Wanna go to Cancun?

Sorry. I can't send you there. But you can live vicariously through Matt's and my honeymoon pictures! Visit the picture galleries on Matt's website and our honeymoon pictures are the top link. (Even if you've seen them, his web design is so great that you have to at least check that part out!)

Maggie May

Most of you who read my blog know my friend, Maggie May (her on the right, me in the middle, our friend Mandee on the left). I am thinking about her a lot this week because I just found out that she has breast cancer. She will have surgery on Wednesday followed by chemotherapy and radiation. I cannot fathom how this happens to a 26-year-old woman. I want to hug her and promise that everything will be okay. I really can't make that promise, but my God can. I believe with all my heart that He will heal her. He has great things to do in her life - she is AMAZING! She has so many gifts, and she has so much experience that I know God wants her to share. She is a true minister, one who loves others with all her heart and reaches out to them. I am blessed to be her friend, and now it's my job to be relentless in praying for her healing. I left my journal in the car, but I wrote about her today and was thinking of her in relation to this verse: "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10, New Living Translation) Keep on seeking. KEEP ON ASKING. KEEP ON KNOCKING. Our God is listening - I wonder if He just wants us to show how desperate we are for Him. I'm desperate for Maggie this week and for Him to heal her completely. He may use the course of her surgery and treatment to do so, He may not. I do not know His plan, but I will keep on asking and believe that He will heal her. Will you believe and pray with me?

I love you, Maggie. You are an amazing friend and I miss seeing your beautiful smile. Thanks for sharing your infectious laugh with me on Sunday and proving that God is still good and will be with you through it all.

Hooray for 2007!

I like the thought of beginning a new year by closing out the last one. So I will participate in Heth's meme today.

What did you do in 2006 that you had never done before?
Got married (that should be enough right there)...lived in a church...changed my name...

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making any. I am making one this year...it's my secret, though. Well, two. The other is to be more consistent with my journaling.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Lots of people I love did (or will soon)...Melanie is the closest person I can recall giving birth last year.

Did anyone close to you die?
No - my grandpa came close at Christmas, but he's doing better now.

What countries did you visit?
Mexico.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
More self-control. More trust in God.

What dates will remain etched in your memory and why?
April 1: wedding day. Celebrating our birthdays together for the first time.

What's your biggest achievement of the year?
Adjusting to marriage...still working on that. Getting into journaling and being more consistent and seeing my relationship with God grow.

What was your biggest failure?
Putting myself before others too many times.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Illness - I was pretty sick in February. I ripped a nice chunk out of my arm when moving some stuff into our house...still have a scar from that one. That's about it from my recollection. Other unmentionable stuff.

What was the best thing you bought?
My birthday present to Matt. I'm very proud of that one.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt and I have worked hard on setting a good foundation for our marriage. I am proud of us.

Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
All front page celebrities.

Where did most of your money go?
Hard to say...it seems like bills. But we got to have fun, too, so I'm not complaining too much. We do eat out a lot, too.

What did you get really really excited about?
All the firsts of being married! Everything I get to do with my husband makes me excited...our wedding, our honeymoon, our Galena trip in July, our Chicago trip in December, our first Christmas together.

What song will always remind you of 2006?
"All I Ask of You" from "The Phantom of the Opera." Our wedding song.

Compared to this time last year are you?
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) fatter or thinner? Fatter, but it's a temporary situation.
c) richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you had done more of?
Letting go of my expectations.

What do you wish you had done less of?
Worrying.

How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I was at home with my husband.

Did you fall in love in 2006?
Oh, yes.

What was your favorite TV program?
"King of Queens" and "Law & Order"

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

What was the best book you read?
Such a tough one for me...so many great marriage books. Ask me if you want a list. :-) The biggest life-changer was the Bible. And Joy That Lasts by Gary Smalley was amazing.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
I still listen to a lot of United Live...probably a lot more rock since hanging out with my husband.

What did you want and get?
Someone to share life with.

What did you want and not get?
not sure...

What was your favorite film this year?
I really loved "Rocky Balboa." "World Trade Center" was awesome, too. Oh, hello - "Nacho Libre"!! Has to be top of my list with the new Rocky. "Did you tell them they were the Lord's cheeps?"

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Drove to Des Moines...shopped...ate dinner with my parents...enjoyed spending it ALL with my fiancee(at the time)!

What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
The same thing as every year - worrying less and trusting God more. A constant struggle. And some other things I won't share.

How would you describe your personal fashion in 2006?
Cheap trendy and black?

What kept you sane?
God and Matt and Starbucks and shopping.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
There is no "fancying" - just morbid curiosity.

What political issue stirred you the most?
They all get me worked up...the whole Iraq war gets me up in arms...ha ha ha.

Who did you miss?
My family; Christy; the Rasmussens; Leann; Tricia. But I got to see most of them at my wedding!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
God works best when I am in the least amount of control. Wish I could learn that better.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime"