March Musings - Day 23

Things that make me smile:

Dressing up like a train conductor, and enjoying my storytime kids' fun with the wooden train tracks!

A perfect cup of tea to enjoy in the evening sun before all the snow melts!

A cup I need! ;~)

A cuddly cat companion!

Seeing Charlie become Mrs Charlie, a mother! XD

The Power of a Story

The power of a story can be an incredible thing! Whether it's reading a book to a child, or sharing a story about "the olden days", a story can change your mood, or give you something to think about! Going back through history, you can see how the stories were passed down from generation to generation. Each had a purpose, or a moral to them. Some were about events that occurred; others about how to live the best you could be. The Bible was originally passed down through the spoken word, memorized carefully, and preserved through generations. The books rich with examples of how God calls us to live, work, and show His love, kept the Christian faith alive! 

Stories are a big part of the relationship between John and I! The first time we began to flirt was when I taught a story, and he copied me blatantly! (I should sue him! ;~) Haha!) Anyways, from the beginning, stories are a part of our relationship. We started sometime last year, telling each other stories about silly things or about what might happen someday when we serve God. One of my favorites was one he told about a bunny! They bring us a smile when one of us may be sad or bring us hope when we are discouraged. Sometimes they even remind us of how God always is faithful even during hard times!

Today I want to share a little story of my own, that happened today, two years ago! <3

Once upon a time was two people contentedly emailing back and forth. Those two people were actually John and I. I was working on a blog post, and asked his advice when the tables turned, and the following conversation ensued.

J: Hey moriah could you be praying for me i have some things that have been weighing on my mind heavily lately and im very on the fence on what to do. :-/

M: It is awesome! I certainly will be praying!!! :( God will show you what's right. He always does..... idk if it would help, but Psalm 13 came to mind :~) 

J: Did that seriously just come to you this moment!

M: Um yes....I memorized it this past spring, and it popped into my head! 

J: Thats crazy it. Its like perfect to answer my question i mean wow im kinda speechless right now.

M: Weren't we just saying how awesome and amazing God is?? :' ) 

J: Its just its what ive been asking God for. I think he may have finally granted me my request. I really cant believe it.

M: I'm so happy for you John! That's wonderful!!!

J: Yeah at least i think He is saying i can have what i asked for im still a bit nervous but i think its a yes?

M: I'm sure it will be clear soon, in due timing :~)

J: Thats what i said 5 years ago.... Its been a long battle. :-/

M: :( do you mind telling me about it or no?

J: Um i dont know if i should it isnt bad but i dont know give me a second to think.

M: I understand if you don't. :) 

J: Its so hard i want to tell you because i know you could help but i dont know what the reprucussions of that would be this has happened once before and it didnt go so well last time.

M: I trust you to use your discernment. :~)

J: Ok you what just whatever. Ok for the past few years ive been asking God for a girl one who would fit into his plan and that i could you know "date" for the next 4-5 years i tried and failed twice to interpret Gods plan and i felt like a complete failure for the longest time. And now i think He is beginning to reveal His plan to me after all these years. So yeah thats it.

M: Sometimes God uses trials like that for us to learn and grow. I'm very happy for you :~) 

J: Yeah you are right and ive been learning why its been this way over these years but still i just feel like this girl is going to just be another failure for me to carry with me and i dont know if she even likes be back its rediculous i just dont know and im afraid to say anything for fear of killing our friendship which happened before as well. I just feel stuck.

M: Ah I see...quick story.....last guy I liked I told him so. I was scared stiff from making the mistakes I've made in the past. He didn't feel the same way but he agreed to pray. While my friendship with him became more brother-sister, we both could clearly see God's answer because of our honesty with each other. Now I have an awesome "brother"....honesty is best.

J: Ok ok....well you said it honesty is best moriah i like you its you the one who God put in my yead out of no where ive prayed about it and now you know what im sick of just sitting around its not why ive been so nice to you but through us talking its just been in my head for a while. So there i said it and now you may reject me but please make it quick ive been waiting for closure on this for a while...

M: Oh John! I like you too! You know last week when we were talking?? That was the day I knew I'd never be more than a sister to my friend.

J: Wow im just completely blown away right now you have no idea i wish you could see my face right now. :-D

And they have lived happily ever after! Well, mostly! ;~) The end!

