YAY! 'Courageous' Trailer! SEPTEMBER 30th!!!

'Courageous': The Backstory

Because I'm so excited to see this movie... there will be two posts on it... mostly because I like loving the backstory and I want that posted.

Okay, I'll admit that I'm a media addict. I love movies, so much, but I'm careful with them too. I wasn't before I was saved. As my family could tell you, from infanthood on, I was a terror with the clicker and with the movies I saw. I watched every single thing that anyone of them told me not to. Funny how much Christ gets in you though. Now, the people in my life rate flicks for me. I was in Rogers (okay, Kingston is crazy for not having and sometimes not even knowing that its a Video store, not just a cable/phone company) with my cousin last week. We were looking through the movies and she was telling me about one she liked, but then she said it wasn't a 'Lisa flick'. I liked that. Even my Mom does that - looks out. The funny thing is no one did before. I grew up watching whatever I wanted without anyone really paying attention, and when someone did, I just got mad (sorry, my sisters). The thing is, the past 6 saved years, I've been trying to live by His standards, not mine. Mine didn't really stand out, but His stand in a light of their own. A few years ago, my Mom, really for the first time in my life, noticed what I watched, and she compared it to what the world had to offer; Her noticing the choice made a big difference to me, because she got a piece of who I was in Christ. There's joy in that.

Always with the tangents... anyways, usually I try to remove myself from the components of a movie in an effort to not get sucked into this entertainment news / tabloid society; It's so amazing to be behind every part of a movie. A movie with purpose. This one is about the men of God - it's about getting them ready - about them stepping up. I like that and I'm excited to see it take root in the next generations. Awesome!

Stars in a Box & Action Words

(Note to you my readers: I've back-dated this post a day, because my phone was having publishing problems near yesterday's midnight)

Random I am sometimes. Was exhausted tonight so I went to bed early... Yes yes... Why am I up? Valid question. Answer: I looked outside my windows and saw real stars. Immediately I yesssed... night swimming possibilities. How though? I'm 24, but my parents would kill me. Mr. Si would be devastated (not much to envy though, bud). I was cut off from my swim gear so I donned a full set of clothes (I did just watch the Phineas and Ferb pool rules), and went down the ladder quietly into the lake. I lasted about 5 minutes. It freaked me out being alone in the water. It sucked. Even the stars disappointed me - they used to be right overhead, with a bit of light pollution on 1 side. This time, half the sky was light. It took me the past 10 minutes to face the truth of the situation though. I failed my night swim. I've felt trapped for so long. Stranded in the life I call my own. Sometimes it's an urge to leave, followed by the 'lack of car' realization, then followed once more by a 'lack of further options', sometimes it's the no-future job that anyone could do, sometimes it's the social awkward box I put myself in constantly, and sometimes it's something entirely different. In every situation, but for God, I've let myself be trapped. Not the way to live in Him. I faced that tonight in the realization that I restricted myself even in freedom. I couldn't even swim without expectations. I've been reading Job in my dailies... I've read about him calling for a mediator between him and God. I've been reading about him crying out for an advocate, calling on Jesus. So often I fall back into the world by choosing the mess that is living without being worth His sacrifice. I'm not, but by living a life that doesn't recognize it, I'm essentially disowning it... disowning Christ's role in my life. Though it's done unintentionally... it's done - and now I know it... there's no ignorance to fall back on with that one... it would be childish and just plain stupid. Moving forward. How I don't know yet. I have been thinking about bridges a lot lately. I always thought of the path to God as being a path, narrower of course, but looking like the other paths we could choose from. Now I keep seeing it as a bridge, recognizing Jesus's role as mediator between us and God. A bridge - my only option in this life - my only want - the safety point in our tumultuous surroundings. This huge, complex, and stunningly beautiful bridge. Everytime I think about it there are more signs pointing the way. Like NEON flashing lights! Everytime I read the Word another one's built. They're all about directions... EVEN being as directionally challenged as I am, I know the way I want to go. I've read this the past couple of days:

Job 9:33
"Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both"

--> We've got Jesus now!

I like this one too:

Job 34:3
"Does not the ear tests words, As the palate tastes its food?"

I like it. It reminds me of how we're called to dwell in and understand God's Word, and how we're to write it on our hearts.

Deuteronomy 11:18
"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead."

--> My heart and my soul! I want that sign. I want that seal.

Proverbs 3:3
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

--> Heart heart heart. I want things to be steady in me. I want His Word not only in my heart, but on it; I want those words, the Word, to be protecting what goes in and pulling out what needs to be cleared from me.

Jeremiah 32:39
"I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and for the good of their children after them"

--> My action words. Our call. This is how to move forward. This is my plan, but not my plan at all. This is His plan in me. That I can put my trust in. That I can have freedom in - freedom in Him and in all that is good... freedom to cut off darkness... freedom to keep myself out of a box.

Night!

P.S. - From Pinterest

A Walk in a Creek.

