Bean's Coming.....

Watch out, Starbucks, here we come!!! My wonderful friend and old college roommate, Amanda ("Bean") is coming into town tomorrow night!! She is working on her dissertation as she is set to graduate from Wheaton College next year with her Psy.D. I am so proud of her!! Unfortunately, her great hubby was unable to come this time! I have been busily preparing things for her visit!! I really am in need of some girl-time and I cannot wait!! Thank You, Lord, for wonderful friends!

Pistachio and Me....

Monday afternoon I decided to venture over to Kohls. While I was there, I went to the Housewares Department. They had KitchenAid mixers on sale. I have been "eyeballing" them for months b/c I love to bake! All the "Artisan" mixers were $299, which is a significant savings b/c they retail for $349. They make them in so many colors and then I spotted the lonely "Pistachio." I realized he was the one for me b/c not only was he "retro," he was marked down to $199 simply for COLOR!!! HOORAY!! Now, I still think I am crazy for spending that amount on a mixer but I have used it every day since Monday! I have made cookies, bread and meatloaf with it! I love it!!

HUGE prayer request.....

Well, how do you ask for people to pray when you don't feel like you can give all of the details just yet?! I beg you for your prayers, friends. Would you be willing to pray for me with that small amount of vague information!? I need to make MAJOR lifestyle decisions in the next few weeks. These decisions will affect where I live, work, etc in the next year..... HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I pray the Lord guides me and gives me direction as I make these choices. As things evolve, I will give you more information...as for now...I COVET your prayers!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

WW?

Anybody out there doing WW? That would be Weight Watchers? I am following the WW plan to lose these last lingering 15lbs. They crept back on when I started my nurse managment position and found myself sitting at a computer for hours on end - yuck!! Now that I have ended that management stint and I am back "on the floor" of the ICU :), I find myself running around more and HOPE these lbs melt off!! I would love to hear from some of you that are following Weight Watchers! I have used it before and love it b/c it is SOOOO easy!!! It's definitely NOT a diet b/c you eat whatever you like, as well....just in moderation!!! LOVE IT!!

Daddy....

As Father's Day approaches, my heart once again aches for You, My Daddy....
I yearn for the day when I can hold your hand in Heaven. Thank you for being MY DADDY. I miss you everyday...... I LOVE YOU!! Your Jenny
(My Daddy was called to his Heavenly Home at the young age of 32 yrs old secondary to complications of SLE (Lupus).)

"Daddy's Day"
Her hair was up in a pony tail
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees,
a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called,
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
Written By:
Cheryl Costello-Forshey©2000