tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16731470181888619662012-02-16T05:46:55.316-05:00Really, just a journal of thoughts. Just thinking. And trying to sit still sometimes and hang out with those thoughts, making some meaning.Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comBlogger3231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-18695312321789492402012-01-24T13:08:00.001-05:002012-02-04T11:30:00.233-05:00

Overheard: Girl: Are you going to be a doctor when you grow up? Kevin (again): Yeah, man. I'm going to be like House, man. I'm gonna wait til the last five seconds of your life and then save you just in time, just because I can. And I'm gonna be famous for it. Heck yeah.

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-5723724498916489852012-01-14T12:15:00.001-05:002012-02-04T11:30:15.751-05:00

Don came home yesterday telling me about some of his students. I begged him to write it up for the blog, and here it is! He wanted to call this blog entry "The Kicking and Screaming Blogger" because that's what he is :) I am not a big blogging fan and would never in a million years try to be a blogger so please consider this the blogging version of a big foot sighting. So we had a fun class

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-3734551610009533292012-01-13T12:35:00.001-05:002012-01-13T18:08:02.703-05:00

...and sometimes, they're crazy smart, too. Here's how the first five minutes of one my classes went today-- I'm changing the names of the players, of course, and imagine this conversation going really, really fast: Me: Alright everybody, take a seat. TAKE A SEAT. Please take out four sheets of paper. Kevin: Four sheets of... hey, wait. [notices projector screen, which tells him that he is

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-69654056314161270012011-12-15T13:27:00.003-05:002011-12-16T22:35:05.834-05:00

So, I'm grading papers. Fine, fine fodder for the "Things Freshmen Say" portion of our show. 1. Today (just now)-- bits and pieces from a short personal narrative: "I remember the day I got my dog.... My dad said he was going ot surprise me with my third pet. My first two pets were goldfish, but I overfed them. They died, so my dad said he'd get me another pet...When my friends came over for

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-56230752331096741442011-12-11T16:21:00.007-05:002011-12-12T17:45:48.088-05:00

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservantc; you have freed me from my chains Psalm 116: 15 My friend's grandmother died this morning, early. She was an amazing woman, and her family... her legacy is tremendous. Her son and his wife are incredibly influential for the kingdom, and the same can be

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-25104066746148846902011-12-07T16:59:00.003-05:002011-12-07T19:23:29.160-05:00

I walked into my house today, exhausted. This time of the school year is so complicated-- it's emotionally taxing, physically draining, spiritually...sigh. Have generations of teachers said the same things we find ourselves saying to each other today? "This generation just doesn't care." "This generation has no idea how hard it's going to be on them." "They don't believe us when we tell them [

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-21070595788978256162011-11-19T15:53:00.002-05:002011-11-19T16:21:34.108-05:00

So, I've heard so many stories of lost babies in the last couple of weeks. Somehow, my miscarriage of two and a half (has it really only been two and a half?) weeks ago stirred up the old ache for Ben all over again, and hearing other stories of loss has highlighted the loss, too. On the one hand, I long to reach out to those mothers whose babies have passed on to glory-- I long to do what other

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-34060599249933576642011-11-03T11:07:00.003-04:002011-11-03T21:08:21.218-04:00

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Such a short time since my last post, in my mind,

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-24376648090097427002011-10-08T11:37:00.002-04:002011-10-08T11:40:44.991-04:00

 I love this old screen door. It's hand-forged and a little tattered, but it stays.  It's the last day of fall break. Here's what I have done this week: * Read two books * Made lunch and supper several times (Don made breakfast most days :)) * Made several attempts at cleaning the house * Went shopping a couple of times (except that I'm really, really cheap, so I never buy anything

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-49440232695240855202011-10-04T12:08:00.001-04:002011-10-04T12:08:58.807-04:00

Being pregnant this time feels like those dreams where you find out you have to go back to kindergarten or ninth grade because someone lost your transcripts, and you're squeezed in with all these little kids, learning the alphabet all over again, or some crazy grammar, and you realize that you've forgotten half the rules you used to know. Every day, I feel like I've been re-enrolled in faith

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-3682609594215158282011-10-01T09:42:00.001-04:002011-10-01T11:07:25.701-04:00

First, let me tell you about my yard. Gigantic yellow chrysanthemums and blooming roses and daisies and fluffy ferns and a slow burn just on the maple trees all invite you to stay in the rocking chair just a few minutes more. The wind chimes are finally starting to be stirred on a regular basis and if you scoot just past the planter filled with rosemary and lavender, a cloud of fragrance will

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-6441981798670095722011-09-27T17:53:00.002-04:002011-09-27T17:59:17.786-04:00

I can't believe I didn't write about this before. It won't be poetic or lyrical, this re-telling, because I'm trying to remember the details, but I feel like it's important-- I've gotten notes from people who have wondered about when to break down the nursery and how to do it, and I want to address the way I did it. There will be holes, but this is what I remember (I should add that the initial

