August 14th...ITS BEEN ONE YEAR

As most of you know, it has been one year since my Mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. Thinking back, it almost seems like it was a long time ago, but then more and more memories come and it seems like it happened just yesterday. I almost wish it did just happen yesterday so I could spend more time with my Mom. But, I cant... I wanted to use this post to talk some about my Mom...before she got sick. I don't think I've really shared much about that...you all know abut our lives from the time my Mom got sick, and we seem like a pretty messed up family, but we weren't always like this...we were normal, or so I thought.


Growing up, my Mom had to raise us 4 kids, pretty much on her own. She did it so selflessly too. She spent her time going to school and working to provide us with an education and life that she thought would please us. We weren't the richest, or most organized, but we were definitely a family and I loved it! Not until recently did I realize how much she did for us...and how much she gave up for us...for us to be happy and to be like the other kids...even when our checkbook didn't want to permit it!





Then my Mom had the greatest joy of her life...or so she told me....she married David and got to stay home with Mandy and me and home school us! She taught me something that was so valuable...She did more college than most people and had SO many different jobs but her true joy and contentment came from being home with her kids and being a loving wife. Right before my Mom got sick...I was struggling with wanting to go to college...I cried almost everyday, finding myself, longing to go away to school...when I expressed this to my Mom, her heart went out...she couldn't stress to me enough, that this world has nothing to offer us. My flesh wants to go away, but was that what God wanted for me? She went that route and found her joy coming from being home. I'll tell you the truth...at first it was hard for me, but now I can say 100% that I have NO desire to go to school...I have the desire my Mom had...and I know that my contentment will come through that. This was one major lesson my Mom taught me.


When we were being interviewed for our movie, the reporter was asking what my Mom was like, and what she liked to do...the question stumped us..it was quite embarrassing...I'm not sure if we were caught off guard or just at loss for words...but now I can come up with plenty!


My Mom was a joy to be around. She would light up a room wherever she went. She was open and honest with everyone...she shared her heart and hoped others would be encouraged with what she had to say. She was smart, talented, beautiful, loving, caring, and funny! When we would go grocery shopping she would dance down the aisles sometimes...she knew it embarrassed me SO much...but she knew it would get me to laugh also. :) She had a way of getting me out of my rotten moods...I miss that...I miss everything about her.


Also, my Mom had a heart for the Lord that was like no other...no matter what the cost...she served the Lord. Oh....I can barely even write this...Umm... it amazed me how she could submit so easily and change if she knew that was what God wanted..and I know it must not have been easy, but she knew she had to make it look easy, for us to follow...she was our role model, and if she behaved that way, we had a better chance of doing that... My Mom's faith was great too...after she got diagnosed, maybe 3 days later, we were sitting in her hospital room and I had been pretty upset...and she looked at me and said, "Danielle, what if God has to take me, to save your Dad? Is it worth it?" I couldn't bare it...I said No! I wanted her! My Dad could be saved some other way....I know it was selfish and wrong of me, but my Mom was EVERYTHING to me, my life. But she loved the Lord so much and trusted Him, she knew He had a plan, if he were to take her. She did know that much........


I could go on and on I'm sure about my Mom, but I think it's just getting me more and more upset...maybe I shouldn't have done this....I pray that through this post you will be encouraged by my Mom's testimony. The life she lived was one for Jesus and now she is living with Him. It breaks my heart knowing that, but also I can rejoice because soon I'll be there with her...one day! And I'm sorry for all of you who never knew my Mom, I wish you could have and I pray that through this blog you will learn a little about her and see her love for the Lord!

I Love You Mom!

Quick Update!

When life seems like it can't get any crazier or worse, God has a way of showing us just how wrong we are. Actually, I shouldn't say worse, it's probably our outlook on it, to determine if it's worse or not, but definately crazy!

Since my Mom died, I figured by now our lives would start turning in the right direction, things would become clear and I'd somehow see the good from her death and understand more things...It's been almost one year to day that my Mom was diagnosed with brain cancer and my world is more upside down now, than it was 4 months ago. I know God has a plan for my messed up life, just right now, it's hard for me to see it. I'm continually having to re-focus and trust that the Lord is ultimately in control and has a plan for my life. And that through each of these trials I go through I have two options, to become better or become bitter. Which is it? It's my choice, and from now on, I'm choosing to grow in the Lord...to become better! I need your prayers though.

