Dear Tony

Tony,

   I think I'm going to have to make this up as I go along. It'll be just as much from the heart as if it suddenly dawned on me and I penned it down like a ready writer, but not as polished. I find I'm better at 'winging it', so to speak. The one and only other time I had to write anything down from the heart was when I had to write my high school graduation speech. It took me days...but I eventually came up with something decent. However, it was all for naught because in the end I left my 'speech' at home and had to come up with something brand new off the top of head in the time it took me to unglue myself from my seat and make my way to the podium. I'm quite certain that that was the worst case of nerves I've ever experienced in my life so far. In fact, I was so nervous that I cannot even recall the first half of my speech. But as I stood there in front of everyone ogling me as if I were on display, my gaze became fixated on my Mom's like a magnet. She was seated on the front row smiling and nodding, and instructing with her eyes for me to keep looking at her and her only. So I did. ...Do you know I often reflect on that and get a kind of warm feeling inside, almost as if I feel I'm still a kid with my grand sense of security. 

   So. As I approached midway into my nonsensical ramblings of Lord knows what, I got a sudden wave of calm confidence. Out of the blue. Only, I suspect it most likely was not out of the blue but rather from the Lord and my awesome mother. I mean, seriously, I was dying up there and was in desperate need of divine intervention. Once I received the confidence I needed I was in 'the zone'. My ramblings turned into an actual speech, and a speech off the top of my head no less. I had people crying. I had people roaring with laughter. I went from zero to hero in the blink of an eye. And let me tell you, - that never happens to me.

   I know you're reading this, Tony, and thinking, What does this have to do with anything? ...I don't know yet. Remember the part where I'm winging this? Yeah. But hey, it's from the heart. Truly, it is. So hush and bear with me here.

   Maybe I'm remembering this particular episode in my life because of the role my mother played. She was there for me. She was there to catch me when I fell. She was there to silently coax me on. That has given me a brief but profound experience of feeling completely alone and at a loss (well, for words anyway; but that's a serious dilemma for an introvert, mind you), and yet at that very desperate moment you need it most, there's that safety net. A safety net comes in all forms. In my own experience, it was my mother's gaze. 

   Recalling this moment in my life makes me grateful for the safety net I have in my mother, but at the same time I now have a better understanding of how your own life has been lacking in 'safety nets'. To be perfectly honest, I don't believe I ever considered how my own life impacted anyone else's life. Perhaps I didn't think there was any significant impact at all or that it even mattered to begin with. But knowing you has changed that. God brings people into our lives for a reason, so I know you and I were meant to know each other and to be friends. Like my mother was for me, perhaps I've played a similar role in your life. I think this is evident. ...And in return you've shown me just how much of an obstinate butthead I can be, and have been towards you. You might find that ugly, and it is ugly...but it was necessary. I know this now. I am an intolerant person; stern and quick to dismiss. You, unwittingly, showed me just how much I have sadly exceeded the limit of these character qualities. Thank you.

   I'd like to hope that I've been the friend and Sister in Christ who builds up, who is edifying, who is always there to encourage you in righteousness that I should be. I know that I wasn't so much in the beginnings of our friendship due to my unconscious refusal to soften my heart towards you and your 'baggage'. For this I am sorry. 

   The time is now and I no longer see any 'baggage' in your life but only a mere 'carry-on'. It's not only been quite an experience journeying with you to this point, but I can now say it's been a joy. I'm blessed to have had a front row seat in watching you grow so much in all areas of your life. Whether or not God has used me in such a way as a 'safety net' in your life, I really don't know, but I do know that I would like to be one for you. God has used you to teach me the value of putting away indifference towards others, so now I'm going to put that lesson into effect. ...And you have no say in the matter. Because after all, I'm an obstinate butthead. So there. 


   Forever and Always,
Sharon

God's Creation

Lone Shell

Taken during a day spent down in Sanibel Island, Florida. I chose this shell specifically because I loved the pink and grey color scheme. ...Sanibel Island is one of the top shelling places to visit if you enjoy collecting shells. The seashells, all types, are in abundance and just waiting to be picked up and scrutinized. Even the most crabby (don't mind the pun) of beach haters wouldn't be able to resist bending over for a closer look at all the washed up gems...and perhaps even pocket one or two. 

All of our Lord's creation is beautiful. So take a moment every day to stop and be grateful for it.

"And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:9-10)

Congressman Webster Rolls Back Own Pay; Delivers Check to U.S. Department of Treasury

Washington Jan 19 - U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (FL-08) issued the following statement upon hand delivering a personal check to the U.S. Department of Treasury this morning to roll his salary back to 2008 levels:

"Since 2008, hardworking Floridians have faced a tough economic climate that has forced them to do more with less. In this stagnant economy, few people across Florida have been fortunate enough to receive a size-able raise, and neither should I. 

