Caddie's father comes and talks to Caddie after Caddie has spent the day in her room as a punishment issued by her mother. Father speaks to Caddie.
"It's a strange thing, but somehow we expect more of girls than of boys. It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie, who keep the world sweet and beautiful. What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way! A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness. It's a big task, too, Caddie -- harder than cutting trees or building mills or damming rivers. It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things. They have them just as much as the men who build bridges and carve roads through the wilderness. A woman's work is something find and noble to grow up to, and it is just as important as a man's. But no man could ever do it so well. I don't want you to be the silly affected person with fine clothes and manners whom folks sometimes call a lady. No that is not what I want for you, my little girl. I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind."
I never met my grandmother because she died when my mom was sixteen, but there are a few words of advice and recommendations that I know she lived by, and, after years of hearing my mom repeat them, I have managed to remember them.
One is to have an even number of children -- the verdict is still out on that. At the moment, I am not following her advice.
Another is to never return an empty dish. When someone brings you a meal, you always fill the dish that you return...
Does this count?
I am horrible about returning empty dishes -- in that I'd say 95% of the dishes I return are empty -- they are clean, but empty. Having twins did not improve my percentage. But, a friend and her daughter were enjoying the Little House On The Prairie books, and so I recommended Caddie Woodlawn and my friend liked the sound of it.
Since I own that book, I included it for them to borrow in the empty dish... thus making the dish no longer empty.
Our precious baby girl is such a sweetheart. Staying put this spring has allowed us to get into such a great routine, and as a result she goes down for naps and bedtime with very little, if any fuss.
While we have our nightly routine -- bath, story, nursing... she also has her own routine, which includes flipping through books once she's been put to bed.
Hubby and I watch her on our baby monitor, and we both think this is the sweetest thing. She has two little books in her crib, and she will quietly sit in her crib, sucking on her pacifier, flipping through books for sometimes as long as 15 minutes before laying down and falling asleep.
She's also starting to do this in place of her afternoon nap. She is now taking a really long morning nap, and then, when she gets fussy in the afternoon, she will go in her crib and flip through books for a little quiet time.
I find her reading in bed habit especially adorable because throughout elementary and middle school, I always had a book hidden under the covers in order to read after I was supposed to be asleep.
We love that she is becoming such a little reader.
I just finished one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's books, A Love That Multiplies, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you don't recognize the name, The Duggars are the family with 19 children and are featured on a reality television show, 19 Kids and Counting. Listening to this book has been such an opportunity to learn from a woman who is so many years ahead of me at striving to be a Godly mother.
Among many other gems in this book was a poem that Michelle has framed in her home where she can see it every day. It struck such a cord in my heart that I will probably hang this somewhere in my home where I can see it every day as well.
If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper--not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but
have not love, my children learn cleanliness--not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the
tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears
before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it
picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is
responsive. Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with
the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. Love
is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I
glory in God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must
teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.
I have been sharing different parts about the Mitford books, and I want to keep talking about the, because I am just loving listening to these books for the second time. I just started book five, for the second time. These stories provide so much peace for me. I can be upset about something... but listening to the story of these Mitford characters always gives me peace.
Father Tim frequently talks about the prayer that never fails...
"Thy Will be done."
Have you ever thought about this?
This prayer never EVER fails.
Thy Will be done.
... Hey, it's Friday the 13th!!! I just noticed that! :-D
I've written before about the Mitford Series and not only how much I enjoy the stories, but how much I grow in my Christian walk by the beautiful example of the characters.
The book I'm listening to right now involves Father Tim trying to forgive someone... well, several of the books deal with this, but in this book he talks about having to practice forgivness anew every five minutes. He talks about having to surrender his anger to the Lord only to have to surrender it all over again five minutes later.
All too often I think I've surrendered my anger, or my pride, or practiced forgiveness... but three minutes later, I'm toting the barge all over again -- festering anger, clinging to my pride, struggling with forgiveness. Then I forget to surrender everything again... and five minutes later surrender AGAIN.
Too often, if I'm not able to forgive and forget, I just hold onto my anger -- I tried to forgive, but I couldn't, so I guess this particular issue is too fresh, or hard, or whatever... I'll try to forgive again another day, or month, or year.
Nope, forgiveness needs to happen NOW. And if the anger continues, it needs to happen again in five minutes. And again another five minutes after that.
Mitford reminds me that God would rather I lay something at His feet again and again and again and again, as I LEARN how to trust Him with control rather than lay something at His feet only to pick it up to run with it myself indefinitely.
My job involves a LOT of travel - upwards of 200 miles a day at times. In going back to work, time in the car could have been harder than anything -- time wasted. Time travel is time when I'm not with my baby, I'm not taking care of my home, I'm not teaching students, and I'm not responding to emails.
Thankfully, my time on the road was delightful for one reason: Mitford.
There is a series of books by Jan Karon called The Mitford Books. I have listened to them a few years ago, but, in going back to work, I've recently started the series again.
The series is about an episcopalian rector, Father Tim, who lives in a tiny town, fully of personality, in the mountains of North Carolina. The book, and the town, are full of hilarious, adorable supporting characters with whom the reader/listener just fall in love.
Because Father Tim is a minister, he is always trying to draw closer to God, always reading and reciting scriptures, and so reading stories about him is such a Godly influence. Even his huge black dog points the reader back to the Lord -- the dog is only obedient to the recitation of scripture.
There are nine Mitford books (a tenth will be released later this year), and even a subsequent series of four or so about Father Tim's childhood. The first Mitford book might take place in the early/mid-nineties and the series spans about ten years... thus far, its still going.
On days when I might have been frustrated with work, or discouraged at being away from my baby, the Mitford books brought me back to a beautiful Christian town of neighbors and friends. It Mitford existed, I would be moving there immediately.
I sincerely invite you to make yourself At Home In Mitford (book 1 of the Mitford series).
This book is about a Big Friendly Giant (The BFG) and is an adorable story of a little girl who meets The BFG. She learns about a world completely unlike the one she has always known -- a world of smelly giants, whiz-poppers, dream bottles, and snozzcumbers.
Snozzcumbers are the food consumed by The BFG -- sort of a cross between a pickle and a cucumber -- and HUGE. Well, this week, I found one:
This is actually a GIANT zucchini, but seriously, this is EXACTLY what I always imagined a snozzcumber to be like.
I read Big Russ and Me a few years ago and I LOVED it. It was such a wonderful read about an honest, honorable, hard-working All-American dad and the lessons his son realized.
This book, Wisdom of Our Fathers, is a sequel to Big Russ and Me compiled by some of the letters Tim Russert received as a response to Big Russ and Me.
I am loving listening to these stories of children recalling tales of and time with their fathers. Many of the writers are now parents themselves and they write with the beautiful perspective of time.
As I listen to story after story of children remembering their fathers (most of whom have passed away), I cannot help but think of my father and the stories of his life, and the wisdom he has imparted to me over the years.
Surprisingly, as I listen to more and more stories, I do not just think of my father...
I find myself thinking of my son.
** Note: I do not have a son **
As I listen to story after story, and spend hours thinking about my father's life, I spend hours thinking about my unborn son, or sons, and how I want them to know the life and wisdom of my father.
I hope and trust that my father will meet my sons... but I am also realistic. My father turns 80 years old tomorrow (Praise God!! And Thank God for the 80 years my father has had on earth!!), and my children are not born... not even conceived. My father has longevity in his genes, but chances are good, my father will not live to see my children have children.
Today, I am thankful for time.
I am thankful that, after listening to the book Wisdom of Our Fathers, I can compile a list of questions I still have for my dad; A list of questions, that want to record his answers, so I can share them with my children and grand children.
Here are my parents with my nephews
Questions to Ask Dad:
What was the moment you realized my mom was the love of your life?
What was the hardest trial of your life (thus far) and what brought you through?
What is your favorite memory of your grandmother?, mother?, father?
Did you ever spend time with your paternal grandparents? I don't remember any stories about them.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishments?
What are the medical cases you will never forget?
Why did you choose Muskegon to set up your practice (I know this answer, but I want it written down)?
When did you know you were a man?
What was it like growing up with a twin sister?
What do you miss most about your twin sister?
What hopes and ambitions do you have for the rest of your life?
How often did your dad take you and Uncle Bob camping?
How many Cubs games and Northwestern games did you see live without paying?
When you were a boy, where did you picture yourself living? How many children did you picture yourself having?
What has been the biggest trial of your marriage and how did you and mom get through it?
What are some memories you have of America during WWII?
What did you do on your average Saturday in 1943 (when you were 11 years old)?
What would you want my children to remember about you?
I'm so thankful that I still have time to ask these questions.