Trees, Olives and Nursing Homes: Growing up with Moriah (a guest post)

{By Elijah S.}

Once upon a time, there was a girl talking to a tree.

*Uh, Elijah, that opening's been taken.*

Really?

*Yes.*

Shoot. Oh, well, continuing on, she was sent on an incredible journey with a dude named John. This story, though, starts long before Moriah even knew what CEF was. (Okay, maybe that's stretching it a bit, but it's probably true)

To ask when I met Moriah is to ask when I met, say, Heidi, my older sister. In other words, as far back as I can recollect, she's been there.

*When'd you meet me, Elijah?*

Be quiet, bro. (Sorry, I have conversations with myself a lot)

Moriah had the worst of luck growing up, because she was a year between myself and Andrew, who's two years older than I am. Now, the way we did Sunday School during those years, we had two grades together. So, one year, she would be with Andrew, and the next, with lil' ole me. It alternated, until we got into High School, where both Andrew and I were in a class with her.

The strain was too much for Moriah's mind, and she retreated back several grades. Well, kind of. She went back to help the teacher of a lower grade. I mean, the grade he taught was lower, not that he was a low grade teacher.

*I think they got the point, Elijah.*

Who's telling this story?

*Technically, both of us.*

Good point.

*Moving on?*

Definitely. Now, it was somewhere around this point that I was introduced to the wacko world of email. Over this mystical creation, Moriah put forth a proposition. She asked that I join her and her sisters (of which there were only two at the time) performing for nursing homes. What else could I do but say yes?

*You could say no.*

Really, man? Just lay off, willya? I have such an attitude, you know?

*You can say that again. And before you say it again, get back to the story.*

Wait, did I just insult myse-

*Story!!!*

Right. So, nursing homes.  Um...Where to start?

*First show?*

Can’t remember it. Can you?

*Of course not. But I was probably wearing a button down shirt, and a pair of slacks, and those really tight brown shoes.*

Oh, yeah, those were bad. Anyhow, we started at St. Camillus, then spread to Loretto, Camillus Ridge Terrace, and Van Duyn. Our group, the Tree House Creation Players, or something like that, went from me and three sisters, to me, my sister, five Peters sisters, and a few others off and on: Natalie Knodel (singer) Andrianna Gaj (dancer, last name pronounced ‘guy’) and Andrianna’s sisters, once or twice in the works.

I met John at Van Duyn. I will admit, I was a bit shocked at, well, him. John, how to put it delicately, wasn’t exactly what I expected. I was thinking someone extremely thin, with big glasses, brown hair and clean-shaven. Instead, I got John.

*The effect equates to something like this: Expecting a huggable plush owl and getting a real-life bear.*

Yeah, that about sums it up. And yes, John, I just called you a bear. And no, I don’t expect you to be talking in Russian because of it.

John watched the show, went to ice-cream with us, then got a picture with Moriah (and if I remember correctly, I tried to photo-bomb them, but was stopped in time) and went on his merry little way. I had no idea how deep their attachment ran, nor how soon I would find out about said attachment.

*Um, bro, you’re going into drama mode.*

But I like drama mode!

*Yeah, I don’t.*

But you’re me, and I’m you, so we should like the same things!

“That’s not how it works.”

*Who are you?*

“The third member of the personality trio.”

What in the world? How can there be three people here at once?

*You seemed fine with two, how is-*

“Story, people. Focus. Please.”

Right. If Asterisk hadn’t interrupted me, we would be on our way already!

“This isn’t about us, No-Punctuation. Get back to telling the story.”

I use punctuation. See? There’s a period, and question mark, and apostrophe, and comma!

“You know what I meant.”

*Still, that was-*

“Back to the story, I saw John just a little bit after that, at a church get-together. We didn’t talk much, but I kept trying to get my brother, Andrew, to talk to him, because he (John) reminded me of another friend.”

After that, however, we didn’t see each other until Moriah’s seventeenth birthday (directly after her mono). It was interesting to get emails from Moriah, because in person, she’s kind of...Formal?

*More like refined?*

“Cultured.”

*That sounds like yogurt, bro.*

Either way, over email, every other word is ‘LOL’, ‘:)’, ‘:(‘, ‘;)’ etc. Totally different. I actually think I got annoyed with her about that once. Something about her words on email not equaling the words she spoke on a daily basis. Anyway, slight sidetrack there. Then she said, “And my awesome mommy has been planning this birthday party,” (Or something like that,) and I thought to myself, ‘Since when does Moriah talk like that?’ Whatever. Totally random thoughts come out of this brain of mine.

