I woke up to a white sky today. It’s not too too cold out, but the grayness is definitely a change from our usual sunny skies. I keep having to remind myself that it is November and this kind of weather is typical. Just think, pretty soon we will be going to pick out a Christmas tree!

A few weeks ago my dad and I went to the hardware store one night and picked out a space heater for my room. *Happiness* I’m so in love. Because I’m underweight, I don’t really have any fat on me to keep me warm, so I’m definitely going to be blasting the heat in my room all winter. It’s kind of a relief off my mind, because usually I dread the cold weather. Last year I wore 4-5 layers of clothes every day plus a blanket and was still cold. Now it won’t be bad at all!

This morning my parents were out early, so just my sister and I were at home. Dad left a fire in the fireplace for us, and we got to watch a little of I Love Lucy. That brought back memories of when my mom used to make sandwiches for us for lunch every day. We’d turn on I Love Lucy and eat together at noon. Sweet memories. When you’re young, you never think that you’ll miss things like that. Things change when you get older. I guess it’s a good reminder to live in the moment and savor the good things that you have while you have them.

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Hello to my faithful blog readers! I know that you all haven’t given up on me yet because my stat counter is still clicking away. I apologize for taking such a long bloggy break over here without telling you. Of course, I didn’t really know myself that I would be away so long, but life has a way of happening. :-)

I’ve been away for a couple reasons. The first is because I’ve been posting daily over at my food blog. I have to keep a food diary for my R.D., and combining that with blogging is kind of fun. The second is because I’ve been dealing with some health stuff. I feel like I need to work on myself before I have the time or energy to give to you all. That’s also one of the reasons I haven’t sent out an issue of Grace Notes in awhile.

So now that you know where I’m at, let me get on with an update.

I have had time to read a lot of thought provoking books lately, as well as some for fun. Just to name a few…

Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund
Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne (for book club – not finished yet!)

It is hard to believe that the year 2008 is coming to a close. It’s funny, I started this year out with the best intentions to be healthy, and my plan backfired on me. But anyway, I feel like as this year ends, I want to do a few things to get ready for a new year, including…

Spending time re-focusing my goals, digging deeper in the Word, renewing my relationship with my Savior, filling my mind with biblically based literature and wisdom from mature believers/authors, and getting the lies of Satan out of my head and replacing them with truth.

We all like to make New Year’s resolutions each January, but I think the end of the year also deserves some attention, don’t you? So that’s my plan.

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin” (ESV). Romans 6:6-7

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Happy Reformation Day! On this day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. This officially launched the Protestant Reformation throughout all of Europe.

In his own words, Luther did this “out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light.” Personally at this stage of my life, I am so thankful for people like Luther who strove against the evil forces of wickedness in this world (Eph. 6:12) to proclaim the truth about God and His Word so that people might be set free from the bondage of sin. Praise the Lord.

Now on with an update…

Believe it or not we are having more family from out of state visit us this week and next! Talk about an influx of visitors - it’s pretty cool. My grandparents from ID stopped by yesterday. They dropped off some things at our house and are going to be staying with us for a few days next week. That should be fun.

Yesterday we had our second rain of the season. The first rain was on my birthday way back on the 4th (it always rains on my birthday). Since then we’ve had consistent highs in the 80s, but just yesterday we finally got some wet weather. Boo. It’s supposed to last throughout the weekend.

Last night my family and I went out to dinner! Back in the good old days - in better economic times - we used to always go out for dinner on days that my dad sold a house. We would often make a night of it and go to Barnes and Noble or Borders after we ate, and my dad would buy books for us. Such good memories. So last night was a fun treat.

Afterwards we stopped by the hardware store for some things, and I happened upon an aisle of space heaters. I could hear the Hallelujah Chorus. I SO want to get one of those for my room!!! Last winter I was miserable because I froze every day. But if I had my own heater I think this winter could be passed in pure bliss. :-)

Have a happy Reformation Day!

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I found out the most awful news yesterday. The American Girl Samantha doll is moving into the American Girl archives and will no longer be sold anymore. *sob* That makes me want to cry.

I received the Samantha doll from my grandparents when I was 7 years old, and I still have her and many of her clothes and accessories tucked away in my cedar chest. My grandmother used to LOVE surprising my sisters and I with new things for our dolls for every birthday and holiday. Such memories I have!

