After quickly checking the blogs of family and friends I have decided to issue grades based on the frequency or infrequency of their postings.
Michelle - gets an F - really Michelle - nothing to write in 2 months?
Paul - you get a D - its been a month for you - not as bad as Michelle - but knowing the Murphys, I know you have to have some escapade to share.
Me - I get a C - at least I post something more frequently than the 2 of you (remember - this grade is for frequency not quality of content)
Phillip / Jaime an A- I have to penalize you some since its a shared blog.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Return of the Fledglings
Over the past nine months, Ron and I have experienced an"empty nest" for the first time. While we have missed the kids, I must admit to having enjoyed the quiet house and freedom to do what we wanted when we wanted without regard to school schedules or their activities. My "stuff" - has gradually drifted into "their" rooms. (Michelle's room was turned into a combination library/ bedroom a couple of years ago - I'm still contemplating what to do with Logan's room).
Next weekend Logan will be back from his first year of college and next month Michelle returns from her lastest "missioning" in Amsterdam. I am excited that they will be home. I have missed them - but I must admit to some mixed feelings. I like using their spaces. I like knowing who will be home for dinner and at what time.
Of course, I also like getting to hug them and share things with them in real-time. As any parent will tell you - mom and dad's is always home - even when you have one of your own.
So this week I will pack up my stuff in preparation for the return of my fledglings.
Next weekend Logan will be back from his first year of college and next month Michelle returns from her lastest "missioning" in Amsterdam. I am excited that they will be home. I have missed them - but I must admit to some mixed feelings. I like using their spaces. I like knowing who will be home for dinner and at what time.
Of course, I also like getting to hug them and share things with them in real-time. As any parent will tell you - mom and dad's is always home - even when you have one of your own.
So this week I will pack up my stuff in preparation for the return of my fledglings.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Congratulations!
Congratulations to my mother, Pat, who (purple cast and all) was honored last night as the Volunteer of the Year at Rankin Hospital in St. Louis!
Hurrah to Pat, "Pat's Kitchen" at Rankin, and all the kids and staff at Rankin!
Mom, they couldn't have picked anyone better!
Hurrah to Pat, "Pat's Kitchen" at Rankin, and all the kids and staff at Rankin!
Mom, they couldn't have picked anyone better!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Accident Prone
Thursday night I got a phone call from my brother and a short time later from my Dad. When either of these two call it's either my birthday, a holiday, or something "bad" has happened. So right off the bat I was worried. They tell me Mom has broken her wrist and is at the hospital. My brother's version is that our 69 year old mother has broken her wrist playing soccer.
Now before anyone gets too excited let me explain. Yes, there was a soccer ball involved and yes, my mother was kicking it...to her dog. Needless to say, she missed somehow and fell - obviously trying to catch herself and breaking her arm/wrist -I'm still not sure which. (She won't know until Tuesday if surgery will be required or just casting.) So please pray for her.
Unfortunately, this is not my family's first clutzy injury. It's actually kind of a pattern for us. For example, my sister managed to break her leg stepping down off a bleacher. I've broken a toe (not once, but twice) walking into a door frame and an ankle water-skiing (not very well obviously). Michelle has cracked some ribs diving off cliffs at Heber Springs. Logan walked into a truck's path because he was "thinking" and managed to get away with only a broken clavicle.
Whether it's genetics, environment, or karma - we're all pretty accident prone. But I think Mom's got the best story. I also think it's time to switch to a new sport. Suggestions anyone?
(FYI: My Mom reads my blog - so any advice offered will get to her.)
Now before anyone gets too excited let me explain. Yes, there was a soccer ball involved and yes, my mother was kicking it...to her dog. Needless to say, she missed somehow and fell - obviously trying to catch herself and breaking her arm/wrist -I'm still not sure which. (She won't know until Tuesday if surgery will be required or just casting.) So please pray for her.
Unfortunately, this is not my family's first clutzy injury. It's actually kind of a pattern for us. For example, my sister managed to break her leg stepping down off a bleacher. I've broken a toe (not once, but twice) walking into a door frame and an ankle water-skiing (not very well obviously). Michelle has cracked some ribs diving off cliffs at Heber Springs. Logan walked into a truck's path because he was "thinking" and managed to get away with only a broken clavicle.
Whether it's genetics, environment, or karma - we're all pretty accident prone. But I think Mom's got the best story. I also think it's time to switch to a new sport. Suggestions anyone?
(FYI: My Mom reads my blog - so any advice offered will get to her.)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
Reality Check
Okay, in my last post I said I would return to the subject of the Anne Franke and Corrie Ten Boom house visits. Everyone has heard of the Diary of Anne Franke. - The story of a young jewish girl and her family and how they hid for 3 years from the nazis. The Anne Franke house was about a block and 1/2 from the bed and breakfast where we stayed in Amsterdam. We got up early one morning and strolled along the prisengraat (canal) to the house which is now a museum. It is an empty house with photos, excerpts from the diary, historical items (like a yellow star the jews were forced to wear). The tour starts in what was the business on the main floor and moves you through to the sections where the family and friend hid. Those who helped to keep them hidden and fed (which was itself an amazing feat!) had to keep the secret not only from the nazis, but from other people who worked in the business on the main floors. All day long from (;00 until the buisness closed and workers went home they had to be completely silent. Anne tells of seeing other jews they knew dragged from their homes on the other side of the canal while ann and her family were already in hiding and feeling guilty because she did and could do nothing for them. Ultimately, they were caught and sent to the camps and only Anne's father survived.
Corri Ten Boom's story is not as well-known..but in many ways more amazing to me. Corrie's family were devout christians. They were always generous to others - even when they had little themselves. They sort of slipped into the dutch resistance - as people they knew began coming to them for help when the nazis invaded the Netherlands. Corrie's role grew until she was essentially the leader of the dutch resistance in their town (Haarlem). They added a brick wall in the back of an upstairs room leaving a small space (about the size of a closet) that could be entered by crawling through an opening at the back, bottom shelf of a closet. Over time they hid dozens (if not hundreds) of jews and resistance members for varying periods of time. They were eventually betrayed and sent to the camps. Corrie's father (who was in his eighties) and her sister died in the camps. Corrie survived - to share God's love and forgiveness and salvation for many years afterwards. The tour guide was a woman who had been a young child in Haarlem during the war and listening to her talk of the bombing, the restrictions, and the food shortages was really -something.
We think of WWII as history - long gone. But there and across Europe, whose history is so much longer than ours - and who experienced everything on their home soil - the war is recent history. It's still fresh and painful.
Standing in Corrie's house, seeing pictures of her and many of those she helped to save, hearing her story of God's outpouring on her...was so moving and humbling. After returning home I read Corrie's account of this time in her life in her book "The Hiding Place". And I couldn't help but think about how small my faith is, how much I limit God's action in my life. And I wonder when times like those return - as I believe they will - who will God work through then? Who will let him light the way, pour forth his love, reflect his redemption? And if it is me - will I do as she did - and learn to say, "God I can't - but you can - so send your strength, your love, your forgiveness, through me - and by so doing - learn to love and forgive as she did?
Corri Ten Boom's story is not as well-known..but in many ways more amazing to me. Corrie's family were devout christians. They were always generous to others - even when they had little themselves. They sort of slipped into the dutch resistance - as people they knew began coming to them for help when the nazis invaded the Netherlands. Corrie's role grew until she was essentially the leader of the dutch resistance in their town (Haarlem). They added a brick wall in the back of an upstairs room leaving a small space (about the size of a closet) that could be entered by crawling through an opening at the back, bottom shelf of a closet. Over time they hid dozens (if not hundreds) of jews and resistance members for varying periods of time. They were eventually betrayed and sent to the camps. Corrie's father (who was in his eighties) and her sister died in the camps. Corrie survived - to share God's love and forgiveness and salvation for many years afterwards. The tour guide was a woman who had been a young child in Haarlem during the war and listening to her talk of the bombing, the restrictions, and the food shortages was really -something.
We think of WWII as history - long gone. But there and across Europe, whose history is so much longer than ours - and who experienced everything on their home soil - the war is recent history. It's still fresh and painful.
Standing in Corrie's house, seeing pictures of her and many of those she helped to save, hearing her story of God's outpouring on her...was so moving and humbling. After returning home I read Corrie's account of this time in her life in her book "The Hiding Place". And I couldn't help but think about how small my faith is, how much I limit God's action in my life. And I wonder when times like those return - as I believe they will - who will God work through then? Who will let him light the way, pour forth his love, reflect his redemption? And if it is me - will I do as she did - and learn to say, "God I can't - but you can - so send your strength, your love, your forgiveness, through me - and by so doing - learn to love and forgive as she did?