I don't think it's any secret that I have had a rough week. I missed the gene that some of my family members have where they can just hide their rough weeks, rough days, disappointed expectations under a beaming, radiant, sparkling face and personality. I pretty much wear my heart of my sleeve... all the time.
That being said, Thursday started looking up.
It started with a headache... but it diminished as the day went on.
My day flew by with my students and meetings going smoothly and then ending in no time!
In addition, I began re-listening to an awesome audiobook I just finished in the car (Pioneer Woman, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, if anyone is looking for a book recommendation), and she runs over her sweet Pug with her car.
I had heard this part of the story before, but yesterday, when I heard, it I made a mental note to spend some special time cherishing my animals that afternoon.
I usually try to enjoy my animals... but this week, with my stress level on overload, some big disappointments, some rough meetings, and what feels like more work than I can complete in two full-time jobs, I have not been cherishing my animals. More often than not, I've been annoyed with my animals.
Yesterday, after vowing to especially love-on my animals, I arrived home in a flurry, picked up coolers and drove them to school for my hubby, then promptly came back home and started working again!
Well into my work emails, my puppy came up, rubbed against me, and put his nose under my arm in an effort to get my hand off of the computer keyboard and onto him for a loving rub-down. My first instinct was to push him away, make him lay down, and get to him later... until I remembered the Pioneer Woman's story and imagined my life without my wonderful dog.
I disengaged from my emails and hugged him like I haven't in weeks. I let him jump up on the couch next to me (a special treat for him) and just pet him and hugged him and cherished him for these perfect moments! He hadn't been on the couch more than a minute when his sort of got his weight off-balanced and then leaned toward me... and before I knew it, I was pawed/pinned to the couch and he was on top of me with a great puppy smile on his face.
It was as though Lloyd was saying, "I finally have your undivided attention, and I'm not letting you get back to work until I've had my fill!"
It was such a perfect moment of just treasuring my dog. Stopping my work right where I was -- it was there when Lloyd wandered away -- and loving on my dog that moment he was asking for it, and cherishing that I have a wonderful dog to cherish.
And I typed that sentence, Lexie just came up curled up on my lap. My animals do have a knack for knowing when I have work to do. :-D Now it's time to cherish here for a few moments!
Have you ever read the book The Shack?
It is an awesome read.
I read it a few years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite books, and I recently started the audio book again that I'm listening to in the car.
I have not done vast research as to whether this story is said to be true, or a fiction, or somewhere in between because I will never know the answer and so I don't need to spend much time thinking about it.
In the introduction of this book, the author says it is a true account of what one man experienced. If that is true, I think it is beautiful. If it is not true, it is an amazing story.
So far my favorite quote comes from a conversation when Mack is asking God about free will and how a loving God can allow such awful events on earth. God answers that humans have free choice, and he often does not like the choices His children make... "But your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and the most loving outcome."
My choices are not stronger than His purposes.
I know God uses everything for good, but I love the language of that quote. My choices are no match for God's purpose. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways are higher than my ways. But God's purposes will always prevail over my choices. My choices can create negative consequences... but God's purposes are not subject to my choices. I love this revelation.
I am not so important, nor are my choices so earth-shattering that they affect God's purposes. God and his purposes are stronger than my choices, than other people's choices, than any human's choices!
I would recommend The Shack to add to your fall reading list. Even if you've read it, this might be a great time to experience the story again.
I've never written "Friday Letters", but blogs I follow have occasionally. After this crazy week, all I could think about regarding a blog post were Friday Letters.
Dear September, Welcome. Late August was great, but I have been ready for you.
Dear New Work Schedule (which begins at 5:30am), You and I still have some adjusting to do.
Dear Coffee, I ignore you for months at a time, but I needed you this week.
Dear Quesadilla, Thank you for being my go-to meal this week. I had no energy for any other thinking or cooking.
Dear
Our Little Home, I have neglected you horribly as of late. I promise
you will be sparkling in ten days when I host a baby-shower. Thank you
for bearing with me.
Dear Sarah Palin, I'm really enjoying your book, Going Rogue, and happy anniversary a few days ago. I think you and I (or maybe your girls) could be friends.
Dear Naval Seal Who Authored No Easy Day, What I understand is you broke the Seal code of silence. If this book in any way compromises our national security, or reveals military secrets to our enemies, or puts active service men and women in harm's way, in my opinion, you will be liable for treason.
Dear Lloyd, I'm sorry you have not gotten as much exercise this week as you usually do. Thank you for being understanding and always so loveable. You will have a lot of fun this weekend, I promise.
Dear Lexie, Thank you for being your sweet, purring self. Please don't stress yourself out too much this weekend.
Dear Sweet Friends Who Are Animal-Sitting for us This Weekend, THANK YOU so much. We are so grateful for your kindness.
Dear Blue Moon, I'm hoping to spot you tonight.
Dear Dress I Want to Wear This Weekend, Please fit!
Dear Michigan Football, Welcome back. BEAT BAMA!!!! GO BLUE!
Dear Hubby, I love you more every day. Thank you for figuring out this new work schedule with me. We can do anything together. I'm so excited to spend this weekend with you.
Those are probably too many Friday Letters... I guess that's why you're supposed to write them every week instead of once in a Blue Moon.
The cost of living has increased in my lifetime. I'm told this is normal, but I really do hope, pray, and look forward to a day when the booming '80s economy resurfaces in America. (I miss Ronald Reagan!)
That being said, I heard a quote on my audio book, Anne of the Island, the other day that I just had to share. For the eternal optimist Anne Shirley is, the first part of the quote was actually said by an older woman, a widow (not especially known for her optimism) talking to Anne.
"Air and salvation are still free...and so is laughter!"
What a wonderful thought on which to focus. Now, you know as well as I do, that salvation is not free, the price for all humans' salvation was paid by the blood of a flawless lamb, the Son of God, who was without sin. The cost of salvation was Jesus' death on the cross.
But salvation is free to you and me, all these years later. All we have to do is accept the sacrifice that was already made and welcome Jesus into our heart and life.
Air, salvation, and laughter are still free... so let's take advantage of the bargain and make a point to enjoy all three.
Many of you may be familiar with the author, Bill O'Reilly from his Fox News Show The O'Reilly Factor. I enjoy Mr. O'Reilly's Fox News show once in a while -- and to be very honest, I usually see it often enough when I visit my parents to fill my quota of seeing the show until my next visit. :-D I really enjoy Mr. O'Reilly's talking points on his show, but I find his manner argumentative, abrasive and, at times, hard to listen to.
That being said, I wasn't thrilled to be starting his book, Pinheads and Patriots. I wasn't sure what kind of "Where You Stand in the Age of Obama" book I was getting myself into.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I learned through listening to this book that when Mr. O'Reilly is the only one talking, his manner is not abrasive at all. :-D In his book, he talks about President Obama's policies, but he does not dwell on issues. He brings up a topic, presents facts on both sides of the issue, gives his overall opinion as to whether this situation is Pinheaded or Patriotic, and he moves on.
Also, this book is not just about President Obama. The book includes anecdotes about when Mr. O'Reilly first entered the field of journalism and how the first "No Spin Zone" came to be.
My favorite part of the book was the presentation of Pinheads and Patriots Throughout History. Mr. O'Reilly discussed the actions and public perceptions of various American politicians and celebrities throughout history and whether, all things considered, they were an overall Pinhead or Patriot. These figures included but were not limited to Marilyn Monroe, President Grant, President Jackson, President Lincoln, Janis Joplin, President Bush Sr., President Bush Jr., Madonna, Babe Ruth, and Annie Oakley.
All in all, I felt that Mr. O'Reilly presented a fair NO SPIN ZONE portrayal of the first few years of President Obama's presidency. He brought up some valid and thought-provoking points and provided some political and international perspective to issues of which I was unaware.
I would definitely recommend Pinheads and Patriots to anyone who cares about the direction America is headed coming into this 2012 election; to anyone who enjoys history; and, to anyone who enjoys a humorous, informative narrative that provides you the opportunity to learn something.
I also especially recommend the audio book because I think it is fun to hear the author reading his own book.
I really enjoyed listening to President Bush's book, Decision Points, which I finished a few weeks ago.
I have found it fascinating to hear another side of news stories that I lived and heard the "news" version of the stories and the information open to the public.
My favorite part of the book was when President Bush shared the story about his going to visit the troops in Baghdad for Thanksgiving 2003. Baghdad was a war zone and President Bush made the trip with only a few people knowing... only a few people in the world knew he was making this trip. He told his wife, Mrs. Bush, a few weeks beforehand, and his daughters 30 minutes before he left.
The plan was if ANY information about the trip leaked, they would abort the trip.
