RainyMay.com | Michelle Harris

Birds & Coffee

Everyday you will notice a new bible verse for the day on my blog page. As I was preparing a post in my head, to celebrate with my friend Sheri, I looked down to see 'my verse'. 

I call it my verse because it is the words that I try to live by. Not because I think it's a good idea but because I am passionate about joining people in their times of sorrow and joy.  Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

In honor of my friends Brett and Sheri, today I rejoice with them in their remission of cancer.

I am asking Jesus to help me live by the words of Brett LaMar,"The little things in life mean a whole lot more than before...There's a whole lot of life that happens between the big events in life. Don't miss it. Soak it in and enjoy it."

Rejoicing with you today Brett and Sheri by living out your new truth! Your suffering hasn't been in vain if you can help someone like me slow down and smell the roses, enjoy a giggle from my daughter, taste the richness in my morning cup of joe, listen to the chirping of the birds (even at 4:30 in the morning), notice the calming sound of rain as it lands on my skylight...the list seems endless.

Time to Celebrate

Thank you to all who have been praying! Great News! My friend Sheri just had her scans come back after months of Chemo. They can't see any Cancer! HOORAY!

I am so relieved and thankful to Jesus! I will get to see my dear college friend for years to come. Even more important than my joy is the ecstasy of her family! God has blessed Brett and Sheri's two darling children, by saving their mommy. Now this is reason to celebrate! 

Please keep praying for Sheri. She will be undergoing surgery and will need our prayers to send strength along her path.

Life Is Short...Dance

I have waited for this day for weeks. It's Zumba day? Do any of you know what this is? Neither did I until about and hour ago. I have a neon flyer in my car advertising this exercise/dance class from my local gym. It claimed to be fun, high calorie burning, and easy for anyone to pick up. That last one is a lie...of course I knew it was, because they had never seen me move before.

I knew before going, that I was challenged. That is to say, when the leader moves left, my body goes right. When she is swaying her body in some graceful form of art, my reflection in the gyms mirror reveals a chimpanzee (without the hair ). But I had hope. This could be my chance to learn how to dance.

I showed up and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. Everyone was going to try this "new thing". I have never seen a class so full. In walks the energetic, petite, blond class leader. She was Tigger. Contagious, I must admit. I was ready. It started easy enough.Left foot left. Right foot right. "OK, I can do this. This is gonna be fun!"  The first song ends and I think, "I can do this. What a surprise. I might not be so bad after all."

I was dreaming.

Two steps into the next song I am lost. Pathetically lost. I try to rally hope by looking around to see if others are struggling. Mistake. Everyone is moving in unison. I attempt to motivate myself, "Just keep moving Michelle. Maybe no one will notice." "Yeah right,"  the mirror hollers back at me. I try desperately not to trip and just keep bouncing. Bouncing is good. You're doing good. I'm sure the next song will be easier.

OK,  maybe not.

The next class is Friday. I'll be there. Pride a bit bruised, but determined to give it another go. You'll find me in the back row this time. Any takers?

Top Ten Day!

Yesterday I took Marissa to the University of Washington for an awards ceremony. She received an achievement award for students in 5th and 6th grade who scored in the top three percent on the reading or math WASL.

It goes without saying how proud I was of her! Proud that she is beginning to see the gifts God has given her.

Of course, my delight as a parent is nothing new. It is seen in parents everywhere.  However, my displayed pride (shouted from the rooftops or blogs) is unique and foundational to and for my daughter. It is from these acknowledgments that she will be launched into life.

In our adult worlds we are not usually being handed out awards for our accomplishments. Praise comes too few and far between.We are often left drawing from the memories of our childhoods to gain strength and momentum for the tasks that lay before us.

It is my joy to make sure that my daughter's reservoirs are as full as I can fill them.

David or David?

Who will it be: David Archuletta or David Cook?

I must confess to being completely torn between these two contestants. My music tastes are very diverse and so I find myself enjoying each of these artists and their unique style and sound.

My  husband, Scott, seemed to bring some clarity to my reasoning when he asked, "If these guys each produced a CD which one would you purchase?"

I had an answer. I would buy David Archuletta's CD.  He has an amazing voice. "Good. This is who I'll vote for." That was until my mind came up with a question of its own: Who would I go see in concert if 'he' came to Seattle?

I had an answer. It was the other David.  I would love to see David Cook in concert. He rocks as a performer.

Great. I'm back to the beginning. Who will it be? David Archuletta or David Cook?

What do you think?

Guest Blogger | Cambria Harris

Modeling Reality

It's important to see
modeling isn't all you wish it could be

There is no glory; there is no fame
you're helpless and in pain

You have to be skinny; you have to be tall
stand up straight or you might fall

You are not cared for; you are not cherished
it's a hard industry; you will perish

Listen to me for what I have to say
being a model means you have to pay

                                by Cambria Harris (my daughter, 13)

He Doesn't Know I'm Watching

He doesn't know I'm watching. I am.

Marissa walks in the room in her new 'awards ceremony outfit'. His jaw drops. His eyes come alive. He is quiet in his admiration of her. He is speechless. I look to see if he is performing his reaction. He is not. He is in awe of his daughter. He can't take his eyes off of her.

"Wow, you look amazing!" He speaks from his heart and I try not to cry.

He doesn't stop. The emotions within move to his lips, "You are so pretty! Wow!" He continues to stare at her beauty.

I look at Marissa. Her grin is so big. She can't stop smiling. She will remember this moment forever. I am sure of it.

He doesn't know I am watching. I am.

Mystery of Prayer

This poem encouraged me on a weary day. I received it as a comment to this post from my English friend Lisa Whittle. Enjoy.

We know not what we do when for our absent ones we pray.
We know not how the magic works - but somewhere far away
Someone receives a blessing, and is comforted
Silently around their path the angel wings are spread.

Though from them we are divided.  Love will bridge the gap.
We know not what strange powers we touch, what secret springs we tap
When we kneel and earnestly commit them to God's care.
Great things are accomplished through the mystery of prayer.

                    - by Patience Strong

Spit

Driving down the road yesterday on the way to Grandma's, Marissa decides she needs to spit. The window goes down, she aims, and the next thing I hear is "Ewe!" I look over to see "it" dripping from the seat belt. I say to her, "What made you think that was going to work?" Without hesitation she says, "Because I watched Daddy."

OK, there are a lot of great things to emulate in her dad and I'm not sure why she chose spitting.

I have two things to conclude from this: They (my daughters) are always watching and they (my daughters) are boys...I'm just about sure of it because I did not raise girls to do this!

Daddy's Daughter

I am a firm believer in praise to reinforce behavior rather than criticism. It seems I am always trying to  give positive comments to my daughters and the other day it occurred to me that they may find my affection to be based solely on their performance.

To extinguish this belief I sat down with them and was explaining that my love was not based on conditions. I stated, "Girls, I just want you to know that my love for you is unconditional." Marissa said coyly, "You mean you will still love me even if I don't use conditioner."  She gave me one one of her satisfied grins.

She's definitely her dads daughter.