Every dollar counts, and it is imperative that Congress gets their own fiscal house  in order first. I believe that rolling back my salary to 2008 is a small example of what we need to do with the federal budget. Reducing the national debt and living within our means begins with me. If one person can do this, then why can't federal agencies and departments do the same?"

said U.S. Representative Daniel Webster.

- Daniel Webster, a family man and small-business owner, has dedicated himself to serving the citizens of Central Florida with honor and integrity. For nearly three decades, he has fought on behalf of Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy.


Webster served as the Speaker of the Florida House and Majority Leader in the Senate, working in these leadership roles to shake up the status quo in Florida and pass sweeping reforms that earned him widespread praise from the people of Florida. 


From his first day in leadership, Webster worked to reform the way Legislature did business, requiring all proposed laws to meet specific criteria that would determine its effectiveness in benefiting the people of the great state of Florida.


As the first non-lawyer to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee in Florida, Webster led Florida as the only state to pass a constitutional amendment protecting its citizens in the landmark Kelo Case (2005) dealing with property rights and government’s ability to condemn property.


With his engineering background, Webster found transportation issues quite interesting and he was thrilled to serve as Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee in the Florida House representing Central Florida’s unique transportation needs. Currently, Webster is working in Congress on transportation issues to create jobs, improve Florida’s roads and highways, and find ways to save money by eliminating fraud and abuse.


Webster’s other committee assignment in Congress is on the influential House Rules Committee where he is fighting to bring more transparency to the process and advance a policy environment based on principle, not power.


Known for many things, Daniel Webster still holds his faith, his family, and his principles as his biggest assets. 


Webster is married to the former Sandra Jordan of Orlando, and they have six children: David, Brent, Jordan, Elizabeth, John, and Victoria, and seven grandchildren. Webster is active in his church, First Baptist Church of Central Florida. 

Add, Blend, Pour...Smoothie Time

Being a vegetarian in a meat-lover's world is...difficult. At times anyway. But as a non-meat eating individual since birth I've had plenty of time to cook or create meals that cater to vegetarians. Now, what I personally enjoy having as a meal, usually for lunch, is a smoothie. A cold, refreshing, healthy and organic/natural as possible smoothie is not only, given the right ingredients, yummy, but a perfect way of combining many of your daily needed fruits, veggies, nuts, ect. into a simple drink that's oh-so delish.

Below I've wrote down my own smoothie recipe.  Now, what I use for a base in my smoothie is Greek yogurt; why?

1. Greek or "strained" yogurt is healthier then other yogurts. Strained yogurt not only is much richer in texture, but low in fat. It's also lower in sugar and carbohydrates.
2. Due to the straining, the yogurt is much higher in protein. This is important since, as vegetarians, we aren't getting as much protein as we probably need.
    
3. Because it's good.

Smoothie Recipe

• One 5.3 oz. Voskos Greek Yogurt (any flavor you wish)
• Ice
• Frozen strawberries
• 1 c. Almond milk (optional; you can use water or organic milk, which ever you prefer)
• 1/2 c. Oats
• 1/4 c. Sliced almonds
• 1/4 c. Pecans
• 1 tbls. Skippy's natural peanut butter
• 1/4 tsp. Spirulina powder *see below
• 1 tbls. Honey

*About spirulina

In a blender, add: about 6 ice cubes, 5 frozen strawberries, oats, the yogurt, both pecans and almonds, peanut butter, Spirulina powder, honey, and last but not least, the almond milk (or whatever liquid you've chosen). Blend all together until desired smoothness. Grab your favorite glass, pour and enjoy.

*The smoothness and consistency depends on you. For me, I prefer my smoothie very thick and smooth, so I usually end up throwing in several extra berries-of-straw to get the consistency just where I want it. Also, if you feel the smoothie may not be quite as sweet as you'd like, cut the amount of almond milk in half and with the other half use juice, but be sure it's %100 juice/no sugar added. Or you can always just add extra honey.

DISCLAIMER: Just FYI, I never measure when I make my smoothies, I eyeball it. Those measurements above? They're all a big guess. So, consider yourself warned...you're basically winging it.

God's Creation

First in Line

Highlight an Ancestor: John Pickard

John "Johnannes" Pickard

Born: May 28th, 1760

in Big Flats, Herkimer County, New York

Died: August 30th, 1827 

*John "Johnannes" Pickard (anestor on my mother's side) is my mother's great-great-great-great grandfather, and John will be my first ancestor to highlight on Green Like the Color.

•  John "Johnannes" Pickard was born on the 28th of May, 1760 in Big Flatts, Herkimer County, New York. At the age of 23, he married a Magdelena "Margaret" Maria Garlock (b. 1767 d. 1851) on January 6th, 1784 in German Flatts, Herkimer County.
• John Pickard was a descendant of German Palatines who had fled to Holland because of religious persecution, thence to England and finally to the British colony of New York during Queen Anne's reign. By the time the family had settled in the Mohawk Valley, the family name had changed from the original 'Bikkert' to 'Pickert' in England and then eventually to 'Pickard' in America. John enlisted at Johnstown, Herkimer County, N.Y. in 1779 in the 2nd Regiment, Tryon County, N.Y. Militia with Col. Jacob Klock as commander. He served as a private in companies commanded by Captains Rudolph Koch, Johannes Russ and Christian House. Two years of the time were spent as a soldier until December, 1782, when he was captured and taken as a prisoner in Canada. He had been taken prisoner while fighting in the Mohawk Valley by Indians in league with the British and American Tories and held captive at Montreal. A young brother, Conrad, in later years a resident of Amherst, Erie County, N.Y. in an affidavit signed May 8, 1852 before a justice of the peace in Niagara County, N.Y., stated that "he well remembers his brother, John, singing the Indian songs and saw him dance their war-dances he learned while held captive by the Indians". This same brother, Conrad, and the father of John Pickard served as enlisted men in the 2nd Tryon County regiment. Another brother of John's, Nicholas, served in the Tryon County Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Campbell. five cousins, one of whom bore the name of John and served as Quartermaster of the regiment, were in the ranks of the Tryon County Regiment. John Pickard and his wife, seven children and his father, moved from Herkimer County to Cazenova, Madison County, N.Y. around 1796. Twenty years later, in March 1816, John Pickard and his family arrived in the Town of Ellery, Chautauqua County, N.Y.

  Not every ancestor of mine that I choose to highlight may have a story I can share, in fact, truthfully I may not know hardly anything about them at all. However, regardless of how much information I've been able to scrounge up on a particular ancestor, I choose to highlight them anyway. The reason? Because no matter how distant the relationship or the fact that I never knew them personally, they're still my family. But most of all, without them I wouldn't be here...and God himself chose them to pave the way along a specially given path of life through history, and that path ultimately leading to me.

I love that scene! #1

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), starring Gary Cooper & Jean Arthur; directed by Frank Capra.

 

• For those unfamiliar with classic cinema, this is a well-known Frank Capra film from 1936, starring Gary Cooper and my personal favorite actress, Jean Arthur. Capra was famous for his very American, very wholesome and always rooting for the little guy films, such as this one. In short, this particular film is about a quiet, charming man who's simple life is abruptly changed in a very big way after he unexpectedly inherits 20 million dollars when an uncle of his dies. It's not long before this kindly man with old fashioned ways decides that the loud and bustling city of New York is not for him, and that he'd rather give away his newly inherited wealth to people who really need it, thus creating scandal.
• The video above is a clip of my favorite scene from the movie. Why do I love so much? Well, aside from the fact that it's just wonderfully romantic, it gives you that feeling of "Oh my word! I'm going to cry!" because his (our star of the film) way of professing his love is done innocently, and is in the purest sense, genuine.
• Perhaps not everyone would be impressed or touched by this film or even this scene, not everyone can appreciate classic cinema. But for me, there's a special, wholesome quality here...in how it's filmed, how it's directed, how it's acted, in the subject. Compared to most anything today, I'll gladly take this...sure, the difference between this and something modern is pretty distinct, a difference my generation doesn't understand anymore. It's called 'class.'

*I tramped the earth with hopeless feet
Searching in vain for a glimpse of you
Then Heaven thrust you at my very feet
A lovely angel, too lovely to woo

My dream has been answered, but my life's just as bleak
I'm handcuffed and speechless in your presence divine
For my heart longs to cry out, if it could only speak
I love you, my angel. Be mine, be mine.

Travels: Romania

• In July of 2008 I was blessed with the opportunity to be apart of a mission trip to Braila, Romania. The purpose of that mission trip being, of course, to spread the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.



• During our trip we spent our time working in the gypsy villages of Braila, mostly with children. For hundreds of years the gypsy race has been shunned, ridiculed without end, persecuted and simply hated. Why? Because...they're gypsy. And that's that. This is why, even now, gypsies stick with their own kind, living in villages out in the country, most of them fighting to even survive because of poverty. The poverty is a result of gypsies not being given in the time of day by non-gypsies and basically being told that they're worthless, which then leads to drinking, and everyone knows a drunk can't properly support a family, let alone themself. Every family I visited had problems with alcoholism, and in one case it was causing a very abusive atmosphere. Sadly, because of the hundreds of years of being treated so badly and being told that they are no more than a bug to be crushed, each and every gyspy has it branded in their mind that their eternal destination is, and could only be, hell. Salvation is impossible...so, they drink, they abuse, they wallow in depression.



