So, I was on the very first flight from Houston to Seattle that Alaskan Airline has even flown today. It was annoying. There was loudness and business men and political figures getting in the way of my "travel calm".
Thank goodness there was free cake that I pushed some small children out of the way for, or it would have been a total bust.
( seriously, you'd think people had never seen food before and that we were all starving to death in africa the way people attacked the free food.)
Annnnyway, I scored a free keychain, a free tin of breath mints ( random) and a free luggage tag....and my flight was uneventful. Got a beautiful view of Mount Rainier as we flew over and I got this HUGE wave of sadness that I will shortly be leaving this place, possibly forever.
And then I got home, and I wandered around the apartment, happy to see my bed and my couch all waiting for me to snuggle in again. ( I'm such a homebody)....and since I've been gone, the weather has changed into the most beautiful crispy fallish feeling that I LOVE MORE THAN ALL OTHER SEASONS.... And it started to sink in, that in a months time, the Army will come in and pack it all up and I will leave Washington and a brand new adventure will begin.....
And I was JUST about to feel really awful about all this, because we all know I HATE CHANGE and I DON'T LIKE MOVING and I DON'T LIKE MAKING NEW FRIENDS....
and then, a friend texted me about some exciting news in her life, and it was like a little whispered reminder of what I already know....
Life must change, for how else will it get better? Change can also bring along with it beautiful surprises that you would not have gotten to experience if you had been too afraid to face the newness coming your way...
For instance, in just a little over a month I get my husband back. After 348 days without him, HE WILL BE BACK! ( These are the types of changes I can get behind.)
ALSO, in a little under 9 months....my sister is going to have a BABY!
Talk about a good change, huh?!
So, even though I'll probably complain a lot in the coming days, I am looking forward to the end of 2009 and 2010 with MUCH anticipate. I know the changes that it will bring, will also bring unspeakable joys-some of which we don't even KNOW about yet!!!
September 23, 2009
September 19, 2009
Super hard...
Put on then as God’s chosen ones:
compassionate hearts...
kindness...
humility...
meekness....
and patience....
bearing with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on
love, which
binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:12-14
I'm pretty sure I have not mastered any of the characteristics listed above, but tonight I did forgive. The embarrassing part is I didn't really know that I was holding a grudge until the Lord flat out showed it to me! Wow.
compassionate hearts...
kindness...
humility...
meekness....
and patience....
bearing with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on
love, which
binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:12-14
I'm pretty sure I have not mastered any of the characteristics listed above, but tonight I did forgive. The embarrassing part is I didn't really know that I was holding a grudge until the Lord flat out showed it to me! Wow.
September 18, 2009
SECRETS
This past week has been consumed by secrets. Non-bloggable secrets ( I figured I should specify, hahaha!)...and therefore its been REALLY hard to think of something to write about, because, honestly...my mind is wrapped up in one of two things that make me really happy at the moment.
One of those things should be coming out for general consumption rather soon-so check this space, saaaaay, around Sunday. The other piece of information, may never come out...but then again, its really none of my business anyway-it just shows that I'm DESPERATELY trying to come up with things to do to distract me from the fact that....In about 55 days * Brett and I will be finished with this deployment!!!!!
In a lot of ways, my mind is EVER on this fact, and its important for my mental health ( i.e. not going crazy) that I try to focus on other things...LUCKILY people have been nice enough to let me into their own private lives and I've been enjoying the fun of living vicariously through others for a while now....
It should also be noted that, when, several months ago I decided to book a random trip to Texas I had no REAL good reason to do so, it just "felt like a good idea at the time, " and now I can't THINK of a better time for me to come...life in Washington was pretty hectic and sometimes it is just nice to deal with OTHER people's hectic lives for a little bit! I'm glad I have several more days here in East Texas, and then I will look forward to my last little time in Washington ( trying not to think about saying goodbye there, just yet)...
* Give or take a day or so, since HA! If you think the Army gives more exact information...
One of those things should be coming out for general consumption rather soon-so check this space, saaaaay, around Sunday. The other piece of information, may never come out...but then again, its really none of my business anyway-it just shows that I'm DESPERATELY trying to come up with things to do to distract me from the fact that....In about 55 days * Brett and I will be finished with this deployment!!!!!
In a lot of ways, my mind is EVER on this fact, and its important for my mental health ( i.e. not going crazy) that I try to focus on other things...LUCKILY people have been nice enough to let me into their own private lives and I've been enjoying the fun of living vicariously through others for a while now....
It should also be noted that, when, several months ago I decided to book a random trip to Texas I had no REAL good reason to do so, it just "felt like a good idea at the time, " and now I can't THINK of a better time for me to come...life in Washington was pretty hectic and sometimes it is just nice to deal with OTHER people's hectic lives for a little bit! I'm glad I have several more days here in East Texas, and then I will look forward to my last little time in Washington ( trying not to think about saying goodbye there, just yet)...
* Give or take a day or so, since HA! If you think the Army gives more exact information...
September 15, 2009
A Really Good Day.
I'm going to remember Sept. 14th as a really good day. First off, my dear friend Katie had her baby! Morris was born early in an emergency c-section and weighed in at a bit over 3lbs....but I talked to Katie this evening and she and baby are both doing well! YAY! Still praying for baby Morris to gain weight and for his blood sugar to stay at normal levels....
I'm so excited to have yet another friend enter motherhood. Its super exciting /mind blowing.
I also had a really great day with Tabitha... who has been visiting me from Vancouver this weekend. Sure, I had a silly Army briefing this morning that took up time-but it all turned out great in the end, and we had a really great day in Seattle.
AND...I'm going to Texas tomorrow for a week with my family. Its gonna be great! I've been looking forward to this trip for several months now, and I know that its perfect timing to take a little break from life here and hang out with some of my very favorite people!
Now, if only this pesky sore throat that has shown up the past few days would jet, things would be roses.
I'm so excited to have yet another friend enter motherhood. Its super exciting /mind blowing.
I also had a really great day with Tabitha... who has been visiting me from Vancouver this weekend. Sure, I had a silly Army briefing this morning that took up time-but it all turned out great in the end, and we had a really great day in Seattle.
AND...I'm going to Texas tomorrow for a week with my family. Its gonna be great! I've been looking forward to this trip for several months now, and I know that its perfect timing to take a little break from life here and hang out with some of my very favorite people!
Now, if only this pesky sore throat that has shown up the past few days would jet, things would be roses.
September 12, 2009
Kingdom Come
It has been the craziest week. SO many bloggable things happened that most of them didn't get blogged ( isn't that just the way?)...and then, just like, that it became Saturday and here I am getting ready for a party and a guest ( both today) and a trip to Texas ( Tuesday).
And through all the crazy, I did have a moment to sit on my balcony and do a Quiet time this morning-So much is on my mind right now, so many things to lift up in prayer-so many things that I want so badly to happen. So many really wonderful blessings that I can only dare to hope for...and that's when it hit me, like a tiny little whisper coming over the railing of the balcony.
"Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done."
And then all those prayers, all those blessings and hopes that I am praying so hard for...why, it hardly matters! Because I know, that whatever DOES happen-whether the answers to my prayers are "yeses" or "nos"- HE will be glorified! HE will be honored! So, I suppose my prayer now is just that I was desire His will more than my own silly hopes. That His will, will also be my own wish, my own prayer.....
Oh, and just as a reminder-
I wrote this blog post almost a year ago ( seriously?! Wow! It doesn't seem like its been that long!) when my friend, Tabitha started blogging:
Go read it here!
In a lot of ways, I'm really proud of what I wrote there-I think I was able to capture some of my feelings about Tabitha pretty well in that post, although, I have found that even though I love to write-I quite often feel as though words fail me when it comes to describing my feelings about people, especially the people that I love. Anyway, nevertheless, I like that post, so you should go read it again if you haven't already. hahaha!
So, right, I bring this up again, because Tabitha, is coming to visit me this weekend! And I'm very excited! She is definitely one of my friends who, as the years have progressed, I have appreciated her thoughts and opinions more and more when it comes to my decisions in life. I know that she is seeking God in her own life and therefore I am always up for what she might have to say about my life too! ( selfish, I know!)
Lately, we've also been talking about turning some of our correspondence into a book...and so I've been going back through the archives of our friendship, so to speak, and its really REALLY amazing to see how far we have both come. I very much look forward to what the future will bring for us both!
And through all the crazy, I did have a moment to sit on my balcony and do a Quiet time this morning-So much is on my mind right now, so many things to lift up in prayer-so many things that I want so badly to happen. So many really wonderful blessings that I can only dare to hope for...and that's when it hit me, like a tiny little whisper coming over the railing of the balcony.
"Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done."
And then all those prayers, all those blessings and hopes that I am praying so hard for...why, it hardly matters! Because I know, that whatever DOES happen-whether the answers to my prayers are "yeses" or "nos"- HE will be glorified! HE will be honored! So, I suppose my prayer now is just that I was desire His will more than my own silly hopes. That His will, will also be my own wish, my own prayer.....
Oh, and just as a reminder-
I wrote this blog post almost a year ago ( seriously?! Wow! It doesn't seem like its been that long!) when my friend, Tabitha started blogging:
Go read it here!
In a lot of ways, I'm really proud of what I wrote there-I think I was able to capture some of my feelings about Tabitha pretty well in that post, although, I have found that even though I love to write-I quite often feel as though words fail me when it comes to describing my feelings about people, especially the people that I love. Anyway, nevertheless, I like that post, so you should go read it again if you haven't already. hahaha!
So, right, I bring this up again, because Tabitha, is coming to visit me this weekend! And I'm very excited! She is definitely one of my friends who, as the years have progressed, I have appreciated her thoughts and opinions more and more when it comes to my decisions in life. I know that she is seeking God in her own life and therefore I am always up for what she might have to say about my life too! ( selfish, I know!)
Lately, we've also been talking about turning some of our correspondence into a book...and so I've been going back through the archives of our friendship, so to speak, and its really REALLY amazing to see how far we have both come. I very much look forward to what the future will bring for us both!
September 11, 2009
Spoken in monotone
Today I went to a briefing where I was suppose to learn how to fill out the paper work for our move to Georgia in a few months...it took two hours real time, and 9,000 hours of my life-depending on how you look at it:
A sampling of the wonderful dialogue:
"If you do not fill out Block 7-a. properly, than you will be getting a phonecall in the midst of your transfer and then you will have to move all your property yourself. This will, of course, get in the way of your plans to visit Mt. Rushmore or Disney Land.....or....stopping off at Grandmas....or your visit to.....what's that place in Florida?"
And it was about THAT time that I lost the will to live.
A sampling of the wonderful dialogue:
"If you do not fill out Block 7-a. properly, than you will be getting a phonecall in the midst of your transfer and then you will have to move all your property yourself. This will, of course, get in the way of your plans to visit Mt. Rushmore or Disney Land.....or....stopping off at Grandmas....or your visit to.....what's that place in Florida?"
And it was about THAT time that I lost the will to live.
September 10, 2009
Hazards
The reason, dear readers, why you have NOT heard the end to the fridge nonesense is because the saga is ON GOING...and I kept hoping that it would end in a nice and tidy "And then they all lived happily ever after in their non-smelling apartment, with their perfect fridge." Sadly. This is NOT a fairy tale ending...
In fact, its not an ending at all...
As I type I am sitting out on my balcony. Why, you ask? Well, otherwise I might die.
The fumes inside my apartment have reached epic proportions and they have affected the following: my head ( headache), my brain ( confusion), my tummy ( you don't want to know) and my life ( as you will soon see...)
So, lets rewind and let me take you back to yesterday morning at 9am. The night before I had been up late ( who knows why) and I was enjoying the first sleep in that I can actually remember when the doorbell rang. So I jumped out of bed, knowing full well that it was the dear little I-never-talk-but-I-like-to-ride-around-in-a-golf-cart apartment handyman who I had left a message with the night before. So I put on my "I've been awake for hours look" and opened the door.... and he said,
"Oh! Did I wake you?"
and I said, "Oh no!"
( a few minutes later while he was at work, I checked myself in the bathroom mirror, something I had not done before, and found that I had a GIANT GRAND CANYON of a crease on the side of my face that declared me a liar.)
Anyway, so I let Rides In a Golf Cart Quiet Man into my apartment to look at my smelly fridge to see if he could 1. Locate the smell. 2. Get to the smell.
Now....I'm not going to bore you with the details, readers, but lets just say they included listening to Quiet Golf Cart Man gag ( embarrassing! This is my fridge!), several phonecalls that included one that I will intitle "If it doesn't stop smelling you'll be responsible for a $500 fridge" and a near nervous breakdown....but the end results where that there is this teeny tiny space at the base of my fridge where a piece of metal is attached to a piece of plastic, and this is where a certain piece of chicken that was defrosting the fridge decided to leak...a leak that had been cleaned up quickly, and yet...how WERE we suppose to know that some of the juices had run down into this little inconsequential crack and cultivated such an amazingly horrible smell that Trolls, Goblins and maybe three Zombies would run and horror at the very thought?!?!
And you might ask me if the piece of metal that's attached to the plastic comes off?!? Well, NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING THAT'S FOR FREAKIN SURE.
*sigh*
Anyway, after being threatened with the $500, Lindsay and I took drastic measures and moved the contents of our fridge to one of the Navigator guys houses, and proceeded to pour an entire bottle of Arm and Hammer Carpet Cleaner into the crack ( we figured we'd drain that baby out) and when that didn't entirely do the trick, we borrowed some bleach from the guys ( why do guys always have large quantities of bleach handy?!) and poured THAT down the crack as well....
Thus our apartment should be seriously considered a danger zone.
We think the smell is mostly gone, but that could be because we're loosing brain cells by the second.
In fact, its not an ending at all...
As I type I am sitting out on my balcony. Why, you ask? Well, otherwise I might die.
The fumes inside my apartment have reached epic proportions and they have affected the following: my head ( headache), my brain ( confusion), my tummy ( you don't want to know) and my life ( as you will soon see...)
So, lets rewind and let me take you back to yesterday morning at 9am. The night before I had been up late ( who knows why) and I was enjoying the first sleep in that I can actually remember when the doorbell rang. So I jumped out of bed, knowing full well that it was the dear little I-never-talk-but-I-like-to-ride-around-in-a-golf-cart apartment handyman who I had left a message with the night before. So I put on my "I've been awake for hours look" and opened the door.... and he said,
"Oh! Did I wake you?"
and I said, "Oh no!"
( a few minutes later while he was at work, I checked myself in the bathroom mirror, something I had not done before, and found that I had a GIANT GRAND CANYON of a crease on the side of my face that declared me a liar.)
Anyway, so I let Rides In a Golf Cart Quiet Man into my apartment to look at my smelly fridge to see if he could 1. Locate the smell. 2. Get to the smell.
Now....I'm not going to bore you with the details, readers, but lets just say they included listening to Quiet Golf Cart Man gag ( embarrassing! This is my fridge!), several phonecalls that included one that I will intitle "If it doesn't stop smelling you'll be responsible for a $500 fridge" and a near nervous breakdown....but the end results where that there is this teeny tiny space at the base of my fridge where a piece of metal is attached to a piece of plastic, and this is where a certain piece of chicken that was defrosting the fridge decided to leak...a leak that had been cleaned up quickly, and yet...how WERE we suppose to know that some of the juices had run down into this little inconsequential crack and cultivated such an amazingly horrible smell that Trolls, Goblins and maybe three Zombies would run and horror at the very thought?!?!
