The Results of our Prayers

Thank you all so very much for your prayers. Heath, I almost cried when I read your comment and saw your site. Thank you. That means a lot. More than you know. Chad, God healed her, but not in the way we were hoping. She'll never hurt again, and she's in a better place. Her life never would have been normal again after all of the trials her body suffered. Tammy passed away officially on Thursday, the 28th. They decided it was for the best. The boys took it differently: her oldest punched the wall; her youngest broke down. Her visitation was today and the funeral is tomorrow. Chad and Casey, her two sons are doing as well as can be expected. They weren't crying when I went and saw them, but you can tell they're really hurting. I'll go to the services tomorrow, but what can you say to them? We had a Sunday School class sleepover Friday night and that was the burden I shared with the group. They're still on my heart. That sleepover was an awesome experience. But keep praying for the boys. I'm still concerned that they'll let this ruin everything, change their dreams, and that they'll give up on life. I know it can't be easy to move on with life when it feels like there's nothing left to live for. But with God, all things are possible. So thank you all again for your prayers. I want to share a blessing that I only recently realized. I've been really busy this summer, more so than ever before, almost to the point of exhaustion. But I've had this little nagging thought for some time telling me it's time to find "the one" for me. I'm programmed to love with everything I have, and not having someone to call my own is beginning to bother me more than ever before. But my busyness, my super-active summer, and all of the babies I take care of are God's gifts. I'm too busy to be lonely! I cried when I realized what He's done for me. Now I'm not worried. I'm still learning, but I think I'm ready to let go. Just wanted to let y'all know that He's still working! I'm off, so toodles for now. Love to all. More than you could possibly know. Thank you all again for your love and support!

PRAYERS NEEDED

Ok, seriously urgent prayer request. A lady we know had a massive stroke due to the rupture of an aneurism. Some guys found her and woke her oldest son (20) up and he called 911. The men left and thought nothing more about it. Until they life-flighted her to the nearest intensive care unit. In Beaumont. She flat-lined twice on the way there and is currently on a respirator. She has been deemed brain-dead. Her youngest son is my age – we graduated together. He was in Missouri when it happened. Her husband was in California. He is on his way home. Her son caught a ride with one of the richest men in our area on his private helicopter, sent especially to get him and bring him home to his mom and brother. Their father will be the decision-maker when he arrives. So pray for a miracle. Or for some relief for the boys from this devastating blow. But pray that they don't become bitter from this, no matter what happens. Tammy, the lady to whom this happened is a local, raised in the area and a good friend of many of the school staff and students. Her sons both had lots of friends. So this will be a hard blow to take. Please, pray. Pray hard.

Just a Thought

What if the reason can't set my mind on anything slid or definite for my future is that something monumental is going to happen to change all of my plans? Like a tragic accident or finding a husband with whom I wouldn't have to work and help maintain the household. Or getting "discovered" before I finish college. Or the Rapture. Or dying. I've always found myself disturbingly morbid, so it's not a new thought. I'm not suicidal. I like myself too much for that. But wouldn't that be a great reason behind my shallow, indecisive thoughts? God doesn't want me to bother with thinking about the future because something amazingly unexpected is going to happen and leave me on a whole new world (Aladdinish, I know). Or not.

Oompa Loompas are cool. So are Sunday afternoon naps, new CDs, family and get-togethers, shrimp gumbo, and late graduation gifts. But missing people isn't. I'm gonna count and see how many times I miss various people throughout my daily life and report back. Aight, toodles y'all.

Baby News

Hey all. Quick update. The baby is better as far as his hives go, but he has a possible secondary infection from the lack of "good" bacteria after the first round of antibiotics. He had a little bit of fever today, and his hives popped up a tiny bit, but he recovered from both very quickly. Thank you all for your prayers! Love and hugs.

Prayers and Jokes

'Nother prayer request, y'all. The baby of the two boys I babysit during the week had a severe allergic reaction to something Wednesday night. They don't know if it's eggs, peanut butter, tomatoes, or the antibiotic he's been taking, but he's breaking out in hives and isn't very comfortable right now. He's taking a steroid and benadryl to control the reaction. And today, he fell off of my lap (I was sitting in a chair) while reaching for a crayon that was too far away and hit his head on the linoleum floor. Nice goose egg and a pretty bruise. Poor baby. He cried for a while after that one. He's fine now, but it scared me a little. Just pray that they find what he's reacting to and that it's not something that will change the whole household's lifestyle.