Okay... so it wasn't a running creek... but still... it was fun. The creek by my cottage window is my favourite in the world. It has provided me what feels like billions of moments of entertainment. I came up to the cottage pretty much every weekend growing up, sometimes going freely, sometimes not so much. Either way, Spring and Fall weren't necessarily the best cottaging times for a kid, or a teenager. Winter was sometimes long in coming for tobogganing, and in the same way Summer and it's swimming fun took its sweet time. The creek was my go to entertainment. It was close to the house, so I had free reign. I put on my rainboots and waded right in. I always ended up in the water partially, sometimes even fully, but it was worth it. I was always on the search for the shiniest rocks - I always wanted them to be lost jewels with stories attached to them. I hoped... then I'd walk out of that section of the forest and those rocks would dry off and they'd lose their sparkle. Back to the creek they'd go. This was my view. This was a big chunk of my cottage time, of my childhood. There's a boulder near the bottom of the creek... near where it leads into the lake; I loved it... I thought it was giAHnormous... I thought it would always be that big. Today it was small, but still just as delightful.

Another Cottage Day.

Woke up late and fall-like cold. Snuggled back into my blankets and finished watching 'Walk, Don't Run' - fell asleep before I got far into it last night. Went downstairs and finished watching an 'Adventures of Lois & Clark' episode with the crew. Spent time with Tate, Nougat, Lee Jr., and Frannie as they rolled in. Had a relaxing morning, made lunch slowly (sometimes I'm a turtle), then hit the dock. Swam. Let myself get pushed into the lake by the littles. Started a ridiculously emotionally difficult novel - oh, Karen Kingsbury, why do I let you back into my life... I cry every time. Don't worry though... I watched a good flick tonight... one I didn't pick... yay! Guess? Yeppers!!! The classically awesome one:

My pics from the day:

Always moving...

Yep: bonding over an iPad... it can happen.

Cutie pie... one of the only unblurry ones I could grab!

Frannie comes non-stop moving honestly - here's her big sis at work! Go Lee Jr.! 

Partials of almost all of 'em! I believe Nougat's on the other side of Mr. Si. 

Baby blurs.

Nenners, Tate, and Frannie sharing an afternoon!

My Yesterday.

Yesterday was an interesting day. It was freezing, like freezing cold up here! Mr. Si and I decided to brave the cold day and swim. It was crazy... we must have been insane!!! I beat him in and came out screaming! So cold. Washed my hair and tried to stay in for as long as I could. It wasn't that long. Mr. Si just kept saying he was warm... I'm pretty sure he went so numb that he was in shock... scary things. Ditched the lake to warm up a bit. Later on, Sunshine and I decided to book it out of the cottage! Road trip (mini) to the grocery store! We braved the brisk day and threatening rain and full-out construction zones to track down a brownie mix! Success. We baked 'em up delicious. Fun times with my niece!

I love Pixar!!!

Just watched 'Toy Story 3' with Sunshine, Mr. Si, Mister Giggles, and Nenners! I love and hate that movie so much. Totally cried once again - though not as much as I did in the theatre - I couldn't not cry! It's so emotionally riveting! Nenners cried too. I think I now realize why I'm a toy hound - Toy Story has been one of my favorites since I was 10! And before that it was the ORIGINAL (they re-did it with the same voices, but way less awesomeness - why? WHY?) 'Teddy Bear's Christmas' and 'Teddy Bear's Picnic'! And before that (and even still now) one of my favourite books is 'The Velveteen Rabbit' (love the Michael Landon Jr movie too - so well done). All that to say - toys were always important to me. I love to write and they definitely play a huge part in the growth of imagination and creativity. I always put mine away for a season, but then they trickle back in. 'Toy Story 3' always brings that back - that love of playing and the child heart that always accompanies it. I love Pixar - I love that they've translated their creativity into movies that span generations. I love that they can tell simple stories and just make them crazy good ! Who knew that a story with few words could be brought to life in Wall-E, that we could be introduced to the ocean in 'Finding Nemo', that I could love a movie called 'Cars', that 'Up' would show generations uniting and depict such a sweet courtship and marriage, that you could learn to care and share both responsibility and laughter in 'Monsters, Inc.'! I love it! Seeing the actual house from 'Up' just made part of the Pixar stories real! Whoa, rant over. Night!

House from 'Up'!!! Love!!!

OKAY! First found about about this here (this happened so long ago, but I've not a news junky so I had no clue):

http://design-fetish.blogspot.com/2011/07/pixars-up-house-for-sale.html?m=1

I want that house! I want a house that's awesomely coloured and unique and cute!!! The mailbox with their handprints... so ridiculously sweet!

Then... it got even cooler!!! Look at it here:

And!!! The National Geographic show even tested flying a light-weight house with balloons! Crazy! Hope they checked the porch before the test flight ;P

Nougat's Birthday Party!

