Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a place so amazing that it warrants more than a glance over the edge. It is a spectacle so incredible that if you venture below it's rim - the experience will forever change your perspective of the world you live in.


My little sister, Lauren, just climbed the Grand Canyon. She had been training for this 11 hour hike for several months, and now she has completed her course. This next week she will also be white water rafting down the Snake River, and hiking several more difficult trails. She will be returning back home again on Friday night. I can not wait for her get back home. Although we may get on each other's nerves every once in a while, she means so very much to me and I wish I could have taken this trip with her. All my life I have hated sharing a room, I just wanted to have my very own room and have a little privacy. Now these past 7 days, I have had all the privacy I could possibly want- I have my own room, and I have both Lauren's closet and mine to choose from every day. Yet, I have found myself counting down the days till I can share my room with Lauren, counting down the days till I can hear her yell at me for wearing her shirt. I really miss my little sis, and I can not wait to hear all her exciting stories from her trip.

My Big Sister's Graduation

On May 14th I watched my big sister graduate from college. It seems like just yesterday that we were going school shopping together, picking out cute lunch pales, notebooks and back packs. Now she is officially done..no more tests or quizzes for her. I am going to miss having her in school with me. I am so used to depending and relying on her. From the time I was in kindergarten, Nicole has been there looking out for me and protecting me from the "mean" kids in school. As I watched Nicole walk across the platform I thought back to all the wonderful times we have shared together. As I watch her tassel move from one side to the next, my eyes were filled with tears. Although Nicole does not know exactly what her future holds; I know that God has something amazing for her. And I am so excited to see what lies in store for her.

Sweet Sixteen

I cannot believe it my little sister, is really not so little any more. Today she turned 16 year old. It seems like just yesterday that we were getting up early in the morning so we could play with our Barbies. It seems like just yesterday that we were playing with our doll houses- fighting over who would be able to play with our favorite doll, Sarah. And it seems like just yesterday that we were playing college. Yes, we were strange children; we played college. That was always one of my favorites. We would pull out our briefcases, head into the bathroom- which was our dorm room. We then would work on "homework" all through the day. Now, my little playmate is sixteen! I have always been told that time flies by. But I guess I never really believed, that is until now. Now, I am able to look back over my past 18 years of life, and realize how fast life does go by. Sometimes I think it might be nice to go back to those fun, care free days. Those days when Lauren and I would work together to get all our chores done in 30 min, so we could have the rest of the day to just play together. Now, we are both so busy. I am in college, dating, and working. While she is involved in teens, sports, and other various high school activities. But every once in a while I love to think back to those "good ol' days". Then I like to think ahead. I imagine her as the FUN aunt. I can only imagine her... such a fun and energetic mother. I like to think of us visiting each other from miles away. But as for now I am going to make the most of the time I have with my little sister. I love her so very much! Happy Sweet Sixteenth Lauren.

Oh my Goodness!

Last night was definitely quite a night! You see, I had ran, well actually I drove, to the Hair Salon to get my hart cut. Mind you I am a very cautious and observant driver. Unlike one my sisters, I won't mention any names. But my older sister who has sneezed and almost hit the medium, or the time she really got into the story, that she just ran the red light. The time she got a charlie and almost went into the the oncoming traffic lane, etc.... I could go on and on... However, last night I was on my way home with my beautiful new do. I was coming to the stop light. I let off the gas so I could slowly ease to a gentle stop. I then lightly pressed on the gas petal. Oh,if there was one thing I could take back ...it would be that dreaded moment when I pressed the gas ever so lightly. It all happened so fast, I really don't know exactly what happened! Before I knew it there were two police men standing at my window. Red and blue light flashing in my rear view mirror. And there I was starring ahead in a complete daze, wondering, "what in the world did I just do." The police then asked me a few questions:

Miss may I please have your drivers licence, car registration, and insurance card. I quickly pulled out my licence. I then began the search for the registration and insurance card. "Mr. Policeman, I have never gotten pulled over before, you see I usually don't run into people, so I can't find my registration, if you could please give a few minutes I assure I'll find it for you."

