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June 29, 2009
from some reading today
(Originally published by Nattie on January 20, 2006)
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I felt it shelter to speak to you."
~ Emily Dickinson
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:23 PM | Comments (1)
Blogger's Block
(Originally published by Nattie on January 14, 2006)
I have a bit of blogger's block. I'm tired of writing drivel and whining. I have more than drivel running through my head, but I can't seem to sit down and string the thoughts together cohesively. So today I'll have you read this because Dana got it right on. And maybe I'll have it together in the near future.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2009
by the way
(Originally published by Nattie on January 10, 2006)
plural for bongoes can also be bongoS.
I know.
I need to get a life.
Main Entry: 1bon·go
Pronunciation: 'bä[ng]-(")gO, 'bo[ng]-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural bongos also bongoes
Etymology: American Spanish bongó
: one of a pair of small connected drums of different sizes and pitches played with the hands
- bon·go·ist /-"gO-ist/ noun
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2009
How Great Is Our God
(Originally published by Nattie on January 08, 2006)
The song that brought me to my knees in worship today. No band. No guitars. No drums. No keyboardist. Our praise band had been in an accident yesterday and two of our youth are still in the hospital.
So today we had just a piano and a congregation praising God.
It's amazing how a song we've heard a million times before can become so poignant in an instant...
How Great Is Our God
by Chris Tomlin
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2009
is it possible?
(Originally published by Nattie on January 03, 2006)
Is it possible that the bright shiny new year is already three days old? Let me see...Sunday morning I went to church. Yes, that was January 1st. The calendar says so. So it must be true.
The children went to their dad's. I took down the Christmas tree. It was up a scant 17 days. Did you know that even fake trees drop pine needles? just sayin'.
I contemplated the bareness of my corner without the tree and decided to move the rest of my books the next day. I guess that would have been yesterday, Monday.
There are a few possible titles for this picture...
- you might be a redneck if you have a lawn chair in your living room
- welcome to the library of nattierose
- are all those unread? or my personal favorite...
- home sweet home
I do hope to have a comfy chair in that corner at some point and I might get some bookshelves to replace some broken in the move, but I kinda like this style of book geek shabby chic.
Oh, and all of those are not unread. Some of those are very old and dear favorites that moved 2,222 miles with me. Some. Not all.
Today. Yes, the calendar says it is January 3rd. How can that be? I puttered around doing laundry. Lots of laundry. Enjoyed a tidy apartment for a few hours. Finished my second book of the new year and started two more. Then picked the kids up from the visit with their dad. So much for a tidy apartment. But the apartment is now filled with shreiks and giggles, cabbage patch dolls and army men, smelly socks and pink polka dot socks that never make it to the laundry without an often not so gentle reminder.
It's nice to have them back home again.
As long as I'm not expected to play "Sorry!"
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2009
stacking mt. tbr for '06
(Originally published by Nattie on December 31, 2005)
This is the year when I will look in my own personal library and read all those books I've been wanting to and meaning to read. This is just a tentative framework because I realized not all my books are moved yet and I still want to add a plain ol' fiction category and a reread category. *rubs hands in glee* I can't wait to get started...
classic christian non-fiction
A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliott
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
The Journals of Jim Elliott by Elisabeth Elliott
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
christian non-fiction
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Hearing God by Dallas Willard
The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
Lessons I Learned In The Dark by Jennifer Rothschild
Margin by Richard Swenson
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman
Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend
The Five Love Languages of Kids by Chapman and Campbell
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Girl Meets God by Lauren F. Winner
Falling In Love With Jesus by Kathy Troccoli and Dee Brestin
non-fiction
On Writing by Stephen King
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
classic fiction
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:44 PM | Comments (1)
June 23, 2009
Auld lang syne 2005
(Originally published by Nattie on December 31, 2005)
I looked it up. "Auld land syne" is Scottish for good old days or time remembered with fondness. Do I look back at 2005 fondly? I can't really say that 2005 has been a good year. If you look at it with bald- faced statistics it has been pretty crappy.
I spent the first two months of '05 trying to keep my marriage together then found out that it was all for naught. My husband had been having an affair anyway while telling me he wanted to work on his marriage and going to counseling with me. I had a life-threatening blood clot in my lung and was in the hospital in March. In May the man I thought was the love of my life decided our marriage wasn't worth working on and moved out anyway. The summer was a respite, it wasn't easy financially, but it was peaceful compared to the early and later months. Then in August Jonathan started first grade and also started having more problems in school. We discovered that he had Asperger's Syndrome and that his dad was living with his girlfriend after telling all of us that he had been living with his mom. In November I finally got the courage up to pull the bandaid off and I filed for divorce, six months to the day after my husband left me yet I was the one that was told that I had betrayed him.
No, it was a good year.
But, yes, I do look back at it fondly despite all that because I've grown wiser and stronger. I'm closer to God than I ever was before. I think I've come out of this time of refining a better person. I don't think I passed every testing with flying colors, but I've learned a lesson each and every time and that has truly made me grow.
Also I'm 260 lbs lighter than I was this time last year. Sixty lbs are lbs I lost and 200 lbs are the dead weight that I am now officially "provisionally" divorced from.
So I shall always look back at 2005 as the year...
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:7-9 NIV)
and
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.
(Isaiah 43:1-3)
and
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Glory!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:15 AM | Comments (1)
June 22, 2009
more joys of Christmas break
(Originally published by Nattie on December 29, 2005)
* endless games of SORRY where only one person can win no matter how much you cry or scream or kick or yell or...you get the idea
* trying to explain exactly what the boy penguin and the girl penguin are doing in the "March of the Penguins" to make a baby penguin
* the carols of Pikman 2 playing in the background constantly
* calls of, "I'm hungry," five minutes after you've eaten dinner
* cuddling on the couch to watch "The Polar Express"
* reading books together
* threatening to throw the Gamecube away if I hear one more fight break out
* threatening to throw myself in front of the train if they run in the apartment again...wait, they might like that?!
* threatening to take...(insert toy here)...if they fight over it again
* hearing one of the munchkins say, "I love you, mommy."
I guess I'll make it till January 9th. Maybe.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2009
free to a good home
(Originally published by Nattie on December 28, 2005)
free to a good home two highly intelligent angelic children *crosses fingers behind back* who are hardly ever prone to temper tantrums, who never fight and who always clean their room. i.e. When will Christmas break be over?!
***special note: no children where injured in the writing of this blog although their mother is taking highest dose of aleve allowed chased with diet coke
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2009
My Theme Song for '06
(Originally published by Nattie on December 27, 2005)
Praise You In This Storm
by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For you are who you are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
More on the theme for 2006 this week, I'm working on organizing the detritus of having Christmas and a move happen in the same month. And my theme for 2006 has nothing to do with organization. LOL
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2009
Merry Christmas to all
(Originally published by Nattie on December 24, 2005)
In the spirit of Christmas here is a Christmas greeting with my munchkins in a scared santa photo - op. I realized after the picture that Jonathan had peed his pants. And Anna was having a mild panic attack about talking to him at all. I told her she didn't have to talk to him today but she was going to have to talk to him Friday when he was at her school. So...
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!!!!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
June 17, 2009
sweet charity
(Originally published by Nattie on December 23, 2005)
I guess I've grown a smidge.
Did you know there are two basic schools of thoughts on charity?
One is "I'm too proud to accept charity and you should be too proud too."
The other is "Your hands are God's hands blessing me."
My ex told me this week that it makes him look bad because people are giving the kids gifts. I kept my mouth shut. Then he said that people are saying it makes me look bad because people are giving the kids gifts. I had to understand that one. I forgot that I was talking to someone who doesn't even try to talk to God or understand the ways of God.