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-74556654635959265512011-09-22T13:49:00.001-04:002011-10-01T11:01:18.446-04:00

It seems to always happen to me in the kitchen. I had just rushed to my house between meetings yesterday and I was standing at the counter, looking into the foyer, when a rush of love for my home just came at me. Thankful. So thankful for the way my Father loves me. So thankful for the way He has blessed Don and me. Longing for so many things, but thankful, still. I wrote it down on my ipod

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-65305434353495225152011-08-30T20:56:00.000-04:002011-08-30T20:56:04.863-04:00

It's dry in Georgia. School has started back and the kids are wilting under the rainless heat, though they do find it manageable to complain about how cold my room is-- I like to keep it at a temperature where germs cannot live and where meat can be stored along the walls if we had some sort of crisis and needed to do that (yeah, that doesn't make sense to me either :)). Anyway, it's hot. And dry

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-59575155120026351332011-05-05T16:19:00.003-04:002011-12-16T22:35:21.036-05:00

...And now for something completely different... American freshmen everywhere are studying for the End of Course Test. Today, my English Lit classes were reviewing certain literary terms, and I asked this question: me: How might an author establish mood in a story? (possible answers might include things having to do with setting, tone, etc.) student: Oh, I don't know-- light some candles,

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-11203084061433872332011-04-29T01:17:00.007-04:002011-12-12T17:46:54.114-05:00

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (John 12:24) This is a profound mystery. How many times have I thought those words-- "this is a profound mystery"-- to myself over the last two years? How many times have I admonished myself with Friar Lawrence's words-- A pack of blessings lights up upon thy

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-17522819814717902592011-03-24T11:47:00.001-04:002011-03-24T11:50:21.551-04:00

Frank: Dude, you need to take those glasses off. You’re going to go blind. Allen: (gets really excited) Man, if I go blind I’ll get a [something I didn’t understand] German Shepherd. So cool. Frank: If you go blind you won’t be able to watch TV. That would suck. Pause Allen: Yeah. That’s true. But these glasses look awesome.... Anybody wanna wear my special glasses?

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-78907233364728348212011-03-22T08:33:00.001-04:002011-03-24T11:48:35.696-04:00

"Most Canadians get famous if they try hard" Gotta love those freshmen. (I will elaborate on this conversation later on--had to post this before I forgot)

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-82357382518410216482011-03-10T13:05:00.000-05:002011-03-10T13:05:39.900-05:00

Something short. I was grading papers earlier and the letters had started to run together-- multiple choice tests with answer keys, one long page of numbers with letters A, B, C, or D alternating all the way down. My brain feels like it's going to turn to soup when I'm grading those things-- I save the essay portion for later. Anyway, I was grading a paper when I realized that I had started

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-10975499411075290462011-03-09T22:51:00.001-05:002011-03-09T22:59:12.022-05:00

Since it's been so long since I've written, I should probably introduce myself... Hi, my name is Samantha and I love Ticonderoga pencils, peppermint tea, and houses whose paint is old and peeling. I live in a small little town in the house of my dreams and I love orange. My husband is the funniest person I know and our families are made up of the nicest, most genuine people either of us has

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-21154740763677316182010-12-17T08:40:00.001-05:002010-12-17T08:44:59.285-05:00

This was too good not to share. I threw my kids a journal topic at the last minute because I needed them to chill before heading into review time for exams. They were just wild things, loping and cackling into the room like adolescent muppets on crack. I told them to settle their feathers and get out their journals. That always seems to calm everyone down. Here was the prompt (paraphrasing):

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-31464433885144445502010-12-10T18:20:00.001-05:002010-12-11T03:31:38.944-05:00

If you don't think it's hard a year and a half after the death of my son, you're crazy. I say that because somehow, I thought it would be... not easier, but different. But grief... I remember my earlier thoughts on grief and I still see so much of the same character today that I did when we were newly acquainted. Grief is sneaky. It hides-- it figures out that you're sort of exhausted with its

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-74603885662757262172010-11-28T21:35:00.001-05:002010-11-28T21:35:47.694-05:00

Here is how priceless everything He has dumped into our laps is: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-69173363077174584172010-11-28T19:28:00.001-05:002010-11-28T19:30:46.966-05:00

Hey... it's been a while! I know that many of you guys are teachers so you'll totally get where I've been-- first semester is just so overwhelming, it seems. Even after all these years teaching school, I feel like I'm pulling myself through mud as I march from August (July next year) to December, and I'm dragging about 120 students with me. No, I really do like it, but teaching freshmen has a

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-71148501349913728732010-09-28T19:58:00.000-04:002010-11-28T19:59:23.596-05:00

Sometimes I wonder about Sarah. How many years did she wander with that man, traipsing through deserts, being disowned as Abraham's sister so that he could feel secure ("Who, her? My sister, my sister! Not my wife! Certainly, she can join your harem...just don't kill me"). How many girls did she grow into womanhood with, watching them get pregnant and give birth, one after another, until

