Possess it.

Living in real time, real life, well...real everything, is not always as easy as it appears. Sure things should go a certain way and fall into place just so. What happens when they don't? What happens when the kitty ride you thought you'd gotten on to turns out to be a roaring roller coaster? Enjoy the ride! What a thrill! Let it take you up and down. Memorize the pattern of the wood clinking and relish the wind in your hair as you drop 100 feet going 60 mph. Possess it. Don't waste a moment wondering if you got on the wrong ride, because if you do, you'll get off criticizing instead of appreciating. Appreciate. You got a free upgrade and you didn't even know it!

The Rock on The Hill of Perduncket continued...

...so one day, he was sitting, as he normally did, 24 hours of every single day, basking in the sun's gentle glow, when a squirrel approached, inquiring about resting upon the friendly rock's head. "Excuse me dear rock, but I am in need of a warm place to lay. I've fallen into the stream chasing a nut and now I'm soaked and shivering from the wind. Would you mind if I sat here until I warmed in the sunshine?"
The rock became even warmer at the thought of helping another, but could not speak, for we all know that rocks do not have lips.
"I will not forget your kindness warm rock." said the squirrel. "Thank you very much." And the squirrel curled up on the warm stone.
Just in the distance, there came traveling people. "Can you hurry up Mathis, I've got to be at tea by two!"
"I'm walking as fast as I can father! Please!" said the young Mathis.
"Well, lets not take all day, there is tea to drink and things to talk about." said Father.
"Yes Father." said Mathis, and his pace quickened slightly, even though he was already out of breath from the two muffins he had stuffed his face with just before leaving. Mathis was often a food hog, and had been caught countless times by his father, smuggling cookies and pastries in his trousers, and when caught, his father only demanded that he share them and not tell his mother. This did not help Mathis' mother understand his tremendous weight gain over the past 6 months, especially since he had seemed to be walking a lot more with Father.
"Father, I need a rest. Please, I'm so tired." said Mathis.
"We're almost there son. Only 1 more mile." he replied.
"Please, if I could just dip my feet in the stream and rest for 5 minutes, the journey would be better." begged Mathis.
"Alright. But hurry up son." said his Father regretfully. Father knew he had to stop, or else endure the whining for another 30 minutes. This way, perhaps he could talk Mathis into walking at a much quicker pace or threaten to not stop at all on the journey home. He was a witty man.
As they approached the stream, Father saw something that caught his eye. There was a squirrel. Not just any squirrel, a squirrel that was soaking wet and warming in the sunshine upon a very shiny black rock.
How peculiar, though Father. Rocks are outlawed, but this one must not have heard the news. I will smash it and be rid of it.
As Father approached the rock the squirrel awoke and sat up. "Dear traveler, do not touch this rock, for it is happy, healthy, and black."

"Excuse me? Am I mistaken or are you a talking squirrel?" asked Father.
"Yes, and a very cold one. If you know what's best for you and the other human, you had better scurry off before this rock casts a spell on you. It has already turned me from a human to a squirrel. Now off you go!" retorted the squirrel with very believable athority.
Father was so taken by the squirrel's seemingly true remarks that he backed up immediately, shouting for his son to catch up to him in the woods, and ran off screaming as a crazy person.
"Works every time rockcharm." said the squirrel. "I guess most squirrels don't talk. Well, it's always come in handy. The others should learn!"
The rock was quite fond of the squirrel. He wanted to ask him to stay but could not, after all, rocks do not have lips. So, to show his appreciation, the happy rock turned from a night shade of black to a blood red and then back to black. He was glad for the new friend. He was much more lively than dirt...

A beautiful rock garden

Have you ever tried to lift a huge rock on your own, only to realize that you couldn't do it? It was just too heavy for you, and even though you believed with all of your heart that it was as light as air, and even though you were Arnold Schwarzenegger in your mind, it did not make the rock any lighter. So how does the rock the big move? Perhaps you call a friend, or have the gardener come and help you lift the rock to a different place in the yard. You can't continue work until the rock is gone. It's in the center of the yard, demanding your attention, and you just can't mow around it very close. You have to move it.