I found two youtube clips about the trip:
Part 1
Part 2
What I WANTED to find was a video of the surprise as President Bush appeared to the troops, but I will have to settle for sharing the dialogue from the book. Enjoy President's Bush account of the arrival, visit and departure in Baghdad, Thanksgiving 2003 as written in Decision Points, pp. 265-266:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With the sun dropping on the horizon, I could make out the minarets of the Baghdad skyline. The city seemed so serene from above. But we were concerned about surface-to-air missles on the ground. While Joe Hagin assured us the military had cleared a wide perimeter around Baghdad International Airport, the mood aboard the plane was anxious. As we descended in a corkscrew pattern with the shades drawn, some staffers joined together in a prayer session. At the last moment, Colonel Tillman leveled out the place and kissed the runway, no sweat.
Waiting for me at the airport were Jerry Bremer and General Ricardo Sanchez, the senior ground commander in Iraq. "Welcome to a free Iraq," Jerry said.
We went to the mess hall, where six hundred troops had gathered for a Thanksgiving mean. Jerry was supposed to be the guest of honor. He told the troops he had a holiday message from the president. "Let's see if we've got anybody more senior here...," he said.
That was my cue. I walked out from behind a curtain and onto the stage of the packed hall. Many of the stunned troops hesitated for a split second, then let out deafening whoops and hooahs. Some had tears running down their faces. I was swept up by the emotion. These were the souls who just eight months earlier had liberated Iraq on my orders. Many had seen combat. Some had seen friends perish. I took a deep breath and said, "I bring a message on behalf of America. We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you."
After the speech, I had dinner with the troops and moved to a side room to meet with four members of the Governing Council, the mayor of Baghdad, and members of the city council. One woman, the director of a maternity hospital, told me how women had more opportunities now than they had ever dreamed about under Saddam (Hussien). I knew Iraq still faced big problems, but the trip reinforced my faith that they could be overcome.
The most dangerous part left was the takeoff from Baghdad. We were told to keep all lights out and maintain total telephone silence until we hit ten thousand feet. I was still on an emotional high. But the exhilaration of the moment was replaced by an eerie feeling of uncertainty as we blasted off the ground and climbed silently through the night.
After a few tense minutes, we reached a safe altitude. I called one of the operators on the plane and asked him to connect me with Laura. "Where are you?" she asked. "I am on the way home," I said. "Tell the girls all is well."
She sounded relieved. It turns out she'd had a little mix-up with the timing. She couldn't remember whether I said I would be in the air at 10:00 a.m. or noon. At 10:15, she had called a Secret Service agent at the ranch and asked if he had heard from President Bush. "Let me check," the agent said.
A few seconds passed. "Yes, ma'am," he replied. "The are ninety minutes away."
She realized he was talking about Mother and Dad, who were on their way to spend Thanksgiving with us. "No, I mean my George," she said. The agent paused. "Well, ma'am," he said, "we show he is in the ranch house."
Secrecy was so tight that the agents on the ranch were still unaware that I had slipped away for the most thrilling trip of my presidency.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leading into this week before Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for those who protect our country near and far, especially when it means sacrificing holidays with their families. I am also thankful for those who lead them.
I began "Gone With the Wind" a year ago last August (August 2010). I had begun the book once before but didn't have the time or patience to devote to finishing it.
I was prompted to begin again August of 2010 because Chris and I had just finished our baseball trip and I read 4 books on the trip. Perhaps a better way to say this is that I lugged 8 or so books on this trip and read 4 of them.
Chris was not a fan of most of my luggage being compiled of books and so I began "Gone With the Wind" -- one book, I knew would take me awhile to finish. There was no need to lug around multiple books because there was no end in sight to the beautiful, epic, timeless tale to be found in "Gone With the Wind."
And tonight, 15 months later, it is finished. I wish it weren't. What an amazing story that was, and what is more, how much my life has changed since I began the book. I cannot even list the changes in my life that took place while reading this book, but the book was such a comforting constant. The same characters on their own journey through life as I was living my own journey through life. Living in such different times, and yet despite time, there exist so many of the same human concerns, conflicts, courage and convictions.
Even Actor Clark Gable recognizes this literary masterpiece via
If you have not read "Gone With the Wind," I highly recommend it. The movie is spectacular in its own right -- especially given the era it was created... but the book is like nothing else. In the book you learn the history of Scarlett's family, you learn that Scarlett herself is a symbol of the city of Atlanta, you meet characters omitted from the movie, and witness the ramifications of events in much more depth and explanation than a movie could ever hope to capture.