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-74142964058995319732010-09-06T21:12:00.001-04:002011-12-12T17:46:19.785-05:00

Oh, my heart cries out at the subject line on this post. Hands down, worst Labor Day ever. You've heard me talk about my girl Caroline before. Caroline is one of the most brilliant, one of the funniest, one of the godliest women I know. She is one of my closest girlfriends, has seen me at my worst and loved me and laughed with me through it, and I can list a thousand things she's done. She

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-85543852087376043602010-09-04T17:46:00.001-04:002010-09-04T17:49:13.535-04:00

Today has been one of those gorgeous, shining southern pre-fall days, and they always seem to make me thoughtful. The air is dry and scrubbed clean, lit up with the sun and a light breeze and the assurance (finally) that fall really is coming. It's been hot this summer. Suddenly, I feel like I can breathe outside. I love to run errands on days like today-- to be alone in the sunlight and drive

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-47497029285924574792010-08-10T21:55:00.000-04:002010-08-10T21:55:51.924-04:00

You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it (NIV) or Drop down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-33349962470831945652010-08-10T21:40:00.000-04:002010-08-10T22:33:14.525-04:00

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-24408026463773991142010-07-18T22:49:00.000-04:002010-07-18T22:49:29.099-04:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you have a million thoughts and ideas swimming around in your brain and you know you need to write them down somehow-- journal, blog, something-- but just thinking about writing it writing it is exhausting? So here's a list instead: *My bathtub rocks. *The yard needs to be mowed. *Don told me, "Thank you for cleaning the kitchen. You know that feeling

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-46796844520881880452010-07-14T00:54:00.003-04:002010-07-14T01:12:53.856-04:00

The Two Foundations 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-40020615699805360852010-07-10T13:51:00.002-04:002010-07-13T20:29:41.394-04:00

This summer seems to have passed so quickly. It's nearly drawing to a close and I haven't gotten half the things done that I had on my list... but I have enjoyed time with my husband and reading book after book at my parents' pool. So I'm choosing not to beat myself up for not finishing the tasks I had planned. I'm choosing to be so thankful for time to myself. I'm choosing to be thankful for a

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-27367558227312859312010-07-08T18:54:00.000-04:002010-07-08T18:54:50.710-04:00

Hi guys, Please be in prayer for baby Eli Whittemore. He is due in early August but was diagnosed with a heart condition in early June. His dad is a great kid (Israel)-- well, I guess he's not a kid any more... :) I knew him when he was a kid, and he has grown into a fine man. He and his wife are in ministry in Arizona and they have a little girl who is around three years old. Please go check

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-15573039313403244122010-06-23T18:28:00.001-04:002010-06-23T18:29:23.694-04:00

Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart. Proverbs 17:28 (The Message) I know that, in life, it's honestly all relative. For instance, the frustration felt by the housewife who is trying desperately to run a household which employs four gardeners and several housekeepers, battling the pressure to keep up appearances of

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-5552925451596916072010-06-20T18:08:00.001-04:002010-06-20T18:14:30.901-04:00

Okay, I just have to say that I love my home. LOVE it. It's an old, old house (built in 1880) that we renovated (I say "we" but I really mean our good friend Chuck, who is amazing) (there it is, in a photo from this past winter... so cozy). Chuck made it happen in just over four months... can you believe it? The house had been completely empty for over 35 years. And the Lord... oh, He is good.

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-90881495407001874282010-06-20T03:54:00.001-04:002010-06-20T05:17:26.897-04:00

So, I'm reading this book. And after reading a certain chapter, I closed the book and wept. And this is what I prayed: Oh God, I do not know when this pain will go away. It doesn't feel like it did last year, but I'm sometimes surprised by the pain that shows up fast, out of nowhere-- the longing for my son. I've heard from women whose babies have died that they never "get over it"-- that the

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-86966197106527676502010-05-18T19:52:00.001-04:002010-05-18T19:53:05.194-04:00

Administrative Duties... In a note sent to my husband from another high school teacher in our community today... Girl: Mr. Smith [not his real name], I just got my administration and I really need to go change my pants... Fashion Diva meets Brainiac...or not Three of my students were having an argument about the exam schedule for next week. Boy: Shut up. You know you ain't done homework for

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-58404117221559063402010-05-17T17:52:00.001-04:002010-05-17T17:53:28.726-04:00

Oh, good afternoon. Tired. All the tired teachers go, "haaay..." And feeling a little quirksome. The end of the year is like... what's it like? It's like... four weeks of feeling like you're being squished into a tiny bean bag, slooooowly. The kids are at each other's throats, the teachers are stretched as thin as can be, the parents are completely freaking out, the wheels on the bus go '

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-35283784042520118692010-04-28T16:26:00.003-04:002010-05-01T15:12:19.139-04:00