And you might ask me if the piece of metal that's attached to the plastic comes off?!? Well, NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING THAT'S FOR FREAKIN SURE.
*sigh*
Anyway, after being threatened with the $500, Lindsay and I took drastic measures and moved the contents of our fridge to one of the Navigator guys houses, and proceeded to pour an entire bottle of Arm and Hammer Carpet Cleaner into the crack ( we figured we'd drain that baby out) and when that didn't entirely do the trick, we borrowed some bleach from the guys ( why do guys always have large quantities of bleach handy?!) and poured THAT down the crack as well....
Thus our apartment should be seriously considered a danger zone.
We think the smell is mostly gone, but that could be because we're loosing brain cells by the second.
September 09, 2009
Everybody nose
I don't know if you know this about me, but I have a sensitive nose.
Even as a small child I was always the first to announce the arrival of an uninvited smell by yelling out, "EWWWW WHAT'S THAT SMELL!?!?"
Yeah. I was a joy to have around as a child, no doubt about it.
Anyway, so you can IMAGINE how upset I got a few days ago when this weird smell started coming out of my fridge.
So I threw out the eggs.
And two days passed and I thought it was over, but still...when I'd open the fridge I'd smell something "off" and I started to feel seriously unhinged.
And that's when I started taking things out of the fridge and taking long inhales of breath over each item. But it was difficult going, because basically the bad smell was TAINTING the air and nothing smelled particularly WORSE than anything else.
So then I started taking everything out and cleaning the inside of the fridge like a mad women. The freezer was the first to be emptied and scrubbed...followed shortly by the fridge and by this point I was starting to feel light headed because I'd taken too many deep inhalations combined with the over use of cleaning product and yet still to KNOW AVAIL.
And that's when Lindsay, Jennifer and Tina moved the fridge to see if there was a dead rat under it. Which happened at the exact same moment when I went outside to DIE...because the idea of facing a dead rat was TOO MUCH TO BARE.
However, who would have thought, that NOT finding a rat under the fridge is, in some ways, much worse...because now the smell remains and I can only be lead to believe that there is something still inside the inner sanctum of my cooling unit.
I left a haggard message on the apartment managers voice mail saying that I need DRASTIC MEASURES TAKE. And SOON.
After all, Tabitha's coming to visit on Saturday...and we can't have her coming into a dead-rat-smelling apartment can we?!! NO WE CAN NOT. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that I WILL NOT BE ALIVE to welcome her if the smell is not taken care of in the next 24 hours, since every few minutes I open the refrigerator door and take deep breaths to see if its still there ( it is.), and I don't think there will be any oxygen left in the room if I keep it up.
Even as a small child I was always the first to announce the arrival of an uninvited smell by yelling out, "EWWWW WHAT'S THAT SMELL!?!?"
Yeah. I was a joy to have around as a child, no doubt about it.
Anyway, so you can IMAGINE how upset I got a few days ago when this weird smell started coming out of my fridge.
So I threw out the eggs.
And two days passed and I thought it was over, but still...when I'd open the fridge I'd smell something "off" and I started to feel seriously unhinged.
And that's when I started taking things out of the fridge and taking long inhales of breath over each item. But it was difficult going, because basically the bad smell was TAINTING the air and nothing smelled particularly WORSE than anything else.
So then I started taking everything out and cleaning the inside of the fridge like a mad women. The freezer was the first to be emptied and scrubbed...followed shortly by the fridge and by this point I was starting to feel light headed because I'd taken too many deep inhalations combined with the over use of cleaning product and yet still to KNOW AVAIL.
And that's when Lindsay, Jennifer and Tina moved the fridge to see if there was a dead rat under it. Which happened at the exact same moment when I went outside to DIE...because the idea of facing a dead rat was TOO MUCH TO BARE.
However, who would have thought, that NOT finding a rat under the fridge is, in some ways, much worse...because now the smell remains and I can only be lead to believe that there is something still inside the inner sanctum of my cooling unit.
I left a haggard message on the apartment managers voice mail saying that I need DRASTIC MEASURES TAKE. And SOON.
After all, Tabitha's coming to visit on Saturday...and we can't have her coming into a dead-rat-smelling apartment can we?!! NO WE CAN NOT. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that I WILL NOT BE ALIVE to welcome her if the smell is not taken care of in the next 24 hours, since every few minutes I open the refrigerator door and take deep breaths to see if its still there ( it is.), and I don't think there will be any oxygen left in the room if I keep it up.
September 07, 2009
Labor Day
Then Jesus said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Matt 9:37-38
This is my Labor Day prayer... That we as believers would see ourselves as these laborers, the ones who go out into our day to day lives and Harvest in the lives of those around us. I have had the priveledge to be around such laborers on a day to day basis and I am continually encouraged to see how the Lord is faithful to those who desire to serve Him. We are ALL called to be ministers and missionaries of the Gospel... And this Labor Day I pray for us all:
"And I pray that the sharing of your faith may becoming effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." Phil 6
This is my Labor Day prayer... That we as believers would see ourselves as these laborers, the ones who go out into our day to day lives and Harvest in the lives of those around us. I have had the priveledge to be around such laborers on a day to day basis and I am continually encouraged to see how the Lord is faithful to those who desire to serve Him. We are ALL called to be ministers and missionaries of the Gospel... And this Labor Day I pray for us all:
"And I pray that the sharing of your faith may becoming effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." Phil 6
September 05, 2009
September 04, 2009
On my mind
Well, the party was a success! By the time I got home I was exhausted beyond belief, but it was good knowing that we'd given about twenty-five wives who'd had a horribly tough month, a little bit of reprieve.
There is this symptom that I have, though, that right before any party that I throw I start to freak out that I have not planned enough food...and then, then when the time comes and its all said and done, there is WAY too much food ( which, really isn't that big of a problem) but still...I can, in know way, figure out how to tell myself that what I have planned will BE ENOUGH. *sigh*
Today I slept in. And it was wonderful I don't think I've mentioned this, but I've been going to be later and later and getting up early and early, and its just not pretty. Abigail needs her 8-10 hours or she starts talking in the third person, and nobody needs that. Either way, its been pretty awful-I'm not sure why I've been sleeping so badly but whatever the case, I was really really happy for the sleep in.
Tomorrow I'm getting up at the CRACK of dawn to take Amy and Baby Dave to the airport. I'm not sure Starbucks makes a strong enough coffee for this...
There is this symptom that I have, though, that right before any party that I throw I start to freak out that I have not planned enough food...and then, then when the time comes and its all said and done, there is WAY too much food ( which, really isn't that big of a problem) but still...I can, in know way, figure out how to tell myself that what I have planned will BE ENOUGH. *sigh*
Today I slept in. And it was wonderful I don't think I've mentioned this, but I've been going to be later and later and getting up early and early, and its just not pretty. Abigail needs her 8-10 hours or she starts talking in the third person, and nobody needs that. Either way, its been pretty awful-I'm not sure why I've been sleeping so badly but whatever the case, I was really really happy for the sleep in.
Tomorrow I'm getting up at the CRACK of dawn to take Amy and Baby Dave to the airport. I'm not sure Starbucks makes a strong enough coffee for this...
September 02, 2009
Julia Child FAILURE
So, as you all know ( because I remind you in every post), I'm throwing a party tomorrow...and a lot of people are coming and I'm starting my usual "Will we have enough food?!" freak out.....but ultimately everything was going according to plan and we were going to have everything under control.
And this evening I was planning on taking my frozen cake out of the freezer, dip the little pre-cut squares of cake into icing and then let them 'drain' on a rack and then sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top and BOOM! You were going to have beautiful peti-fours to wow everyone with...
In my mind they would look something like this:
Instead I dipped the pieces of cake into the icing and they immediately crumbled...awful. Sure, the cake was frozen, but if anything it just dried it out more and made it MORE crumbly!
But, I was NOT to be deterred...I figured that even if the recipe got this part wrong surely the fact that the icing would pour over the sides of the cake and thus make smooth icing around the sides would still work....
So I decided to squeeze the icing onto the tops of them....and what happened?!
The icing did in fact slide off the cakes...but it slid TOTALLY off....
Peti-Fours FAIL!!!
And this evening I was planning on taking my frozen cake out of the freezer, dip the little pre-cut squares of cake into icing and then let them 'drain' on a rack and then sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top and BOOM! You were going to have beautiful peti-fours to wow everyone with...
In my mind they would look something like this:
Instead I dipped the pieces of cake into the icing and they immediately crumbled...awful. Sure, the cake was frozen, but if anything it just dried it out more and made it MORE crumbly!
But, I was NOT to be deterred...I figured that even if the recipe got this part wrong surely the fact that the icing would pour over the sides of the cake and thus make smooth icing around the sides would still work....
So I decided to squeeze the icing onto the tops of them....and what happened?!
The icing did in fact slide off the cakes...but it slid TOTALLY off....
Peti-Fours FAIL!!!
Side effects may include laziness.
I've got a headache. I decided to not have coffee yesterday and then my neck got sore from sleeping funny the night before...and BOOM! We were all on the verge of another "Abigail's got a migraine" period of life. And no one wants to go there. No one.
So I got a half-caf double shot soy latte instead of the usual full strength. Which isn't cheating, right?
*sigh*
Self-control was never my strong suit.
I think Washington got the memo about it being September, because there has definitely been the hint of autumn in the air the past two days. To be honest, I'm mildly happy about this, for one thing I really like the changes of season. There really should be FOUR. DISTINCT. SEASONS. But so far I've only lived in places that had a grand total of two. But there is always hope....
However, this change in weather ( which may also be a source of this headache action) has made me put on my "comfort hoodie"* and it has given me the STRONGEST URGE to just stay in bed and read a book.....with maybe another latte ( mmmmmmmmmmm!)
Sadly a day in bed with a coffee is a luxury that I cannot afford for there are parties to be thrown and business to be taken care of, girls to think about and then tonight Lindsay and I are going to help the boys clean out the Guys Pad ( they are all deploying or moving so it is truly the end of an era), which is possibly the grossest thing ever. But, I feel strongly that I need to give them a helping sisterly hand...After all, this is one of the few ways I can "give back" to all the guys who have helped me move over the past few years. Lifting things up over my head-no. Cleaning-maybe. ( you were excepting a yes! hahah!)
* My security blanket hoodie has played this special roll in my life for a while now Proof and proof and again.
So I got a half-caf double shot soy latte instead of the usual full strength. Which isn't cheating, right?
*sigh*
Self-control was never my strong suit.
I think Washington got the memo about it being September, because there has definitely been the hint of autumn in the air the past two days. To be honest, I'm mildly happy about this, for one thing I really like the changes of season. There really should be FOUR. DISTINCT. SEASONS. But so far I've only lived in places that had a grand total of two. But there is always hope....
However, this change in weather ( which may also be a source of this headache action) has made me put on my "comfort hoodie"* and it has given me the STRONGEST URGE to just stay in bed and read a book.....with maybe another latte ( mmmmmmmmmmm!)
Sadly a day in bed with a coffee is a luxury that I cannot afford for there are parties to be thrown and business to be taken care of, girls to think about and then tonight Lindsay and I are going to help the boys clean out the Guys Pad ( they are all deploying or moving so it is truly the end of an era), which is possibly the grossest thing ever. But, I feel strongly that I need to give them a helping sisterly hand...After all, this is one of the few ways I can "give back" to all the guys who have helped me move over the past few years. Lifting things up over my head-no. Cleaning-maybe. ( you were excepting a yes! hahah!)
* My security blanket hoodie has played this special roll in my life for a while now Proof and proof and again.
September 01, 2009
You're turn....
So, I've been reviewing books that I've been reading for a little while now, and now its your turn. Sort of.
Basically, there was a book on my list that, once I started it I realized I wasn't that interested...and then I realized that life was too short for me to force myself to read the whole thing. So I took it off my list. And now 16. over in the sidebar is sadly lacking....
And here's where you come in...
Give me some book ideas people! Give it a ponder, what books have you not been able to put down? Left an impact after reading? And start namedropping book titles in my comments...
I can hardly wait!
I can't believe I hadn't thought of this sooner!!
(for those of you who are late to the game, you can check out the books I'm planning on reading and books I've already review-click on the books that have lines thru them and it'll take you to the link of my review...all of this is located in my sidebar)
Basically, there was a book on my list that, once I started it I realized I wasn't that interested...and then I realized that life was too short for me to force myself to read the whole thing. So I took it off my list. And now 16. over in the sidebar is sadly lacking....
And here's where you come in...
Give me some book ideas people! Give it a ponder, what books have you not been able to put down? Left an impact after reading? And start namedropping book titles in my comments...
I can hardly wait!
I can't believe I hadn't thought of this sooner!!
(for those of you who are late to the game, you can check out the books I'm planning on reading and books I've already review-click on the books that have lines thru them and it'll take you to the link of my review...all of this is located in my sidebar)
August 31, 2009
Look Me in the Eye
This book , by John Elder Robison, was actually a hard read for me. Basically its the"growing up with Asperger's" tale -that I had found in the book "Born on a Blue Day" that I had loved so much last year-except I felt like this author was a bit more "gritty", much of the Aspergarian characteristics such as lacking emotion or seeming lack of sympathy for others seemed to come out a lot more for me-maybe it was the horrible tricks he played on people when he was young or his entire chapter discussing whether or not he'd picked "the right sister" when marrying his wife-who was one of three sisters..it just hit me the wrong way...although with a fascinating life that includes going on the road with the band KISS and inventing special effects guitars for them, there are definitely some amazing page-turning chapters.
I suppose however you take Robison's anecdotal stories, it is another very interesting look at Asperger's ( a mild form of autism)-and is yet another book that I've read this year that makes me look at how we tend to handle "differences" in peoples mental makeup a little more closely. Robison went for most of his life undiagnosed and therefore was left to his own devices for the most part...and I think its a wonderful thing to see how a person adapts to the world around them, and ultimately uses his savant-like talents to contribute to society....and all in all that's pretty inspiring.
*Important note:I read the paperback version of this book, which is apparently the "edited" version. It has far less language and graphic detail that is apparently a part of the hardback version. So, I guess, be aware!
I suppose however you take Robison's anecdotal stories, it is another very interesting look at Asperger's ( a mild form of autism)-and is yet another book that I've read this year that makes me look at how we tend to handle "differences" in peoples mental makeup a little more closely. Robison went for most of his life undiagnosed and therefore was left to his own devices for the most part...and I think its a wonderful thing to see how a person adapts to the world around them, and ultimately uses his savant-like talents to contribute to society....and all in all that's pretty inspiring.
*Important note:I read the paperback version of this book, which is apparently the "edited" version. It has far less language and graphic detail that is apparently a part of the hardback version. So, I guess, be aware!
Todays QT: An everlasting Kingdom...
"... and behold , with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. "
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. "
August 30, 2009
What's on the Menu:
We're finally facing September in the next few days...and I could NOT be more excited about it! Honestly this has been the LONGEST month ever ( I know that I probably say that every month! hahaha!)...and its nice to be on to September, because September means we're one step closer to November and you know what THAT means, right?!
