Happy thoughts...

Did you know that imagination is just intelligence having fun???

Anonymous is one of the wisest people I have ever heard of!

Be Joyful People, Be Joyful!

Flood!

The following video is of Finch Creek overflowing its banks. The bridge at the 25 mph sign was completely exterminated by floating debris. The building and parking lot shots are of Lumbermen's warehouse and hardware store where my brother, Chad, works. After the water receded, they were left with 6 inches of mud in the warehouse, with several thousand dollars worth of damage to lumber supplies.

Please excuse mommy's voice in the background. I was trying for a silent picture, but...

Here in Hoodsport, we received 14 inches of snow in 24 hours, then literally, overnight, it melted. Melting snow combined with torrential downpours, led to flooding like most longtime residents have rarely seen. It was amazing! The road between us and our neighbors was a one and a half foot rushing river!!!

In Shelton, it was also a very rainy day. The Shoemaker's pulled their canoe out and paddled around their yard.

Well, that's all for this cheerful post. I hope y'all are having a grand day.

Come See My Family...

Hey Ya'll. Let me introduce you to my family:
The pictures are not in any particular order, but that will make it randomly fun for you. I do love random things! ;o)

Aunt Judy, Nephew Jace, Sister Leigha

My darling brother and sweet niece Gracie

Cousins!!
More Cousins!!
Second Cousins!!

Niece Gracie, and myself

My Mommy and Daddy

My Brother Chad and I

A Maiden's Quest

Just this last September, I was priviledged to go to an awesome young ladies retreat called "A Maiden's Quest." Put on by four talented and God honoring young ladies, it truly was delightful. I would to go to another of their retreats in a heartbeat. The website doesn't do it justice though, it is so amazingly good! Some topics included were:

• Cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ


• Developing Vision


• Delighting in Femininity


• Waiting for Prince Charming


• Living under the Lordship of Christ


• Visit http://www.maidensquestminstries.com for more info.

One of the things I greatly enjoyed at the retreat was when they read Proverbs 31: 10-12: Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil ALL the days of her life.

They began to explain that "all the days of your life" begins on the day you are born, and not the day of your wedding. That was just so interesting to me, because I had never really given it any thought about doing my future husband good and not evil. That means guarding our hearts in due earnest. I mean, why would we willingly want to look on other young men as potential husbands, thereby defrauding our own future husbands of our whole hearts? I can't remember whether it was Katrina Reibsch or Tara Riddell who said this, but one of them said that it is easier to guard your heart when you think that you are pretty much engaged. God has your future all planned, right down to the man you marry, so some day you will be engaged. So instead of 'scouting around,' walk with the attitude of you are already taken. I challenge any girl, (or guy for that matter) reading this, to save their heart for their future spouse! Remember, it is through Christ Alone that we have any strength. Don't try to guard your heart in your own strength, but in the Lord's strength and the power of His might.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Brooke Parsons

Looking Back

Hey Y'all! My blog just left the dark ages! I mean, it actually has pictures now. I have been hearing lately that a blog with pictures is just a better blog. ;o) Following is a collection of photos from our Summer. Consider this a sunshiny rememberence, as we head into the frosty days of Autumn / Winter. ;o) As everyone who lives in Western Washington knows, we have frequent rainstorms 3/4 of the year. A friend just pointed out that Washingtonians truly have an appreciation for the sun. ;o) Goodnight everyone, and God Bless!

~Brooke Parsons~

Sunday Night volleyball after church- July 2007

A portion of our yard / June 2007

The adorable bridge at CYIA

(My cabin is barely visible)

Myself and Hannah on Sunday Night-July

(Right after volleyball)

Beautiful Mount Baker

(taken from the ferry)

That's all folks, hopefully more pictures will be coming soon to a blog near you. ;o)

Thoughts From The Stump

Lonely. Forsaken. That's kind of how I felt yesterday. My Grandma died on September 29, and shortly before that my dad broke his hand; meaning he can't work. So, life has not been an unending source of joy for me lately. But, God has been teaching me that my joy doesn't come from life, but from Him. The Lord is really using this time to stretch me, to teach me to depend on Him, and to draw me closer. In the book of Job, Job talks about being refined, and coming forth as gold. It seems that God is trying that approach on me. :o) Well, I was sitting on a stump in the woods behind our house, vainly trying to memorize scripture and a poem I have been working on. I was kind of low in spirits, because it seemed that no one really cared about me, or wanted to spend time with me. Now, that totally isn't true, but that's the road I let myself wander down. While I was sitting on the stump wallowing in self pity, a thought entered my mind. It was something like "Maybe I could derive some joy if I start thanking God." I mentally noted all the things that I could be thankful for ie; my family, my friends I had seen earlier that day, my books, God's word etc. Amazingly it picked me out of the pit, and God began to speak to me. " For I know my Redeemer lives, and that on the earth again shall stand. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, I will behold Him and not another. O how my heart yearns within me. Job 19:25-27

Oh, that verse was my life line for the rest of the day! God is so amazing. My heart started overflowing with the goodness of God, as verse after verse came to my mind, reminding me of the love of Christ, the goodness of my Heavenly Father.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The Future

Future. That is to be or come hereafter; that will exist at any time after the present, indefinitely. ~Taken from Webster's 1828 dictionary

What is this all mysterious future? Is it just the time 2 hours from now, 2 days from now, 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years from now? What will I be doing? What things will be different? These questions have pestered me for a few years now. I am one of those people who spends a lot of time thinking about my future, just wondering. Sometimes it fills me with a secret fear, because I don't want anything to change, yet I know nothing will stay the same. Then I worry about my life; what directions will it take? What will I be doing 10 years from now? Wait! God hasn't told me yet, so what will I do?? And on the list goes. But, in the midst of my doubt and fear, God comforts me. What a faithful God He is, sending me promises like: * I will never leave you nor forsake you... *I know the plans I have for you... *The LORD is near to all who call upon Him...

And just this morning I was turning the pages in our hymn book, when I came across a hymn titled *"He Leadeth Me." What fear need I have when:

"He leadeth me! O blessed thought! O words with heav'nly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me."

My attitude rather should be like this:

"Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, Nor ever murmur nor repine; Content whatever lot I see, Since 'tis my God that leadeth me."

How sweet to know that though the future is unknown territory to me, God holds the map, and promises to be my compass, (and my trail guide!) the whole way. Yes! Content! No matter what lot I see, because it is my great and awesome God who leads me! Oh, there will be times when this does not seem at all clear to me, and I begin to doubt and fear. But God is faithful, and He knows the way that I take.

Following In His Steps,

~Brooke

P.S. On a bit lighter note, I am memorizing "My Heart Will Go On", the theme song from the movie "Titanic." "Be Thou My Vision" is coming along quickly, just for you Grandma!

(1.) Hebrews 13:5a (2.) Jeremiah 29:11 (3.) Psalm 145:18a (4.) He Leadeth Me by Joseph H. Gilmore - verse 1 & 3

Note: My Grandma passed away September 29th, 2007, and I played, "Be Thou My Vision" for her funeral while my cousins, Emily, Janine, and Amanda sang.