We all have rocks like this in our lives. What is your rock? Are you struggling with an anger problem, a disagreement with a friend, materialism, a broken relationship, or an addiction? Some issues can't be fixed on your own just like some rocks can't be moved. We need help from friends, support from those closest to us, and we need the Lord to help us move these rocks in our lives. Let him help you. Don't try to lift the burden alone. The Lord sees and understands these rocks, and yes, he could make them lighter if he wanted to. But, don't you think just for a moment, that perhaps these rocks are there to teach us? Let us be patient, let's trust in the Lord to help us move them, and then let's be willing to help others move their rocks. Each person's rock is different in size and shape. After we move ours out of the yard, only then can we see the beautiful grass that the Lord, our gardner, was trying to grow all along. Besides, a beautiful rock garden is always such a great addition to any yard.

Say what's on your mind. Don't whisper under your breath. The last thing on your mind is important to me. Lets not mess up the already finished disaster. Don't let it get it down. Why don't you sing it out? Breath it out and let it go. I'll keep you. I'll take you in. Don't leave me your mess.

The Rock on the Hill of Perduncket

At the end of a curvy path, not far up the hill, a mile west of Growtall Mountain, and just past a group of  triplet pine trees, there lived a rock--a happy rock--in a small village named Perduncket.

A law was passed in Perduncket by Mayor Loveless that all rocks were outlawed from the village. "They're ruining our perfect green grass! And just look how they are messing up our dirt paths. If rocks are found, may we smash them to bits and throw them into Floataway River!" said the Mayor.

Of course, after this town meeting, all rocks in Perduncket were frightened and moved quickly to nearby streams, riding friendly log ferries to the close neighboring villages of Frozee and Mishnoodle were they were welcomed by amiable boulders. 

The happy rock, however, was the only hard head that would not leave Perduncket. He had other plans in mind...

 

I wouldn't be Michelle if I wasn't thankful for...

Daisies along the path of the Crags.

A night in the basement of a house, waiting for the tornado to pass by.

A patient sister, all 18 years at home...

Completely finished words.

Monster cookies after school.

Willow trees and one awesome tree house.

Kristin Moody.

Camping, shish-kabobs and the night Lake Afton blew us away.

Family reunions, grandma's deviled eggs, and the annual bubble blowing contest.

"There's a hole in the bottom of the sea" song.

Coloring with Lucile.

New socks and sliding on the wood floor in them.

A 6am Colorado sunrise.

A newly lacquered floor and an expensive fall.

Piano lessons in the 3rd grade.

Fair teachers.

Karlee's sense of humor.

Mr. Burger Vanilla Dr. Pepper

One summer of Chaos and Leaving 99.

The best year of my life, spent in Chapman 310.

My roommate Kim, who taught me that eating goldfish and sleeping go hand-in-hand.

Mono. I spent lots of time with mom.

Camp Golden Bell, 1999.

A summer with Spaniards learning to say buenos dias. ?Cual es el tiempo?

A bad haircut at grandma's that took years to regrow (age 7)

"My beeeed." (-Michelle, age 2)

RIght now please.

Right now I want to talk about how fluffy the couch is and how it reminds me of a huge marshmallow covered in expensive graham cracker sprinkles. I want to jump on the bed and see how many times i can touch the ceiling with my head before laying down in total exhaustion. I sooooo want to dust the top of the refrigerator just for fun...and strangely, love it. I can't wait to pick the rocks out of the bottom of my tennis shoes with a toothpick and I cannot stand it how much I want to climb a hill and get my feet so dirty that when I take a shower, I leave dirt rings in the bottom of the tub. I want to do my homework, but opening a book is worse than Chinese water torture. I need a good trip to the zoo and some Vanilla Dr. Pepper. I need a hug from my brother and I need to hear the muffin joke from Roxanne. I want to drive 200 mph--on a motorcyle. As long as it's black, I think I could pull of the hardcore look. I want to type this whole post in the phonetic alphebet but I can't type a schwa unfortunately. Now that...that would be fun.

Austin, Texas

A couple of new pictures from my senior trip to Austin would be a good time I thought, so here's some eye feasting for a fasting soul. :)