After hearing that "they" (i.e. his friends) said I just lazy and trying to milk the system and feeling the pain of those words the LIGHT shown down. What was the truth?
1. I am terribly proud.
2. I hate to ask for help.
3. I have learned hard lessons this year that pride is not a good thing.
4. God has met our family's needs in ways I could not even imagine without the help of a man who thinks it makes him look bad because when he left us he stepped out as my provider. He is still responsible for his children, but he is not our provider.
5. God wants to bless his children.
6. The world won't understand God's ways and they'll call me crazy. Call me Noah. I don't care. This won't be the first time. I will walk by faith even when I cannot see because this broken road prepares your will for me.
This is just one of the many lessons I'v learned over this hard broken road of a year. I will accept sweet charity and I will hold my head high and thank the Lord for what He has given me AND for what he has taken away because that is what he requires of me.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)
June 16, 2009
who am I in Christ
(Originally published by Nattie on December 21, 2005)
There are times in my life when I flounder wondering who I am in Christ. There are days when my self worth is about [] that big. Especially on days when my children rave about the other woman in my ex-husband's life, about how great she is, and about what wonderful presents she gives, and about how pretty she is. And I keep reaching for something to remind me about who I am.
I don't need to put her down to remember that I am a daughter of the king and that the king is captivated by my beauty. But it is hard. And it has been a hard year.
There are times when you wish the devil didn't know the buttons to push on the back of your head like Mark Hall from Casting Crown says. There are times when you wish there was a bag of chips and french onion dip calling your name. Times when you didn't feel like drowning your sorrows in food instead of running to the comfort of the father. Abba, father.
Who am I? In the grand scheme of things I really am nothing, but in the heavenly scheme of things, other woman or not...I am His. I am called. I am an adopted daughter of the King. I am a princess. I am the crown of creation. And when my heart fails within me I know that He is my portion. And He never changes. Always and forever.
And I may not have glossy brown hair and be a cute petite latino blankity blank, but I am a tall sexthy hot mama with legs up to my neck and big blue eyes. So take that...oops. That was my flesh talking there for a second.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
June 15, 2009
still got it
(Originally published by Nattie on December 19, 2005)
THIS is the picture I should have posted when I said I was still pretty cute for 30 something. I think I'm one hot mama for all the carp I've been through this year and I definitely need to get contacts again...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2009
true dat
(Originally published by Nattie on December 19, 2005)
I was and still am a brain/nerd/geek whatever you want to call it and am proud of it. Brain power!!!!
| Brainy Kid |
 |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2009
an unentry
(Originally published by Nattie on December 17, 2005)
I've blogged about this before, but since all my blog entries for the past two years were lost in the "fire" (i.e. crash) of aught five I'm going to blog about it again. Heh. It's my perogative. I'm gonna do what I wanna do. Okay, that would be another blog entry...This one is favorite Christmas movies, not flashback '80s songs.
So in no particular order, my favorite Christmas movies...
- "A Christmas Carol" (I have yet to really have a favorite version...actually seeing the live play blew me away).
- "A Christmas Story"
- "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
- "The Santa Clause"
- "Charlie Brown Christmas"
- "It's A Wonderful Life"
- "The Preacher's Wife"
- "The Bishop's Wife"
- "White Christmas"
- "Miracle on 34th Street" (original verison)
- "Frosty the Snowman"
- "Veggie Tales The Toy That Saved Christmas"
- "Veggie Tales The Star of Christmas"
- "Home Alone, 1 and 2"
- "While You Where Sleeping" always feels like a Christmasy movie to me as does...
- "You've Got Mail" and
- "When Harry Met Sally" and
- "Little Women" and
- "Home for the Holidays" (technically a Thanksgiving movie, but one of the funniest Holiday movies of all times, IMO.)
- And for my dad..."Die Hard"
I know there are more Christmas movies out there and I'm forgetting some, but those are ones I have in my collection.
