Little Waterfall

A Child's Heart, page 4

“That’s funny.” Justace said to himself later that morning. “I was sure I had more money than this.” He got down on his hands and knees and looked under his cot. “Not there either…” He mumbled. He got back up and looked at Rylen. “Have you seen…” But Rylen bolted out the door before he could finish. Justace stood there looking stunned for a few seconds before taking off after her. After searching the whole town for nearly an hour, he spotted her running in his direction and quickly ducked behind a building to watch her. She entered a small alley way with a dead end and stood panting, trying to catch her breath. Justace stepped out from behind the building and stood motionlessly in the entrance. Rylen jumped back in fright. “All right, you caught me!” She said holding up her hands. “I admit it, I took yer cash. I was gonna buy me a bus ticket outta here. I’m sorry.” She slowly put her hands down. “I s’pose yer gonna turn me over to the cops now, huh?” Justace looked shocked. “You took my money?” Rylen looked puzzled “You didn’t know? Ain’t that why you came runnin’ after me?” She asked. Justace shook his head. “But you asked me if I knew where yer money was…” Justace cocked his head to the side and frowned “Hmm?” He said. “Oh, that! No, I was asking if you knew where Wendol was. And anyway, of course I’m not going to have you arrested!” Rylen looked up at his surprisingly kind face. “I forgive you.” He said gently. Rylen eyed him suspiciously. “What is it with you people? Why are y’all so nice and fergiving?” “Because Jesus forgave me.” He replied simply. “It’s my duty to forgive others as I’ve been forgiven.” “Huh? I don’t understand.” Rylen told him. Justace sat down on the pavement and asked Rylen to sit beside him. “It’s just like when Wendol’s mother took the bullet for him. Jesus chose to suffer and die on the cross in our place to pay for our sins. And even after all we’ve done to Him, He asked His Father in heaven to forgive us.” Rylen looked sad. “Do you mean He died for me?” “Yes.” Justace answered smiling. “And He’s offering the gift of Salvation to anyone who repents of their sins and believes on Him. Thank God we don’t have to die and burn in hell forever.” Rylen looked at Justace with tears in her eyes. “Tell me more.” She said.

28 Fun Things To Do In An Elevator

I know probably everyone remembers this from when they sent it to me... but I just thought I'd post it because it's one of my favorite emails, and well; April Fool's day is getting closer. Maybe this will give you some good ideas! ;)


1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.

2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.

3) Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.

4) Call the Psychic Hot line from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor your on.

5) Hold the doors open and say your waiting for a friend. After a while, let the doors close, and say, "Hi Greg.
How's your day been?"

6) Drop a pen and wait until someone goes to pick it up, then scream, "That's mine!"

7) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.

8) Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.

9) Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play.

10) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking.

11) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.

12) Ask, "Did you feel that?"

13) Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.

14) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay, don't panic, they open again!"

15) Swat at flies that don't exist.

16) Tell people that you can see their aura.

17) Call out, "Group Hug!"and then enforce it.

18) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"

19) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"

20) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.

21) Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "Your one of THEM!" and back away slowly.

22) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers.

23) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.

24) Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.

25) Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce, "I have new socks on".

26) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is MY personal space"

27) Jump up and down until it stops and to those that are getting on it will sound like the elevator is breaking.

28) Pretend to hit your head, and then act like it gave you Amnesia, and you now think you are a dog. (Or cat.)

Can anyone think of more?

One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven

Okay, um... now we're going backwards in this book. Hope you guys don't mind. This is from Chapter 13:



"Do you realize that every individual you have ever witnessed to will thank you one day? Think about it. If people you witness to don't accept Jesus and wind up in hell, will they thank you? You probably won't hear it, but they probably will. Once they are in hell and realize that it is for eternity, I believe they will say, "At least that person who witnessed to me in the mall or at school that day cared enough about my eternal destination to tell me how I could have avoided this place. I really wish I could thank them." And of course, they will wish they had listened. And think about the people who end up in heaven. Imagine someone walking up to you in heaven saying, "Remember me? I used to go to school (or whatever) with you, and you witnessed to me one day. I know it seemed like I wasn't paying attention, but I was listening. Three years later, I got saved; and I really want to thank you for taking the time to share Jesus with me."

Good Sayings

“Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait to hear the answer”

"When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside you, and there will be your best friend."

“The test of your character is what it takes to stop you.”

“Blessed is the man who knows how to make stepping stones out of stumbling stones.”


“The enemy is in front of us. The enemy is behind us. The enemy is to the right and to the left. They can’t get away this time!”

Do You Trust Him THAT Much?

Do you trust God enough to automatically do exactly what He says, when He says it? Earlier this month on a Sunday, right before we left for church, my dad felt that God was telling him to go out on the porch and check on the chickens, even though my brother had just done so, and all had been well. So, he went out to the porch, and found that a piece of wood was too close to the heat lamp, and was starting to smoke. If he hadn’t gone out there, the house would have more than likely caught on fire while we were gone! To us, it seems unimportant to do something someone else has just done, especially when it’s time to leave, but if my dad had not listened to God, I would not be here in this house. What would we have done in that situation? Do we trust God that much? Enough to do something, no matter how small or silly it may sound? The importance of that could very well be the difference between life and death.

A Child's Heart, page 3

The next day after breakfast, Wendol went out to get water. He knelt down on the dock and dipped his pail into the cold lake, and slowly pulled it back up. Then he headed back to the fishing shack. As soon as he opened the door, he heard Rylen and Justace arguing. “Justace, how many times do I have to tell you; stop fussin’ over me! What are you, a shrink?” “Well excuse me for caring about you!” Justace said frustratedly. Rylen threw down the broom she was holding and ran out, slamming the door. Justace sat down on his cot and buried his face in his hands. Wendol set the water bucket down and walked over to him. “What’s wrong? Why did Wylen run away? Why was both you yelling?” Justace looked up. “She’ll be back.” He assured Wendol. “She got mad when I asked her how she was feeling, and told her I was sorry how her father treated her.” Justace stood up and went to boil the water. “And Wendol…” He said. “I’m sorry I was yelling.” A bit later, Rylen retuned. “Wylen!” Wendol said as he ran to her. “Welcome back. I kept your supper warm.” Justace said. Rylen glared and took the plate Justace was handing her. They all ate in silence, then went to bed. That night, a noise woke Wendol up. He got up and tiptoed into the other room where Rylen’s cot was. There he found her with the blanket over her head, crying. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “Wylen?” He whispered. “What’s wrong?” “Nothin’s wrong. Now go away and let me sleep!” Said Rylen gruffly from under the covers. Wendol quietly returned to his cot. Early the next morning, Justace woke Rylen and Wendol. “Get up, guys. It’s time for church.” Rylen sat up with a start. “Church!?” She looked dumbfounded. “Yes, church.” Justace replied with a grin. “Where is the church?” Asked Wendol curiously “Why, it’s right here, kiddo!” Justace exclaimed “Now let’s start with some songs.” Justace led them in “How Great Thou Art” and “There Is A Fountain”. Then he brought out a little green bible from under his pillow and read a few chapters from Psalms and Romans. Rylen fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, while Wendol seemed to greatly enjoy the quaint little church service.

Ray Of Sunlight

Learning English

People say our language is one of the hardest languages to learn. Take a look at the sentences below, and maybe you'll see why.

1. We polish the Polish furniture.
2. A farm can produce produce.
3. The dump was so full, it had to refuse refuse.
4. The present is a good time to present the present.
5. At the army base, a bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.
6. I did not object the object.
7. The dove dove into the bushes.
8. The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
9. The bandage was wound around the wound.
10. They were too close to the door to close it.
11. To help with the planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
12. I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my shirt.
13. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
14. I spent the last evening evening out a pile of dirt.
15. After a number of injections my jaw got number.

It's A Boy!

We just found out that my mom's baby is going to be a boy! So in his honor, I changed my blog colors to blue. :)

Japanese Garden

I Nearly Died Laughing

Today in church, during prayer request time, my dad asked Mrs. Nancy (an older-ish lady) for an update on a woman she had asked prayer for. She said that the girl had a really bad rash, because she shaved her armpits with a razor that her husband had used on his face, and she didn't know that, and she cut herself, and it got infected and she had to go to the hospital and they had to put something on it, and she had to take it out, and put something back in... (I don't know.) And then she went on to warn us not to use used razors. My dad tried so hard not not to laugh, but in the end, he just couldn't contain himself. Our pianist (who isn't good at hiding her emotions, BTW) was going ballistic, desperately trying to cover her mouth with both hands. Mrs. Wendy laughed so hard she cried, and had to get up and get a tissue. Lord knows what our poor visitor must have been thinking. "Oh, the things you learn in church." My dad said. Good ol' Mrs. Nancy.

Things About Me I Bet You Never Knew

I know, I'm totally copying. But this is such a good idea, I just had to steal it! (I hope the person I stole it from doesn't mind too much.)

1. Most of the time, my outfits consist of half spy, half cowgirl style. (Like a fedora and pinstriped business jacket, and a denim skirt with a bandanna insert and cowboy boots.)

2. My name is originally Irish, but is most popular in New Mexico. (And it doesn't really sound like it's either of those.)

3. I'm afraid of thunder, yet at the same time, I like it.

4. Some days I hate the color orange, other days I love it.

5. My fave thing to do on a very rainy day is watch the cars drive through the giant puddle in the dip in the road by our house, and cheer for the brave ones that drive fast so that the water splashes and makes a wave taller that their car! (And I REALLY like it when we drive through it!)