Its almost to exciting for words.
But instead of jumping ahead two months lets focus on the month ahead. I think one of my major prayers for these last few months without Brett is that I would focus on what is at hand as well as looking to the future. I think it could be all to easy to get too excited about my husband coming home and miss many of the exciting opportunities that I still have yet to experience here on the home front.
So let's talk about this coming month:
I'm helping to throw the 1-17 coffee this next week, and I feel VERY honored to have the opportunity to try and pamper and spoil these wives who have had probably the WORST month ever....praying that the Lord would bless it in a big way....
I'm throwing a shower for my roommate Lindsay the next weekend and I'm also excited about that too....I can't wait for her to be a married women and experience all the joys it has to offer-but until then I'm glad I get to spend these last days as a single girl with her!
Tabitha is coming to visit!!! I'm very excited about this, just because she is one of my favorite people and getting to share a little bit ( she won't be here NEARLY long enough!) of the ministry that we're doing here will be great! More importantly I get to share HER with the people here.....and I love sharing people with other people!
Then I'm going to Texas for a week...a week isn't very long, but it was all I could comfortably fit in at this point, and I've been definitely missing my family a lot the last month or so, so I cannot WAIT to see them!
....
I'm sure other things will surface, because they always do, but I think its already shaping up to be a good month! Yay!
Its almost to exciting for words.
But instead of jumping ahead two months lets focus on the month ahead. I think one of my major prayers for these last few months without Brett is that I would focus on what is at hand as well as looking to the future. I think it could be all to easy to get too excited about my husband coming home and miss many of the exciting opportunities that I still have yet to experience here on the home front.
So let's talk about this coming month:
I'm helping to throw the 1-17 coffee this next week, and I feel VERY honored to have the opportunity to try and pamper and spoil these wives who have had probably the WORST month ever....praying that the Lord would bless it in a big way....
I'm throwing a shower for my roommate Lindsay the next weekend and I'm also excited about that too....I can't wait for her to be a married women and experience all the joys it has to offer-but until then I'm glad I get to spend these last days as a single girl with her!
Tabitha is coming to visit!!! I'm very excited about this, just because she is one of my favorite people and getting to share a little bit ( she won't be here NEARLY long enough!) of the ministry that we're doing here will be great! More importantly I get to share HER with the people here.....and I love sharing people with other people!
Then I'm going to Texas for a week...a week isn't very long, but it was all I could comfortably fit in at this point, and I've been definitely missing my family a lot the last month or so, so I cannot WAIT to see them!
....
I'm sure other things will surface, because they always do, but I think its already shaping up to be a good month! Yay!
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...
Brett has been gone a month. Oh, and then also 8 months on top of that. So you could say I'm use to deployment. And I guess in some ways I am. But in other ways you wake up every day and its like starting over....and maybe that's the hardest part. The hardest part is having to make a Decision to make today a good day. All. Over. Again.
And lets be honest sometimes it not an easy Decision to make. Sometimes you haven't gotten to talk to your husband, or maybe something happens that rocks your boat and you realize that "Hey, they're fighting a WAR over there, and its not safe!"...or maybe its just something else that happens, but that something else is multiplied into badness because you don't have your Best Friend to tell about it to...but whatever it might be, the Decision is still the same. The excuses will always be there ( whether you're in the army or whether you'll never have to deal with a spouse separation. ever.) I know for a fact that every single season of my life, there are ALWAYS excuses to go a different route when the Decision time comes....
In the past month I've had a new added element to my life, since the Battalion that Brett was with before we went to Kansas deployed, I now have many girl friends going down a similar road and they too are having to wake up every morning without their loved ones and I know they've learned all about the Decision for themselves. And so tonight I'd like to tell you about the girls who, even though I've been doing this for many months now, have totally inspired me. They have taught me a little bit more about the Savior that gets us through...
First of all, you need to go read this blog right now ( I'll wait right here while you do it)...
Karissa just started blogging a few months ago...
So did you go? Did you read it?
Yeah, I know. I was encouraged too! Karissa has been making the Decision in a big fat way. And its incredible to see in real life too. She's not just blogging nice positive stuff-she's actually going out and living it too. For instance this last week was particularly awful and I watched Karissa face it all with the same obvious sadness as everyone else, but she also was digging into the Word of God and the difference was she was not wallowing in the sadness or letting the fear take her captive ( something I was definitely tempted to do at times!)....she totally turned to God to pull her out....
And He did.
I also have another friend who has started taking her Quiet Times super seriously. I'm not really sure if she did before this deployment, or even what started it exactly ( we haven't talked about it). But whatever the case is, I've noticed a new element in her life. An element of seeking God when it comes to the difficulties and the unanswerable stuff...and I've seen her un-pry her fingers from the death grip that we all seem to have on our own lives ( are ALL women control freaks?! hahaha! I know I am!)-she's been taking all those details of life and turning them over to God to answer....
And He has.
And I guess you could say that I started this post to talk about these girls and what they have taught me, and ultimately the lesson they've taught me, though they probably don't realize it...is I have seen the Lord. I have seen Him!! I have seen Him in undoubtable ways in the lives of these friends of mine. I have a greater understand of His Power, and His amazing capabilities for Faithfulness.
If you are seeking God in your life, never doubt that it is not visible to those around you, and take it from me- the Decision you are making to Seek Him and to Follow Him, your Decision may very well be making it easier for those watching you to make that Decision for themselves.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful girls who teach me about my Lord every single day! May tomorrow's Decision be a no-brainer!
And lets be honest sometimes it not an easy Decision to make. Sometimes you haven't gotten to talk to your husband, or maybe something happens that rocks your boat and you realize that "Hey, they're fighting a WAR over there, and its not safe!"...or maybe its just something else that happens, but that something else is multiplied into badness because you don't have your Best Friend to tell about it to...but whatever it might be, the Decision is still the same. The excuses will always be there ( whether you're in the army or whether you'll never have to deal with a spouse separation. ever.) I know for a fact that every single season of my life, there are ALWAYS excuses to go a different route when the Decision time comes....
In the past month I've had a new added element to my life, since the Battalion that Brett was with before we went to Kansas deployed, I now have many girl friends going down a similar road and they too are having to wake up every morning without their loved ones and I know they've learned all about the Decision for themselves. And so tonight I'd like to tell you about the girls who, even though I've been doing this for many months now, have totally inspired me. They have taught me a little bit more about the Savior that gets us through...
First of all, you need to go read this blog right now ( I'll wait right here while you do it)...
Karissa just started blogging a few months ago...
So did you go? Did you read it?
Yeah, I know. I was encouraged too! Karissa has been making the Decision in a big fat way. And its incredible to see in real life too. She's not just blogging nice positive stuff-she's actually going out and living it too. For instance this last week was particularly awful and I watched Karissa face it all with the same obvious sadness as everyone else, but she also was digging into the Word of God and the difference was she was not wallowing in the sadness or letting the fear take her captive ( something I was definitely tempted to do at times!)....she totally turned to God to pull her out....
And He did.
I also have another friend who has started taking her Quiet Times super seriously. I'm not really sure if she did before this deployment, or even what started it exactly ( we haven't talked about it). But whatever the case is, I've noticed a new element in her life. An element of seeking God when it comes to the difficulties and the unanswerable stuff...and I've seen her un-pry her fingers from the death grip that we all seem to have on our own lives ( are ALL women control freaks?! hahaha! I know I am!)-she's been taking all those details of life and turning them over to God to answer....
And He has.
And I guess you could say that I started this post to talk about these girls and what they have taught me, and ultimately the lesson they've taught me, though they probably don't realize it...is I have seen the Lord. I have seen Him!! I have seen Him in undoubtable ways in the lives of these friends of mine. I have a greater understand of His Power, and His amazing capabilities for Faithfulness.
If you are seeking God in your life, never doubt that it is not visible to those around you, and take it from me- the Decision you are making to Seek Him and to Follow Him, your Decision may very well be making it easier for those watching you to make that Decision for themselves.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful girls who teach me about my Lord every single day! May tomorrow's Decision be a no-brainer!
August 28, 2009
Still good
So, tonight I was looking up a quote to stick at the bottom of the current letter that I'm writing to Brett ( I'd think he'd love any letters you might want to send his way...he's ( more than) good when it comes to supplies or boxes or anything like that-but letters are ALWAYS welcome!!
Anyway, as I searched for the quote I wanted, I came across this other one that was also pretty great. Short but sweet:
" ( Lothlorien) is like being at home and on a holiday at the same time, if you understand me. I dont want to leave."
I think that would be my ultimate desire for my home when people visit....seems like something that might be hard to attain-but definitely worth working towards!
Gotta love Tolkien!
Anyway, as I searched for the quote I wanted, I came across this other one that was also pretty great. Short but sweet:
" ( Lothlorien) is like being at home and on a holiday at the same time, if you understand me. I dont want to leave."
I think that would be my ultimate desire for my home when people visit....seems like something that might be hard to attain-but definitely worth working towards!
Gotta love Tolkien!
August 26, 2009
"But if not.."
So, a few hours ago I posted a semi-sad post after hearing that 1-17 had four more casualties-but then I heard a little more news, and all of a sudden the abstract sadness of lives lost had faces.
The faces of fathers and husbands. Men that I actually knew and that was when the real reality kicked in. I know, its horrible that I cannot seem to muster up this kind of empathy when it comes to people I do not know-but such is the way of my mind. But, when we do know the persons impacted. Wow. Grief.
Its so incredibly awful....
Of course, it doesn't stay focused on others long, soon your sympathy gets mixed in with your own worst fears and you start thinking about other soldiers-your best friends husbands, men who are your close friends....your own husband. Its around then that I start to curse my fully developed imagination because its just too awful to even begin to comprehend.
And so I have another go at a blog post.
Before all these news started hitting I had a quiet time. And in that quiet time I was reading in Daniel. The well known story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace. ( If you need some refreshing you can read the account here). Anyway, this time through I was struck by three little words, "But if not..."
These men had just made a huge proclamation to this heathen king saying that they served a God who could deliver them from any kind of punishment he might come up with-even throwing them in a furnace-and that they would honor God and not Man ( aka. the king) and would not be bowing down to his idol...and then these three little words..."But if not..."
You see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not live under any allusions that they were guaranteed saving just because they were being faithful to God-but with those three words they made it clear that it did not matter.
Their faith was not conditional. Who God was and the honor that He deserved from them was not based upon His actions towards them. God does not change, and their faith was not going to change either.
It gives me great comfort now, and even more after the events of the day. To think of how I serve a God who does not change according to whim. Whether i have a good day or a bad day. Whether horrible things happen to me or whether I am spared. Whether those that I love and care for, face difficulties or whether they are greatly blessed...
He is the same. The same majestic and wonderful God who is worthy to be praise, honored and adored no matter what.
And to be honest, I tremble a little bit at that truth....for the realities of what I just said are this....that even if something unimaginable where to happen in my own life, even if our own version of "But if not" were to happen, Christ would still be the same. He would still be glorious.
Tonight I cry for the realities of this World, and my heart desires ever more a Kingdom where...."He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Amen to that....and until that day....I pray for strength to face the furnace and comfort for those who already have.
The faces of fathers and husbands. Men that I actually knew and that was when the real reality kicked in. I know, its horrible that I cannot seem to muster up this kind of empathy when it comes to people I do not know-but such is the way of my mind. But, when we do know the persons impacted. Wow. Grief.
Its so incredibly awful....
Of course, it doesn't stay focused on others long, soon your sympathy gets mixed in with your own worst fears and you start thinking about other soldiers-your best friends husbands, men who are your close friends....your own husband. Its around then that I start to curse my fully developed imagination because its just too awful to even begin to comprehend.
And so I have another go at a blog post.
Before all these news started hitting I had a quiet time. And in that quiet time I was reading in Daniel. The well known story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace. ( If you need some refreshing you can read the account here). Anyway, this time through I was struck by three little words, "But if not..."
These men had just made a huge proclamation to this heathen king saying that they served a God who could deliver them from any kind of punishment he might come up with-even throwing them in a furnace-and that they would honor God and not Man ( aka. the king) and would not be bowing down to his idol...and then these three little words..."But if not..."
You see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not live under any allusions that they were guaranteed saving just because they were being faithful to God-but with those three words they made it clear that it did not matter.
Their faith was not conditional. Who God was and the honor that He deserved from them was not based upon His actions towards them. God does not change, and their faith was not going to change either.
It gives me great comfort now, and even more after the events of the day. To think of how I serve a God who does not change according to whim. Whether i have a good day or a bad day. Whether horrible things happen to me or whether I am spared. Whether those that I love and care for, face difficulties or whether they are greatly blessed...
He is the same. The same majestic and wonderful God who is worthy to be praise, honored and adored no matter what.
And to be honest, I tremble a little bit at that truth....for the realities of what I just said are this....that even if something unimaginable where to happen in my own life, even if our own version of "But if not" were to happen, Christ would still be the same. He would still be glorious.
Tonight I cry for the realities of this World, and my heart desires ever more a Kingdom where...."He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Amen to that....and until that day....I pray for strength to face the furnace and comfort for those who already have.
The Patriotic Post
Lately we've been dealing with the finality of death around here. Brett's unit that he belonged to before he was placed on the MiTT team, deployed a little over a month ago-and in that time they've had more deaths than my naive mind could have imagined.
This news has affirmed like never before the importance of the "mission" that Brett and I have both felt strongly about over the past two years ( longer for Brett)...the importance of spreading the gospel within our military.
Its the only Hope we have.
And this weekend as we say goodbye to a heaping hand full of the guys in our Navigator Ministry who I've been working alongside over this past year, guys who will be deploying over the next few weeks, my prayers don't seem like enough....
Amy, Karissa and I were talking today about how we've all gotten exponentially more patriotic since our husbands have deployed-and I definitely think its true for me...I mean, I'm not saying that you'll be seeing a yellow ribbon magnet on the back of my car any time soon...its just that I am incredibly proud of my husband and so many others who are willing to give up the comforts of home ( and often much more than that!) to serve their country....and sometimes you really want to wear a tacky t-shirt that has some sort of eagle coming out of a star-spangled-banner screen printed on the front. ( Just Kidding)
This news has affirmed like never before the importance of the "mission" that Brett and I have both felt strongly about over the past two years ( longer for Brett)...the importance of spreading the gospel within our military.
Its the only Hope we have.
And this weekend as we say goodbye to a heaping hand full of the guys in our Navigator Ministry who I've been working alongside over this past year, guys who will be deploying over the next few weeks, my prayers don't seem like enough....
Amy, Karissa and I were talking today about how we've all gotten exponentially more patriotic since our husbands have deployed-and I definitely think its true for me...I mean, I'm not saying that you'll be seeing a yellow ribbon magnet on the back of my car any time soon...its just that I am incredibly proud of my husband and so many others who are willing to give up the comforts of home ( and often much more than that!) to serve their country....and sometimes you really want to wear a tacky t-shirt that has some sort of eagle coming out of a star-spangled-banner screen printed on the front. ( Just Kidding)
"Im not wearing any socks"
So, I know its been a few days since I've blogged. Mostly because I've had pretty much zero to say, which I guess shows what's going on in my brain....crickets.
