By amy_import on May 22, 2005
Oh wow! It’s sooo good to see my family again! Our excitement must have affected our memories though because we forgot our sleeping bags and passports, necessitating a stop back in Flint on our way to Canada – hence the opportunity to post J
We spent all day at sleeping bear dunes, hiking over the sand, skipping stones in lake Michigan, viewing the beauty of spring, and coming upon the tail end of the “Second Annual Asparagus festival” of Empire MI! Talk about enjoying times of laughter together.
Late in the afternoon we made it to the overlook where the dune drops 450 feet down to the water. Dad gave some of us permission to go down if we felt like it so five of us took off down the slope. The trip down was very easy and we spent a little time looking for the “perfect rock” before heading back up. The signs at the top weren’t kidding about the hard climb, every step you took slid back half way in the lose sand and the grade was so steep you could almost crawl upright.
As we climbed I started seeing some parallels to the Christian walk. The first was finding that if I followed my brother and stepped in his footprints, then the sand was already packed a little and I didn’t slide backwards as much. Next was finding out the truth of the verse “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” A lot of times I like to keep going even when I’m tired, thinking it a shame to have to stop and rest, but if I just took the time to stop with the others it was amazing how much better I could go on than if I had kept pushing. Lastly I noticed that as we got towards the top there were a lot of stones mixed in with the sand, but as the way became rocky, the climbing got easier because the rocks helped hold the sand better and kept you from slipping back.
Posted in testifyhim
By amy_import on May 19, 2005
Uggg, I can’t seem to study today. I’ve tried everything, but my mind just won’t cooperate, it just sits there looking at words, refusing to assimilate them as thoughts. By late afternoon I discovered that I could get through my review cards at the rate of one per mile on the stationary bike – good thing I only had six left.
Maybe it’s the excitement of almost being done, maybe it’s the fact that my family is going to be here tomorrow, or maybe my brain is just full. Thank God I have all summer to clear it in preparation for the fall.
Of course the test itself might put me through the wringer; there sure was a lot of material to cover! Please pray for me if you think of it tomorrow anywhere between nine and eleven. I trust in God because He cares for me.
Posted in testifyhim
By amy_import on May 19, 2005
My brother wrote this email, the last communication we will have until sometime tomorrow afternoon. If you don’t get all of it that’s okay, this is just a taste of what a funny, clever and unique guy my brother is, I can’t wait till ya’ll get to meet him.
SUBJECT: LAST TRANSMISSION
CLEARANCE CODE: 77-808
DATE: 05.18.05
TIME: 2100
–*TRANSMISSION BEGINS*–
*CKKHHH* Come in room 512. Clearance code 77-808. Operation Niagara is in full
swing. The MO (modus operandi) has been packed and is ready for launch. Launch
time scheduled for 600. The MO is disguised as a silver van. The three
operatives in 512 are to meet at rondevouz RCI. The operation will then move to
the beach head. This will be the last transmission before the operation starts.
Have all gear receptacles ready for immediate evacuation. All nessicary gear has
been loaded into the MO. This includes rappeling gear, provisions, and back up
agents. Be Ready. Timing is everything. And remember – caulk makes a window job
look good. Over and out. 10-4. *CCKKKHH*
–*TRANSMISSION ENDS*–
END TIME: 2113
EXIT CODE: 58-924-13
Posted in testifyhim
By amy_import on May 19, 2005
Tomorrow, tomorrow, they’re coming tomorrow, it’s only a day away! 🙂
Posted in testifyhim
By amy_import on May 17, 2005
Wow! I feel great now! Medicines prescribed for big people have great effects on little people. 🙂 I’m going to have to start a collection of the various bottles received from different caring souls, plus get an in-box to hold all of my “doctor’s orders.” Everyone has been so compassionate; it just kind of overwhelms me. One person makes the most sympathetic little groan that I want to hug them each time.
Just so it’s clear, I didn’t re-injure myself today, it’s just a little aggravated and sore, nothing that a few frantic days of studying won’t cure 🙂 I’ve been thinking a lot about why I got the set back a few days ago and I ended up writing my commentary on that line of thinking, and I’m going to post two paragraphs which follows my line of thought.
Sorrow and joy; opposites reconciled. The sorrow is great, frantic, desperate; trouble has caused the afflicted to cry out. Yet the very source of pain becomes the catalyst for joy. The joy that comes is very different from the sorrow; it is calm, controlled and peaceful; a quiet inner happiness that comes from being well off.
I have experienced a time of sorrow, maybe not as intense as the disciples losing Jesus, but I did cry out in despair and frustration. I sustained injury not once but twice; my lifestyle as I knew it has been altered; I have a fear of what the near future might bring. But I have this hope, that God will turn my sorrow into joy as I strive to put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In Psalm 51 David pleads with God to “Make me to hear joy and gladness,” the word “hear” implies attentiveness and obedience. I must purposefully listen, straining to catch His voice, which could not be heard when I was so busy venting my own feelings. Maybe that’s why the joy that comes is calm and quiet, such a contrast to the sorrow. The last half of the plea from David is that “the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.” My source of sorrow will be turned into the basis of my joy.
Posted in testifyhim
