AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . .

I am not a person who spends a lot of time on make-up and wardrobe. I'd rather spend the money on books! So I am all about making sure that my "beauty routine" (giggle) takes the least amount of effort and time and the products deliver the most amount of good.

Lately I've stumbled upon some products that make me wax eloquent about their quality and value! So I pass them along to you, dear Readers, in hopes that your BEAUTY ROUTINE will be enhanced!

Oil of Olay's Complete Body Wash for Extra Dry Skin With Shea Butter is simply phenomenal! I use it in the shower every day. Used in conjunction with Moisturinse In Shower Body Lotion-Extra Dry Skin, my skin has never been softer. My legs, which get so dry in the winter, are smooth and lovely all day long! One word of warning: don't use it on the bottom of your feet or you may end up on your keester!

Clorox's new Bleach Pen Gel is just awesome. I have a genetically passed on condition that makes it impossible for me to eat without spilling something down my front (thanks, Mom!). Because I like to live dangerously, I have several beloved white Eddie Bauer shirts and one sweater. Throughout my life I have had to junk several such shirts because of my genetic predisposition toward messy eating. No more. I have performed several rescue operations on my shirts and sweater and the Bleach Pen has eradicated: Mixed Berry Juice, Ketchup, Blueberries, more Chocolate (milk, dark, fondue, bar . . . you name it) than I can possibly remember and wine, to name a few. I love my Bleach Pen!

Dockers makes the best khakis for women right now. Their Metro Fit pants are perfect for my interesting figure (very small waist, very large thighs). They are comfortable, stain-resistant and wear well!

As I find other products that really get me going, I'll pass them along! Who knows? It may not be too late for me to be a fashion trendsetter!!!

THREE WISHES from a WANNABE-DADDY'S-GIRL

If you haven't watched Three Wishes hosted by Amy Grant, Friday night is your last chance. This show has received critical acclaim, but because of its schedule placement viewership has not been what I think it could be. What a lot of people thought would be a cheesy show has turned out to be a powerful testimony of what the Body of Christ can be in each others' lives.

An episode aired about six weeks ago that propelled me into despair and gratitude.

A young small-town woman had gone to the big city to make it as a hair stylist to the stars. She met the man of her dreams, became pregnant, mohd left her, and she went home in disgrace. She had her baby, opened a hole-in-the-wall salon and tried to make penance.

Her wish was to have a shop in which she could really serve people, a place that she could offer a retreat. She wanted to make her family proud. She said her dad was a deacon and she had brought shame on him and the rest of her family. She wanted to undo that.

Her wish for a new shop was granted. They brought in a Hollywood hair stylist to spend the day with her. She was thrilled with it all.

But the show was not done. She was told to go down to the Baptist Church. When she walked in the church was full. Her father was standing behind the pulpit. She was led to sit down in the front pew. It was silent as her father started to speak.

He introduced her as his daughter and then looked at her and told her that he was proud of her. Told her that he had never been ashamed of her and that his little granddaughter (her daughter) was the greatest gift she had ever given him. He ended by telling her he loved her.

Every little girl's dream: Your daddy declaring his love for you in view of the world.

***
My dad is a man of few words. Growing up the words I received were most often "backhanded compliments" or deflective humor. What I wanted was tender words that affirmed me and helped me to see myself. My dad didn't know how to speak that language.

I feel like I have been missing my dad my whole life. Until now.

Pete, Thad & I went back to Iowa for my Great Aunt Rae's 90th birthday. It was a hectic trip--everyone was sick, the weather was cold and chaos abounded. On our way home from the airport I listened to voicemail messages and one message made the hassles inconsequential:

I think I can type it here, verbatim:

Kirsten, this is your father. Just wanted to thank you for coming out, and tell you I love you . . . and the world is still flat. Goodbye.

The message took my breath away. My dad called me. He wasn't forced onto the phone during a call between my mom and me. He wasn't made to call me; he wasn't even at home when he made the call. Of his own volition, he picked up his cell phone, dialed my number, thanked me for coming out and told me that he loved me (and the world is still flat).

So I have a message for my dad:

Dad, this is your daughter. Just wanted to thank you for hosting us, and tell you I love you . . . and the world is beautiful. Goodbye.

"This world falls on me/With Dreams of Immortality/Everywhere I turn/All the Beauty just keeps shaking me." Indigo Girls

The Passion of Great Aunt Rae

♥On the occasion of your 90th birthday, November 2, 2005

(read to you on November 12, 2005) ♥

Your life’s passion becomes clear to anyone who spends more than five minutes in your home: it is children. The dolls you have collected over the years represent the deep love and care you have gifted three generations with over your 90 years. ♥ While I enjoyed playing with the dolls as a little girl, they are not the reason I know this about you. Rather, I experienced your passion firsthand because I was one of the objects of your passion throughout my childhood.
You nurtured passion in me. ♥ I learned how to enjoy every day life. I have wonderful memories of cooking lessons with my Easy-Bake Oven, dressing up and play-acting, your lovingly rubbing Vick’s VapoRub on my chest when I was sick, tickling my back while l fell asleep and introducing me to the wonders of The Lawrence Welk Show. ♥ You fed my passion for reading. At night you always read in bed and encouraged me to bring a book to bed, too. It is from your library that I found and read my favorite book in the world, Hurray for Me. I re-read at least once a year. Your library was diverse and it opened new worlds to me. Your Reader’s Digest collection taught me about Joe’s brain and Jane’s thyroid! ♥ You expanded my passion for people by teaching me to graciously greet guests (especially during your Edgewood years). I especially am grateful that you encouraged me to spend time with the older women who lived at Edgewood. I learned to be at ease with senior citizens and have formed many precious friendships with people whose wisdom and life experience has made my life richer.
I could go on and on, but I will close by naming the most important passion you nurtured in me: my love for God. ♥ Besides being one of my first Sunday School teachers, as my aunt you modeled other Christ-like qualities to me: your genuine love for and belief in me; your respect for me as a person; your constancy in my life . . . ♥ all that you invested in me, through God’s grace, helped provide the framework for my spiritual formation.
In other words . . .
"This service that you perform is not only
supplying the needs of God's people
but is also overflowing in many expressions
of thanks to God." (2 Cor. 9.12)

♥Today and always I thank God for your life & passion♥

With much love, Kïrsten Marie♥