Last but not least, when you read this award-winning text, you witness writing of another world. This Confederate writer tells this story in words that are almost Shakespearean as you can hear another time, another era, another world telling the story... relaying their way of life, recalling what is forever lost, sharing what was Gone With the Wind.
"Then above the confused sounds Stuart Tarleton's voice rose, in an exultant shout, 'Yee-aay-ee!' as if he were on the hunting field. And she heard for the first time, without knowing it, the Rebel yell."
"Such a breathless week when something within her drove Scarlett with mingled pain and pleasure to pack and cram every minute with incidents to remember after he was gone, happenings which she could examine at leisure in the long months ahead, extracting every morsel of comfort from them -- dance, sing, laugh, fetch and carry for Ashley, anticipate his wants, smile when he smiles, be silent when he talks, follow him with your eyes so that each line of this erect body, each left of his eyebrows, each quirk of his mouth, will be indelibly printed on your mind -- for a week goes by so fast and the war goes on forever."
"They were the eyes of a happy woman, a woman around whom storms might blow without ever ruffling the serene core of her being."
And so many more... Please read this book.
Mark my words -- 15 months fly by when spent with these characters.
As I've mentioned on this blog, I enjoy listening to books on tape while I drive across the Rocky Mountains for my work. There are certainly pros and cons to listening to books instead of reading books. When I read books, I underline quotes that I want to be able to come back and find with ease, and that's not possible with a book on tape.
On the other hand, in some cases, the author reads the book him- or herself. Last Spring listened to Sarah Palin's America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, which was read by Sarah Palin and it was A GREAT BOOK! I listened to it twice -- which is a HUGE compliment given that I have to listen to things that will keep me awake. The book was read by Sarah Palin and it was a joy to listen to her stories in her voice. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend this book.
Another positive about listening to books is that sometimes the book will add a song to the end, which was either mentioned repeatedly in the book, or was written because of the book, and you get to hear that song, which would wouldn't from reading the book.
Such was the case with the book I just finished, Three Cups of Tea, which tells the story of Greg Mortenson who went to Pakistan to climb K2, and left with a passion to build a school in a village that housed him after his climb when he lost his way. His passion to build one school eventually led to an organization, Central Asia Institute (CAI) that builds many schools throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan.
At the end of the book was a song, "Three Cups of Tea". The book and the song get their name because of a custom Greg came to know through his interactions with different tribal leaders in Pakistan. When you meet someone, you share a cup of tea -- you are a stranger and you are welcomed with tea. A second cup of tea means you are a friend. When people share a third cup of tea, you become family.
The book, Three Cups of Tea did not make me cry. The song, "Three Cups of Tea" did make me cry, especially considering that the child's voice heard throughout the song is Greg Mortenson's daughter, Amira. Enjoy "Three Cups of Tea".
** Note, for some reason, youtube gives you the warning and makes you say that you're 18 to view this video. This video is all lyrics and does not even contain pictures. There is nothing in any way inappropriate on this video. Please watch and enjoy. **
My next listening book is Decision Points by President George W. Bush -- unfortunately not read by President Bush, but I'm into the second CD and I am REALLY enjoying it.
Lately, I have been thoroughly enjoying the Mitford Series on tape as I am ending my school year, and generally doing everything else required in this hectic season of life.I am loving these books about Father Tim and his little Mitford parish, although, I just started listening to the book where he has retired and has agreed to be the interim pastor in another little town, so I'm not sure what changes are in store.
Father Tim is such a lovable character and such a wonderful example of Micah 6:8 (And what does the Lord require of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) It was Father Tim who spoke the words that inspired my post and new philosophy, One Step at a Time, and Be Grateful.
Over this weekend, as I listened to the book, he kept saying that he prayed, "the prayer that never fails". He never specified his prayer, but he said it enough times that I was really curious of what Father Tim considered the prayer that never fails. A few possibilities went through my head including The Lord's Prayer, and The Serenity Prayer.
At the end of the book, a character in despair shared that the only words he could say were, "Thy Will be done. Thy Will be done." The only words he could pray were "Thy Will be done." That's when Father Tim responds, "That is the prayer that never fails."
How simple. Four words and yet, I would argue, when put together, one of the most powerful sentences ever uttered. Thy Will be done. What a word in season for me as I am working to wrap up a season of my life in Colorado and open the door to a completely new season and new role for my life. As we remain in prayer about our jobs and location for next year and as two families become united into one, Thy Will Be Done. This prayer should be on my lips with every anxiety in my heart and worry on my mind these days.
