Did I ever tell you about the time…

I have been with my family this week and it has been kind of strange. I feel like I have been reviewing myself all week. I think about what my family must think about me, living so far away. They all saw how much they miss me, and ask when I am going to move back, but I can’t answer them. I do not know myself.

I want to move back and be with my family until I start to think about who I was. I do not want to be that person…. There are times, actually now, that I want to change things about myself. I think its about time. I know it is time.

My Birthday is coming up, and it always causes me to think about what I have accomplished in the last year. Usually I think about what I could have done more, but in this next year I want to start giving myself credit. Whatever that means.

Well I better go to bed, because the whole crew will be up shortly. I really do miss my alone time.  You never know how crazy you really are until you are surrounded by people who shaped you. You get to see where your own flaws come from- Your Parents!

A Living Message
by Steve Goodier

Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church pastor and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured deplorable working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families were malnourished and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small stipend he received from the church allowed him a moderate life style, which, in contrast to the poor, seemed unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home, he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped in a burlap sack for warmth. Van Gogh immediately laid his own clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and determined to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a mining accident. He lived on starvation rations and spent his stipend on food for the miners. When children in one family contracted typhoid fever, though feverish himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.

A prosperous family in the community offered him free room and board. But Van Gogh declined the offer, stating that it was the final temptation he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.

He was acutely aware of a wide chasm, which can separate words and actions. He knew that people’s lives often speak louder and clearer than their words. Maybe it was that same knowledge that led Francis of Assisi to frequently remind his monks, “Wherever you go, preach. Use words if necessary.”

Today, others will be “listening” carefully to your actions.

So one of my fellow bloggers Gathering Dust, gave me an award. Not only did she give me an award, but she gave me a wonderful compliment. She called me a strong person. That was very touching. So here’s how it goes from here:

My Award, Isn't it Cute!

Da rules:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then “add image” it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the “picture” widget. Also, don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

So I would like to pass the award on to several people, but I will follow the rules for once.

1. Lori Brown, she is one of the best writers that I know and she happens to be a blast to hang out with as well! Be careful once you read her page once you will be hooked. I think one my favorite posts is her first.

2. Elizabeth, she is a new friend of mine and it was nice meeting her because we actually had been reading each others blog before we met in person. It was nice just jumping into the conversation and not having to tell each other boring things… we started with the juicy stuff.

3. Maggie, she is one of the reasons that I thought I wanted to blog.  I  am always so inspired by her writing. She has fun subjects.

4. The famous, The Bloggess. If you don’t know who she is, then I think that you must be new to the Internet or at least to blogs. Always entertaining…

5. This last one goes to a guy, who needs to know that he will have a great blog. He already has a great start and I want to read more. So please let him know you do too.

So with all that aside ,I am supposed to write about 5 addictions that I have.

I love to read.

I love to talk, boy can I talk.

I love paper, all types. I like the idea that what you can do with the paper is endless.

I love to give myself pep talks. I guess that I am not to great at them, because I have to continue to pump myself up.

I love to watch and collect all the different versions of Pride and Prejudice. I have four different movies but have seen many more. The strange thing is that I will not watch very many movies more than once. It seems like a waste of time.

Good that is over, I am not good at all these rules, but I did want to share with others the award since it meant  a lot to me.