“That’s because there are three of us up here.”

*Technically, there’s four.*

“Don’t think about it, Asterisk. We don’t mention him. Ever. You know this. Sorry, No-Punctuation. Continue.”

Of course, to go to a fancy ball like this, one must be prepared. Unfortunately, my cane was banned. Then again, I might not have had my cane at that...No, wait, I definitely did, because I pulled it out in the parking lot....Or was that the second time we went to Spaghetti Warehouse? Maybe....I lose track of time so easily....It all begins to blur....Anyway, I put on my best. The brown shoes referenced earlier no longer fit, but I found a pair of black dress shoes, perfect against the matching slacks, tie, and suit jacket. My shirt was white, and I had a brown flat cap (also known as a newsboy’s cap) on. In the picture, I have an odd smirk. I’m not sure where that came from.

*That was probably my fault. I don’t know what I thought of that was so funny, but it must have been pretty epic.*

Well, I’m glad someone’s willing to take the blame for that. Throughout dinner, and through the movie afterwards, I was impressed (though not completely surprised) at how much John acted the gentleman.

After we parted ways once again, I must have retreated under a log, because I didn’t see John until that autumn, when we got together for my sister’s birthday party, once again at Spaghetti Warehouse. I remember making some stupid joke about being able to pass John off as a 21 year old (So I could drive with him. As of this writing, I still don’t have my license.) The next time I had contact-

^I like pickles!!!!!^

Oh, my word, who let Elivs out? Put him back, put him-

^We is free! Long live the queen! Forward the buffs and never look back!!!^

“Oh, dear. Guys, Elivs is rampant. Does anyone have the sedative?”

*We should probably explain who and what Elivs is, right?*

^Oooh! Let meeee!!!!!^

I think I should. So, I don’t know about you people, but there are some days when I get the urge to say something really stupid.

*e.g., ‘Yes, that dress really does make you look fat, Mom.' Or, ‘I think we should jump into a lake full of crocodiles.'*

Not quite what I meant, but those examples will do.

“But if they’re not what you meant, then why would he say them?”

Don’t quibble over details, Quotations. You heard our conversation about that earlier, and even you said ‘That’s not how it works,’ remember?

Anyway, my name for that impulse is Elivs. I once let him out on Moriah, in a conversation that is best forgotten, and has long since been deleted from the databanks of our emails. I do remember, however, it ended with Elivs yelling ‘Ellipsis!’ a lot, and John threatening to throw me and my ‘Olives’ into a river, or something equally threat-worthy.

“Just so you know, an ellipsis are those three or more periods that show someone is trailing off in the conversation. Kind of like me, now....”

Thanks, Quotations. Oh, and John’s reasoning for throwing me into a river was because I apparently gave Moriah a migraine. Or, I should say, Elivs did.

*Dude, Elivs is you.*

^Pinochle!!! Sugar and spice and every-^

So, that brings me to the final day Moriah wrote about: picnic day. I was picked up by Heidi from work, from where we drove to Moriah’s house, picked up John and Moriah, then drove to Onondaga Lake Park (after making two pit stops along the way: Heidi’s (now former) employers, and Stewart’s (For Root Beer)), where we spent most the evening. Heidi and Moriah raced to the swings, Moriah chased me because....I don’t remember, and John laughed quite a bit. I danced, while Moriah sang step in line. In other words, we just kind of acted like our goofy selves.

But my part in the story doesn’t end there. Just a few months ago, Moriah and I met up with one of our other mutual friends for a ‘grad party’, so to speak. While waiting for the third party to arrive, Moriah relayed some shocking information. Along with wanting me to play the piano at her wedding (Heidi would do it, except she’s the Maid of Honor), John wanted me to be one of his groomsmen. ‘Why? I asked, a reasonable question by my assumption.

‘He likes you,’ Moriah replied simply. And now I eagerly await an actual invitation by John. (Hint, hint...)

Okay, time to get serious here. No more Elivs, Quotations or Asterisk. Just me.

Once, there was a girl talking to a tree. A guy introduced himself to her because of that. Now that girl has grown into a beautiful woman, and the guy...Well, we’ll call him ruggedly handsome and leave it at that.