That being said,today I actually woke with that feeling of "sharing" which can only be satiated by a blog post-buuuut ironically I was also actually awaked by a telephone call from the FedEx people saying that they'd be delivering our new MacBook today...of course, I then couldn't go back to sleep...and then, once my beautiful and shiny new baby actually arrived it took...literally 12 HOURS to transfer all my data from my old computer to the new one. Whew.
That was 12 hours that I didn't have a computer.
Lets just say I got a lot of reading done.
Especially since I'd decided before the day even began that I needed to fast from the television today...I've felt like I've spent a little too much time in front of the tube lately, even for me....which, come to think of it, maybe why I haven't had any kind of blog post brewing in my brain. My brain actually rotted. Just like that. That's what television does, you know.
Anyway, today was a super-spoiling-of-Abigail day not only because I got the highly anticipated Baby in the mail, but I ALSO got a surprise present for the Husband! He's the best husband in the world, just in case you were wondering...My cup runneth over in a big way.
That being said,today I actually woke with that feeling of "sharing" which can only be satiated by a blog post-buuuut ironically I was also actually awaked by a telephone call from the FedEx people saying that they'd be delivering our new MacBook today...of course, I then couldn't go back to sleep...and then, once my beautiful and shiny new baby actually arrived it took...literally 12 HOURS to transfer all my data from my old computer to the new one. Whew.
That was 12 hours that I didn't have a computer.
Lets just say I got a lot of reading done.
Especially since I'd decided before the day even began that I needed to fast from the television today...I've felt like I've spent a little too much time in front of the tube lately, even for me....which, come to think of it, maybe why I haven't had any kind of blog post brewing in my brain. My brain actually rotted. Just like that. That's what television does, you know.
Anyway, today was a super-spoiling-of-Abigail day not only because I got the highly anticipated Baby in the mail, but I ALSO got a surprise present for the Husband! He's the best husband in the world, just in case you were wondering...My cup runneth over in a big way.
August 21, 2009
The Peril of Living in Pleasantville
EVERY SINGLE DAY ( minus Wednesday, because I guess even landscapers need a day off)...I am awakened by weed eaters, blowers and weird sidewalk scraper thingies...And you know what?! Now that I think about it, I've seen nary a leaf or twig DARE to float down onto the sidewalk and impede my walking in anyway whatsoever. I guess this is why.
I'm currently listening to Missy Higgins on TOP VOLUME on my headphones so that the rackett will not be able to impede my posting abilities. Because we all know how I am when I'm awakened before the allotted time. ( Bless all the mothers that I know, I don't know how you do it.)
In other news, a while ago I threw a baby shower for my friend Katie...and at the time I thought, "Wow, this is the last party I'm going to get to throw while I'm here in Washington..its an end to an era!"
Now lets all stop and laugh at my naïveté... I'm currently in the process of planning TWO parties a week apart. The first one I'm hosting is the 1-17 Wives Coffee, with Amy and Karissa and then a week later a Lingerie Shower for my current roommate. This will reach new levels of my hosting abilities, since I'm having to MULTI-TASK in my mind of all the things I want to do for each! Whew!
I am going to feel SO accomplished when its all said and done. ;-)
I'm currently listening to Missy Higgins on TOP VOLUME on my headphones so that the rackett will not be able to impede my posting abilities. Because we all know how I am when I'm awakened before the allotted time. ( Bless all the mothers that I know, I don't know how you do it.)
In other news, a while ago I threw a baby shower for my friend Katie...and at the time I thought, "Wow, this is the last party I'm going to get to throw while I'm here in Washington..its an end to an era!"
Now lets all stop and laugh at my naïveté... I'm currently in the process of planning TWO parties a week apart. The first one I'm hosting is the 1-17 Wives Coffee, with Amy and Karissa and then a week later a Lingerie Shower for my current roommate. This will reach new levels of my hosting abilities, since I'm having to MULTI-TASK in my mind of all the things I want to do for each! Whew!
I am going to feel SO accomplished when its all said and done. ;-)
August 20, 2009
All Things...
It's nice having the warm weather back ( not toooo warm like that horrible week in July, but warm enough to sit outside for hours!)...and yesterday I went blackberry picking so that I could make blackberry cobblers when I'm feeling like comfort food. yessss!
So, you may notice that I'm feeling better. I "passed" my kidney stone on Monday night. Normally, I don't really know when I pass these babies, the pain just sorta goes away so I figure its gone...but THIS time I know for certain. How come?! Because I SAW IT!!!
AAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I know!! It was the craziest moment ever! And it was HUGE! ( and yes, this constitutes as the biggest over share in the history of the world, but whatever, I don't care...) and I now have it in a jar to take into the Urologist so they can hopefully test it and tell me if there's anything I can do or anything I can take that will make me STOP having kidney stones every year like clockwork ( this is something that one does not strive to be consistent about). I have to stop myself from showing everyone and their dogs a picture of my kidney stone-because its just so HUGE and I feel so VALIDATED for having squirmed and cried and whined and thrown up for hours on in end on Saturday night...BECAUSE IT WAS HUGE.*sigh*
Anyway, today I'm gearing up to do a little surface cleaning around the house and then hanging with some girls from Bible Study....but before I do so, here's something that struck me this morning:
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Col 1:16-17
So, you may notice that I'm feeling better. I "passed" my kidney stone on Monday night. Normally, I don't really know when I pass these babies, the pain just sorta goes away so I figure its gone...but THIS time I know for certain. How come?! Because I SAW IT!!!
AAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I know!! It was the craziest moment ever! And it was HUGE! ( and yes, this constitutes as the biggest over share in the history of the world, but whatever, I don't care...) and I now have it in a jar to take into the Urologist so they can hopefully test it and tell me if there's anything I can do or anything I can take that will make me STOP having kidney stones every year like clockwork ( this is something that one does not strive to be consistent about). I have to stop myself from showing everyone and their dogs a picture of my kidney stone-because its just so HUGE and I feel so VALIDATED for having squirmed and cried and whined and thrown up for hours on in end on Saturday night...BECAUSE IT WAS HUGE.*sigh*
Anyway, today I'm gearing up to do a little surface cleaning around the house and then hanging with some girls from Bible Study....but before I do so, here's something that struck me this morning:
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Col 1:16-17
August 17, 2009
Lamaze classes are over due.*
It was around 10pm and Bethany and I had just settled in for a little late evening chat on my couch ( per usual) when this really annoying pain started to interrupt my flow of thought. Bethany was talking and I was trying desperately to concentrate but all I could think was ("pleasepleaseplease be anything but a kidney stone!")...but after having to stop mid-sentence to run to the bathroom to loose my dinner, I realized my prayers were a little late.
And here's where I'd like to take a moment to thank God for giving me a nurse for a roommate. Now, one might think that just about ANYONE can drive a person to the ER and answer a few questions and then wait for someone to give Abigail some drugs...and you'd be right...but I'm going to go ahead and put it out there that it takes a nurse, or someone else with super powers to put up with what happened:
three hours of me...writhing in pain, crying for drugs, throwing up ( as Lindsay eloquently put it: "everything...and it looked and smelled just like chicken soup! interesting!"...see?! I told you only a nurse...) and did I mention crying and writhing? Because there was SO MUCH of it!! But, Lindsay was amazing...she basically rubbed my back and told me everything was going to be fine and that "yes, she knew it was awful"....
When it came down to it, the ER was packed-since it was a Saturday night and we were on an army base where people like to get in fights and get overly intoxicated on Saturday nights...and that's not counting all the other things that come into the ER...so, yes, it was horrible and I had never stopped to think about what good service I've always gotten for my pervious four kidney stones...but, yeah, this categorically goes into the "NOT GOOD SERVICE" category...and it took them a very, very, very long time to finally give me drugs.
And Lindsay deserves a medal of honor...
*It was during the time when I was writhing in pain, asking for drugs, PLEADING for just about anything, that the nurses took my blood to make sure I wasn't pregnant...and all I could think about was, how LONG will it take them to find out what I already know?! That I'm NOT PREGNANT AND SOMEONE GIVE ME DRUGS ALREADY!!!! But, then my second thought was stone-cold-sobering....what if one day, I am pregnant!?! Will I honestly have to do a kidney stone without any hope of drugs coming? I've heard of people having a kidney stone and labor at the same time and I've always laughed it off because I figure anyone going through that would just DIE already, but I'm thinking that having a kidney stone at ALL while being pregnant is my new worst nightmare.
I'm thinking I'll have to learn how to meditate and do lamaze breathing BEFORE I even get pregnant-just to be safe. Otherwise, I'm going to have to keep a Lindsay in my house at all times...and have a "kidney stone coach" instead of a birthing coach.
And now I'm home, trying to pass a kidney stone. I've currently got Brett Bear** pressed up into my left side ( something about the pressure is good) and I'm well into season 7 ( the last one!) of The West Wing....
** Brett Bear is my stuffed bear that has a hot water bottle inside of it that Brett gave me for Christmas...he's turned out to be a life saver on all sorts of major occasions: the need for something warm to snuggle during the winter, something to help the tense muscles in my neck, something cool (frozen water bottles work too) to snuggle when it was 107 degrees a few weeks ago, and now...the shear weight of a bottle of water is excellent. Best. Present. Ever.
And here's the picture Lindsay took of me after getting the long awaited morphine...
And here's where I'd like to take a moment to thank God for giving me a nurse for a roommate. Now, one might think that just about ANYONE can drive a person to the ER and answer a few questions and then wait for someone to give Abigail some drugs...and you'd be right...but I'm going to go ahead and put it out there that it takes a nurse, or someone else with super powers to put up with what happened:
three hours of me...writhing in pain, crying for drugs, throwing up ( as Lindsay eloquently put it: "everything...and it looked and smelled just like chicken soup! interesting!"...see?! I told you only a nurse...) and did I mention crying and writhing? Because there was SO MUCH of it!! But, Lindsay was amazing...she basically rubbed my back and told me everything was going to be fine and that "yes, she knew it was awful"....
When it came down to it, the ER was packed-since it was a Saturday night and we were on an army base where people like to get in fights and get overly intoxicated on Saturday nights...and that's not counting all the other things that come into the ER...so, yes, it was horrible and I had never stopped to think about what good service I've always gotten for my pervious four kidney stones...but, yeah, this categorically goes into the "NOT GOOD SERVICE" category...and it took them a very, very, very long time to finally give me drugs.
And Lindsay deserves a medal of honor...
*It was during the time when I was writhing in pain, asking for drugs, PLEADING for just about anything, that the nurses took my blood to make sure I wasn't pregnant...and all I could think about was, how LONG will it take them to find out what I already know?! That I'm NOT PREGNANT AND SOMEONE GIVE ME DRUGS ALREADY!!!! But, then my second thought was stone-cold-sobering....what if one day, I am pregnant!?! Will I honestly have to do a kidney stone without any hope of drugs coming? I've heard of people having a kidney stone and labor at the same time and I've always laughed it off because I figure anyone going through that would just DIE already, but I'm thinking that having a kidney stone at ALL while being pregnant is my new worst nightmare.
I'm thinking I'll have to learn how to meditate and do lamaze breathing BEFORE I even get pregnant-just to be safe. Otherwise, I'm going to have to keep a Lindsay in my house at all times...and have a "kidney stone coach" instead of a birthing coach.
And now I'm home, trying to pass a kidney stone. I've currently got Brett Bear** pressed up into my left side ( something about the pressure is good) and I'm well into season 7 ( the last one!) of The West Wing....
** Brett Bear is my stuffed bear that has a hot water bottle inside of it that Brett gave me for Christmas...he's turned out to be a life saver on all sorts of major occasions: the need for something warm to snuggle during the winter, something to help the tense muscles in my neck, something cool (frozen water bottles work too) to snuggle when it was 107 degrees a few weeks ago, and now...the shear weight of a bottle of water is excellent. Best. Present. Ever.
And here's the picture Lindsay took of me after getting the long awaited morphine...
August 15, 2009
A Whirlwind week
Cupcakes, Silly hats, 10 Things I Hate About You sites, Pikes Market, Yummy Food, Hiking, Kayaking, Seattle Library....you guess which pictures go with which.
August 10, 2009
In other words,
My friend Amy is visiting me from Texas. She and I met when we were in the second grade, we officially became "besties" ( although I don't think that phrase had been coined yet) in the 3rd grade...annnnnd here we are today! Pretty amazing really!
Anyway, I will probably be posting less in the next few days, the idea of juggling a visitor plus all the girls here at Lewis that I want to still see this week, plus all the things one should do in a day...well, I think that leaves minus 3 hours ( if my calculations are correct). Which is just the kind of challenge/equation I like!
I've been pondering this Psalm that I got in my quiet time a few days ago, and it's STILL speaking to me! So, reminder of 127:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go to bed to rest
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Anyway, I will probably be posting less in the next few days, the idea of juggling a visitor plus all the girls here at Lewis that I want to still see this week, plus all the things one should do in a day...well, I think that leaves minus 3 hours ( if my calculations are correct). Which is just the kind of challenge/equation I like!
I've been pondering this Psalm that I got in my quiet time a few days ago, and it's STILL speaking to me! So, reminder of 127:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go to bed to rest
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
August 07, 2009
The Professor and the Madman
This Book, by Simon Winchester, BLEW. MY. MIND.
Reading the Preface alone made me stop reading to check and make sure I was not reading a fiction book instead of nonfiction. This fascinating story of two of the most important "authors" of the Oxford English Dictionary ( yes, this IS my second book about the OED....you are not having de ja vue) is SO incredibly over the top you're honestly going to have trouble believing it. But, apparently, this is truth ( or as close as we can get) and I feel like Winchester did a great job of weaving this story together in such an enjoyable way, that you, too, might find yourself getting lost in this book....so lost, in fact, that you'll sit in the sun for two to three hours at a time for days on end, without realizing it and come away with a terrific tan. ;-)
So, to give you a tiny run down of this book ( without giving way the really juicy stuff), the undertaking of documenting and defining all the words in the English Language was not the task of just one man, but many people sending in words and quotations from literature and other writings in which the word was used. Hundreds of thousands slips of paper where submitted for over 23 years to finally complete the first edition of the OED. This book looks at the conception and beginnings of the making of the English Languages most Mighty Dictionaries, and most importantly on one of its word-submitters, one of the most prolific and detailed, who ultimately played a huge roll in "defining" the English Language. Oh, and he just so happened to be a murder who lived in an insane asylum.
While this story is understandable fantastical and could have been easily taken the "hollywood" exploitation route, I felt like the auther did a great job of looking at the principal characters of this story in a respectful and sensitive way. I came away, just as I did when I read The Man who Made Lists, the story of Peter Roget, the creator of the Roget's Thesaurus-feeling that we can thank a great lack of modern understanding of medicine for mental illness-for some of our most important works...the thesaurus AND the dictionary!
While this story is incredibly sad, it is also amazing and touching to think how a man was able to still make a worthy and important mark on society for generations to come-even though he struggled with very serious mental issues.
*warning*: There is a very disturbing and graphic scene towards the end of this book...and therefore should not be read by the faint at heart, and not given to your children to read until you've done a read through!