What are your favorites? Tell me more to try and ones that I have to add. I'm a sucker for old movies.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2009
Friday Felicities 12/16
(Originally published by Nattie on December 16, 2005)
It has been a while since I've been able to do Friday Felicities actually on my blog so here goes and don't forget a Felicity is something that makes you happy...
1. My new-to-me cozy hobbit-size apartment.
2. My not-so-hobbit-size seven-foot Christmas tree.
3. The gifts under the tree given by generous people.
4. Gingerbread cookies.
5. Egg nog.
6. A wall stacked to the ceiling with books (we need not mention that it is a hobbit-sized ceiling).
7. That big beautiful snow flakes fell on my birfday.
8. That God loves me even though I'm far from perfect.
9. That he demonstrates that love to me in ways that I never imagined or dreamed even though I'm far from perfect.
10. That my children are seeing the bounty of that love.
11. That we have conversations about being born again and about who is the oldest sibling in LWW.
12. Tigger slippers
13. Flannel pjs
14. Diet Coke with Lime
15. Great big worn out Bibles.
16. Tis the season for snail mail galore and not junk mail!
| Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas |
 Which is much more important to you than nifty presents. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2009
Things you might want to know
It was purely by coincidence that Natalie's "Happy Birthday to Me" entry came around the day before our local ACS Relay for Life. And that just one day prior to the second anniversary of her passing. Some might call it ironic. I guess i would as well. But I post them as they come around, and that's the way it rolled.
Regarding the June 5 "Happy Birthday" post and the June 7 anniversary, please read Heather's beautiful letter on her site.
If anyone else has written "a letter to Nattie" this year, please send me a link to your blog or a copy that I may post here.
Meanwhile, this year's Relay was the polar opposite of last year's.
None of the out-of-towners could make it, and it didn't rain. Scattered clouds and a light breeze kept the 80-degree temperatures and 50-percent humidity from becoming oppressive. Between laps of the track I sat comfortably in the shade while Anne knitted socks for soldiers. Several larger groups conducted raffles, bake sales, and other fund-raising events, but as most of our members live at least 100 miles away, I was satisfied with our effort.
Hundreds of participants continuously circled the track, and the crowd built as the day went on. And when the sun went down I was actually able to get some photos of the luminaria. It was one of the few times I had wished for one of my old 35mm Nikon film cameras, lately. Perhaps if I knew my digital "point-n-shoot" a little better I might have gotten better low-to-no-light pictures...but maybe you get the idea.
Thanks to all of you who contributed to the American Cancer Society this year in support of our team "Remembering Natalie Rose York." Due in large part to the Alexandria Nazarene MOMS, we collected $592.89. Thank you for remembering Nattie so generously.
((((((Y'all!))))))
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (2)
June 05, 2009
Happy birfday to me
(Originally published by Nattie on December 15, 2005)
thirty*mumblemumble* years ago I made my appearance a few days later than expected and was my cousin's sixth birthday present by a scant 15 minutes. My mom was happy that I made it on the 15th and my dad said I didn't look like anybody he knew. LOL Happy birday to me and to my cousin Joy!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (3)
June 04, 2009
christmas tree musings
(Originally published by Nattie on December 14, 2005)
while standing precariously on a chair trying to place lights a seven-foot tree I realize that a 6 foot 2 light stringer...I mean husband, does have it's advantages.
Just sayin.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2009
Rose Reading Garden update
Thank you for your response to our report on Sunday's dedication. Some of you inquired about donating books or money, so I asked Jen to write up the particulars. Here is her information.
...We would love donations of books. Everything donated, either the books we receive or the books we buy from the money we receive, will be marked with a sticker saying, "dontated in memory and honor of Natalie Rose York."Donations can be sent to or dropped off at:
Church of the Nazarene
1401 S. Harrison Street
Alexandria, IN 46001Please make a note on the donations that these go to the Rose Reading Garden or c/o Missy Beeman.