April 28 was a beautiful day. The air was scrubbed clean and it was shining like polished brass. The rain that came to us over the weekend washed all of the pollen-dullness away and the grass and trees fairly vibrated in their green dresses, and bride-white flower petals sparkled, and sky-blue lightheartedness danced all around us. Purple prose. I do acknowledge that I am overstating it… But it

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-83944280096371500242010-04-27T17:47:00.000-04:002010-04-27T17:47:00.852-04:00

Writing this post right now is a dangerous thing. In about 30 minutes I am going to be sitting on a stage beside a bunch of other teachers because one of my precious girls is a genius and she is going to be honored tonight and she chose me as her "honor" teacher. I am so blessed and proud and thrilled to have been honored by her in this way-- she is one of those children who earned my respect in

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-20271823548990734002010-04-26T20:55:00.002-04:002010-04-26T20:57:15.823-04:00

Psalm 31: 19 -24 What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world. Trapped by a siege, I panicked. "Out of sight,

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-3900762219061859062010-04-25T19:16:00.004-04:002010-04-26T18:24:05.677-04:00

This is the week. This is it. I just went back and read this one post and had forgotten about the water running down Ben's little cheek after our pastor baptised him. I wonder how much I have forgotten.... And I read the last line, where I wondered how long I could live, feeling that grief... and I can honestly tell you that, one year later, it's not the same. It aches. It hurts. But it's not

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-60864429028344022672010-04-23T09:51:00.000-04:002010-04-23T09:51:33.919-04:00

Conversation overheard between two young men in my classroom (scene: "Breon" just came to talk to me at my desk and "Dante" took the seat he vacated. Breon just walked back to his seat and wants Dante to move. "Frankie" is admiring Breon's new-found eloquence). Breon: Oh, oh, young man, why do you continually put yourself in this predicament? Why must you force me to discipline you? I will be

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-55004643314413399922010-04-22T22:16:00.002-04:002010-04-22T22:21:23.630-04:00

Here are some things I wish he knew about me: That I wear rose perfume that smells just exactly like roses and I smell it everywhere, even though I chose to not bring it to the hospital when you were born because they told us that the baby needed to just smell my unperfumed scent. At the time I thought, That’s cool. I’ll wear it as he gets older and when he’s an old man, he’ll remember that his

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-67377753626451279632010-04-19T21:22:00.000-04:002010-04-19T21:22:08.436-04:00

Being a high school teacher can be so much fun. Often, it's hilarious. Don't get me wrong-- it's crazy hard work and you're exhausted when you get home (can I get a witness? I know from your notes that there are more than a couple brothers and sisters-at-arms out there :)). I've been so lucky to have some seriously funny kids-- and it's usually about this time of year that I start getting

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-51407686696435986792010-04-13T22:52:00.000-04:002010-04-13T22:52:15.246-04:00

Today, I long. But not with despair. Psalm 13 A David Psalm 1 -2 Long enough, God— you've ignored me long enough. I've looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I've carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me. 3 -4 Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-55504431269893237422010-04-12T16:35:00.000-04:002010-04-12T16:35:56.857-04:00

Please pray for little Joseph Martin, son of Scott and Laura Martin. He is a six month old little guy who is fighting hard to live. His mom and dad are completely exhausted and need prayer-- will you agree with us in prayer for them? Please go to their blog for the full story: Our Journey Through the NICU.... Bless you, dear friends... Sam

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-37296999559450078462010-04-11T20:52:00.002-04:002010-04-11T23:16:55.437-04:00

A list: *the most servant hearted man alive is my husband. This man amazes me all the time. When he's not pissing me off :) *Azaelia bushes, gifts from precious friends (Debbie and Renee.... you guys bless me all the time). They told me that they wanted to give us something that would bloom every year around April and would remind us of the beauty of Ben's short life here. Oh wow. How fantastic.

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-41686226437808789422010-04-06T09:37:00.002-04:002010-04-06T09:43:38.186-04:00

Here are some things I saw yesterday: -The view from my bedroom has virtually exploded in color. Where I was once worried that our new maple trees were not going to thrive, suddenly overnight they were covered in leaves! It is incredible how quickly things can move and change in nature. I should take this to heart more often. -Many days, people unknowingly drop messages from God to other people

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-79964097301488992692010-04-04T16:19:00.002-04:002010-04-05T08:06:53.188-04:00

It's warm out. My friend Paige and I went and wandered around a local nursery, trying to decide how many of the lovelies I wanted to pack up and take home (a PLANT nursery!-- how crazy do you think I am?? :)). You should know that I have a, well, pretty bad history with plants. I just sort of... forget about them. At one point in the early grieving process, when I was trying to figure out what

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-28841610490265282032010-04-03T09:44:00.000-04:002010-04-03T09:44:01.559-04:00

My last post was so sad! And it was exactly where I was at at that moment-- that whole day, actually. But grief is, as I have become accustomed to saying, weird. It's sneaking up on you or hiding from you or letting you know that it's waiting patiently in the next room for you to come visit it-- not forcing itself, just waiting. Today is gorgeous. My husband is tending to his new obsession:

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-6072725604637876552010-04-01T11:37:00.000-04:002010-04-01T11:37:49.296-04:00

This is it. This is the month I have been thinking about for 11 months. This is the one year mark. Has it really been a year almost? Have I really been this new person for a whole year? Has Benjamin Joseph Swaney really been gone a year? Was it really just this time last year when I felt like I was going to explode, when I was folding little baby clothes with my mother, when it was really

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-7362101318619719212010-03-25T21:38:00.001-04:002010-03-26T14:56:41.050-04:00

Dear Enfamil, Thank you so much for reminding me today that my son does not need this sample. Thank you for bringing it up again and again. Thank you for not removing me from your mailing list, even though I sent what I thought was a fairly clear and well-put note. And how did you get my new address? It was sent directly to this very house-- not even re-routed. Thank you for marking time with me

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-37051603703598637392010-03-25T20:45:00.001-04:002010-04-12T16:36:49.989-04:00

Hi all, Would you agree with me in prayer for a precious young mother who has experienced the loss of her baby boy? Megan's son is named Sam, and this is her blog. Thanks for praying-- I am living proof that the Lord has used so many of you as His instruments of ministry and comfort. I love you guys-- and that goes for both met and unmet friends :) Sam

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-75639647000986129562010-03-24T21:41:00.001-04:002010-03-24T21:57:01.408-04:00

Ah, my porch. Thank you Jesus for my porch. Now I just have to get down to serious business getting over being intimidated by my beautiful home. We moved in in January and the ceilings are crazy high and beautiful and...sigh. Momma and daddy gave us rocking chairs and we LOVE being out there. I love my town. I love our home. I love love love. Thank you Lord. This was a very, very sweet gift

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-86486079068736623582010-03-24T21:32:00.000-04:002010-03-24T21:32:28.304-04:00

Job. Dear Job. Trust me when I say that I know that I am no Job-- I lost one little boy. I know that loss and suffering are personal-- how can we measure what we feel as individuals against others' losses?-- but the loss of one little boy cannot compare with the loss of all of your children, your home, your wealth, and your health... It still sucks. But perspective is a comfort. Anyway, I find

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-50451901321047324912010-03-21T12:56:00.001-04:002010-03-21T12:58:31.120-04:00

(facebook conversation about the pics of my niece, Ella, above) Leigh: She's good! I can barely see her! Samantha:  ha ha!!! leigh, she was killing us with this. she'd go, "awight sammi, awight sammi" (imitating her mommy or someone saying, "alright ella") and then we were supposed to say, "where's ella?" and she'd pull her hands back and just scream! so cute!! so when i did it back to her she

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-60036473333946679312010-03-21T09:05:00.001-04:002010-04-12T16:38:13.748-04:00

Hey guys-- Calling all people who pray! :) My mom sent word of a young man named Mike Sweeney who is battling cancer and my husband and I have joined the thousands of people lifting this guy up in prayer. I felt so strongly the presence of the Lord when I read his wife's caringbridge account of what's going on with him--- will you guys believe with us in prayer for the total healing of this

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-31010229884728656882010-03-18T12:07:00.001-04:002010-03-18T20:38:18.132-04:00

Spring. Last year, spring meant new life, abundance, joy, hope, flowers, and a healthy fear of the unknown. This year means the first anniversary of my precious son's passing. His arrival and his passing. Oh heart, tremble not. Oh heart, stand. Oh heart, hold on. Oh heart, believe. Oh heart, you have endured before-- My heart, you will endure again. Oh heart, stand firm on what you know. Oh

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-48129466800424882252010-03-15T20:41:00.001-04:002010-03-15T20:43:35.960-04:00

I love the Piggly Wiggly in my town. Not that it's a great store-- no, not even close. Rather, it's like stepping back in time. Don and I were talking the other day, remembering the evolution of stores in that particular spot: first, some store that doesn't exist any more; then Big Star, Big Apple, something else, then Piggly Wiggly. It was one of two grocery stores when we were little kids. I

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-18066351004719129752010-02-27T01:15:00.001-05:002010-03-11T13:18:44.764-05:00

20 -21 But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! 22 -23 Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-63284825260339350222010-02-27T00:59:00.001-05:002010-02-27T00:59:24.212-05:00

The journey through grief is sloppy. Messy. When you're dealing with emotions, it's nearly impossible to follow the directions and do it "right." Sometimes it just feels like an endless trek through the mud with a heartless boulder tied to your waist....I've seen this clip before-- especially in DTSes (Discipleship Training School) in YWAM-- having to do with grace and sin and letting go of the

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-425478093926579002010-02-26T11:04:00.000-05:002010-02-26T11:04:15.864-05:00