Reading the Preface alone made me stop reading to check and make sure I was not reading a fiction book instead of nonfiction. This fascinating story of two of the most important "authors" of the Oxford English Dictionary ( yes, this IS my second book about the OED....you are not having de ja vue) is SO incredibly over the top you're honestly going to have trouble believing it. But, apparently, this is truth ( or as close as we can get) and I feel like Winchester did a great job of weaving this story together in such an enjoyable way, that you, too, might find yourself getting lost in this book....so lost, in fact, that you'll sit in the sun for two to three hours at a time for days on end, without realizing it and come away with a terrific tan. ;-)
So, to give you a tiny run down of this book ( without giving way the really juicy stuff), the undertaking of documenting and defining all the words in the English Language was not the task of just one man, but many people sending in words and quotations from literature and other writings in which the word was used. Hundreds of thousands slips of paper where submitted for over 23 years to finally complete the first edition of the OED. This book looks at the conception and beginnings of the making of the English Languages most Mighty Dictionaries, and most importantly on one of its word-submitters, one of the most prolific and detailed, who ultimately played a huge roll in "defining" the English Language. Oh, and he just so happened to be a murder who lived in an insane asylum.
While this story is understandable fantastical and could have been easily taken the "hollywood" exploitation route, I felt like the auther did a great job of looking at the principal characters of this story in a respectful and sensitive way. I came away, just as I did when I read The Man who Made Lists, the story of Peter Roget, the creator of the Roget's Thesaurus-feeling that we can thank a great lack of modern understanding of medicine for mental illness-for some of our most important works...the thesaurus AND the dictionary!
While this story is incredibly sad, it is also amazing and touching to think how a man was able to still make a worthy and important mark on society for generations to come-even though he struggled with very serious mental issues.
*warning*: There is a very disturbing and graphic scene towards the end of this book...and therefore should not be read by the faint at heart, and not given to your children to read until you've done a read through!
Rested.
Boy Howdy! Last night I went to bed at 10:45. It was the greatest moment ever. I was SO TIRED. The last week or so have been really bad for the sleeping. I've been staying up late and getting up early and then going nonstop all day...and now it has officially caught up with me!
That being said, I wouldn't trade the last few days for anything! I've been getting some great times with the girls in the Navigator Ministry that I'd been neglecting for most of last month and I gotta tell you there is NOTHING better than seeing how God's working in peoples lives! The other thing the last few days has provided has been a roller-coaster that only the army can create. I gotta tell you being an Army Wife and thus having the opportunity to be a part of the lives of OTHER Army Wives and Army Girlfriends and Fiancees has pretty much taught me that there is NEVER EVER a dull moment when the military has its way ( which it always does). What has this taught me? How to pray ( its the only thing you can do sometimes!). The moment you learn how to deal with the last curve ball, another one is barreling down on you...and there have been several times this week that I have been left speechless after being told what these ladies are having to handle in their lives and the lives of their loved ones ( I KNOW! Me, speechless! AMAZING!) . Ultimately though I am in awe of how the Lord provides and helps and teaches in each of these circumstances, and yeah, the praying thing....that's a lesson I can never learn too much.
So, today I got up early to take the roommate and her hubby-to-be to the airport and now I'm sitting on my couch finally having a moment to catch up on all the internet correspondence that needs to be done. I've gotta get all these "solitary" activities out of the way, because on Sunday my "oldest friend in all the world" is coming to visit! That's right! Amy K. will be here for almost a week and I'm super excited about sharing my life in the North West with her. This of course means more neglecting of my Navigator Girls, but I'm HOPING that will somehow figure out a way to do everything.....
That being said, I wouldn't trade the last few days for anything! I've been getting some great times with the girls in the Navigator Ministry that I'd been neglecting for most of last month and I gotta tell you there is NOTHING better than seeing how God's working in peoples lives! The other thing the last few days has provided has been a roller-coaster that only the army can create. I gotta tell you being an Army Wife and thus having the opportunity to be a part of the lives of OTHER Army Wives and Army Girlfriends and Fiancees has pretty much taught me that there is NEVER EVER a dull moment when the military has its way ( which it always does). What has this taught me? How to pray ( its the only thing you can do sometimes!). The moment you learn how to deal with the last curve ball, another one is barreling down on you...and there have been several times this week that I have been left speechless after being told what these ladies are having to handle in their lives and the lives of their loved ones ( I KNOW! Me, speechless! AMAZING!) . Ultimately though I am in awe of how the Lord provides and helps and teaches in each of these circumstances, and yeah, the praying thing....that's a lesson I can never learn too much.
So, today I got up early to take the roommate and her hubby-to-be to the airport and now I'm sitting on my couch finally having a moment to catch up on all the internet correspondence that needs to be done. I've gotta get all these "solitary" activities out of the way, because on Sunday my "oldest friend in all the world" is coming to visit! That's right! Amy K. will be here for almost a week and I'm super excited about sharing my life in the North West with her. This of course means more neglecting of my Navigator Girls, but I'm HOPING that will somehow figure out a way to do everything.....
August 06, 2009
Give me a chance!
EEEEE! I totally didn't expect Brett to go advertising my blog on his latest mass email...so yeah, I hope people that thought they were going to get something super enlightened and spiritual from my blog weren't TOO disappointed! hehe! My last post was definitely the results of lateness and lack of sleep! Nonetheless! My posting shall continue, and hopefully by this evening I'll have my latest book review for you! And its a doozy!
Check back in later!
Check back in later!
August 05, 2009
12:31
or so the clock says....I cannot sleep.
-Today I had FOUR people comment on how tan I was...honestly. I didn't think I was that tan!! But I guess sitting outside reading my book three days in a row was a bad idea.
-I really want a new computer for the following silly reasons: I want a computer that has a camera so I can talk to my friends/family face-to-face on Skype. I want more harddrive space so that Brett and my music can both co-exist on one computer and fasterness* ( whatever it is that makes your computer download things faster that has nothing to do with the internets) so that I can watch the things I want to watch and download the things I want to download.
I want my computer to not overheat when its over 80 degrees outside.
I also think new mac books are shiny and PRETTY.
*This should be a word.
-I got in trouble today via facebook because I did not take a facebook group as SERIOUSLY as I should.
-I got in trouble today for not being a prompt responder in the emailing world.
-I felt guilty about both these things. Whether I should have or not.
-I was relieved of my secret-keeping duties on two fronts. #1. My roommate finally found out where she is going on her honeymoon ( I found out last week). #2. I got to tell Brett that two of our best friends got engaged to each other ( I had to keep this secret for 24 hrs because the guy wanted to tell Brett himself-but WAR got in the way and so I finally got to do it myself.)
-Leading a Bible Study is hard and I never ever feel like I've mastered it.
-I've read 11 books so far this year. ( that is a lot of books to some people, and not many to others...)
-I've watched LOTS more televisions series in their entirety.
-That's depressing.
-However, this answers that nagging question about what I do all day.
-I'm regretting the two double tall lattes that I had back to back this morning. Even though it was a long time ago, it probably wasn't a good idea.
-Today I had FOUR people comment on how tan I was...honestly. I didn't think I was that tan!! But I guess sitting outside reading my book three days in a row was a bad idea.
-I really want a new computer for the following silly reasons: I want a computer that has a camera so I can talk to my friends/family face-to-face on Skype. I want more harddrive space so that Brett and my music can both co-exist on one computer and fasterness* ( whatever it is that makes your computer download things faster that has nothing to do with the internets) so that I can watch the things I want to watch and download the things I want to download.
I want my computer to not overheat when its over 80 degrees outside.
I also think new mac books are shiny and PRETTY.
*This should be a word.
-I got in trouble today via facebook because I did not take a facebook group as SERIOUSLY as I should.
-I got in trouble today for not being a prompt responder in the emailing world.
-I felt guilty about both these things. Whether I should have or not.
-I was relieved of my secret-keeping duties on two fronts. #1. My roommate finally found out where she is going on her honeymoon ( I found out last week). #2. I got to tell Brett that two of our best friends got engaged to each other ( I had to keep this secret for 24 hrs because the guy wanted to tell Brett himself-but WAR got in the way and so I finally got to do it myself.)
-Leading a Bible Study is hard and I never ever feel like I've mastered it.
-I've read 11 books so far this year. ( that is a lot of books to some people, and not many to others...)
-I've watched LOTS more televisions series in their entirety.
-That's depressing.
-However, this answers that nagging question about what I do all day.
-I'm regretting the two double tall lattes that I had back to back this morning. Even though it was a long time ago, it probably wasn't a good idea.
August 03, 2009
25 degrees of separation
Let me just tell you how MUCH better I like this week than last week...I mean, sure, I'm only half a day into this week-but already I like this week better. For one thing its not a million degrees in my apartment. Meaning, I can clean house, cook, shower, sit on my couch, lie in my bed, work on my computer....all without dying of a heat induced attack of some kind ( I'm going to guess it would have been a manic attack of some kind, but just guessing).
So, I had a pretty busy weekend of meeting up with girls and I've started this week off in a similar vein. It seems that when you take two week off from ministry stuff-life actually CONTINUES ON without you. Which is totally crazy if you ask me. ;-) So, its been all about catch up + a little bit of meeting up with new girls, which basically equals good times all around....although, I will admit it all makes me rather tired. My brain begins to hurt a lot faster after having THREE intense conversations in one day.
But, on a personal note I'm reading a really fascinating book at the moment (a new review by the end of the week, I promise!), I'm looking forward to a fun week next week when Amy K. comes to visit-plus I think the next few months are going to fly by ( or they BEST!) so that the End of Brett's deployment will only be around the corner. This is good news, since it turns out you really DO have to get use to not having him around ALL. OVER. AGAIN. And sadly it is no easier the second time around. *sigh* Nights are once again difficult for me, and I am once again having to teach myself to not want to tell Brett everything that happens to me in a day and want his opinion on everything....its all about becoming self-sufficient on an every day level again...which stinks.
Wait. That paragraph totally started out all uplifting and positive. What happened? Ok, so yes...life is back to the every day grind. And all in all I'm happy with the way things are going.
For instance, right now I'm going to walk to the library and pick up some DVDs that I requested, and then I'm going to eat some fresh mango and sit in the sun. See? That doesn't sound so bad.
So, I had a pretty busy weekend of meeting up with girls and I've started this week off in a similar vein. It seems that when you take two week off from ministry stuff-life actually CONTINUES ON without you. Which is totally crazy if you ask me. ;-) So, its been all about catch up + a little bit of meeting up with new girls, which basically equals good times all around....although, I will admit it all makes me rather tired. My brain begins to hurt a lot faster after having THREE intense conversations in one day.
But, on a personal note I'm reading a really fascinating book at the moment (a new review by the end of the week, I promise!), I'm looking forward to a fun week next week when Amy K. comes to visit-plus I think the next few months are going to fly by ( or they BEST!) so that the End of Brett's deployment will only be around the corner. This is good news, since it turns out you really DO have to get use to not having him around ALL. OVER. AGAIN. And sadly it is no easier the second time around. *sigh* Nights are once again difficult for me, and I am once again having to teach myself to not want to tell Brett everything that happens to me in a day and want his opinion on everything....its all about becoming self-sufficient on an every day level again...which stinks.
Wait. That paragraph totally started out all uplifting and positive. What happened? Ok, so yes...life is back to the every day grind. And all in all I'm happy with the way things are going.
For instance, right now I'm going to walk to the library and pick up some DVDs that I requested, and then I'm going to eat some fresh mango and sit in the sun. See? That doesn't sound so bad.
July 31, 2009
Reading the OED: one man, one year 21,739 pages
This book was so fantastic! It was also the perfect book for me to be reading over the past few weeks because it is great for picking up for a few minutes and then putting it down for days, only to pick it up again for a couple of hours....needless to say, just what I needed during Brett's time here-where he and I read two books out loud to each other-thus not much time for "alone reading" hehehe!
Anyway, whether hours or minutes it's a page turner for a very specific group of people. Word People.
I think its pretty self explanatory-but basically the author, Ammon Shea, sets about to read the Oxford English Dictionary, in its entirety, in one year. The book is divided up into chapters aptly named "A", "B", "C" and so on....he starts off the chapter with some sort of anecdote about what its like to read the dictionary, things he learned about dictionaries, why he loves dictionaries, things that are horrible about reading dictionaries and so forth and then the rest of the chapter would be a compilation of the interesting, crazy, funny, weird words that he collected from that particular letter... Basically its a book/ word nerd's dream book.
I spent most of the book marveling at just how much I identified with this man ( sad, surprising or comforting? not sure what)-he was funny and odd and totally endearing. Then I spent a goodly portion of my time making notes on my iphone of the words that I particularly liked...
I've thought about this for a moment, because I'm not sure if I should share some of these words with you-or even give you my favorite quotes-because I'd basically be giving you the BEST parts of the book and I really think this book deserves a reading all its own-however, I figure only a select few would ever pick this book up, anyway-and those few will love it no matter how much I might divulge here. So, here are ( some) of my favorite things about Reading the OED:
-Shea described a person who was not one for hygiene as one who had "no more than a nodding acquaintance with the concept of bathing." -this gave me a good laugh for several minutes.
-I don't care WHO you are, if you've ever spent any time in a library you should pick up this book JUST to read Chapter "O"...honestly, its SPOT ON.
-Did you know there are 169 definitions of the word "set" in the Oxford English Dictionary? Well, I did after reading this book, and it definitely made me stop and pause to think of how HARD it really would be to come up with definitions for the commonest of words. I have a WHOLE NEW appreciation for Lexicographers.
-And anyone who loves books should read, what I think is the ultimate love letter to books, in chapter F ( which I'll also call the Computers vs. Books Chapter), I found myself saying "That is SO TRUE", out loud to myself over and over.
Well! It turns out I haven't ruined the book for you after all...and I've hardly given you anything to go on...so now I'll share (some of) my favorite words that I learned from this book ( I tried to narrow it down to words I thought I JUST might be able to slip into conversation.)
Obganiate (v.)-to annoy by repeating over and over.
Lectory-a place for reading
Matutinal ( adj.)-active or wide awake in the morning hours.
Moreish (adj)-encouraging continued indulgence ( said of food or drink).
Mumpish-sullenly angry
Adoxography-good writing on a trivial subject**
Aspectabund (adj)-having an expressive face.
Cachinnator (n)-a person who laughs too loud and too long.
Colloquialist (n) an excellent talker, a person who is good at conversing
Occasionet ( n)-a minor occasion
Sarcast-a writer or speaker who is sarcastic***
Underlive-to live in a manner that does not measure up to ones potential
**-This is absolutely my goal in life. Which is probably why I have this blog! hahaha!
***-I feel like I have probably already achieved this word. Sadly
There are many other wonderful words and stories in this book, and there is no amount of reviewing or even previewing, that will give you the unique joy that actually reading it will. I hope my fellow book lovers will pick this book up-its perfect for traveling and for the busy person who only has a few moments a day to pick up a book to read...
Anyway, whether hours or minutes it's a page turner for a very specific group of people. Word People.
I think its pretty self explanatory-but basically the author, Ammon Shea, sets about to read the Oxford English Dictionary, in its entirety, in one year. The book is divided up into chapters aptly named "A", "B", "C" and so on....he starts off the chapter with some sort of anecdote about what its like to read the dictionary, things he learned about dictionaries, why he loves dictionaries, things that are horrible about reading dictionaries and so forth and then the rest of the chapter would be a compilation of the interesting, crazy, funny, weird words that he collected from that particular letter... Basically its a book/ word nerd's dream book.
