Beautiful

The sun is setting, turning to gold the windows on nearby Tuscan-style mansions. Pink streaks of clouds float motionless low in the horizon, just barely cleaning the rolling hills. Colorful hot air balloons drift silently across the dusty blue space between. I step out the door onto the brick patio, and watch the evening arrive. There is no sound but that of distant traffic and a few shy crickets. An American flag drapes solemnly from a pole, and a TV flickers in the window behind it. I survey the world around me and focus in on the golf course just beyond the back yard. I am alone; most likely no one will see me do it. This may be the only chance I get... And so I do it. I  step on the golf course grass with my bare feet, just to see what it feels like. The grass wasn't that exciting, honestly. It would have been more fun if I could have rolled down one of the gentle hills or jumped into a sand pit. I probably could have done it and gotten away with it... But I'm almo...

I don't know exactly who reads my blog, but in case there is some girl out there who is reading this and has been thinking along these lines, here you go -this post is dedicated to you.    Now, although I do try to proof read what I write, I have not taken the time to carefully construct a logical flow of thought. You may find that I bounce around quite a bit, so I'm just preparing you. Follow me, and perhaps if I left some loose ends, you can use them to create your own new trails of thought.  I grew up a tomboy, never minded getting dirt under my nails,  (actually, growing up practicing musical instruments daily made it imperative that I kept my fingernails short), hated wearing dresses, and didn't place physical attractiveness at the top of my list of things to worry about. However, when I got a little older, I realized that certain girls were getting a lot more attention than others. I soon discovered that those girls were what you call "cute" or "pretty...

The little car pulls into one of the allotted empty slots, purrs into silence, we climb out into the cool morning air.  I open the hatch, and lug out the bag with my computer and textbooks. It weighs close to one hundred pounds, seems like.  We gather our things and approach the sleek, modern building, wondering where to go once we enter. This early in the morning, we have seen only a couple of other people on campus; will they be our classmates, or do they work here?  What will class be like?  I smile at Hannah as we ride the elevator to the second floor. We are happy we have each other. This will be the first time either of us have had a non-Adventist teacher. Will she teach evolution? Will our faith be challenged? Will the class be hard? How many are in the class?  We stand on the second floor tile, studying the floor plan, our voices echoing through the empty halls. It's thirty minutes before class starts, so we have time to find the room and be ready. ...

Last summer I had a decision to make. I had to decide if I was going to work at summer camp or if I was going to canvass. I asked a lot of people for their opinion, prayed about it, and wrote down the pros and cons of each option to aid me in making the right decision.  Summer Camp:  + horses!!! + horses!!! + kids + different atmosphere than OHC ( I thought that would be nice at the time) + schedule allowing nap time : )  + lots of variety and fun things to do + horses!!! - less chance for spiritual growth - possibly less income Canvassing: + guaranteed spiritual growth  + more money - no nap time! - exhausting work  - not fun  - what if I don't make it the whole summer?  So I decided to work at camp. It was about what I was expecting; all the pros hand cons were there. I came home dissatisfied with a simple country lifestyle and the spiritual emphasis that pervaded. I felt trapped again, and unable to really let loose and be myself and have fun. I wan...

I'm cruising around the Sam's Club parking lot in the tan Sienna, trying to spot the bright yellow straps of Isaac's canvassing bag amidst the milling people and parked cars when my phone rings.  The number is from Florida. Maybe it's one of my dad's family members, hoping to speak with him.  I pick up the call, ready to explain that my dad gave me his phone for the summer, and a distinctly Indian female voice announces that I have won something of great value. (I don't remember what it is, because I have already started trying to figure out how to tactfully get out of the conversation)  She asks for some personal information as I brake for a pedestrian, and I admit, "I'm sorry, but I'm really busy right now..." "Ok, when would be a good time for me to call back?" Her tone is confident and assured, as if she can pressure me into making an appointment with her.  I grimace a little, "Uhh-" "Can I call you tonig...

It's Friday again.  God is faithful. I know He always is, because He cannot deny Himself, but I like to remind myself. It helps me to remember all the positive things that have happened and by how much they outweigh the negative things. As I was falling asleep last night, I thought of several things I wanted to write about, but of course now that I can write, I forgot them all. As we girls made a circle in the room for evening worship yesterday, I asked them to share something that God taught them during the past week of canvassing. One learned how to not complain about the people that are unreceptive to the truth. Another learned about pushing through the fear of businesses. One girl learned about how success cannot be measured by feelings or circumstances. And so on.... Each shared a valuable lesson God taught them this week. And then it was my turn. Everyone looked at me as Rebekah asked, "What about you, Raquel?" What can I say? I questioned if I learn...

What is a friend? Someone with whom you have similar interests? A person you can be yourself with? Somebody who will tell you the truth, even if it hurts? I think those are all characteristics of a real friend. A friend knows who you are, especially when you're at your worst,  and still wants to be with you. A friend is willing to drop everything and help you when you need it. A friend won't take any nonsense towards you. A friend won't let you hurt yourself. A friend is someone you know will take you seriously when necessary, and will help you to laugh when you need joy. A friend is not uncomfortable when you cry. A friend has a realistic view of who you are; is patient with your weakness, and exhults in your strengths. A friend will let you know when you do things that annoy them. A friend is someone you may not have gotten along with at first, but with whom you learned how to communicate well, and are closer to for the initial dislike. A friend is som...