Evidence of Crime?

This evening, at about 9:30, before sitting down with pumpkin pie and a Hercule Poirot movie, I called out the back door for Cheeky. He went out a little after 8:00, after I sternly told him to not stay out late. But as he so often does, given his free-spirited nature, he ignored my repeated calling. I won't let him stay out all night, though he'd love to, because we have certain creatures around that I don't trust. So I was calling him and stepped out onto the back deck. It was already dark out and I turned on the outside light.

Then I looked down at the deck and gasped slightly. For there were drops of very flesh blood sprinkled across the boards! Thoughts of wounded criminals or dangerous animals darted into my mind. My mom came out and instantly voiced the worst suggestion: that something had gotten Cheeky. Well, I couldn't imagine something swooping down and grabbing him on the back deck, so I started searching for any clues. Still feeling a little nervous (and glad I hadn't watched the mystery movie yet), I grabbed a flashlight and began walking around the house, calling for Cheeky. Nothing. There was no blood on the dirt, only on the deck. The back of the house, next to the bedroom windows, is very dark and I didn't feel like searching there. But I came back to the deck and had decided to search the dark regions when I saw it on the ground next to the deck -- the source of the fresh blood. Cheeky came up a few minutes later, I hosed off the deck, and went inside. The end.

So what was it? 100 points to the person who answers correctly!

Called

After an exhausting weekend of music-making, hospitality, church, etc., I allowed myself the luxury of sleeping in till 8:00 this morning. The sound of rain outside made it that much cozier to stay in bed with a kitty curled up next to me. But I finally roused myself and settled down with a cup of tea and my Bible. While reading in 1 Corinthians, I noticed several places where it says we are called to something particular. I'm a firm believer in finding your calling and purpose in life early on, so I had the inspiration of the Lord to do a little study on the word "called" in the New Testament. What riches the Word of God offers! Here's a list of what I came up with, which I found inspiring:

We are called of and by Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6)
We are called to be saints (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2)
We are called unto the fellowship of Jesus (1 Cor. 1:9)
We are called to peace (1 Cor. 7:15)
We are called into the grace of Christ (Gal. 1:6)
We are called unto liberty (Gal. 5:13)
We are called to let peace rule in our hearts as one Body (Col. 3:15)
We are called unto His kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:12)
We are called to holiness (1 Thess. 4:7)
We are called to eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12)
We are called from darkness to light (1 Pet. 2:9)
We are called to follow Christ's example (1 Pet. 2:21)
We are called to return blessing for evil and thereby receive blessing (1 Pet. 3:9)
We are called to eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10)
We are called the children of God (1 John 3:1)
We are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9)

Finally, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation [calling] wherewith ye are called." (Eph. 4:1)

Goings-On

I had a great birthday! I can't believe it's already been a whole week. There was actually sunshine both Friday and Saturday (woohoo!), I had a Starbucks latte, got a free movie rental because it was my birthday, and then had a tasty dinner with my parents. Then we enjoyed fresh blueberry pie and a movie. Saturday afternoon/evening was my luau party, which was a lot of fun. The weather was lovely -- not too cold, not too hot. 14 friends came over and we had yummy Polynesianish meal (sans pork), talked and laughed (of course), had coconut cake, and played mafia. Oh, and they gave me lots of neat presents, mostly of the fragrant variety. :-) I felt very blessed.

This week has been pretty busy. My schedule usually picks up getting into September, and now I have school added to the mix. Tomorrow I have a vocal audition and we're having company over later for dinner. Sunday evening is my last concert of the summer with Chris. I'm not sure when we'll schedule more. We're both getting busier. It's been a great summer activity.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I think the advent of Facebook has affected the blogging world, but I'll still blog in the hopes that a faithful remnant remains. :-) Facebook, btw, is fun on birthdays! Yes, I'm a whopping 28 years old today. Well, I wasn't born until 9 or 10 at night, so *officially* I'm not 28 yet. Every year I hear the story from my parents, usually while we're at breakfast. (This morning it was blueberry pancakes.) It was a Friday when I was born, and my mom had been busy cleaning that day. In the afternoon she collapsed on the couch exhausted, and I think right about then her water broke. My dad was working up on a roof when he got the call. "I think we're gonna have a baby!" Off they went to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, CA. I had to be born Ceaserian, but I survived and here I am! I told my parents this morning, "I bet you didn't think you'd have anybody living at home still in 2007!" Fortunately, they seem to enjoy having me here, though of course they'll be very happy when a knight comes along and takes me to his castle. ;-) But I don't think that event is imminent or sure.

Tomorrow I'm having some friends over for a little luau party. Should be a lot of fun. Just the decorating and menu planning have been fun! I'm praying for more sunshine than is forecasted. Nothing like hospitality to motivate you to get house projects done! We've gotten so much done this week and the house is looking fantastic. I'll have to post some updated pictures soon. My dad's been finishing up the media center, which also includes book shelves. We never had book cases in our last house -- the books sat in boxes in the garage for 3 1/2 years. So it's strangely exciting to see books on the shelves again! Books add such wonderful charm and personality to a room.

I read in Psalm 81:10 this morning: "I am the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." I think my cup already overflows, but I gladly accept all the fullness of life God offers! There is so much joy to be found in a personal, thriving relationship with Christ. I'm learning more and more the secret to joy and happiness, which isn't possessing everything we think we need, but choosing to be satisfied with what God has already provided. True joy also comes from living a fully surrendered life, not insisting on our own will and ways. In seeking His will for this next year, I've been knocking on various doors. Some have stayed mysteriously shut, but the biggest one that has opened is college. A week ago I enrolled in Louisiana Baptist University, where I will finish my B.A. degree in one school year, graduating next May, D.V. They accepted past credits and experiences and I just need 32 more credits! That will be all via distance learning. I'm excited about this opportunity for further growth, spiritually and mentally, as well as verification of past experience. I'm praying about even going on for a master's after that, but one thing at a time...

Wow Pictures

Last week my mom and I took Zach and Zoe to Scenic Beach State Park, a place we'd never been. We were disappointed the beach wasn't sandy (it overlooked the Hood Canal), but the incredible view and the fun creature hunting for the kids made up for it. It was a gorgeous day, too! Feast your peepers on this pics.