Regrouping

Good morning, ladies! I'm loving the comments that are coming in re the last post and I'll respond to those on another day -- but I wanted to catch up on what went down while I was away and while hubby was in the hospital. (By the way, today is our 39th anniversary, and it's even more special than usual because of his recent illness. Your  "floodgate of prayers", to quote RACHEL, did carry me through) Our wonderful Crystal (pictured here with me at The Abbey in Quebec) has been her usual great at keeping me apprised of the general flow. Ya gotta love that lady.

One area where it seems you've all made, like, quantum leaps in living the life that really is life is in letting go and embracing. A few examples:

    MIRIAM is managing distractions so she has more time to serve, write, think and pray. Right there with ya, Miriam. It's a continual process all our lives. Trust me on that.

    KATE S is going to complain less and enjoy more when it comes to dance. Yeah, y'know, the arts are supposed to be a source of joy, even though they are at times hard work. I have to remember that myself when writing starts to feel like a job.

    MELODY is letting go of comparison and celebrity "news" and looking to develop the kind of in-person friendships that she has here on the blog. (SARAH ELIZABETH is there, too and wants to stop sugar coating things with her friends)  I love Melody's, "I feel an ocean but show a puddle." I mean, that is seriously good!

    ABBIE and MADISON are going to try to deal better with brother issues. EMII has rediscovered the value of being an enoucrager. LEXI is re-prioritizing so she can spend more time with God and more time pursuing her writing. PAIGE is moving that way too; her first step: signing off Facebook an hour earlier. THERESE wants to work at cutting back on waste-of-time style socializing and is doing that via walks with God. NICOLE has taken at least one stress break (and we hope she does more of that) Great growth, ladies. I know adults who WISH they were making that kind of progress.

We heard from some of you who've been quiet for a while, which is like seeing old friends we've lost touch with. We have missed you ALISHA, BETHAN,  WREN, MIMI  and CAMI. It's good to have you back.

And we have some new members: LAURA JANE (recently graduating from the tween blog) and ASHLEY (a horse lover) and KAMILAH . Welcome, ladies. We hope you'll feel at home here.

Two things really popped out at me as I was reviewing your comments. One is how much you love and respect each other and have formed such a trusting, God-honoring, honest community here. I'm just so proud of you, so blessed by the work that's going on in your spirits.

The other is that some very concrete things are coming out of your work here and your continued closeness to God (even at times when, like NICOLE has recently, you feel kind of spiritually  apathetic . . . God gets that, by the way)  ALISHA feels nudged to write a devotional in which she'll tell the story of her struggle. MELODY is including the blog on her senior board, and has made her own blog, actually.    NICOLE, RACHEL and BETHAN are simply using "love and blessings" as their sign-off.   MIRIAM's baking cookies for her neighbors (could you send some of those my way?)

Basically, I think you're amazing and I'm so honored to provide this place of being. I have no particular comment prompt -- I know you're still working on the one from the last post -- but I just had to check in and let you know that you are loved and appreciated. I guess that's me letting go and embracing too. Ah -- it feels good.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue   

    

          

Comments

[Kindal]

Ahhhh Nancy..you never cease to make us girls feel good.

[Marlee]

Wow, it is so great to hear what everyone is working toward. I'd really love to become more involved on this blog over the summer. Lately I've been doing the "life that truly is life" thing by just really appreciating the great people I have in my life. It really helps to just look at everything you have and see how God has placed some great opportunities, people, and things there for you.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Well, happy anniversary to you and your husband, Mrs. Rue! :) Hope you have a special day together. And I'm glad your husband is recovering well.

Here are my answers to the previous post:
(1) Is it weird that the first thing I thought of was one of Shakespeare's sonnets? "Love is not love, which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove. No, it is an ever-fixed mark which looks on tempests and is never shaken." (I quoted that from memory so it may not be exact.)
But the actual image that came to mind was of a cliff next to the water. (Something like this: http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/seacliff.JPG) Waves have hit that cliff probably millions of times and yet it still stands strong. Pieces of it may have broken off but I don't think anyone will disagree that its current state is beautiful.
(2) That would definitely have to be when I moved from NC to LA. It was hard. But once I decided to let go and trust that God had a purpose in my family and me moving, it got much better. Even though I still wasn't back in NC, I still didn't live near my friends, my perspective had changed and that made all the difference.

Hey, by the way, Nicole, I did actually plan something for my birthday - besides working all day, that is. Haha :) And thanks for the e-card!

Love and praying for you all!