I spent most of the book marveling at just how much I identified with this man ( sad, surprising or comforting? not sure what)-he was funny and odd and totally endearing. Then I spent a goodly portion of my time making notes on my iphone of the words that I particularly liked...
I've thought about this for a moment, because I'm not sure if I should share some of these words with you-or even give you my favorite quotes-because I'd basically be giving you the BEST parts of the book and I really think this book deserves a reading all its own-however, I figure only a select few would ever pick this book up, anyway-and those few will love it no matter how much I might divulge here. So, here are ( some) of my favorite things about Reading the OED:
-Shea described a person who was not one for hygiene as one who had "no more than a nodding acquaintance with the concept of bathing." -this gave me a good laugh for several minutes.
-I don't care WHO you are, if you've ever spent any time in a library you should pick up this book JUST to read Chapter "O"...honestly, its SPOT ON.
-Did you know there are 169 definitions of the word "set" in the Oxford English Dictionary? Well, I did after reading this book, and it definitely made me stop and pause to think of how HARD it really would be to come up with definitions for the commonest of words. I have a WHOLE NEW appreciation for Lexicographers.
-And anyone who loves books should read, what I think is the ultimate love letter to books, in chapter F ( which I'll also call the Computers vs. Books Chapter), I found myself saying "That is SO TRUE", out loud to myself over and over.
Well! It turns out I haven't ruined the book for you after all...and I've hardly given you anything to go on...so now I'll share (some of) my favorite words that I learned from this book ( I tried to narrow it down to words I thought I JUST might be able to slip into conversation.)
Obganiate (v.)-to annoy by repeating over and over.
Lectory-a place for reading
Matutinal ( adj.)-active or wide awake in the morning hours.
Moreish (adj)-encouraging continued indulgence ( said of food or drink).
Mumpish-sullenly angry
Adoxography-good writing on a trivial subject**
Aspectabund (adj)-having an expressive face.
Cachinnator (n)-a person who laughs too loud and too long.
Colloquialist (n) an excellent talker, a person who is good at conversing
Occasionet ( n)-a minor occasion
Sarcast-a writer or speaker who is sarcastic***
Underlive-to live in a manner that does not measure up to ones potential
**-This is absolutely my goal in life. Which is probably why I have this blog! hahaha!
***-I feel like I have probably already achieved this word. Sadly
There are many other wonderful words and stories in this book, and there is no amount of reviewing or even previewing, that will give you the unique joy that actually reading it will. I hope my fellow book lovers will pick this book up-its perfect for traveling and for the busy person who only has a few moments a day to pick up a book to read...
talk, talk, talk
Whew! What a day! I'm totally exhausted, but a part of my body* will NOT let me go to sleep. ( * the part that thinks that Brett COULD call...you never know.)
*sigh* So, anyway, I'm going to do my best to finish the book that I've been reading off and on for ages-I'm very much looking forward to writing a review for this one, so hopefully you won't have to wait much longer for that one.
And, as for my day, it was very stock full of talking. I had an early morning coffee with Tina ( she came over after her shift at Starbucks, baring the gift of coffee, so I let her in to take a shower and share some good fellowship time with her)....followed by a field trip to the wedding dress store with my roommate to do her first fitting for her wedding dress! YAY! It was great fun, and I'm so excited for her! Then, we had lunch and then I came home for a nap, but juuuust as I was about to get to sleep I got a call from Amy to get a quick catch up with her, so I was out the door again to sneak in a little talk with her ( boy, deployments do a number on a person! Let me tell you, army wives deserve metals!) and then I was home again to do bible study with Linds.
So, I feel like if there is any more advice giving, talking and/or listening left to be done today, I honestly don't know where it would come from.
That being said, my talk with Tina today reminded me of this great quote. I actually stopped mid-sentence, interrupting myself to think of it....yeah....I'm that kind of a dork:
Do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me ( God) there with you?!
That quote is courtesy of the book The Shack , which I don't altogether recommend...but that quote was worth the read for me at least!
*sigh* So, anyway, I'm going to do my best to finish the book that I've been reading off and on for ages-I'm very much looking forward to writing a review for this one, so hopefully you won't have to wait much longer for that one.
And, as for my day, it was very stock full of talking. I had an early morning coffee with Tina ( she came over after her shift at Starbucks, baring the gift of coffee, so I let her in to take a shower and share some good fellowship time with her)....followed by a field trip to the wedding dress store with my roommate to do her first fitting for her wedding dress! YAY! It was great fun, and I'm so excited for her! Then, we had lunch and then I came home for a nap, but juuuust as I was about to get to sleep I got a call from Amy to get a quick catch up with her, so I was out the door again to sneak in a little talk with her ( boy, deployments do a number on a person! Let me tell you, army wives deserve metals!) and then I was home again to do bible study with Linds.
So, I feel like if there is any more advice giving, talking and/or listening left to be done today, I honestly don't know where it would come from.
That being said, my talk with Tina today reminded me of this great quote. I actually stopped mid-sentence, interrupting myself to think of it....yeah....I'm that kind of a dork:
Do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me ( God) there with you?!
That quote is courtesy of the book The Shack , which I don't altogether recommend...but that quote was worth the read for me at least!
July 30, 2009
A breeze.
And so here we are, Brett has been gone for two days... I finally heard a peep from him, via email, so I know he's still alive. This was very relieving to all my silly fears that don't believe me when I tell them that things are probably totally fine, and that I would KNOW if something was really wrong....yes, I talk to my silly fears-and they hardly ever listen....
In the past few days I've occupied most of my time with trying to stay cool. With record breaking temperatures-as in the hottest days in recorded history-and only a box fan to cool the house down, I went from one air-conditioned location to the next, trying to stay cool ( along with every other person living in Washington). But, with all that going on, there has been a lot on my heart to pray for the past few days and its been hard to find the time that I wanted on the computer to be able to email people that I wanted to email, and to write the blog posts that I wanted to write ( my computer is ancient of days and doesn't like the hot weather-she pretty much "goes to sleep" every few minutes if she gets too over heated). But, this morning, it seems that things are a TAD cooler and I've been able to stay in my bedroom, with the fan blowing directly on my body, without too much suffering and so here I am!
First of all, I felt like my last post was a bit too despairing and I'd like to amend that-and I'll blame the despair on two things:
lack of sleep, and hotness.
Ok, so seriously, I am terribly blessed. Yes, my husband left on Tuesday, but I have wonderful friends here-I was brushing my teeth that night and I got this picture of what my life looks like, and it looked like a bunch of people coming up in a big huddle all around me and giving me a big hug. THAT'S the kind of love and support that I feel from my friends and family...that being said, I felt terribly sad and more burdened to pray for Brett-who went through the same sadness that I did ( though in a super manly way. hehehe) but he lacked the people to gather around him and help him and encourage him. He is not returning to a Spiritual Family or even close friends...and once again I am struck by how difficult the road he has faced these last 8 months. So, I continue to pray for him to be upheld by the ultimate Friend and Father...and that ultimately these last four months would be the best of all, in seeing all that the Lord can do!
The other things I've been meaning to share with you...not sure why...but it just hasn't "let go" of me just yet, so I figure I'd put it out there-in my quiet time on Monday I was struck by a passage I was reading in Ps 112:7-8:
The ( Righteous Man) is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, His heart is steady, he will not be afraid. "
So wow! Remember the last time you got bad news? How did that make you feel? Did you feel all steady and calm? All trusting and unafraid by whatever the news was?
hehehe, yes, me neither.
But here's the thing, that's what the Lord is saying...those that Know Him and Know Him with all their might-they are able to look even in the face of the worst news and say, "It is well."
And it IS, it IS well...because we can KNOW with absolute certainty that His Will-will be done, His Plans-they will be carried out. His Son-will be glorified. So, whatever the world might throw our way, whatever curve ball lands on our plate, whatever life hands us....it is INCONSEQUENTIAL. He laughs in the face of such "minor details", and ultimately we can too!
Whatever setbacks you may have had recently, know this for certain that He already has His plan in motion and that plan will NOT be altered and He will NOT be surprised by what tomorrow brings. We may rest in the knowledge that He knows tomorrow and that He will prepare us for whatever it may bring.
In the past few days I've occupied most of my time with trying to stay cool. With record breaking temperatures-as in the hottest days in recorded history-and only a box fan to cool the house down, I went from one air-conditioned location to the next, trying to stay cool ( along with every other person living in Washington). But, with all that going on, there has been a lot on my heart to pray for the past few days and its been hard to find the time that I wanted on the computer to be able to email people that I wanted to email, and to write the blog posts that I wanted to write ( my computer is ancient of days and doesn't like the hot weather-she pretty much "goes to sleep" every few minutes if she gets too over heated). But, this morning, it seems that things are a TAD cooler and I've been able to stay in my bedroom, with the fan blowing directly on my body, without too much suffering and so here I am!
First of all, I felt like my last post was a bit too despairing and I'd like to amend that-and I'll blame the despair on two things:
lack of sleep, and hotness.
Ok, so seriously, I am terribly blessed. Yes, my husband left on Tuesday, but I have wonderful friends here-I was brushing my teeth that night and I got this picture of what my life looks like, and it looked like a bunch of people coming up in a big huddle all around me and giving me a big hug. THAT'S the kind of love and support that I feel from my friends and family...that being said, I felt terribly sad and more burdened to pray for Brett-who went through the same sadness that I did ( though in a super manly way. hehehe) but he lacked the people to gather around him and help him and encourage him. He is not returning to a Spiritual Family or even close friends...and once again I am struck by how difficult the road he has faced these last 8 months. So, I continue to pray for him to be upheld by the ultimate Friend and Father...and that ultimately these last four months would be the best of all, in seeing all that the Lord can do!
The other things I've been meaning to share with you...not sure why...but it just hasn't "let go" of me just yet, so I figure I'd put it out there-in my quiet time on Monday I was struck by a passage I was reading in Ps 112:7-8:
The ( Righteous Man) is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, His heart is steady, he will not be afraid. "
So wow! Remember the last time you got bad news? How did that make you feel? Did you feel all steady and calm? All trusting and unafraid by whatever the news was?
hehehe, yes, me neither.
But here's the thing, that's what the Lord is saying...those that Know Him and Know Him with all their might-they are able to look even in the face of the worst news and say, "It is well."
And it IS, it IS well...because we can KNOW with absolute certainty that His Will-will be done, His Plans-they will be carried out. His Son-will be glorified. So, whatever the world might throw our way, whatever curve ball lands on our plate, whatever life hands us....it is INCONSEQUENTIAL. He laughs in the face of such "minor details", and ultimately we can too!
Whatever setbacks you may have had recently, know this for certain that He already has His plan in motion and that plan will NOT be altered and He will NOT be surprised by what tomorrow brings. We may rest in the knowledge that He knows tomorrow and that He will prepare us for whatever it may bring.
July 28, 2009
A long whimper
Brett left this morning at the crack of dawn. So, I've been up for far too long. It was already 75 degrees at 4:30 which did not bode well for the rest of the day...
Not having air conditioning makes this particular heat wave brutal....I mean, I'm a Texas girl and all...but I do not DO a house that is "pleasantly cooler than outside meaning its 85 degrees..." I mean, seriously, I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight with it being this hot.
And yes, Brett, let....and yes, it was just as horrible as a goodbye ever could be. It does not matter that he'll only be gone 4 months this time, it still felt like someone took out my heart and filled up the gaping hole in my chest with a bunch of thorns and heavy paper weights....and now I'm once again faced with that constant sneaking suspicion that I need to talk to someone and that someone isn't there anymore.
But, enough with the complaining ( not really, I'm sure I'll get back to more of that), I was greeted by my sweet roommate Lindsay when I got home from the airport...I haven't seen much of her in the past two weeks ( except to attend her SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT PARTY! YAAAAAY!) so it was great to see her again, and she was nice enough to get up at 7am in the morning and talk to me for a little while....and then, later, my fellow army-wives-with-deployed-husbands, Karissa and Amy came over and commiserated with me and they came baring gifts and pizza....and that plus all the many nice notes and texts and facebook messages, I know that I am loved and that I don't have much to complain about....yet, why do I feel like crying again?
Not having air conditioning makes this particular heat wave brutal....I mean, I'm a Texas girl and all...but I do not DO a house that is "pleasantly cooler than outside meaning its 85 degrees..." I mean, seriously, I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight with it being this hot.
And yes, Brett, let....and yes, it was just as horrible as a goodbye ever could be. It does not matter that he'll only be gone 4 months this time, it still felt like someone took out my heart and filled up the gaping hole in my chest with a bunch of thorns and heavy paper weights....and now I'm once again faced with that constant sneaking suspicion that I need to talk to someone and that someone isn't there anymore.
But, enough with the complaining ( not really, I'm sure I'll get back to more of that), I was greeted by my sweet roommate Lindsay when I got home from the airport...I haven't seen much of her in the past two weeks ( except to attend her SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT PARTY! YAAAAAY!) so it was great to see her again, and she was nice enough to get up at 7am in the morning and talk to me for a little while....and then, later, my fellow army-wives-with-deployed-husbands, Karissa and Amy came over and commiserated with me and they came baring gifts and pizza....and that plus all the many nice notes and texts and facebook messages, I know that I am loved and that I don't have much to complain about....yet, why do I feel like crying again?
July 24, 2009
The Big Struggle
Brett has four more days ( that's counting today) here in the States before he heads back to A-stan for the last four months(!)...and....well, its starting to sink in that's he's leaving AGAIN.
I'm not exactly complaining, mind you, because I knew this was coming....its just....now my prayers are the same as they were last November when I prayed that Brett and I's last days together would not be TAINTED by the evilness of him leaving me. At the time God came through big time and our last days together were very sweet and fun and full of great Kansas Memories ( a miracle right there)...and so I believe that the same can be done now on a smaller scale.
Here's to these last few days, that they would be sweet, with no bitter included.
I'm not exactly complaining, mind you, because I knew this was coming....its just....now my prayers are the same as they were last November when I prayed that Brett and I's last days together would not be TAINTED by the evilness of him leaving me. At the time God came through big time and our last days together were very sweet and fun and full of great Kansas Memories ( a miracle right there)...and so I believe that the same can be done now on a smaller scale.
Here's to these last few days, that they would be sweet, with no bitter included.
July 20, 2009
Cheating
I'm thinking I'l just post another picture to fill up space...since all the space in my brain is currently occupied with soaking up as much of Brett as I possibly can....
And don't worry, I only wear this hat at concerts and in hipster towns like Olympia....normally I don't wear hats at all. promise.
And don't worry, I only wear this hat at concerts and in hipster towns like Olympia....normally I don't wear hats at all. promise.
July 17, 2009
Check!
One of the things on my list ( yes, I made a list...) of things I wanted to do when Brett was here was to sit on our balcony. Its one of my favorite places to be when the weather is fine...and so I wanted very much to share it with Brett. I can safely check this off my list now, since we've spent quite a bit of time every day on the balcony....
July 13, 2009
July 12, 2009
Cliche but nice
Right now I'm listening to Brett snore on the couch next to me. And while I promised you that my next post would be a picture of Brett, I'm thinking he wouldn't appreciate a picture of him with his mouth open sleeping! hahaha! So, you'll all just have to wait on a picture, but I promise he looks great ;-)
Today was so very odd, but absolutely wonderful. It started with a phonecall from Brett saying that he'd be in on a flight around 1pm-and then I tried to go back to sleep, which was somewhat successful-but my sleep was interrupted by thunderstorms! Seriously!