On to other things. Astroworld was a blast! Had so much fun playing in the rain! And we get to go back because we got rain checks. Yay! Saw this at Mark's website and thought you might enjoy.

At a small terminal in the Texas Panhandle, three strangers are awaiting their shuttle flight. One is a Native American passing through from Oklahoma.

Another, a local ranch hand on his way to Ft. Worth for a stock show. The third passenger is an Arab student, newly arrived at the Texas oil patch from the Middle East.

To pass the time they strike up a conversation on recent events, and the discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon the Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout Muslim. The conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowpoke leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind outside blows tumbleweeds and the old windsock flaps, but no plane comes.

Finally, the Native American clears his throat and softly, he speaks: 'Once my people were many, Now we are few.'The Muslim raises an eyebrow and leans forward, 'Once my people were few,' he sneers, 'and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?'
.......

The Texan shifts the toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says, 'That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet.'

Yay for Texas!!!

Blast from the Past

Hey all. Thought I'd share a few interesting tidbits from my past. I was digging through my keepsakes the other day and came upon this piece of paper with the following words (as actually written, spelling and all): "Pam I am sheriff pam. I kech robbers. I get off at noon. I go back at done. Remember I am sheriff pam and I will areste you." Cute, huh? It was very humbling to realize that I was such a terrible speller when I was little. But I was about 4 when I typed that on a typewriter at Granny's. I looked at it and knew that y'all would love to read it, so there it is. My job description for some random play-time imaginary setting.

I also found a few quotes and poems. I'll post the poems later, but the quotes are really good, so they're going up now.

'Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your own nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God did what we wouldn't dare dream. He did what we couldn't imagine. He became a man so we could trust Him. He became a sacrifice so we could know Him. And He defeated death so we could follow Him." ~ Max Lucado

Other than that, not much is going on in my life. I had a craft spurt last night. Mom gave me some new, clean, small paint cans and I covered them with cloth and paint and buttons. Very cute. I might post some pictures if anybody's interested. They took me all of about 5 minutes each after I manipulated the cloth to do what I wanted. The first one is covered with a red bandana print and then various colored buttons – mostly red, white and blue. The second one is covered in denim from an old pair of jeans. I was going to put a back pocket on it, but the can was too short for the pocket, so I put a front pocket on it. The back side is covered with plain denim (from the leg) and then painted on. I wrote PAM and drew a cute little flower. The lids are covered the same, respectively, and I wrote PAM on the denim lid as well. I'm thinking about giving the red can to my roommate when school starts.

We're going to Astroworld Thursday! I have a dentist appointment tomorrow and I have to drop stuff off at the auction barn this morning, and then go boot shopping. I desperately need some cowboy boots. I haven't had a pair in over a year and I really need some to complete the western look for cow sales and such. Well, I'm off to take a shower and go do my chores for today. Love to all! Hugs and kisses to everybody that needs 'em! Oh, btw, Jared is doing better, but he still needs our prayers. And everyone be sure to comfort Heathykins on the loss of his four toofs. And Coleman brothers – all of y'all are awesome! I'm really glad y'all are part of my daily blogging experience! Of course all of my other visitors are awesome, too, especially Porkchop, who got me set up in the first place, but I had this crazy dream about the Coleman brothers flying down to Texas last night, and I thought at least props were in order for people who stay in my subconcious long enough to produce a dream. Lol. Aight, later!

Prayers needed

Our big buddy Jared is injured. Keep him in your prayers. I know God will heal him, and we're already thankful that the damage wasn't worse. It could've been. It doesn't seem like it, but His time, His will, His way.

Injuries:
3 busted ribs
deflated lung
concussion
fractured pelvis
possible back injury
temporary memory loss

Serious prayers needed here. Special love and hugs of support to Chad and Heath, younger brothers of Jared. Guys, we're praying hard!