Just a quick update...Mandy and I are now living with my Dad and family. It's only been a week but I think this will be a good home for us. My Dad loves us very much and I'm just learning all of this now, being almost 19 years old.

Oh, one more quick thing!!! Mandy and I have submitted our movie, Dancing With Angels, to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Praise God that he allowed us to finish, just in time! We just got an email from someone letting us know that they have received the film and would let us know by September 15th, if we made it or not...please pray about this too...we want God's will for this film, not our own!

In Him,
Danielle

Awards!

I was awarded my first blog award today by Kaitlin, and now I have to pass it on to another 5 girl bloggers, who in turn will have to pass it on to another 5 girls.

Here are my choices for the Rockin' Girl Blogger award:

Celeste- Thanks for all the encouragment while my Mom was sick, it is so appreciated!

Lora- You are a great friend and constant encouragement!

Cheryl- I miss you!

I'm afraid I can only come up with 3 female bloggers. I'm sorry....let me know if I forgot you! I know some guys...but I'd hate to give them the Rockin' Girl Blogger award!

Just a little survey....

. FIRST NAME? Danielle

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my sister's friend in preschool....touching huh? :)

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? 2 nights ago

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yeah, it's fine

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey???

6. KIDS? I want a bunch! :) Children are a blessing from the Lord!

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd hope so

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? lots!

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Hmm...probably not, but certain people could get me to do it

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Bunches of Oats

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yeah sometimes

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I guess...for a girl

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? anything chocolate or mint chocolate chip!

16. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? How they act...

17. RED OR PINK? Pink

18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? that my relationship with the Lord isn't where I want it to be

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my Mom

20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yeah

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? brown flip flops and blue pajama bottoms

22. THE LAST THING YOU ATE? bread

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? the birds chirping

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU Be? blue or this odd shade of purple ;)

25. Favorite SMELL: I have no clue?? ah...I do know...but I better not say!

28. FAVORITE DRINK? water, iced tea, pink lemonade!

29. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? baseball

31. EYE COLOR? BLUE

32. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no

33. FAVORITE FOOD? mexican and chinese

34. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings of course!!

35. THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Besides ours...Borrowed Hearts

36. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue polo shirt

37. SUMMER OR WINTER? SUMMER!

38. HUGS OR KISSES? BOTH...from my Mom!

39. FAVORITE DESSERT? brownies

42. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? my bible

43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I have no mouse pad

44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? dont have tv

45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? guitar and piano music..., the ocean, not sure what else

46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? NEITHER

47. THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? Mexico

48. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Hmmm...I dont think so....

49. WHEN WERE YOU BORN? August

50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? St. Louis

So, you all know...our website is up now!!!! dancingwithangelsmovie.net ENJOY!

Finally...a Post!

The past two months have been so busy and crazy and I have had no time to write and update…I apologize.

Before my Mom died, she had a list of 4 things she wanted to see…none of them got done. One of the things was to see our movie done. When I had first heard this I told my Mom, No….I told her it was too hard and too close to real life…but I guess it didn’t stop us. My Mom believed that this movie would change lives, and we out of faith did it for that reason and for her!

(I had tons of makeup on here to look sick!)

In May, Sage, John and Caleb Naylor all came up to stay with us for 2 weeks to film the movie. It was such a neat time for all of us. I saw God work in ways that I couldn’t believe. I guess I could give a few examples… (The Logan Family)

(John, our DP)

One night after filming at a restaurant we came home to import the footage and it was all gone from the day. We couldn’t believe it. Right away I stressed out and wondered what we would do, but Sage suggested we pray….Now why didn’t I think of that? So, we did and then believing God could bring it back, we left it alone and went to play volleyball. After finishing we decided to try re-importing and guess what? It was there! It was a miracle to us…later on after the Naylors left, John told us that he was going back over footage at home and it was gone again. God just had to get us to the point to trust him for everything.