If you are doing a check donation, please put in the memo: donation to Rose Reading Garden.
And, if that seems like too much effort, the children's pastor has registered several books that you can purchase for the librry in one quick visit, right here on the Internet. See Missy Beeman's registry at 
Thank you for helping to grow the Rose Reading Garden in memory of Nattie Rose.
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
Break out the 'nog
(Originally published by Nattie on December 12, 2005)
I'm back online.
Moving sucketh.
But it's my birthday week and it is a winter wonderland outside
AND I have a new to me seven-foot tree to decorate in my new-to-me cozy little apartment.
So break out the egg nog and SING JOY!!!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2009
pennies from heaven
(Originally published by Nattie on December 01, 2005)
I have never literally seen a penny fall from heaven, but I have had a twenty dollar bill fall out of my empty arms. I've also had gas bills paid by unknown benafactors or had twenty dollar bookmarks left in a book sitting in my purse (I know who left that bookmark this time and thank you!).
I've also had my car insurance paid and new tags put on my car. I've had checks that I didn't know were coming flutter out of Christmas card. Do you know where all of these items come from? Heaven.
They may be directly given by a real person, but they are ambassadors of God, whether they know it or not.
So whether that is where the term "pennies from heaven" came from, that is what I consider the meaning to be. Blessings falling on those who need them when they need them directed by God's hand. Blessings big and small. Because pennies from heaven doesn't have to be a monetary blessing; sometimes all you need today is to know that you matter.
Let's not forget that in this season and all year through. Let's be ambassadors of pennies from heaven. I want to be used by God to bless others the way He has blessed me.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2009
the Rose Reading Garden is now open
The Sunday morning library dedication far exceeded my expectations. Thanks to Jen, Missy and Pastor Mark. It was an emotional service...at least for me.
I was proud of my daughter for fatherly reasons. I never knew her the way other people did. Hearing her friends tell how she affected them as a woman, mother and fellow church member, will never cease to amaze me.
This area was virtually destroyed by water damage a few months ago. Volunteer members did an excellent job repairing and remodeling everything.
The rosebush the church gave to Jonathan, Anna and Wes in memory of Natalie Rose is kinda hard to see there on the table.
I had Jonathan and Anna stand here for a photo. Then after they had moved on I noticed the picture of their mom -- reading, naturally -- and Jen's framed presentation above their heads. Here are those words that she wrote, and read in the dedication service.
Natalie Loved To Read. You often found her with a book in her hands, sitting with the kids at the library or blogging about the many books she was reading or re-reading.Natalie Loved Kids, especially her own. She was involved in our Children’s Department; on the Building Blocks committee, working in the nursery, teaching VBS and Caravan.
Natalie Loved Her Friends; remembering birthdays and anniversaries. She could be found encouraging friends during trying times, crying with them during times of pain and rejoicing with them during joyful times.
But Most of All, Natalie Loved Her Lord. She trusted HIS Will, HIS Strength, HIS Love in all she did. She didn’t have a lot in this world, but she had a lot with her LORD. She knew no matter the need, HE would provide and HE did.
Today, we dedicate a library in our Children’s Department in Natalie Rose York’s honor. We have beginning readers, chapter books, children’s bibles, a computer station with fun and educational games, movies and music.
We thank Natalie’s Mom and Stepfather for giving us our starting capital for the library and also to everyone who has donated a book, money, movie, cd, or anything to make the library continue to grow and thrive.
Today, May 31st 2009, we officially open the Rose Reading Garden in honor and love of Natalie Rose York.
Jen, I want you, and everyone else who participated or donated, to know that we appreciate your efforts very much. Either the library alone, or the most generous gift to Relay for Life in Natalie's memory, would have been a wonderful honor, but both... Our gratitude exceeds my vocabulary.
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (11)