Sometimes a jewel of a moment just sort of happens to you. For instance, take the conversation I am overhearing. I'm sitting in another teacher's class. Kids are working in groups. One group in the back of the room is completely off task. Here is what they are discussing, minus the obvious "sic" behind most of the words they are mispronouncing... :) Boy1: Dude, that is peposterous. Girl 1:

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-52773283963363336072010-02-01T22:27:00.001-05:002010-02-01T22:30:57.949-05:00

I'm just sitting here thinking... about lots of things, but needed to say this: it's all going to be fine. This new year, this new shot at another life (trying soon-- a couple of things on my to-do list before actually trying again), this new way of seeing everything... all of this newness has got me thinking. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-4560751773077988232010-01-06T19:56:00.001-05:002010-01-06T19:58:53.677-05:00

Here's how grief works, that ugly little son of a ... You're minding your own business-- a little tired, kind of frustrated, and suddenly it hits you: loss. That black hole in your gut that you keep covering with your arms, a sweater, a stack of books.... And you can't hide it. The tears are pounding like an insistent tenant and all of a sudden you know that your whole face is getting ready to

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-17214991468919253462010-01-05T22:20:00.000-05:002010-01-05T22:20:56.614-05:00

... sometimes life is like a series of little portraits of moments, if we can get things distilled enough, past all the words and thoughts and ideas... moments of pure "aaahhhhh." like right now, the way my dear husband's body is all warm and still beside me, breathing soft and slow, piled high with quilts in our drafty old/new house. this man here is a gift. thankful, thankful, thankful.

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-78410763422420204472010-01-03T07:46:00.000-05:002010-01-03T07:46:08.888-05:00

Persuade: to induce to believe by appealing to reason or understanding; convince. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-31018034282990749202010-01-01T21:59:00.000-05:002010-01-01T21:59:58.542-05:00

Hello my faithful all :) I'm sorry for such a long absence. December was full of lots of ups and downs and I wanted to write about them all, but found myself so exhausted at the end of every school day! PLUS, we were busy with a huge change this season (no, not a baby yet-- hopefully this year!). That said, I can't write much tonight but I had to try to pound out something-- I split my finger

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-62912805187300907952009-12-04T14:03:00.000-05:002009-12-04T14:03:11.747-05:00

The Promise And you shall call His name 'Jesus' because He shall save His people from their sins. MATTHEW 2:21 Even His name is a promise: "The Lord saves." Christmas is the celebration of the keeping of a promise. The promise that God would someday erase the sin of the world in a single day (Zech.3:9). The promise that He would someday walk with us, that we might be His people and He our God

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-81211108335085826432009-12-04T13:19:00.000-05:002009-12-04T13:19:15.847-05:00

Hey all-- I've been writing and will update later on, but wanted to post a great new find! My friend Ashley--a fellow studio art major at Agnes Scott from back in the day-- is a design student at The Creative Circus (is about to graduate!) and has the most incredible work!! You have to see her blog!! http://littleyankeedoodles.blogspot.com/

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-38534156716349621602009-11-24T07:28:00.000-05:002009-11-24T07:28:18.972-05:00

It's early in the morning and I'm thinking about what it means to lose people. Nice way to start the day, huh? :) I don't know. It's part of life... we're part of it. It's part of us. None of us has been untouched, though some to greater extents than others. Somehow, the holidays make the losses come more sharply into view. There have been moments in the last few days which have brought the

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-10354929377079122512009-11-24T06:48:00.001-05:002009-11-24T06:49:43.957-05:00

One of my dearest friends in the world is a worship leader out west and she read my entry below, sending me this response to my post about worship leading. I just love her perspective, always learn from it, and had to post this. She has years of experience and walks in the fear of the Lord. i just read your blog about leading worship. i know you love honest conversation, so here's my story. i

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-53932882791427220352009-11-23T08:43:00.004-05:002009-11-23T11:08:31.985-05:00

i will be dispensing with capitalization this post-- i'm not being paid to think this week so i'm trying to avoid it as much as possible :)I want to post part of a note between a friend of mine and me. I've been thinking about this for years, honestly, but the word "midwife" has come to mind a lot-- since watching my friend Elizabeth (my midwife and friend of more than 20 years) and thinking

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-1703274944645542322009-11-14T10:40:00.004-05:002009-11-14T10:49:45.369-05:00

Dear Jesus,Thank you so much for life. For the fact that this life is completely full of ups and downs. For the fact that I happen to agree with every positive cliche I can think of right now. For the fact that life is both long and short. For the fact that we are learning how to live in You right now-- that, in a way, this life IS a dress rehearsal for eternity. Thank you that we can wake up,

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-10312030965573510862009-11-10T20:51:00.003-05:002009-11-11T20:46:42.274-05:00

i need wordsas wide as skyi need a language large asthis longing insideand i need a voicebigger than mineand i need a song to sing youthat i've yet to find...i need youwell i need youi need youoh i need you...to be here now...to be here now...to hear me nowto hear me now...david crowderI told my students today that I love the weather today. It's cloudy and rainy and gloomy and it makes me think

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-9771616515732168032009-11-08T17:27:00.003-05:002009-11-08T17:45:39.507-05:00

I haven't mentioned it before now, but we bought a house.We did it back in September and it's amazing, but we're not in it yet. Renovations, you know.And that's how this season of my life feels: not yet, because we're in renovations.Sometimes I feel so hedged in by time.But I'm filled with the One who created time-- time doesn't tell Him what is possible or probable or impossible. Time doesn't

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-68943818158465583762009-11-01T21:31:00.001-05:002009-11-01T21:31:22.212-05:00

Oh, this song. WORSHIP THE LORD!!! Every word is true!!