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Amsterdam - take one
Since I said I'd post this weekend (and certain friends reminded me this morning that I had yet to do so) I will try to write at least a little about the Amsterdam visit. Most importantly, Michelle is doing well - working hard, sharing Christ, and growing in faith. What she does still scares me - but God is using her.
First, Amsterdam is an incredible city consisting of graats (canals), straats (streets) and buildings...tall buildings, all connected to each other. There is very little open green space like we are used to here in the south. And the buildings are OLD and narrow and have steep, winding, skinny stairs ...and obviously - old buildings do not have elevators. Picture me carrying a large suitcase and carry-on bag up to the fourth floor on a staircase with steps so narrow I had to turn my foot sideways to fit on the step.
Second Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They are everywhere with their own lanes and traffic lights. Old bikes - think 1940's style. When a walker (usually a tourist) is in their way they ring little bells on the bike to tell you to get out of the way. Everyone bikes and/or walks in Amsterdam - and no one is fat. There are bikes parked (and chained) everywhere to everything. If my pictures turn out okay - and I finally took the film in today - I will have a photo of a 3 story parking garage - for bikes. It was amazing!
Amsterdam (and the other cities we visited) is a city of gothic churches. Wester Kerk (West Church) was right across the street from our hotel. The churches are old, massive stone, awe-inspiring - with stained glass and magnificent pipeorgans. Unfortunately - almost all of them are now museums rather than churches. In talking with Michelle, our host, and others - the city has a very strong religious history - but is largely apathetic toward religion.
We had the opportunity to worship with Zolder church (the congregation of believers that Michelle worships with). Zolder Church consists of about 150 (?) believers from all walks of life - who meet in 2 groups (Zolder A and B). The groups worship on alternating Sundays and the whole group meets together on 5th Sundays with small groups meeting mid-week. The worship was uplifting. At present the congregation is meeting in a backroom of a restuarant/club. Originally they met in an attic or Zolder (hence the name). Services are in English (with Dutch translations of the lessons provided). It was a very comfortable, welcoming group and I would love to meet with them again.
Another interesting visit we had (though not a normal tourist one) was our dinner and long talk with a friend of MIchelle's, Antony. Antony has a really interesting story - of how he lost his life and fortune - and how he came to find real life in Christ just when he was ready to end his life. Fascinating story - he has written an account of his experience and salvation. I am very interested in seeing what God has in store for this man. I have received an email copy of his story and hope to share it with many of you later. Hopefully, he will show up in the states in the next year and I'll get a chance to introduce him to you.
Of course, we also did the usual tourist stuff - boat tour of the canals, visit the museums - including the Van Gogh museum, toured a dutch east indies trading ship, and went to Delft to see how the Delft china is made. Two of the places really caused us to seriously reflect - the Anne Franke Haus and the Corrie Ten Boom house. Anne Frank's house was about 1 1/2 blocks from where we were staying. Corrie Ten Boom house was in Haarlem (a short distance outside of Amsterdam). I will write more about those places later.
First, Amsterdam is an incredible city consisting of graats (canals), straats (streets) and buildings...tall buildings, all connected to each other. There is very little open green space like we are used to here in the south. And the buildings are OLD and narrow and have steep, winding, skinny stairs ...and obviously - old buildings do not have elevators. Picture me carrying a large suitcase and carry-on bag up to the fourth floor on a staircase with steps so narrow I had to turn my foot sideways to fit on the step.
Second Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They are everywhere with their own lanes and traffic lights. Old bikes - think 1940's style. When a walker (usually a tourist) is in their way they ring little bells on the bike to tell you to get out of the way. Everyone bikes and/or walks in Amsterdam - and no one is fat. There are bikes parked (and chained) everywhere to everything. If my pictures turn out okay - and I finally took the film in today - I will have a photo of a 3 story parking garage - for bikes. It was amazing!
Amsterdam (and the other cities we visited) is a city of gothic churches. Wester Kerk (West Church) was right across the street from our hotel. The churches are old, massive stone, awe-inspiring - with stained glass and magnificent pipeorgans. Unfortunately - almost all of them are now museums rather than churches. In talking with Michelle, our host, and others - the city has a very strong religious history - but is largely apathetic toward religion.