[Ashley]

Could you girls please pray for a friend of mine? Her name is Deidre; and she is in a really tough situation right now. Could you pray for her? Thanks.

As for the last post, I think my picture of God is kind of like those old shepherds towers. Like the ones made out of huge thick heavey stones.
My un expected event I guess is last spring when I lost half the vision in my left eye. It's definantly an experience that has left me better off on my walk with God. I was pretty confused for a while because LOTS of people prayed for me to be healed and it never happend. I haven't gotten my sight back, but I've really learned alot about prayer and trusting in God. So ya.

Love you girls.
Ashley :)

[Jyllenna]

Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Rue!

I haven't been commenting much, but I have been reading. And I so need this. Everything seems to be changing around me right now. My dad just got a new job in a different city, which I am actually glad about because I so want to get out of where I live and get away from the girl drama at my school.

But,speaking of unexpected events, my grandpa got diagnosed with a brain tumor. They can't operate on him because he's 88. Everyday he's getting weaker. It's like I'm watching him die before my eyes. But I have been able to see God move. Within two days he got accepted to one of the top care homes in Canada and he actually gets to spend his last days with my grandma who's already in the home. He's only a hallway away from her. Only God could have arranged it like that.

I know a lot of you are struggling, but could you possibly find time to pray for me?

I'm so thankful for Mrs. Rue and this blog. And, man, I really need to comment more so I don't leave novel-long comments.

Jyllenna

[Alisha]

Happy Anniversary!
It seems like so many things are changing. Remember when I said I wanted to tell my story? Well, over this past little while I was asked to do a couple of interviews over at different blogs, and also was presented with the request to help a friend of mine set up a group blog, which I am very excited about doing. Basically there's 5 of us girls, all teenagers and all living with chronic illnesses of some sort. So this blog will basically be our lives, and encouragement and support and to raise awareness for invisible illness.
It's stressful and crazy, but I am so thankful to have this opportunity, and it's great to see God at work.

[Melody]

Happy Anniversary!

I just wanted to say I'm praying for everyone, we've all been through and are going through some really hard things, but prayer is more than capable of making a huge difference :)

I had my graduation yesterday which was really cool but soooo strange. I also had my next to last dance performance with my studio and my last one will be next Sunday. I'm a little apprehensive to move to my college (am I allowed to say where I'm going Mrs. Rue?) and start a new dance program and new chapter in my life, but I'm more worried about the people I'll be leaving behind. I have a lot of friends here that beat themselves up so much over one little wobble on pointe or a music mistake that wasn't even their fault. I'm definitely not the most positive person, but I'm usually one of the biggest I guess "cheerleaders" for my friends. Without me I worry that they'll just going to feel even worse about themselves. Anyway I have my graduation party tonight and things are stressful right now, but a lot of fun.

Mrs. Rue: Question for you, could I send in a picture of my senior board that I made? Just so everyone can see the part of the blog I included and so it can seem like you guys are a little part of my graduation, since this blog has been such a big deal for me. :)

[Bethany]

Happy anniversary! I'm glad your husband is home from the hospital!

[Kindal]

happy anniversary and i too am glad your husband is home from the hospital! :)

[*Rachel*]

Happy happy anniversary, and double yay for your husband being out of the hospital in time to spend it with you!! Isn't it funny how God orchestrates things like that for us? :)
Just wanted to drop in a quick comment letting all of you girlies know that I am praying as always, but also to share something with you. I've been really struggling lately with my relationship with God - I feel like my prayer life has been really dry, and I've been having doubts about my worth, thinking that I can't do anything worthwhile for Him in all of my imperfection. But I came across this passage from 1 Peter that I want to show you all:

Beloved:
The end of all things is at hand. Therefore be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

This passage just encouraged me so much! I mean, it's not like all my doubts and fears and obstacles are now miraculously gone, but I really want to persevere through this and see where I end up. So if you're struggling like me, I hope that reading and praying this passage might help you out a little bit. :) Enjoy the rest of your weekends!

Love and Blessings,
*Rachel*

[Kindal]

Very inspiring Rachel! :) praying!

[mimi]

Hello everybody!!!
Glad to have you back Mrs. Rue! And Happy Annaversary! And its great that your husband is out of the hospital!

Your last post was sooo perfect! Right now I'm in the middle of reading Unexpected Dismounts, and last night i stayed up till 2 finishing the Reluctant Prophet. They are sooo good, and its like the same thing that I'm going through right now. At the moment I go to a christian high school, but i think that GOd is telling me to go to the junky community public high school in my small town. I'm pretty sure that I will go because I guess you could call this a Nudge, and those just can't be ignored!