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-63631244202817488292009-11-01T21:00:00.006-05:002009-11-01T21:46:43.820-05:00

Today was All Saint's Day. At our church, as in many, a candle is lit for each of those who have outrun us to Jesus and their names are writ large on a banner and the pastor calls their names and a huge bell is chimed after each one. Their names echo among us like the bell that chimes deep and solemn.Ben is my dead. The idea of "burying their dead" or "honoring their dead" has always brought to

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-35000031746651187052009-10-30T23:59:00.003-04:002009-11-01T21:00:17.452-05:00

Maybe it's because I was never a mother before that I do not mark birthdates and important sections of time and the 28th came and went and I did not remember that my son would have been half a year old.... It was not until I read Susan's beautiful blog for Will that I remembered-- her son was three days younger than Ben and went the same way.And I am gripped with guilt that I did not know it.How

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-7908420975605526932009-10-23T15:40:00.004-04:002009-10-23T21:32:54.766-04:00

The assignment: Write a review of the competition One Act that we were able to go watch in dress rehearsal. I am reporting this essay exactly the way it was written.The Worst Play I Ever Saw, by Antonio*"The play that I saw last thursday was so so boring. it was boring cause they are the worst actors i ever seen on my life. i told my friend that if i had to choose the play or kill myself, i woula

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-7418174269084570142009-10-15T10:06:00.001-04:002009-10-15T10:10:46.465-04:00

I've been gone so long!! I promise that I have not forgotten-- I have begun a couple of blogs that I haven't had time to finish, but I'll do it this weekend... have had a lot on my mind and am eager to get it "on paper." :)But I had to write, right this minute, to share the funniest little poem one of my boys wrote. I found it on the floor-- he and another boy were pretending like they were

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-3671061014829803172009-10-01T10:41:00.002-04:002009-10-01T10:45:57.456-04:00

Okay, so I repent. Sometimes I am so completely opinionated and then I feel overwhelmingly convicted and then the Lord shows me something that completely adjusts my perspective. No one wrote to me asking me about this, but I couldn't get it out of my head all day yesterday and had to check some things.So here is my revised statement:If you are a blogger who sells things/has ads on your page/likes

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-6145657070753536982009-09-29T15:44:00.003-04:002009-09-29T16:06:27.735-04:00

Sorry I've been so out of touch...things have been busy, busy, busy.... I will share more about what-all later (no, not pregnant yet!), but for now, know this: I am well!The other day, I asked Don if he thought it was normal that I hadn't cried about Ben in several days. I felt so guilty that I had been functioning like a normal person who isn't walking around with a gigantic hole in her heart.

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-5987772047196457102009-09-18T22:32:00.002-04:002009-09-18T22:38:20.265-04:00

God is so good.Today was so full of emotion. My newest niece came into the world, peaceful and beautiful like a little rosy baby doll. Her name is Carson and she's perfect. And she's the first brand new baby I have held since... well, for quite a few months. The first maternity ward I have been on since... well, for almost five months. I thought I was going to have a panic attack walking through

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-3267935438843916652009-09-14T17:25:00.004-04:002009-09-14T17:52:14.856-04:00

Hm. Why did I call this post "candles"? Dunno. Maybe it will come to me by the time I'm finished writing.... I feel like rambling.So, I have a playlist on my iPod that I named after my friend's playlist on her blog-- my friend Susan, whom I have never met, lost her son four short (long, eternal, minuscule, gigantic, torturous, horrendous, heartbreaking) days after we lost Ben. His name was Will

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-36308053596766841862009-09-14T16:00:00.000-04:002009-09-14T18:16:44.927-04:00

Don asked me to marry him on September 11.Yes, that September 11.It was our one year anniversary of dating and he had decided a long time before that he was going to ask me on that date. And I kind of suspected that he would.So the day arrived and I was filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety. You remember what it is like just before something amazing may or may not happen but which rests

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-81993482870164735252009-09-11T07:00:00.001-04:002009-09-11T12:29:28.390-04:00

text from Oswald Chambers, September 10Worshipping in Everyday Occasions. We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but it is not the crisis that builds something within us— it simply reveals what we are made of already. Do you find yourself saying, "If God calls me to battle, of course I will rise to the occasion"? Yet you won’t rise to the occasion unless

