200 POSTS!!! And poem by Guest Author Hannah

Guess what?!? THIS POST IS THIS BLOG'S 200th POST!!!  WOOT WOOT!!!  [insert much fanfare, including bagpipes, which always make me cry... so maybe since this is a celebration, we should have Guatemalan marimba music instead...]

The following poem on introvert psyche comes from the brilliant mind of Hannah Harvey, authored May 19 2014, and was generously contributed as a guest post to this blog.  

Caged

Shy? Me?

No.

Not shy. Not quiet.

Just reserved.

This unjust treatment to the introverted population cannot be so deserved.

It is as if all introverts are made of the same blank canvas.

To think they are simply antisocial is madness.

They are more than bookworms, having greater intelligence

And their few words hold a refined eloquence.

The pressure to become an extrovert is great

Yet it is not always so easy to communicate

When so many scorn for suddenly changing your identity.

They think they know you better than yourself when in fact you are an entity—

A being entirely independent from the rest of society—

And natural instinct still has a longing for acceptance and propriety.

The expectations for those who prefer to contemplate

Form a cage from which they cannot escape.

The neglect of the extroverts to lend a hand

Or to rescue the poor in popularity by taking a stand

Is so strong, even if they are unaware

That opposite actions could answer a prayer.

That single prayer asks for a friend

That will, through loyalty, a broken heart mend.

And now, a simple request—do not overlook the silent.

And watch as their faces turn vibrant.

For the Unvoiced have not a hushed wish to be left alone,

Only a burning aspiration for their true self to be known.

Image found here  

Thankful Thursday: Dancing in the Rain

The rain started trickling onto our rooftop tap tap tap and pretty soon came a louder rap rap rap on our door, and Miria excitedly got us out of our room into the parking lot where we danced danced danced in the dark night with the rain rain rain.

The rain came down faster faster faster and soon we were singing singing singing up at Ailina's window, and she came down down down to join us.  The shoes came off, our hair got drippy drippy drippy, and the laughter and waltzes flowed.  I had the wrong timing timing timing but it was so fun fun fun.  :)

Photo borrowed from Hey There Cinderella by Nicole Zunker on this blogpost about dancing in the rain

I am thankful thankful thankful for the blessed sister and roommates I live with.  For peace, love, laughter and joy in unforgettable moments moments moments that I will treasure treasure treasure forever.

And the rain still falls down down down...  :)

With whom do you dance dance dance in the rain?  :)

Thankful Thursday: Of Tea, Time, and Minions--Acts of Love

Tonight I am grateful for simple acts of love.  My sister Drue and I have lived in our new college dorm room together for four days now. It is the first time in over 15 years we have shared a room.  Bless her soul, right now she is boiling some water for the "Throat Tamer Tea" we bought last night for my cold.  I am grateful I no longer live in my beloved solitary "hobbit hole", but with someone who is so thoughtful, cheerful and kind.

On Sunday my aunt gave me an incredible foot zone even though her family had to dash up to our ranch, and my uncle went and picked a luscious green melon for me to bring up to school.  After he came back in, he told me one of my favorite stories of how while in Hong Kong, his mom called him to tell him my brother and I had been born.  My heart filled with love and appreciation for this family that is literally my "other family", another mother, father, and siblings to me.  Monday morning another aunt and my cousins changed their schedule on minute's notice in order to help me feel better.  I am grateful to live close to those who mean the world to me.

What Matters Most: This video clip is a beautiful reminder to take time to show our love to those we love.

Life after "death", or, Home from the mission for 2 months!

Hello friend!  This is actually Ivy writing to you, and not her family posting one of her emails!  Can you believe that?!  Two whole months have passed since I officially got released from being a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.  ("Released" meaning I no longer have that iconic black name tag and cannot come knocking at your door saying that I am a representative of Jesus Christ and would you like to hear a message about His restored church.)

Seeing my family at the airport was awesome.  No one made the mistake of getting between me and my mom.  ;)

It was a teary, sobby, squeaky-voiced reunion with tight long hugs and red eyes.

I love my siblings.  :)  

Molly remembered me.  :)  

Thankful Morning: Rambling reflections on a week at the Ranch

This last Monday Dad, Mom, my two younger sisters and I drove up to our family ranch to be with my brother and grandparents and other extended family to harvest and store the hay.  While Dad, my brother, and youngest sister have driven giant tractors, I've learned how to cook meals for 10-14 people at a time, and have decided against ever cooking at a restaurant.  ;)

Camping, cooking, talking, being with little children, and a magical sunrise have made this a week I'm grateful for.

Thankful Thursday: Reassuring words

This afternoon I felt exhilarated after working three+ hours with Mom cleaning up an extraordinarily messy blackberry patch, but tonight I felt overwhelmed.  I am grateful for all three stewardships my family shares responsibility for (a family ranch, a family farm, and the house+property my immediate family actually lives on), but sometimes it is hard to work and work and work and NEVER be done.  

So it was a sweet moment reading these words tonight:

"Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

You know, brethren [and sisters], that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren [and sisters], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

:)  

Thankful Thursday: Thank you, Gentlemen, for your virtue!

I'm typing this in a dorm room at the University of Wisconsin.  My family is here because one of my sisters is competing with her teammates at the national Science Olympiad tournament.  I love being here along for the ride, without the stress of being a competitor.  :)  

Virtue:
1) behavior showing high moral standards
   --a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person
   --virginity or chastity
Origin: from Latin virtus "valor, merit, moral perfection"


Tonight I had a difficult experience.  I was walking back to our dorms with my family and our team, when I smiled and said "Hi" to a poorly dressed man.  His reply was a quiet "Hi, Babe", and I realized a minute later that he had turned around and was following our group about 10 feet away.  I felt vulnerable and nervous, and changed my position to be on the other side of my parents, further away from him.  He finally crossed the street and I saw him checking out other women as we continued walking.

54th Thankful Thursday: Family... isn't it about... time?

This week I've been on Spring Break.  I set a goal to do something fun every day, and have so far kept it.  I don't think I've ever had a "break" where I've felt so good about how I've used the time.  This afternoon I told Mom that, while I haven't gotten everything done, I've gotten the most important things done--and I can go back to school "at peace with myself" ready to get back to work.

I laugh every time.  :)  

Some highlights from the past few days: