An Accomplishment

This afternoon I finished a book that I have been working on since the beginning of July.  If any of you know me, you know that that is a LONG time for me to be working on a book!  The book is David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.  If you are familiar at all with Dickens you know that his books are no easy read.  They are usually very thick and have so many characters that by the end you almost don't know who is who!  That just makes it all the more interesting. :-)  I have recently become a fan of Dickens (this is my third Dickens book this year).  I find his style most intriguing! He doesn't present his story in a boring, straightforward way.  Far from it!  He describes things in such detail you feel as if you are actually in the story witnessing the scene first hand. 

As for the book, it would be difficult to summarize due to so many subplots.  The story is told by David Copperfield as he relays the happenings of his life, starting with his birth. (It's rather humurous...the first chapter is titled "I Am Born")  In his life he learns what it means to have a disciplined heart through the unhappy circumstances of his life.  Dickens does a wonderful job creating an intricate plot intertwined with detailed sub-plots.  It's enough to keep you interested the entire way through!  My favorite quote is: "Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount.  But the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent and sincere earnestness."  I hope every person makes the effort to read Dickens, and hey, if you aren't a reader there are always the DVDs. :-)

What A Nice Surprise!

When two of your best friends move away it can really change the dynmics of your life.  No more of those late night chats, spontaneous desserts, or intense games of Sorry Card Revenge.  You know...the important things in life! :-)  While it seems like they have been gone forever, Kali and Maggie have only been gone since the beginning of July.  I have been dying to go over to see them in their new place, but with work it's been pretty much impossible.  Lately I have been missing them even more!  Sunday night they popped in the during the beginning of the service and surprised everyone!  NO ONE knew they were coming....naughty little girls. hehe

Fighting back tears, I ran over to see them as soon as the service was over.  I just couldn't believe that they were here!  I asked Maggie where they were staying.  Her response was, "Your house of course!". hahaha we spent the night chatting away about the old times and the new times.  Monday was a spectacular day!  We slept in (a necessity since it WAS my day off. hehe) and took a picnic to Deception Pass beach.  What a lovely day it turned out to be!  It was slightly chilly if you were in the shade but juuuust right if you were in the sun sitting on the warm sand.  The afternoon was pretty relaxing and of course, we HAD to make dessert for my dad.  Traditions must never be broken. :-)  After dinner we did a quick drive by their old house.  Glad to see it hasn't changed too much.  Then Maggie had the brilliant idea to go to Ft. Nugent park.  To do what?  I don't know exactly!  But we felt a tad shy when we got there and the playground was crawling with young children.  :-p  hmmm....plan B.  We passed Deborah on the way and invited her to join us at my house for a game of Sorry Card Revenge.  There is tradition again!!  But before we could dive into such an intense game we had to get our energy out, and Maggie still had the urge to swing, so we raced down to the church playground. teeheehee  Felt like being a kid again!! We had a grand time doing all those things your mom always told you not to do...you know....climbing up the slide and all those fun things. :-)  Then came...dundundun....the game.  All I have to say is, Maggie and Deborah are no longer undefeated!!! YEAH!!  I won't say any more for fear of causing tears on the side of the losing party. :-) hehe jk  No....I'm not competitive!

Maggie and Kali, once again, pulled out of town this morning and have made it safely back to their desert of Okanogan. I miss them already!  We had a wonderful time and I felt so blessed to be able to spend time with them again.  As I said in my last post, God is so good to bless me with such wonderful friends.  I love you guys!

Renewal of Friendship

As a military child, I have experienced the joy of living in many places and meeting a lot of people.  Now when I say joy, that is only half true.  At times I loved it, and at times I longed for a place to truly call home, a place where I could really sink myself into the church without having to be yanked out in three years.  For three years of my life (age 9-12) we lived in Jacksonville, Florida.  There were a few families that we were especially close to in the church and hated to leave.  One family in particular lived a few blocks away and had three sons (One a little older than I and two around Becca's age).  When I was 12 I would babysit the younger two once a week and it was such a joy!  It was really exciting to have my FIRST babysitting job! Also, Mr. R could never get my name right when we first met them.  He always called me Abigail, and it just stuck, even when he COULD remember my name!  So I have always been Abigail to him.

This week these friends were here (all the way from Georgia!) for a visit.  They were ultimately coming out here to visit their family in Oregon, but stopped  by to see us on their way. The last time I had seen them was when I was 14....Glad to say that I have changed since then! :-)  We had a fabulous time!  Their two younger sons have grown quite a bit and were a lot of fun to spend time with.  Their entire family is especially interested in the outdoors (hiking, fishing, boating, etc.)  So on Tuesday we all made a special trip out to Friday Harbor for the day.  The day started out cold and foggy, but Praise the Lord it ended being a beautiful day!  Perfect for a ferry ride!  We ate at Downriggers then browsed the shops and walked the docks (which was right up their alley). :-) It was so fun! 

The boys and Rebecca on the ferry

Mr. and Mrs. R

Mr. R and the boys

All of us on the ferry

It is always refreshing to spend time with fellow believers who love the Lord.  It was great to catch up with them and to renew the friendship.  Although we have kept in touch over the years, I have a hunch the friendship will be tighter from here on out. Praise the Lord for the many wonderful friends He has blessed us with!

Always,
Abigail

Charges Dropped...

Chicago has dropped it's charges against Holland for praying outside the Planned Parenthood Clinic!

See Article here.

Man Gets Arrested for Praying Outside Clinic

On July 3, a grad. student in Chicago was arrested for praying the rosary outside a Planned Parenthood clinic.  While I don't agree with the rosary and with what Catholicism represents, this just shows how America is treating "religion" as a whole.  According to reports, Holland was violating the new city "Bubble" law that requires verbal consent from 8 ft. away before you approach a person to hand them literature or to speak to them.  Holland's defense is that he was not speaking to anyone and did not approach anyone.  People approached him, but that's not what the law states.

This new law does not make any provision for arrest, only a ticket.  However, in this case and in others, police have taken the liberty to arrest (which goes on their permanent record) and hold for even a short period of time.  Abuse of power? I think so. 

For more on this story, go to Praying Outside Clinic Gets Man Disorderly Conduct Charge

It reminds me of the experience Wendy Wright told us about at LTIA.  She also has been through many of the same things, except spent a longer time in jail.