How does one end a post like this? With a blessing? A joke? Both? We try that last one, I guess. Moriah and John, you have been through so much together. So, as your dear friend (or ‘lil’ brother, even though I’m taller than you, Moriah), I plead with you: GET MARRIED ALREADY, WILLYA?

Thank you for putting up with this, and have a wonderful day/afternoon/night/morning (check one that applies)

~Elijah

(You can read his ramblings, as well as some others, at his blog: Glorious Mess!)

God's Goodness - Our Love Story

Once upon a time, there was a girl talking to a tree. Like all good stories, this one has a peculiar beginning. Where was I? Oh yes! The tree! I was talking to the tree! Now why was I talking to the tree? To put it plainly, I was practicing a bible lesson using the tree as an audience. Now, since I was rather obvious, standing at the edge of a parking lot talking to a tree, a guy noticed me.

Now, I had noticed this guy, but from the very first time I really took notice of him (despite I had met him the year before), I found him downright odd.

I mean, really people, why?! Doesn't this guy have a sense of what you should wear? Although, for all you Mitford fans, I'm sure he could give Ms. Rose Watson a run for her money! (Actually, he was just participating in a game). Anywho, this guy noticed me. Why did he notice me? Well to quote him, "Any girl who talks to trees is a girl I want to get to know."

So when he asked me, albeit nervously, for my email, I gladly gave it to him. However what I didn't know until now, was that he had already acquired it by devious means because he is a dork and a genius. I remembered I had his email from the previous so I emailed him first when I returned home from camp.

And so began our chatting over email. At first, I hated him, because I liked him, but I didn't know what on earth to do with him! I mean, what would *you* do with a guy who asked you for your email? I mean come on! Usually I was asking everyone else for theirs! Well, after a month of talking, I invited him to come see us dance at the State Fair. I was shocked when he said he would come! And then I got butterflies. Like, how on earth was I going to tell my Dad that there was a GUY coming to see me dance?! I did the most sensible thing I could do...

...I didn't say a word. Which of course didn't help with the butterflies and heat of the day. When the first show came and went, I waited in expectation for the second. Maybe he wouldn't come, maybe I wouldn't need to explain this to my Dad. Maybe...oops, he's here. Well, I guess I better run over and give him a hug. Oops, I tackled him. Oh well. Wait, now I need to introduce him to Dad. Oh, he said something. Hi John! Afterwards, I realized with horror that he spent $10 dollars on me (aka the price of the ticket to come to the fair). I was doubly mortified.

After another month or so, I plucked up my courage to invite him and his Mom over for a campfire. They actually came. Now, I really didn't know what to think of him! I didn't hate him like I did, and in fact, I liked him! Oh boy....now what? I can't date yet, I'm only 16! We had a marvelous time though! He ran off my sisters' energy, and was even a gentleman & offered me a seat! Okay...yeah, I liked him. A couple weeks passed, and finally, he summoned up his courage to tell me he liked me. I don't think I could breathe for like 5 minutes between shock and joy and shock; did I mention shock? A guy actually liked me?! ME?!

He came to a dance show a few weeks later, and afterwards joined us for ice cream. We wanted to get a picture of the two of us, but we were both pressed for time and scared so this was the best and only one we got. But we liked it none the less. He started coming over for dinner once a week or so. In a way, it was unofficial courting, and I like that it was. Soon the fall disappeared, and it was Christmas! John told me that he had a special present for me, but I wasn't sure what it could be....

...Needless to say, it was so beautiful, it knocked my socks off! I felt very silly that all I gave him was a Bible Commentary for Seminary the following year. It was a cold winter, but still quite lovely! John joined us in January for the Folksmarch. It was hovering around 0* F that day, but since they asked us to come take pictures and have my sisters & I perform Irish step, we went just the same. We did our dances, but by the end of my dance, I was so winded I could barely breathe!

The weeks that followed, I began getting quite tired. John kept coming over and encouraging me. It was the sweetest thing! Then, we started planning the big day-trip! We were going up the Saranac Lake Ice Festival! Heidi, John, and I would ride in his car, while my parents and sisters rode in the other! We had so much fun, as Heidi and I got to catch up, and although I had been very tired the week before, my spirit was bright and full of excitement!

We even got our second picture together!

And I loved watching him enjoy the fireworks!

