Poet-Not Really

I wrote this poem almost 2 years ago. I've only shared it with 2 people, but feeling inspired by my cousin Debbie to share some of myself through writing, I am screwing up my courage and posting this poem I wrote. It is extremely personal and I hope my blogging friends will realize that I have no ambitions as a writer, but sometimes experiences just need to be shared in a very intimate way and this was GIVEN to me and has helped me understand myself better. I am feeling like I need to share it publicly now. I don't know why I just know I'm supposed to. Please be gentle. Feel free to keep your opinions to yourself. This poem was a gift from God directly to me and he is now pressing me to share it. Maybe my hard drive is about to crash and I need it out in cyberspace. I haven't even made a hard copy of it. I kind of feel like I'm walking down the street in skimpy clothes and all my flaws are exposed. Well here I go. I'm going to send it out there. I think I'm sweating.

Gift From God

Born with a gift from none but God
I wield my tongue at all I see
Cutting, hurting, laying open
Precious souls given to me.

In His mercy God has shown me
That this sword needn’t destroy
With a humble heart I plead
For Him my tongue for good employ.

When I humbly come before Him
Offering all I have to give
He will make my weakness over
Into strength, blessing all who live.

Let this sword be used for goodness
Lifting, Praising, Testifying
Of the One who changes all
With hearts contrite and breaking.

RaeAnn Hurst
January 20, 2008

I LOVE MY FAMILY

I love my family!

I love the color purple!

I love fall!

Baby Jackson

Last Monday, we were all finally healthy and could go meet my new nephew, Jackson Horsley. My brother and his wife Sarah had this little cutie join their family on 09-09-09. What a fun birthday huh? We're so glad to welcome him to the family. Way to go Glen and Sarah.

Heber Valley Camp

This week-end we had another fun family reunion at Heber Valley Camp. This is the third year my family has been able to go to this beautiful place together. We've always had the most beautiful fall weather. This has become a much loved tradition with the Horsley family and we hope it will continue for many years to come. I love you family!

Two years ago we had my sister take family pictures at Heber Valley and we I decided it was time for some updates. My sister Maria kindly took these of our family with my digital camara. I think they turned out pretty good. I love you Kevin and kids!

Gratitude

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance,

chaos to order,

confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

- Melody Beattie

I stole this poem from my friend Melissa. I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Maybe because I've been feeling so much gratitude for my amazing life. I really think it is a commandment we pay way too little attention to, even though I think it is probably one of the most important commandments we can keep. If I tried to share even a fraction of what I'm grateful for I'd been typing for days so I just want to share one of the things I've been sending prayers of gratitude to Heavenly Father for lately. FALL! What an incredibly beautiful season. The weather is sweet and the mountains couldn't be more beautiful. The sky is so blue and beautiful. I drive around town and can't help but praise God for the FALL beauty. Thank Heaven for FALL.

Been Gone

I've not been posting much lately because I've been visiting my friends, Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, Sadie Baxter, Hal and Marge Owens, and many more in their beautiful mountain village in Mitford, North Carolina. I've enjoyed my visit with them immensely even though this is my second visit to their little village. The food is wonderful and the company can't be beat. I appreciate them letting me share their joys and sorrows. They have taught me much and lifted my spirit. We've shared a few tears together and a great many laughs. I should be back in a couple of days after I visit Father Tim's home town in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Then its time to get serious about my Spanish studies and begin a more regular indexing regime. I know Father Tim and his friends would welcome you to Mitford if you should ever like to visit. If you go to the library it's free.

Happy Birthday to Me

It's my 42nd birthday. Wow! I feel younger now than I ever have. I love birthdays! Thanks everyone for your kind birthday wishes. I love having all of you in my life.