I am stunned, like so many Christian music listeners, at the news of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter's death. I do not know the family personally, but I feel as though I do... Mr. Chapman has been such a part of my every day life since I was baptized into the Christian faith in 1999... his music, his messages, his family. We've watched his own children grow, and listened intently as he and his wife, Mary Beth, brought home each beautiful daughter from China. Now, one of their angels has gone home.

I can't hope that the Chapman family will ever see this blog post... I am just one of a million fans in the world. But just in case, I'd like to make this known:

To the Chapman family,

There are things that happen in this world that we will never understand, we aren't meant to I suppose. Such is the passing of your darling angel, Maria Sue. It is at times like these that I turn to music to find solace... it brings to mind your own song, "With Hope," a reminder that a goodbye is not the end when we are in Christ.

There is so much I would love to say, but nothing I could say would ever take away the grief and sorrow I know has enveloped your family. Please know that your family, especially your son, are in my family's prayers. May His loving arms wrap around you, may He show you His tenderest mercies, and may He show you the way to peace.

"We can cry with hope, we can say goodbye with hope, cause we know our goodbye is not the end, we can grieve with hope, cause we believe with hope there's a place where we'll see your face again..."

God bless and much love in Him,

Wendy Peavy

Happy Lord's Day.

Hope everyone has gotten their taxes done... ours were done in February, and the refund that the gubmint kept so nicely, (interest-free... you're welcome) duly reinvested back into said economy. It's not bitterness, since I've nothing to complain about... call it cynicism. I don't know about the corners of your world, but here in my little square box of "paradise" jobs are scarce and my education could use a pick-me-up. Working on the second half of that... with training comes opportunity.

Spring has been beautiful, for the whole two weeks we had it. Summer, though not officially arrived, has begun with temps in the 80's and humidity levels at the usual "damp". Sometimes I don't know why we bother to shower, since I'm usually soaking wet again before I even get dressed.

John and I went outside tonight to feed the fish in the pond out back. Our neighborhood association keeps all the retention ponds stocked with small and large mouth bass, perch, catfish and other assorted small fish. I say we fed the fish because I ended up using just one worm, throwing it in after I was done watching a bobber sit in glass-like water. Usually something will bite. Tonight the most excitement the bobber saw was a curious Muscovy duck chasing the float as I reeled it in so she wouldn't get tangled in my line. Coming back in, our brood of three fur children were lined up at the back door, patiently (?) waiting for us to come back home. These cats have separation issues apparently. Anyone know a good cat shrink?

Since my last entry in December, we have said goodbye to one of our smaller fur friends. Just a few days before Christmas, our rat Cocoa lost his fight with liver cancer. Bear and Whiskers, his two surviving "brothers," have adjusted well to life without their buddy. We have also added two new, tinier members to our fur family. On Easter Sunday, we welcomed Zippy and Smoke, two fancy mice to our ever-growing menagerie. I've always had a soft spot for pocket pets.... especially ones that don't tend to bite. In all the years we have been rat fanciers, I have never been bitten (knocks on wood).

Ok, I think I have rambled on enough for tonight. If you play TSO/EA-Land... I can be found at "Romancing The Gnome" as Abby Katz. Y'all come.

Happy New Year everyone! May your worries be few, may your pleasures be too numerous to count, and your blessings be everlasting.

From the whole "P" Crew:

Wendy, John, Tika, Sassy, Pixel, Bear and Whiskers