We had the opportunity to worship with Zolder church (the congregation of believers that Michelle worships with). Zolder Church consists of about 150 (?) believers from all walks of life - who meet in 2 groups (Zolder A and B). The groups worship on alternating Sundays and the whole group meets together on 5th Sundays with small groups meeting mid-week. The worship was uplifting. At present the congregation is meeting in a backroom of a restuarant/club. Originally they met in an attic or Zolder (hence the name). Services are in English (with Dutch translations of the lessons provided). It was a very comfortable, welcoming group and I would love to meet with them again.
Another interesting visit we had (though not a normal tourist one) was our dinner and long talk with a friend of MIchelle's, Antony. Antony has a really interesting story - of how he lost his life and fortune - and how he came to find real life in Christ just when he was ready to end his life. Fascinating story - he has written an account of his experience and salvation. I am very interested in seeing what God has in store for this man. I have received an email copy of his story and hope to share it with many of you later. Hopefully, he will show up in the states in the next year and I'll get a chance to introduce him to you.
Of course, we also did the usual tourist stuff - boat tour of the canals, visit the museums - including the Van Gogh museum, toured a dutch east indies trading ship, and went to Delft to see how the Delft china is made. Two of the places really caused us to seriously reflect - the Anne Franke Haus and the Corrie Ten Boom house. Anne Frank's house was about 1 1/2 blocks from where we were staying. Corrie Ten Boom house was in Haarlem (a short distance outside of Amsterdam). I will write more about those places later.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Home again, Home again, jiggety, jig!
Back at home. Trip was great - I'll write about it this weekend. Jet lag on the return was interesting but I'm almost back to normal (for me anyway).
MIchelle s doing well and doing good work. Crazy place - interesting people.
And the Corrie Ton Boom house and story was faith-inspiring. If you haven't read "The Hiding Place" you should.
MIchelle s doing well and doing good work. Crazy place - interesting people.
And the Corrie Ton Boom house and story was faith-inspiring. If you haven't read "The Hiding Place" you should.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Ugly American
Ok, in three weeks we head off for our first trip to Europe. I'm very excited ( and not just because I get to be with my daughter again after 7 months). But - I am a social worker and "The Ugly American" was mandatory reading in my anthropology class days .(Yes, I know that was many, many years ago!) I really want to represent myself (and my country) in a positive way so I've been thinking about ways to avoid being seen as "ugly" by the lovely dutch folks. That may be somewhat difficult with my Missouri Show Me state, Arkansas (Go Pigs, Soooooeh), Texan, and South Carolina southern background. So I need a list to help me avoid the pitfalls. This is what I've got so far:
1. Blend in. (i.e. leave the sapphire blue coat at home -per Michelle's advice).
2. Leave politics out of all conversations. (I figure that since Michelle and her Dad fight on the phone about politics already - it would be best to avoid this topic completely. Actually, as far as I'm concerned that's a topic I always prefer to avoid.)
3. Keep my voice volumn down. (I hope this doesn't apply to singing - but I will avoid singing in public places.)
4. Speak dutch. (Well, that's one item I won't be doing. As bad as I am at languages I'd probably insult someone while asking where the bathroom is. So scratch that one from the list.)
Suggestions anyone?
1. Blend in. (i.e. leave the sapphire blue coat at home -per Michelle's advice).
2. Leave politics out of all conversations. (I figure that since Michelle and her Dad fight on the phone about politics already - it would be best to avoid this topic completely. Actually, as far as I'm concerned that's a topic I always prefer to avoid.)
3. Keep my voice volumn down. (I hope this doesn't apply to singing - but I will avoid singing in public places.)
4. Speak dutch. (Well, that's one item I won't be doing. As bad as I am at languages I'd probably insult someone while asking where the bathroom is. So scratch that one from the list.)
Suggestions anyone?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I think I'm going - "blonde"
Last weekend Ron and I had a formal "do" to attend. I spent much of the weekend before shopping for the right dress (fashionable, sexy - but not too sexy). So Friday comes and I hurry home from work so I would have time to showere and do my hair and make-up before going out. Ron gets home, changes too and off we go.