(Mandy, filming at the graveyard)

Also, one day we were filming in the Hospital wehre my Mom was actually at…the Hospital Mandy and I hated, since they found the tumors. Anyway…so the Hospital contacted the media to let them know our story. So come filming day, News Channel 11 and the Suburban Journal came to interview us. We were excited because it seemed like a chance for us to glorify God through what we said and did. (Channel 11 filming)

It was also very hard though, bringing up past memories of my Mom and her being sick. But since this, another man came to interview us from the St. Louis Post Dispatch and he wrote an incredible story! God was most glorified! Also a week later, we got an email from the reporter from the Suburban Journal. She went into detail how her Dad also died of cancer, a year before my Mom was diagnosed and that since then she was searching for God. She told us she had been staying away from cancer stories, but hearing about ours, she knew she had to do it. She then went on to say that she accredits our story to being one of the things that brought her to accepting Jesus is her heart! Praise God! He is so good and just faithful to do his will. We are excited to see this movie touching lives, even our own.(John and I being weird...I had the apron on for a scene...not sure why he has one on)

So, now we are on to the editing. It’s lots of fun, but also so many struggles come up. The first few days for me were rough. I would spend 8 or 9 hours just on a 2 min. trailer. Then after finishing it, I was told that it needed a LOT of work! ☺ I then was completely stressed out and it turned into me getting the glory for this and not God… David had me stop editing for the whole week. I was really upset at first, but it was good for me. I had time to re focus and and realize again why we are making the movie. After that happened, Mandy and I got the rough cut done very fast….I say Mandy and I did, but in reality God did! ☺

(News reporters for DJMC7 news...)

In the last 2 months along with this movie, our family has been going through a lot. Things I wouldn’t want to deal with, but I’m living in reality so I have to. When you have a family of 4 and one leaves, naturally you will be weaker, but I am surprised at how strong God has kept us together…Satan is working hard though to tear down our family. I am continually praying that we all resist the temptation and focus on our goal! It’s not easy though…at least for me.

There is so much going on. I have quite a few situations I am praying about….I am not sure what I’m supposed to do in a year from now or in 6 months, but I’m praying God would direct my steps and give me wisdom to know his will. And to also give David wisdom to know what God’s will is for our lives.

While going through all the trails in the last weeks, I started to write a song. It’s pretty corny, but it somewhat explains what’s been going on. ☺ I think of Mrs. Naylor and Sage whenever I play it. They have been an encouragement to me…

Vs. 1
Nighttime seems to last forever, the storm doesn’t want to pass
Winter lingers for eternity, but Lord will it really last?
You’ve promised to bring the morning, and the calmness of the sea
Spring is here and in full bloom, Be glorified in me!

Chorus-
Be Lord of my Life, a stronghold in the trouble
A rock that I can stand firm with, a beacon to shine
What if your people hide, when things get rough and dark
But I need to be the light they see, be Lord of my Life

Vs. 2-
It’s hard to find contentment when life takes a turn
The joy you had is stripped away and pity creeps on in
We’ve heard the words, “This to shall pass, I’ll never leave you”
Stretching out his arms he said, “I’ve been there too!”

Chorus

Bridge-
Can we rest while life is shaken, and trust He’ll get us through
Take joy in knowing your not alone, Jesus is always with you.

Well, I’m sorry this is such a long post….that’s what happens I guess when you don’t update for 2 months! ☺

Love in Him,
Danielle

(Most of the cast and crew)

Mandy's Party!

I have been completely lacking in writing these last few weeks...or should I say months. It used to be a passion of mine to get on and write all the time, but unfortunately now it isn't anymore. I'm not sure why, but I hope that it will become that again.

Well, About Mandy's party...It was great! :) The day started out pretty rough, but it ended much better. Mandy left around 9:30 on Friday, well around 9:20, Jake drove around our house, and of course Mandy was standing at the front door to see him. She immediately asked me, "Why is Jake driving around our house?" I had to come up with something quick...."Ugh, he is hunting???" She then forgot about it and then Mrs. Tate showed up and she left. I called Jake right away and asked him why he did that, it was a close call. So then I let Mandy know that I called Jake and he said he was turkey hunting, she believed all of it! :)

So, then I started working as soon as she left! I got a lot of the house picked up but then needed to start on her sombrero! I got the sewing machine brought up and I sewed maybe 2 inches on it and something happened to my bobbin...I couldn't believe it. So, I put it aside and decided to hot glue it anyway. That worked very well, except for a few blisters on my fingers now from touching hot glue!

Around 11:00, I went to pick up Mandy Culwell from her house. It was my first time driving without anyone in the car, well except for Audrey. :) As I was pulling on her street I heard this beep noise..I had no clue what it was and started looking all around. Well, it ended up being my gas light...I was out of gas! I couldn't believe it! :) So, Mandy and I loaded the decorations into the van and went to the gas station. I was pretty scared though, because I've only pumped gas once and it was 3 years ago, so Mandy and I worked together to figure it out. We had already decided if it took too long we would ask for help. We did it though! Just one thing minor we messed up on. :) But we were off now, the tank was full!

After cleaning up more we decided to start on the cakes. We really didn't know how it would all work. I wanted to make a sombrero cake for her, but was sort of throwing a lot of different sized pans together to get it to turn out right. So, we made the mix and then I started pouring some of it into a deep dish pizza pan we have. Then divided the rest into the other 2 pans. When I went to put them in the oven, I realized that the pan was much too large to even fit in our oven. So, we baked the cakes with the door open partially. About 25 minutes later, I started smelling something burning, so I went to the oven and we noticed it was on fire a little bit. Our two smaller cakes were volcanoing over and they lit on fire in the bottom, so I took all the cakes out and shut the door of the oven, I wasn't sure what else to do, and after a minute the fire was out, then I put the cakes right back in....well, after I scooped out almost half of the batter of the 2 little cakes. (Mandy Culwell ate the batter!) So....what do you think?? Was our day pretty crazy so far????

From that point on things got a little better! :) We finished baking the cakes, got the house decorated, had the food ordered, we just needed to pick it up. So, after David got home from work, we went to get the meat, so around 4:30. Well, we got there and the man was packaging all this raw meat. I couldn't believe it. I had ordered 8 lbs of COOKED steak for the tacos. Since they only speak Spanish and my Spanish isn't the greatest, I guess we both got confused. So, we sat there for 20 minutes while they cooked all the meat for us. They were so nice and understanding. I was stressing though, because everyone was at our house already and I knew I had to call Mandy soon to have her come home, otherwise she would be at the restaurant....

By 5:00 or so, we were back home and I went immediately into my room to get in the "crying mood" to call Mandy. It's easy now to make myself cry...so I did and then I got it real quiet and I called Mandy. I told her that the little girl I was babysitting had broke something on our amp that David just bought. I told her how sorry I was and that somehow I'd make it up to her and we would have a fun night tonight, but we couldn't go out to eat. She told me it was okay and to stop crying, she said, "Dont cry Danielle, it's okay" I couldn't believe she was believing it.

Well, around 5:30 Mandy came up the driveway and we all took our spots! We had it planned so she would walk in the house and not know untill she came into the dining room, then we all jumped up and said Surprise! Her immediate reaction was turning beat red and turning around and going out of the room...no one got any good pictures! :( She was completely surprised though, I couldn't believe it, but I was so happy! She was too, she was still asking about the amp though, thinking Audrey had broke it.

David made us all the tacos and Bob helped him serve them. There was tons of food, but it all got eaten, I think we had around 30 people at the party, maybe more. After eating we decided to do the pinata! Each person while hitting had to have a bandana over their eyes and the sombrero that I made on...which was very funny looking! :) Not many people wanted to participate so we had to make them do it, after it was done though, they said they liked it and were happy they did it! :) I can't remember who the one was that actually broke the thing completely open. I think it was a group effort...many of them were very good hitters! Lora Tate won the prize though. I had marked a piece of candy saying WINNER and whoever found that piece won the prize...a bag of Combos...fiesta flavor of course! :)After the pinata we played Musical Chairs...mexican style. David sat in the van and played the Mexican Hat Dance for us while we went around the chairs...we had lots of people play this game...but instead of just walking around, you had to do a little dance around. It was very funny...not really a dance, but you had to put one foot in front of the other and jump around sort of. :) We were trying to get some people out of their comfort zone. :) It was a lot of fun though! Collyn Hunt ended up winning that game...it was down to 3 Hunts...Zach, Collyn and Abe. Collyn's prize was a pair of maracas...which was funny because to those who wouldn't dance around we had people handing them maraccas to shake as they went around, that was their punishment! :) Zach and Abe were two of them that had to carry them!

Then it was time for cake and presents! Most of the people had to leave by then, it was close to 9:30 or 10:00 I think. For those who were still over we ended up playing Apples to Apples, in three small groups. It was fun...or at least for me it was. Then the next group of people left, by then it was 11:15 pm. Now only Kayla and David McKinnon and John Paul were left. I think we ended up staying and talking till' 1:30 with them. We showed them movies on our computer that we'd made and talked about other things, like why guys enjoy throwing bugs on girls??? Something I'll never understand...........
Overall it was a great day, or should I say night, the day was a little rough! :) Mandy enjoyed it and I dont think she cried once...which is what I wanted. I knew it would be tough without having my Mom here and I didn't want her to even think about it. I can't imagine how that day will be for me, but I dont want to dwell on it. (Most of the group that left at 11:00)

Oh, one more thing....the Naylor Family in OK gave Mandy a great birthday present! While she was out shopping she received a message on the cell phone from them. They sang a very neat Happy Birthday Song to her. Actually she said it made her cry, so she did cry, but it was a happy cry! :) Thank you Naylor Family...you guys mean a lot to us!

-Danielle

song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-n9rRCWFfE

Click on this link to hear my friend Mandy, sing a song I wrote about my Mom...My Only Prayer! There are also photos of my Mom when she was sick, and some when she wasn't...

Mandy's 17th Birthday!

Mandy….just 5 little letters, but they mean so much to me. Not only is Mandy a great sister, but she is my best friend! I have had the privileged to watch her grow into such a beautiful woman of God. I am very blessed to have her!Since it is Mandy’s birthday, I’ll talk a little bit about her…Mandy has always been the clown in our family. Whenever you are sad, or angry, she brings you right out of that mood, unless of course, she put you in that mood! ☺ Some things that Mandy will say to me, to get me out of my mood would be, “BJ, BJ, where are you?” and “Don’t tell me, tell the judge!” I’m not sure how she came up with the judge one, but it’s so funny to me, so she knows she can get me to laugh. She also loves to play jokes, and she is good at it. I can’t tell you how many times she has played tricks on me and I’ve believed them…Mandy, does Israel S. ring a bell??? Or Jehred Clott???? These are just a few of her jokes. She also comes up with the weirdest nicknames…boot, dan clott, dean, mandooshka, the terror, ah…there’s more. ☺Mandy is also one of the most talented people I know…anything she tries, she can do. I have to work at what I’m good at, but Mandy can just sit down to a piano and play, or pick up the mandolin and play. Or she’ll decide that she wants to draw, she gets her pad of paper, and ends up with a portrait of someone…God has truly blessed her with so many talents.

(best friends)

Out of all these things though, what impresses me most about Mandy is her relationship with Jesus. In the last 3 months, I’ve seen her grow tremendously. I’ll share one particular story that she shared with me. First you will have to know, that both Mandy and I struggle so much with the song, It Is Well With My Soul, so on Sunday’s when it’s sung, we usually just leave or, I’ll close my eyes and cry. But while I was gone, Mandy and David went to a singing, and guess what? Someone requested that song…Mandy told me that it was great for her, because it was late and when the song came on, she got up and went outside. She said being out there and crying out to the Lord was neat. She knows why we still have to hear that song, because it’s a reminder who to turn to. It amazed me when Mandy told me that story, she didn’t use to share things like that with me.

I guess to sum all this up, all I can say is that Mandy is an amazing person! I’m so glad that she is my sister, and my friend. I hope you all can get to know Mandy the way I do.

Happy Birthday Mandy! I love you!

Danielle

It's Hard!

It's incredible to me how some day are just so easy and others seem impossible to get through...I wonder why this is. Some say, the pain goes away, and others say the pain never goes away. Some say if I was closer to the Lord it would go away. What is it? Why do I hurt all the time? Why isn't this pain leaving? It's been 3 months and I would have thought the pain would have lessened. No one knows what really is going on with me. I wear a smile all the time, well most of the time, but inside I'm crying wanting her back, just to be with her, to tell her things, to love her. I can't though, she isn't coming back....I realize I will see my Mom again, but I wonder how long? If I miss her this much after 3 months, how will 3 years be? I've never loved anyone as much as I love her, so to have her just taken from me is horrible.

Lately, it seems that most people that were in my life have been taken away. I'm not sure why or for what reason, but close friends and some family have just kind of gone away. But what has become stronger is the relationship between my sisters and I. I was riding in the car with Tara yesterday and it was quite a long drive so we had tons of time to talk about Mom...everytime I'm with her she wants to talk about her, it's not easy for me all the time. So yesterday, Tara asked me why God would take Mom...it was so hard because I didn't know the reason. I told Tara that God has a plan and that we will one day see good come from this, but at the moment it's hard...I'm telling her this with tears running down my face wondering myself, why Mom??? But I can't...I have seen good already and I told Tara that...my Dad now has Jesus in his heart and will also see my Mom again. I just pray that Tara will also change her life and will be able to see my Mom again. Being a christian we have some hope when a brother or sister in Christ dies because we know we will see them, but I can't imagine going through something like this without Him...there would be no hope. The Lord is working on Tara's heart though.

Jesus told us that he will never leave us or forsake us...that is so comforting to know, because, as I have experienced, friends will leave, family goes, but God is forever! No losing him! I want to hold on to that, because in a world today where everything is temporary, I get so discouraged. God is good!

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31

Not Winter Forever....

This post is long overdue. Since my Mom passed away I really haven't blogged so much, I've stopped almost all of my writing.

Right after my Mom died, someone had mentioned to me that it wont stay tough forever...it will get easier. And then while we were in Kentucky, one day I was struggling so much and David made a comment to me saying, "Danielle, it wont be winter forever, spring is coming!" That statement means so much to me. Then a day later, Hannah, a friend of mine, made the same comment, without knowing David said it. It really surprised me. One main reason this means so much to me is because of the Walton episode that I've talked so much about. I'll go over it again, just a little. In the episode, the Mom gets polio and isn't able to walk, of course during the winter, all she wants to do is walk again...she tries and tries but it doesn't work. Then some ladies from the church make her a quilt all with personalized blocks with messages on it. That's what gave me the idea to make the quilt for my Mom. Now back to winter... :) In the episode, the little kids planted crocuses, I'm guessing it was the Mom's favorite flower and the morning that the Mom was able to stand up and walk, she glanced out her window and saw the flowers bloomed, which gave them hope, knowing Winter isn't forever and spring was right there! I hope this is all making since.

Well, a few weeks ago our flowers bloomed. And right outside the kitchen window we have crocuses that my Mom planted. Everytime I look at them I think of her and the movie. It's amazing to me to see how God has worked in our lives since my Mom passed away. And how true it is that spring is coming, actually already here! :) God has been faithful to answer the prayers that people prayed for us to stay busy and we are finding opportunities to do things that we haven't done before.

__________________________________________________________________

Since my Mom passed away, I have started babysitting. Her name is Audrey and she is 2 1/2! What fun! At first it was very difficult, because at home there are no rules and here there are. It's hard for a child when the standard constantly changes. She is doing much better now though. Today was a nice day, so Mandy C. and I took her outside to play with bubbles. Actually we blew them and she chased them! I'll have her two more times this week and then Mandy has her all next week, since I'll be in California. I'm planning on blogging while I'm there, so hopefully it will work!
Isn't she cute??? :)

HIS way is best!

I was going to share this on Sunday at church but the opportunity didn't exactly come up, so I figured I would post it instead.

About a week or so ago, I was vacuuming my room, it was a mess since I had been stripping wallpaper. Anyway, as I was vacuuming there was lots of paper stuck to the floor and I needed to get it up. It sounds silly, but I simply asked God, "Please Lord, help me get this up...I need it all up!" Then only a few seconds later, I noticed that the thing I wanted to suck up in the vacuum had something sharp besides it that I shouldn't have vacuumed up. So, although I prayed to God that I would get this pile up, he knew what was better. He knew I didn't want to get it all up.



I wonder if this is how it is with my Mom's death. I prayed so much for my Mom to be healed, with more faith than ever. It seemed right for her to be here with me...more time on this earth. But maybe the Lord knows that it's not best...like the sharp object...My Mom needed to go to heaven and eventually I will understand. With my first story it was so easy to understand that and see it, but with my Mom it isn't. And probably for all of you, it seems easy, your thinking..."How could she not see that it's for the good." And yes, I know it is, because he tells us in Romans that all things work together for the good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose...so, I do know this, but understanding is something entirely different.

I'm sorry if I bored you with my little story...and I know the first incident sounds so minor, but it had to happen, so God could show me. I need to trust him no matter what. If I pray for something and it doesn't happen my way, there is a reason, He has a better way!

How well do you know me...another quiz!

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=070303174922-563440&

Take it so I can see your results! :)
-Danielle

SO YOU ALL KNOW...THE REASON MY PICTURE IS POSTED HERE IS BECAUSE I HAVE TO HAVE IT POSTED ON MY BLOG TO USE IT AS A PROFILE PIC...I DONT JUST LIKE POSTING MY PIC.... :)