6. I like to eat the crust on my pizza first so I save the best part (the pizza) for last.

7. I can pick the lock on my bedroom door, the bathroom door, and my brother's door in under 10 seconds.

8. I name all our family vehicles.

9. I pretend my remote is a microphone when I'm singing along to theme songs on TV shows.

10. Not only do I talk to myself, I also argue with myself.

I'm only doing 10 for right now, but I'll probably do more later. :)

A Step Into The Past

The other day we watched some home videos. One was my parent's wedding, which I had never seen before. Oh my goodness, it was so strange! I mean, it's hard to believe they're the same people. And since that was before I was born, it was like going back in time. And of course, everything was 1990's. The outfits, the church, the music. (Which, BTW, my mom picked out 6 songs for the wedding. 6 whole songs!)Oh, and my mom was blinking like crazy because she was wearing contacts. And then, neither of their wedding rings fit! Hah! Poor folks. Seriously, I'm still a little freaked out. Am I the only one? Do the rest of y'all even watch home videos and wedding videos? And then we watched one where I was a baby and we had just moved into the new house. It's amazing how much I looked so much like I do now even back then. Memories. This is random, but apple juice, puffed wheat, rice krispies, PB&J, dried apricots, and Safe-T pops (lime was my favorite) all remind me of my childhood, because those were the top things we ate. (That I can remember. And I don't know how or why I remember them. That was when I was like, 3.) What I really love is all the little books Mom used to read me. I'm really attached to them. I'm going to save them forever. One of my favorites was Good Dog, Carl, and I nearly had a cow when my mom got rid of it. She said it was because it had pen scribbles in it. I grew up with those pen scribbles! We bought a new Good Dog, Carl book, but it's just not the same! It's too... un-scribbley.

Ladybugses

I remember when I was little, every time I found a ladybug, I would say this little rhyme: “Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home. Your house is on fire, and your kids are all alone.” Hahaha. I have no idea why I used to say that! (Um, does anyone know if there's a real version of that?) And I grew up realizing that generic stuff that they sell at stores isn't as good as the real thing, so... well, I thought that those round Asian beetles were ladybugs, so I decided to call the puny red ones (which are the real ladybugs) "generic" ladybugs. *sigh* I was a strange child...

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I
never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed
over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave
clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly
folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to
the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the
entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom
Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the
tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other
disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in
and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen
wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head
was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you
have to understand
a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had
to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this
tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure
that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait,
just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the
servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe
his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that
napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the
wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and
laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table,
because..........

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!

His Blood Still Sets Men Free

I love this song. Has anyone heard it? The words are so powerful!

Three crosses stood on Calvary's hill, it was crucifixion day.
The time had come to pay sin's debt, and death was the only way.
A hammer and a soldier's swing beat out redemption's sound;
And from the hands that healed the sick, His blood came streaming down.


There is no curse on Golgotha, like there was when Jesus died.
And the crowd has passed away that stood and watched Him crucified.
Two thousand years have come and gone, since that day on Calvary;
But the blood that flowed from God's own Son is still setting sinners free!


And from precious veins, the sinner’s chains were broken by the blood.
And the rusty nails shook the gates of Hell, had started a crimson flood.
To one and to all, who would heed the call, are waiting liberty.
And the truth remains, and will never change; His blood still sets men free!

Path In Trees

I think I shall put a pretty nature picture on every page from now on. It'll give you something to look at other than an endless sea of words. LOL

A Child's Heart, page 2

The next morning, Wendol woke up to see Justace standing in front of the door, peeking through a crack. “Justace, what-” “Shhhh!” He hushed the little boy and motioned for him to come stand next to him. Curious, Wendol searched until he found a crack at his level to look out of. He saw a man standing in the doorway of a run-down house nearby, yelling and shaking his fist at the girl in front of him. After the angry man went in side and slammed the door, the girl turned and proceeded to stomp off down the street. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” Justace said as he slipped out the door. Wendol watched as Justace approached the girl. After talking for a few minutes, Justace returned with the girl right behind him. “This is Rylen. She’ll be staying with us for a while.” Rylen spoke up “Only till I kin find’s me some work.” She said gruffly. Wendol studied the girl. She looked to be about 12. She had honey-brown hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, and wore dirty, torn clothing. “Well what are you starin’ at?” Rylen snapped. “Sorry.” Said Wendol softly. Justace cleared his throat. “Well, let’s all have supper!” He said cheerfully. Over leftover fish and crackers, the three shared their stories. After Wendol told of his sad fate, Rylen asked, “What was you doin’ on the fella’s property, anyhow?” “I was just trying to rescue a kitten that was caught in a trap.” He replied. Rylen just snorted. Then she told the boys about her life. “My old man’s a drunk, see? And so he expected me to provide for the two of us. But when I got fired… he kicked me out of the house, the good fer nothin’ scoundrel. Wendol looked up at her with a somber look on his face. “That’s so sad, Wylen.” “Yeah, whatever.” Rylen said nonchalantly. Later that night when Rylen went out for a walk, Wendol asked, “Justace, why doesn’t Wylen like me?” Justace sat down beside Wendol and sighed. He was quiet for a moment, and then answered, “Rylen probably does like you, even though it may not seem that way. She’s had a hard life, and she’s probably not used to kindness.” “But she acts like she doesn’t care about how bad her life is.” Wendol said. “Oh, she does. But… well, sometimes people try to hide their true feelings.” “Why?” Asked Wendol. Justace tousled Wendol’s dark-blond hair. “I don’t know, buddy. We just need to pray for her, okay?” “Okay, Justace.” Said Wendol smiling.