• An indescribable joy it was to have the chance to play with and teach the children in the gypsy villages, showering them with love and friendship, and most importantly teaching them of God's love for them. No matter how much man may pound into you that you're nothing or worthless, rest assure that that is nothing but Satan feeding you his lies. Every person in this world, gypsy or not, God has created for a reason. Every human being has a purpose, it's called 'God's Will.' God's will for every person is perfect, it's different and unique for each person. So this saddens me to think there are a race of in Romania, and all over for that matter, who are convinced that they're without purpose and hope of salvation. I hope and pray that one day I may be given the chance to once again visit Romania and witness to these people...and also to those who do the persecuting themselves.

** For the gypsy men and woman who have come to know the Lord and are faithful in Braila to witness to the lost, and to those who may find the Lord in the future, I dedicate this scripture:

II Corinthiants 4:8-10

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."

Unexpected Encouragement

• It's a very easy thing for me to allow myself to slip down into a very discouraged state, especially at this point in my life when anybody could look at my life and say, "Wow. If I were you, I'd be discouraged too." The longing to know what it is exactly that God has in store for me, His will for my life I mean, and when the heck it's all going to come about is the central thought in my head all day...every day. That, and the fact that certain circumstances prevent me from going out and doing the few things that really interest me, or even going to school for the one thing that I would ever even consider going to school for. How easy it is for me to think and say, "I have no life whatsoever." ...I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, always feeling like I'm living the same day over and over again. I'm sure everyone has felt this way at some point or another, but for me, it's every day. Having said this, I will say, though my general thought towards every day is normally 'blah,' I don't always give in to the discouragement and self-pity I want to wallow in. Why? Because it's completely self-centered, which is wrong.



• This morning, I'm sorry to say, I gave in to discouragement. I woke up feeling all down and out, listening and dwelling on the lies Satan loves to feed me, making me feel as though I am completely and utterly without purpose. During prayer after my quiet time, I cried, asking God to open the door to some kind of opportunity for...anything. Desperating needing to know when and where and how God's will for life is going to come about, forgetting, once again, to "Wait on the Lord..." Soon I was reminded of verses 11-13 from Philippians 4: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state that I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." and also, "The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:25-26. After remembering these verses, I just thanked God for a new day to live, asked Him to just help me through this day and to choose to have a grateful, thankful attitude despite any 'blues' I may be feeling.
  This scripture alone was incredibly helpful (God's Word always is), but later this morning I was encouraged further by a little bit of literature shared with me by my sister, Sally, while we sat outside. She read to me the last bit of the preface of the book she's currently reading; it reads:



• I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here putforward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions-as if a man could adopt it in perference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by it's paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'
  When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong, they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house.



• I think maybe this was God's way of 'helping' me when, through tears this morning, I asked Him to help me through this day. Out of the whole book, my sister randomly decides to read me this particular passage. Coinscidence? I doubt it. Thank you, God, for this encouragement today! :) Oh...and also thank you to the author of the book, that would be none other then C.S. Lewis. You're gone now, C.S., but God is still using your writing in the most amazing ways.

* The particular event occured on April 20th, 2011.

Latest Tele-Addiction

" The Invaders: alien beings from a dying planet. Their destination: the Earth. Their purpose: to make it *their* world. David Vincent has seen them. For him, it began one lost night on a lonely country road, looking for a shortcut that he never found. It began with a closed deserted diner, and a man too long without sleep to continue his journey. It began with the landing of a craft from another galaxy. Now, David Vincent knows that the Invaders are here, that they have taken human form. Somehow, he must convince a disbelieving world, that the nightmare has already begun... "

• I would have never thought that I, miss Anti-SciFi anything, would love the famous alien show of the 60s. Sci-Fi and horror are definitely at the bottom of the list of my favorite genres in both movies and television. Thanks to my dad and a family friend, I started watching it, not really thinking I'd like it so much. Boy, was I wrong. I think it's one of the best classic television shows I've ever watched. It's too bad it was only on the air for two seasons...really too bad. I've watched all but the last episode, which I'll watch tonight. A sad day it is. No more aliens burning up, no more civilians dying of cerebal hemorrhage due to that round, colorful gadget; no more brainwashing with the swirling crystal thingy, and worst of all, no more David Vincent. Yes, it'll be a very sad day for me.