1. I'm not sure if im understanding the question right but... mine would be this picture that God gave me one night when i was praying about the whole school situation, actually it wasn't a picture but like a vision cause it felt like i was actually expiriencing it. In it there was a rope hanging from the sky with me clinging to the end of it for dear life. Below me like WAY below me was a dark waterfall a cliffs and that kinda thing. As I was hanging on, God told me to let go , and that he'd catch me, that even though I couldnt see his hands they were there and if I just trusted him, he'd catch me ( i was listening to music at this same time and the song that was playing was Safe by Phil Wickham and the chorus is like you will be safe in my arms.. cool) And then I let go, for a split second i was terrified that i would fall but then I was caught in His wonderful hands and wrapped in his presence. And I was Safe.

If that makes any sense that is mine. I believe God gave that to me to tell me that if i went to the public school he would take care of me, because I'm kinda scared to go...

2. Well this whole school thing would be my unexpected dismount

Thank you everyone for being amazing! Sorry this is soo long but i needed to share this! Could you please pray that i make the right decision with school? I'm praying for you all!
God Bless!

[Kate S]

happy anniversary!
wow, today is my parents'- there's is their 18th. :)

[~~~LAURAJANE~~~ P.S. I love my horse!!!]

happy anniversary, mrs. rue!

ilylwsbwa
laura

[Therese]

Happy Anniversary Mrs. Rue! :)

Thank you all for your prayers. <3

[***LAURAJANE***]

Hey guys I have a prayer request. I was lunging my horse tonight in the round pen because she was acting crazy. You can do something called dancing with your horse where they stop on a dime and turn directions really fast. We were doing that, and she refused to do it and blasted forward. She got caught in the fence and cut up her legs. Thankfully she didn't need stitches, but my dad said that if she didn't have leg wraps on we would have had to put her down. I about barfed when I heard that. I really feel guilty because I think that it is my fault. Please pray for both me and Flower, my horse.

Ilylwsbwa
Laura

[Kamilah]

happy anniversary! And I will pray for everyone!
im going to work towards honoring God in everything I do. I know that sounds really vague but I mean like honoring him with sports, school, even when I'm hanging out with friends. Is that what we were supposed to do? (say what we are going to work towards) I was kind of confused... :/
well xox
Kamilah

[Cami]

Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Rue! God bless! I am SO thankful that your husband is recovering well.

Rachel- praying for you. I can relate.
Laura- praise God that your horse will be ok! That is a huge blessing!
Kamilah- I know what you mean :)It's a goal of mine, as well.
Melody- happy graduation! Yay!

Well, how's this for an unexpected turn: On Tuesday morning (so about a week ago) I found out for the first time that I will graduate High School in July. JULY!!! So that is a HUGE surprise for me; I'm only 16 and I wasn't expecting to graduate for another year. Please, please pray that the LORD will make clear to me what He wills for the next season of my life. I was completely caught off guard by that and now whatever I choose needs to happen SOON, as the deadlines for most college applications, etc. will be due soon, if not already due. I am really confused at what all this means and what His will is for me! If y'all will pray for clarity, wisdom, peace in my spirit, and courage, I will SO appreciate it.

I'ts so weird to me to look back and realize that that season of High School is over for me, and that the opportunities that were once a part of my life may never be a part of my life again. And it is a hopeful prospect to me to think that our great Orchestrator may use some of those supposedly 'dead' opportunities in a brand new way in my life; in some way I never expected!

Please pray specifically for my efforts in Track and Field. This is my first season running track- after years and years of hoping for the opportunity- and though I am by no means any great ahtlete in this area, especially compared to some of my teammates, whom have been in it for years, I am dedicated and I love this sport. It was SO worth waiting for! If the Lord plans to use it in my life in some way in the future, I would pray that it would happen soon!

Please cherish this season of life we're in, girls- it's much shorter than you think it will be! But it is a huge blessing.

I'm sorry for how looooooong this comment is...
Your sister in Christ,
Cami

[Lexi]

Hey everyone! Happy late anniversary Mrs.Rue! So glad your husband is out of the hospital! I am praying for each and every one of you!
Love y'all!!

[Caitlin]

Wow. I haven't commented in a really long time, but I've been reading. I just came to say that I pray for you all.

[Avery]

hey guys! sorry i haven't been on in a really long time (like 3 months! Yikes!)I've been so busy this past spring, but now that school is out (YES!) i hope to be spending more time on here. :)
I'm praying for you girls and for your husband, Mrs. Rue, who is in the hospital. Happy anniversary!