I feel devastated. It makes me want to buy all the Samantha accessories that I don’t have, but what would I do with them? I haven’t actually gotten out my doll in years. But I never got her trunk (even though I LONGED for it for years) or commode or doll or a lot of other things. Hm. Anyway…

Thai for lunch yesterday with my aunts and uncle was awesome! I got steamed broccoli, green beans, and spinach topped with chicken all covered in a peanut sauce. They also served white rice on the side. My meal was AMAZING! It wasn’t spicy at all, which was perfect for me. And the peanut sauce was to-die-for! It tasted like PEANUT BUTTER!!! *Drool* I’ll definitely be going back.

Thai food is a winner in my book. Everything was fresher and healthier than typical Chinese food you’d get at somewhere like Panda Express. I’m so glad I got to go.

Last night my two aunts came over to watch one of our family’s all-time favorite classic movies: On Moonlight Bay with Doris Day. Tonight we’re going to go out for frozen yogurt, and we’re going to take Tia to Whole Foods because she’s never been to one before. Oh boy!

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We’ve been having a fabulous time with my aunts and uncle this week!

On Saturday we all went early in the morning to watch my sister’s horseback riding lesson. The weather was chilly, but the sky was blue and clear. It was so pretty out. This week the girls who usually ride in this particular arena (below) were away at a show, so Em got to use this one instead of the covered arena. Nice!

After the lesson I went with my aunts and uncles to San Francisco for the day! We went to the farmer’s market, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, and Treasure Island. We also went out to eat at the restaurant of a chef that my aunt likes who’s on the Food Network. We even caught a glimpse of him there!

Here I am with my aunts - Auntie Tina (L) and Tia, who’s from WI (R):

And here I am with my Uncle Dan:

That’s not all we’ve been doing, oh no. On Sunday my dad, Tia, and my grandpa played golf together for my grandpa’s early birthday present. When they were finished with their game, we went over to their house and had an early dinner together. My uncle cooked us an amazingly delicious gourmet meal!

On Monday Tia came over for coffee in the morning. Then last night everyone came over to our house for a barbeque. There may also have been some Wii boxing involved by certain members of our group. ;-) This morning Tia came over for coffee again, and this afternoon I’m going to go out for Thai food with them!

More plans are in the works, but that’s all I’m reporting about for now. :-)

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I’d say it’s time for an update now, wouldn’t you?

This week we are pet-sitting again while some friends of ours go to Disneyland (lucky them!). The last time that we watched their beagle and bird I was sick, so this time it will be more fun. Hopefully I’ll be able to go on a walk or two with the dog this time. I’ve heard he doesn’t pull on the leash and is actually friendly to strangers. Astounding! We’ve never had a dog like that before.

Just look at that cute face (this is Hobbes):

So, now that I turned 23, I’m going to be going off my parents’ insurance plan soon. That means I need to get my own. This past month we’ve been doing a lot of thinking and planning. In a couple weeks I’m going to be increasing my hours at work to take care of this. Things have actually worked out amazingly well, and I attribute that to God’s goodness. I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about this anymore. It’s been hanging over my head for years now.

Tomorrow my aunt from WI will be arriving for a week-long visit. Oh boy! I can’t wait to see her! I have this Saturday off work because we’re all going to go to horseback riding. F-U-N, fun! We have some other things in store too. :-)

I got my hair cut the other day. It’s much much shorter than it has been in years, but I like it.

That’s all for now!

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So… my birthday was on Saturday!! I’m finally getting around to posting a recap here.

I had the day off work, so I woke up and had my favorite breakfast of overnight swiss oats. Then after presents, my dad, sister, and I left to go to Em’s horseback riding lesson. I only get to go watch when I don’t have to work, so I had been looking forward to this.

It so was fun. I love being at the stables early in the morning - saying good morning to the other riders who’re getting their horses ready, petting the cats… I don’t ride, but it sure is a neat atmosphere to be in - out in the country where it’s so quiet and still, surrounded by trees.

Here I am in front of Terra’s stall:

And here I am below in front of the riding arena. It is COLD out there in the morning, especially when it’s foggy. You can’t tell, but I’m wearing about 6 layers of shirts. Lol.

Standing in the middle of the arena is my sister’s instructor with another horse - Buster. She has him run on a lunge line to get out his energy while my sister’s riding Terra because he’s so fiery.

For lunch, my Dad and I went to the raw, vegan restaurant, Cafe Gratitude in Bezerkeley… er, I mean Berkeley. Cafe Gratitude has other locations, including a few in San Francisco, but we decided to go to the one in Berkeley because then on the way home we could stop by the Whole Foods in Berkeley.

