A Tribute to James Eunice

The young man who went missing two days ago lives on.  He lives on in his message to us that he wrote in April 2010.  Take heed, take heart.  God knows the plan.

by James Eunice, April 2010

"Take time to love someone. Today, Tomorrow, For the rest of your life. Because when that unexpected day comes that they pass on, you'll be left wondering what you could've done better. How you could have made them feel more welcome, and show that you do care for them. Don't wait until it's too late like I did. Show the love that Jesus has for you to everyone you see. Let your heart break for what breaks His. Christ is enough. Let Him show you life. You never know who He may touch through you. It is so sad that it takes a tragedy like this to comprehend how our days are numbered. Only He knows. Keep your faith in Him. He will bless you beyond belief. Our job is right now. This very second. So often, God gives me a little nudge towards someone.. and I put it off until the next day.. and then the next and then the next. Stop stalling. God put us on this earth for HIS glory. Not ours.. and so many times, the things I do always point back to me and my stupid self righteousness. So do something with me. Everyone. If this just touches one person, I will have done my job. Don't stall. Judgement is a heart beat away."

Stop Bullying

While watching Cartoon Network - which, by the way, I don't normally allow my children to watch - a couple of commercials came on about bullying.  Bullying has been brought to light in everyones' minds in recent years with the violence of school shootings.  The commercials suggested we check out the following site, so I did.

StopTheBullyingSpeakUp.com

Tragedy and Hope

Yesterday the community where I live was delivered a hard blow.  The 17 year old son of a beloved family from my church went missing.  He had been duck hunting on a local lake with a friend.  The two apparently separated and when the friend came back, James' boat was empty but still running.  No one knows what has happened to him.  Searchers have been working around the clock since 2pm yesterday.  Our church and community has rallied together to pray hard for this young man and his family.

My reason for this blog post is twofold.  One, to reach out to others out there who will join us in praying for James.  He is (I refuse to say "was") so loved within our church.  He is only 17 but has already impacted so many lives.  My own teenage daughters were impacted by him and left better for his presence in their lives.

My second reason for this post is simply for selfish reasons.  I don't know James on a very personal level, but I know him through my girls and have talked to him several times on Wednesday nights at youth group.  He is hard to miss.  A very tall young man with a personality to match.  I've never seen him with anything but a smile on his face and love in his heart for those around him.  But, even though I don't know him personally, his disappearance has left a huge hole in me.  I cannot think about him and his circumstances without tears coming.  He epitomizes everything a young person should be.  

His disappearance strikes us all hard.  I listen to my daughters' heartbreaking cries, I see the devastation from others around us.  It's as though our own mortality has risen up to slap us in the face.

But in the midst of the heartbreak is a grain of hope.  I see our youth and families rallying around each other and the Eunice family.  I see them on their faces before God crying out, asking for hope, knowing that God will provide it.  I see encouragement and love.  I have never (NEVER) seen a group of young people that love so genuinely.  I'm proud of every single one of them and how they are handling this tragic event.

I'm asking anyone who reads this to pray for James Eunice and his family.  Pray that, whatever the outcome, we can continue to see God's will and grace in this, that we continue to stay true to His word and never falter.  I, as so many others do, believe that James is a child of God and He knows exactly where James is (thank you to Tim Allred for reminding us of this).

As a selfish human, it is my prayer that James is returned home, safe, to his family.  

Until then, I am praying....

My Bucket List

I admit that I'm a sporadic blogger.  I love to blog.  I love to write.  But finding the time to actually sit down and do it....well, that's another thing entirely.  I surf other blogs and find so many that I like and I enjoy reading what others have to say.  When it comes to my blog, however, I often think, "why would anyone want to read what I have to say?"  I have followers and that's a really cool thing!  I love followers - what blogger doesn't?

I guess today is just a day of reflection.  I know...you're supposed to do this around New Year's and make new goals for the upcoming year.  I'm getting started a little late this year, I guess.

I've heard about the movie the Bucket List although I've never seen it.  I know, I know.  But, I think I have the general concept down:  Write down the things you want to accomplish before you leave this life, Set goals to accomplish those things, and Do It.  I don't know about you (if you're even reading this) but I have so many things that I want to do and accomplish.