We get down town and stroll up to the party location - only to find the entire building completely cloed up and dark. So now we walk back to the car and call Logan (who happened to be home on break and actually at the house for a change) and ask him to go look at the invitation. Sure enough - right there in plain english - the date of the party - Saturday (not Friday!).
I actually found it quite funny - and told Ron we had a "dress rehearsal".
So now I need to decide if I am turning blonde or if this was a "senior" moment. Personally, I vote for going blonde!
We get down town and stroll up to the party location - only to find the entire building completely cloed up and dark. So now we walk back to the car and call Logan (who happened to be home on break and actually at the house for a change) and ask him to go look at the invitation. Sure enough - right there in plain english - the date of the party - Saturday (not Friday!).
I actually found it quite funny - and told Ron we had a "dress rehearsal".
So now I need to decide if I am turning blonde or if this was a "senior" moment. Personally, I vote for going blonde!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
What kind of people are the hardest for you to work with?
I am so often amazed by what people will say during a job interview. Yesterday during an interview one of my staff asked the candidate what kind of people were the most difficult for her to work with. The response, "the unsaved - from a christian standpoint." (And bear in mind - she had absolutely no way of knowing the "saved" status of the staff who were conducting the interview.)
My staff were somewhat taken aback by this response - and I was quite frankly appalled. The organization I work for is not a christian organization - but we are a non-profit human service organization. Our job is to support, encourage, and expand the opportunities for people with a variety of disabilities - people who unfortunately are often seen by society as unlovely - as outcasts. Our staff are (for the most part) dedicated, loving, caring people - who work to bring about not only tolerance and acceptance but true inclusion for everyone. Our staff and clients come from many backgrounds and faiths. As a christian I often have the opportunity to show Christ's love and God's mercy to both staff and clients. I have many opportunities to counsel, encourage, and lead people to make better choices with regard to their way of life - physically, emotionally, AND spiritually. (And at times I have the opportunity to ask them for forgiveness when I've done something stupid.) I believe that my work in this field is a mission - a calling of God.
It is a field full of people - some are "saved" , some are "unsaved" (and it's not my job to decide which is which). My duty and my joy as a christian is to show and share Christ with all of them as I go about my daily work..
I'm so glad that Christ didn't find "the unsaved" (from a religious view) the hardest to work with. The lepers, the sick and lame, the possessed, the sinners, the lost - the "unsaved" are who he came for, the ones he chose to be with, the ones he loved. How sad that a believer has missed that point. If you find it hard to work with the "unsaved" - how small your world must be, and how small your love for those God's plan and Christ's gift was meant to save. If God's people find it hard to work with the "unsaved" - how will anyone else come to be saved?
It makes me want to cry for this woman.
My staff were somewhat taken aback by this response - and I was quite frankly appalled. The organization I work for is not a christian organization - but we are a non-profit human service organization. Our job is to support, encourage, and expand the opportunities for people with a variety of disabilities - people who unfortunately are often seen by society as unlovely - as outcasts. Our staff are (for the most part) dedicated, loving, caring people - who work to bring about not only tolerance and acceptance but true inclusion for everyone. Our staff and clients come from many backgrounds and faiths. As a christian I often have the opportunity to show Christ's love and God's mercy to both staff and clients. I have many opportunities to counsel, encourage, and lead people to make better choices with regard to their way of life - physically, emotionally, AND spiritually. (And at times I have the opportunity to ask them for forgiveness when I've done something stupid.) I believe that my work in this field is a mission - a calling of God.
It is a field full of people - some are "saved" , some are "unsaved" (and it's not my job to decide which is which). My duty and my joy as a christian is to show and share Christ with all of them as I go about my daily work..
I'm so glad that Christ didn't find "the unsaved" (from a religious view) the hardest to work with. The lepers, the sick and lame, the possessed, the sinners, the lost - the "unsaved" are who he came for, the ones he chose to be with, the ones he loved. How sad that a believer has missed that point. If you find it hard to work with the "unsaved" - how small your world must be, and how small your love for those God's plan and Christ's gift was meant to save. If God's people find it hard to work with the "unsaved" - how will anyone else come to be saved?
It makes me want to cry for this woman.
Monday, November 12, 2007
No Tomorrows
No one is guaranteed "tomorrow." We all know that intellectually - but generally we: a) don't think about it and b) don't really believe it applies to people we know, and c) definitely don't believe it applies to us. But every now and then we get a wake-up call.
Mine came today when I got a phone call informing me that a consultant I worked with frequently and over a period of several years was found dead in his home this morning. I and my co-workers had a difficult time wrapping our minds around that fact. After all he had just been with us last Wednesday and he was scheduled to be at our site again in 2 days. The shock of his death in his sleep as a 40-something, apparently healthy man, was quite unexpected.
After a couple of hours I found my thoughts going off in a different direction. I suddenly realized that I did not know if he was a believer in Christ. In fact, despite frequent conversations over the last 2 or 3 years- I could not remember even one time when we discussed faith in Christ. If he was not a christian -I did nothing to bring him to Christ. I never considered that he might not have a tomorrow.
How many others have I failed to share Jesus' love and grace with? If I - as a believer - don't share my Lord - who will?
Mine came today when I got a phone call informing me that a consultant I worked with frequently and over a period of several years was found dead in his home this morning. I and my co-workers had a difficult time wrapping our minds around that fact. After all he had just been with us last Wednesday and he was scheduled to be at our site again in 2 days. The shock of his death in his sleep as a 40-something, apparently healthy man, was quite unexpected.
After a couple of hours I found my thoughts going off in a different direction. I suddenly realized that I did not know if he was a believer in Christ. In fact, despite frequent conversations over the last 2 or 3 years- I could not remember even one time when we discussed faith in Christ. If he was not a christian -I did nothing to bring him to Christ. I never considered that he might not have a tomorrow.
How many others have I failed to share Jesus' love and grace with? If I - as a believer - don't share my Lord - who will?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
It's a dog's world
My mother left me a message this morning telling me that I was getting a new step-sister. This was quite a surprise since to my knowledge my parents weren't divorced - let alone remarried. I talked to them just the other day so I didn't think either of those things could have occured that quickly or without my knowledge.
So I quickly called home and asked Dad... which of you is getting remarried resulting in a step-sister. He laughed (BIG sigh of relief - just kidding mom and dad) and said mom was finally getting the puppy she's talked about forever. So instead of a step-sister I got a new doggy foster (adopted?) sister.
Evidently this has been in the works for a couple of days at least since mom and dad had already been shopping for "puppy things" - gates, toys, bedding, etc. The new pup is a Shitzu female - still to be named.
Good dog story!
Unfortunately MY dog has not been so good the last two days. Yesterday I came home from work to find a "gift" pile by the back door...which wouldn't have made me too upset since it was by the correct exit and maybe he just couldn't wait. Unfortunately after cleaning that mess up, I noticed that something still smelled. As I moved through the house I discovered "gifts" on every rug in the downstairs portion of the house (5 to be exact). I was NOT thrilled with my dog. I made him stay outside all evening and spent quite some time cleaning carpets.
At about 6:30 this morning I was awakened to my husband's LOUD complaint that "He did it again!" Yep, doggy - allowed to sleep in our room at night - had left us another present. Fortunately my husband "found" it before I woke up - since I would have stepped right in it upon getting out of bed. Day 2 and doggy is once again banished to the outside.
Now the big questions are:
Why did he do "it?" Will he do it again?
Meanwhile, there he stands on the deck at the backdoor - staring in at me, nose to the glass, and looking innocent of any wrong doing.
So why do I feel guilty?
So I quickly called home and asked Dad... which of you is getting remarried resulting in a step-sister. He laughed (BIG sigh of relief - just kidding mom and dad) and said mom was finally getting the puppy she's talked about forever. So instead of a step-sister I got a new doggy foster (adopted?) sister.
Evidently this has been in the works for a couple of days at least since mom and dad had already been shopping for "puppy things" - gates, toys, bedding, etc. The new pup is a Shitzu female - still to be named.
Good dog story!
Unfortunately MY dog has not been so good the last two days. Yesterday I came home from work to find a "gift" pile by the back door...which wouldn't have made me too upset since it was by the correct exit and maybe he just couldn't wait. Unfortunately after cleaning that mess up, I noticed that something still smelled. As I moved through the house I discovered "gifts" on every rug in the downstairs portion of the house (5 to be exact). I was NOT thrilled with my dog. I made him stay outside all evening and spent quite some time cleaning carpets.
