The Interview

My friend, Mary Ann, over on her blog recently had another reader submit five questions to her for an "interview" type of post. I thought it might be a fun post, so Mary Ann sent me five questions to answer on my blog.  If any of you would like to participate, you can see the "rules of the game" at the bottom of this post.
1. You've had some major life changes recently. What was your high point & what was your low point this last year?
I'll start with the low points; there have been a couple.  Leaving camp and my church was very difficult and I still miss them tremendously. Camp was my life for the last almost seven years and the people there were family.  The other low point was my first week in Creston.  Even though I knew it's where God wanted me, I felt very alone and started to worry and doubt.  Not a good thing!  I still have my moments when I wonder why God led me here.  It just takes time to settle in and make friends.
The high point was definitely seeing God lead in my life and having to trust him for the next step.  I left camp without knowing where I would work next and where I would live next.  It was very exciting to see how He put it all in place in His time frame.  He made it so obvious that I was to move to Creston and work at Hometown Insurance.  I'm very thankful for His direction.
2. If you could change anything about yourself physically & personality-wise what changes would you make?
Most people would probably have a physical change of being a different size and looking fabulous.  Although that would be nice, I'd have to say that I just want to be healthy.  Yes, that involves continuing to lose weight, but I'd get out my magic wand and make my immune system stronger and take away my asthma.  I get tired of struggling with my health. That being said.  I've learned much through all this and realize that many others struggle with much bigger health issues.
Personality wise, I'd like to be more laid back.  It's hard for me to relax when things aren't done.  That's at work or at home.  Sometimes it's good that I'm so driven, but other times it can be a detriment.  I think it's been a culprit in some of my health issues.
3. If you could spend one week on an African safari, Alaskan sled dog trip, or backpacking/hiking in Yellowstone, which would you choose & why?
Do I have to choose one?  Seriously, none of these would appeal to me. I'm not an outdoor person.  I like hiking, but would not enjoy a backpacking trip.  I'd love to visit Africa, but the bugs there are HUGE!  And I'd love to visit Alaska and love dogs, but really....no.
4. If you were going to lose one of your five senses & the Lord let you choose, which would you choose & why?
Maybe if I couldn't taste, losing weight would be easier.

5. Read the following quote from a bumper sticker I saw recently:  I enjoy poetry, long walks on the beach, & poking dead things with a stick.  Do you think that's funny?  
When I first read it I laughed, but the more I read it the less funny it was.  And that surprises me because I usually love random humor.
If you want to play along:
1 - Leave a comment with your blog URL, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 - I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 - You'll update your blog with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 - You'll include this explanation.
5 - You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed.

The Winners

I enjoyed reading your special memories with your dads.  God has placed each of us within our respective families for a reason.  I have to say that I'm so blessed and thankful for my dad.

Here are the two winners.  They were chosen randomly by a very scientific method.  I put the names on papers and had my dad draw two names.  Yes, very scientific indeed!

Without further adieu...drum roll, please!

Ellen and Mrs. White

I'll be contacting each of you to get your mailing addresses.  I hope you each like your book.  I'm a little partial toward the author, so I think it's fabulous!

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

So you may think you are just going to get a recipe with this post, but oh no.  No such luck!

Tonight is beautiful outside and it's actually not raining.  I decided it would be a good night to clean out my gutters.  I don't have a ladder and my dad told me to buy this handy dandy attachment that goes on a garden hose.  I unwrapped my two brand new hoses, hooked them together, attached them to the outside water source (not sure what you call it) and hooked it up to my new gadget.

As much as you might want a picture of what I'm going to describe, there isn't one.  I'm sure you can get a mental image though.  That handy dandy little gadget did nothing but get me soaking wet.  And yes, I was using it correctly.  My house was empty for two years before I bought it and I doubt anyone cleaned the gutters in that time.  My neighbor saw my plight and said that tomorrow was his day off and it would only take him a few minutes to get the ladder up there and clean those nasty gutters out for me.

What a blessing!!!!  I prayed that God would put me in a neighborhood where I could be a blessing, but so far it's been the other way around.  In the day and age when people stick to themselves and neighbors don't even know each other this is rare.  The neighbor behind me lets me put brush on his trailer and he hauls it away for me.  The neighbor to the north lets me borrow his shop vac and he fixed the lever on my ice maker. Now the neighbor to the south is going to clean out my gutters!  I really am blessed.

So what can I offer my neighbors?

COOKIES!

I've already made the rounds with cookies once and homemade cinnamon rolls another time.  Since I'm not spending the evening cleaning my gutters, I'm making them cookies.  And I have to say that if you're a cookie dough lover, then these are the cookies for you!  This recipe is the best cookie dough I've ever had!

Maybe you should make some and take them to your neighbors.

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 cup quick cooking or regular oatmeal
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt (I usually just give the shaker one good shake)
1 6 oz package chocolate chips

Cream together wet ingredients.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.  Let stand on cookie sheet about a minute before removing.  Makes a small batch, so I usually double it.

Give Away!!!!

In honor of Father's Day coming up next weekend.  I'm giving away a copy of a Bible Study my dad wrote, Living by the Spirit.

Here's how to win:

Leave a comment describing a special memory with your own dad.  One comment per person unless you are a follower.  Followers may leave two.  Two winners will be chosen randomly.  I'll announce the winners here on Father's Day!  I'll even have the books autographed for you since I know the author pretty well.

Here are some of my own special memories with my dad.

Fishing

First Date

Making snow angels

Helping him study Greek

Good advice

Helping me fix up my house

There are so many more, but these are some highlights.  Love you, Daddy!

Roses Are Orange/Pink

At least the one that is in bloom isn't red.  I still have another rose bush that hasn't bloomed yet.  I just couldn't believe that my rose bush produced the color that I just love.  If they were just orange roses it would be better, but I won't complain.  I think it looks so nice against the brick.

Because I've done so much inside the house, I'm not focusing on the outside with flowers and such until next year.  So this little bit of color is nice.

It was getting dark out, so you can't get the full brilliance of it.  But just trust me...it's gorgeous!

The Wedding

Yesterday was Greg and Keri's wedding.  It was the first outside wedding I've ever been to and it was absolutely gorgeous.  The bride was absolutely gorgeous as well.  I'm so thankful I got to be part of her day.  I was a little busy being Keri's personal attendant, so I didn't take many pictures.

Congratulations, Greg and Keri Gosnell!

She was such a beautiful bride!

Anna and I got to be her attendants.  It was so much fun and it was such a privilege to be part of their wedding.

After driving to Ohio in one day and coming back the next, I'm zonked.  I'm very glad I have tomorrow off.

Ant Candy

So I noticed yesterday that I had a few carpenter ants in my house.  Then I noticed a few more and a few more and so on.  So I bought some Terro.  Let me tell you, these guys love the stuff.  I put it out and they are fighting over it like kids at a parade.  I hope they aren't passing the word to their friends that the party is at my house.

Woooo Hooooo!

I passed!!!  It's finally over!!!!  Not only did I pass, but I did much better than I anticipated.  I'm so thankful for God's direction and help.  He gave a lot of grace today.  Thanks for all your prayers!

I went to the mall afterward to find a wedding present for a friend and discovered they have Chic-fil-A.  And you all know how much I love Chic-fil-A!  So I celebrated by having the Chicken Strip Salad...my very favorite!  I almost got another one to bring home and have later.  I knew the people at the counter would think I was weird, so I didn't.

I also stopped and got a cinnamon crunch bagel from Panara's for breakfast tomorrow.  All in the name of celebration.  I think that's enough celebrating.  Unless of course some of you want to send flowers or a cake or something.  Just kidding....please don't do that.

Thanks again for your prayers.  God is good!!!!!!

Test

I just want to solicit all the prayers I can.  The exam for my personal lines insurance license is tomorrow at 2:00.  Please pray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I only need 70% to pass.  I got 76% on my online practice exam.  I was disappointed that I didn't do better, but hopefully I'll do better tomorrow.

I'll let you know whether I pass or fail.

Amanda

Amanda came to visit for the weekend and here's proof.

We can't help that we're weird.  It comes with spending so much time at camp.  Camp people have to be weird...it's a rule.

Here's a picture to show proof of wierdness.  She wore this when we went to lunch today because her shoes were hurting her feet.  It was such a fashion statement.

I knew she was coming on Saturday and after she had been here awhile, I was very sad to think she had to go.  I told her I wish she had packed a bag so she could stay over.  Well guess what?  She's one smart cookie!  She did pack and did stay over!!!  I love that girl.

We talked and talked and talked.  We ate food...cause we're really good at that.  Then we went for a walk.  Then I beat her at a game.  (She's a pretty sore loser by the way....just read her Facebook status.)  Then we watched movies and ate some more.

It's wonderful to see her growing up and continuing to grow in her walk with the Lord.  God has great things in store for this beautiful, young lady.

Love you, Amanda!!!