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-87474977370530875182009-09-07T14:04:00.001-04:002009-09-07T14:04:28.072-04:00

I think I might have posted this before...but it's worth posting again. This song is powerful. Her testimony is powerful. It's good to remember that we are not walking this road alone. That there are others walking the same road and struggling with the same things... and that "God is still God, it doesn't change what God has called me to be here, what he's called me to do. And he's still on the

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-70527661181521589812009-09-07T10:29:00.009-04:002009-09-07T13:49:50.638-04:00

Labor day. Labor of love. Four short hours of labor.I'm cleaning Ben's room today. I think I knew I'd do it, planned to do it, this weekend during a beautiful breakdown last weekend.What is it about doing dishes and taking showers that seems to bring out the crybaby in me? It happened last Saturday morning. I was leaning over the deep sink, bathed in bright green light pouring through one of my

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-58953762549528551962009-09-05T22:21:00.002-04:002009-09-05T22:22:11.593-04:00

God's Chisel « Videos « The Skit GuysThis is a really powerful little skit...Shared via AddThis

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-76978928552980187092009-09-05T21:42:00.004-04:002009-09-05T21:58:34.945-04:00

I wonderIf you would have had alopsided grinlike your father and your brother.I wonderIf you would have laughed earlyAnd if you would have laughed oftenAnd if you would have been ticklishAnd if you would have loved to be heldAnd if you would have liked playing aloneOr with people.I wonderIf your hair would have stayed blondeAnd if you would have been tallAnd if you would have loved musicAnd if

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-88108669513823467022009-09-05T21:41:00.001-04:002009-09-05T21:41:41.772-04:00

Sometimes, when we wonder about what this is all about, I'm reminded that He is what it's all about...

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-48836296059815087142009-09-05T01:10:00.001-04:002009-09-05T01:12:06.129-04:00

Here's a page of why you should feel grateful every day.Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss Blog Directory

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-10349248172064843472009-09-05T00:21:00.006-04:002009-09-05T01:10:41.259-04:00

You know when some things just start to get under your skin?Lately, I am surrounded by pregnant people, or news of pregnant people-- and no, that's not what gets under my skin :). As I toss and turn with alternate bouts of grief, worry, and hopeful expectation for the future, I'm so fortunate that I am not wrecked and aching with jealousy... though I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-27550274168874262122009-09-02T21:31:00.006-04:002009-09-02T22:21:34.674-04:00

I can hear it-- a new season approaching. I'm happy and sad-- happy, distracted, pleased, excited, inspired, contrasted with sentimental, overwhelmed, intimidated and reticent. I'm excited for the new things the Lord is opening up to us, and sort of sad to the leave the world where Ben was... he will always be a part of me-- heck, I spent all last weekend crying and feeling the grief that always

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-90226272769083329642009-08-29T08:43:00.003-04:002009-08-29T09:28:57.031-04:00

Okay, so I have been struggling with the whole concept of prayer in the last few months.I prayed for Ben almost every day. My mind wanders toward insanity when I begin to think, "Well... I think I might have skipped a couple of days. Surely there were a couple of days when I just forgot and I went about my business... is that why he died?"Intellectually, and even spiritually, I know that this is

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-51142158405612003922009-08-28T22:00:00.002-04:002009-08-29T02:12:24.121-04:00

I am daily astounded at the weirdness of grief and the complexity and beauty of the heart and mind to deal with it.Here are some basics of what I struggle with when my "pen" (read: keypad) is nowhere near the paper:* when I think of the fact that Ben "didn't make it," I feel like a total and utter failure and guilt hammers at my heart. You can tell me all day that it's ridiculous to feel that way

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-30398637463922263112009-08-28T15:50:00.001-04:002009-08-29T02:54:32.467-04:00

So, have you ever just stuck your foot in your mouth? I mean, just put it in there and chomped right down on it?I have. Oh my gosh, I so totally have.But for me, something that's almost unbearable is when someone else does it-- and what I mean is that I can so totally relate that the sympathy I feel is almost as painful as having actually been the one to do it!!Here's what happened this week. It

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-18095555831215394312009-08-27T22:30:00.001-04:002010-05-18T19:55:40.251-04:00

In the hallway outside my classroom day before yesterday, right after school, these two girls were talking excitedly about going to some kind of try-out or something (I think it was practice before cheerleading tryouts). They knew each other in middle school but are only just now getting to know each other... girl 1: oh my GOSH, i love your shoes girl 2: thanks. i got 'em yesterday girl 1: did

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673147018188861966.post-70704519242193511362009-08-23T22:09:00.000-04:002009-08-24T01:23:35.204-04:00

...you stumble upon a story that reminds you that it can always, always be worse. I'm posting this, even though it happened almost a year ago, because my heart is so heavy for this woman and her losses. Will you agree with me in prayer for her?I am including the link from Facebook where I found her story while I was searching for something else.Cherokee - Brendan Tye Blanton, infant son of

Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05688895794286823293noreply@blogger.com0