Do you ever feel like you were put on this earth for a purpose but you can't quite put you finger on it?  Do you ever feel like you are doing something worthwhile and yet, at the same time, you are just spinning your wheels?  Do you ever feel like you're standing on that proverbial ledge, ready to take the leap to something greater but you don't know what that something greater is?  Do you ever feel terrified, at a loss, confused?  I guess that's where I am at this point.

So, I think from this point onward, I'm going to use Alfabet Soup more as a journal than a blog.  Since I'm on the computer so much anyway, I think it will give me a good forum for logging the steps I take toward fulfilling my bucket list.  And if you (if you're even reading this) feel so inclined to lend me moral support along the way, I would be eternally grateful.

My one hope is that I can stick with it.  There are so many things I would like to do and the list seems a bit daunting.  It's funny....I always tell my kids, "You can't eat the elephant all at once."  Guess I should take my own advice, huh?

So, for now, here is the beginning of my bucket list:

1.  Finish my novel
2.  Go back to Paris
3.  Lose weight
4.  Graduate with honors with my Associate in Criminal Justice
5.  Begin my Bachelor's degree
6.  Begin my Master's degree
7.  Travel Europe
8.  Go on a mission trip
9.  Grow my non-profit
10.  Write an article
11. Run/Walk for a cause
12. Be a better blogger

Ok, so it's not very long right now, but believe me, I'm sure I will add to it as time goes on.

If you want to get ideas for your own bucket list, here's a website I found with LOTS of them:  http://www.squidoo.com/100things

New Year's Resolutions

I say it every year.  "My New Year's Resolution is..."  ....fill in the blank.  I start with great intention and lots of dedication and motivation.  But, somewhere along the way, I always fall off the wagon.  Is it a lack of interest?  Lack of motivation?  Lack of support?  Probably a combination of things.  I like variety so I know I lose interest quickly.  I'm certainly motivated, but life seems to keep coming at me and I get derailed.  I have a great support system in my husband, but life comes at him full force, too, to he finds it hard to keep me supported.  *sigh*

What's a girl to do?

Here are a few tips that I've discovered while searching the Internet for help.  Maybe they'll help you, maybe they'll help me.

1.  Choose realistic resolutions.  (Seems simple enough.)
2.  Write down your plan.  (It helps me to see what I'm working towards.)
3.   Make small, attainable goals.  (You can't eat the elephant all at once.)
4.  Tell people.  (Tell friends and family.  They can be a great support system and may even join you.)
5.  Keep a journal.  (It may help you be accountable to yourself.)
6.  Set a schedule. (That life that comes at you is sure to get in the way!  Make a time for yourself.)
7.  Reward yourself with each goal.  (Don't binge...don't use food as reward if you're trying to lose weight.)
8.  Find support.  (It's critical for keeping your motivation and determination.)

So now, the question is...Can I stick to my resolutions.  Like so many others, my goal is to shed a few pounds.  I think though, that instead of my resolution being to lose weight, it will be just to eat better.  No more fries on the dollar menu, more water and green veggies.  That sounds a little more do-able to me.

I'd love to hear what your resolutions are.

Creamy Cranberry Coffee Cake

I've had this "thing" for cranberries lately so I baked a cake on Tuesday for my church's annual Cake Auction.  It looked and smelled so good, my husband wanted me to make another one tonight.  So, I did...

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

3/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

Cream Cheese Layer

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients.  Combine the eggs, orange juice, butter, and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients until well combined.  Fold in the cranberries and orange peel.  Pour into a greased 9-inch springform pan.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla; mix well.  Spread over batter.  Combine the flour and sugar; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over top.

Place pan on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 70-75 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing sides of pan.  

Yield:  12 servings

I found the cake a little dry so you might try a little corn syrup in the batter to moisten it.  Also, if you have a food processor, use that to chop the cranberries.  Much easier than using a knife!

Enjoy!

Bottle Bombs

This came across my email this morning and since it's true, I thought I would share it on my blog and Facebook and try to reach as many people as possible.

A Bottle Bomb is made of Drain-O and Tin Foil mixed together inside a plastic bottle. The chemical reaction makes a build up of gases inside the bottle and it then detonates with a great amount of force.

People have discovered these bombs in their fronts yards. They look like trash and had intended on removing them. The detonation takes place 30 seconds after moving the bottle.

If you find one of these, PLEASE do not move it! Call your local police.

snopes.com: Bottle Bombs