Well, we hit this 6 year old's party today! Ray's Reptiles in the house!!! So crazy! He absolutely loved it! As you can see from the pics, not everyone wanted to run at those reptiles, in fact, some ran from those small and big (too big) creatures. I sat sat far back in a chair - seemed like a good plan! I love the one of the snake wrapped around him - well, actually I hate it, but I love how happy he is! Even Tate faced her fear of snakes once again - all for Nougat! He had a great birthday!

Here are some pics:
note to you - one of them was taken by Lee Jr. - cutie pie!

Lake Thunderstorms & Upsidedown Sleeping... it makes sense... sometimes...

Well, the cottage is usually my most restful place, but it most be time to get in a routine of some kind - actually I think it's time to get back to my good old star covered room. Sunshine and I ditched it the last 2 nights on account of excessively (but understandably) loud 15+ers. Last night was still cool though, Sunshine and I slept upside down, with our heads and feet in the wrong places. Not as crazy as it first sounds - we had the perfect view of a beautiful Thunderstorm over the lake that way! I just love this crazy cottage! Off to Nougat's reptile filled Birthday party - ewwww, but he's worth it - enjoy this rainy day!

Hehehe... movie victory!

... we're watching 'Walk, don't Run' again. I love my favourite movies... shocking, eh? Super excited to share that love though - and watch 'em again through a new set of eyes. Have an amazing Summer evening! As for us, we will. Hopefully one day soon the stars will be out enough to enjoy night swimming!!!

Mr. Si

Cutest little frog, but scary - look at how old Mr. Si is getting!

See - adorable. I love my Hipstamatic.

     Well, today was a great day. Thought I'd write about Mr. Si. since I spent some quality time with him during the past couple of days. Got lost going to a grocery store - well, not really - we just almost turned back because it was so far away - worth it though :P Today was awesome too - I finally swam all the way to the island, touched it (Mr. Si insisted - so that it could count fully) - and made it back to the dock! It's not that far away or anything, but I'd never done it so I'm still excited. Mr. Si kayaked along for safety's sake. He's a good kid. Then, I floated about the lake for a crazy amount of time. Thought about the soaking teaching and my Bible dailies. Then, spent some time trying to teach Mr. Si how to float... he hilariously can only vertical float (no horizontal), so it's not in any way relaxing to him... sad... I could totally fall asleep my way.

A Birthday for Nougat!

My little, but always getting bigger nephew, shares a birthday with Nieceamine! I was just talking to him the other day and he was telling me how cool that was. How they would have to call each other to wish the other 'Happy Birthday' - like a phone war said I... he liked that... he may try that today. Nougat is hilarious. I call him Nougat because he's a little warrior - we were name calling one day and he called me a cupboard... hilarious, I know... and a puddle and all of these other random things... but he called me them in a serious voice - not wanting to call him such things (at least not in seriousness), I pulled out a funny voice and started called him sweet things, but I got stuck on Nougat... mostly because he didn't know what it was and the look on his face made me keep at it. I won that battle, and have been calling him it ever since. I love this kid. He's so funny. Here are some pictures of him. The one of him on the ground is him showing me how he loves to 'walk' on the floor... how it's the new thing... told you he was funny...

Nieceamine: For Serious Birthday Times!

YAY!!!     

 

     HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIECEAMINE!!! 15! 15 is cool - but you'll make it even cooler! Okay, so you picked a serious blog birthday telling and I'm going to give it to you, but I think I'll throw a funny one in too (when the sun is shining). I can't not - I just spent about 20 minutes scanning through all of my photos and found out that I have no serious pictures of us... none... all are funnies... that's hilarious! This is the closest I have, and I've pretty sure that the only reason I'm not making a face is because I'm concentrating on taking the picture (new camera)!

     Okay, serious it is, I was 9 when you were born... this you know. I never really thought about what it meant to be an aunt. Mine lived far away. It changed me though. When you started talking I started talking differently - I wanted to know that you could hear what I was saying whether you were there or not. You raised my expectations on myself.

     I didn't know you for the first bit of your life, but I'll never forget the first time I met you. You were so cute! That airport had nothing of interest to us but family. Coming back to Canada was a difficult transition for me. I had a horrible time at school most days, but you were there kid, even before you knew how important that was... maybe you don't even know now. I remember getting off the bus on the days you and you're sibs were visiting - you'd be waiting at the bus stop sometimes, and if you weren't, I'd run all the way home to see you quicker. We'd play tons of things, but I think my favourite was the dancing. Veggietales was a rock-a-thon for us. I loved playing crazy person 'Polly Pockets' as you got older too. Now, I just love our silly times. Watching a show or a movie then making it hilarious! Kid, we made an ordinary trip to the bank awesome! We have skills.

     Look, through both the good and the bad seasons, you've been there and even when you were little that was big. What can I say, you're family in the best sense of the word! I just wanted to say how proud I am of who you are, Nieceamine. You'll change and grow as a person always, but there's a stability in you, a direction. You are an amazing person and an extraordinary Niece. I love you muchly.

Happy Birthday!