Washington just about never has lightening or thunder ( something I greatly miss)...but today we enjoyed several hours of hard rain and thunder and lightening to start the day.
So I sat on my balcony and did my quiet time, all the while watching the rain come down. I then remembered what God promised me before Brett's deployment....that even in the midst of the desert He would provide His Rain...and no matter how hard and "drought" like it got-He would provide! And lookie here! He did! That hard downpour of rain this morning was a good reminder of all the many things He's gotten us through in the past eight month, very neat! And how eternally grateful I am to Him for helping us through some pretty tough times.
Anyway, by the time I got the airport ( I almost cried several times on the way...just thinking about seeing Brett) I was about to burst-and even though they let me back to the gates so I could meet Brett straight away...I had to wait behind a bunch of line-skipper-flight-attendants! It was pretty much the worst moment of waiting in the history of man, but I finally got through, and while I was not there to see Brett get off the plane I was there in time to meet him at the end of a long walk way and make one of those TOTALLY cliche moments where we run and we hug and everyone around you KNOW is totally looking at you ( the guy in the army uniform and the girl in the short dress (hehe!)...but WHO CARES?!
In those few moments it was as if the greatest weight had been lifted! And it was like all the things that I knew and loved about Brett plus a whole bunch of things that I actually FORGOT I loved about him came flooding back....
greatness.
And you know what? I really hope none of you have to be away from your spouse for a long period of time...but if you DO...let me promise you that seeing them again after a long separation is pretty darn cool. So keep your chin up! After 247 days in a row of not seeing each other, we're back down to zero. Just the way I like it.
P.S. He's still snoring.
Today was so very odd, but absolutely wonderful. It started with a phonecall from Brett saying that he'd be in on a flight around 1pm-and then I tried to go back to sleep, which was somewhat successful-but my sleep was interrupted by thunderstorms! Seriously!
Washington just about never has lightening or thunder ( something I greatly miss)...but today we enjoyed several hours of hard rain and thunder and lightening to start the day.
So I sat on my balcony and did my quiet time, all the while watching the rain come down. I then remembered what God promised me before Brett's deployment....that even in the midst of the desert He would provide His Rain...and no matter how hard and "drought" like it got-He would provide! And lookie here! He did! That hard downpour of rain this morning was a good reminder of all the many things He's gotten us through in the past eight month, very neat! And how eternally grateful I am to Him for helping us through some pretty tough times.
Anyway, by the time I got the airport ( I almost cried several times on the way...just thinking about seeing Brett) I was about to burst-and even though they let me back to the gates so I could meet Brett straight away...I had to wait behind a bunch of line-skipper-flight-attendants! It was pretty much the worst moment of waiting in the history of man, but I finally got through, and while I was not there to see Brett get off the plane I was there in time to meet him at the end of a long walk way and make one of those TOTALLY cliche moments where we run and we hug and everyone around you KNOW is totally looking at you ( the guy in the army uniform and the girl in the short dress (hehe!)...but WHO CARES?!
In those few moments it was as if the greatest weight had been lifted! And it was like all the things that I knew and loved about Brett plus a whole bunch of things that I actually FORGOT I loved about him came flooding back....
greatness.
And you know what? I really hope none of you have to be away from your spouse for a long period of time...but if you DO...let me promise you that seeing them again after a long separation is pretty darn cool. So keep your chin up! After 247 days in a row of not seeing each other, we're back down to zero. Just the way I like it.
P.S. He's still snoring.
Tomorrow?
Baring any changes ( and that's a big IF when the army +summer travel are concerned), I should be getting to see my husband tomorrow....
Its been 247 days since I saw Brett.
Whoa.
Anyway, tomorrow hopefully we'll break this particular streak...and I'm going to go ahead and say right now that I pray we never have to go that long without seeing each other again. Its pretty much awful.
And yes, he'll have to leave again in 15 days, but it won't be for as long...and to be honest I am blown away that we've done it! We made it! We made it 8 months!
How blessed we have been...and I'm going to restrain myself from waxing eloquent for the moment since he's not exactly HERE yet...and the army has taught me to never count your eggs before they hatch.
That being said, thank you to all of you who have prayed for me and for Brett in the past month. Its been needed, and those prayers were definitely answered. And even today, today as a nervously wait for Brett to visit-I feel God's grace.
Now let's just hope the next post on this blog will be a picture of Brett! :-)
Its been 247 days since I saw Brett.
Whoa.
Anyway, tomorrow hopefully we'll break this particular streak...and I'm going to go ahead and say right now that I pray we never have to go that long without seeing each other again. Its pretty much awful.
And yes, he'll have to leave again in 15 days, but it won't be for as long...and to be honest I am blown away that we've done it! We made it! We made it 8 months!
How blessed we have been...and I'm going to restrain myself from waxing eloquent for the moment since he's not exactly HERE yet...and the army has taught me to never count your eggs before they hatch.
That being said, thank you to all of you who have prayed for me and for Brett in the past month. Its been needed, and those prayers were definitely answered. And even today, today as a nervously wait for Brett to visit-I feel God's grace.
Now let's just hope the next post on this blog will be a picture of Brett! :-)
July 09, 2009
SpongeBob Square Pants
Day two of the babysitting. Today was better than yesterday for one major reason. I had much more sleep. This is a bit disturbing for several reasons, but mostly because I hear parents are always sleep deprived. It seems pretty awful of God to give a person the most important job they'll ever have and then take away their sleep at the same time....terrible. I've already made several proclamations mostly to the tune of:
"I'm never having FOUR children ( all at once, varying in age)." ( Angelina Jolie is crazy!)
But other than that it's been pretty good! I'm also terribly grateful to Twitter, Facebook and text messages...no wonder I know so many moms who do those things...it definitely kept me from totally going crazy to feel like I could 'talk' to adults during the day-even if it was just a twitter saying that I was at the park...again. Yup, technology is the greatest. And I understand all the buzz about "mommy networks" on the internet being such a big deal I can definitely see the benefits.
In other news...I heard from Brett-in a terrible connection...i hate the bad connections. And it looks like I'll be waiting for several more days before I get to see him. *sigh* Please be praying that his travels go smoothly ( and FAST!) ...
"I'm never having FOUR children ( all at once, varying in age)." ( Angelina Jolie is crazy!)
But other than that it's been pretty good! I'm also terribly grateful to Twitter, Facebook and text messages...no wonder I know so many moms who do those things...it definitely kept me from totally going crazy to feel like I could 'talk' to adults during the day-even if it was just a twitter saying that I was at the park...again. Yup, technology is the greatest. And I understand all the buzz about "mommy networks" on the internet being such a big deal I can definitely see the benefits.
In other news...I heard from Brett-in a terrible connection...i hate the bad connections. And it looks like I'll be waiting for several more days before I get to see him. *sigh* Please be praying that his travels go smoothly ( and FAST!) ...
July 07, 2009
Rinse, Repeat.
Sometimes my quiet time, which usually consists of readings for several different books, as I make my way through the Bible, will speak to me on a certain topic in every single section of reading....I love it when this happens, because it helps get the message through my thick skull...
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lam 3:25-26
But though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love, for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. Lam 3:32-33
Will the Lord spurn me forever?....Had his steadfast love forever ceased?.....Has God forgotten to be gracious?...."
I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will will remember your wonders of old!" Ps: 77:7,8,11
Be Patient, therefore, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruits, being patient. You also be patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.....as an example of suffering and patience, brothers take the prophets who spoke the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:7, 11
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lam 3:25-26
But though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love, for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. Lam 3:32-33
Will the Lord spurn me forever?....Had his steadfast love forever ceased?.....Has God forgotten to be gracious?...."
I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will will remember your wonders of old!" Ps: 77:7,8,11
Be Patient, therefore, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruits, being patient. You also be patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.....as an example of suffering and patience, brothers take the prophets who spoke the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:7, 11
out with the laundry
For the past few days I've been opening up my blogger window with all the intent to blog and then my thoughts get so out of hand that after several run-on sentences ( even longer than my usual run-ons) I give up...However, I feel like you all deserve to share in the latest news so I'll push on through...
Fourth of July, Independence Day....totally my favorite holiday. I love it. Its summer. Its patriotic. There are flags, fireworks, yummy foods, warm weather...seriously. What's not to love? The town I live in continues to be the greatest town ( minus that silly no grocery store thing) by putting on a Fourth Celebration in the park across from my apartment. Quite literally I could sit on my balcony and watch the parade go by and then listen to the Elvis impersonator sing...and the day ended well with a party at Amy's...where we fed people yummy food and I held a sweaty baby....all in all a good time. But, then there was the fireworks...which I love, and Steilacoom continues to be the best "small town" fireworks I've yet to see....right on Puget Sound, so that you can see all the other town's, that surround the Sound, firework shows off in the distant. grand.
But you know what's really grand? What's really grand is that I was able to keep saying to myself in my head, 'This time next week Brett might be here!"
I can't even tell you how awesome that sentence is....
And today, today I actually unpacked some of his clothes and did some washing....I definitely recommend the packing away of your husbands clothing before he departs for year-because seeing his clothes is pretty hard on a person. I had no idea how much I've missed him...or rather...how much I have actively, with every fiber of my being, tired NOT to miss him.
Hard work.
But, before we get all super excited and gitty-let's not forget that this week I'm baby-sitting four children for two days and two nights-ages 13 to 3....their parents tell me that I'm getting treasure in heaven by doing this for them, but let me just go ahead and say that NORMALLY I'd be getting nice treasure in heaven for such a task, but on the WEEK that my husband comes home on R&R after not seeing him for 8 months...honestly, I don't know what kind of BONUS treasure they give out in heaven...but I feel like I'm in the running for some it.
Today I was ALL over the place. I had a long list of things to do, mostly cleaning type things...and for the most part I feel like the day was super productive, but then every so often I'll get this feeling in my stomach like I've forgotten something...and then I'll remember. I'll remember what I've been trying to forget for months on end, I'll remember that which I've actually let myself remember starting this week....something I'll have to start trying to forget again in just a few weeks...but for now, for now I'll remember...
Fourth of July, Independence Day....totally my favorite holiday. I love it. Its summer. Its patriotic. There are flags, fireworks, yummy foods, warm weather...seriously. What's not to love? The town I live in continues to be the greatest town ( minus that silly no grocery store thing) by putting on a Fourth Celebration in the park across from my apartment. Quite literally I could sit on my balcony and watch the parade go by and then listen to the Elvis impersonator sing...and the day ended well with a party at Amy's...where we fed people yummy food and I held a sweaty baby....all in all a good time. But, then there was the fireworks...which I love, and Steilacoom continues to be the best "small town" fireworks I've yet to see....right on Puget Sound, so that you can see all the other town's, that surround the Sound, firework shows off in the distant. grand.
But you know what's really grand? What's really grand is that I was able to keep saying to myself in my head, 'This time next week Brett might be here!"
I can't even tell you how awesome that sentence is....
And today, today I actually unpacked some of his clothes and did some washing....I definitely recommend the packing away of your husbands clothing before he departs for year-because seeing his clothes is pretty hard on a person. I had no idea how much I've missed him...or rather...how much I have actively, with every fiber of my being, tired NOT to miss him.
Hard work.
But, before we get all super excited and gitty-let's not forget that this week I'm baby-sitting four children for two days and two nights-ages 13 to 3....their parents tell me that I'm getting treasure in heaven by doing this for them, but let me just go ahead and say that NORMALLY I'd be getting nice treasure in heaven for such a task, but on the WEEK that my husband comes home on R&R after not seeing him for 8 months...honestly, I don't know what kind of BONUS treasure they give out in heaven...but I feel like I'm in the running for some it.
Today I was ALL over the place. I had a long list of things to do, mostly cleaning type things...and for the most part I feel like the day was super productive, but then every so often I'll get this feeling in my stomach like I've forgotten something...and then I'll remember. I'll remember what I've been trying to forget for months on end, I'll remember that which I've actually let myself remember starting this week....something I'll have to start trying to forget again in just a few weeks...but for now, for now I'll remember...
July 03, 2009
Definition
Apricate, meaning to bask in the sun.
This is a word that I learned yesterday from the book I'm currently
reading, and it pretty much discribes today perfectly.
Sent from my iPhone
July 01, 2009
A girls summer refrigerator
Since Linds moved in with me a few months ago I had to make some adjustments in the Fridge to make room for the exta food that was added with the extra mouth to feed...thus certain things had to be moved into the, perviously unused vegetable drawer*
*It should be noted that since Brett left, I've been almost a full time vegetarian, so I actually eat a lot of veggies...I just choose to not keep them in the drawer. It seems that "out of sight, out of mind" is very much the case when it comes to all foods for me...however, its not so much the case when it comes to Diet Coke. For it is the nectar of life. haha!
*It should be noted that since Brett left, I've been almost a full time vegetarian, so I actually eat a lot of veggies...I just choose to not keep them in the drawer. It seems that "out of sight, out of mind" is very much the case when it comes to all foods for me...however, its not so much the case when it comes to Diet Coke. For it is the nectar of life. haha!
A little gift
So, I started a new book this afternoon...its another book from my list, and my library just so happen to have it sitting on its shelves ( normally I have to request books and get them in a few days time), so it seemed destine that this be the next book that I read...its called " Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages" ( OED stands for Oxford English Dictionary for those of you who aren't bookish)....
Anyway, in the process of reading the first two chapters I've come to realize something about my style of reading...one of the things I do to gauge ( usually this is all done subconsciously) if a book is good or not, is if I can think of someone who I think would also like it. Would this book make a good gift? A good recommendation? A good doorstop?
If I find that book cannot fit into any of these categories for anyone that I know that ultimately I'm not that excited about it.
Thankfully, this current read has me thinking of several people already...
more to come...
Anyway, in the process of reading the first two chapters I've come to realize something about my style of reading...one of the things I do to gauge ( usually this is all done subconsciously) if a book is good or not, is if I can think of someone who I think would also like it. Would this book make a good gift? A good recommendation? A good doorstop?
If I find that book cannot fit into any of these categories for anyone that I know that ultimately I'm not that excited about it.
Thankfully, this current read has me thinking of several people already...
more to come...
June 30, 2009
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
This book was sent to me by my dear friend Amy K.. It seems rather fitting that of my friends, Amy would send me this little number, since Amy's always had a particular sense of humor that...well...is fitting to this book. Hehe!
Anyway, so basically, if you've read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen than you've got a pretty good handle on this book too...its the same characters, the same general plot line, except that everything has a mean twist. And by mean, I am basically saying mean. Characters that where subtly unkind to one another in the original novel ( i.e. Mr. Bennet/Mrs. Bennet's relationship...Lady Catherine and Elizabeth) are full of outright unkindness and cruel remarks and bloody fighting.
In fact, there is soooo much violence in this book, that I couldn't read it in long sections or I too ( like many of the characters within) would have considered vomiting.
Of course, what is to be expected of a book that is not Just about the coupling of singles...but also very much about the fighting of the Undead? Zombies. Seriously.