Dream Big

Rather appropriate, I thought. By Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband.

Dream Big

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

Chorus:
And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue.
‘Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
All around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
Don’t let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
It will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty al
lAround and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
Help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus 2x

The weekend!

Ok, this will be a little short and full of little things. Orientation was really cool. The sessions were boring, but I made 4 friends who have since emailed me. Awesomeness. Went to the lake on Friday. Had a blast! After I resigned myself to being hopelessly without a "designated companion". Everyone else my age or older had a significant other and I felt my lack of one on several occasions. But it was fun after I got over that particular struggle. We went wakeboarding, wakeskating, swimming, fishing, and just riding. We cooked out on the pit every day, played late-nite poker and dominoes, and slept all over. Anywhere we could, actually. I had this awesome blow-up mattress under a futon pad that was amazingly comfy. Along with rhythmic snores, thunder and lightening, and rain, we had some pretty good nights of sleep. Lightning struck the biggest pine tree in the back yard at about 5:15 Sunday morning. And the boat sank. That was interesting. We had a really huge storm blow up on us in about 5 minutes, and that was really cool. White capping everywhere, and we were in a cove! But over all, a very successfully fun weekend. And I'm currently content with being single. Each day changes things a little, but I'm still working toward the ultimate goal of trusting in the Lord and His time in everything, including guys and college and life in general. My time's up, so I'm off. Love to everybody!

Survey thingy

I STOLE THIS FROM JESSICA...............(she told me to!!!)
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY
1. Pam
2. Spatula
3. Pamela
THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. Eaglepam
2. pampam05
3. spatula
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. Hair
2. Eyes
3. Feet
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. Butt
2. Thighs
3. Paleness
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Irish
2. Indian
3. Scottish
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Roaches
2. Being in love alone
3. Never finding that "one" to make my life something special
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. Contacts
2. Getting on the internet
3. blue jeans
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. Green shirt
2. Tommy jeans (brand-spankin new)
3. flip-flops
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. SheDaisy
2. Trapt
3. Pat Green
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. "Come Home Soon" SheDaisy
2. "Don't Wanna Close My Eyes" Aerosmith
3. "Unchained Melody" LeAnn Rimes
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Love
2. Humor
3. Trust
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. We own 30+ registered Texas Longhorns
2. My favorite color is black
3. I want four children, two boys, two girls
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU(in order):
1. Overall looks
2. Eyes
3. Body/Smile (depending on the guy)
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES(also in order):
1. Surfing the web
2. Reading
3. Listening to music
THREE THINGS YOU WANT REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. A hott guy to come up t me and kiss me
2. A bed to sleep in cuz my back hurts
3. To got to college for real
CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING/YOU'VE CONSIDERED:
1. Film Director
2. Teacher
3. Nurse
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Hawaii
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
THREE KIDS' NAMES YOU LIKE:
1. Jack Anthony
2. Margaret Elizabeth
3. Audrey Grace
(4. Charles Richard)
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. Go skydiving
2. Own a motorcycle
3. Marry the man I love (when I find him or when God reveals him to me if I know him already)THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL/BOY:
1. I like guys
2. I like to shop
3. I wear makeup
THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Orlando Bloom
2. Chad Michael Murray
3. Elijah Woods
THREE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE STEAL THIS FROM ME:
1. Porkchop
2. Heathykins
3. Mark (a.k.a. -[Medic]-)

Small update

Ok, just a quick post to keep everyone informed, I have orientation tomorrow. Fun fun! Hopefully I will get all of the stuff I need to do taken care of. More when I get home. Love to all!

Dreams

Ok, FYI for the general populace, I'm seriously going to check into a theater major. No more business. Unless I can't do the theater program and honors at the same time. If I can't, I'll stick with business for now. But I have to adjust my schedule and rearrange a couple of things. No Economics, mainly. As corny as it sounds, I was watching "Cinderella Story" and heard the line, "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." So I decided to go after my dream. Film director. Sorry to disappoint you Choody Boop, but I'll try not to succumb to Hollyweird society if I make it that far. Love to all. Heathykins, only a month and a little bit left!

News, Lots and lots of news!

Okay, this is gonna be one heck of a post. First off, scholarship, then Josh, then last night, then today. Are you ready? Are you sure? Ok, let's go.

Scholarship: I've decided that while I was waiting for God to work things out, He did, but I just didn't see it! Duh! Ok, if I would've gotten the scholarship, I would've been limited to a degree in the business field. Now, without the scholarship, I can be anything I want to be! No restrictions, no limitations, no end to the possibilities! I can pursue film, or primary education, or medicine, or chemistry, or ANYTHING I want! It's awesome! My first year is paid, so now all I have to do is explore my options! Easy as pie, sort of, but I'm a little scared. I really don't like to float and leave things undecided, but I'm willing to let God lead, as long as He gives me OBVIOUS answers. Key word. Did you see it? Heh.

Josh: His parents are old family friends and I met him a couple of years ago. His first words to me were, "Great way to break stuff." Nice? Funny, to say the least. He's cute and sweet (which you'll see more of later). He graduated with my cousin and was ranked something like 17 out of 500 or so. So not too dumb, right? Well, he's funny, smart, cute, nice, and wakeboards, which is a doorway in a way since my brother and cousin both do that, but he lives an hour away and will be close to 2 hours away when college starts. So it's a thought. So I reiterate that I'm shallow and very immature since I have about 6 crushes at a time, but anybody can be Prince Charming, right? Lol.

Last night: Uncle Tony, Mom, Derek (my brother), Brandy (his gf), Anthony (my cousin), Lauren (Anthony's gf), Tammy (Uncle Tony's fiancee), and Ashley (Tammy's daughter) went to dinner last night. Uncle Tony paid, despite our protests. Josh showed up right after we ordered, but he had already eaten at Jack-in-the-Box. After supper, we went to Crockett St. to go "clubbin" and I went to my first club ever! And had a great time! I didn't drink and I didn't dance, but I watched all of the people drinking and dancing, and laughed the whole time! I was standing against the wall just watching and Josh walked over to check on me. He said that I didn't look like I was having a good time. And then he offered to make an effort to get Derek and Brandy (who hasn't turned 18 yet, not til Monday) inside so I'd feel more comfortable. I really appreciated his thoughtfulness and willingness to make sure I was happy. I went and stood by him and Anthony and kept watching people, just talking and laughing and making fun of this girl who had toilet paper stuck to her shoe after she came out of the bathroom... No, I'm not kidding. It was classic! TBS funny, lemme tell ya. So we left the strip (Derek, Brandy, and me) at about 11 PM. We got home and took showers. Brandy took hers first, then I got in. When I finally got finished in the bathroom, I walked out and heard voices. Josh's voice. Anthony had come home and Josh decided to spend the night with all of us at Uncle Tony's. They'd left Lauren at Crockett St., but that's a whole 'nother story, which I don't know the entirety of, so you're gonna have to just use some imagination and figure out how she got separated from the group, got lost, and rolled her ankle stepping off a curb badly enough to have to have Anthony leave his house at 2 in the morning and go pick her up off the sidewalk after some kind stranger called him after she fell... Josh ended up going to somebody else's house to a party about 30 minutes after he got there, so I don't know where he ended up sleeping, but he had to work today from 7 to 5, and missed today's events.

Today: Today was the Southeast Texas Wakeboarding competition in Rose City (right beside Beaumont). Derek competed in the amateur division. Anthony was in the intermediate/advanced division. Don't know the results. We left at 5 PM before the awards and live band got started, and before Josh got there, but it was an over-all ok day. I got sunburned, but I'll be aight. Might blister. We'll see. The whole comp ended up getting rained out right after we left, but there was only about half of a division left to run and half of the people were already gone. Dad met us at Uncle Tony's this morning and went out there with us, and he got involved in some strange business. Some guy under the canopy next to us named Bradley (his name was tatted across his back) stole a wakeboard. We all saw him and Dad reported him to the vendors and Don, the guy who owns the lake. So they knew who he was, knew how to contact him, and he'll be punished. They got Dad's name and number in case they needed a testimony or any more help. So that was the excitement of the day, I guess.

Well, I've got that off my chest, so I'll let y'all go! Love and hugs to all! But don't squeeze too tight! I'm a little warm... Heheh.

Scholarship

I didn't get it. I'm upset, and I cried, but I know God will work something out. I just wish He would've worked THAT something out.

Tears and Hope

Hey all. First, I want to share this great story found by Mark (a.k.a. -[Medic]-). I really cried when I read it, but it was definitely worth the read. He was also kind enough to link to me on his blog several times to stories or certain posts. He's a pretty cool guy, so stop by and see him.

For all of you keeping track of my health status, I feel TONS better. My throat is still a tad bit sore, but my back is perfectly aight. This last day of teas and cider will probably cure me once and for all. So thanks for your prayers.

Should hear something about the scholarship today or tomorrow, so if you hear a scream in whatever state you happen to be in, don't worry, it's just me. Hehe. But if I don't get it, you won't hear me cry. But there's quite a bit riding on this scholarship. Like a car, a computer, and of course, my college education. Oh, I'll go, but it'll be a little bit harder to procure funding. I'll let you know as soon as I find out. Love to all!

Disease

I'm sick. Ill. In severe pain. Because, not only do I have some bug that affects my tonsils and ears, but I also strained muscles in my back. From picking up my little ones from VBS, I would imagine. Not something that usually happens. I'm a very sturdy girl, so it's not like I can't handle it, but I think I was twisted wrong or bent too far over a time or two and I'm feeling the effects of it now. It was far worse yesterday. Heat helps bunches. But my throat hurts when I swallow. That's why I'm on the computer when I'm supposed to be at church. Go figure. Should know something about the interview in the next couple of days. Had a fever yesterday, 100.9 degrees at it's highest. Stayed in bed all afternoon, then felt better, so I got up. When I woke up this morning I was back to square 3, as opposed to square 6 at the end of yesterday. But I'm going back to bed now. Later.

>>> Update: Ok, today I'm a lot better in that my back isn't bothering me much, just a little stiff, but that should stretch out by about noon. My throat, unfortunately, is still sore, and my ears are still floating, so I'm taking it easy for the time being. 'Bout to go pop some pills and take a shower, then it's back to drinking tea and gargling with salt water (Mom's idea, haven't tried it yet). Just lettin' y'all know!

Interview...

Hey all. Y'all remember the interview I mentioned earlier? Well, it was yesterday. I was relaxed, cool, and confident. Well, mostly. I got nervous the night before but calmed back down after I talked to a couple of counselors about it, then I got nervous right when I went in the room. But after I started talking I calmed back down. The counselor I went up there with went in and "pitched" us to the committee after our interviews (there were three of us). He said that they were "awed" by me, that I was poised, mature, and very impressive. My rank and involvement and scholarships from High School got me extra gold stars. So things look fair. I won't know anything for sure until after Monday when they mail the results, but I'm hopeful, and we're still praying. And I got into the Honors dorm!!! That's kind of hard to do if you don't apply super early, but I got in. I don't know my room number yet, or who my roommate is, but that's ok. God will handle that, too. So, just wanted to keep everybody posted. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts! Love to all!

Cheers!

I thought this was good stuff. Got in an email this morning.

A mother writes:

My son serves in the military. He is still stateside right now. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha.

He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock.

The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly, "Yes, I always wear it and I probably always will."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman:

"Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid."

Everyone within hearing distance cheered!

Tattoo

Oh, a special aside for Chad and Heathykins (yes, it WILL stick!). If you want a tattoo, take a look at this one. Pretty sweet, huh? Yeah... right.

Monday

Watched "The Last Samurai" last night. Sad. Good, but sad. Got an email from Ryan. Finally. Today's' the first day of VBS! I'm so excited!!! Oh, and Heathykins, I didn't miss the "Matrix" reference, but I didn't actually catch it until I saw the movie a couple of days later and recognized a line as one of your comments. :P I never can remember the really cool lines! And you get to jump out of planes FOR A LIVING!!! *sulks in corner like a two-year-old, then suddenly turns around, and, with a huge sheepishly cheesey grin, goes skipping off, singing the Numa Numa song*