
MS: (eyes skirt dubiously) "I'm still not sure about it..." OS: (grabs the 'bootiful' long swirly skirt and prances around the room) "I could've daaaaaaaaanced all night......... I am dancing, I am flying, and he's taking me UP TO THE SKIES!!"
MS: "That's what I'm afraid of...." *cough*
ahem.
yes.
By the end of the night, the OS was quoting icanhazcheezburgers. (I feel like I should insert here that this is NOT a daily occurrence. EHEM.) The dear MS looked up, "Didi, I want to be like you... You just do whatever and don't care what anybody says...." bless her heart. if only she knew...................
about the lonely years... standing on the outside looking in... always being the Odd One.
that lessons of 'dying' to lesser things has reaped things much more precious than whatever pride and personal feelings were 'sacrificed.'
one day, she will understand.
but for now,
she will just think that she has a Crazy Oldest Sister. |
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| Recent Conversation between Beloved Siblings sprawled on a Old Picnic Blanket:Me: Littlest Sister, what happened to your arm?
Little Sister (10): (comfortably munching on a carrot) Littlest Brother did it.
Littlest Brother (7): Me? I don't remember that...
Littlest Sister: (still comfortably munching on a carrots) Yup. You and your TALONS.
Little Brother: (looking at his hands) Hmm. My talons ARE getting long. Soon I might grow wings. Then I would be an EAGLE. And you would probably HUNT me.
Littlest Sister: Yeah, we'd hunt you -- because we'd miss you. <3
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| Words of Wisdom from the Littlest Bro"Elizabeth M---- ! DISCRETION PLEASE! 
no, that was not my mom.
that was the Littlest Brother bravely endangering his life by randomly hollering in his very best Mom Voice when he knew Mom was talking to me on the phone. 
hehe. It should be noted his discretion is developing... --- Sometimes it's so hard to just let go and let God do what needs to be done. The Miss Fix-It Mode switches to full blast when word comes of a new earth shattering crisis or heartrending drama... And sometimes, there are calls to be made. And talks to be had. And hugs to be given. And ice cream to be served.
But sometimes, you just have your fingers out of the pie and let God take the whole thing. 
Isaiah 26:3
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Although, ice cream is seldom amiss, regardless of the crisis...
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