There were so many yummy sounding choices on the menu that it was hard to decide what to have. Finally both my dad and I decided on the “I am Elated” which consisted of a enchilada (raw and vegan, of course) made with a live soft veggie tortilla filled with a sunflower seed pate, topped with salsa verde and cashew sour cream. On the side was Mexican spiced cole slaw and Bhutanese red rice.

This was AMAZING! It tasted so good!

To drink I got the “I am Refreshed,” which was iced fresh lemon with agave, naturally sparkling water, and basil. My dad got the “I am Aloha,” which was Thai young coconut water.

For dessert we split the “I am Bliss,” which was a piece of raw chocolate cream pie. Here’s the menu description: “Rich cacao and hazelnut cream pie in a macadamia crust with coconut meringue.” It tasted OUTSTANDING!

Like I said, on the way home we stopped by my all-time favorite store: Whole Foods. They had a bunch of new flavors of bars that I stocked up on, including more PB Larabars, the coconut cream pie flavored Larabar, and blueberry Clif Z bars (both of which I’ve never tried!!). I got some other fun stuff too.

Waiting at home for me was a fun package and card from my grandparents! They sent me a beautiful Vera Bradley purse with a cute matching little notebook! I LOVE it!!

Before dinner, I went on a bike ride around the lake. The weather was beautiful out - it was sunny and warm, and the lake was sparkling in the sun. Being out in God’s creation gives me such peace. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. :-)

For dinner we had a shrimp stir fry with rice and veggies, and then afterwards we went to Palo Alto for some frozen yogurt. I got soy with ollalieberry puree. Yum.

This was seriously one of the best birthdays I’ve had in a long time. I praise the Lord for His blessings on me.

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I thought you might enjoy this…

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Good morning and happy first day of October! Can you believe that October is here already? I sure can’t. Christmas is practically just around the corner! This month always makes me think of all the good things that come with fall… leaves changing colors on the trees, cozy fires in the fireplace, warm soup for dinner, pumpkins, Thanksgiving, picking out a Christmas tree. Good things are coming. I’m thankful for the abundant life God’s given to me.

Right now I’m sitting at my desk working on my second ADL Ebook. In my bedroom, my desk is situated against the wall with my window. I have the perfect view. Every time I look up from my computer, it makes me smile. I can see the bright blue sky, and trees with green, red, yellow, and orange leaves. The perfect fall scenery.

Yesterday I prepared all three issues of the weekly e-zines I send out and loaded them up in my autoresponder. They went out this morning without me having to do a thing. I love weeks like this. Procrastination is so not worth it. Now I can get a head start on next week’s articles. I always like to try to get ahead before Sunday comes, so I can have a nice day off without having to worry about thinking up article ideas.

Wednesdays are always busy days at our house. The girls my sister babysits come over in the afternoon while I’m at work. When I get home, my mom is at the church, and the rest of my family plus the two girls are getting ready to go to the church themselves. My dad drives them over a little later. Nothing like a bit of excitement around here to liven things up!

Have a nice Wednesday. :-)

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Have you ever stopped to think about how much power is tucked away beneath the delicate pages of your Bible? On the outside the Bible looks just like any other book, but on the inside … what potential for joy, peace, healing, and the restoration of one’s soul.

According to Psalm 19:7-10, God’s law has the power to…

• Convert lost souls
• Give wisdom to the simple
• Bring joy and rejoicing to the heart
• Enlighten the eyes

God’s law is described as…

• Perfect
• Sure
• Right
• Pure
• True
• Righteous

Other names for God’s law include…

• Testimony
• Statutes
• Commandments
• Judgements

The poetic language of Psalm 19 allows us to get a picture of the many different aspects of God’s law. Just like all the different names of God portray different aspects of His character, so all these synonyms give us special insight into the power of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:103 says that God’s Word is sweeter than honey. The Word can satisfy us like nothing else can, and it’s the only way we can find true fulfillment. So many people in this world try to find happiness in other ways – through the Internet, food, other people – but a true Christian can find complete peace, joy, and grace from God alone. We don’t need anything else!

Psalm 119:104 says, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Why should we hate false ways and evil paths in life? Because we know what truth and wisdom are. We know God’s will - that He wants us to live righteously. When we study the Scriptures, God conforms our hearts to His. We grow to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps 119:105). How do we know God’s will for our lives? What jobs and ministries does He want each of us to accomplish? How do we know where He wants us to go? By studying His Word! The Word will light our path so that we do not stumble. It will show us the way. All we have to do is follow it in faith.

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