At about 6:30 this morning I was awakened to my husband's LOUD complaint that "He did it again!" Yep, doggy - allowed to sleep in our room at night - had left us another present. Fortunately my husband "found" it before I woke up - since I would have stepped right in it upon getting out of bed. Day 2 and doggy is once again banished to the outside.
Now the big questions are:
Why did he do "it?" Will he do it again?
Meanwhile, there he stands on the deck at the backdoor - staring in at me, nose to the glass, and looking innocent of any wrong doing.
So why do I feel guilty?
Monday, October 08, 2007
myrtle beach - here i come!
I'm off to the beach tomorrow for the annual SCAAIDD conference. Hope everyonoe has a good week! Be back Friday.
Friday, September 28, 2007
birthday wishes
Sunday is Michelle's 23rd birthday! ;)
Unfortunately I won't get to spend any of it with her :(
Actually I haven't spent the last 3 birthdays (or is it 4?) with her either but I knew she was surrounded by a host of friends at Harding. (Yes, Michelle, I know you have friends in Amsterdam too.)
Anyway, for her birthday:
May she feel loved by family and friends (old and new).
May she have laughter to fill the day (Michelle: If you get them to play the game I sent in your birthday package - you're sure to have a few laughs - you may be laughing at your mother's silliness but hey, it's still laughing.)
May she feel God's presence and love surrounding her.
May she have one new experience to enjoy (We all know how much Michelle likes new adventures.)
Unfortunately I won't get to spend any of it with her :(
Actually I haven't spent the last 3 birthdays (or is it 4?) with her either but I knew she was surrounded by a host of friends at Harding. (Yes, Michelle, I know you have friends in Amsterdam too.)
Anyway, for her birthday:
May she feel loved by family and friends (old and new).
May she have laughter to fill the day (Michelle: If you get them to play the game I sent in your birthday package - you're sure to have a few laughs - you may be laughing at your mother's silliness but hey, it's still laughing.)
May she feel God's presence and love surrounding her.
May she have one new experience to enjoy (We all know how much Michelle likes new adventures.)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
complacent christianity
I bought a new CD last week (Casting Crowns -"The Altar and the Door") - and once again God has used music to get my attention.
I've been without Christ - with all the pain of sin, the guilt, the sorrow for my actions, the yearning to be clean again - yet I've really been struck by how complacent I often am in my christianity. I go to worship, teach the children, pray and move right along with the rest of my life. None of this really requires much sacrifice from me in the way of money, time, or talent. After all - I LOVE to sing, I enjoy working with children, I can fit prayer in during the little spaces of my day (driving, cooking, etc.) None of it requires any real risk.
So often I am without the passion of my faith. I want to be a christian but I don't want to be seen as too much of a christian. I don't want to be lost but I don't want to be radical either. The problem with that is - Jesus IS radical. God's plans are radical. He wants radical believers. He wants us to believe that he can and will do the impossible - and he'll do it with us.
The song "Somewhere in the Middle" has really stuck in my mind...the mental pictures I see as I listen to the words are so vivid.
So in case you haven't heard the song here it is:
"Somewhere between the hot and the cold. Somewhere between the new and the old. Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Somewhere between the wrong and the right. Somewhere between the darkness and the light. Somewhere between who I was and who you're making me. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense, deep water faith - in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle.
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is, But will we trade our dreams for his? Are we caught in the middle?
Somewhere between my heart and my hands. Somewhere between my faith and my plans. Somewhere between the safety of the boat and crashing waves. Somewhere between a whisper and a roar. Somewhere between the altar and the door. Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control. Lord, I feel You in this place and I know you're by my side. Loving me even on these nightswhen I'm caught in the middle."
I've been without Christ - with all the pain of sin, the guilt, the sorrow for my actions, the yearning to be clean again - yet I've really been struck by how complacent I often am in my christianity. I go to worship, teach the children, pray and move right along with the rest of my life. None of this really requires much sacrifice from me in the way of money, time, or talent. After all - I LOVE to sing, I enjoy working with children, I can fit prayer in during the little spaces of my day (driving, cooking, etc.) None of it requires any real risk.
So often I am without the passion of my faith. I want to be a christian but I don't want to be seen as too much of a christian. I don't want to be lost but I don't want to be radical either. The problem with that is - Jesus IS radical. God's plans are radical. He wants radical believers. He wants us to believe that he can and will do the impossible - and he'll do it with us.