Then Mr. Policeman proceeded to ask me what happened whose fault was it. Which I replied, "Well Mr. Policeman, truthfully it is no one's fault. Well, actually it is my shoe's fault. You see as I was pushing on the gas, my shoe kinda got stuck. My shoe wouldn't let me take my foot off the gas petal. So if you are going to arrest someone, take them.
Mr. Policeman then informed me that actually it was my fault. My response was to simply cry, sob, and weep uncontrollably for a hour or two.

However through it all I learned a few things:

1. Never wear flip flops when driving.

2. Crying doesn't work on police men..they are cold hearted.

3. If you are going to get in an accident at least look good for it...get a haircut or something. You know everyone will stare at you when they drive by, so might as well look cute for it!

Timmy

Timothy Paul and Stephanie. These are a names familiar in the ears of all who know me well. For those of you who don’t know my little Timmy, and Stephanie let me briefly explain. I have known Tim and Stephanie for about a year and half now. Through a series of events I became acquainted with Stephanie, and became little Timmy’s official babysitter. I love watching Timothy. He is full of energy, and he is simply a good little boy. It was simply an extra enjoyable job until August of 2008. I got a call from Stephanie-” Brooke I have cancer.” My role in their small family, changed, I was now more than a babysitter, but a friend. Through her sickness I was able to talk to her more openly about God and His son Jesus Christ. However, now Stephanie is cancer free. She no longer wants to hear me speak about my God and my religion.

Well Saturday I was able to babysit Timmy. He is growing up so fast, which reminds me of the little time I have left with him. Soon he will be to0 big for babysitters. This summer especially I am determined to be the best possible witness I can be. I want to see Tim come to church with me a lot this summer. Please pray with me, Steph and Tim really mean a lot to me.

What a Week

Sorry, I haven't written for awhile, things have been so hectic around here. Well last week was a great week. Sunday started our annual Preaching Conference. At first I was kinda upset because one of my favorite speakers, Pastor Oulette, wasn't able to attend. However, it was the best conference I ever remember having. God really spoke to me about a lot of things. It was a very enjoyable time. I always love to see my church packed out with visitors from Florida to Canada. The week continued to get better and better throughout the week. On Friday, both Nicole and I took the day off work. We just needed a break! Then at 11:00 my family and Paul headed down the road to Coffee Creek for a picnic. The weather was absolutely beautiful! I packed Paul and I a little picnic, while the rest of my family had their own. I have not been on picnic for such a long time. It was completely wonderful!After we ate, Paul and I went on a little walk. The day was exceptional beautiful. And I had such a great time talking with Paul.

Through different eyes

Although I hate to admit it, I know it's true...at times I can be pessimistic. I am a melancholy; so I guess it's just part of my nature. Yes, at times I do see the cup half empty instead of half full. I have always heard that there is always two different ways to view everything that may come into my life. However, that has always been something difficult for me to realize. Yesterday at work through a very simple conversation with Faith, I realized that indeed there are two different ways to view everything, and I mean everything!

We were all playing outside on the playground, when four year old Faith called me over to the slide where she was starring intently at something.


"Miss Brookey, look at this."

"Oh great," I thought, as I looked down at the two obviously dead little ants on the slide. She had most likely squished the poor creatures as she had slid down the slide. I quickly thought of how exactly I would explain to her that unfortunately these little guys were dead.

"Do you see the pretty little bugs Miss Brookey?"

"Ya, I see them Faith." Then the dreaded question came...

"Why aren't they moving Miss Brookey?"

"Well, Faith, I think they might have...well...I think they might be dead..."

"Miss Brookey, you are so silly! They are not dead they are sleeping."

Once again I looked down at the two little bugs...I saw the one tiny little ant lift his little arm (or whatever you call it...antenna I guess.) He struggled a little bit and collapsed never again to rise.

" See, I told you Miss Brookey, the little buggy just moved...didn't you see him stretch and yawn, and now he went back to sleep. You are so goofy Miss Brookey, they are not dead, just so very sleepy."

"You are right, Faith...they certainly are sleeping, definitely not dead. I mean, the middle of the slide is the best place for a pretty little bug to take an afternoon nap."

So, yesterday little Faith taught me a little lesson. Life will be what I make of it. I will have hard times ahead of me, but I must have the mindset of little Faith....when creatures are lying on the middle of slide half- smashed in- they are definitely sleeping, cuddling real close to the slide for warmth. Never assume that they are dead.

" In the eyes of a child you will see... the world as it should be."