All in all, despite a grumpy car, nearly getting stuck in a snowbank, and a miserable snow storm, we made it home safe and sound at 2 am the following morning. I was so exhausted I stayed home from Church. The next day I shoveled like a gazillion feet of snow...which made my asthma act up. Throughout the week it got steadily worse, and at the end of it, we went to prompt care. Twas then that began my journey with pneumonia.

John came over every few days to check up on me, and say hi. I slept a lot, and pretty much just did a day at a time. I wasn't getting any better, so we went back to the doctor's...that's when we discovered I had mono! I was about halfway through it, so now I just needed to wait it out. John continued to come over and help through it! My Aunt told me when she had mono that's when my Uncle won her heart, and the same was true with this. My 17th birthday was fast approaching!

We decided upon going out with Elijah, Heidi, John and I, with Mom on an evening out! We first would dine at Spaghetti Warehouse, dressed to the nines, and then we would go to the Palace Theatre to see "The Princess Bride."

Before he arrived he had gotten me two presents that were...unorthodox to say the least. First presented to me was a box of fresh mangoes six in all. I enjoy mangoes so this was a funny little treat I would enjoy long after. 

The next gift was even better! Since we couldn't date officially, he came up with a substitute for flowers. Kittens! A large bouquet of stuffed kittens! We decided since there were nine to name them after the planets. After he gave them to me, I sent the one we named Pluto back to college with him to remember me by. 

We went out and had a wonderful evening! Twas the best birthday to this day! (Although since today is my 18th, today has a good chance of being even better!)

The months passed, and I got over my mono, albeit I dealt with migraines. He came over quite often, once or twice a week. He would come with us to Grandma's at night, and help sweep, or join us for a movie (I had to educate him with the classics). I began to count down the days until we went camping! John would be able to join us for the last 3 days, which meant I'd get to see him for his birthday!!

He joined us late Thursday night, and the next day was his birthday! We first celebrated by climbing my favorite mountain!

We had a lot of fun, and yes, again, Heidi was with us. She came up a few days before to camp with us and was to leave the following day. We then went to see Buttermilk Falls in Long Lake. After dinner, we celebrated his birthday with a delicious chocolate cake!

We ended the night with a lovely campfire!

The next day we bid adieu to Heidi, and then had a quiet Saturday at the house. John read to the kids which was quite amusing.

 We headed home after Church the following day, and it was definitely one of the best birthday's ever! We began to count down the days till he went away to PA for Seminary. He would be going there for three years, and this was going to be his first year down there. We had a very tearful goodbye, but we were full of God's peace!

When he came back for fall break, we got a good picture of the two of us, to continue with our season picture. Christmas came and went, and this year I gave him a beautifully framed copies of some of his favorite passages. He in return gave me a necklace that says "I love you to the moon and back". (I must confess I guessed what it was...only I thought it was the word Pluto instead of moon). We had fun playing Scrabble and drinking tea and going for walks as it was a warm Christmas. 

We realized a few days before he left that we had failed to get a picture of us for our winter picture! So to make sure we got one I devised a plan to secretly join him while his parents took him down to college. Turns out I did a good job because as soon as I arrived at his house he was shocked! We were able to get the pictures and then we were off to bring him to college. T'was a great deal of fun! His Dad took the picture, so it now means a great deal to us as something sorrowful happened next.

Twas the third Monday in February when John received word to skip class and come talk to someone. He did, and found out that his father had passed away. It was a very hard time for us all. We grew closer, and I grew up over night. Every night, my Mom and I went over to spend time with his family. During the calling hours and funeral, I stood at his side.

Looking back, the year before with mono, and all those trials, prepared us for this time. God was very good to us all! After a week of being up here unexpectedly, John went back to college for a couple weeks until it was time to come up for spring break!

I went to his grandparents house that first Sunday he was back, and had a lovely time! Despite our first fight, we declared it was the best break ever!

About 10 days later, he came back for spring break.

We got together with Heidi and Elijah for a picnic!

Twas an amazing time full of laughter!

So now you see us? Wonder how we got together? Well, this is our story! Tis been hard, but God has blessed more than words can say! So, now as I am 18, we can officially date! Nearly 2 years of waiting has been just what we needed. I am so thankful for all the trials that has made us both grow in new ways! God is good!

So what does the future hold? We shall see! For now, we will close this chapter and open the next to see what adventures are in store!

The End!