My positive review- without giving anything away, are the plot twists that include Charlotte Lucus, and Mr. Wickham-for they where particularly satisfying.
My Negative review-is mostly that this book is not for everyone...and while its incredibly clever in mixing a Classic novel with the current rage in todays culture for blood, guts and all things crude...I personally would not recommend it to the faint of heart.
All that being said, this book was positively genius in doing exactly what Jane Austen did in her time-which was to comment on society and its particular quirks towards decorum and what is important- and to do the exact same thing but with todays society and its particular quirks. This book does a great job of poking fun at the millions and millions of horror movies that seem to come out every weekend, it makes fun of the silly vampire/goblins phenomenon that seems to be running rampant among the youth of this nation.....no matter HOW badly written, it seems that if its about a handsome vampire-then we're all in. Unbelievable. Almost as unbelievable as this book, in fact. In the end "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" was much better written then the "Twilight Series" could ever hope to be....but then, again, that's not saying much-is it? ;-)
Anyway, so basically, if you've read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen than you've got a pretty good handle on this book too...its the same characters, the same general plot line, except that everything has a mean twist. And by mean, I am basically saying mean. Characters that where subtly unkind to one another in the original novel ( i.e. Mr. Bennet/Mrs. Bennet's relationship...Lady Catherine and Elizabeth) are full of outright unkindness and cruel remarks and bloody fighting.
In fact, there is soooo much violence in this book, that I couldn't read it in long sections or I too ( like many of the characters within) would have considered vomiting.
Of course, what is to be expected of a book that is not Just about the coupling of singles...but also very much about the fighting of the Undead? Zombies. Seriously.
My positive review- without giving anything away, are the plot twists that include Charlotte Lucus, and Mr. Wickham-for they where particularly satisfying.
My Negative review-is mostly that this book is not for everyone...and while its incredibly clever in mixing a Classic novel with the current rage in todays culture for blood, guts and all things crude...I personally would not recommend it to the faint of heart.
All that being said, this book was positively genius in doing exactly what Jane Austen did in her time-which was to comment on society and its particular quirks towards decorum and what is important- and to do the exact same thing but with todays society and its particular quirks. This book does a great job of poking fun at the millions and millions of horror movies that seem to come out every weekend, it makes fun of the silly vampire/goblins phenomenon that seems to be running rampant among the youth of this nation.....no matter HOW badly written, it seems that if its about a handsome vampire-then we're all in. Unbelievable. Almost as unbelievable as this book, in fact. In the end "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" was much better written then the "Twilight Series" could ever hope to be....but then, again, that's not saying much-is it? ;-)
goodbyes
Today I dropped my friend Katie off at the airport. This was a particularly sad moment for me, since Katie was my very first friend in Washington. Even before Brett and I got married, I heard about Katie and her husband Mike, who Brett had met and subsequently moved into an apartment near theirs. Thus, my first introduction of Katie was just how very helpful she was in getting my ( future) husband situated. In fact, if it had not been for Katie's "gentle nudgings", when Brett and I got married we would have had no bed to sleep in...or couch to sit on...or table to eat at. Basically, Katie helped set up house before I even arrived! This would be worthy of thanks in itself-but ultimately Katie's friendship has meant far more to me in my first ( and second) years of marriage. She is truly a sister who I could NOT have made it through the roller coaster ride of marriage, a new state, a new city, a new roll ( as a wife), and a new ministry here in Washington. And now she ( and soon her hubby, once the silly army gets around to letting him follow!) is starting in on a new adventure in the Kentucky region -where soon she'll be a mommy!
Of course, I'm saying all sorts of prayers as they head out on this big adventure, but selfishly, I'm a bit sad....yet, also terribly grateful for the time I did get with Katie....whoever gets her as a friend next is a lucky duck!
June 27, 2009
Opening the Vault: July 19, 2004
So, I can't sleep...this is annoying since I went to be early for the specific reason of getting lots and lots of "healing" sleep...arg! Anyway, while I'm up I'll share another old post from my blog circa 2004...and after you read it also bare in mind this piece of truth:
Now, five years later I can honestly say I do not really know why I was in so much anguish and sadness that particular night...I mean, I can guess...but I'd only be guessing...because, see? Somethings do fade....
Now, five years later I can honestly say I do not really know why I was in so much anguish and sadness that particular night...I mean, I can guess...but I'd only be guessing...because, see? Somethings do fade....
Monday, July 19, 2004
So, I know that the quote at the top of my blog as been there for a long time-in fact a few times I have thought about putting up a different one-but then I go back and I read it again,
" God does not open paths for us before we come to them, or provide help before help is needed. Yet when we are at our point of need, God's hand is outstretched.~ Unknown"
and I am just encouraged again.
I also think the quote has been SO true in my life, so many times that has happened for me, it really is perfect to discribe what my life is about-therefore what my blog is about.
In the past few days I have been thinking specifically of the idea of the "point of need"...usually the point of need is not the happiest of places-Personally at the moment I am crying on my bed...and not just tears but actually crying OUT....it is that place where you are totally STUCK for some reason or another. The all important part of the quote "God's hand is outstretched" is really the key and yet I dont think I really got it the first time I read it, or even the second- Because, I the first thing that came into my head when I read that, is that God just helps you out of the situation. Done deal. But, these past few days I have been thinking about it and I realized that is rarely the way. It just doesnt always work out: Problem, solution, problem, solution...
I realized that the best part of this quote is what it implies: God takes your hand and LEADS YOU....He does provide help, but it's still a battle...the sting is still there, you still have tears running down your face, except this time God is holding your hand, He is providing you with a friend, providing you with His word of Truth, providing you with a situation that gives relief...all things that never meant quite as much as they do in that moment of need.
I think so many times-especially in this day and time-we are taught that when we become Christians we will be safe and sound-peachy keen...not true. We are also taught to expect results quickly, sort of like fastfood-if it doesnt come in 5 minutes it should totally be free...I have been reminded once again that God isnt like that at all-infact, many times at the point of need we are not even given relief right away...no, instead we are just given PROMISE of relief....wait, strike that-we ARE given relief right away...infact, it has already been given. Jesus died for us. THAT was the ultimate relief for all our sins, for all our grief, for all our points of need. *sigh* so THATS why that quote is going to stay there a little bit longer.
a ball of tissue
Sooooo....let's seeeeee what's happened in the past few days? Well, for one thing I've gone through a box and a half of tissues. And while, yesterday, I seemed SO much better-I guess my body was just being a trickster because my nose and throat have reached new levels of grossness. Lovely.
But even in the midst of me not getting much done because of the blowing of the nose action, I am starting, with much trepidation, to get excited about Brett's upcoming R&R ( rest and relaxation, and for those of you who have come to me with confusion...this, sadly, does not mean that Brett is coming home for good...nope, he's coming home for 15 days....just long enough for me to get good and attached to him before he goes back to A-stan for another four and half months....but believe me I'll take it!!!)...so even though every part of my military-minded-mind is telling me that NO! IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN! DONT GET TOO EXCITED! THE DATES COULD CHANGE! THINGS COULD HAPPEN!!
I realized that a teeny tiny bit of the funk of been experiencing of late has been due to me being all nervous-y about this leave time...I mean, GEEZ...it's been SEVEN months since of seen my husband...and while I've seen pictures to prove that he's as hot as ever, and I've heard his voice most days to remind me that its still as deep as ever....it'll just be weird for him to come crash this little "party" I've been livin' in for the past while....don't get me wrong, I'm GLAD! But its weird.
For my readers who have been separated from their spouses for any long length of time, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...its this strange factor that you must fight against...and for those of you who DON'T know what I'm talking about...May you never understand.
Anyway, so to combat all the mental gymnastics my mind is going through, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and just GET EXCITED! Because, seriously? How much do I miss Brett?! ( a lot)
And how LONG have the past seven months been?! ( long)
And how silly is it to be married and not get all the benefits of having someone else take out the trash? ( really silly)
Just ( partly) kidding about the last thing...
But even in the midst of me not getting much done because of the blowing of the nose action, I am starting, with much trepidation, to get excited about Brett's upcoming R&R ( rest and relaxation, and for those of you who have come to me with confusion...this, sadly, does not mean that Brett is coming home for good...nope, he's coming home for 15 days....just long enough for me to get good and attached to him before he goes back to A-stan for another four and half months....but believe me I'll take it!!!)...so even though every part of my military-minded-mind is telling me that NO! IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN! DONT GET TOO EXCITED! THE DATES COULD CHANGE! THINGS COULD HAPPEN!!
I realized that a teeny tiny bit of the funk of been experiencing of late has been due to me being all nervous-y about this leave time...I mean, GEEZ...it's been SEVEN months since of seen my husband...and while I've seen pictures to prove that he's as hot as ever, and I've heard his voice most days to remind me that its still as deep as ever....it'll just be weird for him to come crash this little "party" I've been livin' in for the past while....don't get me wrong, I'm GLAD! But its weird.
For my readers who have been separated from their spouses for any long length of time, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...its this strange factor that you must fight against...and for those of you who DON'T know what I'm talking about...May you never understand.
Anyway, so to combat all the mental gymnastics my mind is going through, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and just GET EXCITED! Because, seriously? How much do I miss Brett?! ( a lot)
And how LONG have the past seven months been?! ( long)
And how silly is it to be married and not get all the benefits of having someone else take out the trash? ( really silly)
Just ( partly) kidding about the last thing...
June 25, 2009
getting my barrings
I'm feeling a little better today, although I keep getting light-headed and dizzy every time I turn my head quickly or stand up. According to my nurse roommate maybe this is an inner-ear infection or something weird. Awesome. Just what I wanted.
Anyway, my quiet time this morning offered some encouraging morsels:
"Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad you restored your inheritance as it languished." Ps 68:9
"By faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. "
Romans 5:2-5
Anyway, my quiet time this morning offered some encouraging morsels:
"Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad you restored your inheritance as it languished." Ps 68:9
"By faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. "
Romans 5:2-5
June 24, 2009
A "summer" cold
I woke up this morning with a hardcore sore throat followed by a runny nose all day...I only say "summer" in quotes because its NOT really that warm outside.
This cold is disappointing because, honestly, other than the times I been to Texas, I haven't been sick much this year. Typical! I would get sick right before Brett comes home for his two week break. Rgh!
Let's hope this cold goes fast!
This cold is disappointing because, honestly, other than the times I been to Texas, I haven't been sick much this year. Typical! I would get sick right before Brett comes home for his two week break. Rgh!
Let's hope this cold goes fast!
June 23, 2009
How emotional are you? I know most of you who have read my blog for any length of time will laugh at me when I say I feel like I'm somewhere in the middle of emotionalism...I say this because I've got friends who are WAY dramatic and who-no matter what-are always going through huge emotional issues:
LIFE IS SO UNCERTAIN!! LIFE IS WONDERFUL AND IS EVERYTHING I COULD EVER HOPE FOR! LIFE IS HARD AND UNBELIEVABLY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT!!!
I love these friends because they are so dang honest about how they are feeling at all times. I'm pretty sure they COULDN'T lie about it even if they tried....
Then I've got the other side of the coin. They always sound about like this. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine. Itwasagoodday. Itwasabadday. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine.
Its a little bit harder to distinguish what is going on deep in side of this type of a person, but you better believe that just because they don't talk or live their lives in All-Caps, it doesn't mean that their emotions don't swing. That some days they don't have a better grasp on their goals, a better feeling about where they fit in the grand scheme of things. And if they are followers of Christ then I bet we can ALL relate ( whether we're ALLCAPS people or if we're runonsentence people) to how some days we feel closer to God and have a greater understanding of Who He is and What He wants for our lives, and some days we're doubting just about EVERYTHING we've ever heard Him say to us. Ever.
This morning while Brett and I were praying together on the phone ( I highly recommend this....if there is anything I regret about this deployment its how little we have prayed together on the phone, considering how much we need prayer.), I was struck with a better understanding of the verse;
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Heb 13:8 ....
I was encouraged that this means He is the same no matter how I may be "feeling". People, whether you've been a Christian two days of twenty year there are Truths that do not change depending on how you are. I think sometimes we get this feeling that Christ's love is dependent on what we do or don't do. That Christ's grasp on our situation is dependent on Just how bad it is ( if its a little problem, YOU can take care of it...if its a BIG problem, maybe you'll hand it over to God and cross your fingers and hope for the best..), That Christ's Understanding and Help is directly connected to whether we feel like we deserve it or feel it.
False, False, False.
His love and acceptance , His knowledge of our lives, His complete control over situations and circumstances, His ability to save us from ourselves, all of these things are absolute and complete ALL THE TIME.
Today you might not be feeling it, you're emotions might be high, they might be low...or they might be smack dab in the middle ( like always! haha!), you might be not particularly interested in God or you might be wishing that you COULD some how get and Him through all the mess stacked up around you....no matter what, I promise you He is the Same. He is with us and For us.
He is at the Right Hand of the Father (Acts 2:33 ) right now...making our Case for us, Fighting for us. (Heb 7:25)
LIFE IS SO UNCERTAIN!! LIFE IS WONDERFUL AND IS EVERYTHING I COULD EVER HOPE FOR! LIFE IS HARD AND UNBELIEVABLY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT!!!
I love these friends because they are so dang honest about how they are feeling at all times. I'm pretty sure they COULDN'T lie about it even if they tried....
Then I've got the other side of the coin. They always sound about like this. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine. Itwasagoodday. Itwasabadday. Everythingsfine. Everythingsfine.
Its a little bit harder to distinguish what is going on deep in side of this type of a person, but you better believe that just because they don't talk or live their lives in All-Caps, it doesn't mean that their emotions don't swing. That some days they don't have a better grasp on their goals, a better feeling about where they fit in the grand scheme of things. And if they are followers of Christ then I bet we can ALL relate ( whether we're ALLCAPS people or if we're runonsentence people) to how some days we feel closer to God and have a greater understanding of Who He is and What He wants for our lives, and some days we're doubting just about EVERYTHING we've ever heard Him say to us. Ever.
This morning while Brett and I were praying together on the phone ( I highly recommend this....if there is anything I regret about this deployment its how little we have prayed together on the phone, considering how much we need prayer.), I was struck with a better understanding of the verse;
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Heb 13:8 ....
I was encouraged that this means He is the same no matter how I may be "feeling". People, whether you've been a Christian two days of twenty year there are Truths that do not change depending on how you are. I think sometimes we get this feeling that Christ's love is dependent on what we do or don't do. That Christ's grasp on our situation is dependent on Just how bad it is ( if its a little problem, YOU can take care of it...if its a BIG problem, maybe you'll hand it over to God and cross your fingers and hope for the best..), That Christ's Understanding and Help is directly connected to whether we feel like we deserve it or feel it.
False, False, False.
His love and acceptance , His knowledge of our lives, His complete control over situations and circumstances, His ability to save us from ourselves, all of these things are absolute and complete ALL THE TIME.
Today you might not be feeling it, you're emotions might be high, they might be low...or they might be smack dab in the middle ( like always! haha!), you might be not particularly interested in God or you might be wishing that you COULD some how get and Him through all the mess stacked up around you....no matter what, I promise you He is the Same. He is with us and For us.
He is at the Right Hand of the Father (Acts 2:33 ) right now...making our Case for us, Fighting for us. (Heb 7:25)
June 20, 2009
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