The song "Somewhere in the Middle" has really stuck in my mind...the mental pictures I see as I listen to the words are so vivid.
So in case you haven't heard the song here it is:
"Somewhere between the hot and the cold. Somewhere between the new and the old. Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Somewhere between the wrong and the right. Somewhere between the darkness and the light. Somewhere between who I was and who you're making me. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense, deep water faith - in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle.
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is, But will we trade our dreams for his? Are we caught in the middle?
Somewhere between my heart and my hands. Somewhere between my faith and my plans. Somewhere between the safety of the boat and crashing waves. Somewhere between a whisper and a roar. Somewhere between the altar and the door. Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more. Somewhere in the middle you'll find me.
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control. Lord, I feel You in this place and I know you're by my side. Loving me even on these nightswhen I'm caught in the middle."
Sunday, September 09, 2007
who we are is not necessarily how others see us
After attending worship and the inaugural meeting of the empty nester's club (All Right! -Jim, that's for you.) Ron and I spent the rest of the day as volunteers parking cars for a polo game. I know nothing about polo but in exchange for volunteers to handle the parking the agency I work for will get paid / donation to go towards our building fund. (Since we are at licensed capacity in the county with a LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG waiting list for services a new building is really needed. ) Anyway, here I am in shorts, t-shirt and a lovely orange vest directing people to the proper parking places. I shortly discovered that the way people addressed me - while friendly - was definitely not the way I am usually addressed. I was rather entertained by the number of times I was called Honey, Doll, Babe, etc. by people that in other circumstances would be calling me Mrs. Staggs, ma'am, etc. Their perception of who I was seemed to be very dependent on the role I was playing at the time. Don't get me wrong - no one was intentionally rude, people were pleasant/smiling/cooperative. It did make me think about how I see myself, how I see others and how they see me..I might need to be a little more careful about my assumptions about who people are in future interaction.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
No news is good news?
No news is good news I've heard that line a thousand times - but I still can't decide if it's a truism or a lie. This week I am having a lot of opportunties to test it.
1. Earthquake in Peru - where oldest step-daughter, her husband, and 2 and 8/9's grandchildren live. No news for nearly 24 hours after the quake. Definitely did not feel like good news. Did get an email late the day after (phones were still down.) and everyone was ok.
2. Reviewers at work for a BIG audit / contract compliance review all week. I wasn't even asked any questions by them today. Maybe that's good - everything was clear and correct (I hope) or everything was so obviously out-of-compliance that they didn't even feel the need to get more information. The jury is still out on this one. I'll find out on Friday whether "no news" during the review was good or bad.
3. Logan at Harding for a week. No calls from him. Is that good news (he's having a great time and hopefully going to classes) or bad news (he hates harding, his roommate, his classes, and his parents for sending him there and is no longer speaking to us). I have actually spoken to him twice (for maybe 5 minutes total in the last week and only after leaving messages like call home because I am getting emails about your parking permit being returned as undeliverable). The first thing out of his mouth both times was "What do you want?" He is alive, and busy - so I guess in this case no news was good news.
That makes the tally even at one for truism, one for lie, and one for undecided.
1. Earthquake in Peru - where oldest step-daughter, her husband, and 2 and 8/9's grandchildren live. No news for nearly 24 hours after the quake. Definitely did not feel like good news. Did get an email late the day after (phones were still down.) and everyone was ok.
2. Reviewers at work for a BIG audit / contract compliance review all week. I wasn't even asked any questions by them today. Maybe that's good - everything was clear and correct (I hope) or everything was so obviously out-of-compliance that they didn't even feel the need to get more information. The jury is still out on this one. I'll find out on Friday whether "no news" during the review was good or bad.
3. Logan at Harding for a week. No calls from him. Is that good news (he's having a great time and hopefully going to classes) or bad news (he hates harding, his roommate, his classes, and his parents for sending him there and is no longer speaking to us). I have actually spoken to him twice (for maybe 5 minutes total in the last week and only after leaving messages like call home because I am getting emails about your parking permit being returned as undeliverable). The first thing out of his mouth both times was "What do you want?" He is alive, and busy - so I guess in this case no news was good news.
That makes the tally even at one for truism, one for lie, and one for undecided.
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